Official Trade Thread: Two drink minimum

[NavLDO]

OK. I can't really argue your standpoint on this...it was really just how I personally feel about it. But hey, if he's as good as you project, then I wouldn't mind it. But that's some high praise considering guys like Wiggins, Randle, Parker, Warren, and Embiid. I think they all will be better overall, personally, but if you are right, then yep, I'd trade a 1st and Ennis and not think too much about it. TBH, I was surprised we didn't go with a PF somewhere in the 1st.

I think something got lost in the translation. It's TJ Warren that I believe will be a top player from this draft, not Payne. Payne is still mostly a question mark. If he's as good as Frye, Ennis and our pick would not be enough to get him. He's similar to Channing in style but it remains to be seen whether he'll develop into a good stretch 4/5 in this league. Given our strength with guards, I think it's a gamble worth taking even if we have to pay a slight premium.

Yeah, it's called "I is stooped" and "I Kan Reed"... Sorry...But...we are in agreement then...Warren will be a top 5 player coming out of this draft...so now you can say you argued with an idiot and won! Not many can say that, you know. You do know what they say about arguing with idiots, right?

[Zelaznyrules]

OK. I can't really argue your standpoint on this...it was really just how I personally feel about it. But hey, if he's as good as you project, then I wouldn't mind it. But that's some high praise considering guys like Wiggins, Randle, Parker, Warren, and Embiid. I think they all will be better overall, personally, but if you are right, then yep, I'd trade a 1st and Ennis and not think too much about it. TBH, I was surprised we didn't go with a PF somewhere in the 1st.

I think something got lost in the translation. It's TJ Warren that I believe will be a top player from this draft, not Payne. Payne is still mostly a question mark. If he's as good as Frye, Ennis and our pick would not be enough to get him. He's similar to Channing in style but it remains to be seen whether he'll develop into a good stretch 4/5 in this league. Given our strength with guards, I think it's a gamble worth taking even if we have to pay a slight premium.

Yeah, it's called "I is stooped" and "I Kan Reed"... Sorry...But...we are in agreement then...Warren will be a top 5 player coming out of this draft...so now you can say you argued with an idiot and won! Not many can say that, you know. You do know what they say about arguing with idiots, right?

Usually I just call that "talking to myself".

[NavLDO]

Now, just hear me out before you dismiss it out of hand, but I will again propose the Suns should put together as enticing package as possible to go after Serge Ibaka. With 2 of OKC's Big 3 out for an appreciable amount of time, and with Ibaka probably regarded as the #3 of 3 in that group, and our desire to build our own Big 3, how about this trade:

Suns Out -- Randolph, Ennis, Plumlee, Goodwin, Green, LAL 1st, Our 2015 1st
Suns In -- Ibaka

Why? We get Ibaka, duh! But yes, it would be painful in that we'd be giving up Goodwin and Ennis--potential guys, and our draft picks, but that's what they are--trade pieces, right?.

76ers Out -- Wroten
76ers In -- Perkins, Green, Randolph, PHX 2015 1st

Why? Two expirings, our 1st, and a cut in Randolph? Not sure how that works, but anyway, 76ers are just a piece to make it happen.

OKC Out -- Ibaka, Perkins
OKC In -- LAL 1st, Ennis, Plumlee, Goodwin, Wroten

Why? They get rid of Perkins, and for the loss of Ibaka, they get two potentials in Goodwin and Ennis, and LAL 1st...with those, they could be well on their way to a quick rebuild. They "tank" this year, get a lotto 1st and LAL 1st, which together, may be able to net them Towns or Okafor or Mudiay or Alexander.

