Trade Ideas

[JujitsuFlip]

I don't think we use that much of the MLE on Niang to turn around and sign Wood. Also, at least one of your bench bigs needs to be able to defend a chair.

Hopefully that's Jones.

Hopefully, Jones is an emergency backup.

He'll be used in the same vein as Ed Davis and RoLo, the past 2 seasons. It's just that role has been obsolete in JB's rotations come the post season.

[toooskies]

Niang will get Love's minutes and whoever backs up Strus will get Cedi's minutes.

That's the thing though, Niang getting Love's minutes is going to kill our bench rebounding. Neither Allen nor Mobley are elite rebounders, nor do we have any plus rebounding wings.

Maybe Wood isn't the answer but I'm not as sold on Wade being good as much as you all are.

It's a give and take, Cavs focused on shooting this summer. Rebounding and defense are gonna have to come from elsewhere on the roster.

Also, I don't really rate Wade very high. I believe these signings just put him back in his 5th forward role.

Mobley will start 4 and slide to 5, Niang will be Mobley's primary back-up at 4 and play next to Mobley or Allen in his minutes.

Strus in my opinion will start 3 and situationally can slide down to 2, if needed to play with Garland or Mitchell in the backcourt but a lion share of his minutes will be at starting SF. I'm not sure who is gonna back him up, it'll either be Okoro or LeVert and the other will be the 3rd guard in a rotation with Garland and Mitchell. I'm sure Mitchell is gonna slide to 1 again to handle the ball when Garland goes to the bench.

That leaves Wade picking up whatever minutes are left behind Mobley and Niang at 4 and Strus and his backup at 3.

However, if Niang is hurt or in foul trouble, Wade can slot into the back-up stretch 4 role behind Mobley. If Strus is hurt, he can slot into the starting 3 role if they need shooting or if Niang slides in with the starters at 3, Wade can again play the back-up stretch 4 role.

That's just to start the season though, if Niang and/or Strus get in JB's doghouse then Wade will have chances to climb the depth chart.

We are going to get crushed on the boards when the bench is out there this year if Niang is our third big and Jones/Wade don't see many minutes.

[JujitsuFlip]

That's the thing though, Niang getting Love's minutes is going to kill our bench rebounding. Neither Allen nor Mobley are elite rebounders, nor do we have any plus rebounding wings.

Maybe Wood isn't the answer but I'm not as sold on Wade being good as much as you all are.

It's a give and take, Cavs focused on shooting this summer. Rebounding and defense are gonna have to come from elsewhere on the roster.

Also, I don't really rate Wade very high. I believe these signings just put him back in his 5th forward role.

Mobley will start 4 and slide to 5, Niang will be Mobley's primary back-up at 4 and play next to Mobley or Allen in his minutes.

Strus in my opinion will start 3 and situationally can slide down to 2, if needed to play with Garland or Mitchell in the backcourt but a lion share of his minutes will be at starting SF. I'm not sure who is gonna back him up, it'll either be Okoro or LeVert and the other will be the 3rd guard in a rotation with Garland and Mitchell. I'm sure Mitchell is gonna slide to 1 again to handle the ball when Garland goes to the bench.

That leaves Wade picking up whatever minutes are left behind Mobley and Niang at 4 and Strus and his backup at 3.

However, if Niang is hurt or in foul trouble, Wade can slot into the back-up stretch 4 role behind Mobley. If Strus is hurt, he can slot into the starting 3 role if they need shooting or if Niang slides in with the starters at 3, Wade can again play the back-up stretch 4 role.

That's just to start the season though, if Niang and/or Strus get in JB's doghouse then Wade will have chances to climb the depth chart.

We are going to get crushed on the boards when the bench is out there this year if Niang is our third big and Jones/Wade don't see many minutes.

There's no platoon rotation so Mobley, Allen, Garland, and Mitchell need to take a hard lesson from the 1st round butt whooping on the boards and start gang rebounding.

I know you and 2 or 3 other fans wanted the Cavs to target rebounding this summer but the Cavs clearly identified shooting/ spacing as the biggest need.

The Cavs are at $163,885,289 in active cap against a $165,294,000 tax, they're trying to avoid. With 1 roster spot to fill, I don't think any rebounding savior is walking through that door; gotta be a team effort on the glass.

[toooskies]

It's a give and take, Cavs focused on shooting this summer. Rebounding and defense are gonna have to come from elsewhere on the roster.

