Trade & FA 2024-25:

[F Gump]

Klay + PJ for Holliday + Washington's 2nd + Boston's 2027 1st - top 10 protected

Fail.

Sure, that might be a helpful trade for DAL, but it does NOTHING to help C's need for massive cap reduction (in fact their net payroll goes UP slightly) when they need to erase something like 20-30M. And it's not a legal trade for DAL.

[SleepingHero]

@KeithSmithNBA
Here's how fast life comes at you in the NBA:

The Houston Rockets have until May 9 (if my calendar math is correct) to decide on the $44.9M team option for Fred VanVleet for 2025-26.

If Houston declines the option, VanVleet will be an unrestricted free agent. Rockets would have Early Bird rights with VanVleet in 2025 free agency.

[SleepingHero]

@esidery
The Rockets’ 1st-round picks at their disposal in potential star pursuits:

2025 1st (via Suns)
2027 1st (via Suns)
2027 swap (via Nets)
2028 1st
2029 1st (via Suns or Mavericks)
2029 swap (via Suns or Mavericks)
2030 1st
2031 1st

Houston is set up to get into any conversations.

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

Would you trade Lively to the Lakers if it netted Knect and a 2031 unprotected 1st and multiple swaps?

I think Lively is exactly what Luka wants, but I also think there's a good chance the Lakers could be toast in a few years.

Those picks could be used to fascinate getting a PG like Coby White or a bigger deal.

[Nowitzki Way]

Would you trade Lively to the Lakers if it netted Knect and a 2031 unprotected 1st and multiple swaps?

I think Lively is exactly what Luka wants, but I also think there's a good chance the Lakers could be toast in a few years.

Those picks could be used to fascinate getting a PG like Coby White or a bigger deal.

Can we get the same package, but for Gafford instead of Lively? Its basically the failed Mark Williams trade, minus the pick swaps.

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

Can we get the same package, but for Gafford instead of Lively? Its basically the failed Mark Williams trade, minus the pick swaps.

Possibly, but I worry that without Luka, Lively will get exposed unless he seriously ups his game.

[KillerLeft]

Possibly, but I worry that without Luka, Lively will get exposed unless he seriously ups his game.

Exposed or not, he’d still be objectively better and more valuable moving forward than Gafford. Lively is a difference making defender.

[rocky164]

Exposed or not, he’d still be objectively better and more valuable moving forward than Gafford. Lively is a difference making defender.

If Nico has a thread of credibility and if “defense wins championships” then Lively isn’t going anywhere.  Lively when healthy can be one of the top centers in the league defensively.

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

Lively when healthy can be one of the top centers in the league defensively.

First off, Lively >> Gafford.

But injuries and a lack of an offensive game besides lobs is limiting.  He's only played in half of the games in his career.

[KillerLeft]

First off, Lively >> Gafford.

But injuries and a lack of an offensive game besides lobs is limiting.  He's only played in half of the games in his career.

But Gafford is MORE limited and older. I'm not understanding the motivation for selling Lively at this point, at least relative to Gafford. Maybe I'm missing part of your point. 

Are you suggesting this because you think you can get MORE now for Lively than Gafford, and that this is potentially the high water mark for Lively's value? If so, I understand the logic but disagree. I think Lively has a ton of growth ahead of him and selling him now would be a huge mistake.

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

Are you suggesting this because you think you can get MORE now for Lively than Gafford, and that this is potentially the high water mark for Lively's value? 

Yes.

[F Gump]

First off, Lively >> Gafford.

But injuries and a lack of an offensive game besides lobs is limiting.  He's only played in half of the games in his career.

This is fair, and imo a much more realistic view of Lively than I usually see in this forum. While I have no desire to see Lively go, he's nowhere near the 2nd coming of KG that some have anticipated, and he's always an "injury waiting to happen" because of his frail frame.  Lively can't play all the games, and he can't stand up to the pounding by himself.

Because of that repeated lack of availability, Gafford or another sturdy starter-caliber center is an ongoing necessity, if you want this team to play big.I'm fine with that, but it's not a fact that is considered a lot in this forum imo.

