Afflalo may be available(and wouldn't get much time behind Harden) but I can't imagine Toronto is in any hurry to get rid of Amir Johnson. Demar Derozen injury aside, that team has been pretty good. I can't imagine the Raptors would tinker with that chemistry at this point.
Kanter's trade value is sliding down right now. He's not fitting in the system and he's looking at restricted free agency. If the season were over today, Utah would probably not match any substantial offer for him. Which means he walks for nothing. So, unless Kanter's play steps up significantly between now and the deadline his trade value is going to continue to decline. I would think Utah would entertain a Terrence/Dorsey/Capela for Kanter type deal. On another note....I would think Rondo's trade value is going to slide towards the deadline similar to what Kanter's is. He's on a bad team. They're not playing well. And he's not exactly lighting it on fire. Plus the longer it goes the more leverage Ainge doesn't have. It could be that Ainge moves Rondo in a salary dump along with Gerald Wallace for nothing but expirings and cap space and perhaps a mediocre future first round pick....say our 2016 or 2018 first rounder....maybe both if necessary. But some sort of salary dump where he gets back cap space and/or TPE's, along with a few more picks. I can't see any team out there willing to throw a lottery pick Boston's way to trade for Rondo. Teams that are going to the lottery already have no incentive to throw away their lottery pick for a guy on an expiring deal that can walk on them. I suspect if Ainge trades Rondo it will be with a guy like Gerald Wallace (salary dump) and he'll get back perhaps a young player or two (like Terrence and Canaan, maybe Kostas), expiring contracts, and maybe 2 mediocre first round picks AT MOST. At this point....if we can acquire Rondo (even if he comes with Gerald Wallace) by giving up expirings, a couple youngster from among Canaan, Kostas, Capella, Terrence) plus a couple future first round picks (not the Pels pick) while retaining Harden, Ariza, Dwight, DMo, Beverley and the Pels pick...........that's a no-brainer. What is Charlotte going to trade Boston that would top that deal for Rondo?
I put my money on the smokescreen and this TE will not be used before the trade deadline this year. Or even it will be used, won't be for another player over 5 mils and just probably for a short term fill in back up role.
Just a hunch, but Morey would probably want to see how much D-Mo improves before moving him. His value is certainly higher now than it was a month ago, but it will be even higher if he can keep it going all season.
I agree about Amir but I think Afflalo could be a great 6th man (or even starting SG with Harden sliding to point guard......) for us. Of course, people killed me over the idea of having Harden man the "point guard" position in my Jimmy Butler thread but I think it's not a bad thing to have depth and a rotation of Harden, Terry, Afflalo, Ariza at the wings
Everyone is talking about Bass. I'd love one of Sullinger or Olynyk. They're both young though, would BOS give either up? Are we able to attach picks to the TPE?
Last year it was hard to trade Asik because- A. He was making 15 million dollars the NEXT year B. There are really very few open starting center positions in the league C. The Rockets were asking a premium (at one point it was rumored for MULTIPLE first round picks) The Rockets ended up not trading Asik mostly because the best offer on the table was Bass, Lee, and a 1st rounder which at the time looked like complete crap and the Rockets weren't in love with the idea of having no cap space the following summer. Under the circumstances looking back, I'm actually fairly shocked that the Rockets were even able to get that deal offered.
Sounds like Morey is trying get a piece of asset out of the TE to flip for something he really wants, not necessary a player who is going to help this season.
Jarret Jack and Brandon Bass are the only two guys on this list that are feasibly available and could help us in a position of need.
Basically we are at a point where if we have to take on salary for 2015-16 to get a deal done for a superstar like Rondo or Rubio or even others.....as long as we retain the Pels pick and DMo.....then it makes a lot of sense. The Pels pick combined with a large expiring contract going into 2015 free agency is almost as good as having pure cap space to attract and acquire another big time player.
I don't know if the Rockets are interested in trading for a young guy who may reach his potential in 3-4 years. That said, I am a fan of Tobias Harris and I would not be upset if we got him.
...don't forget Goran Dragic - nice player making less than the trade exception that could walk over the summer destroying Phoenix's leverage to get max value for him.
Saw it from a mile away that this is coming. On a side note, regarding Rondo, I started to believe Morey is NOT interested on him anymore. His style and vibe is not a good fit for this team.
What I'm worried about is Morey uses the TPE for a player that ultimately ends up in a package trade for Deron Williams.
