[NorrinRaddParticipant]

WTF did I just wake up to??? Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic… per Shams…
Luka, Markieff Morris, and Max Kleber for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, JHS, 2029 1st, and this years 2 – 2nd round picks.

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

Clippers are trading Mo Bamba, PJ Tucker and a 2030 2nd for Drew Eubanks and Patty Mills.
I know it’s not the Luka trade…

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

Looks like Fox is at San Antonio in a 3 team trade. LaVine to Sac.

[HitsterParticipant]

Good deal for the Spurs as they kept hold of Castle , Vassell, Sochan etc and their own draft picks for next two drafts. Kings have got some value for Fox and Bulls get their own first rounder back from Spurs this year so looks useful for them.

[HitsterParticipant]

Not a bad deal for the Kings as LaVine is a decent replacement for Fox and has same contract length. Also they got a couple of first rounders out of it.

I guess teams with likely high lottery picks this summer want to hold fire until after the draft lottery at least as trying to bewin now might mean they miss out on a shot at Cooper, Ace and co.

I’ll be interested to see how the Spurs line up with Fox in the team who out of CP3, Castle or Vassell goes to the bench. If CP3 and Fox play together will Fox have to play off the ball. I’d assume if CP3 is going to be on court for serious minutes he would really need to be the main ball carrier to get best value from his game at this stage in his career.

The Spurs still have their own first rounder, one via Atlanta both of which are currently lottery and 3 second rounders including a very high one via NOP which will pretty much be like another late first rounder in this deep draft.

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

Quentin Grimes and a 2nd for Caleb Martin… Don’t know what the Mavericks are doing… maybe going all in on the class of 2029 or something?

[OhCanada-Participant]

Another odd trade by the Mavs. Caleb Martin is a good rotation player but Grimes is having a breakout season, has much better guard skills and is 5 years younger. I was expecting Grimes to get a larger role during the 2nd half of the season. Mavs already have Naji Marshall and PJ Washington who serve similar roles as Martiin or at least more similar than Grimes.

Im not sure whats going on here. Perhaps there are some internal issues we dont currently know about. Or maybe Anthony Davis has beef with Quentin Grimes and said hes not playing here until they move him (thats a bit extreme but just an example).

I understand wanting to give Jaden Hardy a larger role but Grimes and Hardy should be able to coexist especially with Doncic gone.

[OhCanada-Participant]

I saw a report that the Mavs are trying to trade for Durant. I’m not too sure how trade exception can be used to help match salaries but the Mavs currently have three of them totalling $31 Million. PJ Washington makes $16 Million and Naji Marshall makes 8 Million. Is it legal for them to combine the trade exceptions to match KD’s $51 Million salary?

It kind of makes sense. They already have former teammates Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson. Martin replaces Washinton/Naji, Hardy replaces Grimes. Dallas can only offer their 2025 1st and 2030 1st and then rights to swap for 5 years or whatever.

I also saw Houston is trying to acquire Devin Booker.

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

I don’t know what the heck the Mavericks are doing right now, but it looks like they are trying to push the chips while creating a timeline of the far future.

Houston can get Devin Booker, not sure I’d do it for any of the future core though… I like the idea of Amen Thompson, Jalen Green, Reed Sheppard, Cam Whitmore, Tari Eason, Jabari Smith, Alperen Sengun to keep with booker… Idk though, what would they do FVV and picks??? Doubt the Suns do that but maybe if there’s enough picks.

[OhCanada-Participant]

I know you are a believer in Reed Sheppards talent and rightfully so. He’s a very good player, But I feel like if Houston makes a play for Booker its because they want to win right now. They would probably want to keep FVV and Dillon Brooks since those two completely turned around their franchise. Young players dont win playoff games, there are exceptions like Luka Doncic but generally speaking you need experience. It takes losing plenty of pklayoff series before you have enough experience to win a championship.

I think they try to trade some package involving Reed Sheppard, Jabari Smith, Amen Thompson and then they have Jock Landale, Jeff, Green, Jasean Tate, and Aaron Holiday as cap filler. Then who knows how many picks it takes.. Suns probably demand Smith, Thompson, Sheppard and picks. Houston probably accepts giving them Sheppard and one of Smith or Thompson. Smith is more valuable to Phoenix because of his shooting abillity, Thompson is more valuable to Houston because he can play PG and FVV is older. I also think Houston would want to keep Adams for the playoffs. You really need a guy like that for your playoff run, even if its just as a body to go up against Jokic or the other bruising Centers.

