RealGM

Trade 1
UTA trades: Collin Sexton, John Collins, 43, 53
MIA trades: Terry Rozier, Duncan Robinson, 20

Collins opts into his final year to complete the trade prior to the draft. Utah gets the highest individual pick they can get for Sexton and/or Collins, which I think is more important than adding a late first for each (e.g., 25 from ORL for Sexton and 30 from LAC for Collins). Miami gets better players, and Sexton feels like a 'Heat culture' player. Both of these guys deserve to be on a winning team.

Trade 2
UTA trades: Lauri Markkanen
NOP trades: DeJounte Murray, Jordan Hawkins, min. player (Matkovic? Boston?), 7, 2026 IND 1st (1-4 protected thru 2027, otherwise 2 2nds)

Utah gets a lottery pick for Lauri. New Orleans moves off of Murray and gets a perfect compliment on offense to Zion.

Draft (using tankathon):
5. Tre Johnson - my preferred outcome, and it is sounding like a likely outcome if rumors that Charlotte wants VJ are to be believed.
7. Jeremiah Fears - I think his upside is so much higher than George/Collier (and I would look to trade at least one of them if possible)
20. Nolan Traore - this is a pure upside play, I don't have Traore far off of Fears as a prospect and feel confident one will work out really well
21. Cedric Coward - I doubt he is here, otherwise I would go with Drake Powell, but we need some wings who can be competent as 3s or big, physical 2s

*if trades can't be found, buyout Clarkson, Robinson, and Rozier

Depth chart:
Walker Kessler/Kyle Filipowski/Taylor Hendricks
Taylor Hendricks/KJ Martin/Cody Williams
Cedric Coward/Brice Sensabaugh/Cody Williams
Tre Johnson/Keyonte George/Jordan Hawkins
Jeremiah Fears/Isaiah Collier/Nolan Traore
IR: DeJounte Murray

This team gets its young players development reps and loses games without having to manipulate lineups. More importantly, there are lots of prospects with interesting tools here and you hopefully walk away from the season with a clear understanding of 3-4 players who are clear keepers with the potential to be long-term starters + an idea of who to move off of as the year goes (e.g., if Hawkins beats out George, if one of Fears/Collier/Traore looks incredible or horrid, if Williams can't crack the rotation, etc.).

I like it, but I absolutely hate the direction for New Orleans.

They need to see how Murphy III continues to grow. He looked better than 2024 Mikal Bridges, who cemented himself as a 3rd/4th guy on a title team and not clearly a Top 3 guy.

Is Murphy III maxed out as a 4th option or does he have enough game to be a 2nd or strong 3rd?

New Orleans needs to learn that this year. Once they do, they can pick a concrete direction, but they are going to get a strong prospect at #7, either a high-ceiling PG like Fears or one of the toolsy shooting guards like Johnson or Knueppel.

For Utah, they seem more likely to tweak the roster for winning than New Orleans, though neither are likely in the grand scheme of things.

I love that first trade with Miami. Miami is more competitive this year but if they want to pivot to free agency/rebuild in a year they can and 20 isn't a huge loss.

Lauri I just have no idea on. Pels feel like such a mess and not sure on the Zion/Lauri dynamic. Value seems fine with Utah having to take back Murray, but I don't know if Pels would go that direction?

I'd probably keep Robinson if I can't trade him. Shooting helps the environment for the kids and he won't be a problem when he gets DNP-CD's Plus he's a guy who worked his way not only into a rotation spot and a starter but made himself some pretty good money. Great guy for the coaches to point to when some of the kids aren't putting in the work or playing the right way.

Rozier wouldn't even set foot in my building though.

ReggiesKnicks wrote:I like it, but I absolutely hate the direction for New Orleans.

