Trades and Transactions Thread - 2025 Season Discussion

[3toheadmelo]

You want to trade the player Giannis would actually thrive with? He cannot play with rim runners, and you want us to trade the guy that actually works with Giannis, a prolific 3 point shooting center. Nasty work. We got KAT here for 4+ years, be happy.

Don’t shoot the messenger, those are Marc stein’s words brother. And I would absolutely trade KAT for a MVP, finals MVP player that’s in his prime. Nasty work to settle for a much worse player when we can get an MVP instead.

The Spartans killed the messengers, in WW1 runners and carrier pigeons were killed any chance the enemy could get, same in WW2, in modern war we jam signals and destroy telecommunications at every opportunity, killing the message is how you wage effective war.


Nasty work is wanting us to be like the Suns or Bucks, because that's exactly what we'd be if we traded 2 for 1, and left the team with a Giannis/Mitch frontcourt. Giannis hasn't played with a rim runner since 2018 when they were getting bounced in the first round. This is the nastiest of nasty works.

You lost me at Spartans


And no, I don’t want to play Giannis next to Mitch. That’s nasty work to assume I would do such a thing bredren.

[NoDopeOnSundays]

Don’t shoot the messenger, those are Marc stein’s words brother. And I would absolutely trade KAT for a MVP, finals MVP player that’s in his prime. Nasty work to settle for a much worse player when we can get an MVP instead.

The Spartans killed the messengers, in WW1 runners and carrier pigeons were killed any chance the enemy could get, same in WW2, in modern war we jam signals and destroy telecommunications at every opportunity, killing the message is how you wage effective war.


Nasty work is wanting us to be like the Suns or Bucks, because that's exactly what we'd be if we traded 2 for 1, and left the team with a Giannis/Mitch frontcourt. Giannis hasn't played with a rim runner since 2018 when they were getting bounced in the first round. This is the nastiest of nasty works.

You lost me at Spartans


And no, I don’t want to play Giannis next to Mitch. That’s nasty work to assume I would do such a thing bredren.

We can't afford a C that shoots threes if KAT is gone, it's a premium skill among centers and only 6 centers in the NBA make 2 threes per game, we have one of them and the Bucks have another. Giannis without a C that can hit threes is pretty easy to defend, which is why they always lost before they got Brook.

It would be Mitch or Huk next to him, and both would be horrible outcomes.

[DaGawd]

in the fantasy world where we acquire giannis… i’d actually want to do everything in my power to pair him with kat….

[moocow007]

On related news. Knicks apparently odds on favorites to sign Victor Oladipo on a week (Vegas odds have the Knicks so far ahead in the odds that people believe they know something).

Kinda cringe but then started watching some of his vids while with the Heat in 2023 and at least back then his shot creation and athleticism was still pretty darn good (faster and more dynamic than most of the Knicks guards).

Has he gotten injured since Miami? Don’t recall.

Here’s his Miami highlights.

https://youtu.be/Ii48fxNlXa4?si=p3BMkbeimiKCSxa5

[Wildcat]

On related news. Knicks apparently odds on favorites to sign Victor Oladipo on a week (Vegas odds have the Knicks so far ahead in the odds that people believe they know something).

Kinda cringe but then started watching some of his vids while with the Heat in 2023 and at least back then his shot creation and athleticism was still pretty darn good (faster and more dynamic than most of the Knicks guards).

Has he gotten injured since Miami? Don’t recall.

Here’s his Miami highlights.

https://youtu.be/Ii48fxNlXa4?si=p3BMkbeimiKCSxa5

Sounds awful. We already have too many small guards. Would just be a depth piece.

[spree2kawhi]

On related news. Knicks apparently odds on favorites to sign Victor Oladipo on a week (Vegas odds have the Knicks so far ahead in the odds that people believe they know something).

Kinda cringe but then started watching some of his vids while with the Heat in 2023 and at least back then his shot creation and athleticism was still pretty darn good (faster and more dynamic than most of the Knicks guards).

Has he gotten injured since Miami? Don’t recall.

Here’s his Miami highlights.

https://youtu.be/Ii48fxNlXa4?si=p3BMkbeimiKCSxa5

Sounds good, but folks around here will only be happy with an all-nba waiver pick-up.

[HarthorneWingo]

Victor Olidipo?

