Ayton, Grant, and Simons for anything?

[Walton1one]

Oh, I think Beal\Butler trade is going down, too far down the road already. I think PHX made that deal with UTA with acquiring Butler in mind, and Butler's temper tantrums (missed team flight\suspended again) are pushing (incentivizing?) the Heat\Riley to actually work to make a deal and be rid of him, that and the fact that he has a PO next year that he could opt in to screwing them over AGAIN.

The question I have is, once that deal happens, will other teams feel the need to push their chips in as well.

[Walton1one]

In the probably nothing but kind of funny department, early injury report has Simons as questionable for game vs ORL.

[Wizenheimer]

After doing so, the Milwaukee would then have to combine enough salaries as a first-apron team to add Beal's $50.2 million contract, which is near impossible without giving up Khris Middleton, Bobby Portis, and a player like MarJon Beauchamp.

that doesn't appear to be accurate

Beal = 50.2M < Middleton + Lopez + 53.6M. I'm not sure but the Bucks might be more willing to part with Lopez than Portis. Further, Lopez has an expiring contract with might give the Bucks a little more leverage

[DusterBuster]

I wonder if the Mavs will be a team to watch for RobWill or Reath now that Lively is out for a few months.

[DusterBuster]

Oh, I think Beal\Butler trade is going down, too far down the road already. I think PHX made that deal with UTA with acquiring Butler in mind, and Butler's temper tantrums (missed team flight\suspended again) are pushing (incentivizing?) the Heat\Riley to actually work to make a deal and be rid of him, that and the fact that he has a PO next year that he could opt in to screwing them over AGAIN.

The question I have is, once that deal happens, will other teams feel the need to push their chips in as well.

Both Beal and Butler are now out for the next few games and the betting markets have pulled any more bets for the Butler trade, so it’s pretty much done as far as Vegas is concerned. Question is still where Beal goes, Haynes now reporting the Beal to Bucks talk is not right

[PDXKnight]

Oh, I think Beal\Butler trade is going down, too far down the road already. I think PHX made that deal with UTA with acquiring Butler in mind, and Butler's temper tantrums (missed team flight\suspended again) are pushing (incentivizing?) the Heat\Riley to actually work to make a deal and be rid of him, that and the fact that he has a PO next year that he could opt in to screwing them over AGAIN.

The question I have is, once that deal happens, will other teams feel the need to push their chips in as well.

Both Beal and Butler are now out for the next few games and the betting markets have pulled any more bets for the Butler trade, so it’s pretty much done as far as Vegas is concerned. Question is still where Beal goes, Haynes now reporting the Beal to Bucks talk is not right

It may not be easy for milwaukee to do a Beal to the Bucks deal. Sure brook and Middleton works under the cap but is Milwaukee willing to give up their only true big to make it work? Furthermore if it backfires that's 50-60 million annually for the next 3 years (as opposed to Middleton's 34 next year) and that's before tax hit on that number. I'd imagine if the Bucks are backtracking on the idea the hard cap and the tax are certainly at the forefront of their internal discussions

[PDXKnight]

More News, this matches up with latest coming out of LAL, leBron\AD are not happy. Who could have guessed that would happen?

With just 15 days left until the NBA’s 2025 trade deadline arrives, Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis are “growing concerned” about the team’s ability to make significant upgrades on the trade market, league sources tell Shams Charania of ESPN (Insider link).

That lines up with reporting from Jovan Buha of The Athletic, who wrote on Tuesday that James and Davis favor an “all-in approach” on the trade market and noted that LeBron has “never valued draft picks.”

