Official Trade Thread -- Part XXXVII

[dckingsfan]

I think you are missing the most important consideration - which Beal trade works best with Zion Williamson?

[payitforward]

They need better spacing, and with Redick set to be a UFA - not to mention 34/35 years old, Beal would be a great fit - as well as a very good player.

You bet. That would be an excellent reason to acquire Bradley Beal -- or, in principle, any good young SG with a high 3pt. %. Such a player would improve their team.

Of course "any good young SG with a high 3pt. %" would improve any team! Some more than others, obviously; still....

But, Dckingsfan asked why Philly would trade Simmons for Beal. That's a different question. Leaving aside the "who's better" debate, which complicates the debate by involving the Wizards in the issue, I'd say that there are significant objections to choosing Simmons as the guy to send out in a deal to replace Redick -- at least on the assumption that Philly retains Butler & Harris.

Beal takes 37% more shots/FTAs than Redick. Does his usage drop down to Redick's level? If so, then the fact that over the last 3 years (his best years), Brad's TS% overall has been just under 58%. Redick's has been @ 60.3%. Now, Beal plays more minutes & does more other things on the court. So I think he winds up contributing more per 40 minutes than Redick rather than less.

But, is Beal happy having his role in the offense reduced to that degree? Doesn't seem likely. Yet, assuming he keeps his usage near where it is now, then if he replaces Redick, where do those shots come from? Embiid? Butler? Harris?

Not Embiid. & over the last 3 years, Butler's TS% has been the same as Beal's overall. So, no advantage in giving his shots to Brad. That leaves Tobias Harris. But, both this year & last year, Harris's TS% has been higher than Brad's (this was a surprise to me, btw).

You see the problem. & if you contemplate Beal replacing a guy who takes fewer shots than Redick -- i.e. Simmons -- the problem becomes even worse.

IOW, the only way for Philly to absorb Beal is to let someone leave who takes a lot of shots. & this is all the more true given the salary Brad brings along with him.

It wouldn't be Embiid, obviously. Between Butler & Harris, I'd let Harris go. But... they just gave up a ton for Tobias Harris! Two R1 picks (1 of them almost certain to be a lottery pick), a guy they picked in R1 9 months ago, & 2 R2 picks.

Let me try this again.

Philly would consider trading Simmons for Beal because they need better spacing, and with Redick set to be a UFA - not to mention 34/35 years old, Beal would be a great fit - as well as a very good player. With better spacing, Philly would not have lost to Toronto. Redick's real good at what he does, but at that age, he could lose it real quickly - not to mention a UFA - since I mentioned it. And they need to get better - not stay the same... or get worse - at spacing the floor.

In basketball, a team isn't necessarily a game of independent parts; the parts have to go together to form a great team. It's like a jigsaw puzzle with say... 15 pieces. If the 2 prettiest pieces are exactly the same, are you going to try jamming one of them into the spot where a smaller piece would fit perfectly? Or are you going to trade one of those shiney pieces for a slightly lesser piece that fits and makes the puzzle whole?

Not sure who those 2 identical pretty pieces are. But, I'd look for a trading partner with a big need for one of them, so that I wouldn't have to take "a slightly lesser piece" (or pieces) in a trade, but this is a minor point: you would too.

If the Sixers don't have one or both of Butler/Harris next year, then the points I raise pose no problem. OTOH, I still don't know who's starting at PG for them.

Most important, the Sixers are in a huge amount of trouble.On the assumption that 1 of Butler/Harris will not be back, they'll have 3 max salaries and... not much else. They have also traded away future picks.

If they have Embiid/Harris/Beal as their core next year, they are one injury (to the injury risk Embiid) from missing the playoffs & starting over.

[Ruzious]

You bet. That would be an excellent reason to acquire Bradley Beal -- or, in principle, any good young SG with a high 3pt. %. Such a player would improve their team.

Of course "any good young SG with a high 3pt. %" would improve any team! Some more than others, obviously; still....

But, Dckingsfan asked why Philly would trade Simmons for Beal. That's a different question. Leaving aside the "who's better" debate, which complicates the debate by involving the Wizards in the issue, I'd say that there are significant objections to choosing Simmons as the guy to send out in a deal to replace Redick -- at least on the assumption that Philly retains Butler & Harris.

Beal takes 37% more shots/FTAs than Redick. Does his usage drop down to Redick's level? If so, then the fact that over the last 3 years (his best years), Brad's TS% overall has been just under 58%. Redick's has been @ 60.3%. Now, Beal plays more minutes & does more other things on the court. So I think he winds up contributing more per 40 minutes than Redick rather than less.