[Jeffrey]

It doesn't matter who you bring in until you talk to Thibs. Whoever we sign during buyout market... you better talk that motherfcker and ask him if he will play that him.

I get Matt Ryan, I get Shamet at times.. but whoever you bring in... this player will have some talent to crack your meager 8 man rotation.

[B8RcDeMktfxC]

Victor Olidipo?

Kenny "The Jet" Smith might be available too.

[Clyde_Style]

Victor Olidipo?

Kenny "The Jet" Smith might be available too.

We need Shaq in the middle. Just give him a motorized high chair that moves an inch out of the paint every 3 seconds to avoid violations.

[HopelessKnick]

Losing 5 FRPs and Hartenstein was a big loss---let's be honest. Rooting for Bridges to turn it around but he looks completely out of confidence out there.

It may have just put a ceiling on this team as a good team that does not stand much of a chance against the elite teams.

[spree2kawhi]

Losing 5 FRPs and Hartenstein was a big loss---let's be honest. Rooting for Bridges to turn it around but he looks completely out of confidence out there.

It may have just put a ceiling on this team as a good team that does not stand much of a chance against the elite teams.

This team has just been put together. How can you not see them grow over the course of the next couple of months? You cannot expect them to won it all right away. LOL at how the Cavs grew, Boston and OKC too. They aren’t necessarily more talented, they are well-oiled machines. This team will absolutely get there.

It’s just weak to throw the towel already.

[HopelessKnick]

Losing 5 FRPs and Hartenstein was a big loss---let's be honest. Rooting for Bridges to turn it around but he looks completely out of confidence out there.

It may have just put a ceiling on this team as a good team that does not stand much of a chance against the elite teams.

This team has just been put together. How can you not see them grow over the course of the next couple of months? You cannot expect them to won it all right away. LOL at how the Cavs grew, Boston and OKC too. They aren’t necessarily more talented, they are well-oiled machines. This team will absolutely get there.

It’s just weak to throw the towel already.

Not throwing in the towel and the team is certainly going to get somewhat better no doubt. However, the gap to the top teams is concerning. If we lost the games by a close margin I would be the first to preach patience...like I have all season long...but the team looks pretty helpless against the top teams.

Like I said I'm rooting for Bridges to get better but at this point it is hard to feel a bit down about the trade...

[Jeffrey]

Losing 5 FRPs and Hartenstein was a big loss---let's be honest. Rooting for Bridges to turn it around but he looks completely out of confidence out there.

It may have just put a ceiling on this team as a good team that does not stand much of a chance against the elite teams.

This team has just been put together. How can you not see them grow over the course of the next couple of months? You cannot expect them to won it all right away. LOL at how the Cavs grew, Boston and OKC too. They aren’t necessarily more talented, they are well-oiled machines. This team will absolutely get there.

It’s just weak to throw the towel already.

Umm.. his confidence has been shot since last year when he was on the Nets. What's his excuse this year? He doesn't need to take the load for the Nets, he can be option # 2 - 4 on any given night and sometimes doesn't need to guard the best offensive player when you have OG and Hart on the team.

[HopelessKnick]

Losing 5 FRPs and Hartenstein was a big loss---let's be honest. Rooting for Bridges to turn it around but he looks completely out of confidence out there.

It may have just put a ceiling on this team as a good team that does not stand much of a chance against the elite teams.

This team has just been put together. How can you not see them grow over the course of the next couple of months? You cannot expect them to won it all right away. LOL at how the Cavs grew, Boston and OKC too. They aren’t necessarily more talented, they are well-oiled machines. This team will absolutely get there.

It’s just weak to throw the towel already.

Umm.. his confidence has been shot since last year when he was on the Nets. What's his excuse this year? He doesn't need to take the load for the Nets, he can be option # 2 - 4 on any given night and sometimes doesn't need to guard the best offensive player when you have OG and Hart on the team.

There seems to be something mental going on with him...he won't have longterm success with this type of release point etc. Something is not right about him...he plays scared.

