Official Summer 2022 Offseason discussion

[Cassity14]

And again two things….the reality is Sexton is shooting 37% from 3pt and only 47% from the field. I’m reality based! Those are the real numbers! But I go back to my original point….Beal is a much better shooter than Sexton when it comes to rising up in a defender’s face and shooting over him when being guarded closely. That was my entire point of this back and forth discussion.

Do you have data that supports this? I'd be curious to hear what Beal shoots on contested shots versus Sexton or anyone else.

I'm not sure I want to base the Cavs' next acquisition on who's better at making bad shots, however.

 

[Ohioplayer00]

I’m not sure if I’m explaining this correctly…..Im not just talking about contested shots. Just because you rise up in somebody’s face to shoot a J doesn’t mean it’s always a contested shot. There are times when you drive hard to the basket, get your man on his heels and then stop and pull the jumper over him. Tall Shooters like Beal can pull it off where a shorter player like Sexton might get his shot blocked or tipped in such close quarters or possibly have to alter his shot a little (which Sexton has had to do a lot)
I am not calling Sexton a bad shooter but you can’t say he’s on par with Beal as a shooter. Beal is a shooter….Sexton is scorer. Two different aspects of the game. That’s not a knock on Sexton.

 

[Bob_The_Cat]

I didn’t mention % at all! I responded to a statement of “Sexton can do what Beal can…” and I just pointed out that Sexton is NOT the “pull up in your face and shoot over you” shooter that Beal is. Nobody ever mentioned 3 point shooting but when you look at % shooting Sexton shot 47% from the field and 37 % from 3pt with Beal shooting 45% from the field and 30% from 3pt. Not that much different but trust and believe goggle highlights of Beal taking shots with the clock running down with a defender in his face along side Sexton doing the same and you’ll see a huge difference!

Beal isn’t really best as a “pull up in your face and shoot over you guy” either. In fact, that’s one of the reasons why he’s had a couple down years after the Wiz traded Wall. He’s played with PG’s that aren’t very good and the Wizards have asked him to create more, which is not necessarily one of his best attributes. He’s not terrible at it, but it’s just not something he’s done efficiently over the years. I’ll have to see if I can track down the post, but his dip in shooting percentages directly correlates with a drop in assisted shots.

Anyway, I think he’d be a decent fit here and would likely bounce back when it comes to shooting percentages, but I would have a pretty hard time giving him the money he wants. I have no issue paying the right guy that type of money, but I don’t think Beal’s that guy.

 

[Cassity14]

I’m not sure if I’m explaining this correctly…..Im not just talking about contested shots. Just because you rise up in somebody’s face to shoot a J doesn’t mean it’s always a contested shot. There are times when you drive hard to the basket, get your man on his heels and then stop and pull the jumper over him. Tall Shooters like Beal can pull it off where a shorter player like Sexton might get his shot blocked or tipped in such close quarters or possibly have to alter his shot a little (which Sexton has had to do a lot)
I am not calling Sexton a bad shooter but you can’t say he’s on par with Beal as a shooter. Beal is a shooter….Sexton is scorer. Two different aspects of the game. That’s not a knock on Sexton.

Beal is 6'3. He's not a tall shooter.

I really think you're caught up in some serious hype and earlier in his career play from Beal here man. He's a quality shooter but I don't see his fit on this team given his contract and what it would cost to trade for him. I'd absolutely love him if he wanted to sign here as a free agent from 25 million a year, but that's not a possibility at this time.

 

[Ohioplayer00]

Beal is 6'3. He's not a tall shooter.

I really think you're caught up in some serious hype and earlier in his career play from Beal here man. He's a quality shooter but I don't see his fit on this team given his contract and what it would cost to trade for him. I'd absolutely love him if he wanted to sign here as a free agent from 25 million a year, but that's not a possibility at this time.

I made a point of saying I didn’t like his contract. But unless we strike lightning in a bottle at next week’s draft we will have to get that SG help via trade. And sometimes you have to bite the bullet and pay more for what you really need. As for Beal….he is currently ranked the 4th best SG in the league behind Harden, Booker and Mitchell. Harden (6’5) Booker (6’5) Beal (6’3) and Mitchell (6’1).
Feel free to see the SGs he’s ranked ahead of. And make sure you read the whole list but I made sure at the bottom I added what the experts “think” of LaVert….seeing as we have so many LaVert bashers.


4. Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards
Beal is one of the most prolific scorers in the NBA, coming up just shy of his first-career scoring title again last season.
In 2019-20, Beal averaged 30.5 points per game, finishing with the second-highest scoring average in the league, trailing only Harden (34.3). It looked like he had the 2020-21 scoring title all locked up until Stephen Curry went full Human Torch over the last two months of the season to finish with an average of 32.0 points per game, just edging out Beal's 31.3.
Even without a scoring title, there is no denying the ease in which Beal scores the rock. He has averaged over 25.0 points per game for three-consecutive seasons, shooting an efficient 47.1 percent from the field, 35.1 percent from 3 and 84.7 percent from the free throw line over that stretch.
Doing so on a Washington team without many other weapons makes what Beal is doing all that much more commendable.
5. Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls
LaVine continues to improve each and every season and in 2020-21, he was finally rewarded for it by earning the first All-Star bid of his career.
Averaging career-highs of 27.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game on career-best shooting splits of .507/.419/.849, LaVine put an end to all notions of him being a one-dimensional player and inefficient scorer.
The 26-year-old proved himself as a secondary playmaker in addition to his high-level scoring ability and if all goes to plan, we'll finally see that translate to wins in 2021-22. This offseason, the Bulls have surrounded LaVine with the most talent he's ever played with in adding Lonzo Ball and DeMar DeRozan to the trade deadline acquisition of Nikola Vucevic. With more weapons for opposing defenses to worry about, LaVine should be in line for a monster season and potentially, the first playoff berth of his career.
OFFSEASON GRADES: East | West

6. C.J. McCollum, Portland Trail Blazers
McCollum was well on his way to his first-career All-Star bid last season before a foot injury derailed his blazing start just 13 games in.
In the 12 games prior to the injury that sidelined McCollum for two full months, he averaged 27.6 points, 5.3 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. The 30-year-old bounced back strong upon his return, finishing with season-long averages of 23.1 points, 4.7 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game, playing Robin to Damian Lillard's Batman in another playoff berth for his Trail Blazers.
McCollum is one of the league's sharpest midrange marksmen and has a deadly floater to bury the soft spots of opposing defenses. With Portland's title aspirations facing more pressure by the year, it will be interesting to see what he has in store entering a fresh start with a clean bill of health this season.
MORE: McCollum looms large in potential Ben Simmons trades
7. Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors
Thompson was by far the toughest to place on this list, because when fully healthy, he would come in much higher than seventh. But after missing the past two full seasons recovering from an ACL injury and an Achilles injury, respectively, what version of the 31-year-old will we see?
In 2018-19, the last season we saw Thompson, he averaged 21.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 40.2 percent from 3. He earned his fifth-consecutive All-Star bid, was named Second Team All-Defense and helped lead the Warriors to their fifth NBA Finals in as many seasons. He was still a 3-point marksman and lockdown defender, and Golden State will hope he makes a full return to a similar player.
Thompson is expected to make his debut some time around Christmas, meaning he'll likely miss half of the season.
8. Terry Rozier, Charlotte Hornets
Rozier has been an awesome success story over the past few seasons, going from a reserve guard to a solidified starter in the NBA.
Eyebrows were raised when the Hornets gave Rozier a $57 million deal over three years in the summer of 2019. He responded by doubling his scoring average (18.0 PPG) from the previous season (9.0 PPG) while shooting at the most efficient clip of his career.
Last season, he upped that scoring average again, shot even more efficiently and also became one of the best clutch scorers in the league. Rozier averaged 20.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game while shooting a career-best 45.0 percent from the field.
In the clutch, only Karl-Anthony Towns, Zion Williamson, James Harden and Damian Lillard scored more points while shooting better than Rozier's 50.0 field goal percentage mark when it mattered most.
Charlotte doubled down on their bet with Rozier, offering the 27-year-old a four-year, $97 million extension this offseason. He is undeniably one of the 10 best shooting guards in the NBA.
9. Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics
Smart's averages don't do justice to what he brings to the court. As one of the best all-around defenders in the NBA, Smart plays with heart and intensity that is immeasurable beyond numbers. And even with that being said, the Celtics' captain posted career-highs with 13.1 points and 5.7 assists per game last season, coming into his own as a playmaker.
Smart missed out on an All-Defensive Team selection in 2020-21 for the first time in three years, likely due to only 48 games played because of injuries or coronavirus health and safety protocols. It's safe to assume that if the scrappy guard participates in more games in 2021-22, he'll make his return to one of the two All-Defensive Teams.
He lands on this list as the No. 9 ranked shooting guard, but don't be surprised if new head coach Ime Udoka deploys Smart as the starting point guard to begin the season.
10. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
Edwards' first season may have come up just short of Rookie of the Year honors, but the former No. 1 overall pick is destined for greatness.
The 20-year-old took things up a notch once he got settled into the NBA, taking over as the Timberwolves' full-time starting shooting guard 18 games into the season. He continued to slowly progress as the year went on, displaying his limitless potential down the home stretch of the season.
After the All-Star break, Edwards averaged 23.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.4 steals per game while shooting a much-improved 45.4 percent from the field and 34.9 percent from 3. He delivered the indisputable Dunk of the Year and also began to step up as "the guy" for his team late in games.
For now, he comes in at 10th on this list, but expect to see Edwards continue to climb his way up the ranks every year.

