[Deuce2223]

FROM CHAMP TO CHUMP!!

BIG MOVES OR BAD MOVES?
Seattle's trade for Tyrese Haliburton and their trade of CJ McCollum and Herb Jones is starting to look like a bust. The Defending Champs went 9-6 in the month of December and are currently (19-15) and sitting in #8th place in the West.


ALLEN UNHAPPY

Despite currently leading the team in MPG (31.3) Center Jarrett Allen is unhappy in Seattle. Allen played well his 1st season in New Orleans after the trade from Cleveland averaging 14.6 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 1.7 APG and 1.7 BPG but saw those # drop a little last season after the move to Seattle despite the Sonics winning the title (13.8 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.3 BPG). So far those # are dropping again this season (11.6 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 1.5 APG 1.1 BPG) and reports out of the locker room is Allen is refusing to talk to GM Ryan Derozan about a extension.

So now the question is, does Derozan and Payton keep Allen on the team in hopes of having his help to make the playoffs and make a push at a repeat or does the duo trade Allen for a chance at replacing him with a cheaper alternative.

GM Ryan Derozan

Quote:

"To be honest we are a little disappointed with Jarrett's stance right now. I feel like he is a great ift for our team and a despite being only 27, he and Ingram are considered to be the veteran leadership of the team. However if we are going to lose our starting center for the past 3 seasons, then this year's draft is the time to do it with 5 projected Centers that will go in the 1st Round and 5 PF's including #1 Prospect Cameron Boozer also projected as 1st Round picks."

Seattle currently has 2 picks in this year's First Round. The Bucks (currently projected to be a Top-3) and Charlotte's (projected to be a Top-15). However Allen could fetch the Sonics a 3rd pick in this year's draft potentially.

HAWKINS CONTINUES TO STRUGGLE, JOHNSON JOINS THE STARTING LINEUP

Jordan Hawkins has struggled since taking over the starting job fulltime at SG for Herb Jones, averaging 9.7 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 2.1 APG and shooting just 31% from 3PT now on the season.

Enter Rookie Tre Johnson. The 6'4 guard out of Texas has proven his worth as the #9 Overall pick, averaging 11.8 PPG (4th best on the team) with 3.9 RPG, 3.7 APG, but is struggling from 3PT now shooting just 27% on the year.

ZION SO FAR STAYING HEALTHLY

Zion Williamson has missed games the past 2 seasons including last year's first 3 rounds of the playoffs. But so far this season Williamson has started all 34/34 games and is 1 of 4 player averaging over 30 MPG well leading the team in scoring 22.2 PPG, well also averaging 8.3 RPG, 3.8 APG, and 1.2 SPG.