OT - Donovan Mitchell traded to the Cavs

[Pointgod]

Looking at what the Cavs gave for Mitchell, we could get a similar type of player if we just show patience and wait until the off season. From a pick perspective the Cavs traded 3 picks and 2 swaps. Next offseason we could trade our 23 pick, swap 2026, 27 pick, swap 28, 29 pick, swap 2010. Meanwhile if we made an in season trade could only trade 27 and 2029, swap 23, 26, 28. Way more talent to be had by waiting vs panicking and making an in season trade.

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[Ball so hard]

Look at what Cleveland gave up?? Three former lottery picks, 3 Unprotected first round picks, and 2 picks swap. No way we can offer anything close to that. We have no young asset. At least one of those picks you mentioned will be sent out in a Westbrook trade. Picks 6+ years out are hardly that appealing unless you can entice with another asset in the near term. Also, what salary ballast do we have to include with those picks next off-season? Sorry, nowhere near as optimistic as you are.

[Pointgod]

Look at what Cleveland gave up?? Three former lottery picks, 3 Unprotected first round picks, and 2 picks swap. No way we can offer anything close to that. We have no young asset. At least one of those picks you mentioned will be sent out in a Westbrook trade. Picks 6+ years out are hardly that appealing unless you can entice with another asset in the near term. Also, what salary ballast do we have to include with those picks next off-season? Sorry, nowhere near as optimistic as you are.

Sexton and Markkanen were throw ins for purely salary purposes. This was not about talent. Zero teams tried to sign Sexton and the same thing happened with Markkanen last year. My argument is that a trade like this is why we shouldn’t trade any picks this year, because if we do then all our flexibility goes to ****. We have 30 million in capspace next year, we can literally just absorb a contract. Trading two picks in a Westbrook trade is beyond stupid unless we’re getting an allstar that’s locked into their contract for at least 3 more seasons.

[stan francisco]

Look at what Cleveland gave up?? Three former lottery picks, 3 Unprotected first round picks, and 2 picks swap. No way we can offer anything close to that. We have no young asset. At least one of those picks you mentioned will be sent out in a Westbrook trade. Picks 6+ years out are hardly that appealing unless you can entice with another asset in the near term. Also, what salary ballast do we have to include with those picks next off-season? Sorry, nowhere near as optimistic as you are.

Sexton and Markkanen were throw ins for purely salary purposes. This was not about talent. Zero teams tried to sign Sexton and the same thing happened with Markkanen last year. My argument is that a trade like this is why we shouldn’t trade any picks this year, because if we do then all our flexibility goes to ****. We have 30 million in capspace next year, we can literally just absorb a contract. Trading two picks in a Westbrook trade is beyond stupid unless we’re getting an allstar that’s locked into their contract for at least 3 more seasons.

If we assume LBJ will still play at full strength when 45, yes. It’s win now mode. Let’s not give away picks, but if it can help us win now, let’s trade them.

[Ball so hard]

Look at what Cleveland gave up?? Three former lottery picks, 3 Unprotected first round picks, and 2 picks swap. No way we can offer anything close to that. We have no young asset. At least one of those picks you mentioned will be sent out in a Westbrook trade. Picks 6+ years out are hardly that appealing unless you can entice with another asset in the near term. Also, what salary ballast do we have to include with those picks next off-season? Sorry, nowhere near as optimistic as you are.

Sexton and Markkanen were throw ins for purely salary purposes. This was not about talent. Zero teams tried to sign Sexton and the same thing happened with Markkanen last year. My argument is that a trade like this is why we shouldn’t trade any picks this year, because if we do then all our flexibility goes to ****. We have 30 million in capspace next year, we can literally just absorb a contract. Trading two picks in a Westbrook trade is beyond stupid unless we’re getting an allstar that’s locked into their contract for at least 3 more seasons.

I agree that all our flexibility would go out the window. However, I’m not sure why you used this trade to make your point. We couldn’t come close to offering a similar package. Like I previously mentioned, we have zero young assets. Sexton and Markkanen aren’t prime assets, but they’re far from being throw ins. Stanley Johnson was a throw in. Off the top of my head these two are probably better than every player on our roster outside of Bron and AD. Zero teams attempting to sign Sexton and Markkanen was not indicative of their lack of talent. They were RFAs and this can happen sometimes. Ayton barely got an offer this off-season and it wasn’t because he’s a fringe player. THT also didn’t get an offer last year… at the time he was regarded as a pretty solid prospect.

[TimeisIllmatic]

Not sure why the Lakers not attempting to acquire Mitchell is even a discussion. The Lakers have enough offense. The issue is more so defense, consistent spot up shooting, and not having a facilitator. Mitchell doesn't help in either regard. With the limited assets and cap space the Lakers have, they'd done ok with attempting to address those needs this offseason.

