Free Agency & Trades Thread **NOW OPEN**

[OakleyDokely]

Garland and Allen were allstars and carried a team to the playoffs as the main 2 guys. Not saying thats the role they play on a championship team but its much better than anything Scottie has done in his career.

Cavs can also add some sweeteners to easily make it a better deal. Bucks don't have control of their own picks so they don't need unproven players who will ensure they are a bottom 5 team.

Yeah for ths Bucks, Garland+Allen is much better. Both in prime and signed for 3 and 4 years. So they can stay respectable for awhile and sell them off later on if they want.

If those 2 scenarios were on the table, I think we're forgetting to factor in who Giannis would choose. And it would be Mitchell (6x All-Star, 2x All-NBA) and Mobley, who has become the most decorated player of that draft class, thus far, and is a stud. He's not choosing BI, RJ and IQ instead of those 2 if we're being honest and serious.

but you'd have to live in Cleveland

[WuTang_CMB]

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[MiamiSPX]

Yeah for ths Bucks, Garland+Allen is much better. Both in prime and signed for 3 and 4 years. So they can stay respectable for awhile and sell them off later on if they want.

If those 2 scenarios were on the table, I think we're forgetting to factor in who Giannis would choose. And it would be Mitchell (6x All-Star, 2x All-NBA) and Mobley, who has become the most decorated player of that draft class, thus far, and is a stud. He's not choosing BI, RJ and IQ instead of those 2 if we're being honest and serious.

but you'd have to live in Cleveland

Which is arguably a step up from MIL (I've been).

[OakleyDokely]

If those 2 scenarios were on the table, I think we're forgetting to factor in who Giannis would choose. And it would be Mitchell (6x All-Star, 2x All-NBA) and Mobley, who has become the most decorated player of that draft class, thus far, and is a stud. He's not choosing BI, RJ and IQ instead of those 2 if we're being honest and serious.

but you'd have to live in Cleveland

Which is arguably a step up from MIL (I've been).

We should actually be recruiting his wife.

[JB7]

Garland and Allen were allstars and carried a team to the playoffs as the main 2 guys. Not saying thats the role they play on a championship team but its much better than anything Scottie has done in his career.

Cavs can also add some sweeteners to easily make it a better deal. Bucks don't have control of their own picks so they don't need unproven players who will ensure they are a bottom 5 team.

Yeah for ths Bucks, Garland+Allen is much better. Both in prime and signed for 3 and 4 years. So they can stay respectable for awhile and sell them off later on if they want.

If those 2 scenarios were on the table, I think we're forgetting to factor in who Giannis would choose. And it would be Mitchell (6x All-Star, 2x All-NBA) and Mobley, who has become the most decorated player of that draft class, thus far, and is a stud. He's not choosing BI, RJ and IQ instead of those 2 if we're being honest and serious.

I think Yak, BI, RJ and IQ could all be more complimentary to Giannis than Mitchell and Mobley. With Mitchell, could there be issues about who has the ball in their hands? It's not like Giannis and Dame were amazing together. And a combo of Giannis and Mobley is too big men that can't shoot and need paint touches. While Yak also can't shoot, its not like he is demanding paint touches. He is happy to just be the screener. Also, he won't play the same kind of minutes as Mobley, or need to be on the court at the end of the game, like Mobley.

[JB7]

RJ for DeRozan makes sense as it frees up space under the tax this year and his contract is only partially guaranteed for next season so you can decline the guarantee and free up enough space under the tax to keep Jakob Poeltl and Ochai Agbaji on new contracts. Ideally by that point they have one of Ochai, Gradey, or Ja'Kobe ready to step into that starting shooting guard role, so losing DeRozan in 2026-2027 isn't a huge issue.

Any way you look at it they have to move someone to cut salary going forward, I think everyone here understands RJ is the most expendable high salary player on the roster right now and he'll get moved by the deadline at latest.

It is not as if RJ is some old veteran. He's 24, and already a legit scoring wing, with veteran presence. Why dump that to be able to resign Ochai who is 25, and Gradey, who has yet to prove himself. Gradey and Ochai are valuable on their rookie scale deals. Once they start getting paid, that value plummets.

Ochai is already a better defender and 3 point shooter than Barrett and he will get paid a lot less on his next contract unless something crazy happens this year. Barrett can do things Ochai will never be able to do but that is why RJ is getting paid nearly $30M/year and likely more on his next contract, a contract we likely won't be able to afford without getting rid of someone else or compromising the bench.

