Charlotte gets Horny for the Play-In

[Colbinii]

After some feedback from a deal I posted last week, I made some tweaks. Notably, from a couple of NOP and CHA posters, where the idea seemed fine, which on a scale for the T&T Board, is a perfect trade

Spoiler:

I don't hate it for Charlotte, but another score first SG wouldn't be my move.

Love this for the Pels. McCullom has history with new Hornets coach Lee, so that seems like a realistic destination for him to be a vet leader who is still productive.

I’d do this from the Hornets

Fair value for NO's - However.

Not interested in Bertans, rather cap space over Brook, like Richards.

Deal.

Now, to the actual trade:

Charlotte Out: Davis Bertans, Cody Martin, Nick Richards
Charlotte In: C.J. McCollum

New Orleans Out: New Orleans Out: C.J. McCollum, E.J. Liddell
New Orleans In: Davion Mitchell, Davis Bertans (Waived), Sasha Vezenkov, Nick Richards, #45

Sacramento Kings Out: Davion Mitchell, Sasha Vezenkov, #45
Sacramento Kings In: Cody Martin, E.J. Liddell

Quick Glance
-Charlotte adds a win-now player who fits inside of the Cap Hold for Bridges and the 141 Million Salary Cap.
-New Orleans opts to get some expiring money in Mitchell/Bertans/Richards/Vezenkov while Richards/Mitchell can eat up some Regular Season minutes as stop-gap back-up PG/C--the position of least depth for New Orleans. New Orleans also can use Davis Bertans salary until January to match in a trade, which they will be looking to do.
-Sacramento cuts some salary and adds a potential Wing who fits better than both Mitchell and Vezenkov

Rosters
LaMelo Ball/Tre Mann
C.J. McCollum/Vasilije Micic
Brandon Miller/
Miles Bridges/Grant Williams/J.T. Thor
Mark Williams/
+
Full MLE/#6/#42

Jose Alvarado/Dyson Daniels
Herb Jones/Davion Mitchell/Jordan Hawkins
Brandon Ingram/Davion Mitchell/Sasha Vezenkov
Zion Williamson/Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
Larry Nance/Nick Richards
+
Davis Bertans Salary/Full MLE or Partial MLE/#21/#45

De'Aaron Fox/Malik Monk
Kevin Huerter/Keon Ellis/Colby Jones
Keegan Murray/Caleb Martin/Chris Duarte
Harrison Barnes/Trey Lyles/E.J. Liddell
Domantas Sabonis/
+
#13/Partial MLE

[Scoot McGroot]

I really like the idea of Charlotte putting CJ next to LaMelo. Just strikes me as the type of tone you want to set next to LaMelo, while being productive.

[Godaddycurse]

not sure why Sacramento is dumping Mitchell like this. Vezenkov and 45 is more than enough value for Martin. imo Vezenkov alone is enough. Liddell is JAG

[Colbinii]

I really like the idea of Charlotte putting CJ next to LaMelo. Just strikes me as the type of tone you want to set next to LaMelo, while being productive.

Yeah, that was the outlying sentiment from the original thread. I am having a hard time tying the deal together with a 3rd team, and to be honest, I don't know if Sacramento is the best 3rd team.

I wonder if the 3rd team is just a team with Murray/Garland or a Center? The other thought's are NOP moving up for Clingan [Is that Top 5 in the draft?] or adding Brogdon/Ayton [McCollum is already over half-way to salary matching].

Someone pointed out how Coach Lee has a relationship with C.J. and C.J. seems like a perfect vet for a team trying to be competitive in the Regular Season.

[TGW]

The idea is a good one. Don't know how the Pels feel about it though.

[Colbinii]

not sure why Sacramento is dumping Mitchell like this. Vezenkov and 45 is more than enough value for Martin. imo Vezenkov alone is enough. Liddell is JAG

Mitchell is a 6.5 Million back-up 3+D PG who isn't a playmaker--I don't really see him having much, if any, value.

With Sabonis, Sacramento could use more size 1-4 to help defensively and Ellis seems to fill that role well for them.

My thought is that 6.5 Million can be used to get a better fit with part of the MLE.

