Fake Trade Thread #6

[JMAC3]

Which neutral/negative contract will the Hornets miss once gone here?

Micic?

J. Grant is an upgrade over G. Williams so you can't argue there.

Robert Williams III would be a C2 here but ahead of Nick in a playoff rotation. A clear upgrade. And we get to keep Nick for big depth. Nick is our hedge against injuries to both Mark & RWIII.

So you're going to miss Josh Green. He cost 2 second rounders to move here - negative value.

Martin? Really?

This has nothing to do with what I said. Robert Williams has played less than Mark, so how does that help in a world where we are making the trade because we are assuming Mark is hurt?

Do I think Micic, Green, Martin or Grant are great players in a vacuum? No but you are also talking about giving up a ton of depth to probably get 1 player, who is overpaid. Plus adding in a first round pick.

So yeah giving up 4 of our top 9 players for 1 guy seems like a bad deal for a team that is always hurt and struggles with depth.

I am not assuming Mark is hurt here, moving forward.

I am asserting that we need to add depth at 4/5 even if the assumption is Mark is healthy.

In fact, I'm not even selling out Nick here, because he's a part of the depth we need with our bigs, Mark healthy or injured indefinitely. There is a world where Mark returns and we still lack depth at center/PF.

And J. Grant is a legit 2-way player with size and versatility to switch and guard multiple positions.

His archetype is one of the game's greatest commodities, therefore rarely cheap. J. Grant would attract bids of at least 1 first rounder. But that's a cheap entry point.

The most Hornet valuable contract in this proposal (Josh Green) cost Dallas 2 second rounders to unload.

J. Grant is far more valuable, so the grass is greener. Maybe you're color blind?

Hornets traded 2 2nds for Green, Dallas didn't pay to unload him.

You keep ignoring the fact that Robert Williams hasn't played basketball the past 2 years and at same preaching how much better it makes our front court. Either he is healthy and Portland isn't trading him and Grant for 1st or he is hurt and a worthless addition to the Hornets.

[MasterIchiro]

This has nothing to do with what I said. Robert Williams has played less than Mark, so how does that help in a world where we are making the trade because we are assuming Mark is hurt?

Do I think Micic, Green, Martin or Grant are great players in a vacuum? No but you are also talking about giving up a ton of depth to probably get 1 player, who is overpaid. Plus adding in a first round pick.

So yeah giving up 4 of our top 9 players for 1 guy seems like a bad deal for a team that is always hurt and struggles with depth.

I am not assuming Mark is hurt here, moving forward.

I am asserting that we need to add depth at 4/5 even if the assumption is Mark is healthy.

In fact, I'm not even selling out Nick here, because he's a part of the depth we need with our bigs, Mark healthy or injured indefinitely. There is a world where Mark returns and we still lack depth at center/PF.

And J. Grant is a legit 2-way player with size and versatility to switch and guard multiple positions.

His archetype is one of the game's greatest commodities, therefore rarely cheap. J. Grant would attract bids of at least 1 first rounder. But that's a cheap entry point.

The most Hornet valuable contract in this proposal (Josh Green) cost Dallas 2 second rounders to unload.

J. Grant is far more valuable, so the grass is greener. Maybe you're color blind?

Hornets traded 2 2nds for Green, Dallas didn't pay to unload him.

You keep ignoring the fact that Robert Williams hasn't played basketball the past 2 years and at same preaching how much better it makes our front court. Either he is healthy and Portland isn't trading him and Grant for 1st or he is hurt and a worthless addition to the Hornets.

I stand corrected re: Josh Green.

If he's healthy Portland would not likely designate RW III untouchable because they just spent pick 7 on a C2 behind Ayton which you oppose at 6.

They made their long term investment in C1 & C2 already. We have not.

[JustBuzzin]

What would a package for Giannis look like?

[KembaWalker]

What would a package for Giannis look like?

all our draft picks forever and Brandon Miller or LaMelo
don't see how it wouldnt be a lot more than Durant got Brooklyn (Bridges, cam johnson, ton of picks)

not even worth considering at this point imo. Lillard/Lopez for salary and picks would be more interesting to me, maybe moreso in 2k than real life though. we need a PG and a C

[JustBuzzin]

What would a package for Giannis look like?

all our draft picks forever and Brandon Miller or LaMelo
don't see how it wouldnt be a lot more than Durant got Brooklyn (Bridges, cam johnson, ton of picks)

not even worth considering at this point imo. Lillard/Lopez for salary and picks would be more interesting to me, maybe moreso in 2k than real life though. we need a PG and a C

How does Melo/Dame backcourt work?

