Best player available for #5

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Best player available for #5 

Post#1 » by RookieJazz » Mon Jun 9, 2025 9:10 pm

Assuming Jazz is going in the opposite direction everybody thinks, it means building a playoff team around Lauri and Kessler.
Which player can be acquired by #5? It should preferably be a guard.

Some from the top of my head:
Trae Young
Keegan Murray (not a guard)
Booker (with Utah adding more value and assuming Phoenix goes full-rebuild)
Austin Reaves
Jaylen Brown (not a guard, more value from Utah)
LaMelo Ball
Bane

Any thought?
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Re: Best player available for #5 

Post#2 » by Bornstellar » Mon Jun 9, 2025 9:27 pm

It's a hard question to answer because it would assume whatever team is trading the player thinks that whoever is there at #5 is worth it. Of the guys you mentioned:

Young and Booker: 0 chance

Brown and Ball: Maaaybe. Really doubt Boston would dump JB like that but given Tatum's injury and their salary implications you never know. Ball is probably worth more than the #5 in this draft unless CHA really loves someone still on the board and they're tired of him since he seems like he cares more for the lifestyle the game affords rather than the game itself. Plus he's oft-injured

Reaves and Bane: I feel like this is where the value seems about right. Both are borderline all-star level players and Reaves has a really good contract. But there will be guys at 5 with higher ceilings

Murray: Jazz would be better off hanging on to the pick
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Re: Best player available for #5 

Post#3 » by ReggiesKnicks » Mon Jun 9, 2025 9:36 pm

Garland is the easy target.
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Re: Best player available for #5 

Post#4 » by Godaddycurse » Mon Jun 9, 2025 9:40 pm

Bornstellar wrote:It's a hard question to answer because it would assume whatever team is trading the player thinks that whoever is there at #5 is worth it. Of the guys you mentioned:

Young and Booker: 0 chance

Brown and Ball: Maaaybe. Really doubt Boston would dump JB like that but given Tatum's injury and their salary implications you never know. Ball is probably worth more than the #5 in this draft unless CHA really loves someone still on the board and they're tired of him since he seems like he cares more for the lifestyle the game affords rather than the game itself. Plus he's oft-injured

Reaves and Bane: I feel like this is where the value seems about right. Both are borderline all-star level players and Reaves has a really good contract. But there will be guys at 5 with higher ceilings

Murray: Jazz would be better off hanging on to the pick


Reaves is expiring and cant be extended... its good but not that good
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Re: Best player available for #5 

Post#5 » by Bornstellar » Mon Jun 9, 2025 9:47 pm

Godaddycurse wrote:
Bornstellar wrote:It's a hard question to answer because it would assume whatever team is trading the player thinks that whoever is there at #5 is worth it. Of the guys you mentioned:

Young and Booker: 0 chance

Brown and Ball: Maaaybe. Really doubt Boston would dump JB like that but given Tatum's injury and their salary implications you never know. Ball is probably worth more than the #5 in this draft unless CHA really loves someone still on the board and they're tired of him since he seems like he cares more for the lifestyle the game affords rather than the game itself. Plus he's oft-injured

Reaves and Bane: I feel like this is where the value seems about right. Both are borderline all-star level players and Reaves has a really good contract. But there will be guys at 5 with higher ceilings

Murray: Jazz would be better off hanging on to the pick


Reaves is expiring and cant be extended... its good but not that good


Shoot you're right, didn't realize his last year was a PO
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Re: Best player available for #5 

Post#6 » by jayjaysee » Mon Jun 9, 2025 9:51 pm

AD to Mem
Bane to Utah
5 and stuff to Dallas

Call it in.
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Re: Best player available for #5 

Post#7 » by SkyHook » Mon Jun 9, 2025 10:44 pm

Here are a few from last week on the random thread.

SkyHook wrote:
Mavrelous wrote:
SkyHook wrote:Without having any solid clue yet as to the direction the new(ish) regime in Utah is headed, but if they're in talent acquisition mode... who is the best single player that the Jazz could acquire for #5 and any combination of only their four largest expiring contracts: Collins, Sexton, Clarkson, and Martin?

Garland?

ReggiesKnicks wrote:Deni Avdija
Jaylen Brown
Karl-Anthony Towns
Tyler Herro

jayjaysee wrote:And another first, keep Sexton in Utah, fire Nico and it is AD.. Utah still has the assets to go get another piece..

Whichever of Bailey, VJ, Tre will be welcome in Dallas..

But Utah could and should leave Sexton (and Martin in you delay the trade for 5 to count) out of that and match anyone unless you’re trying to avoid a first apron hard cap.. it’s really hard to get over the first apron anyways..


