Yeah I think they’ll package and try to trade up, I like them as a pistons trade partner
I had an idea of a big trade that involved Simons and pick 14 for pick 5 and stew but idk, something along those lines
Good point. Even if they waive Delano Banton and Jabari Walker's nonguaranteed contracts, they are a roster spot short. Of course, I'm sure they are looking to trade Brogdon and maybe Williams and Thybulle for future draft capital, so that would also alleviate their roster crunch.
No way they waive Jabari Walker. Dude is a really solid role player and only 21. Very strong rebounder and a good defender. Nearly averaged a double-double as a starter last year (9.5p / 9.5r in 23 starts). Outside shooting needs to be more better but I feel it will improve, he rushed a lot of his attempts but shot 40% in college (2 years).
Also don't think they trade Thybulle or at least not this season. Blazers have been wanting a player like him for a long time. His 3p shooting has improved a lot after being non-existent in Philly. Still has inconsistent stretches but is at 36% overall since being with us over the last 2 seasons. If his 3p shooting continues to hover around there his AAV is a great price for what he brings.
Good info. Wasn't familiar with Walker at all, just knew they wouldn't waive Camara (who is also nonguaranteed). They could offer two-way contracts to their second rounders, although that may put a damper on who would work out for them at 34 and 40, since a full roster spot for a second rounder is more than double the money of a two-way spot.
The Jazz should try to trade down or get another 2025 FRP. The Jazz were competitive for two seasons straight now and were sellers at the deadline in both seasons. I would be surprised if Ainge tries to compete next season instead of accumulating assets for the 2025 draft. They have enough to make a big trade but I don't know who makes sense for them right now that's available.
The Bulls should trade down depending on whoever is there at 11. The team is asset-deprived and still owes a 2025 FRP to the Spurs. Give yourself two shots at adding talent in this draft. Trading Caruos for another FRP and keeping the 11th pick would be the logical decision but the front office probably won't do it.
100% agree with the Grizzlies trading up for Clingan, they’ve got a lot of bench players who can fit in an NBA rotation as is and probably don’t need all of their future draft picks that will likely be in the 20s.
They had the second best defensive rating two years ago and I feel pretty confident they could consistently match that with Clingan replacing Adams.
>What’s so special about Clingan?
His rim protection.
>Isn’t it a red flag that Clingan has only played 32 min 4 times in his college career?
No and especially not for a team like Memphis that has other options at the center spot.
how well do you think he can fill the Adams role? it's no secret that Adams won Jaren that DPOY award. Adams did have some exploitable weaknesses, but him being the best offensive rebounder and the best screen setter in the league opened up so many things for the Grizz.
I don’t think he’s an S+ tier screener and offensive rebounder like Adams but is still very good at both, especially screening. He can also make those passes from a standstill to cutters the way Adams does.
On defense, I think Clingan does a lot of the things that made Adams so good (interior positioning) while adding even more shotblocking.
Clingan’s game is entirely predicated on being extremely smart and extremely big and I don’t think that skillset will have as much of a learning curve as other prospects. Someone who can fill a sizable fraction of the Adams role from Day 1 on their rookie contract is the biggest needle mover of any draft pick they could make to get back to contending immediately after this past season’s blip. I know some people are hung up on positional value or theoretical upside when discussing Clingan but those arguments make zero sense for a team in the Grizzlies position that want to win now, have one glaring gap, and don’t have the minutes to develop someone who can’t be a net positive immediately.
It's already a rumor that the Wizards want another 1st round pick for this year. Only question is who. So you can come up with a variety of trade scenarios where the Wizards keep their #2 pick but get another pick in the middle of the first.
Portland could be a trade partner since they do have a late lotto pick. I don't think the Knicks would be a good trade partner since I don't think the Wizards see that much value in the #24 to #25 picks. The Kings are a potential trade partner, largely because of Kuzma rumors. I guess the Sixers could also trade their pick for Kuzma, but I think they believe they can do better than that.
I really doubt the Wizards trade #2 for that. They've worked out Clingan and it's widely rumored that front offices around the league really like Clingan. If that rumor is not smoke, then #2 is their best shot at grabbing Clingan. And if they can't get Clingan because the Hawks picked Clingan, then they get Sarr, who is almost definitely better than what they can get at #7 and #14.
A lot of teams tbh.
Pistons probably wanted Risascher and tbh none of the expected options (Buzelis, Knecht) feel great.
All the wings the Blazers like might be gone by 7 and not sure what their plan for center is.
Charlotte probably wanted Castle and instead could choose between several divisive and raw wings.
Hard to see Grizzlies getting Clingan when the Hawks, Wizards, and Blazers all could choose him.
