Qwigglez wrote:Making a play for AG is right up McD's alley. Traded for Bledsoe when he was nearing the end of his rookie contract, though Bledsoe was playing behind CP3. Knight was a starter and almost an all-star in the East, but we traded a 1st round pick for him because McD felt it was the right play. I fully believe that we could make a deal with the Magic that doesn't include trading Jackson or our 2018 1st. At the very least, we would need it protected for a top 8 pick. I could see us trading our 2019 1st with little protection (top 3 protected), along with the 2018 Miami and Bucks pick. We'd probably include Bender or Chriss, but certainly not both. I could see the Magic being more interested in Bender since he can play SF/PF, and could be a lengthy F combo with Isaac, defensively they are both long.
The value for Gordon seems to be all over the place. Some people don't think he is worth much, some people think the Magic wouldn't take Chriss/Bender/Warren for AG. I think for a new GM, they want to build that roster from scratch so I could see them being interested in multiple firsts and one of Chriss/Bender. That is definitely a fair offer, one that I believe could get it done. I don't see many other teams being interested, and we haven't heard any reports (even fake reports) that the Gordon has been gathering a lot of interest.
Their new FO signed Simmons a SF over the summer, and drafted Isaacs a PF, I don't think they expected Gordon to be in their long-term plans. I fully expect him to be traded and think over the past summer they would have been ecstatic to gain a mid-first round pick for him.
As far as our future goes, if we did happen to trade for AG, I think we put ourselves in a good position moving forward. If we can convince Booker to wait til the summer of 2019 to give him the 5 year max, we can still manage to get a top free agent. I believe Kawhi Leonard did this, where he didn't sign an extension and waited for RFA but didn't even talk to other teams, he just waited for the Spurs to use their cap space and then signed his deal.
In response to Waylay, above, we wouldn't be giving Chriss, Bender, and JJ large raises in a few years if we got Gordon. Now, somebody please correct me if I'm wrong, but if McD put a strong RFA offer in on Gordon, and as you said Qwigglez, he doesn't seem to be in their long-term plans, wouldn't we work out a S&T for him? Something to the effect where we sign Gordon to a deal both he and the Suns are happy with, with the understanding through discussion with the Magic, that they will not match under any circumstances, and in return for that assurance, we agree to send them Warren and Chriss. Why so much? Well, they need an upgrade at SF, and Warren gives them that, and Chriss does, as well himself, since he can play some Center, as well.
Plus, we can add some items to the trade, like BK. they need an upgrade at SG, and for as much as we dog on BK, he's a 'plus' in comparison to other SGs...
I don;t know, just an idea, but point is, at a minimum, we'd have to match the salary, and TJ's raise will help in this regard, and Chriss or Bender, which ever is decided on, will fill in the rest. If they desire BK, we can take Biyombo off their hands. but point is, this eliminates the need for Chriss or Bender salary increase ina few years...the other will be our 6th Man off the bench, so not a Max player in any regard, at best (for him), so that leaves JJ. OK, he's on our team and we are allowed to go over with our own player.
Sexton or Young / Booker / JJ / Gordon / Metu or Williams or McCoy...etc.
Heck of a lot better than what we have now...
If we opt to try for a more 'big time' PG, like Kemba, the cost will be much higher, which also depletes our need for paying people that won't be there...
Kemba / Booker / JJ / Chriss / Sauce
Because we will have traded both '18 picks, MIL 1st, Bender, and Warren, and likely, McD's First Born, to get him, so that's solved.
Anyway, point is, if we 'trade' for any 'big time' players, don't worry about we'll have to pay them later...they won't be here to pay them.