But, is Beal happy having his role in the offense reduced to that degree? Doesn't seem likely. Yet, assuming he keeps his usage near where it is now, then if he replaces Redick, where do those shots come from? Embiid? Butler? Harris?

Not Embiid. & over the last 3 years, Butler's TS% has been the same as Beal's overall. So, no advantage in giving his shots to Brad. That leaves Tobias Harris. But, both this year & last year, Harris's TS% has been higher than Brad's (this was a surprise to me, btw).

You see the problem. & if you contemplate Beal replacing a guy who takes fewer shots than Redick -- i.e. Simmons -- the problem becomes even worse.

IOW, the only way for Philly to absorb Beal is to let someone leave who takes a lot of shots. & this is all the more true given the salary Brad brings along with him.

It wouldn't be Embiid, obviously. Between Butler & Harris, I'd let Harris go. But... they just gave up a ton for Tobias Harris! Two R1 picks (1 of them almost certain to be a lottery pick), a guy they picked in R1 9 months ago, & 2 R2 picks.

Let me try this again.

Philly would consider trading Simmons for Beal because they need better spacing, and with Redick set to be a UFA - not to mention 34/35 years old, Beal would be a great fit - as well as a very good player. With better spacing, Philly would not have lost to Toronto. Redick's real good at what he does, but at that age, he could lose it real quickly - not to mention a UFA - since I mentioned it. And they need to get better - not stay the same... or get worse - at spacing the floor.

In basketball, a team isn't necessarily a game of independent parts; the parts have to go together to form a great team. It's like a jigsaw puzzle with say... 15 pieces. If the 2 prettiest pieces are exactly the same, are you going to try jamming one of them into the spot where a smaller piece would fit perfectly? Or are you going to trade one of those shiney pieces for a slightly lesser piece that fits and makes the puzzle whole?

Not sure who those 2 identical pretty pieces are. But, I'd look for a trading partner with a big need for one of them, so that I wouldn't have to take "a slightly lesser piece" (or pieces) in a trade, but this is a minor point: you would too.

If the Sixers don't have one or both of Butler/Harris next year, then the points I raise pose no problem. OTOH, I still don't know who's starting at PG for them.

Most important, the Sixers are in a huge amount of trouble.On the assumption that 1 of Butler/Harris will not be back, they'll have 3 max salaries and... not much else. They have also traded away future picks.

If they have Embiid/Harris/Beal as their core next year, they are one injury (to the injury risk Embiid) from missing the playoffs & starting over.

Aren't you a huge McConnel fan? Shouldn't he get more burn at PG? I think they got Harris for the playoffs more than anything else - not sure it makes sense for them to re-sign him.

[payitforward]

...With better spacing, Philly would not have lost to Toronto. ...

Just noticed this.... How true.

Also with one more rebound. Also with one fewer turnover or one extra steal.

In other words, Philly came within the thinnest possible margin of going to the ECF. A thinner margin would not be possible.

In game 7, the Sixers had 15 turnovers, 4 steals & 5 offensive rebounds. That's a minus 6 on the total. Toronto had 10 turnovers, 10 steals & 16 offensive rebounds. That's a plus 16.

A 22 possession difference overall. If you don't have the ball, your spacing doesn't affect much. Overall, in game 7, the Sixers got to take 65 shots. I'm not sure I've ever seen a box score in which one team took that few shots. Toronto took 89 shots. Philly did get 11 more FTAs.

The game was close only b/c Toronto was absolutely awful offensively. They went 34-89.

[DCZards]

Not sure who those 2 identical pretty pieces are. But, I'd look for a trading partner with a big need for one of them, so that I wouldn't have to take "a slightly lesser piece" (or pieces) in a trade, but this is a minor point: you would too.

If the Sixers don't have one or both of Butler/Harris next year, then the points I raise pose no problem. OTOH, I still don't know who's starting at PG for them.

Most important, the Sixers are in a huge amount of trouble.On the assumption that 1 of Butler/Harris will not be back, they'll have 3 max salaries and... not much else. They have also traded away future picks.

If they have Embiid/Harris/Beal as their core next year, they are one injury (to the injury risk Embiid) from missing the playoffs & starting over.

Philly is likely to prioritize Butler over Harris. So, if there is a Simmons for Beal trade, their core will probably be Embiid/Butler/Beal. IMO, that's a better core for the Sixers than its current Embiid/Butler/Simmons core.