[Pointgod]

Look at what Cleveland gave up?? Three former lottery picks, 3 Unprotected first round picks, and 2 picks swap. No way we can offer anything close to that. We have no young asset. At least one of those picks you mentioned will be sent out in a Westbrook trade. Picks 6+ years out are hardly that appealing unless you can entice with another asset in the near term. Also, what salary ballast do we have to include with those picks next off-season? Sorry, nowhere near as optimistic as you are.

Sexton and Markkanen were throw ins for purely salary purposes. This was not about talent. Zero teams tried to sign Sexton and the same thing happened with Markkanen last year. My argument is that a trade like this is why we shouldn’t trade any picks this year, because if we do then all our flexibility goes to ****. We have 30 million in capspace next year, we can literally just absorb a contract. Trading two picks in a Westbrook trade is beyond stupid unless we’re getting an allstar that’s locked into their contract for at least 3 more seasons.

I agree that all our flexibility would go out the window. However, I’m not sure why you used this trade to make your point. We couldn’t come close to offering a similar package. Like I previously mentioned, we have zero young assets. Sexton and Markkanen aren’t prime assets, but they’re far from being throw ins. Stanley Johnson was a throw in. Off the top of my head these two are probably better than every player on our roster outside of Bron and AD. Zero teams attempting to sign Sexton and Markkanen was not indicative of their lack of talent. They were RFAs and this can happen sometimes. Ayton barely got an offer this off-season and it wasn’t because he’s a fringe player. THT also didn’t get an offer last year… at the time he was regarded as a pretty solid prospect.

Our picks are actually pretty valuable there was a recent article that they maybe the most valuable picks in the league. There was a recent article about it.

"The two Lakers’ picks are the most powerful thing as far as picks go in the league right now. Everyone expects them to be top picks and if you can get them unprotected, everybody wants those. The Lakers only want to give up one and now you have to be thinking, if you’re the Lakers, OK, (Malik) Beasley and Bogdanovic and Jarred Vanderbilt for one of these picks and Russ? Or, you know, Clarkson or Conley in there? You’re going to want three of those five players, give up Westbrook and only deal off one of the picks. Danny might get more picks if he sells those off individually but he is not going to get better picks, and that is the thing the Lakers have as an advantage."

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10047697-nba-exec-lakers-2027-2029-1st-rounders-most-powerful-draft-picks-in-league

And if you think about it, it makes sense. Lebron has a 2 year shelf life, AD is in and out of the line up and whoever’s left probably won’t be able to single handily make us a playoff team. Any team getting our picks is getting one that’s a high probability of landing in the lottery. That’s why they should be more valuable than you’re giving them credit for and why we shouldn’t do any stupid trades like Clarkson or Bogdanovic. Plus those pick swaps become more valuable the further out they go.

Cavs traded Mitchell for what will probably be 3 low first round picks, Abaji who was a mid tier pick drafted too, Markkanen and Sexton who I think are fine players but their talent was not the main driver here. I left out the pick swaps because those most likely won’t convey since Utah will be bad for a very long time. My point is that we should only trade our picks for an allstar that’s going to put us over the top because we know the window is short. And contrary to popular belief we’re in a more favourable position next offseason where we’ll be able to trade 3 picks outright and offer 3 pick swaps in later years after Bron is long gone. We’ll have 30 million in capspace and because of salary rules we could outright absorb anything up to a 45 million in contracts and we could always bring in a third team willing to move some of talent for a pick and massive trade exemption. Mitchell, Gobert, Harden, Dejounte Murray, Jrue Holiday, Allstars are getting moved for massive unprotected pick packages over young talent plus protected picks. This is the new NBA.

[Cappy_Smurf]

. My argument is that a trade like this is why we shouldn’t trade any picks this year, because if we do then all our flexibility goes to ****.

The problem with this is that Lebron James is at an age where he can't afford to be patient. If both Lebron and AD are healthy, they potentially have chance to contend. It would be a shame if they were both healthy this year and ended up coming up just short of the title because the team was waiting for next year to make a move.

I'm not sure what they will end up doing, but generally when you have a chance to play for a title with an aging superstar like Lebron, you don't punt on the current year to plan for the future.

[Pointgod]

. My argument is that a trade like this is why we shouldn’t trade any picks this year, because if we do then all our flexibility goes to ****.

The problem with this is that Lebron James is at an age where he can't afford to be patient. If both Lebron and AD are healthy, they potentially have chance to contend. It would be a shame if they were both healthy this year and ended up coming up just short of the title because the team was waiting for next year to make a move.

I'm not sure what they will end up doing, but generally when you have a chance to play for a title with an aging superstar like Lebron, you don't punt on the current year to plan for the future.

Stop it. The only way we contend this season with this supporting cast is if someone trades us a top 10 player for Westbrook and picks. Kyrie, Hield and Miles Turner, Mike Conley and Bogdanovic pupu platter is not getting us past the top 4 in the West. Just too many weak points to expose and you practically have to favor in that Anthony Davis will miss games. Or we can wait till the offseason to bring in a true allstar to lessen the load on Lebron.

