(03-23-2021, 01:06 AM)SleepingHero Wrote: I just find it hard to believe the Mavs cut loose on KP after 2 short seasons. Even if this is all KP driven, the Mavs aren't one to jump ship so quickly.
For that alone it makes any KP deal to me too unrealistic to even consider as an avenue to improve.
But I think you have a good idea there. Brunson+DFS+Green+picks is a strong package for someone like Gordon/Collins. More so Gordon, less so Collins.
Lets say ORL likes Brunson and decides to accept the Mavs offer of Brunson+Powell+Johnson+Green+DFS for Gordon+Fournier+Filler (Mo Bamba?/ Aminu?)
They then can turn to a desperate team wanting wing help and can dangle THJ/JRich for a return package since Fournier would ideally be starting.
I don't know. ORL is tricky to make a deal work and from the looks of it Gordon is too expensive. I guess it comes down to do I like Brunson+DFS more than Gordon+Fournier and it's hard to decide.
The issue with those AG ideas is that Boston's package seems a lot better. I know there was some discussion about Brunson versus Smart earlier and I think the takes on Smart were way too negative. Why does Boston put him on the table? I'd think it's injury related more than anything. While he certainly has limitations, he's a culture guy that lays it all out on the line. And since Brown/Tatum are off the table, you have to give up something of value if you want to upgrade your team. Smart just seems like the logical choice and Boston could certainly use a shake-up given the disappointment of this season.
If you look at your package:
-Brunson or Smart: If I'm Orlando I would probably prefer Brunson due to his age, potential, contract and need. I've always thought Brunson was a great stop gap for Orlando who always seems to need PG help and if he didn't work out or fit with your two injured point guards, I'd think you could flip him for a first rounder next year fairly easily. I don't think Smart is a bad choice either though.
-Powell: Attaching him to a trade hurts your outgoing value. He really hasn't shown anything this year. Yes, he's a great culture guy but those guys work best when they are reliable contributors. Nick Collison wouldn't have been loved by the Thunder if he wasn't in the rotation and contributing.
-Green: You better hope the Magic scouts are on the same wave length as the Mavs. Not to take a dig at Carlisle, but part of the issue in not playing rookies beyond development and experience is that it's hard to get value out of them in trades. That's probably especially true of a project type player like Josh.
-DFS: His shooting slump has put this boards opinion of him way too low. His a + defender and was shooting the ball fairly well prior to the ASB. He's also on a 4M a year contract for the next two years. Any team would love to have his services at that price. What's his value in a trade? That's tough. You could probably get a late FRP from a contender or a early SRP from a bottom feeder.
-JJ: Salary filler.
From the Magic's perspective, they are probably heading for a rebuild and the idea of multiple first round picks (or Nesmith and a FRP) and Smart, who I can flip in the offseason or next TDL, is just a lot more attractive. I guess they could really love Brunson or Green, but I'd have a hard time believing they love both.
I saw your thoughts on KP in the KP thread. And I think you have the most charitable outlook on the KP situation which is fine. It's probably a needed opposite and equal reaction to those on the other side of the fence. I guess I fall somewhere between. Something is definitely wrong with the product when those two share the court. I'm with you though as I think the MBT will be stubborn on this. I also don't believe that KP's value is as low as some here think, but I think you'd have a hard time recouping the assets you spent on him along with getting a player that can approximate his production.