Ben would benefit from being on a team where his strengths can be utilized and where his inability to score outside of the paint is not such a glaring weakness. That's not this current Philly team with Embiid and Butler as the top two players. Simmons' on/off number was a minus 16 in the Toronto series.

Of course, Ben still needs to become a better shooter. His shooting is an Achilles heel for himself and any team he plays on, regardless of how good he is otherwise.

[Dat2U]

I think you are missing the most important consideration - which Beal trade works best with Zion Williamson?

You mean the one that pares him with Ja Morant?

Could you imagine the hype machine with Zion & Ja on the same team???

[Dat2U]

...With better spacing, Philly would not have lost to Toronto. ...

Just noticed this.... How true.

Also with one more rebound. Also with one fewer turnover or one fewer steal.

In other words, Philly came within the thinnest possible margin of going to the ECF. A thinner margin would not be possible.

In game 7, the Sixers had 15 turnovers, 4 steals & 5 offensive rebounds. That's a minus 6 on the total. Toronto had 10 turnovers, 10 steals & 16 offensive rebounds. That's a plus 16.

A 22 possession difference overall. If you don't have the ball, your spacing doesn't affect much. Overall, in game 7, the Sixers got to take 65 shots. I'm not sure I've ever seen a box score in which one team took that few shots. Toronto took 89 shots. Philly did get 11 more FTAs.

The game was close only b/c Toronto was absolutely awful offensively. They went 34-89.

I noticed Toronto went super big for long stretches with Kawhi at the 2 & Siakam at the 3. Probably because Ibaka was better than Danny Green in the series but while it made for terrible offense, it made life miserable for Philly's offense and they dominated the boards in game 7.

It seems alot of small ball theories that clearly work in the regular season go out the window in a 7 game series.

[payitforward]

...If the Sixers don't have one or both of Butler/Harris next year, then the points I raise pose no problem. OTOH, I still don't know who's starting at PG for them.

Most important, the Sixers are in a huge amount of trouble. On the assumption that 1 of Butler/Harris will not be back, they'll have 3 max salaries and... not much else. They have also traded away future picks.

If they have Embiid/Harris/Beal as their core next year, they are one injury (to the injury risk Embiid) from missing the playoffs & starting over.

Aren't you a huge McConnel fan? Shouldn't he get more burn at PG? I think they got Harris for the playoffs more than anything else - not sure it makes sense for them to re-sign him.

McConnell is unrestricted. But, sure.

Maybe they can trade for Fultz...?

As to Harris, do you recollect what they gave up for him? 3 months ago? Their 2020 R1 pick (lottery protected), Miami's 2021 R1 pick (unprotected & almost certainly a lottery pick), Landry Shamet (a R1 pick 9 months ago, 9th among rookies in minutes & a very promising young player), their 2021 R2 pick, & Detroit's 2023 R2 pick.

If they really only got him for the playoff run, then Elton Brand should be fired immediately. Actually, their ownership should commit hara-kiri for all the awful hirings & other decisions they've made the last few years. I'm looking forward to their firing Brett Brown any day now.

You can stick a fork in the Sixers. They're done.

[payitforward]

...The game was close only b/c Toronto was absolutely awful offensively. They went 34-89.

I noticed Toronto went super big for long stretches with Kawhi at the 2 & Siakam at the 3. Probably because Ibaka was better than Danny Green in the series but while it made for terrible offense, it made life miserable for Philly's offense and they dominated the boards in game 7.

They only played 7 guys last night. & VanVleet got only 15 minutes.

The other bench guy was Ibaka who had a tremendous game -- you could give the victory to him actually. In 29 minutes, he scored 17 points on 10 shots & 2 FTAs!! Rest of the team scored 75 points on 79 shots & 17 FTAs. Not to mention that he grabbed 8 boards -- 4 of them on offense.

He was pretty clearly the difference. Definitely give the victory to Serge Ibaka.

edit: they really did dominate the boards, especially the defensive boards. Philly missed 37 shots; the Raps got 33 offensive rebounds.

[dckingsfan]

I think you are missing the most important consideration - which Beal trade works best with Zion Williamson?

You mean the one that pares him with Ja Morant?

Could you imagine the hype machine with Zion & Ja on the same team???

That would be soooo much fun...

[Ruzious]

...If the Sixers don't have one or both of Butler/Harris next year, then the points I raise pose no problem. OTOH, I still don't know who's starting at PG for them.

