1 00:00:15,400 --> 00:00:20,640 What is up, fellow thermonuclear affers. I am Dan fa Valley. Super 2 00:00:20,679 --> 00:00:26,120 excited to be joined by a first time guest, s Barraghiny. He covers 3 00:00:26,239 --> 00:00:31,480 the NBA and does it extremely, extremely well for SDPN Sports, and he 4 00:00:31,559 --> 00:00:35,399 is also the host of the Objective Basketball podcast, which is also over at 5 00:00:35,799 --> 00:00:41,799 SDPN Sports. Follow S Barraghini at just s Barraghini. That's at j U 6 00:00:42,000 --> 00:00:47,359 S T E S B A R A h E N. I a great 7 00:00:47,399 --> 00:00:51,119 follow one of the busiest people in this business right now, based off all 8 00:00:51,159 --> 00:00:54,200 the content he's pumping out. He's been at Summer League. Great job covering 9 00:00:54,240 --> 00:00:57,119 the Raptors, the entire league at large. Like I said, first time 10 00:00:57,200 --> 00:01:00,679 guest, s, how the heck are you doing? I'm good. I'm 11 00:01:00,719 --> 00:01:07,480 glad to not be busy anymore. That's you know that Damian Lillard. You 12 00:01:07,519 --> 00:01:10,560 know all that stuff's gonna go down. You're right, You're right. I'm 13 00:01:10,560 --> 00:01:12,000 gonna jinx it. I'm gonna jinx it right as soon as it happens. 14 00:01:12,200 --> 00:01:15,560 I'm glad to be on the pod. I love the little design that the 15 00:01:15,599 --> 00:01:19,439 aliens. I gotta ask where where that comes from? Like we just wanted 16 00:01:19,519 --> 00:01:23,560 to have like a bunch of little mini Victor wemban yamas on our podcast. 17 00:01:23,560 --> 00:01:26,840 But I'm obsessed with space and I say alien shit all the time, and 18 00:01:26,879 --> 00:01:30,879 so hell yeah, just sort of leaned into it. We had another like 19 00:01:30,920 --> 00:01:34,319 this is recent, but my podcast co host left for vacations. I was 20 00:01:34,359 --> 00:01:36,519 like, you know what, he's gone, I'm gonna make this unilateral decision 21 00:01:36,560 --> 00:01:40,480 to clean the aliens. And uh my wife was like, is that even 22 00:01:40,480 --> 00:01:42,280 on brand? I was like, not really, but I think it looks 23 00:01:42,280 --> 00:01:46,079 fun. I like it. I like it. It adds a cool spin 24 00:01:46,159 --> 00:01:49,480 and yeah, a little tiny Victor Wembanyama is just all over the thing. 25 00:01:49,599 --> 00:01:51,480 I like that. That's Look, that's how we'll spin it now. Is 26 00:01:51,959 --> 00:01:56,000 that's what the aliens are for you survive summer League. You told me five 27 00:01:56,079 --> 00:01:57,200 days. That's a lot. That's a lot of summer League. So it 28 00:01:57,319 --> 00:02:02,200 is. It is. I wouldn't recommend five days for anybody, honestly, 29 00:02:02,280 --> 00:02:06,239 even if you're covering the NBA. I think five days. Salute to the 30 00:02:06,239 --> 00:02:08,439 people. I've seen people who are still there. They're like leaving right now, 31 00:02:08,719 --> 00:02:13,560 like eleven days or twelve days in Vegas. I don't know how you 32 00:02:13,599 --> 00:02:15,560 did it. I don't know how you did it. I commend you. 33 00:02:15,599 --> 00:02:17,159 I salute you for the fact that you got there for twelve days. I 34 00:02:17,199 --> 00:02:22,680 just I could never do it no way. What is it still like after 35 00:02:22,759 --> 00:02:25,719 three days? Like everybody's gone rights three days still or they extended it to 36 00:02:25,759 --> 00:02:29,120 four? Is at just two? I think it's like I think it's like 37 00:02:29,240 --> 00:02:32,560 Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and then there's people who will linger for the 38 00:02:32,560 --> 00:02:37,280 Sunday and then you're you're off by Monday, for sure, you know what 39 00:02:37,280 --> 00:02:40,159 I mean. But I stayed that extra Monday, and I don't I regret 40 00:02:40,159 --> 00:02:43,919 it. It was tough. Don't do that when it happened to the people 41 00:02:43,960 --> 00:02:47,840 that like just left, were there for the whole thing is dead right Yeah 42 00:02:49,120 --> 00:02:52,000 yeah, well, just like talking to some of the people from from the 43 00:02:52,080 --> 00:02:54,560 Raptors who were supposed to stay there, I believe till yeah, yesterday. 44 00:02:55,280 --> 00:02:59,960 It just it was such a long and enduring process. And I was asked 45 00:03:00,039 --> 00:03:01,400 in them like how do you how do you just stay fresh? How do 46 00:03:01,439 --> 00:03:05,000 you stay into it? And they're like, man, you just gotta keep 47 00:03:05,039 --> 00:03:07,199 your head down, keep working. That's the only way to stay into this. 48 00:03:07,439 --> 00:03:10,400 In Las Vegas, because you could get you could get lost in Las 49 00:03:10,479 --> 00:03:14,719 Vegas. Genuinely, you can lose a sense of reality in that city. 50 00:03:14,719 --> 00:03:17,520 It doesn't it doesn't make a lot of sense, you know. Yeah, 51 00:03:17,560 --> 00:03:20,400 I mean like you can depending on where you are, you're not gonna know 52 00:03:20,439 --> 00:03:23,400 what time it is. There's just very little windows when you're going inside buildings, 53 00:03:23,400 --> 00:03:27,400 depending on what buildings you're in. I will say the watching basketball and 54 00:03:27,439 --> 00:03:32,599 Pacific time greatest thing ever invented. I covered a conference finals in Mountain time, 55 00:03:32,960 --> 00:03:36,719 and I was just like, this is glorious because we're both teams. 56 00:03:36,759 --> 00:03:38,680 Great, yeah, we're both on East Coast time. It's like we understand. 57 00:03:39,000 --> 00:03:40,960 And then when West Coast people come out here. I was in the 58 00:03:42,000 --> 00:03:44,199 BR offices the other day and they were kind of complaining, and I was 59 00:03:44,240 --> 00:03:46,759 like, you guys get to go home, like to your Pacific time zones. 60 00:03:47,280 --> 00:03:50,520 No times like the sweet spot though, where it's like, okay, 61 00:03:50,520 --> 00:03:52,919 they don't start too early, because I get if your West Coast these games 62 00:03:52,960 --> 00:03:54,759 are starting at four, like if you work, they start at five. 63 00:03:55,039 --> 00:03:59,800 They're just like the late game is over by like eleven twelve. Yeah, 64 00:04:00,120 --> 00:04:02,560 it glorious. Exactly. You could sleep early if you want to. You 65 00:04:02,599 --> 00:04:06,080 can still go out if you want to. There's just a million or one 66 00:04:06,120 --> 00:04:10,960 different options on the West coast that are our Atlantic coast. We don't we 67 00:04:10,960 --> 00:04:15,120 don't get that. We just don't get it. So yeah, I've I 68 00:04:15,240 --> 00:04:17,160 second you on that brought you on to talk about a lot of teams no 69 00:04:17,199 --> 00:04:20,079 one is talking about. But we're gonna begin with a team right now that 70 00:04:20,120 --> 00:04:28,120 everyone is talking about for a litany of reasons, the Toronto Raptors. I 71 00:04:28,240 --> 00:04:32,240 have to start just here, just given the way everything's played out at fev's 72 00:04:32,279 --> 00:04:38,000 free agency and then the current Siakam rumors. Is this a situation where this 73 00:04:38,040 --> 00:04:43,360 team is actually having this existential crisis of direction or is there more like do 74 00:04:43,439 --> 00:04:46,720 they understand what direction they're headed in more than it seems publicly. I think 75 00:04:46,720 --> 00:04:50,120 they've been fighting a current for a really long time. For the last couple 76 00:04:50,120 --> 00:04:54,639 of years, they've been fighting the inevitable, which was that they would have 77 00:04:54,800 --> 00:04:58,839 to at some point in time make a decision on what they want to do. 78 00:04:59,160 --> 00:05:03,959 We've talked about like the two timeline experiments around the league and how failed 79 00:05:04,000 --> 00:05:09,199 they usually are, Like Portland was trying to for like five days and that 80 00:05:09,399 --> 00:05:12,720 didn't work out. Golden State tried it for a few seasons, that hasn't 81 00:05:12,759 --> 00:05:15,920 worked out. They clearly are going a different direction now. But with Toronto, 82 00:05:15,480 --> 00:05:18,959 they as soon as they drafted Scottie Barnes, it was like, okay, 83 00:05:19,000 --> 00:05:24,920 there is this two direction timeline that they are trying to uphold. Keep 84 00:05:25,120 --> 00:05:28,120 continue, whatever you want to use. And they've been fighting a current ever 85 00:05:28,160 --> 00:05:30,720 since, especially because money wise, you know, Pascal Siakam is a free 86 00:05:30,720 --> 00:05:34,079 agent in twenty twenty four. O g n and Obi has a player option, 87 00:05:34,120 --> 00:05:36,879 but he will absolutely be opting out of that player option. He'll be 88 00:05:36,920 --> 00:05:41,439 a free agent in twenty twenty four. So they've just been fighting this current 89 00:05:41,480 --> 00:05:46,480 of, yes, we can keep this team competitive all while this team is 90 00:05:46,519 --> 00:05:50,199 becoming extremely expensive, and they sort of, I would say they've sort of 91 00:05:50,199 --> 00:05:54,959 tricked themselves into believing this team is better than it is. In last year's 92 00:05:54,959 --> 00:05:59,279 trade deadline, they traded they kind of swapped first round picks in order to 93 00:05:59,319 --> 00:06:03,720 swap Gorn Rodgers for Fad Young, and then last year they traded for Yaca 94 00:06:03,759 --> 00:06:06,879 Peurtle with the first round pick. So they've they've sort of bought into the 95 00:06:06,920 --> 00:06:11,720 idea that we're trying to win now and we're trying to do this and get 96 00:06:11,759 --> 00:06:15,240 to another level playoff wise, but they're also fighting the current of this is 97 00:06:15,279 --> 00:06:21,360 too expensive, they can't really keep this up, and also trying to blend 98 00:06:21,439 --> 00:06:25,720 the young guys and then the old guys who are trying to compete. It 99 00:06:25,839 --> 00:06:29,759 just it seems to never work out in the NBA unless you're the San Antonio 100 00:06:29,800 --> 00:06:32,800 Spurs. Yeah, and I was pretty bullish on them menenturing last season. 101 00:06:33,040 --> 00:06:36,399 I think a lot of people were. You know, it does feel like 102 00:06:36,720 --> 00:06:40,800 and I like MESSI h Jerry is still one of the top executives in the 103 00:06:40,839 --> 00:06:44,040 league, maybe of all time. But like the way that Kyle Lowry, 104 00:06:44,319 --> 00:06:46,920 like his exit unfolded, and then now Fred Van Leeds where it's you're not 105 00:06:47,040 --> 00:06:51,519 able to capitalize on their departures and really anyway you have pressures that you are 106 00:06:51,519 --> 00:06:55,439 from the Kyle Lowry trade and so far as you're still I did pick him 107 00:06:55,439 --> 00:06:58,279 to win Most Improved Player in the preseason last year, that's not where that's 108 00:06:58,600 --> 00:07:00,720 that's I like the pick though, I like the confidence. That's how bullish 109 00:07:00,800 --> 00:07:04,480 I was on them. But now you've just had two mission critical players who 110 00:07:04,519 --> 00:07:09,439 you could have gotten in Kyle Lowry's case more at the trade deadline, or 111 00:07:09,519 --> 00:07:14,959 move Fred van Bleep for anything at all, Like that's a miss use of 112 00:07:15,000 --> 00:07:16,639 assets. Like there's the human element of it, like you want them. 113 00:07:16,680 --> 00:07:18,920 I mean they wanted to keep Fred VanVleet. It wasn't oh, we're trying 114 00:07:18,920 --> 00:07:21,120 to send him somewhere. He wants to go each just outright left. But 115 00:07:21,160 --> 00:07:27,000 like that's a really big mishandling of assets to lose, especially FEV who's in 116 00:07:27,079 --> 00:07:30,519 his prime. To lose that guy just for nothing, and you replace him 117 00:07:30,519 --> 00:07:32,319 with, you know, Dennis Shrewder who had a good year in Los Angeles, 118 00:07:32,360 --> 00:07:35,240 but he's just not going to bring anywhere near the level of shooting. 119 00:07:35,600 --> 00:07:40,439 Yeah does no, you're right, I mean miscalculations. I think it's just 120 00:07:40,480 --> 00:07:44,879 been small, tiny mis calculations that is built up to bigger and bigger ones. 121 00:07:45,160 --> 00:07:48,680 The Kyle Lowry trade, I think initially not trading him at the deadline 122 00:07:48,759 --> 00:07:53,240 was the grave mistake, especially with like what the reported offers were that were 123 00:07:53,279 --> 00:07:57,319 out there. I mean, it seems insane in hindsight. You can kind 124 00:07:57,360 --> 00:08:01,360 of if that was the only mistake, you could take solace in that and 125 00:08:01,360 --> 00:08:03,480 say, okay, well, hey, there may be building towards something better. 126 00:08:03,560 --> 00:08:09,680 But then there's other smaller miscalculations, not landing or hitting the Malachi Flynn 127 00:08:09,720 --> 00:08:11,560 pick, which was I believe the twenty ninth pick in the NBA draft that 128 00:08:11,639 --> 00:08:16,839 clearly hasn't panned out over the last three years. And then you continue on 129 00:08:16,920 --> 00:08:18,680 and it's the Thad Young trade, It's the Yack of Peartle trade, it's 130 00:08:18,879 --> 00:08:22,319 the second rounders that they usually for the last ten years, have been able 131 00:08:22,319 --> 00:08:26,279 to hit on. You know, you think of second rounders in the past 132 00:08:26,319 --> 00:08:28,000 from the Raptors, guys like Norman Powell who have been able to turn into 133 00:08:28,040 --> 00:08:33,200 NBA players. Some of the guys that they've drafted in that realm Delano Banton, 134 00:08:33,720 --> 00:08:35,440 you know, David Johnson, et cetera, et cetera. Those guys 135 00:08:35,440 --> 00:08:39,399 just haven't worked out. And that's not to say it's like a grave mistake, 136 00:08:39,519 --> 00:08:45,519 but these small little miscalculations has made it so that a Raptors team that 137 00:08:45,720 --> 00:08:50,240 usually is so incredible at working around the margins has not been able to work 138 00:08:50,279 --> 00:08:54,120 around the margins. And then the bigger stuff just compounds into, like you 139 00:08:54,159 --> 00:08:58,879 said, just poor asset management because of the fact that you don't have anything 140 00:08:58,919 --> 00:09:01,879 to rely on because of those you know, those things that you usually could 141 00:09:03,080 --> 00:09:07,480 nail down. It's just, yeah, it seems like maybe there has been 142 00:09:07,480 --> 00:09:11,120 a little they've they've kind of lost their fastball a little bit, whatever you 143 00:09:11,159 --> 00:09:15,039 want to say, but yeah, it's it's tough to look at the last 144 00:09:15,080 --> 00:09:18,759 two or three years of the Raptors front office decisions and say any of it 145 00:09:18,879 --> 00:09:24,679 was a resounding success. And you say fighting against the curt is the perfect 146 00:09:24,720 --> 00:09:26,960 way to frame it. And there's been like this. It feels like conflicting 147 00:09:28,000 --> 00:09:31,399 messaging because you give up just even look at the most recent chain of events. 