[R-DAWG]

I posted this kind of trade concept in the game thread after the Celtics game:

NYK: Malik Monk, Isiah Stewart, 2027 1st rd pick (lessor of SAS/SAC), 2031 1st Rd Pick (lessor of MIN/SAC)
SAC: OG Anunoby
DET: 2nd Rd Draft Picks from SAC

The goal here is breaking OG into 3 buckets:
1) Another guard who can put the ball on the floor and score
2) A rim protector to pair with Towns
3) Recouping first rd draft capital for future trades
4) Opens up $5.77MM below the 2nd apron - a clear path to keeping the taxpayer MLE (NY would have 11 roster spots filled and $17.28MM below the 2nd apron). This would leave NY with room to use the full taxpayer MLE, re-sign Precious to the same $6MM contract he is currently on (human TPE) and round out the roster with a vet min player. They would be $3.3MM below the 2nd apron and in position to do a 2 for 1 trade at the deadline with multiple paths to moveable salary and some draft capital.

Watching the game today, it's pretty evident that (a) outside of Brunson nobody on the team can create a shot and (b) we desperately need rim protection around Towns. It also feels like Bridges/Anunoby is a little redundant.

The 2025-2026 rotation would be:
Brunson-Bridges-Hart-Towns-Stewart
McBride-Monk-Robinson

[The Vo Show]

I posted this kind of trade concept in the game thread after the Celtics game:

NYK: Malik Monk, Isiah Stewart, 2027 1st rd pick (lessor of SAS/SAC), 2031 1st Rd Pick (lessor of MIN/SAC)
SAC: OG Anunoby
DET: 2nd Rd Draft Picks from SAC

The goal here is breaking OG into 3 buckets:
1) Another guard who can put the ball on the floor and score
2) A rim protector to pair with Towns
3) Recouping first rd draft capital for future trades
4) Opens up $5.77MM below the 2nd apron - a clear path to keeping the taxpayer MLE (NY would have 11 roster spots filled and $17.28MM below the 2nd apron). This would leave NY with room to use the full taxpayer MLE, re-sign Precious to the same $6MM contract he is currently on (human TPE) and round out the roster with a vet min player. They would be $3.3MM below the 2nd apron and in position to do a 2 for 1 trade at the deadline with multiple paths to moveable salary and some draft capital.

Watching the game today, it's pretty evident that (a) outside of Brunson nobody on the team can create a shot and (b) we desperately need rim protection around Towns. It also feels like Bridges/Anunoby is a little redundant.

The 2025-2026 rotation would be:
Brunson-Bridges-Hart-Towns-Stewart
McBride-Monk-Robinson

May not agree with the trade (though its not bad necessarily) but I do agree with OG and Bridges being redundant. They often times cut into the same spot from opposite sides of the court. When OG had a great month to start the season, he was getting all the passes as he cut. Once Mikal became a bit more comfortable, he made those same cuts and got the passes while OG stood in the corner.

I think on defense, they both want to do the same things too. And they both need a rim protector to do those things, like jumping passing lanes or icing a screen to deny the pass because they are vulnerable to backdoor cuts. Also, I don't think Mikal is a great point of attack defender since he dies on screens so often, though I'd give him the benefit of getting better at it through the season. OG is better at it but gets beat by quicker guards.

[HopelessKnick]

I posted this kind of trade concept in the game thread after the Celtics game:

NYK: Malik Monk, Isiah Stewart, 2027 1st rd pick (lessor of SAS/SAC), 2031 1st Rd Pick (lessor of MIN/SAC)
SAC: OG Anunoby
DET: 2nd Rd Draft Picks from SAC

The goal here is breaking OG into 3 buckets:
1) Another guard who can put the ball on the floor and score
2) A rim protector to pair with Towns
3) Recouping first rd draft capital for future trades
4) Opens up $5.77MM below the 2nd apron - a clear path to keeping the taxpayer MLE (NY would have 11 roster spots filled and $17.28MM below the 2nd apron). This would leave NY with room to use the full taxpayer MLE, re-sign Precious to the same $6MM contract he is currently on (human TPE) and round out the roster with a vet min player. They would be $3.3MM below the 2nd apron and in position to do a 2 for 1 trade at the deadline with multiple paths to moveable salary and some draft capital.

Watching the game today, it's pretty evident that (a) outside of Brunson nobody on the team can create a shot and (b) we desperately need rim protection around Towns. It also feels like Bridges/Anunoby is a little redundant.

