Official Trade Thread - Part XXIX

[MarcoPolo]

Wizards had Jordan Clarkson and passed him to Lakers, dropped Glen Rice Jr. Guess young prospects have really hard way to develope here. I like Jones too, he went bit unnoticed with all the big names around him. This team clearly needs back-up SG and new starting PF(yes I'm looking at you Nene!).

[LyricalRico]

After years of battling injuries, he’s been largely healthy this season and been on fire since the All-Star break. In his last 10 games, he’s averaging 25.6 points per game on 60.2 percent shooting, plus he’s doing better on the boards grabbing 8.8 a game. He’s the two-time Eastern Conference Player of the Week and is the reason the Nets are likely a playoff team.

And he’s likely to strike while the iron is hot, reports Zach Lowe at Grantland: "Most execs expect Lopez to opt out and enter free agency after rampaging across the league over the last month."

Lopez will likely draw max offers, with teams thinking that what is a max salary for him this summer doesn’t look too bad a year later when the cap space spikes. (A number of guys are going to get paid this summer on that theory.)

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/04/07/report-many-nba-executives-expect-brook-lopez-to-opt-out-this-summer/

If Lopez does indeed leave Brooklyn, would they be interested in Nene as a short term replacement? Bigger question - would Joe Johnson accept a 6th man role?

Nene+Webster+Blair for Joe Johnson
(Obviously, this is based on the assumption that the team's strategy is still "all in for 2016" and doesn't want to acquire longterm salary.)

Gortat/#20
Humphries/Pierce
Porter/Johnson
Beal/Johnson
Wall/Sessions

Johnson will be in the last year of his deal, so it doesn't impact the 2016 plans (we're actually better off since Webster's gone) and there should be enough outgoing salary to keep the team below the luxury tax. More spacing and energy in the starting lineup, and reliable scoring off the bench. The key would be getting a rotation-worthy big in the draft (I don't want them to pay Seraphin).

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

With crazy money looming in 2016/17, is there really a chance that Love would opt out for free agency this upcoming season?

I very much doubt it.

Assuming a doomed playoff run for the Cavs, an ineffective outing for Love and continued rumblings about discord between him James, would the Cavs do the unthinkable and entertain a trade within the Eastern Conference?

Nene, filler, and a couple of firsts for Love perhaps?

That's way too much for Kevin Love.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

After years of battling injuries, he’s been largely healthy this season and been on fire since the All-Star break. In his last 10 games, he’s averaging 25.6 points per game on 60.2 percent shooting, plus he’s doing better on the boards grabbing 8.8 a game. He’s the two-time Eastern Conference Player of the Week and is the reason the Nets are likely a playoff team.

And he’s likely to strike while the iron is hot, reports Zach Lowe at Grantland: "Most execs expect Lopez to opt out and enter free agency after rampaging across the league over the last month."

Lopez will likely draw max offers, with teams thinking that what is a max salary for him this summer doesn’t look too bad a year later when the cap space spikes. (A number of guys are going to get paid this summer on that theory.)

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/04/07/report-many-nba-executives-expect-brook-lopez-to-opt-out-this-summer/

If Lopez does indeed leave Brooklyn, would they be interested in Nene as a short term replacement? Bigger question - would Joe Johnson accept a 6th man role?

Nene+Webster+Blair for Joe Johnson
(Obviously, this is based on the assumption that the team's strategy is still "all in for 2016" and doesn't want to acquire longterm salary.)

Gortat/#20
Humphries/Pierce
Porter/Johnson
Beal/Johnson
Wall/Sessions

Johnson will be in the last year of his deal, so it doesn't impact the 2016 plans (we're actually better off since Webster's gone) and there should be enough outgoing salary to keep the team below the luxury tax. More spacing and energy in the starting lineup, and reliable scoring off the bench. The key would be getting a rotation-worthy big in the draft (I don't want them to pay Seraphin).

I think Nene's defense will be appreciated in the playoffs.

Blair is a bargain player who is stuck because of Wittman and too many PF/C players.

Johnson is an aging gunner. I am not crazy about this idea other than it sends Webster.

[Sluggerface]

With crazy money looming in 2016/17, is there really a chance that Love would opt out for free agency this upcoming season?

I very much doubt it.

Assuming a doomed playoff run for the Cavs, an ineffective outing for Love and continued rumblings about discord between him James, would the Cavs do the unthinkable and entertain a trade within the Eastern Conference?

Nene, filler, and a couple of firsts for Love perhaps?

That's way too much for Kevin Love.

