Not really. There would be BYC issues with Austin’s new salary. Plus, a S&T also imposes a hard cap. If you’re adding much more salary, it’ll be hard to field a team under the apron. EDIT: My bad. If the Rockets are trading away the player in a S&T, it will *not* hard cap them. Still, the BYC issue and the overall luxury tax consequences (given ownership) stand in the way of such a deal being very realistic. Touché. But unless they actually cut EXISTING salary, they won’t have room to use the full T-MLE, the BAE and be able to complete their roster even with minimums and stay below a hard cap all season long without a high degree of difficulty. Given how the BAE isn’t that much more than the (10+ year) vet minimum, it probably fails the risk-reward analysis.
Looks like Doc is going to Philly. Maybe MDA chooses Indiana and decides Turner doesn’t fit his vision for the team
I posted this in the random trade thread a few days ago but I figured I would share in here because I put a bit of thought into this. Eric Gordon + 2 2nd Round Picks for Myles Turner. Why would Indiana trade a young defensive big who spreads the floor? #1 He and Sabonis are both under contract long term. #2 They don't fit together. Both are modern fives. #3 Myles Turner alluded to this in his post game presser after being swept by the Heat. He says that it took a long time for them to gel but they figured it out, but then speaks about enjoying playing alone. #4 They have to pay Oladipo, paying two bigs isn't best for team building #5 They don't have a secondary scorer next to Dipo, Turner is not that guy. Maybe Warren is? #6 Sabonis is probably the better player of the two acting as a playmaker in the post. #7 Turner has kind of stagnated and hasn't taken the jump Pacers fans expected. He's still an iffy offensive player outside of having an above average three point shot. He hasn't proven he can be an elite rebounder. In the series vs the Heat, he definitely showed some talent there but it was a sweep. #8 The Pacers have lost in the first round of the playoffs five years in a row. It's time for a change somewhere. They fired Nate, maybe a personnel change comes next? So we have established that Turner is LIKELY traded. There will be other suitors. Boston and Golden State will likely have interest. MDA being hired by Indy would put us in first place. He loves Eric. Why would Indiana want Eric Gordon? #1 He'd instantly be their second option on offense. #2 Brogdon needs to play SF, he has quickness and size for the position. #3 Dipo needs to play PG. To completely get the best out of him you need the ball in his hand. #4 That would create a hole at the SG spot if both 2/3 are true. The PF spot is set with TJ Warren and the C is set with Sabo. Eric balances their starting lineup and gives them some different looks using Lamb, McConnell and Dougie Buckets. #5 Eric Gordon is a home town hero. #6 Eric Gordon fits in defensively with that team. #7 MDA needs to be the hire for them to believe all of this. If MDA is hired, it's time to trade Eric. #8 Eric, while slightly overpaid is cost controlled and allows them to pay Dipo while making sure the other positions are taken care of. #9 They need a guy who wants touches, a guy who wants to take all of the big shots Why would Houston want Myles Turner? #1 He spreads the floor with size #2 HE provides rim protection we've missed without Clint. #3 He is a great chemistry type player. #4 HE is under team control for three years #5 He has shown some growth on defending on the switch #6 he's young and has star-upside, something we haven't had since Harden came to town. #7 He doesn't need touches to be successful. #8 He is willing to do what it takes to take his game to the next level. Why would the Rockets trade Eric if he's so good? #1 he doesn't fit with Russell Westbrook and most players wouldn't. He thrives as the second option. Playing next to CP3 and James Harden, he was that second guy when the team needed a bucket. It's why he was paid an exorbitant amount. He earned it. He may be inconsistent but when he's on, he's one of the best scorers in the NBA. I'm not sure why Morey extended him after trading for Russ unless a trade for this season was always the plan. Just remember, last year, EGo was ineligible to be traded due to the extension. Eric needs to be the second option and the way that MDA used him last year (as a SF in the starting lineup over House) was an absolute disgrace. IF Eric stays, he needs to be relegated back to sixth man. He will be a sixth man of the year candidate if he accepts the role. He thrives as the second option and the Rockets failed to use him as such all last year. #2 The Rockets need size. Most teams in the NBA can use Eric Gordon, in fact, I'd wager that 30/30 teams would play him at least 25 MPG. The Rockets aren't hurting because he's playing, they are hurting because they need versatility and without a big who can spread the floor, the Rockets will always be incomplete. Eric is our most likely trade piece to bring in a game changing big man. Maybe the Rockets should keep him? There is a reasonable argument for keeping Eric. His value isn't high and it will get higher if he's used properly. He's an elite perimeter defender and was once an elite shooter. His health is a huge question mark and will remain as such for the remainder of his career. If the Rockets could keep him healthy (they've done it before), it's possible he's more valuable to this team as a player than an asset for now and later could be used as an asset to bring in a good piece as his value is raised. Turner is unlikely and I hope the team doesn't just dump Eric to save money.
