Run it Back or Upgrade?

[jaredtyshaf]

They should absolutely upgrade.

You have PG and C set in stone with Cade and Duren. Ausar is also a must keep, but he can play different roles and makes getting a secondary scorer actually easier because you can slot Ausar at SG, SF or PF. They essentially just need to go for the biggest upgrade from those 3 positions and aren’t stuck getting the best out of just one position.

We need 3pt shooting, shot creation and a secondary ball handler. Just get the best player you can via trade or FA.

Everything sounds good but when you actually start searching for names that are or might become available, it doesn’t seem as easy to find a good fit.

Do you have anyone in mind that’s reasonably attainable without completely mortgaging the future?

It all depends on what we'd need to sacrifice versus the player we have coming in. You're correct in assessing that we'd likely have to give up too much to trade for a "super star". That being said the NBA is crazy and if a super star demands to be traded then the team never gets an equal value in return because the league knows the "have" to get rid of the player. If a scenario like that arises we could absolutely snag someone and not have to give up more than their worth.

Here are some players I could see demanding a trade that'd normally cost us more then they'd be worth to out team.

1. Possible if they demand a trade

Giannis Antetokoumpo
Kevin Durant
Jaren Jackson Jr.
Devin Booker
Domantas Sabonis
Franz Wagner

2. Realistic Trade Targets

Miles Turner
Bam Adebayo
Lauri Markkanen
DeMar DeRozan
Cam Johnson

3. High Risk, High Reward Gambles

Joel Embiid
Zion Williamson
Kyrie Irving

[the_l_train]

They should absolutely upgrade.

You have PG and C set in stone with Cade and Duren. Ausar is also a must keep, but he can play different roles and makes getting a secondary scorer actually easier because you can slot Ausar at SG, SF or PF. They essentially just need to go for the biggest upgrade from those 3 positions and aren’t stuck getting the best out of just one position.

We need 3pt shooting, shot creation and a secondary ball handler. Just get the best player you can via trade or FA.

Everything sounds good but when you actually start searching for names that are or might become available, it doesn’t seem as easy to find a good fit.

Do you have anyone in mind that’s reasonably attainable without completely mortgaging the future?

It all depends on what we'd need to sacrifice versus the player we have coming in. You're correct in assessing that we'd likely have to give up too much to trade for a "super star". That being said the NBA is crazy and if a super star demands to be traded then the team never gets an equal value in return because the league knows the "have" to get rid of the player. If a scenario like that arises we could absolutely snag someone and not have to give up more than their worth.

Here are some players I could see demanding a trade that'd normally cost us more then they'd be worth to out team.

1. Possible if they demand a trade

Giannis Antetokoumpo
Kevin Durant
Jaren Jackson Jr.
Devin Booker
Domantas Sabonis
Franz Wagner

2. Realistic Trade Targets

Miles Turner
Bam Adebayo
Lauri Markkanen
DeMar DeRozan
Cam Johnson

3. High Risk, High Reward Gambles

Joel Embiid
Zion Williamson
Kyrie Irving

Would love Derozon as our new vet in the THJ spot. I'm also one of the few who is willing to roll the dice on Zion (as long as Ausar not involved)

[Snakebites]

JJJ and Adebayo would both be awesome fits- probably my favorite (possibly pipe dream) targets.

Myles Turner would be cool but I doubt the Pacers trade him, let alone within the division. Cam Johnson? Probably not at the Nets allegedly high asking price, but he'd slide in nicely. I'm not in favor of trading for oft-injured guys like Zion Williamson and Lauri Markkanen.

I'm definitely hesitant on Kevin Durant- I waffle back and fourth on this one quite a bit. I disagree with folks who say he isn't a fit from a purely game perspective, and I think folks underestimate how much having a player like him would take pressure off of Cade Cunningham. On the other hand, it's not clear how much at age 36 he has left in the tank, and I'm hesitant to give up a lot of assets for someone who will only be around another year or two. To me you do it if you think that KD plus Cade plus whatever we have left after trading for KD is enough to be a viable contender. The Suns clearly made a mistake trading Bridges, Johnson and the farm of draft prospects for him a few years ago. We'd be making a bigger one by mortaging too much for him now. And there's also valid questions about whether he'd want to be here.

Giannis and Booker are pipe dreams. I wouldn't hesitate to get one of them if they were available but Booker is extremely unlikely to be traded at all this offseason and we'd simply be out-bid on Giannis.

[the_l_train]

JJJ and Adebayo would both be awesome fits- probably my favorite (possibly pipe dream) targets.

