What does a Lauri to Detroit trade look like?

[cgf]

And they had to extend Dame five years and wait for
Turner to be a free agent for 10 years. I mean if you want to use that as a good example in this CBA I guess you can. I wouldn’t really want to have to extend a player for five years just to sign Turner.

They needed cap space to sign him. They created it in a stupid way but you said players like Kessler don’t become FAs often, when a better center just changed teams via FA

I used the phrase very often for a reason. They happen, just not very often.

So far under this new CBA, an above average starting center has changed teams every summer…Hartenstein last year & Turner this year.

[Daddy 801]

They needed cap space to sign him. They created it in a stupid way but you said players like Kessler don’t become FAs often, when a better center just changed teams via FA

I used the phrase very often for a reason. They happen, just not very often.

So far under this new CBA, an above average starting center has changed teams every summer…Hartenstein last year & Turner this year.

I’d quantify that as not very often. If you don’t then that’s cool. Not worth arguing over and not really the whole point of this thread.

[cgf]

I used the phrase very often for a reason. They happen, just not very often.

So far under this new CBA, an above average starting center has changed teams every summer…Hartenstein last year & Turner this year.

I’d quantify that as not very often. If you don’t then that’s cool. Not worth arguing over and not really the whole point of this thread.

Eh, whether or not they can just wait a year to sign a better center, or if they need to save assets for that move is tangentially related to this thread. But fair enough, I’m willing to leave it at that.

[Apz]

Actually think this cba will get more ufa signings. Cant just use birdrights on every rotation player and skyrocket thru 2nd apron.

[R-DAWG]

I would be 100% on board, if one of Ausar/Holland can start hitting from deep. Realistically, it's gonna have to be Holland, and of he can hit 35% on at least 5 attempts, the team is good to go.

Thats a BIG ask though.

I agree we need the shooting, and bluntly, if Holland doesn't improve his shooting that should and will get reflected in whatever rookie extension he might get.

I was more thinking from a defensive perspective: 1 big and 4 decent sized wings/guards can work on D provided if all of the non-bigs have enough size to switch and guard up a position or 2 (and you don't have to cover for smaller players)

It can work defensively, but your d was already excellent with just one of them starting next to Harris. So I feel like your d would still be really good with Lauri instead of Harris & Holland, while your offense would be a lot better than any realistic exception for a Thompson-Holland forward duo.

Worth noting - Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr changed the dynamic of this team with their shooting.

It’s a gamble turning Beasley into Caris LaVert, who has never been a great shooter even if he’s had years of high efficiency on low volume. Duncan Robinson only replaces one of those guys.

[Magic_Johnny12]

I know everyone hates on Harris simply for existing, but I sincerely don’t think Lauri is Holland or Ausar or significant pick package better than him.

This summer has shown us the real ramifications of the CBA and the value these overpaid one dimensional players actually have.

I’ll be pleasantly surprised if Lauri returned a positive asset package unless a lot of bad salary was attached.

A deadline deal of Harris/Robinson/‘26 FRP makes a lot more sense to me. Maybe just maybe Ainge squeezes a couple of SRP’s but imo that’s the extent of this trade.

[tmorgan]

I know everyone hates on Harris simply for existing, but I sincerely don’t think Lauri is Holland or Ausar or significant pick package better than him.

This summer has shown us the real ramifications of the CBA and the value these overpaid one dimensional players actually have.

I’ll be pleasantly surprised if Lauri returned a positive asset package unless a lot of bad salary was attached.

A deadline deal of Harris/Robinson/‘26 FRP makes a lot more sense to me. Maybe just maybe Ainge squeezes a couple of SRP’s but imo that’s the extent of this trade.

Orlando folks know.

Tobias Harris isn’t “very good” at anything, so people like to dismiss him as inconsequential. But he’s also average or a little better at everything, which is very useful as a 3rd or 4th or 5th best starter, something the Pistons want him to be this year. You can’t leave him wide open, he makes good cuts and finishes, he plays ok perimeter D and pretty good interior D because he’s a pretty big dude these days. He’s not a ball stopper, he rebounds decently, has a post game for mismatches, and he’s a great teammate.

Detroit has bigger problems than Tobias Harris. Our two rookie contracts up for extensions this summer play crappy defense and better figure things out. Figuring out Ivey and Duren is a much bigger current issue than worrying about a guy like Tobias.