It might end up looking more like this. Phoenix probably releases most of these players as well.

https://www.espn.com/nba/trademachine?tradeId=23lpckml

[OhCanada-Participant]

KD is not playing tonight. He has an “ankle sprain”. Played 46 minutes in his last game…

I think he’s on the move.

[OhCanada-Participant]

PJ Washington missed last nights game for “personal reasons”.

[HitsterParticipant]

Kyle Kuxma and Patrick Balswin Jnr plus 2nd rounder to the Bucks for Khris Middleton and AJ Johnson with pick swap to the Wizards

I like this deal for the Bucks as it saves them salary cap space and gets a younger guy in. The Wizards are rebuilding and save money over the length of the remaining contracts too. Khris Middleton was one of the longer serving players on the Bucks roster and part of the 2021 title winning team but had been hampered by injury issues .in recent years. He has a title and a nice player option for next season so has that security.

IBeyond 2026 he’d be the sort of veteran that contending teams could look to sign if he decided to play on.

Komza has a decreasing contract until 2027 and this runs perfectly alongside when Giannis has his next player option and if we assume Dame opts in for 26/27 his next contract break too

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

Interesting takes, I think it could be an even trade depending on how AJ Johnson does. If not, the Bucks got the better of the deal.

[HitsterParticipant]

I like the deal more for the Bucks but Washington saves a lot in cap space in 26/27 and Middleton on an expiring deal will be a trade asset next season.

Still no movement on Jimmy Butler. We could see a player opting in at a team he wants to leave and the team wanting him out. I don’t see Butler leaving $52 million on the table this summer when he turns 36 before the start of next season.

Lets see what the KD trade talk turns into too. Also I’d put money on Danny Ainge being part of one more deadline deal. I liked how he only found out half an hour before deal was announced that Utah’s deal with Lakers involved them getting Luka otherwise he might have pulled the Jazz out or demanded more.

[OhCanada-Participant]

The market for Kuzma has never been high despite his production. He fits in perfect as Middletons replacement and a third option in Milwaukee. AJ Johnson as a return for Washington is not bad, he’s a high upside late 1st rounder who was vetted into a team with Championship habits. The Wizards plan with Middleton will likely be the same as thier plan with Valanciunas, Brogdon and other vets they bring in. Get them healthy and productive and then create trade value later assuyming he opts into his $34 million contract next year.

[HitsterParticipant]

I’d assume that Khris Middleton would opt into $34 million given he is 33 now and still finding his best form after injury issues. He has a title so isn’t desperate to chase one like other guys of his age,

Brogdon’s deal expires this season I thought so keep an eye on him over the next day or so. Valanciunas at $10 million a year should have decent trade value for a contender in due course too.

Washington are likely to look to rebuild via the draft long term and have a couple of guys already in place so a good run of the lottery balls in the next couple of drafts should give them a good young team. But this will need a few veterans to help guide the younger guys like Detroit have done this year and hugely improved.

[HitsterParticipant]

Jonas Valancinas has just been traded to the Kings for Sidy Cissoko and a couple of 2nd rounders. The Kings have used up a trade exception so Washington create more cap space to take salary dumps and help build assets going forward.

Decent deal for all sides

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

If Wemby were to ever leave San Antonio, he could consider team France at Washington if those guys stick…

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

Wow, crazy stuff…

“The Heat are trading Butler to the Warriors, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania on Wednesday night, and the six-time All-Star has agreed to a new two-year, $111 million extension with Golden State through 2026-27.

The multiteam trade includes Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, P.J. Tucker (via the Jazz) and a protected first-round pick going to Miami, and Dennis Schroder heading from the Warriors to Utah. It also includes the Pistons, with the Warriors’ Lindy Waters III and Heat’s Josh Richardson headed to Detroit, sources said”

[HitsterParticipant]

Looks like Jimmy Butler to GSW for Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, first rounder. Dennis Schroder is going to Utah as part of the deal, Pistons also involved with minor players.

Butler has agreed $111 million two year extension with GSW.

