Kuminga is a restricted free agent.... not sure why people keep throwing his name out there. He turned down $150million contract and wants to be paid more... I wouldn't be that excited to pay him more than Jeremi Grant as well as send the Warriors assets. Also we have Deni+Camara... I don't even know that Kuminga would start here.
Beggers can't be choosers... He turned that contract down when he thought he could get better offers. I'm guessing his best offer will be in the range of ~$15-$20M/year now.
I can't speak for everyone else, but my suggestion was for Phoenix to trade for him. He would start there. A sign and trade is possible, but difficult in matching salaries.
What about the Lakers needing size, and willing to take Ayton, low risk too as he is on a 1 year. Maybe they can take Grant too off us. Maybe get back Rui, Dalton and filter. Would anyone actually like that trade? I dont know salary wise what would need to be added to the Lakers side to make that work too. But just a thought. Ayton for Rui, Smith and Dalton works it seems. We would need to add someone else maybe to entice them.
So where would Rui and Dalton play in PDX - backup Deni and Camara? Plus we still have Grant? I mean Id do that deal just because I think Ayton is worth less than nothing, but I'd imagine the Lakers would need much more. At that point I don't see how getting Rui and Dalton fills a need.
Not big swing but I wonder if we could pull some sort of trade with Simons going to Hou for Jabari Smith. Not sure what other player or picks would need to be involved but seems like they need a little more scoring.
Watching Jabari again tonight, he looks like he was drafted too high. He just hasn't progressed like we all thought before the draft.
Rockets are over the tax line next season, and that's with only 11 players; and that doesn't count whatever Steven Adams re-signs for. They also already have a Simons-like player in Jalen Green (who was terrible against the Warriors) this was Houston's first playoff series in 5 years and they took the much more experienced Warriors to 7 games. I doubt they would rock the boat for a player like Simons. Giannis, sure; Simons no
Nah - Smith may cap out as a Grant level player (at his best), but Im not confident that he'll even reach that level
I was thinking today that we might see Rob, Kris and pick 10 (if we don't get lucky) to the Rockets for Smith and Whitmore. Ant and two future second round picks to the Magic for Black, Anthony and pick 25. Jerami and a future SRP from the Hawks to the Lakers, Rui to the Hawks they have the space to take him on when the new NBA year starts, we get the Lakers 2031 FRP top 3 protected and just not conveying if it lands in the top 3, Kleber and Vincent who we waive. I also like the idea of Scoot, Deandre the worst of the three 2029 FRPs and after the Lakers trade the worst of ours and their 2031 FRPs for Zion. Rotation: Shaedon, Tou, Deni, Zion, Clingan, Smith, Black, Anthony, Tisse, pick 25: Yaxel Lendeborg and maybe someone with the mini-MLE.
It will be interesting to see what Houston does with their roster. On the one hand, they have a few good young studs (Green, Amen, Sengun) and IMO a few mediocre young players (Cam, Eason, Shepherd, and Smith) Then they have the 5'11" Van Vleet, who seemed to be their "glue" guy. Do they opt out of his 45 million contract? Keep him, or trade him?
Well according to Richman this morning the Ant to Orlando rumor has legs...he's been at their playoff games and looks like they are now showing interest in bringing him home...this will be a huge move as it essentially jettisons the last of the Neil Olshey roster. Ant will be happy back home...he's close to his family and his favorite team is the Magic. Win win trade. Not sure what comes back but I would hope draft capital.
Orlando has #16 #25 and all their future picks. I don't think expiring contract Ant has unprotected future pick value. But I'd aim to get #16 and a 2030 swap or such. That swap isn't too costly to the Magic as the Bucks first get the worst pick - likely costs them nothing. It would seem that Anthony B or C Anthony wouldn't be needed from the Magic if they added Ant in their backcourt. I'd prefer Black but would be fine with either.
