Den/OKC/Tor - Nuggets get under the 1st apron

[islandboy53]

It's reported that Denver wants to get under the 1st apron so they can acquire someone on the buyout market. Moving Nnaji's $8.8 million gives them about $3 million in room to work with under the apron, but how do they come up with the assets to get someone to take on Nnaji's 3 years? Phoenix's recent move with Utah suggests the following.

Denver sends Z. Nnaji to Toronto, and its 2031 1st (top 8 protected) to OKC. OKC sends the worst of its four 2025 1sts to Toronto and 4 2nds to Denver.

Denver uses its one tradable 1st to get room to maneuver below the 1st apron, get off Nnaji's salary moving forward, and acquire some 2nd rounders for future moves. OKC consolidates some of its picks, and Toronto gets a 1st for taking on future salary.

[Texas Chuck]

I don't think you can top 8 protect it. OKC would be paying now for the upside later. But you cut most of the upside off and make a chance that a rebuilding Denver spits out nothing. I think more realistically its top 1. Or an unprotected swap but Denver doesn't get the pile of 2nds back or something like that.

But I still don't like that idea for Denver. Because there is no guarantee there will be a difference maker on the buyout market(Despite the angst every year here, these guys just almost never make any kind of meaningful impact) and that they will choose Denver.

I've read the same rumors, but I think that's likely in the contest of a bigger deal. Like Porter for 2 cheaper rotation guys that also gets them under the first apron. That sort of thing.

[Xman]

Might just remove or lower the protection (from 5 to 1) on the two firsts DEN already owes OKC.

[MessiahUjiri]

I don't think you can top 8 protect it. OKC would be paying now for the upside later. But you cut most of the upside off and make a chance that a rebuilding Denver spits out nothing. I think more realistically its top 1. Or an unprotected swap but Denver doesn't get the pile of 2nds back or something like that.

But I still don't like that idea for Denver. Because there is no guarantee there will be a difference maker on the buyout market(Despite the angst every year here, these guys just almost never make any kind of meaningful impact) and that they will choose Denver.

I've read the same rumors, but I think that's likely in the contest of a bigger deal. Like Porter for 2 cheaper rotation guys that also gets them under the first apron. That sort of thing.

I think you’re right, but you’d have to protect it top 4 at least, imo. It’s too much downside risk to give up the lotto balls.

For OKC, picking up a top 4 prot pick down the line is actually very healthy.

Raps say yes to this IMO.


Another twist to this might be a wink-wink deal between Toronto and Denver. Hypothetically, Denver could direct 2 of the 2nds to Toronto and they can waive Bruce Brown…who can choose to sign back in Denver.

[MoneyTalks41890]

Yeah I’ll do unprotect the picks currently owed.

If it’s 2031 top 4 protection is the most it could have, since it’s only a one year shot

[islandboy53]

I don't think you can top 8 protect it. OKC would be paying now for the upside later. But you cut most of the upside off and make a chance that a rebuilding Denver spits out nothing. I think more realistically its top 1. Or an unprotected swap but Denver doesn't get the pile of 2nds back or something like that.

But I still don't like that idea for Denver. Because there is no guarantee there will be a difference maker on the buyout market(Despite the angst every year here, these guys just almost never make any kind of meaningful impact) and that they will choose Denver.

I've read the same rumors, but I think that's likely in the contest of a bigger deal. Like Porter for 2 cheaper rotation guys that also gets them under the first apron. That sort of thing.

By all means make it unprotected, in which case Denver might want one of OKC's 1sts instead of the 2nds. And, yes, it sounds like the buyout market, especially as regards guys making more than the NTMLE, will be thin. Brogdon and Brown seem to be possibilities, but one assumes Denver would have a good sense of possibilities before making this particular move.

All that said, this could instead be a move with a 4th team that will send someone making less than Nnaji for a couple of the seconds.

[Thaddy]

Buying a late 1st rounder for Nnaji's bloated contract is a bad move for Toronto. They were able to buy the 45th pick and the 58th pick last year for a lot less. Chomche was drafted with the 58th pick when he was projected as a late 1st / early 2nd, it was only due to a bad draft combine workout he dropped so low. The difference between a mid/late 2nd and a late 1st isn't worth several million dollars.

[MoneyTalks41890]

I agree that this is too much money for Toronto to take on for the worst or a later OKC 1st. Toronto should probably cut OKC out.

[Devilanche]

Masai have enough clout to trade for a 2031 first rounder too. OKC doesn’t really add much to this trade.