Steph gets “Playoff Jimmy” for a couple of final runs and Miami get Wiggins who although has never quite lived up to his hype as the next superstar when he was drafted back in 2014 he has had a solid career as a very good complimentary starter and has won an NBA title along the way. He has a couple of years on his deal which includes a player option I’d assume he’ll take up but he is still under 30 and can give Miami a couple of decent years as they move on from Jimmy.

[OhCanada-Participant]

How dumb do you have to be to give Jimmy Butler another 110 million.

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

Lakers gave up a bit here… Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish and an unprotected 1st and a pick swap… but they did get Mark Williams.

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

Raptors might have pulled a fast one on the Pelicans here: Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk, a first and a second for Brandon Ingram.

[BothTeamsPlayedHard-Participant]

The hesitancy with Ingram is that the Raptors have three other guys who need the ball to be at their best in Barnes, Barrett, and Quickley. It is not all that different from New Orleans in that respect. Still, if they think they can keep him, the 2026 Pacers pick, Bruce Brown’s expiring deal, and Kelly Olynyk is not heavy a price.

When Pelinka described what he wanted from a center to pair with Luka, he basically described Mark Williams. He is young, mobile, a shot blocker, and a vertical threat for both lobs and rebounds. The problem is that despite a few blocked shots and all the physical ability to be a good defensive player, he hasn’t been one. It might just be the Hornets. It really is the definition of a dysfunctional franchise at this point. It also makes the transition to Lakerland tough. He goes from probably the softest coverage in the league to the most intense. The trade also opens up a roster spot, and the series of trade deadline moves will probably create a pretty pool of buy out vets in the coming weeks.

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

I’ve always thought Brandon Ingram has been underrated. The Raptors could use either him or Barrett or Quickley as a great 6th man. The other thing about Ingram is that yes – he’s good with the ball in his hands, but he can play on or off ball and can play multiple positions. His issue is staying healthy. Raptors could be a great landing spot for him. Not sure of the details of this trade precisely yet, but I don’t think the first-round pick is this years’ draft. This years’ Raptors pick could be good too. I like what Toronto’s doing… I do get the hesitancy with Ingram, but I believe the good outweighs the bad here.

The Lakers imo gave up an underrated player in Dalton Knecht. Knecht, a good rookie AND an UNPROTECTED pick!!! plus a pick swap. That’s a little steep, but they are getting everything they need prototypically in Mark Williams. I just think the injury prone Mark Williams should be worth more like Knecht, a pick swap and maybe 2 second round picks. It’s all good though, it’s not like the Lakers didn’t just fleece Dallas the other day… I would have also preferred slightly Jalen Duren over Williams. I think he’s not done yet and could turn his career around with the right fit. I also think he’s a good buy low right now.

[BothTeamsPlayedHard-Participant]

The Pistons are breaking a five year run of winning 23 games or less per year. They weren’t going to trade Duren for more picks down the line. Jeff Peterson is in his first full year with the Hornets, and as executives do is overhauling the roster. If you look back on their opening night roster for 2023-24, the Hornets have four players left. LaMelo, Miller, Smith, and Bridges. It is probably selling low on Mark Williams. Knecht will likely get a bunch of shots down the stretch as a Hornet tank warrior, but is he going to move the needle for anything but lottery odds?

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

Not sure Knecht threads the needle, but an unprotected first is a lot, especially if the unpredictable happens. Hornets have some good decisions to make in FA and the draft.

[HitsterParticipant]

I see Bronny wasn’t part of any deals. I wonder why?

The Hornets have moved both their main C’s in the last few weeks so do we assume they look to draft a big?

Toronto have got Ingram but could him, Barnes and Flagg play as a SF-SG-PF. We know Oh Canada’s concerns about Barnes playing C and it would be same for Flagg.

Lakers were looking at Walker Kessler too but Ainge’s asking price would likely have been too high.

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

I think Mark Williams is better than Walker Kessler when he’s healthy. This was a good move in that sense.

[BothTeamsPlayedHard-Participant]

Why did Atlanta trade De’Andre Hunter to Cleveland for Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, three 2nd rounders, and two pick swaps? It feels like a gift. It saves a little money. I guess it clears a path for Risacher to play 25-32 minutes. It just isn’t something a team without its 1st rounder has to do.

With Hunter and Ty Jerome, the Cleveland just need to get Jay Huff before the deadline and sign Mamadi Diakite or Braxton Key to get the full Virginia Cavalier experience.

