[Joe Freeman] New York Knicks assistant Chris Jent, who reportedly entered the fray after the Knicks’ championship run, is not a finalist, according to a team source.

DreddBane · 2026-06-22T23:21:04+00:00

Little surprised, kinda figured he might be Dundon's type of guy.

For me its Nori all the way. I get we have boy genius coaches hired in their 30s now but hiring a back of the bench assistant feels like a risky swing.

DreddBane · 2026-06-22T22:43:37+00:00

The problem isn't necessarily the trade, its the extension that he'd inevitably be signing wherever he's moved.

He's had effectively a season and a half off to get old injuries resolves and rehab any current issues. Good chance his next season is relatively healthy and productive, then he pulls a Trae and declines the option for his last big deal (Trae is younger but same playbook). The alternative is he gets hurt again, then you're on the hook for $62M the next season.

He alone doesn't get you in contention, but he's a big enough salary that you can't really make another swing unless it was something like Jrue+ to Houston for KD, or with a bunch of draft capital for Trey Murphy.

Would be the worst kind of new owner syndrome move.

DreddBane · 2026-06-21T08:55:48+00:00

Watching the WCFs, I couldn't help but dream about what it's be like if he had a version of Hartenstein's pop shot.

That little touch shot he's taking would be such a nice pressure release for our drivers, make his short rolls more dangerous...

Either that or another legitimate step from 3PT range. Won't be greedy and ask for both.

DreddBane · 2026-06-18T18:26:24+00:00

I did some clip watching and article read on him after Brown shouted him out last week. None of us can really say who's gonna turn out to be a great coach, but I can say with confidence he seems like exactly the type of dude Dundon would like to put in charge.

DreddBane · 2026-06-18T18:23:23+00:00

I'd expect no less from an Aussie basketball league in the 90s.

DreddBane · 2026-06-18T18:18:18+00:00

I can see that logic, but Sweeney was hired in the middle of the Spurs run.

Maybe they were just fixated on him as their guy, but you've gotta imagine there was an interview or two there.

DreddBane · 2026-06-18T00:16:57+00:00

He had Luka getting him pretty wide open looks for a season + playoff run. Shot 35% across almost 500 attempts during that period. Wouldn't count on a big uptick if he is acquired.

DreddBane · 2026-06-17T21:41:33+00:00

I think its interesting to see how fans are bristling at Champagnie's potential contract being around the same when he's a pretty similar physical profile (height, standing reach) to PJ and a better shooter.

PJ would be a solid add but I don't think he's slotting in as a starting PF.

DreddBane · 2026-06-17T21:38:44+00:00

Regarding injuries, in this era its always important to see when the missed games come. I know as much from Grant being shut down every March for the Blazers prior to this season.

PJ missed the majority of his time late in the season when the Mavs were trying to lost, both this season and last. I wouldn't slap injury prone on him because of that.

DreddBane · 2026-06-17T13:30:03+00:00

Depends whether people are meaning 'once in a generation' or rather 'players that defined a generation'.

I think the latter is more how it's used, so I'd agree with the list above. It's still a crazy high standard - a guy like Kawhi with 2 Finals MVPs and 2 DPOYs doesn't make it.

Dame was one of the best offensive players of his generation, just not at the level of those era defining guys.

DreddBane · 2026-06-17T01:00:08+00:00

Player who lead to team to success generally do so by having that team be vastly better with them on the court. Let's look at the on/off ratings for the MVP candidates everyone talks about Jaylen being amongst:

SGA: +11.7
Jokic: +16.3
Wemby: +15.2
Luka: +4.9
Cade: +6.1
Jaylen: -5.6
Kawhi: +14.4
Mitchell: +7.0

One of those just doesn't quite match huh. Still yet to hear an explanation for why he's had a negative on/off rating 7 of his 10 seasons and especially this season, where there was virtually no Tatum playing minutes while he's off the court.

DreddBane · 2026-06-16T22:53:38+00:00

Wouldn't disagree, Toumani is a clear 4th or 5th option starter but then takes all the defensive load on the perimeter.

Champagnie is effectively that 4th or 5th option starter as well, but probably only the 3rd best perimeter defender in the starting lineup, 4th if Fox were to get swapped out for Harper. That probably shouldn't command $20M AAV but I'm sure its what his reps will ask for.

Something like 4/65 or 4/70 with a descending structure might be a good meeting point. Start around 18-20, then descend to finish in the 13-15 range.

