BlacJacMac wrote:Klomp wrote:shrink wrote:There is one line of thinking that suggests we should trade Naz while he is so valuable, because we won’t be able to afford his next deal in 15 months. I don’t agree with it though.
He really seems like a Bobby Portis to me, where he values winning and "culture" over the money.
And if you really sit down and think about it, one way or another the situation will likely be resolved in the next 15 months. There are four courses of action.
1. Stick with the status quo
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Most assume this is unlikely, but it's still a potential outcome.2. Move KAT to fix the luxury tax issue.
-This is the early favorite in the clubhouse because he makes the most money and arguably has the most trade value.3. Move Gobert
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Not often discussed, but I do think it should be. He'll be 33 in his last year, so there will have to be a succession plan made at some point. I wouldn't assume he'll be here in 2026-27, so his contract is a potential asset to use before it expires.4. Move Naz Reid
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This is probably the least popular outcome, and probably for good reason. If and when he opts out, he'll still be just 26 years old. He fits perfectly for those who believe a roster's core should be within the same age range.
This is where I am. And I love KAT.
My gut says Rudy will still be able to drag a defense into the Top 10 by himself in his mid 30s. He keeps himself in such good shape and his defense is based much more on his massive size and smarts than sheer athleticism. I have zero problem projecting him playing out another contract at a very high level.
KAT is absolutely more talented than Naz, but I think Naz gives you, easily, 75-80% of KAT - and I think he's actually a better fit for what Finch wants to do on offense. Naz is the very definition of read/react. He sees the floor so well, and the ball never sticks. He's made his decision what to do before the ball gets to him. Its not always the right decision, but his instincts are terrific. KAT loves to probe and survey before making a move. And it compounds when Ant gets into that mode as well.
Plus, as I've mentioned before, KAT's injuries are really piling up. Iron Man through 4 seasons, but he's played fewer games than Embiid the past 5. Its too many years to call it a fluke, and at 29 I don't see him suddenly getting past it. He wasn't healthy in the Playoffs last year, he's not going to be this year either.
We're going to need a PG soon. That's going to cost money unless we draft really well. Even if we "sell kind of low" on KAT in a deal where we get back, say, Dejounte Murray along with picks and cap relief, I'm good with it. Having all 3 of Murray, Naz, NAW and some picks wins out over just KAT for me.
I love KAT and maybe he will be healthy for this years playoffs. However, I've been a huge Dejounte fan since his San Antonio days. If we could get him and picks or him and Capela or Okongwu I'd be packing KAT's bags for him and driving him to the airport or even to Atlanta if that's what he wanted.
BUT>>>>>>>>> I'd really feel like we were doing him dirty after he stuck with us for all these years. The Atlanta Hawks are likely to trade one of Trae Young or Dejounte Murray, sources told Marc Stein of The Stein Line.
Young was recently cleared to return to practice following finger surgery.
The Hawks will play the Bulls in the play-in game next week.
MARC STEIN/THE STEIN LINE
