CHA/BOS/NOP

[HornetJail]

Charlotte trades #4, 2026 1st (worst of PHX/WAS/ORL/MEM), Josh Green, Grant Williams, Jusuf Nurkic, Nick Smith Jr, DaQuan Jeffries
Charlotte receives #7, Herb Jones, Jrue Holiday
The Hornets acquire two excellent fits between LaMelo and Miller, both excellent defenders, Jrue can handle the ball while Herb is the embodiment of the player Jeff Peterson is trying (and consistently failing) to find in the rough. A decent rookie with upside can probably still be found at #7. A rotation of Ball/Herb/Miller/Bridges/Mark+Jrue/Mann/Diabate, plus an MLE forward/wing and a rookie (Knueppel? CMB?) is promising.

Boston trades Jrue Holiday
Boston receives Nick Smith Jr, DaQuan Jeffries, Jusuf Nurkic (bought out and stretched around $5M to $5.5M/year)
immediate total cap savings $23-26M/year
The Celtics get a ton of immediate savings as part of an effort to duck the tax in a down year. Jeffries (defense) and NSJ (scoring guard) are extremely cheap fringe pieces for the Celtics to try out. Jeffries is non guaranteed for two more years. The Celtics could probably combine Nurkic with their own #28 or #32 to trade Nurkic into someone's cap space, and lower or even eliminate that stretched dead salary, but I'll leave that alone here.

New Orleans trades #7, Herb Jones, [full MLE to absorb Green or Grant]
New Orleans receives #4, 2026 1st (worst of PHX/WAS/ORL/MEM), Grant Williams, Josh Green
This is basically a two parter for the Pelicans. #4 for Herb+#7 seems to be reasonably well received on here. the other half is the Pelicans eating the Hornets' bad contracts for a quality return, a pick that projects as #18 next season (if all four teams stay the same as last season). One of Green/Grant matches Herb's contract, the other squeezes into the Pelicans' full MLE.

[Mavrelous]

Seems fine, I don't think NOP shoukd take GW, he can be traded elsewhere with BOS #28 (Detroit for example).

[hugepatsfan]

So the trade machine says Nurkic/Jeffries/Smith Jr. for Holiday is $70K short on CHA's end. I assume the only reason you made this a 3 team deal was to help manage that by using Grant/Green outgoing money to offset?

As far as assessing the deal, I think you gotta look at it as two deals and ignore the salary matching mechanics for a second:

NO/CHA: Herb/#7 for #4/Green/Williams/26 1st
BOS/CHA: Jrue for Nurkic/Jeffries/Smith Jr.

The Pelicans, right now, are $11.8M below the luxury tax and that's before signing their pick (now higher salaried #4 instead of #7). Herb for one of Green/Williams is neutral, but they're not the right team to take on both. Definitely have to flip one of those players to a TPE/MLE somewhere else, which means the '26 pick goes too.

On the BOS trade, does CHA really want to take on Jrue without compensation for extra salary? I guess I get that for them but I kind of question it. I'll run with it though.

I'd propose this be made into something a little bigger actually:

NOP gives: #7, Herb Jones, Olynyk
NOP gets: #4, Grant Williams

Why? They give up Herb and take on an extra year of salary to move up from #7 to #4. Deal also sheds salary to get them below the tax comfortably while signing the pick and filling out the roster.

CHA gives: Nurkic, Grant Williams, Josh Green, Okogie, #4
CHA gets: #7, Herb Jones (MLE), Holiday, Porzingis

Why? Take the OP's idea but let CHA keep their cheaper depth and '26 1st. Since they're adding Jrue and Herb then adding Porzingis for no assets is a good upside play too, IMO).

BOS gives: Jrue, Porzingis, future 2nds
BOS gets: Josh Green, Olynyk, Nurkic

Why? Salary savings. If they waive/stretch Nurkic and salary dump Olynyk they're below the tax while still getting to keep Hauser.

BRK gives: nothing
BRK gets: Okogie, BOS 2nds

Why? Salary dump trade.

[brackdan70]

Seems ok first glance.
For the Celtics it’s a pure Salary dump. I don’t expect any of those players sticking long term or even past their contracts. I guess you see how Smith Jr does.
Seems like appropriate value for the other teams as well.

