I like Smith too, but think that ship has sailed, unless we trade one of our OKC Guards.
However, Okoro is a 38+% shooter from 3. Last season, he made 1.6 of 4.1 per 36 which is 39.1%. Granted that is the best year he’s had, he’s improved every year of his career. But he came from 1.4 of 3.7 per for 36.3% from 3 the previous year, so it’s not an outlier, and he has, IMHO, shown himself to be a true 3&D Wing, with good size.
It may well be redundant, as I fear @FoundingHornet is likely correct, and he won’t come here, but he’s right at the top of my (semi)realistic wish list.
LaMelo, Miller, Okoro starting with Mann, Micic and Cody rotating plus Smith & Curry for depth looks pretty decent.
He’s easy to forget since we’ve only seen him 35 times in the past two years, but a healthy Cody could potentially be a very solid 3&D guy. The last year he was healthy he shot 38% from 3 as well. Assuming he actually plays, I don’t see Okoro as much of an upgrade over him, if at all. We’ve been saying this for the past 3 years it seems, but if we can get healthy, we have some decent pieces.
I’ve been wondering if theres a way to get Derrick White somehow. Something’s got to give in Boston, they have 2 supermax players in Tatum and Brown, just signed Jrue to $30, and he and Porzingis will make over $30M. I’m sure they’d listen to offers of cheaper contracts and depth, cause that tax is gonna be painful.
My initial response to that would be I would rather pay Dalton at a fraction of the cost. Of course he may only bring a fraction of the production but I am not keen on paying someone like Derek White to go from being an afterthought in Boston to a main focus in Charlotte. It’s so hard to figure out how much of his production is being on a loaded team.
Which was surprising to me because DSJ was so embraced here. It was his big comeback stint and the fans really responded. At least, us here at HP did.
And side note: I understand your sentiment about LaVine and making something happen to address the glaring SG issue.
And you’re right about the cap space you brought up. We FINALLY have the space, we need slots to be filled, so let’s make something happen. BUT you and I know free agency is becoming more and more of a joke. There’s no big FA coming to Charlotte.
Agree, largely, about Cody. I’ve been a firm proponent of starting him at the 2, even when Terry was here. It’s just that Cody’s health didn’t agree with me.
He is the archetype of the third wheel we need, alongside LaMelo and Miller, at the Guard/Wing spots. You’d hope for more size, which Okoro has, and a bit of a better player, which I think Okoro is, with more room to grow too. It is, however, the greatest ability, that of availability, where Okoro takes the win. That said, there’s room for both on the roster, and I would love to see at least one of them on the court at all times next season.
I think White would be a great fit here. I think Chef raises a fair point in questioning whether he would remain as effective and efficient with greater usage in a larger role. None of us wants to see Batum 2.0. But it’s also not like he’d have to do all the lifting himself here either. Melo and Miller aren’t Tatum and Brown, but they are a very talented duo whom White would seemingly compliment well. The potential $30 mil price tag is a little hard to swallow, but I think we have to accept that that’s the going rate now for a starting caliber two-way guard with all-NBA defensive chops. If Boston shows any hesitation about paying him this summer, we should pounce.
My reasons for White are two fold. I’ve seen enough of him to know he’s a true baller. He’s nice on his own. Very savvy, high IQ, sneaky athleticism, hits big shots, makes the right reads consistently, great defense, and good size at 6’4.
I don’t think he’s either in either place. He’s the 3rd/4th option depending on Porzingis health, but can take over the scoring load while Tatum/Brown are resting or injured. Here, he’d still be the 3rd option behind Melo and Miller, which I think is the perfect role for him.
Maybe the bigger impact is adding an adult to the locker room. He’s very mature and professional, and not that the kids will do exactly as he says, but theres a very moderating force when theres a serious individual to set an example. Especially if they win a championship, he would bring the blueprint (along with Lee) for the hard work and day to day details of what it takes to get to the next level. Accountability, trade secrets to give M&M about how Tatum/Brown prepare.
These type of glue guys’ value goes way above just their on court skills. He’d be like what Mike Conley is for the Wolves, or Jrue Holiday with both the Bucks and Celtics.
He will be pricey after next year, but a 6’4, unselfish, on or off ball guard that can pickup the top defensive assignment in the backcourt, hit 3s, pass, organize, influence, create… I think thats almost the ideal fit at the 2 between Melo and Miller.
they have been to superbowls and championship games.
hornets may be the most inept franchise in all of sports. i can’t think of a worse one off the top of my head. if it wasn’t for the arena deal, they would have been relocated for sure.
