AROUND the NBA:

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://bsky.app/profile/bobbykrivitsky....2lgxlit22z


Neemias Queta has developed into a decent center for the "C's" 1st Portuguese player to play in the NBA.

[Smitty]

@Fullcourtpass
All signs are pointing to Jayson Tatum returning this Friday against the Dallas Mavericks, per @BillSimmons

[vfromlmf]

@Fullcourtpass
All signs are pointing to Jayson Tatum returning this Friday against the Dallas Mavericks, per @BillSimmons

That's incredible. If I recall correctly, this was originally scheduled to be a nationally televised game but they scrapped it. I'm also guessing Flagg will be back for a homecoming. Whoever decided the game isn't worth broadcasting is probably kicking himself. The entire league would've tuned in just to see how Tatum looks.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

@Fullcourtpass
All signs are pointing to Jayson Tatum returning this Friday against the Dallas Mavericks, per @BillSimmons

Is this legit? I sometimes take what Simmons says with a grain of salt, especially since he's a Celtic's slappy.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://x.com/BrysonAkinsNBA/status/2028580053047464260


Trae Young to make his Wizards debut on March 5th.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/20285...57276?s=20

Giannis to return tonight vs the "C's"

[vfromlmf]

Feels like the League stepping in to make sure players who can go, actually go.

I wonder, did AD ever have surgery?

Flagg probably returning Friday.

[cow]

Feels like the League stepping in to make sure players who can go, actually go.

I wonder, did AD ever have surgery?

Flagg probably returning Friday.

Maybe the league should have a playoffs where lottery teams jockey for #1 pick.  Then add participation rules that require a certain number of games played (~60) and/or minutes averaged.  It might help with all the season ending surgeries on tanking teams.  You could offer cash prizes for the players and owners always want more games.  It would only really punish a team that is truly bad that actually tries and I'm not sure those really exist.

[omahen]

Some rumors that Curry and Draymond will heavily recruit LeBron in the summer. I think it makes a lot of sense, as they can do a huge farewell tour toghether (plus possibly Butler). They might even be good enough to make some noise, although I don't think they could compete for title. They could have enough space under the apron to give him full MLE. If he joins them for vet min, they will be able to resign KP.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7085944...prospects/

Denver's season depends on this guy's return, along with Watson.

[omahen]

ESPN crew is doubling down on LeBron to Cleveland. That would be easy, if LeBron would accept a vet min. However, I find this unlikely.

Anything above vet min is not easy for Cleveland. They are currently projected to be just below the second apron assuming Harden picks his option and they let Wade and Ellis walk. If they would want to pay LeBron the tax payer exception money, they would need to shed additional salary. Either by dumping Strus or Schroeder to a cap space team (will cost assets), trading Allen for air (more on that later) or by Harden signing a new deal for less money instead of taking his option.

Harden could see value in taking less money on a yearly basis. He has his 42 mil player option, but is also looking for an extension. How much of a discount would he be willing to give to improve the team for a title run (he is still missing a ring) for a longer term deal? It could be that (for example) 60 mil over two years would be worth more to him than 42 mil next season and who knows how much afterwards.

Another part of the equation could be Allen. It is undoubtly that LeBron is a PF at this stage of his career. As long as they have Allen at center, than Mobley is playing a PF, which would be putting LeBron to a SF spot. While Allen-Mobley-LeBron-Mitchell-Harden would look great on paper, the actual on-court fit is questionable. Trading Allen and putting Mobley on center could make more sense for them. Even if they trade Allen in salalry cap of some team, he will surely fetch additional assets in terms of draft compensation, as he is one of the better centers in the league. Cleveland could use those draft assets to perhaps turn Schroeder or Struss to something more useful.

If LeBron would want even more than the tax-payer exception (either full MLE or SnT), the calculation gets more difficult for Cleveland, as they would need to get under the first apron. That is achievable by a combination of Harden signing a new contract for a lower annual value and Cavs cutting salary elsewhere, either by dumping Strus and/or Schroeder or by trading Allen without taking any salary back. If Harden takes 10 mil less and they trade Allen for air (they will surely get additional draft assets in such a trade), they would get a roughly 35 mil cushion below the first apron.

There will be three teams that could have over 30 mil of cap space to take Allen's salary and need a center solution - Chicago, Clippers and Lakers. Allen is young enough to fit in plans of any of those teams.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2540...ree-agency

[Chicagojk]

ESPN crew is doubling down on LeBron to Cleveland. That would be easy, if LeBron would accept a vet min. However, I find this unlikely.

Anything above vet min is not easy for Cleveland. They are currently projected to be just below the second apron assuming Harden picks his option and they let Wade and Ellis walk. If they would want to pay LeBron the tax payer exception money, they would need to shed additional salary. Either by dumping Strus or Schroeder to a cap space team (will cost assets), trading Allen for air (more on that later) or by Harden signing a new deal for less money instead of taking his option.

Harden could see value in taking less money on a yearly basis. He has his 42 mil player option, but is also looking for an extension. How much of a discount would he be willing to give to improve the team for a title run (he is still missing a ring) for a longer term deal? It could be that (for example) 60 mil over two years would be worth more to him than 42 mil next season and who knows how much afterwards.

