2025 Fantasy Trade Thread

[the_process]

#3/Embiid for LaMelo/M. Williams

LaMelo/McCain/Butler
Maxey/Grimes/Gordon
Oubre/Edwards/Council
George/(TMLE)/(#35)
M. Willliams/Bona/Drummond

Count me in.

[Iscull]

Does anyone know when the player options are exercised or in effect? Curious when we could get Gordon/Drummond off the books..

[the_process]

Does anyone know when the player options are exercised or in effect? Curious when we could get Gordon/Drummond off the books..

https://hoopshype.com/lists/free-agency-important-dates-to-watch-in-the-nba-market/

Looks like Gordon, Drummond, and Oubre all have to decide by the 29th.

Morey on the Ricky seemed to think they were all opting in.

[stormi]

It’s pretty adorable that some of you think Embiid and/or PG are going to increase their value going forward. Hopefully Santa and the Tooth Fairy leave you guys good presents.

However you feel about the situation, it's just poor process to trade your 'star' players at their absolute crater value wise. You risk everything for very little actual reward.

There's nothing about these hypothetical packages that we couldn't get next summer as well.

On this, we disagree. Assuming status quo, next summer everyone is asking for 1sts (plural) to take those albatrosses on.

I do think PG should be somewhat better, though, so I would be in less of a rush to move him. The risk is if the team goes to poop, PG could gonna check out again.

You're envisioning another clear bottom five -> seven finish next season?

[the_process]

However you feel about the situation, it's just poor process to trade your 'star' players at their absolute crater value wise. You risk everything for very little actual reward.

There's nothing about these hypothetical packages that we couldn't get next summer as well.

On this, we disagree. Assuming status quo, next summer everyone is asking for 1sts (plural) to take those albatrosses on.

I do think PG should be somewhat better, though, so I would be in less of a rush to move him. The risk is if the team goes to poop, PG could gonna check out again.

You're envisioning another clear bottom five -> seven finish next season?

Well, what I meant by that was Embiid and PGs play staying the same.

As for the team as a whole? I think they will be fighting to tread water this season, but not exactly sure how I see them ending up. Lots of variables still.

[stormi]

On this, we disagree. Assuming status quo, next summer everyone is asking for 1sts (plural) to take those albatrosses on.

I do think PG should be somewhat better, though, so I would be in less of a rush to move him. The risk is if the team goes to poop, PG could gonna check out again.

You're envisioning another clear bottom five -> seven finish next season?

Well, what I meant by that was Embiid and PGs play staying the same.

As for the team as a whole? I think they will be fighting to tread water this season, but not exactly sure how I see them ending up. Lots of variables still.

I don't hate the thought process, but I just ardently disagree.

I think George is the easiest candidate ever to bounce back to the mean. The squad was hampered from essentially day one, George tweaked his knee before he could even get going and by the time he got back players were already beat up and checked out. I still don't think George will ever have plus value going forward on that contract, but I think he can play well enough on a team that's doing better to solidify him a neutral asset.

Embiid was also never right all season. Got injured in 2024 halting what was going to be a unanimous MVP campaign. Rushed back to help us even make the playoffs and was all world against the Knicks. Goes to the Olympics and balls out while injured.

Regarding the arthroscopic surgery, I'm not sure people understand that this was a relatively minor exploratory/clean up procedure. Although it isn't something you should expect to “fix” his condition, it should make the knee at least bearable, like Kawhi.

I don't think Embiid gets back to top five levels again, but he could very easily be viewed a top 30 player around the league again after next season, and that might be enough for some GM around the league with a team right on the cusp of championship to toss a godfather offer our way.

tl;dr: i completely get wanting to dispose of Embiid and George's contracts asap, but I think it's all risk for very little reward as we aren't contending in the next five years anyways.

[davesilver]

Proposed on the last RTRS:
JJJ & Cole Anthony for Maxey

Would you rather have the following (say we draft VJ at 3):
McCain Grimes George JJJ Embiid
Anthony VJ Oubre/Edwards Yabu(?) Bona

OR

Trade down with New Orleans for Herb & #7 and pick up CMB:
Maxey Grimes George Herb Embiid
McCain Edwards CMB Oubre Bona

Think slight lean towards the first with VJ's upside

[the_process]

You're envisioning another clear bottom five -> seven finish next season?

Well, what I meant by that was Embiid and PGs play staying the same.

As for the team as a whole? I think they will be fighting to tread water this season, but not exactly sure how I see them ending up. Lots of variables still.

I don't hate the thought process, but I just ardently disagree.

I think George is the easiest candidate ever to bounce back to the mean. The squad was hampered from essentially day one, George tweaked his knee before he could even get going and by the time he got back players were already beat up and checked out. I still don't think George will ever have plus value going forward on that contract, but I think he can play well enough on a team that's doing better to solidify him a neutral asset.

Embiid was also never right all season. Got injured in 2024 halting what was going to be a unanimous MVP campaign. Rushed back to help us even make the playoffs and was all world against the Knicks. Goes to the Olympics and balls out while injured.