Myles Turner would be cool but I doubt the Pacers trade him, let alone within the division. Cam Johnson? Probably not at the Nets allegedly high asking price, but he'd slide in nicely. I'm not in favor of trading for oft-injured guys like Zion Williamson and Lauri Markkanen.

I'm definitely hesitant on Kevin Durant- I waffle back and fourth on this one quite a bit. I disagree with folks who say he isn't a fit from a purely game perspective, and I think folks underestimate how much having a player like him would take pressure off of Cade Cunningham. On the other hand, it's not clear how much at age 36 he has left in the tank, and I'm hesitant to give up a lot of assets for someone who will only be around another year or two. To me you do it if you think that KD plus Cade plus whatever we have left after trading for KD is enough to be a viable contender. The Suns clearly made a mistake trading Bridges, Johnson and the farm of draft prospects for him a few years ago. We'd be making a bigger one by mortaging too much for him now. And there's also valid questions about whether he'd want to be here.

Giannis and Booker are pipe dreams. I wouldn't hesitate to get one of them if they were available but Booker is extremely unlikely to be traded at all this offseason and we'd simply be out-bid on Giannis.

People are down on JJJ with his playoff performance…with Memphis being in a shaky spot, it might be time to pounce on that.

He looked great most of the season. Really depends on how much they believe in Edey/Aldama.

[Snakebites]

JJJ and Adebayo would both be awesome fits- probably my favorite (possibly pipe dream) targets.

Myles Turner would be cool but I doubt the Pacers trade him, let alone within the division. Cam Johnson? Probably not at the Nets allegedly high asking price, but he'd slide in nicely. I'm not in favor of trading for oft-injured guys like Zion Williamson and Lauri Markkanen.

I'm definitely hesitant on Kevin Durant- I waffle back and fourth on this one quite a bit. I disagree with folks who say he isn't a fit from a purely game perspective, and I think folks underestimate how much having a player like him would take pressure off of Cade Cunningham. On the other hand, it's not clear how much at age 36 he has left in the tank, and I'm hesitant to give up a lot of assets for someone who will only be around another year or two. To me you do it if you think that KD plus Cade plus whatever we have left after trading for KD is enough to be a viable contender. The Suns clearly made a mistake trading Bridges, Johnson and the farm of draft prospects for him a few years ago. We'd be making a bigger one by mortaging too much for him now. And there's also valid questions about whether he'd want to be here.

Giannis and Booker are pipe dreams. I wouldn't hesitate to get one of them if they were available but Booker is extremely unlikely to be traded at all this offseason and we'd simply be out-bid on Giannis.

People are down on JJJ with his playoff performance…with Memphis being in a shaky spot, it might be time to pounce on that.

He looked great most of the season. Really depends on how much they believe in Edey/Aldama.

If we eliminate every player who doesn’t have SOME question about him (durability, playoffs, age, attitude, etc) you’re going to be left only with players who are either untouchable or have prohibitive costs.

Acquiring players is risky. Giving up assets is risky. Gotta decide which type of risk you’re willing to take. For me I'm willing to take the risk that in the right situation JJJ can perform better in the playoffs. I'm not, on the other hand, willing to take the chance that Zion finally gets whatever he's got going on together.

[Cowology]

JJJ and Adebayo would both be awesome fits- probably my favorite (possibly pipe dream) targets.

Myles Turner would be cool but I doubt the Pacers trade him, let alone within the division. Cam Johnson? Probably not at the Nets allegedly high asking price, but he'd slide in nicely. I'm not in favor of trading for oft-injured guys like Zion Williamson and Lauri Markkanen.

I'm definitely hesitant on Kevin Durant- I waffle back and fourth on this one quite a bit. I disagree with folks who say he isn't a fit from a purely game perspective, and I think folks underestimate how much having a player like him would take pressure off of Cade Cunningham. On the other hand, it's not clear how much at age 36 he has left in the tank, and I'm hesitant to give up a lot of assets for someone who will only be around another year or two. To me you do it if you think that KD plus Cade plus whatever we have left after trading for KD is enough to be a viable contender. The Suns clearly made a mistake trading Bridges, Johnson and the farm of draft prospects for him a few years ago. We'd be making a bigger one by mortaging too much for him now. And there's also valid questions about whether he'd want to be here.

Giannis and Booker are pipe dreams. I wouldn't hesitate to get one of them if they were available but Booker is extremely unlikely to be traded at all this offseason and we'd simply be out-bid on Giannis.

