Thursday’s lottery results could produce a wave of trades before draft day, writes John Hollinger of The Athletic. The former Grizzlies executive believes the Warriors, who landed the second overall selection, will try to swap the pick for more immediate help and lists the Hawks, Knicks, Wizards, Suns, Kings and possibly even the Timberwolves as other lottery teams that may be active on the trade market.
Hollinger proposes a couple of moves for Golden State, which also has a $17MM trade exception from last summer’s Andre Iguodala deal. He suggests offering the second pick to the Thunder for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or to the Hawks for John Collins, although Atlanta hopes to make the playoffs next season and may not be interested in dealing for the future.
Hollinger adds that the Knicks may want to package their picks at No. 8 and 27 to move up in the draft for one of the top point guards, the Wizards have incentive to improve quickly before Bradley Beal gets a chance to leave again and the Suns possess cap space to take on another player and have playoff aspirations after going undefeated in Orlando.
There’s more draft news to pass along:
- Salary cap concerns may make it difficult for the Warriors to find an appealing deal, according to Kevin Pelton of ESPN. Counting its draft pick, Golden State already has more than $150MM in committed salary for next season, which puts the franchise far into the lottery tax, even if the threshold remains at this year’s figure of $132.7MM. Trading the No. 2 pick for a player with a $17MM salary could leave the Warriors with a record-setting $103MM tax bill and a total payroll of nearly $270MM.
- The eight teams not in Orlando were relieved that the Grizzlies, Pelicans, Kings, Spurs, Suns and Wizards didn’t move up in Thursday’s lottery, notes Zach Lowe of ESPN. He cites resentment among some of the non-invited teams that they didn’t get a chance to form chemistry the way Phoenix did, and one general manager said it would have been “our worst nightmare” if any of those teams had jumped into the top four.
- Georgia guard Anthony Edwards tops the latest mock draft released by Sam Vecenie of The Athletic. Most NBA executives agree that Edwards is a top-three prospect, Vecenie writes, and many think his physical tools give him the highest upside in this year’s class. LaMelo Ball is the No. 1 choice in a mock draft compiled by Jonathan Givony of ESPN.
Robinson and 8 for 2 and something else
You talking about the Knicks and Mitchell Robinson? He’s a keeper isn’t he? You don’t trade that guy just to move up to number two and pick a question mark. And you’re giving up the number 8 pick?
Mitchell Robinson is 7 ft tall, shoots 70% from the field, can rebound, blocks two shots a game and is 22 years old. He wasn’t a really high pick so his salary is low. Why would you want to trade him? He has to be one of the biggest no-brainer Keepers around.
Mitch is not being traded, unless it involves someone like Giannis/AD/Booker/etc…
Mich is not being traded.
The Knicks want Lamelo Ball. Only they know how BAD they want him. Agree Robinson is unlikely, but the Knicks #27 Pick is a possible sweetener, and they have several veterans who are nothing special, not key building blocks, but could be worthwhile as bench strength the the Warriors.
I think the Warriors SHOULD look to trade down, and #8 is in the right range. Early enough to find a solid prospect, late enough for a team with no chance at one of the top prospects to nab one. All comes down to what value they can get for it. Maybe the Knicks, maybe someone else, maybe no one. Warriors phone lines will be melting down this off-season.
I think it’s not a bad trade
Knicks fans want to keep Mitch
Knicks have little trade value，they can’t just keep all good things
Sure we can.
He’s their only good thing.
If I’m Myers I would call up Leon Rose and try to convince him to give up two future 1st round picks to move up from 8 to 2 and get his chance to build around LaMelo, RJ and Mitchell. Think next offseason will be crazy and having the ammunition of the Wolves and two Knicks picks can help us make a super trade and keep the dynasty going, maybe a Giannis sign and trade lehgoo
8th pick plus Knicks two future Firsts
If Ball turns out to be Luka
I don’t think this will happen because two Future firsts does not help the Warriors quest for a championship now. They want a veteran guy they can plug in to that championship caliber roster. And yes they probably slipped a little even though I say championship-caliber, they have been to five straight finals so I’ll still go ahead and call it a championship-caliber roster.
