Official Trade Thread -- Part XL

[nate33]

I think it's pretty likely that the Trade Deadline ends in a whimper for our team.

3 weeks ago, I could imagine the team making an "all-in" move where they trade young guys or picks for one more good center, but I think the last couple of weeks have shot that idea down. We are 4 games out of 10th place, with Toronto also in the mix at 11th. We would need one of either Chicago or Indiana to collapse down the stretch, AND we would need to play incredibly well down the stretch, AND we would need Toronto to not play well even with all of their players back and healthy. And even if all of that fell into place, we would be faced with a play-in tournament against Miami or New York where we would have to beat them twice in a row on the road, just for the honor of getting obliterated by the Sixers in the first round.

With being a buyer no longer being practical, the other option is to be a seller. Unfortunately, the best asset to sell is Bertans and he is hurt. We should try and trade Westbrook, but that probably won't happen because of the Beal situation. That really leaves just Robin Lopez as the only viable asset to sell. And maybe Neto. So if something happens, I think it will involve one of those two guys.

[payitforward]

Pop quiz -- who is leading the Washington Wizards in 3 point FG% ??

Come on now... don't look it up: you know the answer. & don't click the spoiler until you've entered that answer!

Spoiler:

Cassius Winston at .500.

[payitforward]

I think it's pretty likely that the Trade Deadline ends in a whimper for our team.

...just Robin Lopez as the only viable asset to sell. And maybe Neto. So if something happens, I think it will involve one of those two guys.

Well, if we can get a R2 pick next year for each of those guys, it will have turned the mistake of signing them into a net plus -- & make Tommy Sheppard look good.

Maybe Philly would give us Shake Milton for Neto? Milton's numbers were great earlier this season, but he's missing his 3's these days. Since he made them at a 43% clip last year, I'm thinking that'll come back. Neto gives them a solid vet for the playoffs.

A minor move, obviously, but positive for us -- & for them too perhaps!

[NatP4]

I think Brown Jr will be moved. That’s about it

[nate33]

I think Brown Jr will be moved. That’s about it

If Brooks was coaching next year, then I'd understand moving Brown. It's fair to say that he just isn't working in our system. But since Brooks is likely not the coach next year, I think it would be a mistake to move Brown. I'm assuming Brown only gets us a late 2nd. I'd rather keep him and give him an opportunity with a new coach and a new system.

[payitforward]

What nate said....

[WallToWall]

Just a hypothetical...
Suppose Westbrook wants out before the deadline. Suppose he wanted to go to a contender. What would be the best deal? The most plausible deal?

[NatP4]

I think Brown Jr will be moved. That’s about it

If Brooks was coaching next year, then I'd understand moving Brown. It's fair to say that he just isn't working in our system. But since Brooks is likely not the coach next year, I think it would be a mistake to move Brown. I'm assuming Brown only gets us a late 2nd. I'd rather keep him and give him an opportunity with a new coach and a new system.

As would I. I don’t expect that though..

[NatP4]

Offer of a 2nd round pick on table for Brown Jr.

Listening to offers on Lopez

Read on Twitter

[PaulinVA]

Offer of a 2nd round pick on table for Brown Jr.

Listening to offers on Lopez

Read on Twitter

That link states Westbrook is "unavailable for trade."

[nate33]

Just a hypothetical...
Suppose Westbrook wants out before the deadline. Suppose he wanted to go to a contender. What would be the best deal? The most plausible deal?

The only contender with a need for a dynamic ball-handling PG and enough expendable contracts to match salaries (and deep enough pockets to weather the luxtax hit) is the Clippers. The deal starts with Pat Beverley, Lou Williams and Marcus Morris (who is hopefully laundered through a third team for expirings or a TPE). They need to send about $4M more out. Either a couple of small contracts or a Zubak for Wagner swap.

I think the trade is unlikely.

[pcbothwel]

Just a hypothetical...
Suppose Westbrook wants out before the deadline. Suppose he wanted to go to a contender. What would be the best deal? The most plausible deal?