[Daddy 801]

So far under this new CBA, an above average starting center has changed teams every summer…Hartenstein last year & Turner this year.

I’d quantify that as not very often. If you don’t then that’s cool. Not worth arguing over and not really the whole point of this thread.

Eh, whether or not they can just wait a year to sign a better center, or if they need to save assets for that move is tangentially related to this thread. But fair enough, I’m willing to leave it at that.

To be fair I get that point. But if 1-2 centers are open in free agency a year Detroit would have to decide if they think of all 30 teams is a free agent going to choose that location. Personally if I was a free agent Detroit would be one of the last places I would to choose to move. Of course everyone has a different opinion. But Detroit isn’t LA, Miami, etc. Having said that Turner choose the Bucks so maybe Detroit could lure the best free agent prospect.

I do agree Detroit isn’t necessarily in a rush due to their young core. But I will say with the east being so open this year it kind of seems like they should make some win now moves. Maybe they don’t win it all, but the easily could be in the conference finals or make it to the championships. If I am the Bucks, Detroit, Orlando, and Atlanta I would be willing to make moves that are long term investments but also win now moves. I don’t think we’ve seen a conference open in a long time. Cleveland should be the favorites but I can see any of the four other teams I listed making it to the finals. Especially if any of them make another win now move.

[daoneandonly]

How about AD instead? I think he'd be a great fit in Detroit

[cgf]

I know everyone hates on Harris simply for existing, but I sincerely don’t think Lauri is Holland or Ausar or significant pick package better than him.

This summer has shown us the real ramifications of the CBA and the value these overpaid one dimensional players actually have.

I’ll be pleasantly surprised if Lauri returned a positive asset package unless a lot of bad salary was attached.

A deadline deal of Harris/Robinson/‘26 FRP makes a lot more sense to me. Maybe just maybe Ainge squeezes a couple of SRP’s but imo that’s the extent of this trade.

Orlando folks know.

Tobias Harris isn’t “very good” at anything, so people like to dismiss him as inconsequential. But he’s also average or a little better at everything, which is very useful as a 3rd or 4th or 5th best starter, something the Pistons want him to be this year. You can’t leave him wide open, he makes good cuts and finishes, he plays ok perimeter D and pretty good interior D because he’s a pretty big dude these days. He’s not a ball stopper, he rebounds decently, has a post game for mismatches, and he’s a great teammate.

Detroit has bigger problems than Tobias Harris. Our two rookie contracts up for extensions this summer play crappy defense and better figure things out. Figuring out Ivey and Duren is a much bigger current issue than worrying about a guy like Tobias.

Tobi definitely wasn’t a problem, but like Beasley he’s the most clearly upgradable starter on that roster if you want to give Duren more time to grow into the role & Thompson more time to learn how too shot. And even though I’m not the biggest Markannen fan, I do think he’d just be a fantastic fit as a Piston…especially with Ivey back to help Cade create, minimizing the impact of any self-creation advantage Harris has over Lauri.

So if you can make it happen for Holland and a pick debt you could pay off by next offseason, it feels like it could be a very shrewd next step to ensure your kids continue to progress, without tying your hands to offer Ivey/Lauri + all the picks for another upgrade next summer if that top 3 isn’t enough but Cade & the supporting cast are ready to contend for a title.

So it’s less about any qualms with Harris and more about being skeptical that a Thompson & Holland forward duo will ever shoot well enough to bring the best out of one another, while thinking you have the opportunity to get a meaningful upgrade at a good price, to set yourself up for that final big move.

[cgf]

I’d quantify that as not very often. If you don’t then that’s cool. Not worth arguing over and not really the whole point of this thread.

Eh, whether or not they can just wait a year to sign a better center, or if they need to save assets for that move is tangentially related to this thread. But fair enough, I’m willing to leave it at that.

To be fair I get that point. But if 1-2 centers are open in free agency a year Detroit would have to decide if they think of all 30 teams is a free agent going to choose that location. Personally if I was a free agent Detroit would be one of the last places I would to choose to move. Of course everyone has a different opinion. But Detroit isn’t LA, Miami, etc. Having said that Turner choose the Bucks so maybe Detroit could lure the best free agent prospect.

I do agree Detroit isn’t necessarily in a rush due to their young core. But I will say with the east being so open this year it kind of seems like they should make some win now moves. Maybe they don’t win it all, but the easily could be in the conference finals or make it to the championships. If I am the Bucks, Detroit, Orlando, and Atlanta I would be willing to make moves that are long term investments but also win now moves. I don’t think we’ve seen a conference open in a long time. Cleveland should be the favorites but I can see any of the four other teams I listed making it to the finals. Especially if any of them make another win now move.

