JustSomeGuy

@sturtthe fact that they got nothing in return for him was certainly not Atlanta’s choice but a reflection of his perceived value across the league. That’s not Atlanta’s fault. If Atlanta thought little of him, how much less do other teams think of him to not be willing to part with ANY assets of value to acquire him? I can acknowledge that John was phased out of the offense and probably didn’t fit into the teams long term plans and even that he sacrificed for the team. I can also acknowledge that his game has significant warts. If he saw himself as a frontline player, those flaws manifested in far too much inconsistency and long stretches of non production on the court. That’s not Atlanta’s fault, that’s on him. Hell he lost touches to more productive players, anyone else willing to take the ball out of Trae’s hands to appease John? What about Murray? To do that is just asinine. But Clearly that’s Utah’s problem now given the quote above. The offense will not revolve around John, nor should it. And the irony in his comments about ego is he is the only player who has openly complained about touches on this team. Addition by subtraction is real.

Agreed on this. The problem is that playing in this type of system also doesn’t play to his strengths as a player, either. Which is probably part of why Atlanta traded him away.

Atlanta didn’t “kick him to the curb”. They gave him an opportunity to change his family’s life, paid him 100 million dollars, and he didn’t produce. His game did not continue to grow and evolve and it made him and his contract expendable. This isn’t personal. It’s business. Yeah hiring McMillan and his nonexistent offense probably did him no favors but John is who he is as a player and squeezing sour grapes at this point.

He’s earning that from me with his comments since the trade. We think of him as a leader but it hasn’t been lost on me that the idea of addition by subtraction can include removing a sour attitude from a locker room as well.

Trae will still average 9 or so assist. He will still be allowed the freedom to pick his spots, we will still run the PnR and he had 5 in less than a half the other night.

Agreed. Sexton is definitely more of a 6th man than lead guard but this goes what I’ve been saying that this Utah team does not play to his strengths. Can’t play as rim runner, no passer to create easy baskets, still will have challenges creating his own shot.

I know it was garbage time minutes but Lundy has an NBA ready skill with that jumper. If he can be a halfway decent perimeter defender we have something to work with.

If playing with CC was what held him back in Atlanta how will playing alongside Kessler be any different?

Bogi isn’t that much worse of a defender than Dre as you make it sound. He isn’t a great athlete but is a good team defender, and more disruptive. He is also a better shooter, shot creator, and is more consistent so the fit wouldn’t be that bad.

I disagree because Quin saw him play and clearly decided there wasn’t a role for him here.

Everyone has an opinion I guess but his suggestion that we stunted his growth feels like sour grapes. His game grew tremendously while here but I’m not sure I see where his game really was going to take another step. He’s a tweener who was a non existent shot creator, even in the post. His rim runner role was replaced by necessity because of his deficiency as a post defender. His passing improved but he declined as a rebounder and had a knack for disappearing for long stretches on the court. Not to mention the injuries. Best of luck to him though.

The only deal that makes sense is one where he brings us back something of value that makes us better. If trading him doesn’t return anything of value that will help us win, I’d rather reduce his minutes and move him to a bench role and use his value he would bring us as an expiring in a couple years.

I don’t think Capela is as done as people here make him sound. I think he is definitely nearing the decline but that doesn’t mean we HAVE to trade him. Especially with no equal talent available to come back to us. We can always just let him expire or hold him until closer to the deadline. I personally really like our lineup with Bey at the 4 and CC at the 5. Gives Clint the room to be a lob threat and rebounder. Covers for the deficiency of Bey/Hunter as rebounding wings and opens up the floor for DJ and Trae.

Jalen looks good but who is that kid in the Kobe’s? He might need a camp invite or something

Also count me in the pro-JJ crowd. He has the type of game that plays well even without plays called for him. I also like Bey in his role and don’t mind playing him at the 4 for short stretches would be more ideal next to Capela than OO because Dre is such a poor rebounder.

If Patty Mills is on this team come start of the season he is easily pencilled in for backup 1/2 minutes with Bogi sliding to the 2/3 rotation IMO. IDK if Bey can play the 3 for long stretches.

Agree with all said. He’s a needed veteran presence on a team full of young guys. Likely won’t be in the rotation but his locker room leadership will help more than anything he can provide on the court

@RandomFan I don’t disagree. But the odds of him being a contributor this year is slim and we had greater needs, namely in the form of physical 3&D wings over developmental backup PGs. The pick made sense in the moment as a potential DJM replacement but when he signed his extension right after it immediately makes this pick more head scratching. Cam was that and based on what he showed in SL not only has a higher ceiling than Hunter, but might be there sooner than later.

I think he will be a solid player, with Trae and DJ it probably won’t be here long term, which kind of makes it a wasted pick. I really hate that we passed on Whitmore though.

Hunter is too talented to be so unimpactful on winning. Average shooter, below average ball handler/playmaker, non disruptive defender, poor help defender, and poor rebounder. He has the physical tools but doesnt have any one elite trait, so while I hope he can take a leap I’m not super confident.

I’m pretty sure Minnesota has no use for younger and more unproven role players with upside. They are built to compete now and if they want to contend you don’t trade KAT for unproven players.

I think it really boils down to who we’re trading them for. If it’s a high end wing that will block AJ’d long term PT then I trade him. Same if it’s a front court player coming back for JJ

The best alternative is Hunter goes home this summer and prepares to have the best season of his life @Atlantaholic. I’m not confident that happens but the spacing fit with Bey playing the 4 and Capela or OO at the 5 is already much better than it was with two bigs on the court though.

Love the deal. Only gets better with better floor spacing after we dump Hunter.