RealGM

Hornets are tanking. Maybe 7 of 15 roster spots are secure beyond this season, but nobody expects any front office to turn over half a roster. I'm listening though on the non-core half.

The following players could play a role in a playoff rotation, not for a team built to go deep, but for a competitive squad that could leverage depth in hopes of playing a depleted higher seed trying to survive an underdog series without their star player.

Cody Martin
Nick Richards
Josh Green
Vasa Micic

All but Green are playing for their contract year to be picked up.

Hornets seem to be slow-walking injuries. Most of the roster is auditioning for teams fighting for playoff positioning.

Others not mentioned, are fighting for development playing time (Salaun, Nick Smith Jr., Diabaté, KJ Simpson).

I thought Micic was an intriguing guy coming into the league and I admit I've never seen him play...what's his health & performance been like? stats don't look too hot.

ORL could use a creative playmaker in the second unit...I think Black will be playing more and more with the starters.

Skybox wrote:I thought Micic was an intriguing guy coming into the league and I admit I've never seen him play...what's his health & performance been like? stats don't look too hot.

ORL could use a creative playmaker in the second unit...I think Black will be playing more and more with the starters.

He arrived at camp in poor condition. He already plays slow, purposeful and methodical. He settles an offense using crafty moves, change of pace, reads of defenders. But without the stamina he just couldn't detach from defenders.

His last 2 games he looks more like the player from the trade deadline. He arrived in peak season form. He's vet aged and doesn't cave to pressure. He hit some big shots last night, made strong passes setting up teammates and really carried the team down the stretch.

He looked like the peak season version last night.

He is a really good floor general if you're not asking him to push the pace or play uptempo. He can run pick and roll like fine art. I think he fits well with a plodder like Goga. He wants to play with Jokic. I do not think he fits with Wendell Carter Jr. as well as Goga.

I think he fits what Magic need. He's a pure PG who's most useful skill is his playmaking.

Lakers should try for Richards and Martin, using Vincent as part of what they are trading away

MasterIchiro wrote:

Skybox wrote:I thought Micic was an intriguing guy coming into the league and I admit I've never seen him play...what's his health & performance been like? stats don't look too hot.

ORL could use a creative playmaker in the second unit...I think Black will be playing more and more with the starters.

He arrived at camp in poor condition. He already plays slow, purposeful and methodical. He settles an offense using crafty moves, change of pace, reads of defenders. But without the stamina he just couldn't detach from defenders.

His last 2 games he looks more like the player from the trade deadline. He arrived in peak season form. He's vet aged and doesn't cave to pressure. He hit some big shots last night, made strong passes setting up teammates and really carried the team down the stretch.

He looked like the peak season version last night.

He is a really good floor general if you're not asking him to push the pace or play uptempo. He can run pick and roll like fine art. I think he fits well with a plodder like Goga. He wants to play with Jokic. I do not think he fits with Wendell Carter Jr. as well as Goga.

I think he fits what Magic need. He's a pure PG who's most useful skill is his playmaking.

So...smaller, fatter Ingles without the shooting? Back to Schroder obsession

Micic to Denver would feel realistic, but their only salary dump options are Nnaji and Saric, and they don't even own a 2nd to dump Saric with, and I doubt they're willing to pay the asking price most teams will have to eat 4 years of Nnaji, which likely involves a 1st swap.

Micic, Martin, Richards have no real value, Charlotte's only path to getting assets out of any of them is eating multi-year contracts imo.

HornetJail wrote:Micic to Denver would feel realistic, but their only salary dump options are Nnaji and Saric, and they don't even own a 2nd to dump Saric with, and I doubt they're willing to pay the asking price most teams will have to eat 4 years of Nnaji, which likely involves a 1st swap.

Micic, Martin, Richards have no real value, Charlotte's only path to getting assets out of any of them is eating multi-year contracts imo.

I think that might be shortchanging Richards a bit. He at least puts up some okay individual numbers and is on a cheap deal. There's a few playoff teams he'd probably help as their new backup 5 (Denver, Sacramento, maybe the Pacers with Jackson out, Suns, Clippers), and maybe he looks better on a functional NBA team. I'd guess he nets some 2nds and someone hopes he can improve the same amount as Gafford did going from the Wiz to Dallas (which wouldn't make him as good as Gafford, but not a million miles off).

Ell Curry wrote:

HornetJail wrote:Micic to Denver would feel realistic, but their only salary dump options are Nnaji and Saric, and they don't even own a 2nd to dump Saric with, and I doubt they're willing to pay the asking price most teams will have to eat 4 years of Nnaji, which likely involves a 1st swap.

