Rumors, Random Thoughts, etc Version 20/20 We all got everything right...

[Diop]

Ball for Garland works $ wise, I think I would regret the trade as Ball really could be great if he stayed healthy, but I am scared that won't happen.

Would Cleveland consider it? What enticements would they need.

Would a Miles/Hunter swap be worth considering for Cavs. Health wise Miles is very reliable and works his ass off on the court. He just shouldn't be a number 2.

I trust Garland to level up as a defender more than I trust Ball to start making good decisions AND level up as a defender. Lonzo is already driving me a little nuts.

Hunter is probably the better player and definitely doesn’t have Bridges’ history.

I thought Lonzo was meant to be the steadier brother? Ball's defence has been ok at times this year, he definitely wants to win, but I completely understand where you're coming from.

looks like a non starter, I was originally going to offer Ball and Miller to get Garland away, but being over the 2nd apron kills it for Cleveland.

Charlotte just need to pray, hire a witch doctor, inject players with adamantium whatever it takes to turn this team around.

Miles is the only player I would get rid of if everyone was healthy.

Ball, Miller, Kon with Sion backing up could be interesting and Kalk has been a delightful surprise.

[Diop]

HOU is the ideal fit.

He needs a KD vet legend to lift him and mentor him.

I'm not Ja's ego would fit well there, he want's his own to much.

I think Pelicans and Kings

He would quit on the Kings.

Pels don’t have the assets unless Grizz want to tank with Fears.

Ja needs a strong coach and elite vet that he will listen to.

he might quit on the Kings, doesn't mean they won't trade for him and try

[toooskies]

Ball for Garland works $ wise, I think I would regret the trade as Ball really could be great if he stayed healthy, but I am scared that won't happen.

Would Cleveland consider it? What enticements would they need.

Would a Miles/Hunter swap be worth considering for Cavs. Health wise Miles is very reliable and works his ass off on the court. He just shouldn't be a number 2.

I trust Garland to level up as a defender more than I trust Ball to start making good decisions AND level up as a defender. Lonzo is already driving me a little nuts.

Hunter is probably the better player and definitely doesn’t have Bridges’ history.

I thought Lonzo was meant to be the steadier brother? Ball's defence has been ok at times this year, he definitely wants to win, but I completely understand where you're coming from.

looks like a non starter, I was originally going to offer Ball and Miller to get Garland away, but being over the 2nd apron kills it for Cleveland.

Charlotte just need to pray, hire a witch doctor, inject players with adamantium whatever it takes to turn this team around.

Miles is the only player I would get rid of if everyone was healthy.

Ball, Miller, Kon with Sion backing up could be interesting and Kalk has been a delightful surprise.

People who think Garland is too short to play with Mitchell might accept a Garland/Ball swap. But time and again the problem is health, not height. LaMelo isn’t an upgrade in that department either.

LaMelo + Miller for Garland would probably be enough of an overpay to get Cleveland to listen but I have no idea what the team-building plan in Charlotte would be. The Cavs could do a pair of 1-for-1 deals like Garland for Ball, Strus for Miller.

The Cavs might want to move Miller right after, though, because they don’t need potential. Miller to NOP or POR for Herb or Camara?

But if that package is available then the Cavs need to be wary of long-term damaged goods.

[Chi town]

I'm not Ja's ego would fit well there, he want's his own to much.

I think Pelicans and Kings

He would quit on the Kings.

Pels don’t have the assets unless Grizz want to tank with Fears.

Ja needs a strong coach and elite vet that he will listen to.

he might quit on the Kings, doesn't mean they won't trade for him and try

Kangz gonna Kangz

[K_chile22]

So Ja is getting traded right?

I'm wondering who would go for him?

HOU is the ideal fit.

He needs a KD vet legend to lift him and mentor him.

I don't really care for that fit tbh. Rockets offense is looking fine early, #1 offensive rating is obviously unsustainable for them but if they can stay top 8 ish that's plenty good enough. Ja would hurt their defense significantly and I'm not sure how much his game would help them on offense

[Chi town]

So Ja is getting traded right?

I'm wondering who would go for him?

HOU is the ideal fit.

He needs a KD vet legend to lift him and mentor him.

