Official Trade Thread -- Part XXXIX

[SA37]

This is why if we want this team to play to its potential, 2 things are needed:

1) Trade Ish/Lopez for whatever contributor. Ideally, a solid defensive center. Would Memphis consider a package of these two (plus Robinson) for Dieng? Dieng is playing quite well this year. Not sure if there is any other available (expiring) center out there in the $12-17 mn range.
2) and most importantly, fire Brooks!

Dieng is playing like a man whose agent just whispered "btw, it's a contract year for you."

I don't know what San Antonio's plan is for the "old guard," but Patty Mills would be an excellent addition to the Wizards (an upgrade over Neto/Ish and gives you a guy who can step in and start when Westbrook skips back to backs). Lopez and Ish Smith for Mills works. It would leave Washington thin at center, but Ian Mahinmi is still available.

Interesting idea. It looks like San Antonio could do with another center behind Poetl (I guess they also play Aldridge as C these days). But why would they want to move Mills? To free-up playing time for younger guards perhaps? I would not like to give SAS another incentive for an expiring Mills such as a 2nd rounder (maybe they take Robinson?).

The other issue (as you said) is we lose Lopez and have to play Wagner and AP as centers to replace Bryant...unless we can pick up a prospect such as Patton (to replace AP).

If San Antonio has no plans to keep Mills beyond this year and if San Antonio is out of the playoff chase, they might try to move some guys. Apparently LMA and potentially DeRozan can be had, so why not Mills?

I think the league is a bit stagnant right now because everyone is waiting to see what happens with Harden and it is still early, but once a decision is made with Harden and playoff pictures become clearer, players should become available.

It'll be interesting to see if the play-in pushes teams in the 6-11 range to try to make some acquisitions.

[Ruzious]

Dieng is playing like a man whose agent just whispered "btw, it's a contract year for you."

I don't know what San Antonio's plan is for the "old guard," but Patty Mills would be an excellent addition to the Wizards (an upgrade over Neto/Ish and gives you a guy who can step in and start when Westbrook skips back to backs). Lopez and Ish Smith for Mills works. It would leave Washington thin at center, but Ian Mahinmi is still available.

Interesting idea. It looks like San Antonio could do with another center behind Poetl (I guess they also play Aldridge as C these days). But why would they want to move Mills? To free-up playing time for younger guards perhaps? I would not like to give SAS another incentive for an expiring Mills such as a 2nd rounder (maybe they take Robinson?).

The other issue (as you said) is we lose Lopez and have to play Wagner and AP as centers to replace Bryant...unless we can pick up a prospect such as Patton (to replace AP).

If San Antonio has no plans to keep Mills beyond this year and if San Antonio is out of the playoff chase, they might try to move some guys. Apparently LMA and potentially DeRozan can be had, so why not Mills?

I think the league is a bit stagnant right now because everyone is waiting to see what happens with Harden and it is still early, but once a decision is made with Harden and playoff pictures become clearer, players should become available.

It'll be interesting to see if the play-in pushes teams in the 6-11 range to try to make some acquisitions.

Mills has aged well for a very small guard. By that same token - being a very small old guard, he's not going to have much trade value. But yeah, he could probably help a team needing offense off the bench - as could Gay.

[pcbothwel]

Interesting idea. It looks like San Antonio could do with another center behind Poetl (I guess they also play Aldridge as C these days). But why would they want to move Mills? To free-up playing time for younger guards perhaps? I would not like to give SAS another incentive for an expiring Mills such as a 2nd rounder (maybe they take Robinson?).

The other issue (as you said) is we lose Lopez and have to play Wagner and AP as centers to replace Bryant...unless we can pick up a prospect such as Patton (to replace AP).

If San Antonio has no plans to keep Mills beyond this year and if San Antonio is out of the playoff chase, they might try to move some guys. Apparently LMA and potentially DeRozan can be had, so why not Mills?

I think the league is a bit stagnant right now because everyone is waiting to see what happens with Harden and it is still early, but once a decision is made with Harden and playoff pictures become clearer, players should become available.

It'll be interesting to see if the play-in pushes teams in the 6-11 range to try to make some acquisitions.

