re: Brandon Sampson has signed with an agent

I think he’s a great talent too. However the other 2 freshmen do not have much competition at their respective position. I’m thinking Reid & WIlliams both start, if not Days at the 3. Just don’t think we’ll start 3 freshmen especially when our best returning players are guards. Experience matters to coaches.

Smart is best with the Ball in his hands & Waters playing off the ball will happen I’m sure, but it’s not ideal as Waters strength is creating. Smarts weakness is shooting. I just envision Smart being 1st off the bench. Either spelling Waters at PG or coming in for Mays at SG. If at SG, he’ll slide over to PG when Waters needs a rest.

During the Jordan game the announcer, who I think was Corey Maggette, said he thought smart was the best pg in the class.

He reminds me a lot of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who will be a lottery pick after his only year at UK.

He wasn't on any draft boards at this time last year.

I wouldn’t doubt that he is. What do you do with Waters then?

A 5’9” guy who needs the ball in his hands

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I could be wrong too. I Thought I read coming into this year was a career 34-35% guy from 3. Looks like Max preps has it higher.

I remember reading reports from team USA & Nike camps about his shooting. You know on the HS circuit he’s the tallest player on the floor most nights.

He can play with Waters I have no doubt. I just think it will be off the bench. It has nothing to do with his talents, just want that to be clear

Sampson has good athletic talent and at times showed some real flashes of that talent, but his numbers were lackluster through 3 years at LSU considering the hype coming in. He averaged 7 this year, 4 ppg as a freshman and his best ppg average was 11 last year on a bad team.

I think he could've scored more next year with the defensive attention being on the incoming talent, so I think that would've benefitted him, but I wish him the best.

That two year contract is a gift. Morey loves playing with contracts to swing trades. Next seasons salary is non-garunteed. If the Rockets need to use him to match salaries in a deal they will garuntee up to the amount they need, otherwise he is cut before next season.

Not a bad gig really, NBA pay over the final month of the season, a chance for some more NBA pay next season, some garbage minutes, and maybe a ring. All for being a trade pawn.

Sampson grades?

Again I’m not saying there is anything wrong with playing 2 guards. shite they will play all 3 at times. Waters only being 5’8” presents a different wrinkle but it can work

My point is about having another experienced player on the floor

“Smart didn’t come here to come off the bench “

Sunny he’ll do whatever Wade tells him. Just my gut but he isn’t going to want 3-4 freshmen on the floor at the same time for long stretches. Freshmen don’t always come in & set the world on fire no matter how hyped they are, and you can’t replicate experience which Mays & Edwards have.