[KembaWalker]

What would a package for Giannis look like?

all our draft picks forever and Brandon Miller or LaMelo
don't see how it wouldnt be a lot more than Durant got Brooklyn (Bridges, cam johnson, ton of picks)

not even worth considering at this point imo. Lillard/Lopez for salary and picks would be more interesting to me, maybe moreso in 2k than real life though. we need a PG and a C

How does Melo/Dame backcourt work?

LaMelo plays “shooting guard” and they can take turns initiating and playing off ball not unlike how Melo has basically always done and does now with Mann. Lillards too old to be running a team as a full time scorer and distributor. Obviously could use some redundancy as injury insurance as we always do and a couple vets

[JMAC3]

What would a package for Giannis look like?

If he gets traded 90% chance it is to OKC. They have the most stuff, they are good so if winning is the reason for trade he won't deny going there. Also, for Bucks they get to move him to the Western conference.

Dame will be moved immediately after any trade that they make blowing the team up, so I doubt the players they get back fit matter at all.

[MasterIchiro]

Bucks remind me of the Suns just before the Suns rebuilt around Booker. They dumped multiple players who contributed to their team that reached the NBA Finals.

Ayton
Chris Paul

So I see the Bucks rebuilding around their best player, Giannis.

They will dump Middleton, Portis, Dame and reload the roster around Giannis.

Portis is the most realistic target in my opinion.

[Rich4114]

What would a package for Giannis look like?

If he gets traded 90% chance it is to OKC. They have the most stuff, they are good so if winning is the reason for trade he won't deny going there. Also, for Bucks they get to move him to the Western conference.

Dame will be moved immediately after any trade that they make blowing the team up, so I doubt the players they get back fit matter at all.

They can certainly offer the most, but if they're on the path to the finals as it is why disrupt that? It would surely take one of their top 3 players (I'd obviously trade Jalen Williams for Giannis) but I bet Bucks would want Chet and then if I'm OKC I don't do it.

There is a rumor the Lakers are willing to give up a FRP for Kessler. If they're desperate enough for a C, could we land one more frp for Nick + maybe NSJ? We get one more frp to work with and all of the sudden we're able to put a Giannis type package together. I get it, I'm in wishful thinking land but isn't this why they're accumulating these picks? Even if we had to give up Miller, adding Giannis to this squad and keeping LaMelo makes them a contender. We've never been a contender. We should try it out.

[JustBuzzin]

all our draft picks forever and Brandon Miller or LaMelo
don't see how it wouldnt be a lot more than Durant got Brooklyn (Bridges, cam johnson, ton of picks)

not even worth considering at this point imo. Lillard/Lopez for salary and picks would be more interesting to me, maybe moreso in 2k than real life though. we need a PG and a C

How does Melo/Dame backcourt work?

LaMelo plays “shooting guard” and they can take turns initiating and playing off ball not unlike how Melo has basically always done and does now with Mann. Lillards too old to be running a team as a full time scorer and distributor. Obviously could use some redundancy as injury insurance as we always do and a couple vets

Interesting.

I would assume a trade would come down to Dame and if he thinks he could win with Melo/Miller. I would probably pull the trigger at least we would be a playoff team for the foreseeable future.

[JMAC3]

Giannis trade is probably something like 6 first round picks, 2 good players under 25 yrs old and salary matching just to get into the conversation.

It could be more than that...

[fatlever]

It would be so much easier to just fire doc rivers and get a real head coach. But khris Middleton pulling a Gordon Hayward for the past few years has certainly not helped that franchise

[MasterIchiro]

Maybe the Bucks would be willing to go a little younger and readjust their timeline to align with Giannis' prime.

All of their players are past their prime, so they really can't rely on internal improvements to lift them. Celtics & Knicks are younger, and better, and boast builds that look more sustainable.

They should be trying to dump Lopez (36), Middleton (33), Dame (34).

I'd take Lopez (36) who's only owed 1 year, and offer Miles (26). Hornets get out of a longterm contract where we can reinvest in Tre Mann, while also hedging center if we need another patchwork year at the position.

