R-DAWG wrote:spree2kawhi wrote:I mean, Bridges is certainly worth the gamble. I just hope people here in this place remember how open they were to that trade if Bridges turns out to be an underperformer over the years.
In theory, he’s certainly the type of player to lift this promising roster over the top, fills structural needs and then there is the chemistry with the players already here. I wouldn’t call that an overpay.
No one is debating Bridges fit. But the price of 5 1st rd picks for an elite role player is more than most multi-time all-stars are acquired for. That's an overpay. A BMW 7-Serries is a great car, and we would all love to own one, just not at the cost of a Ferrari.
Why are our future draft picks 5-7 years down the road depreciating assets? And why was this a use it or lose it opportunity? And how do we know who/what will become available over a 5 year window.
I think turning Quickely into OG, while getting off RJ's money (needed to justify paying OG) was a use it or lose it opportunity.
Had the Bridges trade included a 2024 1st, and the DET 1st - then it was a little more use it or lose it. And frankly, I would feel so different about the trade if it was those 2 picks, plus the MIL and NY 25 and NY 27, even if it included the WAS 1st (likely 2 2nds) and a 26 swap. While that is still a substantial overpay, it's a 3 year window and then a path to a re-set (most NBA windows last closer to 3 years than 7 years)
I'm really surprised how people just undervalue the future, unprotected 1sts and why this offseason became a use it or lose it. These are probably the same people who thought using the amnesty on 1 year of Chauncy Billups to sign Tyson Chandler was use it or lose it.
Those unprotected future 1sts are like maxing out your credit cards - you don't feel it at first, but the bill comes due. You might love the Bridges trade and what this roster can be. But it's also not hard to look at the cost of this roster and see some of the impulsive decisions that have plugged this organization for decades - and a world where in 24 months we are looking at a bloated payroll and no future draft picks. For a team that is a fringe contender at best.
As I mentioned above, I'm all for adding Bridges to the roster. But overpaying in terms of picks and dollars and handcuffed this organization for decades.