Luigi wrote:bebopdeluxe wrote:Pythagoras wrote:
So then defend Fultz’s trade value.
You must have me confused with someone who wants to trade Fultz.  I think there is a greater-than-zero chance that the guy is going to come back with a vengrance.  He's untouchable for me.
Covington is an NBA ALL-Defensive Team wing who shot 38% from 3 last season.  Saric - who reports say was requested by multiple teams in draft night trade proposals and rejected - had a materially better year than ANY player the Lakers are offering - including a 27/10/4 Game 5 in Boston.  Smith is a guy that reports suggest SAS would have taken at 18 if he was there, and the MIA 2021 pick is GOLD.
I think the Lakers trade being proposed around here (two of Ingram, Kuzma and Ball, a first round pick and Deng) is AZZ relative to the Sixers offer I just laid out...but that is just my opinion.
 
So we have
1) Ingram, Kuzma, LAL unrestricted 20XX, (maybe Deng)
vs
2) Saric, Covington, Smith, MIA unrestricted 2021 pick
I'm not sure what looks better from the Spurs perspective.  I think the upside on the Lakers assets might be better for where the Spurs will be in a post-Leonard world.  I'm also not sure 76ers would be wise to offer so much for a 1 year rental.
 
We will agree to disagree.  Saric is the best player in either package right now, and he is the quintessential Spurs player - having played in a Spurs-like system his first two years.  Frankly, I love the Homie - his effort in Game 5 in Boston was fabulous - but I would think the Spurs will demand him in any trade.  Covington is arguably one of the best wing defenders in the league (as his All-Defensive Team selection would attest) and he is only 27.  The Spurs get two guys that immediately go into their rotation and produce from day 1.  And in terms of future assets, the Spurs get both a guy that they feportedly really liked in this draft (in Smith) and the MIA 2021 pick - which again, is better in terms of future assets than what the Lakers are offering.
I really don’t think it is close.  Both Ingram and Kuzma - while offensively skilled - were sub-15 PER players that are all potential and projection.  Neither is the defender that Covington is.
To be honest, I am not that thrilled about the deal - especially with no guarantee that Kawhi stays.  Frankly, I want this over with - and I would be fine with keeping everyone or potentially turning our sights on someone like Bradley Beal - if he is available.