There is Markannen to Spurs Buzz

[LeBowen]

Last summer, one year out like Lauri is, you’d have said there was no way he’d hit FA, because that’s your mind set.

Tbf, trading PG13 at the deadline wasn't an option for the Clippers.
The only way Markkanen hits free agency if he's traded for cheap at the deadline and then decides not to stay with that team.

I'll be honest. It looked like plenty of context to me. He hasn't impacted winning and statistically only improved as his usage went up on a team that was horrible and had no other offensive options to help carry the load. Will he revert back to 14 and 5 on a team like ours where Wemby and Vassell can help shoulder the load? Possibly. But he brings up the real question about paying 45 million to someone who would put up Vassell like numbers and I don't think any of us want to get into that kind of money if its not going to be going to a legitimate all star.

Its a fair argument since the guy hasn't done anything.

His style of play is his biggest upside, imo.
As close as it gets to a 7ft Klay.

He's the executioner. No nonsense, he either takes the shot, goes strong at the rim or gives up the ball.
He'll never stop it and ruin the flow of the offense.
Imo, that's exactly the player Wemby needs.

Yesterday someone mentioned Randle.
While Randle is probably a better first option, he's a way worse second or third option.
Despite his solid playmaking, he stops the ball way too much and his efficency is questionable.

If we're to get an all-star level forward who's a realistic target, there's noone better than Markkanen.
The only other option is the draft, but that would mean waiting for a year or two until we get that player and then waiting a couple more years for him to develop.
A waste of Wemby's time.
We can develop players, but while competing, like we used to do.

[R. DeMurre]

Betting that Markkanen would average 14 ppg or even under 20 ppg in a different setting would be a really bad bet... I don't buy that prediction one bit. Again, if you don't like the guy, that's fine. But these scenarios where people think the evidence of the last two years and his becoming one of the most impactful scorers in the league are just completely negligible are wild.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

I'll be honest. It looked like plenty of context to me. He hasn't impacted winning and statistically only improved as his usage went up on a team that was horrible and had no other offensive options to help carry the load. Will he revert back to 14 and 5 on a team like ours where Wemby and Vassell can help shoulder the load? Possibly. But he brings up the real question about paying 45 million to someone who would put up Vassell like numbers and I don't think any of us want to get into that kind of money if its not going to be going to a legitimate all star.

Its a fair argument since the guy hasn't done anything.

There are question marks about him, of course. Very few players have none and they're never available. You can't sit and wait for years for the perfect superstar to become available to you on the perfect contract. This never happens, certainly not for small market teams.

Lauri's game is a wonderful fit for the current Spurs and ideal for Wemby specifically. Can't really compare him to Vassell, because there are a ton of 6'5 guards who can shoot, but there are very few 7 footers with legit perimeter skills just entering their primes. Sure, it can go wrong, he could be Dallas KP for example, but you have to take the chance on him. His game will also fit in any team and style so he'd be much more tradable in case he disappoints, compared to a someone like Trae Young, for example, who's incredibly ball dominant.

[Leetonidas]

The arguments about Lauri not impacting winning are silly. For one, he has always been misused until he got to Utah. Two, the teams he was on sucked anyway. And three, Utah is tanking. Would you argue Victor doesn't impact winning because the Spurs had the exact same record the prior year without him? There are other variables at play as always and distilling it down to "he doesn't impact winning" is just dumb. He got traded from dumpster fire Chicago to Cleveland and they did get better but he was stuck as a 4th option. Utah also tore down their roster that had reached its ceiling prior to trading for him so of course they got worse.

[TekXX]

As much as i want the Spurs to improve i definitely think they need to play hardball here. Utah wants lots of picks and tank next year to get Flagg, naw that don't sit right with me.

[The Truth #6]

The issue is that we simply need to get one good forward to stretch the floor.
Doesn't have to be Markkanen or another big name, but we need something.

I'd honestly take someone like Fontecchio, just get us reliable shooting.
Or Bogdanovic's expiring from the Nets.

I can understand not trying to win at all costs, but going into the season with yet another dysfunctional roster would be really bad.