The 2025-2026 rotation would be:
Brunson-Bridges-Hart-Towns-Stewart
McBride-Monk-Robinson

May not agree with the trade (though its not bad necessarily) but I do agree with OG and Bridges being redundant. They often times cut into the same spot from opposite sides of the court. When OG had a great month to start the season, he was getting all the passes as he cut. Once Mikal became a bit more comfortable, he made those same cuts and got the passes while OG stood in the corner.

I think on defense, they both want to do the same things too. And they both need a rim protector to do those things, like jumping passing lanes or icing a screen to deny the pass because they are vulnerable to backdoor cuts. Also, I don't think Mikal is a great point of attack defender since he dies on screens so often, though I'd give him the benefit of getting better at it through the season. OG is better at it but gets beat by quicker guards.

I'm tending to agree. Ideally we'd have a true SG that can playmake and be a gritty defender and solid shooter. The problem is that I don't see how any such player has been available recently. You either had udersized type combo guards available that can't defend or taller 3-and D wings that can't playmake. We'd essentially need a player like Derrick White or ideally Jrue Holiday. I don't see any team making such a player available unfortunately (and now without picks it may be irrelevant anyways).

[spree2kawhi]

I posted this kind of trade concept in the game thread after the Celtics game:

NYK: Malik Monk, Isiah Stewart, 2027 1st rd pick (lessor of SAS/SAC), 2031 1st Rd Pick (lessor of MIN/SAC)
SAC: OG Anunoby
DET: 2nd Rd Draft Picks from SAC

The goal here is breaking OG into 3 buckets:
1) Another guard who can put the ball on the floor and score
2) A rim protector to pair with Towns
3) Recouping first rd draft capital for future trades
4) Opens up $5.77MM below the 2nd apron - a clear path to keeping the taxpayer MLE (NY would have 11 roster spots filled and $17.28MM below the 2nd apron). This would leave NY with room to use the full taxpayer MLE, re-sign Precious to the same $6MM contract he is currently on (human TPE) and round out the roster with a vet min player. They would be $3.3MM below the 2nd apron and in position to do a 2 for 1 trade at the deadline with multiple paths to moveable salary and some draft capital.

Watching the game today, it's pretty evident that (a) outside of Brunson nobody on the team can create a shot and (b) we desperately need rim protection around Towns. It also feels like Bridges/Anunoby is a little redundant.

The 2025-2026 rotation would be:
Brunson-Bridges-Hart-Towns-Stewart
McBride-Monk-Robinson

May not agree with the trade (though its not bad necessarily) but I do agree with OG and Bridges being redundant. They often times cut into the same spot from opposite sides of the court. When OG had a great month to start the season, he was getting all the passes as he cut. Once Mikal became a bit more comfortable, he made those same cuts and got the passes while OG stood in the corner.

I think on defense, they both want to do the same things too. And they both need a rim protector to do those things, like jumping passing lanes or icing a screen to deny the pass because they are vulnerable to backdoor cuts. Also, I don't think Mikal is a great point of attack defender since he dies on screens so often, though I'd give him the benefit of getting better at it through the season. OG is better at it but gets beat by quicker guards.

I'm tending to agree. Ideally we'd have a true SG that can playmake and be a gritty defender and solid shooter. The problem is that I don't see how any such player has been available recently. You either had udersized type combo guards available that can't defend or taller 3-and D wings that can't playmake. We'd essentially need a player like Derrick White or ideally Jrue Holiday. I don't see any team making such a player available unfortunately (and now without picks it may be irrelevant anyways).

They aren’t redundant. They’ll be good to have imo. I’d love for us to be patient for once.

[nykballa2k4]

Losing 5 FRPs and Hartenstein was a big loss---let's be honest. Rooting for Bridges to turn it around but he looks completely out of confidence out there.

It may have just put a ceiling on this team as a good team that does not stand much of a chance against the elite teams.

Bridges never really was THAT guy. He needs the ball in his hands to make plays, but he's the clear 3rd option and Hart just does Hart things.

Hope that KAT gets hurt, misses a month, so that:
A) We can reassert Bridges as a go-to player when Brunson is out
B) Return to a defensive identity featuring a rim protecting big man
C) Effectively keep KAT in bubble wrap in preparation for the playoffs
D) Drop to the 4th seed so that we can see the Cavs in round 2 and put off the Celtics till the final should A-C be effective.