McCollum to Detroit, Brown to NOP, THJ to Raps.....Pistons/Pelicans/Raps/Bucks

[Bentley1225]

Ill offer this idea for
-Detroit to leverage cap space to add a starting calibre guard and get back a 1st to further compete in EC
-New Orleans gets out of tax apron and creates more off-season flexibility
-Toronto leverages cap flexibility and expiring Brown to get back 2nds and take back money for next year as a sub $10 million contracts
-Milwaukee gets out of 2nd apron as this clear way for them to try to deal for Jimmy by combining salaries in a deal

To Detroit (Trade Hardaway, Fontecchio, 5 2nds)
-Cj McCollum (2 years, $63.3 million)
-2031 Milwaukee 1st (some form of protection)

To New Orleans (Trade McCollum)
-Bruce Brown (1 year, $23 million)
-Simone Fontecchio (2 years, $16 million)

To Toronto (Trade Brown)
-Tim Hardaway Jr. (1 year, $16.2 million)
-Pat Connaughton (1 year, $9.4 million plus player option)
-2028 Clippers 2nd
-2029 Milwaukee 2nd

To Milwaukee (Trade Connaughton, 1st)
-2026 Golden State 2nd
-2027 Dallas 2nd
-2031 Detroit 2nd

Why?
-Detroit leverages cap space and excess 2nds to land a starting calibre guard and a distant 1st given money they take on as they look to improve seeding in EC short term
-New Orleans gets out of tax and lowers cap hir by $22 million as they look to see what happens in draft to provide greater flexibility of what they want to do in off-season
-Toronto swaps out Brown for THJ and takes on Connaughton as they gets back 2nds for money they take on assuming PC exercises his player option for next season
-Milwaukee gains necessary flexibility to make an offer for Butler as they dump Pat Conaughton and a distant 1st for 3 2nds.

[Godaddycurse]

what asset does milwaukee have left to acquire Butler now? pass on Pat's contract for 2 distant 2nds

[tmorgan]

I get the concept here, so bravo for that.

The issue I see is that, in order to get the Bucks to do this, that 1st will be heavily protected. Like entire lottery at a bare minimum. And once that happens, trading FIVE seconds and a lot of next year’s budget to turn two shooters into one (at a position of need, I know) is kinda dicey. There’s no real payoff except CJ, who is helpful now and not as helpful next year.

As I said, I like the effort, but I don’t think so.

[Ron Swanson]

The going rate for dumping a year and a half of sub-MLE salary ($9.4 million) is not swapping a 2031 1st round pick for a few way distant 2nd-rounders. I don't think people understand that teams aren't going to be dumping 1st rounders just to get off miniscule salary dollars anymore with the new tax aprons. Milwaukee doesn't touch this unless it's part of a bigger trade (likely for Butler).

[Bentley1225]

The going rate for dumping a year and a half of sub-MLE salary ($9.4 million) is not swapping a 2031 1st round pick for a few way distant 2nd-rounders. I don't think people understand that teams aren't just going to be dumping 1st rounders just to get off miniscule salary dollars anymore with the new tax aprons. Milwaukee doesn't touch this unless it's part of a bigger trade (likely for Butler).

The issue for Milwaukee is they have 2 intangible assets to trade, 2031 1st and 2nd. Is a 1st too much on its own to dump PC, 100%. Is a lone 2nd too little to dump Connaughton, most likely.

In this case, the Bucks can offer Middleton/Lopez/4 2nds for Butler/Love/filler. Is that objectively enough to land Butler, I dont know. If the Heat's goal is to acquire a starting calibre replacement to Jimmy and the contract expires end of next season, what other options does Miami have?. If Middleton was in better health, I think a deal like the aforementioned one might have legs.

[islandboy53]

New Orleans ducks under the tax this year, while generating a lot of flexibility next year, yet pays nothing. It feels like taking on that much salary should be worth a 1st. A straight NOP/Pistons trade could look like this - Pelicans send McCollum and a 1st, say 2028, with some protection, for Hardaway and Fontecchio. Looked at that way, why would Detroit send out 2nds?

I understand that Milwaukee really doesn't have the right draft assets to offload Connaughton - a 1st is too much, and a distant 2nd isn't enough unless they could offer a decent prospect with it, which I don't think they have.

