Underrated transaction of the offseason

[snoopdogg88]

Raul Neto is a massive upgrade over TJ McConnell

[Trader_Joe]

Raul Neto is a massive upgrade over TJ McConnell

Aren't they both third string PGs or low end back ups?
Massive is relative.

[snoopdogg88]

Raul Neto is a massive upgrade over TJ McConnell

Aren't they both third string PGs or low end back ups?
Massive is relative.

I’m being sorta facetious, but I do actually think Neto is going to somewhat “break out” this year. He had the highest net rating on the Jazz last year, just can’t stay healthy.

[Pipp33]

Utah signing Ed Davis to that cheap 2 year deal was fantastic. Forced to part ways with Derrick Favors after signing Bogdanovic, Utah was able to ink a strong backup who can play good minutes at the 4 or the 5.

Also, Brooklyn signing LeVert to a $52 mil over 3 years contract was a steal. LeVert was on pace to be an all-star before his injury last year. With Durant out, he'll be the #2 option behind Kyrie. Even when KD comes back, LeVert has the type of game and attitude to adjust to his new role.

Yep, Ed Davis was my pick too. Exactly the cheap guy they needed as a back up big after letting Favors go. They need someone to cover Gobert, that can also play with some minutes at the 4 if required.

[Prospect Dong]

Utah signing Ed Davis to that cheap 2 year deal was fantastic. Forced to part ways with Derrick Favors after signing Bogdanovic, Utah was able to ink a strong backup who can play good minutes at the 4 or the 5.

Also, Brooklyn signing LeVert to a $52 mil over 3 years contract was a steal. LeVert was on pace to be an all-star before his injury last year. With Durant out, he'll be the #2 option behind Kyrie. Even when KD comes back, LeVert has the type of game and attitude to adjust to his new role.

One thing really well-managed franchises are systemically able to do is get guys who give them 90% of their outgoing player's production at 10% of the price. As long as the 10% drop in performance isn't the difference between being able to get on the floor in the playoffs and being stuck on the bench, that is.

I think Davis falls on the right side of that line, and that the Jazz have played their cards pretty well this offseason. I'm less sure about the Pelican's asset management.

[expatbayern]

I think Kent Bazemore should be a great fit in Portland.

I liked the Whiteside move even more. Come mid-season people are going to be asking, "Jusuf who?" while he pouts on the sidelines.

Whiteside is who I had in mind as well. I don't agree that he'd bench a healthy Nurkic, but he'll be a solid fill-in until Nurk is fully back...and I'm not convinced he'll be 100% by end of season. And if Nurk does return then the Blazers have 48 minutes of a top-tier defensive anchor every night.

[babyjax13]

Raul Neto is a massive upgrade over TJ McConnell

Aren't they both third string PGs or low end back ups?
Massive is relative.

I’m being sorta facetious, but I do actually think Neto is going to somewhat “break out” this year. He had the highest net rating on the Jazz last year, just can’t stay healthy.

Neto is a good little player, he pretty much always makes the right decision. But you'll realize pretty quick that he's a little guy (by NBA standards) and the wear and tear of consistent minutes will break him down. I think he is in a perfect situation to succeed in Philly, play 15 minutes every other game, otherwise just spot minutes.

[Skybox]

It wasn't exactly offseason, but if Fultz gets right, that could be the deal of the year by a lot. They gave up nothing except money that wouldn't have been usable in ORL's cap situation right now anyway. If he never plays again, it was still a massive upside vs risk move.

[Pharaoh]

The Pistons not doing their usual "win now" rubbish adding long term money while also landing Sekou in the Draft.

DRose signing, Kieff signing Joe signing...we gave them short deals with limited funds.

Detroit didn't do anything sexy but at least we didn't go all in on Westbrook or trade for CP3 under the delusion we're capable of contending

Sent from my SM-A520F using RealGM mobile app

[KqWIN]

I definitely think we need more threads like this instead of just fake trades.

I like Jeremy Lamb a lot for the value of his contract. I think he's an underrated player a very in demand skillset and position.

[Coeur]

Utah signing Ed Davis to that cheap 2 year deal was fantastic. Forced to part ways with Derrick Favors after signing Bogdanovic, Utah was able to ink a strong backup who can play good minutes at the 4 or the 5.

Also, Brooklyn signing LeVert to a $52 mil over 3 years contract was a steal. LeVert was on pace to be an all-star before his injury last year. With Durant out, he'll be the #2 option behind Kyrie. Even when KD comes back, LeVert has the type of game and attitude to adjust to his new role.

One thing really well-managed franchises are systemically able to do is get guys who give them 90% of their outgoing player's production at 10% of the price. As long as the 10% drop in performance isn't the difference between being able to get on the floor in the playoffs and being stuck on the bench, that is.

I think Davis falls on the right side of that line, and that the Jazz have played their cards pretty well this offseason. I'm less sure about the Pelican's asset management.