Read on Twitter

Rui\Vincent\JHS & 29' or 31' protected 1st for Grant and any (1) of Reath\Walker\Banton would work

and sure enough someone else thought similar

A team that always seems to be a threat down to the trade deadline wire is the Los Angeles Lakers. In this trade proposal from Fadeaway World, the Lakers may find their missing piece, while Portland gets a healthy haul for the future

Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Jerami Grant
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2029 first-round pick

If I'm talking to the Lakers I'm making it very obvious Grant is the most available. I'd honestly consider something around rui and Vincent + a protected first for Grant + banton

Or if we maybe did something bigger

Rui/vanderbilt/ 2 firsts

For

Grant/Robert

[tester551]

Oh, I think Beal\Butler trade is going down, too far down the road already. I think PHX made that deal with UTA with acquiring Butler in mind, and Butler's temper tantrums (missed team flight\suspended again) are pushing (incentivizing?) the Heat\Riley to actually work to make a deal and be rid of him, that and the fact that he has a PO next year that he could opt in to screwing them over AGAIN.

The question I have is, once that deal happens, will other teams feel the need to push their chips in as well.

Nothing happens without Beal's blessing.

No team wants Beal and there are only 2-3 Beal will agree to be traded to...
So it's much ado about nothing.

[tester551]

Oh, I think Beal\Butler trade is going down, too far down the road already. I think PHX made that deal with UTA with acquiring Butler in mind, and Butler's temper tantrums (missed team flight\suspended again) are pushing (incentivizing?) the Heat\Riley to actually work to make a deal and be rid of him, that and the fact that he has a PO next year that he could opt in to screwing them over AGAIN.

The question I have is, once that deal happens, will other teams feel the need to push their chips in as well.

Both Beal and Butler are now out for the next few games and the betting markets have pulled any more bets for the Butler trade, so it’s pretty much done as far as Vegas is concerned. Question is still where Beal goes, Haynes now reporting the Beal to Bucks talk is not right

It may not be easy for milwaukee to do a Beal to the Bucks deal. Sure brook and Middleton works under the cap but is Milwaukee willing to give up their only true big to make it work? Furthermore if it backfires that's 50-60 million annually for the next 3 years (as opposed to Middleton's 34 next year) and that's before tax hit on that number. I'd imagine if the Bucks are backtracking on the idea the hard cap and the tax are certainly at the forefront of their internal discussions

Grant for Middleton makes SO much sense...
Thats the trade that needs to happen.

Get Tyler Smith in the deal, and we'd ve better off

[PDXKnight]

Both Beal and Butler are now out for the next few games and the betting markets have pulled any more bets for the Butler trade, so it’s pretty much done as far as Vegas is concerned. Question is still where Beal goes, Haynes now reporting the Beal to Bucks talk is not right

It may not be easy for milwaukee to do a Beal to the Bucks deal. Sure brook and Middleton works under the cap but is Milwaukee willing to give up their only true big to make it work? Furthermore if it backfires that's 50-60 million annually for the next 3 years (as opposed to Middleton's 34 next year) and that's before tax hit on that number. I'd imagine if the Bucks are backtracking on the idea the hard cap and the tax are certainly at the forefront of their internal discussions

Grant for Middleton makes SO much sense...
Thats the trade that needs to happen.

Get Tyler Smith in the deal, and we'd ve better off

I'd be down but not sure the Bucks would

[Wizenheimer]

I wonder if the Mavs will be a team to watch for RobWill or Reath now that Lively is out for a few months.

I guess, but the Mavs have mortgaged most of their draft picks. The only 1st's they can trade are 2025 and 2031. And they would very likely not trade their 2025 1st as there is a real chance it could slip into the lottery; they are only 1.5 games from 11th seed

they have a weird collection of 2nd round swaps they could trade, including two in the next draft

and they are only a couple million under the 1st apron so they can't take on much more salary than they send out. They also don't have any expiring contract in Timelord's range

Both Beal and Butler are now out for the next few games and the betting markets have pulled any more bets for the Butler trade, so it’s pretty much done as far as Vegas is concerned. Question is still where Beal goes, Haynes now reporting the Beal to Bucks talk is not right

I'm betting the Bucks have a lot more interest in Lavine than Beal. Beal has the worst contract in the NBA

If I'm talking to the Lakers I'm making it very obvious Grant is the most available. I'd honestly consider something around rui and Vincent + a protected first for Grant + banton

Or if we maybe did something bigger

Rui/vanderbilt/ 2 firsts

For

Grant/Robert

ok...the Lakers are a long ways over the 1st apron and only 3M below the 2nd apron. So they must send out more salary than they receive.

so, none of your 3 trades work.

