Ayton, Grant, and Simons for anything?

[Walton1one]

Hollinger link

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6051458/2025/01/10/nba-trade-rumors-jeremi-grant-mitchell-robinson/

[Walton1one]

More Hollinger notes:

I’m sure the Celtics will sniff around for cheap backup center options, and this front office has proven very skillful at working around the edges. That said, completing virtually any realistic deal will be a major challenge.

On the other hand, Boston can save nearly $20 million by airdropping the little-used Springer and his $4 million deal on another roster, likely at the cost of a second-round pick. It would require a trade partner with either cap room (Detroit is the only one at the moment) or a small trade exception.

POR has worked with BOS a couple of times already, could Reath work here? Or they could just take Springer into the TPE, and offload Reath elsewhere?

BOS has (5) 2nd’s available for trade

Elsewhere….

Since the Bucks are currently operating about $6.5MM above the second tax apron, they’d have to reduce their team salary by more than that amount before – or as part of – any trade for Butler in order to legally aggregate multiple player contracts for matching purposes.

What is interesting is that this kind of matches up with latest rumors that MIL is trying to offload Connaughton to get under the 2nd apron

Brian Windhorst of ESPN (Insider link) that the Pistons are “adjusting their thinking” as they consider how to use the $14MM in cap room they still have available.

As Windhorst explains, teams across the NBA had been viewing that cap space as “for rent” at the trade deadline, with Detroit believed to be planning on taking on unwanted salary in order to continue stockpiling draft assets. However, Windhorst suggests the club may be more “judicious” about how it uses that room.

Instead of simply serving as a dumping ground for bad contracts and draft assets, the Pistons figure to consider scenarios that would upgrade this season’s roster and/or leave them with flexibility for next season.

I mean this fits Simons\POR does it not? A player who could help them now, and whose contract expires at the end of next season? and they’ve shown interest in him before? Something to monitor

[tester551]

I can’t guarantee the Pelicans will trade Hawkins or Ingram or Zion Williamson. What I can guarantee you is that the Pelicans will trade somebody, because New Orleans is $2.1 million over the luxury tax line. This franchise has been among the league’s most frugal even in good times; bet your beignets it isn’t going to splurge on a luxury tax check for a team that entered Friday 7-31.

However, also keep an eye on Hawkins. The second-year pro has struggled to break into the Pels’ rotation despite their myriad injuries, but could tempt teams in need of shooting, especially if the price is lowered to “virtually nothing” — a top-55 protected second-rounder, let’s say.

Why Hawkins? He makes $4.5 million, allowing the Pels to skirt the tax while leaving open the option of either re-signing or sign-and-trading Ingram in the offseason. Trading Hawkins also removes $4.7 million in salary from another tricky luxury tax dance for New Orleans in 2025-26. However, a receiving team would need a trade exception (or, in Detroit’s case, cap room) to acquire him.

If this was a possibility, I would be all over it if I was POR GM

Hawkins
for
future 2nd ( salary could fit into TPE)
or 2nd + (1) of Walker\Banton\Reath

Hawkins for Reath would be great. Keeps both teams out of the tax

[dckingsfan]

Hawkins
for
future 2nd ( salary could fit into TPE)
or 2nd + (1) of Walker\Banton\Reath

Hawkins for Reath would be great. Keeps both teams out of the tax

Follow this with Williams + Walker\Banton\Reath for Huerter + FRP draft swaps in '28 & '30?

Then follow this by moving Simons for??

[Butter]

Hawkins
for
future 2nd ( salary could fit into TPE)
or 2nd + (1) of Walker\Banton\Reath

Hawkins for Reath would be great. Keeps both teams out of the tax

Follow this with Williams + Walker\Banton\Reath for Huerter + FRP draft swaps in '28 & '30?

Then follow this by moving Simons for??

Are you guys talking Hawkins from NO?

I think they see him as Camara+, from a value standpoint.

[dckingsfan]

Hawkins for Reath would be great. Keeps both teams out of the tax

Follow this with Williams + Walker\Banton\Reath for Huerter + FRP draft swaps in '28 & '30?

Then follow this by moving Simons for??

Are you guys talking Hawkins from NO?

I think they see him as Camara+, from a value standpoint.

Yes and true. But you never know (I would rank it as doubtful though). Same with all these trades - just us chickens' talkin'.

[Butter]

Follow this with Williams + Walker\Banton\Reath for Huerter + FRP draft swaps in '28 & '30?

Then follow this by moving Simons for??

Are you guys talking Hawkins from NO?

I think they see him as Camara+, from a value standpoint.

Yes and true. But you never know (I would rank it as doubtful though). Same with all these trades - just us chickens' talkin'.

I have always been a fan of chicken talk

[Walton1one]

Rumor is PHX sending Nurkic to CHA for Richards, (2) 2nd’s & another player, could be anyone number of guys b/t: Micic, Martin, Williams, Green or a combination of lesser contracts

Meanwhile our GM is sitting on his hands, embarrassing, especially since Nurkic as a contract & player is no great prize

[Wizenheimer]

Rumor is PHX sending Nurkic to CHA for Richards, (2) 2nd’s & another player, could be anyone number of guys b/t: Micic, Martin, Williams, Green or a combination of lesser contracts

Meanwhile our GM is sitting on his hands, embarrassing, especially since Nurkic as a contract & player is no great prize

not sure if Cronin is sitting on his hands or his hands are tied behind his back because of the decisions he's made the last 2 years

still more than 4 weeks before the trade deadline, but I don't have much hope he'll do anything

I remember a year ago a whole bunch of Blazer fans were expecting big changes by the deadline. Cronin's big changes was to trade a top-55 protected 2nd for Banton

