Ya he's very talented. He definitely has some of young James Harden's game in him. Probably never have Harden's strength but man does he look so skilled.
Rasheed (anyone on the Portland jailblazers for that matter) Marbury Stephen Jack Artest Rodman Iverson Kemp I mean if you can ball there will always be a chance for it to work out. Some chances are smaller for others.
I believe it depends on the type of 2nd rounder if its a high 2nd (<50) then a high 2nd rounder by itself could arguably be better than a late first because 2nd rounders are only guaranteed 1 yr and first rounders are guaranteed 2 yrs. Three 2nd rounders are def worth a late first rounder IMO. The reason is theoretically by the end of the first round it's all a crapshoot, you got few prospects left and at the end of the draft Nikola Jokic, KJ Martin Jr and Marc Gasol all kinda look the same otherwise they would been snatched much earlier. Its full of guys who are unknowns or guys that have extremely low ceiling and might not be all that diff from a random in the GLeague. You are just playing a pirate barrel game at that point and hoping the pirate pops up when its your turn. So getting 3 more chances to pop a pirate in return for picking 10 slots down one time is worth it for a lot of teams. Here's a link with some analysis. Based on this you gain some benefit already on just 2 2nd rounders vs 1 late first so 3 2ndrounders is already in the profit range. https://sportsanalytics.berkeley.edu/articles/trash-or-treasure.html
good link and I look forward to reading it. You make good points and I understand the logic but still for a team like yourself collecting assets and trying to hoard picks- the perception is still that 1st rounders are more valuable and also look sexier when putting into a trade package. It’s just easy to window dress a deal with 1sts as opposed to 2nds. Not only perception but historically if you look it’s easier and a higher success rate finding serviceable players in the 1st than it is in the 2nd even with multiple cracks at it.
If the Rockets have to cut this guy are they not stuck with paying off his contract? Just because it cost them next to nothing to get him doesn't mean it's going to cost them next to nothing to remove him. I think gambling on a 20 year borderline juvenile delinquent shows respect for second chances in life but should honestly come with expectations that he's not going to have the maturity to not repeat his mistakes for some time. He's in a bad spot and that's tough to overcome even with plenty of life experience and a decent helping of wisdom. He's going to need a really solid support system around him and a lot of grace from the team.
The fact that he has posted about suicide means he needs real help. REAL THERAPY. John Lucas is not a specialist. You guys are giving him too much credit.
He most certainly is... Dude has an absurdly successful drug and alcohol rehab program. He is a legend who has rehabbed countless young men.
First, bravo Stone for pulling the strings on this deal! Exceptional upside for very little risk. It appears that Stone, Silas and Lucas have already decided were going to work with this young man first before we expose him to the NBA game again. They want to get his head right so that he can then focus on the game. That likely means professional counseling in addition to Lucas and the coaching staff talking with him. Investing in the person first seems like a really wise move in this situation. He's just 20, his character and maturity are both still a work in progress. I wish him the best. Get well Jr, we'd love to celebrate your success with the Rockets in the (near) future.
I believe Silas said yesterday that he's a long way from joining the team because they want to get him help first.