WallyWorld wrote:
Fixed.

I don't buy that Tyreke is the source of horror for the Kings.

Also I agree with the Batum thing. He and LMA are the untouchables on Portland. It's like we have a thing for falling in love with players that you know damn well aren't going anywhere.

pants wrote:
I agree with the ballhandling point. You saw Rubio work fine in stretches with Barea, who is basically a shorter less athletic (but still strangely effective) Tyreke Evans without the major teammate issues. In fact, Barea is the exact opposite. In spite of the fact that he dribbles the air out of the ball, his teammates really seem to enjoy playing with him.

So... my point is mostly about the chemistry. You can deal with a ball dominator. You can even deal with a selfish, pouting ass wipe, sometimes, with a good coach and an unselfish team. But packaging both in the same guy is ALWAYS bad news bears. Always.

Also I agree with WW that the ball dominance thing with Rubio is a fallacy. I would be comfortable pairing Rubio with a Wade or a Beard, or even a DeMar Derozan.

I agree partially with Pants that Tyreke isn't the sole source of Sacto's misery, but I would argue that he is part of it at least on the court, and more importantly, that he is indicative of the type of chemistry-agnostic decision making that leads to bad things.

In regards to Evans and his attitude/chemistry issues.... we don't know what we don't know. Most of that is probably a product of environment. Consider the Kings' situation these past two years. I'm not sure Evans is a cancer in Minnesota. Maybe. Who knows? I would definitely give up the 18th pick in the draft to find out though.

WallyWorld wrote:
Fair point... I would rather give up the 18th pick for someone with similar production, less "perceived upside," and fewer question marks.

wolfenstein wrote:
If only OJ Mayo could be traded on draft night.

Yeah, so it's minimal risk. I'd have a harder time doing a D-Will/Evans-type deal but that would probably take closer to 20 seconds to deliberate before I did it.

I definitely see your concerns on Evans...I just see it as a chance to add the talent this team needs to make the push. Evans might not be a perfect fit, and has some risks and is due for a big contract...but it's worth adding to the wish list as a 4th or 5th option I would say. And if he sucks balls in his contract year? Sign and trade and part ways.

wolfenstein wrote: Please god not another player from Syracuse.........

pants wrote: That was my exact line of reasoning.

pants wrote: Or if some team is gonna offer him a ton of money in Free Agency (Kahn or whomever else), maybe instead of paying him a ton of money or also potentially losing him for nothing; Portland would at least like to get the #18 pick out of it...

wolfenstein wrote: For what it's worth, I have loved Batum for like 3 years now. Not my fault Kahn never traded for him... instead waiting to fail at trying to acquire him as a restricted free agent.

WallyWorld wrote: Sacramento has been one of the most dysfunctional franchises in all of sports for the past few years. Look at their coaching carousel, their terrible GM, and their godawful owners that refuse to spend money; and want to freakin move the team to a different city! Any wonder that there are problems there?!?

Anyone is assuming a hell of a lot to blame Tyreke for any/all problems with that trainwreck team. We don't know the inner workings of the organization or what is happening in practices and whatnot. Tyreke could go play for another team and be a perfect citizen and great player. Who knows.

All I know is that his talent is easily worth a mid first round pick. He was the freakin Rookie of the Year for crying out loud.

All players from Syracuse should automatically be off your draft board.

Roundhouse, don't you see it is the perfect move for Kahn? Last Syracuse player to be picked with our top pick? Flynn (fail). Wes Johnson (fail). Kahn doesn't pick best player available from Syracuse because he is too piss-scared to? Automatic superdooperstar.

I don't even care if Dion Waiters turns out to be good. He's a gamble just like every other player projected mid/late 1st round. I'd rather gamble on someone who did not attend Syracuse University.