Thanks for the feedback. Gives me something to play around with.
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Re: Best player available for #5 

Post#8 » by SkyHook » Mon Jun 9, 2025 10:57 pm

jayjaysee wrote:AD to Mem
Bane to Utah
5 and stuff to Dallas

Call it in.

Figuring out the "stuff".

DAL gets #5 + Collins + Konchar + George
MEM gets AD
UTA gets Bane + GG

I'm in.
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Re: Best player available for #5 

Post#9 » by jayjaysee » Mon Jun 9, 2025 11:10 pm

SkyHook wrote:
jayjaysee wrote:AD to Mem
Bane to Utah
5 and stuff to Dallas

Call it in.

Figuring out the "stuff".

DAL gets #5 + Collins + Konchar + George
MEM gets AD
UTA gets Bane + GG

I'm in.


I’m not sure how I feel on it. I really think Bane is worth 5th (more than it honestly) by himself. And some Memphis fans have been willing to add a first (or more value) back to Dallas in Bane/AD deals..

So my valuations are a bit blurry here? I don’t think Utah gets to ask for GG and think Memphis still sends another asset to Dallas.

But for me personally? George is an ideal tank commander. And Dallas gets Tre or VJ or Bailey at 5.. I’d rather take that value than run this team if you can’t go find an actual star to join AD/Kyrie..
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Re: Best player available for #5 

Post#10 » by SkyHook » Mon Jun 9, 2025 11:25 pm

jayjaysee wrote:
SkyHook wrote:
jayjaysee wrote:AD to Mem
Bane to Utah
5 and stuff to Dallas

Call it in.

Figuring out the "stuff".

DAL gets #5 + Collins + Konchar + George
MEM gets AD
UTA gets Bane + GG

I'm in.


I’m not sure how I feel on it. I really think Bane is worth 5th (more than it honestly) by himself. And some Memphis fans have been willing to add a first (or more value) back to Dallas in Bane/AD deals..

So my valuations are a bit blurry here? I don’t think Utah gets to ask for GG and think Memphis still sends another asset to Dallas.


I should have said GG or any of their minimums to make it work under cap rules. His was cheapest other than Wells, who I assumed was absolutely off the table. Huff, Williams, Pippen would work.
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Re: Best player available for #5 

Post#11 » by daoneandonly » Mon Jun 9, 2025 11:30 pm

Yea I'd do AD for #5 in a heartbeat. Dallas should really reach out to Cha, Utah, and Washington to gauage interest. Id' imagine none would eb interested, but if they were probably in that order.

Then be shrewd, if the rumors of BKN really wanting Fears are true. Trade down to #8 and get more picks for the pleasure. Rebuild this the right way.
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Re: Best player available for #5 

Post#12 » by jayjaysee » Tue Jun 10, 2025 12:04 am

SkyHook wrote:
jayjaysee wrote:
SkyHook wrote:Figuring out the "stuff".

DAL gets #5 + Collins + Konchar + George
MEM gets AD
UTA gets Bane + GG

I'm in.


I’m not sure how I feel on it. I really think Bane is worth 5th (more than it honestly) by himself. And some Memphis fans have been willing to add a first (or more value) back to Dallas in Bane/AD deals..

So my valuations are a bit blurry here? I don’t think Utah gets to ask for GG and think Memphis still sends another asset to Dallas.


I should have said GG or any of their minimums to make it work under cap rules. His was cheapest other than Wells, who I assumed was absolutely off the table. Huff, Williams, Pippen would work.


Ya, I would trade AD for 5. But think that’s only because I want to tank. Maybe that’s all he is worth though? Just seems light.

A pretty unrealistic spin on the matching salary assuming it’s agreed to on draft night.. Utah sending 21 to Memphis and then delaying the trade until after JJJ is renegotiated and 21 to Dallas and Memphis trades a well protected first to Utah, maybe Dallas has to kick in 2nds to Memphis if AD is only worth 5?.. Or some fourth team involved could simply the matching there..

Probably over complicating it and they just pick between their vet mins like you did.
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Re: Best player available for #5 

Post#13 » by mademan » Tue Jun 10, 2025 12:10 am

jayjaysee wrote:
SkyHook wrote:
jayjaysee wrote:
I’m not sure how I feel on it. I really think Bane is worth 5th (more than it honestly) by himself. And some Memphis fans have been willing to add a first (or more value) back to Dallas in Bane/AD deals..

So my valuations are a bit blurry here? I don’t think Utah gets to ask for GG and think Memphis still sends another asset to Dallas.


I should have said GG or any of their minimums to make it work under cap rules. His was cheapest other than Wells, who I assumed was absolutely off the table. Huff, Williams, Pippen would work.


Ya, I would trade AD for 5. But think that’s only because I want to tank. Maybe that’s all he is worth though? Just seems light.

