06-09-2021, 07:24 AM
(06-09-2021, 05:27 AM)omahen Wrote: I have to say my first reaction to Orlando was negative, like they are rebuilding, not competing, so what would they do with KP. But having a second look, a little lottery luck can put them right into playoff contention if not even higher. If they keep Chicago pick they will likely have two top 10 picks. A playmaking wing from draft would do wonders for them. They could even resign OPJ and further strengthen the wing rotation.
If we get Harris I think it makes little sense to look for yet another guard in FA. I would go after Collins. Looking how Atlanta operates in the playoffs it makes little sense for them to pay him even close to max. We could actually easily expand the deal to a three team one, redirecting Orlando draft asset and Kleber to Atlanta. Could we even find a way to operate over the cap in this scenario? We would have to add roughly 4 mil of outgoing salary to make it work, if my calculation is correct.
WCJ, Powell
Collins, MLE
DFS, Green
Harris, THJ
Luka, Brunson
This team is probably not more of a contender than last season, but talent level surely increased a lot.
If one prefers, simpler version is to go after Markkanen and keep Kleber. Spend rMLE for wing (Burks, Bullock?).
I came really close to writing up the Collins alternative to Lonzo, but it was 4-something in the morning and the post was already long. I like Harris as a placeholder/insurance policy for Green as we wait for him to take a bigger role. He's also a large expiring deal at the TDL.
The timing is tricky if we are sending 2021 draft capital to Atlanta while hoping their RFA is willing to come here. I get that it is a Schwartz player, but that doesn't guarantee things. Now, if we are talking future draft capital...OK. Here's my question. Other than Luka, what spot have we filled (other than Collins obviously) in a way that is better than what Atlanta has. WCJ vs. Capela? DFS vs. Hunter? Harris vs. Huerter? Bogdanovic vs. THJ? Gallinari vs. MLE guy? Okongwu vs. Powell? Reddish vs. Green? Other than Brunson vs. Dunn, I don't see an advantage and I haven't even gotten to the possibility of bringing back Williams and Snell.
Either version...the Lonzo version or the Collins version is a nice reset with younger players that could presumably play together for years to come. But, we probably need a path to one more guy at SG using Harris and other draft capital to really get beyond 4/5 in the West.