Square round chisel: The mortise originally meant square, encountered a round eye, figuratively the two sides are incompatible, incompatible, and inappropriate.
If you compare an NBA team to a sophisticated machine, then the star is the engine to provide power, the role player acts as parts to keep the machine running, and if the engine is not powered enough or the parts do not match, they cannot complete the set goal. Therefore, the teams' desire to achieve the plan they set out before the season, the upcoming free trade market, will be their last chance to clean up the mismatched parts.
The situation of the 10 players who are likely to leave the team in the middle of the season:
10. Jordan Jr. (Lakers)
Season stats: 4.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 0.9 blocks
67.5% shooting percentage and 58.8% free throw shooting percentage
In the summer of 2019, Chinese owner Cai Chongxin, who had just spent $2.35 billion to buy the Nets, signed Durant, who had broken his Achilles tendon, and Irving, who broke with the Green Army, with two top salaries in order to complete the reconstruction as soon as possible. At the same time, in order to strengthen the depth of the interior, the team signed two-time rebounding king Jordan With a four-year, $40 million middle-class contract.
The big center, who was once the "city of empty picks", once played a bright stat of 12 points and 15.2 rebounds per game under Paul's "feeding cake" in the 17-18 season, and the signature air slam dunks and frontcourt rebounds were his housekeeping skills. According to people familiar with the matter, the reason why the Nets signed Jordan Jr. is because Durant and Irving strongly recommended it, and the three of them have a good relationship in private.
In the Nets' two seasons, Jordan Jr.'s visible decline on the court has been visible, and even harden, who has a good overall view, cannot save the brave center who has staged "Force Splitting Huashan" many times. At the age of 32, Jordan Jr. was ambiguous in his offensive end-of-the-road approach, inactive and often leaky defensively, leaving him directly abandoned by head coach Nash in last year's playoffs.
Last summer, the Nets sent Jordan Jr. to the Pistons to avoid taxes, who waived the $4 million contract to make a buyout deal with the Pistons and was taken by the Lakers as a free agent. In this team with no threat from the outside, Jordan Jr. has no room to play as a blue-collar center, and the poor performance on the defensive end has reduced his playing time to 13 minutes, and has even been directly hidden by Vogel recently.
9. Gallinari (Eagle)
Season stats: 9.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists
41 percent shooting percentage and 39.6 percent three-point range
In the 2008 draft, Italy's big forward Gallinari was selected by the Knicks with the sixth pick in the first round, and the rookie's second-year average of 15.1 points and 4.9 rebounds per game was able to deliver a record of 15.1 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.
In early 2011, Gallinari was sent to the Denver Nuggets, and next to a group of athletes with exploded physical fitness (McGee, Faried, etc.), Gallinari, who had a precise outside projection, became the "Italian cannon" in the mouth of fans, and officially entered the peak of his career.
In the following season, Gallinari played efficiently in the Nuggets, Clippers and Thunder, averaging 18+5 per game, which allowed him to get the Hawks a three-year, $61.4 million contract after his contract expired in 2020.
Coming to a team that is in the process of rebuilding and rising, the Hawks now have All-Star guard Trae Young, the physical explosion of big forward Collins, the "rebounding idiot" Capela, and the international game of Bogdanovic, the 32-year-old Gallinari was forced to become a substitute, and the playing time dropped to 24 minutes.
So far this season, although Gallinari has maintained a 39.7% three-point shooting rate, the defensive efficiency in the middle and lower reaches of the league has disappointed McMillan's head coach, and the playing time has now been compressed to 22.2 minutes, and the score has set a new low in nearly 13 seasons. At present, it is reported that the Eagles with a bad record (17 wins and 22 losses) are willing to take the young forward Reddish to replace an influential player in order to strengthen the lineup.
8. Turner (Walker)
Season stats: 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.9 blocks
Shooting 51.7 percent from the field and 35.5 percent from three-point range
In the 2015 draft, with a height of 2.11 meters, an arm span of 2.24 meters, a prominent sense of defense, and a three-point projection of Miles Turner, who was finally selected by the Pacers with the 9th pick in the first round, his outstanding physical condition and playing style basically met the most perfect center template in the small-ball era.
In his first six seasons with the Pacers, Turner averaged 2.3 blocks per game, won two blocks, and this season also ranked first in the league with 2.9 blocks per game, far surpassing second-place Gobert in 2.3 times per game.
Although he excelled in blocking, it did not mean that Turner was a defensively excellent interior player, with poor defensive selection and outside single defense ability, leaving him with only 109 defensive efficiency this season, ranking 165th in the league, which can only be regarded as the upper middle level of the league.
On the offensive end, compared to the all-round Sabonis Jr., Turner in addition to the ability to shoot three-pointers, the rest of the aspects are more like a blue-collar center, the necessary blocking ability of the interior players is not a threat, and the scoring is basically dependent on teammates to "feed the cake", which is the main reason why he is not reused.