11. Tyrese Haliburton, Sacramento Kings
12. Caris LeVert, Indiana Pacers
13. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
14. Jalen Green, Houston Rockets
15. Bogdan Bogdanovic, Atlanta Hawks
16. Collin Sexton, Cleveland Cavaliers
17. Duncan Robinson, Miami Heat
18. Dillon Brooks, Memphis Grizzlies
19. Evan Fournier, New York Knicks
20. Tim Hardaway Jr., Dallas Mavericks

• LeVert is dealing with a stress fracture in his back and could very easily impact his standing on this list, but when he's at full strength, there's no denying the 27-year-old's talent as a scorer and playmaker. Without the overhanging injury, he very well could have cracked the top 10.

 

[Cassity14]

I made a point of saying I didn’t like his contract. But unless we strike lightning in a bottle at next week’s draft we will have to get that SG help via trade. And sometimes you have to bite the bullet and pay more for what you really need. As for Beal….he is currently ranked the 4th best SG in the league behind Harden, Booker and Mitchell. Harden (6’5) Booker (6’5) Beal (6’3) and Mitchell (6’1).
Feel free to see the SGs he’s ranked ahead of. And make sure you read the whole list but I made sure at the bottom I added what the experts “think” of LaVert….seeing as we have so many LaVert bashers.


4. Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards
Beal is one of the most prolific scorers in the NBA, coming up just shy of his first-career scoring title again last season.
In 2019-20, Beal averaged 30.5 points per game, finishing with the second-highest scoring average in the league, trailing only Harden (34.3). It looked like he had the 2020-21 scoring title all locked up until Stephen Curry went full Human Torch over the last two months of the season to finish with an average of 32.0 points per game, just edging out Beal's 31.3.
Even without a scoring title, there is no denying the ease in which Beal scores the rock. He has averaged over 25.0 points per game for three-consecutive seasons, shooting an efficient 47.1 percent from the field, 35.1 percent from 3 and 84.7 percent from the free throw line over that stretch.
Doing so on a Washington team without many other weapons makes what Beal is doing all that much more commendable.
5. Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls
LaVine continues to improve each and every season and in 2020-21, he was finally rewarded for it by earning the first All-Star bid of his career.
Averaging career-highs of 27.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game on career-best shooting splits of .507/.419/.849, LaVine put an end to all notions of him being a one-dimensional player and inefficient scorer.
The 26-year-old proved himself as a secondary playmaker in addition to his high-level scoring ability and if all goes to plan, we'll finally see that translate to wins in 2021-22. This offseason, the Bulls have surrounded LaVine with the most talent he's ever played with in adding Lonzo Ball and DeMar DeRozan to the trade deadline acquisition of Nikola Vucevic. With more weapons for opposing defenses to worry about, LaVine should be in line for a monster season and potentially, the first playoff berth of his career.
OFFSEASON GRADES: East | West

