2020-2021 ROSTER TALK: Archived

[StepBackJay]

Signing a bought out OPJ would be such an amazing acquisition....doubt it happens only cause we’ve heard the Warriors tied to him, but that would be right up there with signing a bought out Drummond (would you do both if you could? I know that either one is still unlikely so the opportunity for both is even more unlikely)

Let's face it. LA/GSW/NY will get a bunch of good bought-out players here shortly.

[SleepingHero]

Why are the Bulls just giving WCJ away for nothing rather than just giving him another year to develop under contract?     He just posted a double double last night.   He may be a bit of a disappointment, but he's not Mo Bamba just outright unplayable bad.

They just benched him in favor of more vet players because they're making a playoff push. They've largely been disappointed with his development, as he's never taken the so called "next step" that all franchises hope they're top lotto picks take.

Given that he may be what he always will be, moving on from him for more established players COULD be what they want.

Further they might not want to pay whatever WCJr will demand next year.

Of course all of this is a maybe. You're right it doesn't make much sense for CHI to move on from WCJr right now today, but you never know how far some teams go to make the playoffs when they haven't been there for years.

[omahen]

Given how the Bulls are mulling over buying out OPJ, I wonder if the Mavs can swoop in and entice them with a deal.

Mavs send: James Johnson+Dwight Powell+Tyrell Terry 

CHI: OPJ+WCJr 

Assuming we don't have hope to get player like OPJ in the buyout market, I would definitely explore a trade for him, if Mavs are willing to say goodbye to Powell. Since Bulls would be taking the privilige to pay Powell for two more years, it would definitely take assets just for OPJ. But I like the general idea and I would seriously explore it. It doesn't look Chicago wants to count on WCJ longterm. 

In my opinion, more realistic proposal, would be something like:
Mavs: OPJ+WCJ
Chi: Johnson, Powell, Green, 2027 FRP

If we would only go for OPJ, I doubt there are many candidates to match his contract around. But I would assume Chicago would only take expiring money back or expect heavy draft compensation. So something like:
- Johnson, WCS, Boban, 2 SRP for OPJ (problem with 3 for 1 trade). If we add Green we could take back Gafford and Kornet and make it a 4 for 3 trade which is more manageable.

[HanspardShowerVoice]

History shows the hype around buy outs way over exceeds the actual production they provide their new teams, mostly because they're recognizable names who used to be good a long time ago.      Also, even tough fans don't care about it at all, continuity is a thing.    I'm not really sweating the buyout  market. 
 
The fundamental problem with Wendell Carter Jr that the Bulls are trying to work with is a tweener who is too slow and stiff to be a 4 and not enough of a rim presence to be a 5.   I'm not sure how that changes with the Mavs or any other team.  I'm not sure there's much to "unlock" there, but maybe you can pair him with another big who is a better complement to mask his weaknesses.    Moving him to the 2nd unit is probably a step in the right direction for the Bulls, so he won't  be exploited by front line NBA starters. 

If they Mavs want a cheap front court player who could upgrade their shooting, I would take a look at Juan Hermangomez who is probably on the market for not much.   A better 3 point shooter at the 4  than James Johnson, Powell and ... frankly ... DFS.

[SleepingHero]

In my opinion, more realistic proposal, would be something like:
Mavs: OPJ+WCJ
Chi: Johnson, Powell, Green, 2027 FRP

There is no way CHI is going to get assets for a player they're about to buyout. By the sheer nature of buying him out, it means no team is offering anything worthwhile for him.

Further, Powell's contract isn't an albatross and he still provides value off the bench. Especially as a vet presence. These are qualities CHI are obviously looking for given that they're moving WCJr to the bench in place for vets. Sure it runs for 2 more years after this one, but it's only 5 million more than what WCJr is making, and will almost certainly be cheaper in the long run. (Heck if CHI just prorates OPJ's salary just this year, Powell is still cheaper over 2 years)

Second, WCJr isn't worth a FRP alone, let alone 2 (Green is still basically a FRP). That's a package more suited for Lauri than WCJr. 

I think you're underrating our assets and overrating CHI's.

