05-07-2023, 07:59 AM
(05-07-2023, 05:29 AM)Mavs2021 Wrote: 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.
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.
I was going to suggest a trade down of Bertans/#10 for Curry/O´Neale/#21/#22,
I think the key to this thing is sending salary (and pick compensation) to SA. If you look at Trade Value, 21/22 is pretty close in value to 10. So is 16/28 with Utah. SA can take Bertans for a pick (22 or 28) on or before draft day. They can even take on Bertans and McGee. But taking McGee would require more compensation.
I agree with the fresh start talk and think Ayton would likely thrive here. We don't have to imagine Ayton as a top 10 center. We just have to look back at prior seasons. The question is compensation as so many have said (and I'm strictly taking about deals where Kyrie stays here). If you swap down with Utah, keep 16 and give 28 to SA to take Bertans, then either Maxi or Reggie to Phoenix gets it done from a salary matching standpoint and saves Phoenix a ton or money. It seems highly unlikely we'd get Ayton for Bertans, Maxi (or Reggie) and a six pick trade down. Would #16 do it? Green or Hardy? Would the 2027 pick do it?
I think 2027 would be the more prized asset around the league. I also think the team would be more willing to give that up and add 16 to the Hardy/Green youth currently on the team. Yeah, it is mortgaging the future a bit, but if you presume we have Kyrie, the window is now. The trade down and 2027 (plus Bertans and one other player from among Maxi and Reggie) starts to feel like fair compensation. I do think we would have competition here from Indy and Charlotte, so value isn't derived in a vacuum. It is also a product of beating competing offers.