Yuta Watanabe is leading the NBA with a .521 3PT%, but he hasn’t been earning playing time for the Nets solely because of his three-point shooting, according to head coach Jacque Vaughn.
“He’s doing a little bit (of) everything,” Vaughn said, per Brian Lewis of The New York Post. “… He’s getting his hands on balls, whether that’s being in the paint and plugging the paint, coming back and tipping balls. Being around the basketball and being in a good position, great drive to the rim, which was aggressive. So he’s grown as a basketball player.”
Watanabe has averaged a career-high 19.2 minutes per game this season for the Nets while playing on a minimum-salary contract that technically remains non-guaranteed. It’s a safe bet to assume the 28-year-old forward will remain with the club through January 7, which is the deadline for teams to waive players on non-guaranteed contracts and avoid paying their full-season salaries.
Here’s more from around the Atlantic:
- At one point this fall, Kyrie Irving‘s NBA future beyond this season seemed up in the air, but the star guard has been reaffirming his case for a maximum-salary contract with his play in recent weeks, Mark W. Sanchez for The New York Post writes. It also no longer seems outlandish that Irving could remain in Brooklyn beyond this season, though it remains to be seen whether the Nets or any other team will be open to making a long-term offer.
- Given the talent on the Raptors‘ roster, potential buyers around the NBA are keeping a close eye on Toronto and may be reluctant to move forward on other deals until they see if the Raptors will be sellers, writes Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca. “Toronto are the first domino,” a league source who has been monitoring the Raptors told Grange. “What they do will affect teams all across the league: Dallas, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Atlanta – not that it’s about deals with any particular team, just that people are going to be waiting to see what the Raptors do before they make their moves. Toronto could set the market.”
- Injuries have prevented the Sixers from taking an extended look at three-guard lineups this season, but they got a chance to do so on Monday night, with P.J. Tucker logging just 18 minutes. Kyle Neubeck of PhillyVoice explores the pros and cons of those guard-heavy five-man units — especially the ones featuring James Harden, Tyrese Maxey, and De’Anthony Melton.
I’ve watched every Nets game this year. I like what the Nets are doing right now, but they need another reliable Center. I also wish they would take at least 5 less threes a game, get to rim more to draw more fouls, and especially move the ball more. When KD and Kyrie stay in iso mode too long and start missing shots, they look horrible and selfish on the court, but when they’re hitting shots everything looks great. That’s not a style of play to rely on. There has to be unselfish ball movement from the start of the game.
Trade suggestion:
TOR: Joe Harris
BKN: Chris Boucher & Otto Porter
Harris doesn’t really fit the timeline for Raptors. It looks like they are perhaps in transition. I can’t see them wanting that Harris contract on their books.
The Raptors have basically said that they don’t want a rebuild. The Raptors have an ample amount of forwards and Centers. The Nets have excess shooting. I think it would work for both teams. Harris is only 31 and one of the best 3pt shooters in the league. He also has only 1 year left on his contract. They could trade him at next year’s deadline to a contender before his contract expires if need be.
I can’t imagine front offices see Harris as a positive value asset. He’s been almost unplayable for last 2 seasons and analytics absolutely hate him. Bad defense, bad contract and very questionable injury history.
There is no need to part with actual assets for Harris, especially if part of his value is “flipping him to a contender”. Just lazy trade idea if your solution to the fit problem is flipping the player somewhere else. Just propose a 3 team trade then.
Also, why would the raptors part with assets when they could get Robinson, the Heat version of Joe Harris, for salary filler. If I am the raptors, I would rather trade Thad or Birch for Seth Curry. Basically the same as Harris but 1/3 the cost. No long term financial implications for either team
This trade doesn’t make much sense for the Raptors.
Bang on about needing a centre. Look right now at the bulls game. They are getting eaten on the boards and the Bulls aren’t even a great rebounding team.
Couple suggest trade ideas:
1. Joe Harris and Cam Thomas for Marvin Bagley and Nerlens Noel.
Two bigs, Noel a more defensive minded C, Bagley more offensive minded PF but can play C. Pistons get back Cam Thomas as the asset he could be good for them on their rebuild man’s Joe Harris is essentially a vet with an easily tradeable contract and next year expiring deal.
2. Joe Harris and a protected first for Vuce
Vuce isn’t exactly aggressive on the boards but consistently gives you 10 or so. Can also give you buckets on offence and should fit in with Ben as a floor spacer at times. Bulls do the deal for the first but Joe Harris deal ain’t that bad to eat for a year and he’s good for the locker room.
3. Seth Curry for JaVale McGee
Dallas gets back Seth who they’ve had a couple times and both times was good for them as another ball handler and shooter. Brooklyn gets back McGee who is a good rebounder and solid defender. He also has plenty of experience going deep in the playoffs.
4. Joe Harris, Cam Thomas and 2 seconds for Josh Richardson and Jakob Poeltl
Poeltl gives you a big man that will go up and get boards. JRich also comes he would be a good depth piece. Spurs take back Joe Harris as a vet on a expiring next season, seems like a good fit for Pop. Cam Thomas also comes he’s the guy your actually after and could really prove himself. On top of that you get some picks aswell.
Of all the deals, the Dallas one is probably the easiest to make and is the simplest fix to your problem. However I do also like the idea of Vuce coming and being a floor spacing 5. Gives you another really good weapon on offence and fixes the rebounding. Either of these two would be my preference if I’m a nets fan
Great suggestions!
Watanabe was the difference maker in that Portland game that set off this 16-1 run with the only loss to BOS. It’s hard enough to keep track of KD and Kyrie with Simmons delivering, then you’ve got a guy hitting half his 3s at volume!!!? It is demoralizing for the other team.
Vaughn said “He’s getting his hands on balls”
One of the more unfortunate cliches. The long-gone and lamented Basketbawful site loved that one.
link to basketbawful.blogspot.com