This is a really good way of describing the argument I’ve tried making w some stubborn Nuggets fanatics on here about Gary Harris being traded with Torrey Craig capable of filling or nearly filling that role? Fans want to keep their own guys forever but can the Nugs be sure they need a guy at 20 mill if they can get that value elsewhere and replace the on court with less money?


I also love that you touch on any disclaimer always being what about in the playoffs!

[BoogieTime]

Rubio to the Suns, if he, once again, is able to turn the corner career wise, and continue off his FIBA stint

Homer shout to Dedmon to the Kings. WCS was garbage and a detriment. Dedmon excellent fit with Bagley and leaves that starting unit without holes Fox/Buddy/Barnes/Bagley/Dedmon

[nate33]

The Wizards signing Thomas Bryant for 3 years at $8M per is going to pan out to be the best bargain contract signed this offseason.

[becorz]

My pick is Bojan Bogdonovic. Guy is the perfect third banana.

Homer shout to Dedmon to the Kings. WCS was garbage and a detriment. Dedmon excellent fit with Bagley and leaves that starting unit without holes Fox/Buddy/Barnes/Bagley/Dedmon

The Kings could have signed literally any center and it would be an upgrade on WCS. At least a Richaun Holmes, signed for note a lot of money and who is a third stringer, would be in the correct place on defense. So, I wouldn't exactly call it an underrated transaction. Maybe his fit with this Kings team is underrated though, I will give you that. (I know it was a homer shout out, not calling you out or anything like that!)

[BoogieTime]

My pick is Bojan Bogdonovic. Guy is the perfect third banana.

Homer shout to Dedmon to the Kings. WCS was garbage and a detriment. Dedmon excellent fit with Bagley and leaves that starting unit without holes Fox/Buddy/Barnes/Bagley/Dedmon

The Kings could have signed literally any center and it would be an upgrade on WCS. At least a Richaun Holmes, signed for note a lot of money and who is a third stringer, would be in the correct place on defense. So, I wouldn't exactly call it an underrated transaction. Maybe his fit with this Kings team is underrated though, I will give you that. (I know it was a homer shout out, not calling you out or anything like that!)

I mean, when I weigh a transaction, it usually means how it affects the team overall, and in turn who the said player is replacing as well. That’s how I’d read the topic.

Replacing Dedmon with WCS can mean the difference of 4 seeds to me. Is D’angelo Russell better? The transaction affects the Warriors less.

Given the answers I’m not sure I’m alone in that interpretation.

If we mean value of the signing as a stand-alone asset, which I personally don’t interpret as only answer to the question when I first read it, your right Holmes would be it on the Kings though not worth mentioning.

[BullyKing]

Memphis got Igoudala + FRP, massive return for Conley, and finally Josh Jackson + Melton + 2 SRPs for Korver + Carter

I think these were all excellent trades for Memphis but were also rated as such by most fans.

[becorz]

My pick is Bojan Bogdonovic. Guy is the perfect third banana.

Homer shout to Dedmon to the Kings. WCS was garbage and a detriment. Dedmon excellent fit with Bagley and leaves that starting unit without holes Fox/Buddy/Barnes/Bagley/Dedmon

The Kings could have signed literally any center and it would be an upgrade on WCS. At least a Richaun Holmes, signed for note a lot of money and who is a third stringer, would be in the correct place on defense. So, I wouldn't exactly call it an underrated transaction. Maybe his fit with this Kings team is underrated though, I will give you that. (I know it was a homer shout out, not calling you out or anything like that!)

I mean, when I weigh a transaction, it usually means how it affects the team overall, and in turn who the said player is replacing as well. That’s how I’d read the topic.

Replacing Dedmon with WCS can mean the difference of 4 seeds to me. Is D’angelo Russell better? The transaction affects the Warriors less.

Given the answers I’m not sure I’m alone in that interpretation.

If we mean value of the signing as a stand-alone asset, which I personally don’t interpret as only answer to the question when I first read it, your right Holmes would be it on the Kings though not worth mentioning.

I think that we both think Dedmon is an upgrade, but I think that a lot of Kings fans see all the dumb mistakes that WCS makes and think he is less useful than your average third string center. I disagree with that. He is a very good rim runner, which is a skill that was used a ton by the Kings last year. I think Kings fans are going to be getting made fun of when WCS is average 10ppg with Golden State due to that skill alone. Sure, Dedmon will be a huge upgrade on the defensive end and as a fit with this team, but offensively he is not going to touch the ball as much as WCS did. I guess I am basically saying that I think he is a good incremental upgrade, but saying he is worth more than 2 or 3 wins over WCS is pushing it, IMO.

Now, if you take the Dedmon over WCS upgrade, the Ariza over Brewer upgrade, the Joseph over Ferrell upgrade, plus a full year of Barnes over the undersized Shumpert upgrade, that is where I think the Kings made big strides. Especially when Bogi gets to play more off the ball and having Ariza as a shooter off the bench over Brewer who can't shoot.

It was an offseason of small upgrades for the Kings that can add up to a lot. But if we are looking at a single transaction, players like Russell, Bojan, etc are just bigger moves.

