Rumors, Random Thoughts, and non-Threadworthy Posts 18.0 Dave Cowens drove a taxi

[In-N-Out 247]

One thing you can never convince me of is that its hard to hit the salary floor without taking on bad contracts. I just fundamentally disagree with it. I don't think the Nets should avoid trading Claxton or Johnson for fear of it. I don't think they should pay Cam Thomas something stupid to get to it.

Draft 3 or 4 guys and they still have a bunch of empty roster spots. Won't be hard at all to sign a number of MLE worthy guys to deals just over the MLE for one year. Plus there will be teams looking to move out decent salary to duck aprons, make trades between two apron teams possible. Or you can take on bad one year money with incentive, then cut that guy to open up a roster spot to hand out a new contract.

I agree - I am sure that is what D'Angelo Russell is counting on

[oldncreaky]

One thing you can never convince me of is that its hard to hit the salary floor without taking on bad contracts. I just fundamentally disagree with it. I don't think the Nets should avoid trading Claxton or Johnson for fear of it. I don't think they should pay Cam Thomas something stupid to get to it.

Draft 3 or 4 guys and they still have a bunch of empty roster spots. Won't be hard at all to sign a number of MLE worthy guys to deals just over the MLE for one year. Plus there will be teams looking to move out decent salary to duck aprons, make trades between two apron teams possible. Or you can take on bad one year money with incentive, then cut that guy to open up a roster spot to hand out a new contract.

We've seen exactly one off-season, with one team, where the need to get to the 90% floor was in play: DET in 2024

We signed a couple of contracts that were negative (would take at least some draft compensation to move) the moment the ink dried, and also took an overpaid guy off waivers. Not crippling, but not positive.

We'll get the second "data point" on the impact of the new rules around the salary floor this off-season with Brooklyn -- and their shortfall is almost twice as large as DET's was last season. We'll see how it goes for them.

[brackdan70]

What is the value difference with Anfernee Simmons and Cam Johnson. 2 first?

probably more if one of the 1st is 28

Yeah that is fair since they have so many picks, including 26 and 27

[psman2]

One thing you can never convince me of is that its hard to hit the salary floor without taking on bad contracts. I just fundamentally disagree with it. I don't think the Nets should avoid trading Claxton or Johnson for fear of it. I don't think they should pay Cam Thomas something stupid to get to it.

Draft 3 or 4 guys and they still have a bunch of empty roster spots. Won't be hard at all to sign a number of MLE worthy guys to deals just over the MLE for one year. Plus there will be teams looking to move out decent salary to duck aprons, make trades between two apron teams possible. Or you can take on bad one year money with incentive, then cut that guy to open up a roster spot to hand out a new contract.

We've seen exactly one off-season, with one team, where the need to get to the 90% floor was in play: DET in 2024

We signed a couple of contracts that were negative (would take at least some draft compensation to move) the moment the ink dried, and also took an overpaid guy off waivers. Not crippling, but not positive.

We'll get the second "data point" on the impact of the new rules around the salary floor this off-season with Brooklyn -- and their shortfall is almost twice as large as DET's was last season. We'll see how it goes for them.

Indy with Bruce Brown bloated deal in 23?

[In-N-Out 247]

I could see the Celtics rerouting Simmons for a player on a multi year deal that makes less per year. What are the teams interested out there?

I think there are a bunch of teams out there that could work and many of the players are also expiring. Just need to find a team willing to take a shot on Simons that has enough space under the 1st apron (but really the luxury tax limit) to absorb the difference in salary. A few ideas - Nets (could pretty much absorb him into cap space), Jazz (Sexton or Collins), Bulls (Huerter or Collins), Kings (Derozan), Grizzlies (KCP), Wizards (Smart), Hornets (Nurkic), Bucks (Kuzma), Heat (Rozier). I am sure there are quite a few others

[daoneandonly]

Agree with all except Milwaukee

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25210757-5-nba-teams-should-trade-their-best-player

I agree with 3

When your best player isn't even a sub-all-star and is Cam Johnson or Coby White, you need to be in asset accumulation mode.

