Would you trade top 4 protected PHX 2027 FRP or HOU 2028 FRP to acquire a 2026 mid round pick? Chris Cenac Jr. would be my target as a rotational big / small ball C (run out R33d, Amen,Tari, Bari, CCJ = uptempo with lots of solid defensive pressure IMHO)
If we’re trading back in the 2026 draft I’m very much hoping it’s only to select our future starting PG
unfortunately I am almost out of hope that Stone will trade into this draft. I suspect he’s focused on getting past the 1st round to save his job…even though there is absolutely no way we are contending next season. We are now in a world where the GM and coach’s interests are at odds with the long term success of the team. It’s a nightmare scenario. If Stone trades into this draft it’s an admission that the young core isn’t good enough…and we can’t have that, can we.
I think there is a chance we get in. Stone bet on Durant, FVV and Adams staying healthy and lost on all 3. Now they are all a year older and 2 of them are coming back from a significant injury that will likely take a full year to regain their previous form, if even possible. Durant was worth the 10th pick just a year ago, not crazy to think we could get something in the late teens for him now, depending on the deal. One team I'd be reaching out to is the Thunder. They have too many assets and will have to start either dumping their picks or their players. If the players repeat, then the picks could be likely to go. We either need to trade for an All-Star, or draft one. Running it back is unacceptable.
If all you are offering is the least favorable of either of those picks, it might get you into this draft in the 20's. To get into the lottery, you might have to offer 2 or maybe even 3 of those picks. Unless of course you are attaching picks to players like Sengun or Amen. One of those players and at least one of those picks might get you in the 5 range, don't think there's anything you could offer that gets you into the top 4.
it was an old post. With the new lotto odds it would probably take 3 picks to get a good lotto pick in this draft.
I didn't notice it was from last July ... yeah, the assets required are significant. I think if you are trying to get into the 5-10 range, and using current players as the assets to do that, it's admitting this rebuild is a failure - I don't see this front office or ownership group making that admission. I think we can forget about a lotto pick unfortunately. I did read somewhere a few days ago that they were "trying to get into the draft". I don't know whether to believe it or not, but I have to believe it's outside the lottery .... if it's true. I don't like the options from 9 on. I think that's where the talent drops off and the questionable characters begin. There are a handful of guys I do like outside of that 9th spot but I don't see value in taking them if hypothetically we got a pick between 11-18. I would probably take Henri Veesaar or Bennett Stirtz at the tail end of that range, but the others are guys who probably go in the 2nd round. (Richie Saunders, Sergio DeLarrea, Jaden Bradley, Bruce Thornton, Pavle Backo). I just have no interest in the Yaxel, Aday Mara, part of the draft.
Why not acquire two? To GSW: Durant, DFS To HOU: Butler, Podziemski, 11th pick To BKN: Sengun, 39th pick To HOU: Claxton, Demin, 6th pick Match any offer sheet for Eason Do not extend Fred Draft Flemings & Mara PG: VanVleet / Flemings SG: Podziemski / Sheppard SF: Thompson / Demin / Butler PF: Smith, Jr. / Eason C: Claxton / Adams / Mara Lots of flexibility here. If Butler comes back around Christmas and looks great, then he becomes an excellent trade piece. You also can do smaller deals with Fred and Steven's contracts. Regardless, depth all over and you can go big or small if you want.
I think I’d rather bring a 3rd team into the Brooklyn trade to swap out Demin for a better asset. And with #6 I’d take a higher upside guard prospect than Flemings. At #11 I’d probably go Yaxel or Quaintance. It’s nice to dream
Flemings is an Ime guy - all of Sampson's guards battlefight. Also, I don't think Yaxel is a Ime guy - I heard he has maturity issues.
I was with you all the way to matching Tari and the draft picks. I'd move on from Tari, either in a sign and trade or just letting him walk as an RFA. Like Flemings but Acuff jr and Wagler are just better. One of them will be there at 6. Mara - he's soft. Left UCLA because he couldn't get on the court while being the only true center on the roster. Rather have Henri Veesaar. I've heard that SAS has told him they'd pick him at 20 - you could move back from 11, pick up a future asset and still get him at 18-19. He's a 7 foot stretch 5 that can anchor a defense .... shot 60% from the floor and 42.6% from 3 on volume with 9 boards, 2 assists and 1.5 blocks for North Carolina.