But they need to plug in 1 Superstar and fill out their bench with ring Chasers at minimum salaries. Just like guys they’ve had in the past Jermaine O’Neal, David West, Barbosa, Mo Speights, JaVale McGee. Veterans who know how to get it done. How Bob Myers gets that done, I’m not sure but if anyone can do it, he can.
As a side note I give Jerry West a lot of credit for the Warriors success the last five years. I think he was a key voice in the draft and during trades. With him gone it’s going to be a little tougher for Myers to get this done. Second side note, look what Jerry West has done with the Clippers in just a short time.
I’m not trading Mitch for #2. I rather draft Halliburton or Hayes. I would trade Randle and #8 for #2.
According to Spencer Dinwiddie
Warriors are trading 2nd pick to 76ers
Possibly Simmons
He tweeted that with a question mark. Far from an accusation.
If Minnesota picks ball that trade doesn’t happen. Philly would gladly try Simmons out and ball in.
Warriors have so much assets to offer. Anything can happen.
Warriors can use #2 (Ball or Wiseman) as a framework plus Wolves pick for any deal
Warriors have 3 years 10 draft picks to sweeten the deal.
Minnesota is picking Edwards. They need a big man between Towns and Russel. They also want to be in the playoff next year not wait for Ball learn how to play.
Edwards is a SG/Wing. Wiseman is a Center with considerable upside.
Why trade for #2? We need only to go before detroit…
I will do randle + #27 for something like #9/#10
I think anyone in need of a PG only needs a pick in the late 30s/early 40s. He won’t be the first one taken, but I believe the best PG to come out of this draft will be Ashton Hagans. With his quick hands, he is the next Rajon Rondo. Much like Malcolm Brogdon, he just has 2nd round steal written all over him.
Yeah, I’m not sure why Knicks fans are so desperate to move up when no prospects in this draft are extraordinarily talented. The pool is deep and well-stocked, meaning they could still find some decent pieces at their current positions. Is it really worth sacrificing the future to hope LaMelo pans out? If you trade Robinson, you lose a defensive presence and an answer at the five. Tossing in the 27th pick just eliminates another potential prospect to develop and a chance to supplement the roster. Ask yourself: Is the 8th overall pick truly that much worse than Ball?
Let’s just hope the Knicks make some of those moves, not only to move up but to clean house. I do not want to see any traded from among Barrett, Robinson, Brazdeikis, and Knox, but #8 and #27, and anyone else on the roster, are fair game re: #2.
to all NYK fans, and I’m one of them…we swear that #8 is so crippling and ruins our chances for years to cone…lets understand a few things… trading up for Ball isn’t a guarentee…he has a suspect jumper and may turn out to be more like his brother. NEXT we have plenty of cap room to bring in an experienced PG if neccessary…NEXT, Haliburton should be available when we draft 8th….if not trade back and and some other picks to secure our future…im not saying with what we have is good, but Smith and frank are still here…We won’t trade Robinson nor should we…how about we give VanVLEET the max, bring back Gallo and mix in some young talent around them…
Internet is comparing LaMelo to Lonzo
I have only one word to them “Lazy”
They are remarkably different.
LaMelo has a big personality, Lonzo doesn’t
LaMelo can score 92 points in 32 minutes, Lonzo can’t
LaMelo is quick and Lonzo is slow
Scoring a bunch of points in high school means nothing. LiAngelo scored 56 and 72 in consecutive games and does not even belong to the NBA.
Warriors have 5 draft picks in 2021
My projection
#4
#28
#34
#50
#51
Well, there you have it. No need to play the 2020-21 season at all because we now know not only how the lottery will happen, but also the standings as well.
You really are entertaining, much like watching a cat chase a laser pointer.
Supposedly Lonzo is on the block I’m calling my wild prediction now !
