[LAL - ORL - TOR - BRK] WCJ to TOR, Jak to LAL

[babyjax13]

This might not be the right multi-team trade to make this general idea work, but I really, really like Poeltl for LAL and WCJ for Toronto, so here is an attempt to make that happen? Thoughts on balancing or restructuring the trade (maybe different teams) to make it work?

LAL trades: Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, Dalton Knecht, Edit 2031 LAL 1st
in: Jakob Poeltl
The Lakers get a true center - one who I think is perennially underrated and quite a bit better - at this moment - than options that are often discussed for them (Kessler, Williams). Poeltl is big, he is an excellent passer, and a top-tier defensive center. I think he makes this team very, very dangerous. They also save a bit of money in the short-term.

ORL trades: Wendell Carter Jr., Cole Anthony
in: Gabe Vincent, Dalton Knecht
Orlando cuts some salary and clarifies their center rotation while adding a good young shooter in Knecht. Perhaps some seconds need to go here to balance?

TOR trades: Jakob Poeltl, RJ Barrett
in: Wendell Carter Jr., Cole Anthony, Tyrese Martin
Toronto dumps a bunch of salary and gets a center whose passing and passable floor spacing should really unlock the potential of their starting 5. Poeltl is a bit better passer, but I think it is important for this team to have some spacing from the center position to maximize their team.

BRK trades: Tyrese Martin
in: RJ Barrett, Edit 2031 LAL 1st
The Nets utilize their cap space to get an unprotected 2031 1st. The upside really only comes to fruition if Luka misses games, but we've seen that happen and his team miss the playoffs. Barrett and Thomas should be a sight to behold as tank commanders next season - this should be early 2000s style iso basketball at its worst until RJ expires.

[kobe_vs_jordan]

ORL trades: Wendell Carter Jr., Cole Anthony
in: Gabe Vincent, Dalton Knecht

Lakers probably just stop there if that is possible .

[oldncreaky]

I know TOR is very vulnerable with only 1 legit big on the roster, and looked like a Gleague team any time Poeltl was off the floor -- so I just can't see a reason for what I think is a significant downgrade in WCJ. Cole Anthony and Tyrese Martin are just more fringe players who'd compete for time at 1-2-3 along with about 8 guys of similar/better level that TOR currently has under contract

This move would be a pointless downgrade. TOR is in a hole; they should stop digging. TOR has Poeltl at 5, Barnes at 4, and the next 2 biggest guys are . . . BI and Barrett. I'm hoping that they flip one of BI/RJB/IQ for some size and better fit, but this trade ain't it.

[mademan]

Toronto wouldnt use Poeltl to dump RJ. You can debate whether or not he's a better fit at C - better shooter, but worse passer, worse BBIQ, Poeltl is used as a hub in the high post and a connector in a way WCJ hasnt shown he's able to - you cant debate that WCJ is a worse player. Toronto doesnt value dumping RJ enough to downgrade Poeltl

If the season starts out horribly, i can see a situation where that Lakers offer is fine for Toronto. Im not sure Masai has enough juice to tank another season, but sometimes the situation forces your hand. The east is weak and Toronto will likely be in the play-in race at the very least, so i dont see that happening, but you never know. Unprotected 1st/Knecht is much better than WCJ though

[ReggiesKnicks]

If LAL is giving an unprotected 1st and expiring for Poeltl, Toronto should simply do the part of acquiring WCJ.

LAL (Same as OP)
Poeltl for WCJ/Kleber/2029 LAL 1st
WCJ for Knecht/Vincent

Can you break down why your original is better than this?

[babyjax13]

If LAL is giving an unprotected 1st and expiring for Poeltl, Toronto should simply do the part of acquiring WCJ.

LAL (Same as OP)
Poeltl for WCJ/Kleber/2029 LAL 1st
WCJ for Knecht/Vincent

Can you break down why your original is better than this?

Finances. Toronto is at 181 million right now + will have a cap hold of 7.5 million + whatever they sign a second round pick for. If they add salary in a Poeltl trade they'll be at the first apron for a team whose ceiling seems pretty low. But I agree that simple is, in general, better.

[babyjax13]

ORL trades: Wendell Carter Jr., Cole Anthony
in: Gabe Vincent, Dalton Knecht

Lakers probably just stop there if that is possible .

I don't think WCJ is what the Lakers need from a center. They need a rim-runner on offense, and a rim-protector on defense. WCJ is nice, but is also not really either of those (primarily).

[orlando_joe]

i do not see magic having any interest in this at all ...not giving away starting center for this?

[Skybox]

This is completely disregarding ORL's needs and priorities

[babyjax13]

This is completely disregarding ORL's needs and priorities

I thought Orlando desperately needed floor spacing and offense? This gets them that and saves them money, so that was my thought, which could give them more financial flexibility in a deal for the point guard they need (e.g., Simons).

[mademan]

This is completely disregarding ORL's needs and priorities

I thought Orlando desperately needed floor spacing and offense? This gets them that and saves them money, so that was my thought, which could give them more financial flexibility in a deal for the point guard they need (e.g., Simons).

