RealGM

I know there’s been a lot of Lauri trades and I realize he’s really popular in Utah but the more I think about it the more I think a player like Lauri is what you need to make Zion go. A big that can shoot isn’t only important for spacing but Zion’s game also is tailor made to open up shots for a shooting big like Lauri.

The fit is worth going all in so…given the speculation that it’s gonna take 4 or 5 picks plus a starter here is my trade…

Pels give: Ingram, 24, Lakers 25, MIL 27
get: Lauri, Walker Kessler
Utah gives: Lauri and Kessler
gets: Cam Johnson, nola 24, lakers 25, Mil 27, phx 25 and 27
BK give: Johnson the phoenix picks
gets: Ingram

So for Utah they get 5 picks plus a shooter that fits wel in to their scheme and has already shown an ability to play well on a high performing team. The Lakers and Milwaukee picks are probably the highlight here.

For Brooklyn, they get an ideal pairing with Bridges and give the team a compliment of long athletic wings to throw against other teams. Start Shroeder, resign Claxton and you have a really strong defensive team with shot creation from multiple fronts.

If I am Brooklyn this seems like a half step, I am not doing anything like this until I know I have a real #1 in the bag 1st. I am staying on the 2025 FA route easily.

I won't speak for Brooklyn, but I just don't see Ingram as having much value.

I like the idea. Add DDaniels to bkn. Maybe Hawkins but seems too much.

Brooklyn isn’t moving a single Suns pick for Ingram after the playoff performance he just had.

I question if they would even pursue him in 2025 free agency at this point if he expects a max deal.

Brooklyn randomly in here throwing up picks.

The only way the Pelicans see even a single one of the Suns picks for Ingram is if it comes from the Cavs after a Mitchell trade.

I like it for Utah and Nola…but not for BRK.
I think if they do want Ingram it only takes one pick.
I think that is still good enough value for Utah. I’d guess the 25 Phx pick would be the one to include. 27 has too much value.

I don't see Brooklyn agreeing to this at all; they're best removed from the deal. If Markannen & Kessler are going to NOLA, if I'm Ainge I'd require Murphy + Daniels + several of their best picks in return. Zero interest in Ingram for the Jazz.

I agree that Brooklyn needs to be cut out. If they trade those picks it is for a bigger star, e.g., maybe they'd offer them for Zion.

Taking Brooklyn out, I like the idea of finding a third team for Ingram and sending value from New Orleans and the third team to Utah. I like Dyson, I like Murphy, but New Orleans is not trading Murphy and I'm not in love with Dyson + picks for Lauri (though enough picks and I can be talked into it). I think Ingram is much likely to return something that can be a good centerpiece to a deal. This is an attempt with four teams, which is probably the wrong approach, but I think Murray + picks could be interesting for Utah because if Murray has an uptick like Lauri did we might be able to resign him and trade him later for more assets if you took out Orlando.

NOP out: Brandon Ingram, 2025 LAL 1st, 2027 MIL 1st
in: Lauri Markkanen
This part seems balanced as long as you feel good about resigning Lauri. I think Lauri is clearly better than Ingram and one of the better fits with Zion.

ATL out: DeJounte Murray, filler, 2025 SAC 1st (1-12, 1-10, otherwise 2 2nds)
in: Ingram, 2025 DEN 1st (1-5 thru 2027)
Ingram is just a better fit with Trae and I think that justifies swapping a better pick (SAC) for a worse one (DEN).

ORL out: Anthony Black, 2025 DEN 1st (1-5 thru 2027)
in: DeJounte Murray
Orlando is ready to take a bigger step, IMO, and Murray gives them a fully realized version of what Black could be. He's still reasonably young and I think he's a really good fit with Suggs. Murray/Suggs/Wagner/Banchero is a nice core that should have better results than last year.

Utah out: Lauri Markkanen
in: Anthony Black, filler from ATL, 2025 LAL 1st, 2025 SAC 1st (1-12, 1-10, otherwise 2 2nds), 2027 MIL 1st
I'm probably higher on Black than a lot of people, but I think he is a really good compliment to George. He is big, a great defender, and has some good playmaking upside. This lets George still defend point guards, and still share in some playmaking responsibilities, but it also lets him play more off-ball. It also means we get something for Lauri right now, it's a lot more fun getting to see return on a trade immediately than in 3-7 years. We might be able to get slightly better picks elsewhere, but I think both the Lakers and Kings picks have chances to be in the late lottery, and there is no telling how Milwaukee looks when Giannis, Lopez, Middleton, and Lillard are all 3 years older. I think Black and the Bucks pick are the real prizes.

babyjax13 wrote:I agree that Brooklyn needs to be cut out. If they trade those picks it is for a bigger star, e.g., maybe they'd offer them for Zion.