Another part of the equation could be Allen. It is undoubtly that LeBron is a PF at this stage of his career. As long as they have Allen at center, than Mobley is playing a PF, which would be putting LeBron to a SF spot. While Allen-Mobley-LeBron-Mitchell-Harden would look great on paper, the actual on-court fit is questionable. Trading Allen and putting Mobley on center could make more sense for them. Even if they trade Allen in salalry cap of some team, he will surely fetch additional assets in terms of draft compensation, as he is one of the better centers in the league. Cleveland could use those draft assets to perhaps turn Schroeder or Struss to something more useful.

If LeBron would want even more than the tax-payer exception (either full MLE or SnT), the calculation gets more difficult for Cleveland, as they would need to get under the first apron. That is achievable by a combination of Harden signing a new contract for a lower annual value and Cavs cutting salary elsewhere, either by dumping Strus and/or Schroeder or by trading Allen without taking any salary back. If Harden takes 10 mil less and they trade Allen for air (they will surely get additional draft assets in such a trade), they would get a roughly 35 mil cushion below the first apron.

There will be three teams that could have over 30 mil of cap space to take Allen's salary and need a center solution - Chicago, Clippers and Lakers. Allen is young enough to fit in plans of any of those teams.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2540...ree-agency

Thanks for write up.  I spent around 5 minutes trying to figure out what draft pick Clev has in 26, but gave up.  I wanted to see if I would consider Strus into the trade exception if I could get a first.

I thought ATL as getting CLE first this year, but it looks like Cleveland may get a pick somewhere else?

[Smitty]

Thanks for write up.  I spent around 5 minutes trying to figure out what draft pick Clev has in 26, but gave up.  I wanted to see if I would consider Strus into the trade exception if I could get a first.

I thought ATL as getting CLE first this year, but it looks like Cleveland may get a pick somewhere else?

Tankathon shows them getting the Spurs pick currently at #28 this year.

[Chicagojk]

Tankathon shows them getting the Spurs pick currently at #28 this year.

Thanks.  That probably isn't worth it...I don't think.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/4808...ork-knicks


How the NBA's conference gap has shrunk this season.

[Smitty]

Thanks.  That probably isn't worth it...I don't think.

Here's a pick trade value chart from nbasense. It's not perfect but using it as a guide. You could take back someone like Strus into the TPE for pick 28 and package it with 29/30 from OKC and move up to ~18/19 if there's someone you like there and all parties see the incentive to do so.


Pick Value Normalized
1 4000 100.00
2 3100 77.50
3 2670 66.75
4 2410 60.25
5 2240 56.00
6 2110 52.75
7 2000 50.00
8 1910 47.75
9 1830 45.75
10 1720 43.00
11 1600 40.00
12 1500 37.50
13 1400 35.00
14 1320 33.00
15 1240 31.00
16 1180 29.50
17 1130 28.25
18 1080 27.00
19 1030 25.75
20 980 24.50
21 920 23.00
22 860 21.50
23 800 20.00
24 750 18.75
25 700 17.50
26 660 16.50
27 620 15.50
28 570 14.25
29 520 13.00
30 470 11.75

[omahen]

Thanks for write up.  I spent around 5 minutes trying to figure out what draft pick Clev has in 26, but gave up.  I wanted to see if I would consider Strus into the trade exception if I could get a first.

I thought ATL as getting CLE first this year, but it looks like Cleveland may get a pick somewhere else?

As Smitty said, they have the SA pick. In any case, I think picks, especially FRPs, are really rarely used to dump salary these days. Especially not expiring. I can't remember last time seeing one pure salary dump that used a FRP. Seems to me teams value picks much higher now and they are only used for last pieces of the puzzle or superstars.

Cleveland will actually be able to trade 3 FRPs in the summer (2026, 2031 and 2033). They could go after a really good wing with Strus and Schroeder contracts. Herb Jones or even Trey Murphy type. If they stay with their current core or really go after LeBron, they could really use an aggresive point of attack defender. 

A lot of course depends on how they do in the postseason, but I could see them trading Allen, since there were already rumors they were checking his market at TDL. Although connected to their efforts of trading for Giannis.

[Mavs2021]

Thanks.  That probably isn't worth it...I don't think.

Well it is a matter of the opportunity cost to use the TPE elsewhere, but part of the executed specific AD trade was to create delayed trade returns. The generated apron breathing room and TPE should 100% be used and an additional 1st round pick for an expiring contract is exactly such an outcome. Of course Schroeder + 1st or Allen outright would be preferred outcomes for the TPE.

[Scott41theMavs]

Charlotte thumping the crap out of Boston. I hope the Celtics play better in their game against us.

Meanwhile, the Jazz are up over the Sixers, and the Grizz are tied with the Blazers. Could be a nice night for positioning.

[Mavs2021]

Charlotte thumping the crap out of Boston. I hope the Celtics play better in their game against us.

Meanwhile, the Jazz are up over the Sixers, and the Grizz are tied with the Blazers. Could be a nice night for positioning.

Stop jinxing the small chances of something happening.  

Kuminga 21/8/3, shooting 68/55/77. Still not a big sample size, but I´m pretty sure the Hawks will pick up his option for another year. Headcoach might not always be right, not even one as accomplished as Steve Kerr.