The Sacramento Kings have agreed on a sign-and-trade that will land DeMar DeRozan on a three-year deal, send Harrison Barnes to the San Antonio Spurs and Chris Duarte, two second-round picks and cash to the Chicago Bulls.

[Chinook]

I can't find the official numbers, but I'm pretty certain that Wesley played a majority of his minutes with Collins at center. We agree on his deficiencies, but I think he made solid improvements in playmaking and his overall decision making. You don't even when the stats say he did.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/weslebl01/lineups/2024#all_lineups-2-man

Wesley indeed played more with Collins than Wemby, though we're talking about a 60/40 split here. I do think it's interesting that Wemby was by far the worst on-court mate with Wesley and vice-versa. It definitely speaks to some chemistry issues that will hopefully be ironed out.

[Obstructed_View]

Lord, can't argue against the facts and statistics that validate my opinion so go with the 'Victor didn't get the ball/was frozen out" cliche.

I can't find the official numbers, but I'm pretty certain that Wesley played a majority of his minutes with Collins at center. We agree on his deficiencies, but I think he made solid improvements in playmaking and his overall decision making. You don't even when the stats say he did.

Anyway, have a good Summer and hopefully either Malaki or Blake improve enough to be the long-term "ish" SG.

I've acknowledged his improvement. But while I have reiterated that without significantly more improvement, the Spurs should consider moving on from him, you picked him, and specifically his stellar passing, as an example of how stupid fans are. You incorrectly cited a misleadingly favorable stat to back up your assertion.

Facts and statistics. :lol

[J_Paco]

I've acknowledged his improvement. But while I have reiterated that without significantly more improvement, the Spurs should consider moving on from him, you picked him, and specifically his stellar passing, as an example of how stupid fans are. You incorrectly cited a misleadingly favorable stat to back up your assertion.

Facts and statistics. :lol

You doubling, tripling, and quadrupling down with nothing but laughing emojis does nothing to validate any of your false claims.

Had you ever said that "if his minutes were expanded beyond a backup role he'd likely be more turnover prone or his assist percentage would drop" then I would have to concede that point (even if it's only hypothetical). Instead, you came with no substance and tried to make me seem 'silly' for using statistical evidence (ie team/player stats) to refute you.

Getting mad that someone proves your points wrong with stats is a new one for me on ST. Have a good night.

[JPB]

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/weslebl01/lineups/2024#all_lineups-2-man

Wesley indeed played more with Collins than Wemby, though we're talking about a 60/40 split here. I do think it's interesting that Wemby was by far the worst on-court mate with Wesley and vice-versa. It definitely speaks to some chemistry issues that will hopefully be ironed out.

Or Wesley isn't just that good.

[onechance87]

wesley is not a pg....You dont need stats to see he aint no playmaker.

[Bruno]

https://x.com/MikeAScotto/status/1810820611268301063

That's another salary cap trick by Spurs.

Unlikely bonuses count only when the player is signed. Spurs needed $12.03M in cap space when they signed Paul but, when they did the Barnes' trade, Paul only counted for $10.46M against the cap.

The trick is to give Paul an unlikely bonus that he will likely achieve. A bonus is unlikely when it hasn't been reached the previous season by the player.
In Paul's case, a bonus based on starting 20 games should work. It is unlikely for the CBA because Paul has only started 18 games last season but it will likely be triggered provided Spurs have said Paul he will begin the season as a starter.

[Chinook]

Or Wesley isn't just that good.

Nah, that wouldn't explain why he plays worse next to Victor than he does next to anyone else. That's not normal.

[J_Paco]

Nah, that wouldn't explain why he plays worse next to Victor than he does next to anyone else. That's not normal.

I think it mostly comes down to his lack of self-creation, perimeter game (can cheat off of him and sag his opponent into the paint/Victor) and not being a natural PG (understanding where to get Victor the ball to give him easier looks) which are all reasons why Paul is a huge upgrade. And Blake needs to progress in those areas a lot even with his improvement last season (and play well next to the best player on the team).


wesley is not a pg....You dont need stats to see he aint no playmaker.

He's not a natural one, but it's something he's developing. Kind of like how Tony Parker, DeJounte Murray, and countless other 'combo guards' have.

[RC_Drunkford]

the best thing about those trades is that it makes Branham and Wesley 3rd stringers, which is exactly where they belong: buried at the end of the bench. They had way too much job security in recent years.

[bigfan]

Listening to Barnes at the presser yesterday and thinking this guy seems real sharp and sounds a lot like a future coach.

[Darkwaters]

Listening to Barnes at the presser yesterday and thinking this guy seems real sharp and sounds a lot like a future coach.

Agreed. I can't say I've ever really heard him speak. But I was impressed by his demeanor and intelligence.

[Ariel]

The trick is to give Paul an unlikely bonus that he will likely achieve. A bonus is unlikely when it hasn't been reached the previous season by the player.
In Paul's case, a bonus based on starting 20 games should work. It is unlikely for the CBA because Paul has only started 18 games last season but it will likely be triggered provided Spurs have said Paul he will begin the season as a starter.
Or split it into two, the other being Spurs wins 23 or over, so that he makes his 11M even if he gets injured.

[Obstructed_View]

You doubling, tripling, and quadrupling down with nothing but laughing emojis does nothing to validate any of your false claims.

Had you ever said that "if his minutes were expanded beyond a backup role he'd likely be more turnover prone or his assist percentage would drop" then I would have to concede that point (even if it's only hypothetical). Instead, you came with no substance and tried to make me seem 'silly' for using statistical evidence (ie team/player stats) to refute you.

Getting mad that someone proves your points wrong with stats is a new one for me on ST. Have a good night.
Let me try to make it as clear as I can: the stat you quoted to me means nothing. The sample size is too small. The stat is therefore indicative of nothing in any sort of accurate way. There is nothing false about that statement. He does not qualify to be on the NBA list on that stat. That's bballref saying that, not me. I'm not doubling or tripling down, I'm simply trying to explain to you why what you said has no meaning. You claim facts and statistics but you tried to dunk on other fans with a strawman, a poor opinion and a stat you looked up and didn't understand.

There is no statistical defense of Blake Wesley. I was one of the early people hoping the Spurs would pick him. I have rooted for him since he was drafted. I've watched as many of his minutes as possible. My evaluations of him are as objective as I can be, and my criticisms of him sound harsh because I'm disappointed in his lack of progress. By the eye test, he is intriguing as a physical specimen, but by that same eye test, he's a pretty dismal basketball player after two years. And the fans on this board who point out how not-nba-ready he is in almost every facet are not wrong.

I hope he blows up this season and we can forget about his silly discussion too.