Regarding the arthroscopic surgery, I'm not sure people understand that this was a relatively minor exploratory/clean up procedure. Although it isn't something you should expect to “fix” his condition, it should make the knee at least bearable, like Kawhi.

I don't think Embiid gets back to top five levels again, but he could very easily be viewed a top 30 player around the league again after next season, and that might be enough for some GM around the league with a team right on the cusp of championship to toss a godfather offer our way.

tl;dr: i completely get wanting to dispose of Embiid and George's contracts asap, but I think it's all risk for very little reward as we aren't contending in the next five years anyways.

I agree with the not contending part.

And I also agree George could easily have a much better year and increase his value.

Where I disagree is Embiid. After losing to Boston, he missed half a year and then got bounced early by the Knicks. In the Olympics, save the one game against Serbia, he looked washed. Last year, he barely played and had negative impact stats. The scope basically does nothing, so it's not going to help his pain tolerance and his whiny moping demeanor. I'm sure he will try to play some, but he won't be able to do what he used to do and his knee will bother him and his ego won't let him accept a lesser role and so he will sit out most of the year again. At that point, he has like 3 years 180M left. No one is taking that deal without massive incentive after another missed season.

However, you deal him now, the other sucker team still has "hope" he "could come back". I realize I'm pretty much the only one who is completely out on Embiid.

[the_process]

Proposed on the last RTRS:
JJJ & Cole Anthony for Maxey

Yes, but I don't think MEM goes for that.

Trade down with New Orleans for Herb & #7 and pick up CMB:
Maxey Grimes George Herb Embiid
McCain Edwards CMB Oubre Bona

If NOP throws in 23 and Fleming is still there, I probably do that. But I'm not drafting CMB at 7. Cannot take a complete non-shooter with a lottery pick. We've seen what complete non-shooters do to your offense in this day and age.

[mjkvol]

I have a feeling we are going to trade the pick and go for a win now path, Daryl might not think he has 2-3 years to make things work. He is incentivized to go for it, especially in a weak East.

Ace cancelling his workout looks like he is being a diva, and he very well might be, but I think it's more that his agent has got wind that either the Sixers are locked in on Edgecombe if they can't find enough value in a trade and doesn't want his client to pointlessly meet with the team that has no interest in taking him. Sixers want to do it to increase any leverage they might have in a trade.

What the Sixers do will tell you a lot about whether Daryl thinks Embiid has anything left in the tank. If they stay at 3 and take Edgecombe, I think Daryl knows this team has no shot at a title.

Who Says No?

Rockets Get: Suns 2031 1st (from Jazz), Eric Gordon
Sixers Get: #5 pick (Kon Knueppel), Tari Eason, Cam Whitmore
Jazz Get: #3 Pick, Andre Drummond

What is in it for the Rockets?

[MVP1992]

I want our 2026 pick back from OKC.

Realistically, how bad could we be next season?

[PhillyFan11]

I think the ideal scenario is Ace Bailey wants Washington and Washington wants Ace Bailey

Some sort of framework of #3 for #6, Marcus Smart, and either #18, KyShawn George, or Saddiq Bey to Sixers…with Smart going to a 3rd team for extra value (possibly a small amount going back to Washington). Sixers send out any/all of Drummond, Gordon, Oubre to match salary.

Getting Tre or Kon at 6 + extra assets would go a long way.

[Arsenal]

I’d do #3 plus dump Gordon and/or Drummond to WAS for #6 and #18. Then take Noa at #6.

[76ciology]

You're envisioning another clear bottom five -> seven finish next season?

Well, what I meant by that was Embiid and PGs play staying the same.

As for the team as a whole? I think they will be fighting to tread water this season, but not exactly sure how I see them ending up. Lots of variables still.

I don't hate the thought process, but I just ardently disagree.

I think George is the easiest candidate ever to bounce back to the mean. The squad was hampered from essentially day one, George tweaked his knee before he could even get going and by the time he got back players were already beat up and checked out. I still don't think George will ever have plus value going forward on that contract, but I think he can play well enough on a team that's doing better to solidify him a neutral asset.

Embiid was also never right all season. Got injured in 2024 halting what was going to be a unanimous MVP campaign. Rushed back to help us even make the playoffs and was all world against the Knicks. Goes to the Olympics and balls out while injured.

Regarding the arthroscopic surgery, I'm not sure people understand that this was a relatively minor exploratory/clean up procedure. Although it isn't something you should expect to “fix” his condition, it should make the knee at least bearable, like Kawhi.

I don't think Embiid gets back to top five levels again, but he could very easily be viewed a top 30 player around the league again after next season, and that might be enough for some GM around the league with a team right on the cusp of championship to toss a godfather offer our way.

tl;dr: i completely get wanting to dispose of Embiid and George's contracts asap, but I think it's all risk for very little reward as we aren't contending in the next five years anyways.

Good post and its very same with my point of view on George and Embiid.

