Franz Wagner and Paolo both thrive without one another and Franz is so clearly a star in the NBA. I think its a messy fit here and Jabari doesn't bring the same challenges. I also still believe in Paolo being an MVP level player if he hits his peak. I think his upside is still incredible and injuries have slowed him down. Its a big risk, but if you have a chance at a potential top 15 player as a depreciated asset, I think you take it.
His game pisses me off. A 7 footer 265lbs of lean muscle who just wants to do fadeaway contested jumpshots. Get that carmelo out of your system dawg
Don't slide the FGAs down to 120. Paolo is still the worst. Hemingway will call you biased due to who is at 2. The Rockets' other non-shooter is 4th.
I consider Keith Smith generally a fair talent evaluator (i.e., he's not the best, but he's not a hot take guy either). I don't know if Paolo will be worth the 25% max extension or not. My guess is probably not, but his foul drawing ability and ability to generate good looks gives him a chance. The assumption that Paolo is already great just baffles me. He has not shown he's worth 25% currently. I expected it in year 1. I've seen more of Paolo truthers start to use the future tense more often in describing Paolo's greatness or blaming the system, lately, but tweets like this still pop up. I think it is fair to say Paolo is still overrated by most for current ability.
Keith Smith says in his own tweet: 'there are things he can do to get to the next level'. That's kind of the issue with expectations of a large contract, is that the contract is paying him as if he's at that next level already. There cap is tied up in Paolo, Bane and Franz. Say Thunder can't afford to keep a Cason Wallace, if a team like the Magic overpay on existing guys, then they won't be in the running to bid for some these other talents.
