Realistic Wish List???

[Wizenheimer]

Boucher is probably starting for BOS.

Here he would have been behind, at PF and C - Deni, Grant, DC, RWIII and likely also Camara and Yang.

Not sure why he would have even picked up our calls if we had interest when BOS is likely spoon feeding him 24+ minutes a game next season.

over the last few months, the value of Portland owning the Celtics 2029 unprotected 1st has jumped a bit

Yep. I also think the ORL 2028 UNP pick could be gold. Their Top-4 are very well paid - if that team doesnt make big noise within 2 years its highly likely they make some cost saving, talent losing moves IMO.

The new NBA has so much roster turnover + the new CBA tanking high salary teams - this makes future UNP FRP move valuable even if they are attached to historically good franchises like BOS - the landscape is just much more insecure, changes happen faster than ever, money becomes a burden faster than ever. It inflates the variance potential of future UNP FRP in a positive way for teams that own them IMO.

that could be

I mean, realistically we have to expect that both of those picks will be in the 20's. But there is the chance that either, or even both, are in the 17-20 range. Lottery seems out of the question

[BlazersBroncos]

over the last few months, the value of Portland owning the Celtics 2029 unprotected 1st has jumped a bit

Yep. I also think the ORL 2028 UNP pick could be gold. Their Top-4 are very well paid - if that team doesnt make big noise within 2 years its highly likely they make some cost saving, talent losing moves IMO.

The new NBA has so much roster turnover + the new CBA tanking high salary teams - this makes future UNP FRP move valuable even if they are attached to historically good franchises like BOS - the landscape is just much more insecure, changes happen faster than ever, money becomes a burden faster than ever. It inflates the variance potential of future UNP FRP in a positive way for teams that own them IMO.

that could be

I mean, realistically we have to expect that both of those picks will be in the 20's. But there is the chance that either, or even both, are in the 17-20 range. Lottery seems out of the question

I have to disagree. Teams are looking drastically different after 2 seasons recently, the picks are 3 and 4 seasons out. There hasnt been a better time to own UNP FRP a few years out from a good team - the CBA is going to pinch ORL sooner than later and that BOS team is going to end up leaning on a post injury Tatum while fielding a far less talented team top-to-bottom with the cap casualties of Jrue and Zinger.

I dont expect a Top-5 pick or anything, but I think the variance on both those FRP is higher than '17-20 at best'.

[Braggins]

I think Portland should try to trade for Malik Monk. Apparently the Kangz are trying to get rid of him so they can open up a roster spot for Westbrook lol.

[DusterBuster]

I think Portland should try to trade for Malik Monk. Apparently the Kangz are trying to get rid of him so they can open up a roster spot for Westbrook lol.

I wonder if Monk and Murray for Grant would be something the Kings would do?

Kings have been interested in Grant in the past and even with the bad season he had last year, he's still better than Murray. Monk is whatever, decent off the bench scorer and depth guy I suppose. Cuts the Blazers cost for Grant in half. They don't lose years, but lose overall cost, especially if they don't look to keep Murray (maybe they can flip the Murray bros). Kings open a roster spot by doing a 2 for 1 deal to sign Westbrook, so essentially its really Murray and Monk for Grant and Westbrook. I can see some reasonings for it, but the elephant in the room is how much Grant is owed, not sure even Vivek would take his deal... but he's also the classic "dumb" owner who'll do anything if his mind is set on it, so I can't just purely rule it out over that.

Jrue/Scoot
Sharpe/Monk
Camara/Thybulle
Deni/Keegan
Clingan/Yang

Let's go, much better balanced roster.

Kings resulting roster doesn't look awful either...

Westbrook/Schroder
LaVine/Ellis
DeRozen/McDermott
Grant/Saric
Sabonis/Eubanks

Honestly, a better and more balanced Kings team too.

Also, take all this with a grain of salt as I know next to nothing about the Kings payroll. Doing this deal may keep them from being able to sign Westbrook because they do take on a little more salary than they send out... but the deal does work under all trade checkers fwiw.

[BlazersBroncos]

SAC errantly sees Keegan as a blue chip prospect by all accounts.