At the end of the day, Milwaukee's reason for dumping Connaughton is to get them below the 2nd apron so they can aggregate salaries in a larger deal. That is almost certainly more easily done in the context of the trade as long as they finish below the apron.

[Ron Swanson]

The going rate for dumping a year and a half of sub-MLE salary ($9.4 million) is not swapping a 2031 1st round pick for a few way distant 2nd-rounders. I don't think people understand that teams aren't just going to be dumping 1st rounders just to get off miniscule salary dollars anymore with the new tax aprons. Milwaukee doesn't touch this unless it's part of a bigger trade (likely for Butler).

The issue for Milwaukee is they have 2 intangible assets to trade, 2031 1st and 2nd. Is a 1st too much on its own to dump PC, 100%. Is a lone 2nd too little to dump Connaughton, most likely.

In this case, the Bucks can offer Middleton/Lopez/4 2nds for Butler/Love/filler. Is that objectively enough to land Butler, I dont know. If the Heat's goal is to acquire a starting calibre replacement to Jimmy and the contract expires end of next season, what other options does Miami have?. If Middleton was in better health, I think a deal like the aforementioned one might have legs.

But this is pretty objectively a worse offer than Middleton + Portis + that 2031 1st routed directly to Miami. Which is why it makes no sense that Milwaukee would be knee-capping their own offer just to get under the 2nd apron when the whole purpose of doing so would be to use that pick asset for a legitimate upgrade. I just don't agree that Connaughton's small salary needs as much compensation to dump as people think it does. Bucks throwing in a 2031 2nd and a minor young prospect if needed (Tyler Smith, Chris Livingston, Marjon Beauchamp) to a cap space team is right in line with recent salary dumps.

[Texas Chuck]

This deal doesn't need Toronto or the Bucks. The Bucks seem here just to provide value and the Raps just to overcomplicate things.

If Detroit wants CJ, a straight deal is easy to find. If the Pels then want to dump $7M for next year's books they can do that, but no real need.

[Snakebites]

I don’t think we give up a first for CJ.

I think the team is hoping they can send a non-lotto pick to Minny this year to resolve that situation and have control of their draft capital again.

No way we give up that control for CJ.

[Laimbeer]

Tobias Harris for CJ. Pels reduce salary by $8M this year and next. Pistons get a better player. You don't have to listen to me complain about Tobias anymore.

[Snakebites]

Oh shoot, I misread this. We GET a first rounder in exchange for seconds?

I'd probably do that.

Are they (The Bucks) actually willing to give that up just to lose Pat? If so they might be the team I'm more interested in dealing with.

[Xman]

Bentley, a month ago you posted with picks going to NO. CJ put up 50 the other day.
Your post: To Detroit
-CJ McCollum (2 years, $64 million)

To New Orleans
-Tim Hardaway Jr. (1 year, $16.1 million)
-Wendell Moore (1 year, $2.6 million)
-2028 1st round pick (lottery protected; 2029 & 2030 lottery protected or 2030 2nd)

I like this version better. Could be seconds going to NO instead of a first.
Also, if Detroit wanted Theis or Earl, NO could ship them also.

[Snakebites]

Bentley, a month ago you posted with picks going to NO. CJ put up 50 the other day.
Your post: To Detroit
-CJ McCollum (2 years, $64 million)

To New Orleans
-Tim Hardaway Jr. (1 year, $16.1 million)
-Wendell Moore (1 year, $2.6 million)
-2028 1st round pick (lottery protected; 2029 & 2030 lottery protected or 2030 2nd)

I like this version better. Could be seconds going to NO instead of a first.
Also, if Detroit wanted Theis or Earl, NO could ship them also.

I mean of course you like that version better.

It's much better for NOH. There's no way the Pistons give up a first to get CJ.

[Snakebites]

Bentley, a month ago you posted with picks going to NO. CJ put up 50 the other day.
Your post: To Detroit
-CJ McCollum (2 years, $64 million)

To New Orleans
-Tim Hardaway Jr. (1 year, $16.1 million)
-Wendell Moore (1 year, $2.6 million)
-2028 1st round pick (lottery protected; 2029 & 2030 lottery protected or 2030 2nd)

I like this version better. Could be seconds going to NO instead of a first.
Also, if Detroit wanted Theis or Earl, NO could ship them also.

I mean of course you like that version better.

