[d-grizzlyParticipant]

Teams that need centers or a defensive center must be eyeing thabeet right now. I read a short article about how thabeet was pulled off the the side and was given a “talking” to about getting position. this acceptable and understandable for a rookie being talked about getting into position and making the correct choices. But this is starting to seem like a gamble, either he’s gonna do real good…or underachieve his rookie year.

now now, I’m not hating on the guy anymore. I’m just exploring the options on how memphis could get better with possibly trading thabeet. Teams like houston, okc, sacramento (no disrespect to hawes, just a smaller sized center) etc, lack depth or talent at the center position or are dealing with injuries ( yao ).

who are other teams that may be interested in a young mysterious center like thabeet?

I do think he’ll end up playing in memphis for a whole year, or traded at the deadline ( picks for the upcoming draft).

[the microwaveParticipant]

why would they trade there biggest need???? “SIZE”

[d-grizzlyParticipant]

improvement is always welcome to any team. if memphis could get a lottery pick out of thabeet…i’m sure they’d pull the trigger if they knew for sure. i expect memphis to be placed 7-12th this year in the draft.

[d-grizzlyParticipant]

haddadi, warrick, arthur, gasol will all be fighting for time in the frontcourt.

if memphis traded thabeet, there’s no doubt they could get a semi-ok big man back and a first round pick.

[sheltwon3Participant]

Thabeet was always meant to be a long term project with him maybe becoming a Mutumbo type player.

[d-grizzlyParticipant]

accidentely posted twice*

[d-grizzlyParticipant]

i understand he’s long term. but the front office was speaking of a 3 year plan. they got conely, mayo, thabeet in the last 3 drafts. To me, mayo has the best chance of succeeding and most likely will be a top 5 SG for years to come. Conely next could go two ways…stay around 10ppg, 5apg…you know…that kind of area.. or he could blossum into an interesting point guard…which it looks like he could this year. Thabeet is the question mark. comparing him to mutumbo is an honor he’ll take pride in.

i’m just saying, if memphis could improve the team through trading him…should they?

[FutureoftheGame]

Nah. Because what if Thabeet turns out be a Mutumbo clone? Then, they will always be the team that traded one of the best big men in the league. I think you just wait and see. If he could add a little weight, then he wouldnt have to do much but rebound and play defence. I dont see how either one of those would be difficult for him because he is 7’3.

[d-grizzlyParticipant]

being over 7 foot doesn’t mean you can’t be a bust, and i’m making no claim that he is either.

Yes if he turns out to be the next mutumbo…ouch…but if you’re getting an outstanding young talent in return….why not? what i’m asking is, if you know for a fact that you can get an average big man and a lottery pick…for next years draft..which looks pretty strong… do you pull the trigger?

[FutureoftheGame]

Dont get me wrong man. I actually think Thabeet will never be the player everyone thinks he will. I also know that I have been wrong before. IMO, give him at least 2 years and then if he isnt where you want him to be, then you can still get what you were saying. People are alway looking for size. In 2 years, 7’3 and raw will still be very attractive to a GM. You could still get a good player and a 1st round pick. But, its not my call. Personaly, I would wait to trade him till at least next year.

[d-grizzlyParticipant]

futureofthegame, I wasn’t hatin on ya, so ya know and i appreciate and respect your insight. I think expecting this kid to be another mutumbo is way too much pressure. mutumbo had a killer instinct and made it a mission on defense. and i aint saying he doesn’t have a killer instinct on the court, but from the summer league..it looked like he lacked it. being it’s summer league…well..it’s summer league and not the real season.

I might be jumping ahead with the idea of trading him. yes a full season is fair. but on the other hand, i would trade him at the deadline if i knew i was getting a top 5 pick in this upcoming draft…and if i knew i wasn’t going to make the playoffs…which i don’t think the grizzlies will until 2011-2012.

[FutureoftheGame]

Very true. If the guy was still weak and I felt like he wasnt going to get better, I would definatly trade for a top 5 pick. You are also right about the Mutumbo thing. Like I mentioned before, I dont think he will ever be that. I could definatly see him as Dalembart (spelled wrong). But thats if he gets stronger and works on his offensive game. The only thing about Thabeet, like you said, he doesnt show any killer instincts and he doesnt see to care much about grabing a board unelss it comes his way. He doesnt really chase the ball.

[KevinDurantRocksParticipant]

He couldn’t even get a point or a rebound A REBOUND in the summer league

[OldSkoolBasketballParticipant]

I have never heard a lottery pick getting traded before half the season is over.

[ckowalskiParticipant]

i think billups got traded his rookie year. He was a #3 overall pick

[D_LegendParticipant]

I think its too early to say, Yes he did show lack of passion in summer league but he is 7’3 and a defense first player which is great in a league full of score first players. After 2 yrs we will be able to have a better judgment on what he will become.

[spencerishawesome]

He wont get dealt… First of all he is 7’3″. If there is any chance the Grizz think he can become somewhat of a force downlow he will stay, we all know big men are key to championship teams. Also, if they trade him too early it will be them admitting they made a mistake and often times the GM will be to blame, so in a sense trading Thabeet in his rookie season could put the GMs job at risk–and im pretty sure his job is more important to him than what may be the best move for the team.

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