NBA has a dumb G.M. problem

[FarBeyondDriven]

Watching the press conference Dumars (and Queen sadly) had to address the backlash over the Queen trade and it's clear Joe Dumars isn't the only idiot in this situation. First though, it really sucks for Queen receiving the amount of scrutiny and expectations this awful trade has put on his plate. He doesn't deserve having to address this. He just realized his dreams, is a good player and just wants to ball. Now he has an embarrassing soundbite out there and hasn't helped himself and this will be a major topic of conversation and talking point likely his whole career.

Basically the reason for this post is to talk about all the G.M.s that were also offered this trade but declined. Joe said during the press conference that he started offering this package to teams at 9 and kept asking until a team said yes. So the Raptors, Suns, Blazers, and Bulls. None of these teams should have passed on this deal. This is a fireable offense.

Raptors

The Raptors have a tough time getting FAs. They need to build through the draft or via trades. Yes, CMB is a fine young player and falling back to pick 23 is quite the leap. But CMB is a non-shooter that plays the 4/5. He, nor anyone else was going to change the team's trajectory this season. There was a very good chance they would have been able to draft a 4/5 at 23. Obviously they couldn't have known who would still be on the board but it's not unreasonable to believe that one of: Newell, Fleming, Wolf, Konan-Niederhauser, Penda, Kalkbrenner and Raynaud would have been there. And getting an unprotected 2026 pick plus that player is world's better than just getting CMB.

Pelicans

It's not just the Queen trade. They laughably traded an expiring contract in McCollum for a worse player (though debatable) in Poole who has more years and a bad contract. Then knowing Poole is undersized and a poor defender they choose the even smaller Fears to be his backcourt mate. Then there's the Queen pick itself. He's an atrocious defender too. This team is going to be absolutely terrible on the defensive side of the ball and there's very little chance even if their oft-injured players stay healthy they'll be fighting for a play-in in the brutal Western Conference.

Suns

This is a tough one. Maluach has immense upside and I completely understand not wanting to move off the pick in a vacuum. However, they already knew Mark Williams was going to be their center. There would have been at least one of the players listed above still there at 23 and because they also had other needs, players like Clifford and Richardson who would have addressed needs to. This would have been an easy way for the Suns to recoup an additional and best asset from that KD trade.

Trailblazers

They did end up trading back with the Grizzlies to the 16th pick. And word is, the Nets would and someone else had Yang in their sites and would have taken him so trading back with the Grizzlies would have allowed them to still get Yang and pick up a 2028 (and 2nds) from the Magic. But listen, they literally just drafted Clingan last year to be their center of the future. There would have been at least one of those players listed above still on the board that would actually compliment the current roster even better. Plus they get the much superior Pelicans unprotected 2026 1st than the Magic's 2028 1st.

Bulls

this makes the least amount of sense to me. This is a rebuilding team that needs assets. Essengue is a fine player with upside but he has major flaws and is a project. The drop off from him to the guys listed above is negligible if there even is one. Fleming could have gone 12 overall and not many would have batted an eye. So essentially the rebuilding Bulls turned down an unprotected 1st in next year's loaded draft, in the middle of a rebuild/reset, for Essengue. Just baffling stuff.

Each of these owners, upon learning they were made this offer need to call these G.M.s into their offices and tell them that if the player they chose doesn't prove beyond a shadow of a doubt to be special and the Pelicans pick in a top 10 pick in a loaded draft, they're getting fired. Put them on notice. This is inexcusable.

The questionable draft day decisions aren't isolated to the Pelicans trade. We got the Hornets taking a role player over legit #1 options, we got the Wolves who are trying to compete repeating the same mistake they made last year by taking raw prospects that are unlikely to help them. They even doubled down and took two centers which is baffling since they still have Gobert and Reid. Brad Stevens continuing to be a bad drafter. The Bucks drafting BPA and rumored to be a draft and stash (could change though) when they need immediate help to appease Giannis. The Bulls inexplicably trading Lonzo to the Cavs for Okoro. I'm sure we're goign to see more examples in the coming days as FA arrives in full swing. It's not good for the game.

[HMFFL]

New York Knicks GM Leon Rose still doesn't have a head Coach.

Tom Thibodeau managed his rosters to 51 wins, 50, and 47 wins the last three seasons.