I dont see anything too clean.
LAC is the best fit for him. The only real trade the can work in terms of value, finances, and roster spots is:
Russ, Noe, Neto, Gill (46M)
for
Morris, Pat Bev, Lou Will, Zubac, Patterson (46.3M)

[JAR69]

Just a hypothetical...
Suppose Westbrook wants out before the deadline. Suppose he wanted to go to a contender. What would be the best deal? The most plausible deal?

I dont see anything too clean.
LAC is the best fit for him. The only real trade the can work in terms of value, finances, and roster spots is:
Russ, Noe, Neto, Gill (46M)
for
Morris, Pat Bev, Lou Will, Zubac, Patterson (46.3M)

The other one I thought of is Miami, which isn't a contender but might think they should be after last year. You could do:

Russ, Moe, and Brown ($46.9 m) for
Goran, Iggy, Olynyk, and Silva ($47.3 m)

I think that keeps us under the lux tax. But Miami would need to be willing to sacrifice all of its cap room to get Russ. And to have a Russ/Herro backcourt. And to find some way for everyone to get touches/shots. Not likely.

Also, Dragic would have to agree to it.

[prime1time]

Westbrook isn't going anywhere

[prime1time]

As much as I like Rui, I think the front office has the right approach. Anyone is movable outside of Russ and Beal. Personally, I expect a top pick because the roster is poorly put together regardless of the trades we make. If we can get one of Cunningham or Mobley we will be looking at a very different roster.

[WallToWall]

Westbrook isn't going anywhere

This exercise is purely hypothetical, but its purpose is two-fold. At next years trade deadline, or sometime in the course of next season, we could be discussing what we *should* have done with Westbrook. I wanted a record of what we thought was possible. Additionally, I have come to the conclusion that we should constantly be looking to improve, even if just incrementally. So, if there are beneficial trades available for Westbrook, I wanted to see what others thought those were.

[NatP4]

I definitely think we could trade Westbrook to the clippers. They refuse to make him available though.

[prime1time]

Westbrook isn't going anywhere

This exercise is purely hypothetical, but its purpose is two-fold. At next years trade deadline, or sometime in the course of next season, we could be discussing what we *should* have done with Westbrook. I wanted a record of what we thought was possible. Additionally, I have come to the conclusion that we should constantly be looking to improve, even if just incrementally. So, if there are beneficial trades available for Westbrook, I wanted to see what others thought those were.

With Westbrook the question is is he an asset or not. Last offseason no team was willing to trade for him without the Rockets adding a first round pick. This year, he's a year older. The most likely way Westbrook leaves this team is via a buyout.

[likwitdesi]

Westbrook isn't going anywhere

This exercise is purely hypothetical, but its purpose is two-fold. At next years trade deadline, or sometime in the course of next season, we could be discussing what we *should* have done with Westbrook. I wanted a record of what we thought was possible. Additionally, I have come to the conclusion that we should constantly be looking to improve, even if just incrementally. So, if there are beneficial trades available for Westbrook, I wanted to see what others thought those were.

With Westbrook the question is is he an asset or not. Last offseason no team was willing to trade for him without the Rockets adding a first round pick. This year, he's a year older. The most likely way Westbrook leaves this team is via a buyout.

Westbrook is a guy you move at a trade deadline to a team that learns where it stands midseason and sees him as the final piece. He seems like the type of guy who is tougher to move during an offseason

[nate33]

This exercise is purely hypothetical, but its purpose is two-fold. At next years trade deadline, or sometime in the course of next season, we could be discussing what we *should* have done with Westbrook. I wanted a record of what we thought was possible. Additionally, I have come to the conclusion that we should constantly be looking to improve, even if just incrementally. So, if there are beneficial trades available for Westbrook, I wanted to see what others thought those were.

With Westbrook the question is is he an asset or not. Last offseason no team was willing to trade for him without the Rockets adding a first round pick. This year, he's a year older. The most likely way Westbrook leaves this team is via a buyout.

Westbrook is a guy you move at a trade deadline to a team that learns where it stands midseason and sees him as the final piece. He seems like the type of guy who is tougher to move during an offseason

Yeah. It's now or never.

I don't know whether now is a possibility, but we absolutely should not turn down a trade now because we think there will be better options in the offseason. There won't be.