Post#1626 » by IceColdCubano » Mon Jan 8, 2024 6:24 pm
The practical man in me says we make a move before the trade deadline in order to get better for our last Hurrah at a title with this core group. However my mind says otherwise, just based on what I know based on previous FO decisions, and observations we gonna ride and die with the core group and let Lowry expire, resign Caleb and let Jimmy ride into the sunset while we bridge the build entering the Bam, Herro, JJJ, Jovic era.
The Herro invested I feel is real, and its gonna be through the duration of his contract unless he proves otherwise. I really believe they think he will turn into something shinier than what he is now. I also believe, that some in the Org don't think he has proven anything due to his unforeseen injuries at the wrong times. However there are more people pulling in one direction than in the other.
The deficit to go after Donovan Mitchell previously means even less now that Herro is better player than he was at the time those offers were made. Unless Miami is doing 1for1 plus meh filler and 1 FRP doubtful they would give up younger player on a longer contract in that sort of value swap.
I think the JJJ revelation, has made our front office feel a lot better about bridging the current build into a younger group. Ultimately JJJ is a Jimmy replacement if anything. Bam is still a core figure here, and Lowry is soon to expire allowing us to resign Caleb, another glue guy with championship experience. The problem is Herro fills the nitch of volume scorer that would only ever be traded for a more in his prime player while attaching some picks. The question is whether that player is a PG or SG, keeping Duncan probable makes that swap feasible since you could potentially insert current Duncan as our starting SG. Thus the target for Miami could potentially be best case using Herro for a PG swap. This makes the trading Herro + Duncan together a decision I don't believe they would make its either one or the other.
Jovic, Duncan and some picks is another combo you could do if it netted you a in prime PF to pair next to Bam. All the value that Caleb held for all the great things he did in last years playoffs are off the board with his injury history and status. We have:
1 large expiring - Lowry ( low probability in losing such a large salary relief ).
1 3point shooter, vet, playoff tested, playmaker - Duncan ( medium probability 20M cap hit next year ).
1 Volumn 2.5level scorer, young long term signed star - Herro ( low probability would 30M cap hit next year ).
1 young, scoring, euro bigman, with great passing instincts & ballhandling - ( High probability with upside has value, attached to another contract).
Filler - Highsmith, Caleb, O Rob ( Nothing else is really worth much to anyone around the league ).