Also, I don't really rate Wade very high. I believe these signings just put him back in his 5th forward role.

Mobley will start 4 and slide to 5, Niang will be Mobley's primary back-up at 4 and play next to Mobley or Allen in his minutes.

Strus in my opinion will start 3 and situationally can slide down to 2, if needed to play with Garland or Mitchell in the backcourt but a lion share of his minutes will be at starting SF. I'm not sure who is gonna back him up, it'll either be Okoro or LeVert and the other will be the 3rd guard in a rotation with Garland and Mitchell. I'm sure Mitchell is gonna slide to 1 again to handle the ball when Garland goes to the bench.

That leaves Wade picking up whatever minutes are left behind Mobley and Niang at 4 and Strus and his backup at 3.

However, if Niang is hurt or in foul trouble, Wade can slot into the back-up stretch 4 role behind Mobley. If Strus is hurt, he can slot into the starting 3 role if they need shooting or if Niang slides in with the starters at 3, Wade can again play the back-up stretch 4 role.

That's just to start the season though, if Niang and/or Strus get in JB's doghouse then Wade will have chances to climb the depth chart.

We are going to get crushed on the boards when the bench is out there this year if Niang is our third big and Jones/Wade don't see many minutes.

There's no platoon rotation so Mobley, Allen, Garland, and Mitchell need to take a hard lesson from the 1st round butt whooping on the boards and start gang rebounding.

I know you and 2 or 3 other fans wanted the Cavs to target rebounding this summer but the Cavs clearly identified shooting/ spacing as the biggest need.

The Cavs are at $163,885,289 in active cap against a $165,294,000 tax, they're trying to avoid. With 1 roster spot to fill, I don't think any rebounding savior is walking through that door; gotta be a team effort on the glass.

Spotrac had misattributed RoLo's vet minimum contract in Milwaukee to us. We're at two roster spots to fill and $3,428,417 under the cap. Which gets us two minimum deals, one of which can be a vet minimum and if we fill the second, it needs to be a rookie minimum. (We may dump Merrill for a vet minimum range deal, too-- but I don't see that happening until training camp.)

Like I said, Wood might make sense-- I don't see him signing in Cleveland on a minimum deal, but something in the $6-7m range as a sign-and-trade is probably the top of the market for him at this point and something that we could stomach if it doesn't work out. It would also depend on if the front office is as out on Wade as JBB seemed to be against the Knicks.

Do I see if I could grab Dario Saric instead on a minimum deal? Yeah, probably. Bol Bol is a similar-level locker room problem as Wood (allegedly) but you wouldn't give up Wade to see if he can mature a little bit. Bamba or Yurtseven at least give you options to go for more rebounding.

Anyway... just spitballing here. Ultimately I could see us having to make a trade in-season to address what was a strength two years ago with Love/Lauri, was a low-key issue while we were playing Lamar at PF, and is only going to get worse with Niang.

[JujitsuFlip]

We are going to get crushed on the boards when the bench is out there this year if Niang is our third big and Jones/Wade don't see many minutes.

There's no platoon rotation so Mobley, Allen, Garland, and Mitchell need to take a hard lesson from the 1st round butt whooping on the boards and start gang rebounding.

I know you and 2 or 3 other fans wanted the Cavs to target rebounding this summer but the Cavs clearly identified shooting/ spacing as the biggest need.

The Cavs are at $163,885,289 in active cap against a $165,294,000 tax, they're trying to avoid. With 1 roster spot to fill, I don't think any rebounding savior is walking through that door; gotta be a team effort on the glass.

Spotrac had misattributed RoLo's vet minimum contract in Milwaukee to us. We're at two roster spots to fill and $3,428,417 under the cap. Which gets us two minimum deals, one of which can be a vet minimum and if we fill the second, it needs to be a rookie minimum. (We may dump Merrill for a vet minimum range deal, too-- but I don't see that happening until training camp.)

Like I said, Wood might make sense-- I don't see him signing in Cleveland on a minimum deal, but something in the $6-7m range as a sign-and-trade is probably the top of the market for him at this point and something that we could stomach if it doesn't work out. It would also depend on if the front office is as out on Wade as JBB seemed to be against the Knicks.

Do I see if I could grab Dario Saric instead on a minimum deal? Yeah, probably. Bol Bol is a similar-level locker room problem as Wood (allegedly) but you wouldn't give up Wade to see if he can mature a little bit. Bamba or Yurtseven at least give you options to go for more rebounding.