I 100 percent agree. I feel this way about a potential Sacramento deal, too. There just are a lot of teams who traditionally think they are a lot better than they actually are, so I see some plausible scenarios where they make the wrong decision. If teams are smart about where they are, I just dont see a lottery pick on offer for Lauri (unless it is San Antonio at 14), nor 2026 picks since so many are locked up. If that is the case the comments that we want to keep him make more sense if there is not a market for these B- level stars. I think a lot of guys just won't be able to return what they are worth in a vacuum. It especially sucks for Lauri because a) he is on my team, but b) I think he is such a unique and useful player who has not had a chance to be featured on a team with playoff aspirations.

babyjax13 wrote:

ReggiesKnicks wrote:I like it, but I absolutely hate the direction for New Orleans.

I 100 percent agree. I feel this way about a potential Sacramento deal, too. There just are a lot of teams who traditionally think they are a lot better than they actually are, so I see some plausible scenarios where they make the wrong decision. If teams are smart about where they are, I just dont see a lottery pick on offer for Lauri (unless it is San Antonio), nor 2026 picks since so many are locked up. If that is the case the comments that we want to keep him make more sense if there is not a market for these B- level stars.

I like Sacramento trying to compete more, or at least understand it.

Sabonis proved without elite help and simply good spacing he and a secondary shot creator, Fox, could create Top 5 offenses.

I agree with what you say, which is likely why Ainge Jr talked about competing. There wasn't and isn't much of a market for Lauri and he knew that by doing his due-diligence.

That's the problem with holding onto players and getting greedy. On the contrary, it takes 1/29 other teams to say "Lauri is our missing piece" and you get a teams draft.

ReggiesKnicks wrote:

babyjax13 wrote:

ReggiesKnicks wrote:I like it, but I absolutely hate the direction for New Orleans.

I 100 percent agree. I feel this way about a potential Sacramento deal, too. There just are a lot of teams who traditionally think they are a lot better than they actually are, so I see some plausible scenarios where they make the wrong decision. If teams are smart about where they are, I just dont see a lottery pick on offer for Lauri (unless it is San Antonio), nor 2026 picks since so many are locked up. If that is the case the comments that we want to keep him make more sense if there is not a market for these B- level stars.

I like Sacramento trying to compete more, or at least understand it.

Sabonis proved without elite help and simply good spacing he and a secondary shot creator, Fox, could create Top 5 offenses.

I agree with what you say, which is likely why Ainge Jr talked about competing. There wasn't and isn't much of a market for Lauri and he knew that by doing his due-diligence.

That's the problem with holding onto players and getting greedy. On the contrary, it takes 1/29 other teams to say "Lauri is our missing piece" and you get a teams draft.

I really hate Danny Ainge, but I suppose I have expressed that enough lol. We are 100 percent a team that should not be deluding ourselves into pushing for the playoffs, though.

babyjax13 wrote:

ReggiesKnicks wrote:

babyjax13 wrote:
I 100 percent agree. I feel this way about a potential Sacramento deal, too. There just are a lot of teams who traditionally think they are a lot better than they actually are, so I see some plausible scenarios where they make the wrong decision. If teams are smart about where they are, I just dont see a lottery pick on offer for Lauri (unless it is San Antonio), nor 2026 picks since so many are locked up. If that is the case the comments that we want to keep him make more sense if there is not a market for these B- level stars.

I like Sacramento trying to compete more, or at least understand it.

Sabonis proved without elite help and simply good spacing he and a secondary shot creator, Fox, could create Top 5 offenses.

I agree with what you say, which is likely why Ainge Jr talked about competing. There wasn't and isn't much of a market for Lauri and he knew that by doing his due-diligence.

That's the problem with holding onto players and getting greedy. On the contrary, it takes 1/29 other teams to say "Lauri is our missing piece" and you get a teams draft.

I really hate Danny Ainge, but I suppose I have expressed that enough lol. We are 100 percent a team that should not be deluding ourselves into pushing for the playoffs, though.

Eh there are pros and cons. I don't think there is a problem with players learning how to be competitive. Indiana is always competitive.

Even Utah sold at the right time on Gobert/Mitchell.

I think players develop differently when competing rather than tanking. Not better, but differently, meaning some players develop better in specific ecosystems while others in different ones. The overarching problem with Utah is since trading Gobert/Mitchell they haven't been able to, outside of Lauri, have tangible assets they wanted to move forward with.