[hugepatsfan]

Just so it doesn't get burred in my longer post above, the NOP tax situation is an actual death sentence for this as is IMO. One of those guys (Green/Williams) needs to go to BOS or the deal expanded further for this general framework to be salvageable. But I think the bones of this (Herb moving NO up from 7 to 4) and CHA taking on Jrue in salary dump to try and get better as a team) make logical sense.

[jayjaysee]

I would take Grant Williams and the late 2026 first out of the OP? Charlotte can afford Grant and hope he bounces back while keeping their future asset, NOP shouldn’t want to be stuck with his contract taking on that much extra really impacts their tax situation in a year they shouldn’t be paying the tax.

Don’t love the idea for Charlotte, but do love the roster fit with Jrue and Herb coming in. If you believe in Ball/Miller, those are two really great pieces to add. Just would be taking one of VJ, Bailey, or Tre (one likely won’t be there at 4 I understand) and trusting in their upside. Wouldn’t be first time I am wrong about the draft, but feels like a big drop off to 7..

Boston part feels right. They can/should dump some of Nurk’s money in a follow up..

[jayjaysee]

Just so it doesn't get burred in my longer post above, the NOP tax situation is an actual death sentence for this as is IMO. One of those guys (Green/Williams) needs to go to BOS or the deal expanded further for this general framework to be salvageable. But I think the bones of this (Herb moving NO up from 7 to 4) and CHA taking on Jrue in salary dump to try and get better as a team) make logical sense.

Yeah, I’d just leave out Grant/2026 first.

Green/4 for Herb/7.

If NOP is in love with a prospect at 4 - it’s worth it..

[Texas Chuck]

A lot of other stuff touched on already, but I don't love Boston stretch waiving Nurk. Would rather them use some minor assets to move him for less or zero salary.

[ReggiesKnicks]

A lot of other stuff touched on already, but I don't love Boston stretch waiving Nurk. Would rather them use some minor assets to move him for less or zero salary.

That or add Chicago and send Vuc to Boston for Nurkic/32

[hugepatsfan]

A lot of other stuff touched on already, but I don't love Boston stretch waiving Nurk. Would rather them use some minor assets to move him for less or zero salary.

Generally I agree, but in BOS's situation I think it's valid. Only way I'd consider it is part of a scenario where BOS is ducking the tax altogether (not just aprons). They have a pretty insane $44M to clear to do that. And they only have 2 future 2nds so not a lot there. I also don't want to include any future 1sts to shed the money. And the guys I want to trade are Jrue on a 3 year deal many are going to view negatively and an injury prone Porzingis on a bloated deal that teams probably won't want to line up for. Beggers can't really be choosers.

Nurkic makes $19.375M. Stretching him drops that to $6,458,333 (almost $13M savings). Call it $11M once you factor in replacing the roster spot. It's not like Nurkic is good. I think it might cost BOS some assets they don't have to shed $11M off Nurkic's salary. Stretching might be a good option if it makes the difference between over/under the tax.

[djFan71]

I think Charlotte owes BOS some pick asset(s) in a KP for Nurk/Okogie scenario. They're only saving BOS $3.6M and are getting a vastly better player on court. Obviously, on-court is the issue, but a) it is with Nurk as well, b) they are still getting a potential high value upside for absolutely nothing here.

[HornetJail]

So the trade machine says Nurkic/Jeffries/Smith Jr. for Holiday is $70K short on CHA's end. I assume the only reason you made this a 3 team deal was to help manage that by using Grant/Green outgoing money to offset?

As far as assessing the deal, I think you gotta look at it as two deals and ignore the salary matching mechanics for a second:

NO/CHA: Herb/#7 for #4/Green/Williams/26 1st
BOS/CHA: Jrue for Nurkic/Jeffries/Smith Jr.

The Pelicans, right now, are $11.8M below the luxury tax and that's before signing their pick (now higher salaried #4 instead of #7). Herb for one of Green/Williams is neutral, but they're not the right team to take on both. Definitely have to flip one of those players to a TPE/MLE somewhere else, which means the '26 pick goes too.

On the BOS trade, does CHA really want to take on Jrue without compensation for extra salary? I guess I get that for them but I kind of question it. I'll run with it though.

