HardcoreHokie

Not a bad performance, all things considered (3 starters out, B2B road game, playing a hot-shooting team, etc). LaMelo: 30pts, 8 assists, 6 boards, 4 steals, only 2 turnovers, solid defense, 5/7 from three (“he can’t shoot” lol) Malik Monk: 19pts in 27 mins. 3/7 from three. Got to the hole at-will. Rozier: 20pts, 4 steals Can’t wait until next week, post ASG weekend. Should be closer to full strength and add some big bodies from the G League. Martin brothers played okay today but we shouldn’t be relying on them for that many minutes. We lacked depth bigtime today. Let’s get the next one.

I agree. We are building around LaMelo, who is 19. And by “building” I mean building for an NBA Championship. LaMelo in his prime will be that 2nd contract in 4-5 years (age 24-29). Hence, we should be focusing on core players nearest his age range to develop alongside him. I believe Monk should be one and perhaps PJ/Miles. The two young centers could also be on that list - moreso than older players like Hayward, Cody, and even Rozier. That said, future draft picks are more important to us right now than free agents older than 24. If they could acquire future 1st’s for Rozier or Hayward after this year’s playoff run, I’d be all for it.

The G-League schedule wraps up this weekend; as does NBA All-Star weekend. Sounds like we will likely see both Nick Richards and Vernon Carey Jr back on the Hornets game day roster at that point. Those two have been putting up big stats this year - and even JB himself has commented how much he’s been impressed watching them lately. Centers:  Vernon Carey Jr and Nick Richards I don’t see how Richards isn’t an immediate upgrade of Biz as the backup center behind Cody. He can do everything defensively that Biz can do but better. And he has offensive moves and shooting range that Biz couldn’t even dream about. Carey has the most upside of the two and has proven lately he can also play the 4, recently playing together with Richards on the floor. After watching those two play lately, it’s hard to imagine their addition won’t *drastically* improve our front court play (rim protection, rebounding, lob targets, and even stretch shooting from the 4/5). I’m really excited to see those two young guys playing with this up and coming young core. The Hornets are on the verge of something really special in Charlotte... 1 - LaMelo, Graham 2 - Rozier, Monk 3 - Hayward, Miles 4 - PJ, Carey Jr, Jalen 5 - Zellar, Richards, Biyombo Nick Richards highlights (Swarm) Vernon Carey Jr highlights (Swarm)

We have to keep Monk. He’s got superstar upside. Our future: 1. LaMelo 2. Monk 3. Miles 4. PJ 5. Carey/Richards (and Free Agency) Graham, Rozier, and Hayward are great right now, but I view them as legit trade pieces on a rebuilding team. Hornets can compete for a championship in 4-5 years if they build (and upgrade) around this core. Focus less on playoffs 2021 and more on championship 2025.

Leaving voicemails with offers You know we’re one of them, and I’m okay with it...

DeSean Watson is a three-time Pro Bowler at age 25. He could very realistically be the Panthers’ starter for the next 12+ years (3 contracts). We would have a *decade* to surround him with talent. Sell the farm, make it happen and bring DeSean home. This scenario has never happened in NFL history, you do what you have to. Franchise Changer.

“In return for Watson, the Panthers would have to give up McCaffrey, Bridgewater, their first- and second-round picks in the 2021 draft (8 and 39), a first-round pick in 2022 and a third-round pick in 2023.” I honestly don’t think that is even close to getting it done. Bridgewater is not attractive at all, and CMC’s value is overrated by Panthers fans (because of that contract). And only two first’s and no Burns. Not even remotely close, IMO.

I’d dangle CMC and Moore all day, but the rookie deals is what they’re going to value the most. That’s what makes Burns, Brown, and Chinn so valuable. Everyone loves CMC but I doubt a rebuilding franchise values a $64million running back that high.

