Kings interested in Hezonja? (merged)

#3
Hezonja is a 22 yearold 6'8 SF/PF who was formerly the #5 pick. He's been a disappointment for Orlando. The only thing he can do is shoot, but when he doesn't make them, he offers nothing else on the floor. He started off at SG, but he was way too slow to be able to defend anyone. At SF, he's been a liability there too. Defense is a big minus for him. On offense, he can't handle the ball. Hezonja has questionable IQ.

I'd be ok with a low-risk trade. The reason why Orlando wants to trade him is because they're leaning towards NOT picking up his 4th year option. He's done nothing in the NBA to show that he belongs.
 
#7
No. If I'm trading Malichi, I would want a legit small forward or a scoring big man.

The Kings needs a legit scoring threat down low, the role ZBo was supposed to fill.

Malichi and a 2nd round pick for Jahil Okafor would be good.
 
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#9
No. If I'm trading Malichi, I would want a legit small forward or a scoring big man.

The Kings needs a legit scoring threat down low, the role ZBo was supposed to fill.

Malichi and a 2nd round pick for Jahil Okafor would be good.
I'm all for that trade. Okafor isn't a good defender but at least he can score and get rebounds. Right now we are 28th in ppg and 27th in total rebound percentage.
 
#10
I guess. I mean Hezonja is still young and he's probably more of a SF than Malachi is so it balances our roster a little. I'm not sure Mario is worth more than Malachi though so I don't know why we would need to add anything. Seems like a straight swap would be fair value to me.
 
#11
This is very similar to the Derrick Williams trade a few years back. I still believe in hezonjas talent to be a quality starter and he's only 22. Buy low opportunities like this are never wrong for bad teams like us
 

Capt. Factorial

trifolium contra tempestatem subrigere certum est
Staff member
#12
I'm all for that trade. Okafor isn't a good defender but at least he can score and get rebounds. Right now we are 28th in ppg and 27th in total rebound percentage.
Actually, Okafor's career rebounding numbers are 8.2 per-36. Cauley-Stein's are 8.8 per-36. So if we're complaining about Willie's rebounding...
 
#13
I guess. I mean Hezonja is still young and he's probably more of a SF than Malachi is so it balances our roster a little. I'm not sure Mario is worth more than Malachi though so I don't know why we would need to add anything. Seems like a straight swap would be fair value to me.
That is a good point about balancing out our roster.

Hezonja may be worth a look, if we strike out with trying to acquire someone like Jahil Okafor.

I think talent wise, they are pretty equal, but Hezonja is more capable of playing small forward than Malichi. Peja may be able to show him a trick or two to maximize his potential.
 
#14
No for me. I really like Malachi's potential but he isnt getting minutes to develop given our investment in Hield, Bog and the number of guards we have.

No doubt Vlade would have Hezonja on his radar though given his international play and euro experience with Barcelona.

We'll grab him soon i feel, its just a matter of time.

We're building a strong euro flavour, the long term play is Porzingis from which point we will be championship caliber
 
#15
Bodgan, Mario and then Luka in the next draft. Ex Yugo in the making.

Hezonja got talent, he deserves a second chance, in Sacto or somewhere else. Maybe it doesn't work, he's not a already made player like Bogdan. For the right price we can try, I wouldn't be mad for that trade.
 
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bajaden

Hall of Famer
#16
Actually, Okafor's career rebounding numbers are 8.2 per-36. Cauley-Stein's are 8.8 per-36. So if we're complaining about Willie's rebounding...
You beat me to it. The grass always looks greener. Besides, if were going to play a high post offense, then why do we need someone that is worthless away from the basket, and who can't defend his shadow. I can understand the Hezonja move. He's more of a legit SF, and he's still young. In a sense, both he and Malachi are unproven players. This would be more of trade about fit than anything else.
 
#19
Hezonja may be taller than Malachi , but a bit shorter reach, regardless I would welcome the trade. No knock on either player, I did like Hezonja as a draft prospect, but mostly feel both players may have a better opportunity if they switched teams.
 
#20
Didn't the Kings really want Mario during the draft as well? I rather just wait to make a trade when Hill's contract is able to be moved and throw in a Richardson/whatever to try land a quality player who is not over 30.
 

Capt. Factorial

trifolium contra tempestatem subrigere certum est
Staff member
#23
Now we can chase him later if we want to & give up nothing.
Well, next offseason. But if Orlando isn't willing to pay him a bit over $5M in today's NBA, it would seem unlikely that they think he can crack a rotation, and they've seen more of him than we have.

Anyway, I think that if we were looking at him, it was in terms of plugging our hole at SF this year without giving up much in terms of youth. Next year, there's the draft and then a full free agent market - I imagine Hezonja is probably about Option Q in that scenario.
 
#24
Well, next offseason. But if Orlando isn't willing to pay him a bit over $5M in today's NBA, it would seem unlikely that they think he can crack a rotation, and they've seen more of him than we have.