148 00:09:31,440 --> 00:09:35,399 The top six protected pick for Yaka Pearl just implies that you're trying to 149 00:09:35,440 --> 00:09:39,759 remain competitive. Then you go with the first time head coach and Darko let 150 00:09:39,799 --> 00:09:43,000 Fred van Flee leave for nothing. And now, and this is my question, 151 00:09:43,159 --> 00:09:46,960 what are we to make of the Siakam rumors in the sense that are 152 00:09:46,960 --> 00:09:50,320 they just worried about footing his next contract? Are they actually looking to head 153 00:09:50,360 --> 00:09:52,600 in a different direction, or maybe they don't love to fit between him and 154 00:09:52,600 --> 00:09:56,320 Scottie Barnes. He's trying to be opportunistic. Do they know that he wants 155 00:09:56,360 --> 00:09:58,600 to qualify for the Supermacs, and they don't want to have to be on 156 00:09:58,639 --> 00:10:01,639 the hook for what would be like five years and almost two ninety if he 157 00:10:01,759 --> 00:10:05,200 if he qualifies for the Supermax next year, Like, what are we, 158 00:10:05,559 --> 00:10:09,080 like, what are we to make of the idea that they are actually shopping 159 00:10:09,120 --> 00:10:11,360 Pascal Siaka? So I hate to be the cop out answer, but it's 160 00:10:11,399 --> 00:10:15,960 it's a combination of all of that. And I think if you look at 161 00:10:15,960 --> 00:10:20,360 the Pascal situation before Fred decided to leave, I think that the Raptors had 162 00:10:20,480 --> 00:10:24,399 every intention in the world to run it back to just say, hey, 163 00:10:24,399 --> 00:10:26,679 we have a new coach. It was really really bad with Nick Nurse last 164 00:10:26,720 --> 00:10:30,879 season. The players didn't mesh well with Nick. There was a lot of 165 00:10:31,080 --> 00:10:35,360 background stuff, behind the scenes stuff that happened with Nick that people, especially 166 00:10:35,399 --> 00:10:39,080 players, just didn't appreciate. So let's start a new Darko Ryakovitch new coach. 167 00:10:39,120 --> 00:10:43,039 He brings in new vibes. He seems like he's a very energetic player 168 00:10:43,519 --> 00:10:46,840 player coach if you will, like you know what I mean? And I 169 00:10:46,879 --> 00:10:48,799 think that was the idea. It was like, hey, let's just reset 170 00:10:48,840 --> 00:10:52,159 the system with a new coach. Let's bring all these guys back. They 171 00:10:52,159 --> 00:10:56,799 were very confident that they could resign a Fred van Vleet and completely misread the 172 00:10:56,840 --> 00:11:01,440 market on what he would potentially get in the Houston Rockets or anybody else that 173 00:11:01,480 --> 00:11:03,519 would be able to offer money. After that, it was like, Okay, 174 00:11:03,519 --> 00:11:07,919 we have to reassess our options and see where we're at with the rest 175 00:11:07,919 --> 00:11:11,440 of the team. And you look at their front court, which is Yack 176 00:11:11,519 --> 00:11:16,799 of Peartle, Scotty Barnes and Pascal Siakam. What does that front court lack 177 00:11:16,360 --> 00:11:22,159 shooting? Right? Just like negative amounts of shooting and unless there's a massive 178 00:11:22,240 --> 00:11:24,240 leap from Pascal or Scotty when it comes to the shooting department, like they 179 00:11:24,279 --> 00:11:28,080 just become thirty seven percent shooters forty percent shooters at some point in time in 180 00:11:28,080 --> 00:11:31,559 their careers, which is doubtful. It's hard to build around that. It's 181 00:11:31,559 --> 00:11:35,960 hard to say this is a core that we're investing in, especially because Scotty 182 00:11:37,039 --> 00:11:41,320 and Pascal operate in so many similar areas of the court. I just think 183 00:11:41,440 --> 00:11:43,960 that's where their question lies now. It's like, how are we going to 184 00:11:45,000 --> 00:11:50,600 continue not necessarily stunting the development of Scotty, but making it harder on Scotty 185 00:11:50,679 --> 00:11:54,960 to develop and fully grow into the player he is by doubling down on the 186 00:11:54,039 --> 00:12:00,000 lack of spacing, the lack of ball handling, creation, etc. They 187 00:12:00,039 --> 00:12:01,960 made that mistake with Pascal over the last three or four seasons. Honestly, 188 00:12:03,000 --> 00:12:05,840 they never surrounded him with the right type of shooting, ball handling, playmaking. 189 00:12:05,840 --> 00:12:09,279 They spent three seasons without a center and forced him to play center for 190 00:12:09,720 --> 00:12:13,320 a couple of those seasons. Right, So it's tough. Yeah, that's 191 00:12:13,399 --> 00:12:16,279 why we're in this situation now, you know, is there any element of 192 00:12:16,320 --> 00:12:20,600 it just because OG's name doesn't seem to be mentioned in official rumors as often 193 00:12:22,080 --> 00:12:24,919 that they're also looking at it from that perspective where it's like, if you 194 00:12:24,919 --> 00:12:30,159 actually want Og to develop more as an offensive player, having Siakam and Scotty 195 00:12:30,200 --> 00:12:33,559 Barnes, like there's just too much sort of overlap there when you're looking at 196 00:12:33,600 --> 00:12:35,799 weaknesses and like, yeah, Og n and Obi' spaces the floor, but 197 00:12:35,799 --> 00:12:39,480 he's not out there hitting like these off the dribble three pointers at a consistent 198 00:12:39,519 --> 00:12:41,120 clip. Yeah, for sure. And I think that you know, there's 199 00:12:41,120 --> 00:12:45,039 been the reports for over the last couple of seasons where he wants to have 200 00:12:45,039 --> 00:12:48,399 a bigger role he wants to experiment a little bit more. And I think 201 00:12:48,399 --> 00:12:50,879 he just turned twenty six yesterday, so happy birthday, Og. But it 202 00:12:52,000 --> 00:12:56,799 seems like there is a willingness now to go younger and have Scotty and Og 203 00:12:58,080 --> 00:13:01,519 be sort of the forefront of whatever you trying to build. I just think 204 00:13:01,559 --> 00:13:05,120 that's where we're at with the Siakam situation. And obviously, yeah, they 205 00:13:05,559 --> 00:13:11,720 have mishandled two free agency decisions over the last three seasons. You said, 206 00:13:11,799 --> 00:13:15,159 Kyle, you said, Fred, they don't want to go into a third 207 00:13:15,399 --> 00:13:18,919 now with Pascal and potentially Fumble the best player of the bunch. You know, 208 00:13:20,399 --> 00:13:22,960 I think he's been their best player over the last couple of seasons. 209 00:13:22,080 --> 00:13:26,720 They can't do that with a guy of Pascal's caliber. What have you made 210 00:13:26,879 --> 00:13:31,080 of the or do you have any destinations that you like for his fit that 211 00:13:31,159 --> 00:13:33,679 can also meet like what Toronto wants out of a package. And I think 212 00:13:33,720 --> 00:13:37,399 what's also an interesting discussion I didn't put this in the outline, is I 213 00:13:37,399 --> 00:13:39,480 think this happens with a lot of stars that become available. There seems to 214 00:13:39,559 --> 00:13:46,679 be like a major discrepancy between what I think people who watch a lot of 215 00:13:46,679 --> 00:13:50,159 just NBA basketball at large, and then individual fan bases think of Pascal Siakam's 216 00:13:50,240 --> 00:13:52,480 value just and I think I noticed that. And this isn't an insult to 217 00:13:52,519 --> 00:13:54,440 that fan base. I want to make it clear, but I talked a 218 00:13:54,440 --> 00:13:58,679 lot about the Pacers fit when that rumor came out, and they're just like, 219 00:13:58,960 --> 00:14:01,159 we won't give up any of the young guys will give like a first 220 00:14:01,240 --> 00:14:05,759 round pick and salary Fellers like still, Siakam's really fucking good. And it's 221 00:14:05,759 --> 00:14:09,240 wild to me that people still don't like if you don't want to be comfortable 222 00:14:09,240 --> 00:14:11,480 with the contract or whatever. I get it, but I've been surprised. 223 00:14:11,519 --> 00:14:16,480 I think it some of the fake trades I've seen floated out there, or 224 00:14:16,480 --> 00:14:18,840 what families that are willing to give up even by that those standards like we 225 00:14:18,879 --> 00:14:22,120 recalibrate. Okay, this is coming from someone who roots for a team, 226 00:14:22,159 --> 00:14:24,799 you get it. They're attached to their players. I've been sort of shocked 227 00:14:24,840 --> 00:14:28,240 at how little it seems like fans are willing to give up to have Pascal 228 00:14:28,279 --> 00:14:31,000 Siakam on their team. He's always had that about him, though. I 229 00:14:31,039 --> 00:14:35,279 feel like for a very long time, Pascal has been that guy that has 230 00:14:35,320 --> 00:14:39,799 been extremely underrated for what he can do. I would argue over the last 231 00:14:39,799 --> 00:14:43,519 couple of seasons he's been a top twenty ish player at times, top fifteen 232 00:14:43,600 --> 00:14:48,000 ish player in the NBA. Made all unbate it like it was probably really 233 00:14:48,039 --> 00:14:50,000 is Randall. I don't even remember what the voting results, but like he 234 00:14:50,039 --> 00:14:52,200 was right there. He was very close. Yeah, he was very very 235 00:14:52,200 --> 00:14:54,080 close, and yeah, that would have helped him be a super max player. 236 00:14:54,159 --> 00:14:58,759 It really hurt him contract wise, But I think when you look at 237 00:14:58,799 --> 00:15:03,200 what Pascal can give as a complimentary star to your number one option, he 238 00:15:03,320 --> 00:15:09,679 is almost one of the most perfect pieces to play next to any massive star. 239 00:15:09,440 --> 00:15:13,320 He's just incredible off the ball. He can create for himself. He's 240 00:15:13,360 --> 00:15:16,639 grown as a playmaker as a guy who can create shots for himself as well. 241 00:15:18,279 --> 00:15:20,919 He's great defensively, he can cover a lot of ground. So I 242 00:15:20,960 --> 00:15:24,919 just think that's a perfect type of guy to slot in. Again, insert 243 00:15:24,000 --> 00:15:28,519 whoever star that you want to build around, whether it's Tyrese Haliverton with the 244 00:15:28,519 --> 00:15:31,799 Pacers or Trey Young with the Atlanta Hawks, those are the two that are 245 00:15:31,840 --> 00:15:35,120 always mentioned. I Orlando sneak in there by the way recently. Yeah, 246 00:15:35,120 --> 00:15:37,759 I just I don't get it. I'm here for it. I'll try, 247 00:15:37,840 --> 00:15:41,080 I'll try whatever. But they do have a lot of young guards, and 248 00:15:41,120 --> 00:15:45,320 I mean the Raptors need a lot of young guards. But I don't. 249 00:15:45,360 --> 00:15:48,559 I just don't see where that would work, Like how that would work with 250 00:15:48,679 --> 00:15:52,759 him Polo Franz and Wendell spacing won't be great. Like I know Wendell Carter 251 00:15:52,840 --> 00:15:54,120 Junior can shoot, but is he going out in that trade? And yeah, 252 00:15:54,519 --> 00:15:56,919 you don't give up Palo or front, like if the spacing would still 253 00:15:56,919 --> 00:16:02,759 be wonking there an Indian and Atlanta like you could imagine it really working like 254 00:16:02,799 --> 00:16:04,720 with the like he would finally be around, like at least in three shooter 255 00:16:04,799 --> 00:16:08,399 lineups, if not four. Exactly. Yeah, I think with Indie it's 256 00:16:08,559 --> 00:16:15,639 probably the most snug fit just because you have exactly what Pascal needs to operate, 257 00:16:15,799 --> 00:16:19,720 multiple playmakers around him, multiple shooters, guys who can attack closeouts, 258 00:16:19,720 --> 00:16:23,600 who can essentially they can bend to defense, but then also Pascal can bend 259 00:16:23,600 --> 00:16:27,759 to defense for them. I think a lot of that works with Indiana. 260 00:16:27,879 --> 00:16:30,039 Now it just depends on what they're willing to give up. Because I think 261 00:16:30,080 --> 00:16:36,080 the Raptors in the draft that they drafted Christian Coloco. They were trying to 262 00:16:36,080 --> 00:16:37,879 get Andrew Nambard. That was the guy that they wanted to get, and 263 00:16:37,919 --> 00:16:41,480 he went. He went a pick right before and they were like, damn, 264 00:16:41,480 --> 00:16:44,720 we have to recalibrate and figure out what we're gonna do. So, 265 00:16:44,840 --> 00:16:48,519 yes, I think Andrew Nambard is a guy that they would love in any 266 00:16:48,559 --> 00:16:52,200 sort of Pascal deal. Now it's like, okay, what else are you 267 00:16:52,200 --> 00:16:55,080 going to attach that? Obviously, I think Buddy Healed would have to work 268 00:16:55,120 --> 00:16:57,200 for contract reasons, they'd have to send him out. So it's like Buddy 269 00:16:57,480 --> 00:17:02,240 Nambard, maybe a couple of picks, some other salary to make it work. 270 00:17:02,320 --> 00:17:07,759 That's probably what you're looking at for Pascal right now, even considering the 271 00:17:07,759 --> 00:17:11,640 fact that he's an expiring contract, the fact that, according to the reports, 272 00:17:11,640 --> 00:17:15,440 he hasn't shown a willingness to resign anywhere. Although I think a lot 273 00:17:15,480 --> 00:17:17,799 of that, by the way, Dan has to do with the fact that 274 00:17:17,839 --> 00:17:22,079 he could be Supermax eligible. That's the only wrinkle in this, you know 275 00:17:22,119 --> 00:17:23,359 what I mean. Look, if he wants to try and qualify for that, 276 00:17:23,400 --> 00:17:26,440 good for him, Like yeah, and try and get your money. 