I want Ayton gone as much as the next guy, but shuffling the deck chairs around with expirings doesn't really do anything. Just let Ayton play out his contract here and let him go.
Great trade idea, as long as there is a subsequent trade for Knecht. Would Chicago take him for our pick back? I like this one as well. Although I'd rather get Huerter over Collins. Maybe make it a 3-way like this: What picks need to be moved around?
The only teams who will be interested in ayton are win-now teams who needs a center and those who wants his expiring contract. Which teams are those? 1. Lakers The rest??
Lakers are clear suitors for both Rob and Ayton. But they can only trade firsts since they owe all their 2nds. I don't know if they would trade a first, but maybe they would trade a swap?
They can only trade the 2031 pick right now or 2032 in a few days but they can't trade both. They can trade swaps in 2026, 28 and 30 and can trade either their 2031 FRP or 2032 FRP. They don't have much but they may benefit from the fact that we just need to free up minutes at the 5 and/or would love to get off of Jerami's contract. They are supposedly interested in either Ayton or Rob, I would assume Ayton is their preference. So if we have a good deal with another team for Ayton because no deal with the Lakers is going to be great, then we should probably see how much the Lakers would like Rob and if that means they'd take on Jerami and his contract.
They have 2031 or 2032 available. Ayton alone doesn't have that value though. They have swaps. Id think a 2030 swap is something they'd give up as our pick is best of Ours/Bucks so has a higher floor to the Lakers. They still keep their full pick for other move. Worth a roll of the dice for us, maybe they fail trying to build around Luka and it turns into a Suns type situation. After Kobe the Lakers picked #2 three straight years.
If we're really trying to win next season, not too worried about dipping into luxury tax in 2027, but want to keep future picks I'm really liking the idea of Ayton to Golden State for Kuminga in a sign and trade. What would it cost - $30 million per year? He had a bit disappointing regular season but then some amazing playoff games so I'd expect he gets a big payday. Would Kuminga be willing to play team defense? What about his offense? Would his outside shooting be a liability? Would the Warriors demand more from us in a sign and trade Could the Blazers really have him and Grant off the bench? Would be like when we had crazy highly paid Allen Crabbe and Evan Turner off the bench. Two of Deni Camara Shae Grant Kuminga would have to come off the bench. Yes just will be a bit hard to keep everyone happy if there's no injuries. If we're really going to push to win now that's probably the depth you want to have.
Is Kuminga the forward version of Ayton? Talented but frustratingly inconsistent. Likely wouldn’t want to come off the bench in Portland.