6. C.J. McCollum, Portland Trail Blazers
McCollum was well on his way to his first-career All-Star bid last season before a foot injury derailed his blazing start just 13 games in.
In the 12 games prior to the injury that sidelined McCollum for two full months, he averaged 27.6 points, 5.3 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. The 30-year-old bounced back strong upon his return, finishing with season-long averages of 23.1 points, 4.7 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game, playing Robin to Damian Lillard's Batman in another playoff berth for his Trail Blazers.
McCollum is one of the league's sharpest midrange marksmen and has a deadly floater to bury the soft spots of opposing defenses. With Portland's title aspirations facing more pressure by the year, it will be interesting to see what he has in store entering a fresh start with a clean bill of health this season.
MORE: McCollum looms large in potential Ben Simmons trades
7. Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors
Thompson was by far the toughest to place on this list, because when fully healthy, he would come in much higher than seventh. But after missing the past two full seasons recovering from an ACL injury and an Achilles injury, respectively, what version of the 31-year-old will we see?
In 2018-19, the last season we saw Thompson, he averaged 21.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 40.2 percent from 3. He earned his fifth-consecutive All-Star bid, was named Second Team All-Defense and helped lead the Warriors to their fifth NBA Finals in as many seasons. He was still a 3-point marksman and lockdown defender, and Golden State will hope he makes a full return to a similar player.
Thompson is expected to make his debut some time around Christmas, meaning he'll likely miss half of the season.
8. Terry Rozier, Charlotte Hornets
Rozier has been an awesome success story over the past few seasons, going from a reserve guard to a solidified starter in the NBA.
Eyebrows were raised when the Hornets gave Rozier a $57 million deal over three years in the summer of 2019. He responded by doubling his scoring average (18.0 PPG) from the previous season (9.0 PPG) while shooting at the most efficient clip of his career.
Last season, he upped that scoring average again, shot even more efficiently and also became one of the best clutch scorers in the league. Rozier averaged 20.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game while shooting a career-best 45.0 percent from the field.
In the clutch, only Karl-Anthony Towns, Zion Williamson, James Harden and Damian Lillard scored more points while shooting better than Rozier's 50.0 field goal percentage mark when it mattered most.
Charlotte doubled down on their bet with Rozier, offering the 27-year-old a four-year, $97 million extension this offseason. He is undeniably one of the 10 best shooting guards in the NBA.
9. Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics
Smart's averages don't do justice to what he brings to the court. As one of the best all-around defenders in the NBA, Smart plays with heart and intensity that is immeasurable beyond numbers. And even with that being said, the Celtics' captain posted career-highs with 13.1 points and 5.7 assists per game last season, coming into his own as a playmaker.
Smart missed out on an All-Defensive Team selection in 2020-21 for the first time in three years, likely due to only 48 games played because of injuries or coronavirus health and safety protocols. It's safe to assume that if the scrappy guard participates in more games in 2021-22, he'll make his return to one of the two All-Defensive Teams.
He lands on this list as the No. 9 ranked shooting guard, but don't be surprised if new head coach Ime Udoka deploys Smart as the starting point guard to begin the season.
10. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
Edwards' first season may have come up just short of Rookie of the Year honors, but the former No. 1 overall pick is destined for greatness.
The 20-year-old took things up a notch once he got settled into the NBA, taking over as the Timberwolves' full-time starting shooting guard 18 games into the season. He continued to slowly progress as the year went on, displaying his limitless potential down the home stretch of the season.
After the All-Star break, Edwards averaged 23.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.4 steals per game while shooting a much-improved 45.4 percent from the field and 34.9 percent from 3. He delivered the indisputable Dunk of the Year and also began to step up as "the guy" for his team late in games.
For now, he comes in at 10th on this list, but expect to see Edwards continue to climb his way up the ranks every year.

11. Tyrese Haliburton, Sacramento Kings
12. Caris LeVert, Indiana Pacers
13. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
14. Jalen Green, Houston Rockets
15. Bogdan Bogdanovic, Atlanta Hawks
16. Collin Sexton, Cleveland Cavaliers
17. Duncan Robinson, Miami Heat
18. Dillon Brooks, Memphis Grizzlies
19. Evan Fournier, New York Knicks
20. Tim Hardaway Jr., Dallas Mavericks

• LeVert is dealing with a stress fracture in his back and could very easily impact his standing on this list, but when he's at full strength, there's no denying the 27-year-old's talent as a scorer and playmaker. Without the overhanging injury, he very well could have cracked the top 10.

My man, on top of this being a random arbitrary ranking with no context, this list was made before last season even started. C'mon now!

 

[Ohioplayer00]

My man, on top of this being a random arbitrary ranking with no context, this list was made before last season even started. C'mon now!

This list was complied in Nov of 2021 and who the experts saw as the top shooting guards of 2022…..you go ahead and keep discounting Beal and watch this Cavs team continue to flounder in the deep end with its piss poor outside shooting. Or think that Windler is the answer. You haven’t shown me anything (except his contract) that shows Beal couldn’t help this team.