Most important, the Sixers are in a huge amount of trouble. On the assumption that 1 of Butler/Harris will not be back, they'll have 3 max salaries and... not much else. They have also traded away future picks.

If they have Embiid/Harris/Beal as their core next year, they are one injury (to the injury risk Embiid) from missing the playoffs & starting over.

Aren't you a huge McConnel fan? Shouldn't he get more burn at PG? I think they got Harris for the playoffs more than anything else - not sure it makes sense for them to re-sign him.

McConnell is unrestricted. But, sure.

Maybe they can trade for Fultz...?

As to Harris, do you recollect what they gave up for him? 3 months ago? Their 2020 R1 pick (lottery protected), Miami's 2021 R1 pick (unprotected & almost certainly a lottery pick), Landry Shamet (a R1 pick 9 months ago, 9th among rookies in minutes & a very promising young player), their 2021 R2 pick, & Detroit's 2023 R2 pick.

If they really only got him for the playoff run, then Elton Brand should be fired immediately. Actually, their ownership should commit hara-kiri for all the awful hirings & other decisions they've made the last few years. I'm looking forward to their firing Brett Brown any day now.

You can stick a fork in the Sixers. They're done.

So you're saying Philly should pay what it takes to keep Harris? I'm guessing Harris costs far more than McConnel will.

Btw, they also got Boban and Scott in the trade. Was it a smart trade? - hell no. I believe I said at the time that I finally agreed with you on something. We used to agree most of the time. But I don't think re-signing Harris for the money it will take will make the trade any less bad.

[Ruzious]

Requirements in a Beal trade for me:

1. A top 2 pick or an elite level prospect - Tatum, JJJ
2. A lottery pick or a solid young role player - Huerter, Bridges
3. A lightly protected future 1st round pick.

I'm not as high on Tatum as you are. He's good, but he can't handle bigs like Giannis. Then again, that's an awfully tough criteria. He's not the 3 point shooter it looked like he would be in the first half of his rookie season. I guess teams adjusted, and he didn't/couldn't make a counter adjustment.

I think Chicago is a solid trade partner with Washington. They have a high pick (4 now - but we'lll see tomorrow night) and Lavine. They have a good future starting 5 (particularly the front court with Markkanen, Carter, and Otto), but they're lacking that one #1 option on offense with some experience to lead them, and Beal could be that guy. And I think Dunn needs someone like Beal to become a more effective PG. But the Bulls might be sold on Lavine - considering he put up some impressive numbers last season (though a lot of turnovers) and looked physically stronger.

[dckingsfan]

Requirements in a Beal trade for me:

1. A top 2 pick or an elite level prospect - Tatum, JJJ
2. A lottery pick or a solid young role player - Huerter, Bridges
3. A lightly protected future 1st round pick.

I'm not as high on Tatum as you are. He's good, but he can't handle bigs like Giannis. Then again, that's an awfully tough criteria. He's not the 3 point shooter it looked like he would be in the first half of his rookie season. I guess teams adjusted, and he didn't/couldn't make a counter adjustment.

I think Chicago is a solid trade partner with Washington. They have a high pick (4 now - but we'lll see tomorrow night) and Lavine. They have a good future starting 5 (particularly the front court with Markkanen, Carter, and Otto), but they're lacking that one #1 option on offense with some experience to lead them, and Beal could be that guy. And I think Dunn needs someone like Beal to become a more effective PG. But the Bulls might be sold on Lavine - considering he put up some impressive numbers last season (though a lot of turnovers) and looked physically stronger.

I think Chicago is dreaming of Morant

[Dat2U]

Requirements in a Beal trade for me:

1. A top 2 pick or an elite level prospect - Tatum, JJJ
2. A lottery pick or a solid young role player - Huerter, Bridges
3. A lightly protected future 1st round pick.

I'm not as high on Tatum as you are. He's good, but he can't handle bigs like Giannis. Then again, that's an awfully tough criteria. He's not the 3 point shooter it looked like he would be in the first half of his rookie season. I guess teams adjusted, and he didn't/couldn't make a counter adjustment.

I think Chicago is a solid trade partner with Washington. They have a high pick (4 now - but we'lll see tomorrow night) and Lavine. They have a good future starting 5 (particularly the front court with Markkanen, Carter, and Otto), but they're lacking that one #1 option on offense with some experience to lead them, and Beal could be that guy. And I think Dunn needs someone like Beal to become a more effective PG. But the Bulls might be sold on Lavine - considering he put up some impressive numbers last season (though a lot of turnovers) and looked physically stronger.

