Smith is incorrectly used imho and has some potential as a 4 / stretch 5 for some team in the league. Shepherd seems like a guy that can still break out once he gets used to the physicality and speed of the NBA. Green is too inconsistent, Sengun feels like a nice player as a #2 or #3 on the roster, not a real cornerstone. Amen is something else defensively - and if he ever learns to shoot - watch out. I am willing to bet FVV is extended somehow and they keep him so his salary per year is more palatable than the one year / $40m+ he currently has, The will also keep Brooks and likely Steven Adams (unless LAL manage to snag him) imho.
Doesn't it need to be both for matching salaries? Or at least someone else with a similar contract? At least that is what ESPN Trade Machine says.'
IIRC, the maximum trade diffential for a Simons trade would be 7.5M. In other words, if the trade takes place this season, around the draft, the Magic could theoretically send out as little as 25.9M - 7.5M = 18.4M I said 'theoretically' because as of right now, the Magic have 199.4M in schedules salary NEXT season. The tax line is going to be around 188M so they would be between the 1st and 2nd apron; meaning they could not take back more salary than they send out. BUT, they don't have that restriction right now and thru the draft the 'simple' solution would be Simons for Issac. But Issac is an injury magnet and he's not that good; with a lot of years left on his deal. C. Anthony + Bitadze works but reportedly, the Magic are really high on Bitadze. I'm assuming Orlando is just planning on waiving Gary Harris but Antony + Harris would work Simons for KCP? Can the Blazers really afford the 21.6M salary for KCP in 2026-27? Does Orlando actually need both Suggs and KCP if they have Simons? Could KCP be redirected to a contender for some draft asset(s)?
His usage rate was reduced from him rookie year to this year - especially when they are trying to play him at the 3 when they are running the double-big with Sengun and Adams - he is mostly camped in the corner on offense it seems. I would argue that he is exposed when they play him at the 3 since his handle is sub-par and he can not really contribute like he can. I think that his position as I said is a 4 or a stretch 5 in the modern NBA where his speed and relatively limited handle is less of an issue. On the Blazers for example, I can see him being a 4 in a super big lineup that runs Sharpe, Deni, Tou, Smith and DC - or you can slide him to the 5 in a "small ball" where Scoot replaces DC for a super switchy, fast line-up. That seems to me like the right place to play him, but I am no Ime Udoka.
I did not notice him playing that much 3, but I agree he does not have the handles for it. Either way, right now, his offensive game is pretty much just a 3 and D 220 lbs forward. He is still young and could improve, but as it stands, he is probably an upgrade over Walker and Murray, but not Deni or Camara. And only 3 years ago, we would have all taken him over Sharpe. Many thought he was better than Chet and Banchero. The draft remains a crap shoot
If it were tmrw, they would need to include 3 players, including Knecht. Rui, DFS, and Knecht. Grant would be easier if they did not want to include Knecht.
The #10 for Onyeka Okongwu …or Expand the Simons/Orlando deal and use those assets to send to Atlanta for Okongwu
Actually need a tad more salary than both I believe. Yeah theres a number of salaries that could match. Do we get something for eating KCP deal? Do they send us Gary Harris? Maybe we want to get Goga?
I'm not sure all 3 of Issac, WCJ, Goga make sense to me for the Magic. Probably any of the three could pair well with Clingan. I believe Mortiz Wagner could be cut along with Harris. But if not then thats 4 bigs the Magic have.
Yes, I know Orlando would say no, but how about Simons, Grant (or Ayton) #10, and Milwaukee's unprotected pick for Banchero. (and all the dead weight they want to get rid of for matching salary purposes) Banchero is very good, but he is not a superstar. Two potential lottery picks plus Simons and either Grant or Ayton is not a bad offer.
Yeah I'd love it. What are the worst contracts the Lakers have? This is what I came up with; Actually didn't realize they had enough shitty contracts to match Ayton. I'd do that deal for sure - just hope Ayton is gone the most from this team. Kind of sucks having Vanderbilt deal.
Is this a joke? He is 22 years old, ROY, an allstar, scoring 26ppg. So no he is a star, as well as far and away Orlando's best player. He's untouchable for anyone on our roster let alone some Simons/Grant/Ayton package. What about any two of our best players for Paolo... Deni and Camara? Deni and Sharpe? Camara and Sharpe? Deni and Scoot? Not really sure who our two best guys are but they couldn't get him either.
Well, you forgot the two lottery picks, which are the biggest part of the package. And the fact that what they got going on in Orlando, looked bad in the last two playoffs. They need to do something.
Why would the Lakers want to trade away any of those guys? They are all better than Ayton. DFS was a key starter and has chemistry with Luka. I could see them sending out Knecht though.
They are a young team with a lot of talent in Banchero/Wagner/Suggs/etc. Impressive they made the playoffs with all those injuries this year. Young teams normally struggle their first few years in the playoffs. They've spent most the last two decades rebuilding and aren't eager to do that again. They just need some offense and shooting so Paolo doesn't have to carry such a huge burden. Simons is about the perfect player for that roster. Taking out Paolo would mean they need to rebuild the whole thing and then getting Simons would be pointless.
Not saying they would, just saying what matches. I sure as hell don't want to add Vanderbilt's contract.
Maybe, but last summer, people were saying that KCP was a better option than Simons. Same 3pt shooting, but a better defender. Interesting that now, Simons is the perfect player for them.
KCP had a bad year, so now he is worth less. See Jerami Grant. Although Orlando didn't have to give up anything to add KCP, so I'm not sure they flat preferred him as a player, just that they preferred him to whatever the Blazers wanted back last year in a Simons trade.