I don't really care for that fit tbh. Rockets offense is looking fine early, #1 offensive rating is obviously unsustainable for them but if they can stay top 8 ish that's plenty good enough. Ja would hurt their defense significantly and I'm not sure how much his game would help them on offense

Ja when motivated is a cornerstone and could put you right there with OKC and Spurs.

Current Ja is an overpaid loser.

Not worth the risk unless he comes cheap for HOU. I don’t see HOU ever being more than a 2nd round team and KD is aging fast.

[SkyHook]

Any interest in an improved version of Keyonte George? 22.6 ppg on .589 TS%, 3rd in the league in fta per game, 7.9 apg (8th in the league). Still ineffective from range. A weak but improving defender. He's shown a great deal of maturity this season, something that we hadn't seen before. Wolves maybe?

[HadAnEffectHere]

Any interest in an improved version of Keyonte George? 22.6 ppg on .589 TS%, 3rd in the league in fta per game, 7.9 apg (8th in the league). Still ineffective from range. A weak but improving defender. He's shown a great deal of maturity this season, something that we hadn't seen before. Wolves maybe?

I mean, obviously there would be a ton of interest currently as he's so cheap for this year and next, but the Jazz are not going to trade him.

[jbk1234]

I trust Garland to level up as a defender more than I trust Ball to start making good decisions AND level up as a defender. Lonzo is already driving me a little nuts.

Hunter is probably the better player and definitely doesn’t have Bridges’ history.

I thought Lonzo was meant to be the steadier brother? Ball's defence has been ok at times this year, he definitely wants to win, but I completely understand where you're coming from.

looks like a non starter, I was originally going to offer Ball and Miller to get Garland away, but being over the 2nd apron kills it for Cleveland.

Charlotte just need to pray, hire a witch doctor, inject players with adamantium whatever it takes to turn this team around.

Miles is the only player I would get rid of if everyone was healthy.

Ball, Miller, Kon with Sion backing up could be interesting and Kalk has been a delightful surprise.

People who think Garland is too short to play with Mitchell might accept a Garland/Ball swap. But time and again the problem is health, not height. LaMelo isn’t an upgrade in that department either.

LaMelo + Miller for Garland would probably be enough of an overpay to get Cleveland to listen but I have no idea what the team-building plan in Charlotte would be. The Cavs could do a pair of 1-for-1 deals like Garland for Ball, Strus for Miller.

The Cavs might want to move Miller right after, though, because they don’t need potential. Miller to NOP or POR for Herb or Camara?

But if that package is available then the Cavs need to be wary of long-term damaged goods.

Height attached to awful defense adds no value. LeMelo is just as expensive as Garland and we'd still be over the second apron so your follow up trades would have to wait for summer.

Moreover, LeMelo has played in exactly one play-in game and it went poorly. Garland has at least shown his handle is good enough to stand up to aggressive defenders like Hart, Suggs, White, and Nembhard in the playoffs. That provides real value as Mitchell gets the second best defender.

Trading for LeMelo is not a risk Altman should take

[jayjaysee]

Any interest in an improved version of Keyonte George? 22.6 ppg on .589 TS%, 3rd in the league in fta per game, 7.9 apg (8th in the league). Still ineffective from range. A weak but improving defender. He's shown a great deal of maturity this season, something that we hadn't seen before. Wolves maybe?

If we buy into this George..

Eason to Sac
Value to Utah
George to Houston

But if we buy into this George, Utah should feel ready to come out of the tank next season and not trade him?

[Godaddycurse]

Any interest in an improved version of Keyonte George? 22.6 ppg on .589 TS%, 3rd in the league in fta per game, 7.9 apg (8th in the league). Still ineffective from range. A weak but improving defender. He's shown a great deal of maturity this season, something that we hadn't seen before. Wolves maybe?

If we buy into this George..

Eason to Sac
Value to Utah
George to Houston

But if we buy into this George, Utah should feel ready to come out of the tank next season and not trade him?

Houston fans are convinced they want defense not offense from the PG spot..

[tester551]

Any interest in an improved version of Keyonte George? 22.6 ppg on .589 TS%, 3rd in the league in fta per game, 7.9 apg (8th in the league). Still ineffective from range. A weak but improving defender. He's shown a great deal of maturity this season, something that we hadn't seen before. Wolves maybe?

If we buy into this George..

Eason to Sac
Value to Utah
George to Houston

But if we buy into this George, Utah should feel ready to come out of the tank next season and not trade him?