As for the Hornets draft, I am no sure I would want to be taking a center early in this draft. The obviously are overhauling, but I wouldn’t value Maluach over Mark Williams. It is a huge step back, even with the 1st round pick down the line where they are fading Luka Doncic. Derik Queen or Thomas Sorber probably won’t get a ton of touches with Ball, Miller, and Bridges. Neither would be the defensive tone setter they need.

[HitsterParticipant]

With the Hornets having Ball, Bridges, Miller who would be the best fit for them if they don’t win the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes?

Ace has played off ball with Dylan but both look better players with the ball. VJ also needs the ball and LaMelo is their main creator when fit. If they fall out of the lottery then Newell is an option at 5 or 6. Maluach maybe a bit lower but no frontcourter bar Flagg would be in my top 5 atm.

With Lakers taking Mark Williams he’ll be extension eligible this summer. He knows they have given up a lot of assets for him so they cannot really lowball him.

[OhCanada-Participant]

I’m not so sure VJ needs the ball in the NBA. I think what he really needs is oppurtunities in transition and a decent playmaker alongside him. He still kind of struggles against set defenses and resorts to bulling his way to the rim.

In college and on a team like Baylor that has a slower pace VJ needed the ball in halfcourt sets when playing with Jeremy Roach. Since Roach got injured Rob Wright has been sharing ballhandling responsibilities with Edgecombe and the two have much better chemistry, they have also been running alot of curl screens for VJ were he curls in just inside the 3 point arc and then cuts to the rim or flares off for an open three depending on what the defence gives him.

Either way I feel like we are years away from seeing VJ Edgecombe as a finished product and he still has a ton of developing to do. He’s gonna be such a good player when its all said and done, I hope Toronto drafts him.

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

Suns are trading Jusuf Nurkic and a 2026 first-round pick to the Hornets for Cody Martin, Vasilije Micic and a 2026 second-round pick

[BothTeamsPlayedHard-Participant]

I think Charlotte would be thrilled with Ace Bailey. Any team in the lottery would be thrilled to get #2 pick. If Charlotte ends up in the 5th-8th range (given where they are in the standings, it is pretty close to 50-50 that they slot in there), they might be a Tre Johnson spot. If it is 5, maybe Edgecombe is there. While Salaun is raw, they knew he was raw when they took him. I don’t think they draft over him. I don’t think they go point guard, which is likely where that range is the strongest. The mystery box of future picks isn’t as appealing to me (especially when betting against Luka). You can do worse than Mark Williams, and I think Charlotte likely will for a few years.

The Clippers are buying low on Bogdan. He has had a rough year with injuries, and hasn’t done well when on it. Still, I like the bet while he is on that contract at the price they paid to trade for him. Risacher and Vit Krejci are going to be playing minutes for the rest of the season in Atlanta.

[HitsterParticipant]

Washington picked up a couple of first rounders in trades today. That does them no harm going forward.

[OhCanada-Participant]

Toronto did well. Olynyk and Brown have recently bolstered Toronto’s bench after coming back from injuries and regaining form. Toronto recently went on a 10 game stretch where they went 8 and 2. Removing Olynyk and Brown will thin out the rotation.

Ingram is injured and there will be no rush for him to return. This will actually help Toronto tank, without creating bad habits or promoting losing. One key here is Brandon Ingram is an unrestricted free agent. By trading for him Toronto has rights to resign him and because of the new CBA coming into place teams are not going to be able to outbid Toronto. If Ingram refuses to resign teams will have to have Toronto facilitate a sign and trade to acquire him and we should be able to recoup a 1st round pick and 2nd round pick in that case.

I like the idea of resting Ingram this year, getting a top 5 pick in this draft, resigning Ingram and then putting all the peices together next year. If they can get Flagg, Harper, Bailey, Edgecombe, Johnson, Kasparus or Maluach I think the team would be very competetive team for years to come. The one thing I’m wondering is the terms on the 1st round pick we traded although I’m assuming it is heavily protected.

I also like them picking up James Wiseman. Might as well take a flyer on a talented player like him.

[HitsterParticipant]

Off the top of my head only Brooklyn has a large amount of cap space this summer. Looking at projected space after Brooklyn there is only $5 million or so between the team with second most cap space and the Raptors. So I’d feel they are pretty confident of retaining Ingram. I don’t see them giving up a first rounder if they don’t think they can.

