Not to include myself in this argument, but scientifically speaking, learning anything new once in your 20s is a lot more difficult than when you're a kid in your early teens. I've discussed this before but neurologically speaking as a real youngster, you have more room and neurons to dedicate to learn a task. As you get older, there is less space and less neurons to spare. One learns throughout life so improvements can be expected, but it's very rare for someone to drastically improve a trait, in essence going from subpar to great (ballhandling for example). A real world example is language. After about age 9-11, most kids will have a noticeable accent when learning a new language. I was 7 when I came to the States and there's still a very slight accent that is present when I say certain words in English.
In regards to Ben, I advocate trading him. I haven't looked at the stats and I don't plan to. I see the things he does and doesn't do on the court. Defensively, he gives you effort and that's about it. If it's not man to man defense, he's consistently either lost or slow to rotate. Putting him on the bench and starting Anderson solves nothing and would only delay the obvious. We need a new starting SG. I'm tired of coddling Ben. Two years worth of chances is enough. Any one of us would have long been fired from our respective jobs had our boss waited two years for signs of progress.
Look I'm not focused on Ben. We can trade him. But the trade needs to improve our roster.
Trading Ben for Martin won't help.
And regarding the “scientific“ theory of learning. Thats why I wrote, that most likely you won't turn a weakness into a elite strength.
We are talking about basketball. And there are countless players, who improved in all kind of ways during their careers.
Acting like a 22 year old can't improve anymore is weird from my point of view.
Ben never will be a star. He will always be limited, when it comes to handling the ball.
But that doesn't mean, that he won't improve.
To me it's funny when guys like Danny Green or Courtney Lee are mentioned as desireable veterans.
I'm sure when you go back in time, there were countless fans, who claimed that these guys deserve to be traded or even to be out of the league, because they didn't improve and were not worth waiting for.
Of course Green or Lee would help us now. But it's impossible to get those guys, now that they have some value.
So basically it comes down to the options of trading Ben now for flawed veterans or young talent with the same issues like Ben and hope to squeeze out a few more wins to attract a good FA SG next summer.
Or to stick to Ben and hope he develops into something close to Green or Lee.
Both options have risks. But adding a flawed veteran means we most likely commit more long term salary. And young talent most likely means Ross, who needs to be extended.
So for me the less risky way is to stick with Ben, when there is no offer, that clearly upgrades our team now and in the future (like Fournier mentioned in the personell moves forum)