2020-2021 ROSTER TALK: Archived

[KillerLeft]

For KP to stay!

Trying my best to prepare for that, my dude.

[DanSchwartzgan]

I'd argue the biggest problem with the offense is that we don't move the ball just fine...

And Ball is a legit pg who can pass guys into their spots where as Luka isn't that guy yet. Maybe he doesn't have to be. You let Ball run the offense and let Luka attack. 

I wouldn't mind seeing a Harden/Paul dynamic with Luka and the other starting guard. I thought that combo worked quite nicely and I think it would work even better with Luka because I don't think he's intentionally like Harden lol.

There are certainly things to like.  I'm pointing out there are also some warts.  Lonzo avoids contact like the plague.  He isn't a great "create for himself" guy as some are pining for.  Great getting to the basket in transition, but not so much in the half court.  That could certainly work next to Luka.  Is that worth $20mm?  $20mm plus an outgoing asset?  Not so sure, but I'd happily embrace the signing if it happens.  I do like that he's been a net positive on a bad team all four years.

[StrandedOnBeauboisHill]

If we were just going to do the 1 for 1 bad contract route then call me crazy but I'd rather have Al Horford than Kemba.

Horford hasn't really shown any injury issues as he's gotten older and is still producing at a decent level.  I was thinking the other day, would Horford have been able to take advantage of the smaller Clippers lineup or would we have still seen Bobi and the weird zone?

Just food for thought.

[cjeter24]

There are certainly things to like.  I'm pointing out there are also some warts.  Lonzo avoids contact like the plague.  He isn't a great "create for himself" guy as some are pining for.  Great getting to the basket in transition, but not so much in the half court.  That could certainly work next to Luka.  Is that worth $20mm?  $20mm plus an outgoing asset?  Not so sure, but I'd happily embrace the signing if it happens.  I do like that he's been a net positive on a bad team all four years.

Oh yeah I agree there are some major warts. He doesn't attack enough and he basically only shoots 3s. Those are huge warts. It really depends on the price for him IMO.

[ItsGoTime]

Trying my best to prepare for that, my dude.

I don't think everyone is. I put odds that it's 60/40 they find a package close enough to the value they want from him.

[IamDougieFresh]

Get me a fookin scorer instead of dropping 20 mil on Lonzo fookin Ball

[Mapka]

It's probably a bad sign that Celtics bloggers aren't even sure they'd want KP for Kemba straight-up:

https://www.celticsblog.com/2021/6/8/225...-mavericks

Celtic Bloggers would want to have a additional pick if we proposed them Luka.

They are like the opposite of this forum. They believe in everyone will gift them something in a trade.

[mvossman]

There are certainly things to like.  I'm pointing out there are also some warts.  Lonzo avoids contact like the plague.  He isn't a great "create for himself" guy as some are pining for.  Great getting to the basket in transition, but not so much in the half court.  That could certainly work next to Luka.  Is that worth $20mm?  $20mm plus an outgoing asset?  Not so sure, but I'd happily embrace the signing if it happens.  I do like that he's been a net positive on a bad team all four years.

What if that asset is ..... KP.  If the alternative options for a KP trade is Walker or Wiggins, then give me Ball.  That gives us a true two way player we really need.  He has his warts but the fit with Luka would be great.  From there you have all kids of options.  Maybe you trade JRich for Theis, resign THJ and sign Batum to the MLE.  You would be looking at:

Theis/Powell
Batum/Maxi
DFS/THJ
Luka/Brunson
Ball/Green

That trade would leave us with more cap space if we decide to go that route.  You could potentially sign Holmes and Powell (Norman):

Holmes/Powell
DFS/Maxi
Luka/Brunson
Ball/Green
Powell/

I like this second one better.  The extra cap space make operating under the cap more appealing.  You are basically trading KP/THJ/JRich for Ball/Holmes/Powell.

[SleepingHero]

GOOD I don't want that garbage either! I would literally rather ride with KP than only get Kemba in return.

I'm glad we're in agreement there.

I really wanted Kemba that free agency year. I didn't think his knees were damaged goods and were waiting to implode. You called it before anyone. Kudos.

