NBA Trade Thread #13

[2weekswithpay]

We could argue back and forth about who that star could be, it could literally be most players in the NBA. Then talk about fit with Giannis, like the 13 other players on the team don't matter. Adding 36 yr old No shooting Jimmy Butler to 37 year old Steph curry, 35 year old no shooting Draymond Green, and 23 year old no shooting Kuminga, perfect fit for Butler? Fox is just an example to show with star, Giannis and Matas, we likely have three stars and still have some cap room for a fourth good player. If Matas is star level. If.

Butler is still a questionable fit. Why do you think the Warriors were interested in Vuc and other shooting bigs like Horford? Why do they start Draymond at center? Butler was the best target they could get, and it helps that Butler is really good and very smart as well. Kuminga doesn't play and the Warriors don't want him. The only reason they're keeping him is for a trade. Also helps to have the greatest shooter of all time.

All these equivocations are just that, Kyrie is a bad looking fit with Luka, Garland is a bad looking fit with Mitchell. Two guards that are minus defenders in the first case, two guards who are small in the second. Lebron is a bad fit with Luka. You want to focus on fit over talent, because Fox is arguably as talented as Holiday and Middleton, those combinations are bad fits. You're not coming up with a reason Kyrie and Luka are a good fit, or Mitchell and Garland are an ideal championship backcourt. How about Bradley Beal/Devin Booker? Did the Suns pay a lot to put that backcourt together?

There is evidence of Kyrie playing next to a great point forward in Lebron and succeeding. Kyrie has experienced playing next to another star who needs to ball. He had the shooting and overall offensive skillset to make it work. The concern for Dallas is building the rest of the roster with enough defense.

Spoiler:

Cleveland already had Mobley and Allen to support Garland and Mitchell defensively. I'm on record here saying that the Lakers trading for Luka didn't increase their chances of winning a title. That trade decimated their frontcourt and defense. It did give them a future after Lebron leaves which is why they did it.

Trading all those assets for Giannis only to build a poor supporting cast around him is stupid. You should be concerned about fit, that's how you avoid the mistakes the Suns made. The most expensive roster in NBA history and not a single playoff win. Sure, let's pair Giannis with a guard that isn't a good defender, can't shoot 3s, and also wants to get to the rim.

Spoiler:

Read on Twitter

The Suns were one of his preferred destinations from the beginning, they also showed the most interest until the Warriors got desperate.

If Giannis asks for a trade it will likely be next summer when he'll only have 1 year + a player option left. Giannis has the option to bolt in free agency, which gives him more leverage.

[Infinity2152]

We're likely adding 6 or more players this summer. They could ALL be great three point shooters. Coby White might still be here. We don't know who our center is or if he will be able to shoot threes. All the three pointers don't have to come from the two best players next to Giddey. 100% agree you can generally add a bunch of 3 and D guys for the normal offense. Giannis won't play 48 minutes, nor 82 games. We watched Lebron carry a far worse team than we'll likely be to the Finals multiple times. Fox isn't a perfect fit, but I don't think you need to have a perfect team when you have a truly elite guy.

Not going to argue Fox as a specific player, he's an example. Definitely not the ideal fit next to Giannis on paper. Matas could be a GREAT fit next to him. Substitute Fox for any other $25-$40 mill player we could acquire. They may even throw Myles Turner in the trade for more expiring money, he was signed to keep Giannis and is not that useful at 29 years old and $27 mill AAV for a rebuilding team.

Lot of combinations, including three team trades. I'm mostly focused on what we send out and what we're left with. We can argue all day on whether the Bucks or Giannis would like it.

Dream scenario: Holiday calls Giannis for their every year Christmas chat.
Holiday: "Man, Im tired of this losing sh*t!"
Giannis: "Man me too, let's link back up!"
Holiday "How? Nobody has space to take both of us without busting up the team. Chicago does own our draft pick and have two cheap good young guys (White and Matas), plus Noa. I'll see what I can do. Sportwriters are calling me overpaid, shouldn't cost too much."

Bulls trade Isaac Okoro, Nikola Vucevic and 2027 second for Jrue Holiday. "Your turn Giannis!"

Giannis: "Hey boss! I want to go to Chicago. Send Myles with me, clear more cap and add some young guys plus picks. Giddey put up 24, 14, and 12 last night!"

