2020-2021 ROSTER TALK: Archived

[HanspardShowerVoice]

There was a reason the Rockets only managed to trade Tucker just now in late March. I think they had an unreasonable expectation of his value, and were probably adamant in getting a FRP for him. 

The reality was no one wanted to spend that for PJ Tucker, and it ended with a swap picks. 

I do think that Gordon and Collins cost probably a bit more than what we're all expecting, but probably not some treasure trove of assets.

Yeah, PJ Tucker is looking pretty washed up this year.   Obviously the situation in Houston isn't good, but he's 35 years old and has seen a noticable decline in all of his shooting and efficiency number.

I think as fans there is another form of "homerism" where you just basically way over-exaggerate how flawed your players are compared to other  players in the league, because you're up close and personal with them and see them every game.    I mean, people act like our role players couldn't make 3rd team on another team who can't even make the playoffs in the East.    I assure everyone other team's role players are deeply flawed too, we just don't spend enough time or have enough invested in them night in and night out with them to notice or care.    This also often causes us to over-estimate other team's players.   I believe I saw Tim Cato call Aaron Gordon a "star".   I'm sorry, in what world is Aaron Gordon a "star"?     Because he has cool Dunk Contest appearances?   That makes Derrick Jones Jr a "star".  

That said ... I don't expect a lot of trades, by the Mavs or many other teams, mainly because I don't think NBA teams trade as much as they logically should.   Particularly teams that should be sellers.   And that's mainly because GMs often don't prioritize maximizing assets.   The first thing most  GMs prioritize is keeping their jobs, and particularly GMs of bad teams who logically should be sellers because they're usually on the hot seat.      Selling assets on the trade market requires going up stairs to the ownership and explaining to them how you're giving away your best players and hurting your chances to compete in the near term.   Owners don't fork out millions/billions of dollars to buy vanity project sports teams to lose games and rebuild.     Second, trading brings a lot more scrutiny with fans and media because you could "lose" the trade.   As far as keeping your job, it's probably better to just let an asset walk away for nothing than to risk the fan and media scrutiny of "losing" a trade.