This is pretty close to where I'm at. And I do really want to see where this team is at with both Ivey & Stew healthy, playing alongside a healthy Cade & Ausar. *knock on wood*

We obviously still have gaps, but we haven't really gotten a good look at a fully functional & operational death star. I kinda wanna see that before we blow it up. Cade/Ivey/Ausar/Harris/Duren again. Sasser/Beasley/Ron/Stew off the bench. Go get a 3rd big with some size or just bring back BB Paul and let's go. You can still take a swing before the deadline if there is a move to be made, but I'm not forcing it.

I'm still working under the assumption that we're losing one of Beasley/Schroder to salary constraints, although Dennis played well enough that it's a tough decision to have to make. If it were me... Ivey/Cade start together, but you essentially stagger them out so one of them is always on the floor as your "pg". Cut Sasser loose and go get yourself a CoJo type as your 3rd stringer. We need THj in PG form. IF Dennis was willing to accept that pay and that role I'd obviously be down with that, but he's too good for that.

To me Beasley & Harris are the *must keep* guys from that veteran group. THj I'd be happy to keep as end of bench of guy if he's willing, but I'm not going to prioritize him over Beasley/Dennis etc. Aside from the shooting I just think Beasley has been a great locker room guy and he has that Jon Barry sort of energy that gets the crowd excited.

I'm definitely not attached to Ivey/Duren and I'd part with both in the right deal, but right now that may be premature. At least until Ivey shows he's back 100% and recoups some value. In theory I'd be willing to part with one of Ausar/Ron for the right type of impact player, but that's also obviously a gamble. I've said before I'd be more comfortable betting on Ron than Ausar, Ivey or Duren. I know he's more raw and so maybe I'm just doing what Piston fans do and projecting best-case scenario... but he looks more like an "All-Star" to me than those other guys.

[jaredtyshaf]

Joel Embiid is a crazy gamble, but the upside is an MVP caliber player. I know we have Duren, but Embiid can stretch the floor and Duren moves like a PF. Maybe it’d work out like a Big Ben and Sheed combo?

Either way, you have to think Philly is at least considering moving on from him.

[MotownMadness]

Joel Embiid is a crazy gamble, but the upside is an MVP caliber player. I know we have Duren, but Embiid can stretch the floor and Duren moves like a PF. Maybe it’d work out like a Big Ben and Sheed combo?

Either way, you have to think Philly is at least considering moving on from him.

Might as well just go Zion if we want the big star gamble. I don’t think he has the legit medical issues that Embiid does.

[tmorgan]

Ron’s gonna be a beast. It won’t be next year, though. A lot to learn, lots of shot practice, a lot of muscle to add, and a consistent role is needed to develop into a starter. But I do think he’s our starting SG in his year three or four.

[bstein14]

JJJ and Adebayo would both be awesome fits- probably my favorite (possibly pipe dream) targets.

Myles Turner would be cool but I doubt the Pacers trade him, let alone within the division. Cam Johnson? Probably not at the Nets allegedly high asking price, but he'd slide in nicely. I'm not in favor of trading for oft-injured guys like Zion Williamson and Lauri Markkanen.

I'm definitely hesitant on Kevin Durant- I waffle back and fourth on this one quite a bit. I disagree with folks who say he isn't a fit from a purely game perspective, and I think folks underestimate how much having a player like him would take pressure off of Cade Cunningham. On the other hand, it's not clear how much at age 36 he has left in the tank, and I'm hesitant to give up a lot of assets for someone who will only be around another year or two. To me you do it if you think that KD plus Cade plus whatever we have left after trading for KD is enough to be a viable contender. The Suns clearly made a mistake trading Bridges, Johnson and the farm of draft prospects for him a few years ago. We'd be making a bigger one by mortaging too much for him now. And there's also valid questions about whether he'd want to be here.

Giannis and Booker are pipe dreams. I wouldn't hesitate to get one of them if they were available but Booker is extremely unlikely to be traded at all this offseason and we'd simply be out-bid on Giannis.

People are down on JJJ with his playoff performance…with Memphis being in a shaky spot, it might be time to pounce on that.

He looked great most of the season. Really depends on how much they believe in Edey/Aldama.

If he would have won DPOY he would have been eligible for a massive super max contract and I think Memphis would have had to consider trading him instead of paying him $350+ million extension over 5 years since he isn't worth $70 million per year.... but because Mobley won DPOY he isn't eligible for super max so his extension will be for much less..... yet still a large $$$ commitment to a fringe all-star.