Bulls send :Josh Giddey $25 mill, Huerter, $18 mill, Pat Will $18 mill, Zach Collins $18 mill plus 5 first round picks and three pick swaps
$79 mill with $43 mill expiring, can negotiate or resign any they want to keep

Bucks send: Giannis $54 mill, Turner $25 mill $79 mill

Bulls roster: Holiday, White, Matas, Giannis, Turner. Bench: Jones, Ayo, Phillips, Noa, Smith

Don't try to kill my dream.

[Infinity2152]

We're likely adding 6 or more players this summer. They could ALL be great three point shooters. Coby White might still be here. We don't know who our center is or if he will be able to shoot threes. All the three pointers don't have to come from the two best players next to Giannis. 100% agree you can generally add a bunch of 3 and D guys to Giannis for the normal offense. Giannis won't play 48 minutes, nor 82 games. We watched Lebron carry a far worse team than we'll likely be to the Finals multiple times. Fox isn't a perfect fit, but I don't think you need to have a perfect team when you have a truly elite guy.

Not going to argue Fox as a specific player, he's an example. Definitely not the ideal fit next to Giannis on paper. Matas could be a GREAT fit next to him. Substitute Fox for any other $25-$40 mill player we could acquire. They may even throw Myles Turner in the trade for more expiring money, he was signed to keep Giannis and is not that useful at 29 years old and $27 mill AAV for a rebuilding team.

Lot of combinations, including three team trades. I'm mostly focused on what we send out and what we're left with. We can argue all day on whether the Bucks or Giannis would like it.

Dream scenario: Holiday calls Giannis for their every year Christmas chat.
Holiday: "Man, Im tired of this losing sh*t!"
Giannis: "Man me too, let's link back up!"
Holiday "How? Nobody has space to take both of us without busting up the team. Chicago does own our draft pick and have two cheap good young guys (White and Matas), plus Noa. I'll see what I can do. Sportwriters are calling me overpaid, shouldn't cost too much. My brother liked it there."
Giannis: "Bet! I was thinking about Chicago too, but they don't have the players."

Bulls trade Isaac Okoro, Nikola Vucevic and Portland 1st for Jrue Holiday and Toumani Camara. "Your turn Giannis!"

Giannis: "Hey boss! I want to go to Chicago. Send Myles with me, clear more cap and add some young guys plus picks. Giddey put up 24, 14, and 12 last night!"

Bulls send :Josh Giddey $25 mill, Huerter, $18 mill, Pat Will $18 mill, Zach Collins $18 mill plus 5 first round picks and three pick swaps
$79 mill with $43 mill expiring, can negotiate or resign any they want to keep

Bucks send: Giannis $54 mill, Turner $25 mill, Thanasis $2.2 mill, Cormac Ryan $1.2 mill $82.3 mill

Bulls roster: Holiday, White, Matas, Giannis, Turner. Bench: Jones, Ayo, Camara, Noa, Smith

Bucks: Giddey, Huerter, Williams, Kuzma, Collins. Tank for the number 1 pick, clear a ton of money plus Giddey and 5 picks.

Don't try to kill my dream.

[Chi town]

Giannis has all the power. One year left and then a FA.

I don’t think the Bucks will rebuild. Think he gets traded to reload.

2 years left, then player option.

Yep. One year after this year.

at deadline 1.5.

[WesPeace]

Even at start, I dont think Giannis and Matas are good fit! Why? Because they are both best suited at PF and both like to attack the rim. Maybe Giannis will play more and more at C as he gets older. But at first I dont like the fit

[sco]

I don't understand why MIL didn't try to trade us for Carter. He was very good in MIL, and watching him not, he's probably still as good as they can hope to play PG next to Giannis. He really is too good to be our 3rd stringer. We might as well get some value for him.

[sco]

I think Giannis, IF he leaves MIL, will go to NY. Although OKC could get anyone they want with their assets...prob HOU too, but I don't think he wants to go to either team and I don't think either team "needs" him. NY can build a deal around KAT who is probably the best player MIL could hope to get back in a deal for Giannis, plus another marginal allstar level guy like Bridges, who IMO, would look better somewhere where he has a bigger role. Honestly, I don't think Giannis helps NY that much...I see similar issues between Giannis and Brunson that we saw with Dame (although Brunson isn't washed at all), but NY doesn't really have the 3pt shooters to put around Giannis if they trade KAT and Bridges. Maybe we could send a pick/Collins or Vuc to NY for Robinson to make the deal/fit better.