Anyway... just spitballing here. Ultimately I could see us having to make a trade in-season to address what was a strength two years ago with Love/Lauri, was a low-key issue while we were playing Lamar at PF, and is only going to get worse with Niang.

I doubt they fill out the 15th spot, just to save flexibility during the season, up against the tax.

I'm sure Bates will have a chance to fill the 14th spot, otherwise some vet min guy, no idea what position it will even be or if they will even be playable.

I highly doubt they do another S&T but we'll see.

[JujitsuFlip]

How do you guys feel about the basis of this trade?

Jaylen Brown and Robert Williams 3 and danillo Gallinari

For

Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen

Hard pass.

Brown is expiring, Gallo is either a FA or expiring, RW3 presents similar challenges that Allen has by being paired with Mobley but more injury prone.

Then the Celtics in return are getting 2 guys on long term deals.

If Brown would extend, a deal of Brown for Mitchell is appealing to me, especially if someone like Sam Hauser is thrown in.

Garland/Brown/Hauser/Mobley/Allen

Solid starting 5 until Mobley develops a jumper or if he never does, slide him to 5 and move Allen for another 3&D guy.

Okay, after the extension, I'm ready to do the Mitchell for Brown trade lol

[jbk1234]

How do you guys feel about the basis of this trade?

Jaylen Brown and Robert Williams 3 and danillo Gallinari

For

Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen

Hard pass.

Brown is expiring, Gallo is either a FA or expiring, RW3 presents similar challenges that Allen has by being paired with Mobley but more injury prone.

Then the Celtics in return are getting 2 guys on long term deals.

If Brown would extend, a deal of Brown for Mitchell is appealing to me, especially if someone like Sam Hauser is thrown in.

Garland/Brown/Hauser/Mobley/Allen

Solid starting 5 until Mobley develops a jumper or if he never does, slide him to 5 and move Allen for another 3&D guy.

Okay, after the extension, I'm ready to do the Mitchell for Brown trade lol

I don't believe Brown can be traded this season due to the extension.

[JujitsuFlip]

Hard pass.

Brown is expiring, Gallo is either a FA or expiring, RW3 presents similar challenges that Allen has by being paired with Mobley but more injury prone.

Then the Celtics in return are getting 2 guys on long term deals.

If Brown would extend, a deal of Brown for Mitchell is appealing to me, especially if someone like Sam Hauser is thrown in.

Garland/Brown/Hauser/Mobley/Allen

Solid starting 5 until Mobley develops a jumper or if he never does, slide him to 5 and move Allen for another 3&D guy.

Okay, after the extension, I'm ready to do the Mitchell for Brown trade lol

I don't believe Brown can be traded this season due to the extension.

Idk what the new CBA says but it's typically 6 months after signing it. So that puts him in January as trade eligible, if the new CBA didn't alter that.

[JujitsuFlip]

The out is usually variable by year. It would not be atypical if the contract had an opt-out clause in all three years. Year 1 would likely be about $1.1-$1.2 million, year 2 would be whatever the NBA comp amount is that year ($850k?) and year 3 being half that.

The compensates the team for the roster risk and for investing in the player’s development.

Maybe but he just signed it so in Jon's scenario of him coming to summer league this season then us deciding if he should be brought over is next to zero. The Australian club is going to make sure they get at least 1 season out of him.

Luke is going to protect his rights too, so, it just depends what he's hearing and being told.

The reports do say he is planning to come over for Summer League, but nothing about a buyout clause.

https://cavaliersnation.com/2023/07/29/luke-travers-explains-why-theres-no-point-in-joining-cavs-this-season-details-plan-for-development/amp/?fbclid=IwAR2eJYmdb2tju-6TA_3aCzTy8qlee0PTxaUyKOso2bzvvBUsFD-tKZhNA-o_aem_AXP6HxPew88zR-fgXY8B6DHxSkRKKNSpv_BiOsrKN15Cx7rOIPTUCTgNq9vvdrje3qQ

From the horse's mouth, he's not coming over this season.

[mcfly1204]

Maybe but he just signed it so in Jon's scenario of him coming to summer league this season then us deciding if he should be brought over is next to zero. The Australian club is going to make sure they get at least 1 season out of him.

Luke is going to protect his rights too, so, it just depends what he's hearing and being told.