We see FAs sign with teams outside of NYC, Miami, or LA all the time. Sure for some superstars that’s been key, but they don’t need a superstar C even if Duren stalls. They just need an above average starter and those guys typically chase the money / opportunity. Nevermind that Duren is still a baby and Stewart an excellent backup, so they may not even need a center upgrade.

People are overstating how much the east has been hurt by the Tatum & Haliburton injuries. New York & Cleveland are still around and OKC is still the only western conference team I’d take over those two. With Orlando as close or closer to that trio than anyone out west, if they finally stay healthy.


Edit:
I’m just not high on Milwaukee at all, despite wanting them to be good for the sake of a friend who’s a hardcore bucks fan. Giannis & Turner with Kuzma & Portis is a great set of big men, but they are still hot garbage on the perimeter and I think they get bounced in round one again.

And Atlanta to me is even more of an injury wildcard than Orlando. With JJ they’ve been a very plucky .500 team and KP should only help push them into that 45-50 win range…when healthy…but that’s another key piece for them who has missed a lot of time in recent years.

[cgf]

How about AD instead? I think he'd be a great fit in Detroit

Price & availability.

[cgf]

I agree we need the shooting, and bluntly, if Holland doesn't improve his shooting that should and will get reflected in whatever rookie extension he might get.

I was more thinking from a defensive perspective: 1 big and 4 decent sized wings/guards can work on D provided if all of the non-bigs have enough size to switch and guard up a position or 2 (and you don't have to cover for smaller players)

It can work defensively, but your d was already excellent with just one of them starting next to Harris. So I feel like your d would still be really good with Lauri instead of Harris & Holland, while your offense would be a lot better than any realistic exception for a Thompson-Holland forward duo.

Worth noting - Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr changed the dynamic of this team with their shooting.

It’s a gamble turning Beasley into Caris LaVert, who has never been a great shooter even if he’s had years of high efficiency on low volume. Duncan Robinson only replaces one of those guys.

Ivey being healthy should help them create better looks, that don’t require as strong of shooting…though their shotmaking is something that turning Harris into Markannen would help a lot with.

[Daddy 801]

Eh, whether or not they can just wait a year to sign a better center, or if they need to save assets for that move is tangentially related to this thread. But fair enough, I’m willing to leave it at that.

To be fair I get that point. But if 1-2 centers are open in free agency a year Detroit would have to decide if they think of all 30 teams is a free agent going to choose that location. Personally if I was a free agent Detroit would be one of the last places I would to choose to move. Of course everyone has a different opinion. But Detroit isn’t LA, Miami, etc. Having said that Turner choose the Bucks so maybe Detroit could lure the best free agent prospect.

I do agree Detroit isn’t necessarily in a rush due to their young core. But I will say with the east being so open this year it kind of seems like they should make some win now moves. Maybe they don’t win it all, but the easily could be in the conference finals or make it to the championships. If I am the Bucks, Detroit, Orlando, and Atlanta I would be willing to make moves that are long term investments but also win now moves. I don’t think we’ve seen a conference open in a long time. Cleveland should be the favorites but I can see any of the four other teams I listed making it to the finals. Especially if any of them make another win now move.

We see FAs sign with teams outside of NYC, Miami, or LA all the time. Sure for some superstars that’s been key, but they don’t need a superstar C even if Duren stalls. They just need an above average starter and those guys typically chase the money / opportunity. Nevermind that Duren is still a baby and Stewart an excellent backup, so they may not even need a center upgrade.

People are overstating how much the east has been hurt by the Tatum & Haliburton injuries. New York & Cleveland are still around and OKC is still the only western conference team I’d take over those two. With Orlando as close or closer to that trio than anyone out west, if they finally stay healthy.


Edit:
I’m just not high on Milwaukee at all, despite wanting them to be good for the sake of a friend who’s a hardcore bucks fan. Giannis & Turner with Kuzma & Portis is a great set of big men, but they are still hot garbage on the perimeter and I think they get bounced in round one again.

And Atlanta to me is even more of an injury wildcard than Orlando. With JJ they’ve been a very plucky .500 team and KP should only help push them into that 45-50 win range…when healthy…but that’s another key piece for them who has missed a lot of time in recent years.

