re: What are you guys actuall expecting from our rookie?

If they can get a rotation player for next year out of 6, that's a win. This past season's rookies fooled people to some degree with their play. Even a guy like Porzingis, with a very bright future, really tailed off badly down the stretch.

Even the most "pro ready" guy like Hield will struggle some. Dudes are bigger, longer, more athletic, and just better in the NBA. It's hard at this level. There will be a learning curve.

quote:

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Would Hield be better than Gordon has been the last two years

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If he can be healthy for 70 games, yes. Gordon would still be the better player, but he's played in ~200 games over the past 4 years. Just from a MP and cap perspective, Hield shooting 40/35/75 and playing rookie level (i.e. bad) defense in 65-70 games, would still be better for the team next year.