Update: It is time to trade Scottie Barnes before it's too late!

[Clutch0z24]

On another note so many people on this board were so wrong about Ace Bailey.....He looks like he will be great

Why? Because he scored well in two pre season games? lol.

Um...Because people here and all over the Net said the guy will be a complete bust and can't do anything he did at the college level in an NBA game....Which was so far from the truth...

He hasn't just been scoring either he has shown a complete game and showed he has a veriety of ways to score the ball at all 3 levels at that young age....Dumb to pretend hes as bad as people were claiming.

[S.W.A.N]

Paying a Max player that isn't really a Max player is pretty difficult to overcome for any team trying to win.

I would say Scottie's defense is worth near max alone. If he provides same level of D as last year with modestly better offensive efficiency then he's absolutely a max player.

Is he a better defender than Herb Jones? I would say no.

So, I can't really make that leap to where he can be worth the max on defense alone when someone who defends better than him isn't making close to that.

herb jones being unpaid isn't a good argument.

Also Herb isn't better. He's just the better on ball defender. Scottie has same number of stocks per game, and higher rebounds. I would put them in same tier defensively. While Scottie is clearly a tier tier overall player.

Ironically I'd say OG is in same tier defensively. And is in same pay tier.

People need to chill. Scottie is an impact player and a cornerstone of the team.

[Appostis]

On another note so many people on this board were so wrong about Ace Bailey.....He looks like he will be great

Why? Because he scored well in two pre season games? lol.

Um...Because people here and all over the Net said the guy will be a complete bust and can't do anything he did at the college level in an NBA game....Which was so far from the truth...

He hasn't just been scoring either he has shown a complete game and showed he has a veriety of ways to score the ball at all 3 levels at that young age....Dumb to pretend hes as bad as people were claiming.

They said he had high bust potential.. and that remains the case.

[CPT]

I would say Scottie's defense is worth near max alone. If he provides same level of D as last year with modestly better offensive efficiency then he's absolutely a max player.

Is he a better defender than Herb Jones? I would say no.

So, I can't really make that leap to where he can be worth the max on defense alone when someone who defends better than him isn't making close to that.

herb jones being unpaid isn't a good arguement

Sure it is. I mean, depending on what part of the argument you're going with.

Defense-first guys don't typically get maxed. You just don't need to pay as much for defensive guys.

He's also never been in serious discussion for an all-defensive team spot. A few votes here and there, but none recently AFAIK.

I still don't think it's some disaster of a contract. He was basically a lock for a max rookie extension from ROTY and the All-Star selection. He's got his work cut out for him to live up to it though.

He will need to be an all-defensive team level guy who still gives you something on offense. I think that's attainable, it just won't look like the typical two-way/3&D player. I think we're all hoping a healthier, more talented team frees him up on both sides of the ball.

[Kobe Anunoby]

On another note so many people on this board were so wrong about Ace Bailey.....He looks like he will be great

Why? Because he scored well in two pre season games? lol.

Um...Because people here and all over the Net said the guy will be a complete bust and can't do anything he did at the college level in an NBA game....Which was so far from the truth...

He hasn't just been scoring either he has shown a complete game and showed he has a veriety of ways to score the ball at all 3 levels at that young age....Dumb to pretend hes as bad as people were claiming.

Aces jumper looks smoooooooth. Moves so well for a 6’10 athlete. He will have lots of opportunities, I think it’s a matter of whether the jazz do well of keeping him from getting big eyes and chucking too much.
Personally aside from Flagg I see Bailey and Bryant being the best players from the draft in 5-10 years.
FYI I am also enjoying the CMB show, although he seems to be made of glass through the first few games.

[S.W.A.N]

Is he a better defender than Herb Jones? I would say no.

So, I can't really make that leap to where he can be worth the max on defense alone when someone who defends better than him isn't making close to that.

herb jones being unpaid isn't a good arguement

Sure it is. I mean, depending on what part of the argument you're going with.

