Wiz/Atl/Chi: Wiz move up to #1, Atlanta sheds salary, Bulls get talent

[mhd]

This deal is predicated on Atlanta NOT wanting Sarr and rather take the best wing prospect they desire while also shedding future salary:

Wiz trade Holmes (expiring)+Davis (expiring (option can be declined in October))+#2 for Lonzo (expiring)+#1
Atlanta trades: #1+Hunter for #2+Holmes (expiring)+future Portland 1st (via Chicago) (it is lotto protected until 2028 (otherwise converts to a 2028 2nd))
Chicago trades: Lonzo (expiring)+future Portland first for Hunter+Davis (expiring)

Why for the Hawks?
1). This deal is predicated on them preferring any other prospect (like Zach R.) vs Sarr. They have pending salary issues. Jaylon Johnson is the future at the wing position anyways. They shed Hunter's longterm deal for an expiring in Holmes (including saving 7.5 million in real money right now) and pick up a potential future first in that Portland pick .

Why for the Bulls?
1). The FO does not seem to want any rebuild. They have few avenues to add productive players unless they use that Lonzo expiring. They get a productive player in Hunter for the injured expiring in Lonzo while also giving up a potential future 1st that seems unlikely to ever convey in that Portland pick.

Why for the Wiz?
1). They get Sarr to be the center of the future.

[Godaddycurse]

why does wizards get to move up for taking on an extra 4-5 mil salary only?

[jayjaysee]

I would think Washington owes a decent amount more, unless we are just saying Atlanta dislikes Sarr but doesn’t want to miss out on Zacc..Then it’s a really great situation for the second pick, but has to be that exact scenario. Still cheap.

The Chicago part feels unwise for Chicago. They need an actual four. And they need to cut salary, they are going to be building real close to the tax line I think. Davis isn’t cheap and ideally wouldn’t play..

[psman2]

So Washington gets to move up from 2 to 1 by turning Holmes and Davis into Lonzo who has a good chance his contract is insured if he doesn't play. The only value Washington is providing here is eating 3m in salary. They have to provide a real asset here.

If Atlanta wants off Hunter they they just do the Bulls deal separately if offered.

[giberish]

If Atlanta really does prefer someone else to Sarr and they know Washington will take Sarr at #1, they'll still get their guy anyways so it probably won't cost much for Washington to move up. (if no deal happened Washington would just get Sarr at #2 anyways, this is just paying a bit of insurance).

[Texas Chuck]

If Washington wanted Sarr, they'd still have to pay more than this just to prevent Atlanta from dealing with 3 or 4. This idea that you can move up for essentially nothing is wild.

[giberish]

It is unlikely, but IMO possible. It depends on the overall demand at the top of the draft. There's occasional years where no one really wants the #1 (2013 for instance). That seems to be a possiblity this year.

[penbeast0]

I think Chuck has the strongest objection. If I could move #1 to #2 and still get my preferred guy plus dump some salary that wouldn't weaken my team, I'd certainly be willing for Atlanta. And if I preferred Sarr for Washington, this is certainly a great deal for them. But Atlanta certainly might get a better offer.

[penbeast0]

I think Chuck has the strongest objection. If I could move #1 to #2 and still get my preferred guy plus dump some salary that wouldn't weaken my team, I'd certainly be willing for Atlanta. And if I preferred Sarr for Washington, this is certainly a great deal for them. But Atlanta certainly might get a better offer.

[Texas Chuck]

Dallas dumped Bertans last year dropping from 10 to 12. Just no chance its cheaper to move up from 2 to 1 no matter how much people want to hate on this draft.

Atlanta just takes their guy at 1 rather than giving it to Washington for nothing. Because if they want to do the Chicago part they can still do that.

At minimum Washington owes a protected future 1st. I'd look at the Fultz/Tatum and Trae/Luka deals as closer. Now I get there isn't a player projected as good as Luka here, but there are guys who can't be that much worse prospects than Fultz was seen as.

[nate33]

I figure Sarr is probably the top choice in this draft for Washington, but not by a lot. If Sarr is gone, the Wizards are fine with plenty of other guys in this draft. With that in mind, I'm not willing to sacrifice anything of significance to move up. I'd absorb a few million in salary and maybe give up a late 2nd, but that's about it. If Atlanta won't bite, that's fine.

Ultimately, I think Atlanta is going to pick who they want to pick. If their top choice is Sarr, they're not going to be happy with whatever minor incentive Washington wants to offer to move up. If their top choice is someone other than Sarr, then the Wizards will get Sarr without having to give up anything at all.