Even now it's fair to say your entire roster is just a bunch of "meh". It sucks as a fan! But at least competing you can develop in a different way and build excitement.

I would like the Lauri to Pels trade, but that max contract is huge and restrictive. I think if the '26 IND pick is going to be included, I would want another player or asset back: one of Sexton, Collins, pick 21, or at least the 2nds.

Dumars did sign Charlie Villanueva to that big deal, valuing the archetype of the 'stretch big' ahead of the curve. So maybe Lauri can be his new Charlie V, lol.

Would really be leaning into "point-Zion" with this move. Zion/Herb/Murphy/Lauri/Missi with McCullom, Alvarado, Olynyk as backups/ tradeable contracts. Ideally would trade CJ/Olynyk in a follow up deal to get more PG and C help.

YayBasketball wrote:I would like the Lauri to Pels trade, but that max contract is huge and restrictive. I think if the '26 IND pick is going to be included, I would want another player or asset back: one of Sexton, Collins, pick 21, or at least the 2nds.

Dumars did sign Charlie Villanueva to that big deal, valuing the archetype of the 'stretch big' ahead of the curve. So maybe Lauri can be his new Charlie V, lol.

Would really be leaning into "point-Zion" with this move. Zion/Herb/Murphy/Lauri/Missi with McCullom, Alvarado, Olynyk as backups/ tradeable contracts. Ideally would trade CJ/Olynyk in a follow up deal to get more PG and C help.

I think people are overly negative on Lauri for a few reasons:

1) it isn't a max contract
2) he was in a horrible context this year
3) every season we have shut him down when he could play
4) he had two years at a top-30 to top-40 level, i.e., max-level production
5) he is incredibly plug and play for every team

If we were a playoff team I would not entertain trading him at all, one of my favorite Jazz players of all time and he is the third best player we've had since the Deron/Boozer years (behind Donovan/Gobert, ahead of Hayward).

I’d love this offseason for Utah.

babyjax13 wrote:

YayBasketball wrote:I would like the Lauri to Pels trade, but that max contract is huge and restrictive. I think if the '26 IND pick is going to be included, I would want another player or asset back: one of Sexton, Collins, pick 21, or at least the 2nds.

Dumars did sign Charlie Villanueva to that big deal, valuing the archetype of the 'stretch big' ahead of the curve. So maybe Lauri can be his new Charlie V, lol.

Would really be leaning into "point-Zion" with this move. Zion/Herb/Murphy/Lauri/Missi with McCullom, Alvarado, Olynyk as backups/ tradeable contracts. Ideally would trade CJ/Olynyk in a follow up deal to get more PG and C help.

I think people are overly negative on Lauri for a few reasons:

1) it isn't a max contract
2) he was in a horrible context this year
3) every season we have shut him down when he could play
4) he had two years at a top-30 to top-40 level, i.e., max-level production
5) he is incredibly plug and play for every team

If we were a playoff team I would not entertain trading him at all, one of my favorite Jazz players of all time and he is the third best player we've had since the Deron/Boozer years (behind Donovan/Gobert, ahead of Hayward).

Fair nuff. What compromise would you make if Pels to say, 'we need to remove the '26 1st or if we keep it in, we need pick 21 back.'

YayBasketball wrote:

babyjax13 wrote:

YayBasketball wrote:I would like the Lauri to Pels trade, but that max contract is huge and restrictive. I think if the '26 IND pick is going to be included, I would want another player or asset back: one of Sexton, Collins, pick 21, or at least the 2nds.

Dumars did sign Charlie Villanueva to that big deal, valuing the archetype of the 'stretch big' ahead of the curve. So maybe Lauri can be his new Charlie V, lol.

Would really be leaning into "point-Zion" with this move. Zion/Herb/Murphy/Lauri/Missi with McCullom, Alvarado, Olynyk as backups/ tradeable contracts. Ideally would trade CJ/Olynyk in a follow up deal to get more PG and C help.

