Rumors, Random Thoughts, etc Version 20/20 We all got everything right...

[jayjaysee]

Still trying it after last nights game..

Nurk and Boston’s top 18* protected 2026 first to Dallas
Simons and a couple distant seconds to Utah
Naji, Gafford to Boston

Whatever protection you want. Roll over to a lottery protected 2027 first? A second from Dallas and a second from Boston?

[babyjax13]

Still trying it after last nights game..

Nurk and Boston’s top 18* protected 2026 first to Dallas
Simons and a couple distant seconds to Utah
Naji, Gafford to Boston

Whatever protection you want. Roll over to a lottery protected 2027 first? A second from Dallas and a second from Boston?

Honestly would rather keep Nurk than take on the money for distant 2nds and further clog the guard rotation. If a 4th team can take Simons, maybe. E.g. not sure if LAL could do Vincent and Kleber for him.

[kobe_vs_jordan]

Still trying it after last nights game..

Nurk and Boston’s top 18* protected 2026 first to Dallas
Simons and a couple distant seconds to Utah
Naji, Gafford to Boston

Whatever protection you want. Roll over to a lottery protected 2027 first? A second from Dallas and a second from Boston?

Honestly would rather keep Nurk than take on the money for distant 2nds and further clog the guard rotation. If a 4th team can take Simons, maybe. E.g. not sure if LAL could do Vincent and Kleber for him.

Lakers hard capped. Would need to include Vando to match money which goes back jazz taking on distant money.

[babyjax13]

Still trying it after last nights game..

Nurk and Boston’s top 18* protected 2026 first to Dallas
Simons and a couple distant seconds to Utah
Naji, Gafford to Boston

Whatever protection you want. Roll over to a lottery protected 2027 first? A second from Dallas and a second from Boston?

Honestly would rather keep Nurk than take on the money for distant 2nds and further clog the guard rotation. If a 4th team can take Simons, maybe. E.g. not sure if LAL could do Vincent and Kleber for him.

Lakers hard capped. Would need to include Vando to match money which goes back jazz taking on distant money.

I am probably the only one but I like Vando? Unprotect the 2027 1st that is 1-4 protected + throw in a 2nd and I'd probably do it. Not sure about the FO.

[SkyHook]

Honestly would rather keep Nurk than take on the money for distant 2nds and further clog the guard rotation. If a 4th team can take Simons, maybe. E.g. not sure if LAL could do Vincent and Kleber for him.

Lakers hard capped. Would need to include Vando to match money which goes back jazz taking on distant money.

I am probably the only one but I like Vando? Unprotect the 2027 1st that is 1-4 protected + throw in a 2nd and I'd probably do it. Not sure about the FO.

If properly compensated I have no problem taking back V, but given Utah's stated goals about maximizing space next summer it would have to really be something. The general consensus before the last trade deadline was that the value of unprotecting that pick was around a late 20s FRP; after the Luka trade somewhat less. Is that enough for the FO to change course? Otherwise maybe another team has a worse expiring in the same salary range?

[SkyHook]

OT: To honor the passing of Rodney Rogers, here is one of my favorite moments in NBA history.

Watch on YouTube

[jayjaysee]

Still trying it after last nights game..

Nurk and Boston’s top 18* protected 2026 first to Dallas
Simons and a couple distant seconds to Utah
Naji, Gafford to Boston

Whatever protection you want. Roll over to a lottery protected 2027 first? A second from Dallas and a second from Boston?

Honestly would rather keep Nurk than take on the money for distant 2nds and further clog the guard rotation. If a 4th team can take Simons, maybe. E.g. not sure if LAL could do Vincent and Kleber for him.

Nurk isn’t being valued here though. So probably just end up looking for a different third team if Utah isn’t interested.

[Godaddycurse]

Still trying it after last nights game..

Nurk and Boston’s top 18* protected 2026 first to Dallas
Simons and a couple distant seconds to Utah
Naji, Gafford to Boston

Whatever protection you want. Roll over to a lottery protected 2027 first? A second from Dallas and a second from Boston?

Honestly would rather keep Nurk than take on the money for distant 2nds and further clog the guard rotation. If a 4th team can take Simons, maybe. E.g. not sure if LAL could do Vincent and Kleber for him.

Thought you wanted out of Nurkic to stop winning

[SkyHook]

Still trying it after last nights game..

Nurk and Boston’s top 18* protected 2026 first to Dallas
Simons and a couple distant seconds to Utah
Naji, Gafford to Boston

Whatever protection you want. Roll over to a lottery protected 2027 first? A second from Dallas and a second from Boston?

