Probably worked out together recently?
Odd... Isaac and Keldon recently followed each other on IG. Wonder how they met?
Probably worked out together recently?
Why would they? Same agency? Doubtful... Keldon has a local SA agent. They didn't go to the same college.
I'm not a big Okoro fan... But if he's as good as they say, forgetting all the concerns about his length and size... Him being fundamental type defender would be a big plus on the Spurs. I'm thinking of Bruce Bowen, PJ Tucker type defense where they know how to stay in front. Not the ones who just swipe for steals.
I have no idea lol
Imo He is the best defensive player of this draft. Still has a lot of work offensively but I like him.
Like you said he would be at least a Bruce bowen type of player.
The Ringer: 2020 NBA Mock Draft: What if the Wolves Trade the No. 1 Pick?
Kevin O'Connor
06
Isaac Okoro Isaac Okoro
San Antonio Spurs Logo San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs
Trade: The Spurs send DeMar DeRozan and no. 11 to the Hawks for no. 6.
Okoro has qualities reminiscent of Kawhi Leonard, whom the Spurs also traded for way back in the 2011 draft. Okoro is sure to be a great defender, and he shows flashes of scoring ability. But his jumper needs a lot of work. Maybe the Spurs can repeat history.
ISAAC OKORO
Wing, Auburn, freshman
Off-Ball Defense Off-Ball Defense
Playmaking Playmaking State Farm Logo
Interior Scoring Interior Scoring
On-Ball Defense On-Ball Defense
PTS 12.8 16.3 per 40
AST 2.0 2.6 per 40
3PT% 28.6 70 3PA
FT% 67.4 132 FTA
Age19.3
Wingspan6'9''
Height6'6''
Weight225
Superb defender with a perfect skill set for the modern positionless game, but needs to improve his jumper to have more value on offense.
Shades Of: Gerald Wallace, Justise Winslow
PLUSES
Great finisher who delivers through contact, draws fouls, and displays a pillowy touch with either hand.
Smart decision-maker who moves the ball, can run some pick-and-roll, and doesn’t force bad shots—instead of taking a contested runner, he’ll almost always kick it out to an open shooter.
Displays a good handle with either hand on crossovers, spins, and hesitations. He could have untapped, long-term upside as a shot creator.
Versatile on-ball defender with the strength to battle bigger players, and the ideal blend of fundamentals, quickness, and intelligence to play on the perimeter.
A high-IQ, compe ive defender who excels within the team concept by rotating well and disrupting opponents’ actions.
MINUSES
Stiff shooter with clunky mechanics—defenses already sag off him. He brings the ball to his shot pocket too soon, ruining the timing of his release.
Nonfactor off the dribble.
Subpar free throw shooter, which doesn’t provide much optimism for the development of his jumper.
Lacks burst and quickness on drives to the rim, so his flashes of shot-creating ability may never translate to the NBA.
He would be a complete waste on San Antonio with Johnson around. Who has a similar physical profile, has shown a lot more on offense (I think Okoro is at best a spot - up shooter and/or a slasher like Andre Roberson) & can likely become our defensive ace.
If we trade up, which I don't want us to unless it is for Wiseman, it better not be for a defensive specialist with a low offensive ceiling.
If the Spurs wanted a defensive ace, they had one on the board last draft. Only he was also a good 3P shooter, had a 7 foot wingspan, and a 41 inch vertical leap. They passed, and the next team to draft took him. We can argue till we're blue about who was the better choice, but it's clear that defensive ace was not the Spurs top priority.
If the Spurs give up value to trade up for Okoro, it better be because they plan on getting a higher than 11 draft pick next year. I don't dislike Okoro, but there has to be a longer planning horizon than this month.
I wouldn’t give up Demar plus 11 for Okoro I think that’s kinda nuts, but if the spurs find a way to get Okoro that would make for a devastating def 1-3 defensive lineup
Demar is likely opting out. So it would be better than losing him for nothing
can you trade a player who can opt out this offseason?
If you get up to 6, there are too many good players to end up with Okoro. That said, I don't get why people keep saying that him being similar to would be disqualifying. Just have two Keldons.
Can't trade him before he opts in.
Yes and no. Can’t trade him right now, but once he officially declines his option? It’s what a sign and trade is. Now SA has no control over it, it’s all up to Derozan being willing to agree, but yes.
