http://www.csnnw.com/blog/blazers-talk/source-teams-calling-see-if-jj-hickson-would-entertain-trade Id love to have Hickson starting PF. He's averaging 11 rebounds a game at C when he should be playing PF. He uses his body better than either PPat or Morris. Put him next to Asik keep Greg smith and Morris (or TJones) on the bench to back up Asik and Hickson. I think that helps solidify our PF offensive consistency, and our spotty rebounding (rebounding is just horrible with PPat playing the 5). No Hickson does not have a corner 3, but he does have a midrange jumper and I honestly would rather have my PF banging in the paint for OBoards more than spotting up for 3s. Hickson brings energy to top it off. Energy comes from Physical play. PPatt rarely changes the flow of any game with his energy because he only energizes the game with corner 3's..
i see why you would bring this up, especially with Morey's man crush on 6'9 pf's who are better suited for bench roles
If he's good at posting up and getting rebounds I say go for him cause our PF suck at posting up and boxing out for rebounds
The problem is the philosophy we have right now, the spacing the floor fetish. There has to be a balance of post and run game. Even if we get him, we wouldn't run any post plays. There's going to be a lot of wear and tear with this style of play. But hey, that's what delusional Les wants.
Hickson is a blue collar guy who brings it every night, but he is not the star big man we need to take us to the next level. Portland believes that Meyer Leonard is their starting center next season. That tells you how much they think of Hickson.
He'd be a rental for this year. He's a free agent this summer. I think he would be a perfect 1st big off the bench to play either C of PF.
I think its a great idea but of course you don't give up a lot for him. it also should be noted, while not a 3 point shooter, he's not a bad mid range shooter - at least this year. This year he is actually great in that department. 38% from 3 to 9 feet (not great but could be worse), but 49% from 10 to 15 feet and 60% from 15 feet out to the 3 point line. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hicksjj01/shooting/2013/ I don't trust his game as a full time player for many years at this level... yet. but I could DEFINITELY see DM going after something like this. Again, it comes down to what you give up. If DM can keep his key 4 (Lin, Harden, Parsons and Asik) while acquiring JJ, it makes way too much sense. Hickson is like a mini-Millsap, who can develop into a full time Millsap or heck even a better version, but will almost assuredly come at a reduced rate (though increasingly less reduced if he keeps up his play). Would Hickson be open to a trade to the Rockets? Probably. They are very similar to the Blazers in a lot of respects, so I'm not sure what he'd be thinking there. But how does losing his bird rights impact his value on the open market this summer? I'm not the cap expert... not sure it would matter. especially on the Rockets, who wouldn't necessarily need his bird rights to resign him given they'll have cap space... but what if they sign someone else first, will they then not be able to use bird rights to resign JJ?? Sounds like the case....? Anyways, 24 years old, classic overperformer relative to contract, hits all of the typical DM variables... BUT clearly NOT an all-star level player.
