2024-25 Season Discussion and Speculation Part II

[Mulhollanddrive]

Is there a way to get Butler without the 2031 first?

Probably not?

[bwgood77]

Read on Twitter

Not sure if this has been shared here yet??

Good read and I broadly agree with the points

I'm not proactively advocating moving KD, but in terms of big moves, I'd rather move KD before trading for Jimmy

Man, if we could get what he proposes for KD and KEEP Book, that would be insane. Our 27, 29 and another unprotected pick? The rest is just filler pretty much and I'd prefer a prospect, but if we could basically get our picks back for KD...at least two of them, that would be great.

Far better than trading another unprotected pick over 6 years off.

A lot of good points in the read for those who didn't go to the Ringer column...

But I also know that the Suns are trapped by their owner’s commitment to misunderstanding an NBA ecosystem that doesn’t function how he thinks it does. The days of giving a maximum contract to three players are over. Depth is king. Financial flexibility, internal development, and the draft are what matter. (No franchise currently employs fewer players who were drafted internally—or had their draft rights acquired via trade—than the Suns: Booker, Ryan Dunn, and Oso Ighodaro.)

Durant’s public support for Mat Ishbia notwithstanding, there’s a ton of evidence that suggests this team is drifting further and further away from title contention. Phoenix has the highest payroll in NBA history and is currently 19th in net rating. Coming off last year’s first-round meltdown against the Minnesota Timberwolves, it’s currently projected to have just a 31.9 percent chance to even reach the postseason.

There are emotionally complicated variables tinged by fear and regret. (Nobody wants to trade Steph Curry, LeBron James, Butler, Durant, or any other fan favorite who may still have excellence left in the tank.) But there’s also common sense. With all due respect, almost regardless of how their season ends, if the Suns give Durant a two-year, $120 million extension this summer, they are delusional.

They’re a monument to the jittery petulance of one extremely wealthy 45-year-old man. Today’s NBA doesn’t reward impatience, though. Just look around. From Boston to Oklahoma City to Cleveland to Memphis to Houston to Orlando to Denver. Good things come to those who wait, care about continuity, and own a calendar.

Regardless of what Ishbia says, keeping KD is a risk in multiple ways. What happens if he decides that he doesn’t want to finish his career on a team that can’t compete at the highest level? He left the Golden State Warriors as a free agent and demanded a trade from the Brooklyn Nets. It would not shock the world if KD wanted another change of scenery. He’ll make $54.7 million next season and can become an unrestricted free agent the following year. Put him on the market now, and see what you can get back.

Rockets general manager Rafael Stone has said he isn’t interested in taking any big swings before the season ends, but when push comes to shove, it would make sense to add Durant for a package that wouldn’t shorten their encouraging runway to championship contention. No, he isn’t on the same timeline as Houston’s ascending core—and it’s too soon for the Suns to part with Booker, who is 28, is extremely good, and still has three years left on his contract—but KD is the rare offensive talent who’d make the Rockets (currently second in the West) a legitimate threat to win it all without mangling the long-term development of anyone else on that roster.

Durant still has immense trade value for any team that’s interested in winning, but thanks to the second apron, Phoenix can’t take back more money than it gives out or aggregate multiple contracts, which quashes so much possibility.

For the long-term health of Phoenix’s organization, though, it should be willing to prioritize the retrieval of its own draft picks. It’s a little complicated, but essentially, the Rockets have swap rights this season (which they will likely exercise), plus Phoenix’s unprotected first in 2027 and a protected first in 2029. If the Suns can get all that back, plus another unprotected first-rounder from the Rockets, Fred VanVleet, and Jeff Green (to fulfill salary requirements), they absolutely should. If Houston doesn’t bite and chooses to wait and see how its young core does in the playoffs before making a run at someone like De’Aaron Fox (or Booker) this summer, Phoenix should pick up the phone and see how the 28 other teams feel about adding KD.

Generally speaking, these Suns have easily the worst ROI in basketball history. Replenishment should be their word of the day, every day, until they have a future that isn’t shrouded in dread. The Suns should be proactive here. The alternative is where they currently are, encased in a pressure-packed work environment that sees every win as a relief and every loss as a step toward more disruption. That’s the world these players and coaches live in, beneath the thumb of an owner whose stubborn obsession with the present day has fostered a claustrophobic, avoidable sense of desperation.

