re: Could the Pels be interested in x2 Euroleague Finals MVP, PG Vasilije Micic?

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centerpiece for such a trade down

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We're talking about the 8th pick, not a top 5 pick. You usually don't get a "centerpiece", it's trading quality for quantity because you don't value the quality at 8 as much as another team. Like others have said, I would have to think this is if Sharpe slides to 8 and the Pels top targets are off the board.

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8, 41, Graham for 12, 34, Micic, future pick

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I'd prefer something like:

Graham, Hayes, 8, for 12, Micic, and a reverse protected pick (protection that guarantees a lottery pick).

This is the best page to figure out future picks and protections on everything LINK

Looking at it basically everything they have is lottery protected except for their swap option with clippers

In some cases its just an aggregate of value.

In this case you're moving back 4 spots, sending a high-ish 2nd, in return you're still getting a lottery pick, a future pick, a player you think can contribute for you, and a salary dump.

If the guy who we want isn’t there and the OKC deal is on the table, I’d be quick to make a deal to dump Graham for someone who fits what we need as a immediate contributor in the rotation and a rookie that can be groomed and developed. And if the rookie shows he’s ready to contribute early, the Pelicans are going to be a deep arse team that’s primed to make a deep run this upcoming season.

Reminds me of when Milos Teodosic, another Serbian guard, that got hyped as a sleeper "win now" combo guard due to his accolades and success internationally.

Like Milos, I think Vasilije, at 28, coming to the NBA so late, with the language barriers, will cap his upside and how well he'll acclimate. And probably be more of a back up guard. And I'm not really all that interested in moving back to take a low ceiling, low floor 28 year old guard.

Now if OKC is talking more like taking some of our second rounder and getting his rights in exchange, sure.

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And this is only happening IF who the Pels want is gone and who the Thunder want is there. I’ve been against trading down for the sake of value from the beginning, because it isn’t a ton of value. But if the Pels don’t like the way the draft falls, trading back 4 spots makes sense. Get some value for taking someone you still like but aren’t as high on.

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There would have to be a lot of value to trading out of the top 10. We (hopefully) will not have a pick this high for a while (unless the Lakers help again ). We would have to be getting a future moderately protected (i.e. top 8) 1st at a minimum in the deal along with a dump of Graham and maybe Temple as well.

Fluent

I can make no judgments on Micic because I didn't know he existed before seeing the tweet that spawned this thread, and watching a few highlight videos.

I would just say if a deal was done, he would just be one of a few pieces included, not a "centerpiece", and I imagine what we paid him, while more than he gets in Europe, wouldn't be crazy.

I can't imagine the Pels are Dyson Daniels or bust, surely someone they like would be there at 8. But I can see reasons for them passing on Sharpe, Mathurin, and Griffin. I also think there's a good chance a team like Charlotte tries to trade up for a big. So if Daniels is gone and Sochan is next on the Pels board, there would probably be a good chance Sochan makes it to 12.

I've said repeatedly don't get cute, just take the guy you really want at 8. But with all the teams calling the Pels they probably would have a pretty good idea of how the draft would fall between 8 and 12. To me the biggest question isn't should the Pels trade down in this situation it's "Why aren't they interested in guys like Sharpe and Mathurin, and is that the right decision?"