Analysis 2020 Re-draft Game Theory Podcast - Vasselline goes 10th

[Splits]

Discussion on DV begins at 1:11:33. Interesting discussion on trade value, starter vs. 6th man, lack of defense compared to prospect out of FSU

 

[brazil]

5 years later... Edwards or Haliburton at #1 ?

 

[scott]

I think the best way to sum up Devin, from me, your resident Devin hater:

Not a bad pick, in fact above median expected outcome for a #11 pick, just hasn't developed to max potential and the view of him as a draft pick takes a hit because he was picked ahead of Hali.

I think Brce nailed it when talking about Devin as a 6th man on the right team would be a 6MOY contender. He's a little overpaid for that, but we can deal with it because of the number of rookie deals we have for core players.

Sam summed up the issue nicely. He was drafted as a 3&D wing and the D all went out the window while he focused on being a scorer.

Their trade value discussion seems about right.

 

[scott]

Also, shout out Tre Jones for making into the Top 20. That was a very good pick by Brian Wright. Also the last time we seemed to GAF about SRPs, which is a shame.

 

[LeBowen]

I think the best way to sum up Devin, from me, your resident Devin hater:

Not a bad pick, in fact above median expected outcome for a #11 pick, just hasn't developed to max potential and the view of him as a draft pick takes a hit because he was picked ahead of Hali.

I think Brce nailed it when talking about Devin as a 6th man on the right team would be a 6MOY contender. He's a little overpaid for that, but we can deal with it because of the number of rookie deals we have for core players.

Sam summed up the issue nicely. He was drafted as a 3&D wing and the D all went out the window while he focused on being a scorer.

Their trade value discussion seems about right.

The biggest issue and question mark is if Devin is willing to adapt to a reduced, off the ball role.
He's always looked more comfortable with the ball and doing his mid-range thing, but that's not what this team needs anymore.

He'll either accept to be the 3rd/4th option as a starter, get moved to 6th man role or get traded.
Devin as we know him should be gone from this season onward if he's to stay with the Spurs.

 

[Sugus]

The biggest issue and question mark is if Devin is willing to adapt to a reduced, off the ball role.
He's always looked more comfortable with the ball and doing his mid-range thing, but that's not what this team needs anymore.

He'll either accept to be the 3rd/4th option as a starter, get moved to 6th man role or get traded.
Devin as we know him should be gone from this season onward if he's to stay with the Spurs.

It's honestly much more of a question mark due to his efficiency than his ability to adapt to a lesser role, for me, TBH.

We always tend to assume that scorers are always less efficient with a bigger role, and likewise, should always be more efficient as their role diminishes... But there's many players who don't fit this stereotype once their roles are cut down (and Steph Curry on the opposite end of the exceptions to this rule).

I have not yet seen Devin Vassell shoot the ball with the marksmanship and fundamental shooting prowess that would make him a 6MOTY contender or an excelling role player -- as you say, he's always much better when he gets to handle the ball, and it very well may be his best suited role as an NBA player. I just don't see that Patty Mills energy on him.

He's arguably the player most shafted by the change of winds in the Spurs' future and composition since Wemby's arrival, and I won't be surprised if he's the first one to go in whatever trade the Spurs end up cooking out.

 

[LeBowen]

He's arguably the player most shafted by the change of winds in the Spurs' future and composition since Wemby's arrival, and I won't be surprised if he's the first one to go in whatever trade the Spurs end up cooking out.

On the other hand, he's the one who had the most time to prove himself as a potentially legit second/third option for Wemby and he failed.
He also got an extension that will definitely be an overpay unless he makes some serious improvements to his consistency.

 

[Sugus]

On the other hand, he's the one who had the most time to prove himself as a potentially legit second/third option for Wemby and he failed.
He also got an extension that will definitely be an overpay unless he makes some serious improvements to his consistency.

No doubt about it - and his extension is one of many given to "3&D projects" around the league, who tend to lack either 3, or D, or both... At least Vassell can hit an open 3, I guess.

Last season's performance was frankly pathetic at times; many people were talking about an injury affecting his shooting but I don't buy it, tbh. He really looked like his best performances would come for a loser team.

One of the main reasons I'm hoping the Spurs are better than expected is that Vassell's salary is just what's needed for a mid-season trade for a "missing piece", possibly a shooting PF or a big SF to compliment the starting 5. I'd be glad to see Wright go as far as attaching a FRP or two to ensure the trade goes through.

 

[LeBowen]

Last season's performance was frankly pathetic at times; many people were talking about an injury affecting his shooting but I don't buy it, tbh. He really looked like his best performances would come for a loser team.

The most frustrating thing for me is that he goes from a ball dominant scorer to a complete non-factor on game to game basis.
We lost so many close games in 22-23 and 23-24 season because he'd just disappear and let Keldon and Jeremy chuck us out of games. Some could say it was intentional tanking, but still.

As for him becoming a 3-D player, I don't think his defense will ever be good enough. The best we can hope for is 3-not negative on D, tbh.

Another thing is that we potentially have a huge size advantage with two of Fox/Harper/Castle in the backcourt, but we give it right back if we force Castle to play at SF because Devin just can't defend any SF that's capable of putting the ball on the floor. We saw Bane run literally through him over and over again last season.

One of the main reasons I'm hoping the Spurs are better than expected is that Vassell's salary is just what's needed for a mid-season trade for a "missing piece", possibly a shooting PF or a big SF to compliment the starting 5. I'd be glad to see Wright go as far as attaching a FRP or two to ensure the trade goes through.

Yeah, him, Keldon and Barners are perfect trade pieces. We changed so much over the past year and we need to evaluate how this roster does because there are too many unknowns.
Wemby and Fox barely played together, Castle was tried in many different roles and has a lot of question marks about his shot, Harper was a jackpot we didn't expect to get and obviously Carter could be just what we need on wing positions.

We'll go for the Fox approach again. Make a deal if there's a player we think is worth more than the asking price. I don't think we'll go for another max contract player, the only thing we need if our guards prove to be the deal deal are 3-D wings with size.
Carter is a project, Jeremy is hopeless if he can't develop something that resembles a reliable shot. We need to find ourselves an Aaron Gordon or a Jaden McDaniels. Or even both, but I'm hoping Carter can be our McDaniels.

 

[scott]

as you say, he's always much better when he gets to handle the ball, and it very well may be his best suited role as an NBA player. I just don't see that Patty Mills energy on him.

This is one of my biggest concerns, honestly. What he's "best at" is not something you actually want in the modern NBA. He looks best when he's putting on iso dribble moves into a tough mid-range FG with the shot clock winding down. It looks pretty when the ball splashed the bottom of the net... but this is not the type of basketball that any team should want to play in 2025. Very Demar DeRozan-y and clearly Kobe inspired, IMO.

 

[scott]

Yeah, him, Keldon and Barners are perfect trade pieces. We changed so much over the past year and we need to evaluate how this roster does because there are too many unknowns.

I think a lot of people are sleeping on the Lunch Lady acquisition. I could definitely see him surprising a lot of people with the amount of PT he gets. I'm not predicting this, but it would not at all shock me if our Starting 5 is actually Fox/Castle/Barnes/Kelly O/Wemby.

The Kelly O acquisition is huge because it makes moving off Barnes (which I don't actually want to happen) or Sochan more possible.