“We’re trying to win,” Ishbia said in November, with the subtlety of a tractor. But the words that followed may be a glimmer of hope for long-suffering fans who understand why doubling down on a strategy this hopeless could, by Ishbia’s 50th birthday, leave the Suns more irrelevant than ever: “We’re definitely not where we are in the second apron and the luxury tax, trying to finish in ninth place in the West. That’s not what we’re trying to do.”

If Ishbia believes what he says, then maybe, just maybe, the Suns should try something else.

[Qwigglez]

Josh Okogie for Nick Richards isn't so bad. Though I think Bud prefers a center that can shoot. Is Olynyk any good at this point in his career?

Also, I feel like the Cavs would be interested in Nurkic to have another center off the bench, but I don't think their owner wants to trade with our owner.

[BobbieL]

Read on Twitter

Not sure if this has been shared here yet??

Good read and I broadly agree with the points

I'm not proactively advocating moving KD, but in terms of big moves, I'd rather move KD before trading for Jimmy

Man, if we could get what he proposes for KD and KEEP Book, that would be insane. Our 27, 29 and another unprotected pick? The rest is just filler pretty much and I'd prefer a prospect, but if we could basically get our picks back for KD...at least two of them, that would be great.

Far better than trading another unprotected pick over 6 years off.

A lot of good points in the read for those who didn't go to the Ringer column...

But I also know that the Suns are trapped by their owner’s commitment to misunderstanding an NBA ecosystem that doesn’t function how he thinks it does. The days of giving a maximum contract to three players are over. Depth is king. Financial flexibility, internal development, and the draft are what matter. (No franchise currently employs fewer players who were drafted internally—or had their draft rights acquired via trade—than the Suns: Booker, Ryan Dunn, and Oso Ighodaro.)

Durant’s public support for Mat Ishbia notwithstanding, there’s a ton of evidence that suggests this team is drifting further and further away from title contention. Phoenix has the highest payroll in NBA history and is currently 19th in net rating. Coming off last year’s first-round meltdown against the Minnesota Timberwolves, it’s currently projected to have just a 31.9 percent chance to even reach the postseason.

There are emotionally complicated variables tinged by fear and regret. (Nobody wants to trade Steph Curry, LeBron James, Butler, Durant, or any other fan favorite who may still have excellence left in the tank.) But there’s also common sense. With all due respect, almost regardless of how their season ends, if the Suns give Durant a two-year, $120 million extension this summer, they are delusional.

They’re a monument to the jittery petulance of one extremely wealthy 45-year-old man. Today’s NBA doesn’t reward impatience, though. Just look around. From Boston to Oklahoma City to Cleveland to Memphis to Houston to Orlando to Denver. Good things come to those who wait, care about continuity, and own a calendar.

Regardless of what Ishbia says, keeping KD is a risk in multiple ways. What happens if he decides that he doesn’t want to finish his career on a team that can’t compete at the highest level? He left the Golden State Warriors as a free agent and demanded a trade from the Brooklyn Nets. It would not shock the world if KD wanted another change of scenery. He’ll make $54.7 million next season and can become an unrestricted free agent the following year. Put him on the market now, and see what you can get back.

Rockets general manager Rafael Stone has said he isn’t interested in taking any big swings before the season ends, but when push comes to shove, it would make sense to add Durant for a package that wouldn’t shorten their encouraging runway to championship contention. No, he isn’t on the same timeline as Houston’s ascending core—and it’s too soon for the Suns to part with Booker, who is 28, is extremely good, and still has three years left on his contract—but KD is the rare offensive talent who’d make the Rockets (currently second in the West) a legitimate threat to win it all without mangling the long-term development of anyone else on that roster.

Durant still has immense trade value for any team that’s interested in winning, but thanks to the second apron, Phoenix can’t take back more money than it gives out or aggregate multiple contracts, which quashes so much possibility.

For the long-term health of Phoenix’s organization, though, it should be willing to prioritize the retrieval of its own draft picks. It’s a little complicated, but essentially, the Rockets have swap rights this season (which they will likely exercise), plus Phoenix’s unprotected first in 2027 and a protected first in 2029. If the Suns can get all that back, plus another unprotected first-rounder from the Rockets, Fred VanVleet, and Jeff Green (to fulfill salary requirements), they absolutely should. If Houston doesn’t bite and chooses to wait and see how its young core does in the playoffs before making a run at someone like De’Aaron Fox (or Booker) this summer, Phoenix should pick up the phone and see how the 28 other teams feel about adding KD.

