Hot takes aren't always the pinnacle of the analysis spectrum, just ask friends and enemies of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, if there are any left. However, theories abound that the gut really does make the best instant decisions. So, let's fire up that old tankard!
I imagine some pundits will argue the Bucks shouldn't be messing with their chemistry at this point, but that will end up being a Kornheiseresque talking point in an empty argument. This year's team, aiming for a 6 seed in the playoffs, is playing way above their depth with a hodgepodge of journeymen and roleplayers. Don't get me wrong, it's exciting to see good defense and Swiss Army Knife basketball, but they aren't going anywhere this year. I can't think of another team who could have gotten BETTER after losing (for the year) their: "future superstar", a highly paid defense & rebounding big, and a quality backup point guard, not to mention several other multiweek injuries scattered around the rest of the roster. Chalk that survival/evolution up to an overabundance of solid, veteran, rotation guys... and good coaching, right? It's gotta be the coaching. I mean, just look at OJ Mayo this year vs. OJ Mayo last year.
This is no doubt a move for down the road, and it's not going to hurt anything this year. Let's hope there's not a hidden first rounder mixed somewhere in the fine print. Back to the point, just who are these guys we're getting in return for Brandon Knight?
Plumlee- Let's be honest, it's hard to keep the Plumlees straight. It seems like one is good every year, and this year it's not Miles. He was starting for Phoenix last year, and putting up an 8 and 8. But he's riding the pines this year. I bet he gets some solid run for the Bucks this year, does Plumleeish things, and lets Henson be a little more flexible in the roles he's used in. He's on the books for about $2 Million next year, the last year of his rookie deal.
Ennis- A rookie point guard from Syracuse, who played one very solid year in college. He went 18th overall in a very deep 2014 draft, and was the 5th point guard taken. He hasn't played much for the Suns this year, but that's not saying too much, as they were apparently following the Kahn blueprint of accumulating as many point guards as possible. Unfortunately for them, it took until this year's trade deadline for Phoenix to realize there's only one ball to go around. So, they traded 3 point guards (Dragic, Thomas, and Ennis) at the deadline, and added 2 (Knight and Marshall). Ennis could be a sneaky good piece of this trade, especially under Jason Kidd's tutelage. I really enjoyed watching him play at Syracuse last year. He was very heady, was always under control, was clutch in some big moments, rarely turned the ball over, and played with so much poise for a Freshman. He's a bit slight for the NBA game, and is not a particularly explosive player, but it's easy to see him as a backup point guard going forward. His potent shooting stroke has translated to the D-League at least, where he's averaging 18 ppg, while hitting 50% of his shots. He's under team control through 2018. Keep an eye on him.
Carter-Williams- On the surface, this looks like the Bucks traded a very athletic, shoot first point guard who didn't create much, and got back a true point guard who can't shoot, but plays great defense, and is a much bigger and more complete player. In this case, both books may really be their covers. Granted, MCW has played on an historically awful 76ers team over the past few years, chucking it up there far too often, which has probably stunted his development. And let's not forget that Brandon was an alternate for the All-Star Game this year, although his numbers truly are inflated on this Starless Bucks team. In fact, that last sentence is what gives me the most hope about this trade. If Knight gets paid this offseason like his numbers say he ought to, the Bucks could have been on the hook for at least $12 Million a year for 4 years of Knight, or two more years of MCW at $2.3 and then 3 Million. For a team that's succeeding in large part because of it's Defense, the money saved over the next two years, and the resulting roster flexibility makes this look like a steal.