Mills has aged well for a very small guard. By that same token - being a very small old guard, he's not going to have much trade value. But yeah, he could probably help a team needing offense off the bench - as could Gay.

Im not interested in giving up assets and we can't take on salary as we are just under the Tax. I dont see many opportunities for trade unless we take on salary next year or include Brown/Bonga, which I have zero interest in.

[Ruzious]

If San Antonio has no plans to keep Mills beyond this year and if San Antonio is out of the playoff chase, they might try to move some guys. Apparently LMA and potentially DeRozan can be had, so why not Mills?

I think the league is a bit stagnant right now because everyone is waiting to see what happens with Harden and it is still early, but once a decision is made with Harden and playoff pictures become clearer, players should become available.

It'll be interesting to see if the play-in pushes teams in the 6-11 range to try to make some acquisitions.

Mills has aged well for a very small guard. By that same token - being a very small old guard, he's not going to have much trade value. But yeah, he could probably help a team needing offense off the bench - as could Gay.

Im not interested in giving up assets and we can't take on salary as we are just under the Tax. I dont see many opportunities for trade unless we take on salary next year or include Brown/Bonga, which I have zero interest in.

Agreed - it wouldn't make sense for the Wizards.

[SA37]

Mills has aged well for a very small guard. By that same token - being a very small old guard, he's not going to have much trade value. But yeah, he could probably help a team needing offense off the bench - as could Gay.

Im not interested in giving up assets and we can't take on salary as we are just under the Tax. I dont see many opportunities for trade unless we take on salary next year or include Brown/Bonga, which I have zero interest in.

Agreed - it wouldn't make sense for the Wizards.

Mills is on an expiring. He makes about $13M which is about what Lopez and Ish Smith make combined. It's a wash financially. Of course, if Washington had to sign a FA center, then, yeah there would be some salary to take on from that, but nothing crazy expensive.

Of course, if Washington is dead-set on staying under the Tax, then it would severely limit any trade options.

[payitforward]

Would love to see if the Wizards can trade for Barton. Shep has to do something with the Robinson/Wagner/TBJ/Bonga group. With Robinson and Wagner's options not being picked up, it's clear they're not part of the long term future. TBJ is the 'prize' in lieu of the draft pick, under contract for this season and the next so it gives the team an idea of what they have in him.

Will Barton is a good player, & he was a tremendous bargain in the 2012 draft -- a R2 to remember....

But, how does he fit with us? For one thing, he turns 30 on Wednesday. For another, he has a $14.7 player option for next year. If his agent thinks he can a better deal than that, are we planning to retain him?

I'd be happy to trade Robinson & Wagner for him, but Denver wouldn't be interested. I'd have no interest whatever in trading Brown and/or Bonga for him.

The Wizards have 5 useful forwards on the roster: Avdija, Hachimura, Bertans, Brown, and Bonga. Ultimately, we really only need 3

I can understand why many are looking into what can be obtained if we put Brown, Bonga or even Hachimura on the market.

I'm not sure Barton is the right guy, but keep the ideas flowing! What we really want is to consolidate 2 or 3 of those guys into 1 significantly better player. Of course, most teams in the league are looking to do the same thing, so it's not an easy trade to make.
Nobody wants to be the team trading one exceptional player for two good players.

Well, I make any trade where we do better than our trade partner!

But... we don't know yet how those 5 guys you mention will shake out quality-wise. If I were to choose which one of them to trade now -- always assuming an attractive deal is on the table -- it'd be Bertans, just b/c in his case we do know the player pretty thoroughly, so we have a good idea how to judge a deal.

I wouldn't trade any of the other 4 guys -- unless some outstanding opportunity came along. In which case, of course I'd trade any or all of them, depending on what was coming back.

Helpful, huh?

[Ruzious]

If I’m looking to make a trade with Atl the player I’m targeting (other than Okongwu) is Reddish. It’s becoming apparent that he’s going to be an outstanding NBA player—maybe even an all-star.

Good point. An Atlanta trade would start with Reddish + Okongwu + 2021 1st. I'd need more though.

I think people are sleeping on DeAndre Hunter. He's basically Rui with excellent 3 point shooting and versatile defense.

