Knicks/Spurs/Magic

[JayTWill]

If Spurs find themselves with none of their targets available, they probably trade out for a future pick that projects better than this one. Alternatively I would also consider a better fitting role player, like Cam Johnson.

Seeing the Nets get #22 just for taking on some money I assume they would want more than #14 for Johnson. I don't know.

Just out of curiosity if Robinson was guaranteed to be healthy and re-sign at a reasonable rate would you like his fit on the roster?

I don't think trading 14 for a backup center will ever have legs. Using 14 to draft a combo-big like Sorber, Newell or Fleming could work. But with the MLE at theie disposal, they can't give up a lotto pick for a backup. And in case it needs to be said, the Spurs are not looking for a way to play Wemby at PF. He's far more effective at the five at this point. That doesn't mean they wouldn't play an interior big next to him at all, but its unlikely those minutes are more than situational. Therefore while Robinson's skill-set would fit fine, he wouldn't pay enough minutes to justify the trade.

Yeah I was looking at it more as trading back while picking up a center that when healthy filled a big hole in the roster as the defense dropped off a lot when Wemby was off the court and Robinson was also a bigger body to bang with the Jokics, Zubacs, Adams, Goberts and the many other young strong bigs coming up in the West.

When I saw the Spurs this year I didn't actually remember seeing Wemby playing the 4 much outside the time next to Mamu who is a completely different type of big than Mitch. What didn't you like about Wemby at the 4 and how do you feel he handled the bigger stronger 5's?

[JayTWill]

I think you're overestimating the Magic's center depth. Wagner isn't likely to be ready at the start of the season and Isaac is likely going to play very little center since he's going to be slimming back down again after putting on weight negatively impacted his game a lot this year. That leaves Goga and WCJ the only people available to play significant minutes at Center to start the year so I think they will be less willing to trade Goga right now then people expect unless they draft a center at 25 or have some other move lined up to bring in a quality backup at the position.

I didn't like the way Isaac looked this year but even if he slimmed down I assumed he could still get some minutes at the 5. It's just not sure how to value Goga when Mosley benches him in the postseason or when the team is fully healthy even when Isaac or others are struggling.

It may be my Knicks bias I think Hukporti would be fine in that emergency role. Runs the court, sets picks, dunks, blocks. He fouls an incredible amount right now but so does Goga at times. I understand having zero interest in some random center with limited NBA experience though.

[jjohns828]

I think you're overestimating the Magic's center depth. Wagner isn't likely to be ready at the start of the season and Isaac is likely going to play very little center since he's going to be slimming back down again after putting on weight negatively impacted his game a lot this year. That leaves Goga and WCJ the only people available to play significant minutes at Center to start the year so I think they will be less willing to trade Goga right now then people expect unless they draft a center at 25 or have some other move lined up to bring in a quality backup at the position.

I didn't like the way Isaac looked this year but even if he slimmed down I assumed he could still get some minutes at the 5. It's just not sure how to value Goga when Mosley benches him in the postseason or when the team is fully healthy even when Isaac or others are struggling.

It may be my Knicks bias I think Hukporti would be fine in that emergency role. Runs the court, sets picks, dunks, blocks. He fouls an incredible amount right now but so does Goga at times. I understand having zero interest in some random center with limited NBA experience though.

I think Isaac could get some minutes at 5 but after slimming down I don't think he will play center enough to be the primary backup until Mo Wagner is healthy so the Magic need a quality backup to start the season and I have trouble seeing them trusting Hukporti in that role to start season. I really think barring another move that brings a proven backup or drafting a center at 25 I think the Magic will be reluctant to move Goga until Mo is ready to play.

[JayTWill]

I think you're overestimating the Magic's center depth. Wagner isn't likely to be ready at the start of the season and Isaac is likely going to play very little center since he's going to be slimming back down again after putting on weight negatively impacted his game a lot this year. That leaves Goga and WCJ the only people available to play significant minutes at Center to start the year so I think they will be less willing to trade Goga right now then people expect unless they draft a center at 25 or have some other move lined up to bring in a quality backup at the position.

I didn't like the way Isaac looked this year but even if he slimmed down I assumed he could still get some minutes at the 5. It's just not sure how to value Goga when Mosley benches him in the postseason or when the team is fully healthy even when Isaac or others are struggling.

It may be my Knicks bias I think Hukporti would be fine in that emergency role. Runs the court, sets picks, dunks, blocks. He fouls an incredible amount right now but so does Goga at times. I understand having zero interest in some random center with limited NBA experience though.

