Don’t think Phoenix would do it, but Utah might. Don’t know how much Ingles is contributing to their success. If not much I think it is an equitable trade.
Simple trade the people you have replacements for. Best of both worlds. So tucker n house u trade. Tate=tucker, kpj=house. That means you are still on ur winning track, attracting a star to come here....Ala nets n clippers. Who still having good pieces said star can team up with vic wood wall
The move is to wait and see how we are doing closer to the deadline. Playoff seed above 7 and we roll the dice maybe with this roster and risk losing Dipo if necessary. Maybe look for small trade to upgrade. If we are 7 or below we consider either unloading top players for assets. Our best trade assets other than picks is dipo and Tucker, for whom I believe many contenders would give a 1st. I can see scenarios where you trade Tucker and get whatever you can, he’s instrumental (despite box scores) to our success, the glue of all glue guys, but for a real that needs upgrades for a legit shot at beating the lakers of the league, he may be our only option to trade without losing too much talent.
PJ and B Mac have more value to a contending team than you think. There would be some massaging of the deal (maybe a pick going to Phi. Along with PJ and Ben) but I think the basic framework is doable for all sides.
Iam amazed he didn't go to the Nets, they wanted (and obviously needed) him. Credit to Stone for not giving him up at the time. Iam not sure what assets they have left but you have to wonder if he could still be dealt there.
I think we accumulate assets, trade anything we get even Christian Wood for more assets; become a garbage team to watch for the next 20 years and undesirable for any free agents to want to come here; the assets we do acquire leave the team because we can't win; then sneak attack the NBA with a 4th seeded 2nd round exit playoff team after the 20 years has gone by; then blow it up and start over.
I think the answer boils down to who you plan to keep for next year and beyond. If PJ and VO aren't going to be here next year , I think you move them and get some value out of their contracts at the deadline. I really don't see VO as a lead dog on a contender .... he might be your #2 guy. If he's wanting a max deal , I'm not giving it to him. Let someone else make that $40m mistake. If he'd sign for 22ish .... I might be inclined to do 3/70 , that's a deal I can get out from under in a year or two if a better option comes along but 3/120 or 4/160 I'm not interested. Take what asset you can extract at the deadline and move on. EG is probably still a negative asset , I'm not pinning 1st round picks to his jersey to get him gone. He & Wall aren't bad guys to have around all these young guys for a year or two.
