Unique, No Picks - ORL/BKN/NOP
Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2024 4:05 am
Here's a fun, unique one that I haven't seen tried yet. Rest assured, I've checked directly with each of the respective GMs of the teams involved in this fake trade idea, and they confirmed that they would do this for sure. They may have even hinted that deep negotiations about this very framework have taken place.
ORL sends: WCJ + C. Anthony + G. Harris
ORL gets: Cam J. + Schroder + Theis
BKN sends: Cam J. + Schroder + Zaire W.
BKN gets: Ingram + Alvarado
NOP sends: Ingram + Alvarado + Theis
NOP gets: WCJ + C. Anthony + G. Harris + Zaire W.
*Keeps/gets all teams under the luxury tax.
Why ORL does it: They get Cam Johnson who boosts their 3 pt. shooting/spacing and his size fits great in their wing/forward sized switchable-defense system. Great closing lineup options with Paulo, Franz, KCP and two of Isaac, Suggs, and Cam Johnson.
WCJ's contract value loss is offset somewhat by clearing Cole Anothy's salary for the expiring Schroder. They decide to lean into more Isaac, Mo, Goga minutes at Center and more Paulo in closing lineups with his size and rebounding to hold his own there. They also get the Germany band back together adding Schroder and Theis's depth and chemistry to the Wagner bros.
Why ORL doesn't do it: Continuity. And WCJ is a very valuable contract despite his injury history. He shares the agency with Paulo and seems be a well valued part of their team and culture. So why make any trades with an up and coming team with continuity? Because making fake trades is fun. Would Cam J. block development for Jett and Da Silva?
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Why BKN does it: Value and optionality. They acquire a former all-star BI on an expiring deal for only a good role player and no extra picks, while still preserving their tank position. They work with Ingram and his agent on a plan to feature him as a primary creator-scorer while also load managing him (and DFS, Claxton) strategically throughout the season, similar to the Jazz with Lauri.
They have options to re-trade him at the deadline (if trade completed soon) or negotiate an extension or re-signing to a realistic new deal next offseason, from a position of strength as one of the few teams with big cap space. They also have the option to work sign and trades with other teams next offseason for more assets, or at worst, this trade clears another 20+mil. from their cap sheet next season if Ingram walks. As a bonus to push the trade through, they get Brooklyn born and raised Jose Alvarado, partly as a PR move, who will immediately become a fan favorite to help fandom through the losing tank fest. They can have fun playing him 25 mpg and even start him. He's also Ingram's BFF, which helps with keeping BI chill and happy in the unique situation.
Why BKN doesn't do it: This gamble could affect their tank plans, and it could get tricky with Ingram's contract status through the tank and developing young players. Some deep discussions and mutual understandings would be needed before the trade. Would some eventual CamJ trade net a better return than the gamble on Ingram? How much easier would it be to tank with CamJ and Schroder instead?
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Why NOP does it: They clear up the Ingram situation while getting a starting Center WCJ on a great contract.
Why NOP doesnt do it: It's possible GM Griffin really does expect some eventual compromise to happen with BI taking a lower contract, which could be traded for better value later on. Taking on Cole Anonthy's contract while losing Alvarado is a loss, and trading fan favorite Jose would especially be a tough sell to the fans. They probably try to keep Jose if possible. But objectively, his size limits his playoff viability and will need a new contract soon.
Also, WCJ has injury history, and his bargain contract is only this season and next, and he will be looking for a big extension or new contract soon. But the fit as their Center and cap flexibility his deal provides makes it worth it.
ORL sends: WCJ + C. Anthony + G. Harris
ORL gets: Cam J. + Schroder + Theis
BKN sends: Cam J. + Schroder + Zaire W.
BKN gets: Ingram + Alvarado
NOP sends: Ingram + Alvarado + Theis
NOP gets: WCJ + C. Anthony + G. Harris + Zaire W.
*Keeps/gets all teams under the luxury tax.
Why ORL does it: They get Cam Johnson who boosts their 3 pt. shooting/spacing and his size fits great in their wing/forward sized switchable-defense system. Great closing lineup options with Paulo, Franz, KCP and two of Isaac, Suggs, and Cam Johnson.
WCJ's contract value loss is offset somewhat by clearing Cole Anothy's salary for the expiring Schroder. They decide to lean into more Isaac, Mo, Goga minutes at Center and more Paulo in closing lineups with his size and rebounding to hold his own there. They also get the Germany band back together adding Schroder and Theis's depth and chemistry to the Wagner bros.
Why ORL doesn't do it: Continuity. And WCJ is a very valuable contract despite his injury history. He shares the agency with Paulo and seems be a well valued part of their team and culture. So why make any trades with an up and coming team with continuity? Because making fake trades is fun. Would Cam J. block development for Jett and Da Silva?
----
Why BKN does it: Value and optionality. They acquire a former all-star BI on an expiring deal for only a good role player and no extra picks, while still preserving their tank position. They work with Ingram and his agent on a plan to feature him as a primary creator-scorer while also load managing him (and DFS, Claxton) strategically throughout the season, similar to the Jazz with Lauri.
They have options to re-trade him at the deadline (if trade completed soon) or negotiate an extension or re-signing to a realistic new deal next offseason, from a position of strength as one of the few teams with big cap space. They also have the option to work sign and trades with other teams next offseason for more assets, or at worst, this trade clears another 20+mil. from their cap sheet next season if Ingram walks. As a bonus to push the trade through, they get Brooklyn born and raised Jose Alvarado, partly as a PR move, who will immediately become a fan favorite to help fandom through the losing tank fest. They can have fun playing him 25 mpg and even start him. He's also Ingram's BFF, which helps with keeping BI chill and happy in the unique situation.
Why BKN doesn't do it: This gamble could affect their tank plans, and it could get tricky with Ingram's contract status through the tank and developing young players. Some deep discussions and mutual understandings would be needed before the trade. Would some eventual CamJ trade net a better return than the gamble on Ingram? How much easier would it be to tank with CamJ and Schroder instead?
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Why NOP does it: They clear up the Ingram situation while getting a starting Center WCJ on a great contract.
Why NOP doesnt do it: It's possible GM Griffin really does expect some eventual compromise to happen with BI taking a lower contract, which could be traded for better value later on. Taking on Cole Anonthy's contract while losing Alvarado is a loss, and trading fan favorite Jose would especially be a tough sell to the fans. They probably try to keep Jose if possible. But objectively, his size limits his playoff viability and will need a new contract soon.
Also, WCJ has injury history, and his bargain contract is only this season and next, and he will be looking for a big extension or new contract soon. But the fit as their Center and cap flexibility his deal provides makes it worth it.