[jnrjr79]

I think Giannis, IF he leaves MIL, will go to NY. Although OKC could get anyone they want with their assets...prob HOU too, but I don't think he wants to go to either team and I don't think either team "needs" him. NY can build a deal around KAT who is probably the best player MIL could hope to get back in a deal for Giannis, plus another marginal allstar level guy like Bridges, who IMO, would look better somewhere where he has a bigger role. Honestly, I don't think Giannis helps NY that much...I see similar issues between Giannis and Brunson that we saw with Dame (although Brunson isn't washed at all), but NY doesn't really have the 3pt shooters to put around Giannis if they trade KAT and Bridges. Maybe we could send a pick/Collins or Vuc to NY for Robinson to make the deal/fit better.

I do not think NY could put together a compelling offer without a third team. It would be pointless for Milwaukee to trade for guys like KAT or Bridges. if they are trading Giannis, they are blowing it up, and they'll want draft assets. The best place to start the search for a trade partner or potential third team would be the teams that already own the rights to the picks Milwaukee has traded away.

[Infinity2152]

I think Giannis, IF he leaves MIL, will go to NY. Although OKC could get anyone they want with their assets...prob HOU too, but I don't think he wants to go to either team and I don't think either team "needs" him. NY can build a deal around KAT who is probably the best player MIL could hope to get back in a deal for Giannis, plus another marginal allstar level guy like Bridges, who IMO, would look better somewhere where he has a bigger role. Honestly, I don't think Giannis helps NY that much...I see similar issues between Giannis and Brunson that we saw with Dame (although Brunson isn't washed at all), but NY doesn't really have the 3pt shooters to put around Giannis if they trade KAT and Bridges. Maybe we could send a pick/Collins or Vuc to NY for Robinson to make the deal/fit better.

I do not think NY could put together a compelling offer without a third team. It would be pointless for Milwaukee to trade for guys like KAT or Bridges. if they are trading Giannis, they are blowing it up, and they'll want draft assets. The best place to start the search for a trade partner or potential third team would be the teams that already own the rights to the picks Milwaukee has traded away.

Giannis wants New York. New York has a few bad picks, no great young talent, and a bunch of expensive veteran contracts. Not sure a third team would even make it work. Teams aren't emptying the coffers for KAT, Knicks will ask for WAY too much for Bridges, they gave up 5 firsts for him. Then they'd have to add another vet starter like Anunoby or Hart, don't think you're getting much for them.

Knicks spent so much to build this current team, over market value for some. Then to trade those players for likely less value, and think you'll still have the best offer for Giannis, who will command a premium, I think we could put together a far better package for a rebuilding team.

Even if Giannis says "I'll only play for New York!", which I don't think he'll do, Bucks should take the best offer. Raptors traded for Kawhi expiring who said he definitely wouldn't re-sign, somebody will trade for Giannis with a 1 1/2 left, plus an option year. You have a year and a half to get the team good enough to convince one of the most loyal guys in the league to stay for a super max contract.

Don't think the total trade value of KAT and Bridges equals Giannis even with a three way, and no teams really have space to absorb much cap. How much value would you have to add to Kat to equal Giannis, if the Knicks sent KAT to a third team and got equal value pieces the Bucks would want? 5 picks, 5 swaps and a good young player? Don't think you get that equivalent for Bridges plus the picks the Knicks currently have, with no extra added cap.

[jnrjr79]

I think Giannis, IF he leaves MIL, will go to NY. Although OKC could get anyone they want with their assets...prob HOU too, but I don't think he wants to go to either team and I don't think either team "needs" him. NY can build a deal around KAT who is probably the best player MIL could hope to get back in a deal for Giannis, plus another marginal allstar level guy like Bridges, who IMO, would look better somewhere where he has a bigger role. Honestly, I don't think Giannis helps NY that much...I see similar issues between Giannis and Brunson that we saw with Dame (although Brunson isn't washed at all), but NY doesn't really have the 3pt shooters to put around Giannis if they trade KAT and Bridges. Maybe we could send a pick/Collins or Vuc to NY for Robinson to make the deal/fit better.

I do not think NY could put together a compelling offer without a third team. It would be pointless for Milwaukee to trade for guys like KAT or Bridges. if they are trading Giannis, they are blowing it up, and they'll want draft assets. The best place to start the search for a trade partner or potential third team would be the teams that already own the rights to the picks Milwaukee has traded away.

