Hickson should be a hot commodity

[Shooter]

I'm a bit surprised by the (apparent) lack of interest in Hickson. The guy is a beast on the boards, has a nice scoring touch from outside and inside, and is a regular double-double guy. Who wouldn't want that? And who wouldn't want that especially now, with the playoffs approaching??

Some critics apparently feel that he's only playing well because Portland's roster is thin and he's getting lots of minutes, but so what? When he gets the minutes he contributes in a big way, which you can't say about every player.

I think Hickson is great, and I hope we keep him, but I'm still surprised that more teams aren't banging down Olshey's door to get him.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

I like Hickson and wouldn't mind keeping him if the price was right but the hesitation from other teams is more the fact that it is most likely a couple months rental then anything. Why would you give up a first round pick for a guy who might bolt this summer?

 

[Mediocre Man]

Contract is the biggest reason he isn't a hot commodity. Defense is the other

 

[Haakzilla]

...risk vs. reward -- not a lot of teams want to rent-a-player like Hickson because very few teams are in a position where acquiring him puts them over the top to contend for a title THIS YEAR. Matter of fact, I can't really think of any teams that Hickson could be traded to that would make me think they are now odds on favorites to win the title.

 

[Harry's Raincoat]

NOT!!

Contract ends, with no guarantee that he stays / re-signs with team that gets him. He wants starters minutes, shots, and privileges, but doesn't want to play defense.
We'd be lucky to get a 2nd round draft pick straight up for him. Seriously.

And don't call me a hater, I'm not. Love his double/doubles, hustle, etc. But, he's a PF playing center. He needs to become a PF playing PF. If anything, we should trade LMA and keep Hickson at PF.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

...risk vs. reward -- not a lot of teams want to rent-a-player like Hickson because very few teams are in a position where acquiring him puts them over the top to contend for a title THIS YEAR. Matter of fact, I can't really think of any teams that Hickson could be traded to that would make me think they are now odds on favorites to win the title.

Not odds on favorite to win the title but Brooklyn would get the best bump from his services imo.

 

[Harry's Raincoat]

...risk vs. reward -- not a lot of teams want to rent-a-player like Hickson because very few teams are in a position where acquiring him puts them over the top to contend for a title THIS YEAR. Matter of fact, I can't really think of any teams that Hickson could be traded to that would make me think they are now odds on favorites to win the title.

SAS and OKC would both benefit by having him.

 

[mook]

He's bad as a rental for a contending team because no contending team wants to start a defensive sieve like him, no matter how well he boards.

Nobody else wants to rent him because, eh, why bother when you can buy him without losing assets this summer.

 

[Haakzilla]

Not odds on favorite to win the title but Brooklyn would get the best bump from his services imo.

...great, so they win a couple more games and still exit in round 1/2 of the playoffs

SAS and OKC would both benefit by having him.

...maybe the Spurs, but but do you really think JJ "Stripper Loving" Hickson is going to seriously improve either of their odds at winning the title (OKC is currently 3 to 1 and SAS is 6 to 1)?!

 

[Pinwheel1]

Like most players, JJ plays best when he starts. But IMO his long term role is off the bench. This is a hard pill to swallow for a lot of young players, being told they are not quite good enough to start. So once he gets paid this summer, can he learn to bring that energy every night off the bench? If he does he will be a excellent addition to any team for about 6-7 million a year.

If he does not accept that role then he will be a waste of money. I would imagine teams are taking a cautious look at him right now, seeing what he is worth on the open market this summer. I am sure he will want starters money, but I think he is right below that level. Close, but not quite a starter for a playoff team.

 

[craigehlo]

he will be a excellent addition to any team for about 6-7 million a year.

If we can't even get a last 1st rounder for him right now, there's no way he sniffs more than the MLE.

 

[THE HCP]

Sounds like he really wants to go to Brroklyn!

 

[blue9]

SAS and OKC would both benefit by having him.

Agreed - particularly OKC. I just don't see them winning a title, but I think Hickson would definitely help. Hickson and K-Mart off the bench gives you enough offense to not have to worry about their lack of defense. And with Perkins/Ibaka he'd actually have a big guy who could cover for his deficiencies. Given that MIA doesn't have a C, Hickson really could put that team over the top with his rebounding and ability to score.

 

[magnifier661]

Sounds like he really wants to go to Brroklyn!

It would have to be a sign and trade then. Brookland is in Luxury tax area; therefor they would only be able to give him something like 3 mil per

 

[KeepOnRollin]

We can still get Hickson to the Nets but he will have to wait until this summer now.

