Around the NBA 13

[MasterIchiro]

Magic make a huge statement about the opening they see in the East with the Cavs flawed and the Celtics severely damaged. Our rep at the Finals only won 50 games.

[KembaWalker]

Trading with the intent of adding talent is not a viable path forward for a team like us anymore as far as building up . We’ve never had free agency as a salary efficient option and the trade market is just a disaster now. Every single spare dollar they have needs to go into player development and scouting because it’s literally the only path there is.

[fatlever]

The trade has hornets implications
The Hornets own the least favorable of mem, orl, phx, was 2026 firsts. Looking like Orlando might be our pick in that case.

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[MPM]

Crazy haul of picks for Bane + two rotation players.

[fatlever]

Read on Twitter

[fatlever]

Read on Twitter

you couldnt find any other pics of the ball brother with lavar. not wearing lakers jerseys? wtf are we doing here?

[JDR720]

Melo to the Lakers for Reaves and a 2nd round pick.

[Bassman]

Read on Twitter

New paradigm. This Hornets team better get a WHOLE LOT BETTER at identifying real talent, since a “two big contracts/stars max” becomes a thing in the league. How does that look? Well, it means not taking wild swings in the draft unless you have nothing to build with. Also means drafting valuable skills players with strong floors even if more limited ceilings. ALSO, do not hesitate to consider FIT when drafting…it matters when it’s so much harder to aquire the players you need. LASTLY, Hornets need to trade both our seconds to get into the first round and take a higher quality player. Just not as many good players available after the withdrawal exists for NIL money.

[Braggins]

Thats a lot of picks but Bane is perfect for Orlando. They are one of the most talented teams in the league but their roster construction has been super clunky. Bane is the perfect player to unlock their roster and I wouldn't be surprised if they are a contender with him.

It really sucks for the Hornets what this might do to the trade market. That is really a pretty crazy number of picks for a guy who is just borderline all-star.

[JustBuzzin]

Memphis might flip some of those picks for KD you never know.

[Bassman]

Thats a lot of picks but Bane is perfect for Orlando. They are one of the most talented teams in the league but their roster construction has been super clunky. Bane is the perfect player to unlock their roster and I wouldn't be surprised if they are a contender with him.

It really sucks for the Hornets what this might do to the trade market. That is really a pretty crazy number of picks for a guy who is just borderline all-star.

Indeed. So how many picks would we get in a deal for Melo assuming our player return was nearly similar in quality (at minimum a good starter)?

[MPM]

Thats a lot of picks but Bane is perfect for Orlando. They are one of the most talented teams in the league but their roster construction has been super clunky. Bane is the perfect player to unlock their roster and I wouldn't be surprised if they are a contender with him.

It really sucks for the Hornets what this might do to the trade market. That is really a pretty crazy number of picks for a guy who is just borderline all-star.

Indeed. So how many picks would we get in a deal for Melo assuming our player return was nearly similar in quality (at minimum a good starter)?

Seriously, if this is price-setting for the offseason, let's go ahead and get some rotation players + 9 picks for Melo.

[Braggins]

I have no idea how to gauge LaMelo's market value tbh. Talent wise youd think hed be worth a haul and with Bane getting 4 unprotected picks that would also point towards potential massive value, but its also a big question whether or not LaMelo is a winning player, which isn't a question with Bane, and hes also had so many injury issues.

[JDR720]

I'm not sure Melo even has a market. Orlando traded a haul for Bane because they think he makes them a contender in the East.

But who is trading for Melo to make them a contender?

The only trades that make sense for Melo is a star for star swap. Like the Towns for Randle trade.

Since Memphis just pulled this trade would anyone do Morant for Melo? These types of deals are probably the only realistic ones.

[fatlever]

bane has higher trade value than melo. until melo can finish a season healthy, his value will be half of his talent.

east is wide open next yr with tatum injury and bucks mess. orlando now has solid path to top 4.

[JMAC3]

The reporting on the trade is a bit disingenuous, they are counting the first rounder in 2 weeks as "unprotected".

The trade is #16, the 2026 first is unprotected and the best one because they can also swap with Phoenix, 2028 and 2030 unprotected, 2029 swap- so just depends on how good you think Paolo, Franz, Bane and Suggs will be, if you think you are at least a playoff team every year then the package isn't all that bad for Magic.

I still think it is an overpay, but likely isn't damning their franchise, Bane is 26 and under contract for 4 more years, Paolo is about to sign a massive extension and Suggs and Franz signed extensions so all 4 are locked down for 4+ years.

[JustBuzzin]

LaMelo is not considered a winning player around the league and on top of that he has injury concerns.

Would be nice to get that kind of deal, but in reality Melo just doesn't have that kind of value.

Someone said it earlier the best we could hope for is a Melo for Ja type trade. Your problem for my problem kind of deal.

Houston probably the only realistic team I can see giving some decent assets for Melo anyway.

[LofJ]

I wouldn't put in past Sacramento to offer us multiple unprotected picks for LaMelo. If that's on the table Peterson would be a fool to not strongly consider it. LaMelo could easily miss half the season (as usual) and Sabonis could also go down and miss most of the season. Then you're looking at a top 5 pick coming our way (possibly number 1).

[SWedd523]

I don't see Sacramento trading Fox just to spend a ton to bring in Melo

[wilson115]

Betting the Magic trade puts more pressure on the Rockets to make a move, almost criminally negligent how they're hanging on to too much redundant (Jabari, Amen, Tari, Cam) or flawed/miscast (Jalen) talent when a real heavy-minutes/two-way stud like Bane was gettable all along.