[LightTheBeam]

Just no need for Sac here. Neither of these guys would factor into our team. Not attached to anything going out, but this is just shifting to shift and giving a 2nd for no reason. I'd rather keep Davion if this is my choice.

[jbk1234]

The problem the Pelicans have is that they can't just dump CJ without getting a guard who is at least as good back. They've got Daniels waiting in the wings, and he'll improve their defense, but that's a monumental step back offensively and they're looking to upgrade their roster as well.

[Godaddycurse]

not sure why Sacramento is dumping Mitchell like this. Vezenkov and 45 is more than enough value for Martin. imo Vezenkov alone is enough. Liddell is JAG

Mitchell is a 6.5 Million back-up 3+D PG who isn't a playmaker--I don't really see him having much, if any, value.

With Sabonis, Sacramento could use more size 1-4 to help defensively and Ellis seems to fill that role well for them.

My thought is that 6.5 Million can be used to get a better fit with part of the MLE.

they should dump duarte instead of mitchell if the goal is to improve defensively and save money

[Whole Truth]

The problem the Pelicans have is that they can't just dump CJ without getting a guard who is at least as good back. They've got Daniels waiting in the wings, and he'll improve their defense, but that's a monumental step back offensively and they're looking to upgrade their roster as well.

The discussion out of NO's is BI being moved for a guard. If not Garland, Murray. If that's not a possibility, BI for big man. If all fails, retention.

If CJ is getting traded for space like this deal, it's because they have that guard lined up. The point of cap space & backup big for CJ. Is NO's can both sign a free agent C, net a solid backup while managing the cap better than CJ's 30m, seeing who BI is traded for will either replace him or send his 30m to the bench.

NO's depth chart

(Cap space) - Richards
Zion - Nance
Murphy - Daniels
Herb - Hawkins (cheap option/development shooting) vs moving 30m to bench /Daniels
(BI for Murray/Garlands potential trade) - Jose/Daniels

Not saying any deal is possible but this is the basic idea/plan for the offseason. If BI can't land a guard, they will attempt to trade him for a big man. NO's fans like Allen, I don't like the offensive fit or the 2yrs control considering Zion & his injury history. One down season & NO's dealing with an expiring player that will move on from an injured Zion.

My plan would be an attempt to trade up for Sarr in a weak draft & that path is probably through Spurs who are interested in Garland, where my assumption Cavs would prefer a win now player vs pick potential in a weak draft. BI

Frame work idea - not exact value

Cavs - (Garland) for (BI)
Spurs - (Keldon, Collings, 4, FRP) for (Garland, NO's 25) NO's 25, is to get Hawks 25 draft rights
Hawks - (#1) for (#4, #21, Spurs/Hawks FRP)
NO's - (BI, #21, NO's FRP) for (Keldon, Collins, #1)

I didn't want to over complicate it but Murray is in the expanded deal.

[jbk1234]

The problem the Pelicans have is that they can't just dump CJ without getting a guard who is at least as good back. They've got Daniels waiting in the wings, and he'll improve their defense, but that's a monumental step back offensively and they're looking to upgrade their roster as well.

The discussion out of NO's is BI being moved for a guard. If not Garland, Murray. If that's not a possibility, BI for big man. If all fails, retention.

If CJ is getting traded for space like this deal, it's because they have that guard lined up. The point of cap space & backup big for CJ. Is NO's can both sign a free agent C, net a solid backup while managing the cap better than CJ's 30m, seeing who BI is traded for will either replace him or send his 30m to the bench.

NO's depth chart

(Cap space) - Richards
Zion - Nance
Murphy - Daniels
Herb - Hawkins (cheap option/development shooting) vs moving 30m to bench /Daniels
(BI for Murray/Garlands potential trade) - Jose/Daniels

Not saying any deal is possible but this is the basic idea/plan for the offseason. If BI can't land a guard, they will attempt to trade him for a big man. NO's fans like Allen, I don't like the offensive fit or the 2yrs control considering Zion & his injury history. One down season & NO's dealing with an expiring player that will move on from an injured Zion.