[OhCanada-Participant]

Brooklyn would actually make sense as aa destination for Ingram and for the Nets so thats a good call out and might end up being something to keep an eye on. Like Norrin said I’m assuming they have agreed to something in principle but until an extensiojn is announced anything can happen.

[HitsterParticipant]

I agree that something is likely in place for Ingram with the Raptors as I don’t see them giving up a first round pick if it wasn’t. It’s not like a contender giving up a pick to have a player to help with that season’s play off run as Toronto are in rebuilding mode.

Just got to give things a few days now to see exactly who is where, being waived, bought out etc to then get a better feel of what team’s needs might be deeper in this year’s draft.

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

Clippers are sending Terance Mann and Bones Hyland to the Hawks for Bogdan Bogdanovic and three second-round picks.

[OhCanada-Participant]

AD just got injured. Not sure on the severity. He was having an MVP type game pushing a triple double and leading Dallas to a 10 point advantage through 3 quarters.

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

Finally saw the highlights of that game, looks like it’s not serious. That’s good news…

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

Florida’s looking good this game. Condon and Clayton have something good right now… they’re taking it to Broome and Auburn.

[OhCanada-Participant]

Everytime Auburn makes a mini run Florida awnser’s back. Clayton has a career high 8 assists and looks every part of an NBA guard. Yeah they were saying something about Clayton and Condin being the most effecient duo or something like that.

[OhCanada-Participant]

What were they spraying in his hand? Wrong thread btw…

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

Wow, Mark Williams failed a physical and as a result the Lakers rescinded the trade…

[OhCanada-Participant]

Wow. “multiple issues”. None of them are his back, The Charlottes statement is hilarious basically saying the Lakers aggressively pursued Williams and bullied them into trading him.

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

I’m glad AD’s ok… AD has shown some class right now… I’m glad on the upside of having Luka, but I’m going to miss AD as a Lakers fan… but I’m not the average fan – I’m an NBA fan before a Lakers fan and a college fan before NBA… I follow my favorite college players no matter what team they end up on – yes, even the Celtics… Brandon Ingram I hope signs with the Raptors and exceeds expectations. Him and AD are ironically both 2 of my favorite players. Both used to play for the Lakers.

As for Charlotte, yeah that article was hilarious… Charlotte was smoke screenin’ for Mark Williams’ return to go smoother. Pelinka called it how it really was, I’m sure.

[HitsterParticipant]

I wonder what would have happened if say Knecht had been traded on again. Imagine if a huge trade had gone down and a filler piece to a 3rd team failed a fitness examination. Although if they were getting assets they might let it go through or waive the guy.

I guess Walker Kessler’s asking price has gone up even more now. The Lakers really need a big on a rookie contract with what players they can trade. But if they are looking for Williams to be their anchor for pretty much Luka’s time on the team you can see them not going through with the deal if there were issues.

[HitsterParticipant]

Brandon Ingram has signed a 3 year $120m deal with the Raptors which includes a player option in year 3. So he is contracted to the Raptors for at least the next two seasons. Good deal for both sides and gives the Raptors a guaranteed nice core for the next few years with a likely nice draft pick to come too.

Also potentially one of the better FAs this summer now off the market. So the options for teams like Brooklyn with cap space are more limited given they have past history with a couple of the possible FAs.

[OhCanada-Participant]

Its getting really difficult for Toronto to keep losing. They are gonna have to be very creative to get a top 5 lottery chance because they just have too many good players. Like this game vs. Philly. Poeltl, RJ Barrett and Ingram are all injured and they are still up by 8 after the 1st quarter.

I still feel like they are targetting Zion. They have his Duke teammate RJ and now his Pels teammate B.I. Might be if they fall out of the top half of the lottery the send a package for Zion.

[HitsterParticipant]

This year’s draft looks so deep I still think the Raptors will get a good pick but Zion is interesting. Would Quickley be part of any deal if we assume Barnes, RJ and Ingram would stay. Poeltl would be the other high earner likely to be involved and various picks and assets.

Reading on ESPN it says Utah will have a huge amount of expiring deals next season so it looks like Danny Ainge will be as busy as ever.

