Fischer/Stein: Raps trying to see what RJ/IQ/Poeltl gets // Still trying for Anthony Davis

[tsherkin]

I think they are tryna sell high on RJ. We would be all over trading RJ if he wasn't playing good like IQ, Jak, Dick, Oachi. But it feels like it could a Norm situation where in 3 year RJ becomes a legit real good player.

I understand the why of it, I just don't like it. We found a way to properly deploy him, he's a hometown guy, he's playing well, etc, etc. But the finances of it don't seem to work for us retaining him, which kind of sucks.

[PushDaRock]

This article makes me sad. I keep hoping now that he's playing well that we'll find a way to keep RJ here, but it doesn't seem likely to happen.

We seem far more likely to blow what assets we have on guys who won't get it done for us.

I think they are tryna sell high on RJ. We would be all over trading RJ if he wasn't playing good like IQ, Jak, Dick, Oachi. But it feels like it could a Norm situation where in 3 year RJ becomes a legit real good player.

He's already been a really good player this year.

Counting stats are good and he's at +1.7 in EPM which is 86th percentile.

[PushDaRock]

I think they are tryna sell high on RJ. We would be all over trading RJ if he wasn't playing good like IQ, Jak, Dick, Oachi. But it feels like it could a Norm situation where in 3 year RJ becomes a legit real good player.

I understand the why of it, I just don't like it. We found a way to properly deploy him, he's a hometown guy, he's playing well, etc, etc. But the finances of it don't seem to work for us retaining him, which kind of sucks.

I'm not even buying this stuff. Darko has continued to downplay expectations for the team, you would think the FO is on the same page. We're attached to everyone because we are 4th in the East and have all our picks. The far greater likelihood is we keep everyone, build continuity, develop young players and see how far we can get before worrying about being treadmill fodder. Besides, if we get to let's say a perennial 50 win team, our players should be more widely valued and the more expensive players will be on shorter term making getting an actual upgrade more realistic at that point.

[RaptorPride]

I think they are tryna sell high on RJ. We would be all over trading RJ if he wasn't playing good like IQ, Jak, Dick, Oachi. But it feels like it could a Norm situation where in 3 year RJ becomes a legit real good player.

I understand the why of it, I just don't like it. We found a way to properly deploy him, he's a hometown guy, he's playing well, etc, etc. But the finances of it don't seem to work for us retaining him, which kind of sucks.

Same here man growing up I always wished we had a hometown guy leading our team. DeMar felt like that guy for a bit since he showed so much love. But I guess its a business and I honestly would trade him for the right return just from a business stand point.

[RaptorPride]

This article makes me sad. I keep hoping now that he's playing well that we'll find a way to keep RJ here, but it doesn't seem likely to happen.

We seem far more likely to blow what assets we have on guys who won't get it done for us.

I think they are tryna sell high on RJ. We would be all over trading RJ if he wasn't playing good like IQ, Jak, Dick, Oachi. But it feels like it could a Norm situation where in 3 year RJ becomes a legit real good player.

He's already been a really good player this year.

Counting stats are good and he's at +1.7 in EPM which is 86th percentile.

I know man RJ's been my guy since the day of the trade where people on here were saying he was the throw in and IQ was the main guy we traded for.

[RaptorPride]

I think they are tryna sell high on RJ. We would be all over trading RJ if he wasn't playing good like IQ, Jak, Dick, Oachi. But it feels like it could a Norm situation where in 3 year RJ becomes a legit real good player.

I understand the why of it, I just don't like it. We found a way to properly deploy him, he's a hometown guy, he's playing well, etc, etc. But the finances of it don't seem to work for us retaining him, which kind of sucks.

I'm not even buying this stuff. Darko has continued to downplay expectations for the team, you would think the FO is on the same page. We're attached to everyone because we are 4th in the East and have all our picks. The far greater likelihood is we keep everyone, build continuity, develop young players and see how far we can get before worrying about being treadmill fodder. Besides, if we get to let's say a perennial 50 win team, our players should be more widely valued and the more expensive players will be on shorter term making getting an actual upgrade more realistic at that point.