The reports do say he is planning to come over for Summer League, but nothing about a buyout clause.

https://cavaliersnation.com/2023/07/29/luke-travers-explains-why-theres-no-point-in-joining-cavs-this-season-details-plan-for-development/amp/?fbclid=IwAR2eJYmdb2tju-6TA_3aCzTy8qlee0PTxaUyKOso2bzvvBUsFD-tKZhNA-o_aem_AXP6HxPew88zR-fgXY8B6DHxSkRKKNSpv_BiOsrKN15Cx7rOIPTUCTgNq9vvdrje3qQ

From the horse's mouth, he's not coming over this season.

I read that and feel like he is self-aware. He could easily just be reciting lines, but it sounds like the guy wants to play, but knows that he needs to add more offensively to get any PT here.

[JujitsuFlip]

Luke is going to protect his rights too, so, it just depends what he's hearing and being told.

The reports do say he is planning to come over for Summer League, but nothing about a buyout clause.

https://cavaliersnation.com/2023/07/29/luke-travers-explains-why-theres-no-point-in-joining-cavs-this-season-details-plan-for-development/amp/?fbclid=IwAR2eJYmdb2tju-6TA_3aCzTy8qlee0PTxaUyKOso2bzvvBUsFD-tKZhNA-o_aem_AXP6HxPew88zR-fgXY8B6DHxSkRKKNSpv_BiOsrKN15Cx7rOIPTUCTgNq9vvdrje3qQ

From the horse's mouth, he's not coming over this season.

I read that and feel like he is self-aware. He could easily just be reciting lines, but it sounds like the guy wants to play, but knows that he needs to add more offensively to get any PT here.

With him switching from the Perth Cats to Melbourne United, hopefully it affords him greater growth opportunities.

Similar to Diop switching from Gran Canaria to Saski Baskonia will hopefully help his growth path too.

[NYG]

Is there any way Cleveland trades Mitchell? The logic being keeping him and the rest of the core would make the team very expensive which limits you a lot in the new CBA without picks to compensate. Would replenishing some picks and adding some young depth be more valuable? I mean Allen/Mobley/Garland is still awesome and if you had picks and young talent to build around that core it could be better overall in terms of flexibility.

[jbk1234]

Is there any way Cleveland trades Mitchell? The logic being keeping him and the rest of the core would make the team very expensive which limits you a lot in the new CBA without picks to compensate. Would replenishing some picks and adding some young depth be more valuable? I mean Allen/Mobley/Garland is still awesome and if you had picks and young talent to build around that core it could be better overall in terms of flexibility.

Not this season. Not unless the wheels come off, and no offense, but if we end up having to trade him, I'll be disappointed if Grimes is the best prospect we get back.

[toooskies]

Is there any way Cleveland trades Mitchell? The logic being keeping him and the rest of the core would make the team very expensive which limits you a lot in the new CBA without picks to compensate. Would replenishing some picks and adding some young depth be more valuable? I mean Allen/Mobley/Garland is still awesome and if you had picks and young talent to build around that core it could be better overall in terms of flexibility.

The thing is, the team doesn't get THAT expensive. Mitchell can only sign a 30% max extension due to obscure CBA rules. Garland's max is only 25% of the cap. Mobley is still probably a long shot to make all-NBA in the next two years, so is also a 25% of the cap contract. That's 80% of the cap in three guys (not exact but whatever), but it's a lot less than Phoenix's 105% bill for Booker, KD, and Beal. The Cavs get Allen and Strus into the salary difference between them.

Even if the Cavs are driven into the tax (which they have paid before) they should stay out of the more severe penalties of being above the second apron, particularly if Bates and CPJ can become cheap rotation pieces in a few years.

And if the Cavs move Mitchell, it should be in an effort to consolidate him w/ Allen and two picks next off-season for an MVP candidate. Not to take steps backwards.

[jbk1234]

Is there any way Cleveland trades Mitchell? The logic being keeping him and the rest of the core would make the team very expensive which limits you a lot in the new CBA without picks to compensate. Would replenishing some picks and adding some young depth be more valuable? I mean Allen/Mobley/Garland is still awesome and if you had picks and young talent to build around that core it could be better overall in terms of flexibility.

The thing is, the team doesn't get THAT expensive. Mitchell can only sign a 30% max extension due to obscure CBA rules. Garland's max is only 25% of the cap. Mobley is still probably a long shot to make all-NBA in the next two years, so is also a 25% of the cap contract. That's 80% of the cap in three guys (not exact but whatever), but it's a lot less than Phoenix's 105% bill for Booker, KD, and Beal. The Cavs get Allen and Strus into the salary difference between them.

