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DLBalla
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| Number of Posts: | 221 |
| Registered on: | 7/2/2018 |
| Online Status: | Not Online |
Recent Posts
Message
re: Down to Brass Tacks: What can we REALISTICALLY get for Zion in a Trade (Picks, etc)
Posted by DLBalla on 11/27/25 at 12:57 am to eatmoreyeah
Getting the Bane return for Zion?
I guess AI wrote this post?
I guess AI wrote this post?
0
re: The real path forward
Posted by DLBalla on 11/19/25 at 6:46 am to brmark70816
MPJ for Zion straight up. Pels get 3pt shooter and plus rebounder, Nets get the 'star' illusion gamble and the option to waive Z unguaranteed next offseason to have super cap space.
re: Zion time to move on from him.
Posted by DLBalla on 11/8/25 at 2:32 am to NannerB_EazyPellyBoi
Simplify trades to make them at least somewhat realistic.
I think the short list of possibly interested teams at the deadline would be:
Suns, Kings, Bulls.
I really like the idea of adding Maluach as a core piece with Queen, Fears (, Trey, Herb). But I think Suns really want to keep Brooks.
I think the short list of possibly interested teams at the deadline would be:
Suns, Kings, Bulls.
I really like the idea of adding Maluach as a core piece with Queen, Fears (, Trey, Herb). But I think Suns really want to keep Brooks.
re: Pelicans Exercise Hawkins Option
Posted by DLBalla on 10/18/25 at 10:15 pm to supe12sta12z
Also- Jaden Springer apparently made the team since he wasn't waived. So on a partial guaranteed standard min. deal. Surprising, especially when that 15th spot could go to a big like Bassey. Makes Jose more tradeable?
re: Gameday Thread: Pelicans vs Rockets 7:00PM
Posted by DLBalla on 10/15/25 at 9:29 am to Dantheman504
Per spotrac, Pels are only 4.2m below the tax. Do you have some examples of players you would sign or trade for with the Hawkins, Jose contracts outgoing?
re: I've changed my mind on Walker Kessler
Posted by DLBalla on 7/18/25 at 10:34 pm to Dantheman504
I've been crafting up Kessler ideas, too. Shamit's article made good points, Kessler would be such an upgrade, a young defensive anchor foundation like Rudy G.
A few things:
1) seems like we would have to include Missi in a trade for Kessler. Gives them a rookie contract rim running C option to help replace Kessler's role.
2) Jazz have no real incentive to move him, so it would have to be an overpay. They just saw Dumars Weaver give up an unprotected golden ticket 1st, so they likely would hold firm at getting a 1st with no protections, and possibly also a swap or another 1st.
3) A trade for Kessler before the season would likely be an immediate extension agreement for him, which would kick in for the next 26-27 season, jumping his salary to 20-28m/yr range. So before next offseason, they would have to shed one of their big salaries, most likely Murray or Zion. So a Kessler trade should also have Murray going out to a 3rd team for an expiring, or they could risk it and wait until the deadline when teams know Pels have to make a salary dump trade, but Murray would be ready to play by then.
Missi + 2028 unprotected 1st
for
Kessler
Then:
Murray + 2nd to Heat
Rozier + 2nd to Wizards
Smart to Pelicans
Then try to sign Boucher, Lyles or Brogdon. Reeves maybe. Hawkins, Jose available for trade.
Kessler/ Looney
Zion/ Bey/ Queen
Trey/ Smart/ Peavy
Herb/ Hawkins
Poole/ Jose/ Fears
A few things:
1) seems like we would have to include Missi in a trade for Kessler. Gives them a rookie contract rim running C option to help replace Kessler's role.
2) Jazz have no real incentive to move him, so it would have to be an overpay. They just saw Dumars Weaver give up an unprotected golden ticket 1st, so they likely would hold firm at getting a 1st with no protections, and possibly also a swap or another 1st.
3) A trade for Kessler before the season would likely be an immediate extension agreement for him, which would kick in for the next 26-27 season, jumping his salary to 20-28m/yr range. So before next offseason, they would have to shed one of their big salaries, most likely Murray or Zion. So a Kessler trade should also have Murray going out to a 3rd team for an expiring, or they could risk it and wait until the deadline when teams know Pels have to make a salary dump trade, but Murray would be ready to play by then.
Missi + 2028 unprotected 1st
for
Kessler
Then:
Murray + 2nd to Heat
Rozier + 2nd to Wizards
Smart to Pelicans
Then try to sign Boucher, Lyles or Brogdon. Reeves maybe. Hawkins, Jose available for trade.
Kessler/ Looney
Zion/ Bey/ Queen
Trey/ Smart/ Peavy
Herb/ Hawkins
Poole/ Jose/ Fears
Aldama would be a great fit. Hawkins is safe-- he's from Maryland, lol. Also, Jalen Smith on the Bulls is from Maryland and went to that university. Another good trade target.
