Trade & FA 2024-25:

[Chicagojk]

I agree with this--except for Jaden Hardy.  It's too early!...and he's on a team friendly contract.  He needs a coach that can help him with his shortcomings--dribbling into traffic, not passing out, floor management, and the big one that's hard to teach, VISION.  I've seen dribs and drabs of all these--which leaves me with hope.  I would almost say that there was initial mismanagement of Hardy's training.  I AM hard on coaches...

2 more years (I think) and then it's a team option.  I also don't think he can be traded until 4/22/25--according to spotrac.  I could be wrong about everything--a significant aspect of my life up to this point...

I wished by now he would iron this out a little, but Hardy is always a player who looks much better when he is shooting well.  It impacts the rest of his game.   That is pretty common for younger players, but especially for a player like Jaden.   You typically now early in a game if he has it.    Last year he started out the year slow as well and by playoff time was playing some important minutes.   Those minutes will be harder to get this year.

I thought initially that he would looked good paired with Kyrie...and he has at times.  I now think that pairing him with Luka really helps.   Similar to Maxi.   Luka can make his weaknesses not stand out and put him in his best spots...just like Maxi.

Speaking of Maxi.   I think he is a relatively low minute player now.   I was thinking that pairing him with Lively and Luka is the lineup that he may work best in.  Fill the roster with the other two spots.   Lively and Maxi can protect the rim and switch as needed.   Luka can dissect the defense with lobs to Lively or open threes for Maxi.   Getting this matchup can be a little tricky though if Lively is starting and Luka is playing most of the first quarter though.  Can you get this lineup for 4-5 minutes a half?