 

[blue9]

We can still get Hickson to the Nets but he will have to wait until this summer now.

S&T for Lopez? Who else do that have that we'd want (and that they'd give up)? For the record, I was joking about Hickson/Lopez - he's just the only player I can think of that we'd take back.

 

[magnifier661]

S&T for Lopez? Who else do that have that we'd want (and that they'd give up)? For the record, I was joking about Hickson/Lopez - he's just the only player I can think of that we'd take back.

Maybe a future 1st; with a player(s) to make the deal work?

 

[KeepOnRollin]

S&T for Lopez? Who else do that have that we'd want (and that they'd give up)? For the record, I was joking about Hickson/Lopez - he's just the only player I can think of that we'd take back.

Brooks and their Euro possibly.

 

[blue9]

I thought they were over the cap? Assuming Hickson gets >$5M they'd have to send out more than just Brooks, right? He's only making $1M. And at $5M wouldn't you try to talk Hickson into staying here?

 

[magnifier661]

I thought they were over the cap? Assuming Hickson gets >$5M they'd have to send out more than just Brooks, right? He's only making $1M. And at $5M wouldn't you try to talk Hickson into staying here?

If we could get Hickson for 5 million, we definitely should keep him.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

I thought they were over the cap? Assuming Hickson gets >$5M they'd have to send out more than just Brooks, right? He's only making $1M. And at $5M wouldn't you try to talk Hickson into staying here?

There is a Euro on their team already making like 3.5 MIL. Was talking about him as an option.

 

[Sedatedfork]

I thought he might be a good fit for the Knicks. They need someone to rebound.

 

[blue9]

There is a Euro on their team already making like 3.5 MIL. Was talking about him as an option.

Gotcha. I'm not too familiar with BKN's "other" players.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

If we can't even get a last 1st rounder for him right now, there's no way he sniffs more than the MLE.

I surely hope you are right, I'd love to keep Hickson for the MLE.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

He's bad as a rental for a contending team because no contending team wants to start a defensive sieve like him, no matter how well he boards.

Nobody else wants to rent him because, eh, why bother when you can buy him without losing assets this summer.

In what world is a contender gonna get a starter for one of their crappy 1st rounders?

 

[BBert]

Unless there is a deal already greased and ready to go to S&T Hickson to the Nyets, I still don't think we should tie up our cap space on him. Let him walk and negotiate his best deal on the open market.

 

[magnifier661]

Unless there is a deal already greased and ready to go to S&T Hickson to the Nyets, I still don't think we should tie up our cap space on him. Let him walk and negotiate his best deal on the open market.

See I disagree personally. I think Hickson would be the perfect player to use in a lop-sided trade.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Agreed - particularly OKC. I just don't see them winning a title, but I think Hickson would definitely help. Hickson and K-Mart off the bench gives you enough offense to not have to worry about their lack of defense. And with Perkins/Ibaka he'd actually have a big guy who could cover for his deficiencies. Given that MIA doesn't have a C, Hickson really could put that team over the top with his rebounding and ability to score.

Yep, he'd be a GREAT fit on OKC. Perkins flat out sucks. He has a PER of 9.4 and is averaging 4.6 PPG and 5.9 RPG. Hickson's numbers are PER = 20.3, 12.9 PPG, 10.4 RPG. Every second Perkins is on the court, OKC is playing 4-on-5 on offense, and while his defense is better than Hickson's he's not as good as he once was. Hard to believe he's only 28. When I watch him play, he moves like a guy who's 48. Hell, he's being outplayed by Hasheem Thabeet!

Perkins will pout if he doesn't get to start. So, start him, but reduce his minutes to 18 - 20 MPG and let Hickson get 28 - 30 minutes backing up both front court positions. Ibaka is one of the best help defenders in the league. That would help compensate for Hickson's sub-par defense. And when he plays alongside Perkins, he would be guarding power forwards, not centers. It would also give Scott Brooks the option of doing offensive/defensive substitutions late in the game. This is a great option to have in close games during the playoffs. Perkins in for defense, Hickson in for offense.

It wouldn't guarantee OKC a championship, but I think it would definitely improve their odds. Which is exactly why I hope it doesn't happen - ever.

BNN

 

[blue9]

Woulda been nice if we coulda done Hickson for Lamb. But the window is closed. IMO OKC is going to be an "also ran" again this season.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Woulda been nice if we coulda done Hickson for Lamb. But the window is closed. IMO OKC is going to be an "also ran" again this season.

Also ran again? They made the NBA Finals last season. There are 28 other teams out there that would love to be that kind of also ran.

BNM