RealGM

Kings out: Demar, Lyles, Colby Jones, 2026 Kings 1st, 2027 Spurs 1st, 2031 Minnesota 1st, 2 2nds
Kings in: Zion, Obi Toppin (absorbed using TPE)

Why for Kings? This team has no regard for the future, so risk it all on a guy who is never healthy. Maybe outside Pelicans we can keep him healthy and motivated.

Pelicans out: Zion, Alvarado
Pelicans in: Middleton, Colby Jones, 2026 Kings 1st, 27 Spurs 1st, 31 Minnesota 1st

Why for Pelicans? End of an era. Get 3 1sts and Middleton expires next year as they do a full tear down.

Bucks out: Middleton
Bucks in: Demar, Alvarado

Why for Bucks? Middleton can't stay on the court. They are a half court team anyways. Demar can get a bucket, and Jose is a great backup pg. Save 6 million also

Pacers out: Obi
Pacers in: lyles, 2 2nds

Why for pacers? turn obi into an expiring forward who can space the floor + 2 2nds.

Sabonis, Zion, Lavine, Monk -- I see lots of scoring, lots of entertainment, and lots of losing. I'd rather try to find a stretch 5 to work next to Sabonis, but admittedly I don't have any great ideas

No.

I’d rather go after Ingram and keep that 31 1st

My eyes cannot handle a Dame/DeMar duo, please don't make me imagine it.

OP,

I can't recall the last time I read one of your original trade ideas and didn't come away with an appreciation for it. I may not always like it or agree with the value or direction, but I see that they are well thought out and real effort is made to take every team into account. So instead of commenting on the specific trade I just wanted to publicly tell you how much I always enjoy your threads.

Texas Chuck wrote:OP,

I can't recall the last time I read one of your original trade ideas and didn't come away with an appreciation for it. I may not always like it or agree with the value or direction, but I see that they are well thought out and real effort is made to take every team into account. So instead of commenting on the specific trade I just wanted to publicly tell you how much I always enjoy your threads.

Thanks Chuck! Means a lot. I know sometimes they are beyond unlikely, but I like to dream ! Lol

RiotPunch wrote:My eyes cannot handle a Dame/DeMar duo, please don't make me imagine it.

Don't sleep on deebo! He is a walking bucket and mid range goat. 33-7-5 tonight putting the wolves to bed!

I personally wouldn't make a move for Zion without ALL my near future 1sts available for if/when things go wrong. Especially giving up my '26 pick unprotected, which is apparently on par/maybe better than the 25 draft. Another thing I'm curious about: does the option to tear up Zion's contract if he doesn't meet whatever physical/fitness targets there are TRANSFER to a new team, or no? If it does, the risk maybe largely mitigated. But I'd rather have my 1st and no Zion, than NO 1st and NO Zion, if I did the trade and things went south...