We have to get ahead of this now without taking a step back this season, the trade for DeMar is a nice side-grade move that frees up space under the tax both this season and next season even if his non-guaranteed year is picked up. Quite simply we can't afford RJ without making some serious roster moves in other areas that will really hurt in the short and long term (losing Jak, for example, or letting other free agents go).

If the team manages to pull off a Giannis deal, they will want players that can be relied on to score in the playoffs, and I would trust RJ way more than Ochai. And with IQ's salary at $32.5M, and BI at $40M, expect RJ somewhere in between there. So not crazy. Plus the cap is continuing to rise because of the new TV deal (10% a year I believe), so by the time RJ's deal expires, they should have space.

Again, if they manage to acquire someone like Giannis, they will want more proven players in the starting lineup, such as BI, RJ & IQ, over players like Dick, Ochai or JKW.

[ciueli]

It is not as if RJ is some old veteran. He's 24, and already a legit scoring wing, with veteran presence. Why dump that to be able to resign Ochai who is 25, and Gradey, who has yet to prove himself. Gradey and Ochai are valuable on their rookie scale deals. Once they start getting paid, that value plummets.

Ochai is already a better defender and 3 point shooter than Barrett and he will get paid a lot less on his next contract unless something crazy happens this year. Barrett can do things Ochai will never be able to do but that is why RJ is getting paid nearly $30M/year and likely more on his next contract, a contract we likely won't be able to afford without getting rid of someone else or compromising the bench.

We have to get ahead of this now without taking a step back this season, the trade for DeMar is a nice side-grade move that frees up space under the tax both this season and next season even if his non-guaranteed year is picked up. Quite simply we can't afford RJ without making some serious roster moves in other areas that will really hurt in the short and long term (losing Jak, for example, or letting other free agents go).

If the team manages to pull off a Giannis deal, they will want players that can be relied on to score in the playoffs, and I would trust RJ way more than Ochai. And with IQ's salary at $32.5M, and BI at $40M, expect RJ somewhere in between there. So not crazy. Plus the cap is continuing to rise because of the new TV deal (10% a year I believe), so by the time RJ's deal expires, they should have space.

Again, if they manage to acquire someone like Giannis, they will want more proven players in the starting lineup, such as BI, RJ & IQ, over players like Dick, Ochai or JKW.

I mean... we're not getting Giannis. There's teams out there that can and will outbid us and have bigger/better stars with which to attract Giannis. If he moves he will have a lot of say in where he winds up given the few years left on his contract and I don't see him picking Toronto given where we are right now.

[JB7]

Ochai is already a better defender and 3 point shooter than Barrett and he will get paid a lot less on his next contract unless something crazy happens this year. Barrett can do things Ochai will never be able to do but that is why RJ is getting paid nearly $30M/year and likely more on his next contract, a contract we likely won't be able to afford without getting rid of someone else or compromising the bench.

We have to get ahead of this now without taking a step back this season, the trade for DeMar is a nice side-grade move that frees up space under the tax both this season and next season even if his non-guaranteed year is picked up. Quite simply we can't afford RJ without making some serious roster moves in other areas that will really hurt in the short and long term (losing Jak, for example, or letting other free agents go).

If the team manages to pull off a Giannis deal, they will want players that can be relied on to score in the playoffs, and I would trust RJ way more than Ochai. And with IQ's salary at $32.5M, and BI at $40M, expect RJ somewhere in between there. So not crazy. Plus the cap is continuing to rise because of the new TV deal (10% a year I believe), so by the time RJ's deal expires, they should have space.

Again, if they manage to acquire someone like Giannis, they will want more proven players in the starting lineup, such as BI, RJ & IQ, over players like Dick, Ochai or JKW.

I mean... we're not getting Giannis. There's teams out there that can and will outbid us and have bigger/better stars with which to attract Giannis. If he moves he will have a lot of say in where he winds up given the few years left on his contract and I don't see him picking Toronto given where we are right now.

Even if they don't acquire Giannis, I would still prefer RJ over DD. RJ soon to be 25, still has value as a trade asset down the road, if they decide to move him. Alternatively, he could also be a key part of the teams future success. DD, soon to be 36, is nearing the end.

[ciueli]

If the team manages to pull off a Giannis deal, they will want players that can be relied on to score in the playoffs, and I would trust RJ way more than Ochai. And with IQ's salary at $32.5M, and BI at $40M, expect RJ somewhere in between there. So not crazy. Plus the cap is continuing to rise because of the new TV deal (10% a year I believe), so by the time RJ's deal expires, they should have space.