That would be my goal aswell just let this team keep growing together. But if we can get AD and Ja and not have to give up any picks maybe one at max and keep BI and Scottie. I think we just gotta take the risk and go all in for the next two years. This current team at max will be like the Lowry and DeMar teams which I would love. But I guess you can take a risk like this if the best thing you give up is RJ.

[WWSRD]

Soooo.............Shead....Ingram....Barnes....CMB....Davis?

[tsherkin]

I'm not even buying this stuff. Darko has continued to downplay expectations for the team, you would think the FO is on the same page. We're attached to everyone because we are 4th in the East and have all our picks.

It's possible. We're routinely named in every major trade out there and never come through, so it COULD be all smoke.

The far greater likelihood is we keep everyone, build continuity, develop young players and see how far we can get before worrying about being treadmill fodder. Besides, if we get to let's say a perennial 50 win team, our players should be more widely valued and the more expensive players will be on shorter term making getting an actual upgrade more realistic at that point.

That would be ideal, but RJ only has next year left on his contract and he won't be cheap, I expect. And there's the tax to consider.

[PushDaRock]

I'm not even buying this stuff. Darko has continued to downplay expectations for the team, you would think the FO is on the same page. We're attached to everyone because we are 4th in the East and have all our picks.

It's possible. We're routinely named in every major trade out there and never come through, so it COULD be all smoke.

The far greater likelihood is we keep everyone, build continuity, develop young players and see how far we can get before worrying about being treadmill fodder. Besides, if we get to let's say a perennial 50 win team, our players should be more widely valued and the more expensive players will be on shorter term making getting an actual upgrade more realistic at that point.

That would be ideal, but RJ only has next year left on his contract and he won't be cheap, I expect. And there's the tax to consider.

Good offensive players that aren't All-Stars or elite defenders aren't really getting paid anymore under this new CBA.

Look at what someone like Shaedon Sharpe had to settle for despite still having immense potential. 5-10 years ago, he's probably a rookie max guy.

[tsherkin]

Good offensive players that aren't All-Stars or elite defenders aren't really getting paid anymore under this new CBA.

Look at what someone like Shaedon Sharpe had to settle for despite still having immense potential. 5-10 years ago, he's probably a rookie max guy.

Right, but even still, he isn't going to want to DOWNGRADE in salary, and $30M/yr is still going to leave us in an awkward spot. We'll see what happens. I hope we can find a way, though. He's been quite good for us this year.

[HumbleRen]

There's still a world where RJ can remain with us, I don't think he'll have a bountiful market vying to pay him.

[deck]

Very few of these rumours make sense to me. We are not a good trading partner for Dallas unless we are sending out picks. Why would they want long term contract commitments in IQ or Poeltl? IQ in particular would be a very expensive acquisition when they already have Kyrie.

RJ is the only non-rookie contract that would make sense for them.

[Indeed]

I think they are tryna sell high on RJ. We would be all over trading RJ if he wasn't playing good like IQ, Jak, Dick, Oachi. But it feels like it could a Norm situation where in 3 year RJ becomes a legit real good player.

I understand the why of it, I just don't like it. We found a way to properly deploy him, he's a hometown guy, he's playing well, etc, etc. But the finances of it don't seem to work for us retaining him, which kind of sucks.

I'm not even buying this stuff. Darko has continued to downplay expectations for the team, you would think the FO is on the same page. We're attached to everyone because we are 4th in the East and have all our picks. The far greater likelihood is we keep everyone, build continuity, develop young players and see how far we can get before worrying about being treadmill fodder. Besides, if we get to let's say a perennial 50 win team, our players should be more widely valued and the more expensive players will be on shorter term making getting an actual upgrade more realistic at that point.

Actually, I don't understand the why. Quickley is selling low. Ingram is not selling high.

I think the front office has no idea, all we are doing is to duck the tax, particularly if Barnes makes the super max. We are more just dealing with bad contracts, instead of building a proper team that will win. You tell me getting Davis without any guard that can break down the offense would work? That is hard to imagine. It is hard to imagine Darko has a plan and the front office has a plan.