Are you serious? Nene + 2 1sts is a f'ing steal for Love.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Love doesn't play defense. He rebounds and shoot threes, but I'd rather draft a couple good two way players.

Nene's expiring deal isn't worthless; regardless of the flavor of the month board criticism/hate. Nene's a stud who many teams would trade something of value for. You're talking about giving THE CAVS Nene and two firsts.

Yeah, I'm serious. I would make that kind of deal for Boogie Cousins, who is a C and IMO better than Kevin Love.

Love has back issues already, FWIW.

[Sluggerface]

Love doesn't play defense. He rebounds and shoot threes, but I'd rather draft a couple good two way players.

Nene's expiring deal isn't worthless; regardless of the flavor of the month board criticism/hate. Nene's a stud who many teams would trade something of value for. You're talking about giving THE CAVS Nene and two firsts.

Yeah, I'm serious. I would make that kind of deal for Boogie Cousins, who is a C and IMO better than Kevin Love.

Love has back issues already, FWIW.

Nene isn't a stud. He's quickly approaching the wrong side of 30 and his numbers have steadily declined every year in Washington.

Love's defensive issues have always been overblown. He's not an elite defender, but he isn't a sieve either. He's had a 104 defensive rating for the past couple of years and he's 22nd among power forwards in DRPM this season. You're talking about a guy who was arguably the 2nd offensive player in the league last season.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Love doesn't play defense. He rebounds and shoot threes, but I'd rather draft a couple good two way players.

Nene's expiring deal isn't worthless; regardless of the flavor of the month board criticism/hate. Nene's a stud who many teams would trade something of value for. You're talking about giving THE CAVS Nene and two firsts.

Yeah, I'm serious. I would make that kind of deal for Boogie Cousins, who is a C and IMO better than Kevin Love.

Love has back issues already, FWIW.

Nene isn't a stud. He's quickly approaching the wrong side of 30 and his numbers have steadily declined every year in Washington.

Love's defensive issues have always been overblown. He's not an elite defender, but he isn't a sieve either. He's had a 104 defensive rating for the past couple of years and he's 22nd among power forwards in DRPM this season. You're talking about a guy who was arguably the 2nd offensive player in the league last season.

Okay, Sluggerface, you're right about Nene. I overstated. Occasionally, Nene's a stud. Usually, he's a very solid defender.

I think Love is hurting and not the same player as last season. I would rather see the Wizards draft a player like Portis (or Kaminsky if he drops to the Wizards pick) and keep their future first. Portis on a rookie deal and expiring Nene (who might get Cousins next season, with two firsts added then) is better to me than going after Kevin Love.

Plus, you don't give up firsts to Cleveland.

[queridiculo]

That's way too much for Kevin Love.

The Wizards pick will likely pick anywhere between 19 through 21, and likely in the same range next year.

With Ernie making the picks the blind squirrel theory comes to mind, but in reality, there's a pretty good chance they'll be wasted.

[nate33]

Love doesn't play defense. He rebounds and shoot threes, but I'd rather draft a couple good two way players.

Nene's expiring deal isn't worthless; regardless of the flavor of the month board criticism/hate. Nene's a stud who many teams would trade something of value for. You're talking about giving THE CAVS Nene and two firsts.

Yeah, I'm serious. I would make that kind of deal for Boogie Cousins, who is a C and IMO better than Kevin Love.

Love has back issues already, FWIW.

Nene isn't a stud. He's quickly approaching the wrong side of 30 and his numbers have steadily declined every year in Washington.

Love's defensive issues have always been overblown. He's not an elite defender, but he isn't a sieve either. He's had a 104 defensive rating for the past couple of years and he's 22nd among power forwards in DRPM this season. You're talking about a guy who was arguably the 2nd offensive player in the league last season.

Okay, Sluggerface, you're right about Nene. I overstated. Occasionally, Nene's a stud. Usually, he's a very solid defender.

I think Love is hurting and not the same player as last season. I would rather see the Wizards draft a player like Portis (or Kaminsky if he drops to the Wizards pick) and keep their future first. Portis on a rookie deal and expiring Nene (who might get Cousins next season, with two firsts added then) is better to me than going after Kevin Love.

Plus, you don't give up firsts to Cleveland.

We know Nene isn't all that durable and he mails in many regular season games. That was expected; it's why we acquired Humphries. We will find out if Nene is a stud come playoff time. As long as Nene steps up and abuses his opponent in the playoffs like he did to Noah last year, then he's okay in my book.