Giannis wants New York. New York has a few bad picks, no great young talent, and a bunch of expensive veteran contracts. Not sure a third team would even make it work. Teams aren't emptying the coffers for KAT, Knicks will ask for WAY too much for Bridges, they gave up 5 firsts for him. Then they'd have to add another vet starter like Anunoby or Hart, don't think you're getting much for them.

I tend to agree that NY could not trade its vets for enough draft capital/expiring salary to pry away Giannis and then have enough left to put a team together around him. I don't see them as a particularly realistic suitor, but if they're bidding, at a minimum I think they'd need a third team to put together anything credible. I'm not sure how much draft capital you could turn KAT + Bridges into, at this point. KAT is an incredible shooter, but has been benched from time to time given his poor defense. Bridges is a nice player, but he's on a pretty expensive extension that probably limits his appeal.

Knicks spent so much to build this current team, over market value for some. Then to trade those players for likely less value, and think you'll still have the best offer for Giannis, who will command a premium, I think we could put together a far better package for a rebuilding team.

I agree in an two-way trade, the Bulls would easily be able to put together something more appealing to Milwaukee than NY could.

Even if Giannis says "I'll only play for New York!", which I don't think he'll do, Bucks should take the best offer. Raptors traded for Kawhi expiring who said he definitely wouldn't re-sign, somebody will trade for Giannis with a 1 1/2 left, plus an option year. You have a year and a half to get the team good enough to convince one of the most loyal guys in the league to stay for a super max contract.

Yeah, maybe next year Giannis will have more leverage, but if you're getting two playoff runs out of him, I think teams will be willing to trade for him and try to convince him to stay.

Don't think the total trade value of KAT and Bridges equals Giannis even with a three way, and no teams really have space to absorb much cap. How much value would you have to add to Kat to equal Giannis, if the Knicks sent KAT to a third team and got equal value pieces the Bucks would want? 5 picks, 5 swaps and a good young player? Don't think you get that equivalent for Bridges plus the picks the Knicks currently have, with no extra added cap.

I don't really care what Milwaukee "wants." It's just about what they can get. I do not think they can get 5 firsts and 5 swaps for Giannis with only 2 seasons of control. My guess is they'll get something closer to 3 firsts, swaps, a young player, and expiring salary.

[Infinity2152]

Durant's 37, was traded as an expiring for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, a current number 10 pick (Worth at least 2-3 future firsts, maybe 4 depending on protections), and 5 seconds as an expiring. KD has maybe 2-3 years left in the NBA, end of career. How many years did Bridges have left on his contract traded for 5 picks? I think 2. You could probably trade pick 10 for like 15 and 22 and trade each of those for two future protected firsts. The seconds may be more valuable than pick swaps, highly unlikely the Rockets with Durant are worse than the Suns, so the Suns would get nothing. Houston has a young core, they should be good for years.

Giannis is only 30, 7 years younger than Durant. 2 years of control is not a short time. Giannis might play 8-9 years. He's stayed with the same team his whole career, he's not a guy you're worried about not re-signing. Even with the Bucks being trash, he's still staying more loyal than I would call reasonable, seeing as they made all these major changes without discussing with him and they have no future.

Giannis is still probably the most two-way impactful player in the league, and will be for years. If anybody is worth 5 firsts and swaps, it's Giannis. Wemby may pass him if he can stay healthy at that height, but Giannis will be at or near the top for years. He doesn't want to extend his final year, trade him then. Don't have to wait to see if he picks up his option. Easy enough to talk, Butler came to the Warriors expiring, quickly extended him. I'm sure it was discussed before the trade.

[Chi town]

My prediction is AK will trade or oay big in FA for a C and draft a C.

Hartenstein and Ngongbo.
Resign Coby.

Continuity. Better hope Buz has MVP game.

[Infinity2152]

Bored, came up with a complicated plan. Skip this if you don't want to read.

1. Buyout Dalen Terry, sign Russell Westbrook to 3.5 mill vet min. Easy

2. Trade Westbrook 3.5 mill and Julian Phillips 2.2 for Tari Eason 5.7 mill and Aaron Holiday 2.2 mill. Rockets are 1 mill below the apron with a roster spot open, they can't sign Westbrook. KD recently said Russ is dope and should be on a team. Easy to moderate

3. Convince Jrue Holiday to play with his brother and Portland they really need their first back, Trade Okoro, Huerter and Portland 1st for Holiday and Camara easy-moderate

4. Convince Giannis to play with his championship teammate and his brother and trade Giddey $25 mill, Collins ($18 mill expiring), Carter ($7 mill expiring) and picks for Giannis 54 mill and Thanasis 2.2 mill. Moderate to difficult

5. If possible, add a little more and swap Vucevic and Turner, they save much more cap through a rebuild. Easy to moderate

Lineup: Holiday, White, Matas, Giannis, Turner. Bench: Jones, Ayo, Camara, Williams, Noa, Smith, Phillips.