Suns' Depth:

EB / IT
G. Dragic / Z. Dragic
PJ / Warren / Marcus
Ibaka / Kief
Len / Kief

Plus, whatever signings need to happen to give us our minimum roster. Would never happen, but tell me that's not squad that gets us deep into the playoffs--EB, Dragic, IT, Ibaka, Kief--our 3-headed monster with Ibaka and an improved Len. Assuming Len continues to play at the level he's shown through two games and that's a force in the Front Court with the speed and offense of our PGs. Only thing I'm not sure of is the spacing, but I'll let you smarter guys tell me how this will or won' work!

[lilfishi22]

Okc would never do that.

[SlovenianDragon]

OKC Tank?

[NavLDO]

Okc would never do that.

Fine then--their loss! I'm just trying to offer them a way to be even more dominant -- all they have to do is be patient for a year or two and voila! They have the below starting lineup...

Westbrook
Mudiay
Durant
McGary or Jones
Adams

or

Westbrook
Lamb
Durant
Towns
Adams

I'm just trying to be helpful!

[MrMiyagi]

Okc would never do that.

Fine then--their loss! I'm just trying to offer them a way to be even more dominant -- all they have to do is be patient for a year or two and voila! They have the below starting lineup...

Westbrook
Mudiay
Durant
McGary or Jones
Adams

or

Westbrook
Lamb
Durant
Towns
Adams

I'm just trying to be helpful!

No way they get better by trading Ibaka.

[Frank Lee]

This thread requires more than two drinks to read.

Do would be WheelerDealers even CONSIDER the true value of our players ???? Am I in the ballpark with the following?

We essentially have no one but Dragic and Bledsoe to trade IF we expect any high quality big man back.

The MOBros have little to no value with their lengthy contract and queazy attached-at-the-hip relationship.
Green is worth no more than a second rounder.
Tucker is a solid role player, but a seldom sought after role. Lunchpailers can be found league wide, cheap.
Plum is a toss in at best. Probably paired up with a guard in a deal.
Tolliver and Randolph are pure practice fodder
Thomas is a well paid reserve chucker. A cheaper Ben Gordan.
Len is raw and still unproven.... and why would we give up the one brighter-than-the-last-shade-of-dim big kid?
The rest of the young ones ...Warren, Goodwin, and Ennis are not going to get you much individually, but could be tacked on to a deal for a pot sweetener.
Our Draft picks are very suspect at this moment. Minnesota's will likely turn into a second rounder, LA's may not come until 2016, and our own will be in the dead zone (10-15).

Between Bled and Dragic??? it may come to what the opposing team wants, and of course, offers.

If we do not see the 3PG rotation bearing fruit come game 20-25, I will then wonder how long we keep keep trying to spin gold from this yarn.... somewhere down the line we are going to have to knit or get off the pot.

[NavLDO]

Okc would never do that.

Fine then--their loss! I'm just trying to offer them a way to be even more dominant -- all they have to do is be patient for a year or two and voila! They have the below starting lineup...

Westbrook
Mudiay
Durant
McGary or Jones
Adams

or

Westbrook
Lamb
Durant
Towns
Adams

I'm just trying to be helpful!

No way they get better by trading Ibaka.

Yes, that's the reason for the -- -- at the end of my philanthropic sentiment. I'm trying to give McD some ideas on how to broach the conversation should he decide to read this topic and go after Ibaka.

But in all seriousness, if there was anytime to go after Ibaka, it would be right now, IMO. Unfortunately, I do have to agree with Frank Lee that we just don't have the requisite assets worthy to get a player like Ibaka, unless a team is looking to tank or rebuild. But that won't keep us from dreaming!

[lilfishi22]

But in all seriousness, if there was anytime to go after Ibaka, it would be right now, IMO. Unfortunately, I do have to agree with Frank Lee that we just don't have the requisite assets worthy to get a player like Ibaka, unless a team is looking to tank or rebuild. But that won't keep us from dreaming!

I still don't understand why you think it would be in OKC's best interest to move Ibaka when neither Durant nor Westbrook are for very long.

