Sources who have spoken to John Hollinger of The Athletic are skeptical that the Pistons, Rockets, or Cavaliers will trade out of the top three spots in the draft.
As Hollinger notes, there are a lot of teams that figure to have interest in moving up in the draft, including several holding multiple first-round picks, such as the Magic, Thunder, and Knicks. However, it’s more difficult to find teams that will give serious consideration to moving down. Any trade up may require a substantial overpay, Hollinger adds.
Here are a few more tidbits from Hollinger following his time at the pre-draft combine in Chicago:
- There’s a “widespread expectation” around the NBA that the Warriors will dangle the No. 7 pick and James Wiseman as they seek immediate roster upgrades, according to Hollinger, who identifies Raptors forward Pascal Siakam as one name to watch.
- League sources widely expect restricted free agent Gary Trent Jr. to re-sign with the Raptors, says Hollinger.
- Nah’Shon “Bones” Hyland might’ve boosted his stock more than any other player at the Chicago combine, per Hollinger. However, it was also a good week for Corey Kispert, Joe Wieskamp, Quentin Grimes, Jericho Sims, and A.J. Lawson, among others.
- DJ Steward, Max Abmas, and Johnny Juzang were among the prospects who didn’t help their stock at the combine based on their performances in scrimmages, Hollinger writes.
If I was the Raptors, I would jump at this opportunity. Pascal is a very good player, but is not the future of the Raptors. If this trade happens, their potential rebuilding lineup could be:
1) VanVleet
2) Suggs/Green
3) Anunoby
4) Barnes/Jalen Johnson/Kuminga (if he falls)
5) Wiseman
Or they could move Anunoby to PF and draft accordingly. Just makes sense to me personally.
Siakam is older than Wiggins
Raptors get Wiggins and 14
Warriors get Siakam
Wait, what? What do the Raptors figure to do with Wiggins of all people? lovesexland hit the nail on the head, if that offer comes in for Siakam, take it and run.
wiggins is from toronto.
so what does that matter? we should take bad trades because a player is from there? the 14th pick is not enough to take Wiggins and give away a borderline all star.
Got the perfect 3-team deal between GSW/ORL/DET:
Wiseman+7+14+Paschall to Detroit for 1/Cade
Detroit flips Wiseman to Orlando for Bamba and 5, with Mo going to GSW
DET gets #5, 7, 14 picks and Eric Paschall for the #1 pick
ORL gets James Wiseman for Mo Bamba and #5 pick
GSW gets #1/Cade Cunningham and Mo Bamba for James Wiseman, Eric Paschall, #7 and #14
LETS. FN. GO.
No one is giving warriors Cade, SMH
Thank you no one would trade Cunningham who’s ben simmons with a jump shot on a cheap rookie deal.
Except Detroit might. Please don’t decry without evidence.
Where is your evidence Detroit would do this????
Where is the evidence that Detroit would want to make that trade?
I’m a stones fan in Michigan. The excitement Cade is off the chain. There is zero chance they’re trading the number one pick. #incadewetrust
Detroit and Orlando both say no to that trade…
I actually like the idea behind this trade. Think Wiseman would be a beast in Orlando. Would get more touches, more points and would also shine more defensively. Would dramatically improve his value and then his game with Cole Anthony would be solid.
Detroit get a solid bunch of picks. GSW get a superstar to be.
@Simmons>Russ thank you for being the rare one who actually breaks down what it actually is, and doesnt just rush in to post a personal attack on my intelligence. I know this trade will never happen exactly like this, but the reasoning is solid and the links to player-team are sound. GSW might get #1 pick, but they also take on huge injury risk, if Cade got hurt they’d be majorly in a bad way.
You been playing 2K too much. That’s a horrendous deal for Cunningham. They’re rebuilding, not trying to go extinct. Lmao
That’s really where the people get these ideas too!
Never will happen but thanks for trying to trade Cade Cunningham away for my Detroit Pistons. Here’s a clue: SVG is no longer here & dumbass moves like the one suggested, no longer happen. Cade might not be Lebrun or Zion, but he’s what the Pistons need in the worst kind of away.
Ok but you do understand 5, 7 and 14 are probably going to combine to perform better than Cade, and also 3 players vs 1 player eliminates injury risk? Detroit might rather go with the 3 sure things over the 1 sure thing. Its not a stupid trade. People are just mad because it ends with GSW getting the #1 pick – thats the ONLY reason why anyone would hate this deal.
nobody understand that because it’s not true. In basketball, 1 player can change an entire teams fortune. 5,7, and 14 will most likely be some dime a dozen role players.
Wiseman + 7 might get the Warriors 5
Also what you fail to comprehend are the limited number of roster spots. Detroit needs to roll the dice on a superstar not complimentary pieces. They’ve already got a fine solid foundation with their core four from the 2020 draft, Grant, Plumlee, Jackson, Diallo. Add in Cade as the foundation face of the franchise and they start to look like a team with an identity. Pistons are already one of the better young defensive teams and they need that offensive shot in the arm. They can’t attract that type of player in free agency so they have to draft that player while they have a shot. Pistons will likely not consider trading that pick unless they’re getting a fringe superstar and a pick
I don’t like it, especially for Detroit — inclined to agree with others saying 5,7,14 aren’t enough for Cade — but for some draft years, that could actually be fine value for #1. Just don’t think this is one of those years.