Posted a similar trade, but without the Westbrook pickup, the brother connection, Carter going back to Bucks as useful extra expiring contract.

[jnrjr79]

Durant's 37, was traded as an expiring for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, a current number 10 pick (Worth at least 2-3 future firsts, maybe 4 depending on protections), and 5 seconds as an expiring. KD has maybe 2-3 years left in the NBA, end of career. How many years did Bridges have left on his contract traded for 5 picks? I think 2. You could probably trade pick 10 for like 15 and 22 and trade each of those for two future protected firsts. The seconds may be more valuable than pick swaps, highly unlikely the Rockets with Durant are worse than the Suns, so the Suns would get nothing. Houston has a young core, they should be good for years.

I disagree that the current #10 pick is worth 2-4 future firsts. I also think the Bridges trade is a really poor data point to cite in support of Giannis's value, since everyone thinks the Bridges trade was a colossal blunder.

Giannis is only 30, 7 years younger than Durant. 2 years of control is not a short time. Giannis might play 8-9 years. He's stayed with the same team his whole career, he's not a guy you're worried about not re-signing. Even with the Bucks being trash, he's still staying more loyal than I would call reasonable, seeing as they made all these major changes without discussing with him and they have no future.

You are absolutely worried about not re-signing Giannis and there is zero reason to think he'd stick around in a place he does not want to be. But I agree having 2 seasons of control lessens that concern somewhat.

Giannis is still probably the most two-way impactful player in the league, and will be for years. If anybody is worth 5 firsts and swaps, it's Giannis. Wemby may pass him if he can stay healthy at that height, but Giannis will be at or near the top for years. He doesn't want to extend his final year, trade him then. Don't have to wait to see if he picks up his option. Easy enough to talk, Butler came to the Warriors expiring, quickly extended him. I'm sure it was discussed before the trade.

I guess we'll see, but I don't think you'll see 5 1sts + 5 swaps traded for him. Just my opinion!

[Infinity2152]

Durant's 37, was traded as an expiring for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, a current number 10 pick (Worth at least 2-3 future firsts, maybe 4 depending on protections), and 5 seconds as an expiring. KD has maybe 2-3 years left in the NBA, end of career. How many years did Bridges have left on his contract traded for 5 picks? I think 2. You could probably trade pick 10 for like 15 and 22 and trade each of those for two future protected firsts. The seconds may be more valuable than pick swaps, highly unlikely the Rockets with Durant are worse than the Suns, so the Suns would get nothing. Houston has a young core, they should be good for years.

I disagree that the current #10 pick is worth 2-4 future firsts. I also think the Bridges trade is a really poor data point to cite in support of Giannis's value, since everyone thinks the Bridges trade was a colossal blunder.

Giannis is only 30, 7 years younger than Durant. 2 years of control is not a short time. Giannis might play 8-9 years. He's stayed with the same team his whole career, he's not a guy you're worried about not re-signing. Even with the Bucks being trash, he's still staying more loyal than I would call reasonable, seeing as they made all these major changes without discussing with him and they have no future.

You are absolutely worried about not re-signing Giannis and there is zero reason to think he'd stick around in a place he does not want to be. But I agree having 2 seasons of control lessens that concern somewhat.

Giannis is still probably the most two-way impactful player in the league, and will be for years. If anybody is worth 5 firsts and swaps, it's Giannis. Wemby may pass him if he can stay healthy at that height, but Giannis will be at or near the top for years. He doesn't want to extend his final year, trade him then. Don't have to wait to see if he picks up his option. Easy enough to talk, Butler came to the Warriors expiring, quickly extended him. I'm sure it was discussed before the trade.

I guess we'll see, but I don't think you'll see 5 1sts + 5 swaps traded for him. Just my opinion!

Like you said it's all opinion. We saw a decent first traded for three firsts last year, soand I'm pretty sure a number 10 pick could be split into two decent firsts which could then be split. Not talking 1 for 4 trade, though a 3 for 1 just happened.