[Tyler]

“For Dallas, Dwight Powell has been rumored among league personnel as the centerpiece in any deal [for Aaron Gordon].”

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2936...able-stars

[SleepingHero]

“For Dallas, Dwight Powell has been rumored among league personnel as the centerpiece in any deal [for Aaron Gordon].”

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2936...able-stars

I swear to god if Donnie manages to pull off an Aaron Gordon for Dwight Powell trade we can never shit talk him again.

[ClutchDirk]

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2936...ant-buyout

[ClutchDirk]

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2936...-cavs-star

[dirkfansince1998]

I swear to god if Donnie manages to pull off an Aaron Gordon for Dwight Powell trade we can never shit talk him again.

Need one first round pick to get rid of Powell and according to the rumors at least two 1st round picks for Gordon. That´s probably the starting point.
If the price hasn´t changed that´s an easy no from me.

[ItsGoTime]

“For Dallas, Dwight Powell has been rumored among league personnel as the centerpiece in any deal [for Aaron Gordon].”

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2936...able-stars

Well, if he’s the centerpiece of the deal then I understand why the deal hasn’t happened.

[ItsGoTime]

Need one first round pick to get rid of Powell and according to the rumors at least two 1st round picks for Gordon. That´s probably the starting point.
If the price hasn´t changed that´s an easy no from me.

I think it’s possible that a second and smaller asset gets it done, but you’re right. Also, DP isn’t the centerpiece in a trade like that...

[ClutchDirk]

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2936...-in-market

[DrMav]

If we managed to grab Aaron Gordon without DFS or Maxi going out, where does he inject into the starting lineup?

I think I would try him at SF 1st even though he has tended to be better as a PF in his career. Not sure I like the spacing of him with DFS unless DFS gets his 3pt% back on track.

[michaeltex]

With all the released and tradeable players "potentially" going to NYKs, LALs, and GSWs, these teams are going to have to release a lot of players to make room for all the incoming guys. Potential to pick up undeveloped or slow to develop young players?

Doesn't really help now, but potentially grow the kid squad to see who stands out?

[StepBackJay]

Well, if he’s the centerpiece of the deal then I understand why the deal hasn’t happened.

LOL no kidding. This is the first I have seen that mentions Dallas in a Gordon deal and also mentions Powell. I would be trying to do DFS + Powell as the trade. Gordon is an upgrade over both of those players.

[StepBackJay]

Sign me up for this trade:
https://pelicandebrief.com/2021/02/14/ne...ht-powell/

[ItsGoTime]

If we managed to grab Aaron Gordon without DFS it Maxi going out, where does he inject into the starting lineup?

I think I would try him at SF 1st even though he has tended to be better as a PF in his career. Not sure I like the spacing of him with DFS unless DFS gets his 3pt% back on track.

He wasn't good with Isaacs cause that cut into his rim rolling role. With Maxi, that isn't a concern (although it might be with KP). Maxi is the perfect compliment to most guys offensively cause he doesn't mind sitting on the 3 pt line and jacking up open 3's, and he's outstanding at it too. 


That would be a really big lineup too with JRich as the smallest guy on the court. With KP doing an ok job against one of the biggest C's in the league in Jokic (albeit not the banger that someone like Embiid is), that goes a long way in what Maxi and AG would do on defense. Maxi is capable of chasing 3's around on defense (esp big ones like Kawhi and LeBron), AG I think is also versatile in that regard.

Honestly though, DFS could do the same thing as what I just described Maxi would do.

[StepBackJay]

There is no way I deal Maxi for a guy that isn't a star player (which is itself an unlikely scenario) therefore Maxi is mostly untouchable in my view.

[ItsGoTime]

Sign me up for this trade:
https://pelicandebrief.com/2021/02/14/ne...ht-powell/

If the second was totally insisted upon, I'd do it too. I'd wait to do it til the last minute though and see if Powell can add upon his last game's showing. If he does, and Reddick has continued to show the less than Reddick ability, I think the Pels would need to give the second.

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There is no way I deal Maxi for a guy that isn't a star player (which is itself an unlikely scenario) therefore Maxi is mostly untouchable in my view.

Please define star.