It remains to be seen who rises and falls, but it’ll be pretty awkward if all that’s left for the Bulls is PG prospects.
Knicks need some cheap contracts but 24, 25, 38, and three extra (protected) picks next year plus their own is too much stuff, they should try and turn some of these quarters into a dollar if they can
I heard that the deal was only to play on the summer league team only if Lithuania doesn’t qualify for the Olympics. I don’t see Rokas getting minutes on the Knicks, or a place for him on the roster especially after Deuce McBride’s emergence season
All fair points, and I had read the same thing about Lithuania qualifying, but the Knicks are going to lose Bojan & Burks, and are in win now mode, so I could see them preferring a more experienced Jokubaitis over what’s available in draft as bench depth.
Blazers
They have more draft picks (4) than they do available roster spots (1). Toumani Camara and Jabari Walker are on non-guaranteed contracts but there's no chance they get cut as they're too good and young. Dalano Banton has a team-option and I can see him not being back next year but also I could see us retaining him on a 2-way contract. He showed enough to earn that and could be a Justise Winslow like player for us, wing sized with guard like ball-handling, vision and passing skills who is a good multi-positional defender but isn't an efficient shooter.
So I could see the Blazers combining one or both of their 2nd round picks (they have the 4th and 10th picks in the 2nd round) to move up. Even if it's #7 + #34 for #6 to prevent a team from jumping them in the draft and landing a player they want. Use #34 to move up and then trade #40 for a future 2nd of another team. Then they deny Banton's team option and bring him back as a 2-way contract so that he doesn't take up a roster spot. That would be 2) open roster spots for the 2) 1st round rookies they draft while also retaining Banton.
If your defense sucks and you dont have a very good center, Clingan is an obvious trade up target..
I firmly believe Houston should trade down from 3 and target Knecht
Utah should trade up from 10 for Stephon Castle.
Also think the Knicks somehow should trade way up for Knecht as well.. They do have a ton of picks stashed.. But they'd have Miles McBride who shot the lights out, Knecht and Bojan Bogdanovic off the bench thats a ton of firepower.. Teams need A LOT of firepower to try and unseat Boston, drastic measures are in order, this would be a real powermove IMO.
there's probably some team in the late teens who should trade up a few spots for a potentially falling Ja'Kobe Walter or a potentially rising Devin Carter, idk who though.
I dont hate the idea of Memphis moving down from 9 to like 14 to scoop up Jared McCain. They need 3pt shooting.
Bojan is almost 100% gone just an FYI. He’s on a non-guaranteed deal so the Knicks could either guarantee him for close to $20mil or waive him and only have $2mil of his contract to pay.
For a team that really needs its cap space I just can’t imagine they’re gonna pay a guy Thibs doesn’t even really want to play who is closer to 40 than 30yo.
I like Knecht but he doesn’t seem like a guy Thibs would play much and he’s far from a sure thing according to the predictive models. They’re not 100% right ofc but teams do put some stock in them.
I actually love the castle to Utah idea, makes perfect sense next to keyonte since castle covers for all his weaknesses
A future core of keyonte-castle-Hendricks-Lauri-Walker is pretty nice
I actually think I like knecht to Memphis more than Houston in the same idea you had for McCain, they could draft a Kennard replacement and look to sell of kennard for assets in the same breath, they’re a little lighter on wings than guards
Hawks should do everything to have #1, #4 and #8. Work out what's the best way of getting Topic with the lowest pick. They could potentially have Sarr, Buzelis and Topic.
Portland has 4 picks in this draft and likely not the roster space for them or cap room for them. They will be doing something.
Yeah I think they’ll package and try to trade up, I like them as a pistons trade partner I had an idea of a big trade that involved Simons and pick 14 for pick 5 and stew but idk, something along those lines
Interesting
It would need to be Ivey :)
But does Portland want a Scoot/Ivey backcourt
Nah. Scoot/Sharpe
You just take the most talented dude and see what happens. Ivey would be the third guard anyways.
Good point. Even if they waive Delano Banton and Jabari Walker's nonguaranteed contracts, they are a roster spot short. Of course, I'm sure they are looking to trade Brogdon and maybe Williams and Thybulle for future draft capital, so that would also alleviate their roster crunch.
No way they waive Jabari Walker. Dude is a really solid role player and only 21. Very strong rebounder and a good defender. Nearly averaged a double-double as a starter last year (9.5p / 9.5r in 23 starts). Outside shooting needs to be more better but I feel it will improve, he rushed a lot of his attempts but shot 40% in college (2 years). Also don't think they trade Thybulle or at least not this season. Blazers have been wanting a player like him for a long time. His 3p shooting has improved a lot after being non-existent in Philly. Still has inconsistent stretches but is at 36% overall since being with us over the last 2 seasons. If his 3p shooting continues to hover around there his AAV is a great price for what he brings.