277 00:17:26,599 --> 00:17:29,200 And looked, it's not. I mean, I would argue I think the 278 00:17:29,279 --> 00:17:32,200 roster is even less set up for him to succeed in a way that would 279 00:17:32,359 --> 00:17:34,759 allow him to be all NBA eligible. But I mean there's a difference between 280 00:17:34,759 --> 00:17:37,119 like even what is the extension he could sign right now? Is like four 281 00:17:37,200 --> 00:17:41,000 years and one ninety ish, Yeah, one ninety two I think is what 282 00:17:41,039 --> 00:17:45,640 I saw last And then like so if he's Supermax eligible, it's going to 283 00:17:45,680 --> 00:17:48,880 be next summer, be five years, and I have two hundred and eighty 284 00:17:48,920 --> 00:17:52,759 eight point three in my dock, So like if it's anywhere in that ballpark, 285 00:17:52,839 --> 00:17:56,079 like maybe I'm off on the calculations there, that's a massive difference in 286 00:17:56,559 --> 00:18:00,079 down money and correct me if I'm wrong. But even if even if the 287 00:18:00,160 --> 00:18:02,480 Raptors say, hey, we're not going to give you the full Supermax, 288 00:18:02,599 --> 00:18:06,680 they can meet anywhere in between that four and one ninety two and that five 289 00:18:06,880 --> 00:18:10,119 to whatever. Right, It doesn't have to be either, or it can 290 00:18:10,160 --> 00:18:12,240 be somewhere in the middle, right, And it's even just the thought of 291 00:18:12,319 --> 00:18:15,960 Okay, if you extend now, you're throwing four years on top of your 292 00:18:15,000 --> 00:18:18,839 deal. If you wait, it's just the idea of getting the five guaranteed 293 00:18:18,880 --> 00:18:22,559 seasons even if you're not super Max's eligible might matter to him, and I'd 294 00:18:22,599 --> 00:18:27,279 be fascinated to see, like what if this get And I guess that's really 295 00:18:27,319 --> 00:18:30,319 my next question. I'm I'm with you on Indie and the package you laid 296 00:18:30,319 --> 00:18:33,519 out. If I'm a Pacers and I don't have to give up Jarress Walker, 297 00:18:33,599 --> 00:18:37,039 Benn Nick Mathern, I've made that deal two days ago. I just 298 00:18:37,119 --> 00:18:37,920 like I in my head, I was like, You're You're gonna have to 299 00:18:37,960 --> 00:18:41,640 give up one of those young guys. I didn't know how until you said 300 00:18:41,680 --> 00:18:44,240 that Toronto was like super high on them hard and so like if they value 301 00:18:44,319 --> 00:18:47,880 him as sort of like a fringe first round type player or someone who would 302 00:18:47,880 --> 00:18:51,039 make an impact for them, I would give up his medi picks as Toronto, 303 00:18:51,079 --> 00:18:52,400 And like, if I'm keeping Benn Nick Mathern and Jarss Walker even though 304 00:18:52,400 --> 00:18:56,599 don't necessarily like Yakham and Jarress Walker together, Miles Turner allows you to make 305 00:18:56,599 --> 00:19:00,200 all sorts of different things work, So I think they are my favorite destination. 306 00:19:00,359 --> 00:19:03,359 Have you thought of any like dark Horse teams that could sneak in there? 307 00:19:03,400 --> 00:19:07,599 I did think. I thought about Charlotte for a minute, because it 308 00:19:07,640 --> 00:19:12,119 feels like new ownership. They're always kind of doing wonky ship over there, 309 00:19:12,119 --> 00:19:15,039 and will they try and make a splash. I couldn't make it work because 310 00:19:15,039 --> 00:19:18,599 you're not gonna give up Brandon Miller, I don't think. And they're pick 311 00:19:18,640 --> 00:19:21,960 obligations. They're just so weird and they have salary matching, but they don't 312 00:19:22,000 --> 00:19:25,200 have a bunch of young guys on the roster that you're gonna be hind And 313 00:19:25,279 --> 00:19:27,079 Mark Williams is really good, like he's gonna block a lot of dump shots, 314 00:19:27,119 --> 00:19:30,160 has a little some mid range touch, but just gave Yakapeta eighty million 315 00:19:30,160 --> 00:19:33,160 dollars like you don't you don't need Mark Willie. Yeah, I don't know. 316 00:19:33,200 --> 00:19:37,039 Man. It's funny because there's so many centers available now after the Raptors 317 00:19:37,039 --> 00:19:41,279 have got their center. You know, people are bringing up Clint Capella in 318 00:19:41,279 --> 00:19:44,039 a Hawks deal. It's like, man, if this had happened last year, 319 00:19:44,079 --> 00:19:47,279 this could be interesting, But I guess not. The dark horse I 320 00:19:47,279 --> 00:19:49,079 would have for you is okay See. And I know okay See would never 321 00:19:49,160 --> 00:19:52,319 do this, would never do this. They just it's not Sam Presty's way. 322 00:19:52,359 --> 00:19:55,400 He's not the type of guy to go out and make that splash. 323 00:19:55,440 --> 00:19:57,079 I think the only time he's ever made that type of splash is the Paul 324 00:19:57,119 --> 00:20:00,799 George trade. Right, Other than that, you know the track record of 325 00:20:00,880 --> 00:20:03,559 well maybe they would do it, yeah right, yeah, fair enough. 326 00:20:04,359 --> 00:20:08,480 But I think like there is a deal there wherever. What it would be, 327 00:20:08,599 --> 00:20:12,599 I'm not sure. Do do the thunder include one of Jayleen Williams or 328 00:20:12,720 --> 00:20:17,599 Josh Giddy in that deal? I would be hesitant if I was. Okay 329 00:20:17,640 --> 00:20:19,720 see, I think that's like, I'm not sure, and then you know 330 00:20:19,759 --> 00:20:23,559 they have their pick capital, which is insanely good. So I don't know 331 00:20:23,599 --> 00:20:26,799 what the exact deal would be, but fit wise, man, okay see 332 00:20:26,799 --> 00:20:30,160 would be incredible. I love that you think along those lines because I brought 333 00:20:30,160 --> 00:20:33,400 them up in the Damian Lillard discussion where it was like the package I came 334 00:20:33,480 --> 00:20:37,359 up with, you kept Jamn Williams S, ga chet Home Grin. It 335 00:20:37,440 --> 00:20:40,400 was like Josh Giddy was sent to the Spurs and a three team deal and 336 00:20:40,480 --> 00:20:44,160 like Portland got kelled and Johnson in a pick. But okay, c fans, 337 00:20:44,200 --> 00:20:45,799 and I'm not insulting them. We've been on a honeymoon because I've been 338 00:20:45,839 --> 00:20:48,559 higher on Okay, see than a lot of national people. They're just like 339 00:20:48,599 --> 00:20:51,839 Sam Pressy's never gonna do it. While are you talking about it? We 340 00:20:51,839 --> 00:20:55,680 would never give up Josh Giddy for Damian Lillard. It's just like, I 341 00:20:55,799 --> 00:20:59,519 understand what they're doing, but it's okay to want a team that's really good 342 00:20:59,759 --> 00:21:03,680 right now, profile to be really good, to be aggressive to get even 343 00:21:03,720 --> 00:21:07,119 better. And they're also ready, right They're they're ready, and they we're 344 00:21:07,160 --> 00:21:08,880 seeing it now. They're playing like this game of roster musical chairs, like 345 00:21:08,920 --> 00:21:11,160 they're starting to run. Like Trey Man is going to be collateral. He 346 00:21:11,240 --> 00:21:15,000 just had like a monster summarily, He's gonna become collateral damage of all this, 347 00:21:15,079 --> 00:21:18,480 like he just brought in Kason Wallace. You have Josh Giddy and SGA 348 00:21:18,559 --> 00:21:22,319 and Lou Dort, Like the garments are just going to be cannibalized pretty quickly. 349 00:21:22,400 --> 00:21:26,599 So I would love them to do something like that. They've the messaging 350 00:21:26,640 --> 00:21:29,319 they've sent out, which is what everyone in the comments always says. I 351 00:21:29,400 --> 00:21:32,359 understand what okay, C is saying. It's okay for us to have our 352 00:21:32,400 --> 00:21:37,039 own opinion of what oh yeah, exactly it would be. So I haven't 353 00:21:37,119 --> 00:21:40,400 ruled out Pascal Siak, I'm actually just signing like an extension now with the 354 00:21:40,480 --> 00:21:42,799 Raptors. And so if you had to sort of rank the most likely outcomes 355 00:21:42,799 --> 00:21:47,440 in this scenario in terms of he either reaches free agency, gets traded, 356 00:21:47,680 --> 00:21:49,759 or signs an extension, now, how would you sort of order those? 357 00:21:51,240 --> 00:21:56,319 So I would probably say in terms of most likely is that he gets traded 358 00:21:56,359 --> 00:22:00,160 now, and then second most likely I would say extension, and then the 359 00:22:00,160 --> 00:22:04,440 doomsday scenario is he heads to free agency, and I just think the Raptors 360 00:22:04,480 --> 00:22:07,880 don't want to make that mistake again. I think Fred was a really hard 361 00:22:07,960 --> 00:22:12,680 lesson for them. I think Kyle obviously was a scenario that they didn't think 362 00:22:12,720 --> 00:22:18,599 they were going to get to that point with. So I think I would 363 00:22:18,680 --> 00:22:21,319 lean that way if I'm ranking it. I could see an extension though, 364 00:22:21,440 --> 00:22:25,039 I really really could, especially if if the talks have died down with an 365 00:22:25,039 --> 00:22:29,559 Atlanta with an Indiana, there's a there's room there for them to essentially say, 366 00:22:29,599 --> 00:22:32,480 hey, we're going to extend you with the idea that maybe in a 367 00:22:32,559 --> 00:22:36,319 year or maybe two years that we're going to address a trade and see what 368 00:22:36,359 --> 00:22:40,359 happens. Do you think he would rejoint where he would sign that extension if 369 00:22:40,400 --> 00:22:44,559 he's that focused on becoming Supermatch eligible or even maybe just getting that fifth year. 370 00:22:45,359 --> 00:22:47,839 I think from like his perspective, if you're his agent, you probably 371 00:22:47,839 --> 00:22:51,319 say you don't take that extension just because of the possibility of being able to 372 00:22:51,359 --> 00:22:52,920 get that money. And then, like you said, there's a fifth year 373 00:22:53,079 --> 00:22:56,920 potentially opens to you in twenty twenty four. It's it'd be hard to come 374 00:22:56,960 --> 00:23:00,200 down and say, hey, we're going to take this extension just so that 375 00:23:00,200 --> 00:23:03,279 we can trade you. And oh, by the way, it's probably not 376 00:23:03,319 --> 00:23:06,319 the deal that you're looking for, you know what I mean, right, 377 00:23:06,400 --> 00:23:10,240 And I mean the twenty twenty four free agency classes is going to be rough 378 00:23:10,640 --> 00:23:11,960 because Joan Brown is going to sign extension. We all see, so it's 379 00:23:12,000 --> 00:23:15,960 gonna be rough. I just wonder, like if the Raptors saying, well, 380 00:23:15,960 --> 00:23:18,079 we're not gonna give you a fifth year and so you're gonna get four 381 00:23:18,160 --> 00:23:21,039 years if you leave anyway, Like does that Like if I'm Pascal, I 382 00:23:21,160 --> 00:23:22,640 might if they offered me the max extention, I might just sign it. 383 00:23:23,000 --> 00:23:27,039 Yeah, fair enough, Yeah, especially because you have this one year cushion 384 00:23:27,119 --> 00:23:30,640 too, So it would be you're essentially guaranteed for five years. That way, 385 00:23:30,680 --> 00:23:34,359 I think that would make sense. I would be I wouldn't be surprised 386 00:23:34,480 --> 00:23:38,160 if he extends. But I think just given all the reporting, everything we're 387 00:23:38,200 --> 00:23:44,799 hearing recently, and also just the situation around the team, the amount that 388 00:23:44,839 --> 00:23:48,880 they want to just start a new with Darko, with all the new staff 389 00:23:48,960 --> 00:23:52,559 that they've hired. I think out of their eighteen coaching assistants and trainers and 390 00:23:52,559 --> 00:23:57,519 whatnot, seventeen of them left, so they've they've essentially completely gutted the training 391 00:23:57,519 --> 00:24:02,319 staff and coaching staff. So they're trying to start new. They have a 392 00:24:02,319 --> 00:24:04,039 bunch of, you know, young new guys that they're looking forward to. 393 00:24:04,400 --> 00:24:08,160 I think they probably want to start fresh to start the season. That is 394 00:24:08,319 --> 00:24:11,160 my way of looking at it. But again, who knows what this Raptors 395 00:24:11,160 --> 00:24:15,599 team. They always have an unconventional way of going about things. I'd love 396 00:24:15,599 --> 00:24:18,880 to go more into the weeds about this team with you, except with that 397 00:24:18,960 --> 00:24:19,720 that we don't really know what they're gonna look like, and so a lot 398 00:24:19,720 --> 00:24:23,680 of them become neated. So I'll ask you the polarizing question that became incredibly 399 00:24:23,680 --> 00:24:27,720 controversial throughout last season and even after his rookie season, Where do you land 400 00:24:27,759 --> 00:24:30,680 on Scottie Barnes after a year or two? What is the thing you're watching 401 00:24:30,680 --> 00:24:33,119 for in year three? What's his I know a lot of people say is 402 00:24:33,160 --> 00:24:36,839 shooting might be as big as swing skill, but what else is there when 403 00:24:36,839 --> 00:24:40,920 you're just looking at and seeing how his game progresses from here? I think 404 00:24:41,160 --> 00:24:44,039 shooting is the easy skill to look at and say this is swing skill. 405 00:24:44,240 --> 00:24:47,720 Yeah. I mean when you look at the top five to ten players in 406 00:24:47,759 --> 00:24:51,440 the NBA, most of them have to shoot at a pretty high clip and 407 00:24:51,480 --> 00:24:56,640 they're pretty efficient scores. I think above shooting, scoring is the big thing 408 00:24:56,640 --> 00:24:59,359 with Scottie Barnes and finding different ways to score. And where does that come 409 00:24:59,400 --> 00:25:03,400 from. Its his ball handling. I think becoming a better ball handler in 410 00:25:03,480 --> 00:25:07,799 general is going to help him becoming that quote unquote point guard that he aspires 411 00:25:07,799 --> 00:25:10,519 to be, but also just to be able to get into his bag scoring 412 00:25:10,559 --> 00:25:12,720 wise, a little bit more getting downhill, being able to you know, 413 00:25:12,960 --> 00:25:17,480 take contact, you know, use a handle and maybe just go up with 414 00:25:17,480 --> 00:25:21,880 it. I think he was incredible in his rookie season at finishing through contact, 415 00:25:22,319 --> 00:25:26,400 using an embracing contact. And these are the little things like these aren't 416 00:25:26,440 --> 00:25:30,400 necessarily swing skills for him to become a superstar or whatever you want to call 417 00:25:30,440 --> 00:25:33,160 it. But when it comes to what Scotty can be his potential ceiling, 418 00:25:33,880 --> 00:25:37,799 it's going to come down to scoring, not necessarily shooting. It's it's sort 419 00:25:37,799 --> 00:25:40,119 of like, I don't want to say, it's like Jannie, but Jannie 420 00:25:40,200 --> 00:25:44,440 never became an excellent shooter, but he still is an incredible score because of 421 00:25:44,480 --> 00:25:48,319 the way that he lives in the paint. He's maybe the greatest paint score 422 00:25:48,359 --> 00:25:52,079 of all time, but not to that same degree. Being able to just 423 00:25:52,119 --> 00:25:56,799 develop a way, a consistent way to score at the NBA level is what 424 00:25:56,880 --> 00:26:00,880 will make Scotty successful in terms of like ceiling versus floor. How do I 425 00:26:00,960 --> 00:26:03,640 read year two versus year one? Uh, It's it's hard not to be 426 00:26:03,720 --> 00:26:07,640 somewhat disappointed in what year two looked like. But at the same time, 427 00:26:08,680 --> 00:26:15,079 there was not a lot of Like the way that the Raptors team looked didn't 428 00:26:15,119 --> 00:26:18,799 do him any favors, And I think that's part of the process of seeing 429 00:26:18,839 --> 00:26:21,799 what this team looks like next year, because you want to find a way 430 00:26:21,799 --> 00:26:26,079 to maximize his development, and last year just that wasn't the case. I 431 00:26:26,119 --> 00:26:29,519 mean him and Pascal were both working in a closet in terms of spacing, 432 00:26:30,039 --> 00:26:33,640 uh, and it just it never really helped flourish his game. He really 433 00:26:33,680 --> 00:26:37,160 struggled because he was seeing so much attention. He was kicking it out, 434 00:26:37,200 --> 00:26:41,079 guys were not hitting shots. And then as the year progressed, it was 435 00:26:41,160 --> 00:26:45,039 just he wasn't able to, you know, really create anything for himself. 