Well looking at what's out there a package including Tatum may be one stronger ones we could get. He's young, hes good. He would have done more this year without Kyrie. Considering the additional assets --- and they have alot of decent secondary assets, I would be tempted.

Of course my preference is any deal that lands us Ja Morant + assets since Zion is likely not gettable.

Chicago only interests me if they move to the 2nd pick unless their willing to part with Markkanen and I doubt that.

Atlanta's picks and Huerter, Bazemore & Len is an interesting proposition as I've previously mentioned.

New York could likely pull off a Beal deal if they move up to 2. I like payit's idea of including Mitchell Robinson and they'll need to dump DSJ, Knox, Ntilinka & Trier to maintain space for 2 max free agents.

I could see Phoenix being intrigued but their scouts are reportedly in love with Morant so that may be a long shot.

[Ruzious]

Requirements in a Beal trade for me:

1. A top 2 pick or an elite level prospect - Tatum, JJJ
2. A lottery pick or a solid young role player - Huerter, Bridges
3. A lightly protected future 1st round pick.

I'm not as high on Tatum as you are. He's good, but he can't handle bigs like Giannis. Then again, that's an awfully tough criteria. He's not the 3 point shooter it looked like he would be in the first half of his rookie season. I guess teams adjusted, and he didn't/couldn't make a counter adjustment.

I think Chicago is a solid trade partner with Washington. They have a high pick (4 now - but we'lll see tomorrow night) and Lavine. They have a good future starting 5 (particularly the front court with Markkanen, Carter, and Otto), but they're lacking that one #1 option on offense with some experience to lead them, and Beal could be that guy. And I think Dunn needs someone like Beal to become a more effective PG. But the Bulls might be sold on Lavine - considering he put up some impressive numbers last season (though a lot of turnovers) and looked physically stronger.

Well looking at what's out there a package including Tatum may be one stronger ones we could get. He's young, hes good. He would have done more this year without Kyrie. Considering the additional assets --- and they have alot of decent secondary assets, I would be tempted.

Of course my preference is any deal that lands us Ja Morant + assets since Zion is likely not gettable.

Chicago only interests me if they move to the 2nd pick unless their willing to part with Markkanen and I doubt that.

Atlanta's picks and Huerter, Bazemore & Len is an interesting proposition as I've previously mentioned.

New York could likely pull off a Beal deal if they move up to 2. I like payit's idea of including Mitchell Robinson and they'll need to dump DSJ, Knox, Ntilinka & Trier to maintain space for 2 max free agents.

I could see Phoenix being intrigued but their scouts are reportedly in love with Morant so that may be a long shot.

It'll be really interesting to see who gets that 2nd pick - you were right all along on Morant - he's something special. And this is the first time that really any lottery team has a shot at the 2nd pick. There have been lotteries more compelling at the tail end, but this lottery whould be more compelling from start to finish than any I can remember anticipating. And it's about time.

[nate33]

Aren't you a huge McConnel fan? Shouldn't he get more burn at PG? I think they got Harris for the playoffs more than anything else - not sure it makes sense for them to re-sign him.

McConnell is unrestricted. But, sure.

Maybe they can trade for Fultz...?

As to Harris, do you recollect what they gave up for him? 3 months ago? Their 2020 R1 pick (lottery protected), Miami's 2021 R1 pick (unprotected & almost certainly a lottery pick), Landry Shamet (a R1 pick 9 months ago, 9th among rookies in minutes & a very promising young player), their 2021 R2 pick, & Detroit's 2023 R2 pick.

If they really only got him for the playoff run, then Elton Brand should be fired immediately. Actually, their ownership should commit hara-kiri for all the awful hirings & other decisions they've made the last few years. I'm looking forward to their firing Brett Brown any day now.

You can stick a fork in the Sixers. They're done.

So you're saying Philly should pay what it takes to keep Harris? I'm guessing Harris costs far more than McConnel will.

Btw, they also got Boban and Scott in the trade. Was it a smart trade? - hell no. I believe I said at the time that I finally agreed with you on something. We used to agree most of the time. But I don't think re-signing Harris for the money it will take will make the trade any less bad.

The bottom line is that Elton Brand was stupid and reckless. Philly had so many assets due to The Process but squandered almost all of them on lopsided deals with extremely short term goals. The team we just saw is probably their peak. Next year, they won't be able to keep Redick, and the year after that, they won't be able to keep all 4 of Embiid, Simmons, Butler and Harris.

