I don't think Bucks were Lillards top choice (Miami). I don't think GSW was Butler's top choice (Phx). I don't think Raptors was Khawi's top choice. I do think Nets and Sixers was Hardens top choice. I do think Durant got one of his top choices. Luka didn't go to his top destination. Anthony Davis didn't go to his top destination. I agree that the star player forces the hand a ton and has a lot of leverage, but if the preferred destination is giving peanuts, it's the trading teams responsibility to their own fans to get a fair return for the player and they'll go through their process to get that
I actually don't agree with this. I think the Thunders' assets are actually a little overrated outside their top 3 guys, especially if their Philadelphia pick this season doesn't convey. They have a bunch of picks, but a lot of them are protected and/or SRPs. Their best draft assets are Philly's pick this year (which likely will not convey) and the Mavs 2028 pick. Frankly, I could make the argument that our draft assets are more valuable than the Thunders' IF Philly’s pick doesn’t convey.
MIL: Sengun, Thompson, Landale PHX: Green, Sheppard, Whitmore, Holiday, all of their picks back HOU: Antetokounmpo, Booker Resign Steven Adams. Use MLE to sign Tyus Jones. Sign DeAndre Jordan and re-sign Jeff Green for the vet minimum. Point Guards: VanVleet / Jones Wings: Booker / Brooks / Eason Bigs: Antetokounmpo / Smith / Adams / Jordan / Green
Not a big fan, and in this scenario he's definitely resigning for less to make room for the Tari and Bari extensions. But Ime loves him and, in my lineup, you're not asking him to do as much with Booker being the de facto PG.
Giannis is better than any Sun. Booker is as good as the best or second-best Sun. FVV, Tari, Brooks, JSJ, Adams are all better than the 3rd best Sun. Rockets would be down one 1st round pick. That would not look like the Suns. That said, I would not trade Reed, Green, Whitmore, and the 3 Phoenix picks for Booker. The Giannis trade would be interesting. I'd have a hard time sending Amen for him considering Amen has so many years left, and the purpose of adding a star is to have a team with them.
You are correct in you assessment of their draft picks. Ours are better. SA has better picks as well. OKC has a great core and depth. If they are willing to keep them all, pay the tax, and not have much flexibility, they will still be contenders for the next 5 years.
Houston Rockets Trade Breakdown Change in Team Outlook: -7.2 ppg, -2.6 rpg, and -1.0 apg. Incoming Players Cameron Johnson 29 year old, 6-8, 210 lb G from North Carolina 18.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.4 apg in 31.6 minutes in 2024-2025 Noah Clowney 20 year old, 6-9, 210 lb F from Alabama 9.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 0.9 apg in 22.7 minutes in 2024-2025 Outgoing Players Jalen Green 23 year old, 6-4, 186 lb SG from NBA G League Ignite 21.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.4 apg in 32.9 minutes in 2024-2025 Jock Landale 29 year old, 6-11, 255 lb C from Saint Mary's 4.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 0.9 apg in 11.9 minutes in 2024-2025 Cam Whitmore 20 year old, 6-7, 230 lb F from Villanova 9.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.0 apg in
I will give the Magic - Jabari Smith Jr, Jalen Green, Cam Whitmore, Reed Sheppard, 2025 1st and 2027 1st and 3 2nd Rnd Picks for Paolo Banchero. I know, I know, they'd laugh.
This blows my mind. All that losing for a team young as hell that gets to the 2nd seed in the harder conference. Trade them ALL to make one of the 5 oldest teams in the league. That has a 2-3 year window. insane
Random thought - let's say the Grizzlies want to retool around Ja and JJJ. Any interest in Bane? Last season as a first/second option, he averaged almost 24 ppg on a solid .58 TS%. This season, he averaged 19/6/5 on a .60 TS%. He's a .4 3 point shooter, is only 26, and is signed for the next four seasons. Seems like he could be a really good fit and would not require the superstar Godfather package.
He's always been my personal barometer for whether Jalen should be viewed as successful. I keep flipping back and forth on the question "would I trade JG for Bane straight-up?" Right now I think my answer is no. Jalen has had a rough playoffs overall, but the same is true for Bane, who was a disaster in their sweep by OKC. Their production was much closer together this season due to some improvements in Jalen's efficiency and defense--I think Bane still has the edge, but he's also older and getting paid more money. It's kind of a wash--feels like it would be a move just to make a move, not a real significant upgrade IMO.
My thoughts are somewhat similar, though I do think I would be really interested in trading for Bane IF I didn't have to give up Green, Amen, or Sengun. I actually think a Bane and Green backcourt could be interesting. Bane is more of a shooter who can slash, and Green is more of a slasher who can shoot. Green / Bane / Brooks or Eason or Bari / Amen / Sengun Pretty solid looking lineup to me.
Banchero sucks and would be a terrible fit on this team. Jabari will be the better long-term player, I wouldn’t trade him straight up for Paolo. Just a terrible idea.
Straight up I’d do it in a second. Bane is a better fit with his 3 pt shooting and is a more consistent player. Also has some dawg in him.