Any team trading for Giannis is trying to win now. Nobody's signing Giannis focused on what he will bring in three years. Sure a 4 year contract would be more attractive. How many stars EVER are traded with four years left on their contract? They'd almost have to be traded just after they signed the max contract.

I could bring up at least 10 star trades of players lower than Giannis that got more than 3 firsts with two years left on their contracts. You want to pull up top 3-5 players in the NBA traded at 30 for 3 firsts that are not expiring, I'll take a look. Even if they are expiring, players at KD level traded for 3 firsts or less, show me. If a major player like Derozan is added, you have to assign some pick value. The level of the players they get back will affect the picks, of course they get less if the young player is Haliburton, lol.

You don't really think 50% of the league would offer more than 3 firsts for Giannis? That's the best offer? We should start at the lowest acceptable offer of course, I don't think 3 firsts get it done and the pick swaps are worthless since we'd be much better than the Bucks for years, most likely.

[jnrjr79]

Durant's 37, was traded as an expiring for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, a current number 10 pick (Worth at least 2-3 future firsts, maybe 4 depending on protections), and 5 seconds as an expiring. KD has maybe 2-3 years left in the NBA, end of career. How many years did Bridges have left on his contract traded for 5 picks? I think 2. You could probably trade pick 10 for like 15 and 22 and trade each of those for two future protected firsts. The seconds may be more valuable than pick swaps, highly unlikely the Rockets with Durant are worse than the Suns, so the Suns would get nothing. Houston has a young core, they should be good for years.

I disagree that the current #10 pick is worth 2-4 future firsts. I also think the Bridges trade is a really poor data point to cite in support of Giannis's value, since everyone thinks the Bridges trade was a colossal blunder.

Giannis is only 30, 7 years younger than Durant. 2 years of control is not a short time. Giannis might play 8-9 years. He's stayed with the same team his whole career, he's not a guy you're worried about not re-signing. Even with the Bucks being trash, he's still staying more loyal than I would call reasonable, seeing as they made all these major changes without discussing with him and they have no future.

You are absolutely worried about not re-signing Giannis and there is zero reason to think he'd stick around in a place he does not want to be. But I agree having 2 seasons of control lessens that concern somewhat.

Giannis is still probably the most two-way impactful player in the league, and will be for years. If anybody is worth 5 firsts and swaps, it's Giannis. Wemby may pass him if he can stay healthy at that height, but Giannis will be at or near the top for years. He doesn't want to extend his final year, trade him then. Don't have to wait to see if he picks up his option. Easy enough to talk, Butler came to the Warriors expiring, quickly extended him. I'm sure it was discussed before the trade.

I guess we'll see, but I don't think you'll see 5 1sts + 5 swaps traded for him. Just my opinion!

Like you said it's all opinion. We saw a decent first traded for three firsts last year, soand I'm pretty sure a number 10 pick could be split into two decent firsts which could then be split. Not talking 1 for 4 trade, though a 3 for 1 just happened.

Any team trading for Giannis is trying to win now. Nobody's signing Giannis focused on what he will bring in three years. Sure a 4 year contract would be more attractive. How many stars EVER are traded with four years left on their contract? They'd almost have to be traded just after they signed the max contract.

I could bring up at least 10 star trades of players lower than Giannis that got more than 3 firsts with two years left on their contracts. You want to pull up top 3-5 players in the NBA traded at 30 for 3 firsts that are not expiring, I'll take a look. Even if they are expiring, players at KD level traded for 3 firsts or less, show me. If a major player like Derozan is added, you have to assign some pick value. The level of the players they get back will affect the picks, of course they get less if the young player is Haliburton, lol.

You don't really think 50% of the league would offer more than 3 firsts for Giannis? That's the best offer? We should start at the lowest acceptable offer of course, I don't think 3 firsts get it done and the pick swaps are worthless since we'd be much better than the Bucks for years, most likely.

Without assurances from his agent that he'll stick around, no I don't think half the league would offer 5 firsts plus 5 swaps for Giannis. In part, I think that's because recent history has been suggesting that doing those sorts of trades doesn't really work.