The Harris trade in particular was incomprehensibly stupid. And they got nothing at all for Fultz. At least in the Butler trade, they got Butler while his value was down because he was so disgruntled in Minnesota.

They should have kept Shamet, their 2019 1st, and the extremely valuable Miami 2020 1st. Instead of trading for Harris, they should have used their cap room to add another competent player - a Trevor Ariza type, or maybe trade a lesser package for Jrue Holiday.

[Ruzious]

McConnell is unrestricted. But, sure.

Maybe they can trade for Fultz...?

As to Harris, do you recollect what they gave up for him? 3 months ago? Their 2020 R1 pick (lottery protected), Miami's 2021 R1 pick (unprotected & almost certainly a lottery pick), Landry Shamet (a R1 pick 9 months ago, 9th among rookies in minutes & a very promising young player), their 2021 R2 pick, & Detroit's 2023 R2 pick.

If they really only got him for the playoff run, then Elton Brand should be fired immediately. Actually, their ownership should commit hara-kiri for all the awful hirings & other decisions they've made the last few years. I'm looking forward to their firing Brett Brown any day now.

You can stick a fork in the Sixers. They're done.

So you're saying Philly should pay what it takes to keep Harris? I'm guessing Harris costs far more than McConnel will.

Btw, they also got Boban and Scott in the trade. Was it a smart trade? - hell no. I believe I said at the time that I finally agreed with you on something. We used to agree most of the time. But I don't think re-signing Harris for the money it will take will make the trade any less bad.

The bottom line is that Elton Brand was stupid and reckless. Philly had so many assets due to The Process but squandered almost all of them on lopsided deals with extremely short term goals. The team we just saw is probably their peak. Next year, they won't be able to keep Redick, and the year after that, they won't be able to keep all 4 of Embiid, Simmons, Butler and Harris.

The Harris trade in particular was incomprehensibly stupid. And they got nothing at all for Fultz. At least in the Butler trade, they got Butler while his value was down because he was so disgruntled in Minnesota.

They should have kept Shamet, their 2019 1st, and the extremely valuable Miami 2020 1st. Instead of trading for Harris, they should have used their cap room to add another competent player - a Trevor Ariza type, or maybe trade a lesser package for Jrue Holiday.

You're preaching to the choir on that trade. But the real issue is what they're going to do going forward.

[Ruzious]

And really, who didn't see this kind of thing happen when Philly traded for Butler? This is a recent post from a Philly fan:

So we want the ball out of Ben's hands in the half court and in Jimmy's. Well...those 3 awful possessions late in game 7 where Jimmy had the ball we had 2 shot clock violations and 1 terrible shot late. 3 biggest possessions of the season and we get 1 shot off? Are you kidding me?

[dckingsfan]

They couldn't leave well enough alone and trust the process

And really, who didn't see this kind of thing happen when Philly traded for Butler? This is a recent post from a Philly fan:

So we want the ball out of Ben's hands in the half court and in Jimmy's. Well...those 3 awful possessions late in game 7 where Jimmy had the ball we had 2 shot clock violations and 1 terrible shot late. 3 biggest possessions of the season and we get 1 shot off? Are you kidding me?

[Ruzious]

Requirements in a Beal trade for me:

1. A top 2 pick or an elite level prospect - Tatum, JJJ
2. A lottery pick or a solid young role player - Huerter, Bridges
3. A lightly protected future 1st round pick.

I'm not as high on Tatum as you are. He's good, but he can't handle bigs like Giannis. Then again, that's an awfully tough criteria. He's not the 3 point shooter it looked like he would be in the first half of his rookie season. I guess teams adjusted, and he didn't/couldn't make a counter adjustment.

I think Chicago is a solid trade partner with Washington. They have a high pick (4 now - but we'lll see tomorrow night) and Lavine. They have a good future starting 5 (particularly the front court with Markkanen, Carter, and Otto), but they're lacking that one #1 option on offense with some experience to lead them, and Beal could be that guy. And I think Dunn needs someone like Beal to become a more effective PG. But the Bulls might be sold on Lavine - considering he put up some impressive numbers last season (though a lot of turnovers) and looked physically stronger.

I think Chicago is dreaming of Morant

I don't know - I think that team is sorely lacking in on-court maturity and leadership, and a rookie from a small conference isn't as good for them as a young proven all-star.