Ghost of Kleine wrote:Given my propensity for adding another first round pick or two, And the fair possibility of moving Bledsoe anyways sooner or later, I have thrown together a few trade scenarios in which we would theoretically acquire the necessary first rounders to pull off a draft night "coup".
Feel free to share your thoughts with me on these proposals,
First Trade: Suns/Sacramento-
http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=ydewtwhm .
Phoenix sends Bledsoe and a conditional future first to sacramento for Aaron Affalo and Anthony Tolliver and the #5 pick in the 2017 draft.(Nitkilina or Dennis Smith Jr.)
Why for Phoenix? This allows us to move Bledsoe before any further injury to his knees and also avoid another impending "Rich Paul contract fiasco. Finally,Bledsoe is great, However, We would be replacing him with a much larger(6'6 defensive stopper) who is younger, athletic and very talented, and better fits the timeline for our youth movement.
Why for Sacramento? It's been so very long since they have even experienced the playoffs, And even though they are young as well, It's well known their strong desire to get back into the playoffs. They have a lot of talented pieces inplace, But Bledsoe would undoubtedly increase their chances of a long awaited playoff birth. And would obviously provide immensely more leadership, experience, and production than most any rookie they might find even at that spot.
trade #2: Phoenix/Minnesota-
http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=y9evqdt5 .
Phoenix trades: Eric Bledsoe and a conditional future first to Minnesota for Nikola Pekovic (bad contract) and Brandon Rush.
Why for Phoenix? Doing this allows them to very likely get either Nitkilina or Dennis Smith Jr. And even though we would have to most likely take back Pekovics' Bad Contract, It would Only be for a year or two at most And he would give us a big,very physical presence at center behind chandler. And Brandon Rush would give us a more than decent three point shooter and defensive option behind Bledsoe until his contract expires.
Why for Minnesota? Rubio is getting somewhat better, But not nearly good enough to help them get into the playoffs. Again, Bledsoes' experience, production , etc. would obviously give them that necessary boost they need to finally reach the playoffs. Add in the incentive of us taking back Pekovics' contract wich gives them much needed salary cap room when it comes time for them to resign their core of wiggins, towns, rubio, and lavine, And it's a "no brainer for them.
Trade #3Phoenix and Dallas-
http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=yb5soj53 .
Phoenix trades Bledsoe and Alex Len(expiring) to Dallas for Wesley Matthews and Devin Harris.( Not my ideal trade
).
Why for Phoenix
? Pretty simple, I want their # 9 pick in order to secure Nitkilina or Smith. Also, even though I hate Wesley Matthews horrible contract, He still is a solid veteran 2 guard, defender and 3 point shooter. Again, I would hate to have to take on Matthews' contract, But Cuban is NO FOOL and we would have to give to get in this scenario. But I strongly believe mutual interest would be there. And as for Devin Harris, Once we move Bledsoe in this trade, He would give us a pretty solid backup option behind Nitkilina/Smith and Ulis.
Why for Dallas
? Basically so Dirk can compete in the playoffs before he retires. Also Cuban Wants to compete as well. Add in the salary cap savings from moving Matthews contract and again, it's another "no brainer".
Final Trade
-Phoenix and New York.
http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=yd2g4q6s .
Phoenix trades Bledsoe, Brandon Knight, And Alex Len to New York for Derrick rose, And Joakim Noah. For the record, I'm not a fan of Derrick Rose in his current condition, However he is an expiring contract and I really only added him to this scenario to make the numbers work and to help New York avoid any unnecessary awkward logjam, etc. Then again, New York may want to keep him
. I also had us taking him back so we might hopefully convince them to take back knights' contract.
Why for Phoenix
? The #8 pick for starters, where in we can still feasibly acquire Nitkilina or Dennis Smith Jr. Also, We get Noah, who is a massive upgrade over Len, And would be optional as a more defensive oriented 4 for us. He would also give us a major boost in our rebounding.
Why for New York
? $ 7 million in cap savings to start, as well as the ability to move on from the derrick rose failure. Also Bledsoe gives them a near all star production in their point guard who also has the ability to play in jacksons' self coveted " triangle system". Finally, gives them a more reasonable chance to compete for the playoffs in a weaker eastern conference. Yes, I know that knight is currently considered by many to be a net negative contractually, But I think that perhaps a change of location might give him boost and let him start over somewhat. Plus New York is really short on shooting guards and knight might perform better in the "bright Lights" of New York.
Or you could just simplify the trade by:
http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=yb6ornu6 .
Phoenix simply trades Bledsoe and a future conditional first rounder for Derrick Rose and the #8 pick.
All in all, Not easy trades, But still more or less achievable depending on level of mutual interest and creativity on "mcDs' part.