But FWIW, I dont think they do that trade even if Keegan was as poor a player as Kris. Grant is radioactive at his years + number.

[DusterBuster]

SAC errantly sees Keegan as a blue chip prospect by all accounts.

Is that still the case? He was really bad last year, took a clear step back and wasn’t happy there. There could be other factors at play if he’s asking out (no idea if he is).

I tend to agree, they probably wouldn’t want his contract, but they also were totally fine taking back LaVine’s contract. Vivek will spend… but he also spends stupid… which while logically I totally agree with you, I don’t put anything past Vivek.

Whereas this would normally be a 0% deal, with Vivek, even the dumbest “this makes zero sense” trade always has like a 5-10% chance.

[tester551]

I think Portland should try to trade for Malik Monk. Apparently the Kangz are trying to get rid of him so they can open up a roster spot for Westbrook lol.

Why would Monk have any bearing on Westbrook?

They could easily open a roster spot by cutting Saric or McDermott or Eubanks

[Butter]

I think the Blazers best case scenario with Grant is that he comes into to camp pissed off, with a chip on his shoulder, plays out of his mind, and gets traded before the deadline.

[DusterBuster]

I think Portland should try to trade for Malik Monk. Apparently the Kangz are trying to get rid of him so they can open up a roster spot for Westbrook lol.

Why would Monk have any bearing on Westbrook?

They could easily open a roster spot by cutting Saric or McDermott or Eubanks

I'm not totally sure either, but there's been multiple reports that Monk is holding up the Kings from getting Westbrook. Don't know why either, but it's the Kangz, so trying to assign logic to what they do is not always a worthwhile use of time.

[wco81]

Kings trying to dump that salary.

[Braggins]

I think Portland should try to trade for Malik Monk. Apparently the Kangz are trying to get rid of him so they can open up a roster spot for Westbrook lol.

Why would Monk have any bearing on Westbrook?

They could easily open a roster spot by cutting Saric or McDermott or Eubanks

Could have something to do with cutting salary and opening up more of a role for WB. Idk, who can understand the mind of the Kings.

[DusterBuster]

Kings trying to dump that salary.

If it's for salary dumping purposes, that obviously kills any idea of Grant.

[dckingsfan]

I think Portland should try to trade for Malik Monk. Apparently the Kangz are trying to get rid of him so they can open up a roster spot for Westbrook lol.

I wonder if Monk and Murray for Grant would be something the Kings would do?

Kings have been interested in Grant in the past and even with the bad season he had last year, he's still better than Murray. Monk is whatever, decent off the bench scorer and depth guy I suppose. Cuts the Blazers cost for Grant in half. They don't lose years, but lose overall cost, especially if they don't look to keep Murray (maybe they can flip the Murray bros). Kings open a roster spot by doing a 2 for 1 deal to sign Westbrook, so essentially its really Murray and Monk for Grant and Westbrook. I can see some reasonings for it, but the elephant in the room is how much Grant is owed, not sure even Vivek would take his deal... but he's also the classic "dumb" owner who'll do anything if his mind is set on it, so I can't just purely rule it out over that.

Jrue/Scoot
Sharpe/Monk
Camara/Thybulle
Deni/Keegan
Clingan/Yang

Let's go, much better balanced roster.

Kings resulting roster doesn't look awful either...

Westbrook/Schroder
LaVine/Ellis
DeRozen/McDermott
Grant/Saric
Sabonis/Eubanks

Honestly, a better and more balanced Kings team too.

Also, take all this with a grain of salt as I know next to nothing about the Kings payroll. Doing this deal may keep them from being able to sign Westbrook because they do take on a little more salary than they send out... but the deal does work under all trade checkers fwiw.

It definitely makes both teams better - for this season.

It definitely hurts the Kings balance sheet moving forward.

And others have pointed out that the Kings aren't ready to give up on Keegan.

I still like the idea though.

[zzaj]

I think Portland should try to trade for Malik Monk. Apparently the Kangz are trying to get rid of him so they can open up a roster spot for Westbrook lol.

I wonder if Monk and Murray for Grant would be something the Kings would do?