[Ruzious]

Love doesn't play defense. He rebounds and shoot threes, but I'd rather draft a couple good two way players.

Nene's expiring deal isn't worthless; regardless of the flavor of the month board criticism/hate. Nene's a stud who many teams would trade something of value for. You're talking about giving THE CAVS Nene and two firsts.

Yeah, I'm serious. I would make that kind of deal for Boogie Cousins, who is a C and IMO better than Kevin Love.

Love has back issues already, FWIW.

Gotta figure Sac can do better than a couple of future late firsts and more cap space that they probably won't use - for Cousins.

[nate33]

If Lopez does indeed leave Brooklyn, would they be interested in Nene as a short term replacement? Bigger question - would Joe Johnson accept a 6th man role?

Nene+Webster+Blair for Joe Johnson
(Obviously, this is based on the assumption that the team's strategy is still "all in for 2016" and doesn't want to acquire longterm salary.)

Gortat/#20
Humphries/Pierce
Porter/Johnson
Beal/Johnson
Wall/Sessions

Johnson will be in the last year of his deal, so it doesn't impact the 2016 plans (we're actually better off since Webster's gone) and there should be enough outgoing salary to keep the team below the luxury tax. More spacing and energy in the starting lineup, and reliable scoring off the bench. The key would be getting a rotation-worthy big in the draft (I don't want them to pay Seraphin).

Interesting thought. It would make even more sense if Pierce opts out of his 2016 year. We could draft a young stretch-four like Kevin Looney and sign Alexis Ajinca (credit to Ruzious) using a portion of the MLE to play backup center.

Our lineup next year:
PG Wall/Sessions
SG Beal/Johnson
SF Porter/Johnson
PF Humphries/Looney
C Gortat/Ajinca

That gives us one pretty young guy and one older vet at every position. We probably keep Gooden around one more year, and maybe look for a shooting guard with the BAE or our 2nd round pick.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Yeah, if Pierce opted out that would be a decent idea.

[payitforward]

Speculative trades that get us one or another of the top players in the league for some of our spare parts...?

These things don't happen very often. E.g. why is Sac'to going to trade Cousins *at all* please tell me? Ditto Cleveland and Love?

The way you build a great team is by excelling in the draft, trading for players who *will develop into* top-notch players, and surrounding them w/ role players whom you are smart enough to acquire at bargain rates.

Our FO does not excel in the draft -- though we've had help twice from the ping pong balls. I can't remember the last time we traded for a "developing" player.

Because we have been pretty good lately at acquiring bargain role players (Gooden, Humphries, Butler and, in a way, Pierce) -- 1 out the 3 above -- and have had some ping pong ball luck, we've built an average or slightly better than average team. We should enjoy it while it lasts.

But speculative trades that bring us stars don't help. I wish I'd read some interesting trades that bring us young players who have a strong shot to develop.

[LyricalRico]

If Lopez does indeed leave Brooklyn, would they be interested in Nene as a short term replacement? Bigger question - would Joe Johnson accept a 6th man role?

Nene+Webster+Blair for Joe Johnson
(Obviously, this is based on the assumption that the team's strategy is still "all in for 2016" and doesn't want to acquire longterm salary.)

Gortat/#20
Humphries/Pierce
Porter/Johnson
Beal/Johnson
Wall/Sessions

Johnson will be in the last year of his deal, so it doesn't impact the 2016 plans (we're actually better off since Webster's gone) and there should be enough outgoing salary to keep the team below the luxury tax. More spacing and energy in the starting lineup, and reliable scoring off the bench. The key would be getting a rotation-worthy big in the draft (I don't want them to pay Seraphin).

Interesting thought. It would make even more sense if Pierce opts out of his 2016 year. We could draft a young stretch-four like Kevin Looney and sign Alexis Ajinca (credit to Ruzious) using a portion of the MLE to play backup center.

Our lineup next year:
PG Wall/Sessions
SG Beal/Johnson
SF Porter/Johnson
PF Humphries/Looney
C Gortat/Ajinca

That gives us one pretty young guy and one older vet at every position. We probably keep Gooden around one more year, and maybe look for a shooting guard with the BAE or our 2nd round pick.

Yeah, probably better to draft a PF since Gortat is signed longterm. Heck, even if Pierce doesn't opt-out, we can still do it and bring a guy like Looney along slowly in his first year. He might still get decent burn even with Pierce on the roster if the (hopefully new) coaching staff is smart about resting Pierce over the course of the year.

[payitforward]

Hard to see him opting out. $$ What would be great would be if the Celtics wanted him to retire there and traded a good, young asset or two.

