What is Hickson's ceiling?

[Divide Et Impera]

Assuming that this trade goes down, what is Hickson's ceiling? Is he Marcus Haislip? Is he Chris Wilcox? Is he Shawn Kemp?

Mind you, I'm trying to figure out if he's a burn-out (ie, Haislip), a career role player (ie, Wilcox) or an All-Star (ie, Kemp). It would appear that he has already exceeded Haislip by quite a margin, so where does he fall as it relates to a Wilcox or a Kemp?

I literally know nothing about this guy or his style of play....

 

[TBaslim]

I'm not sure either - depends greatly on whom you listen to, and how far back you use his play to grade him.

Cavs fans rate him highly (probably far too high) - they would place him in the Kemp category. They pimp his recent strong play in the last few weeks a lot.

Others rate him as a better Wilcox. Capable, athletic, still learning, but not a clear super-stud.

Still others can't stand him and think he's a career backup - Mark Blount Jr.

I have to trust the Suns talent staff if they really want him over someone like Beasley. They have a good eye in general, assuming there is no meddling influence by Sarver on this one.

 

[elindholm]

Paul Millsap.

 

[TBaslim]

Paul Millsap.

Seems about right, again assuming the Suns staff likes what they see.

General comments about him are favorable, they just vary a fair amount in what he can become.

I assume the thinking is he could, with some more growth and playing with Nash, give 1/2 to 3/4's Amare's production at a fraction of the price. Similar to the Boozer/Millsap situation in some ways.

Or he could be a career bench player, looking good cause he plays a small role on a championship contender.

We might find out soon enough...

 

[Yuma]

I know this doesn't answer the question, but I think the question is more, how will he play in our system. For example, most NBA people would have put Channing Frye in the burn out category, and he's playing great under the Suns system. How will Hickson play under the Suns system?

 

[Covert Rain]

Paul Millsap.

Agreed. He is no pre-troubled...Shawn Kemp.

 

[slinslin]

Paul Millsap is way too generous.

I'd say Chris Wilcox but less athletic..

 

[82CardsGrad]

I know this doesn't answer the question, but I think the question is more, how will he play in our system. For example, most NBA people would have put Channing Frye in the burn out category, and he's playing great under the Suns system. How will Hickson play under the Suns system?

"Great"?? Totally off-topic but couldn't let that go... Seriously dude??? Great??

 

[Griffin]

I have to trust the Suns talent staff if they really want him over someone like Beasley. They have a good eye in general, assuming there is no meddling influence by Sarver on this one.

But that's a big assumption. Reports suggest that Sarver may be pushing for this deal as opposed to better offers simply because it stands to save the Suns the most money. Kerr can talk about how much the Suns wanted Hickson if the deal gets done, but in truth they already passed on him once, and for all we know, they didn't want him at all and only wanted the ability to buy-out Ilgauskas.

From a Wojnarowski's column (take it for what it's worth):

If there’s one trade offer that would be likeliest to usurp the Cavs’ proposal, it would be the Philadelphia 76ers softening on their stance that they won’t include Andre Iguodala(notes) with Sam Dalembert in a package for Stoudemire and Leandro Barbosa(notes). The Suns had been receptive to that deal, despite the belief of some in the league that Phoenix owner Robert Sarver doesn’t want to take on future contracts, just shed them.

Most believe Sarver, who has had financial turmoil, is driving the Cavaliers’ scenario because a buyout of Ilgauskas’ $11.5 million expiring contract could get the Suns under the luxury-tax threshold.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-stoudemiresuns021410&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

 

[elindholm]

If the Cavaliers deal goes through as rumored, the Suns are trimming about $4 million from their payroll anyway. Ilgauskas isn't going to take a buyout for much less than he's owed, so why not keep him through this year? He can't run, but he can shoot and rebound, and the Suns will be woefully short of big men.

A buyout would save no more than $1 million and Ilgauskas could add at least a couple of wins. I understand Sarver's need to penny-pinch, but this would really seem extreme.

 

[Yuma]

"Great"?? Totally off-topic but couldn't let that go... Seriously dude??? Great??

I've never posted anything about Frye. What do you mean I have to let it go? It's not like I come on here every day and talk about Frye. Listen, objectively, most NBA analysts had Frye as underachiever not long playing in the NBA. Obviously the Suns saw something there because no one knew he could shoot 3's like he's doing. Replace the word Great with Good. There are you happy!

PS. Flame someone else next time!

