fatlever wrote:Something big has to happen in the next 18 months with this team or else we run the risk of losing out of the best years of Kemba at his current salary + Batum in his prime. I'm not saying we need to do something crazy this trade deadline, but sooner or later, Cho has to make a serious move to add another legit all-star level starter to play next to Kemba and Batum, ideally one who can work as a 2nd option and play both ends.
I'd probably not get too crazy this trade deadline, because I don't see this team as being good enough to really make any noise in the playoffs. I'd hate to give up a future 1st just to try and win a couple more games this spring. Next summer a move need to be made, either in free agency, draft or trade. I think we need to save all of our assets for a big move, one that will really make a difference.
I think we need to replace at least one of MKG, Marvin or Cody in the starting lineup with a better player. It would be fantastic if that could be done while retaining those 3 and moving one to the bench. Batum can't be the 2nd option for this team on offense. That's just not who he is as a player.
Agree whole heatedly. Save for Batum and Kemba however, I dont see how the team has the trade capital to command the type of prominent player who can fill a first or second option role. Guys like Gordon Hayward and Otto Porter will be out of our reach monetarily in FA and are too good to be obtained with any package centered around MKG and a pick.
The trade value premium that was previously bestowed upon MKG due to his luster, youth and mystique is waning. Two years ago, I remember getting ribbed for being an advocate of both Harrison Barnes and Enes Kanter trades centered around MKG as I thought each, while certainly flawed, had higher ceilings. Even though both are signed to pricey contracts now, and Kanter is still a turnstile on pick/roll defense, both of those players have far surpassed Kidd Gilchrist in their respective developments and Charlotte would get laughed off the phone if they tried to offer Gilchrist for either of those two now.
If Charlotte is going to use MKG as a trade principal, I think Cho's best move is to take a page out of the Bob Bass playbook and target a player whose trade stock is down in our price range either because they are being misutilized by their present team or have untapped potential that is being overlooked by their current teams.
--TJ Warren immediately comes to mind. He was an offensive Juggernaut at the beginning of the season and MIP front runner but has not really been reintegrated enough back into the Sun's offense to reassert himself since he returned from injury several weeks ago. He has the potential to be an efficient 25ppg scorer in this league if properly featured. Even with his stock down right now, I dont know if PHX could be sold on swapping him for MKG but it would be worth a shot. Warren is a scorer who doesnt get the touches he needs with Booker and Bledsoe dominating the ball. So perhaps they could be sold on a player like Gilchrist who contributes in other ways.
--Tobias Harris - Another versatile SF who is also muscular enough to play the 4 in certain lineups. Piston's are two games under .500 and Van Gundy is under pressure to make the playoffs so its unlikely they have interest in moving him. Also, he'd be likely to cost more than just MKG.
--The much discussed Nurkic/Wilson Chandler package might be the most realistic option, even though I like the players above better. Nurkic, while somewhat plodding, has shown signs of developing into a 15/10 bruiser at center. And although Chandler is about to hit 30 years of age, he's locked up reasonably for the next 2-3 years and could be counted on for 15-18ppg in Charlotte's offense while rebounding at a decent clip and playing above average defense.
