Exclusive All things Amen Thompson

to start with, I'm very skeptical that Orlando would pay the 6th pick for Ant. 11th maybe/probably, but the 6th seems steep. Whether Orlando would pay the 6th or not, I'd say it's safe to assume that Wagner & Carter would be off the table. Looking at the balance of the roster there's nobody that's appealing at all to Portland, or at least my opinion of what Portland would want

Maybe Fultz or preferably Harris...and Bol Bol

I guess the pipe-dream is Simons for #6 + Harris + Bol Bol

the reality would probably be closer to Simon for #11 + Harris + Bol. And that reality really screams out for a 3rd team to be involved

 

Orlando would have the space to absorb Ant in July; certainly have enough space to make a legal unbalanced trade

and from everything I've read, I think Orlando values Carter Jr. as much or more than they would Simons

my take is anybody expecting Orlando to pay #6 for Simons is homering with a massive Portland bias. They might pay #11; maybe it's probable, but 6 and WCJ? no way

 

No they don't. Orlando has cap space available.

 

yeah, I know...I posted that video on the RealGM trades forum just to fish for reactions from Orlando fans...and the fish sure took the bait

 

Every analyst or scout has their "big board" ideas. That doesn't mean the best players get drafted at the top. If they did, Dame would've never gone #6. Neither would Steph Curry have gone #7 and hopefully, the same goes with Sharpe when we talk about him years from now.

All-around superstar shooting guards in the mold of Wade, Kobe, Harden, Roy, Drexler, MJ, Carter.....unless it's considered a "bad year" like with Anthony Edwards, they never ever go #1 or even #2 despite probably being #1 or 2 in a re-draft. Why is this? There is anathema and bias from top analysts and scouts against this particular archetype. They either don't want to risk it or they just don't see the talent. But you have to wonder why despite it being such a highly successful archetype for, at least, four decades now?

Otherwise, unless they're a super prospect, it's somewhat uncommon to see such a thing occur where the top picks are the best players. Wemby will likely become a Top 10 ever player but just because Scoot was viewed as consensus #2 behind Wemby does not mean he'll end up that way in a re-draft (not saying he won't, either).

The way I see it, we need to ask ourselves, "Hey, is this particular archetype going to work? Has it worked in the past? Why? What are their weaknesses? In what context are those weaknesses applied? etc"

In Scoot's case, unless he excels at driving to the rim unlike anyone in NBA history (surpassing Iverson and Rose), I don't see a basis for him to work alongside a superstar shooting guard to the point where they win a championship together. But I can see him being a top scorer that wins scoring titles and sells shoes like Westbrook. In which case, if Scoot has help, you'll see him get to the top. But I'm not sure just driving it at the rim can help you win championships. Unless Portland secures Brandon Miller or a Brandon Miller type alongside Scoot and Sharpe to help open up the floor with shooting, I think the path with Scoot is going to be severely limited.

That's why I think Miller or Amen make more sense. The versatile wing fits today's league more than the short point guard that can attack the rim.

 

I gave you a +1, but that's because you said 'anathema' and 'archetype' in a sports forum. This chaotic low-brow clown show is always in need of a little high-brow literacy.

 

https://draftpunkofficial.substack.com/p/xxplosive-scoot-henderson-vs-amen

This guy goes deep deep deep comparing Scoot and Amen.

 

Weird feeling that Cronin will shock everyone and take Amen with the #3 pick.

And I believe that it’s probably the right call.

 

Schmitz does like him some Thompson....

 

Not remotely the right call. If they like him more than Miller, trade with Houston and pick up additional assets

 

Once he develops a really good mid-range jumper he will be fantastic

 

*fart sounds

 

Amen's nickname should be "The Prayer"

 

I mean Houston has to be willing to trade as well. They could very well be happy to get Miller or Amen and standing pat.

 

https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/article/amen-ausar-thompson-nba-18145839.php

Thompson twins are Oakland natives. Town has produced some stellar NBA players.

 

I think if we're rerouting Gary Harris in a trade that includes pick 3 then Ant and pick 23 for WCJ, pick 11 and Gary Harris is pretty realistic. I don't think Harris changes the dynamic much though so if we don't need him for another trade I could also see us just sending Ant and 23 for WCJ and 11.

With Gary Harris we would have the ability to make a three team deal with NOLA for Zion with 3, Nurk and Harris or with Toronto for Siakam and 13 and the same package as the Zion deal.

 

It would probably be a move that we love a few years from now.

 

Not gonna lie. I went and looked those words up. I feel smarter already. Thanks Draft Guy

 

Priceless video. Isaac has never been healthy for more than a cup of coffee at a diner.