This seems like hindsight bias. He had a very disappointing rookie season but he was still one year removed from being the no. 1 pick. People were skeptical but I think the expectation was he'd still be a productive player even if he didn't reach his perceived upside.
Bennett had a horrible rookie season. I don't think he even played as well as Kwame Brown did his rookie season.
Yes this is how I recall it too. He had zero trade value after his rookie year. This was a kid who was expecting to go 5-6th in one of the worst drafts ever......he had little trade value BEFORE his rookie season to begin with. In a normal draft he was a borderline lottery pick.
It isn't hindsight bias, Bennett was regarded dubiously when Grant wasted the #1 pick on him, and he had an historically bad rookie year. His trade value was pretty much nil at the time. He was a 6'7" PF that lacked the quickness and shooting range that makes guys like Dre' Green successful.
Drugs.
The Candy Man was a bust, but he came close to averaging a double double several years for the Clips. Bennett is on his fourth team in four years, was out of the league for a while and is getting DNP-CDs for the woeful Nets.
Through 4 years, there is a decent argument for Olowakandi being worse, other close calls in NBA are Kwame Brown and LaRue Martin) Martin only played 4 years, so he's the frontrunner to me.
FTR, my vote for Olowokandi is based on 3 likely HOFers being drafted after him. Bennett is a worse player but was in a poor draft. Although that draft looks like it's getting better as the years go on.
Injury. Anthony Bennett stayed healthy, had no substance abuse, and had zero trade value at the end of his first year. I'm my sure anyone else did the same.
I was specifically noting him in comparison to Matt Bush. But your point is valid
It's all good. This is a fun discussion and Taylor is a definite candidate depending on how you look at it.
Are we sure the price is high? Or that he's a rental? Or that he puts Boston nowhere near beating Cleveland?
Yes, not to mention that the Raptors are likely in on him as well. I would definitely kick the tires on Millsap.
What would you give up? Smart and a future BOS 1st? Does that get it done?
I mean, he's right but this will obviously not make one iota of a difference. Dude is signed through 2020.
Sure, him or one of the Brooklyn picks. Would you give any of that up for a rental and the upper hand in signing a 31 year old to a max deal? I would not.
There's no way the Hawks get anything close to the value of Brown or a Brooklyn pick for Millsap.
What if the deal were contingent on Millsap opting into the final year of his contract for $21.5 M next season? Would that change the calculus?
IMO its far and away better than the ATL lineup
I agree it's better. I just think it can be a decent conversation about how much better and whether or not it's enough to say, take Cleveland to 6 or 7 games.
Think of it this way. The Cs, as currently constructed, just gave Cleveland a really tough game on their home floor. Add Millsap without depleting their depth and their defensive anchors and you have a team that can push the Cavs and even Golden State.