---

So New Orleans has 94 million committed in team salary for the 2021-2022 season.  Can they really afford Lonzo Ball keeping in mind that Zion's max extension is looming?  I'll say it again.  Lonzo and Luka would be a dynamic backcourt.  He could be our secondary ball handler, allowing Luka to take a break.  He's a terrific defender and can shoot the 3.  He's everything we wanted from Josh Richardson and he's only 23 years old.  If a team wants to play small...we can go with a lineup of:

Luka (6'7")
Lonzo (6'6")
THJ (6'6")
DFS (6'8")
KP (7'3")

All 5 guys have the ability to shoot 3s.  You have 2 above average defenders in Lonzo and DFS.  Fingers crossed that KP can be a defensive force again with vigorous training in the offseason.  Instead of THJ, you could have Kleber in the lineup who is a much better defender.  At least Dallas has options.

I am totally convinced that Lonzo/Adams offseason would fix A LOT of the issues with the team. I think Maxi/Brunson would be exactly what the Pels would want given their salary situation.

[mvossman]

I am totally convinced that Lonzo/Adams offseason would fix A LOT of the issues with the team. I think Maxi/Brunson would be exactly what the Pels would want given their salary situation.

I don't think Adams makes sense unless KP is gone.  If NO can't afford Ball or KP, then you could trade KP for Ball S&T plus Adams.  I would prefer not to include Brunson in that trade, but I could be convinced.  We would have to operate under the cap for that trade.  That would leave us somewhere in the 20s in cap space left (if JRich opts out) with THJ left to sign (potentially).

[SleepingHero]

I don't think Adams makes sense unless KP is gone.  If NO can't afford Ball or KP, then you could trade KP for Ball S&T plus Adams.  I would prefer not to include Brunson in that trade, but I could be convinced.  We would have to operate under the cap for that trade.  That would leave us somewhere in the 20s in cap space left (if JRich opts out) with THJ left to sign (potentially).

I view Adams as a Powell replacement. KP and Powell worked, much to KP's chagrin, but it did work. Plus should we use KP as a stretch 4, Adams is a fantastic screen setter and lob catcher.

[dirkfansince1998]

I don't think Adams makes sense unless KP is gone.  If NO can't afford Ball or KP, then you could trade KP for Ball S&T plus Adams.  I would prefer not to include Brunson in that trade, but I could be convinced.  We would have to operate under the cap for that trade.  That would leave us somewhere in the 20s in cap space left (if JRich opts out) with THJ left to sign (potentially).

Send out KP and Burke. Add Lonzo 4/100 (starting at 22m) and Adams. THJ for 4/60+ (starting at 15m). Renounce everyone else. Decline all options.
Would leave the Mavs with 16m.

[cow]

Send out KP and Burke. Add Lonzo 4/100 (starting at 22m) and Adams. THJ for 4/60+ (starting at 15m). Renounce everyone else. Decline all options.
Would leave the Mavs with 16m.

I like Lonzo a lot but 4/100?

[dirkfansince1998]

I like Lonzo a lot but 4/100?

Knicks or Bulls will probably offer him a big contract. And sign&trades only work if the original team isn´t willing to  match the contract.

[mvossman]

I view Adams as a Powell replacement. KP and Powell worked, much to KP's chagrin, but it did work. Plus should we use KP as a stretch 4, Adams is a fantastic screen setter and lob catcher.

The Powell/KP combination had 132 def rating and a net -10 this year.  They were much better last year because KP could effectively protect the rim while Powell guarded the perimeter.  Adams is not guarding the perimeter and neither is KP.  We would have to use the "Boban" zone on defense.

[cow]

Knicks or Bulls will probably offer him a big contract. And sign&trades only work if the original team isn´t willing to  match the contract.

For that price, I think I'd be happy seeing him a Knick or Bull.

[mvossman]

I like Lonzo a lot but 4/100?

The alternatives with similar fit are in their mid 30s and will cost similar AAV.

[jesusshuttlesworth82]

$22-24 million for Lonzo sounds crazy until you think about THJ for $18 million.

Lonzo shot 38% from three vs THJ at 39%.  Lonzo actually attempted more per game.  

No denying who the much better passer and defender is.  Lonzo also 5-6 years younger.

I agree with Dan he's not the ideal secondary creator in the half court but I think I'd rather have him than THJ.

[SleepingHero]

$22-24 million for Lonzo sounds crazy until you think about THJ for $18 million.

Lonzo shot 38% from three vs THJ at 39%.  Lonzo actually attempted more per game.  

No denying who the much better passer and defender is.  Lonzo also 5-6 years younger.

I agree with Dan he's not the ideal secondary creator in the half court but I think I'd rather have him than THJ.

Agreed. We can't really penny pinch. Get as ,many good players as one can, even if it's a slight overpay.

[ItsGoTime]

Having Lonzo might give us some much needed fastbreak points too!