Milwaukee isn't going anywhere and should do best for Giannis by sending him to a real contender.

Sacramento and Dallas should re-tool around their best players. Dallas adding guard depth and Sacramento exchanging Monk/DDR for wing/defensive versatility.

Agree

For Brooklyn, another factor is that they need to spend another $80M+ just to get to the salary floor. That can be surprisingly tough to do without taking on negative value contracts in an off-season that has a shortage of good FAs

Brooklyn is more than welcome to AD for a couple of picks if I had my way

[Texas Chuck]

Detroit making choices you didn't like doesn't change my thinking. Nor does the Brown balloon contract. It was here is a player we want, we have the room under tax, lets get him and he helps us and maybe is eventually trade ballast which he ended up being.

And yes maybe you pay an $11M AAV guy $14M for one season and its technically "bad", but not really. I think Brooklyn will have no issues selling some space for value and using some of it to sign guys they like or guys to be a vet leader or guys to flip at the deadline.

[jayjaysee]

So it can’t happen for another 60 days if the Bane trade is actually finalized and not just sort of finalized* but should not be done until Memphis renegotiates JJJ either way..

But.. how much of Bane’s trade return would Memphis give for Pascal? Most? All?

Is the crazy defense worth the probable spacing issues? Can you stagger minutes with Eddy to make up for rebounding? Or just leave it alone?

[Godaddycurse]

So it can’t happen for another 60 days if the Bane trade is actually finalized and not just sort of finalized* but should not be done until Memphis renegotiates JJJ either way..

But.. how much of Bane’s trade return would Memphis give for Pascal? Most? All?

Is the crazy defense worth the probable spacing issues? Can you stagger minutes with Eddy to make up for rebounding? Or just leave it alone?

Siakam's defense isnt that great (during regular season)?

[jayjaysee]

Getting to the salary floor in an offseason where a decent amount of teams should be looking to cut salary, seems easy.

Scary Terry, the third team in a KP trade, third team in whatever deal Atl does, Toppin, LAL should want to dump 1-2 of their mid-expirings, Orlando should want to get under the tax, Minn 50/50 going to look for some tax relief back if they make a Randle trade.. Memphis should dump Cole if they need more cap room for JJJ…

[jayjaysee]

So it can’t happen for another 60 days if the Bane trade is actually finalized and not just sort of finalized* but should not be done until Memphis renegotiates JJJ either way..

But.. how much of Bane’s trade return would Memphis give for Pascal? Most? All?

Is the crazy defense worth the probable spacing issues? Can you stagger minutes with Eddy to make up for rebounding? Or just leave it alone?

Siakam's defense isnt that great (during regular season)?

Feel like you’ve spent a very long time telling me other wise..

But he also is paired with JJJ here. That’s what makes it great. JJJ rim protection, Pascal switch/help. Seems to compliment each other.

Kind of similar to him and Myles, just better?

[Godaddycurse]

So it can’t happen for another 60 days if the Bane trade is actually finalized and not just sort of finalized* but should not be done until Memphis renegotiates JJJ either way..

But.. how much of Bane’s trade return would Memphis give for Pascal? Most? All?

Is the crazy defense worth the probable spacing issues? Can you stagger minutes with Eddy to make up for rebounding? Or just leave it alone?

Siakam's defense isnt that great (during regular season)?

Feel like you’ve spent a very long time telling me other wise..

But he also is paired with JJJ here. That’s what makes it great. JJJ rim protection, Pascal switch/help. Seems to compliment each other.

Kind of similar to him and Myles, just better?

his defense have been more average than great during the regular season for a few years now. Prior excuse was he spends too much energy being 1st option in Toronto but that wasn't the case in Indy.

i think it does add a nice dimension to memphis' offense though.

[jayjaysee]

Siakam's defense isnt that great (during regular season)?

