In my opinion, $28m is way too much for Reaves. But if the Lakers match, and then want to trade him in two years, they would be trying to move a $48m annual contract?! Or would it count differently for the receiving team? That is quite the albatross.
Just quoting these posts since Poeltl was mentioned. I've been ignoring Poeltl simply because I assumed he'd resign with the Raptors (doubt they'd let him go). Does anyone know why he *seemingly* had an off year with his rim protection? It depends on what metrics you look at, but last season (overall, or via SAS/TOR splits), I don't think his BLK%/Defended Rim FG% were as impressive as they were before. At those reduced levels, they're marginally better than Sengun's IMO (and somewhat on par with Bruno Fernando). Seems to have a ~2" advantage over Sengun on wingspan, which is alright, though I was hoping for something like a 7'4+ wingspan for an elite rim protector (there are some elite guys around 7'2" of course, though usually they're pretty springy too). I do think he's a damn good player, but just curious if he'd actually be able to provide elite rim protection. I'm not in love with Brook Lopez either, but he has the wingspan and crazy defensive rim FG% at least.
I wonder if it would just be easier to work out a trade with Brooklyn for Cam Johns What do u think about Naz Reid? Not sure I’d call him a rim protector, but he’s a big long plus defender who is also a scoring threat.
BKN might listen to a S&T, though guessing that would involve giving them back their picks (at least 1). Debatable if that's worth the deal. Maybe if you can give them KPJ too? I don't watch a lot of Naz Reid, but yeah he was more the type of guy I was thinking they could target. He doesn't seem like a great rim protector (maybe worse than Sengun?), even though he's got a decent wingspan. But assuming he's cheap-ish, I think he'd be a pretty good back-up for Sengun (if the goal is to have Sengun start and play 30+ MPG).
Way too much for Jrue... maybe 5 years ago... Jabari could be the better player in 2 seasons. So if we're not winning next year it's a moot point.
10 comedy points I think Green will become a much better defender under Udoka, though. He already showed some promising signs at certain points during this awful season, and under a real defensive coach, being held accountable, on a team trying to actually win ballgames, I'll bet he's at least decent defensively. Sengun, IDK. The foot speed isn't there. He'll have to make up for it in other ways to become a solid defender... anticipation and basketball IQ (see: Brook Lopez).
I think the Jaylen Brown / Grant Williams combo makes the most sense. Get some guys with buy in who play defense already. Then sign Harden... Assuming Green, KPJ, Tate, and Picks for Brown they would still be about even with cap before draft picks... some luxury tax savings there... 45 Harden 31 Brown 16 G Williams 9 J Smith 3.5 Sengun 3.5 Eason 2.5 Garuba 2.5 Christopher 2.3 TyTy 2.0 K Martin 117 million Maybe add a backup PG or Rim Protector through draft or exception...
Ideal scenario: James Harden Jaylen Brown Jabari Smith Victor Wembanyama Alperen Sengun Bench Grant Williams Tari Eason Kenyon Martin Josh Christopher Usman Garuba Maybe deal KJM for an equivalent player as a combo guard... I think that's probably a 4 or 5 seed assuming some bump for better coaching... Sounds ridiculous but you would have a team with 4 out of the top 6 minute players being new so last year would be irrelevant...
Can you poison pill a player at less then the max? Can we poison pill Cam Johnson? @BimaThug @Corrosion
Poison pills I think only really work for undrafted / 2nd round guys like Reaves. You could do a front loaded deal 35m, 32m, 29m, 26m
I unironically think Naz Reid is gonna be one of the most sought after free agents this summer. He's young enough for more upside and has been pretty damn good when given the chance. Gives you what you want from a modern NBA center and seems to have a good motor with hustle plays too. He's the kind of guy that can fit anywhere.