Houston fans are convinced they want defense not offense from the PG spot..

Interested in a lightly used Jrue Holiday?

[jayjaysee]

If we buy into this George..

Eason to Sac
Value to Utah
George to Houston

But if we buy into this George, Utah should feel ready to come out of the tank next season and not trade him?

Houston fans are convinced they want defense not offense from the PG spot..

Interested in a lightly used Jrue Holiday?

Know this was about Houston and I do not expect Portland to want to move Jrue but…

If Nico doesn’t want to do the smart thing and have the team take this season off.. Dallas should still be interested in Jrue.

[jayjaysee]

Assuming AD can only return “2 firsts” due to availability concerns… Is it better to tank with him and go into next season with him and Kyrie leading Cooper and 2026 first as suggested?

Or do you take the two extra firsts, have a worse team next season but be in a better position long term?

[jbk1234]

Assuming AD can only return “2 firsts” due to availability concerns… Is it better to tank with him and go into next season with him and Kyrie leading Cooper and 2026 first as suggested?

Or do you take the two extra firsts, have a worse team next season but be in a better position long term?

Are the two firsts from the Kings or the Bulls?

It's hard to answer this question without seeing what Kyrie looks like after returning from his injury.

[Devilanche]

Assuming AD can only return “2 firsts” due to availability concerns… Is it better to tank with him and go into next season with him and Kyrie leading Cooper and 2026 first as suggested?

Or do you take the two extra firsts, have a worse team next season but be in a better position long term?

Are the two firsts from the Kings or the Bulls?

It's hard to answer this question without seeing what Kyrie looks like after returning from his injury.

Take the 2 first . AD not getting any healthier .

[jayjaysee]

Assuming AD can only return “2 firsts” due to availability concerns… Is it better to tank with him and go into next season with him and Kyrie leading Cooper and 2026 first as suggested?

Or do you take the two extra firsts, have a worse team next season but be in a better position long term?

Are the two firsts from the Kings or the Bulls?

It's hard to answer this question without seeing what Kyrie looks like after returning from his injury.

Good points.

I think my flavor of the week favorite destination is Memphis paired with JJJ, egged further on by the lack of competition last night. So one of the firsts would hopefully be from Phoenix?

[HadAnEffectHere]

Any interest in an improved version of Keyonte George? 22.6 ppg on .589 TS%, 3rd in the league in fta per game, 7.9 apg (8th in the league). Still ineffective from range. A weak but improving defender. He's shown a great deal of maturity this season, something that we hadn't seen before. Wolves maybe?

If we buy into this George..

Eason to Sac
Value to Utah
George to Houston

But if we buy into this George, Utah should feel ready to come out of the tank next season and not trade him?

SkyHook hates Keyonte as a player.

But yes, the Jazz are going to keep him. He's drawing fouls at a ridiculous rate while showing enough PG skills.

They are not going to not tanking next year. They'll probably keep Keyonte for when they try to win in like... 2029-20230? Ace won't be ready until 2029-2030 and our rookie we draft this year probably won't be ready until then either (unless it's Boozer)

[jayjaysee]

Any interest in an improved version of Keyonte George? 22.6 ppg on .589 TS%, 3rd in the league in fta per game, 7.9 apg (8th in the league). Still ineffective from range. A weak but improving defender. He's shown a great deal of maturity this season, something that we hadn't seen before. Wolves maybe?

If we buy into this George..

Eason to Sac
Value to Utah
George to Houston

But if we buy into this George, Utah should feel ready to come out of the tank next season and not trade him?

SkyHook hates Keyonte as a player.

But yes, the Jazz are going to keep him. He's drawing fouls at a ridiculous rate while showing enough PG skills.

They are not going to not tanking next year. They'll probably keep Keyonte for when they try to win in like... 2029-20230? Ace won't be ready until 2029-2030 and our rookie we draft this year probably won't be ready until then either (unless it's Boozer)

I have “hated” almost everything I’ve seen from George as well… But I haven’t watched the Jazz play this season.

[SkyHook]

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/46874485/nba-intel-trade-talks-next-ja-morant-zion-williamson-trae-young-lamelo-ball

Good article. Couldn't have said it better about Ball.

"Yes, he's talented, but he doesn't take basketball seriously enough," another West scout said. "It's hard to build a winner with him because of how he plays, and the liberties he takes for himself when he plays."