Interesting. I’d take Denver over both of them easily. And the Rockets are looking really tough now. Addressed their biggest weakness. That’s not even considering Minnesota or Spurs. I don’t have NY nearly as high as Cleveland so I see the only team in the east that is a in that tier as Cleveland. I don’t see how NY gets its defense up to be a real threat.

Which is why I think the Bucks, Orlando, Detroit, and Atlanta should be making some win now moves. To be fair Orlando and the Bucks have already. Could argue they need more but they are going for it. To me Orlando and Detroit can benefit not only by potentially getting to the conference finals or finals, but by allowing their young stars to get a lot of good playoff time that can only help their development. And as a fan of rooting for the underdog teams I’d love to see one of Detroit, Orlando, or Atlanta make it to the finals. Would be cool to see.

[cgf]

To be fair I get that point. But if 1-2 centers are open in free agency a year Detroit would have to decide if they think of all 30 teams is a free agent going to choose that location. Personally if I was a free agent Detroit would be one of the last places I would to choose to move. Of course everyone has a different opinion. But Detroit isn’t LA, Miami, etc. Having said that Turner choose the Bucks so maybe Detroit could lure the best free agent prospect.

I do agree Detroit isn’t necessarily in a rush due to their young core. But I will say with the east being so open this year it kind of seems like they should make some win now moves. Maybe they don’t win it all, but the easily could be in the conference finals or make it to the championships. If I am the Bucks, Detroit, Orlando, and Atlanta I would be willing to make moves that are long term investments but also win now moves. I don’t think we’ve seen a conference open in a long time. Cleveland should be the favorites but I can see any of the four other teams I listed making it to the finals. Especially if any of them make another win now move.

We see FAs sign with teams outside of NYC, Miami, or LA all the time. Sure for some superstars that’s been key, but they don’t need a superstar C even if Duren stalls. They just need an above average starter and those guys typically chase the money / opportunity. Nevermind that Duren is still a baby and Stewart an excellent backup, so they may not even need a center upgrade.

People are overstating how much the east has been hurt by the Tatum & Haliburton injuries. New York & Cleveland are still around and OKC is still the only western conference team I’d take over those two. With Orlando as close or closer to that trio than anyone out west, if they finally stay healthy.


Edit:
I’m just not high on Milwaukee at all, despite wanting them to be good for the sake of a friend who’s a hardcore bucks fan. Giannis & Turner with Kuzma & Portis is a great set of big men, but they are still hot garbage on the perimeter and I think they get bounced in round one again.

And Atlanta to me is even more of an injury wildcard than Orlando. With JJ they’ve been a very plucky .500 team and KP should only help push them into that 45-50 win range…when healthy…but that’s another key piece for them who has missed a lot of time in recent years.

Interesting. I’d take Denver over both of them easily. And the Rockets are looking really tough now. Addressed their biggest weakness. That’s not even considering Minnesota or Spurs. I don’t have NY nearly as high as Cleveland so I see the only team in the east that is a in that tier as Cleveland. I don’t see how NY gets its defense up to be a real threat.

Which is why I think the Bucks, Orlando, Detroit, and Atlanta should be making some win now moves. To be fair Orlando and the Bucks have already. Could argue they need more but they are going for it. To me Orlando and Detroit can benefit not only by potentially getting to the conference finals or finals, but by allowing their young stars to get a lot of good playoff time that can only help their development. And as a fan of rooting for the underdog teams I’d love to see one of Detroit, Orlando, or Atlanta make it to the finals. Would be cool to see.

I’m not nearly as high on Denver as some folks. They just haven’t looked on our level whenever we’ve played them over the past two years and I don’t think swapping MPJ for another tall shooter who can’t defend makes a massive difference…same way I don’t think Clarkson changes the equation for us, despite the hoopla some made over his acquisition.

Plus I don’t rate Val or thjr highly. Like the brown pickup, but he’s another mediocre shooter teams can ignore. And if defense is your hesitation with us despite how we cranked it up last postseason, then I don’t see how you can take Denver seriously. Their defense makes ours look like the 04 pistons.


I like Houston’s defense a lot, and Durant helps with their shotmaking, but they still don’t have much high level shot creation and I’m not sure they’re significantly better than Detroit even without a Harris-Markannen swap…unlike Detroit & Orlando they just don’t have that up n coming creator to drive their offense.


