Thoughts in General, Random Rumors and Musings, Blah Blah 14.0 Eddie Najera Edicion

[LarsV8]

3+Bari for Lauri get any traction? What more needs to get added to that

Bari > Lauri in value.

[DNP-Old]

Allen worth way more than Rui. Lakers owe meaningful value.

Thank you. What is meaningful value (unprotected 1st, lightly protected...etc.)?

[Texas Chuck]

Allen worth way more than Rui. Lakers owe meaningful value.

Thank you. What is meaningful value (unprotected 1st, lightly protected...etc.)?

Tough to say because Cleveland should have no interest in the swap at all even with incentive. So not only does LA need to come up with more value, they would need to wash Rui into something useful for Cleveland.

But just in terms of value, Rui is maybe neutral? Allen should return a solid asset still. So yeah some sort of very lightly protected first is about right I'd say. Maybe unprotected if Cleveland has to wait 5+ years to get it.

[tester551]

Allen worth way more than Rui. Lakers owe meaningful value.

Thank you. What is meaningful value (unprotected 1st, lightly protected...etc.)?

Tough to say because Cleveland should have no interest in the swap at all even with incentive. So not only does LA need to come up with more value, they would need to wash Rui into something useful for Cleveland.

But just in terms of value, Rui is maybe neutral? Allen should return a solid asset still. So yeah some sort of very lightly protected first is about right I'd say. Maybe unprotected if Cleveland has to wait 5+ years to get it.

I would personally put it closer to 2 firsts.

Maybe 1 first with 2 pick swaps.

[giberish]

If they're prioritizing savings I think they can just let CP3 go and be well under the tax. Bring back Klay (or someone else) at MLE level.

Dont see Klay singing the MLE. Also, aren't the Warriors a TAx team regardless?

no they are at 144M or so w/o Klay and Paul w/ 10 spots accounted for. Ie they have about 28M left to fill 4-5 spots

Also, while being out of the tax would be nice, the main requirement would be staying under the 1st apron (if they use the full MLE they'll be hard-capped there). After recent luxury tax payments being just a few $M over would feel like nothing. That adds several $M more to work with.

[SkyHook]

3+Bari for Lauri get any traction? What more needs to get added to that

Bari > Lauri in value.

Aaaaaaaaaand we've jumped the shark.

[Colbinii]

3+Bari for Lauri get any traction? What more needs to get added to that

Bari > Lauri in value.

Aaaaaaaaaand we've jumped the shark.

I wouldn't trade Jabari Smith Jr for Lauri. Maybe I am in the minority, but Jabari Smith Jr still has an incredibly high ceiling---the same ceiling he has had since he was drafted.

He is also cost controlled forever and is producing at a young age. I don't consider age in a vacuum value, but I do consider age combined with production valueable.

[HadAnEffectHere]

Does Jabari Smith Jr have any offball scoring upside.

He took like... 1.5 shots per game off cuts and off screens and he was... fine?

Lauri's entire appeal is that he's dominant at cutting and coming off screens...

Jabari's path to stardom was him becoming 6'10" Klay, but he hasn't really shown much other than spotup shooting and defense.

[K_chile22]

Does Jabari Smith Jr have any offball scoring upside.

He took like... 1.5 shots per game off cuts and off screens and he was... fine?

Lauri's entire appeal is that he's dominant at cutting and coming off screens...

Jabari's path to stardom was him becoming 6'10" Klay, but he hasn't really shown much other than spotup shooting and defense.

Well yes teams are not going to trade Lauri for Lauri.. they do have different games

[HadAnEffectHere]

Does Jabari Smith Jr have any offball scoring upside.

He took like... 1.5 shots per game off cuts and off screens and he was... fine?

Lauri's entire appeal is that he's dominant at cutting and coming off screens...

Jabari's path to stardom was him becoming 6'10" Klay, but he hasn't really shown much other than spotup shooting and defense.

Well yes teams are not going to trade Lauri for Lauri.. they do have different games

Does Smith have on-ball juice? I don't think so...

I just... I don't see where the star potential comes from. He spots up and rebounds and plays good though not transformative defense.

The idea that Jabari Smith Jr can become a top 25 player in the NBA...How?

[Colbinii]

Does Jabari Smith Jr have any offball scoring upside.

He took like... 1.5 shots per game off cuts and off screens and he was... fine?

Lauri's entire appeal is that he's dominant at cutting and coming off screens...

Jabari's path to stardom was him becoming 6'10" Klay, but he hasn't really shown much other than spotup shooting and defense.

Jabari's path to being a high-impact player is nothing like Klay.

Klay is an off-ball cutter and shooter who has a quick release on an incredible efficiency while defensively he was able to chase guards around [essentially a POA defender at his size was remarkable].

Jabari is an excellent rebounder for a wing and is extremely versatile defensively. He Showed an ability to create some inside the 3P line and initiate contact.

But yeah, I would never trade a 6' 10" Klay Thompson who can rebound and is a better defender for Lauri. Like that's a top 10 player [which is why that comparison is baffling].

[HadAnEffectHere]

Does Jabari Smith Jr have any offball scoring upside.

He took like... 1.5 shots per game off cuts and off screens and he was... fine?

Lauri's entire appeal is that he's dominant at cutting and coming off screens...

Jabari's path to stardom was him becoming 6'10" Klay, but he hasn't really shown much other than spotup shooting and defense.

Jabari's path to being a high-impact player is nothing like Klay.

Klay is an off-ball cutter and shooter who has a quick release on an incredible efficiency while defensively he was able to chase guards around [essentially a POA defender at his size was remarkable].