Again, if they manage to acquire someone like Giannis, they will want more proven players in the starting lineup, such as BI, RJ & IQ, over players like Dick, Ochai or JKW.

I mean... we're not getting Giannis. There's teams out there that can and will outbid us and have bigger/better stars with which to attract Giannis. If he moves he will have a lot of say in where he winds up given the few years left on his contract and I don't see him picking Toronto given where we are right now.

Even if they don't acquire Giannis, I would still prefer RJ over DD. RJ soon to be 25, still has value as a trade asset down the road, if they decide to move him. Alternatively, he could also be a key part of the teams future success. DD, soon to be 36, is nearing the end.

It's clear that RJ is not in the long term plans for this franchise, so prepare to see him traded as early as this offseason. As I said, the tax crunch is coming in the wake of the Ingram deal and there is a big logjam at the swing spots with all of Ingram, RJ, Ochai, Gradey, Ja'Kobe, and Battle able to play that position. Someone is getting moved, and the writing on the wall is that it's RJ as they already tried to send him out in the Ingram deal, it's only a matter of time at this point.

[djsunyc]

watching the playoffs and seeing how physical it is, it's tough for me to see how gradey would be able to play in them. he's really weak and teams would go at him non-stop. he really would have to be an elite offensive player to offset that. i understand that we are just trying to get better incrementally but he really has a long way to go physically. i need that kid on roids asap.

[Tor_Raps]

watching the playoffs and seeing how physical it is, it's tough for me to see how gradey would be able to play in them. he's really weak and teams would go at him non-stop. he really would have to be an elite offensive player to offset that. i understand that we are just trying to get better incrementally but he really has a long way to go physically. i need that kid on roids asap.

I complained about him all year for this very reason. He could go from being a starter to the 11th man next year if he doesnt improve tremendously this offseason.

Seeing him ahead of Ochai was basketball terrorism. If this decision was anything but a tanking decision while trying to get Ochai on a cheaper extension, God help us lol.

[DreamTeam09]

watching the playoffs and seeing how physical it is, it's tough for me to see how gradey would be able to play in them. he's really weak and teams would go at him non-stop. he really would have to be an elite offensive player to offset that. i understand that we are just trying to get better incrementally but he really has a long way to go physically. i need that kid on roids asap.

I complained about him all year for this very reason. He could go from being a starter to the 11th man next year if he doesnt improve tremendously this offseason.

Seeing him ahead of Ochai was basketball terrorism. If this decision was anything but a tanking decision while trying to get Ochai on a cheaper extension, God help us lol.

GD started the year really well on the offensive end and was passable on defense. He trailed off 2nd half of year, not shockingly for a 2nd yr player battling injuries.

[JB7]

watching the playoffs and seeing how physical it is, it's tough for me to see how gradey would be able to play in them. he's really weak and teams would go at him non-stop. he really would have to be an elite offensive player to offset that. i understand that we are just trying to get better incrementally but he really has a long way to go physically. i need that kid on roids asap.

I complained about him all year for this very reason. He could go from being a starter to the 11th man next year if he doesnt improve tremendously this offseason.

Seeing him ahead of Ochai was basketball terrorism. If this decision was anything but a tanking decision while trying to get Ochai on a cheaper extension, God help us lol.

It could also be about trying to build up Gradey's value. Another team might see those early season results and get excited about the possibilities of his scoring impact.

But by far the biggest reason is Gradey's defence helped the tank job immensely. Also, it gives the true appearance of effort to try and win, while knowing you'll end up with the L.

[MiamiSPX]

Yeah for ths Bucks, Garland+Allen is much better. Both in prime and signed for 3 and 4 years. So they can stay respectable for awhile and sell them off later on if they want.

If those 2 scenarios were on the table, I think we're forgetting to factor in who Giannis would choose. And it would be Mitchell (6x All-Star, 2x All-NBA) and Mobley, who has become the most decorated player of that draft class, thus far, and is a stud. He's not choosing BI, RJ and IQ instead of those 2 if we're being honest and serious.

I think Yak, BI, RJ and IQ could all be more complimentary to Giannis than Mitchell and Mobley. With Mitchell, could there be issues about who has the ball in their hands? It's not like Giannis and Dame were amazing together. And a combo of Giannis and Mobley is too big men that can't shoot and need paint touches. While Yak also can't shoot, its not like he is demanding paint touches. He is happy to just be the screener. Also, he won't play the same kind of minutes as Mobley, or need to be on the court at the end of the game, like Mobley.

