(04-10-2021, 05:37 AM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: Sorry, but anyone who would reduce his potential to his current splits just isn’t paying attention. He’s 20 and he has an NBA body with a 7’1” wingspan and fantastic size. He’s improved dramatically since going pro. We no longer have to rely on some random pre-season game to see what he looks like. Just look at his last 3 games (highlights of the most recent one provided below). Try to forget what you think you know and just imagine what we would look like if JRich had that kind of offensive game and athleticism.
With all of the injuries, he’s getting 24 minutes in those three games and putting up 16/3.7/2.3 on .599 TS%. The team is +6.8 when he’s on the floor largely because of the D-Rating of 98. The Lakers have won two of the three games w/o Lebron and w/o AD. Sample size too small? He’s had 19 games of 20-29 minutes this season with very similar numbers 12/3.7/3.2. The team is +5.6 with a D-Rating of 103 and THT has a TS% of .560...AT 20!!! BTW, per 36, the box score numbers are 18/5.5/4.8. Screen for that and you get 20 players. The non-bigs include names like Luka, Lebron, Mitchell, Curry, Middleton Hayward, Ingram.
You know who isn’t on the list? Bogdonovic who got $18mm per last off-season, Hield who got $24mm. Siakam barely misses two criteria. Booker barely misses two criteria as does DeRozan. What do every one of these guys on both lists have in common? They get paid and they aren’t 20. BTW, this isn’t a MAX contract. The most THT can get is an average of $20.7. The structure would keep Dallas under the tax for two more years. If LA does match, you’ve put them in LT hell for years to come. I think Cow is right on this. Jalen and Talen does sound pretty nifty.
Didn't nearly see THT enough to judge him, but 20 mil per year seems like huge risk for still relatively unproven player, jumping into much bigger role. One thing is certain though - Lakers would certainly be willing to listen to SnT. So why not instead of money whipping them, go for JRich-THT double SnT? I guess everyone could see a benefit there. JRich remains on a contender in an important role, Lakers get proven player they need short term (and can't sign any other way), Mavs get THT at more reasonable salary. I doubt there will be teams waiting in line throwing 20 per offers to him. Something in the range of 10-13 mil per should be more than enough, imho.
Edit: Strike double SnT, Lakers can't afford SnT JRich as they will be way over hard cap. He would have to opt in and then sign extension with Lakers. Not really that unrealistic, imho.