Generally speaking, these Suns have easily the worst ROI in basketball history. Replenishment should be their word of the day, every day, until they have a future that isn’t shrouded in dread. The Suns should be proactive here. The alternative is where they currently are, encased in a pressure-packed work environment that sees every win as a relief and every loss as a step toward more disruption. That’s the world these players and coaches live in, beneath the thumb of an owner whose stubborn obsession with the present day has fostered a claustrophobic, avoidable sense of desperation.

“We’re trying to win,” Ishbia said in November, with the subtlety of a tractor. But the words that followed may be a glimmer of hope for long-suffering fans who understand why doubling down on a strategy this hopeless could, by Ishbia’s 50th birthday, leave the Suns more irrelevant than ever: “We’re definitely not where we are in the second apron and the luxury tax, trying to finish in ninth place in the West. That’s not what we’re trying to do.”

If Ishbia believes what he says, then maybe, just maybe, the Suns should try something else.

Can only hope Ishbia sees the reality of the team and is willing to pivot


Granted - I think I still trade Booker. The team won’t be good - so maximize Books value

I wonder if Jones has a market - get a couple seconds

I don’t like the Nurk trade for Grant Williams and Richards but if they blow it up - I think his contract expires when Beals does - he would be a rotational player

That article needs to be printed and put on ishbias desk

[bwgood77]

Good read and I broadly agree with the points

I'm not proactively advocating moving KD, but in terms of big moves, I'd rather move KD before trading for Jimmy

Man, if we could get what he proposes for KD and KEEP Book, that would be insane. Our 27, 29 and another unprotected pick? The rest is just filler pretty much and I'd prefer a prospect, but if we could basically get our picks back for KD...at least two of them, that would be great.

Far better than trading another unprotected pick over 6 years off.

A lot of good points in the read for those who didn't go to the Ringer column...

But I also know that the Suns are trapped by their owner’s commitment to misunderstanding an NBA ecosystem that doesn’t function how he thinks it does. The days of giving a maximum contract to three players are over. Depth is king. Financial flexibility, internal development, and the draft are what matter. (No franchise currently employs fewer players who were drafted internally—or had their draft rights acquired via trade—than the Suns: Booker, Ryan Dunn, and Oso Ighodaro.)

Durant’s public support for Mat Ishbia notwithstanding, there’s a ton of evidence that suggests this team is drifting further and further away from title contention. Phoenix has the highest payroll in NBA history and is currently 19th in net rating. Coming off last year’s first-round meltdown against the Minnesota Timberwolves, it’s currently projected to have just a 31.9 percent chance to even reach the postseason.

There are emotionally complicated variables tinged by fear and regret. (Nobody wants to trade Steph Curry, LeBron James, Butler, Durant, or any other fan favorite who may still have excellence left in the tank.) But there’s also common sense. With all due respect, almost regardless of how their season ends, if the Suns give Durant a two-year, $120 million extension this summer, they are delusional.

They’re a monument to the jittery petulance of one extremely wealthy 45-year-old man. Today’s NBA doesn’t reward impatience, though. Just look around. From Boston to Oklahoma City to Cleveland to Memphis to Houston to Orlando to Denver. Good things come to those who wait, care about continuity, and own a calendar.

Regardless of what Ishbia says, keeping KD is a risk in multiple ways. What happens if he decides that he doesn’t want to finish his career on a team that can’t compete at the highest level? He left the Golden State Warriors as a free agent and demanded a trade from the Brooklyn Nets. It would not shock the world if KD wanted another change of scenery. He’ll make $54.7 million next season and can become an unrestricted free agent the following year. Put him on the market now, and see what you can get back.

Rockets general manager Rafael Stone has said he isn’t interested in taking any big swings before the season ends, but when push comes to shove, it would make sense to add Durant for a package that wouldn’t shorten their encouraging runway to championship contention. No, he isn’t on the same timeline as Houston’s ascending core—and it’s too soon for the Suns to part with Booker, who is 28, is extremely good, and still has three years left on his contract—but KD is the rare offensive talent who’d make the Rockets (currently second in the West) a legitimate threat to win it all without mangling the long-term development of anyone else on that roster.