[Rip32]

I don't understand why a bonus can't be paid to Cade for being all-nba and not count against the teams' cap. The nba is so full of shet

[GreekAlex]

I don't understand why a bonus can't be paid to Cade for being all-nba and not count against the teams' cap. The nba is so full of shet

That would be a great proposal for the next CBA

[VicVinegar]

I don't understand why a bonus can't be paid to Cade for being all-nba and not count against the teams' cap. The nba is so full of shet

So the voters aren't going to recognize Cade for rookie of the year, or most improved, but sure, give him all NBA because that actually hurts the Pistons. F**king joke of a league, man. Detroit vs Everybody.

Came in here to bring up the Celtics series. Knicks are up 2-0, pulling out close games like they did vs the Pistons. Knicks are a good team. I think we need to put more stock in how well of a first round series the Pistons played (especially without Stew and Ivey). I really think blowing it up is not the answer. People talking about Giannis, Booker, Durant, etc. I think are just impatient and want to be conference finalist now versus realizing this team might be special for 5+ years if we can continue developing our young guys. Fortunately, I think Trajan understands that and doesn't plan on moving any of Ausar/Duren/Ivey/Holland/Cade. Obviously the young guys will continue to improve, but as far as additions, it's all about playing moneyball and finding the right guys, not necessarily the best guys. Beasley was a minor move and made a world of difference. Same with Schroeder. There's diamonds in the rough out there, let's trust Trajan to find them again.

[SuperBad]

I was not excited about drafting Ron Holland he was the fourth option for me, that said I loved him this year, if he gains a outside shot, if the hustle translates into offseason work on his game, he’s going to be the second best player on the team maybe by a margin over Ausar but I think he’s got the fire in him. Starting the three of them together in there prime with Duran should be outrageously fun. We should not blow that up until we’ve given it some due time.

[theBigLip]

We don’t have to blow anything up, or make a superstar trade. We’re in a good position, our core is young and they should continue to get better. Imagine everyone 10% better next year (not sure how to measure that), as a team, we should be a top 4 team in the East.

The good thing now is that we can trade our FRPs again. They are not as valuable to us since we have youth, and also, they shouldn’t be lottery for a long time. So I’m happy to move them as opposed to flipping some of our young core.

I’m ready to move Sasser and Fontecchio, and not sign THJ. Not sure what we can get for these guys in a trade, but maybe there will be a salary dump out there, and if we throw in a FRP as well, we might be able to add another piece.

[Rip32]

We don’t have to blow anything up, or make a superstar trade. We’re in a good position, our core is young and they should continue to get better. Imagine everyone 10% better next year (not sure how to measure that), as a team, we should be a top 4 team in the East.

The good thing now is that we can trade our FRPs again. They are not as valuable to us since we have youth, and also, they shouldn’t be lottery for a long time. So I’m happy to move them as opposed to flipping some of our young core.

I’m ready to move Sasser and Fontecchio, and not sign THJ. Not sure what we can get for these guys in a trade, but maybe there will be a salary dump out there, and if we throw in a FRP as well, we might be able to add another piece.

I do think we need a young PF to go with the core. Imagine someone like Jabari Smith?
We would be set

Watch on YouTube

[VicVinegar]

We took on healthy playoff scratch THJ's expiring $18M contract for two seconds. I wonder if we could dump healthy playoff scratch Fontechio's expiring $8M contract for one second rounder. Not that we need to, but if there's a player we want to target and don't have the money, I think it's a cheap price to pay. Although I get it creates a hole on the bench.

[JohnReese]

To me it is a clear “run it back” situation. Bring everybody back with the only exception of Hardaway which I would only keep at the right price.

Next year depends on opportunities you go for a big trade (if needed) with the expiring contract of Harris.

The only FA that I would add is Aldama if not too expensive, he can play from 3 to 5 and is very good passer. Normal contract offered by Memphis should be Advija money, to get him you need to go over that.

I also don’t expect Dennis and Malik contracts be high since there are not much cap space in other teams.

Also I’d keep Sasser and Reed if possible. Season is very long and having a long roster is the key to avoid that injuries destroy the season.

[Kalamazoo317]

Aldama is an RFA right? Seems rare those hit the open market.

[Canadafan]

Aldama is an RFA right? Seems rare those hit the open market.

I'm unaware why or how Memphis wouldnt just re-sign him? Their cap sheet is fine. Looks like they'll just lose Kennard this summer if anything.
Same with Naz Reid. Sure, their cap sheet is in worse shape but they moved Towns to alleviate that some and to keep Naz.
Portis to me seems most likely for us to pursue. Can't see how anyone can offer him more than MLE money. I'm sure he'll have his suitors if he opts out. Either way, Bucks would be wise to get something for him and we can offer them a shiny new young guard in Sasser an Italian stallion along with multiple future 2nds. I'd even toss in a protected 1st if I had to.
I want to keep our 2nd this year though