436 00:26:45,119 --> 00:26:48,319 So that's that's where the issues live. It was just the context of the 437 00:26:48,319 --> 00:26:52,240 team really helped make it even worse for him. And when you watch him, 438 00:26:52,240 --> 00:26:53,799 like I still see it, like there were when you compare your one 439 00:26:53,799 --> 00:26:56,440 of year two, there were these possessions where it felt like he was processing 440 00:26:56,480 --> 00:27:00,079 everything at a quicker speed. But then like if he was going downhill, 441 00:27:00,839 --> 00:27:03,759 the spacing, what all of a sudden sabotage what he was doing, or 442 00:27:04,119 --> 00:27:07,599 like he has the turnaround, like he has a little push shot. Like 443 00:27:07,799 --> 00:27:11,279 it's not always efficient, but sometimes it felt overly methodical because he just didn't 444 00:27:11,279 --> 00:27:12,839 have like the room to work with. But they were just like these there 445 00:27:12,880 --> 00:27:15,559 could have been games and there were just even possessions in some of his worst 446 00:27:15,559 --> 00:27:18,039 games was like, oh, even without the ball, He's just moving so 447 00:27:18,119 --> 00:27:22,960 quickly, and it feels like he's making reason processing things so much faster that 448 00:27:22,000 --> 00:27:25,880 I still just see it. I think it's fair to be say maybe his 449 00:27:25,920 --> 00:27:27,720 growth was kind of halted a little bit, or just be disappointed in year 450 00:27:27,759 --> 00:27:30,440 two. But I look at him and I don't know that my opinion of 451 00:27:30,440 --> 00:27:34,920 his future has changed at all compared to what I thought of him after his 452 00:27:36,000 --> 00:27:37,559 rookie season, where I thought he should have been Rookie of the Year, 453 00:27:37,559 --> 00:27:40,680 Like I didn't think that, yeah, you could have went him remotely is 454 00:27:40,720 --> 00:27:41,519 fine, but I don't think that he was a lot of people paying for 455 00:27:41,559 --> 00:27:45,559 this some like blasphemous decision, and I just I don't think my needle has 456 00:27:45,599 --> 00:27:49,000 moved on him at all. I will I will say I think the thing 457 00:27:49,039 --> 00:27:52,359 that's been really impressive about Scottie over the last two years, or for the 458 00:27:52,359 --> 00:27:56,680 first two years of his career is the fact that he's been so adaptable to 459 00:27:56,799 --> 00:28:03,200 different roles, like his usage and just touches every single game have consistently changed. 460 00:28:03,359 --> 00:28:06,559 He doesn't know what he's getting on any given night, and yet he 461 00:28:06,680 --> 00:28:10,759 still finds ways to impact a basketball game, Like you mentioned, whether it 462 00:28:10,799 --> 00:28:14,880 be through his cerebral passing, whether it be through like being a good week 463 00:28:15,000 --> 00:28:18,599 side rim protectors. He's been able to do some interesting things on that front 464 00:28:18,599 --> 00:28:21,599 too. I think the defensive side of the ball has to grow a lot 465 00:28:21,720 --> 00:28:25,799 still, especially on ball, But overall I agree with you. I think 466 00:28:25,880 --> 00:28:27,839 I think that there is still tons of promise there. It's just about finding 467 00:28:27,839 --> 00:28:34,000 a team building something around him that just makes sense. Contextually shooting, please, 468 00:28:34,200 --> 00:28:37,799 you know what I mean. That's I think that's the main thing everybody 469 00:28:37,839 --> 00:28:41,160 talks about. But it's true, like you need guys who are able to 470 00:28:41,400 --> 00:28:44,480 work in dribble handoffs, be able to be spot up shooters, be able 471 00:28:44,480 --> 00:28:47,759 to be catching shoot guys, pull up shooters. Those are the type of 472 00:28:47,759 --> 00:28:52,920 guys that will thrive besides Scotty Barnes. It's it's sort of similar to Demonta 473 00:28:52,960 --> 00:28:57,000 Sabonis and the Sacramento Kings. It's like the Kings now have this cerebral big 474 00:28:57,039 --> 00:29:02,000 man who can work in dribble handoffs. This creator for you, but also 475 00:29:02,119 --> 00:29:04,440 you need guys to be that second part of that, which is the shooting, 476 00:29:04,519 --> 00:29:08,079 which is the downhill actions that the Aaron Fox gets into. Like all 477 00:29:08,119 --> 00:29:12,240 this stuff is is required to make Sibonis look like an All NBA player last 478 00:29:12,240 --> 00:29:15,359 season, So yeah, I don't know. That's why the Pacers kind of 479 00:29:15,359 --> 00:29:18,440 makes sense is because you get Buddy Healed, you have Grady Dick there, 480 00:29:18,599 --> 00:29:22,319 and like O G there's like a pathway to if you want to run Scottie 481 00:29:22,359 --> 00:29:25,759 at point and Yako bit at the five, like there's three shooters around him, 482 00:29:25,759 --> 00:29:27,440 and that's just like way worth basing than he was had in most of 483 00:29:27,440 --> 00:29:32,680 his lineups last year. Like the Pacers deal man, I like the Pacers 484 00:29:32,720 --> 00:29:34,559 deal. Yeah, look, you're willing to give up Pascal Siakam for lesson 485 00:29:34,599 --> 00:29:37,279 I was gonna set up. I had like Jarress Walker going. I just 486 00:29:37,279 --> 00:29:41,200 felt like a fit, Like you slide just Jarres Walker into the Pascal Siakam 487 00:29:41,279 --> 00:29:42,160 really get a pick or two and like let's be done with the heel. 488 00:29:42,200 --> 00:29:45,200 But Pacers fans were not about it, So that might be a good barometer 489 00:29:45,319 --> 00:29:49,160 for where they're also not a team that, like we talked about the Thunder, 490 00:29:49,160 --> 00:29:52,559 they at least have the track record for making the Paul George trade. 491 00:29:52,799 --> 00:29:55,759 The Pacers just don't like, Yeah, I don't even know what their biggest 492 00:29:55,799 --> 00:29:59,920 mid season or biggest acquisition in the trade market would be probably did they sig 493 00:30:00,160 --> 00:30:03,599 boy Badhanovitch or they trade for him? But I think they signed him or 494 00:30:03,640 --> 00:30:07,119 what was less sign and trade maybe I think it might have been like that 495 00:30:07,240 --> 00:30:11,799 would that would be in contention if that was the sign and trade acquisition for 496 00:30:11,839 --> 00:30:15,079 their biggest I mean, I guess you would count Victor Oladipo and someponents like 497 00:30:15,480 --> 00:30:18,160 as part of Paul George trade, Like, is that their biggest acquisition? 498 00:30:18,200 --> 00:30:21,799 I suppose yeah, I guess so, I guess No, You're right, 499 00:30:21,839 --> 00:30:25,640 the Pacers aren't are very risk averse as well. I wanted to ask you 500 00:30:25,640 --> 00:30:27,240 about a few teams that I don't think at least we haven't talked about them 501 00:30:27,240 --> 00:30:32,319 a ton this offseason on our podcast. But get with the New Orleans Pelicans. 502 00:30:32,359 --> 00:30:36,240 They didn't really do much this offseason. You get Jordan Hawkins. We 503 00:30:36,319 --> 00:30:37,519 know that they're going to duct the tax at some point. It seems like 504 00:30:37,519 --> 00:30:41,480 field salary dump Kyra Lewis Junior. This is all good amount to me just 505 00:30:41,519 --> 00:30:45,559 asking for your overing, overarching impressions on all these teams that for their off 506 00:30:45,599 --> 00:30:48,119 seas, Like where are you on the Pelicans? Do you think they should 507 00:30:48,119 --> 00:30:52,039 have done more to be more aggressive, to diversify the front court spot next 508 00:30:52,079 --> 00:30:53,400 to Zigon, or even just to add even even more shooting. What did 509 00:30:53,400 --> 00:30:57,720 you think of just their decision to sit relatively pat during the off season. 510 00:30:59,000 --> 00:31:02,920 Yeah, honestly, I'm still pretty confident in what they look like in November 511 00:31:02,960 --> 00:31:06,880 and December. I wrote a couple of pieces at that time just saying, 512 00:31:06,920 --> 00:31:11,279 like, how incredible they looked both offensively, they were figuring out a system 513 00:31:11,319 --> 00:31:15,119 defensively where which was very switch heavy, and they were just trying to limit 514 00:31:15,720 --> 00:31:18,720 limit points in the paint but also being able to limit stuff on the perimeter. 515 00:31:18,799 --> 00:31:22,799 It just looked very, very good. And also, Zion, I 516 00:31:22,119 --> 00:31:26,319 think it just comes down to health with these guys. And I hate that 517 00:31:26,319 --> 00:31:29,119 that is the answer. I hate that that I'm giving you that cop out 518 00:31:29,160 --> 00:31:30,799 of and serve of saying this is just a health thing with these guys. 519 00:31:32,119 --> 00:31:34,920 But I think the amount of games brandon Ingram CJ. McCollum, and Zion 520 00:31:34,960 --> 00:31:40,920 Williamson have played are in the single digits like together, and I just that's 521 00:31:41,079 --> 00:31:44,680 ridiculous to me that that's act like a ludicrous stat that doesn't make a lot 522 00:31:44,720 --> 00:31:48,400 of sense when you hear it out loud to yourself. So I think that's 523 00:31:48,480 --> 00:31:51,240 that's where I would go. It's like, can this team stay healthy, 524 00:31:51,319 --> 00:31:56,160 because if they can, they are a surefire top four, top three seed 525 00:31:56,200 --> 00:32:00,519 in the Western Conference next season. And they looked so good offensive built a 526 00:32:00,599 --> 00:32:05,039 round zion that I just I kind of trusted so much. I also believe 527 00:32:05,119 --> 00:32:07,759 in the development of their younger guys. I'm a huge Trey Murphy fan. 528 00:32:07,960 --> 00:32:12,720 I think he has Like we were talking about m IP with Precious, I 529 00:32:12,720 --> 00:32:15,200 think he's a pretty good pick for m IP for twenty twenty four if you're 530 00:32:15,240 --> 00:32:19,240 being you know, a little fringe you with your pick, if you want 531 00:32:19,279 --> 00:32:22,519 to say, but I like I like Trey just in general, just because 532 00:32:22,519 --> 00:32:24,759 he's he has shown an ability to create a shot a little bit more. 533 00:32:24,920 --> 00:32:29,480 He's an incredible shooter off the ball, obviously, and he's just like a 534 00:32:29,480 --> 00:32:32,200 long range G defender that works well in their system. I like Trey a 535 00:32:32,200 --> 00:32:36,759 lot. I think he can be their next guy. You know, I'm 536 00:32:36,799 --> 00:32:39,480 with you on Trey. I wonder whether he'll get like the touches to explore 537 00:32:39,519 --> 00:32:44,240 the ball skills necessary. But it's not even just his shooting. When he's 538 00:32:44,279 --> 00:32:46,319 not you know, dominating me act just like the range that he had on 539 00:32:46,400 --> 00:32:50,279 a shooting He's just like, you're going to stretch defenses, paper thing. 540 00:32:50,319 --> 00:32:52,240 And so I'm with you on everything you said, where I still would have 541 00:32:52,240 --> 00:32:55,200 liked you've seen them been a little bit more aggressive to just try and open 542 00:32:55,279 --> 00:33:00,119 up the floor. And I think we're at the point where you might have 543 00:33:00,200 --> 00:33:04,000 to start planning around Zion's gonna miss thirty games a year or whatever it is. 544 00:33:04,240 --> 00:33:07,559 And so there's it's so tough because he's twenty three and they were like 545 00:33:07,599 --> 00:33:09,039 the best team in the West at one point last year, and so you 546 00:33:09,079 --> 00:33:14,359 believe in the theory of this team, it's just so tough to imagine them. 547 00:33:14,359 --> 00:33:15,359 I mean, even looking at some of the time that Brandon Ingram has 548 00:33:15,359 --> 00:33:19,160 missed. You. Now if the factor in like the CJ McCullum learning curve, 549 00:33:19,359 --> 00:33:22,119 they might aging curve, excuse me, And then you you're all of 550 00:33:22,160 --> 00:33:24,200 a sudden, like I don't love Joanna's found you and is a good player, 551 00:33:24,319 --> 00:33:28,480 but like I don't know if he's gonna close as part of your best 552 00:33:28,480 --> 00:33:31,599 lineups. And then like you're gonna reach a like he's hitting free agency next 553 00:33:31,680 --> 00:33:34,480 year and so it's like, so, who is your big band now, 554 00:33:34,559 --> 00:33:37,519 Like it's not. Cody Zeller isn't going to be like the solution long term. 555 00:33:37,559 --> 00:33:39,839 So I would have liked you've seen them been more aggressive, but they're 556 00:33:39,920 --> 00:33:44,160 they were so good when fully healthy that I was actually surprised. I think 557 00:33:44,160 --> 00:33:45,799 I saw some people name them as like the biggest losers of the off season, 558 00:33:46,160 --> 00:33:50,000 and I'm just like, I can't get there, because this team if 559 00:33:50,279 --> 00:33:54,640 things just break even seventy five percent right where if we said Zion played in 560 00:33:55,000 --> 00:33:59,279 fifty seven games right now or sixty one, like I might be like, 561 00:33:59,319 --> 00:34:00,519 well, New Orleans is probably gonna be like in the top four of the 562 00:34:00,519 --> 00:34:05,359 Western Conference. And a big part of that you mentioned too, is not 563 00:34:05,440 --> 00:34:09,119 just Trey Murphy. The defense is just like we saw it in not even 564 00:34:09,159 --> 00:34:13,119 just last season, but Willie Green's first year. There's there's like a system 565 00:34:13,119 --> 00:34:16,079 in place, and they got really good in transition the year not last year, 566 00:34:16,079 --> 00:34:19,239 but the previous year. They're a little bit worse last season. You 567 00:34:19,280 --> 00:34:21,719 mentioned the switching scheme work for them in the half court. They're really good 568 00:34:21,760 --> 00:34:24,599 at ending possessions. I think Zion even improved on that end of the floor 569 00:34:24,639 --> 00:34:29,000 when you watch him a lot last year compared to years past. I remain 570 00:34:29,079 --> 00:34:31,199 bullish on their future, but I don't think it's unfair. It's not. 571 00:34:31,679 --> 00:34:36,360 I'm with you when it comes to health because Zion has missed like two thirds 572 00:34:36,400 --> 00:34:37,880 of his career games. So it's not a cop out. That's a real 573 00:34:37,960 --> 00:34:42,920 thing. That's real. It's also like, how do you reconcile that when 574 00:34:42,920 --> 00:34:46,519 you look at just their future and what they look like next season the year 575 00:34:46,559 --> 00:34:51,079 beyond that, Like, how are you supposed to assess this team when it's 576 00:34:51,079 --> 00:34:53,519 constantly like, oh, by the way, injury, you know, right, 577 00:34:54,320 --> 00:34:57,760 don't I don't know how you're supposed to And like they were trying to 578 00:34:57,760 --> 00:35:00,480 make some assessments because you go out and make the CJ call him trade and 579 00:35:00,519 --> 00:35:04,159 so, and we know like that they kind of poked around like the Malik 580 00:35:04,239 --> 00:35:08,840 Beasley sweepstakes at the last trade deadline. So I think it makes sense. 