My plan would be an attempt to trade up for Sarr in a weak draft & that path is probably through Spurs who are interested in Garland, where my assumption Cavs would prefer a win now player vs pick potential in a weak draft. BI

Frame work idea - not exact value

Cavs - (Garland) for (BI)
Spurs - (Keldon, Collings, 4, FRP) for (Garland, NO's 25) NO's 25, is to get Hawks 25 draft rights
Hawks - (#1) for (#4, #21, Spurs/Hawks FRP)
NO's - (BI, #21, NO's FRP) for (Keldon, Collins, #1)

I didn't want to over complicate it but Murray is in the expanded deal.

Two thoughts: The Pelicans get no cap savings in year 1 from this trade. They won't have cap to go out and sign a center this summer. Any potential trade involving Garland and Ingram is going to be dependent upon Ingram's contract expectations. Before you even get to balancing value, Ingram needs to be willing to extend with the Cavs on a reasonable deal.

[Whole Truth]

Do Cavs have any player contracts they'd want to dump ?.

[Laimbeer]

I'm thinking to myself "Jeff Hornacek is way past it..."

[jbk1234]

Do Cavs have any player contracts they'd want to dump ?.

The answer should be Niang, but it doesn't follow that the Cavs want to turn around and hand that money to Ingram. It also isn't a given that Ingram is willing to forego free agency.

[Whole Truth]

Do Cavs have any player contracts they'd want to dump ?.

The answer should be Niang, but it doesn't follow that the Cavs want to turn around and hand that money to Ingram. It also isn't a given that Ingram is willing to forego free agency.

If BI is as big a contract risk when signed wouldn't that risk work both way's in him looking for security ?

[jbk1234]

Do Cavs have any player contracts they'd want to dump ?.

The answer should be Niang, but it doesn't follow that the Cavs want to turn around and hand that money to Ingram. It also isn't a given that Ingram is willing to forego free agency.

If BI is as big a contract risk when signed wouldn't that risk work both way's in him looking for security ?

No, because he can sign with a bad team that is willing to overpay.

[Jody Smokz]

Not sure how this helps Charlotte get to the play in. CJ and Lamelo backcourt can't defend, atleast Nick Richards spelling Mark Williams gives them full time rim protection and rebounding.

[Diop]

i get the value of CJ, he is talented, but Ball, CJ and Miles together aren't defending the Washington Generals.

Which means another season of young Miller getting frustrated and yelling at team mates to defend and Williams getting in foul trouble.

Charlotte really need a defensive specialist at sg. They performed best last year when Cody Martin started there for the short time he was fit.

[JustBuzzin]

No thanks

CJ is no different than Rozier. At this point Rozier is probably a better player than CJ. We don't need another undersized sg.

[Chinook]

My plan would be an attempt to trade up for Sarr in a weak draft & that path is probably through Spurs who are interested in Garland, where my assumption Cavs would prefer a win now player vs pick potential in a weak draft. BI

Frame work idea - not exact value

Cavs - (Garland) for (BI)
Spurs - (Keldon, Collings, 4, FRP) for (Garland, NO's 25) NO's 25, is to get Hawks 25 draft rights
Hawks - (#1) for (#4, #21, Spurs/Hawks FRP)
NO's - (BI, #21, NO's FRP) for (Keldon, Collins, #1)

I didn't want to over complicate it but Murray is in the expanded deal.

I just want to be clear that there's no actual reporting suggesting the Spurs are interested in Garland. Amico is not credible and hasn't been in forever. We don't know if the Spurs have any interest in Garland. The Spurs aren't giving up 4 and the ATL picks. Assuming they would implies a level of leverage Cleveland has in this that just isn't there.

I don't see why the Pelicans wouldn't just take Garland if it only costs them Ingram. Unlike the Spurs, the Pelicans really are in a position where they want to win now and could use a young star guard to go with their star PF and great role-playing wings. While I'm sure they'd love a mobile stretch-center defender, they'll have to make do with other means or at least find a way to trade up for Sarr or Clingan with their assets and not rely on someone else being their farm. With their remaining unprotected picks and okay extra prospects, they might be able to make something happen.