The trade favors the Bucks, so I'd only surrender Miles for a retiree if the Bucks include Portis (29). I'd be willing to include Nick Richards (26). Portis gives the Hornets a more dynamic center rotation with Mark Williams. He can stretch. Short term, Lopez will stretch.

Hornets - Bobby Portis + Brook Lopez
Bucks - Miles Bridges + Nick Richards

[MasterIchiro]

Hornets - Bobby Portis + Brook Lopez
Bucks - Miles Bridges + Nick Richards

LaMelo Ball
Josh Green
Brandon Miller
Bobby Portis
Brook Lopez

Tre Mann
Seth Curry / Nick Smith Jr.
Cody Martin
Grant Williams / Tidjane Salaun
Mark Williams (use load management)

We just look tougher on the interior, and for sure better on defense, better at rebounding.

If we look beyond this year we free 23 million from Lopez' expiring contract. That could fund an additional rotation player to go with Portis which is good because we're giving up 2 longterm rotation players who are younger.

[JustBuzzin]

Maybe the Bucks would be willing to go a little younger and readjust their timeline to align with Giannis' prime.

All of their players are past their prime, so they really can't rely on internal improvements to lift them. Celtics & Knicks are younger, and better, and boast builds that look more sustainable.

They should be trying to dump Lopez (36), Middleton (33), Dame (34).

I'd take Lopez (36) who's only owed 1 year, and offer Miles (26). Hornets get out of a longterm contract where we can reinvest in Tre Mann, while also hedging center if we need another patchwork year at the position.

The trade favors the Bucks, so I'd only surrender Miles for a retiree if the Bucks include Portis (29). I'd be willing to include Nick Richards (26). Portis gives the Hornets a more dynamic center rotation with Mark Williams. He can stretch. Short term, Lopez will stretch.

Hornets - Bobby Portis + Brook Lopez
Bucks - Miles Bridges + Nick Richards

Miles is our key to a big trade down the line. He's our only big contract outside of Melo.

If we trading him we need a real impact player back. Not sure if Portis and a Lopez at the end of his career is worth it.

They fit, I just don't like Portis as the main piece back.

[Bassman]

Well to each his own, but can’t believe some of the speculative ideas. I do not deal Miller for any aging star, especially since it would also take other players and picks to get him. This team is nowhere near ready to contend for a conference title even with Giannis (and the remaining leftovers from a trade). Also can’t see dealing Miles for Lopez, an aged out player who isn’t going to push any buttons. Not opposed to dealing Bridges at all; just don’t feel he needs to be salary dumped.

First, we need to HOPE we can ever get a fully healthy squad back on the court. Then see what they’ve got, in conjunction with the results, and make decisions from there. Mark Williams is vapor, a ghost, until I see him actually on the court, in a game, doing something really well.

[MasterIchiro]

Miles is our key to a big trade down the line. He's our only big contract outside of Melo.

If we trading him we need a real impact player back. Not sure if Portis and a Lopez at the end of his career is worth it.

They fit, I just don't like Portis as the main piece back.

It's really Miles/Nick for Portis + cap. It opens minutes for Salaun as well.

Long term effect on 4/5 is:

Salaun/Grant
Mark/Portis

Portis is only 3 years older than Nick, and Portis can shoot the 3, better complementing Mark.

Salaun replaces Miles. He's 7-8 years younger.

We'd have 23 million (Lopez expiring) to spend on a placeholder contract to replace Miles as matching salary for our big move.

[MasterIchiro]

How about this trade?

Micic + NSJ + 2027 top-4 protected Mavs 1st for Portis?

2027 first round draft pick from Dallas
Dallas' 2027 1st round pick to Charlotte protected for selections 1-2; if this pick falls within its protected range and is therefore not conveyed, then Dallas will instead convey Miami's 2028 2nd round pick to Charlotte [Charlotte-Dallas, 2/8/2024]

So no matter what, Hornets preserve the upside of the asset falling pick 3 or 4.

[KembaWalker]

I’d probably roll with Diabetes before trading a first rounder for Portis to take us from 32 wins to 35 wins for a year. Hoard 1sts for a actual big move one day

[MasterIchiro]

When a 3rd string center eats us alive...

Please, Mark. Please.