I think their 2 biggest needs is a guard who can create at an above average level in the halfcourt and an upgrade at C. A good shooting forward with shaky defense can help, but its not a huge need, especially as it makes their C position even worse. They themselves could use Poeltl, imo, over what theyre getting here

[babyjax13]

This is completely disregarding ORL's needs and priorities

I thought Orlando desperately needed floor spacing and offense? This gets them that and saves them money, so that was my thought, which could give them more financial flexibility in a deal for the point guard they need (e.g., Simons).

I think their 2 biggest needs is a guard who can create at an above average level in the halfcourt and an upgrade at C. A good shooting forward with shaky defense can help, but its not a huge need, especially as it makes their C position even worse. They themselves could use Poeltl, imo, over what theyre getting here

That makes sense, thank you! Maybe LAL needs to be cut out, then, even though I wanted to get them Jak, haha!

[Skybox]

This is completely disregarding ORL's needs and priorities

I thought Orlando desperately needed floor spacing and offense? This gets them that and saves them money, so that was my thought, which could give them more financial flexibility in a deal for the point guard they need (e.g., Simons).

I think their 2 biggest needs is a guard who can create at an above average level in the halfcourt and an upgrade at C. A good shooting forward with shaky defense can help, but its not a huge need, especially as it makes their C position even worse. They themselves could use Poeltl, imo, over what theyre getting here

Yeah...playmaking is the biggest problem, not spot-up shooting, imo. I'd be happy to have Knecht but not for ORL's starting C.

I keep pushing something around WCJ to TOR for Poeltl. ORL could add expiring Harris to match salaries and TOR could even buy him out or ride him out...ORL could add #25 and TOR could use that pick and even one of their own to incentivize BRK to take on RJ...but that's a LOT of salary and BRK may have more ambitious plans.

Poeltl is a MUCH better fit with Paolo & Franz and, imo (and some mocks) Masai will likely take Maluach to be his eventual Monster-in-the-Middle. In the meantime, WCJ is more than adequate starting C and can also move to PF at times. WCJ is exceptional at switching on the perimeter for a guy going 270 and banging with big guys...that would be a pretty fearsome big man combo that together might approach Poeltl's salary.

[Godaddycurse]

If LAL is giving an unprotected 1st and expiring for Poeltl, Toronto should simply do the part of acquiring WCJ.

LAL (Same as OP)
Poeltl for WCJ/Kleber/2029 LAL 1st
WCJ for Knecht/Vincent

Can you break down why your original is better than this?

Finances. Toronto is at 181 million right now + will have a cap hold of 7.5 million + whatever they sign a second round pick for. If they add salary in a Poeltl trade they'll be at the first apron for a team whose ceiling seems pretty low. But I agree that simple is, in general, better.

We are at 177M with 3 spaces left to fill including our FRP, a few of those vet min are not guaranteed.

We can squeeze under tax if we pick at 7 and sign 2 2nd round min contracts as is.

If we are blowing it up we can just as easily trade agbaji into an exception for 2nds to duck the tax. No reason at all to pay a first ti dump RJ in a rebuilding year.

Lastly 2029 1st belongs to Dallas. Earliest pick LAL can trade is 2031

[Karmaloop]

Lakers already sent their '29 FRP to Dallas, so it'd have to be their '31 pick going. Knecht and '31 (presuming unprotected) is a pretty hefty price to pay who only has 1 more year guaranteed on his contract. He's got a player option after next season.

[Mr Swagtastic]

No need for Toronto to be here. Poeltl is better than WCJ and RJ has more value than Cole Anthony and Tyrese Martin. I don't see Toronto doing this after acquiring Ingram. They are trying to make the playoffs at a bare minimum. This deal doesn't scream playoffs with that roster.

[Magic_Johnny12]

Jeff Weltman has publicly stated that he’s looking for “proven offensive help”.

Not sure Knecht fits under that premise.

Also, I’m not sure WCJ is as available as people think. Goga on the other hand..

[babyjax13]

No need for Toronto to be here. Poeltl is better than WCJ and RJ has more value than Cole Anthony and Tyrese Martin. I don't see Toronto doing this after acquiring Ingram. They are trying to make the playoffs at a bare minimum. This deal doesn't scream playoffs with that roster.

I think Martin is far more valuable than RJ. Same with Cole. Why? Because after next season Toronto wouldn't have to pay them 30 million.

[Godaddycurse]

No need for Toronto to be here. Poeltl is better than WCJ and RJ has more value than Cole Anthony and Tyrese Martin. I don't see Toronto doing this after acquiring Ingram. They are trying to make the playoffs at a bare minimum. This deal doesn't scream playoffs with that roster.

I think Martin is far more valuable than RJ. Same with Cole. Why? Because after next season Toronto wouldn't have to pay them 30 million.

By that logic those duo are more valuable than Lauri because you dont have to pay them 40M.

Clearly RJ is the better player on court and that matters more for a team whose aiming to make playoffs.

Fwiw I think there was a RJ thread where people offered expirings without needing extra incentives involved?

[Mr Swagtastic]

No need for Toronto to be here. Poeltl is better than WCJ and RJ has more value than Cole Anthony and Tyrese Martin. I don't see Toronto doing this after acquiring Ingram. They are trying to make the playoffs at a bare minimum. This deal doesn't scream playoffs with that roster.

I think Martin is far more valuable than RJ. Same with Cole. Why? Because after next season Toronto wouldn't have to pay them 30 million.

So they are more valuable than every player going into FA this year as well. Your logic is extremely flawed