Even if the Cavs are driven into the tax (which they have paid before) they should stay out of the more severe penalties of being above the second apron, particularly if Bates and CPJ can become cheap rotation pieces in a few years.

And if the Cavs move Mitchell, it should be in an effort to consolidate him w/ Allen and two picks next off-season for an MVP candidate. Not to take steps backwards.

Assuming you're talking about Embiid, that would be a hard pass from me. He's had enough talent around him to get the Sixers to at least an ECF, and he can't get it done.

There won't be any consolidating for an MVP candidate anyway with Mitchell on an expiring contract. Take the best prospect and picks you can get for each one of them, reset the timeline, and hope one of them, or Mobley develops into an MVP candidate.

[mcfly1204]

Is there any way Cleveland trades Mitchell? The logic being keeping him and the rest of the core would make the team very expensive which limits you a lot in the new CBA without picks to compensate. Would replenishing some picks and adding some young depth be more valuable? I mean Allen/Mobley/Garland is still awesome and if you had picks and young talent to build around that core it could be better overall in terms of flexibility.

The premise is very flawed. Good teams looking to make a push for contention don't dilute their talent. What good are picks and depth to a team looking to compete now?

[JonFromVA]

Is there any way Cleveland trades Mitchell? The logic being keeping him and the rest of the core would make the team very expensive which limits you a lot in the new CBA without picks to compensate. Would replenishing some picks and adding some young depth be more valuable? I mean Allen/Mobley/Garland is still awesome and if you had picks and young talent to build around that core it could be better overall in terms of flexibility.

The thing is, the team doesn't get THAT expensive. Mitchell can only sign a 30% max extension due to obscure CBA rules. Garland's max is only 25% of the cap. Mobley is still probably a long shot to make all-NBA in the next two years, so is also a 25% of the cap contract. That's 80% of the cap in three guys (not exact but whatever), but it's a lot less than Phoenix's 105% bill for Booker, KD, and Beal. The Cavs get Allen and Strus into the salary difference between them.

Even if the Cavs are driven into the tax (which they have paid before) they should stay out of the more severe penalties of being above the second apron, particularly if Bates and CPJ can become cheap rotation pieces in a few years.

And if the Cavs move Mitchell, it should be in an effort to consolidate him w/ Allen and two picks next off-season for an MVP candidate. Not to take steps backwards.

Yep, I believe the Cavs plan is that if there's any compromises to be made on salary it's going to be on the players outside the "core 4"; albeit that assumes they become a contender, Mitchell wants to stick around, and that they can eventually manage the repeater tax.

[toooskies]

Is there any way Cleveland trades Mitchell? The logic being keeping him and the rest of the core would make the team very expensive which limits you a lot in the new CBA without picks to compensate. Would replenishing some picks and adding some young depth be more valuable? I mean Allen/Mobley/Garland is still awesome and if you had picks and young talent to build around that core it could be better overall in terms of flexibility.

The thing is, the team doesn't get THAT expensive. Mitchell can only sign a 30% max extension due to obscure CBA rules. Garland's max is only 25% of the cap. Mobley is still probably a long shot to make all-NBA in the next two years, so is also a 25% of the cap contract. That's 80% of the cap in three guys (not exact but whatever), but it's a lot less than Phoenix's 105% bill for Booker, KD, and Beal. The Cavs get Allen and Strus into the salary difference between them.

Even if the Cavs are driven into the tax (which they have paid before) they should stay out of the more severe penalties of being above the second apron, particularly if Bates and CPJ can become cheap rotation pieces in a few years.

And if the Cavs move Mitchell, it should be in an effort to consolidate him w/ Allen and two picks next off-season for an MVP candidate. Not to take steps backwards.

Assuming you're talking about Embiid, that would be a hard pass from me. He's had enough talent around him to get the Sixers to at least an ECF, and he can't get it done.

There won't be any consolidating for an MVP candidate anyway with Mitchell on an expiring contract. Take the best prospect and picks you can get for each one of them, reset the timeline, and hope one of them, or Mobley develops into an MVP candidate.

I wouldn't hate Embiid as much as you but agree that his game doesn't translate so well to the playoffs-- foul-baiting just doesn't work as well. But Luka's also on the list of MVP candidates with a reason to ask out of their current situation. Giannis was there recently, but the extension probably changes that.