Micic, Martin, Richards have no real value, Charlotte's only path to getting assets out of any of them is eating multi-year contracts imo.

I think that might be shortchanging Richards a bit. He at least puts up some okay individual numbers and is on a cheap deal. There's a few playoff teams he'd probably help as their new backup 5 (Denver, Sacramento, maybe the Pacers with Jackson out, Suns, Clippers), and maybe he looks better on a functional NBA team. I'd guess he nets some 2nds and someone hopes he can improve the same amount as Gafford did going from the Wiz to Dallas (which wouldn't make him as good as Gafford, but not a million miles off).

well i hope another team feels that way

Very interested, sadly the Bucks don't have the capital. Spose if we could get something for Portis elsewhere, a three way could work.

AussieBuck wrote:Very interested, sadly the Bucks don't have the capital. Spose if we could get something for Portis elsewhere, a three way could work.

I have contemplated the Bucks as a landing spot for Richards, given Lopez is older and his contract is expiring. Bucks could stay ahead of the game and secure rim protection.

I can't imagine the Bucks surrendering Portis though. He's more in line with the Giannis window.

HornetJail wrote:Micic to Denver would feel realistic, but their only salary dump options are Nnaji and Saric, and they don't even own a 2nd to dump Saric with, and I doubt they're willing to pay the asking price most teams will have to eat 4 years of Nnaji, which likely involves a 1st swap.

Micic, Martin, Richards have no real value, Charlotte's only path to getting assets out of any of them is eating multi-year contracts imo.

What do you think

Denver trades: Nnaji, Saric, 2031 1st (top 5 protected)
Charlote trades: Martin, Richards, 2025 2nd (via PHI), 2025 2nd (via NOP), 2027 2nd (via POR or NOP)

BelgradeNugget wrote:

HornetJail wrote:Micic to Denver would feel realistic, but their only salary dump options are Nnaji and Saric, and they don't even own a 2nd to dump Saric with, and I doubt they're willing to pay the asking price most teams will have to eat 4 years of Nnaji, which likely involves a 1st swap.

Micic, Martin, Richards have no real value, Charlotte's only path to getting assets out of any of them is eating multi-year contracts imo.

What do you think

Denver trades: Nnaji, Saric, 2031 1st (top 5 protected)
Charlote trades: Martin, Richards, 2025 2nd (via PHI), 2025 2nd (via NOP), 2027 2nd (via POR)

I want to say yes immediately, but the pick doesn't even convey if Denver ever lands in the top 5 of 2027 or 2029 or 2031 drafts. then you have us trading 3 potentially good 2nds for bad salary. This needs something tangible in order to take on Nnaji for the next 3.5 years.

BelgradeNugget wrote:

HornetJail wrote:Micic to Denver would feel realistic, but their only salary dump options are Nnaji and Saric, and they don't even own a 2nd to dump Saric with, and I doubt they're willing to pay the asking price most teams will have to eat 4 years of Nnaji, which likely involves a 1st swap.

Micic, Martin, Richards have no real value, Charlotte's only path to getting assets out of any of them is eating multi-year contracts imo.

What do you think

Denver trades: Nnaji, Saric, 2031 1st (top 5 protected)
Charlote trades: Martin, Richards, 2025 2nd (via PHI), 2025 2nd (via NOP), 2027 2nd (via POR or NOP)

The price to move Nnaji is a protected first alone - this one is a LONG way out. Saric is also a bad contract next year. Why are we also giving up useful rotation players on short contracts for zero value returned and 3 potentially early second rounders as well?

luciano-davidwesley wrote:

BelgradeNugget wrote:

HornetJail wrote:Micic to Denver would feel realistic, but their only salary dump options are Nnaji and Saric, and they don't even own a 2nd to dump Saric with, and I doubt they're willing to pay the asking price most teams will have to eat 4 years of Nnaji, which likely involves a 1st swap.

Micic, Martin, Richards have no real value, Charlotte's only path to getting assets out of any of them is eating multi-year contracts imo.

What do you think

Denver trades: Nnaji, Saric, 2031 1st (top 5 protected)
Charlote trades: Martin, Richards, 2025 2nd (via PHI), 2025 2nd (via NOP), 2027 2nd (via POR or NOP)

The price to move Nnaji is a protected first alone - this one is a LONG way out. Saric is also a bad contract next year. Why are we also giving up useful rotation players on short contracts for zero value returned and 3 potentially early second rounders as well?