 

[Yuma]

If the Cavaliers deal goes through as rumored, the Suns are trimming about $4 million from their payroll anyway. Ilgauskas isn't going to take a buyout for much less than he's owed, so why not keep him through this year? He can't run, but he can shoot and rebound, and the Suns will be woefully short of big men.

A buyout would save no more than $1 million and Ilgauskas could add at least a couple of wins. I understand Sarver's need to penny-pinch, but this would really seem extreme.

I was thinking he would be good for situational substitutions at the end of games AND he could teach Lopez how to play center in the NBA.

 

[82CardsGrad]

I've never posted anything about Frye. What do you mean I have to let it go? It's not like I come on here every day and talk about Frye. Listen, objectively, most NBA analysts had Frye as underachiever not long playing in the NBA. Obviously the Suns saw something there because no one knew he could shoot 3's like he's doing. Replace the word Great with Good. There are you happy!

PS. Flame someone else next time!

Lighten up Yuma... My post was not anywhere near a "flame"... Geeez....

Frye has been a surprise from behind the arc. IMO, having a center be your main 3-point threat does squat for a team. But that's just me...

Carry on....

 

[TucsonDevil]

Let's just say that Hickson is equal to a 'pre-troubled Kemp'. Who would you rather have, Pretroubled Kemp potential or Amare?

My point is, even the best scenario still isn't good. If the Suns' FO is only able to muster JJ Hickson and a buyout center for a 3-time All-NBA (1 1st, and 2 2nd) player, fans should go crazy. Amare has his issues, but he is a proven commodity.

Might I suggest to Steve Kerr and Robert Sarver the following:
www.karrass.com

 

[slinslin]

I was thinking he would be good for situational substitutions at the end of games AND he could teach Lopez how to play center in the NBA.

yeah sorry but Ilgauskas isn't exactly the teacher I'd want for Robin.

 

[Yuma]

Still, aside from the Frye thing 82 got off target from what I really asked, is how can we know what his ceiling is without knowing how he would fit into our system. Is he a runner? Can he switch defend like the Suns like to do? Does he have a mid range jumper? Can he play low post offense? Can he pick and roll with Nash? Guys can say how he's playing on the Cavs right now, and make comparative guesses, but I think we have to guess upside of how he will play in our system.

 

[Yuma]

Also, people want us to get a high draft pick, which Hickson was, and to rebuild the Suns. Hickson is a young PF that we are missing from a young lineup. Ideally we would have a future young starting 5 if we added Hickson. I can see what the Suns are TRYING to do.

 

[Yuma]

yeah sorry but Ilgauskas isn't exactly the teacher I'd want for Robin.

Back in the day, before injuries, he was a pretty good low post defender. Plus he doesn't have off court issues. So why would he be bad for Lopez?

 

[slinslin]

Also, people want us to get a high draft pick, which Hickson was, and to rebuild the Suns. Hickson is a young PF that we are missing from a young lineup. Ideally we would have a future young starting 5 if we added Hickson. I can see what the Suns are TRYING to do.

Please, Hickson wasn't a high draft pick.

He is shooting 27% if you exclude open layups.

 

[SunsTzu]

If the Cavaliers deal goes through as rumored, the Suns are trimming about $4 million from their payroll anyway. Ilgauskas isn't going to take a buyout for much less than he's owed, so why not keep him through this year? He can't run, but he can shoot and rebound, and the Suns will be woefully short of big men.

A buyout would save no more than $1 million and Ilgauskas could add at least a couple of wins. I understand Sarver's need to penny-pinch, but this would really seem extreme.

He would refuse to play or report to the Suns and I'm sure the Cavs are sending cash as part of the trade for the purposes of a buyout.

 

[slinslin]

Back in the day, before injuries, he was a pretty good low post defender. Plus he doesn't have off court issues. So why would he be bad for Lopez?

Because he has always been a soft finesse center which is the opposite of what we envision for Robin.

 

[elindholm]

He would refuse to play or report to the Suns

Says who? I've never read anything along those lines.

 

[Yuma]

He would refuse to play or report to the Suns and I'm sure the Cavs are sending cash as part of the trade for the purposes of a buyout.

LOL! I would get a nice rental house in Scottsdale or Paradise Valley if I was Ilgauskas and sun bathe for a month before heading back to currently cold Cleveland!

 

[SunsTzu]

Says who? I've never read anything along those lines.

They can't really come out and say anything because the league would veto the trade just like when Stackhouse opened his mouth about the JKidd trade.

But since every Ilgauskas trade being reported is saying the teams will waive him seems to strongly suggest it's already been agreed upon that he won't be playing for anyone but the Cavs.

 

[DevonCardsFan]

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