Jordan Hill for Zeller or Jerebko and cash/2nd rounders? (IDEA)

[mgent]

Decent expiring player rotting on the bench so Minnesota can develop their youth and tank (29 years old).

He has a good jump shot so it wouldn't hurt our spacing, and he's a better rebounder than Jerebko (also puts more size/length next to Kelly to help our 2nd unit's poor interior defense).

9 and 6 in 21 minutes on 51% shooting last year on a playoff-bound Indiana team (73 games, 11 starts).

For the two years before that he averaged 11 and 8 in 24 minutes on 50% shooting for the Lakers (started 89 out of 142 games).

Tommy Point to anybody who comes up with a better rebounder who can shoot and has no remaining years on his contract.

[BitterJim]

Decent expiring player rotting on the bench so Minnesota can develop their youth and tank (29 years old).

He has a good jump shot so it wouldn't hurt our spacing, and he's a better rebounder than Jerebko (also puts more size/length next to Kelly to help our 2nd unit's poor interior defense).

9 and 6 in 21 minutes on 51% shooting last year on a playoff-bound Indiana team (73 games, 11 starts).

For the two years before that he averaged 11 and 8 in 24 minutes on 50% shooting on the Lakers (started 89 out of 142 games).

Tommy Point to anybody who comes up with a better rebounder who can shoot and has no remaining years on his contract.

I mean, he looked fine last year but it's almost the All Star break and he's only played 40 total minutes.  I know he's on a Thibs-coached team, but that is just brutal.  I don't know if I would trust him to still be the same player.

That said, if you're just giving up something like Young/Mickey (for salary matching) and giving them back their 2nd rounder for this year, then sure.  If he works out, then you have another weapon come the playoffs, and if he doesn't then all you lost was a second rounder

As for the last question, Blake Griffin shoots well on 16+ footers and is a better rebounder, with a contract expiring this summer (you never said they had to be realistic  ).  Paul Millsap may fit those criteria as well

[apc]

For Zeller and 2nds- sure why not.
Jerebko has some value for us- he can guard multiple positions, something that Stevens like.

I always liked Hill as a good rebounder energy guy of the bench.

[saltlover]

I question your assertion that Jordan Hill can actually shoot.  Last year he shot 50% from 10-16 feet, but that was a) on only 81 attempts, so sample size matters, and b) his prior best was 41% from that range, and he's under 40% career on those shots.  He's even worse the further away from the basket.  When Jordan Hill takes a jumper, the defense has won.

He's a solid rebounder tho, that point I will absolutely concede.

[mgent]

As for the last question, Blake Griffin shoots well on 16+ footers and is a better rebounder, with a contract expiring this summer (you never said they had to be realistic  ).

Yeah, almost added "available" when I read it afterwards, haha.  You get a TP (and one later for Milsap).

Seriously though, Blake Griffin is the EXACT reason why we can't make any trades for non-expiring players.  He's our number 1 target right now until Cousins signs his deal and becomes available next year.

[fantankerous]

Replacing Jerebko for Hill would significantly hurt our spacing.

[fantankerous]

Additionally, I think Zeller's contract is too valuable for such a marginal upgrade.

[mgent]

I question your assertion that Jordan Hill can actually shoot.  Last year he shot 50% from 10-16 feet, but that was a) on only 81 attempts, so sample size matters, and b) his prior best was 41% from that range, and he's under 40% career on those shots.  He's even worse the further away from the basket.  When Jordan Hill takes a jumper, the defense has won.

He's a solid rebounder tho, that point I will absolutely concede.

Well, then, I've got to contest.

First things first, "being able to shoot" is subjective and relative.  41% on midrange in game is nothing to scoff at unless you're Kevin Garnett or Dirk Nowitzki.  I wasn't trying to compare him with Kelly Olynyk, but compared to all the other back-up Centers, I'm sure it's up there.  And compared to other available back-up PF/C who can rebound and have proven themselves, he's probably the best.

Secondly, 50% on 81 attempts isn't the smallest sample size.  In today's NBA, 81 attempts from 10-16 feet isn't insignificant, especially considering how much the game has shied away from that shot.

If you want a larger sample size, on total jump shots between the 3pt line and the paint,Hill attempted 185 shots, making 40% last year.

http://vorped.com/1-nba/2015-2016/player/894/jordan-hill/shotchart/

On the flip side, you can compare Hill's 57% on 315 shots in the paint vs Jerebko's 48% on 117.

But regardless, it's not about how well Jordan Hill draws defenses, it's about his energetic rebounding making the 2nd unit better as a whole.  He DOES shoot which proves he CAN shoot, and defenses won't leave him.  Maybe Isaiah and Brad's spaced/movement offense gets him a lot better looks than he was getting.

Finally, it doesn't really matter if Jerebko or Amir are slightly better shooters because they're not shooting threats anyway.  Teams aren't going to change their defensive plans vs. us one iota if we replace Jerebko with Hill.

[Bobshot]

I wouldn't trade Jerebko. Valuable role player who adds depth.

[konkmv]

Is this an upgrade?

[Ilikesports17]

Jerebko is more important that you think.

[saltlover]

I will say if I'm trading Zeller and 2nds for an expiring big, I want back Taj Gibson.  I don't think that's terribly greedy, considering that the Minny 2nd is currently #35 overall, and the pick in the Ibaka trade is currently #25.