I think people are overly negative on Lauri for a few reasons:

1) it isn't a max contract
2) he was in a horrible context this year
3) every season we have shut him down when he could play
4) he had two years at a top-30 to top-40 level, i.e., max-level production
5) he is incredibly plug and play for every team

If we were a playoff team I would not entertain trading him at all, one of my favorite Jazz players of all time and he is the third best player we've had since the Deron/Boozer years (behind Donovan/Gobert, ahead of Hayward).

Fair nuff. What compromise would you make if Pels to say, 'we need to remove the '26 1st or if we keep it in, we need pick 21 back.'

If push comes to shove I would probably be fine with either. I think we can pick up another first in the 20s from somewhere so I would probably prefer to include 21.

Of the Lauri deal happened I would push for an unprotected pick farther in the future. Don’t want picks that can turn to two seconds. Even if the chance is extremely slim.

babyjax13 wrote:Trade 1
UTA trades: Collin Sexton, John Collins, 43, 53
MIA trades: Terry Rozier, Duncan Robinson, 20

Collins opts into his final year to complete the trade prior to the draft. Utah gets the highest individual pick they can get for Sexton and/or Collins, which I think is more important than adding a late first for each (e.g., 25 from ORL for Sexton and 30 from LAC for Collins). Miami gets better players, and Sexton feels like a 'Heat culture' player. Both of these guys deserve to be on a winning team.

Trade 2
UTA trades: Lauri Markkanen
NOP trades: DeJounte Murray, Jordan Hawkins, min. player (Matkovic? Boston?), 7, 2026 IND 1st (1-4 protected thru 2027, otherwise 2 2nds)

Utah gets a lottery pick for Lauri. New Orleans moves off of Murray and gets a perfect compliment on offense to Zion.

Draft (using tankathon):
5. Tre Johnson - my preferred outcome, and it is sounding like a likely outcome if rumors that Charlotte wants VJ are to be believed.
7. Jeremiah Fears - I think his upside is so much higher than George/Collier (and I would look to trade at least one of them if possible)
20. Nolan Traore - this is a pure upside play, I don't have Traore far off of Fears as a prospect and feel confident one will work out really well
21. Cedric Coward - I doubt he is here, otherwise I would go with Drake Powell, but we need some wings who can be competent as 3s or big, physical 2s

*if trades can't be found, buyout Clarkson, Robinson, and Rozier

Depth chart:
Walker Kessler/Kyle Filipowski/Taylor Hendricks
Taylor Hendricks/KJ Martin/Cody Williams
Cedric Coward/Brice Sensabaugh/Cody Williams
Tre Johnson/Keyonte George/Jordan Hawkins
Jeremiah Fears/Isaiah Collier/Nolan Traore
IR: DeJounte Murray

This team gets its young players development reps and loses games without having to manipulate lineups. More importantly, there are lots of prospects with interesting tools here and you hopefully walk away from the season with a clear understanding of 3-4 players who are clear keepers with the potential to be long-term starters + an idea of who to move off of as the year goes (e.g., if Hawkins beats out George, if one of Fears/Collier/Traore looks incredible or horrid, if Williams can't crack the rotation, etc.).

How about cutting out MIA.

Sexton and Collins to New Orleans

Murray, Olynyk and IND '26 1st to Utah

I am all over this for Miami just want to make sure both players would be okay potentially coming off the bench, because that could be a thing for both of them.

I don't see Sexton as a starter next to Herro as their games are somewhat redundant and both struggle, defensively. Rather I see Mitchell starting, and Sexton as a 6th man type to direct that second unit.

Collins, with his defensive shortcomings, isn't likely to beat out Ware for that spot next to Bam.

But this would give us so much more depth and leave is the ability to make more trades.

Pg: Mitchell / Sexton
Sg: Herro / Highsmith / Larsson
Sf: Wiggins / Jacquez
Pf: Bam / Jovic
Cc: Ware / Collins

I mean, that's a deep team.

I like it alot for Miami.

