00:00With the trade deadline coming up in the next week, week and a half, I figure we look at four players that could be primed to be moved, give you my thoughts on what they do well, and whether it'll be good for that team to move them.
00:13Let's start with Christoph Porzingis, one of the more interesting names being floated around at the deadline.
00:19From a basketball standpoint, look at Christoph Porzingis, 17.1 points per game, 5.1 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, shooting 36.3 and 46% from the floor.
00:30If you look at him, he is truly that stretch five big, right?
00:34That also protects the rim.
00:36When he's on the floor, Atlanta offensive spacing improves dramatically, and the defensive rim protection is dramatically better.
00:45But the problem is his availability, because he's often injured, and his contract.
00:51So does it make sense for Atlanta to move him?
00:54The answer is yes, especially with the emergence of Okongru, that Okongru researche.
00:59And Jalen Johnson frontcourt, it does make sense for someone like Christoph Porzingis to be moved because of the fact of what he could bring from another team, and what he could offer in regards to, as a stretch five, shot blocking big to a contender.
01:18So Christoph Porzingis, yes, should be moved.
01:20Let's go to Nikola Vucevic of the Chicago Bulls, another consistent big that's done year after year after year.
01:26Big Vuce is getting you 17.9 rebounds, four assists per game, shooting about 38% from three and 51% from the floor.
01:35Now, listen, here's the thing about Big Vuce.
01:38He raises your floor, not your ceiling, right?
01:42He doesn't accelerate development of younger players, and he doesn't solve Chicago's late-game creation issues.
01:48So, also, I've been saying for years, Chicago needs to blow it up and trade, and they've done most of it.
01:56But Kobe White and Big Vuce are the two guys you're looking at.
01:59I think you keep Kobe White, and you move Nikola Vucevic, someone that could still, in my opinion, as a top 15 center in the league,
02:08but he can soak it through double teams and can score.
02:10The problem with Big Vuce is he doesn't stop people enough.
02:13So, Chicago, continue to rebuild, build around, obviously, Bozellis, and obviously, Josh Skiddy.
02:21He's been out for a while, and move on from him.
02:24Here's an interesting guy to look at, Benedict Matherin.
02:27Benedict Matherin is giving you 18 points per game, five rebounds, two assists, shooting at 43% from the floor, 37% from three.
02:35This is the toughest one on the list to call, because Benedict Matherin still represents upside, not certainty.
02:43Matherin's talent is obvious.
02:44He's scoring budgets.
02:45He creates downhill, and he's got real star traits.
02:49But in 25-26, it isn't a question.
02:52It's fit, consistency, and defensive being reliable.
02:59You know, I don't think you move on from Benedict.
03:02I think you look at this team, get Hallie back next year, and then go from there.
03:08I know they have other guys, you know, Shepard, Naismith, Obi Topp, who's out for the year.
03:16I think trading Matherin would be a big mistake.
03:19Trading Matherin would be selling volatility instead of waiting for value, and Indiana would regret that patient shortcut.
03:27Let's give it the minus and the bonus.
03:29Here's a big one here.
03:3016 points, 11.7 rebounds per game, 53% from the floor.
03:34The key thing is two things, 21% from three, and only four assists per game.
03:39Here's the thing.
03:40DeModis isn't a great defender, but he could score in a pivot.
03:44He's a rugged rebounder, and although assists are down in the right offense playing him in that pinch post, he would be effective.
03:52Now, I think we should move on from either Levine or DeRozan, but DeModis may give you the most value back.
03:59So move on from DeModis to Bonis.
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