Ty can stick. He’s one of the few shooters in that huge guard group in OKC. Kemba will be 100% traded. He should beat out Tre Mann.
I think his best bet is to carve out that spot-starter/backup role in OKC. Build up some stock as a veteran for his next contract elsewhere rather than having to start over again with another team/coach.
One problem with a tank/long-term rebuild is they already have a legit stud / future allstar in SGA. If you stay bad, you risk losing him in FA. You give up everything for the chance at the #1 overall pick who probably isn’t as good as SGA anyways.
Tough Presti has also been aggressive at getting stars in trades (I.e paul George) so maybe he could flip things pretty quick with all those picks.
I think it’s clear though that you need a star better than SGA if you want to win a title. Like sure SGA is really good but you need someone on the Luka, LeBron, Durant, Giannis level to win a title. And you find those in the top 3 of the draft typically
Sporting News draft grade
17. Memphis Grizzlies — Trey Murphy III, Virginia (traded to Pelicans)
The Grizzlies made this pick for the Pelicans because they exchanged selections as part of a multi-player trade. And the weird thing is, though New Orleans got the guy chosen seven spots later, it wound up with the better player. Murphy, the guy who got a year of coaching from Tony Bennett and shot 40 percent from 3-point range for his career on 191 makes in three seasons — or Ziaire Williams? Is that a trick question?
CBS:
This pick is all about Zion Williamson and how to maximize him. The Pelicans knew they had to surround their superstar with shooting, and Murphy is a 6-9 wing who can really, really shoot it. I have been touting Murphy for a while, and he was the highest-ranked player on my own big board, plus he’s a great fit. Grade: A+
Yeah I think they have one more year to tank, you get Chet or Banchero then that turns around everything and you can convince SGA to buy in.
Agree with your last 2 post 100%. You need superstars in the NBA. Look at the Mavs. Luka and Porzingis aren’t enough to get it done in Dallas. Philly for all their talent can’t get to the Eastern conference finals. OKC needs major talent upgrades, if they get them from the draft or from trades doesn’t matter much to me, they just need the upgrades.
As far as Ty, I agree he has enough talent to stick in the league and make an impact, but I don’t see him making any All Star teams soon. There’s nothing wrong with that, not everyone is a stud.
Yeah there were rumors Pelicans were thinking about Trey Murphy with the 10th pick but thought it was too high a pick for Murphy. Were able to trade down, make some other moves with the trade down deal, and still get murphy.
That’s some smart draft-management.
Interesting stat….
I think Sam is going to a good spot, that will value what he does…
Interesting take. Sounds like prospects are still getting bad info.
For context 3 of them were seniors.
I mean 3 of the 5 were seniors so not a great take.
Hurt probably should have returned but probably too late to transfer by the time he realized. I think Champignie was done with school from what I’ve heard.
I thought about that, but also each could have come back for another year. More interesting to me, whether they left early or not, is if the ACC has ever had 5 first team all conference players leave for the draft yet go undrafted?
Interesting stat btw…no Duke players taken in the first round in the last two drafts.
I’m not counting Jalen as a Dookie but I’m sure they will.
Been saying it for past few years; dudes and families in such a hurry to grow up. Real world is nasty at times and they chose to be in it
A lot less nasty with a UVA or GT degree and 6 figures for playing a game though.