I'd propose this be made into something a little bigger actually:

NOP gives: #7, Herb Jones, Olynyk
NOP gets: #4, Grant Williams

Why? They give up Herb and take on an extra year of salary to move up from #7 to #4. Deal also sheds salary to get them below the tax comfortably while signing the pick and filling out the roster.

CHA gives: Nurkic, Grant Williams, Josh Green, Okogie, #4
CHA gets: #7, Herb Jones (MLE), Holiday, Porzingis

Why? Take the OP's idea but let CHA keep their cheaper depth and '26 1st. Since they're adding Jrue and Herb then adding Porzingis for no assets is a good upside play too, IMO).

BOS gives: Jrue, Porzingis, future 2nds
BOS gets: Josh Green, Olynyk, Nurkic

Why? Salary savings. If they waive/stretch Nurkic and salary dump Olynyk they're below the tax while still getting to keep Hauser.

BRK gives: nothing
BRK gets: Okogie, BOS 2nds

Why? Salary dump trade.

The original reason this was a 3 teamer was to swap Nurk+a Boston pick for Olynyk to save Boston some more cash, but I couldn't make that work... I missed their lux tax implications as well

I absolutely love this version. If my calculations are correct, Okogie would only need to be guaranteed for about $3.62M, and there really isn't a need for Brooklyn at all. Cut and stretch for $1.2M and save the pick

[YayBasketball]

Yeah, I’d just leave out Grant/2026 first.

Green/4 for Herb/7.

If NOP is in love with a prospect at 4 - it’s worth it..

Yes, I will focus on this simplified trade as a Pels fan. Don't think they'd want to take on 20+m in multi year contracts for replacement level players just for a extra late first next year.

My version was Okogie (exp.) instead of J. Green (2 yr. contract). Then Hornets give back NOP's 2nd (pick #34). I guess taking back Green isn't a deal breaker, but I'd ask for at least another 2nd for that.

At #4, Dumars keys in on a player that reminds him or himself, a.true two-way 2 guard with star potential : VJ Edgecombe.

[Mrakar]

The difference between 4 and 7 in this draft is not that great for Pelicans to put Herb Jones in. Remember Herb is not just solid player who every championship contender wants, but he also has one of the best contracts in the NBA. He is playing for MLE basicly.

Since Bailey and Edgecombe didnt measure very well(Bailey especially and Edgecombe showed his other weaknesses in the combine) i think there is significant gap between 1 and 2, and 2 and 3. From 3 untill like 8-9 i dont think there is a player worth moving up for.
Pels pass, easily i would add.

[MasterIchiro]

As a Charlotte fan I appreciate the fit of Jrue and Jones - players known to stabilize a defense. A good defense will help a young team compete every night. The Hornets high end talent in Ball and Miller can generate offense. And I think Jrue's ability/experience as a floor general will benefit them. He will help coaching implement a team offense that will generate better looks for young core players and draft prospects these next 3 years of his contract. I also like that good prospects will be there at 7. Hornets are rumored to like Jakucionis (broke by the person who forecast Tidjane Salaün as the selection by Charlotte 6 last season). Even Kon or Tre Johnson could be there.

The one fracture here relates to the Pelicans.

If they love Jeremiah Fears (ESPN has him 5) and feel motivated to initiate a new franchise PG for their rebuild, then they could look to leapfrog Ainge who could use a franchise PG himself. Not to mention the Nets at 8. They are not in position to address a position of need at the launch of their rebuilds. They have to be aggressive.

If the Pelicans don't love someone like Fears and prefer to wait to see if he falls, then this deal falls apart on account of 3-7 being flat. It's been reported that some teams see more upside in Fears than Harper. So Fears profiles as someone teams may target by trading up, instead of taking a chance on him falling only for some GM to scoop up Fears for his upside at a critical position in today's game.

Excited by these trade ideas. The draft and lottery teams just feel more flexible than usual.

[YayBasketball]

The difference between 4 and 7 in this draft is not that great for Pelicans to put Herb Jones in. Remember Herb is not just solid player who every championship contender wants, but he also has one of the best contracts in the NBA. He is playing for MLE basicly.