In addition, Lively's development was very much tailored to work with Luka's style of play and abilities. It remains to be seen (because Lively sat almost the entirety of the games afterwards) if the loss of Luka changes his value, but it's very possible.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Agree.

If any good offer came along I would trade it without too many regrets...

[Chicagojk]

My current take is it is much more likely Gafford is extended than traded this offseason. I think Nico is a true believer that he thinks he has put together a championship team. I personally would be fine with that, but I think there is a good chance a year from now one of the centers is moved.

I also think Nico is pretty set on using a draft pick this summer. If they don't move up, I am not sure if they will find someone who is ready for a big role next year. Maybe they move back a little and get a solid veteran plus a later pick. Not sure the pick in itself will bring back a player who would get substanitial minutes any way.

I think Hardy, Powell and probably Omax should not take out long leases. None of those guys get you anyone meaningful. Not sure who else they would be willing to move. If that is the case, I am just not sure how they find a creator and/or shooter that they really need. I just don't see a route to make them a real contender.

[KillerLeft]

Yes.

Fair enough, and I might consider this if I knew for a fact that the team was moving away from pick and roll basketball, which is what I have been wondering since February. I have serious skepticism that Lively will ever flourish in a different offensive system.

Defensively, however, I think he is on a short list of very coveted difference makers under the age of 25, so I would worry about getting the “value high point” way wrong, though it’s always a possibility with virtually every player.

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

Fair enough, and I might consider this if I knew for a fact that the team was moving away from pick and roll basketball, which is what I have been wondering since February. I have serious skepticism that Lively will ever flourish in a different offensive system.

Defensively, however, I think he is on a short list of very coveted difference makers under the age of 25, so I would worry about getting the “value high point” way wrong, though it’s always a possibility with virtually every player.

Best case: Lively finds an ideal team around him and he develops into a prime Tyson Chandler 

Worst case: Willie Cauley-Stein

[KillerLeft]

Best case: Lively finds an ideal team around him and he develops into a prime Tyson Chandler 

Worst case: Willie Cauley-Stein

Except: Willey Cauley-Stein would've been a hell of a fine player if he wasn't an absolute moron. We already factually know that Lively is miles ahead of him in that department. 

I think the biggest anti-Lively worry is the injury thing, but I'll double down on what I've said pretty frequently: I'm not worried about that. I think he got thrown into the deep end of the pool on a very competitive team much earlier than most young bigs do, and the learning curve has been impressive. I think he'll learn how to get his body through a full season as he goes, personally. He's only two years in, and while I can appreciate that it has annoyed fans he has missed time, especially this year, the ENTIRE team missed significant time this year, so I'm not ready to blow the "injury prone" whistle just yet.

[Chicagojk]

Lively is already a much better player than WCS. Not even close. Worse case for Lively is injury riddled where he never gets a footing.

Tyson chandler is really good and I am not sure Lively reaches that level but I would not call that the best case for lively. I think my hope is he is the vertical threat if Chandler mixed with the overall feel of Noah.

I think Lively is a winning player. It sucks his soph year in the league is pretty much a waste. Lovely is awkward in offense and I am not sure what the upside is there but I really hope he is the one guy who they try to stretch on offense and give him or responsibility. Maybe it doesn’t work but he would be the one guy who would want to throw more stuff at.

[SleepingHero]

https://x.com/thedunkcentral/status/1920...33091?s=46
@TheDunkCentral
The Celtics could break up if they lose this series against the Knicks, per @WindhorstESPN


“There's a possibility this team's not gonna come back. ... That's what's on the line.”


I will take 1 Jaylen Brown please. I'd trade quite literally every single player on this roster for Brown.

[FireNicoHarrison]

https://x.com/thedunkcentral/status/1920...33091?s=46
@TheDunkCentral
The Celtics could break up if they lose this series against the Knicks, per @WindhorstESPN


“There's a possibility this team's not gonna come back. ... That's what's on the line.”


I will take 1 Jaylen Brown please. I'd trade quite literally every single player on this roster for Brown.

We have no assets for a Brown or another superstar (thanks Harrison) and i highly doubt that a superstar will want to come in toxic organization.

We need a clean up first. Then we can talk about basketball.