imagump1313 wrote:GREY 1769 wrote:Marc Stein is reporting that apparently Simmons would like to/welcome playing for Pop. Just in time before the December 15 date that opens more players up for a trade. Subtle timing, that.
Morey's already stated he doesn't want our 'lesser' players, but I wonder if a third team could get involved or whether we want to deal with all the baggage he comes with. We're not in need of D (10th) or assists (2nd), but 3s and FTs, neither of which he helps with. I'm more meh about it and don't like Pop being used as a bargaining ploy. He knows the games within games, but it's interesting that Dame wants Simmons and a couple of days later Simmons reportedly wants/would welcome playing for Pop. Lots of info being bounced around...
I think its just more noise with no facts coming up to the 15th, but I'm still open to Simmons if it somehow happens. Maybe we can get involved in a 3 way deal to get Sabonis and who cares where Simmons goes
I'm hoping we as an organization aren't clinging to the notion that we might be a fringe playoff team at this point. I think we have seen almost enough of that at this point with this roster.
Looking at 2022's UFA list, it's very guard heavy which I don't think we would do. The only guy I would want to throw the kitchen sink at to get would be Deandre Ayton. Perhaps a trade now would be a better route depending on who we target?
Or we keep riding Bryn Forbes to get Banchero in the draft
Yeah the thing I like is that there are lots of options and we're in better control of future going forward. We're no longer catering to a star's preferred mode of play, are adjusting well to a more modern style, the guys all like each other and the chemistry is great this season (something, interestingly, even Pop pointed out as a contract to I think last season), we have tons of cap space (which I wonder about us throwing at Ayton, too), and, depending on the price, we can make some moves now, too.
What we get for Thad will be interesting. Of course it also depends on what teams offer, but we reportedly turned down Saric, Smith and a 2nd rounder for Thad from the Suns already. Saric's contract extends beyond this season (so biting into next year's cap space), and Smith wasn't extended, so basically we're diminishing cap space and a 2nd rounder? No. IF we eat cap space it will have to be for a player we actually want on the roster or we get a 1st round pick. If we have to wait till the February deadline, so be it, though I don't think Thad would prefer that with his publicly stating he would like to play more. He's been a total pro, but with Zach coming along and per Pop being ready after Christmas, it will be an interesting addition to the roster mix, and possibly even fewer minutes for Thad?
But I don't think any move we make on Dec. 15 onward will be a big definitive gesture. We're about building blocks and I think any moves we make contribute to that all while giving the young guys plenty of time and space to play and grow together. Is there a dearth of talent at some positions where we need to upgrade? Sure. Are Simmons or Sabonis THE right answers? I'm not convinced they are, particularly as their respective teams are either fine without the one and not really lighting the world on fire with the other (yes there are lots of other factors that contribute to winning or not). Still, if the cost is way too high of giving up too many prospects/picks, well these compromise our long-term sustainability and growth and don't bring us that much higher.
If we were a couple of years down the road with this group, I'd be more inclined to support pulling the trigger. But this is literally Year 1, a couple of months in. And we're not even utilizing our full complement of players yet. So it feels like our focus is internal growth, draft, and use of cap space, with trades as an additional option, not the primary one like it is for, say, Indy or Blazers right now. That may shift as we progress, but we're just scratching the surface of our growth, and I think the guys want and deserve the shot to keep figuring things out while the FO makes the changes that complement them rather than them having to complement others as in times past. It will resolve itself in Spurstime. We operate at our own pace. I really love that about our organization
