Rockets acquire KJ McDaniels for Isaiah Canaan, second round pick

Hinkie is rounding up all our D-Leaguers.

 

So where will he fit in the rotation? I really like him as a player and as a prospect, but just wondering what happens from here. Is he going to be our official back-up to Harden? Will he play along side Harden when Bev is sitting?

Anyone watch him significantly enough to really know his skill set?

 

I think I know why Morey wanted him... McGrady-esque off the backboard

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlXI3L1dBxg

 

1) Asik was sitting behind one of the best C's in basketball. Not so in this kids case.

2) Asik had great production when he played.

3) Defensive bigs are hard to find. Not so for wings.

 

Once this guy develops his shot, and he will, people here will be loving him. This team needed more athleticism in the backcourt. He is going to fit in nicely here.

 

We already have loads of athleticism in the backcourt though... Harden, Ariza, and Brewer are all very athletic and can all guard the 2. Because of that, this trade seems more like something with an eye on next season. I don't really care about losing Canaan and a 2nd rounder, but unless we get hit with an injury, I don't see McDaniels helping much this season.

 

Morey all but said that earlier this evening. McDaniels is going to ride the pine while we have Ariza and Brewer and the Rockets plan to resign him.

 

He's Brewer's replacement next year and a potential Ariza replacement in time for Durant in 2016.

 

#free McDunks

 

My two cents coming from someone who is just a fan of basketball - certainly not a coach or scout....

I have watched him several times - only reason to tune into Philly games. He's young so he does stupid young guy things but he's super athletic, hustles on every play, and gets after it on defense. I do seem to recall he can be a little careless with the ball and that combined with his youth makes me think he won't get much playing time from McHale this year as we head into the post all star game playoff stretch.

He kind of reminds me of a more athletic SG/SF version of Kenneth Farried - a guy who is all over the court with his hustle - he's very active out there. He has excellent timing to block shots (probably close to elite for a guy of his size), is a decent help defender, excellent finisher at the hoop - especially on the break. He can put the ball on the floor on closeouts and make plays in the paint. The downside of him is he has a slow release on his jumper - has this awkward shot where he kind of puts the ball low and shoots in a motion starting from his belly button. I wouldn't say his shot is completely broken - it just needs a lot of work. He turns the ball over - several times I have seen him go up for a shot and not necessarily know what he wants to do with the ball before he jumps(although his athleticism bails him out a little). He's a willing passer though and the word around the campfire is he has a hell of a work ethic. He seems to be a slightly above average rebounder for his position.

I think his ceiling is a Jimmy Butler type player - an elite two way guard. More likely though, he'll probably just end up as a very good '3 and D' guy. Think Trevor Ariza when he was younger(before he found his shooting form). Not sure I can see when we will use him as Brewer has been really good and between Harden, Brewer, and Ariza - I don't see a lot of minutes left for McDaniels unless something changes with one of those guys or maybe he can guard PGs in some matchups in spot minutes.

 

Ya, I think we brought him here to basically become a cheaper version of Brewer/Ariza making one of those guys somewhat expendable if needed.

 

Not sure if this has been posted, but I don't really care because

 

The crazy thing is that block gave a lady in the stands a concussion when the ball hit her.

 

I voted yes mainly due to the nature of the trade: it's ballsy and unexpected. Its creative and could pay high dividends.

In theory, I like what McDaniels brings to the table, but he absolutely HAS to improve his outside shot. He'll be another Ronnie Brewer if he doesn't.

 

Interesting..so do you think he'd be good enough to relieve Harden of some playing time? I don't want McDaniels to just be stuck on the bench, it'd be nice to watch a young talented rookie go to work. Knowing McHale though, I doubt he gets much PT. We'll see

 

I always thought of McD as a poor man's Kawhi Leonard. Depending on his work ethic and mind frame, KJ can develop at a similar pace to Leonard.

 

Man if this kid develops it's going to be awesome!

 

The Philadelphia 76ers somewhat shockingly moved swingman K.J. McDaniels to the Houston Rockets at Thursday's trade deadline. The deal was first reported by Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski. Grades for buddies Daryl Morey and Sam Hinkie are as follows:

Rockets receive K.J. McDaniels

Houston saw an opportunity and pounced on it. Canaan is an explosive backup point guard, but he's not in McDaniels' league in terms of ceiling. The high-flying forward has work to do to make his outside shot consistent, but has already shown how much of an impact he can make on defense. While the rookie out of Clemson is known mostly for his ridiculous dunks and blocks, he projects as a solid 3-and-D wing who can also protect the rim. That's rare, that's valuable, and that's worth spending money on this summer.

You have to assume the Rockets will be willing to invest significantly in McDaniels in the offseason. This isn't just about the long-term plan, though -- he should be able to find some minutes in the rotation immediately. This is a rotation-caliber player now, who will be a good student for Houston's player development staff.

The risk is that another team could offer McDaniels even more than Morey is willing to commit, and this could turn into a rental.

GRADE: A-

Sixers receive Isaiah Canaan, second-round pick (from Denver, according to the Houston Chronicle's Jonathan Feigen)

Philly must have thought it was going to lose McDaniels in free agency, so it decided to get some value in return. Canaan should see significant playing time, since the Sixers traded Michael Carter-Williams to Milwaukee and Tony Wroten is hurt. Another (!) second-round pick for Philadelphia doesn't hurt, either. This is fine, but it'll be hard for Sixers fans to understand if McDaniels makes good on his potential elsewhere.

Last thought: it would be hilarious if Hinkie decided to give McDaniels a big offer sheet this summer. He'll have the cap space to do so.

GRADE: C


http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on...-trade-rockets-steal-kj-mcdaniels-from-sixers

 

The name that came to my mind when I see KJ McDaniels is a young Gerald Wallace. Freak athlete, strong, rather raw on the offensive end but hustles hard. If KJ becomes that good, we would all be VERY happy to have him.

 

Definitely expect for KJ to be buried on the bench most of the year unless we are in dire need. Gotta lock him up cheap or somehow convince him to sign the $1.2MM QO.