On September 5, Beijing time, the NBA continued to be in the offseason. The most exciting news in the league recently is that Mitchell joined the Cavaliers, instantly making the competition in the East more intense. However, the Knicks and Hornets teams were initially rumored to be interested in Mitchell, but no deal was reached.
It was reported that Hornets guard Ramello Bauer was unhappy with the team's inaction in the offseason and eager to join a team that had the strength to compete for the championship, but the Hornets did not respond to this.
The US media suggested that the Rockets could take the opportunity to pursue Ball, and gave a deal plan, specifically the Rockets sent Jabari Smith Jr., Kevin Porter Jr., Taitai Washington, the 2023 Bucks first-round pick, the 2024 Nets first-round pick and the 2026 Nets first-round picks, from the Hornets to Lamelo Ball and PJ-Washington. As for how this transaction is, let's briefly analyze it.
First look at the Hornets side, the team has not been able to enter the playoffs after the 15-16 season, indicating that there is a problem in the team's team building ideas, in order to achieve good results, the pendulum may be a better choice, coupled with next year's popular new star Wen Ban Yama to participate in the draft, the management can completely fight.
Smith Jr. is this year's flower show, and although the summer league performance is not as good as The Bancello and Chet, it also shows good potential and strength, especially on the defensive end, which is crucial for the Hornets who are strong and weak. After Harrell left the team, Smith Jr. was perfectly capable of being the starting big forward.
The arrival of Porter Jr. and Washington could fill the gap in Ball's departure as a point guard, the former excelling in offense and being the youngest Mr. 50 pointer. The latter showed a talent for organisation in the summer league, with a cool head and a good at combing the team's attack.
Looking at the Rockets side, although the team is very optimistic about the backcourt twins of Porter Jr. and Green, the two did not have a good chemical reaction, but the record was even better when they led the team alone. Green scored more than thirty consecutive games late in the season, and the arrival of super point guard Ball will certainly make Green more comfortable.
Ball, 21, was selected by the Hornets with the 3rd pick in the first round of 2020, was named Best Rookie in his first season, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. Last season, he made 75 appearances for the team, averaging 20.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, 7.6 assists and 1.6 steals per game, shooting 42.9% from the field and 38.9% from three-point range, all of which reached new highs.
As one of the representatives of the new generation of point guards, Ball's style of play is very gorgeous, the field has a wide field of vision, and often delivers unexpected passes. At the same time, he has a height of 2 meters 01, which can be described as a height and arm length, and can also bring pressure to opponents on the defensive end.
Washington, 24, was selected by the Hornets with the 12th pick in the first round of 2019 and made 65 appearances for the team last season, averaging 10.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game, shooting 47 percent from the field and 36.5 percent from three-point range. Players have excellent physical fitness and athleticism, and can help the team at both the offensive and defensive ends.
The arrival of Ball and Washington has greatly improved the strength and depth of the team. The Rockets can drain a new starter from Green + Bauer + Sagu + Tate + Ethan, plus the likes of Gordon, Matthews and Martin Jr., and the team has every hope of impacting the playoffs.
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