Defense-first guys don't typically get maxed. You just don't need to pay as much for defensive guys.

He's also never been in serious discussion for an all-defensive team spot. A few votes here and there, but none recently AFAIK.

I still don't think it's some disaster of a contract. He was basically a lock for a max rookie extension from ROTY and the All-Star selection. He's got his work cut out for him to live up to it though.

He will need to be an all-defensive team level guy who still gives you something on offense. I think that's attainable, it just won't look like the typical two-way/3&D player. I think we're all hoping a healthier, more talented team frees him up on both sides of the ball.

so i edited my post after you replied. But basically I think I don't disagree with you.

I see scottie as an all-defense level guy with above average offense (passing being his true plus skill). And yes I think freeing him up, asking him to do less will make him better.

I think ideally he's our best defender and 3rd option on offense. Basically our own Draymond. Or bigger better passing worse shooting OG.

I can't wait to see the wierd Scottie/CMB lineups that are absolute defensive monsters

[Ado05]

Hopefully the Bucks really like him lol

[Yallbecrazy]

Remember when Ace had that 4 game stretch in college where his BPM went from ~-0.5 to 3 and everyone started claiming victory over the Ace doubters?

He's streaky and we'll have to see how he does in a full season against defenses that actually try.

[Reeko]

On another note so many people on this board were so wrong about Ace Bailey.....He looks like he will be great

Why? Because he scored well in two pre season games? lol.

Um...Because people here and all over the Net said the guy will be a complete bust and can't do anything he did at the college level in an NBA game....Which was so far from the truth...

He hasn't just been scoring either he has shown a complete game and showed he has a veriety of ways to score the ball at all 3 levels at that young age....Dumb to pretend hes as bad as people were claiming.

I think most people were saying that he was likely a secondary or tertiary option as a scorer at the next level, as opposed to a first option. You had people saying he was going to be the next KD, but then you had other people such as myself who felt like he was more likely to be a Rashard Lewis type. Funny enough that's pretty much exactly how the Jazz are using him, as a movement shooter. I think the handle and the decision making still have quite a ways to go before I would even start with a Paul George comparison.

He landed in a great situation in Utah and I really think that the coaching staff there is making it a point to play to his strengths on offense. Personally, I believe that if Utah were putting him out there and just having him run a lot of isos and pick and roll's he would look a lot worse and those same detractors who felt he would be a bust would be a lot more vocal right now.

[Johnny Bball]

I think Barnes has this year to prove he can be the player they want, or they might be forced to move his max extension. Has nothing to do with CMB.

He's shown only a little growth over 4 years. I don't see the team continuing to build around Barnes if he doesn't improve this season, and if they change it, Barnes is just going to want out anyway.

Maybe seeing the entire team out there as its supposed to be will help ignite Barnes.

[Los_29]

If Masai was still here, maybe Giannis was a possibility. But with Masai gone, Giannis seems to have locked in on the Knicks. Just waiting for that deal to happen once the trade restrictions on Turner are lifted. I see Giannis, Turner & Kuzma for Towns, OG & Robinson + picks probably happening.

Just saw this article got posted: https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/282232/Knicks-Made-Jalen-Brunson-Untouchable-In-Giannis-Antetokounmpo-Talks-With-Bucks

In terms of Barnes, I say keep developing him, trying to build his value, and wait for the day SGA demands a trade out, which is coming. OKC's last chance at a title is this season. After this season, when the extensions for JDub & Chet kick in, they need to let the heart of their D go in Dort & IH. Once they start to fall off, I could see SGA demanding a trade home. By that time the US might have gone fully MAGA crazy.

Yeah, whatever will SGA do when he only has 2 other all-star level players left to play with (as well as the biggest draft cache in NBA history)?

Why would SGA ever leave OKC in the next few years? Here is their roster/asset base even if IH and Dort leave

SGA
JDub
Chet
Wallace
Caruso

Mitchell
Topic

Not only do they have a better core than us, they have twice as many draft assets. It’s ridiculous to think OKC’s last chance at a title is this year. They can dodge the 2nd apron in ‘26/27 by getting off of Joe and Wiggins which would allow them to keep both Dort and IH.

