You can say the same for Aaron Brooks, Goran Dragic, Hassan Whiteside, Robert Covington, Isaiah Canaan etc.
What did that first we sent to Minny turn into? Even before the answer it looks like we lost that trade.
This is the third time this season he's had a monster stretch in the absence of Taj and/or Noah. Anytime they're both healthy, back to obscurity he goes.
December 18, 2010: Traded by the Orlando Magic (as a future 2011 1st round draft pick) with Vince Carter, Marcin Gortat, Mickael Pietrus and cash to the Phoenix Suns for Earl Clark, Jason Richardson and Hedo Turkoglu. February 24, 2011: Traded by the Phoenix Suns (as a future 2011 1st round draft pick) with Goran Dragic to the Houston Rockets for Aaron Brooks. June 23, 2011: Drafted by the Houston Rockets in the 1st round (23rd pick) of the 2011 NBA Draft. June 23, 2011: Traded by the Houston Rockets with Brad Miller, Chandler Parsons and a 2013 1st round draft pick (Andre Roberson was later selected) to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Jonny Flynn, Donatas Motiejunas and a 2012 2nd round draft pick (Will Barton was later selected). June 23, 2011: Traded by the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Chicago Bulls for Norris Cole, Malcolm Lee and cash.
It was the 20th pick, not the 21st. As for whether they traded for the players or the picks, it's a distinction without a difference.
It's a massive difference. We never had Mirotic. The question that's really being asked then is, should we have drafted Mirotic instead of DMo? And that's a question you can ask about maybe 80% of draft picks you (or any other team) make since there's usually a guy afterwards who does just as well/better unexpectedly.
The other factor about Mirotic is that he received a ton of guaranteed money before he even played. Of course that ~$5mill per year for 3 years looks like an absolute bargain now, but Morey would definitely balk at an uncertain deal like that
Based on how mcHale/Moray using draft pick for the past two years , Mrirotic would be great for the Viber playing alongside of Capela
Donates is a legit 7' who rotates quite well on the defensive end. I feel like if we had Nikola instead, our defense would be much worse (especially with Dwight out).
If we don't keep Parsons, Dallas never overpays for him. I like the idea that Dallas paid 15-16 million for a 2nd round throwaway pick. I therefore keep DMo and respect Mirotic's game from afar because his .397 from the field leaves plenty to be desired.
I never felt mirotic was even our player so it's difficult to be upset. Same with batum and rudy gay.
You are giving Mirotic the edge but thats because he ended up coming to the NBA, the main reason he dropped was because nobody knew if he was gonna come to the NBA in the first place, I remember that dude Orlando wasted a lottery pick on and didnt come to the NBA at all. Considering it is debatable whether Mirotic is better than DMo Id rather have the sure thing in DMo.
The only reason Mirotic is scoring so much more is because he is taking more shots. Mirotic is averaging 20.8 over the last 10, but he's only shooting 42%, and 26% from 3. D-Mo had a 12 game stretch earlier where he averaged 16 and 7, on much better shooting (57% and 43% from 3) Mirotic is a better rebounder, they are comparable defensively. Unlike D-Mo, Mirotic isn't being asked to play out of position. I still give the slight edge to D-Mo. He's had to play more minutes, on a better team, against better opposition and has much better shooting numbers. Plus D-mo hasn't had the luxury of playing next to the likes of Gasol, Noah, and Gibson. The league adjusted to D-mo, lets see how Mirotic does when the league adjusts to him. It's a close call.