I think Isaac could get some minutes at 5 but after slimming down I don't think he will play center enough to be the primary backup until Mo Wagner is healthy so the Magic need a quality backup to start the season and I have trouble seeing them trusting Hukporti in that role to start season. I really think barring another move that brings a proven backup or drafting a center at 25 I think the Magic will be reluctant to move Goga until Mo is ready to play.

Yeah, I understand your point of view. Maybe it's my scars from Thibs overvaluing regular season wins and not playing the young guys that makes me see Wagner being down and Isaac still being able to play the 5 situationally as a perfect time to get a guy like Hukporti some experience. Your other bigs going down is how Goga got his chance if I remember correctly.

[tiderulz]

Knicks out - Mitchell Robinson, Kolek, Hukporti, 2026 Top 8 Protected Wizards pick (becomes 2026 and 2027 Washington 2nds if not conveyed)
Knicks in - #14, Goga, (Wesley or Branham)

Spurs out - #14, Branham, Wesley
Spurs in - 2026 Top 8 Protected pick, Robinson, (Houstan or #46)

Magic out - Goga, (Houstan or #46)
Magic in - Kolek, Hukporti, (Wesley or Branham)

This is based on the premise that Knicks see someone they really like at 14 and the Spurs don't and would rather move the pick instead of adding multiple lotto picks that will need time for development. They traded out of the #8 pick last year for a 1st and a swap 6-7 years out.

As a Knicks fan I would do this if somehow someone like Carter Bryant slipped to the back end of the lotto as a big athletic wing/3 and D prospect with some shot blocking capabilities. Goga would provide a cheaper Robinson replacement as the backup center with an extra year on his deal. Wesley or Branham would just be filler but I guess would choose Wesley for his defense.

For the Spurs they trade out of the end of the lottery while picking up a great backup for Wemby and a protected first. Mitch has his injury concerns but he provides a big body with elite rebounding to go against the other big centers in the league and anchor the defense when Wemby sits. The Spurs have shown they are willing to manage their player's minutes and health which is the complete opposite of how he was handled in New York until this last season.

The Wizard pick will likely be a high 2nd in 2026 and another 2nd in 2027 but with a little lotto luck it could also be another lotto pick in 2026. I think it has a similar value to a late first in this draft. Wesley and Blake are in the last year of their rookie contracts and haven't shown much from what I have seen imo but I admit I haven't seen much of either. I assume they could be replaced by a vet min player that could make a bigger impact. Houstan or #46 could be cheap depth.

For the Magic it's hard for me to gauge the value of their players Goga went from 3rd string to starter back to DNP's by the end of the season 2 years in a row. With WCJ, Wagner and Isaac all getting minutes at the 5 Goga feels more like a luxury on his contract than a necessity even with the team's injury history.

Kolek would provide a cheap natural point guard under contract for 3 more years as Paolo's big extension hits the books next year. Hukporti is a ball of energy and a great shot blocker but he is still pretty raw. I think he will be fine as the game slows down for him. He finally cracked Thibs tight rotation but he got injured. He makes more sense as the 3rd/4th string big at his price point instead of Goga and he also has the German connection with the Wagenrs and TDS if that has any value. Not sure how much the Magic value Houstan in the last year of his deal and i'm not sure where he fits on their current roster but including his salary prevents a hard cap at the 1st apron but there could be some other ways around that.

Magic trade a player capable of starting for 2 players that would be 15th man on a roster?

no thanks,

[tiderulz]

I didn't like the way Isaac looked this year but even if he slimmed down I assumed he could still get some minutes at the 5. It's just not sure how to value Goga when Mosley benches him in the postseason or when the team is fully healthy even when Isaac or others are struggling.

It may be my Knicks bias I think Hukporti would be fine in that emergency role. Runs the court, sets picks, dunks, blocks. He fouls an incredible amount right now but so does Goga at times. I understand having zero interest in some random center with limited NBA experience though.

I think Isaac could get some minutes at 5 but after slimming down I don't think he will play center enough to be the primary backup until Mo Wagner is healthy so the Magic need a quality backup to start the season and I have trouble seeing them trusting Hukporti in that role to start season. I really think barring another move that brings a proven backup or drafting a center at 25 I think the Magic will be reluctant to move Goga until Mo is ready to play.

Yeah, I understand your point of view. Maybe it's my scars from Thibs overvaluing regular season wins and not playing the young guys that makes me see Wagner being down and Isaac still being able to play the 5 situationally as a perfect time to get a guy like Hukporti some experience. Your other bigs going down is how Goga got his chance if I remember correctly.

Orlando cant rely on ISaac. he can barely play 15 mpg and cant do back to backs