Trade & FA 2025-26: Free Agency Starts 5pm CST/6pm EST

[mvossman]

Yeah, I think you're way off.  To speak to your points:

1  As for Risacher, if you think he will turn out to be special, you're just basing it on air, because his play has certainly not shown anything. Sure, anything is possible. But he has been meh so far on both ends of the floor, in every way. (I'm thinking he looks like Fournier as his upside, with that looking like a major stretch to get there.) And his contract (13M, 14M, 18M) is not that desirable for a spare part.

2 Genuine proven stars like AD (and he is unquestionably at that "proven star" level) don't get traded for scraps (unless the GM is an idiot). They just don't. Top talent is hard to get, so teams will stretch their budget (and overlook the dings) in order to get those guys, rather than muddle along in mediocrity.

Whether ATL is at that crossroads, yes that's not something we can say either way for sure. But if they are, they are going to be as aggressive as it takes. And they are likely to offer the lowest package of player value, trying to keep their existing talent to max their opportunity to get way better right now, and utilize their future picks as the lure to entice a deal.

3 Re negotiations, I have no expectations. You misread what I said. My expectations are that we have no idea what each side would be willing to offer -- but ("negotiations") EVERYTHING we hear is nothing more than negotiating for a better price (by whispering "info" to some talking head or another), or trying to alter expectations.

You also obviously failed to recognize that the "negotiations" I spoke of (and that are always in play) work BOTH ways. For example, the Mavs have supposedly shut the door on Trae to Dallas as part of the deal. Paying 50M for a player they don't value, and who doesn't defend, and who doesn't fit with Kyrie? It makes no sense. But ATL would LOVE (!) to move him. So "Trae can't be included" is not set in stone any more than any of the things currently on ATL's list of demands would be.

You really like to put words into my mouth when responding to my posts.  When did I even hint that I thought Risacher is going to be "special"?  I suggested a good comp would be Nesmith.  You do realize he is only 20, right?  He scored 13 points a game in his age 19 season and is considered a good defender.  For comparison, Nesmith scored 5 points a game his first two seasons while 2 years older.

I fully recognize negotiations happen both ways and we can't believe everything we here.  Obviously we all want them to get the best offer they possibly can.  I'm simply saying what my line is on whether I would pull the trigger or not.  Your line is much higher.  I don't think AD will ever get moved if they stay with your line.  I have no idea if they can even get my minimum return.