581 00:35:09,079 --> 00:35:12,599 I think to run it back and then if you need to make more wholesale 582 00:35:12,599 --> 00:35:15,519 decisions even at mid season, because there has to be a bit of urgency. 583 00:35:15,559 --> 00:35:20,480 Just Zion is sort of this physical singularity. We don't know how long 584 00:35:20,599 --> 00:35:22,280 his prime window is gonna last. If he remains healthy. So I do 585 00:35:22,320 --> 00:35:25,079 think you need to be more urgent, and I think there are real flaws 586 00:35:25,079 --> 00:35:29,519 on this team. But I'm also just like what someone needs to point me 587 00:35:29,599 --> 00:35:31,760 to the move that they were supposed to make here, and like, I'm 588 00:35:31,760 --> 00:35:35,199 not even a big fan of teams ducking attacks, but I'm like, what 589 00:35:35,239 --> 00:35:37,599 was what was the move that's gonna be worth them spending more taking on money 590 00:35:37,920 --> 00:35:39,760 in a trade? And I can't get there, And so I think, 591 00:35:39,800 --> 00:35:44,480 like, as is, this is maybe a fringe contender if they stay healthy. 592 00:35:44,519 --> 00:35:46,679 If not right, Yeah, some people brought up the idea of Dame 593 00:35:46,920 --> 00:35:50,920 and then I know at the at the draft there was the idea of trading 594 00:35:51,000 --> 00:35:53,840 Zion for Scoot and kind of resetting that way. I just don't see those 595 00:35:54,079 --> 00:35:58,760 being viable options. Maybe you could sell me on the Dame idea if CJ 596 00:35:58,920 --> 00:36:01,960 gets rerouted to a third team, but I don't know. I just don't 597 00:36:01,960 --> 00:36:06,800 see that. I like the Dame idea, and it would like it's just 598 00:36:06,840 --> 00:36:09,039 hard to build, Like your Dyson Daniels is gone. I really like Dyson 599 00:36:09,119 --> 00:36:12,760 Daniels. If he can like hit a like a stand still jumper. Ever, 600 00:36:13,199 --> 00:36:15,920 he's gonna be really good, but like you can't trade herb right now, 601 00:36:15,960 --> 00:36:20,800 and that's an he's so good. I just feel like he improved his 602 00:36:20,840 --> 00:36:22,400 shooting as this season went on, but it was like on like sub two 603 00:36:22,400 --> 00:36:24,599 attempts per game. It's like, I need to see more volume out of 604 00:36:24,639 --> 00:36:29,280 him because I just wonder what he'll look like in longer playoff settings. But 605 00:36:29,320 --> 00:36:31,400 that's like I actually liked Dame in New Orleans. If you find a third 606 00:36:31,400 --> 00:36:36,679 team procedure and you're willing to unload the picks, I just they're not. 607 00:36:36,719 --> 00:36:37,559 They're just clearly a team that doesn't want to make that move, and I 608 00:36:37,639 --> 00:36:40,360 get it. I will say I was a board. I became so high 609 00:36:40,400 --> 00:36:43,440 on Scoot that if you were gonna flip Zion for Scood, I think I 610 00:36:43,440 --> 00:36:45,199 was in the camp. I don't remember what I said, but if I 611 00:36:45,239 --> 00:36:46,679 was New Orleans and it was there, I probably would have done it. 612 00:36:47,119 --> 00:36:50,920 Yeah, I'd have to think about it, but I'm pretty high on Scoot 613 00:36:50,960 --> 00:36:54,159 too, and I would I would at least entertain the idea. Like I 614 00:36:54,239 --> 00:36:59,320 love what Zion does, and like every time I think of trading Zion for 615 00:36:59,480 --> 00:37:02,079 Scoop, I think of the November and December Zion that we had last season, 616 00:37:02,079 --> 00:37:05,639 and I'm like, I don't know, man, that's an MVP candidate 617 00:37:05,719 --> 00:37:07,320 right there, Like, how do you trade that for a guy that you 618 00:37:07,320 --> 00:37:12,960 don't know? Even though like there are some assurances when seeing a guy like 619 00:37:12,960 --> 00:37:15,679 scouting what he can be in the future, but still like, Zion is 620 00:37:15,679 --> 00:37:19,719 an MVP candidate. How are we going to move on from this guy? 621 00:37:20,000 --> 00:37:23,519 It feels like a tough pill to swallow. Yeah, I think even David 622 00:37:23,519 --> 00:37:27,800 Griffin said that the talks they had about number three never involves Zion. Who 623 00:37:27,800 --> 00:37:30,480 knows how true that is, but they clearly are thinking in the way you're 624 00:37:30,519 --> 00:37:35,320 thinking. Yeah, the other team feels another team it feels weird to have 625 00:37:35,360 --> 00:37:37,039 on this list? Is the Knicks just sort of floating around out there? 626 00:37:37,079 --> 00:37:40,679 You signed Dante de Vincenzo and that's like it it's like four years, forty 627 00:37:40,800 --> 00:37:45,440 six million guaranteed or whatever it is. What do you make of What do 628 00:37:45,440 --> 00:37:47,599 you make of their decision to sort of just like stand pat and they add 629 00:37:47,639 --> 00:37:51,840 Dante de Vincenzo to to what the and trade and trade Obie? Of course. 630 00:37:51,920 --> 00:37:53,280 Yeah, first of all, I feel like Obie didn't get a fair 631 00:37:53,280 --> 00:37:58,280 shot in New York and him and yeah, him in Indiana just makes a 632 00:37:58,280 --> 00:38:00,599 lot of sense. Like we talked about in a little bit in passing here, 633 00:38:00,639 --> 00:38:05,480 but just the playmaking, the shooting around him, it's they're gonna be 634 00:38:05,519 --> 00:38:07,239 a high oxane offense. They're gonna be running and gunning a lot, and 635 00:38:07,320 --> 00:38:09,519 he's gonna be a lot of fun to watch. And I think Obi will 636 00:38:09,519 --> 00:38:14,079 be a part of that. When it comes to adding Dante, it's just 637 00:38:14,119 --> 00:38:16,760 like another guy you can rely on on the wings to guard people. He's 638 00:38:16,800 --> 00:38:22,079 a much more willing shooter than Josh Hart and I think that's just part of 639 00:38:22,119 --> 00:38:24,239 like, hey, if Josh isn't shooting today, let's throw Dante and strow 640 00:38:24,280 --> 00:38:29,039 Hinda. And Dante was pretty good from from what I remember last year, 641 00:38:29,039 --> 00:38:30,639 he was like a forty percent shooter. Yeah he was. He was really 642 00:38:30,679 --> 00:38:34,159 good for three last year. Yeah, So like if he can keep that 643 00:38:34,280 --> 00:38:37,039 up, that's just another shooter that you can throw in there. The Knicks 644 00:38:37,039 --> 00:38:40,079 obviously needed a lot of shooting going into this offseason. I think that makes 645 00:38:40,119 --> 00:38:45,480 sense they addressed something there. When it comes to like them staying pat, 646 00:38:45,960 --> 00:38:47,519 I just look at the situation in Philly and I'm like, all right, 647 00:38:47,679 --> 00:38:52,760 let's just hold down the four until the big man decides to I just that's 648 00:38:52,800 --> 00:38:55,639 where I'm at with New York. It's and it just makes all the sense 649 00:38:55,679 --> 00:38:59,159 in the world. I don't know how it would ever happen, and if 650 00:38:59,239 --> 00:39:01,840 New York, not even if New York, if Philly would be willing to 651 00:39:01,840 --> 00:39:05,960 play ball in that, you know. But yeah, I just think you 652 00:39:06,000 --> 00:39:08,519 gotta wait for for for in bed Man, you know, the Joel will 653 00:39:08,559 --> 00:39:14,559 Be trade request is coming. It's just it's so it's I'm just I think 654 00:39:14,679 --> 00:39:16,199 I didn't have a problem with what they've done so far because I think what 655 00:39:16,280 --> 00:39:19,440 people they're like, they need to get shooting. It's like they don't need 656 00:39:19,480 --> 00:39:22,199 shooting. They need shooting that cracks their closing lineup. That was never gonna 657 00:39:22,199 --> 00:39:25,400 happen unless you make a big trade. And so the Dante's even Shenzo signing 658 00:39:25,440 --> 00:39:29,840 is fine. I feel like there's still too small on the wings, Like 659 00:39:29,880 --> 00:39:31,840 I like Josh Harden r J. Barrett the four for stretches, but like 660 00:39:31,880 --> 00:39:35,760 you want, like they need like a bigger wing who can also shoot. 661 00:39:35,960 --> 00:39:37,159 Again, they weren't going to get that for the mid level exception, and 662 00:39:37,159 --> 00:39:40,199 so taking the flyer on. Dante's fine, but he's not a caps locked 663 00:39:40,400 --> 00:39:44,519 shooter. He's like, as you mentioned, he's a good shooter. So 664 00:39:44,559 --> 00:39:47,159 I was gonna ask you, like, is that when they're mentioned as the 665 00:39:47,159 --> 00:39:52,360 team that's gonna go after the next mega star that becomes available, how do 666 00:39:52,400 --> 00:39:55,239 you view their actual asset pool at this point? Because I was having this 667 00:39:55,280 --> 00:40:00,599 discussion with someone who works at Nick's film school the other day. I don't 668 00:40:00,719 --> 00:40:04,400 there. Their assets are kind of to me like some of the shine has 669 00:40:04,480 --> 00:40:07,400 don't Obi already went for two seconds, I cues about like if you trade 670 00:40:07,400 --> 00:40:12,400 for him now or on his next contract, He's right, yeah, he's 671 00:40:12,400 --> 00:40:15,519 gonna be making more money, and like, okay, you have your own 672 00:40:15,599 --> 00:40:17,360 first, and we can make the jokes like oh everyone wants a Knicks pick, 673 00:40:17,840 --> 00:40:22,079 like those picks aren't necessarily going to be good the way things are tracking 674 00:40:22,159 --> 00:40:24,079 right now, and then you have these extra first Okay, Dallas, fine, 675 00:40:24,079 --> 00:40:28,239 that'll probably convey, but like the Detroit and Washington picks, those are 676 00:40:28,280 --> 00:40:30,119 not guaranteed to convey. And so I'm just wondering, like, yeah, 677 00:40:30,159 --> 00:40:34,719 you have RJ. Barrett and Quentin Grimes, but do they even have when 678 00:40:34,719 --> 00:40:37,440 you're looking at a team that might go after a Jowell embat or like the 679 00:40:37,480 --> 00:40:40,639 next bigger name up that comes available, is there package? As are their 680 00:40:40,679 --> 00:40:45,719 best packages as enticing as I feel like it's been advertised, but they we 681 00:40:45,800 --> 00:40:49,480 never go into specifics anymore because I feel like there's everyone knows a little like 682 00:40:49,519 --> 00:40:52,519 deep down, like, oh, like their best offers have kind of gotten 683 00:40:52,559 --> 00:40:55,119 worse, right, Yeah, that's a good point actually, And you know 684 00:40:55,159 --> 00:41:00,199 what I think if you look at the other packages out there, like other 685 00:41:00,239 --> 00:41:02,519 teams that could be able to cough up whatever for an MB type player. 686 00:41:02,719 --> 00:41:07,039 You look at Okay, see you look at New Orleans, I mean even 687 00:41:07,119 --> 00:41:12,440 technically Washington now or Brooklyn, Like these teams have tons of picks. Maybe 688 00:41:12,480 --> 00:41:15,760 some young guys that teams would be interested in. They have the salary to 689 00:41:15,840 --> 00:41:20,440 match. I think they would probably trump New York when it comes to just 690 00:41:20,559 --> 00:41:23,920 pure package to deliver. But then we don't live in that era where it's 691 00:41:23,960 --> 00:41:28,719 like, hey, this is just the best deal possible, we're gonna send 692 00:41:28,760 --> 00:41:31,000 you here. We're looking at it. With the Damian Lillard situation right now, 693 00:41:31,000 --> 00:41:37,039 it's like what his preferred destination is is weighing heavily into where he might 694 00:41:37,079 --> 00:41:39,639 go because teams aren't sure whether he's going to be able to stay there. 695 00:41:39,719 --> 00:41:43,039 He doesn't, he's gonna be happy, discruntled, et cetera, et c. 696 00:41:43,880 --> 00:41:46,639 I think that might apply with Eimbiade as well. And if Embiade wants 697 00:41:46,679 --> 00:41:51,800 to be or any other star really wants to be in New York, then 698 00:41:51,840 --> 00:41:53,440 their package looks a little bit better and you can maybe say, Okay, 699 00:41:53,480 --> 00:41:55,920 well you still get RJ. Barrett, you still get Quentin Grimes, you 700 00:41:55,960 --> 00:42:00,920 still get whoever quickly, you know what I mean. I think that point. 701 00:42:00,079 --> 00:42:02,960 Yeah, that's a great point, market man, you know the market 702 00:42:04,000 --> 00:42:07,920 just it helps is Joel and be like that's a player you kind of like 703 00:42:07,159 --> 00:42:10,000 you would go just if you're the Knicks, and he becomes like you're going, 704 00:42:10,039 --> 00:42:13,679 You're going whole hog after him? Yeah, I think he just I 705 00:42:13,719 --> 00:42:17,360 mean outside of the whole like cultural like Ethos and Bead being like an MSG 706 00:42:17,599 --> 00:42:24,360 thing, which is incredible by itself. I think the fit alongside Bronson, 707 00:42:24,679 --> 00:42:29,639 whoever, you can keep with those guys, whether it's like a heart a 708 00:42:29,679 --> 00:42:32,320 de Vincenzo, it just makes a lot of sense, Like it just looks 709 00:42:32,360 --> 00:42:37,480 good. It seems like it would register properly in my head in terms of 710 00:42:37,679 --> 00:42:40,199 Bronson being able to create create off of isolation possessions and Bed being able to 711 00:42:40,239 --> 00:42:45,239 create off of isolation possessions to pick and rolls that they would have the dribble 712 00:42:45,280 --> 00:42:46,840 handoff stuff that they could work on. I just think it would be a 713 00:42:47,760 --> 00:42:52,039 near seamless fit and New York would be maybe one of the best teams in 714 00:42:52,079 --> 00:42:57,039 the Eastern Conference almost immediately if that happens. I think I'm with you. 715 00:42:57,239 --> 00:43:01,039 I just I would prefer them to have like this bigger win type player even 716 00:43:01,039 --> 00:43:05,360 when we're trying to hunt for the next star that becomes available. That player 717 00:43:05,440 --> 00:43:07,039 doesn't seem to exist like I couldn't come up with I try to think about 718 00:43:07,079 --> 00:43:12,440 it, like INBID might be like even more so, I like Karnthy Towns 719 00:43:12,480 --> 00:43:15,320 not for this team, And I don't know why TIBs and Towns whatever reunite 720 00:43:15,360 --> 00:43:19,119 for anything. I think it almost has to be in BED unless they're waiting 721 00:43:19,119 --> 00:43:22,079 for Donovan Mitchell to become available again. And even that you run into some 722 00:43:22,239 --> 00:43:25,360 weird small guards stuff with him and runs him. So what about want to 723 00:43:25,400 --> 00:43:28,719 bead? But I just don't know if he's like the guy I just don't 724 00:43:28,719 --> 00:43:31,599 think the perfect guy is. I mean, we're always surprised by what like 725 00:43:31,639 --> 00:43:35,800 I don't like even if you're trying to think of way out there, I 726 00:43:35,840 --> 00:43:38,119 just can't find the bigger wing player that might request the trade. Series. 