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

[jbk1234]

Maybe I'm missing something, but how do you conclude they were willing to sell low based on that list of teams?

Think more so timing and fact they was calling teams. Pre injury he was playing at mvp level. Not something you call teams about unless more going on behind the scenes.

There is a path that they was asking for Giannis , Mitchell or Tatum. But think realistically i don’t think cavs , bucks and Celtics had firsts to offers and were doing too well to trade a rotation piece.

Considering, LAL was able to steal Luka…

I think it would be seen as possible that LA called asking about other stars with a similar trade? They had another first to add that Nico was unable to get..

He was unable to get it because Luka didn't know he was on the block and Nico didn't want Luka to know. You can think of that what you will, but Luka would not be the first star to blow up a trade and tank his value by telling trade partners he won't extend.

[jayjaysee]

Think more so timing and fact they was calling teams. Pre injury he was playing at mvp level. Not something you call teams about unless more going on behind the scenes.

There is a path that they was asking for Giannis , Mitchell or Tatum. But think realistically i don’t think cavs , bucks and Celtics had firsts to offers and were doing too well to trade a rotation piece.

Considering, LAL was able to steal Luka…

I think it would be seen as possible that LA called asking about other stars with a similar trade? They had another first to add that Nico was unable to get..

He was unable to get it because Luka didn't know he was on the block and Nico didn't want Luka to know. You can think of that what you will, but Luka would not be the first star to blow up a trade and tank his value by telling trade partners he won't extend.

While that specifically might be true.. A competent GM would have got an extra first or (obviously) would have created a market versus what Nico/LAL did.

But on topic, the LA news/rumor to me would seem like LA was done with AD and they were just calling around and offering AD+ for a younger star. And most teams laughed, as they should.. Until one unfortunately did not?

That’s all my take is. I don’t see how LA called Milwaukee and it wasn’t about Giannis. Or Cleveland and it wasn’t about Mitchell or Mobley. Those ideas sound ridiculous, until you remember AD was traded for Luka during that time frame.

[kobe_vs_jordan]

Maybe I'm missing something, but how do you conclude they were willing to sell low based on that list of teams?

Think more so timing and fact they was calling teams. Pre injury he was playing at mvp level. Not something you call teams about unless more going on behind the scenes.

There is a path that they was asking for Giannis , Mitchell or Tatum. But think realistically i don’t think cavs , bucks and Celtics had firsts to offers and were doing too well to trade a rotation piece.

Wait, do you think asking for Tatum, Mitchell, or Giannis was selling *low* on AD?

No i do not. But those players are the non sell low path. They were calling teams with limited financial flexibility and actually tradable assets.

[kobe_vs_jordan]

Maybe I'm missing something, but how do you conclude they were willing to sell low based on that list of teams?

Think more so timing and fact they was calling teams. Pre injury he was playing at mvp level. Not something you call teams about unless more going on behind the scenes.

There is a path that they was asking for Giannis , Mitchell or Tatum. But think realistically i don’t think cavs , bucks and Celtics had firsts to offers and were doing too well to trade a rotation piece.

Considering, LAL was able to steal Luka…

I think it would be seen as possible that LA called asking about other stars with a similar trade? They had another first to add that Nico was unable to get..

Think it was more luck of failing upwards. Rob didn’t reach out to Nico. Nico called him.

Nico heard AD was for traded and over bidded. Probably could had AD for a non Luka deal. Boston, Celtics and Cavs already told lakers no.

[jayjaysee]

Think more so timing and fact they was calling teams. Pre injury he was playing at mvp level. Not something you call teams about unless more going on behind the scenes.

There is a path that they was asking for Giannis , Mitchell or Tatum. But think realistically i don’t think cavs , bucks and Celtics had firsts to offers and were doing too well to trade a rotation piece.

Considering, LAL was able to steal Luka…

I think it would be seen as possible that LA called asking about other stars with a similar trade? They had another first to add that Nico was unable to get..

Think it was more luck of failing upwards. Rob didn’t reach out to Nico. Nico called him.

Nico heard AD was for traded and over bidded. Probably could had AD for a non Luka deal. Boston, Celtics and Cavs already told lakers no.

We agree on Nico side, I just think LAL was calling those teams looking to upgrade AD. Not LA trying to trade AD at a discount.

The list of teams mentioned happen to have superstars in their primes a few years younger than AD.