Kings have been interested in Grant in the past and even with the bad season he had last year, he's still better than Murray. Monk is whatever, decent off the bench scorer and depth guy I suppose. Cuts the Blazers cost for Grant in half. They don't lose years, but lose overall cost, especially if they don't look to keep Murray (maybe they can flip the Murray bros). Kings open a roster spot by doing a 2 for 1 deal to sign Westbrook, so essentially its really Murray and Monk for Grant and Westbrook. I can see some reasonings for it, but the elephant in the room is how much Grant is owed, not sure even Vivek would take his deal... but he's also the classic "dumb" owner who'll do anything if his mind is set on it, so I can't just purely rule it out over that.

Jrue/Scoot
Sharpe/Monk
Camara/Thybulle
Deni/Keegan
Clingan/Yang

Let's go, much better balanced roster.

Kings resulting roster doesn't look awful either...

Westbrook/Schroder
LaVine/Ellis
DeRozen/McDermott
Grant/Saric
Sabonis/Eubanks

Honestly, a better and more balanced Kings team too.

Also, take all this with a grain of salt as I know next to nothing about the Kings payroll. Doing this deal may keep them from being able to sign Westbrook because they do take on a little more salary than they send out... but the deal does work under all trade checkers fwiw.

It definitely makes both teams better - for this season.

It definitely hurts the Kings balance sheet moving forward.

And others have pointed out that the Kings aren't ready to give up on Keegan.

I still like the idea though.

I think SAC would likely balk at that starting 5...Sabonis, Grant, DeRozan all taking shots in the midrange would take some serious work.

[DusterBuster]

And others have pointed out that the Kings aren't ready to give up on Keegan.

Ignoring my trade offer... is this true? I don't have any insight, I don't follow Sacramento basketball whatsoever... but just looking from the outside in without any knowledge... do they really still view Keegan that highly?

The reason I ask is that Vivek is a very hot and cold owner. I know he felt that way 2 seasons ago, but after this past season? That dude falls in love and out of love with players faster than any owner I can remember. It's why I seriously question if they really view Murray as highly as we all think logically most owners would.

Like, if this were the Blazers under Olshey or even maybe Cronin, totally. They would be irrationally in love with him.

The Kangz with Vivek? He gave up on Hali literally during his ascension. And when they made that deal, they knew he was going to be really good, but they accepted a quick clear All Star over a guy who just looked like he would be that.

Compare that to Murray and Grant. Murray is nowhere near Hali, but Grant is nowhere near Sabas. Some parallels, on a lesser level.

But also, maybe Vivek is so snakebitten over the Hali deal, that is a dealbreaker (I'm totally ignoring the salary concerns here)?

[dckingsfan]

I wonder if Monk and Murray for Grant would be something the Kings would do?

Kings have been interested in Grant in the past and even with the bad season he had last year, he's still better than Murray. Monk is whatever, decent off the bench scorer and depth guy I suppose. Cuts the Blazers cost for Grant in half. They don't lose years, but lose overall cost, especially if they don't look to keep Murray (maybe they can flip the Murray bros). Kings open a roster spot by doing a 2 for 1 deal to sign Westbrook, so essentially its really Murray and Monk for Grant and Westbrook. I can see some reasonings for it, but the elephant in the room is how much Grant is owed, not sure even Vivek would take his deal... but he's also the classic "dumb" owner who'll do anything if his mind is set on it, so I can't just purely rule it out over that.

Jrue/Scoot
Sharpe/Monk
Camara/Thybulle
Deni/Keegan
Clingan/Yang

Let's go, much better balanced roster.

Kings resulting roster doesn't look awful either...

Westbrook/Schroder, Carter
LaVine/Ellis
DeRozen/McDermott
Grant/Saric
Sabonis/Eubanks

Honestly, a better and more balanced Kings team too.

Also, take all this with a grain of salt as I know next to nothing about the Kings payroll. Doing this deal may keep them from being able to sign Westbrook because they do take on a little more salary than they send out... but the deal does work under all trade checkers fwiw.

It definitely makes both teams better - for this season.

It definitely hurts the Kings balance sheet moving forward.

And others have pointed out that the Kings aren't ready to give up on Keegan.