That's not that impressive especially considering we have no idea what kind of player Topic will be. Not sure the value of their FRPs either.

WIth that said, SGA is in a way better situation there in OKC than he would here. There is chemistry and familiarity. He also seems to like OKC.

[TimeForChange]

On another note so many people on this board were so wrong about Ace Bailey.....He looks like he will be great

Why? Because he scored well in two pre season games? lol.

HOF careers are built from rookie year preseason stats

[ConSarnit]

If Masai was still here, maybe Giannis was a possibility. But with Masai gone, Giannis seems to have locked in on the Knicks. Just waiting for that deal to happen once the trade restrictions on Turner are lifted. I see Giannis, Turner & Kuzma for Towns, OG & Robinson + picks probably happening.

Just saw this article got posted: https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/282232/Knicks-Made-Jalen-Brunson-Untouchable-In-Giannis-Antetokounmpo-Talks-With-Bucks

In terms of Barnes, I say keep developing him, trying to build his value, and wait for the day SGA demands a trade out, which is coming. OKC's last chance at a title is this season. After this season, when the extensions for JDub & Chet kick in, they need to let the heart of their D go in Dort & IH. Once they start to fall off, I could see SGA demanding a trade home. By that time the US might have gone fully MAGA crazy.

Yeah, whatever will SGA do when he only has 2 other all-star level players left to play with (as well as the biggest draft cache in NBA history)?

Why would SGA ever leave OKC in the next few years? Here is their roster/asset base even if IH and Dort leave

SGA
JDub
Chet
Wallace
Caruso

Mitchell
Topic

Not only do they have a better core than us, they have twice as many draft assets. It’s ridiculous to think OKC’s last chance at a title is this year. They can dodge the 2nd apron in ‘26/27 by getting off of Joe and Wiggins which would allow them to keep both Dort and IH.

That's not that impressive especially considering we have no idea what kind of player Topic will be. Not sure the value of their FRPs either.

WIth that said, SGA is in a way better situation there in OKC than he would here. There is chemistry and familiarity. He also seems to like OKC.

Any way you want to try and cut it they will be in a an excellent spot, regardless of how Topic works out. They could enter the ‘26/27 season with all of the above guys + one of Dort/IH while paying a moderate tax bill. They have 8 1sts (possibly 9) over the next 4 years. Even if only one of the wildcard guys hit as a good role player (Topic, Mitchell, Sorber, ‘26 1sts) they can maintain excellent depth. Outside of getting squeezed by luxury tax penalties they are in maybe the best spot of any team in NBA history.

[Los_29]

Yeah, whatever will SGA do when he only has 2 other all-star level players left to play with (as well as the biggest draft cache in NBA history)?

Why would SGA ever leave OKC in the next few years? Here is their roster/asset base even if IH and Dort leave

SGA
JDub
Chet
Wallace
Caruso

Mitchell
Topic

Not only do they have a better core than us, they have twice as many draft assets. It’s ridiculous to think OKC’s last chance at a title is this year. They can dodge the 2nd apron in ‘26/27 by getting off of Joe and Wiggins which would allow them to keep both Dort and IH.

That's not that impressive especially considering we have no idea what kind of player Topic will be. Not sure the value of their FRPs either.

WIth that said, SGA is in a way better situation there in OKC than he would here. There is chemistry and familiarity. He also seems to like OKC.

Any way you want to try and cut it they will be in a an excellent spot, regardless of how Topic works out. They could enter the ‘26/27 season with all of the above guys + one of Dort/IH while paying a moderate tax bill. They have 8 1sts (possibly 9) over the next 4 years. Even if only one of the wildcard guys hit as a good role player (Topic, Mitchell, Sorber, ‘26 1sts) they can maintain excellent depth. Outside of getting squeezed by luxury tax penalties they are in maybe the best spot of any team in NBA history.

