Nik Stauskas on the trading block?
There a is story on ESPN that Kings want to "dump" Nik. Kings is not the best situation for him (he is averaging less than 4 points a game) as he is not used to coming off the bench, and his minutes have remained low. I hope he lands at a place where he can start and gain his mojo back.
Link$$
January 16th, 2015 at 7:02 AM ^
January 15th, 2015 at 11:43 PM ^
They don't move the ball. He needs to be on a team that moves the ball like crazy or that has a PG who will find him in the right spots. Right now he's basically like the last option on offense, which is never going to work out.
With an elite shooter like that you have to have guys that are LOOKING for him. That is not part of the Kings DNA. When shooters know no one is looking for them, they stop working to get open. Then when someone actually does pass them the ball, they aren't in a position to score.
January 15th, 2015 at 11:47 PM ^
Drafting Nik was a dumb decision when they had McLemore playing the same position.
January 15th, 2015 at 11:48 PM ^
January 16th, 2015 at 12:16 AM ^
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January 16th, 2015 at 12:29 AM ^
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January 16th, 2015 at 1:00 AM ^
January 16th, 2015 at 1:29 AM ^
January 16th, 2015 at 10:24 AM ^
You're spot on with the D comment, but I can't help but highlight how UofM centric the comment "Kyle Korver is probably a better 3pt shooter than Nik" is. Korver is arguably the best 3pt shooter on the planet - he is ABSOLUTELY a better shooter than Nik. Korver shoots 53% on 6 threes per game - that's tops in the league for guys that shoot that much. He's an alien.
Not trying to be a dick either - I get what you're saying, and I probably would've out Nik in Korver's category prior to this season as well.
January 16th, 2015 at 10:54 AM ^
January 16th, 2015 at 6:51 AM ^
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January 16th, 2015 at 9:03 AM ^
January 16th, 2015 at 9:25 AM ^
I know. Just being biased because I love Nik.
January 16th, 2015 at 7:38 AM ^
January 16th, 2015 at 9:23 AM ^
and not because I am a fan.
One of the worst outside shooting teams I've seen. Unreal. Smart and Bradley are possibly tha all-time all-D / no-shot backcourt. Nik could come in as a 6th or 7th with Olynyk (Canadian, the only guy who can really shoot on the roster). The problem then becomes Boston's soft-as-butter interior D as opponents blow by him on the perimiter.
Well, OK maybe I am biased. Detroit?
January 16th, 2015 at 9:31 AM ^
The notion that Stauskas could have improved as a player by staying another year at Michigan is roundly jeered and derided, yet in the same thread there's uncontested agreement that his defensive skills stink and his shooting is sub-par.
January 16th, 2015 at 9:39 AM ^
I don't think there's anything wrong with his shot or ability to shoot. I think he's just lacking confidence right now as he adjusts to not being "the man" in a game that moves quicker than college ball. As far as his defense, I don't think he was ever going to become anything more than average on that side of the ball even if he played four years in college.
His decision to leave was, IMO, a good one, despite my obvious desire for him to still be in Ann Arbor right now.
January 16th, 2015 at 11:31 AM ^
was OBVIOUSLY a good one because he went #8 in the draft. He's now a millionaire.
Leaving a year later was not likely to improve his draft stock. You don't really go to the NBA based on when you are "ready". You go when your draft stock is highest to get yourself the biggest initial guaranteed contract you can get. Because of that word. GUARANTEED.
January 16th, 2015 at 9:43 AM ^
I agree with you but am of course roundly shouted down at the mention of it. The thing is, would his draft status have improved? The answer is not likely, and that's all they really care about when making the decision.
January 16th, 2015 at 11:20 AM ^
January 16th, 2015 at 9:47 AM ^
Trey has the worst coach in the NBA and Nik is in a terrible place.
Both just unlucky, unlike THJ. Switch THJ and Stauskas and I don't think their careers are too terribly different.
Burke would be a very nice fit on the Cavs backing up Irving. Stauskas, to me, is a Spurs type player.
January 16th, 2015 at 10:15 AM ^
January 16th, 2015 at 11:18 AM ^
January 16th, 2015 at 10:45 AM ^
Simmons and Jalen were railing about this around draft time -- Nik didn't leave too early, Sacramento was just a poor fit for him. The Kings were probably hoping that picking Nik would (at the very least) light a fire under McLemore's ass, and that seems to have happened; he's improved enough to solidify his hold on the 2-guard spot there, and is even shooting better than Nik now. Tough for Stauskas to get minutes in a situation like that.
So after the predictable poor fit plays out, Nik becomes trade fodder. Not surprising -- Sacramento surely planned to turn whoever lost the Stauskas/McLemore competition into a trade asset; both were top 10 draft picks.
We all knew Nik would struggle on D; what's really concerning is that he seems to have lost all confidence and that's effecting his one superior skill that will keep him in the league, his shooting. Hope he finds a better fit and regains his stroke soon.
January 16th, 2015 at 11:17 AM ^
January 16th, 2015 at 2:30 PM ^
There are rumors that Tim Hardaway, Jr is on the block too, either because he has trade value and/or he can't get along with Carmelo Anthony as the Knicks try to rebuild for next year. I think Coach Fisher likes him though.
January 16th, 2015 at 4:13 PM ^
How would THJ look as a Piston? Could always use 3pt shooting. I haven't seen him much lately but he was doing good his rookie season, right? Anyway, just being selfish and want one of these Michigan Final Four guys on the Pistons at some point.
January 16th, 2015 at 4:12 PM ^
It really sucks seeing Nik struggle. Well, I guess I haven't seen it because I never watch Kings games (or much NBA at all).. but I wish he were doing well. He was such a fun guy to watch at Michigan (not that I have to convince any of you).
I don't blame him for leaving, as far as business decisions go. And I am not so sure even if he stayed that his game would be any more suited for the NBA. I am just hoping it's an issue of not meshing with the Kings and he can eventually land somewhere and be "just a three point specialist".. because while he changed his game at Michigan after his freshman year, I'm not so sure he can do that in the NBA. Anyway, good luck dude.