Honestly would rather keep Nurk than take on the money for distant 2nds and further clog the guard rotation. If a 4th team can take Simons, maybe. E.g. not sure if LAL could do Vincent and Kleber for him.

Nurk isn’t being valued here though. So probably just end up looking for a different third team if Utah isn’t interested.

Nurk isn't being valued, it's Utah's ability to absorb an additional $8.3MM in salary. Taking on Niang's $8.2MM from the Celtics netted the Jazz two best-of SRPs and they should be looking for a slightly better return here. If it’s the only two SRPs that Dallas can trade, that won't cut it imo. If it's the two 2026 SRPs that Boston can trade, that starts to become attractive.

I'd let Simons start at center this year for the right compensation. If Brooklyn will do it for less, more power to them.

[babyjax13]

Still trying it after last nights game..

Nurk and Boston’s top 18* protected 2026 first to Dallas
Simons and a couple distant seconds to Utah
Naji, Gafford to Boston

Whatever protection you want. Roll over to a lottery protected 2027 first? A second from Dallas and a second from Boston?

Honestly would rather keep Nurk than take on the money for distant 2nds and further clog the guard rotation. If a 4th team can take Simons, maybe. E.g. not sure if LAL could do Vincent and Kleber for him.

Thought you wanted out of Nurkic to stop winning

This just creates a different problem, though. It is pur millionth small guard and I don't want him blocking Clayton and/or Collier from getting minutes.

[chrbal]

Random thought that doesn’t seem worth a thread. Caleb Martin (Dallas) to Denver for Zeke Nnjai.

Zeke is the cheaper contract and younger player, but Caleb has had mild success at the NBA level.

Neither player is much of a factor on their current team

Who says no?

[jayjaysee]

Random thought that doesn’t seem worth a thread. Caleb Martin (Dallas) to Denver for Zeke Nnjai.

Zeke is the cheaper contract and younger player, but Caleb has had mild success at the NBA level.

Neither player is much of a factor on their current team

Who says no?

Zeke isn’t really an NBA player.

[brackdan70]

Honestly would rather keep Nurk than take on the money for distant 2nds and further clog the guard rotation. If a 4th team can take Simons, maybe. E.g. not sure if LAL could do Vincent and Kleber for him.

Nurk isn’t being valued here though. So probably just end up looking for a different third team if Utah isn’t interested.

Nurk isn't being valued, it's Utah's ability to absorb an additional $8.3MM in salary. Taking on Niang's $8.2MM from the Celtics netted the Jazz two best-of SRPs and they should be looking for a slightly better return here. If it’s the only two SRPs that Dallas can trade, that won't cut it imo. If it's the two 2026 SRPs that Boston can trade, that starts to become attractive.

I'd let Simons start at center this year for the right compensation. If Brooklyn will do it for less, more power to them.

Boston has a likely top 35 2nd this year ( best of NOP, Port, Min, NYK. And another best of pick ( Orl, Det, Mil) that looks like probably in the 40s. With the depth of this draft it seems like that one or both of those could grease the wheels possibly.

[brackdan70]

I am not the Celtics GM or POBO ( they didn’t even give me an interview).
I want a big that’s better than Luka Garza and to shed 12.1 million in Salary This year. I don’t mind adding up to 12 million next year or long term.
I’ve got Anfernee Simons 1 year (27.7), Sam Hauser 4 years (10, 10.8, 11.7, 12.5) available as Salary.
I’ve a 2026 2rp likely top 35, a 2026 2rp likely in the 40s, Bostons 2027 frp (top 10 protected) available to grease the wheels.
Luka Garza (2.5, 2.8), Chris Boucher (3.3) are on the table as minimum salary roster fillers if needed.
Make me a deal .
The Celtics 2026 pick (top 5-10 protected) could be on the table for a guy that’s better than Queta.
Edit I should have specified I want a guy that has a few good seasons left in the tank.

[YayBasketball]

Who says no?

CHA gets: Zion, Missi, Peavey
NOP gets: Miller, GrantW, JoshGreen

[chrbal]

Random thought that doesn’t seem worth a thread. Caleb Martin (Dallas) to Denver for Zeke Nnjai.

Zeke is the cheaper contract and younger player, but Caleb has had mild success at the NBA level.

Neither player is much of a factor on their current team

Who says no?

Zeke isn’t really an NBA player.