I’ll have to double check but I think the tax has changed. They are quite hefty now. I don’t think it would be a moderate tax bill.

They have some appealing picks this year. Sixers and Jazz. Jazz will likely stink again but the Sixers pick is top 4 protected. That team is a bit of a mess. So yes, they are in a good spot. We just need to hope that SGA gets tired of carrying the offensive load there.

[JB7]

Yeah, whatever will SGA do when he only has 2 other all-star level players left to play with (as well as the biggest draft cache in NBA history)?

Why would SGA ever leave OKC in the next few years? Here is their roster/asset base even if IH and Dort leave

SGA
JDub
Chet
Wallace
Caruso

Mitchell
Topic

Not only do they have a better core than us, they have twice as many draft assets. It’s ridiculous to think OKC’s last chance at a title is this year. They can dodge the 2nd apron in ‘26/27 by getting off of Joe and Wiggins which would allow them to keep both Dort and IH.

That's not that impressive especially considering we have no idea what kind of player Topic will be. Not sure the value of their FRPs either.

WIth that said, SGA is in a way better situation there in OKC than he would here. There is chemistry and familiarity. He also seems to like OKC.

Any way you want to try and cut it they will be in a an excellent spot, regardless of how Topic works out. They could enter the ‘26/27 season with all of the above guys + one of Dort/IH while paying a moderate tax bill. They have 8 1sts (possibly 9) over the next 4 years. Even if only one of the wildcard guys hit as a good role player (Topic, Mitchell, Sorber, ‘26 1sts) they can maintain excellent depth. Outside of getting squeezed by luxury tax penalties they are in maybe the best spot of any team in NBA history.

They are a small market team, in the West, in middle America. They are absolutely going to get squeezed by the tax, and in the West, that will eliminate their ability to compete, as their core (SGA, JDub & Chet) are not physical enough to withstand the grind of multiple playoff rounds.

The most obvious guy to keep would be IH, but Dort is probably the player closest to SGA. And keeping one is still going to cost them significant tax dollars.

Also, as much as Durant talked about how much he enjoyed OKC, that didn't stop him from jumping ship when he had the chance.

Their best chance to compete will be this season. After that, it will all start to fall apart.

The tax implications are serious. Even owners with deep pockets are avoiding it (Warriors, Celtics, etc.).

They would still be a good team, just not a true contender.

I could see a SGA for Barnes & Quickley swap, with more salary filler on the OKC side. Premise of the deal though is SGA demands a trade out 2 years from now, and pushes for a trade home.

Barnes and IQ would complement JDub and Chet.

[mademan]

That's not that impressive especially considering we have no idea what kind of player Topic will be. Not sure the value of their FRPs either.

WIth that said, SGA is in a way better situation there in OKC than he would here. There is chemistry and familiarity. He also seems to like OKC.

Any way you want to try and cut it they will be in a an excellent spot, regardless of how Topic works out. They could enter the ‘26/27 season with all of the above guys + one of Dort/IH while paying a moderate tax bill. They have 8 1sts (possibly 9) over the next 4 years. Even if only one of the wildcard guys hit as a good role player (Topic, Mitchell, Sorber, ‘26 1sts) they can maintain excellent depth. Outside of getting squeezed by luxury tax penalties they are in maybe the best spot of any team in NBA history.

They are a small market team, in the West, in middle America. They are absolutely going to get squeezed by the tax, and in the West, that will eliminate their ability to compete, as their core (SGA, JDub & Chet) are not physical enough to withstand the grind of multiple playoff rounds.

The most obvious guy to keep would be IH, but Dort is probably the player closest to SGA. And keeping one is still going to cost them significant tax dollars.

Also, as much as Durant talked about how much he enjoyed OKC, that didn't stop him from jumping ship when he had the chance.

Their best chance to compete will be this season. After that, it will all start to fall apart.

The tax implications are serious. Even owners with deep pockets are avoiding it (Warriors, Celtics, etc.).