It's much better for NOH. There's no way the Pistons give up a first to get CJ.

[Euphonetiks]

New Orleans ducks under the tax this year, while generating a lot of flexibility next year, yet pays nothing. It feels like taking on that much salary should be worth a 1st. A straight NOP/Pistons trade could look like this - Pelicans send McCollum and a 1st, say 2028, with some protection, for Hardaway and Fontecchio. Looked at that way, why would Detroit send out 2nds?

I understand that Milwaukee really doesn't have the right draft assets to offload Connaughton - a 1st is too much, and a distant 2nd isn't enough unless they could offer a decent prospect with it, which I don't think they have.

At the end of the day, Milwaukee's reason for dumping Connaughton is to get them below the 2nd apron so they can aggregate salaries in a larger deal. That is almost certainly more easily done in the context of the trade as long as they finish below the apron.

Why would the Pelicans pay a 1st to dump CJ? We don’t have any tax issues next year and they would not be able to get anywhere near as good a player as CJ in free agency. I don’t believe CJ is negative value. He provides excellent spacing, scoring, and locker room presence. Pels would easily just keep him if moving him required paying draft assets.

[Xman]

[quote="Snakebites"][quote="Xman"]Bentley, a month ago you posted with picks going to NO. CJ put up 50 the other day.
Your post: To Detroit
-CJ McCollum (2 years, $64 million)

To New Orleans
-Tim Hardaway Jr. (1 year, $16.1 million)
-Wendell Moore (1 year, $2.6 million)
-2028 1st round pick (lottery protected; 2029 & 2030 lottery protected or 2030 2nd)

I like this version better. Could be seconds going to NO instead of a first.
Also, if Detroit wanted Theis or Earl, NO could ship them also.[/quote]
I mean of course you like that version better.

It's much better for NOH. There's no way the Pistons give up a first to get CJ.[/quote]

Not a NO fan.
I think Detroit should add two or three seconds, not the first. Cade looked great against the Rockets last night. Still, 16 months of CJ could help his game.

[theBigLip]

How about no picks at all? If Pels want to tank, then get some cap relief. CJ helps the Pistons this year and next, although he probably stunts Ivey’s development.

[tmorgan]

How about no picks at all? If Pels want to tank, then get some cap relief. CJ helps the Pistons this year and next, although he probably stunts Ivey’s development.

I’d be more inclined to trade THJ and Tech for McCollum this way, but I still think I’d pass. Too much money next year, and as you mentioned, a roadblock for minutes Ivey needs.

If I were Langdon, I’d be working hard on getting either an expiring (Lonzo) or higher value slash lower salary guy (Sexton) that might be available. I’d give up Moore (salary), Sasser (ok prospect), and the Toronto 2nd next year for Lonzo and look to re-sign him. I’d add another couple seconds for Sexton.

[DetroitSho]

Tobias Harris for CJ. Pels reduce salary by $8M this year and next. Pistons get a better player. You don't have to listen to me complain about Tobias anymore.

I legit laughed out loud. He REFUSES to finish through the slightest bit of contact.

Sent from my SM-S918U using RealGM mobile app

[Mr Peanut]

Bentley, a month ago you posted with picks going to NO. CJ put up 50 the other day.
Your post: To Detroit
-CJ McCollum (2 years, $64 million)

To New Orleans
-Tim Hardaway Jr. (1 year, $16.1 million)
-Wendell Moore (1 year, $2.6 million)
-2028 1st round pick (lottery protected; 2029 & 2030 lottery protected or 2030 2nd)

I like this version better. Could be seconds going to NO instead of a first.
Also, if Detroit wanted Theis or Earl, NO could ship them also.

I mean of course you like that version better.

It's much better for NOH. There's no way the Pistons give up a first to get CJ.

Not a NO fan.
I think Detroit should add two or three seconds, not the first. Cade looked great against the Rockets last night. Still, 16 months of CJ could help his game.

There's another thread where Pistons trade THJ/Fontecchio/two second rounders (2028 and 2029 NY picks) that I'd be on board with. It's far away, but if you had to make an educated guess it seems likely that NY will still be a decent team at that stage given all their core guys are aged 27-29 and seem pretty tight, so the picks are likely in the 45-60 range which is a true crapshoot. I think CJ helps us take another step forward this year and is then good trade bait as an expiring next season.