Feel like you’ve spent a very long time telling me other wise..

But he also is paired with JJJ here. That’s what makes it great. JJJ rim protection, Pascal switch/help. Seems to compliment each other.

Kind of similar to him and Myles, just better?

his defense have been more average than great during the regular season for a few years now. Prior excuse was he spends too much energy being 1st option in Toronto but that wasn't the case in Indy.

i think it does add a nice dimension to memphis' offense though.

So the defense would be good in regular because JJJ is elite and Pascal is good, then be “crazy” in postseason.. and assuming their kids (or the free agents they find) can offer spacing the offense is improved from last season by having a better secondary creator?

So how much of the Bane package is that worth? All? All expect 16? All expect the 2030 first?

[Godaddycurse]

Feel like you’ve spent a very long time telling me other wise..

But he also is paired with JJJ here. That’s what makes it great. JJJ rim protection, Pascal switch/help. Seems to compliment each other.

Kind of similar to him and Myles, just better?

his defense have been more average than great during the regular season for a few years now. Prior excuse was he spends too much energy being 1st option in Toronto but that wasn't the case in Indy.

i think it does add a nice dimension to memphis' offense though.

So the defense would be good in regular because JJJ is elite and Pascal is good, then be “crazy” in postseason.. and assuming their kids (or the free agents they find) can offer spacing the offense is improved from last season by having a better secondary creator?

So how much of the Bane package is that worth? All? All expect 16? All expect the 2030 first?

All if they add in Clarke (and Konchar) as fillers to create room for JJJ's renegotiation imo

[gswhoops]

The KD era in Houston doomed before it even starts…

https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/922632-kevin-durant-lil-b-beef-hip-hop-news

[ThatBoyNick]

The KD era in Houston doomed before it even starts…

https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/922632-kevin-durant-lil-b-beef-hip-hop-news

It’s ok, Bun > Lil

[165bows]

With the KP rumors heating up I’ll throw this out there just curious about what the GS framework could have looked like.

KP to GS
Brandon Clarke to Boston
Moody/Hield to Memphis

Kind of like Moody backfilling Bane’s spot, while they might subsequently move Hield elsewhere. And yes there are a couple of small contracts that also need to move (maybe a decent cheap backcourt player back from MEM to GS but I don’t know which one) and maybe some smaller picks go somewhere.

[jayjaysee]

Not the best base, and probably need to correct value?

KP and 13 to NOP
Herb and Olynyk to Atlanta
Niang to Boston

Atlanta adds two good fitting pieces, even if they’re not starters would play big roles.

Boston cuts 22 mil.

NOP takes an upside shot on KP/Zion playing 40 games together while getting a late lottery pick for Herb?

[gswhoops]

With the KP rumors heating up I’ll throw this out there just curious about what the GS framework could have looked like.

KP to GS
Brandon Clarke to Boston
Moody/Hield to Memphis

Kind of like Moody backfilling Bane’s spot, while they might subsequently move Hield elsewhere. And yes there are a couple of small contracts that also need to move (maybe a decent cheap backcourt player back from MEM to GS but I don’t know which one) and maybe some smaller picks go somewhere.

I love the idea of KP in GS, but this doesn't seem like we're giving up enough even with his injury and contract issues. OTOH, I'm not sure we could really offer much more.

[Godaddycurse]

With the KP rumors heating up I’ll throw this out there just curious about what the GS framework could have looked like.

KP to GS
Brandon Clarke to Boston
Moody/Hield to Memphis

Kind of like Moody backfilling Bane’s spot, while they might subsequently move Hield elsewhere. And yes there are a couple of small contracts that also need to move (maybe a decent cheap backcourt player back from MEM to GS but I don’t know which one) and maybe some smaller picks go somewhere.

I love the idea of KP in GS, but this doesn't seem like we're giving up enough even with his injury and contract issues. OTOH, I'm not sure we could really offer much more.

memphis is trying to cut salary, not add more