Was just about to post something like this.. The Spurs want to tank next season. They have no need for Gallo. Bledsoe's contract going there fills the money gap, and the rest is draft capital. However, the Spurs are looking for a big return for Murray. 1 1st from each team isn't going to get it done. Murray is getting underrated in this thread. He's 25, an all star, averaged 21, 9, and 8 last year, and lead the league in steals. He won't come cheap Blazers in: Collins Blazers out: Bledsoe, Keon, 25 1st rd pick (protections on this are likely an interesting negotiating point with Spurs), 2nd rd pick. Unprotect the 23 pick with the Bulls to make this happen. Blazers aren't missing the playoff with that team. Hawks in: Murray Hawks out: Collins, 23 unprotected 1st rd pick, 25 unprotected 1st rd pick Spurs in: Bledsoe, Keon, Hawks 23 1st, Hawks 25 1st, Blazers 25 1st, Blazers 2nd rd pick Spurs out: Murray
If I'm Atlanta, there is no way I'm trading two unprotected 1st round picks for Dejounte Murray, especially an unprotected 2023 first round pick. That would be crazy. Everyone wants a big return. That doesn't mean they get one.
Murray isn't an efficient scorer/shooter. He shot 33% on 3-pointers and had a true shooting percentage of 53%. Those are low numbers for an All Star guard who took 18 shots a game. I wouldn't want to pay a lot or give up a lot for that type of player. His assists and defense are nice, but you could get those at a cheaper price.
Is a top 4 protected 2025 pick and EBEC too much to give up for Collins, and would it get him? I'd throw in Keon. I feel like Grant, Collins and Nurk would be a good front court with Dame and Ant plus Collins plays smallball 5 so we could just pick up a vet min true C. Basically he fills multiple needs and makes us more versatile.
I guess adding Collins makes sense if we are trying to add veteran talent to win more games. If we are trying to build a team to contend I don't see how the defense of a Dame Simons Grant Collins Nurk lineup could ever work.
Grant/Collins/Nurk front court is a disaster in waiting on defense. Think it's pretty clear from the players we've been rumored to be tar-getting that we are completely out on Collins.
I just posted something in another thread - but I'll do it here too. The rumored Hawks/Spurs trade had Gallo going to the Spurs. It appears Gallo's contract becomes fully guaranteed if not cut from the Hawks today. IF he is cut today - Portland could step in (as suggested above) to help complete the trade (although it is still an extremely small chance of that happening).
Yeah, if we go down the road of adding Collins it reminds me of all the failures of DameCJ when the Blazers brought in Melo. I think the Blazers can build a contender with Dame and Simons, but I was one of the few who believed that was possible with Dame and CJ too. The problem is the team needs to get 3 defensive players in the frontcourt with those duos. When we had Aminu and Harkless starting it gave the lineup the correct offensive to defensive balance. Although the Blazers probably won't contend no matter what move they make the next few weeks. So perhaps just grabbing the most talent is the best approach. See how Dame and Ant fit, also see how Collins and Grant fit. Plan to make the moves to get a more well rounded lineup later in the season, at the trade deadlines, or even next summer.
Collins is a pretty good player. The fit with Grant is less so with Grant best at PF. However … Nurkic 28-30 Collins 16 at small ball 5 / 16 at PF Grant 32 at PF Does that work given Grant would likely need to play some SF? The talent for the Blazers goes UP with Collins in. No SFs or SF/PF otherwise? Then get him.
Not a good fit with Grant and Nurk, I'm thinking that ship now has sailed. He did become more available with the Murray trade, I'd assume.
where would the Blazers get a 2025 pick? Their 1st's are obligated thru 2028 which means they have none to trade....unless some deal was made while I was gone
Yeah, what the cat said above. I think we're definitely ready to guarantee that pick to the Bulls and give up future draft picks so we can win more now.
Turns out they gave 2 unprotected picks and a lotto protected 2023 Charlotte pick (and a swap). Spurs weren't going to let an all star guard go cheap. Murray is going to thrive playing next to Trae Young
The Collins to Portland stuff has died down according to Scotto but the Hawks are still trying to move him. That looming extension for Hunter makes it more likely that they do.
I feel like the Hawks are a cautionary tale in a rebuild of having everyone about the same age, and people thinking how ideal and awesome that will be. It's all good when they're on rookie scale contracts. But those end, and all of a sudden you're a play in team with 7 guys wanting 15+ million a year.
I think it would be ideal to have the three of them over 2 positions as you list. The problem is none of those guys ego's would be happy coming off the bench. So you need to play one of them 7 minutes of SF each half.
Yeah the fit with Grant is clunky. That said if you can get the Hawks to sell him at a low price I'd like to see us do it. We're in asset accumulation mode, not the last step of finalizing rotations for a contender.