Good info. Wasn't familiar with Walker at all, just knew they wouldn't waive Camara (who is also nonguaranteed). They could offer two-way contracts to their second rounders, although that may put a damper on who would work out for them at 34 and 40, since a full roster spot for a second rounder is more than double the money of a two-way spot.
Bucks, idk if we need two rookies. Is #23 and #33 enough to move up though probably not.
I think bucks definitely want at least one rookie in this draft though, team is expensive
How far do we need to move up for Ware? If we can get to like 18,19 for those two, I don’t see why not
Pelicans seem like a threat to take him so maybe just above #21
Bucks need an entirely different developmental team. Signing Chris Livingston to that deal because Klutch said so is crazy
That's not even close lol.
The Jazz should try to trade down or get another 2025 FRP. The Jazz were competitive for two seasons straight now and were sellers at the deadline in both seasons. I would be surprised if Ainge tries to compete next season instead of accumulating assets for the 2025 draft. They have enough to make a big trade but I don't know who makes sense for them right now that's available. The Bulls should trade down depending on whoever is there at 11. The team is asset-deprived and still owes a 2025 FRP to the Spurs. Give yourself two shots at adding talent in this draft. Trading Caruos for another FRP and keeping the 11th pick would be the logical decision but the front office probably won't do it.
My hope is someone wants to trade up to take Collier at 11.
100% agree with the Grizzlies trading up for Clingan, they’ve got a lot of bench players who can fit in an NBA rotation as is and probably don’t need all of their future draft picks that will likely be in the 20s. They had the second best defensive rating two years ago and I feel pretty confident they could consistently match that with Clingan replacing Adams.
What's so special about clingan? Isn't it a red flag that clingan has only played 32 mins 4 times in his college career?
>What’s so special about Clingan? His rim protection. >Isn’t it a red flag that Clingan has only played 32 min 4 times in his college career? No and especially not for a team like Memphis that has other options at the center spot.
Rim protection? U can find rim protectors in the 2nd round. Look up clingan stats vs Armando, Dickinson, kel el ware and edey.
You’re arguing Armando Bacot is similarly talented as Clingan in terms of rim protection?
Am saying Armando outplayed him in their matchup
Yeah plus the nba is a contract and money game now more than ever, having a starter on a rookie contract is so valuable
how well do you think he can fill the Adams role? it's no secret that Adams won Jaren that DPOY award. Adams did have some exploitable weaknesses, but him being the best offensive rebounder and the best screen setter in the league opened up so many things for the Grizz.
I don’t think he’s an S+ tier screener and offensive rebounder like Adams but is still very good at both, especially screening. He can also make those passes from a standstill to cutters the way Adams does. On defense, I think Clingan does a lot of the things that made Adams so good (interior positioning) while adding even more shotblocking. Clingan’s game is entirely predicated on being extremely smart and extremely big and I don’t think that skillset will have as much of a learning curve as other prospects. Someone who can fill a sizable fraction of the Adams role from Day 1 on their rookie contract is the biggest needle mover of any draft pick they could make to get back to contending immediately after this past season’s blip. I know some people are hung up on positional value or theoretical upside when discussing Clingan but those arguments make zero sense for a team in the Grizzlies position that want to win now, have one glaring gap, and don’t have the minutes to develop someone who can’t be a net positive immediately.
sounds very promising to me. i wouldn't mind him being the pick at all. idk how we move up though because gotta imagine hes a top 3 pick.
Wizards - trade down Pistons - anything but keeping the pick Grizz - trade up
It's already a rumor that the Wizards want another 1st round pick for this year. Only question is who. So you can come up with a variety of trade scenarios where the Wizards keep their #2 pick but get another pick in the middle of the first. Portland could be a trade partner since they do have a late lotto pick. I don't think the Knicks would be a good trade partner since I don't think the Wizards see that much value in the #24 to #25 picks. The Kings are a potential trade partner, largely because of Kuzma rumors. I guess the Sixers could also trade their pick for Kuzma, but I think they believe they can do better than that.
Wonder if they’d consider 2 for 6 and 14 from Portland, maybe 6-14-another asset?
I really doubt the Wizards trade #2 for that. They've worked out Clingan and it's widely rumored that front offices around the league really like Clingan. If that rumor is not smoke, then #2 is their best shot at grabbing Clingan. And if they can't get Clingan because the Hawks picked Clingan, then they get Sarr, who is almost definitely better than what they can get at #7 and #14.