I do like Minnesota a lot, but I have them lower in the same tier as the Knicks / Cavs / Thunder / Magic until Ant learns to run an offense or Dilly is ready too take over. They just play too dumb, despite loving their talent & wanting to see juju thrive...though I have Orlando in that same part of the tier.

And the Spurs are a complete wildcard in my mind. Wouldn’t be shocked if Wemby led them to run away with 2nd out west, but also wouldn’t be shocked if they kept losing games they should win because they’re not yet a cohesive team. So I have a tough time ranking them ahead of a team like Detroit…much less Orlando, who’ve done it for multiple seasons and made their big move.

[Daddy 801]

We see FAs sign with teams outside of NYC, Miami, or LA all the time. Sure for some superstars that’s been key, but they don’t need a superstar C even if Duren stalls. They just need an above average starter and those guys typically chase the money / opportunity. Nevermind that Duren is still a baby and Stewart an excellent backup, so they may not even need a center upgrade.

People are overstating how much the east has been hurt by the Tatum & Haliburton injuries. New York & Cleveland are still around and OKC is still the only western conference team I’d take over those two. With Orlando as close or closer to that trio than anyone out west, if they finally stay healthy.


Edit:
I’m just not high on Milwaukee at all, despite wanting them to be good for the sake of a friend who’s a hardcore bucks fan. Giannis & Turner with Kuzma & Portis is a great set of big men, but they are still hot garbage on the perimeter and I think they get bounced in round one again.

And Atlanta to me is even more of an injury wildcard than Orlando. With JJ they’ve been a very plucky .500 team and KP should only help push them into that 45-50 win range…when healthy…but that’s another key piece for them who has missed a lot of time in recent years.

Interesting. I’d take Denver over both of them easily. And the Rockets are looking really tough now. Addressed their biggest weakness. That’s not even considering Minnesota or Spurs. I don’t have NY nearly as high as Cleveland so I see the only team in the east that is a in that tier as Cleveland. I don’t see how NY gets its defense up to be a real threat.

Which is why I think the Bucks, Orlando, Detroit, and Atlanta should be making some win now moves. To be fair Orlando and the Bucks have already. Could argue they need more but they are going for it. To me Orlando and Detroit can benefit not only by potentially getting to the conference finals or finals, but by allowing their young stars to get a lot of good playoff time that can only help their development. And as a fan of rooting for the underdog teams I’d love to see one of Detroit, Orlando, or Atlanta make it to the finals. Would be cool to see.

I’m not nearly as high on Denver as some folks. They just haven’t looked on our level whenever we’ve played them over the past two years and I don’t think swapping MPJ for another tall shooter who can’t defend makes a massive difference…same way I don’t think Clarkson changes the equation for us, despite the hoopla some made over his acquisition.

Plus I don’t rate Val or thjr highly. Like the brown pickup, but he’s another mediocre shooter teams can ignore. And if defense is your hesitation with us despite how we cranked it up last postseason, then I don’t see how you can take Denver seriously. Their defense makes ours look like the 04 pistons.


I like Houston’s defense a lot, and Durant helps with their shotmaking, but they still don’t have much high level shot creation and I’m not sure they’re significantly better than Detroit even without a Harris-Markannen swap…unlike Detroit & Orlando they just don’t have that up n coming creator to drive their offense.


I do like Minnesota a lot, but I have them lower in the same tier as the Knicks / Cavs / Thunder / Magic until Ant learns to run an offense or Dilly is ready too take over. They just play too dumb, despite loving their talent & wanting to see juju thrive...though I have Orlando in that same part of the tier.

And the Spurs are a complete wildcard in my mind. Wouldn’t be shocked if Wemby led them to run away with 2nd out west, but also wouldn’t be shocked if they kept losing games they should win because they’re not yet a cohesive team. So I have a tough time ranking them ahead of a team like Detroit…much less Orlando, who’ve done it for multiple seasons and made their big move.

Appreciate your thoughts. I really wish we could just get rid of conferences and just have all teams play each other an equal amount. The eat just seems way below the west IMO and it’s allowed teams like Detroit to have a better record than they would had they played all teams an equal amount of time. At least that’s my opinion.

[cgf]

Interesting. I’d take Denver over both of them easily. And the Rockets are looking really tough now. Addressed their biggest weakness. That’s not even considering Minnesota or Spurs. I don’t have NY nearly as high as Cleveland so I see the only team in the east that is a in that tier as Cleveland. I don’t see how NY gets its defense up to be a real threat.

