3-and-D forwards watch

[PopTheGOAT]

The problem with most of these teams is that they don’t have the means to do it. GS no longer have the contracts after Butler’s trade, Denver don’t have the picks and it’s also unlikely for Phoenix to be super interested in Porter. Minnesota are in a tough spot with both Randle and Naz being FAs, any sort of sign and trade would be super difficult to execute.

OKC can obviously do it, Houston too if they don’t go after Giannis. From the east contenders Indiana and Cleveland can do it if he’s open to go there.

CLE would be interesting. Not sure about their situation. I think overall this kind of illustrates that there aren’t a ton of suitors. I’m just saying if the price is right…

[thiste]

Houston may make a move for Giannis or KD. Not so sure about OKC, Indiana & Cleveland because they already have the pieces and are full of young talent already. Going for a short term 36yo solution feels like going backwards.
I just checked Cleveland's financials, I'm by no means a specialist but it looks like they're going to be in the luxury tax next year, so taking on KD's contract seems unlikely or they would have to give up significant pieces and totally change the face of their roster, which seems unlikely to me.
OKC & Indiana may have the cap space but as I said, a move like that seems incongruent with their current roster construction.

On the other hand, Spurs are still in full rebuild, we don't have the roster figured out yet and this would open a mini contender window for Victor earlier in his career. This group desperately needs playoffs experience, ASAP. That's the next step.
KD completes our roster very well, would work great alongside Victor and would help a lot in securing that playoffs spot. He would also represent a mentor figure like we just had with Chris Paul, it would be a continuation of that of sorts.

[Extra Stout]

KD would be a great mentor, could show all the young kids how to be thin-skinned on social media, could even set up their burner accounts for them.

[RC_Drunkford]

I totally forgot about Highsmith. Not a great rebounder, but grades out as one of the best defenders in the league

[TD 21]

PJ Washington



26, 6'7'', 14.7 PPG, 7.8 REB, 1.1 STL, 1.1 BLK, 38.1% from 3 on 4.2 attempts. Fits like a glove tbh

Is under contract in Dallas for one more year at 14.1 million. They will probably try to trade him for a guard, so not sure how we could get him, but we should try our best to get in there on a 3-team deal somehow...

Should also be a major FA target in 2026

Kind of an aside, but I could see something like . . .

To Celtics: Washington, Kleber, Powell, Lakers protected (10-14?) 1st
To Mavericks: Holiday
To Lakers: Gafford

[sfernald]

Barnes should definitely stay, I'd even give him another contract. Maybe 20/2.
I said he'd be this generation's Finley when he joined.

Champagnie also has to stay. He's an average bench player, but having a good 6'8 shooter who's not a negative on defense is a bargain.

Keldon should definitely go, he's outlived his purpose.
I'd also get rid of Devin, but he's PATFO's favorite.

The list of cheap (asset wise) 3-D wings is almost non-existant at this point, tbh.
My list from a month ago has been reduced to these names:
PJ Washington - Expiring $14M, redundant after the lottery, could get him by returning that Mavs swap. But idk if it would be worth it.
MPJ - Only as a salary dump, I still think he's a solid piece, just playing injured. His contract is done before Wemby's extension starts.
Aldama - Grizzlies cleared space to keep him.
McDaniels - No chance considering his rise in these playoffs.
Naz Reid - Timberwolves cleared space to keep him.
Murphy III - Untouchable in NOLA unless we decide to trade down from #2.
Herb Jones - Would cost one good FRP, maybe more.
Cam Johnson - Not worth it, imo. Overrated and can't rebound.

nice post.

i would say keep Champagnie and Barnes. Give Dallas back their swap for PJ. It’s a cheap get and he’s decent at least. He always seems to play better in the playoffs too. And finally draft Carter or Essengue at #14 and hope they become the best of the bunch in 2-3 years.

Next year is just going to be a playin year or maybe first round year anyway.

[scott]

If CLE needs to cut salary, I'd be here waiting to pick up Dean Wade for pennies. He's far more unproven, but shows a lot of promise as a good rebounder, defender and shooter.

[jesterbobman]

Draft wise, you're making bets.
Essengue, Carter, Asa Newell, Yaxel, Nique Clifford, Rasheer Fleming. Lot of those guys are options at 14 or in a 2 for 1 in a Brooklyn trade. I have Essengue highest, but he's not the best shooter.

We have a ton of seconds to grease the wheels, and at this point I think Malaki and Blake are gone soon. Sending out Malaki and Blake to the Celtics and the Nets, with a second round pick going to each team, with us getting Sam Hauser works cap wise (and is probably about right in value). More of the 3 than the D, but off ball shooting is really valuable.

If We get (my) semi realistic dream of Essengue at 14 and Byrd at 38, gives us
Fox / Castle / Harper/ Vassell / Byrd / Champagnie
Harrison / Keldon /Hauser / Sochan / Essengue / Mamu.

I'd want to try that group - Ideally, moving forward id swap out Keldon for a shooting 4, (PJ and some others appeal) but it's a better structure.

Good group I think, with room for changes to add experience, then just need a back up C in FA.

[Manu&Duncan fan]

I think the package they get for KD will be determined by if a contender shows interest. Does OKC, DEN, or MIN jump in? They might be willing to beat a SAS or HOU offer because of the urgency to ring. Adding KD to one of those teams would turn them into the favorite, I’d guess. OKC has the most trade pieces but not sure if they’d want to mess with what they have. Phoenix HAS to trade KD, though.

Yes. A bunch of contenders will be interested in Durant. Cavaliers, Lakers, Warriors, Wolves...

[SpursBills]

Draft wise, you're making bets.
Essengue, Carter, Asa Newell, Yaxel, Nique Clifford, Rasheer Fleming. Lot of those guys are options at 14 or in a 2 for 1 in a Brooklyn trade. I have Essengue highest, but he's not the best shooter.

We have a ton of seconds to grease the wheels, and at this point I think Malaki and Blake are gone soon. Sending out Malaki and Blake to the Celtics and the Nets, with a second round pick going to each team, with us getting Sam Hauser works cap wise (and is probably about right in value). More of the 3 than the D, but off ball shooting is really valuable.

If We get (my) semi realistic dream of Essengue at 14 and Byrd at 38, gives us
Fox / Castle / Harper/ Vassell / Byrd / Champagnie
Harrison / Keldon /Hauser / Sochan / Essengue / Mamu.

I'd want to try that group - Ideally, moving forward id swap out Keldon for a shooting 4, (PJ and some others appeal) but it's a better structure.

Good group I think, with room for changes to add experience, then just need a back up C in FA.

I don't think there's any way that Essengue lasts until 14. He's been getting better and better throughout the season - Alba Berlin might be the worst Euroleague team, but they're still a Euroleague team and his game against them was no joke. If Ulm continues to advance in the playoffs, his stock is going to continue to rise. GMs are going to see his age, tools, attacking mentality, and production and realize he's multiple tiers above prior raw French prospects like Dieng, Dadiet, or Salaun. If Maluach goes in the first 7 picks, I think Masai will absolutely pull the trigger on Essengue. This would effectively push someone else down, so for Fleming/Carter/Sorber enjoyers this would probably be a nice development.

[jesterbobman]

I don't think he should last to 14 - and agree with you that he seems like the most obvious non Maluach Raptors pick. Really productive, young dude position of need.

If I had to guess, I think Maluach is gone before 9, Essengue ends up top 10, Derik Queen is the most likely slider, just based on weird fit as a non star backup C who isn't a rim protector.