MasterIchiro wrote:OGSactownballer wrote:Nets want a pick(s).
This isn’t going to go for them.
My angle is Nets already have 4 first round picks. While they are seeking 1sts, they probably prefer future 1sts but if contenders are hesitant to trade those or have so few remaining, Nets could pivot to prospects.
Walker fits this. He's blocked by Obi.
He's not blocked by Obi. Walker is playing the 3. Obi is playing the 4. But if this was ever a concern, you trade Obi without a 2nd thought, no?
Pacers have raises due Nembhard and Turner. They have to move longterm money if they're truly bidders here for Cam on a 3 year deal.
If they're truly bidders for Cam, it literally has to be Obi/Nesmith for Cam. No other salary matching works for Indy and keeps them out of the tax this year, or below the first apron with all of Cam's unlikely incentive's.
They could move Obi or Nesmith, but not both because the Nets prefer expirings. They're cleaning house.
In theory, it would have to be Obi/Nesmith IF a Cam deal is to happen. Also, Nesmith and Obi are worth more than expirings.
From the Pacers perspective, Indiana is preserving picks (not a clear playoff team) and if they can't move the contract to Toppin, he blocks Walker.
The Pacers appear to be a clear payoff team, especially since Nembhard returned to health. And again, Toppin doesn't block Walker.
And I would think if the Nets deem Nesmith (over Toppin) as the player more likely to return satisfactory draft capital from a third team, the pick piece is in place.
Certainly a fringe playoff team can go the draft pick route, but the Pacers did this last deadline and might want to balance out. I think it's unlikely picks are part of their bid. They wouldn't be here if they didn't think they could sub prospects.
I would agree, but mostly in that I think Indy just doesn't add picks to Nesmith/Obi. Like, that's a pretty good package, and one that really hurts Indy's rotation.
Pacers have some flexibility in trading Mathurin or Walker but Mathurin is more NBA-ready and starts for them.
Indy doesn't need to trade either. But if they did, Mathurin is the trade piece. Not Walker.
MasterIchiro wrote:Alternative: Nembhard on his extension starts in place of Mathurin. His playmaking frees Haliburton for more off-ball opportunities.
Pacers keep Walker, insert Mathurin to Nets. Pacers trade 20 but remain compliant with Stepien rule, netting 27 (Rockets via Brooklyn).
If Indy trades Mathurin in a Cam deal, Brooklyn is paying the draft capital to bridge the gap. Not Indy.
Nets flip Nesmith (3 years) for Cody Martin (expiring).
Why would you waste value like that? Nesmith is a VERY affordable awesome 3 and D wing. He's just returned to health, but I don't think his on court value is below Cam, at all.
Nets trade Cam Johnson + 27 for Mathurin + 20 + expirings (Martin, I. Jackson).
This is pretty bad for Indy. Now and in the future. And it likely costs them $20-25m extra this year by putting them into the tax and losing distribution payments?
I don't think Cam Johnson is a real target for Indy. The reports all say that other GM's THINK Indy could have interest. But when you factor in the legalities of making a trade work, the proximity to the luxury tax, and the players involved, it really doesn't make sense for Indy.