 

[Cassity14]

This list was complied in Nov of 2021 and who the experts saw as the top shooting guards of 2022…..you go ahead and keep discounting Beal and watch this Cavs team continue to flounder in the deep end with its piss poor outside shooting. Or think that Windler is the answer. You haven’t shown me anything (except his contract) that shows Beal couldn’t help this team.

I never said Beal couldn't help the team or that I don't think he's a good player. You've been shown percentages, had math explained to you, been reasoned with that Youtube isn't indicative of reality, etc. and just get defensive and/or make straw man arguments. Who the fuck mentioned Dylan Windler?

My stance has been, is, and will continue to be that Beal's potential impact on the Cavs in the short term would not be enough to justify the cost to acquire and retain him. You said yourself in an earlier post that getting Beal takes the Cavs from the playin to the 4-6 seed. That's simply nowhere near enough of an improvement to justify trading for, paying, and building around a guy who is already in the latter portion of his career that has shown very real signs of decline.

I'd be ecstatic to sign him as a free agent for a contract in the 25 million AAV range.

 

[Ohioplayer00]

I never said Beal couldn't help the team or that I don't think he's a good player. You've been shown percentages, had math explained to you, been reasoned with that Youtube isn't indicative of reality, etc. and just get defensive and/or make straw man arguments. Who the fuck mentioned Dylan Windler?

My stance has been, is, and will continue to be that Beal's potential impact on the Cavs in the short term would not be enough to justify the cost to acquire and retain him. You said yourself in an earlier post that getting Beal takes the Cavs from the playin to the 4-6 seed. That's simply nowhere near enough of an improvement to justify trading for, paying, and building around a guy who is already in the latter portion of his career that has shown very real signs of decline.

I'd be ecstatic to sign him as a free agent for a contract in the 25 million AAV range.

I was just using Windler as a comparison to the only other “shooter” we have on this team. I’m not saying sign Beal to a long term contract and I agree with the $25 million range. Again as I pointed out I was responding to a post where it was said that Sexton could do the same things that Beal could…..WHICH IS FALSE!

 

[foucault87]

I just don't see the love for Beal. He is a pure shooting guard who cannot play at other positions and doesn't have enough playmaking skill to be a primary. That is the 2nd most useless role in the modern nba behind the pure postup big.

But he is pretty good at his job, so yes I will give you that. The problem is his defense and efficiency have taken an absolute nose-dive in the last few years. His ideal role would be as a play finisher next to a true primary like Trae or Luka. Garland can sorta do that, but if we force him into a true primary role that takes is a total waste of Garland's off ball gravity. Beal does not have enough playmaking chops to be an efficient secondary playmaker. I would put him behind both LeVert and Sexton in that role.

Given how expensive he would be to acquire, how much we would have to pay him, and how he negatively affects this team's developmental timeline, I am going to have to take a hard pass. Now, if Beal is dealt elsewhere, I would love to sneak into the deal and grab Deni or KCP.

 

[cliffdawg]

The Rockets are trading Christian Wood to Dallas for the 26th pick in the 2022 draft, Boban Marjanovic, Trey Burke and Marquese Chriss, sources tell ESPN.

Adrian Wojnarowski, Senior NBA Insider3m ago

 

[sailfish]

The Rockets are trading Christian Wood to Dallas for the 26th pick in the 2022 draft, Boban Marjanovic, Trey Burke and Marquese Chriss, sources tell ESPN.

Adrian Wojnarowski, Senior NBA Insider3m ago

Good trade for Dallas as they’re in win-now mode and they wouldn’t have gotten anyone as good as Wood at #26.

 

[NMCav]

Good trade for Dallas as they’re in win-now mode and they wouldn’t have gotten anyone as good as Wood at #26.

Burke could kill the trade by declining his player option apparently. I have nothing against either of these teams but it would be funny if Burke is just like nah I don't wanna go to Houston and declines his player option.

 

[Kepler]

would love to get boban if he gets waived

 

[cavsfever]

The Wood trade is very interesting, not a bad price at all for a player with his talent and potential. Even though he’ll be 27 next season, so should be a known quantity, I could never get a bead on how good he was because it took him a long time to emerge and then he was on those awful Rockets teams. Had some discipline problems this past year but going to be super interesting to see what he can do in a positive winning environment. He gives Chris Bosh vibes as a skinny front court player who is a good shooter and can play inside and outside. But he is going to have to improve his defense a LOT to fit in with what the Mavs are trying to do.

It’s an important trade for the league because the right addition could make the Mavs a Finals contender and rescue Luka’s career - let’s see if Wood is motivated to be that guy