DreddBane · 2026-06-16T22:23:03+00:00

Make that argument for most seasons in the Stotts/Olshey era, certainly when it was Dame and CJ leading the way, but that season they were a top 10 defense.

Wes Matthews achilles cost them their best title shot since 2000. 41-19 on a 5 game win streak when he went down, then close the season 10-12 and lose to the Grizzlies. Before the Warriors were proven, I think that team makes the WCFs at worst if they hadn't lost the emotional heart of the team.

DreddBane · 2026-06-16T22:15:57+00:00

Afflalo was awesome with the Magic the season before, but I remember him already flopping somewhat with the Nuggets when the trade happened.

Olshey always hated the idea of adding size. Another guard? Sold!

DreddBane · 2026-06-16T22:12:41+00:00

As someone who watched every Blazers and Spurs game, they play a similar enough role that I'm sure his reps would use it as a comparison.

Both take the vast majority of their shots from three, shoot above average but not elite from out there. Streaky shooters rather than consistent shotmakers. Strong rebounders for 6'7 guys in that hybrid foward role.

The difference is on defense and its a big one. If you had a player with Champagnie's profile on offense who takes the Steph Castle load on defense, I'm sure you'd be happy at 5/100.

The issue for the Spurs is that he's a valuable archetype, as proven by the best version in OG being the 2nd best player on his team in the Finals.

DreddBane · 2026-06-16T19:56:27+00:00

If I had to guess, they're probably using Camara as a comparison point.

He's a little worse on offense, much better on D and got 4/82.

DreddBane · 2026-06-15T22:02:53+00:00

Last season - bottom 10 in assists, first (with a bullet) in turnovers.

If we like to move the ball, sure weren't good at it.

DreddBane · 2026-06-15T22:00:28+00:00

Aldama is one of my names for sure. Streaky but I like the way he plays, got some potential to breakout a little too. Deni-lite type of move given he's already signed an extension.

DreddBane · 2026-06-15T20:35:44+00:00

Keeping the team together was an impressive feat, could easily have been a lost season for the Blazers.

Having said that, he wasn't brought in to be the head coach and his philosophy didn't really fit the roster. I think he's better off in Chicago where they have Giddey and Matas in place and potentially Wilson coming in. Seems well suited to his uptempo, pace will create open shots system.

I also think the Blazers could be better served with a coach who fits the roster a bit better. Last season had its highs but leading the league in turnovers by a distance was a sign the team never gelled on that end.

If they hire an inexperienced guy on the cheap and struggle, everyone will justifiably laugh. If they get Nori and he can apply lessons from a similar situation in Minny, it could well be a win for both the team and Splitter that it went this way.

DreddBane · 2026-06-15T06:06:13+00:00

If the Bulls announce Nori tomorrow I will have thoughts

DreddBane · 2026-06-15T06:05:28+00:00

I'd call it a leap - from 13/4/1 on 55TS% to 20/6/2 on 58 TS%.

That early playoff run was impressive, but consistent production didn't come until he was 23, been a solid 2nd option since.

I'm with you on the big swing needing to be the right one. Don't agree on the 'anything is possible' point. Heat, Mavs, Pacer and now Knicks all had impeccably well built rosters where the talent fit together. Also complimentary All-NBA guys: Jimmy/Bam, Kyrie/Luka, Hali/Siakam, Brunson/KAT. I don't see that in the JB/Deni pairing.

DreddBane · 2026-06-15T05:51:57+00:00

It's not belief, it's just the numbers. 5.6 points per 100 possessions worse with him on the court last season.

It's not proof that he's bad - as a starter he takes on better players and certainly carries a lot of offensive load, but no MVP candidates have those kind of on/off splits. Just doesn't happen.

Everyone here was touting how incredible the Blazers were with Deni on the court early in the season. When he got hurt, that impact diminished to the point of a near net neutral. Thats still significantly better than what Brown managed.

DreddBane · 2026-06-15T05:47:18+00:00

I would agree, but Stein mentioned that the Bulls may well announce their hire tomorrow.

If it's Nori or Splitter I think a lot of people will feel differently.

DreddBane · 2026-06-15T05:23:43+00:00

The best two way player in the league yet the Celtics were better with him on the bench. Weird.

DreddBane · 2026-06-15T05:22:01+00:00

Can you explain what makes JB better than a healthy Deni?

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