Not sure if Danny Ainge is wanting to get into the Wemby mix or not. They're currently 7th in the west. Have won 5 of the last 10. Highly doubt they do much damage in the playoffs IF they even get there. I'm sure Ainge is fully aware of this. Would he be willing to trade Conley? They have plenty of draft picks due to the Gobert trade. They have 3 in 2025. One via Cle. Would he give one up if we included KJ in a trade with EG for Conley? This would no doubt send them into the lottery zone AND give them a young and improving wing just starting to come into his own, while giving us a pick AND the perfect lead guard to come in and run this group for the next couple of years. Would be invaluable to the young guys. OUT: EG, KJ, NIX IN: Conley + an unprotected 2025 1st via Cle Trade Works
this is one of the best trades I’ve seen proposed, but I think we’d have to throw in a bit more to get both Conley and an unprotected 1st. I also don’t see why Utah would want EG. KJ, the 2023 Milwaukee pick, and Christopher might get it done.
Depends on what other teams think of KJ. Plus keep in mind they have 3 firsts in 2025. Theirs along with Min and Cle. No doubt the Cle pick will probably be a late 1st. They're only getting better and should be really good by then.
Why I feel that Danny Ainge is more intelligent / experienced than our people hence is difficult to outsmart him.
I think the rockets should push to get a pick in the teens if they can get there with some combination of lates 1sts, Gordon, and players that aren't developing. That's where you start raising the floor of these prospects. Regardless of their potential, we expected guys like Tari and Sengun to at least be nba players based on where they were drafted (and they are). When you get picks in the late 20s they may not even be good enough to stick in the league. They're closer to 2nd rd picks where you're just happy if they're an nba level player. That mid 1st rd is also where you start to see the likelihood of the player being an all star dry up. I know people want to bring up Jokic but he was an exception, a steal. People rarely bring up guys like Kawhi, or Giannis, or Booker being steals because people know you can still find those guys in the mid 1st rd. Getting one of those protected Wizards or Pistons picks may be the easiest to get. They probably won't convey until a few years from now but that's fine since we're in the middle of a minutes crunch right now with young players.
An EG trade is a less than 50/50 proposition. If Phoenix et al wants EG, they can wait until after the trade deadline when the Rockets buy out EG and set him free. An EG trade mostly would look look like a playoff team needing EG, having a high value contract for non-rotation player and having a projected non-lottery FRP in 23/24 or a player on a rookie contract that would become a Rockets rotational player (like Cam Reddish). The day after the trade the Rockets will buy out the high value player gotten back. There will need to be two or more teams who want EG, are competitive about it and have the assets the Rockets want. Buying a projected non-lottery FRP in 23/24 might be an easier get.
Rockets Patrick Beverley (if can't trade buyout goes to TWolves) Jae Crowder (if can't trade buyout to Bucks) Lakers 2023 SRP or later Lakers Buddy Hield (needed shooter for spacing) Jalen Smith (upgrade backup PF/C) James Johnson (replacement defender/enforcer to Pat Bev) Daishen Nix (3rd string PG) Suns Eric Gordon (upgrade shooter to Landry Shamet) Troy Brown Jr (expiring contract) Pacers Landry Shamet (downgrade replacement shooter to Buddy Hield) Kendrick Nunn (expiring contract) Damian Jones (downgrade replacement to Jalen Smith) Suns 2023 1RP Lakers 2026 1RP Rockets free up minutes for guards and small forwards Lakers get upgraded roster Suns get veteran shooter Pacers get two 1RPs and save money
Just throwing this out framework..not sure it makes sense for all teams Rockets In: Lonzo Ball, Nunn, 2023 CLE First, 2024 CHI First, 2028 LAL 1st. Bulls In: Pat Beverley and KMJ Lakers In: Caris LeVert and KPJ Cavs In: Eric Gordon, Josh Christopher, 2023 MIL via Houston Rockets get a past first PG who won't play this year, so tank is still on. 2 years remaining on the Balls contract. Bulls retool to try to content this year with a defensive upgrade and a young PF who can fit in with their starting line-up. Lakers get a young PG on a friendly contract and another scorer to surround Davis and LeBron. Cavs picks up Gordon who fits better the LeVert and a young prospect.
EG and KJ for Saric, Crowder, and Suns unprotected 2025 1st Rockets send Crowder to Lakers for Beverly and two 2nd rounders (2024 Wizards & 2025 Lakers). rockets end up with Suns unprotected 2025 pick and two 2nd round picks from the lakers for EG and KJ. Realistic, no?
if we cannot trade him before February, I am not releasing him after. I am picking up his option and attempting to use him as Space filler in a trade in the summer or before the 2024 for trade deadline. A year from now Gordon+Tate+KPJ could be enough salary to bring in anyone that may want to come.
I think Ainge could give Conley away for free if he was trying to tank. No need at all to include a pick. Also, that's not how Ainge works. He would be accumulating picks, not giving them out. I also doubt KJ is of much interest to Ainge - they already have a talented wing to find time for anyway. If you want Conley, you would need to dream up a scenario where you find a taker for EGO wo pays a first, and then expand it to a 3way where you give Ainge that first for Conley. But I can't see why we would do that...
I don't know why Eric Gordon is still here. I don't think he knows either. Stone doesn't know either. Silas doesn't know either. Nobody knows, but the man is still here. He has to go. Anything can be worth it.
I think EG is a perfect fit for GSW, especially with Curry sidelined/injured. Yes, they have a lot of guards, but Poole and Klay are trash defensively and FSW splits are horrendous without Curry. They need bench help bad. EG would fit right in and help offensively and defensively. I would love to take a flier on Wiseman who is their most moveable piece. I’m sure they would love KJ as well. They only owe MEM a pick so maybe the two teams can work something out. GSW typically does not do in season trades but I wonder if the Curry injury, and EG’s fit, have them intrigued. I don’t know how it could work with EG’s salary, maybe a third team and/or KJ involved to entice others…I would love to add Moses Moody too
I was just reading this article on Yahoo Sports that said one exec supposedly said the Warriors are going to put Kuminga and/or Wiseman up for trade.