Gobert trade - players, 5 picks, one swap, considered a huge mistake.
Bridges trade - non-important players, 5 picks, 1 swap, considered a huge mistake.
Anthony Davis trade - Lonzo, Ingram, 3 1sts, one swap, probably considered a success given they did get a title out of it (and got gifted Luka for Davis, lol).
Donovan Mitchell trade - real players, 3 picks, two swaps. Worth it for Cleveland.
Harden trade to Brooklyn - four picks, swaps, and an epic failure of a trade.
Durant to Suns - meh players, four picks, one swap, one of the biggest and most notorious trade fails in history.
George to Clippers - SGA, 5 1sts, swaps, also an incredible failure.

I know "it only takes one," but given the history on this sort of thing, I do not think 5 firsts, 5 swaps, and a young player (I assume you mean one that has some real potential) is probably going to happen for Giannis if he is traded this season. Again, I could be wrong!

I'd also say that if that is the cost, I would not want the Bulls to make that kind of an offer.

In any event, Giannis is still a top 5 player in the league, so I am not suggesting he's somehow not worthy of a significant haul. But 3 unprotected 1sts, and a young player with big upside, plus expiring contracts - that seems to me like roughly the right price. To me, I'd start by looking at the teams that have the biggest draft asset war chests:

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/44938717/nba-draft-asset-rankings-stacking-all-30-teams-pick-collections

I don't think the Thunder are going to mess with their own chemistry after winning the title last season. Brooklyn has a great stash, but their roster isn't ready to win. Same with the Jazz. Houston would probably be worth monitoring. Charlotte and the Wiz would also not seem to be ready. Detroit? That's a sneaky fun option. Orlando? They've got a fun 2026 swap (less favorable of Phoenix and Washington - both of those would probably be pretty good).

The problem you run into is that most of the teams (like the Knicks) that you would expect to have interest because they see themselves as contenders have already traded away a lot of stuff to get themselves where they are.

The other place to look would be the teams that own the rights to future Milwaukee firsts - New Orleans, Portland, Atlanta. New Orleans and Portland don't make sense. Atlanta only has a potential swap, so it doesn't have a ton to offer. But it would make sense to involve them as a third team to try to get those draft assets directed to Milwaukee in an eventual deal.

[Chi town]

Bucks won’t tank post Giannis. They don’t own their own picks. They would need to trade like BKN did to get their picks back

[jnrjr79]

Bucks won’t tank post Giannis. They don’t own their own picks. They would need to trade like BKN did to get their picks back

My guess is that they'll tank in the sense that they will be bad in the short-term and the team that is the winning bidder for Giannis will be one that is able to get Milwaukee some of its draft assets back. If they don't get their picks back, I agree it would make sense for them to try to quickly rebuild what they can. But they have a ton of guys to unload before they can really move on to that.

[Infinity2152]

I disagree that the current #10 pick is worth 2-4 future firsts. I also think the Bridges trade is a really poor data point to cite in support of Giannis's value, since everyone thinks the Bridges trade was a colossal blunder.



You are absolutely worried about not re-signing Giannis and there is zero reason to think he'd stick around in a place he does not want to be. But I agree having 2 seasons of control lessens that concern somewhat.



I guess we'll see, but I don't think you'll see 5 1sts + 5 swaps traded for him. Just my opinion!

Like you said it's all opinion. We saw a decent first traded for three firsts last year, soand I'm pretty sure a number 10 pick could be split into two decent firsts which could then be split. Not talking 1 for 4 trade, though a 3 for 1 just happened.

Any team trading for Giannis is trying to win now. Nobody's signing Giannis focused on what he will bring in three years. Sure a 4 year contract would be more attractive. How many stars EVER are traded with four years left on their contract? They'd almost have to be traded just after they signed the max contract.

I could bring up at least 10 star trades of players lower than Giannis that got more than 3 firsts with two years left on their contracts. You want to pull up top 3-5 players in the NBA traded at 30 for 3 firsts that are not expiring, I'll take a look. Even if they are expiring, players at KD level traded for 3 firsts or less, show me. If a major player like Derozan is added, you have to assign some pick value. The level of the players they get back will affect the picks, of course they get less if the young player is Haliburton, lol.

You don't really think 50% of the league would offer more than 3 firsts for Giannis? That's the best offer? We should start at the lowest acceptable offer of course, I don't think 3 firsts get it done and the pick swaps are worthless since we'd be much better than the Bucks for years, most likely.

Without assurances from his agent that he'll stick around, no I don't think half the league would offer 5 firsts plus 5 swaps for Giannis. In part, I think that's because recent history has been suggesting that doing those sorts of trades doesn't really work.

