Karmaloop wrote:nykballa2k4 wrote:He would be the best player on most teams. That's certainly a fair market rate. If he were a FA today, there would be teams offering the max to him.
It's really interesting because about a year ago, this board was talking about how much it would take to get him from the Wolves. Same contract with an extra year on it. He had another strong year, played better in the playoffs this year than last. Clearly injured but carried the Knicks to a few wins basically by himself. Similarly, last year Julius Randle was considered perhaps a negative contract and all that. Now this year, Randle is a good resigning (which I agree with because he is a good player), but now KAT is an overpaid something or other? Math ain't mathing...
KAT has contributed more to winning games than LeBron for the last two seasons, which makes sense. LeBron is getting older. Still very impressive. The is the over-40 GOAT. He will be worse this year than last, but he won't be paid that way. KAT will be as good this year as last. So Lakers take a LeBron for KAT swap 7 days a week, twice on Sunday.
The question wasn't what would he get on the open market. The reality is that any team trading for KAT pretty much has to gut their roster to acquire him. Teams would need to send out $40M+ just to get salaries to work. You can eliminate teams that directionally don't make sense (i.e. Utah, Washington, Brooklyn, Charlotte, and Portland minimum).
Atlanta - Has Porky, but would still need another $10M in salary. Would almost certainly need Dyson Daniels included and that might be the dealbreaker for them.
Boston - Probably not interested at least not this offseason.
Chicago - They've got expiring in spades (Vic, Collins, Huerter), but they don't really have any premium picks to offer especially if they're landing KAT.
Cleveland - No interest.
Dallas - Likely no interest.
Denver - Unless it's a deal based around MPJ, there really isn't a deal to be had. Can't imagine Denver is interested in KAT anyways.
Detroit - Would they do Harris/Stewart/pick(?) for KAT? Possibly.
Golden State - Can they do it without gutting their roster without trading Draymond Green?
Houston - Nope.
Indiana - Nope.
LA Clippers - Don't see the Lakers helping out the Clippers, and Clippers seem to prefer their flexibility.
Memphis - Probably not a good fit directionally.
Miami - Potentially a good fit.
Milwaukee - Have nothing to offer.
New Orleans - Don't think they can legally make an offer unless it's based around Zion.
Oklahoma City - Obviously not.
Orlando - Can't without gutting their roster.
76ers - Nope.
Phoenix - Nope.
Portland - An Ayton-based offer is probably coming.
Sacramento - Would have to be a Sabonis-based offer, and does that make them better?
San Antonio - Nope.
Toronto - Possibly?
I'm seeing a pretty tough market for him. Id' say Chicago, Detroit, Miami, and Portland as the teams most interested that could put together a package that the Lakers wouldn't immediately say no to.
Atlanta - As you said, KP +. They would without hesitation move Risacher to get a real shot at winning the East next year.
Boston - At first I agreed, probably not. Lateral move from Brown, and really would not want so many big contracts. OTOH, KAT is basically the perfect big for their HC, so if they were able to add in Bridges (for example) I could see them moving Brown. To be clear, they would take him, but they would be collecting extra value.
Chicago - I agree that they don't have an appealing offer, but they will certainly TRY. I don't think any of their rookie scale guys are tempting either, but they would still attempt.
Cleveland - Agree here, no interest because you can't pay 3 guys. Spida/Mobley is the priority.
Dallas - "defense wins championships" I will concede.
Denver - Must be Joking
Detroit - "Would they do Harris/Stewart/pick(?) for KAT? Possibly." They would do more than that. We wouldn't, but that's another story.
Golden State - They would do their best to get KAT to be a big with Curry. Green would be on the table, is Butler eligible? Package would be built around him if so.
Houston - Sengun is only being traded for Giannis apparently.
Indiana - Nope. Agreed.
LA Clippers - It would gut their depth, but They could move Zub, Powell, Bogdonovic and get it done (of course they need to add incentive)
Memphis - JAH, JJJ are getting paid, so they can't afford a big KAT on the team.
Miami - "Potentially a good fit." - i will agree here.
Milwaukee - KAT would be part of the Giannis trade if it were to happen. I would think something like KAT/OG for Giannis/Kuzma/PatC
New Orleans - As you said, a Zion-based deal. So they would have to consider it especially with their first round pick vulnerable.
Oklahoma City - Just going to throw this out there: Dort and iHart = 1 max KAT. They can add picks to that to even the value.
Orlando - Why wouldn't the Magic trade 2 Wagners for KAT?
76ers - I think they can't legally trade Embiid, but his contract is miles worse than KAT so they would probably secretly LOVE that sort of trade.
Phoenix - Beal + every other positive value?
Portland - I will see your Ayton and raise you an "Ayton and Grant package deal"
Sacramento - "Would have to be a Sabonis-based offer, and does that make them better?" co-sign. I would say it DOES make them better, but not enough.
San Antonio - You say no... but 2 more years of cheap Wemby and you can put him next to KAT?? If they were not sure they were getting Giannis, they might pull the trigger on this. (EC's, picks,)
Toronto - Raptors are in on EVERYONE.
So I think that there are 20 teams that make an offer. teams that can make an offer to provide a fair compensation are fewer and farther between but exist.
Also you and I greatly disagree on KAT's value so deals that I would say need to be adjusted and evened out, you would say are even or tilted towards NY.
My argument is that KAT on the market would be sought after. You put forth a list of teams that might step in as a 3rd partner for you obtaining him. It's moot because I think Lakers would enjoy pairing KAT with Luka and building around them for the next 3 year imagining a 3-peat situation.