sunskerr wrote:King4Day wrote:sunskerr wrote:Im not watching this team if CP3 is starting next year, sorry. That's 3/3 playoffs with him being injured and his impact gets worse each year. There are probably a billion PGs out there who can get you 13/7 with better defense.
If we get bounced in this round, I believe this team will look vastly different next year, than it does right now.
Lakers are a good example that a few tweaks here and there can turn the team around.
It just depends on what comes back for Ayton and Paul. We don't have any picks which is devastating. I think it will look different but if it's actually enough to make a difference, who knows. Really splitting Ayton into two players is the only chance we have. I don't think Paul really will get much, if anything. Although based on his decline, even getting just a rotation level guy who isn't a sieve defensively might be worth it.
I agree that our offseason moves this summer with respect to those two will play a huge factor in our competitive sustainability and success. In terms of value return for him, I still really like these 3 trades ( although I really hate Dallas)!!!
For Ayton.........................................
1- Dallas- ( Trade option 1)
Because in the right situation it could return either Irving ( who we could really use for ballhandling and shot creation when we struggle!
OR
( Trade option 2)
The 2nd variation could return legitimate rotation players AND a premium lotto pick with a chance to get into a higher pick range too! I really like Ayton's versatility and potential, But to get a return of Irving ( which would answer our immediate issues for a legitimate 3rd superstar and ISO scorer/ tough shotmaker would be a premium value return considering our situation. OR even alternatively returning a package along the lines of either:
- Hardawy Jr/ Kleber/ Mcgee/ 10th pick ( 2023 draft).
- Hardaway Jr/ Bertrans/ McGee/ Hardy/ 10th pick ( 2023 draft).
Either of those trades would significant legitimate depth to our roster as opposed to fielding the typical fringe scrub vet min cast offs.
2- Portland-
Swapping out Ayton for more cost controlled depth at two positions of legitimate need AND getting back a solid 1st is good value for Ayton given our situation. Something along the lines of:
Simons / Nurkic/ 23rd pick ( NYK) in the 2023 draft is again solid value for Ayton all things considered.
3- Charlotte-
Getting back a solid rotation player or two here along with some young promising talent and a first additionally thrown in is pretty solid value for Ayton and it would address a positional need and recoup a lost asset as well. Something along the lines of:
Rozier/ Bouknight/ Williams/ 27th pick (Denver)/ 39th pick ( Jazz) is solid value for Ayton given his contract and corresponding production. Rozier would give Booker a strong backcourt scoring partner and the young talent would upgrade our bench with a modicum of cost control and the picks could further add solid cost controlled talent for us to develop.
4- Houston (more about cost cutting towards LT reduction and recouping some cost controlled young talent/ athleticism).
Something along the lines of:
Eason/ KJ Martin Jr/ Washington/ 20th pick (Clippers) in 2023 draft.
Eason is a young Jerami Grant and a very good defensive wing/ forward with good size. KJ Martin Jr is a very explosively athletic versatile two way wing with good defensive ability. And Washington is a really good young guard with impressive potential that shares some similarities offensively to a young Paul. The 20th pick is a good value asset that could return a very good young talent at a position of need, OR be leveraged in another trade possibly?
And for Paul......................................................
1- Miami-
Paul/ Shamet for Lowry/ Robinson/ Miami 23' 1st ( 18th pick) for around 20 million in LT savings and getting off Robinson's long term deal.
2- Toronto-
Paul/ Shamet for any combo of:
- Van Vleet/ Trent Jr/ Porter Jr.
- Van Vleet/ Boucher/ porter Jr ( or Thad Young)??
- Van Vleet/ Boucher/ Achiuwa/ Weiscamp?
3- Charlotte-
Paul/ Shamet for Rozier/ Bouknight/ 39th pick.
OR
Paul/ Shamet for Hayward/ Bouknight/ Jones/ 39th and 41st picks.
4- Philly-
Paul/ Shamet for Harris/ Springer ( IF Harden leaves)! Springer is a big sweetener in the deal since they don't have a draft pick.
5- LA Clippers-
Paul for Covington/ Zubac/ Coffey/ Preston?
So he's been to and worked in the NBA before. Rarity or not, it seems like the odds are fair that he'd be open to it for a contending team. And even though it's no guarantee we'd for sure get him, Given his historic championship pedigree and incredible 77% winning percentage, he's a top name I'd pursue or at least aggressively enquire about if they look to move on from Monty soon. 