I’d also like to add that the team looked completely off to start the season, like something serious had happened but just hadn’t been announced yet. George played as if he were on a shoe tour in Asia, driving to the rim with more concern about avoiding injury than actually finishing the play. Maybe it was the lingering minor injuries, or maybe PG just wasn’t putting in the usual prep to get his shot right, especially if the team already knew Embiid would be out from the start.

And yes, teams will make offers for Embiid. That’s just how the NBA works. A lot of trades don’t make logical sense on paper, but in reality, 1+1 rarely equals 2 (i wouldnt be surprised if these players are being sold with cash in return like this Luka to Lakers trade which ultimately helped LA to be sold for $10B), especially when it comes to stars like Jojo. For some franchises, trading for a player like him is their only shot at relevance. I always think back to our own experience with Bynum, and there are plenty more examples like that throughout NBA history.

[MVP1992]

...George played as if he were on a shoe tour in Asia, driving to the rim with more concern about avoiding injury than actually finishing the play. Maybe it was the lingering minor injuries, or maybe PG just wasn’t putting in the usual prep to get his shot right, especially if the team already knew Embiid would be out from the start.

PG has hyperextended both knees.

I just found this clip from 2 years ago when he was a Clipper.
He hyperextends his right knee:

https://youtu.be/NWcBC20xn98?feature=shared



Left Knee hyperextended as a Sixer:
Pre season Vs Alanta Hawks
https://youtu.be/l7W-dreZEAk?feature=shared

And again Vs Grizzlies
https://youtu.be/i3RMJL8HhTI?feature=shared


So, it's now a reoccurring incident.
I'd be worried about it too if I were him.

March 2023: Right knee hyperextension (sprain) while with the Los Angeles Clippers, missed 9 games.
October 2024: Left knee hyperextension (bone bruise) during preseason game vs. Atlanta Hawks, missed first 5 regular-season games.
November 2024: Left knee hyperextension (bone bruise) during regular-season game vs. Memphis Grizzlies, missed at least 2 games.

[youngcrev]

2025-26 salary

Cam Johnson - 20.5M
#8 pick - 5.7M
26.2M

Kelly Oubre - 8.4M
Andre Drummond - 5M
Eric Gordon - 3.5M
#3 pick - 9.3M
$26.2M

[mjkvol]

I think the ideal scenario is Ace Bailey wants Washington and Washington wants Ace Bailey

Some sort of framework of #3 for #6, Marcus Smart, and either #18, KyShawn George, or Saddiq Bey to Sixers…with Smart going to a 3rd team for extra value (possibly a small amount going back to Washington). Sixers send out any/all of Drummond, Gordon, Oubre to match salary.

Getting Tre or Kon at 6 + extra assets would go a long way.

Just a simple #3 for #6 and #18, grab Kon/Jaku and then Coward/Fleming. Done.

[PhillyNj]

I think the ideal scenario is Ace Bailey wants Washington and Washington wants Ace Bailey

Some sort of framework of #3 for #6, Marcus Smart, and either #18, KyShawn George, or Saddiq Bey to Sixers…with Smart going to a 3rd team for extra value (possibly a small amount going back to Washington). Sixers send out any/all of Drummond, Gordon, Oubre to match salary.

Getting Tre or Kon at 6 + extra assets would go a long way.

Just a simple #3 for #6 and #18, grab Kon/Jaku and then Coward/Fleming. Done.

So in this scenario the Sixers get the 6th pick in a 5 player draft. 18 is definitely not enough to do that.
Flag,Harper, Bailey, Edgecombe, Johnson. Are my 5. Quality starters.

[PhillyFan11]

I think the ideal scenario is Ace Bailey wants Washington and Washington wants Ace Bailey

Some sort of framework of #3 for #6, Marcus Smart, and either #18, KyShawn George, or Saddiq Bey to Sixers…with Smart going to a 3rd team for extra value (possibly a small amount going back to Washington). Sixers send out any/all of Drummond, Gordon, Oubre to match salary.

Getting Tre or Kon at 6 + extra assets would go a long way.

Just a simple #3 for #6 and #18, grab Kon/Jaku and then Coward/Fleming. Done.

So in this scenario the Sixers get the 6th pick in a 5 player draft. 18 is definitely not enough to do that.
Flag,Harper, Bailey, Edgecombe, Johnson. Are my 5. Quality starters.

While I disagree there’s a significant value difference between Tre and Kon, I do agree that just 6 and 18 wouldn’t be quite enough. AT Worst (I’d ideally want a little more) I’d want to dump dead weight and shed a couple mil $ in Drummond & Gordon for Bey and a future 2nd or 2

I would for sure trade VJ for Kon, Fleming, Bey and 2 2nd’s

[the_process]

TECHNICALLY... Gordon and Drummond and Oubre can still opt out until the 29th. So if they don't like where they're being traded, they could just opt out and mess up the salary matching. I wouldn't anticipate any problems since it's only a week, but it's just something to keep in mind.