Grant = 29.8M > Rui + Vincent = 28M....doesn't work
Grant = 29.8M > Rui + Vanderbilt = 27.7M....doesn't work

Grant + Timelord = 42.2M ....Rui = DFS + Vincent technically works except DFS can't be aggregated with other players before the trade deadline...so nope

as for the 1st round picks, the only way the Lakers can trade 2 first's is if they are unprotected....which is not happening. The Blazers might squeeze one first out of LA but it would likely be lottery protected

what Portland could try and do is get multiple swaps of 1st round picks. They can't do 2028 because of that idiotic Olshey trade. But they can swap a combination of the least favorable 2029 first's the Blazer have (probably Boston's for LAL), 2030, and/or 2031

[BlazersBroncos]

I just cant see LAL throwing away being a leader in 2026 FA to add Grant.

I could see Simons since he expires 2026.

With SAC and BRK trade talks breaking down due to BRK demanding 2 lightly protected FRP for CamJo - I am hoping they pivot to Grant. Would take a Top-20 protected FRP for him at this point. (Grant for Huerter + Lyles + Top-20 protected FRP).

SAC also apparently has been connected to Reath. I would throw him in for a protected SRP to grease the wheels for a Grant trade -

Grant for Huerter + Lyles + 2027 FRP (Top-20 Protected / LP / 2 SRP)

Then Reath for 2026 SRP (Top-40 Protected - if not conveyed PDX gets cash)

Then hopefully the ever discussed Cole + Harris + lower 25 FRP deal could happen. Buy out Harris to let him ring chase.

Finally - ship RWIII + Banton for Vincent + higher 25 LAL/LAC SRP + future LP swap (Or something like this)

Walker would have to be cut for the above to work.

Clears the roster up in a big way IMO -

G - Scoot Henderson / Cole Anthony / Gabe Vincent
G - Shadeon Sharpe / Kevin Huerter / Cole Anthony
F - Toumari Camara / Matisse Thybulle / Rayan Rupert
F - Deni Avdija / Kris Murray / Rayan Rupert
C - DeAndre Ayton / Donovan Clingan / Trey Lyles

+ new picks from DL deals -
2025 DEN/ORL FRP (Lower)
2025 LAL/LAC SRP (Higher)
2026 SAC SRP (Top-40 protected)
2027 SAC FRP (Top-20 / LP / 2 SRP)
2029 LAL FRP Swap (LP)

[PDXKnight]

I wonder if the Mavs will be a team to watch for RobWill or Reath now that Lively is out for a few months.

I guess, but the Mavs have mortgaged most of their draft picks. The only 1st's they can trade are 2025 and 2031. And they would very likely not trade their 2025 1st as there is a real chance it could slip into the lottery; they are only 1.5 games from 11th seed

they have a weird collection of 2nd round swaps they could trade, including two in the next draft

and they are only a couple million under the 1st apron so they can't take on much more salary than they send out. They also don't have any expiring contract in Timelord's range

Both Beal and Butler are now out for the next few games and the betting markets have pulled any more bets for the Butler trade, so it’s pretty much done as far as Vegas is concerned. Question is still where Beal goes, Haynes now reporting the Beal to Bucks talk is not right

I'm betting the Bucks have a lot more interest in Lavine than Beal. Beal has the worst contract in the NBA

If I'm talking to the Lakers I'm making it very obvious Grant is the most available. I'd honestly consider something around rui and Vincent + a protected first for Grant + banton

Or if we maybe did something bigger

Rui/vanderbilt/ 2 firsts

For

Grant/Robert

ok...the Lakers are a long ways over the 1st apron and only 3M below the 2nd apron. So they must send out more salary than they receive.

so, none of your 3 trades work.