Of course, anybody would have traded Zion Williamson for Darius Garland, Coby White and Romeo Langford. That’s just strength in numbers there. Three great lottery tickets for the price of one? When you are forced to put all your hope into one player that might have spotty health, it’s better to have three players who inspire little hope of success.
He’s a lost soul Dave, pay him no attention ….The 5, 7 and 14 pick is never worth the 1 pick, NEVER
Agree jones, the #1 for the Simmons, Wall, Towns, ADavis, & Griffin years were crucial.
This year has a top 4+1.
However it may be too late.
A Cade trade made would lead to Weaver believer seizure.
This post should go just before the
ur brain is broken.
Ur brain is broken
You kids and your video games…
7+Wiseman is an overpay for Siakam. Only if raptors take on Wiggins’ contract too
I don’t know about that. Siakam is proven, whereas Wiseman, while having a high ceiling, hasn’t had enough time to prove himself and convince otherwise. As for the draft pick, it’s undetermined and will be for years. Considering where the Warriors are age wise, I’d pull that deal off if possible. The talent and depth would be outstanding. As for Toronto, it’s a good start to quickly reboot. Two picks in the top 7 of a solid draft class and a top two from the prior year is pretty good.
Padam, good post. I agree with you on these points. The Raptors would probably throw in another veteran player to make it work and that will help the Warriors as well. Or perhaps a third team would have to be involved for that to happen. A good veteran guard added would make this a sweet deal.
Agreed given the names that have been floating out there for GSW—I think if they get Siakam it will only after they offer Wiseman + picks to a bunch of other teams.
Have said that Siakam would still be a huge upgrade for them
Yea
Knicks need to move up to top 5
Do you have any idea how weak that post is. It’s like the dog just farted.
That’s a terrible trade for the magic
Penny isn’t coaching that team without Wiseman.
Warriors can easily move up to #2 for Wiseman, #7, and #14. This way they also have the future.
More likely GSW trade Wiseman, #7 and maybe wiggins for salary for CWood. With the win now mentality they’d much rather trade for a boarder line AS than go into the stacked draft. If you’re coming between siakam or Wood you’d go for Wood. The only kicker is the injury worries of Wood.
That leaves Houston with 5 First Round picks this Draft. Unless they’d be packaging those to try and move up themselves, I don’t really understand the logic here.
Oh… and possibly Wiggins… Oh joy.
rockets are in rebuild, I see them making 3 picks, try to move and go for 2x in the top 7. One early 20s. and trade the rest. There’s a few teams without picks that would offer more than usual as the draft is fairly stacked. Wiggins is a depressing casualty, but in a rebuild beggars can’t be choosers. If they can move Gordon it may be a little better on the wallet. They could even use the remaining picks to help move wall. Either way, I see a few moves before the draft is over. but if GSW go for Siakam it’s a bad call, Wood would be an excellent add for them, but knowing the rockets they’ll hold til his value drops and get a terrible deal.
Hollinger could’ve easily added Toronto in that group as well. In what is arguably a 4 player draft, you don’t draft down just for more draft picks unless you’re REALLY high on a guy like Kuminga.
I’m going to pull a Marty.
LaVine for Raptors 4th pick +Siakam. This gives Raptors a 25 year old player while the Bulls have a stretch 4 next to Vucevic. Bulls draft Jalen Green or Suggs at the 4. It gives them a PG of the future.
Suggs/Green
Sign Fournier or THJ
Patrick Williams
Siakam
Vucevic
Defensively Bulls get better with Siakam and PDub. THJ is a good defensive player too. Offensively, it can be Pick and roll all day to Siakam and Vucevic.
Again, none of this real, but I like to play what if game like Marty did a few moments ago. Lmao
yeah this clown deal is equally terrible
I muted Marty’s comments because for whatever reason, it wouldn’t let me reply to him.
Is there an option on the app?
He muted you first.
I think you’re quite reasonable though, especially for Houston.
I don’t think LaVine for 4+Siakam is crazy by any means.
But IDK if Chicago would bother given the age range between Siakam and esp Vooch vs whoever they pick.
Why on earth would the Raptors sacrifice the 4th pick for what might be a 1 year rental!
* Disclaimer – Not a huge Pascal fan
I’m more than willing to take #7 if I’m Tor for a Wiggy/Pascal swap . Have no clue why GSW would want too but apparently they’ve been looking at Pascal for awhile
Tor could use 22 as a gel year w #4 #7, new Wig and then use Wiggins nice expiring salary in 23 for upgrade {if they want}
Those of us who are Warrior fans and have really watched Andrew Wiggins know that they cannot keep him past this offseason. He cannot be counted on to be at 4th quarter guy or a crunch-time guy or a guy you can count on to get a key basket. He’s not that guy. In the last few minutes of the game it’s a turnover or a missed shot or a bad pass or something like that. He has to go. No two ways about it.
