08-06-2022, 08:37 AM
(08-05-2022, 06:58 AM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: Bledsoe came up on the Hardwood Knocks Podcast yesterday. .64 points per possession as a PnR initiator is terrible. However, the host pointed out that he hit 38.6% on catch and shoot 3’s (which means he was terrible on self-created 3’s). He also said Bledsoe was a hair over 51% on drives to the rim with an assist rate on drives of over 10%. Bledsoe (and Luka) are two of only seven guys in the NBA who shot over 51% on drives and had an assist rate on those drives of over 10%.
He’s looked pretty washed since leaving Milwaukee, but he’s been on pretty bad teams at both stops. I don’t think you can count out anyone who has any kind of history with Kidd. If we did something like this, Bledsoe is probably on the floor with one of Luka and SD (so he isn’t the primary initiator), surrounded by Maxi, Wood, Hardaway or Wood/Hardaway Maxi/Hardaway and one of the wings. That is a lot of space, which is what Bledsoe would need to make his drive/dish game effective.
The question is why isn’t this done already. I suspect some free agents are waiting for the inevitable 3 for 1 or 4 for 1 deal for Mitchell or Durant or Westbrook to see if there is more PT/Money waiting for them elsewhere.
When Bledsoe was released I think it was Hollinger who said he would be a good get at the tax level MLE. That sort of surprised me because as you mentioned his last few years since leaving Milwaukee have not been impressive. I would agree that several of these veterans are waiting around for some moves to be made to see if they can get more than the minimum.
I have to believe Dallas is either waiting on one of these veterans or hoping to be a part of a trade....maybe both. You have seen other teams sign people to compete for the last spot on their rosters. Dallas has a 15th man opening plus a two way. If they didn't have any plans, you would think they would entice guys like Jarrett Culver, Maybe Tyrell Terry and those type of players to compete for the last roster spot and two way spot.