A pretty unrealistic spin on the matching salary assuming it’s agreed to on draft night.. Utah sending 21 to Memphis and then delaying the trade until after JJJ is renegotiated and 21 to Dallas and Memphis trades a well protected first to Utah, maybe Dallas has to kick in 2nds to Memphis if AD is only worth 5?.. Or some fourth team involved could simply the matching there..

Probably over complicating it and they just pick between their vet mins like you did.


I think 5 is light. Availability issues are legit, but AD is a real top 10 player in this league, and thats worth more than 5, imo. Honestly think Bane, being on a contract that averages <40mill/year deal for 4 years is worth more than 5 too, and i have AD worth more than Bane
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Re: Best player available for #5 

Post#14 » by Daddy 801 » Tue Jun 10, 2025 12:43 am

OKC owns Utahs pick next year if it’s not top
8. The Jazz are tanking again. Don’t see them trading the pick unless it’s some weird deal where they take on a salary dump and get back like three unprotected picks with one of them conveying next year. And that would be a hard/bold move for a brand new GM.
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Re: Best player available for #5 

Post#15 » by tmorgan » Tue Jun 10, 2025 2:11 am

Yeah, I feel like younger Ainge is just blowing smoke at the media. They need to tank for their pick, the roster as currently constructed isn’t doing squat next year…. “going for it” just makes zero sense.

Far wiser to find an acceptable Markkanen deal and develop some players, including the 5th pick.
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Re: Best player available for #5 

Post#16 » by JMAC3 » Tue Jun 10, 2025 5:41 am

I know I am going to be in the minority here, but the only guys in the League I would trade a top 5 pick for are 3 lists of players.
1. Untouchables- Jokic, SGA, Luka, Giannis, Wemby, Ant
2. Tatum, Mitchell, Booker, Brunson, Mobley, Jalen Williams, Franz, Paolo, Haliburton, Chet, Amen and Cade

Again, not saying the guys drafted will be better than anyone not listed but in terms of value with the salary cap, team control, and blind upside I would rather just take a player inside the top 5.
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Re: Best player available for #5 

Post#17 » by Darren » Tue Jun 10, 2025 8:57 am

jayjaysee wrote:AD to Mem
Bane to Utah
5 and stuff to Dallas

Call it in.


For the Mavs, maybe. But why would Utah wants Bane? It's not even great for ticket selling nor contending. If 5 is available, I think I'd get a sure starter. Not keeping the pick at all.
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Re: Best player available for #5 

Post#18 » by VaDe255 » Tue Jun 10, 2025 9:16 am

Teams usually prefer a proven contributor over the #5 pick, especially considering how risky that range can be. Historically, picks outside of the top 1 or 2 have an uneven track record, and many fail to produce meaningful win shares in their first few years. Even some #2 picks end up being busts.

Unless a team is fully rebuilding or extremely high on a particular prospect, it's rare to see them trade a proven player, especially someone with All-Star-level impact, for just the #5 pick. The return on that investment can take years, and there's no guarantee it ever pans out.

I think some of you are overestimating the value of these picks. I wouldn’t trade a single one of the players mentioned for #5. If you’re making that kind of move, you're essentially blowing it up and bottoming out and preparing to suck for 3-4 years. Even then, I’d expect more than just the pick in return.
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Re: Best player available for #5 

Post#19 » by Slim Charless » Tue Jun 10, 2025 10:15 am

daoneandonly wrote:Yea I'd do AD for #5 in a heartbeat. Dallas should really reach out to Cha, Utah, and Washington to gauage interest. Id' imagine none would eb interested, but if they were probably in that order.

Then be shrewd, if the rumors of BKN really wanting Fears are true. Trade down to #8 and get more picks for the pleasure. Rebuild this the right way.


If you're moving AD, I think the Suns would do that for Booker. I wouldnt like it but it would solve the fit issues as long as he's fine playing C
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Re: Best player available for #5 

Post#20 » by daoneandonly » Tue Jun 10, 2025 11:12 am

Slim Charless wrote:
daoneandonly wrote:Yea I'd do AD for #5 in a heartbeat. Dallas should really reach out to Cha, Utah, and Washington to gauage interest. Id' imagine none would eb interested, but if they were probably in that order.

Then be shrewd, if the rumors of BKN really wanting Fears are true. Trade down to #8 and get more picks for the pleasure. Rebuild this the right way.


If you're moving AD, I think the Suns would do that for Booker. I wouldnt like it but it would solve the fit issues as long as he's fine playing C


I think I'd rather start fresh than take on Booker and his rumored extension number, just not worth it. Though it would be yet another FU to Luka if the Mavs did such a thing.
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