Anyway, I think that if we were looking at him, it was in terms of plugging our hole at SF this year without giving up much in terms of youth. Next year, there's the draft and then a full free agent market - I imagine Hezonja is probably about Option Q in that scenario.
Vlade did well here if you ask me. Sure we may be a tad interested, but like you said will take some stars to align and cost less than 5 million next year.

Protected some assets.

Bet Orlando wouldn't make the move without the second, and Vlade properly said no. I'd of been tempted though out of positional need and Mario's size. But now that nothing has happened, why give up and asset?
 
#25
Bodgan, Mario and then Luka in the next draft. Ex Yugo in the making.

Hezonja got talent, he deserves a second chance, in Sacto or somewhere else. Maybe it doesn't work, he's not a already made player like Bogdan. For the right price we can try, I wouldn't be mad for that trade.
I unfortunately bought into the Hezonja draft hype. I knew he couldn't play defense, but his offense looked really promising. I wonder if his attitude is still a problem? He's gotten taller and slower... maybe he can be a Jason Kapono type player but not as good of a shooter? If he doesn't start making his 3s in the NBA, he'll be out of the league after his 2nd contract.

Well, next offseason. But if Orlando isn't willing to pay him a bit over $5M in today's NBA, it would seem unlikely that they think he can crack a rotation, and they've seen more of him than we have.

Anyway, I think that if we were looking at him, it was in terms of plugging our hole at SF this year without giving up much in terms of youth. Next year, there's the draft and then a full free agent market - I imagine Hezonja is probably about Option Q in that scenario.
Orlando also has to resign Aaron Gordon who'll probably get a max. Elfrid Payton will also be a FA...but I'll be appalled if they offer him anything more than 8mpy...but then again, this is the same team that did give DJ Augustin 7mpy.
 
#26
Here's what happened 2 years ago

Hezonja has been introduced to former NBA marksman Peja Stojakovic, who will serve as Hezonja's acting NBA mentor. But when approached with the possibility of nurturing Hezonja, Stojakovic initially declined.

"He is cocky. He isn't worth the investment."

Stojakovic traveled to Barcelona multiple times to see Hezonja and eventually changed his view.

"Mario is cocky, but it's a good cocky," Stojakovic said. "He needs that kind of swagger and mental toughness to survive in the NBA. Otherwise, the league would eat him."
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...ect-mario-hezonja-europes-kobe-bryant-wannabe
 

kingsboi

Hall of Famer
#27
I mean this would only be a lateral move, if the Kings were to trade Malachi or any of the youth, the idea is to make the team better overall. This would do nothing IMO.
 
#28
I would make a move for Okafor. 3 years younger than WCS and already better than him.

That's a no brainer. Okafor came into the season in the best shape of his career. He's terrible defensively, but maybe he can become at least average. You never know with a change of environment. It's not like we have a glut of bigs who can score and rebound. From what i see, no one consistently.

Koufas is an average rebounder, terrible offense
WCS: Starting to show his true colors again. Stoned.
Skal: Developing
Giles: TBD

So, who doesn't want Okafor?
 
#29
I would make a move for Okafor. 3 years younger than WCS and already better than him.

That's a no brainer. Okafor came into the season in the best shape of his career. He's terrible defensively, but maybe he can become at least average. You never know with a change of environment. It's not like we have a glut of bigs who can score and rebound. From what i see, no one consistently.

Koufas is an average rebounder, terrible offense
WCS: Starting to show his true colors again. Stoned.
Skal: Developing
Giles: TBD

So, who doesn't want Okafor?
This. WCS provides absolutely nothing on a team beginning a rebuild. Skal has ridiculous amounts of potential as a scoring big but has 0 offensive IQ and a is no where close to having the defensive IQ to makeup for being too physically weak to compete in the post. Jah is 3 years younger than Willie and actually has a redeemable quality with a top tier low post offensive game. Skal's potential is great but, again, he doesn't have a redeemable trait at this point. Jah at least provides some consistency in some aspect of game. He'd immediately be the best player on this team, is the same age as Skal and has a (relatively) ridiculously low trade value. I'm all in on the Jah train.
 
#30
I would make a move for Okafor. 3 years younger than WCS and already better than him.

That's a no brainer. Okafor came into the season in the best shape of his career. He's terrible defensively, but maybe he can become at least average. You never know with a change of environment. It's not like we have a glut of bigs who can score and rebound. From what i see, no one consistently.

Koufas is an average rebounder, terrible offense
WCS: Starting to show his true colors again. Stoned.
Skal: Developing
Giles: TBD

So, who doesn't want Okafor?
Okafor's birthday is Dec 15. Willies is Aug 18. So actually the age difference is two years. Willie plays defense Okafor does not.

I don't give up any young talent or Picks for Okafor. Now if he is still available on Dec 15 then I may think about moving a vet for him. I think he gets bought out and plays for a contender like Boston or the Spurs.