Grant = 29.8M > Rui + Vincent = 28M....doesn't work
Grant = 29.8M > Rui + Vanderbilt = 27.7M....doesn't work

Grant + Timelord = 42.2M ....Rui = DFS + Vincent technically works except DFS can't be aggregated with other players before the trade deadline...so nope

as for the 1st round picks, the only way the Lakers can trade 2 first's is if they are unprotected....which is not happening. The Blazers might squeeze one first out of LA but it would likely be lottery protected

what Portland could try and do is get multiple swaps of 1st round picks. They can't do 2028 because of that idiotic Olshey trade. But they can swap a combination of the least favorable 2029 first's the Blazer have (probably Boston's for LAL), 2030, and/or 2031

I didn't do the trade checker was just thinking of some basics that may be a good starting point. Either way if la is a buyer on Grant it'd be nice to look at options

[Walton1one]

Read on Twitter

Julius Randle could be on the move

[DusterBuster]

Read on Twitter

Julius Randle could be on the move

Who is this Evan Sidery guy? Been seeing his rumors blow up on twitter but I have zero idea of his credibility. I also do my best to stay off that cesspool of a site these days.

And as a side note, man did the Wolves wildly bungle that KAT trade and set their franchise back years. Couldn't have gotten that one more wrong if they tried.

[JRoy]

I wonder if the Mavs will be a team to watch for RobWill or Reath now that Lively is out for a few months.

I opined the same thing on the trade board and the consensus seemed to be, “only if the cost is nothing.”

[Walton1one]

Sidery is an NBA reporter for Forbes.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/evansidery/

My theory is that he serves as a willing mouthpiece for teams\agents to gauge\let other teams know about players available and what they are looking to get back\willing to pay, and he is getting the benefit of attention right now.

He called PHX looking to use 31' to acquire more draft capital, several days before the deal happened, Same with the Nick Richards to PHX deal

I wonder if this is b\c several teams don't like Charania's reporting? There was that whole back & forth b\t MIA & Shams, ultimately Shams was right, but teams don't like being called out (even if it is good reporting by him). Woj never really reported that way, that is why when something came from him, you knew it was pretty likely and that it was coming from a source and with their approval more than likely, with Shams, I am not sure that is the case? So it wouldn't surprise me if teams\agents utilized someone else?

[DaVoiceMaster]

It doesn't sound like Randle is working out very well in Minnesota. What about swapping Grant for him? Need to add another player to make salaries work. I was trying to figure out a way to send Thybulle with Grant in return for Leonard Miller and someone else. I've not watched Minny play so I don't know how any of the other players are (not their main players). Any thoughts? Randle has a player option next year so at worst, he exercises his option, then is done. I'm just trying to find ways to move some of these guys, particularly Grant.

[DusterBuster]

It doesn't sound like Randle is working out very well in Minnesota. What about swapping Grant for him? Need to add another player to make salaries work. I was trying to figure out a way to send Thybulle with Grant in return for Leonard Miller and someone else. I've not watched Minny play so I don't know how any of the other players are (not their main players). Any thoughts? Randle has a player option next year so at worst, he exercises his option, then is done. I'm just trying to find ways to move some of these guys, particularly Grant.

If fans here think Ayton is a frustrating watch, you've seen nothing until you seen the Julius Randle experience.

That said, I would do that deal just for the salary savings. If Ayton is stuck here, at least he and Randle would have the same contract length.

[tester551]

It doesn't sound like Randle is working out very well in Minnesota. What about swapping Grant for him? Need to add another player to make salaries work. I was trying to figure out a way to send Thybulle with Grant in return for Leonard Miller and someone else. I've not watched Minny play so I don't know how any of the other players are (not their main players). Any thoughts? Randle has a player option next year so at worst, he exercises his option, then is done. I'm just trying to find ways to move some of these guys, particularly Grant.

Not advocating for this - but a Grant/Randle straight up is legal. It also keeps Portland out of the Tax (barely - by like $200k).