I do not see Mobley becoming an MVP candidate. The rate of improvement just doesn't seem to be there. To me it looks like he's building into a Bam Adebayo level player where Wemby's going to make everything Mobley does look... conventionally great but not special. I think Garland has a better chance of being a Nash-style MVP, but I don't see turning Mitchell into prospects as doing anything for the ceiling of the team.

[jbk1234]

The thing is, the team doesn't get THAT expensive. Mitchell can only sign a 30% max extension due to obscure CBA rules. Garland's max is only 25% of the cap. Mobley is still probably a long shot to make all-NBA in the next two years, so is also a 25% of the cap contract. That's 80% of the cap in three guys (not exact but whatever), but it's a lot less than Phoenix's 105% bill for Booker, KD, and Beal. The Cavs get Allen and Strus into the salary difference between them.

Even if the Cavs are driven into the tax (which they have paid before) they should stay out of the more severe penalties of being above the second apron, particularly if Bates and CPJ can become cheap rotation pieces in a few years.

And if the Cavs move Mitchell, it should be in an effort to consolidate him w/ Allen and two picks next off-season for an MVP candidate. Not to take steps backwards.

Assuming you're talking about Embiid, that would be a hard pass from me. He's had enough talent around him to get the Sixers to at least an ECF, and he can't get it done.

There won't be any consolidating for an MVP candidate anyway with Mitchell on an expiring contract. Take the best prospect and picks you can get for each one of them, reset the timeline, and hope one of them, or Mobley develops into an MVP candidate.

I wouldn't hate Embiid as much as you but agree that his game doesn't translate so well to the playoffs-- foul-baiting just doesn't work as well. But Luka's also on the list of MVP candidates with a reason to ask out of their current situation. Giannis was there recently, but the extension probably changes that.

I do not see Mobley becoming an MVP candidate. The rate of improvement just doesn't seem to be there. To me it looks like he's building into a Bam Adebayo level player where Wemby's going to make everything Mobley does look... conventionally great but not special. I think Garland has a better chance of being a Nash-style MVP, but I don't see turning Mitchell into prospects as doing anything for the ceiling of the team.

I don't see any version of the future where Dallas trades Luka for an expiring Mitchell, Allen, our 2024 1st, and whatever other pick we're able to trade. That's just not going to be a thing with OKC, the Jazz, and Pelicans all sitting on an embarrassment of riches in terms of trade assets.

If we can get a good young player from any of the Nets, OKC, or Pels and picks for Mitchell, that's a win. If we can get a good young player and pick for Allen from Dallas or the Pels, that's a win. If things don't work out with Mitchell, then our window gets kicked down the road a couple years. That's the bet we made when we traded for him.

[toooskies]

Assuming you're talking about Embiid, that would be a hard pass from me. He's had enough talent around him to get the Sixers to at least an ECF, and he can't get it done.

There won't be any consolidating for an MVP candidate anyway with Mitchell on an expiring contract. Take the best prospect and picks you can get for each one of them, reset the timeline, and hope one of them, or Mobley develops into an MVP candidate.

I wouldn't hate Embiid as much as you but agree that his game doesn't translate so well to the playoffs-- foul-baiting just doesn't work as well. But Luka's also on the list of MVP candidates with a reason to ask out of their current situation. Giannis was there recently, but the extension probably changes that.

I do not see Mobley becoming an MVP candidate. The rate of improvement just doesn't seem to be there. To me it looks like he's building into a Bam Adebayo level player where Wemby's going to make everything Mobley does look... conventionally great but not special. I think Garland has a better chance of being a Nash-style MVP, but I don't see turning Mitchell into prospects as doing anything for the ceiling of the team.

I don't see any version of the future where Dallas trades Luka for an expiring Mitchell, Allen, our 2024 1st, and whatever other pick we're able to trade. That's just not going to be a thing with OKC, the Jazz, and Pelicans all sitting on an embarrassment of riches in terms of trade assets.

If we can get a good young player from any of the Nets, OKC, or Pels and picks for Mitchell, that's a win. If we can get a good young player and pick for Allen from Dallas or the Pels, that's a win. If things don't work out with Mitchell, then our window gets kicked down the road a couple years. That's the bet we made when we traded for him.

A team might prefer real, developed players rather than picks. Heck, Portland just did even though they're tanking. Mark Cuban may not have the stomach to wait on years of picks to mature.