FanPost

The Elliot Williams 2nd Annual Small Sample Size Theater List 1.0 (Aka top under the radar guys 2013)




What's up ya'll!? My apologizes to the crew that went out to the Hole, I was super duper tired after work and I didn't even get off till 9. My bad!

In my effort to continue to keep my trade musings either limited or contained I am doing an under the radar post, which is similar to the one I did at the end of last season.

It's possible this list evolves. For example if Evan Fournier has a blow up playoffs....he may end up not being under the radar anymore. I'm gonna do my top 10 guys I'd like to see the Wolves try and swing a low-cost deal to get and go from there.

These are all guys I would think might be possible acquiring in a deal that largely looks like us dumping a Barea or Ridnour contract to make room for Pek/Ak....but could result in a nice surprise if we acquired one of these guys in said salary dump

10: Deandre Liggins, OKC Thunder.

Age: 23

Pos: SG

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/liggide01.html

He plays a very fluid brand of basketball, or at least vs junk lineups this is the way it seems. He's a tall, athletic SG who has represented well in his minutes. I would have a little hope if we acquired him, the narrative I would be running with would be because he was a pretty big recruit to a pretty big school who maybe got caught in the cracks of John Wall, Demarcus Cousins and company.

9: Elliot Williams, FA Portland Trailblazers

Age: 23

Pos: SG

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/williel01.html

The namesake of this post. I've liked him since college, wanted him in the draft. I'm a fan. But he hasn't been healthy, playing only 24 games in 3 years. He remains on the list because he would cost nothing to acquire.

8. Daniel Orton, OKC Thunder

Age: 22

POS: C

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/ortonda01.html

There is a running narrative of under utilized players on the Thunder I like that could help. I'm wondering if we could put together a Barea/Ridnour+25 deal and get a few of these guys (more to come later)

Orton has been as advertised. very raw, but his small sample size suggest a lot of upside defensively, he could be a nice swing post to play with either Love or Pek on the cheap.

7. John Jenkins, ATL

Age: 22

POS: SG

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jenkijo01.html

Ended up getting some decent burn for a playoff team who has a billion FA so his cheap contract might be valued high enough where he might be ungettable. My only reluctance with the Budinger trade last year is we maybe could have gotten a John Jenkins to be a sniper on a super cheap mid-first contract.

6. James Anderson, Hou

Age: 23

POS: SG

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/anderja01.html

Pop not being able to make it work with JA makes me cautious. But he has been productive in any limited minutes he has been given. I would absolute make a deal for him if one were available (i.e. if Hou makes a run at D12 and has to move Asik's deal.....I'd make a cap dump for Asik obviously and then have Anderson get tossed in)

5. Festus Ezeli, GS

Age: 22

POS: C

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/ezelife01.html

Festus Ezeli is one of the worst offensive big men in the NBA, but has some obvious defensive upside. He boards well and gets blocks and his offensive limitations might make him more available.

4. Jimmer Ferdette

Age: 23

Pos: SG/PG/Designated Shooter

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/fredeji01.html

The Jimmer is having a mixed bag of success in Sacremento. Had a real nice start to his second year to have it tapper off a little bit. My guess is he would cost almost nothing to acquire and would fit in very well as a back up designated shooter with Ricky (in a lineup of Ricky, Jimmer, AK) this team is gonna need a designated shooter, a guy who can just come in and let it fly. i think Sac has been a questionable fit for Jimmer, let's bring him to Sota and let him be the Steve Kerr of the north

3. Jeremy Lamb

Age: 21

Pos: SG

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lambje01.html

I've been a fan of Lamb's since before the draft, I think he's got a smooth game that can mesh well with anyone. I think he's being hurt by being on the Thunder. Hasn't shown up too well in the pro's, but the rumor is he has looked good in the DLeague.

I mentioned an OKC package. I really would be okay turning Ridnour or Barea into Lamb and Orton. Get two cheap back ups on really good deals and move the 4.5 million dollars.

2. Evan Fournier

Age: 19

POS: SG

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/fournev01.html

I believe he is the youngest guy in the NBA. The only reason he isn't number 1 on my list is because I think he might be playing his to "keeper" status. But assuming he doesn't have a crazy playoff run he'd be a guy I'd like to get. I additionally liked him in the draft as well. I think he and Rubio would mesh well together....plays a little like Shved with a jumper

1. Jordan Hamilton

Age: 21

POS: SG/SF

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hamiljo02.html

Number one on my list because unlike Fournier, I suspect he is pretty available. Gallinari roams as the SF of the future in Denver, so the ceiling is limited for Hamilton in Denver, even if he is successful playing time won't be plenty.

Odd player. Hell of a 3pt shooter but the Ft% is cause for alarm (however if he can shoot a good FT% his TS numbers would rise, so there is some room to grow in his efficiency). He rebounds well for his position and doesn't turn the ball over. I'd like to give him some burn in a lineup with Rubio/Love/Pek

Honorable mentions: Hasheem Thabeet, Lance Stephenson, Amir Johnson, John Henson. I think these guys all fall into the category of "the book is out on these guys." Thabeet fills to important of a role for OKC and the rest have odd reputations, but it's likely you couldn't get them for a low ball offer.