So thats 16 first round picks they own some or all of or a swap portion with in the next 5 years. Plus two this 2025 draft, plus can trade trade 2031+2032 picks this summer. So thats 20 first round picks/swaps/etc. Most teams have 7. Some teams have as little as 4. Oh yeah and they have the best record in the NBA. Plus they have one of the youngest rosters in the NBA.
Yeah, maybe not for Giannis but I see a major consolidation trade from them this summer even if it's a bunch of picks to move up and get a guy they like. That's what I think they'll do if they win it all or maybe they trade out of this draft completely and continue to stockpile future first round picks. They might take some of the guys that are rotation players but not starters and combine them with some picks to go out and get an established superstar if they don't win it all this season. They've given themselves a ton of options.
I think of the teams that are contenders, they have the best chance to do so. As Sly said, the CBA rules will make it tough but they have the draft capital to make it work. The Spurs will be tough as well.
The CBA is doing two things that are good for the league. Making it hard for teams to stockpile talent/build dynasties, and help facilitate parity. The problem is, it will lead to a lot of players getting much smaller contracts than they think they are entitled too, which will make the players upset. But I think the latest CBA goes for a while (I believe it has an opt out after 29, and it ends organically in 2030). And I really hate to realize that 2030 is only 5 years away.
I'm not sure calculating the used value of draft assets is as linear as you're making it out to be. take SGA for instance. OKC got him for PG13; but they landed PG13 by trading Sabonis and Oladipo. How did they get Sabonis and Oladipo? By trading Serge Ibaka, a player they drafted for Oladipo and the pick they used on Sabonis. So, a player they drafted (Ibaka) gave them enough trade leverage to gain Oladipo and Sabonis. Who they then traded for PG13; who they then traded for SGA. It all started from drafting Ibaka and parlaying his value into Oladipo and Sabonis-->PG13--> SGA + Jalen Williams + 15th pick in 2025 draft + (moving from #30 to #24 in the 2025 draft + Clippers unprotected pick in 2026) Presti has shown he's a master at parlaying value forward as far as swing and misses like Tre Mann...every team misses. The key is to maximize your number of swings
People say that but then look at the salaries handed out months ago; LaMelo Ball is making $260 million, Franz Wagner $224 million. Some guy named Zeke Nnaji signed for $32 million after averaging 3ppg in his 4th season. Bobby Marks was just saying he expected Christina Braun to sign an extension for over $30 million per season ($150 million) The cap is maxing out at 10% raises every year. Teams don't hoard cap space any more for free agents as players all sign extensions to lock up their money like Dame+Butler, then demand out later. Players are always guaranteed 50% of revenues, and there are always far fewer starting quality players than starting spots. So seems to me we'll always see a bunch of overpaid players. I certainly think the 2nd apron is having an impact as the old strategy of 3 supermax guys such as LeBron/Wade/Bosh just doesn't seem like it will work any longer. See Phoenix, Clippers, Bucks, 6ers, etc. Also does seem like the quality of backups is way better than a decade ago so you can't just have a bunch of scrubs with 3 stars or most the NBA teams are deeper and will mop them off the floor (ie Phoenix)
Yeah I think instead of draft prowess I could have said upside talent evaluation. Luo Dort was a great pickup for OKC even though they signed him hours after the draft so he wasn't technically a "draft pick". Also some of the guys they picked up from other teams after a season that have become better for their franchise. I mean Presti has missed of course, the Harden trade probably his biggest error, but overall he's been one of the best in the NBA at building value on the roster as well as adding draft picks. They kind of amazingly have done it with very few losing seasons - a bit like Danny Ainge in Boston.
Durant, who walked as a free agent? Harden, who before he got to be a star, they traded for Mitch McGary, Steven Adams and Kevin Martin? Or The deal they were gifted where LAC needed to get PG to sign Kawhi?
Bro you seem to just leave out what they got from those trades. Also Giddey was just a young kid. If your going to hold that against him you might as well just have an issue with a bunch of players.