I agree. I was just trying to figure out a trade to remove Zeke from Denver’s roster and get someone at least useable. While also getting Zeke on a team that might just take him on to cut costs a little

Inevitability I think Denver just eventually waives Zeke

[SkyHook]

I am not the Celtics GM or POBO ( they didn’t even give me an interview).
I want a big that’s better than Luka Garza and to shed 12.1 million in Salary This year. I don’t mind adding up to 12 million next year or long term.
I’ve got Anfernee Simons 1 year (27.7), Sam Hauser 4 years (10, 10.8, 11.7, 12.5) available as Salary.
I’ve a 2026 2rp likely top 35, a 2026 2rp likely in the 40s, Bostons 2027 frp (top 10 protected) available to grease the wheels.
Luka Garza (2.5, 2.8), Chris Boucher (3.3) are on the table as minimum salary roster fillers if needed.
Make me a deal .
The Celtics 2026 pick (top 5-10 protected) could be on the table for a guy that’s better than Queta.

What are you looking for here in particular? Defensively?

[brackdan70]

I am not the Celtics GM or POBO ( they didn’t even give me an interview).
I want a big that’s better than Luka Garza and to shed 12.1 million in Salary This year. I don’t mind adding up to 12 million next year or long term.
I’ve got Anfernee Simons 1 year (27.7), Sam Hauser 4 years (10, 10.8, 11.7, 12.5) available as Salary.
I’ve a 2026 2rp likely top 35, a 2026 2rp likely in the 40s, Bostons 2027 frp (top 10 protected) available to grease the wheels.
Luka Garza (2.5, 2.8), Chris Boucher (3.3) are on the table as minimum salary roster fillers if needed.
Make me a deal .
The Celtics 2026 pick (top 5-10 protected) could be on the table for a guy that’s better than Queta.

What are you looking for here in particular? Defensively?

An all around better player than Garza, yes mainly defensively. A guy that can be a legit rotation big on a contender. I should have specified also looking for a dude that has a few good seasons left.

[ReggiesKnicks]

I am not the Celtics GM or POBO ( they didn’t even give me an interview).
I want a big that’s better than Luka Garza and to shed 12.1 million in Salary This year. I don’t mind adding up to 12 million next year or long term.
I’ve got Anfernee Simons 1 year (27.7), Sam Hauser 4 years (10, 10.8, 11.7, 12.5) available as Salary.
I’ve a 2026 2rp likely top 35, a 2026 2rp likely in the 40s, Bostons 2027 frp (top 10 protected) available to grease the wheels.
Luka Garza (2.5, 2.8), Chris Boucher (3.3) are on the table as minimum salary roster fillers if needed.
Make me a deal .
The Celtics 2026 pick (top 5-10 protected) could be on the table for a guy that’s better than Queta.

What are you looking for here in particular? Defensively?

An all around better player than Garza, yes mainly defensively. A guy that can be a legit rotation big on a contender. I should have specified also looking for a dude that has a few good seasons left.

Shaving 12 Million and acquiring a better player is going to be difficult.

Here are all the Centers making under 25.6 (37.7-12.1)

Claxton
Turner
Vucevic
Allen
Poeltl
Nurcik
Aldama
Zubac
Collins

Here are all the Centers making less than 15.6 (27.7-12.1)

Okongwu
Stewart
Gafford
Adams
Chet
Wemby
RWIII
Robinson
Kornet
WCJ
Valanciunas
Lopez
Jwill
Goga
Ayton
Looney
Clingan
Capella
Duren
Mark Williams
Sharpe
Edey
Maluach
Horford
Reed
Lively
Drummond
Richard
Wagner
Kessler

[brackdan70]

What are you looking for here in particular? Defensively?

An all around better player than Garza, yes mainly defensively. A guy that can be a legit rotation big on a contender. I should have specified also looking for a dude that has a few good seasons left.

Shaving 12 Million and acquiring a better player is going to be difficult.

Here are all the Centers making under 25.6 (37.7-12.1)

Claxton
Turner
Vucevic
Allen
Poeltl
Nurcik
Aldama
Zubac
Collins

Here are all the Centers making less than 15.6 (27.7-12.1)

Okongwu
Stewart
Gafford
Adams
Chet
Wemby
RWIII
Robinson
Kornet
WCJ
Valanciunas
Lopez
Jwill
Goga
Ayton
Looney
Clingan
Capella
Duren
Mark Williams
Sharpe
Edey
Maluach
Horford
Reed
Lively
Drummond
Richard
Wagner
Kessler

Thanks for the lists.
Yes it is quite difficult I think, especially if you take out players that are probably not available and those that are not noticeably better than Garza. I’d like to think that adding some assets (even if not top tier) and willing to take on long term money, helps make something out there remotely realistic.