I hear you. Personally, I'm just sort of having to, as a fan, separate from what I think should happen versus trying to predict what the front office will actually do. Trading away the eighth pick perhaps is smart in some scenarios, but I was under the assumption we are building through the draft and then they don't build through the draft, and I don't have much confidence in them doing a big trade, so I think next year could be rough as well. Sorry, sort of going off topic here. But back to the point. Yes I definitely agree. They need a forward who can shoot

[DR_Admiral]

Sorry if this has been brought up, but aren't you guys worried about his injury history? He has a long list of nagging soft tissue ailments - shoulder, quads, hams, back spasms.
https://www.foxsports.com/nba/lauri-...layer-injuries

[spurraider21]

KAT is cultural poison. I don't want Wemby catching the gay voice

this post is a red flag

[spurraider21]

Another reminder, you cannot trade other team's swaps. What you propose would have to be:

Keldon + CHI Pick + MIN 31 + SA30 (with MIN & DAL swaps attached) + SA27 (Top10). This might be what you meant, but just wanted to clarify for all readers.

right. to clarify, you cant trade the swap itself, but you can trade your interest in that draft pick, ie if the spurs were trading their 2030 draft pick, it would be phrased as Utah receiving the best pick between San Antonio, Dallas, or Minnesota (top 1 protected). since minnesota attached that protection, if they won the 2030 lotto, that pick cant be swapped, and then the spurs would own the best pick between Dallas and SA.

now if the spurs want to trade this 2030 pick, as explained above, they can add their own protection to that if they wanted.. ie spurs trade the best of SA/Dal/Minn with top 5 protections. in that scenario, if minny won the lottery and therefore retained their pick, and dallas got the #4 overall pick, the spurs would not convey the pick in that scenario. dallas then gets whatever the spurs natural pick was

the more swaps are attached the a pick the more messy it gets

[LeBowen]

right. to clarify, you cant trade the swap itself, but you can trade your interest in that draft pick, ie if the spurs were trading their 2030 draft pick, it would be phrased as Utah receiving the best pick between San Antonio, Dallas, or Minnesota (top 1 protected). since minnesota attached that protection, if they won the 2030 lotto, that pick cant be swapped, and then the spurs would own the best pick between Dallas and SA.

now if the spurs want to trade this 2030 pick, as explained above, they can add their own protection to that if they wanted.. ie spurs trade the best of SA/Dal/Minn with top 5 protections.

Another interesting option would be trading down in this deal.
For example, giving up '26 ATL/SAS and not having a single pick in that draft might seem like too much to give up, but we could effectively trade down by taking '26 CLE/MIN in return.
Or giving up '27 ATL and getting '27 CLE back.

If this trade happens, Chicago, Charlotte and both Minnesota picks are gone.
Then it's about which other picks and players would be included.

I'd be fine as long as we still have a good '25 pick and mediocre picks after that to help us get role players.

Basically, make the next 5 years about Wemby, Markkanen, Devin, Castle and whoever we get in '25 draft.
The only way I'm trading away a '25 pick is if it's worse of ATL/SAS. Anything else we can talk about.

[VBM]

Sorry if this has been brought up, but aren't you guys worried about his injury history? He has a long list of nagging soft tissue ailments - shoulder, quads, hams, back spasms.
https://www.foxsports.com/nba/lauri-...layer-injuries

Didn't stop us from paying Vassell a ton of money.

[vy65]

Kind of what I've been saying. If GSW wouldn't send Kuminga for PG13, I don't see how they do so for Lauri, in no small part because Kuminga would be one of the main reasons inducing Lauri to sign an extension. And, with the reports of Klay being upset at the notion of having to start behind Podz, I don't think Podz would be on the move either. That likely means that GSW's offer centers around Wiggins (probably their best salary-filler player) and picks. I still don't see GSW offering multiple un-protected picks, and banking on a future three of Lauri/Podz/Kuminga. If the offer for PG13 was a single unprotected pick, I really don't think their package would be better than ours.

I'd think that if SA is offering some combination of Keldon + picks, that'd be pretty compe ive, if not outright better, than whatever GSW is offering. But this is all reading tea-leaves, so who the knows.

