We (desperately) need a point guard who commits few turnovers (despite Ime's bulls*** "playing without a traditional PG can work" comments to the press) and a decent backup big (thanks to Jason Momoa's injury).
I don't see much talk on Pippen Jr. but I really think the team should buy low on this gem in the rough. Scotty haven't play this season yet, recovering from a big toe surgery but is expected to come back within 2-4 weeks. 25 years old, minimum contract for 3 years, career .401% from 3pt, a pest on defense. Pippen jr. is as good defensively as Jose Alvarado, but better at shooting and assisting. Pippen jr. also has 2 inch on Jose and a little better at rebounding and finishing at rim. Pippen jr. career per 36min.: .480 fg%, .401 3pt%, 5.3reb, 7.2asi., 2.3stl., 0.7blk., 17.1pt. I think this is exactly what this team missing right now A lot ppl talk about Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu. They both on expiring contact, yes you can easily manage matching salaries to trade for them now, but both White and Ayo will demand much more money in the summer and that'd make Tari's extension and even Amen's extension much more difficult. I love Steve-O but this team really can't wait with KD's limited window, I think it's best for the team to trade his contract for any playable help this season. Also I believe Jabari is better to come off bench behind KD, let Bari and Reed run the 2nd unit offense. separate them from KD/Alpi, draw some plays for them, both Bari and Reed need the ball in their hands to maximize their potential but that won't happen when KD and Alpi are both on the court. Playing KD as the primary ball handler is so stupid. Whenever the opposite defense press/double KD on the top it's a turnover waiting to happen. Yes KD's got good court vision also very good at passing for his size, that doesn't mean you can play him like a point guard. KD can initiate, but you want KD to be at the receiving/finishing end as much as possible. Have someone bring the ball up court and quickly get the ball in KD's hands at his comfort zone, let him operate at the high post/elbow and spread the court. Defensively play Tari or DFS alongside KD and guard the opposite stronger/faster scoring forward. Sengun, Capela/Smith Durant, Jabari, Green Eason, D.F.S., Tate Thompson, Okogie, Holiday Pippen jr., Reed, Davison Why the Bulls do this trade: the Bulls still a lottery team this season, trade Vucevic and tank for a better pick this year and have a valuable player next year(Adams). Clarke is also recovering from injury and could be very good compliment to Giddey when he's back from injury. plus they got their own 2nd pick back from the Rockets, it could be a valuable top SRP after a solid tank job Why the Grizzlies do this trade: Vooch still playing at boderline all star level in limited minutes, on expiring contract. it could be perfect stopgap for their constantly injured center Zach Edey. they also got their own 27' SRP back from the Rockets. switch Vooch with Coby White with a little twist of other assets in the trade also work if Grizzlies trade Ja Morant in the next couple weeks
Here's a weird one. Doubt it happens because I think the organization loves Steven and Gafford's contract is expensive for a backup big, but on some levels it makes sense. Adams probably won't even make it back during the playoffs, and may be a shell of himself if he does. As great as he is, he's getting well past 30 at this point and I wonder how much time he has left in the league as a productive player. Gafford gets paid similar money annually, is significantly younger, and is a better rim protector and lob threat. He's a downgrade on rebounding and especially setting screens, but he may still have a little room left to grow as a player. This move could also free us up to trade Clint and use his salary to go get a backup guard, if we want to do both things.
Schroder+Eubanks+Monk For DFS+Adams+Holiday+Capela+Future first Smith plays stretch 5 as often as Eubanks plays. Sengun/Eubanks/Smith Smith/Eason Durant/Okogie Reed/Monk Amen/Schroder
I like it, but we don’t have enough minutes for both Schroeder, Reed, Monk. Just Monk would be enough. We also need to keep Capella.
HOU - BRK - NOP BRK: DFS (HOU) + SRP (via HOU) Brooklyn turns around and looks for a contending team who wants DFS NOP: Jalen Wilson (BRK) + SRP (via HOU) Pellies drop beneath further beneath tax b/c why would you be closing to paying tax for having one of the worst teams in league?? HOU: Alvarado (NOP) + Looney (NOP) Rox pickup distributor & ball handler who plays defense. Looney just needs to grab boards & get ready for dunks. Houston could include Tate to have more breathing room under apron & be prepared for buy-out market. I also like the idea of Missi over Looney, but pretty sure Pellies would want a 1st (PHX?)
This is the kind of lateral move I can see Stone making: signing a free agent with NBA experience. Especially since it would cost zero assets. At least we might be a tad more organized on the offensive end and not turn the ball over as much. And it's adding a friendly, familiar face for the vets. "I'd love to go to the Rockets," Spencer Dinwiddle tells the Buckets Don't Stop podcast.
That Net pick is the one we will be hanging on to. They aren’t going to waste it on Alvarado. I do like both Alvarado and Bey, but not with that pick. Phoenix pick could be valuable as well. Dillon is reverting to 2nd half Dillon and if Booker was to get hurt next year, Phoenix would suck. Maybe our own 28 pick and a couple of seconds might get it done. I don’t really think either NOP players are in high demand, there are just a good fit for our current needs.
Yeah I don’t know why, but I have this favorable memory of Eubanks. I could be remembering the wrong player, but I was thinking that he was better than CC. and to be honest, I would like us to see more of using Smith as a center. Even if FVV does make it back Schroder would be useful. Smith Durant Monk Reed Amen Amen is going to get to the rim
This is unlikely to happen due to the implications of the WC Playoff Race...but just a thought... Rockets In: Austin Reeves and Marcus Smart Lakers In: Draymond Green, DFS and Tari Eason Warriors In: Reed Sheppard, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, 2 first Rounders from Houston, 1 First Rounder from LAL and 1 First Round Swap from LAL. Houston Picks up a PG/SG not only for this year, but the future. Eason may not resign with the Rockets and hate losing Sheppard, but Reeves is definitely an upgrade. Smart is played with Ime before, so should fit in for some minutes off the bench. For Houston...DFS, Eason, Sheppard and 2 picks for Austin Reeves and Marcus Smart. Lakers retool with more defense and experience to surround Lebron and Luka for their run in the playoffs. Luka/Lebron/Reeves all need the ball to be effective...one must go. Reeves is up for an extension. GS is already involved in rumors about a potential bid for Giannis. They clear cap with the expiring contracts, pick up multiple first rounders and a young player to make their push for Giannis.
Geez! The Rockets are getting totally raped on this. Smart is just a journeyman bench player. Reeves is a rental that we can’t afford to re-sig. We are giving up Tari, DFS, Reed and 2 first rounders. If the salaries matched you could get Giannis for that. Ridiculous.
Giannis to NY KAT and Trent jr to HTowm FVV/Adams/Capela/Holiday/Eason/Suns 2027 first/Rockets 2028 first top 8 protected and NY gives 2 frp to MIL as well. Sengun/Smith/KAT KAT/DFS Durant/Tatertot Okogie/Trent Amen/Reed
I had to looked up Reeve's max and its in the $40m per year...so your right, its very expensive. There will be plenty of teams with cap space that may go after him...Depending on what Lebron does, Lakers may end up re-signing Reeves.
I like this a lot. Although I would put the depth chart more like this: Sengun/Kat/Smith Kat/Smith/DFS Durant/DFS/Okogie Trent/Reed/Okogie Amen/Reed
the only issue is that KAT is almost negative value asset with his contract. And Sengun/KAT would be among the worst defensive front courts in the league.