[nate33]

If I’m looking to make a trade with Atl the player I’m targeting (other than Okongwu) is Reddish. It’s becoming apparent that he’s going to be an outstanding NBA player—maybe even an all-star.

Good point. An Atlanta trade would start with Reddish + Okongwu + 2021 1st. I'd need more though.

I think people are sleeping on DeAndre Hunter. He's basically Rui with excellent 3 point shooting and versatile defense.

He has looked very good so far this season.

But if we are trading Beal, do we want to take back more forwards in the transaction? We already have Avdija, Hachimura and Bertans (and Bonga if we keep him). I was thinking Reddish could develop into a big shooting guard to replace Beal.

[Ruzious]

Good point. An Atlanta trade would start with Reddish + Okongwu + 2021 1st. I'd need more though.

I think people are sleeping on DeAndre Hunter. He's basically Rui with excellent 3 point shooting and versatile defense.

He has looked very good so far this season.

But if we are trading Beal, do we want to take back more forwards in the transaction? We already have Avdija, Hachimura and Bertans (and Bonga if we keep him). I was thinking Reddish could develop into a big shooting guard to replace Beal.

It would take a GM capable of making multiple trades that work well together - a 3 dimensional chess player rather than tic tac toe player. We already have a quality young player getting healthy dnp's in TBJ, so I'm not sure whether or not we have the GM for the job.

[Dark Faze]

If I could get Okongwu and Hunter for Beal I'd do that in an instant.

Little to no interest in Reddish as a primary piece of a Beal trade.

[dckingsfan]

The Wizards have 5 useful forwards on the roster: Avdija, Hachimura, Bertans, Brown, and Bonga. Ultimately, we really only need 3.

I am going to take this out of context but... I don't see Brown as a forward. He is a combo guard that has always been played as a forward and power forward. So, I think we have four forwards. About what we need.

We have 3 PGs. We have 4 SGs and we have 4 Cs. It would be a balanced roster if the PT was allocated as such (I think your point).

If I was going to trade anyone it would be Smith/Robinson.

[WallToWall]

If we can get a solid 3 guards (we have 2 - Beal, Westbrook) and a good backup C, we would have a team that can compete well in the playoffs. I think we are fine with our forwards - Avidja, Hach, Bertans. We may not be that far away. For whatever reason TBJr is not in the coach's plan as a guard. I can't figure out why. So he and our other guards can be trade bait. Likewise, everyone behind Bryant is trade bait.

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[Frichuela]

If we can get a solid 3 guards (we have 2 - Beal, Westbrook) and a good backup C, we would have a team that can compete well in the playoffs. I think we are fine with our forwards - Avidja, Hach, Bertans. We may not be that far away. For whatever reason TBJr is not in the coach's plan as a guard. I can't figure out why. So he and our other guards can be trade bait. Likewise, everyone behind Bryant is trade bait.

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Agreed.

As discussed in previous posts, a possible trade target is Bamba as the replacement center.

He played a few minutes of garbage time yesterday. Many on the Orlando board have given up on him, questioning his desire to play basketball. If Troy Brown is going to be forever in the dog house, and we are confident he could thrive in a different environment, I would consider offering him + Wagner for Bamba and a Orlando 2nd rounder. And see if they bite...

[payitforward]

So... we are 2 & 5, but we are a backup guard & a backup center away from "a team that can compete well in the playoffs."

Last year, we were a 30-win team. This year we have the same team with the addition of Russell Westbrook & Deni Avdija. Those two guys transform us totally. They take us to where a couple of backup players will propel us to a really terrific team. & all we have to give up is TBjr.

I'd say this is called "getting ahead of yourself." Russell Westbrook is 32 years old. He's not part of our future. Frame it any way you want, but he's on this team b/c it was time for John Wall to go.

You're trading TBjr who was one of our most productive players last year & is a kid -- i.e. ought definitely to be part of our future. & while in principle I'd be all for acquiring Mo Bamba, right now there's not a lot of certainty that he'll be a better player long term than Troy.

OTOH, if the reason to trade Brown is that Brooks doesn't play him, then fire Brooks rather than trading Brown.