Durant still has immense trade value for any team that’s interested in winning, but thanks to the second apron, Phoenix can’t take back more money than it gives out or aggregate multiple contracts, which quashes so much possibility.

For the long-term health of Phoenix’s organization, though, it should be willing to prioritize the retrieval of its own draft picks. It’s a little complicated, but essentially, the Rockets have swap rights this season (which they will likely exercise), plus Phoenix’s unprotected first in 2027 and a protected first in 2029. If the Suns can get all that back, plus another unprotected first-rounder from the Rockets, Fred VanVleet, and Jeff Green (to fulfill salary requirements), they absolutely should. If Houston doesn’t bite and chooses to wait and see how its young core does in the playoffs before making a run at someone like De’Aaron Fox (or Booker) this summer, Phoenix should pick up the phone and see how the 28 other teams feel about adding KD.

Generally speaking, these Suns have easily the worst ROI in basketball history. Replenishment should be their word of the day, every day, until they have a future that isn’t shrouded in dread. The Suns should be proactive here. The alternative is where they currently are, encased in a pressure-packed work environment that sees every win as a relief and every loss as a step toward more disruption. That’s the world these players and coaches live in, beneath the thumb of an owner whose stubborn obsession with the present day has fostered a claustrophobic, avoidable sense of desperation.

“We’re trying to win,” Ishbia said in November, with the subtlety of a tractor. But the words that followed may be a glimmer of hope for long-suffering fans who understand why doubling down on a strategy this hopeless could, by Ishbia’s 50th birthday, leave the Suns more irrelevant than ever: “We’re definitely not where we are in the second apron and the luxury tax, trying to finish in ninth place in the West. That’s not what we’re trying to do.”

If Ishbia believes what he says, then maybe, just maybe, the Suns should try something else.

Can only hope Ishbia sees the reality of the team and is willing to pivot


Granted - I think I still trade Booker. The team won’t be good - so maximize Books value

I wonder if Jones has a market - get a couple seconds

I don’t like the Nurk trade for Grant Williams and Richards but if they blow it up - I think his contract expires when Beals does - he would be a rotational player

That article needs to be printed and put on ishbias desk

I do too. I think hitching Book's future to KD and Butler is a mistake though if they want to keep him long term. If that is our core, those guys will be done in 2-3 years and Book will probably want to go to a winner. He will first want someone to join him here, but at some point he will realize we don't have enough assets/depth to compete and just 2 or 3 big names don't do much.

I would trade them both now. Beal too if he wants it. Then maybe the other vets as well.

[bwgood77]

Jimmy Butler reportedly skipped the Miami Heat shootarounds and requested to fly on private planes away from his teammates, per
@JakeLFischer


Even his close friend Kyle Lowry grew fatigued by his headstrong tendencies on the court

“Sources say even Lowry, who remains as close away from the court as anyone to Butler, gradually grew fatigued by his teammate's headstrong tendencies on the floor. Currently in his second season with his hometown Philadelphia 76ers, Lowry declined to comment last week when an interview was requested. Now it's Pat Riley's front office that has shown it will no longer tolerate Butler's freestyling, announcing to the world on Jan. 3 that the six-time NBA All-Star has been suspended for ‘conduct detrimental to the team.’ Among Butler's transgressions, according to league sources, have been multiple instances of Butler skipping out on morning shootarounds altogether and insisting on private flights separate from Miami's team charter.”

[Puff]

Read on Twitter

Is anyone else buying this because I really don't see Milwaukee wanting Beal over Butler.

I don't get the 'bucks want to do this'. I think these are more hypotheticals.

Skip Butler

And why would the bucks do this?

Why don't we just trade Beal to Milwaukee for Portis and Middleton?

Let Miami deal with Butler.

[sunskerr]

nice game for jalen green with 42 points and a w

[Puff]

What do we do with Nurk if we cannot trade him by the deadline?

[Ghost of Kleine]

Read on Twitter

Duop Reath isn't at all a bad player, and he's certainly cheap too. But for a 6'11 245 lb center, he really doesn't do much at all besides maybe shooting 36% from three. He's not a shot-blocker at all. He's not a strong rebounder or even a good interior defender. He's long, shoots threes well, and also sets good screens (4th in the league in screen assists). He's averse to physical contact, not quick or agile enough to guard smaller more athletic players, and not really strong enough to bang in the post.