Which is why I think the Bucks, Orlando, Detroit, and Atlanta should be making some win now moves. To be fair Orlando and the Bucks have already. Could argue they need more but they are going for it. To me Orlando and Detroit can benefit not only by potentially getting to the conference finals or finals, but by allowing their young stars to get a lot of good playoff time that can only help their development. And as a fan of rooting for the underdog teams I’d love to see one of Detroit, Orlando, or Atlanta make it to the finals. Would be cool to see.

I’m not nearly as high on Denver as some folks. They just haven’t looked on our level whenever we’ve played them over the past two years and I don’t think swapping MPJ for another tall shooter who can’t defend makes a massive difference…same way I don’t think Clarkson changes the equation for us, despite the hoopla some made over his acquisition.

Plus I don’t rate Val or thjr highly. Like the brown pickup, but he’s another mediocre shooter teams can ignore. And if defense is your hesitation with us despite how we cranked it up last postseason, then I don’t see how you can take Denver seriously. Their defense makes ours look like the 04 pistons.


I like Houston’s defense a lot, and Durant helps with their shotmaking, but they still don’t have much high level shot creation and I’m not sure they’re significantly better than Detroit even without a Harris-Markannen swap…unlike Detroit & Orlando they just don’t have that up n coming creator to drive their offense.


I do like Minnesota a lot, but I have them lower in the same tier as the Knicks / Cavs / Thunder / Magic until Ant learns to run an offense or Dilly is ready too take over. They just play too dumb, despite loving their talent & wanting to see juju thrive...though I have Orlando in that same part of the tier.

And the Spurs are a complete wildcard in my mind. Wouldn’t be shocked if Wemby led them to run away with 2nd out west, but also wouldn’t be shocked if they kept losing games they should win because they’re not yet a cohesive team. So I have a tough time ranking them ahead of a team like Detroit…much less Orlando, who’ve done it for multiple seasons and made their big move.

Appreciate your thoughts. I really wish we could just get rid of conferences and just have all teams play each other an equal amount. The eat just seems way below the west IMO and it’s allowed teams like Detroit to have a better record than they would had they played all teams an equal amount of time. At least that’s my opinion.

For sure, this plave would be a lot less fun if we all always agreed.

I've long been a proponent of cutting down the season and just playing every other team twice, home & away. Which would lend itself to doing away with conferences.

I think the difference between the conferences is overblown, the east has 1 or 2 more rebuilding/tanking teams, but last year the east had 1 or 2 more contenders as well. So which is more important, having a couple more teams planning for the lottery or having a couple more teams planning a trip to the finals?

[Dan Z]

I know everyone hates on Harris simply for existing, but I sincerely don’t think Lauri is Holland or Ausar or significant pick package better than him.

This summer has shown us the real ramifications of the CBA and the value these overpaid one dimensional players actually have.

I’ll be pleasantly surprised if Lauri returned a positive asset package unless a lot of bad salary was attached.

A deadline deal of Harris/Robinson/‘26 FRP makes a lot more sense to me. Maybe just maybe Ainge squeezes a couple of SRP’s but imo that’s the extent of this trade.

Orlando folks know.

Tobias Harris isn’t “very good” at anything, so people like to dismiss him as inconsequential. But he’s also average or a little better at everything, which is very useful as a 3rd or 4th or 5th best starter, something the Pistons want him to be this year. You can’t leave him wide open, he makes good cuts and finishes, he plays ok perimeter D and pretty good interior D because he’s a pretty big dude these days. He’s not a ball stopper, he rebounds decently, has a post game for mismatches, and he’s a great teammate.

Detroit has bigger problems than Tobias Harris. Our two rookie contracts up for extensions this summer play crappy defense and better figure things out. Figuring out Ivey and Duren is a much bigger current issue than worrying about a guy like Tobias.

He's also reliable. Harris has played in 73, 70, 74 and 73 games the last few years.

I like Markkanen, but the same can't be said for him.

[mg]

Lauri will likely need to play an injury free season at his 2023 efficiency level in order to return any sort of positive asset in a trade.

[Dan Z]

Lauri will likely need to play an injury free season at his 2023 efficiency level in order to return any sort of positive asset in a trade.

Utah owes a first round pick in 2026 to OKC,which is top 8 protected.

They can still be bad with an improved Markkanen, but they might not put him in the best situation to do so.