Well if it helps Dallas is the team likely to get the 25 Philly 2nd. Charlotte gets the least favorable which is almost certainly going to be Denver's which should be in the 50's.

Pels 2nd does look good though.

luciano-davidwesley wrote:

BelgradeNugget wrote:

HornetJail wrote:Micic to Denver would feel realistic, but their only salary dump options are Nnaji and Saric, and they don't even own a 2nd to dump Saric with, and I doubt they're willing to pay the asking price most teams will have to eat 4 years of Nnaji, which likely involves a 1st swap.

Micic, Martin, Richards have no real value, Charlotte's only path to getting assets out of any of them is eating multi-year contracts imo.

What do you think

Denver trades: Nnaji, Saric, 2031 1st (top 5 protected)
Charlote trades: Martin, Richards, 2025 2nd (via PHI), 2025 2nd (via NOP), 2027 2nd (via POR or NOP)

The price to move Nnaji is a protected first alone - this one is a LONG way out. Saric is also a bad contract next year. Why are we also giving up useful rotation players on short contracts for zero value returned and 3 potentially early second rounders as well?

Because you get lightly protected 1st for players no one would offer lightly protected 1st. Charlote gambles on value of Denver's 2031 1st. Give back players that doesn't have some value. So it is basicaly 3 very good 2nd for potentaly even better 1st that has value and can be included in trades for 6 years. Pure gamble.

BelgradeNugget wrote:

luciano-davidwesley wrote:

BelgradeNugget wrote:What do you think

Denver trades: Nnaji, Saric, 2031 1st (top 5 protected)
Charlote trades: Martin, Richards, 2025 2nd (via PHI), 2025 2nd (via NOP), 2027 2nd (via POR or NOP)

The price to move Nnaji is a protected first alone - this one is a LONG way out. Saric is also a bad contract next year. Why are we also giving up useful rotation players on short contracts for zero value returned and 3 potentially early second rounders as well?

Because you get lightly protected 1st for players no one would offer lightly protected 1st. Charlote gambles on value of Denver's 2031 1st. Give back players that doesn't have some value. So it is basicaly 3 very good 2nd for potentaly even better 1st that has value and can be included in trades for 6 years. Pure gamble.

It's fair, dude. Nick is barely worth a late 1st round pick. The 2031 lightly protected 1st is a more portable trade asset than anything outgoing for Charlotte here.

I might swap out Grant Williams for Cody Martin to buffer the cost of Nnaji. Martin is on a contract that can be terminated at season's end. Grant has a torn ACL plus multiple tears in the knee. He's out all season, plus might not play at 100% next season. If he does, that's a bonus for the Nuggets.

MasterIchiro wrote:I might swap out Grant Williams for Cody Martin to buffer the cost of Nnaji. Martin is on a contract that can be terminated at season's end. Grant has a torn ACL plus multiple tears in the knee. He's out all season, plus might not play at 100% next season. If he does, that's a bonus for the Nuggets.

There are few options here like

Denver trades: Nnaji, Saric, Cancar 2031 1st (top 5 protected)
Charlotte trades: G. Williams, Richards, 2025 2nd (via PHI or DEN less favourable), 2025 2nd (via NOP), 2027 2nd (via POR or NOP)

or

Denver trades: Saric, 2030 1st swap (top 3 protected)
Charlotte trades: Richards, 2025 2nd (via PHI or DEN less favourable)

MasterIchiro wrote:Hornets are tanking. Maybe 7 of 15 roster spots are secure beyond this season, but nobody expects any front office to turn over half a roster. I'm listening though on the non-core half.

The following players could play a role in a playoff rotation, not for a team built to go deep, but for a competitive squad that could leverage depth in hopes of playing a depleted higher seed trying to survive an underdog series without their star player.

Cody Martin
Nick Richards
Josh Green
Vasa Micic

All but Green are playing for their contract year to be picked up.

Hornets seem to be slow-walking injuries. Most of the roster is auditioning for teams fighting for playoff positioning.

Others not mentioned, are fighting for development playing time (Salaun, Nick Smith Jr., Diabaté, KJ Simpson).

None of these guys have any incentive for Charlotte to trade. 3/4 have very reasonable player options next year and Josh Green is on a pretty standard contract for a 3D guard with starting experience. Charlotte can hold all these guys and probably re-shop them next year and get the same levels of offers.

I think something around bad salary and a 2028 or 2030 swap, or both with protections or something, for Charlotte role players is the kind of swing Charlotte should take and Denver might need to make.