[kobe_vs_jordan]

Considering, LAL was able to steal Luka…

I think it would be seen as possible that LA called asking about other stars with a similar trade? They had another first to add that Nico was unable to get..

Think it was more luck of failing upwards. Rob didn’t reach out to Nico. Nico called him.

Nico heard AD was for traded and over bidded. Probably could had AD for a non Luka deal. Boston, Celtics and Cavs already told lakers no.

We agree on Nico side, I just think LAL was calling those teams looking to upgrade AD. Not LA trying to trade AD at a discount.

The list of teams mentioned happen to have superstars in their primes a few years younger than AD.

Possibly. But the time to upgrade AD would been the summer time where you can balance the roster imo.
Tough sell to ask for a team young star and the teams are looking like contenders in first half of the season.

Seem like behind the scene issues when you make trade calls for a guy that was playing like he was.

If Luka trade didn’t exist , i would guess lakers would had started this season without both LeBron and AD.

[jayjaysee]

Anyone falling for Brandon Williams? Want to try to call him a super cheap, useful backup point guard for the season? Some expensive team that could use him for 15-20mpg? Not pretending he has a bunch of value, but any at all? Minnesota thread made me think of it..

Some feel like at 26 years old he should be kept in Dallas after this season.. I just think Kyrie is going to be the starting guard next season, hopefully a rookie guard is drafted and you have Nembhard as the long shot young guard..

I understand Dallas shouldn’t be trading guards. But that doesn’t matter this season. Kidd is doing a very good job so far this season.

[babyjax13]

I will eat my crow on McDaniels, the volume has finally increased and he is fantastic next to Ant.

[LarsV8]

Rotating the talented but troubling guards:

Morant to Charlotte
Melo to Atlanta
Trae to Grizzlies

Melo in Charlotte just seems to have run its course, and they fear he will request a trade. Try it with Morant, to see if it meshes a bit better. Morant needs gets a new coach, and an opportunity to prove he was right, so should be on his best behavior.

Atlanta seems to be playing fine without Trae, and it is hard to justify his next contract. Atlanta pushes the contract decision back a few years by taking a shot with Melo.

Morant in Memphis seems to be pretty much over. Trae brings a similar talent level with less headaches.

[babyjax13]

Rotating the talented but troubling guards:

Morant to Charlotte
Melo to Atlanta
Trae to Grizzlies

Melo in Charlotte just seems to have run its course, and they fear he will request a trade. Try it with Morant, to see if it meshes a bit better. Morant needs gets a new coach, and an opportunity to prove he was right, so should be on his best behavior.

Atlanta seems to be playing fine without Trae, and it is hard to justify his next contract. Atlanta pushes the contract decision back a few years by taking a shot with Melo.

Morant in Memphis seems to be pretty much over. Trae brings a similar talent level with less headaches.

I think you just cut Atlanta out and it is more interesting. If the Hawks don't want to keep Trae I don't think they will want to trade for someone who increases the drama on their team.

[jayjaysee]

Working on an a bad idea that no one liked?

Brooklyn: Mann and Highsmith
Brooklyn: Simons and “any vet min Boston wants”

Open up cap space for next summer.

Boston: Simons, “any vet min Boston wants”, and 2nd(s)
Boston: Mann and Gafford

Boston takes on two expensive but useful pieces around their three stars.

Dallas: Gafford
Dallas: Highsmith and 2nd(s)

Dallas trims 8.7 mil and gets 1-2 seconds they will use to get the rest of the way under the tax at the deadline.

[babyjax13]

Working on an a bad idea that no one liked?

Brooklyn: Mann and Highsmith
Brooklyn: Simons and “any vet min Boston wants”

Open up cap space for next summer.

Boston: Simons, “any vet min Boston wants”, and 2nd(s)
Boston: Mann and Gafford

Boston takes on two expensive but useful pieces around their three stars.

Dallas: Gafford
Dallas: Highsmith and 2nd(s)

Dallas trims 8.7 mil and gets 1-2 seconds they will use to get the rest of the way under the tax at the deadline.

Feels like if Dallas is trading Gafford for someone out for the year and 2nds that at least they should be pushed under the tax in that deal. TBH, I think this should be some kind of Simons for Mann deal to get Boston under the apron and get off future money for BRK.

[jayjaysee]

Working on an a bad idea that no one liked?