[Zeno]

There's still a world where RJ can remain with us, I don't think he'll have a bountiful market vying to pay him.

That may be true but I think one difference between Bobby and Masai is he believes in not allowing players you want to keep to get to their walk year before extending them. Of course this perception is basically built of the report of him wanting to extend Pascal and trade him later which Pascal was opposed too. But I think that thinking also backfired on him in extending Yak too. I don’t think he ever would have given him an extension if Yak didn’t have a player’s option next year. RJ might not have a great market in free agency but that won’t really matter as much if they are negotiating an extension with him a year out from free agency.

[Kingsway_fan]

There's still a world where RJ can remain with us, I don't think he'll have a bountiful market vying to pay him.

Hope so. I really feel he is key guy here... iq, Yak, our 1st,... .. I am okay with ...

[PushDaRock]

Good offensive players that aren't All-Stars or elite defenders aren't really getting paid anymore under this new CBA.

Look at what someone like Shaedon Sharpe had to settle for despite still having immense potential. 5-10 years ago, he's probably a rookie max guy.

Right, but even still, he isn't going to want to DOWNGRADE in salary, and $30M/yr is still going to leave us in an awkward spot. We'll see what happens. I hope we can find a way, though. He's been quite good for us this year.

I don't think it's that awkward of a spot. If we have team success, we will be a tax team and paying RJ fair value likely won't be an issue.

[tsherkin]

I don't think it's that awkward of a spot. If we have team success, we will be a tax team and paying RJ fair value likely won't be an issue.

We shall see, I suppose. Hopefully, you're right!

[PushDaRock]

I understand the why of it, I just don't like it. We found a way to properly deploy him, he's a hometown guy, he's playing well, etc, etc. But the finances of it don't seem to work for us retaining him, which kind of sucks.

I'm not even buying this stuff. Darko has continued to downplay expectations for the team, you would think the FO is on the same page. We're attached to everyone because we are 4th in the East and have all our picks. The far greater likelihood is we keep everyone, build continuity, develop young players and see how far we can get before worrying about being treadmill fodder. Besides, if we get to let's say a perennial 50 win team, our players should be more widely valued and the more expensive players will be on shorter term making getting an actual upgrade more realistic at that point.

Actually, I don't understand the why. Quickley is selling low. Ingram is not selling high.

I think the front office has no idea, all we are doing is to duck the tax, particularly if Barnes makes the super max. We are more just dealing with bad contracts, instead of building a proper team that will win. You tell me getting Davis without any guard that can break down the offense would work? That is hard to imagine. It is hard to imagine Darko has a plan and the front office has a plan.

How is Scottie making the Super Max? He already didn't qualify for it.

I'm not sure why you think the FO and coaching staff is that incompetent to not even have a plan.

[sidsid]

I'm not even buying this stuff. Darko has continued to downplay expectations for the team, you would think the FO is on the same page. We're attached to everyone because we are 4th in the East and have all our picks.

It's possible. We're routinely named in every major trade out there and never come through, so it COULD be all smoke.

The far greater likelihood is we keep everyone, build continuity, develop young players and see how far we can get before worrying about being treadmill fodder. Besides, if we get to let's say a perennial 50 win team, our players should be more widely valued and the more expensive players will be on shorter term making getting an actual upgrade more realistic at that point.

That would be ideal, but RJ only has next year left on his contract and he won't be cheap, I expect. And there's the tax to consider.

Good offensive players that aren't All-Stars or elite defenders aren't really getting paid anymore under this new CBA.

Look at what someone like Shaedon Sharpe had to settle for despite still having immense potential. 5-10 years ago, he's probably a rookie max guy.

Just look at all of these types of guys who are making around 30 or over. All have no value or are albatrosses that needed assets to move (unless you're trading with Dumars).

Then look at players like Dort/Caruso, which every contender would rather have. All around that 20 mil mark. Sure, a stupid team might give RJ a stupid deal, but that's fine as long as you're not that stupid team. Home-town discount is the a-bit-above MLE range, which is around those contracts now. And short, so that it remains a tradeable asset.

[LoveMyRaps]

RJ and Poeltl not on the bench…