I don't get the Batum love. I get that he is really long, and sorta capable of shooting 3s, but if you trade for batum you are paying $27mil through 2020. He's not even better than Ariza who is overpaid at half that salary. This would be like trading one headache for an even bigger one. Batum is one of a handful of players who actually have a worse contract than Anderson. I would rather try to rehab Anderson to have a heart and hope his value goes up a little as he turns into an expiring contract next year than commit to paying $27mil in 2020 for an overrated player.
Butler is the best choice however Minn FO seems completely fine with letting him walk for nothing. Bad franchises usually do that so it's not really surprising.
Why is Jimmy Butler on there? At Ryan's current value I'd be surprised if he could net Jimmy Walker. I went with the uncoolest looking dude, that dude is Nicolas Batum. This guy has the look of a fellow that is dedicated to his craft. Plus he was at his best with Dame, CP3 and Beard are better than Dame so he will be good here. I've already started calling him Frenchie in my head, kind of a term of endearment kinda thing, I want to be able to use that!!
Give me Bazemore for Ryno + 2019 lottery-protected 1st rounder if it's possible. I don't think the bigger names are realistic at all right now. Maybe if Ryno starts off hot and those guys play like garbage it changes, but right now it would be silly to expect anyone better than that unless we send 2019 AND 2021 unprotected first rounders with Ryno. Alternatively, maybe Gordon + 2021 unprotected 1st could get it done. That's a player who will, for the remainder of his contract, be able to be the 3rd rotation wing on a contender. He will be overpaid, but always have a role. For the MLE, save it for a buyout player or Euro later in the season. There are always shocking, surprising buyout candidates later in the season. Having $3.7m of the MLE to throw at someone while being one of the best teams in the league makes us frontrunner for those guys. If the Hornets season goes down the drain, Batum could be that guy although at the moment I would rate it as unlikely.
WOW Butler for anderson is a "realistic" option? IF thats the case why not trade Anderson + 1 future (heavily protected) 1ST rounder for Anthony Davis, Greek Freek or Embid? If Butler equals crow, a lot of people on clutchfans are going to go hungry. And no Melo doesn't equal crow or any bird for that matter, bird poop however...
Are we talking realistically? Because if Minnesotta is stupid enough to say ok for a Ryno for Butler Swap .. then sure... hell yes to Butler.. but realistically... who on earth would give us anything of true value for a broken spirited Ryan Anderson. Otto porter Jr? I wish but it isn't happening.. batum? Charlotte would be stupid to say no but why would we want him. He isn't a defensive specialist and he kind of hits the three? Courtney lee? The guy is 6'5... we need some height on this team... we are not in any hurry right now... rynoxs stock is at an all time low and I think we should let him showboat preseason before making a trade so we don't end with just more useless junk.
What remains of the MLE will probably stay there for the buyout market. As for a trade target, the dream scenario between those names is Butler, but that would also require Gordon and pick/s...that's not happening unless he wants to be here, and he's probably not getting traded regardless until the deadline. Bazemore (why not listed?), Johnson, Porter and Batum are the only guys worth a look because they fit well. Personally i would've no interest in the others, i mean, i would still get a combination like MKG/Marvin or Shumpert/Koufos if literally nothing else is available, but that would be a move made just to have some bodies to put on the court instead of a having a dead corpse on the bench, i don't think they would upgrade us as a team.
Looks like Bazemore might be our target. https://bleacherreport.com/articles...seeking-wing-defender-linked-to-kent-bazemore Makes sense in a few ways. 1) Rockets can trade bad contract for bad contract. Save on amount of picks headed out. 2) This bad contract can actual see the court (Ryan probably shouldn’t play during the playoffs). 3) Rockets need a wing (defender). He can bring high energy. 4) Morey wanted him before....and Morey always circles back and usually gets his man. Melo is an example of that. I would start him over James Ennis. CP3...Harden...Bazemore...Melo...Capela
Yeah Bazemore would be the ****. He'll definitely play much better here with our guys in our system. What's his and OPJ contract looking like? Too lazy to check. Tucker needs to stay in that lineup though. He needs to be starting and playing A LOT.