(11-07-2020, 04:55 PM)omahen Wrote: https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/maver...hird-star/
Quote:Townsend's report included another important nugget: the Mavericks want to move into the lottery. They have the ammunition to do so. They're close enough as it is at No. 18. Golden State's second-round pick is arguably more valuable than a late first-round pick, as it is not subject to the rookie scale. If absolutely necessary, they do have tradeable future first-round pick in the bank: their 2027 selection, which is the only choice available thanks to the Stepien Rule's interpretation of the protections on that 2023 pick. Throw in a player or two and the Mavericks should have some options here. The question is how high they can go.
No. 8 is probably the ceiling, if the Knicks are still even willing to deal with them after the backlash from the Porzingis trade. The New York Post's Marc Berman has reported that they are open to moving down. They'd probably love to get their hands on Curry as well, given the lack of shooting around RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson. That is unlikely, but a picks-based trade is plausible here, especially if Dallas is willing to remove the protections on the 2023 pick they already owe New York.
Phoenix at No. 10 is rumored to be preserving cap space. A trade down might make sense, especially if they're targeting one of the many 3-and-D players in this class.
Sacramento has lost so much draft capital in recent years that moving down from No. 12 to recoup some of it makes some sense for new GM Monte McNair.
Who would Dallas target in the lottery? Their roster construction would point to another 3-and-D wing. Both Florida State wings, Devin Vassell and Patrick Williams, fit the bill, and they, along with Isaac Okoro, are the players in that group that Dallas would probably need to move up for. Players like Aaron Nesmith, Desmond Bane, Josh Green and Saddiq Bey all make sense, but the Mavericks could probably get one of them at No. 18.
The wildcard names to watch here would be the big men. Damian Lillard exposed Porzingis' weaknesses on the perimeter so thoroughly in the bubble that a look at Onyeka Okongwu might be warranted. Obi Toppin would be not only a replacement for Powell, but an all-around offensive upgrade. But both come with weaknesses Dallas probably isn't interested in covering up, and both would become redundant on a Giannis team. Expect them to settle for one of the 3-and-D wings wherever they land based purely on need. Their trade options are significantly more complicated.
So that "Supes" guy on the Hawks website is claiming that Hayward is a two horse race between ATL and BOS. If true, this means the DAL connection was smoke to put pressure on one of those two parties.
Quote:There is no other team in the picture other than Boston. The price point [for Hayward] is too high for everyone it seems outside of us which makes sense if you are going to overpay someone in FA.