Please send me a link to those highlights. I have always seen Amen with a big hitch in his jumper and average to below average defense. I'm not taking his steals into consideration.
CBS on May 5th: Amari Bailey Big Board rank: 26 Projection: Late first round/early second round A former five-star recruit, Bailey flashed major star power -- particularly down the stretch -- in his time with UCLA. But his potential right now isn't totally reflected in the market, where my ranking of No. 26 -- effectively a late first-rounder -- is higher than the consensus. Another season with the Bruins could allow him to further showcase himself as a dependable, consistent scorer. That would likely place him near the top of the 2024 draft. I don't think it's a big deal to take a guy 6-15 places too high if you guess right....
Bailey was the RSCI #10 recruit in the country in 2022. That was the same ranking as Josh Christopher in 2020 and he was the 24th pick. He was a true freshman at UCLA and appeared to have figured it out near the end in tournament play... his final 6 games all in tournaments: 17.3 Points 4.8 Rebounds 3.0 Assists 1.33 Steals 0.00 Blocks 2pt%: 58.8 3pt%: 46.7 Ft%: 82.1 TOV: 2.5 Opponents were: Colorado Oregon Arizona UNC Asheville Northwestern Gonzaga So you're buying on the upswing... how he looked at the combine (CBS): Winner: Amari Bailey shows versatility The start of the week for Bailey -- a potential one-and-done from UCLA -- was disastrously bad in the team scrimmage portion. Ugly turnover here, bad finish at the rim there. But he flipped a switch and turned it up a notch from there and really didn't look back. In two scrimmages he finished with 36 points and 14 assists, standing out especially as a playmaker and facilitator. Bailey was sparingly used as a freshman with the Bruins and even less so did he have opportunities to run the offense, but he showed serious ability as a combo guard who could create looks with good vision
If the Rockets don't get a pg at #4 (Scoot or Amen) or trade down for Black or for Wallace I could see Bailey as a guy they take a flyer on somehow.
#4 to Indiana for TJ McConnell & #7. Draft Anthony Black at #7. Offer Cam Johnson and/or Jerami Grant 4/$100m and see which one bites first. Garuba + KJM + 2024 BKN pick for Capela. McConnell is a veteran who’s an efficient passer and doesn’t require a ton of minutes. Could start and be the first sub out. He’s only $10m for the next two years and would be an easy way to ease Black into the role. *You could also try this with Monte Morris and #8 These moves add some veterans with reasonable contracts and nobody over 30, so still room for growth without burning a ton of assets. You’d still have room to add some specialists around the edges. McConnell/Black Green/KPJ Jabari/Tate Cam/Tari Sengun/Capela This won’t vault us into contention, but a 10-12 win improvement along the lines of the Pacers and Magic would be a great step forward for this team. I prefer these kinds of moves over the James Harden hype.
I see some similar discussions of him as a 2 guard showing promise as a distributor similar to how Harden developed from more of a 2 to a 1. I think he's potentially a better version of KPJ with a higher probability as a fit at the point. Playing 2 years behind someone like Harden could help. Probably needs to thicken his 6'5" frame but an nba conditioning program will help. I like Scoot, but I don't think he's there at 4. I come back to this: Do I like what #4 can get in trade and Bailey at 20 or do I like Amen and what I can do with #20. I think 4 can get you a quality starter or with other assets, a superstar. If picking future point guard at 20, I like Bailey a lot more than the other guys projected there. Bailey is one of the only 2 way players at the position projected in that range.
[ Sell me on Cam Johnson without discussing his shooting... Just trying to figure out why him over Grant Williams who plays defense and knows the system already. Just worried about another Ryan Anderson situation...
Agreed Cam is extremely overrated on this board and it is all about shooting. He is bad on the defensive side of the ball and is not a good rebounder. There are better options at the price it will take to get him.
Shooting is a big part of his game, so eliminating it is ludicrous. He’s also taller, draws more fouls, fouls less, more steals. He definitely has his positives, including 3pt and FT%. I don’t hate Grant Williams, but he’s more of a consolation prize for me.
I’m ok with the take, but it’s really unhelpful without examples. I realize Cam is divisive, so I also suggested Grant. I’d be happy with either. I would like to see a different perspective and a suggestion to make the proposal better. I like to know players I may be sleeping on.
If Cam truly cost 25m, then it is a hard no from me. If all you want is a sharp shooter then go for Seth Curry or some other cheaper option. Hell you could probably get Reeves for 25m and he does a little bit of everything on the floor.
OK, but you’re really talking apples and oranges here. You’re talking about adding SG sharpshooters. Or are you suggesting Reeves or Curry play PF? I really think KPJ can thrive in the sharpshooter role once he’s out of the PG business. But there’s really nothing stopping us from adding Seth Curry in addition to everything I proposed. I appreciate the input.
I'll take cam if you can't get a 2 way player like G Willliams, Anunoby, Bridges, or P Williams... I just think I'd rather have a little less shooting and a more complete player. In a leage where Joe Ingles, Joe Harris, Duncan Robinson, and Davis Bertans get paid I'm sure Cam will too. I just don't see teams thrilled with those contracts...
Jerami Grant is nothing special on defense either. Also a useful piece that helps but I feel there are better options out there. We had a defense problem more than offensive one.
I actually like your proposal except for the price tag on Cam. I don’t believe he is an nba starter. I would just as soon start Tari who can shoot and plays excellent defense. I believe Williams can be had for less money and plays excellent defense and isa decent 3 pt shooter. I do get your point on Reeves or Curry. We really don’t need another shooting guard. Harrison Barnes is another guy I would target before Cam and he is only 28 and plays both side of the floor and can play 1-3. The more I think of it, Barnes is the perfect signing for us.
A big defensive problems is in transition and can be improved through coaching. Team defense lifts everyone up. And defense would not appear to be as big of a problem if we didn’t take a ton of threes while being the worst at making them. And Anthony Black is a good defender and can guard multiple positions. I did also add the defensive presence of Capela. Note to self: Cam Johnson hatred runs deep
I don't hate cam, he would help the team. I just don't think he would help as much as a better defender who shoots 39% from 3 instead of 43%. He has good size but is a poor rebounder for it. He's also older so his upside is limited. He is hitting his prime now...
@theDude I like McConnell. I think Indiana could look to move him given haliburton and nembhard. I have previously suggested Martin to the pacers for McConnell and pick 26. Whatcha think?