Agreed. Miami has two 1st’s and two 2nd’s *this year* plus Tua and plenty of young defensive studs. If Miami is bidding against us...Brian Burns and/or Jeremy Chinn will have to be included. And I doubt a $64 million RB is high on Houston’s list. Just saying.

Three firsts, Derrick Brown, Donte Jackson, Teddy Bridgewater. Does that get it done? Draft a QB at #8 and TB is your bridge this year. Two second year stars on defense (but not BB/JC). I feel like that’s our starting point.

33 year old Stafford went for two firsts, a second, and Jared Goff. 25 year old Desean Watson is gonna require ALOT more than that. I love Brian Burns and Jeremy Chinn as much as anyone on this board. But reality is we’re likely gonna have to part ways with one for Watson deal to happen. I’m not even sure Houston is interested in a $64 million RB if they are rebuilding. And in that case, perhaps BOTH of Chinn/Brown and Burns would need to be included. Regardless, the only way we can compete for Desean is giving up young stars. Make it happen Tepper.

Oklahoma: Baker Mayfield, Jalen Hurts, Kyler Murray. All current NFL starters. Spencer Rattler will join them next year. Landry Jones a recent NFL starter. And Sam Bradford went #1 overall in 2010. (That’s three #1 overall QB’s from one school in 10 years) No school can top that recent history.

Oklahoma?

Deshaun can’t just demand a certain team and it comes true. The team has plenty of leverage...the trading teams just use that no trade clause to their advantage. Total hypothetical: Jeremy Chinn, DJ Moore, Derrick Brown, #8 this year, and next year’s #1. For Deshaun Watson. Whoa! (Didn’t even include Burns or CMC). If the Texans don’t drool over that offer immediately, I don’t know what they’re thinking. They’d tell Deshaun “we have a suiter in Carolina and we want you to approve it...there will be no other options moving forward.” Deshaun would be in Charlotte the next day. So enough with the “we have zero shot, it’s impossible” posts. We can get Deshaun, we just have to give up some good players in return.

I believe this is the type of offer it would take for Carolina. Miami can offer Tua on a rookie deal with 4 years left...and two firsts *this year* Future firsts (potential misses) are not anywhere as appealing as proven stars on rookie deals. People use the term “draft capital” all the time and it makes me laugh. Why would a potential #20 overall pick in 2022 be anywhere close to the value of a Derrick Brown or a Jeremy Chinn? If you want the superstar badly enough and you’re the underdog to get him...you make the biggest offer and eat it. Deshaun will have the option to approve or disapprove it but the Texans do too.

When did the Panthers make the mistake of trading for a superstar quarterback?

We drafted Cam in 2011. In 25 years as an organization we have had one elite young quarterback. You wanna wait another 20 or deal some players and pics to ensure it?

How many years will it take us to find an “in his prime” Top-2 quarterback. WR is overrated anyway. Robbie at #1 with DJ at #2 and CMC in the slot is an embarrassment of riches. But our quarterback sucks. If they want to include DJ in a Watson deal...I throw that card on the table without even thinking.

One other thing people aren’t talking about...the NFL is clearly starting to mimic the NBA. Superstars can go where they want now. And superstars attract other superstars. You trade for Deshaun, renegotiate that contract, and then next thing you know his friends (Hopkins, Watt, etc) want to play with him again. This is the new NFL. If a Lebron/Harden/Durant shows you love...you go ALL-IN and figure the details out later.

I don’t understand why so many people are saying this. Deshaun Watson is a Top-3 quarterback not even in his prime. DJ Moore is easily replaceable in the draft (even mid—round)...and is about to demand elite WR money. Burns is our most valuable asset, but to get an elite quarterback he is more than expendable. Hell, I’d trade both of them and next year’s first if they’d agree to take Teddy’s contract back. But I don’t think they’d do it without this year’s #8. For this particular player in this particular instance, I’m fine with selling the farm and trusting that our coaches can hit in the later rounds and free agency.