[Ruzious]

So... we are 2 & 5, but we are a backup guard & a backup center away from "a team that can compete well in the playoffs."

Last year, we were a 30-win team. This year we have the same team with the addition of Russell Westbrook & Deni Avdija. Those two guys transform us totally. They take us to where a couple of backup players will propel us to a really terrific team. & all we have to give up is TBjr.

I'd say this is called "getting ahead of yourself." Russell Westbrook is 32 years old. He's not part of our future. Frame it any way you want, but he's on this team b/c it was time for John Wall to go.

You're trading TBjr who was one of our most productive players last year & is a kid -- i.e. ought definitely to be part of our future. & while in principle I'd be all for acquiring Mo Bamba, right now there's not a lot of certainty that he'll be a better player long term than Troy.

OTOH, if the reason to trade Brown is that Brooks doesn't play him, then fire Brooks rather than trading Brown.

Generally speaking, the GM out-ranks the coach, so presumably it's fine with Tommy that both Brown and Bonga are sitting, so the odds aren't particularly good that a new coach would play Brown or Bonga.

[payitforward]

Fair enough. OTOH, usually you hire a guy & let him do his job. I don't see why Tommy would be likely to tell Brooks whom to play.

[WallToWall]

So... we are 2 & 5, but we are a backup guard & a backup center away from "a team that can compete well in the playoffs."

Last year, we were a 30-win team. This year we have the same team with the addition of Russell Westbrook & Deni Avdija. Those two guys transform us totally. They take us to where a couple of backup players will propel us to a really terrific team. & all we have to give up is TBjr.

I'd say this is called "getting ahead of yourself." Russell Westbrook is 32 years old. He's not part of our future. Frame it any way you want, but he's on this team b/c it was time for John Wall to go.

You're trading TBjr who was one of our most productive players last year & is a kid -- i.e. ought definitely to be part of our future. & while in principle I'd be all for acquiring Mo Bamba, right now there's not a lot of certainty that he'll be a better player long term than Troy.

OTOH, if the reason to trade Brown is that Brooks doesn't play him, then fire Brooks rather than trading Brown.

I would concur that getting rid of Brooks would be the thing to do, but chances are slim that it will happen. What if we are able to trade Bonga, TBJr, and Wagner for equally young and talented pieces that better fit the team...a C, and G? Or for one good established C? As the season goes, there will be buyers and sellers. Maybe we get what we need.

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[Ruzious]

Im not interested in giving up assets and we can't take on salary as we are just under the Tax. I dont see many opportunities for trade unless we take on salary next year or include Brown/Bonga, which I have zero interest in.

Agreed - it wouldn't make sense for the Wizards.

Mills is on an expiring. He makes about $13M which is about what Lopez and Ish Smith make combined. It's a wash financially. Of course, if Washington had to sign a FA center, then, yeah there would be some salary to take on from that, but nothing crazy expensive.

Of course, if Washington is dead-set on staying under the Tax, then it would severely limit any trade options.

Of course, SA would likely have zero interest in Ish and Lopez.

[SA37]

Agreed - it wouldn't make sense for the Wizards.

Mills is on an expiring. He makes about $13M which is about what Lopez and Ish Smith make combined. It's a wash financially. Of course, if Washington had to sign a FA center, then, yeah there would be some salary to take on from that, but nothing crazy expensive.

Of course, if Washington is dead-set on staying under the Tax, then it would severely limit any trade options.

Of course, SA would likely have zero interest in Ish and Lopez.

I can't imagine they would; it would require specific circumstances:

1. Washington in the hunt for the playoffs
2. San Antonio out of the playoff/play-in tourny hunt
3. San Antonio having no intentions of retaining Mills beyond this season

It might require an asset (probably a second round pick) just to make it worth San Antonio's while, but potentially a price worth paying depending on how much Neto, Ish, and Lopez are contributing.

[nate33]

Ish and Robinson have no value. We certainly can't expect to combine their salaries into a better player.

I think the only likely Trade Deadline deal to be made not involving Beal would be if some other contending team had an injury at PG and needed a stopgap to get them through March and April without falling out of the playoff race. A team like that might trade a late 2nd for Ish or Neto. But I doubt it.