Since Bailey and Edgecombe didnt measure very well(Bailey especially and Edgecombe showed his other weaknesses in the combine) i think there is significant gap between 1 and 2, and 2 and 3. From 3 untill like 8-9 i dont think there is a player worth moving up for.
Pels pass, easily i would add.

I agree that the tier from 3-7 is pretty close. I'm okay with seeing whoever falls to 7 and picking one of Essengue, Fears, Johnson, Maluach, CMB is a wildcard culture setter Dumars wants.

I get you and the fan base love Herb. He's awesome, good contract, no nonsense guy, from the Gulf Coast so he's like a hometown hero. But now that Dumars has come out and said they're sticking with Zion at least this season-- can you acknowledge the issue with having Jones as a starting/finishing core piece next to Zion with his bad 3 pt. shooting? Sure, his percentages were good sometimes. But no one guards him out there, teams play off him like he's Draymond. That's why some are saying sell high on him now to restructure the roster.

[YayBasketball]

The one fracture here relates to the Pelicans.

If they love Jeremiah Fears (ESPN has him 5) and feel motivated to initiate a new franchise PG for their rebuild, then they could look to leapfrog Ainge who could use a franchise PG himself. Not to mention the Nets at 8. They are not in position to address a position of need at the launch of their rebuilds. They have to be aggressive.

If the Pelicans don't love someone like Fears and prefer to wait to see if he falls, then this deal falls apart on account of 3-7 being flat. It's been reported that some teams see more upside in Fears than Harper. So Fears profiles as someone teams may target by trading up, instead of taking a chance on him falling only for some GM to scoop up Fears for his upside at a critical position in today's game.

Excited by these trade ideas. The draft and lottery teams just feel more flexible than usual.

Good post. And yeah, I can't see Pels trading up for Fears giving up assets when he's a long term project, and they have many needs to address. Harper or Edgecombe I can see them trading up for. Otherwise, like you said they can stay put and take a similar level talent at 7. Essengue is going top 7. I think. Seems like a swing Wizards will take (French long bois). Or if he's there at 7, Dumars takes his next Tayshaun Prince, and Troy Weaver reconciles his Killian Hayes pick (same team and agent as Essengue).

[Mrakar]

The difference between 4 and 7 in this draft is not that great for Pelicans to put Herb Jones in. Remember Herb is not just solid player who every championship contender wants, but he also has one of the best contracts in the NBA. He is playing for MLE basicly.

Since Bailey and Edgecombe didnt measure very well(Bailey especially and Edgecombe showed his other weaknesses in the combine) i think there is significant gap between 1 and 2, and 2 and 3. From 3 untill like 8-9 i dont think there is a player worth moving up for.
Pels pass, easily i would add.

I agree that the tier from 3-7 is pretty close. I'm okay with seeing whoever falls to 7 and picking one of Essengue, Fears, Johnson, Maluach, CMB is a wildcard culture setter Dumars wants.

I get you and the fan base love Herb. He's awesome, good contract, no nonsense guy, from the Gulf Coast so he's like a hometown hero. But now that Dumars has come out and said they're sticking with Zion at least this season-- can you acknowledge the issue with having Jones as a starting/finishing core piece next to Zion with his bad 3 pt. shooting? Sure, his percentages were good sometimes. But no one guards him out there, teams play off him like he's Draymond. That's why some are saying sell high on him now to restructure the roster.

His corner 3 is good enough for teams to respect him, and he can also puta ball on the floor. He was the least of our problems on offense. Ingram and CJ were 2 ballhogs who are used to take though shots and dont play team basketball, now they replaced Ingram with same player just other position in Murray, he also is not a team player.
If Pelicans want to do something they need a smart PG or creator from other position to add to core of Jones/Murphy/Zion.
Pelicans best lineups were with Alvarado/Herb/Murphy/Zion and 5th player since all those guys can shoot and are team basketball players and not 1 on 1 street ballers... Sadly Alvarado is not a caliber of player that can make them a contender. If they used Daniels, Ingram and Picks to bring in someone better then Murray, that would be something, but now its too late, and they need to find that guy in the draft.

Im ok with Pelicans trading Herb while his value is high, but that needs to be significant overpay and moving from 7 to 4 is for sure not.