Ok, now I think you're just trying to speak into existence and if so, all the power to you. I also hope Giannis miraculously chooses Toronto and I personally don't even care what we would give up (they can choose any 3-4 players they want for all I care). But no top player is choosing Yak, BI, RJ and IQ over Mitchell and Mobley. That group of ours has 1 All-Star selection between the 4 of them (5 years and 157 missed games ago). IQ hasn't even started 100 games in his NBA career.

[JB7]

If those 2 scenarios were on the table, I think we're forgetting to factor in who Giannis would choose. And it would be Mitchell (6x All-Star, 2x All-NBA) and Mobley, who has become the most decorated player of that draft class, thus far, and is a stud. He's not choosing BI, RJ and IQ instead of those 2 if we're being honest and serious.

I think Yak, BI, RJ and IQ could all be more complimentary to Giannis than Mitchell and Mobley. With Mitchell, could there be issues about who has the ball in their hands? It's not like Giannis and Dame were amazing together. And a combo of Giannis and Mobley is too big men that can't shoot and need paint touches. While Yak also can't shoot, its not like he is demanding paint touches. He is happy to just be the screener. Also, he won't play the same kind of minutes as Mobley, or need to be on the court at the end of the game, like Mobley.

Ok, now I think you're just trying to speak into existence and if so, all the power to you. I also hope Giannis miraculously chooses Toronto and I personally don't even care what we would give up (they can choose any 3-4 players they want for all I care). But no top player is choosing Yak, BI, RJ and IQ over Mitchell and Mobley. That group of ours has 1 All-Star selection between the 4 of them (5 years and 157 missed games ago). IQ hasn't even started 100 games in his NBA career.

I'm not saying any of the 4 Raps starters are better than Mitchell or Mobley. Problem for the Cavs is they don't have a lot to offer in a Giannis deal, and still maintain a lot of depth. They don't control as many of their picks. If they did trade Allen and Garland, that is 50% of their core, and about 60+ minutes a game of play from those two, that would be difficult to replace as the Cavs have pretty much been that core 4. Giannis replaces half of those minutes, but what about the other half? And Giannis has tried the experiment of himself with another star scoring guard, and it didn't exactly go as planned. Plus, if I'm the Bucks, I'm probably asking for Mobley over Garland or Allen anyways, especially if Scottie is on the table in discussions with the Raps.

[WuTang_CMB]

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[sidsid]

Yeah for ths Bucks, Garland+Allen is much better. Both in prime and signed for 3 and 4 years. So they can stay respectable for awhile and sell them off later on if they want.

If those 2 scenarios were on the table, I think we're forgetting to factor in who Giannis would choose. And it would be Mitchell (6x All-Star, 2x All-NBA) and Mobley, who has become the most decorated player of that draft class, thus far, and is a stud. He's not choosing BI, RJ and IQ instead of those 2 if we're being honest and serious.

but you'd have to live in Cleveland

It doesn't matter because Mobley is in the trade if it's for Giannis. The Garland poo poo platter is for Suggs type stuff. No way the Bucks accept less.

What's more interesting is where they'd send Allen after to find a match for Giannis. Could be a 3 way landing spot for Porzingis. Salary matching alone (if they find a trade exception taker for Wade to get under the 2nd apron) means Okoro and Strus are gone.

Porzingis
Giannis
Hunter
Garland
Mitchell

Do you still do a Suggs/Garland trade here? Enough shooting for Giannis? Porz of course may not even play. The various stuff that comes in/out of the Giannis/Allen trades would be interesting.

[Tripod]

Any interest in Sandro Mamukelashvili or Paul Reed as cheap C depth?

[Spida888]

Any interest in Sandro Mamukelashvili or Paul Reed as cheap C depth?

We do need some C depth. Luke Kornet would be nice but I'm guessing he probably gets more than 4-5M. We won't have much luxury tax room unless we make some trades.

[Johnny Bball]

What are the chances we get Naz Reid this summer? Saw he can opt out and become a FA this summer, what needs to happen I don't think we have enough cap space.

Absolutely zero chance we can get Naz. The reason the wolves traded Kat was because they had Naz coming up.

True, but what about NAW? Would love to bring him home.

Throw the entire MLE at this guy and bring him home.