Brooklyn: Mann and Highsmith
Brooklyn: Simons and “any vet min Boston wants”

Open up cap space for next summer.

Boston: Simons, “any vet min Boston wants”, and 2nd(s)
Boston: Mann and Gafford

Boston takes on two expensive but useful pieces around their three stars.

Dallas: Gafford
Dallas: Highsmith and 2nd(s)

Dallas trims 8.7 mil and gets 1-2 seconds they will use to get the rest of the way under the tax at the deadline.

Feels like if Dallas is trading Gafford for someone out for the year and 2nds that at least they should be pushed under the tax in that deal. TBH, I think this should be some kind of Simons for Mann deal to get Boston under the apron and get off future money for BRK.

Yeah, I don’t mind the two teams cutting Dallas out. I just thought Boston would like the duo as affordable 20-30mpg rotation pieces around their stars.

I do think Gafford should have a bit more value than that suggestion. But trying to look at deals other than AD for a second.

[HadAnEffectHere]

Sabonis for expiring contracts makes sense on paper, but it's really weird to find a fit for Sabonis. He's really good if you want to transform your team from a 10th seed to a 6th seed while ensuring that you're never actually a contender with him on your cap... I don't know who wants that other than the Bulls and he's not a good fit for the Bulls.

Ja for Sabonis?

[YayBasketball]

Zion for MPJ straight up.
BKN gets a Z test drive, then waive his contract in the offseason if/when it flames out, gets them ~40m in extra cap space they'd be paying MPJ next year.
NOP gets a playing starting forward shooter who fits well with their young core. Moves on from Z, MPJ is a nice contributing expiring next season.

[YayBasketball]

Unrealistic and offseason trade rather than deadline... Franz for Murphy + Herb. Plus other incentives for ORL (Bey, Alvarado, Missi, 1st?). Magic breakup the duo to get a better fitting modern shooting roster. Pels go for a true core piece leader to lead the Fears and Queen new wave.

[YayBasketball]

Unrealistic and offseason trade rather than deadline... Franz for Murphy + Herb. Plus other incentives for ORL (Bey, Alvarado, Missi, 1st?). Magic breakup the duo to get a better fitting modern shooting roster. Pels go for a true core piece leader to lead the Fears and Queen new wave.

For funzzies, deadline wowzers:

ORL gets: Murphy, Herb, Bey, Missi

NOP gets: Franz, Mo, Jett

Alternatives welcomed but tricky to keep ORL with less salary incoming and Pels under the tax. Jose/Tyus swap, Issac dump, etc.

Magic split up Franz's salary to go super depth with another high level 3pt. spacer and a defensive specialist.

Pels add a core piece and franchise cornerstone, with Zion traded or waived soon (Zion for MPJ straight up).

ORL:

WCJ/ Goga/ Missi
Paulo/ TDS/ Isaac
Murphy/ Bey/ Penda
Bane/ Herb/ Jase
Suggs/ Black/ Tyus

NOP:

Mo / Looney/ Jordan
Queen/ Karlo
MPJ/ Jett/ Peavey
Franz/ Poole/ Hawkins
Murray/ Fears/ Jose

[babyjax13]

Unrealistic and offseason trade rather than deadline... Franz for Murphy + Herb. Plus other incentives for ORL (Bey, Alvarado, Missi, 1st?). Magic breakup the duo to get a better fitting modern shooting roster. Pels go for a true core piece leader to lead the Fears and Queen new wave.

For funzzies, deadline wowzers:

ORL gets: Murphy, Herb, Bey, Missi

NOP gets: Franz, Mo, Jett

Alternatives welcomed but tricky to keep ORL with less salary incoming and Pels under the tax. Jose/Tyus swap, Issac dump, etc.

Magic split up Franz's salary to go super depth with another high level 3pt. spacer and a defensive specialist.

Pels add a core piece and franchise cornerstone, with Zion traded or waived soon (Zion for MPJ straight up).

ORL:

WCJ/ Goga/ Missi
Paulo/ TDS/ Isaac
Murphy/ Bey/ Penda
Bane/ Herb/ Jase
Suggs/ Black/ Tyus

NOP:

Mo / Looney/ Jordan
Queen/ Karlo
MPJ/ Jett/ Peavey
Franz/ Poole/ Hawkins
Murray/ Fears/ Jose

I think this is a fun idea.