I still like the idea though.

I think SAC would likely balk at that starting 5...Sabonis, Grant, DeRozan all taking shots in the midrange would take some serious work.

Hmmm, might not agree with you here just given capabilities. LaVine, Grant, Ellis, McDermott and Sabonis are definitely more that capable 3 point shooters. Depending on the season, Schroder & Saric as well. Really it is only Westbrook, DeRozen, Carter (TBD) and Eubanks that would be a problem in that area.

I think it would be the defense that would be the problem with that particular group.

[dckingsfan]

And others have pointed out that the Kings aren't ready to give up on Keegan.

Ignoring my trade offer... is this true? I don't have any insight, I don't follow Sacramento basketball whatsoever... but just looking from the outside in without any knowledge... do they really still view Keegan that highly?

The reason I ask is that Vivek is a very hot and cold owner. I know he felt that way 2 seasons ago, but after this past season? That dude falls in love and out of love with players faster than any owner I can remember. It's why I seriously question if they really view Murray as highly as we all think logically most owners would.

Like, if this were the Blazers under Olshey or even maybe Cronin, totally. They would be irrationally in love with him.

The Kangz with Vivek? He gave up on Hali literally during his ascension. And when they made that deal, they knew he was going to be really good, but they accepted a quick clear All Star over a guy who just looked like he would be that.

Compare that to Murray and Grant. Murray is nowhere near Hali, but Grant is nowhere near Sabas. Some parallels, on a lesser level.

But also, maybe Vivek is so snakebitten over the Hali deal, that is a dealbreaker (I'm totally ignoring the salary concerns here)?

Well, it is a rhetorical question. The question of Kangz and Vivek current thinking is intersting.

[zzaj]

It definitely makes both teams better - for this season.

It definitely hurts the Kings balance sheet moving forward.

And others have pointed out that the Kings aren't ready to give up on Keegan.

I still like the idea though.

I think SAC would likely balk at that starting 5...Sabonis, Grant, DeRozan all taking shots in the midrange would take some serious work.

Hmmm, might not agree with you here just given capabilities. LaVine, Grant, Ellis, McDermott and Sabonis are definitely more that capable 3 point shooters. Depending on the season, Schroder & Saric as well. Really it is only Westbrook, DeRozen, Carter (TBD) and Eubanks that would be a problem in that area.

I think it would be the defense that would be the problem with that particular group.

Capable? Yes, but where they would prefer to operate? No...which is why I said it would take some work. If you look at the shot diet of those 3 they all prefer about 15' and in. Not saying it can't or wouldn't work...but that it would take a very specific 'my turn-your turn' type of offense design to make that be excellent.

[dckingsfan]

...

I think SAC would likely balk at that starting 5...Sabonis, Grant, DeRozan all taking shots in the midrange would take some serious work.

Hmmm, might not agree with you here just given capabilities. LaVine, Grant, Ellis, McDermott and Sabonis are definitely more that capable 3 point shooters. Depending on the season, Schroder & Saric as well. Really it is only Westbrook, DeRozen, Carter (TBD) and Eubanks that would be a problem in that area.

I think it would be the defense that would be the problem with that particular group.

Capable? Yes, but where they would prefer to operate? No...which is why I said it would take some work. If you look at the shot diet of those 3 they all prefer about 15' and in. Not saying it can't or wouldn't work...but that it would take a very specific 'my turn-your turn' type of offense design to make that be excellent.

Great point. This will be about coaching for Sac this season. I think Doug Christie is going to be a really good coach. I wonder if he can get this done in his first season though...

I still think some iteration of Duster's trade would be good for both teams. But there would be a lot of emotional baggage to overcome.

[ebott]

The Kings with Vivek? He gave up on Hali literally during his ascension. And when they made that deal, they knew he was going to be really good, but they accepted a quick clear All Star over a guy who just looked like he would be that.

Using the term "gave up" in regards to the trade that sent Tyrese Haliburton to Indiana is utter insanity. They got Domantas Sabonis in return. As you said, a clear AllStar. Giving up on a guy is what we did with Martell Webster. If we traded Sharpe for an all-star would you declare that we gave up on him?