727 00:43:38,320 --> 00:43:42,559 So the only the only team I can think of, and this isn't request 728 00:43:42,639 --> 00:43:45,639 the trade. But it's like we've kicked the can down the road so many 729 00:43:45,679 --> 00:43:49,280 times that at some point we have to just reassess our options here. And 730 00:43:49,360 --> 00:43:52,159 that's the Clippers. And it's like, you look at Paul George, you 731 00:43:52,159 --> 00:43:55,719 look at Kauai and those guys, especially with their age and where they're at 732 00:43:55,719 --> 00:44:00,800 contract wise, they definitely won't cost as much as what well embiad wood. 733 00:44:00,840 --> 00:44:04,679 So maybe you can retain some of that quote unquote asset pool and still be 734 00:44:04,760 --> 00:44:07,320 able to acquire a Kauai, a Paul George, whoever that might be, 735 00:44:07,800 --> 00:44:13,639 and maybe like maybe that's your solution for your big wing, stretchy forward type. 736 00:44:13,719 --> 00:44:15,599 You know. Yeah, I will say whatever that rumored offer was then 737 00:44:15,719 --> 00:44:19,280 Knicks apparently turned down for Paul George, I just won't buy it because I 738 00:44:19,320 --> 00:44:22,280 would have made that trade enough. It was it was just like but I 739 00:44:22,360 --> 00:44:23,199 think, yeah, You're right, those would be like that, That would 740 00:44:23,199 --> 00:44:28,480 be the team. Where do you land on the very quickly like the I'm 741 00:44:28,519 --> 00:44:30,199 more of the Julish. Fadel is a very good player. I just think 742 00:44:30,199 --> 00:44:35,239 there's way too much overlap with him and if you actually want r J to 743 00:44:35,280 --> 00:44:37,679 develop into the player you're supposed to be there, having Jail and runs in 744 00:44:37,679 --> 00:44:39,400 there, it feels like one of those three guys, not just in a 745 00:44:39,400 --> 00:44:44,639 bigger trade, but like just needs to go. Don't see the theory of 746 00:44:44,679 --> 00:44:45,840 it. Too many lefties, man, They're all on one side of the 747 00:44:45,880 --> 00:44:49,800 court. No, I'm kidding. Look, I like Randall. I think 748 00:44:49,800 --> 00:44:54,039 he's he's gotten like he's gotten a lot of hate over the last couple of 749 00:44:54,079 --> 00:44:59,000 years, and I think he's produced some really phenomenal seasons. He is still 750 00:44:59,039 --> 00:45:04,079 a flawed play in some senses. I think he can like his playmaking and 751 00:45:04,159 --> 00:45:07,960 his passing has improved, but he still gets a little bit too indecisive when 752 00:45:08,000 --> 00:45:10,840 there's a double team coming his way. I think some of that stuff is 753 00:45:12,239 --> 00:45:15,079 very existent, especially in the playoffs. You can see that in the postseason. 754 00:45:15,199 --> 00:45:19,480 Just his processing isn't there. It's you know, we compare Scottie Barnes 755 00:45:19,480 --> 00:45:22,039 and Julius Randall. It's like two different worlds in terms of processing speed. 756 00:45:23,159 --> 00:45:27,679 I think that's where I'm at with Julius, and like, yes, he 757 00:45:27,760 --> 00:45:30,320 is a good player. I think he can be a good player on a 758 00:45:30,360 --> 00:45:35,599 good team. But the questions about him maybe being your number one or number 759 00:45:35,599 --> 00:45:38,519 two or number three guy on a potential perennial playoff team, I don't know. 760 00:45:38,760 --> 00:45:42,559 I don't know. How do you feel on that, oh he needs 761 00:45:43,000 --> 00:45:45,400 team trade Julius Randall, I don't think it's I don't think it's like what 762 00:45:45,480 --> 00:45:49,519 do you trade him for? That's probably like he just had this all NBA 763 00:45:49,559 --> 00:45:52,000 season and I don't really think that they could get a lot of value for 764 00:45:52,079 --> 00:45:54,440 him, And I don't think. I'm pretty confident that the front office doesn't 765 00:45:54,440 --> 00:45:58,760 even want to trade him. But I'm also wondering how much of that is 766 00:45:58,760 --> 00:46:00,880 born from we don't think that we get a lot for him, and that'll 767 00:46:00,920 --> 00:46:05,039 just look like an absolute nightmare. But I'm with you. Just he makes 768 00:46:05,440 --> 00:46:07,239 as you're number one, there's a ceiling and it's not very high, and 769 00:46:07,280 --> 00:46:09,920 then like when you start to knock him down a peg or two, he's 770 00:46:09,960 --> 00:46:14,440 not always willing to do the stuff of a co star or a running mate, 771 00:46:14,519 --> 00:46:17,920 and that's that's gonna make it a very difficult fit. And his defense 772 00:46:19,000 --> 00:46:22,800 quite frankically this season, which is like at for long stretches are just embarrassing 773 00:46:22,320 --> 00:46:25,280 and you're going to factor that in if you're a team that's acquiring him, 774 00:46:25,320 --> 00:46:30,039 maybe because the money's not so obscene in this new cap climate. I just 775 00:46:30,079 --> 00:46:31,960 don't like. I think this is more of a situation where you're kind of 776 00:46:32,000 --> 00:46:35,880 letting years tick off his deal and then he becomes a valuable as like, 777 00:46:35,920 --> 00:46:38,000 oh, there's only two years left on his deal or he's an expiring contract, 778 00:46:38,039 --> 00:46:43,119 and you use him as more salary matching than any outgoing value, which 779 00:46:43,119 --> 00:46:45,159 is a tough spot to be because he just made All NBA and I don't 780 00:46:45,159 --> 00:46:49,760 think it was egregious for him to make All MBA, but to be talking 781 00:46:49,800 --> 00:46:52,880 about this is just and look, if you want to keep him, fine, 782 00:46:52,000 --> 00:46:55,519 but I just feel like with the RJ and the moments he had in 783 00:46:55,519 --> 00:46:59,119 the playoffs, it's like you need to probably move on from him then because 784 00:46:59,119 --> 00:47:00,920 Bruns is not going anywhere, and I just don't the three of these guys 785 00:47:00,960 --> 00:47:06,159 together long term. Put just like this very finite cap on how good you 786 00:47:06,159 --> 00:47:09,159 can be on both ends of the floor. Right, I'm curious because you 787 00:47:09,159 --> 00:47:14,159 know, obviously New York have to ask you, r J. How do 788 00:47:14,239 --> 00:47:16,119 people feel about RJ in the New York sphere? Because I feel like he 789 00:47:16,159 --> 00:47:19,440 has a lot of believers, he also has a lot of doubters. Where 790 00:47:19,519 --> 00:47:22,599 where where do Knicks fans, Knicks media stand on RJ? There's a lot 791 00:47:22,599 --> 00:47:25,679 of division, and I do think if I had to pick that it probably 792 00:47:25,719 --> 00:47:30,880 skews more pessimistic than optimistic. I'd just be curious to see. We talked 793 00:47:30,880 --> 00:47:32,960 about this with Scotty, and it's not as bad in New York. What 794 00:47:32,960 --> 00:47:37,599 would he look like with more space around him so that he can like when 795 00:47:37,599 --> 00:47:40,280 he was attacking in the playoffs, he looks phenomenal and like I still believe 796 00:47:40,280 --> 00:47:44,920 in his stand still jumper. I'm hoping this season we get to see him 797 00:47:44,960 --> 00:47:49,239 in a lot of smaller bench heavy lineups, maybe independent of at least Julius, 798 00:47:49,280 --> 00:47:52,119 but maybe even independent of Brunson as well, And so like, you 799 00:47:52,119 --> 00:47:54,639 know, not to throw that team back kind of like like him on the 800 00:47:54,679 --> 00:47:58,840 Pacers would make a lot of sense. It's just like next to Tyrese Haliburton 801 00:47:58,840 --> 00:48:01,559 and maybe get to run some second units. And I hope for his career's 802 00:48:01,599 --> 00:48:06,599 sake that it probably that he ends up like leaving New York at some point, 803 00:48:06,679 --> 00:48:09,079 because like even Utah would have been a great fit for him, because 804 00:48:09,079 --> 00:48:13,000 I think that there's a really good basketball player in there, maybe like a 805 00:48:13,119 --> 00:48:15,800 third best player on a phenomenal team. That's really hard to do. Some 806 00:48:15,800 --> 00:48:19,960 people think it as an insult if he's going to reach that level in New 807 00:48:20,039 --> 00:48:23,679 York. I think there needs to be like a real cosmetic facelift happening around 808 00:48:23,800 --> 00:48:27,199 him. And I just don't Again, we just went through it. I 809 00:48:27,239 --> 00:48:30,239 don't know what the solutionist Randall or if they want to move Julius Randall. 810 00:48:30,440 --> 00:48:34,320 Yeah, it's it's kind of an either or thing with those guys. And 811 00:48:34,679 --> 00:48:37,960 yeah, I mean I would lean trying to develop RJ versus trying to squeeze 812 00:48:37,960 --> 00:48:40,760 as most juice as possible out of Julius. You know, I've been begging 813 00:48:40,760 --> 00:48:44,360 for a tear down for like twenty years. I would just rebuild and stuff. 814 00:48:44,360 --> 00:48:45,519 I just want the Nicks to go through a proper rebuild, So I 815 00:48:45,559 --> 00:48:50,360 would definitely skiw more towards that I will say to wrap him up, and 816 00:48:50,400 --> 00:48:52,280 I don't know if you agree. I think what they did this past season, 817 00:48:52,280 --> 00:48:57,079 maybe it's because a Brunson feels more sustainable than that Julius Randall most improved 818 00:48:57,079 --> 00:49:00,480 player. I don't effect them even if they're a little worse when look at 819 00:49:00,480 --> 00:49:04,000 the wins and losses, Like I expect this team to basically sustain what it 820 00:49:04,039 --> 00:49:07,679 was able to do this past year. I think I've said this a lot, 821 00:49:07,719 --> 00:49:10,960 and I've had to cover the guy, but Jalen Brunson reminds me a 822 00:49:10,960 --> 00:49:14,920 lot of Kyle Lowry. And it's not just because of the way that they 823 00:49:14,960 --> 00:49:17,760 play and the way that they do things, but like the wins added perspective, 824 00:49:17,800 --> 00:49:22,559 the stability perspective, I think he just has a level of, hey, 825 00:49:22,639 --> 00:49:27,480 we're going to squeeze forty two, forty three, forty four wins out 826 00:49:27,480 --> 00:49:30,800 of this season, regardless of what the scenario is. And I think that 827 00:49:30,880 --> 00:49:34,679 applies to Brunson as well, Like he just he has a way about him 828 00:49:34,679 --> 00:49:37,360 in the regular season, even in the playoffs, like he was phenomenal until 829 00:49:37,360 --> 00:49:40,320 he got banged up. But I just think he's that type of player. 830 00:49:40,480 --> 00:49:44,920 He brings a level of stability to that team. They've been dying for a 831 00:49:44,960 --> 00:49:46,719 point guard for such a long time. Shout out to Raymond Felton. That's 832 00:49:46,760 --> 00:49:52,599 like one of my I had to. It's like every time I think of 833 00:49:52,679 --> 00:49:54,679 Knicks point guards, like the grave of Knicks point guards, I think of 834 00:49:54,760 --> 00:50:00,280 Raymond Felton. But yes, there's so many others that we could. I 835 00:50:00,280 --> 00:50:04,400 think of the Stephon Marbury, Steve Francis backcourt. I hear you. Yeah, 836 00:50:04,239 --> 00:50:07,880 yeah, no, there's so many. There's Pablo Prigioni I could, 837 00:50:07,280 --> 00:50:12,400 There's just there's the there's the king of this podcast, Frankie Lakeena. Yeah, 838 00:50:12,679 --> 00:50:15,239 yeah, I still I believe. I saw I saw a baby with 839 00:50:15,280 --> 00:50:17,679 a frank Nil Keena Jersey on I was like, why did you give that 840 00:50:17,719 --> 00:50:23,960 baby a frank La Jersey? Because they care about that child's future. So 841 00:50:24,079 --> 00:50:29,719 the next team I have, uh is Orlando. And how did you feel 842 00:50:29,760 --> 00:50:32,400 about like did they how did you feel about the anti Blacks fit? Like 843 00:50:32,400 --> 00:50:37,599 did they add enough shooting with Joe Ingles and uh where the Jet Howard is 844 00:50:37,599 --> 00:50:39,400 who they have? Like did they add enough shooting to make that work? 845 00:50:39,480 --> 00:50:42,480 Because it was such a magic pick where it's like, hey, let's take 846 00:50:42,519 --> 00:50:45,639 the really big guy who with a questionable jump bird. We already might have 847 00:50:45,719 --> 00:50:47,559 enough of those dudes. Like, how do you feel about the kind of 848 00:50:47,599 --> 00:50:52,679 roster set up right now? I was wary of the ant Black fit first, 849 00:50:52,960 --> 00:50:55,360 but seeing him in Summer League, I kind of I'm a little bit 850 00:50:55,360 --> 00:51:00,920 more confident in how that looks just because of how big he is. You 851 00:51:00,000 --> 00:51:04,559 kind of have to contextualize how big these guys are once you see them in 852 00:51:04,599 --> 00:51:07,840 person and you're like, oh, whoa, Anthony Black is way bigger than 853 00:51:07,880 --> 00:51:09,960 I thought he would actually be. So yeah, I just think the size 854 00:51:10,000 --> 00:51:13,760 makes a lot of sense in that lineup. I think they can be a 855 00:51:13,800 --> 00:51:17,800 pretty good defensive team next season if some of that buying is there between Sugs 856 00:51:17,800 --> 00:51:22,880 and Marquelle Folds and like, just like from a point of attack perspective, 857 00:51:22,960 --> 00:51:25,880 they can be a really, really good defensive team. So I see it 858 00:51:27,000 --> 00:51:31,119 from a defensive perspective. Offensively, I can understand the worries. Shooting wise, 859 00:51:32,000 --> 00:51:36,000 I think Jet Howard is a great shooter, phenomenal. I was surprised 860 00:51:36,039 --> 00:51:37,480 they didn't take Grady Dick, and I think a lot of Toronto Raptors fans 861 00:51:37,480 --> 00:51:40,400 are also surprised they didn't take Grady Dick, but Jet can be a great 862 00:51:40,400 --> 00:51:45,400 shooter, great off ball mover. He fits with what they do. I 863 00:51:45,440 --> 00:51:50,719 think they do have to address their log jam at the guard spot at some 864 00:51:50,800 --> 00:51:53,599 point this season. And I know Cole Anthony is up for an extension. 865 00:51:53,920 --> 00:51:58,039 I know Marquel Is. I think he's inked on for a couple more years. 