Gobert trade - players, 5 picks, one swap, considered a huge mistake.
Bridges trade - non-important players, 5 picks, 1 swap, considered a huge mistake.
Anthony Davis trade - Lonzo, Ingram, 3 1sts, one swap, probably considered a success given they did get a title out of it (and got gifted Luka for Davis, lol).
Donovan Mitchell trade - real players, 3 picks, two swaps. Worth it for Cleveland.
Harden trade to Brooklyn - four picks, swaps, and an epic failure of a trade.
Durant to Suns - meh players, four picks, one swap, one of the biggest and most notorious trade fails in history.
George to Clippers - SGA, 5 1sts, swaps, also an incredible failure.

I know "it only takes one," but given the history on this sort of thing, I do not think 5 firsts, 5 swaps, and a young player (I assume you mean one that has some real potential) is probably going to happen for Giannis if he is traded this season. Again, I could be wrong!

I'd also say that if that is the cost, I would not want the Bulls to make that kind of an offer.

In any event, Giannis is still a top 5 player in the league, so I am not suggesting he's somehow not worthy of a significant haul. But 3 unprotected 1sts, and a young player with big upside, plus expiring contracts - that seems to me like roughly the right price. To me, I'd start by looking at the teams that have the biggest draft asset war chests:

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/44938717/nba-draft-asset-rankings-stacking-all-30-teams-pick-collections

I don't think the Thunder are going to mess with their own chemistry after winning the title last season. Brooklyn has a great stash, but their roster isn't ready to win. Same with the Jazz. Houston would probably be worth monitoring. Charlotte and the Wiz would also not seem to be ready. Detroit? That's a sneaky fun option. Orlando? They've got a fun 2026 swap (less favorable of Phoenix and Washington - both of those would probably be pretty good).

The problem you run into is that most of the teams (like the Knicks) that you would expect to have interest because they see themselves as contenders have already traded away a lot of stuff to get themselves where they are.

The other place to look would be the teams that own the rights to future Milwaukee firsts - New Orleans, Portland, Atlanta. New Orleans and Portland don't make sense. Atlanta only has a potential swap, so it doesn't have a ton to offer. But it would make sense to involve them as a third team to try to get those draft assets directed to Milwaukee in an eventual deal.

You're using knowledge of the results years later to compare with what teams will do now. The teams made those trades based on their current knowledge. Doesn't matter how the trades turned out, what matters is what they traded and why at that time.

When you say those trades don't work, the player would have to have left after two years, leaving the team with nothing. Even more, if you're saying it's bad they are still on the team at max, wouldn't it have been better for the team if they left? Traded max players almost always re-sign, the guys who don't bounce from team to team like Harden and Lebron. Not even Kawhi, he didn't want to go to the Raptors, and he's been loyal to the Clippers, where he wanted to be.

Let's be real, Giannis will likely go to a team he likes, if not his top choice. Probably in his top 3-4 choices. I'm sure they will talk about long term with Giannis and his agents before the trade, lay out their whole plan. All the team has to do is their part, put a winning team around him. You don't do that, you don't deserve to keep him, imo.

His teammate Lillard had more than two years left on his contract, more valuable right? Worked out great for the Bucks having those extra years. Same with Bradley Beal, those extra 2 years working out for them?

[MrSparkle]

To pry Giannis away from Milwaukee, it’ll take a mother load package. IMO Bulls have 0% chance making a trade unless they want to become a worse version of the depleted Bucks. Matas would absolutely have to be on the table for them to continue past “hello.”

I still think Houston is one of the few teams who could do it, without nuking depth. They got Durant without coughing up too much (if anything, they dumped bloated contracts). They ought to consider Sengun/Jabari/FRPs for Giannis.

FVV’s ACL is the main issue. If he comes back half the player, the guard rotation can’t win a ring unless Reed becomes the MIP. But Amen/Giannis/Durant would be one of the most insane frontcourts ever.

Durant’s on borrowed time… but HOU has just the right amount of forward depth to manage his minutes (and defensive responsibilities). Giannis would be the perfect pairing.

Knicks’ best offer would suck, in comparison. Luka Lakers have a shot at signing Giannis if Bucks dare go to free agency.

Or he just slugs it out and competes in Milwaukee. I actually think they have a shot at the top-3 seed. Dame was a big mistake. Their M.O. is defending the paint, and Dame plus Brook’s age decline messed it up. With Myles and some younger legs at guard, Indy/Boston hurt, they ought to have a better year.