So I'm really puzzled by the Sun's interest in this 27-year-old limited upside player. It just doesn't make much sense at all! If they want to go cheap, then just pursue Day'ron Sharpe or Jericho Sims on the cheap. Or just sign Ibou Baji to the rookie minimum/two-way/ or anexhibit 10 deal.

[Ghost of Kleine]

I don't get the 'bucks want to do this'. I think these are more hypotheticals.

Skip Butler

And why would the bucks do this?

Why don't we just trade Beal to Milwaukee for Portis and Middleton?

Let Miami deal with Butler.

No trade clause! He doesn't want to go to Milwaukee. Only will agree to Miami, Cali teams, Denver.

[lilfishi22]

What do we do with Nurk if we cannot trade him by the deadline?

I'd imagine we'd play him. Not big minutes but whatever minutes he's playable to rehab whatever value he can. Then try again in the offseason when he's an expiring contract.

[lilfishi22]

Skip Butler

And why would the bucks do this?

Why don't we just trade Beal to Milwaukee for Portis and Middleton?

Let Miami deal with Butler.

No trade clause! He doesn't want to go to Milwaukee. Only will agree to Miami, Cali teams, Denver.

Where did you get this info from?

Also Milwaukee are in the 2nd apron so they can't package players. Trading between two 2nd apron teams are next to impossible

[NapoleonII]

Read on Twitter

Too bad Draymond can’t speak sense into his fellow Michigan State Spartan Ishbia…

Can't wait for the trade-deadline move that GSW makes that mortgages their future, then.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Man, if we could get what he proposes for KD and KEEP Book, that would be insane. Our 27, 29 and another unprotected pick? The rest is just filler pretty much and I'd prefer a prospect, but if we could basically get our picks back for KD...at least two of them, that would be great.

Far better than trading another unprotected pick over 6 years off.

A lot of good points in the read for those who didn't go to the Ringer column...

Can only hope Ishbia sees the reality of the team and is willing to pivot


Granted - I think I still trade Booker. The team won’t be good - so maximize Books value

I wonder if Jones has a market - get a couple seconds

I don’t like the Nurk trade for Grant Williams and Richards but if they blow it up - I think his contract expires when Beals does - he would be a rotational player

That article needs to be printed and put on ishbias desk

I do too. I think hitching Book's future to KD and Butler is a mistake though if they want to keep him long term. If that is our core, those guys will be done in 2-3 years and Book will probably want to go to a winner. He will first want someone to join him here, but at some point he will realize we don't have enough assets/depth to compete and just 2 or 3 big names don't do much.

I would trade them both now. Beal too if he wants it. Then maybe the other vets as well.

Deep down I know that Ishbia is probably too prideful and obtuse to look at things like this logically and will most likely try to run this further into the ground before conceding defeat! But will also most likely try to delusionally spin it all somehow claiming it was the best option we had despite the 26 other teams that would trade their entire roster and picks /situation for ours. Burt if he could abandon his madness and embrace reality for a moment and begin our rebuild, once we get some picks and young assets back! Could I then say...............................

[Ghost of Kleine]

Why don't we just trade Beal to Milwaukee for Portis and Middleton?

Let Miami deal with Butler.

No trade clause! He doesn't want to go to Milwaukee. Only will agree to Miami, Cali teams, Denver.

Where did you get this info from?

Also Milwaukee are in the 2nd apron so they can't package players. Trading between two 2nd apron teams are next to impossible

John Gambadoro!

Read on Twitter

And the recent rumor floating around was that the Bucks have been trying to trade Connaughton to get under the 2nd apron. Although I doubt it's to take on Beal.

Read on Twitter

It's rumored that the Bucks are looking to do this so they can combine something like Middleton and Portis in an attempt to get Butler!!

[lilfishi22]

I've mentioned these considerations from the vet minimum /unsigned pool as players that we should strongly consider, as we're currently more beggars than choosers in our current situation, devoid of any legitimate draft assets or cap space. So then, how do we find solutions for our roster deficiencies under these incredibly restrictive conditions as a 2nd apron team?