Despite the optics lavar and Jordan do bidness to get the Lonzo boys together ! Hornets draft LaMelo and trade graham and monk for ball and the guy they call naw
Great idea. Hornets needs press, and a rivalry with the Wizards would be exciting. Who wouldn’t want to see Jordan throw his Balls against a Wall?
Hawks work just got harder if they want to bring Anthony Edwards from Atlanta University to the Atlanta Hawks.
Maybe they could throw John Collins and the 6th overall pick to the TWolves for the 1st overall pick.
Wolves get to form a twin towers duo, Towns and Collins both can play either down low, in the mid range or on the outside so they shouldn’t get in each other’s way. Then with the 6th overall pick they could take either Deni Avdija, Obi Toppin, Precious Achiwura or Devin Vassell.
Instead of a big 3 they make a big 4.
For Atlanta they avoid having to overpay Collins to keep him and get Anthony Edwards with true superstar potential who is a local from the ATL to pair with Trae Young in a future all star backcourt.
Value of John Collins = #1 pick
Hawks keep #6
Wolves would have to pay repeater tax starting in 2022
Wolves would be in deep, deep trouble because all players play zero defense
Wolves would have to get rid of Beasley and JH to avoid repeater tax in 2022
Starters salary in 2022 = $118 Million
John Collins on an expiring deal isn’t worth the first overall pick. Considering he’s due a new deal the hawks throw in the 6th overall pick and Collins.
DLow Beasley 6th overall pick Collins Towns that’s a playoff level team and worth paying the tax bill for especially as they all improve
JC is worth a supermax! Shame he can’t get it just yet!
John Collins is not on an expiring deal. He is would be an RFA. Any offer could be matched, so losing him is not an option unless they want to lose him.
If warriors want John Collins for
he second draft pick that’s cool J
Or how about a amazing quick rebuild for the Chicago Bulls.
They have the 4th overall pick and select let’s say select LaMelo Ball. With Edwards Wiseman and Toppin off the board.
They then trade Zach LaVine, Lauri Markeneen and a protected future first for Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart.
Bulls then have Lonzo Ball LaMelo Ball Ingram Young Carter with White Hart Otto Porter and others. That’s both the Ball brothers who should together form a quick offence backcourt with great size and passing ability. Together they get the best out of each other and you have something special. Add that to getting Brandon Ingram an already all star SF and a young useful bench with White Hart and Porter. Who knows maybe they then make a play for Anthony Davis next year in Free Agency. Then you have Lonzo LaMelo Ingram AD and Carter.
On the other hand the Pelicans avoid having to pay Ingram a max deal and avoid having to overpay Lonzo too. Which helps their salary books moving forward. They get a line up of Holiday LaVine Zion Markeneen and Favours and a bench of Reddick NAW Hayes and still have the 13th overall pick to use aswell. They also gain a future first from the bulls. They then have two of the most athletic players in the NBA in Zion and Zach who would be hard to stop especially in transition. Zach has also this year really developed his offensive game and would be a consistent 20 points per game player. Markeneen would be the ideal floor spacing big perfect to allow Zach and Zion room to run and attack. This team would be super exciting, young and full of potential. Yes Zach isn’t good on defence but he would be playing with Jrue one of the best defensive guards plus Zion and Markeneen as rim protectors behind him. Zach has never played with good defenders like Holiday. On the Wolves he had Wiggins and Towns then on the Bulls he had no body.
After the deal
Pelicans are around the 11th seed in the west because of Zion’s condition.
Any more trade for Pelicans?
No way, Pelicans were a fringe playoff team and that’s with Zion only playing 20 games and Lonzo being garbage. They add LaVine who was a fringe all star and Markeneen then they get better not worse.
Zo ain’t no garbage! What are you another Ball hater, SMH!
You do realize that paying BI the max is a good thing, right? Just saying it as you always talk like should be avoided like the plague by NOP.