They would still be a good team, just not a true contender.

I could see a SGA for Barnes & Quickley swap, with more salary filler on the OKC side. Premise of the deal though is SGA demands a trade out 2 years from now, and pushes for a trade home.

Barnes and IQ would complement JDub and Chet.

So worried about the tax implications, OKC would trade for 70mill in contracts? Raps dont have the cheap young talent or picks if, for some crazy reason, Shai left the best situation in basketball

[JB7]

Any way you want to try and cut it they will be in a an excellent spot, regardless of how Topic works out. They could enter the ‘26/27 season with all of the above guys + one of Dort/IH while paying a moderate tax bill. They have 8 1sts (possibly 9) over the next 4 years. Even if only one of the wildcard guys hit as a good role player (Topic, Mitchell, Sorber, ‘26 1sts) they can maintain excellent depth. Outside of getting squeezed by luxury tax penalties they are in maybe the best spot of any team in NBA history.

They are a small market team, in the West, in middle America. They are absolutely going to get squeezed by the tax, and in the West, that will eliminate their ability to compete, as their core (SGA, JDub & Chet) are not physical enough to withstand the grind of multiple playoff rounds.

The most obvious guy to keep would be IH, but Dort is probably the player closest to SGA. And keeping one is still going to cost them significant tax dollars.

Also, as much as Durant talked about how much he enjoyed OKC, that didn't stop him from jumping ship when he had the chance.

Their best chance to compete will be this season. After that, it will all start to fall apart.

The tax implications are serious. Even owners with deep pockets are avoiding it (Warriors, Celtics, etc.).

They would still be a good team, just not a true contender.

I could see a SGA for Barnes & Quickley swap, with more salary filler on the OKC side. Premise of the deal though is SGA demands a trade out 2 years from now, and pushes for a trade home.

Barnes and IQ would complement JDub and Chet.

So worried about the tax implications, OKC would trade for 70mill in contracts? Raps dont have the cheap young talent or picks if, for some crazy reason, Shai left the best situation in basketball

They would be breaking SGA’s supermax deal into two players (Barnes and IQ). They save the tax payments by cutting IH & Dort after next season, when both players are on team options.

Again, premise is OKC is not willing to pay $184M in tax, and starts to strip down the team eliminating them from being contenders. They compete this season, start the strip down the following season, and after that season SGA asks for a trade.

[Clutch0z24]

Why? Because he scored well in two pre season games? lol.

Um...Because people here and all over the Net said the guy will be a complete bust and can't do anything he did at the college level in an NBA game....Which was so far from the truth...

He hasn't just been scoring either he has shown a complete game and showed he has a veriety of ways to score the ball at all 3 levels at that young age....Dumb to pretend hes as bad as people were claiming.

I think most people were saying that he was likely a secondary or tertiary option as a scorer at the next level, as opposed to a first option. You had people saying he was going to be the next KD, but then you had other people such as myself who felt like he was more likely to be a Rashard Lewis type. Funny enough that's pretty much exactly how the Jazz are using him, as a movement shooter. I think the handle and the decision making still have quite a ways to go before I would even start with a Paul George comparison.

He landed in a great situation in Utah and I really think that the coaching staff there is making it a point to play to his strengths on offense. Personally, I believe that if Utah were putting him out there and just having him run a lot of isos and pick and roll's he would look a lot worse and those some detractors who felt he would be a bust would be a lot more vocal right now.

Nah alot of people were saying he would be a down right bust and he sucked at basketball....Not speaking for you but from what i seen from majority online....

We can all admit the disrespect he was getting not just as a player but personally as well was a little over the top since he will obviously be a good to great NBA player....He seems like a kid who wants to be great as well so the sky is the limit with that smooth jumper he has and 3 level scoring ability.

Not saying he won't have his struggles but you can't teach his size and his scoring ability at that age.

[Purple+Black]

I think we’re already at that point

[Reeko]

It took 2 pre season games.