We'll the one avenue that we're not at all restricted by is the vet minimum options we might add to our roster as they don't count against our cap. Additionally, for those years that we don't even have a draft pick to utilize, we would do ourselves a disservice by not at the very least exploring some of these young players that still have impressive skillsets and untapped upside. BOTH as potential assets to be showcased as well as potential key contributors based on their untapped upside and individual skill sets. In our current predicament, we owe it to ourselves to explore the possibilities of how these unsigned players could offer a low-risk/high-reward contribution to our team. And very possibly transform into more additional valued trade assets that we could utilize at minimal cost.

Vet minimum free agency unsigned options

1- Mike Muscala.
A 6'11 240 lb power forward/center who is a career 37% 3 PT shooter. I believe that he could flourish as a versatile, gritty floor spacing big in our system and could be a Brook Lopez type project (sans rim protection) under Budenholzer.

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

2- Olivier Sarr.
A 7 foot 237 lb Young athletic versatile forward/center (the 25 yr old older brother of recent Wizards lottery pick Alex Sarr who possesses many similar attributes/ talents. Is a crafty passer, good ballhandler, high-end athlete/ rim runner/shot-blocker who also just happens to shoot 37% from three! He's high motor and physical too. He'd be great interchangeably with Ighodaro due to his floor spacing and weakside shot blocking! His per 36 numbers are really impressive: 12 points/ 13 rebounds/ 2.6 blocks. 66TS%.

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

3- Markelle Fultz.
A very talented young, athletic, strong 6'5 guard who still possesses immense upside and lead guard potential. That'd be a great value swing for us getting a former lottery pick guard for the vet minimum. And if he shows out, then he might return a solid asset like a first or a couple of 2nds. And he'd be a solid low-cost stopgap until we could get Lonzo Ball somehow hopefully.

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

4- Terquavion Smith.
A young, very quick, athletic, high motor 6'4 shooting guard who's a streaky shooter but still a 37% 3 PT shooter for his career. Smith is a really good long-range shooter with deep range and a quick release. He's disruptive on defense getting steals and deflections sometimes but is primarily a gunner similar to Bons Hyland/ or a skinnier Jordan Clarkson microwave scorer.

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

5- Ibou Dianko Badji.
A very long 7'1 240 lb center with a 7'8 wingspan and a high motor. Badji although still very young at only 22 years old has incredible defensive upside because he's incredibly long, athletic, and fast/ switchable for his size! He just needs time and reps to adjust and grow to the NBA game/ speed. But his size, length, athleticism, and footspeed/ability to cover ground and recover are elite. H's a very low-risk immense upside rim running shot blocking specialist center. He's also got a very smooth developing mid-range jumper!
( Offense)

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

(Defense- blocks)

Spoiler:

[youtube]https://youtu.be/MyZOJIp1xGg?si=jzfU5dvSAAsW9MLX[/youtube]

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

1. Muscala retired
2. Intriguing but he's on a 2-way with the Thunder and I wouldn't give up anything for him right now
3. Damaged goods. Can't shoot, not healthy and not worth taking a gamble on
4. I don't think we need him. We're already bringing Beal off the bench as that scorer
5. Honestly, never heard of the guy so I can't comment.

1- If Muscala retired, then the 2nd and 3rd option become Bertans (2nd) and Gallinari (3rd). Providing floor spacing from the frontcourt would be a bonus to compliment Oso in the paint, as well as Plumlee if he stays. But I'd look to move him for a 2nd somewhere if possible.

2- He's very intriguing for the reasons I've shared. https://www.spotrac.com/nba/player/_/id/74604/olivier-sarr It's very frustrating that some of these sites don't have updated or accurate info. But if true that he's on a two-way deal, Then I'd see if we could just swap Bol for him or even Plumlee with one of their thousand 2nds coming back. But if you're familiar with him then you know h'd be an upgrade from Plumlee for his size, versatility, shot-blocking, and actual ability to hit threes and space the floor for a 7 footer which again could really compliment Osos' game by spacing the floor.

3- He is injured, but he's still a very steady lead-level guard who is strong, can pass, and gets to the rim really well. I'm not as worried about his shooting because he'd (in theory be coming off the bench with Beal, O'neale, or whatever 3 PT shooting 3 & D forward we could get/sign. And the floor would be wide open for him to get to the rim and score or pass it out as the defense collapses. Again, this is still very solid to great value if getting him on a vet min. I get not giving up one of our last assets for Sarr (if on a two-way). But he could then just as easily be a throw-in if we look to trade Tyus to OKC for one of their 6 25' firsts they'll have or some of their thousand or so 2nd round picks??? Again, these are merely considerations for our front office to pursue or keep tabs on in a potential low-end deal.

