06-25-2025, 07:19 AM
(06-25-2025, 06:58 AM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: Nothing is off the table. Every thing we've talked about...trade for picks, trade for players (big ones like Jrue and small ones like Lonzo) are still on the table. The math works out that not trading anyone and just signing someone to the Taxpayer MLE appears to fit. But, it was always going to be that way if Kyrie did what so many expected. The position we are in means we aren't dependent upon the kindness of another team to fill the roster. We are dependent on a free agent to take our money, but that shouldn't be too hard.
To answer your question, I hope it is the latter. I'm not infatuated with any of the FA guards out there. The roster is unbalanced and signing a single fill-in guard doesn't do it for me. I hope our financial position lets us negotiate out of strength.
The news about Kai Jones is encouraging. I like his upside if his head is right. It means something else may happen. Maybe a two for one? Since we have to send more than we take back, a two for one requires that we send $2.3mm more than we take back so that we can fill the open slot (presumably with Jones). It has been reported that we want to get into the draft again. Maybe its a three for one with a player and a pick coming back (and Jones to fill the last spot created by the imbalanced trade). I can even see scenarios where we get under the first apron.
Like I said, nothing we've talked about is off the table in terms of concept. Gafford to Atlanta for 11 is gone, but even a Jrue trade is still possible.
As far as a trade, I have difficultly to believe we can get a late first. There was a rumor that Martin could attract a late first. I have difficulty believing that. On a different note, he is sort of the odd man out right? I think, if healthy, his skill could be used, but there are just too many bodies it appears.
Powell has 4 million left and Omax has a year left. Could you trade both for someone who has two years left on his contract? It is not much, but maybe one of the bottom teams just wants to clear a few more million for next year? Is that possible? Omax is still hurt, so he can't play yet.
Hardy could be an option as well. 6 million for two years is not ideal though.