Taking Brooklyn out, I like the idea of finding a third team for Ingram and sending value from New Orleans and the third pick. I like Dyson, I like Murphy, but New Orleans is not trading Murphy and I'm not in love with Dyson + picks for Lauri (though enough picks and I can be talked into it). I think Ingram is much likely to return something that can be a good centerpiece to a deal. This is an attempt with four teams, which is probably the wrong approach, but I think Murray + picks could be interesting for Utah because if Murray has an uptick like Lauri did we might be able to resign him and trade him later for more assets if you took out Orlando.

NOP out: Brandon Ingram, 2025 LAL 1st, 2027 MIL 1st
in: Lauri Markkanen
This part seems balanced as long as you feel good about resigning Lauri. I think Lauri is clearly better than Ingram and one of the better fits with Zion.

ATL out: DeJounte Murray, filler, 2025 SAC 1st (1-12, 1-10, otherwise 2 2nds)
in: Ingram, 2025 DEN 1st (1-5 thru 2027)
Ingram is just a better fit with Trae and I think that justifies swapping a better pick (SAC) for a worse one (DEN).

ORL out: Anthony Black, 2025 DEN 1st (1-5 thru 2027)
in: DeJounte Murray
Orlando is ready to take a bigger step, IMO, and Murray gives them a fully realized version of what Black could be. He's still reasonably young and I think he's a really good fit with Suggs. Murray/Suggs/Wagner/Banchero is a nice core that should have better results than last year.

Utah out: Lauri Markkanen
in: Anthony Black, filler from ATL, 2025 LAL 1st, 2025 SAC 1st (1-12, 1-10, otherwise 2 2nds), 2027 MIL 1st
I'm probably higher on Black than a lot of people, but I think he is a really good compliment to George. He is big, a great defender, and has some good playmaking upside. This lets George still defend point guards, and still share in some playmaking responsibilities, but it also lets him play more off-ball. It also means we get something for Lauri right now, it's a lot more fun getting to see return on a trade immediately than in 3-7 years. We might be able to get slightly better picks elsewhere, but I think both the Lakers and Kings picks have chances to be in the late lottery, and there is no telling how Milwaukee looks when Giannis, Lopez, Middleton, and Lillard are all 3 years older. I think Black and the Bucks pick are the real prizes.

I like it, though I'm higher on Daniels, less so on Black.

SkyHook wrote:

babyjax13 wrote:I agree that Brooklyn needs to be cut out. If they trade those picks it is for a bigger star, e.g., maybe they'd offer them for Zion.

Taking Brooklyn out, I like the idea of finding a third team for Ingram and sending value from New Orleans and the third pick. I like Dyson, I like Murphy, but New Orleans is not trading Murphy and I'm not in love with Dyson + picks for Lauri (though enough picks and I can be talked into it). I think Ingram is much likely to return something that can be a good centerpiece to a deal. This is an attempt with four teams, which is probably the wrong approach, but I think Murray + picks could be interesting for Utah because if Murray has an uptick like Lauri did we might be able to resign him and trade him later for more assets if you took out Orlando.

NOP out: Brandon Ingram, 2025 LAL 1st, 2027 MIL 1st
in: Lauri Markkanen
This part seems balanced as long as you feel good about resigning Lauri. I think Lauri is clearly better than Ingram and one of the better fits with Zion.

ATL out: DeJounte Murray, filler, 2025 SAC 1st (1-12, 1-10, otherwise 2 2nds)
in: Ingram, 2025 DEN 1st (1-5 thru 2027)
Ingram is just a better fit with Trae and I think that justifies swapping a better pick (SAC) for a worse one (DEN).

ORL out: Anthony Black, 2025 DEN 1st (1-5 thru 2027)
in: DeJounte Murray
Orlando is ready to take a bigger step, IMO, and Murray gives them a fully realized version of what Black could be. He's still reasonably young and I think he's a really good fit with Suggs. Murray/Suggs/Wagner/Banchero is a nice core that should have better results than last year.

Utah out: Lauri Markkanen
in: Anthony Black, filler from ATL, 2025 LAL 1st, 2025 SAC 1st (1-12, 1-10, otherwise 2 2nds), 2027 MIL 1st
I'm probably higher on Black than a lot of people, but I think he is a really good compliment to George. He is big, a great defender, and has some good playmaking upside. This lets George still defend point guards, and still share in some playmaking responsibilities, but it also lets him play more off-ball. It also means we get something for Lauri right now, it's a lot more fun getting to see return on a trade immediately than in 3-7 years. We might be able to get slightly better picks elsewhere, but I think both the Lakers and Kings picks have chances to be in the late lottery, and there is no telling how Milwaukee looks when Giannis, Lopez, Middleton, and Lillard are all 3 years older. I think Black and the Bucks pick are the real prizes.

I like it, though I'm higher on Daniels, less so on Black.

It's an easier trade without Orlando, anyway, so there is probably a way to balance this that makes some sense. Or perhaps the direct route is best.