Milwuakee is another team that should consider making this type of deal with the Dame contract and a future FRP. Adding two veteran scorers on expiring contracts in a supposed "gap" year keeps them competitive while also leaving them a ton of options next offseason assuming ofc Giannis wants to stay there.

hoopsfan777 wrote:

babyjax13 wrote:Trade 1
UTA trades: Collin Sexton, John Collins, 43, 53
MIA trades: Terry Rozier, Duncan Robinson, 20

Collins opts into his final year to complete the trade prior to the draft. Utah gets the highest individual pick they can get for Sexton and/or Collins, which I think is more important than adding a late first for each (e.g., 25 from ORL for Sexton and 30 from LAC for Collins). Miami gets better players, and Sexton feels like a 'Heat culture' player. Both of these guys deserve to be on a winning team.

Trade 2
UTA trades: Lauri Markkanen
NOP trades: DeJounte Murray, Jordan Hawkins, min. player (Matkovic? Boston?), 7, 2026 IND 1st (1-4 protected thru 2027, otherwise 2 2nds)

Utah gets a lottery pick for Lauri. New Orleans moves off of Murray and gets a perfect compliment on offense to Zion.

Draft (using tankathon):
5. Tre Johnson - my preferred outcome, and it is sounding like a likely outcome if rumors that Charlotte wants VJ are to be believed.
7. Jeremiah Fears - I think his upside is so much higher than George/Collier (and I would look to trade at least one of them if possible)
20. Nolan Traore - this is a pure upside play, I don't have Traore far off of Fears as a prospect and feel confident one will work out really well
21. Cedric Coward - I doubt he is here, otherwise I would go with Drake Powell, but we need some wings who can be competent as 3s or big, physical 2s

*if trades can't be found, buyout Clarkson, Robinson, and Rozier

Depth chart:
Walker Kessler/Kyle Filipowski/Taylor Hendricks
Taylor Hendricks/KJ Martin/Cody Williams
Cedric Coward/Brice Sensabaugh/Cody Williams
Tre Johnson/Keyonte George/Jordan Hawkins
Jeremiah Fears/Isaiah Collier/Nolan Traore
IR: DeJounte Murray

This team gets its young players development reps and loses games without having to manipulate lineups. More importantly, there are lots of prospects with interesting tools here and you hopefully walk away from the season with a clear understanding of 3-4 players who are clear keepers with the potential to be long-term starters + an idea of who to move off of as the year goes (e.g., if Hawkins beats out George, if one of Fears/Collier/Traore looks incredible or horrid, if Williams can't crack the rotation, etc.).

How about cutting out MIA.

Sexton and Collins to New Orleans

Murray, Olynyk and IND '26 1st to Utah

That would be a hard pass, it will take more than that pick to turn Murray into expirings.

ReggiesKnicks wrote:I like it, but I absolutely hate the direction for New Orleans.

They need to see how Murphy III continues to grow. He looked better than 2024 Mikal Bridges, who cemented himself as a 3rd/4th guy on a title team and not clearly a Top 3 guy.

Is Murphy III maxed out as a 4th option or does he have enough game to be a 2nd or strong 3rd?

New Orleans needs to learn that this year. Once they do, they can pick a concrete direction, but they are going to get a strong prospect at #7, either a high-ceiling PG like Fears or one of the toolsy shooting guards like Johnson or Knueppel.

For Utah, they seem more likely to tweak the roster for winning than New Orleans, though neither are likely in the grand scheme of things.

Im confused as to why this trade would prevent that evaluation from happening. I think CJ moves to the bench or perhaps Missi, but not Trey. Also given Cj's age, he becomes the 4th banana. Id actually be interested to see who guards who if they trot out Zion, Herb, Trey, Lauri and Missi. Puts alot of pressure on an opposing team. Herb would likely guard the opposing lead ball handler and Trey would have to guard the number 1 wing option.

lordjeff05 wrote:

ReggiesKnicks wrote:I like it, but I absolutely hate the direction for New Orleans.

They need to see how Murphy III continues to grow. He looked better than 2024 Mikal Bridges, who cemented himself as a 3rd/4th guy on a title team and not clearly a Top 3 guy.

Is Murphy III maxed out as a 4th option or does he have enough game to be a 2nd or strong 3rd?

New Orleans needs to learn that this year. Once they do, they can pick a concrete direction, but they are going to get a strong prospect at #7, either a high-ceiling PG like Fears or one of the toolsy shooting guards like Johnson or Knueppel.