Dipo and FO have been rumored to be on outs for much of last season. You can always convince a guy to stay but not if you are insincere. Coach like MDA may change Oladipo mind if convinced will be focal point of team but FO on their own is unlikely.
Turner is 5 that can role to rim and shoot the 3. I would be shocked if MDA thinks his skillset does not fit his vision or philosophy of play.
According to experts on here Indy is salivating at the thought of acquiring Eric Gordon via a Myles Turner trade because MDA's opinion of Splash Gordon is at an all time high.
He wouldn't and no coach with real aspirations to be competitive would either. Nate McMillan went away from it and he's about as anti progressive as possible.
If MDA takes Pacers position why assume Turner traded instead of Sabonis? Sabonis actually has more value AND he is a post player and a lesser defender (not fits in MDA system).
I have no idea who they would trade but Sabonis is clearly the more talented offensive player and is a positive defender. MDA could build a whole offensive system around Sabonis. They paid him after Turner. When they paid Turner, I'm not sure they knew how good Sabonis was going to be. You don't trade an All-Star with four years left on their under market value contract when you are a small market. You like Aaron Gordon a lot. Sabonis is the player you think Aaron Gordon is.
I actually believe that Sabonis is more advanced offensively, especially this season, and a much more consistent rebounder. Sabonis is also a killer in low post. Just not as good a playmaker, defender (iso or switch), rim runner, disruptor (steals, deflections, blocks, etc.) and plays more with hair on fire/frenetic pace IMO. However, Sabonis has been less efficient defensively this season with more minutes in the pivot defending starters. Sabonis struggles vs. big physical 5's moreso than defending 4's or 3's. And Sabonis has never been efficient defending guards ever. Sabonis is less switchable than Turner. And I am of opinion that Turner is going to struggle in Rockets switch everything defense. However, Sabonis would be great playing alongside Harden, because Harden would maximize him but there is no Harden like player on the Pacers. D'Antoni system requires a playmaker like Nash, Harden, CP3. Pacers will not be able to acquire that caliber of player with a Turner trade. Again, this all hinges on MDA hire. Think of Sabonis as more skilled less physical Amare while Turner is Clint with a 3P shot. Both guys fit with MDA but not without Nash/Harden type player.
In my view. We have assets to get Turner. We do not have a shot to get Sabonis. Regardless of who is coach.
Russ for Sabonis and Brogdon? 6'5 Harden 6'5 Brogdon 6'5 PJ 6'7 RoCo 6'10 Sabonis Or have PJ come off bench and start EGo. Or use EGo/House/McLemore in another trade for legit 3rd/4th star(ter). http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine Would do this trade all day. Pacers w/MDA: Russ Oladipo McDermott Warren Turner That's a 5 out team right there with Russ (who is still top 15 player).
Bamba has Gobert's wingspan with an even smaller torsoe, he knows how to chase down block with 45" long arms. Just needsto reinforce it.