Clippers aren't S&Ting for DeRozan. It doesn't make sense for any of the sides to do that. The Clips need to avoid getting hard-capped. DMDR isn't going to want to give up guaranteed money and SA isn't going to want to lose control of DeRozan. Seeing as they want to get rid of Williams and Beverly anyway, the money saved doesn't really help them either, and it's possible the team would prefer the flex option of blowing it up next summer.
As I've said before, I could see a three-team trade were DeRozan goes to LAC, Lou and Beverly go to Philly and Horford, Kabengele and picks go to SA. Provided there's a LMA trade in the pipeline as well, that deal helps all three teams
Not bad at all. 11, 21, possibly Kabengele, plus whatever second pick (Spurs should push for the 76ers top 10-lottery protected '22 1st) would provide a lot of ammunition to move up to 6-7 for Okongwu (would rather Hayes or Haliburton, but unfortunately Murray is probably entrenched).
There'd really be no downside. If for whatever reason Aldridge wasn't traded, sure Horford, Poeltl and him is a little too centerish, but for at most one shortened season it'd be fine. Ideally though, make one of the Aldridge trades that have been discussed ad nauseam (Trail Blazers, Heat, maybe Nets) and there's even more ammunition.
I'm not a fan of trading two firsts and a young player with three years left on his deal to move up four or five spots. For the right guy, blah blah. You know. But in general, I'd rather keep future picks for additional trade or just to have another bite of the apple. You could convince me to use that ammo and take back Wiggins to hop up to two if the Spurs think there's a star there. But in general, I'm happy to get two guys in the middle of the first.
It's also possible that in lieu of a future first, the Sixers give up Thybulle and a second or two and take back Kabengele. That would give them a backup and prevent SA from having a big logjam while also giving them a guy who solidify the perimeter defense or trade as big value to a contender looking for cheap defense. I honestly think Horford, Thybulle and 11 for Wiggins and 2 is led toward GS. Ending up with 2, 21 and a couple of seconds isn't the worse outcome
I haven't watched much Okoro, so I don't have a strong opinion on him, but the idea of moving up in the draft by unloading DeRozan without having to take on salary good or bad does have its appeal. If the draft pick is good, and the Spurs save money & gain salary cap flexibility, it could be a good move. Pairing Trae Young and DeRozan would be a defensive disaster of course, but Atlanta's one team that might actually consider it.
What makes you say that? The uncertainty surrounding the cap going forward makes that seem crazy.
I might not either, but the point is options now and going forward. Obviously, they could just retain it all now (though that's unlikely because they're only going to have so many rookie scale contracts on the roster at once).
Can't imagine the 76ers giving up an elite wing defender with what appeared to be an ahead of schdule 3 (on an inexpensive contract for 3 more seasons) for a backup center when they have an elite one. Granted, Embiid lacks durability, but this would take them out of the tax and the only real need would be his primary backup, so they could sign a credible one.
Aldridge and 11 for Wiggins and 2 would be easier to stomach if they have 21, possibly Kabengele and another future 1st in tow. Don't know that the Spurs would be as apt to take Wiggins' albatross if they're already saddled with Horford's though. On the other hand, I could see them being concerned about the lack of an established featured scorer.
He’s a premier FA in this class regardless and his value is pretty much known. He wouldn’t be losing much money at all in year 1 (I mean it’s relative but I mean for rich people) and would be securing long term money.
But there’s less uncertainty than you think; his team is already scouting out sign and trades in advance and free agent interest/$ amount.
Nothing final but they have a grasp on the level of interest in both sign and trades to teams he may be good with and his free agency value.
The issue is that only a small few teams have the necessary cap to sign DeRozan and they're bad teams. He might opt out if he has an offer on the table (technically off the table), if not then he seems likely to opt in. Hard to say either way.
Opting in might make it easier for him to end up on a team that can't sign and trade for him or wants to offset the cost of having to sign him outright.
Yeah, DMDR probably doesn't want to opt out. DPG's is overlooking that DeMar can also negotiate and extension as part of a trade. That gives him the flexibility to go to actual good teams, and it probably gives him more money than he'd get on a new contract. It's not a definite thing he'd opt out at all.
Sign and trade. Teams without cap space acquire him via trade and they will know before he opts out.
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