[BoogieTime]

My pick is Bojan Bogdonovic. Guy is the perfect third banana.


The Kings could have signed literally any center and it would be an upgrade on WCS. At least a Richaun Holmes, signed for note a lot of money and who is a third stringer, would be in the correct place on defense. So, I wouldn't exactly call it an underrated transaction. Maybe his fit with this Kings team is underrated though, I will give you that. (I know it was a homer shout out, not calling you out or anything like that!)

I mean, when I weigh a transaction, it usually means how it affects the team overall, and in turn who the said player is replacing as well. That’s how I’d read the topic.

Replacing Dedmon with WCS can mean the difference of 4 seeds to me. Is D’angelo Russell better? The transaction affects the Warriors less.

Given the answers I’m not sure I’m alone in that interpretation.

If we mean value of the signing as a stand-alone asset, which I personally don’t interpret as only answer to the question when I first read it, your right Holmes would be it on the Kings though not worth mentioning.

I think that we both think Dedmon is an upgrade, but I think that a lot of Kings fans see all the dumb mistakes that WCS makes and think he is less useful than your average third string center. I disagree with that. He is a very good rim runner, which is a skill that was used a ton by the Kings last year. I think Kings fans are going to be getting made fun of when WCS is average 10ppg with Golden State due to that skill alone. Sure, Dedmon will be a huge upgrade on the defensive end and as a fit with this team, but offensively he is not going to touch the ball as much as WCS did. I guess I am basically saying that I think he is a good incremental upgrade, but saying he is worth more than 2 or 3 wins over WCS is pushing it, IMO.

Now, if you take the Dedmon over WCS upgrade, the Ariza over Brewer upgrade, the Joseph over Ferrell upgrade, plus a full year of Barnes over the undersized Shumpert upgrade, that is where I think the Kings made big strides. Especially when Bogi gets to play more off the ball and having Ariza as a shooter off the bench over Brewer who can't shoot.

It was an offseason of small upgrades for the Kings that can add up to a lot. But if we are looking at a single transaction, players like Russell, Bojan, etc are just bigger moves.

WCS was the worst starting rim protector in the league, and I believe one of the worst period. He’s ghastly as a rim protector and it was a layup line. He’s a low energy big. I think he is that bad and was calling for a trade at center or picking up Kanter by mid season. I think the other upgrades are a lot less impactful, and I don’t notice them as much. I think plugging in competency for WCS is big, and he was a big detriment.

I don’t see Russell or Bojan as bigger relative moves, personally. Warriors got worse in Russell’s transaction. Bojan may be a better player than Dedmon, and he’s going to a better team to make a very good team, very very good. Whereas I can have Dedmon over WCS sneakily making a non playoff team playoff competent

[BlazersBroncos]

I just don't understand what happened to WCS's shot blocking abilities after his SO year at KY. He looked like a Marcus Camby type pogo stick that year and its been all downhill since then with no injury to blame.

I don't think its a stretch to say Skal Labissiere could end up better than WCS in the long run still. Wouldn't bet on it, but even whispering that 1 year ago would be seen as nuts. I honestly don't expect WCS to be more than a 15mpg guy in GSW. He isn't breaking out.

[Prospect Dong]

Utah signing Ed Davis to that cheap 2 year deal was fantastic. Forced to part ways with Derrick Favors after signing Bogdanovic, Utah was able to ink a strong backup who can play good minutes at the 4 or the 5.

Also, Brooklyn signing LeVert to a $52 mil over 3 years contract was a steal. LeVert was on pace to be an all-star before his injury last year. With Durant out, he'll be the #2 option behind Kyrie. Even when KD comes back, LeVert has the type of game and attitude to adjust to his new role.

One thing really well-managed franchises are systemically able to do is get guys who give them 90% of their outgoing player's production at 10% of the price. As long as the 10% drop in performance isn't the difference between being able to get on the floor in the playoffs and being stuck on the bench, that is.

I think Davis falls on the right side of that line, and that the Jazz have played their cards pretty well this offseason. I'm less sure about the Pelican's asset management.

This is a really good way of describing the argument I’ve tried making w some stubborn Nuggets fanatics on here about Gary Harris being traded with Torrey Craig capable of filling or nearly filling that role? Fans want to keep their own guys forever but can the Nugs be sure they need a guy at 20 mill if they can get that value elsewhere and replace the on court with less money?


I also love that you touch on any disclaimer always being what about in the playoffs!

Yeah, filling out the back end of your playoff rotation is a really tough part of GMing. Once you're paying your stars, you're going to need to go cheap, but not too cheap; and/or have an ownership that doesn't mind paying a huge LT penalty for an 8th man who earns close to the MLE.

You've typically got to make some tough decisions about where to downgrade and save some $$, and it helps a lot if you've got a front office that can actually land contributors later in the draft (I'm a Grizzlies fan: we couldn't).

The counterpoint I guess it the raptors, who won it all while spending a lot on 5th starters and bench players - but they could do that because they had several key contributors still on rookie deals.