It's time for some fully Subjective Hot Take Fandom- OR, continuing to attempt to translate Collegiate success to the NBA level (See: Tyler Ennis paragraph above). But really, let's be honest, who's watched much, if any of the Sixers three year shitshow? Gotta speak to what you know- and I know I thoroughly enjoyed MCW's game at the college level, and that guy is closer to the guy we'll see in Milwaukee than the guy who's chucking it in Philly. Even though he couldn't shoot a lick (still can't), he was so long (Bilas? Bilas?), so solid defensively, such a good rebounder, and so darned competitive that the poor shooting could be overlooked. He's the type of player who really did seem to make other guys better. In fact, at the time of the wretched 2013 draft, I thought he should have been the #1 overall pick. He didn't make me look like a complete idiot when he ran away with the Rookie of the Year Award. He has been pretty good this year too, even if his numbers are a bit inflated. Here's a stat that can't be all air- Carter-Williams and Russell Westbrook are the only NBA players averaging at least 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists.
Numbers aside, it's pretty exciting that we'll get to see MCW in a Bucks uniform for the next few years. The ungodly positional wingspan between Giannis and Carter-Williams alone should be fascinating to watch, especially on defense. And mark my words... kinda... I think Ennis can be a quality scoring point on the second unit. Of course, I thought Jordan Taylor could do that in the NBA too, and he had an NBA body. That's why we write on the internets instead of becoming Assistants to the Assistant General Manager of the Sacramento Kings. Maybe I just have a thing for Syracuse Point Guards. Maybe it's because Jimmy Boeheim is quite the drinking buddy, and has been deluding my thinking with his constant stream of libations and his fervent narration of days of yore.
Maybe Boeheim has been pulling a Madden and "driving" to away games, only to sip Old Fashioneds with the Bucks brass, whispering sweet nothings about how good his former Orangemen would look in a Bucks uniform. For once, it seems Boeheim, the Bucks front office, and yours truly seem to be on the same page. Maybe we can agree a tall, (6'6) athletic, defensive minded point guard is still an advantage in the modern NBA. Maybe we all remember Jason Kidd was a point guard who used his size to his advantage, and specialized in making his teammates better. Ask yourself this- did it ever seem like Kidd ever really was sold on Brandon Knight being "his guy"? Maybe it's just an irritable bowel type of gut reaction, but I really do think Carter-Williams (and quite possibly Ennis) is going to flourish in Milwaukee. Maybe Boeheim will put down the beer and the gun and realize his true calling is as a Bucks' Assistant Coach. Maybe, just maybe this trade is just what the Bucks needed- to add another star, and become relevant in the next few years. Maybe Scott Walker wasn't just full of hot shit when he told Wisconsin just how much the Bucks mean to this great state of ours. What? A bridge too far? Stage Left? Oh... Stage Right then.
Are there 2 pictures of Phil in this post, or just one?
ReplyDeleteI like this post.
I'm not as excited as you are about the trade, but this doesn't seem like all the other terrible trades the Bucks have made at the deadline under pressure from former owner Senator Kohl. Here's what I like about the trade and your post.
Flexibility. I agree that Knight had inflated numbers because he played on a bad team and had plenty of opportunity to score. He was effective scoring, but on a good team with better players he wouldn't get as many opportunities. The Bucks would have had to pay him like a player that puts up those numbers legitimately though, and that stunk of a bad contract. MCW will be much cheaper on a rookie contract for 2 years.
Fit. If the Bucks are going to win in the future it will most likely be behind the scoring of Giannis and Parker. Those two get less shots on a team with a scoring point who wants to get his numbers. MCW can defend and should not hog shots on a team with some offensive help for him. Since he's 6'7" and can defend 2 positions that gives you flexibility to play a shorter 2 guard who can score. If you find a player like a Reggie Jackson who's a tweener, you can play him next to a guy like MCW.
What I don't like.
Giving away good players. MCW is not as good a player as Knight now, and may never be. He has a broken jump shot, and in the modern NBA it's hard to win without lots of perimeter shooting. The other players in the deal are largely insignificant. They may develop into decent bench players, but playoff series aren't won with decent bench players.
All in all this trade seems like a wash. It probably hurts them this year, but who cares. The are a 6 seed in the crappy east. Their future is 2 years from now when MCW, and Giannis are restricted free agents and Parker is eligible for an extension. They will have cap flexibility for a short window, so we'll see what they do with it.