[paperboy77]

The problem is Keldon plus our two best FRPs may not be agreeable to Jazz. That was one reason I suggested a player as good as Vassell, our BPA to trade, and more of our less valuable FRPs.

For sure it seems like the Jazz may not want that package. Still, for some reason it seems like teams do make trades for deals like this. On the other hand, teams are getting crazy by throwing all this first rounders for good, not great players. I guess whoever can bull the other right?

As for Vassell, I don't think you can trade him without defeating the purpose. Trade Vassell and we'll be looking for another Vassel.

[vy65]

I wonder if there's some threeway between SA/CHI/UTAH that involves Lauri to SA, DD to Utah, and assets to Chicago. DD would be a good mentor for some of their youth, but who knows. There could also be a more complicated fourway transaction between SA/GSW/CHI/UTAH that lands us Lauri and sends DD to GSW for something like Wiggins and crap.

[Knoxxx]

For sure it seems like the Jazz may not want that package. Still, for some reason it seems like teams do make trades for deals like this. On the other hand, teams are getting crazy by throwing all this first rounders for good, not great players. I guess whoever can bull the other right?

As for Vassell, I don't think you can trade him without defeating the purpose. Trade Vassell and we'll be looking for another Vassel.

If we traded Vassell, Jazz should not be expecting much more in terms of draft capital. Only suggested Vassell, as a possible means to find a deal while still retaining our most valuable future FRPs. Chances are then pretty high we find a Vassell, there is just the likely delay in developing the player to that level. But if we land high picks in 2025 lottery, those prospects and timeline improve dramatically. And the jury is still out as to whether Vassell will ever be an all star, while LM has been at that level.

[vy65]

If GSW isn't offering Kuminga or Podz, I seriously doubt Vassell is in play.

[Knoxxx]

Kind of what I've been saying. If GSW wouldn't send Kuminga for PG13, I don't see how they do so for Lauri, in no small part because Kuminga would be one of the main reasons inducing Lauri to sign an extension. And, with the reports of Klay being upset at the notion of having to start behind Podz, I don't think Podz would be on the move either. That likely means that GSW's offer centers around Wiggins (probably their best salary-filler player) and picks. I still don't see GSW offering multiple un-protected picks, and banking on a future three of Lauri/Podz/Kuminga. If the offer for PG13 was a single unprotected pick, I really don't think their package would be better than ours.

I'd think that if SA is offering some combination of Keldon + picks, that'd be pretty compe ive, if not outright better, than whatever GSW is offering. But this is all reading tea-leaves, so who the knows.

So from what we know, Jazz are playing the GS offer vs whatever the Spurs may be willing to offer. I guess the question then is where does that process end and Utah finally accept something, or not.

I had one other question though, could this drag on until August when LM can actually be extended? For example, SAS refuses deal until he is extended, would they announce a deal in principal before hand or not in that situation?

[Knoxxx]

If GSW isn't offering Kuminga or Podz, I seriously doubt Vassell is in play.

I guess I don't see how the two correlate. If we are willing to throw in a player while GS is not, seems like that is advantage SAS. If the info is accurate, Jazz want players back not just picks. That is better for us, since we are likely being stingy with our better picks.

[Obstructed_View]

Tbf, trading PG13 at the deadline wasn't an option for the Clippers.
The only way Markkanen hits free agency if he's traded for cheap at the deadline and then decides not to stay with that team.



His style of play is his biggest upside, imo.
As close as it gets to a 7ft Klay.

He's the executioner. No nonsense, he either takes the shot, goes strong at the rim or gives up the ball.
He'll never stop it and ruin the flow of the offense.
Imo, that's exactly the player Wemby needs.

Yesterday someone mentioned Randle.
While Randle is probably a better first option, he's a way worse second or third option.
Despite his solid playmaking, he stops the ball way too much and his efficency is questionable.

If we're to get an all-star level forward who's a realistic target, there's noone better than Markkanen.
The only other option is the draft, but that would mean waiting for a year or two until we get that player and then waiting a couple more years for him to develop.
A waste of Wemby's time.
We can develop players, but while competing, like we used to do.

