85 replies to this topic

[BSLRoseKatz]

I think some of it is also the Suns entered immediately win-now mode more than other teams would with a top ten pick once they got Chris Paul so I think they had less patience with him than other team would 

[BSLMikeLowe]

I think some of it is also the Suns entered immediately win-now mode more than other teams would with a top ten pick once they got Chris Paul so I think they had less patience with him than other team would 

 

Agreed. If he's going to have an NBA career he needs to latch on somewhere where he can get in a rotation and get meaningful minutes. That typically means a team that's in tank mode. Huerter is a good example of how that can work out (even though he got those minutes with the club that drafted him).

[glenn__davis]

I think some of it is also the Suns entered immediately win-now mode more than other teams would with a top ten pick once they got Chris Paul so I think they had less patience with him than other team would 

 

Yeah, I do agree with this also.  He was always a bit of a project and PHX just didn't have the minutes for him.

[hallas]

Honestly even at MD I thought he was a little overrated. Really solid player, just didn't live up to the 5* hype for me, and if I were an NBA GM I would've taken him probably towards the end of the 1st round.

Can't quite put my finger on it, the physical tools are there, I just don't think I see the drive needed to be any more than an average pro. Which would be an improvement on where he's been thus far.

I didn't get this sense at all, but you really just never know how a player's skills are going to translate to the pro ball. His defense was astounding and he did it without fouling, and I think he showed a variety of skills on offense playing against elite college competition. But he probably needs to gain some weight for pro ball.

[BSLChrisStoner]

He is a good athlete (hops, quickness), but he doesn't get off the floor multiple times easy, and doesn't move great laterally.

He needed further playing time and refinement to his game.

He left. He got the lottery $. So probably the right call. But he missed further development and maybe that impacts the next contract.

Everything with the Suns is a question as the Owner is a complete disaster (and also had the rep of being cheap).

Smith played well in Training Camp this year. He will have additional opportunities.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Phoenix has traded Smith to Indiana, but it sounds like he may be traded again before the day is through.

[hallas]

Apparently the NBA rules on rookie contracts whose options are declined are wacky. There's a rule where if you decline a rookie option you can't sign for your current team for more than the option amount. This rule apparently transfers to the new team if the player is traded, so Smith has to be a rental.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Oklahoma City just signed Wiggins to a new four-year, $6.4 million deal. He’s started 18 games this season.

[BSLMikeLowe]

Eric Ayala is scheduled to work out for the Wizards tomorrow. Fatts Russell was here in Portland today working out for the Blazers.

 

I've yet to see either appear on a mock draft, or hear how the combine went for them. I imagine they're auditioning for a spot on someone's Summer League team, and if that goes well a training camp invite.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Darryl Morsell has signed a contract with the Utah Jazz.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Huerter to the Kings... was hoping he'd get to Boston.  Kings do have some interesting young players though, and he'll get to hoist plenty of shots.

[BSLMikeLowe]

Jalen Smith agreed to a 2-year deal to stay with Indiana.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Jalen Smith agreed to a 2-year deal to stay with Indiana.

Played well after the trade. Good for him.

[BSLMikeLowe]

Played well after the trade. Good for him.

 

Good place for him to get the minutes he needs. Was unlikely to happen in Phoenix. Though interesting to ponder if the Suns had kept him if he'd end up being a piece in a potential deal for Durant and would ultimately land in Brooklyn.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Eric Ayala has signed with Sopron KC, a Hungarian professional team.

[Mike in STL]

Eric Ayala has signed with Sopron KC, a Hungarian professional team.

Can we move this to the Hungarian League Terps thread

[You Play to Win the Game]

Don’t get caught with weed, but otherwise, nice!

[BSLMikeLowe]

Don’t get caught with weed, but otherwise, nice!

 
You seem to speak from a position of personal experience.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Bruno Fernando agrees to a 4-year, $10.9 million contract with Houston.

He averaged 6.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks per game for the Rockets last year, playing 9.4 minutes per game. He should have an increased role on what is still very much a rebuilding team.

[BSLZackKiesel]

Darryl Morsell has signed with Utah.