If we can add another good big: Kornet, Boucher, Aldama, Jalen Smith, Goga Bitadze, Lopez. That would be good.
If we can add another good big: Kornet, Boucher, Aldama, Jalen Smith, Goga Bitadze, Lopez. That would be good.
The Trade
TOR sends: Barnes, Gradey, Quickley, #9 pick, '26 1st, '27 swap, '28 1st, '30 1st
TOR recieves: Giannis, McCullom
MIL sends: Giannis
MIL recieves: Gradey, D. Murray, #7 pick, '26 MIL1st swap rights, '27 MIL/NOP 1st(best of), TOR future draft picks: '26 1st, '27 swap, '28 1st, '30 1st
NOP sends: Murray, McCullom, '26 MIL1st swap rights, '27 MIL/NOP 1st(best of) + *(waives Z. Williamson's contract with 7.9 cap hit)
NOP recieves: Barnes, Quickley, #9 pick
Raptors get Giannis and off the Quickley contract for veteran SG in CJ.
Bucks get rebuilding package and control over their own picks back the next 2 seasons.
Pels begin new chapter with Barnes/Murphy core.
Missi/ Olynyk
Barnes/ Karlo
Murphy/ *C. Bryant (#9)
Herb/ Hawkins/ Reaves
Quickley/ Jose
TOR sends: Barnes, Gradey, Quickley, #9 pick, '26 1st, '27 swap, '28 1st, '30 1st
TOR recieves: Giannis, McCullom
MIL sends: Giannis
MIL recieves: Gradey, D. Murray, #7 pick, '26 MIL1st swap rights, '27 MIL/NOP 1st(best of), TOR future draft picks: '26 1st, '27 swap, '28 1st, '30 1st
NOP sends: Murray, McCullom, '26 MIL1st swap rights, '27 MIL/NOP 1st(best of) + *(waives Z. Williamson's contract with 7.9 cap hit)
NOP recieves: Barnes, Quickley, #9 pick
Raptors get Giannis and off the Quickley contract for veteran SG in CJ.
Bucks get rebuilding package and control over their own picks back the next 2 seasons.
Pels begin new chapter with Barnes/Murphy core.
Missi/ Olynyk
Barnes/ Karlo
Murphy/ *C. Bryant (#9)
Herb/ Hawkins/ Reaves
Quickley/ Jose
Yea, you should've made that more clear in the OP. It was obvious what you meant for those that follow trade rumors, but many on this board are out of the loop.
Barnes? Yes, he would be an awesome, no drama replacement centerpiece to pair with Trey. Here's the kicker though:
1) Bucks and no one else is taking on Zion with this recent scandal. Can you imagine the PR nightmare of them replacing a franchise legend like Giannis with an injury/professionalism risk like Zion? Still could happen with Z waived by Pels, then using another salary (CJ or Murray) outgoing.
2) If we give up the '27 MIL pick, it would have to be the best of the Pels or Bucks pick, with the worse one already owned by the Hawks. So that would leave Pels without any 1st in 2027, with a core of... Barnes, Murphy, Herb, Missi... how confident are we that that would be a playoff/ non-lotto roster in 2 seasons?
3) Do the Bucks even care about getting their '26 swap rights back at this point? They can look at the Pels' situation and say, "Well, we might be bad, but so will the Pelicans. We'll still get a good pick even with the swap." With the Zion disaster, the Murray injury, the rest of the roster lackluster and in flux-- it makes sense.
Barnes? Yes, he would be an awesome, no drama replacement centerpiece to pair with Trey. Here's the kicker though:
1) Bucks and no one else is taking on Zion with this recent scandal. Can you imagine the PR nightmare of them replacing a franchise legend like Giannis with an injury/professionalism risk like Zion? Still could happen with Z waived by Pels, then using another salary (CJ or Murray) outgoing.
2) If we give up the '27 MIL pick, it would have to be the best of the Pels or Bucks pick, with the worse one already owned by the Hawks. So that would leave Pels without any 1st in 2027, with a core of... Barnes, Murphy, Herb, Missi... how confident are we that that would be a playoff/ non-lotto roster in 2 seasons?
