05-07-2023, 05:29 AM
Serious Ayton talk.
The first two reasons I want him are not even skill-related. First of all, he´s age compatible, which I think is still so underrated. If you trade for a 24 year old, you don´t need to replace him in four years like a 34 year old. If you do, he still has re-trade value. Furthermore him and Luka seem to be friends, and Luka does not seem like a professional. What I mean by that is he will not separate on-court and off-court like a Pippen/Rodman situation. If he clicks with you on a personal level, he´ll click with you on a basketball court...otherwise see Porzingis and McGee. Also see the success with Slovenia, Real Madrid or when he still had Dorian, Jalen on the team....
On the other hand, he´ll make you a lot better than you are, when he´s vibing. I believe there is a different level in Ayton that Luka can draw out through his skill set and their personal relationship. Ayton has been the scapegoat in Phoenix from day one and he´d be the saviour here.
Now comes the part of what to give up. If there really is no way that Irving + X for Ayton/CP 3 works, it becomes difficult. I don´t want to give up future picks for a salary dump. This is a strategic directional choice *sarcasm mode on* big Cuban STRENGTH *sarcasm mode off*. You make a young veteran roster building choice, you eat a bad contract, i.e. CP3 to fianlize this deal. You don´t give up #10 under any circumstances.
Surely there must be a way given that Irving´s salary is flexible and we have so many contracts from 6M to 19M if ALL parties involved want it. I´m sure Phoenix would ask for Kleber and while this would hurt short-term it has to be done. Again ugh Cuban would give up #10 instead of Kleber.
I would be so excited to see
Doncic/Small Exception
Hardy/THJ
Green/Bullock
Hendricks/Morris+Bertans LOL
Ayton/Bamba ( I´m pretty sure the Lakers would do Bamba/McGee straight up)
start next year. Would be a little rough early, but I think come play-in time, nobody will want to play this team, especially if they pull off a trade deadline deal for some PG/PF depth.
One more comment on the draft. We are all pessimistic about getting certain players at #10, but to be honest I have seen very few drafts that actually have players like Hendricks or Dick higher than #10. Players like Miller or Sensabaugh are all over the place. I was going to suggest a trade down of Bertans/#10 for Curry/O´Neale/#21/#22, and hilariously the Yahoo mock draft I looked at last has the Nets picking the exact two players I´d want in that situation with Leonard Miller and Brice Sensabaugh.
The first two reasons I want him are not even skill-related. First of all, he´s age compatible, which I think is still so underrated. If you trade for a 24 year old, you don´t need to replace him in four years like a 34 year old. If you do, he still has re-trade value. Furthermore him and Luka seem to be friends, and Luka does not seem like a professional. What I mean by that is he will not separate on-court and off-court like a Pippen/Rodman situation. If he clicks with you on a personal level, he´ll click with you on a basketball court...otherwise see Porzingis and McGee. Also see the success with Slovenia, Real Madrid or when he still had Dorian, Jalen on the team....
On the other hand, he´ll make you a lot better than you are, when he´s vibing. I believe there is a different level in Ayton that Luka can draw out through his skill set and their personal relationship. Ayton has been the scapegoat in Phoenix from day one and he´d be the saviour here.
Now comes the part of what to give up. If there really is no way that Irving + X for Ayton/CP 3 works, it becomes difficult. I don´t want to give up future picks for a salary dump. This is a strategic directional choice *sarcasm mode on* big Cuban STRENGTH *sarcasm mode off*. You make a young veteran roster building choice, you eat a bad contract, i.e. CP3 to fianlize this deal. You don´t give up #10 under any circumstances.
Surely there must be a way given that Irving´s salary is flexible and we have so many contracts from 6M to 19M if ALL parties involved want it. I´m sure Phoenix would ask for Kleber and while this would hurt short-term it has to be done. Again ugh Cuban would give up #10 instead of Kleber.
I would be so excited to see
Doncic/Small Exception
Hardy/THJ
Green/Bullock
Hendricks/Morris+Bertans LOL
Ayton/Bamba ( I´m pretty sure the Lakers would do Bamba/McGee straight up)
start next year. Would be a little rough early, but I think come play-in time, nobody will want to play this team, especially if they pull off a trade deadline deal for some PG/PF depth.
One more comment on the draft. We are all pessimistic about getting certain players at #10, but to be honest I have seen very few drafts that actually have players like Hendricks or Dick higher than #10. Players like Miller or Sensabaugh are all over the place. I was going to suggest a trade down of Bertans/#10 for Curry/O´Neale/#21/#22, and hilariously the Yahoo mock draft I looked at last has the Nets picking the exact two players I´d want in that situation with Leonard Miller and Brice Sensabaugh.