Wiggins belongs on a team that could use 20 to 24 points a game night in and night out. Preferably a team that’s not making the playoffs and needs to reach certain salary requirements for the team as a whole. Is Wiggins improved? Did Wiggins have his best year ever? Sure but that’s just the Warriors system. They put guys in position to succeed. Ok, great. Now let’s trade him.
What do you think they could get for him?
Goastros123 I’m not really sure but I know that they have to include his 25 + million to bring back 25 plus million. The draft picks plus James Wiseman would be the attraction and Wiggins would just be a guy that can get you 20 points but not really an All-Star. Wiggins by himself will get you nothing but his salary is necessary.
I believe that’s why the Warriors picked up D’Angelo Russell and then Wiggins in the first place. Or else there’s no way to get a Max guy back. But yeah great question, you can’t get much back for Wiggins, it’s the other assets that are attractive.
I agree that Wiggins probably needs to go. Partially because of what you noted but also because of the finances—even GSW can’t afford to be paying 3 guys max contracts AND THEN 30m for a guy of Wiggins quality.
They to sweeten the pot with picks and/or Wiseman and get an actual 4th star for their 30M per. Siakam is definitely on the low end of that type of player though. He’s better than Wiggins but not by a crazy amount.
So my Q would then be Gary- Would you trade Wiggins and 7 for Pascal ?
If I was a Warrior fan I’d want to aim {differently} personally – Id rather keep 7 and use Wiggins salary elsewhere
CapnCrunch, yes as a warrior fan I would do that trade. Assuming Siakam checks out health wise, I pull that off. The reason I would do that trade is because I think the number 7 pick is a big drop-off from the first five perhaps six. For instance, Moses Moody is not going to get it done, and the Duke guy has way too many question marks.
So I do it, BUT.. with one condition !! LOL.. that a top-tier star is unavailable. With your Toronto trade the Warriors are still stuck with second-year developmental guy in James Wiseman, and they’re still stuck with the 14 pick, another developmental guy who’s either ready to go but low ceiling like Kispert and a good shooter, or a high ceiling and definitely not ready to go for 2 years.
So Wiggins and 7 for Pascal Siakam ONLY if Bradley Beale and Jimmy Butler and Ben Simmons and Damian Lillard and the rest of those type guys are unattainable. (Perhaps the Warriors could trade for Pascal siakam AND Ben Simmons? Wiggins and 7 for siakam then James Wiseman + 14 + something else as part of a three-team trade that brings back Ben Simmons? That could be an interesting Warriors Squad right there. Can’t wait to see how this all works out. I know the Warriors will not stand Pat.
Maybe a trip to the Mayo Clinic would diagnose why Simmons can’t shoot a basketball outside if 5 feet?
SMH just what the warriors do not need another player coming off shoulder surgery to start the season on the DL. They would not need to throw in Wiggins if Raptors wanted Oubre so you can do it as a sign and trade. Giving up on Wiseman will be the biggest mistake since trading RP to the Celtics.
Wiseman is 90 percent of Evan Mobley. He may shoot from deep betters. The Warriors may trade the picks for a player or move up for 1 player. Maybe they can work out a trade with Cleveland and get Love and 3rd pick and for Wiggins 7 and 14
Huh? The Warriors have been looking at Pascal? Since when? I doubt Hollinger has a clue what the Warriors are thinking.
Warriors would be dumb to do that. There isn’t a better team to grow and develop with, and his skill set is exactly what they need, if he can reach his potential. Trade the 7th pick and Wiggins, not Wiseman.
If the Warriors REALLY want to trade Wiseman as part of a deal to acquire a veteran star, then they should simplify the part of the trade involving him. Its hard to ascertain interest in a high draft pick a year or two later, when his grade is more incomplete than good or poor. It’s unlikely to align with having the player they want to end up with.
Also the deal would be
The 7th
Wiggins
Wiseman
for
Siakam
Baynes
Atleast that is what I seen in another story.
Tor should take that asap if that’s being discussed
Wouldn’t trade Wiseman for Siakam straight up
No Trade. Cade. Have a nice day.
Wiggins, Wiseman and #7 for Porzinski, Tyrell Terry and 2024 1st
Doncic could do something with those guys. Get Devion Mitchell to fill vacuums. Good deal for Dallas.
Kerr could find a style for Porzingus. The 2024 is a bit late though.
Make it Wiggins, Wiseman, Paschall, Smails, & #7 for Porzingus, Terry, Richardson & Powell. Salary is within 25%.
Seems like all these guys would be better off working with Doncic or Kerr. Gets the Kidd era started well.
Let’s get real here
The only way trade goes down is with salary marching
Tor gets Wiseman + Wiggins + 7
Warriors get Siakim + 4
I don’t think Toronto would do that, unless there is concern over Siakim’s shoulder injury and surgery. The number 4 pick is probably going to be a stud. I would definitely jump on it if I were the Warriors…
I believe you’re correct that Wiggins has to be part of it for salary.