Hard to see that too!

[Ruzious]

If Lopez does indeed leave Brooklyn, would they be interested in Nene as a short term replacement? Bigger question - would Joe Johnson accept a 6th man role?

Nene+Webster+Blair for Joe Johnson
(Obviously, this is based on the assumption that the team's strategy is still "all in for 2016" and doesn't want to acquire longterm salary.)

Gortat/#20
Humphries/Pierce
Porter/Johnson
Beal/Johnson
Wall/Sessions

Johnson will be in the last year of his deal, so it doesn't impact the 2016 plans (we're actually better off since Webster's gone) and there should be enough outgoing salary to keep the team below the luxury tax. More spacing and energy in the starting lineup, and reliable scoring off the bench. The key would be getting a rotation-worthy big in the draft (I don't want them to pay Seraphin).

Interesting thought. It would make even more sense if Pierce opts out of his 2016 year. We could draft a young stretch-four like Kevin Looney and sign Alexis Ajinca (credit to Ruzious) using a portion of the MLE to play backup center.

Our lineup next year:
PG Wall/Sessions
SG Beal/Johnson
SF Porter/Johnson
PF Humphries/Looney
C Gortat/Ajinca

That gives us one pretty young guy and one older vet at every position. We probably keep Gooden around one more year, and maybe look for a shooting guard with the BAE or our 2nd round pick.

Yeah, probably better to draft a PF since Gortat is signed longterm. Heck, even if Pierce doesn't opt-out, we can still do it and bring a guy like Looney along slowly in his first year. He might still get decent burn even with Pierce on the roster if the (hopefully new) coaching staff is smart about resting Pierce over the course of the year.

Right - and that's important because Pierce likely won't opt out. Of course, the plan had me at signing Ajinca. But maybe the best thing about trading away Nene and drafting a PF - be it Looney or Portis - is that it'd force Wittman to play the rookie PF - so he can develop and show a free agent like Durant that we have a developing young PF.

[JAR69]

Why do folks think PP won't opt out? Next season is likely to be his last, so I expect he will want to chase a ring. I've been working on the assumption that he will opt out and sign a one year MLE deal with the Clips, reuniting him with Doc and Sam. I've been wondering about possible trades - PP opts in, and we trade him to the Clippers. That allows them to save the MLE for another player. Hawes fits perfectly with salary, but he is signed for 3 more years. Beyond that, they don't have any spare parts I want, or even any draft picks. Maybe PP for Barnes and a very future 1st round pick, but LA is unlikely to do that.

[payitforward]

Why do folks think PP won't opt out? Next season is likely to be his last, so I expect he will want to chase a ring. I've been working on the assumption that he will opt out and sign a one year MLE deal with the Clips, reuniting him with Doc and Sam. I've been wondering about possible trades - PP opts in, and we trade him to the Clippers. That allows them to save the MLE for another player. Hawes fits perfectly with salary, but he is signed for 3 more years. Beyond that, they don't have any spare parts I want, or even any draft picks. Maybe PP for Barnes and a very future 1st round pick, but LA is unlikely to do that.

Huh! That's an idea I didn't think of at all -- i.e. Pierce wanting to go West to the Clippers & Doc. Clever thinking!

Still, I'm not sure the premise -- "he will want to chase a ring" -- is compelling. For one thing, he has been around long enough to know what a long shot it would be to cherry pick the team that'll win. I.e. with any real likelihood. And if so, would it be the Clippers?

Moreover, Pierce *has* a ring -- if he didn't have even one, I might be more inclined to your notion. To me, if there's any reason he leaves it's most likely to return to Boston and retire there.

Overall, however, he'd be walking away from an amount of money I am by no means sure any other team will give him. Nor is he going to have a job post-basketball that pays the kind of money he makes as a player. So, in all, I expect to see him in a Wizards uni next year.

[Ruzious]

Why do folks think PP won't opt out? Next season is likely to be his last, so I expect he will want to chase a ring. I've been working on the assumption that he will opt out and sign a one year MLE deal with the Clips, reuniting him with Doc and Sam. I've been wondering about possible trades - PP opts in, and we trade him to the Clippers. That allows them to save the MLE for another player. Hawes fits perfectly with salary, but he is signed for 3 more years. Beyond that, they don't have any spare parts I want, or even any draft picks. Maybe PP for Barnes and a very future 1st round pick, but LA is unlikely to do that.

Next year might be his last... chance to play for half the year a game for 5 million or whatever his salary is. Would you throw a big chunk of that away?