Jabari is an excellent rebounder for a wing and is extremely versatile defensively. He Showed an ability to create some inside the 3P line and initiate contact.

But yeah, I would never trade a 6' 10" Klay Thompson who can rebound and is a better defender for Lauri. Like that's a top 10 player [which is why that comparison is baffling].

Okay so I don't see any way for Jabari Smith Jr to provide game changing offensive or defensive value at all.

-No juice with the ball
-No juice moving without the ball
-No shot blocking

He rebounds, plays good defense, and is OK at shooting spot-up threes. That's a top 15 PF in the NBA and I have no idea what his path to being much better is.

[K_chile22]

Does Jabari Smith Jr have any offball scoring upside.

He took like... 1.5 shots per game off cuts and off screens and he was... fine?

Lauri's entire appeal is that he's dominant at cutting and coming off screens...

Jabari's path to stardom was him becoming 6'10" Klay, but he hasn't really shown much other than spotup shooting and defense.

Jabari's path to being a high-impact player is nothing like Klay.

Klay is an off-ball cutter and shooter who has a quick release on an incredible efficiency while defensively he was able to chase guards around [essentially a POA defender at his size was remarkable].

Jabari is an excellent rebounder for a wing and is extremely versatile defensively. He Showed an ability to create some inside the 3P line and initiate contact.

But yeah, I would never trade a 6' 10" Klay Thompson who can rebound and is a better defender for Lauri. Like that's a top 10 player [which is why that comparison is baffling].

Okay so I don't see any way for Jabari Smith Jr to provide game changing offensive or defensive value at all.

-No juice with the ball
-No juice moving without the ball
-No shot blocking

He rebounds, plays good defense, and is OK at shooting spot-up threes. That's a top 15 PF in the NBA and I have no idea what his path to being much better is.

Yup he does all that... at 20 years old. Not a huge Jabari guy but he's extremely young to be a productive winning player

[NYG]

Allen worth way more than Rui. Lakers owe meaningful value.

Thank you. What is meaningful value (unprotected 1st, lightly protected...etc.)?

Tough to say because Cleveland should have no interest in the swap at all even with incentive. So not only does LA need to come up with more value, they would need to wash Rui into something useful for Cleveland.

But just in terms of value, Rui is maybe neutral? Allen should return a solid asset still. So yeah some sort of very lightly protected first is about right I'd say. Maybe unprotected if Cleveland has to wait 5+ years to get it.

I actually kind of like the Lakers as an Allen destination, but yeah making that worth for Cleveland is a bit tougher.... maybe a Reaves for Allen based concept? Is Reaves a fit with whichever PG Cleveland keeps?

[Devilanche]

Would Jabari still be on the path to be 6’10” Klay ?

He’s valuable for sure but probably top out as top 5 PF or SF whichever position he will be playing in future.

Just don’t see the self creation upside or a 3 point shooting percentage so much better than the rest .

[babyjax13]

Jabari's path to being a high-impact player is nothing like Klay.

Klay is an off-ball cutter and shooter who has a quick release on an incredible efficiency while defensively he was able to chase guards around [essentially a POA defender at his size was remarkable].

Jabari is an excellent rebounder for a wing and is extremely versatile defensively. He Showed an ability to create some inside the 3P line and initiate contact.

But yeah, I would never trade a 6' 10" Klay Thompson who can rebound and is a better defender for Lauri. Like that's a top 10 player [which is why that comparison is baffling].

Okay so I don't see any way for Jabari Smith Jr to provide game changing offensive or defensive value at all.

-No juice with the ball
-No juice moving without the ball
-No shot blocking

He rebounds, plays good defense, and is OK at shooting spot-up threes. That's a top 15 PF in the NBA and I have no idea what his path to being much better is.

Yup he does all that... at 20 years old. Not a huge Jabari guy but he's extremely young to be a productive winning player

I really like Jabari. I don't think he quite has the value on the open market Lauri does, but I would understand if Houston would prefer to bring their young guys along and keep him.

[babyjax13]

I really want to do a Capela/Griffin/#1 for Markannen/Kessler thread with a Murray for Jones/Nance/#21 follow up, but I'll just get crotched kicked by a minimum of two franchises so getting it out of my system here.

But I like a Hawks team that is:

Kessler/OO/Nance
Markannen/Hunter/Nance
Johnson/Hunter
Jones/Bogdan/Bufkin
Trae/vet PG/rookie PG (I like Devin Carter for them)

Nice core all in their primes. Obviously you have to have talked to Lauri and have his buy in on re-signing.

Utah sells high on two sacred cows. Pels get the more dynamic guard they need and it frees up a CJ deal that clears up payroll for a center.

New Orleans' offer for Murray, IMO, should be pretty simple, either:
Ingram for Murray (add value either way)
or
2025 LAL 1st + one more pick + McCollum w/CJ hopefully to a 3rd team (depending on if Atlanta is rebuilding or retooling)

[HadAnEffectHere]

Would reallllllllly suggest the trade board guys who are like "Sheeple have simply bought into the idea that this is a weak draft!!!" to actually watch these prospects play.

I've watched a lot and it's been incredibly depressing.

Like, here's every offensive play that ended in a statistic from the #1 pick.

Watch on YouTube

At least watch this before defending this class.

[Texas Chuck]

I'm convinced now.

One youtube video showing one limited portion of one prospect's game.

[HadAnEffectHere]

I'm convinced now.

One youtube video showing one limited portion of one prospect's game.

How much footage have you watched of these prospects.

Because I'm near 100 hours and it's been very bleak.

This is just condensed raw footage of his entire offensive season so it's a good place to start.