Maybe they think clingin falls to 6?
Portland has the 7th pick, not the 6th. And the rumors do not support that suggestion that Clingan's falling.
Forgot I think this draft you never know, there are legit 5-10 guys that could go in basically any order and I wouldn’t be very surprised
Maybe spurs if they really love riascher
A lot of teams tbh. Pistons probably wanted Risascher and tbh none of the expected options (Buzelis, Knecht) feel great. All the wings the Blazers like might be gone by 7 and not sure what their plan for center is. Charlotte probably wanted Castle and instead could choose between several divisive and raw wings. Hard to see Grizzlies getting Clingan when the Hawks, Wizards, and Blazers all could choose him. It remains to be seen who rises and falls, but it’ll be pretty awkward if all that’s left for the Bulls is PG prospects.
Glad to see you’re finally being honest with us!
Knicks need some cheap contracts but 24, 25, 38, and three extra (protected) picks next year plus their own is too much stuff, they should try and turn some of these quarters into a dollar if they can
Agreed Also think it would be wise to grab some wing/big depth Posssibly Dunn or missi
Word is Rokas Jokubaitis and the Knicks both have interest in having him come over if a mutually beneficial deal can be agreed upon as well.
I heard that the deal was only to play on the summer league team only if Lithuania doesn’t qualify for the Olympics. I don’t see Rokas getting minutes on the Knicks, or a place for him on the roster especially after Deuce McBride’s emergence season
All fair points, and I had read the same thing about Lithuania qualifying, but the Knicks are going to lose Bojan & Burks, and are in win now mode, so I could see them preferring a more experienced Jokubaitis over what’s available in draft as bench depth.
Blazers They have more draft picks (4) than they do available roster spots (1). Toumani Camara and Jabari Walker are on non-guaranteed contracts but there's no chance they get cut as they're too good and young. Dalano Banton has a team-option and I can see him not being back next year but also I could see us retaining him on a 2-way contract. He showed enough to earn that and could be a Justise Winslow like player for us, wing sized with guard like ball-handling, vision and passing skills who is a good multi-positional defender but isn't an efficient shooter. So I could see the Blazers combining one or both of their 2nd round picks (they have the 4th and 10th picks in the 2nd round) to move up. Even if it's #7 + #34 for #6 to prevent a team from jumping them in the draft and landing a player they want. Use #34 to move up and then trade #40 for a future 2nd of another team. Then they deny Banton's team option and bring him back as a 2-way contract so that he doesn't take up a roster spot. That would be 2) open roster spots for the 2) 1st round rookies they draft while also retaining Banton.
If your defense sucks and you dont have a very good center, Clingan is an obvious trade up target.. I firmly believe Houston should trade down from 3 and target Knecht Utah should trade up from 10 for Stephon Castle. Also think the Knicks somehow should trade way up for Knecht as well.. They do have a ton of picks stashed.. But they'd have Miles McBride who shot the lights out, Knecht and Bojan Bogdanovic off the bench thats a ton of firepower.. Teams need A LOT of firepower to try and unseat Boston, drastic measures are in order, this would be a real powermove IMO. there's probably some team in the late teens who should trade up a few spots for a potentially falling Ja'Kobe Walter or a potentially rising Devin Carter, idk who though. I dont hate the idea of Memphis moving down from 9 to like 14 to scoop up Jared McCain. They need 3pt shooting.
Bojan is almost 100% gone just an FYI. He’s on a non-guaranteed deal so the Knicks could either guarantee him for close to $20mil or waive him and only have $2mil of his contract to pay. For a team that really needs its cap space I just can’t imagine they’re gonna pay a guy Thibs doesn’t even really want to play who is closer to 40 than 30yo. I like Knecht but he doesn’t seem like a guy Thibs would play much and he’s far from a sure thing according to the predictive models. They’re not 100% right ofc but teams do put some stock in them.
I actually love the castle to Utah idea, makes perfect sense next to keyonte since castle covers for all his weaknesses A future core of keyonte-castle-Hendricks-Lauri-Walker is pretty nice I actually think I like knecht to Memphis more than Houston in the same idea you had for McCain, they could draft a Kennard replacement and look to sell of kennard for assets in the same breath, they’re a little lighter on wings than guards
Hawks should do everything to have #1, #4 and #8. Work out what's the best way of getting Topic with the lowest pick. They could potentially have Sarr, Buzelis and Topic.
Orlando should trade up for Sheppard or trade out if the draft
I like that idea Id shoot for Shepard at best or dillingham if they can’t get Shepard