James Johnson is by the way really underrated, especially defensively. Closest thing in the NBA to a Draymond Green Lite Lite.
Long term $$ is more than likely Batum. And it makes all kinds of sense no matter how much many on here try to deny it, ignore it, pooh-pooh it or push the Bazemore nonsense.
Interesting. I would think the Rockets would prefer Olynyk to Waiters in that package. The money is similar. The Heat have a crazy payroll.
Which sounds more like the Morey move? Batum brings back an asset and has the length to defend 1-4, Bazemore does not and will take more assets to acquire.
The complaining about Batum’s contract (yes it’s terrible) makes little, if any sense, other than questioning Tilman’s willingness to pay the repeater tax. In 2020-2021, Batum’s final year of his deal, the Rockets already have $97 million committed to Harden, Paul and Capela (not counting any incentives Capela earns). The bottom line is the Rockets are going to be in cap hell for the remainder of the CP3-Harden era, unless they want to fill the remaining 12 roster spots with cheap players.
So Morey doesn't want a gaping hole at the 3 and doesn't think Anderson is a key to a championship? Damn... that's some news there...who would have figured?
Forgot about Portland. So you have the contenders, GS, OKC, TOR, BOS who are paying the tax. They won't be dumping salary, especially not to another contender. Then POR, WAS, MIA. These are all the teams above the tax(besides HOU), and these three are the likeliest to be motivated to dump salary. POR is in the same conference as HOU and still competing, plus they are $8M over the tax and they have nothing to dump for Anderson that would get them below. WAS like I said just signed Dwight, and want to give it another shot. And Porter is way to good to trade for Anderson plus any picks. MIA is only $4M above the tax. Johnson + Richardson for Anderson and a pick gets them below the tax. For Rockets they get their 3 an D guy in Richardson and Johnson who is super underrated. Miami probably rejects this. Johnson + Waiters also get them under. HOU gets an useful player in Johnson and trash in Waiters.
No way Miami moves Richardson. His contract is too good. I could see them moving James Johnson and Waiters to get out of 28 million in salary for the 2020-2021 season, though.
For sure they would prefer Olynyk. Just looking from Miami's perspective as they would probably want to dump Waiters, who is trash. If HOU could get Olynyk or Richardson along with Johnson that would be a huge steal. But even with Waiters, who wouldn't play at all, you still just traded Anderson who is out of the rotation for Johnson who can be a valuable contributor. Honestly, makes too much sense for both teams. With Bazemore and Batum, what's the motivator to dump these salaries for Anderson? There is none. For Miami, the luxury tax is a huge motivator.
Like I said, that would be a huge steal for HOU even if they include a pick. But more likely Waiters.
What if Washington is a dropdick hobo organization, and they want to re-team Anderson with Dwight? Then what?
Yeah, Miami is not moving Richardson, not that he is any great, but he's probably the only decent contract they have (lol Riley, paying the tax for a super mediocre team). James Johnson would be good here, but he's 3/4 just like PJ, Ennis and Melo are a 3/4 themselves...i think we might be looking at a quicker and more disruptive player, Bazemore fits that description and we wanted him two years ago...
Honestly I don't see how HOU can get Richardson. The only reason I included him was because the tweet said defenderS, and Waiters(who is more likely) is not a defender at all.
I've had both James Johnson and Richardson on my fantasy teams last year - they both get a lot of steals, blocks and threes. Would be nice...
The Heat are extremely high on Richardson, I think he's completely off the table in any trade like this. An Anderson for J.Johnson swap would be difficult as the Heat don't have any contract fillers that would fit. No way Houston takes back Waiters either considering his contract. The only way Houston gets Johnson is through a 3 way, or a deal where Winslow is included. Winslow being thrown in is far-fetched, but considering he's an expiring player, and the heat might be content with Richardson as their future SF, they may consider moving him knowing they will not want to pay him a large contract next summer. Anderson + 2020 & 2022 first for Johnson, Winslow could be something the Heat consider to save significant cash (by shaving off Johnsons 3rd year and not having to re-sign Winslow) while adding multiple 1st.
I think the Rockets would have to throw in a 1st, or maybe a couple of second round picks to nab Richardson.