[bwgood77]

But in all seriousness, if there was anytime to go after Ibaka, it would be right now, IMO. Unfortunately, I do have to agree with Frank Lee that we just don't have the requisite assets worthy to get a player like Ibaka, unless a team is looking to tank or rebuild. But that won't keep us from dreaming!

I still don't understand why you think it would be in OKC's best interest to move Ibaka when neither Durant nor Westbrook are for very long.

Yeah, that's ludicrous. People sometimes talk about their window closing and stuff. But the truth is, of all the contenders, they still have the youngest core with two guys at 25, one at 26, and then a bunch of really young guys. These guys could still be going strong 8-10 years from now. You don't start breaking that up.

I don't think OKC would trade us Ibaka for ANY player on our team. Or package. He's exactly what they need with those guys. They are ready to contend now, and any move they could make would be taking a step back. They have been raked over the coals for the Harden deal. Why do something like that again, ESPECIALLY when you are not HAVING to do it to avoid tax issues or something/

[NavLDO]

But in all seriousness, if there was anytime to go after Ibaka, it would be right now, IMO. Unfortunately, I do have to agree with Frank Lee that we just don't have the requisite assets worthy to get a player like Ibaka, unless a team is looking to tank or rebuild. But that won't keep us from dreaming!

I still don't understand why you think it would be in OKC's best interest to move Ibaka when neither Durant nor Westbrook are for very long.

Yeah, that's ludicrous. People sometimes talk about their window closing and stuff. But the truth is, of all the contenders, they still have the youngest core with two guys at 25, one at 26, and then a bunch of really young guys. These guys could still be going strong 8-10 years from now. You don't start breaking that up.

I don't think OKC would trade us Ibaka for ANY player on our team. Or package. He's exactly what they need with those guys. They are ready to contend now, and any move they could make would be taking a step back. They have been raked over the coals for the Harden deal. Why do something like that again, ESPECIALLY when you are not HAVING to do it to avoid tax issues or something/

Because I want them to!!

And no, I don't think it would be in their best interest to trade Ibaka...I'm just living in dreamland. I was just proposing a trade that could work, but understanding that it would be in our best interest, not theirs.

[Zelaznyrules]

I still don't understand why you think it would be in OKC's best interest to move Ibaka when neither Durant nor Westbrook are for very long.

Yeah, that's ludicrous. People sometimes talk about their window closing and stuff. But the truth is, of all the contenders, they still have the youngest core with two guys at 25, one at 26, and then a bunch of really young guys. These guys could still be going strong 8-10 years from now. You don't start breaking that up.

I don't think OKC would trade us Ibaka for ANY player on our team. Or package. He's exactly what they need with those guys. They are ready to contend now, and any move they could make would be taking a step back. They have been raked over the coals for the Harden deal. Why do something like that again, ESPECIALLY when you are not HAVING to do it to avoid tax issues or something/

Because I want them to!!

And no, I don't think it would be in their best interest to trade Ibaka...I'm just living in dreamland. I was just proposing a trade that could work, but understanding that it would be in our best interest, not theirs.

If I were going to fashion a trade based on our interest without concern for the other team(s) involved, it would definitely center around Anthony Davis. I could even get used to cheering for a uni-brow. I'd gladly offer them Tolliver and Randolph for Davis. I might even toss in a 2nd round pick to really sweeten the deal. Of course, in the real world, I'd also include every player on our roster and that still wouldn't get it done. Oh well, I'm with you, dreamland is a nice place to live.

[NavLDO]

Yeah, that's ludicrous. People sometimes talk about their window closing and stuff. But the truth is, of all the contenders, they still have the youngest core with two guys at 25, one at 26, and then a bunch of really young guys. These guys could still be going strong 8-10 years from now. You don't start breaking that up.

I don't think OKC would trade us Ibaka for ANY player on our team. Or package. He's exactly what they need with those guys. They are ready to contend now, and any move they could make would be taking a step back. They have been raked over the coals for the Harden deal. Why do something like that again, ESPECIALLY when you are not HAVING to do it to avoid tax issues or something/

Because I want them to!!