4- Terq Smith would be our 3rd rotation SG to replace D Lee if we can move him for something (hopefully a 2nd or protected future 2nd). He's young, quick with deep deep range, no conscience, and a very quick release. He'd be an upgrade from D Lee for us as yet another microwave scorer whenever Beal sits. That way we have a relentless wave of potent scoring to throw at the opposition. You can never have too many shooters/scorers after all.

5- He's just a basic high motor, very big (7'1), very long, quick mobile athletic shot-blocking big with an absurd 7'8 wingspan and a very raw but developing faceup game. And he's got elite shot-blocking potential due to his size. Think of him like a lankier, quicker MO Bamba. But with less 3-point shooting in favor of better shot blocking and very good offensive rebounding.

1. I thought Gallo retired as well but apparently not. But I also don't think front court shooting is priority.
2. Actually, I was wrong. He WAS on a 2W with the Thunder but he's a free agent currently. He could be an upgrade over Plumlee but I don't know. Plumlee has a lot of experience whereas Sarr has NBA 3 games under his belt.
3. His problem is exactly that he can't shoot. In this league, you just can't have a guard who's expected to handle the ball a fair chunk not being able the shoot. At this point, is he really any better than Elfrid Payton who had that 20 assist game and then let go? At this point, I'd much rather we stick with Morris who's been a steady hand off the bench. Also, no team is seriously trading real draft capital for vet min guys we pick up out the garbage midseason.
4. Again, I don't think we have any serious depth issue at the 3 especially now that Beal is coming off the bench and Grayson easily stepping into the 2 spot if required. Sure, he's probably an upgrade over Dlee but at this point, almost anyone is.

[lilfishi22]

No trade clause! He doesn't want to go to Milwaukee. Only will agree to Miami, Cali teams, Denver.

Where did you get this info from?

Also Milwaukee are in the 2nd apron so they can't package players. Trading between two 2nd apron teams are next to impossible

John Gambadoro!

Read on Twitter

And the recent rumor floating around was that the Bucks have been trying to trade Connaughton to get under the 2nd apron. Although I doubt it's to take on Beal.

Read on Twitter

It's rumored that the Bucks are looking to do this so they can combine something like Middleton and Portis in an attempt to get Butler!!

I missed that. Until now I thought it was only fan speculation he might waive his NTC to go to Miami, I didn't realise the list extends out to the other LA teams and Denver (that's a surprise). It's definitely a positive to at least know who those teams are because then you can start thinking about what kind of packages could work.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Read on Twitter

I'd prefer B of the two. But would much rather pivot to option "C" (my suggestion) of:

1- Okogie/ 2 2nds for Richards/ S curry. Curry can replace D Lees' shooting off the bench?
Trade Jones or Morris for a late 1st or multiple (2-3) 2nds from a team like Orlando (before they pursue Sexton), or OKC or Brooklyn. Plumlee, Bol, etc somewhere for 2nds? Then....................................................................

2- Attach 2 2nds to Nurkic and do Nurkic/ 2 2nds for Valuncias / Johnny Davis ( poor man's Jalen Suggs on TO). Valuncias is an upgrade to Nurkic with his finishing and 3 PT shooting ability. And Davis is a tough, versatile, gritty 6'5 power guard known for his physically relentless defense. It'd be important to also get Valuncias so we'd have a big-bodied physical center to bang against the bigger, stronger centers in the postseason. And to provide some physicality in the paint for us. We take a swing on Davis to gauge potential value and if he doesn't impress, we simply decline his TO this summer.

Booker/Allen / Dunn/ Durant/ Richards.
Morris/ Beal/ O'neale/ Ighodaro/ Valuncias. ( This still works because Valuncias can hit the three).
Davis/ S Curry/ Allen/ Dunn/ Ighodaro.

** Do we trade Allen (Tyus 1st) to Portland for Thybulle and Camara?? Or to Atlanta for Nance Jr and Garrison Matthews?

[Ghost of Kleine]

Read on Twitter