[ForeverRDjazz]

. My argument is that a trade like this is why we shouldn’t trade any picks this year, because if we do then all our flexibility goes to ****.

The problem with this is that Lebron James is at an age where he can't afford to be patient. If both Lebron and AD are healthy, they potentially have chance to contend. It would be a shame if they were both healthy this year and ended up coming up just short of the title because the team was waiting for next year to make a move.

I'm not sure what they will end up doing, but generally when you have a chance to play for a title with an aging superstar like Lebron, you don't punt on the current year to plan for the future.

Stop it. The only way we contend this season with this supporting cast is if someone trades us a top 10 player for Westbrook and picks. Kyrie, Hield and Miles Turner, Mike Conley and Bogdanovic pupu platter is not getting us past the top 4 in the West. Just too many weak points to expose and you practically have to favor in that Anthony Davis will miss games. Or we can wait till the offseason to bring in a true allstar to lessen the load on Lebron.

I'm sure teams are lining up to trade top 19 players to LA. Keeping westbrook is a huge mistake if they want to try to win a championship. Wasn't long ago many felt Russ was top 10 player and it was a huge mistake. Not saying trading for 3 old vets in Utah is the key to success but you know keeping one old 45 million vet isn't. You throw one year away until Russ is off the books then draft a rookie that'll take 3 or 4 years to be good?

[Slava]

The problem with this is that Lebron James is at an age where he can't afford to be patient. If both Lebron and AD are healthy, they potentially have chance to contend. It would be a shame if they were both healthy this year and ended up coming up just short of the title because the team was waiting for next year to make a move.

I'm not sure what they will end up doing, but generally when you have a chance to play for a title with an aging superstar like Lebron, you don't punt on the current year to plan for the future.

Stop it. The only way we contend this season with this supporting cast is if someone trades us a top 10 player for Westbrook and picks. Kyrie, Hield and Miles Turner, Mike Conley and Bogdanovic pupu platter is not getting us past the top 4 in the West. Just too many weak points to expose and you practically have to favor in that Anthony Davis will miss games. Or we can wait till the offseason to bring in a true allstar to lessen the load on Lebron.

I'm sure teams are lining up to trade top 19 players to LA. Keeping westbrook is a huge mistake if they want to try to win a championship. Wasn't long ago many felt Russ was top 10 player and it was a huge mistake. Not saying trading for 3 old vets in Utah is the key to success but you know keeping one old 45 million vet isn't. You throw one year away until Russ is off the books then draft a rookie that'll take 3 or 4 years to be good?

The objective is not to draft a rookie but to use those picks for other trades as we have little course to upgrade outside of that or free agency. Trading away the two picks we are able to and also adding salary onto our books kind of boxes us further into a corner. Sure, the Russell Westbrook trade looks an even bigger mistake than it seemed at the time, we don't need to be captain hindsights about it now, but the best we can do is to not go all in unless its for a player who can cement himself as a longer term keeper. None of the players from Utah are that. $30M in cap space in 2023 on the other hand, that is full of options.

[Pointgod]

Stop it. The only way we contend this season with this supporting cast is if someone trades us a top 10 player for Westbrook and picks. Kyrie, Hield and Miles Turner, Mike Conley and Bogdanovic pupu platter is not getting us past the top 4 in the West. Just too many weak points to expose and you practically have to favor in that Anthony Davis will miss games. Or we can wait till the offseason to bring in a true allstar to lessen the load on Lebron.

I'm sure teams are lining up to trade top 19 players to LA. Keeping westbrook is a huge mistake if they want to try to win a championship. Wasn't long ago many felt Russ was top 10 player and it was a huge mistake. Not saying trading for 3 old vets in Utah is the key to success but you know keeping one old 45 million vet isn't. You throw one year away until Russ is off the books then draft a rookie that'll take 3 or 4 years to be good?

The objective is not to draft a rookie but to use those picks for other trades as we have little course to upgrade outside of that or free agency. Trading away the two picks we are able to and also adding salary onto our books kind of boxes us further into a corner. Sure, the Russell Westbrook trade looks an even bigger mistake than it seemed at the time, we don't need to be captain hindsights about it now, but the best we can do is to not go all in unless its for a player who can cement himself as a longer term keeper. None of the players from Utah are that. $30M in cap space in 2023 on the other hand, that is full of options.

This guy gets it. The point of keeping out powder dry is to make sure we have enough ammo for when the next superstar or allstar is on the trading block. We could get a buddy Hield next offseason. We could sign Myles Turner next offseason. There are multiple opportunities that open up next offseason and if we really wanted to put all our chips in the table we could trade Davis and picks for a superstar and still have room to fill out our roster. I just don’t get the urgency to blow our best chance on a player that raises our ceiling to the second round or an unreliable mess like Kyrie.