And no, I don't think it would be in their best interest to trade Ibaka...I'm just living in dreamland. I was just proposing a trade that could work, but understanding that it would be in our best interest, not theirs.

If I were going to fashion a trade based on our interest without concern for the other team(s) involved, it would definitely center around Anthony Davis. I could even get used to cheering for a uni-brow. I'd gladly offer them Tolliver and Randolph for Davis. I might even toss in a 2nd round pick to really sweeten the deal. Of course, in the real world, I'd also include every player on our roster and that still wouldn't get it done. Oh well, I'm with you, dreamland is a nice place to live.

Sure is! And yes, AD would be better than Ibaka, but the trade I proposed at least had SOME semblance of rationality, as flawed as it may seem...OKC COULD think about tanking--they won't, but they COULD--and LAL 1st is at least somewhat desirable, as opposed to a 2nd, Randolph, and Tolliver--all of which we might need to pay someone to take! Plus, NOP only has one decent piece to build off of, while OKC has 3--not fair, huh!

[lilfishi22]

lol but that's the whole point. Both proposals have the same probability of being considered. Zero. Neither okc nor the Pels would consider moving their prized big man for any package we can offer

[Zelaznyrules]

lol but that's the whole point. Both proposals have the same probability of being considered. Zero. Neither okc nor the Pels would consider moving their prized big man for any package we can offer

Yeah, my suggestion is a billion to one, at best, but the Ibaka trade is no better than a thousand to one. Neither one is happening. And we all know that if some team does decide to give away a good young star, it will be to the Lakers. At least that's what all my Laker friends keep telling me.

[lilfishi22]

All seriousness, neither are a billion to one. OKC aren't wasting time trying to be more "dominant" by tanking this year and taking a flyer on some unproven draftee. Especially with KD and Westbrook back before the end of the year.

[Zelaznyrules]

All seriousness, neither are a billion to one. OKC aren't wasting time trying to be more "dominant" by tanking this year and taking a flyer on some unproven draftee. Especially with KD and Westbrook back before the end of the year.

If the injuries continue to mount, I could see OKC throwing in the towel for the season but I don't see them getting rid of a rising star. He just turned 25 and big men typically take longer to reach their prime. He's improved every year and I don't think he's peaked yet. He's no Anthony Davis and likely never will be but he's too good to give away in the hopes of getting lucky in the draft. So, basically, I agree with you except my Davis dream probably is in the billion to one range. Unless injuries derail his career, I can't see him anywhere but New Orleans until at least a year after he signs his first non-rookie contract.

[lilfishi22]

OKC aren't throwing in the towel as long as one of Westbrook, KD or Ibaka are still healthy enough to play.

Only way they trade Ibaka is for a better 4 or 5, like a Boogie or AD.

[bwgood77]

I still don't understand why you think it would be in OKC's best interest to move Ibaka when neither Durant nor Westbrook are for very long.

Yeah, that's ludicrous. People sometimes talk about their window closing and stuff. But the truth is, of all the contenders, they still have the youngest core with two guys at 25, one at 26, and then a bunch of really young guys. These guys could still be going strong 8-10 years from now. You don't start breaking that up.

I don't think OKC would trade us Ibaka for ANY player on our team. Or package. He's exactly what they need with those guys. They are ready to contend now, and any move they could make would be taking a step back. They have been raked over the coals for the Harden deal. Why do something like that again, ESPECIALLY when you are not HAVING to do it to avoid tax issues or something/

Because I want them to!!

And no, I don't think it would be in their best interest to trade Ibaka...I'm just living in dreamland. I was just proposing a trade that could work, but understanding that it would be in our best interest, not theirs.

It's really too bad we just didn't keep that damn pick that ended up being Ibaka instead of dumping it along with another one to get rid of Kurt Thomas.