Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[F Gump]

Do you consider Ishchenko as still too much of an unknown to include in the youth movement? He's only 21 and has had a positive SL.

I think Ishchenko is not ready for the NBA by a significant degree. I also think they knew this, and brought him to SL so that he could get a feel for what he needs to work on and how far away he is, with the hope that by next summer he can be more developed for NBA play.

In theory you can get the last finishing touches as a 2-way, but I think he's needing more work than that. There's also the reality that they have way too many players ahead of him in the pecking order for a roster slot of some sort, and for minutes. If you are only the 19th or 20th player in line, you have to get better by enough where the team HAS TO find a way to get you in the lineup. He's just not at that level imo.

In theory he could go to the GL, but I think Euro-ball offers higher caliber of competition and more pay. And if he can't cut it there, to get a good job and a good role, he certainly can't make it in the NBA.