01-19-2024, 11:08 AM
(01-19-2024, 08:42 AM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: Hardwood Knocks just did a Pod where they picked one trade target for each team (no repeats). They picked Grant for Dallas for the reasons you listed. There are several players in the J. Grant class who fit what you are talking about (3rd scoring option with more size than THJ). The problem I see with that group is you are still counting on Maxi's health and Lively's ability to stay out of foul trouble. It seems like a formula to give away playoff games.
The other thing about J. Grant (in particular) that we have to come to grips with is cost. What would Portland want? They have guards, so absentmindedly throwing Green/Hardy into a deal doesn't make sense. It would probably take OMax and 2027 plus salary (maybe you get away with GWill and Holmes as the filler, but it might have to be THJ to a third team and OMax/Pick). I like Grant, but he's not the over-the-top final move and OMax/2027 is a lot.
However, the class of 4's with better D and better rebounding don't tend to create scoring or hit 3's the same as the J. Grant's of the world. I still like WCJ as my favorite for this spot, but I see him able to play next to and in place of Lively. He is hitting 3's and has the footspeed to guard on the perimeter. Having one of WCJ or Lively waiting near the rim when the other gets switched onto a ball-handler on the perimeter is attractive to me. Other's don't see it (despite the fact he played a ton next to Bamba last season). I also think Orlando is arguably the best THJ destination out there. I would really like a world where Carter was acquired for THJ and another 3/D guy like Grimes could be had for Hardy/2025 2nd.
I really like the idea of WCJ. Watching Winter's highlights makes me think he can play from the perimeter. I do have some thoughts/concerns:
He didn't play much with Bamba last season, it was the season prior. Its hard to read too much from that because Bamba sucks. He has spent every other season (including this one) playing predominantly center. I feel like he can get away with playing some minutes at PF, but I'm not sure a Lively/WCJ/Luka lineup will work defensively against quicker teams. I'm not sure he is a guy you can pencil in as a starter every night.
His perimeter numbers have been improving every season, but he still spends the majority of his time down low. His P&R numbers are not particularly good (and terrible this season). How much would that change playing next Luka? My guess is quite a bit, but don't think he will ever be elite at it.
If we bring in a guy like WCJ, what do we do with GWill? We are already struggling to find a place for him, and WCJ seems like an exact replacement for all the places we are trying to play GWill.