866 00:51:58,079 --> 00:52:01,159 But like, what are you gonna do to make sure all these guys 867 00:52:01,199 --> 00:52:05,360 get their touches? Especially with Aunt Black in the in the lineup now? 868 00:52:05,400 --> 00:52:08,639 It's like, how do you how do you promote the growth of Sugs Black 869 00:52:09,360 --> 00:52:14,000 and essentially all the other guards that they have in faults and you know what 870 00:52:14,039 --> 00:52:16,480 I mean, I just don't know how you are able to just get enough 871 00:52:16,559 --> 00:52:21,800 usage for all of those guys and then also have to worry about Franz and 872 00:52:21,880 --> 00:52:24,000 Paolo and Wendell Carter Junior. It's just like how do you manage all those 873 00:52:24,440 --> 00:52:29,360 responsibilities? At some point it feels like a consolidation is coming with those guys. 874 00:52:29,639 --> 00:52:31,280 Yeah, and the front line, they're lucky because everyone you named on 875 00:52:31,280 --> 00:52:35,920 the front line WCJ, Paalo, ben Caro even and then friends as like 876 00:52:36,199 --> 00:52:38,000 very scalable. It's like they can work in all these different situations. You 877 00:52:38,039 --> 00:52:40,960 have faults entering his contract year, so you're gonna have to make he's extension 878 00:52:40,960 --> 00:52:43,719 eligible, I think, so you have to make a decision on him. 879 00:52:43,760 --> 00:52:46,320 You mentioned Cole Anthony. I am still have a list. I am a 880 00:52:46,480 --> 00:52:50,360 very big believer in Joel and Suggs who's been he was. They were like 881 00:52:50,360 --> 00:52:52,599 a top ten defense for most of last year, and the assignments that he 882 00:52:52,639 --> 00:52:57,159 was tackling during that stretch, We're just he was a monster. And he 883 00:52:57,239 --> 00:53:00,639 started shooting well from three on real volume towards the ladder half or even for 884 00:53:00,679 --> 00:53:04,480 most of the season, including from above the break. So like, if 885 00:53:04,480 --> 00:53:07,599 he can sort of get his bearings, like become a quicker decision maker with 886 00:53:07,639 --> 00:53:10,559 the ball and maybe not as sloppy like when he's heading downhill, there's like 887 00:53:10,760 --> 00:53:15,280 an outline of not just oh okay, this guy can play like a really, 888 00:53:15,280 --> 00:53:17,599 really good player. And it adds to the log jam. I'm with 889 00:53:17,639 --> 00:53:21,719 you that I wanted them to make a consoliation trade this summer because I thought, 890 00:53:21,800 --> 00:53:22,679 like, you know, they kind of need. They don't have a 891 00:53:22,679 --> 00:53:27,119 lot of wigs on this team. If you view Aunt Black as a primary 892 00:53:27,159 --> 00:53:30,360 facilitator, and you have Franz Wagner, and then that's that's kind of it. 893 00:53:30,440 --> 00:53:34,559 Now you have Joe Engels, but he's a trillion years old. I'm 894 00:53:34,559 --> 00:53:37,360 still so intrigued by them. I just don't think people who I trusted, 895 00:53:37,360 --> 00:53:39,559 who are smart at me if told me that Jet Howard is just ready, 896 00:53:39,880 --> 00:53:43,719 I don't know very little about Jet Howard, so I'll trust that. I 897 00:53:43,760 --> 00:53:45,679 still just don't think, you know, when you look at their best lineups, 898 00:53:45,719 --> 00:53:50,440 they're still dealing with a bottom five half court offense last season. I 899 00:53:50,440 --> 00:53:52,440 don't know if they've improved enough. And even when you cake in Okay, 900 00:53:52,480 --> 00:53:55,719 Palabank, Carrolls is gonna be better because that dude. He is that dude. 901 00:53:55,719 --> 00:53:58,960 I think when you watch you, everyone's agrees. I just don't have 902 00:53:59,000 --> 00:54:04,199 a lot of faith in like the offensive advancement this season with this exact crop 903 00:54:04,239 --> 00:54:07,360 of personnel. To me, they seem like a good team to do a 904 00:54:07,440 --> 00:54:10,920 Carl Anthony Town's trade and that's like down the road, but like that makes 905 00:54:10,960 --> 00:54:15,159 sense to me. From you can get a couple of guards going to Minnesota, 906 00:54:15,719 --> 00:54:19,559 you maybe get I don't know, a pick or two. I don't 907 00:54:19,599 --> 00:54:22,159 know what the deal would essentially be. But like fit wise, I think 908 00:54:22,199 --> 00:54:25,559 that would work really really well next Apollo and from I would like that. 909 00:54:25,599 --> 00:54:29,360 I would not like we mentioned it before. I don't like Siaka in Orlando. 910 00:54:29,519 --> 00:54:31,639 Yeah, it would be a very Orlando trade, Like everyone wants them 911 00:54:31,639 --> 00:54:35,440 to get a guard or like a really high volume shooter, and they don't 912 00:54:35,480 --> 00:54:37,280 get pastco Siaka. Maybe they even like they just get involved the og had 913 00:54:37,320 --> 00:54:42,719 at Obie Sweepstakes and that's the way that they approve they're shooting. I flowed 914 00:54:42,719 --> 00:54:45,880 them as a Damian Lillard destination. Like Consali. Orlando Magic fans were not 915 00:54:46,000 --> 00:54:50,880 about it. They're just like no, And I know rebuilding teams and their 916 00:54:50,880 --> 00:54:54,000 famils get attached their young players. But yeah, maybe that it's probably too 917 00:54:54,039 --> 00:54:57,719 soon to talk about that, but it is coming with this roster. When 918 00:54:57,760 --> 00:55:00,119 you look at the the set up and like they have all of these it's 919 00:55:00,159 --> 00:55:04,400 okay seas in the sense that all these guys are really good. Like I 920 00:55:04,400 --> 00:55:07,920 do think Magic fans had to be too high. Are Martell Foults, Like, 921 00:55:07,119 --> 00:55:09,920 yes, he can take mid rangers, but this isn't someone who actively 922 00:55:09,960 --> 00:55:14,159 spaces the floor for you. Yeah, but he's a defensive monster. And 923 00:55:14,199 --> 00:55:16,519 he can set up your offense and we'll see how Anthony Black works. I 924 00:55:16,519 --> 00:55:20,400 think it look if you can carve out enough space, Like the idea of 925 00:55:20,440 --> 00:55:24,440 having him wagner bag Carol is just like that's pretty terrifying, like like has 926 00:55:24,280 --> 00:55:28,760 a looking at their future outlook, they're good. Do you think they're playing 927 00:55:28,760 --> 00:55:30,760 team next year? Do you think they cracked the top ten in the East? 928 00:55:31,159 --> 00:55:34,239 Oh? Man, I haven't either, Like who else is in the 929 00:55:34,280 --> 00:55:36,760 East? I guess if we're gonna write the Yeah, I know, I 930 00:55:36,800 --> 00:55:40,880 don't know the Raptors out of it to like Bucks, Celtics, Calves, 931 00:55:42,400 --> 00:55:46,599 Knicks probably aren't going anywhere heat. So that's five teams, but we don't 932 00:55:46,639 --> 00:55:50,599 know the sixers, Like I guess, do we just throw them in there? 933 00:55:50,639 --> 00:55:52,239 Like yeah, yeah, I guess. I don't know. Yeah, 934 00:55:52,480 --> 00:55:55,760 it's there's so much uncertainty. But I could see them at least flirting with 935 00:55:55,800 --> 00:56:00,920 the top ten spot next year. I mean they almost were last year, 936 00:56:00,119 --> 00:56:02,760 except they kind of just kind of let go of the rope at the end 937 00:56:02,760 --> 00:56:06,679 of the season. I think I think they're ready for that. I just 938 00:56:06,920 --> 00:56:10,639 there's a lot of the offensive stuff they need to address shooting wise, I 939 00:56:10,679 --> 00:56:15,480 wonder if some stability with like the end goals and Jet Howard just like having 940 00:56:15,599 --> 00:56:20,079 extract shooters out there provides them offensively. But yeah, I could see this 941 00:56:20,119 --> 00:56:23,119 team squeezing out, like I don't know, forty wins. I could see 942 00:56:23,119 --> 00:56:25,639 that. I wouldn't be surprised at that. I think their defense will be 943 00:56:25,719 --> 00:56:28,880 good enough to do it. And like if we're just writing off that, 944 00:56:28,880 --> 00:56:30,159 I mean, the Hordets are still the Hordets. I don't know if the 945 00:56:30,159 --> 00:56:34,039 Pistons are ready. The Wizards are gonna be worse by Deide, and it 946 00:56:34,119 --> 00:56:37,440 seems like the Raptors might be tracking in that direction. So you've you've got 947 00:56:37,440 --> 00:56:38,960 four of the five teams that you need to kind of beat out to get 948 00:56:39,000 --> 00:56:42,519 that discussion already. So yeah, I would. I don't think that's spicy 949 00:56:42,559 --> 00:56:44,920 at all. I think my co host Grant so they were gonna make the 950 00:56:44,960 --> 00:56:49,920 playoffs. I'm not there yet, ye there, I don't know. I 951 00:56:49,920 --> 00:56:52,480 can't do that. I could commit to Okay s being top six if you 952 00:56:52,480 --> 00:56:57,519 want, we could talk about Okay See being top six, which is just 953 00:56:57,559 --> 00:56:59,800 like it runs countered. I want them to make this big trade, but 954 00:56:59,840 --> 00:57:02,360 like they just might be really good yeah, I mean you watch I'm sure 955 00:57:02,519 --> 00:57:06,880 you watch chat in person in Summer League. Like he just adding that rim 956 00:57:06,880 --> 00:57:08,360 protection and then like the floors based of what they have is just gonna be 957 00:57:09,760 --> 00:57:13,119 like if I'm curious, I haven't looked at do you know what they're over 958 00:57:13,239 --> 00:57:15,719 under? Is that? Like I might just smash the over even if it's 959 00:57:15,760 --> 00:57:17,679 forty three. I feel like it's like around there, forty two, forty 960 00:57:17,679 --> 00:57:21,079 three and a half. I don't know, I haven't checked, but i'd 961 00:57:21,159 --> 00:57:22,840 imagine it's forty two or forty three and a half. Let me see, 962 00:57:22,960 --> 00:57:29,599 okay, see thunder over under. I'm actually curious now, Yeah, well 963 00:57:29,519 --> 00:57:32,000 we had they're like people who flowed, Like could they get to fifty wins? 964 00:57:32,000 --> 00:57:35,199 I was like, it wouldn't. I would be shocked, but I 965 00:57:35,199 --> 00:57:37,440 wouldn't be like dismayed. If you tell me, all right, yeah, 966 00:57:37,480 --> 00:57:40,320 forty three and a half is what they're at right now, I think I 967 00:57:40,320 --> 00:57:45,199 would take the over. Yeah I would, I would too. They're ready, 968 00:57:45,280 --> 00:57:46,280 Yeah, they'll be all right. So we have it Essen, Dan 969 00:57:46,360 --> 00:57:52,800 are booking, okay for top six exactly this season. Let me run through 970 00:57:53,039 --> 00:57:55,760 at least one more team before I let you go. So the Grizzlies made 971 00:57:57,000 --> 00:58:01,960 headlines with Marcus Smart earlier the off, they've not made headlines sids. Are 972 00:58:01,960 --> 00:58:07,079 they better then they were lasting, like let's fast towards a job or at 973 00:58:07,440 --> 00:58:12,440 the suspensions over after twenty five games? Are they better? I absolutely think 974 00:58:12,480 --> 00:58:15,280 they're better. You won't find someone who's higher on the Marcus Smart trade than 975 00:58:15,320 --> 00:58:21,760 me. Genuinely, I think, like I still am questioning it from Boston's 976 00:58:21,760 --> 00:58:23,639 perspective. I'm not even talking about the heart and soul thing, like, 977 00:58:23,719 --> 00:58:29,119 yeah, okay, we can talk about how Smart is impacting that team and 978 00:58:29,599 --> 00:58:34,639 etcetera, etcetera. I just think from from relying on Kris stops porzingis for 979 00:58:34,679 --> 00:58:37,480 a championship contender perspective, that's the question I have. I get there better, 980 00:58:37,679 --> 00:58:40,639 I understand, and I think like they can be a more switch heavy 981 00:58:40,639 --> 00:58:44,199 team on defense. They can they have more room protection, et cetera, 982 00:58:44,239 --> 00:58:45,599 et cetera. But I just don't get it. Anyways, you asked me 983 00:58:45,599 --> 00:58:49,360 about Memphis, I have to They're right on the Celtics there. I guess 984 00:58:49,360 --> 00:58:52,639 their ceiling might be higher, but like they lost playmaking and they already one 985 00:58:52,679 --> 00:58:57,679 of that, and they lost defensive versatility because Chris Stops cannot switch like like 986 00:58:57,719 --> 00:59:00,960 Marcus Smart. Yeah, so they're yeah, they have like one of the 987 00:59:00,000 --> 00:59:02,440 more it's been paid to us a success, but it feels like one of 988 00:59:02,440 --> 00:59:07,880 the riskier. It is risky, and like, I just think the Celtics 989 00:59:07,920 --> 00:59:12,880 were so one dimensional shot diet wise, Like they were so reliant on the 990 00:59:12,880 --> 00:59:15,639 three ball, and now you have a guy in Christaps Porzingis who is just 991 00:59:15,760 --> 00:59:21,719 doubling down on that theory instead of trying to diversify what this team is offensively. 992 00:59:22,119 --> 00:59:25,480 I just it leaves a lot of questions from Boston's perspective. I understand 993 00:59:25,519 --> 00:59:29,800 they probably they might win the most amount of regular season games next year. 994 00:59:29,840 --> 00:59:32,800 I wouldn't be surprised at that, but I think moving forward postseason wise, 995 00:59:32,840 --> 00:59:36,039 looking at that, I don't know how you rely on a guy like KP. 996 00:59:37,199 --> 00:59:39,039 I think that's totally fair. I get it's if he has a season 997 00:59:39,079 --> 00:59:43,079 like he did last year. Sure, yeah, yeah, it's just we 998 00:59:43,119 --> 00:59:45,800 have a track record of all these lower body injuries with him on memphisis side 999 00:59:45,840 --> 00:59:50,639 of things. I absolutely love it. I mean, you have you have 1000 00:59:51,199 --> 00:59:55,000 a guy in Marcus Smart who can play up defensively a little bit like He's 1001 00:59:55,039 --> 00:59:58,239 not going to do it all the time, but he can guard your threes. 1002 00:59:58,519 --> 01:00:00,920 He's good in the post as a defender, he can try to guard 1003 01:00:00,920 --> 01:00:06,519 your fours or at least switch out onto your fours. I I am still 1004 01:00:06,639 --> 01:00:10,199 wondering how it works offensively, and I think that's the biggest question, Like 1005 01:00:10,440 --> 01:00:15,119 how are you going to provide as much shooting as possible? Like Smart can 1006 01:00:15,239 --> 01:00:17,840 knock down a three, but he's not necessarily getting you know, he's not 1007 01:00:17,880 --> 01:00:22,320 getting a heart close out you know what I mean to run him off? 1008 01:00:22,760 --> 01:00:25,480 Yeah, don't get like the Andre Robertson treatment like Dylan Brooks does in the 1009 01:00:25,559 --> 01:00:28,480 playoffs. But you're right that, Like even when you look at the catch 1010 01:00:28,519 --> 01:00:30,679 and shoot numbers of the past years, he's like Dylan Rooks has been a 1011 01:00:30,679 --> 01:00:34,239 more efficient catch and shoot shooter than exactly. Yeah, exactly. I think 1012 01:00:34,280 --> 01:00:38,960 like they could be the best team in the in the NBA defensively, but 1013 01:00:39,119 --> 01:00:44,440 the offensive question still loom. I feel like they actually might have got a 1014 01:00:44,480 --> 01:00:47,119 little bit better half court wise, just because of the creation juice that Marcus 1015 01:00:47,159 --> 01:00:52,360 Smart brings, just like the connective passing. It makes a lot of sense 1016 01:00:52,400 --> 01:00:55,719 to me from what they are as a team offensively, but I like them. 1017 01:00:55,719 --> 01:00:59,400 I actually, I wouldn't be surprised if this is a team that we 1018 01:00:59,440 --> 01:01:02,239 look back on actually and we're like, Wow, this Smart trade really completed 1019 01:01:02,280 --> 01:01:05,880 them in a lot of ways. I still think they need a little bit 1020 01:01:05,880 --> 01:01:08,960 of wing help, but overall I love the trade for them. So I 1021 01:01:09,039 --> 01:01:14,159 kind of despised it. And really it's with the Kevina that I agree with 1022 01:01:14,199 --> 01:01:17,920 everything you said. It felt like they were trying to check too many boxes 1023 01:01:19,239 --> 01:01:21,800 with one player. And then if you were going to do that, the 1024 01:01:21,840 --> 01:01:24,199 players shouldn't have been Marcus Smart, because we know that they needed a wing. 1025 01:01:24,679 --> 01:01:28,960 Yeah, And then if you're giving up Taias Jones, you needed playmaking. 