[PDXKnight]

Rumor is PHX sending Nurkic to CHA for Richards, (2) 2nd’s & another player, could be anyone number of guys b/t: Micic, Martin, Williams, Green or a combination of lesser contracts

Meanwhile our GM is sitting on his hands, embarrassing, especially since Nurkic as a contract & player is no great prize

not sure if Cronin is sitting on his hands or his hands are tied behind his back because of the decisions he's made the last 2 years

still more than 4 weeks before the trade deadline, but I don't have much hope he'll do anything

I remember a year ago a whole bunch of Blazer fans were expecting big changes by the deadline. Cronin's big changes was to trade a top-55 protected 2nd for Banton

Indeed he hasn't done anything wild, reath walker or Murray for an equal salary and a top 55 protected second wouldnt shock me as the sole move

[Walton1one]

Evan Sidery this AM:

Read on Twitter

?s=43

Portland is targeted as a primary seller ahead of the trade deadline.

I would hope so, however, with Cronin, I remain very skeptical that they would do anything but something minor

I also think holding onto RW3 is a mistake, and an unnecessary risk, they need to trade him sooner rather than later

[Wizenheimer]

Evan Sidery this AM:

Read on Twitter

?s=43

Portland is targeted as a primary seller ahead of the trade deadline.

I would hope so, however, with Cronin, I remain very skeptical that they would do anything but something minor

I also think holding onto RW3 is a mistake, and an unnecessary risk, they need to trade him sooner rather than later

I'm really skeptical of what this Sidery guy tweets. I think he's a Cronin mouthpiece and has been pumping out Cronin spin.

I don't believe, for a second, that any team is showing "strong interest" in Reath. Maybe more interest in Timelord, but again, I'm not buying the strong interest narrative unless that interest is limited to a 2nd round pick or two; or a highly protected 1st.

[Butter]

Evan Sidery this AM:

Read on Twitter

?s=43

Portland is targeted as a primary seller ahead of the trade deadline.

I would hope so, however, with Cronin, I remain very skeptical that they would do anything but something minor

I also think holding onto RW3 is a mistake, and an unnecessary risk, they need to trade him sooner rather than later

I'm really skeptical of what this Sidery gut tweets. I think he's a Cronin mouthpiece and has been pumping out Cronin spin.

I don't believe, for a second, that any team is showing "strong interest" in Reath. Maybe more interest in Timelord, but again, I'm not buying the strong interest narrative unless that interest is limited to a 2nd round pick or two; or a highly protected 1st.

Only if the capped out teams are interested in his salary under the new rules.

[Walton1one]

Wiz,
I disagree about Reath, there was some interesting speculation about him a while back, about his deal that could be appealing for teams. Not that I expect them to get much for him, but a 2nd round pick seems reasonable...

Any team, regardless of their cap situation, can always sign or trade for a player by way of the minimum exception. ... Teams can also trade for any player whose salary comes in below this season’s two-years-of-service minimum contract value of $2.0875 million. It’s why I’ve been told that Portland has received early trade calls on reserve center Duop Reath. “He’s really interesting,” one Western Conference executive said.

Reath make $2.048mil

Stein confirms a report by Jake Fischer that Trail Blazers center Duop Reath is worth watching in trade talks. Reath is earning the veteran’s minimum and is probably expendable with three other centers on the roster.

Although his play of late....woof

[zzaj]

Yeah, I agree that Reath would likely have interest. "Strong" interest is probably hyperbole.

There are a lot of teams that are lacking Center depth and, a VERY low-money stretch 5 with legitimate length, and a known good locker room guy will probably find some willing takers for a second rounder.

I would love it if the Blazers are able to get a late first-rounder for RWIII. With so many teams looking to shed salary, it wouldn't surprise me if late 1st guaranteed money picks are slightly less valuable than early 2nd non-guaranteed picks--to a GM.

[PDXKnight]

Wiz,
I disagree about Reath, there was some interesting speculation about him a while back, about his deal that could be appealing for teams. Not that I expect them to get much for him, but a 2nd round pick seems reasonable...

Any team, regardless of their cap situation, can always sign or trade for a player by way of the minimum exception. ... Teams can also trade for any player whose salary comes in below this season’s two-years-of-service minimum contract value of $2.0875 million. It’s why I’ve been told that Portland has received early trade calls on reserve center Duop Reath. “He’s really interesting,” one Western Conference executive said.

Reath make $2.048mil

Stein confirms a report by Jake Fischer that Trail Blazers center Duop Reath is worth watching in trade talks. Reath is earning the veteran’s minimum and is probably expendable with three other centers on the roster.

Although his play of late....woof

I'm not inclined to believe reath is worth much on the open market. His salary is minimum sure but he hasn't done much this season and teams don't care if you're cheap if you're not all that productive

[dckingsfan]

Yeah, just over 3 weeks out and still not seeing that trade that jumps out at me - no?

[Pattycakes]

Rumor is PHX sending Nurkic to CHA for Richards, (2) 2nd’s & another player, could be anyone number of guys b/t: Micic, Martin, Williams, Green or a combination of lesser contracts

Meanwhile our GM is sitting on his hands, embarrassing, especially since Nurkic as a contract & player is no great prize

You’re the one who thinks cronin is sitting on his hands because he refuses to dump guys for less than fair value. He’s a great gm, we are just a terrible fan base at this point. I honestly don’t think we deserve him

[Butter]

Is there any rumblings...at all... about options to move Jerami?

[PDXKnight]

Is there any rumblings...at all... about options to move Jerami?

Seems pretty dead