This season, although the Indiana Pacers have hired "tactical master" Carlisle to coach, the team is still performing badly, and currently has only achieved a record of 15 wins and 25 losses, ranking third from the bottom in the East. Given that the team already has an interior core Sabonis Jr., Turner is used as a chip in exchange for a high-quality rookie or first-round draft picks, and teams like the Hornets and Heat are very suitable for Turner.
7. Grant (Piston)
Season stats: 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.1 blocks
Shot 41.4 percent from the field and 33.1 percent from three-point range.
At the 2014 draft, Jeramie Grant, who was 2.03 meters tall, had an arm span of 2.20 meters and a running bounce jump of more than 100 centimeters, was not selected by the 76ers until the ninth pick in the second round because of his rough offensive skills. For the first three seasons of his career, he was always in the role of "playing soy sauce" in Philadelphia, and the only thing that impressed fans was his explosive dunk.
At the beginning of the 16-17 season, Grant was sent to the Oklahoma Thunder and began to assist the triple-double king Wei Shao, at this time Grant began to work the offensive end in order to sit in the main position of the team. In the 18-19 season, Grant averaged 13.6 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, shooting 39.2% from three-point range, making him the most consistent scorer around Westbrook and George.
In the summer of 2019, when George and Westbrook left the team, the Thunder officially entered the rebuilding period, in order to get more draft picks, they reached a deal with the Nuggets, sent Grant to denver Highlands, this season he averaged 12 points and 3.5 rebounds per game, the data is not bright enough, but the enthusiasm on the court has been recognized by the management of many teams in the league.
After the contract expired, Grant was won by "Motor City" for a three-year, $60 million middle-class contract, officially became the leader of this rotten team, with ample shooting power, Grant's average data per game stabilized at the level of 20+4. But after the Pistons signed to Cunningham with a champion, Grant suddenly became dispensable in the team, according to the Pistons reporter, there have been a number of championship teams to inquire about the price of Rand.
6. Ibaka (Clippers)
Season stats: 6.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists
Shooting 48.2 percent from the field and 41 percent from three-point range
Mention Ibaka, we have to introduce the closed needle that professional athletes fear:
The so-called closed needle is a medical solution, which is used to inject the injured part, which can play a temporary anesthesia to relieve pain and allow players to find a competitive state as soon as possible. However, the hormonal components in the drug will seriously affect the muscle explosiveness of athletes.
Prior to 2014, Ibaka from Congo was the league's uncompromising defensive champion, having won the block king for two consecutive years during the Thunder and being selected as the NBA's best defensive team for three consecutive years. However, in the playoffs, in order to help the team win, Ibaka chose to play a closed needle with an injury, and finally the Thunder defeated the powerful Spurs, but under the side effect of the closed needle, Ibaka, who is good at "air work", gradually returned to land.
In order to gain a foothold in the league, Ibaka was forced to start the transformation road, becoming a space type four, in the 18-19 season that helped the Raptors win the championship, he averaged 15 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, and his inner defensive combination with Gasol Jr. became the team's big contributor to the championship.
In the summer of 2020, Ibaka, whose contract expired, was recruited by the Clippers for two years of $18.9 million, but in the past two seasons, the predatory man has suffered frequent injuries and has experienced a sharp decline in his form on the court, gradually being replaced by Tyronn Lu.
Given that the Clippers' current center combination of Haltenstein and Zubac is working well on the court, and head coach Tyronelu trusts Batum and Little Morris's small lineup to play five, which makes Ibaka's position on the team dispensable, coupled with his current glassman physique, the Clippers have a good chance of sending him away as a chip before the trade deadline.
5. Sexton (Cavaliers)
Season stats: 16 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists
Shooting 45.3 percent from the field and 24.4 percent from three-point range
In the 2018 draft, the offensive sexton was selected by the Cavaliers with the eighth pick in the first round, and then was used as the core of the team's reconstruction, and last season, with the blessing of sufficient shooting power, he averaged 24.3 points and 4.4 assists per game, shooting 47.5%, which is a relatively good offensive backcourt player.
In stark contrast to Sexton's excellent on-court stats, the Cavaliers recorded just 22 wins and 50 losses under his leadership last season, the third-to-last poor result in the East, which also made cavaliers management question the youngster's leadership ability.
A month after the start of the season, Sexton suffered a meniscus tear in his left knee and underwent surgery, and the season was officially reimbursed. After his injury absence, the 21-year-old Garland gained more shots, averaging 19.6 points per game while contributing 7.2 assists. Under his leadership, the Cavaliers began to show their dark horse nature, successively defeating the Bulls, Heat and other eastern powerhouses, and the current team record is 22 wins and 18 losses, ranking sixth in the East.
Because Garland, who is more efficient offensively and has a better overall view, has seen an overlap in the positions of two point guards who are also 1.85 meters on the court, and there is no reason for the Cavaliers to leave a Sexton who only attacks and does not like the organization. What's more, the current Cavaliers have also got Rondo, a veteran, to use Sexton as a chip for the draft, and such a transaction plan is undoubtedly more cost-effective.