1026 01:01:29,239 --> 01:01:31,440 If you're letting Dylan Brooks walk, you needed the defense, and you 1027 01:01:31,480 --> 01:01:36,679 needed kind of shooting to begin with. And so like Marcus Smart kind of 1028 01:01:37,320 --> 01:01:42,000 fills some of those all of those areas, but he doesn't actualize a ton 1029 01:01:42,039 --> 01:01:45,239 of them. And it felt like a lot of it's going to be supplementation 1030 01:01:45,400 --> 01:01:47,519 rather than hey, we upgraded the roster where it's okay, did they really? 1031 01:01:47,519 --> 01:01:51,800 Maybe I think I'm with you that they upgraded their playmaking element a little 1032 01:01:51,800 --> 01:01:53,719 bit just because he's a little bit more chaotic off the dribble than that a 1033 01:01:53,800 --> 01:01:57,679 Thias Jones, who's more of a game manager. But you lost the best 1034 01:01:57,719 --> 01:02:00,599 backup point guard in the NBA. It's like, okay, it works that 1035 01:02:00,719 --> 01:02:05,280 Marcus Smart is coming, but what is the upgrade, like defensively from Dylan 1036 01:02:05,320 --> 01:02:07,480 Brooks. Maybe it's pretty substantial, but what is the upgrade as a shooting? 1037 01:02:07,679 --> 01:02:12,639 Is that substantial? And then you're still I would say if you answer 1038 01:02:12,639 --> 01:02:15,920 all those in the affirmative said, okay, they they upgraded those three areas 1039 01:02:15,000 --> 01:02:19,480 in one player, like, you still just need another wing because you're gonna 1040 01:02:19,480 --> 01:02:22,760 skew smaller if you're gonna try and play Marcus Smart in some of these combinations 1041 01:02:22,760 --> 01:02:25,280 with Desmond Bayane and John Moran. Now, and part of the appeal of 1042 01:02:25,280 --> 01:02:29,159 Marcus Smart is you can play him with Desmond Bayane and John Moran. You 1043 01:02:29,199 --> 01:02:31,719 couldn't do that with Tayas Jones. But again, that's just sort of putting 1044 01:02:31,719 --> 01:02:35,519 a band aid over well, that was what Dylan Brooks was doing. And 1045 01:02:35,559 --> 01:02:37,079 so how much better is Marcus Smart than Dylan Brooks? Are you in the 1046 01:02:37,079 --> 01:02:42,400 playoffs? I think it's it's material, it's measurable, like that was your 1047 01:02:42,440 --> 01:02:47,199 move and it just felt a little too lateral, like there they might be 1048 01:02:47,239 --> 01:02:52,519 a little bit better, but it's like it's incrementally and this team has been 1049 01:02:52,559 --> 01:02:54,840 itching. I think for a big swing with the caveat before I throw to 1050 01:02:54,840 --> 01:02:59,000 you, I've been wrong about the Grizzlies. This would be the fourth season 1051 01:02:59,039 --> 01:03:00,559 in a row, like I just keep hitting their under and they keep just 1052 01:03:00,840 --> 01:03:06,079 maybe looking at the Grizzlies fans should actually appreciate me saying all of this. 1053 01:03:06,360 --> 01:03:09,239 Yeah, yeah, fair enough. Like I think they were a prime destination 1054 01:03:09,280 --> 01:03:12,760 if the Raptors were to explore it to go for a guy like O g 1055 01:03:12,920 --> 01:03:15,320 n and Oby, he would have very much so completed what they needed from 1056 01:03:15,320 --> 01:03:20,280 the wing spot. Obviously that's not the case and they don't have, but 1057 01:03:20,400 --> 01:03:25,760 like someone like that would have met I guess, matched or optimized whatever, 1058 01:03:25,800 --> 01:03:29,960 the Grizzlies would have been a lot more than Marcus Smart. I agree on 1059 01:03:30,000 --> 01:03:35,119 that perspective. I just think postseason wise, I am trusting Marcus Smart over 1060 01:03:35,199 --> 01:03:38,039 Dylan Brooks, and I think that makes, like you said, a material 1061 01:03:38,159 --> 01:03:42,519 difference in any given playoff series. That's like, at a surface level, 1062 01:03:42,599 --> 01:03:45,960 that's how I'm looking at it and I might be underestimating, like oh, 1063 01:03:45,079 --> 01:03:49,920 Jared Jackson and Desert Bate or not finished products. Maybe like those two wis 1064 01:03:49,960 --> 01:03:52,719 I could still and they have some of these other like Santielle Dono I really 1065 01:03:52,760 --> 01:03:54,639 like, but like Jared Jackson Junior or des would be like both of those 1066 01:03:54,679 --> 01:03:58,719 guys could just like pop pop, which is weird to say about the rady 1067 01:03:58,760 --> 01:04:00,679 defensive player of the Year. But it's like Desert Bay just got a MAX 1068 01:04:01,119 --> 01:04:04,360 extension because he was worth it. It's like he might not be done growing. 1069 01:04:04,440 --> 01:04:08,840 So I recognize that are there any of the teams that we're not gonna 1070 01:04:08,840 --> 01:04:11,119 be able to get to? Looking at the Pistons, the Bucks, the 1071 01:04:11,159 --> 01:04:15,920 Hoarded, to the Timberwolves that you wanted to hit before we yeah, you 1072 01:04:15,960 --> 01:04:18,000 know what, I'll talk I'll talk about the Pistons a little bit because I 1073 01:04:18,000 --> 01:04:23,000 feel like I'm higher on them than other people. Just in general. I 1074 01:04:23,639 --> 01:04:27,800 think the way Kade is going to open things up for Jade and Ivy, 1075 01:04:27,960 --> 01:04:30,679 and the way Jade and Ivy is gonna open things up for Kate Cunningham is 1076 01:04:30,679 --> 01:04:34,199 gonna work really, really seamlessly. Some people are still like lower on Cade 1077 01:04:34,239 --> 01:04:38,039 in general because he missed the season, and I think that's just sort of 1078 01:04:38,039 --> 01:04:40,639 a recency biased thing. You don't see something, so you don't know what's 1079 01:04:40,679 --> 01:04:43,159 happening. But I still believe in Kade. I think he's gonna be a 1080 01:04:43,199 --> 01:04:46,599 good player. I like their backcourt I from the summer League, at least 1081 01:04:46,639 --> 01:04:50,519 from what we saw. I love Asar Thompson just as a defensive player, 1082 01:04:50,559 --> 01:04:55,039 a guy who can slot in right there as a defensive wing for them. 1083 01:04:55,079 --> 01:04:57,639 They've been desperate for that type of player. That's why they were trying to 1084 01:04:57,639 --> 01:05:01,159 go after a Cam Johnson type in the free eight in free agency. I 1085 01:05:01,199 --> 01:05:04,320 love Jayalen durn I think I think he's a great like role big. He 1086 01:05:04,360 --> 01:05:09,239 can he can make some short role passes. I think the Isaiah's Stewart extension 1087 01:05:09,480 --> 01:05:13,079 was pretty good money. I think he works well for their system. Uh. 1088 01:05:13,239 --> 01:05:15,400 They still have a ways to go, but I just I like what 1089 01:05:15,440 --> 01:05:19,960 they're building foundationally and how it could look in the next couple of seasons, 1090 01:05:20,079 --> 01:05:24,960 especially if one of Kade or Ivy or maybe both of them pop in a 1091 01:05:24,960 --> 01:05:28,440 real big way. Yeah, I'm hopeful with the way that Ivy I think 1092 01:05:28,480 --> 01:05:31,360 improved as an off the dribble shooter and decision makers. The season went on 1093 01:05:31,440 --> 01:05:33,639 and I saw, look, there are people that are like, oh, 1094 01:05:33,679 --> 01:05:36,039 you had all this cap space, you can turn into Monte Morris and Joe 1095 01:05:36,039 --> 01:05:40,239 Harris. I'm like, that's really good. Like you weren't get Kim Johnson. 1096 01:05:40,280 --> 01:05:43,079 Clearly people were framing it as, oh, they helped the Nets keep 1097 01:05:43,159 --> 01:05:45,760 Kam Johnson's like, the Nets, we're gonna keep Kim Johnson. That's why 1098 01:05:45,760 --> 01:05:47,800 you make that deal. They needed space. Ag So between those two guys, 1099 01:05:47,800 --> 01:05:54,000 Alec Burks, Boyermardanovitch, I like what they did. I'm so high 1100 01:05:54,159 --> 01:05:59,360 on Kade and I have more belief in our Sarah Thompson's jumper than I do 1101 01:05:59,400 --> 01:06:02,159 Amen thompson jumper, and I agree, oh you do. Okay, that's 1102 01:06:02,199 --> 01:06:04,760 just my very like surface level. Haven't seen a lot of these guys, 1103 01:06:04,760 --> 01:06:08,519 but watching them and they both just might be really good. So I love 1104 01:06:08,639 --> 01:06:12,000 kind of a lot of the perimeter pieces they have in place. My one 1105 01:06:12,039 --> 01:06:15,480 concern, and I don't have a problem with the Isaiah Stewart extension, is 1106 01:06:15,519 --> 01:06:18,599 like I don't really love like this two big setup that it seems like they're 1107 01:06:18,639 --> 01:06:23,800 still married to a little bit maybe Monty Williams gets them away from that where 1108 01:06:23,800 --> 01:06:26,119 they don't view as like, oh, okay, we don't need to play 1109 01:06:26,800 --> 01:06:29,480 Stewart X amount of minutes or we don't need to play Marvin Badley at all. 1110 01:06:29,519 --> 01:06:31,679 And I don't know where they're at on the James Wiseman who like find 1111 01:06:31,719 --> 01:06:36,039 for them rehabilitation project, but like some of their not just best lineups in 1112 01:06:36,079 --> 01:06:40,800 terms of winning, but best lineups in turn of developing, like Cade Jay 1113 01:06:40,840 --> 01:06:44,599 and Ivy or Sara Thompson. To me is like if Boyan is at the 1114 01:06:44,679 --> 01:06:46,320 four and like you're kind of flushing, okay, Joe Harris is on the 1115 01:06:46,360 --> 01:06:48,679 court with him, or maybe Alec Burks is in addition, and then two 1116 01:06:48,719 --> 01:06:54,119 of the two or three of those those young guys, and I'm wondering whether 1117 01:06:54,159 --> 01:06:59,119 they will get to that setup enough to like streamline the development of their most 1118 01:06:59,159 --> 01:07:01,159 important players. Just my biggest concertain, no, I hear you. I 1119 01:07:01,199 --> 01:07:05,159 think Monty set like Monty system in general, what we've seen, what he 1120 01:07:05,199 --> 01:07:10,039 did in Phoenix and before that New Orleans, Like his system is predicated on 1121 01:07:10,159 --> 01:07:14,159 tons of ball movement and off ball movement, So maybe you can get away 1122 01:07:14,159 --> 01:07:17,480 with playing double big lineups if those guys are consistently shifting and moving, like 1123 01:07:17,519 --> 01:07:20,880 there's there's a world in which that works. But I agree with you. 1124 01:07:20,920 --> 01:07:26,440 I like not in the same realm of Orlando where they have to consolidate their 1125 01:07:26,440 --> 01:07:30,079 bigs and go get something else, but like they might have to shift things 1126 01:07:30,079 --> 01:07:33,159 around just to add some roster balance at some point. And maybe that happens 1127 01:07:33,159 --> 01:07:36,320 with Boyan. I know every year it seems like we're like, oh yeah, 1128 01:07:36,360 --> 01:07:40,679 Boyan Bogdanovich is gonna get traded. Uh, maybe that this is the 1129 01:07:40,760 --> 01:07:44,119 year that happens. I don't know. Uh, yeah, here is if 1130 01:07:44,119 --> 01:07:45,239 this is it was only a one year sysially signed, right or is there 1131 01:07:45,280 --> 01:07:47,679 a team option still on his deal? Like can't you remember at this point? 1132 01:07:47,719 --> 01:07:50,800 I think he doesn't have a team option, so we're not guaranteed. 1133 01:07:51,079 --> 01:07:56,480 So I mean he's he's a caps lock score so yeah, that is there 1134 01:07:56,519 --> 01:07:59,440 any really Like do you trust any of the dual big lineups? I think 1135 01:07:59,480 --> 01:08:01,400 it has to be like durn and Stewart. It's probably like I don't want 1136 01:08:01,400 --> 01:08:04,840 to see another big at all. Yeah, exactly, Yeah, I know, 1137 01:08:05,039 --> 01:08:06,960 No, I agree with you. I think durn and Stewart makes a 1138 01:08:08,000 --> 01:08:11,679 lot of sense. Especially with Stewart trying to expand his game a little bit 1139 01:08:11,719 --> 01:08:14,360 and step out to the three point line, Like I don't know how successful 1140 01:08:14,400 --> 01:08:16,600 that's been, but the fact that he's willing to do that, like, 1141 01:08:16,680 --> 01:08:21,359 I think that makes sense. At least you have someone that is potentially going 1142 01:08:21,399 --> 01:08:25,720 to stretch the floor for you. I just trust guys that look like they 1143 01:08:25,760 --> 01:08:28,359 work really hard when there on the floor, and that's what Isaiah Stewart is. 1144 01:08:28,840 --> 01:08:30,039 Even if he's not even doing the right things and I'm not watching clothes 1145 01:08:30,039 --> 01:08:32,199 like, it's like that dude looks like he's trying. So I'm just gonna 1146 01:08:32,199 --> 01:08:36,279 believe in him. Yeah, I agree. I agree. Yes, this 1147 01:08:36,319 --> 01:08:39,439 was great. Thank you for giving me so much of your time. Are 1148 01:08:39,439 --> 01:08:42,720 you able to tell our listeners where they can find you at all the fantastic 1149 01:08:42,760 --> 01:08:44,880 work that you do. Yeah, I appreciate you, man, Thank you 1150 01:08:44,880 --> 01:08:46,359 for having me. This was a lot of fun. Yeah. Just just 1151 01:08:46,439 --> 01:08:49,000 follow me on Twitter. You see the thing. If you're on YouTube, 1152 01:08:49,000 --> 01:08:54,479 you can watch the little just As bart heinything, or you can just follow 1153 01:08:54,520 --> 01:08:57,560 me on Twitter at just As Berhiny. Go and check it out. Appreciate 1154 01:08:57,600 --> 01:09:00,600 you fantastic Twitter follow covers the one of the reasons I still log on Twitter. 1155 01:09:00,640 --> 01:09:03,039 I do not tweet as much anymore. One of the people who tweets 1156 01:09:03,039 --> 01:09:06,520 you definitely want to read. I will definitely be pestering you again in the 1157 01:09:06,520 --> 01:09:10,760 future. So thank you so much for coming on and take care. I'll 1158 01:09:10,760 --> 01:09:13,039 talk to you too. Appreciate it. Man, Hey, let me know 1159 01:09:13,079 --> 01:09:15,520 when a Pascal trade is happening and we'll jump on again. I got you.