[giberish]

This isn't new.

Just avoiding easy mistakes and taking advantage when another team is being stupid goes a long way as an NBA GM.

[TravisScott55]

Remember when the Raptors drafted Scottie ahead of Suggs and were called dumb? How about we just let things play out before declaring it a bad pick.

[Dacost]

Just like OP said the problem is the hate and now the pressure they put on Queen to be especial.

That's my biggest issue I know he is a grown man and will be able to handle it but you know people are going to mention him every time the F.O fails.

[SkyBill40]

Suns were handed a gift in Maluach and I guarantee you that if James Jones were GM, he would have messed it all up. Regardless of what fans might think about the acquisition of Williams (and I'm not a fan of it for what we gave up and him being effectively damaged goods), I'd still take Maluach.

Williams could be moved later if necessary but he does fill an immediate need for us even with the drafting of a rookie center.

This was a smart draft from a new GM for us whether you wish to see it that way or not.

Sent from my SM-F936U using RealGM mobile app

[Dominator83]

OP i agree with you and gave you a +1, but your a Kings fan. Why did you omit your own FO from the list?

[Black Jack]

Dumars is next level, I really don't get how he went from putting together a title team to absolute futility.

And he's such a legend as a player that he winds up still getting these opportunities.

[giberish]

Dumars is next level, I really don't get how he went from putting together a title team to absolute futility.

And he's such a legend as a player that he winds up still getting these opportunities.

Combine Dumars with Isiah 'consulting' for Phoenix and you've got a legendary backcourt.

[EmpireFalls]

OP didn’t even mention the Hornets GM spending a #6 and #4 pick on Tidjane Salaun and Kon Knueppel in consecutive seasons… unforgivable malpractice.

[Black Jack]

Dumars is next level, I really don't get how he went from putting together a title team to absolute futility.

And he's such a legend as a player that he winds up still getting these opportunities.

Combine Dumars with Isiah 'consulting' for Phoenix and you've got a legendary backcourt.

Imagine if a team hired Zeke and Joe D together to run things

[meekrab]

It's quite amazing billionaires buy these teams and then consistently put dumb dumbs in charge.

[King4Day]

Suns aren't in position to add best fit. You add who you believe to be the best talent.
They shouldn't be on your list

[SkyBill40]

It's quite amazing billionaires buy these teams and then consistently put dumb dumbs in charge.

Nah. What the real problem is when billionaires buy teams, put people in the GM position... and then don't let them do their job at all.

Mat Ishbia... I'm looking at you.

Sent from my SM-F936U using RealGM mobile app

[Moose]

New York Knicks GM Leon Rose still doesn't have a head Coach.

Tom Thibodeau managed his rosters to 51 wins, 50, and 47 wins the last three seasons.

They didn't lose out on any actual available candidates though ...so I don't think this really matters until that starts to happen.

I'm not considering the coaches under contract. That's a different situation.

[Raps in 4]

It's quite amazing billionaires buy these teams and then consistently put dumb dumbs in charge.

Most billionnaires aren't very smart.

[Raps in 4]

If Masai liked CMB more than any of the guys in the 20s, he's earned the benefit of the doubt with his draft history.

[kenwood3333]

Its the nature of the business. "Dumb' GM make other GMs look smart.

[Loneshot]

Well we have to remember that not all owners are actively seeking to win a title. That narrows the field itself since now the players (and GM) on that team are playing against another team plus their own organization's desire to simply break even or pad the bottom line. Fans don't always consider that championships can be expensive, to the point of digging into the bottom line. Simply look at the 2020 Lakers for an example of an organization in position to potentially repeat, but the money was more important. In hindsight we see especially why the Buss family were pinching pennies despite having the pieces available to compete.

[brutalitops]

It's quite amazing billionaires buy these teams and then consistently put dumb dumbs in charge.

Nah. What the real problem is when billionaires buy teams, put people in the GM position... and then don't let them do their job at all.

Mat Ishbia... I'm looking at you.

Sent from my SM-F936U using RealGM mobile app

This,

It's actually impressive how Phoenix went about it building, Until Ishbia come in

Plus remember how Atlanta was slowly building till the owners son came in and wanted to make a splash, Tillman at the rockets as well, they had to quickly learn