Post#7 » by cl2117 » Wed Jun 4, 2025 12:44 pm
This was a fun exercise. I tried to put them in tiers 1) actually available/possible 2) unlikely but not crazy and 3) "Wildcards"
Preferred realistic possibilities:
Rui Hachimura (27 y/o, $18m/1)- doesn't quite fit the bill as he's on an expiring contract and I'm not 100% on how available he'd be, but I love his fit as a long-term Horford replacement (and his nickname is the Black Samurai which is amazing). In the right system I think he has all-star upside.
Dalton Knecht (24 y/o, $4m/3)- seems like the most likely Lakers trade casualty for an upgrade. I like him as a target in a 3 way deal where we re-route a center like Gafford or Vucevic to the Lakers in exchange for Knecht and one of their expiring contracts. Could then make Hauser more expendable for cap savings
Daniel Gafford (26 y/o, $14.3/1)- expiring, but he's a guy I'd kick the tires on. I don't know much upside there is here but I love the floor.
Walker Kessler (23 y/o, $4.8m/1)- another expiring but he's RFA so at least there's control. I've talked myself in and out on Kessler a couple of times now, but he seems like he could eventually make a bit of a jump
Derrick Jones Jr. (27 y/o, $10m/2)- not so much a guy I'd target overall but if LAC ended up wanting Jrue he's a piece I want back. Not going to break out but I like him as a jack of all trades
Possible but dice rolls:
Wendell Carter Jr (26 y/o, $20m/3)- I had pegged him as a really strong potential Horford replacement and then his 3pt % dropped off a cliff. Possibly worth a dice roll given how much better he was the previous two years but I'm less keen now
Saddiq Bey (26 y/o, $6m/2)- this is an interesting one. He missed all last year with an ACL, Wizards have 3 picks this draft plus enough kids already on the roster. They could be happy to get off this reclamation project and we could pick up the reigns and hope to get a cheap/healthy bench talent.
Patrick Williams (23 y/o, $18m/4)- I recently talked myself into Pat Williams as a reclamation project before being laughed at by a friend who is a Bull's fan. The potential is there but this year was ugly and that contract is long.
Unlikely but still an outside shot:
Jarrett Allen (27 y/o,$30m/3)- I don't think he's actually on the block but I do love the Fro. Would be willing to front assets to get him and finally solve our rebounding woes
Isaiah Stewart (24 y/o, $15m/3)- probably more available than the Fro despite being a fan favorite. Again would love to add for toughness inside
Onyeka Okongwu (24 y/o, $15.5m/3)- my final unrealistic big man. Think he could make a jump in the future, the contract is really favorable, but exactly why I don't think Atlanta move him
Anthony Black (21 y/o, $9m/2)- I've always liked this kid and his defense in the playoffs really stuck out. Think the ship sailed on this one, but the Magic do have a glut of guards with Suggs coming back so maybe there's a chance
Terrance Mann (28 y/o, $15.5m/3)- not a huge upside play but again his contract vs. production is strong, good size too
PJ Washington (26 y/o, $14m/1)- expiring and likely not the ballast Dallas want to give up given how well he worked there, but would love to be able to stick him at the 4 in lineups with JB/JT playing 2/3 and having good size and athelticism on the court at the wings.
Keldon Johnson (25 y/o, $17.5m/2)- I thought there was some promise there when he was putting up big numbers on a tanking team but the efficiency hasn't been there since. If he could get that up he's got the tools to be a well-rounded guard/wing
Devin Vassell (24 y/o, $27m/4)- real risk of being vastly overpaid but also bigger upside than Keldon. Wouldn't surprise me if either jumped a tier in terms of talent
Herb Jones (26 y/o, $14.5m/2)- would cost an arm and a leg, but he's already got elite defense and a season where he put 40% up from 3. Just need to find a way to make that consistent.
Trey Murphy (24, $28m/4)- would cost the other arm and leg leaving you armless and legless, but now with two wings with huge upside. I worry that he's already made his leap and this is his ceiling but even then that's still a really good player
Wildcards:
Kris Dunn (31 y/o, $5.5m/2)- over 30 but one of the best defensive guards in the game. Love the cost vs. impact
2nd draft players (Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Dalen Terry, Cam Whitmore, Noah Clowney, James Nnaji, Leonard Miller, Colby Jones, Julian Phillips, Mouhamed Gueye etc.), just examples of guys on rookie scale deals who are on track to be disappointments/busts from various stages of the draft.
Not saying we go after these guys specifically, but I would take another Jaden Springer-esque shot on anyone Brad really liked coming out of the draft who haven't blossomed yet. Most will be a little expensive salary wise and all are unlikely to work out but, risk/reward can be really good if you find a diamond in the rough.
Literally any player on the Thunder, but in particular these guys who could end up on the bubble there:
Jaylin Williams (22 y/o, $2m/1)- becomes an UFA (with bird rights), in terms of on court impact the least likely here to move, but because of the contract they may decide to get value before he could walk for nothing
Isaiah Joe (25 y/o, $12m/3)- great shooter, think he's got more to his game than just spotting up
Aaron Wiggins (26 y/o, $9/4)- solid all around, great bench guard, declining contract, sign me up
Ajay Mitchell (22 y/o, $3m/1)- solid numbers in limited action, young/cheap
Kenrich Williams (30 y/o, $7m/2)- he's over 30 but I've always though he was a super solid bench piece. Great price for a contender
Dillon Jones (23 y/o, $3.3/3)- liked him as a draft target for us, if he's a roster crunch victim I'd try to buy low on him.
HOLY **** the Thunder has so much ridiculous talent on their roster. It's insane.
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