For Utah, they seem more likely to tweak the roster for winning than New Orleans, though neither are likely in the grand scheme of things.

Im confused as to why this trade would prevent that evaluation from happening. I think CJ moves to the bench or perhaps Missi, but not Trey. Also given Cj's age, he becomes the 4th banana. Id actually be interested to see who guards who if they trot out Zion, Herb, Trey, Lauri and Missi. Puts alot of pressure on an opposing team. Herb would likely guard the opposing lead ball handler and Trey would have to guard the number 1 wing option.

Nobody is saying Trey Murphy III goes to the bench. Maybe I am misunderstanding your comment, but why did you mention Trey wouldn't move to the bench?

That roster has very little ball-handling and playmaking. They will struggle against on-ball pressure and they have, as a I mentioned, potentially weak 1st option (Zion), 2nd option (Lauri) and 3rd option (Trey, depending on his development).

And who are they defending? Lauri and Zion are weak defenders, Trey is mediocre and Missi is an unknown with some highlight real plays.

What I am proposing is continue to be patient and if Trey Murphy III is simply a 4th option, trade him. Re-build around #7, some juicy picks in the coming years and whatever you receive in exchange for Trey Murphy III.

ReggiesKnicks wrote:

lordjeff05 wrote:

ReggiesKnicks wrote:I like it, but I absolutely hate the direction for New Orleans.

They need to see how Murphy III continues to grow. He looked better than 2024 Mikal Bridges, who cemented himself as a 3rd/4th guy on a title team and not clearly a Top 3 guy.

Is Murphy III maxed out as a 4th option or does he have enough game to be a 2nd or strong 3rd?

New Orleans needs to learn that this year. Once they do, they can pick a concrete direction, but they are going to get a strong prospect at #7, either a high-ceiling PG like Fears or one of the toolsy shooting guards like Johnson or Knueppel.

For Utah, they seem more likely to tweak the roster for winning than New Orleans, though neither are likely in the grand scheme of things.

Im confused as to why this trade would prevent that evaluation from happening. I think CJ moves to the bench or perhaps Missi, but not Trey. Also given Cj's age, he becomes the 4th banana. Id actually be interested to see who guards who if they trot out Zion, Herb, Trey, Lauri and Missi. Puts alot of pressure on an opposing team. Herb would likely guard the opposing lead ball handler and Trey would have to guard the number 1 wing option.

Nobody is saying Trey Murphy III goes to the bench. Maybe I am misunderstanding your comment, but why did you mention Trey wouldn't move to the bench?

That roster has very little ball-handling and playmaking. They will struggle against on-ball pressure and they have, as a I mentioned, potentially weak 1st option (Zion), 2nd option (Lauri) and 3rd option (Trey, depending on his development).

And who are they defending? Lauri and Zion are weak defenders, Trey is mediocre and Missi is an unknown with some highlight real plays.

What I am proposing is continue to be patient and if Trey Murphy III is simply a 4th option, trade him. Re-build around #7, some juicy picks in the coming years and whatever you receive in exchange for Trey Murphy III.

Your argument is that we should evaluate Trey and see what we have in him before making any moves. My argument is that the construction of the team post trade would allow for that evaluation regardless. I assumed that you thought he might be coming off of the bench, because it would help me understand your argument that this trade would limit Trey's development. With low usage guys in Herb and Missi, and only one high usage guy off the bench in CJ, there would be a bunch of shots to go around. I hear you about the ball handling concerns, but think they'd be fine with Herb and Zion bringing the ball up. Herb is an underrated ball handler. The foursome of Zion, Trey, Herb and CJ played about 400 minutes in 23/24 and had a very low turnover rate.

The rim pressure that Zion provides is ideal for shooters like Trey and Lauri, and Herb is a good passer and cutter as well as being strong on the break. Missi plays decently within his role although its a risk to start a second year guy. Defensively they would rely on their length and switch 1-4 and I imagine play a good bit of zone. Again n the 23-24 year the team defense stats of the Pels were decent and Lauri is not a downgrade on that end from Cj even if they play different positions.