Eh, I think matching salary (and when cap space is used) is a pretty basic thing. TPE trades are different (ex: Grant trade, Kemba trade). Agree, there is no rush to trade the chicago pick.
Maybe eat another teams bad contract - then I think he could. Another part that sucks about us matching Thybulle, is the Blazers may insist on cutting salary in a deal which would lower the return on Brogdon.
If the Blazers miss the playoffs in all of 2025 2026 2027 then make it in 2028 and the Bucks have a worse pick in 2028 yes the Blazers would not get that swap. Seems unlikely that exact scenario plays out but yes its certainly a nonzero chance of happening so I'd rather have our Chicago pick back than not. But I still wouldn't value our Chicago pick very highly.
Yeah I wouldn't be concerned with Thybulle no trade... just that he is often a nonrotational player earning $23 million the next two years and the Blazers are in the tax.
They have the entire season to trade Thybulle to the Mavs if they want. Lux tax isn't calculated till end of the year.
Looking at the projected cap space teams and the free agent class....there will be teams that strike out on FAs and come calling about Simons/Grant/Brogdon. Philly if they don't get George? Grant/Brogdon to Detroit? Simons to ORL is obvious. I really don't think it's going to be hard to get out of the tax, and they will likely be compensated for doing so.
If they're desperate, I'd be focusing on Detroit. Supposedly the GM is trying to save his job. Can they not absorb those contracts right now for the 5th pick?
Advija isn't going anywhere. I could see a 3 way like this: Lakers: Vanderbilt + Vincent + #17 for Kuzma + #36 + '28 DAL 2nd Wizards: Kuzma for Vincent + #17 Pacers: #36 + '28 DAL 2nd for Vanderbilt
I still think 5 for Ant makes the most sense. I have no doubt Detroit would do it. I question if Cronin would.
#5, 7 and 14 in any draft can change the fortune of any team. Say what you want about a weak draft, but there is always talent that's passed over early in drafts. It's just a matter of finding the right guys.
Dallas is having some success with Derrick Jones Jr. ......for a lot less money. If they keep winning with him in the lineup they might choose to keep him. He and Thybulle seem like a duplication. (Defenders that often struggled with their shooting)
In the context of trading for another lottery pick, I'm much more inclined to let Grant go than Ant. And with that said.... Brandon Clarke + John Konchar + Derrick Rose + 9th pick for Jerami Grant will work after the draft. We can try to use 7/9/14 to move up if we ID someone we want earlier while also dumping the Grant contract.