[OhCanada-Participant]

On a side note Detoit up 71-29 vs Chicago at halftime. In Chicago.

[OhCanada-Participant]

The Raptors community, media, boards etc. have already given Ingram a nickname. Since he switched his number to 3 theyre calling him ‘The Notorious B.I.3 ” or “B.I.3” for short in honor of Biggie Smalls. He was gonna tell Jakobe Walter to give up #14 but settled with 3 instead.

[HitsterParticipant]

I like the nickname and always wonder what the pecking order with numbers are. What if say you drafted Flagg and he wanted the same number as Ingram or Barnes?

[OhCanada-Participant]

Rookies dont usually get their number. Players usually pay for their number when they force the other player to switch it. So if B.I. made Jakobe Walter change from #14 he would probably give him $25,000 for the trouble. But Flagg might not do that because he hasn’t hearned $100 million dollars yet or whatever.

Doncic wore number 7 for Real Madrid and Slovenia but when Dallas drafted him switched to 77 because of Dwight Powell. Crazy thing is Powell is still with the Mavs and lasted longer than Luka.

And wasn’t Chris Paul supposed to get traded to the Heat but Wade made them decline the trade because Paul demanded for the number 3?

[HitsterParticipant]

I’ve never heard the D-Wade-CP3 story before. I guess that was before LBJ went there. We don’t know what star players might have in their contracts as regards numbering. But a star player wanting his team to get him players of equal ability around him and then arguing over the number they wear would be fun.

I recall a player at Boston gave up his number for KG when the Celtics traded for him but that might have been out of respect or KG might have paid him as you say.

Couldn’t the front office or HC just allocate a player a number especially someone they draft. I could see the likes of Pops, Riley, Ainge etc who worked with some of the best players ever not standing for any diva antics over numbers.

With team USA I could have imagined Mike Krzyzewski have not taken any nonsense over who wears what number or maybe the players towed the line out of respect for Mike K, Jerry Colangelo etc. Grant Hill would probably command equal respect.

[OhCanada-Participant]

Just saw Grimes scored 44 points for the 76ers in a win against the Warriors after deciding to sit Embiid. What a trade by Philly.

[NorrinRaddParticipant]

I saw that too.

[BothTeamsPlayedHard-Participant]

Things keep up Nico. Kyrie tears his ACL. Given the timing, he not only is out for this season, but a good part of the next one. He was slated to opt out and take advantage of that big old bag of leverage Nico gave him when he dealt Luka, but now there is seemingly no market outside of Dallas. He is 14 years in and dealing with a torn ACL, and has priors to say the least. So this year is shot, next year lacks a point guard, and that means in the summer of 2026 that Kyrie (assuming he opts into his current deal for rehab), Washington, and Gafford are all free agents. At least they still have their 2026 1st rounder. They might need it.

[HitsterParticipant]

If Kyrie misses a big chunk of next season that impacts the Mavs hugely. Kyrie turns 33 in a few weeks time so will likely be nearer 34 when he returns. I agree he opts in and takes things from there.

[OhCanada-Participant]

Mavs are done for.

[HitsterParticipant]

With Dallas do they possibly hit the reset button and look to cash in on AD when he is fit and sit Kyrie next season regardless. They could then tank for 2025/26 and hope to get a high pick then. The issue is their 2027 first is only top 2 protected otherwise it goes to Charlotte otherwise they could let Kyrie walk and not worry about that season.

AD is only 32 and has a couple of years on his deal not at a dissimilar age to KG when he went from T-Wolves to Celtics so there would be a good market for him.

[BothTeamsPlayedHard-Participant]

Pride might get in the way of Dallas moving off its current build or vision. Ownership, even more so than Nico, stuck its neck out and puffed its chest about what they were doing being the right way of going about building a contender.

The hard part is that if Kyrie and Powell opt in, they are $5 million under the projected luxury tax line with 11 players, and a roster that could finish 11th to 13th in the West next year. If one wanted to paint a relatively optimistic picture, I could argue that being a team that needs a guard in this draft is a decent place to be. The season can still play out a number of ways, but 10th to 13th seems to be where they are most likely to land. They could draft a guy and sign someone like Brogdon for a year. If it works, they’ll be thrilled. If not, they’ll find some injury to sit their high priced guys in the second half of the year and see where the 2026 pick comes in.

[Author]

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