4. Simmons (76ers)
Season stats: None
As the most controversial player last summer, Simmons was publicly questioned by the team about his performance on the court, and then tore his face with the 76ers management, and the feud between the two sides has continued to this day. During this period, the 76ers were also actively seeking any deal on Simmons, but the asking price was too high, dissuading all teams interested in Simmons.
So far this season, Simmons has refused to play for the team for a single reason, which also makes the 76ers' current record of only 22 wins and 16 losses, ranking fifth in the East. The lack of one of the league's top organizational backcourts has left the 76ers' overall offense chaotic, with the league's top 10 points per game averaged last season slipping to 20th in the league.
Due to the team's record and the goal of winning the championship, the 76th most likely to put Simmons on the upcoming free market trading shelf, by lowering the chips and other ways to send him away, in exchange for an all-star level player. Judging from the current news, the Hawks, Knicks, Timberwolves and other teams are all potential next home for Simmons.
3. McCollum (Trailblazer)
Season stats: 20.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.1 steals
Shooting 42.3 percent from the field and 39.3 percent from three-point range
In the NBA league, great physical fitness is a must for being a star, but for McCollum, the default rule for fans isn't absolute. As the No. 10 show in the first round of 2013, McCollum is 1.91 meters tall, has an arm span of 1.99 meters, and does not exceed 85 centimeters in the running bounce, which is a very ordinary physical condition, but can get a stable data of 20+4+4 per game.
McCollum's best skill in the league is rhythmic jump scores, and his four-year college career in NCAA has given him a mature mindset, and his soft touch and simple playing style have made him the lowest-key top-paid player in the league. In nine seasons with Lillard, the Blazers have all reached the playoffs, with the best result being reaching the Western Conference Finals in an 18-19 season.
But too ordinary physical fitness, so that he appears to be very difficult on the defensive end, coupled with the team's core Lillard is also the same type of player, the Blazers formed a team building system very early is "attack strong and defend weak", which is difficult to go further in the playoffs that focus on defense.
So far this season, the Portland Trail Blazers have a record of just 15 wins and 24 losses, ranking 11th in the West, and already have a 4.5-win gap with the eighth-place Timberwolves in the West, and the once-playoff regular is now infinitely far away from the playoffs. The team wants to get out of the quagmire as soon as possible, and the second boss McCollum has undoubtedly become the first place to sacrifice, after all, Lillard weighs a little more in the hearts of Portland fans.
2. Wall (Rocket)
As the most embarrassing and happiest player in the league, John Wall has a maximum salary of $44.31 million this season, but he does not have to play any game for the team, and explains the true meaning of "lying down and making money" to fans with practical actions.
Wall was "put under house arrest" by the Rockets for two main reasons:
(1) The team has officially entered the reconstruction period, focusing on the cultivation of two young players from last year's chart, Jaylen Green and Porter Jr., who are good at attacking with the ball, and will compress the growth space of the two young players.
(2) Not letting Wall play is afraid that he will affect the rockets' current record of the bottom number one in the West, after all, compared to the cruel playoffs, the higher pick is their focus.
Rockets management is currently open to a John Wall deal, with multiple teams asking Houston for a deal last summer, but Wall's up-to-$47 million player options next season have deterred interested teams. According to the front reporter, if there is a suitable offer (first round pick) in the middle of the season, the Rockets will consider sending Wall away.
1. Wei Shao (Lakers)
Season stats: 19 points, 8.1 rebounds, 8.2 assists, 1.1 steals
Shooting 44.4 percent from the field and 29.8 percent from three-point range
Last summer, when Lakers general manager Pelinka learned of the opportunity to get the "triple-double king" Wei Shao, he did not consider the compatibility of the player's playing style, and directly sent three main players to take him to Los Angeles, forming a big three with James and thick eyebrows, benchmarking the Brooklyn Nets next door.
And Westbrook's career, his shooting ability has been criticized by fans, the Lakers chose this MVP with excellent overall view and low scoring efficiency, initially mainly to share the pressure of James on the offensive end. In the follow-up, because the team's salary space is limited (there is no money to pay the luxury tax), the Lakers strengthen a number of shooters, except for Anthony, who is more reliable, the rest of the embarrassment is of great use.
After the injury of the thick eyebrow brother, the Lakers' interior defensive efficiency has slipped to the bottom level of the league, Vogel's five small lineup, James's performance in the fifth position can be called MVP level, the last 11 games can average 34.2 points, 9.5 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game.
In stark contrast to James' efficient play, Wei Shao gradually lost confidence in his head basket, although there were several games to get triple-double data to play better, but when encountering a team with excellent interior defense, Wei Shao's main means of scoring on the court was to rely on a very unreliable mid-shot, and the breakthrough ability at the peak has disappeared.
According to the Lakers reporter, due to the huge salary of 44 million this season and 47 million next season, other teams in the league have no interest in trading Westbrook, if the Lakers want to send it away, they can only consider exchanging salaried players, and the current theoretically exchangeable players are: Simmons, Wall, Harden!