RGM's Top 25 most valuable players - vote for #7

[powerhitter545]

Vote: Paul
Nom: Bynum

[-Kees-]

Paul
Amare

[diogo_pt]

V: Kevin Love
N: DeMarcus Cousins

[gswhoops]

Paul and Bynum

[DeBlazerRiddem]

I still feel like Kobe has transformative value to a franchise in ways which even Paul doesn't. If Blake wasn't in LAC to form "lob city" with Paul, I don't think you see the mad ticket rush etc.

So, I'm going to go ahead and throw my vote away for the 3rd party candidate:

Vote: Kobe
Nominate: Bogut

Honestly any of Horford/Bogut/Amare/Bynum could get the nomination and it would be fine, its splitting hairs.

Breaking down contracts:
Horford 5 years 12 per flat, no injury history.
Bogut 3 years 39 million increasing, injuries.
Amare 3 (4th his option) 60 (83) increasing, injuries uninsured
Bynum 2 years 31 million increasing (2nd year is team option), injures.

I think Amare's contract length and uninsured status is a big hit, as well as his inability to be a defensive anchor. Paradoxically, Bynum is mildly hurt by only being only under contract for 2 years. Horford looks perfect. But tonight, I would go for a true center over and feel slightly more comfortable with Bogut over Bynum.

Kobe's salary is too big for him to have much trade value. I would use more valuable assets to get CP3 than I would to get Kobe because of that.

Also, your list makes it look like Horford would have the most trade value... lowest salary, longest commitment (a big plus for a good player, no worries about F/A) and least risk.

[HartfordWhalers]

I still feel like Kobe has transformative value to a franchise in ways which even Paul doesn't. If Blake wasn't in LAC to form "lob city" with Paul, I don't think you see the mad ticket rush etc.

So, I'm going to go ahead and throw my vote away for the 3rd party candidate:

Vote: Kobe
Nominate: Bogut

Honestly any of Horford/Bogut/Amare/Bynum could get the nomination and it would be fine, its splitting hairs.

Breaking down contracts:
Horford 5 years 12 per flat, no injury history.
Bogut 3 years 39 million increasing, injuries.
Amare 3 (4th his option) 60 (83) increasing, injuries uninsured
Bynum 2 years 31 million increasing (2nd year is team option), injures.

I think Amare's contract length and uninsured status is a big hit, as well as his inability to be a defensive anchor. Paradoxically, Bynum is mildly hurt by only being only under contract for 2 years. Horford looks perfect. But tonight, I would go for a true center over and feel slightly more comfortable with Bogut over Bynum.

Kobe's salary is too big for him to have much trade value. I would use more valuable assets to get CP3 than I would to get Kobe because of that.

Also, your list makes it look like Horford would have the most trade value... lowest salary, longest commitment (a big plus for a good player, no worries about F/A) and least risk.

But how much could Kobe do for a franchise? I mean only 1 team actually wins each year, and very few think that Paul in a trade (especially with outgoing value) gets them there. In contrast, Kobe could probably take a team like Philly from 28th or so in attendance to selling out each game.

For chance at winning a ring, Kobe might not even be top 25 on salary. But I think there are a few franchises that would happily mortgage their futures to cash in on 3 years of Kobe if he would approve it.

As for Horford, I totally agree, but went Bogut anyway. I'm not sure you get to a conference final with Horford at center versus pf, and so many teams need centers, I think you might just see a slightly better trade offered for Bogut. Bosh has a (very) good argument too, I have no idea why I left him off.

[BringBackKorver]

Paul / Horford