Teams might be hesitant to give Ingram the max because of his history. While he was exceptional last season, his stats are a complete outlier compared to the three seasons prior, in which he was replacement level (Negative VORP). Thus, you don’t want Ingram to regress and the contract to ultimately blow up in your face. I believe Ingram is talented, but not sure he’s a cornerstone to build around
According to many reporters,
If Knicks really want to get star power Ball, they have to trade away one of the two following things
1. Mitch Robinson
2. 2021 unprotected first round pick
Move up from #8 to #2
There are only TWO players worth trading up for in this draft. That’s two who are already NBA ready. And most important. Have NBA talent and high upside. That’s Edwards and Wiseman. Minny is not passing on Edwards. Warriors not passing on Wiseman. Warriors only one who could trade. Cause they are all about next yr. Not the future. Still Wiseman not only the future. He can give them 20-24 mins. As a center, plays position of big need. They can still sign a big who wants to ring chase. Still this is where someone could trade up. I know Charlotte would love to have Wiseman. He would be a huge acquisition. For team, City, Franchise. MJ this is free advice (Just Do It).
Givony has Lamelo as the best pick even though MIN has it. That is a very strong recommendation by the “Draft Express” founder, who has seen it all for many years, and always backs up his numbers with a ranking.
I can believe Rose will make a big trade for him. For NYK a Lamelo at the point would make for a big change over the bruisers they rounded up last year.
I think GSW can do better for their timeline than getting Wiseman for their middle. That puts a #2-#8 trade on the table with Mitchell Robinson in play— except that he is far from a finished playoff-ready prospect. A bit wild really. If GSW wanted a prospect, keeping Wiseman would work. Taj Gibson is 35, and Bobby Portis is no shot-blocker.
Atlanta’s Collins, Dedmon or Capella and their #6 is better. If GSW wanted Okongwu, trading down to either 6 or 8 would be a risk. Of course they need a couple backup PGs too.
That leaves NYK with a Charlotte trade. That is more likely than CHI or CLE trading down. Hornets have a 1 so have less need for Lamelo. A 2 would be best, maybe a 5, more likely a future first.
Knicks aren’t trading an unprotected (or even lightly protected) future 1st (at least not their own), probably at all, but certainly not for positioning in a draft with little hierarchy in the top 20. Robinson also shouldn’t be in play for draft considerations, at least in this draft. If Rose & Co. can evaluate talent, they likely have the draft position they want.
Big-name new GM might like to make a splash. If he does it in the FA market it might look like last year’s effort.
Fans want Robinson to be a starter… That’s not helpful… in getting DHoward for instance.
Competence is splashy. At least to me. It would certainly stand out at MSG. Why would the Knicks want Howard? He’s 35, limited and a locker room issue. If Rose & Co. want to lose the fanbase quickly, pursuing Howard would be a good way.
I would do a trade Collins and dewayne dedmon but not my six draft pick would entertainment Kevin huerter for Wiggins in the deal
mitch robinson and frank ntilikna for kevon looney, ky bowman, the #2, the #48, and two 2021 second round picks.
Knicks get a C and a PG to offset losing theirs, get the #2 AND keep their #8 while accumulating assets with the additional 3 second rounders.
a win win for both teams, as the Ws get their experienced center and a backup point with size/length that can contribute right away on a playoff team.
The undervaluing and disrespect to John Collins is getting comical at this point. Hawks aren’t letting him go anytime soon.
Huerter or Hunter and 6 pick to Minnesota for 1 and 17 to Hawks would be pretty solid for both sides actually
I would only trade our 8th pick and Dallas pick for a established star say Bradley Beal Devin Booker Zach Levine Brandon Ingram . I see keep the pick and draft Devin Vessel who reminds me of a Trevor Ariza and sign Fred Vanbleet and Joe Harris or David Bertanas to spread the floor. And for all the Knicks haters who killed us saying we got robbed by Dallas with the Porzingas trade now we get the last laugh because the Sweet Shooting Seven Foot Diva with bad wheels will be a 158 million dollar Cheerleader. Thank you Dallas for keeping my beloved Knicks away from that financial landmine.