3) Do the Bucks even care about getting their '26 swap rights back at this point? They can look at the Pels' situation and say, "Well, we might be bad, but so will the Pelicans. We'll still get a good pick even with the swap." With the Zion disaster, the Murray injury, the rest of the roster lackluster and in flux-- it makes sense.
re: Random Offseason Trades: The Thread
Posted by DLBalla on 5/24/25 at 7:45 pm to TigerBait2008
Dude just discovered the trade machine and goin to town on it
Tre J looks to be going somewhere from 3-6, his measurements with that skillset too good to pass up for those teams. So I think it comes down to two of Fears, Maluach, or Kon being there at 7. Unless Wizards surprise and take Queen or Carter, Essengue. Fears would be the most fun.
re: Tre Johnson @ 7
Posted by DLBalla on 5/18/25 at 11:28 pm to supe12sta12z
Noa Essengue could be in play at 7. Freakishly long and skilled, one of the youngest players in the draft. Would be a fun upside swing.. why trade for Giannis when we can draft the next one?
Fun fact: just saw his hometown is Orleans, France... it's destiny for him to move to the New.
Carter Bryant and Egor Demin are also risers who could shot up to the lottery.
Fun fact: just saw his hometown is Orleans, France... it's destiny for him to move to the New.
Carter Bryant and Egor Demin are also risers who could shot up to the lottery.
re: Scoop B: Pels monitoring Giannis situation and Zion could be on the table
Posted by DLBalla on 5/4/25 at 9:24 am to brmark70816
Nice trade, I'd take out the '26 IND 1st and send one HOU/PHX/BKN pick to Pels to even value. Posters trashing this trade idea of Sengun don't know how good he's been. Available consistently(!), still young, and has been awesome defensively in the series- his one main drawback concern.
Honestly, after this series, Rockets may do whatever it takes to keep Sengun and Amen, and shift to Booker or Durant trade offers.
Honestly, after this series, Rockets may do whatever it takes to keep Sengun and Amen, and shift to Booker or Durant trade offers.
re: Trade Value - Opinion Request (3)
Posted by DLBalla on 4/20/25 at 2:00 am to New City Champ
Trading Zion makes Collin Murray-Boyles and Queen much more intriguing picks, especially if they're the second rookie added after getting Harper or Edgecombe. Some draft nerds have CMB as a top-5 guy prospect, super defense and all around game, high ball IQ.
re: If we end up with 3rd overall pick, who should we get?
Posted by DLBalla on 3/12/25 at 4:15 am to Silverfoxx
Edgecombe. And he's very much a Griffin pick: high character, defense mindset, athleticism and skill. I'm sure they would ship the pick for win now players (LaMelo?) then just take their guy VJ at 3.
re: If something happens and we fall out of the top 5 picks.
Posted by DLBalla on 2/23/25 at 4:58 am to LSUPilot07
Dude, I've been thinking this, too. With Jakucionis sliding, Maluach is in play for #5 prospect (maybe even #4) behind Flagg, Harper, Bailey, Edgecombe. Even with Missi's surprise rookie flashes, is he really set to be a top starting Center in the league? Maluach actually could make a Kessler like impact with more long-term potential. In FIBA and other leagues he shot the 3 well.
Tre Johnson looks good for sure, but the draft niks like Sam Vecinie and others have him closer to the #10 level prospect. Shotmaking and scoring is good, but doesn't have the passing or defense.
Tre Johnson looks good for sure, but the draft niks like Sam Vecinie and others have him closer to the #10 level prospect. Shotmaking and scoring is good, but doesn't have the passing or defense.
re: Yearly NBA trade thread, BREAKING: Mark Williams trade rescinded by Lakers
Posted by DLBalla on 1/27/25 at 10:55 pm to Townedrunkard
Lavine would be fun, but can't see it with the huge salary. Same idea, but cheaper player.... Jordan Poole. He's actually playing really well now, not a joke player anymore. Lights-out shooter and can create off the dribble.
CJ to Pistons for Hardaway Jr. expiring and Fontecchio.
Ingram to 3rd team (Bulls)-- 3rd team pieces to Wizards.
Poole, Hardaway Jr. expiring, Fontecchio to Pels.
Upgrade the CJ role with a younger, better (and fun-ner) player while clearing out some cap space. :nana: :usa:
CJ to Pistons for Hardaway Jr. expiring and Fontecchio.
Ingram to 3rd team (Bulls)-- 3rd team pieces to Wizards.
Poole, Hardaway Jr. expiring, Fontecchio to Pels.
Upgrade the CJ role with a younger, better (and fun-ner) player while clearing out some cap space. :nana: :usa:
re: Talk to me about Missi?
Posted by DLBalla on 1/27/25 at 10:49 pm to Dinky Mulberry
Sounds crazy, but wonder at what draft spot we'd have to fall to to really consider drafting Maluach. Now he's a real high-level starting Center potential prospect. Outside of the top-5 (Flagg, Harper, Kasparas, Bailey, Edgecombe)-- then it's the group of Tre Johnson, Knuppel, Demin, Traore, Saraf, Queen, Fears, Newell, Murray-Boyles. Not exactly too appealing, so Maluach could be in the mix.
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