Markannen is the antiDerozan.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

So from what we know, Jazz are playing the GS offer vs whatever the Spurs may be willing to offer. I guess the question then is where does that process end and Utah finally accept something, or not.

I had one other question though, could this drag on until August when LM can actually be extended? For example, SAS refuses deal until he is extended, would they announce a deal in principal before hand or not in that situation?

Teams can’t renegotiate a deal as part of a trade. If he extends with them he’ll be eligible to be traded next summer.

[vy65]

I guess I don't see how the two correlate. If we are willing to throw in a player while GS is not, seems like that is advantage SAS. If the info is accurate, Jazz want players back not just picks. That is better for us, since we are likely being stingy with our better picks.

It's the market. If Kuminga isn't in play, then the market should dictate that Vassell isn't either.

[paperboy77]

If we traded Vassell, Jazz should not be expecting much more in terms of draft capital. Only suggested Vassell, as a possible means to find a deal while still retaining our most valuable future FRPs. Chances are then pretty high we find a Vassell, there is just the likely delay in developing the player to that level. But if we land high picks in 2025 lottery, those prospects and timeline improve dramatically. And the jury is still out as to whether Vassell will ever be an all star, while LM has been at that level.

See.. you just bull ted me in to agreeing to this.

[DPG21920]

Then you wouldn't get him.. Sorry, but Ainge is rolling his eyes at that offer, and you would too if you were him. Utah gotta eat too and that trade is irrealistically loopsided for SA. It barely hurt for the spurs, meaning there's a problem. CHI + A couple of very far swaps and picks and a top 10 2027 protected FRP (probably in the 20s) are a weak package. Doesn't really help the Jazz to rebuild. And Keldon doesn't change much to that trade.

You won't get Lauri unless it does really hurt you, and not just a bit. We should see big offers for him in the next days and week

Dont care - then UTA can keep him. But IF (we dont know that, but if) Lauri isnt going to extend UTA isnt going to get some godfather offer IMO

[LeBowen]

If we traded Vassell, Jazz should not be expecting much more in terms of draft capital. Only suggested Vassell, as a possible means to find a deal while still retaining our most valuable future FRPs. Chances are then pretty high we find a Vassell, there is just the likely delay in developing the player to that level. But if we land high picks in 2025 lottery, those prospects and timeline improve dramatically. And the jury is still out as to whether Vassell will ever be an all star, while LM has been at that level.

I'd consider trading Devin only if it's a 1:1 trade, with no relevant picks attached.
Yeah, Markkanen is a better player, but Devin is younger and his great value extension is just starting.

Devin's contract is going to be really valuable, will scale down to less than 15% of the cap in his final few years.
Even if he doesn't improve, he's a 20ppg off ball scorer and not a negative on defense. Then you look at for example Quickley get 175/5.

If we trade Devin, we'd have to get another legit shooter for the starting lineup. No point in trading for Markkanen if we're not going to actually compete right away.

[BacktoBasics]

There are question marks about him, of course. Very few players have none and they're never available. You can't sit and wait for years for the perfect superstar to become available to you on the perfect contract. This never happens, certainly not for small market teams.

Lauri's game is a wonderful fit for the current Spurs and ideal for Wemby specifically. Can't really compare him to Vassell, because there are a ton of 6'5 guards who can shoot, but there are very few 7 footers with legit perimeter skills just entering their primes. Sure, it can go wrong, he could be Dallas KP for example, but you have to take the chance on him. His game will also fit in any team and style so he'd be much more tradable in case he disappoints, compared to a someone like Trae Young, for example, who's incredibly ball dominant.

I’m not trying to be fully dismissive of Lauri. There has to be a practicality to it when you’ve got the capital.

I understand you can’t sit and wait but there’s no shortage of teams that “didn’t want to sit and wait”. They blew their wad or overpaid and now strapped with big contracts and no path forward. We see it all over the league.

Comparatively we have just witnessed OKC basically use their draft capital as a 3 year roster tryout. There was just no rush at all and they took a hard look at all their picks. There’s something to be said about doing that and preserving their cap space. Which they just used to plug a gap without having to come off of any draft capital.