Acquiring Chris Paul doesn’t make sense for the Knicks, Steve Popper of Newsday argues. Paul, who has a partially guaranteed contract, is expected to be traded or waived within the next couple weeks.
While the Knicks are in the market for another star player, a backcourt of Paul and Jalen Brunson would be undersized and create other issues, Popper writes. Ideally, Paul could be a sixth man, but the much younger Immanuel Quickley holds that distinction and just finished second in the Sixth Man of the Year balloting.
We have more from the Atlantic Division:
- Payton Pritchard will be a restricted free agent next summer and rival teams are keeping tabs on the Celtics point guard, who is seeking more playing time, according to Steve Bulpett of Heavy.com, who spoke to multiple executives about Pritchard’s value. The 25-year-old’s $4MM salary for next season could be included as part of a bigger trade. He was disappointed when he wasn’t dealt prior to the February trade deadline.
- Beyond James Harden‘s free agency, the second most pressing question for the Sixers is what to do with Tobias Harris, Rich Hofmann wrote for The Athletic. Harris’ $39.3MM expiring contract could provide cap relief next summer and help Philadelphia avoid the punitive penalties for tax teams in the new CBA. However, it could also be used in a trade to acquire a young talent with a multi-year contract or several players to fortify their depth.
- The Sixers don’t have a draft pick next week and Kyle Neubeck of PhillyVoice.com points out just how unusual that is. The franchise has made at least one selection every year for 73 straight years. The Jazz currently own the Sixers’ first-round pick and Philadelphia had to forfeit its second-rounder due to tampering charges last summer, stemming from the additions of P.J. Tucker and Danuel House Jr.
If Morey can pull a rabbit out of his hat and turn Tobias and 29 1st into… John Collins and Bogdan or Bojan and Burks or Conley, Anderson, and Prince then they’d have a decent offseason. Running it back and fixing the role players is the other option.
1-prolly not but the Colin’s falling off a tree part is probably valid – Bogs makes that a no tho – Perhaps a 3rd team filling the gaps w Colin’s salary could happen tho –
2- most doable tho I think they could get more on the market
3- Can’t see minny biting there
Think there best chance for on court value w Tobias comes from a S and T – Maybe Tor if they dip down a year or 2 to collect assets / cap room- but yea it’s a rabbit as you state
When you need to pull a rabbit out of your hat to pull off a decent offseason, you’re already in trouble.
That said, those aren’t terrible proposals, although I don’t think either of those teams would go for it. The Wolves need Anderson’s versatility and Tobias isn’t an ideal fit for what the Hawks will want at the 4 (namely, defense and shooting, even if Tobias isn’t a bad shooter). As to the Pistons, would that really move the needle enough for the Sixers?
They need at least 2 guys that can play 20+ minutes in any deal they make with Tobias’ contract. If they even decide to move him. The Pistons move reduces their cap to sign additional players.
If they did a sign and trade with Harden, it could change their thought process with Tobias.
For the Hawks, it just seems like they want out of John Collins and as long as they get a 1st they are good. Idk if they would deal Bogdan.
For the Wolves, I do anticipate they have a major roster overhaul. I can see them getting aggressive offers for KAT and if that does happen, I know they want to surround ANT with better players. One of those scenarios has them getting Scoot. And based on that Tobias could make sense. Conley, Anderson, and Prince have nice skills, but they are all role players. Tobias is a starting caliber stretch-4. Basically it’s a move of consolidation whereas the Sixers need more bodies. Depth has always been an issue.
Morey needs to go.
“Morey was also pretty shocked. He was only 33 years old, had never played pro basketball, scouted, coached, or held an official position on the basketball operations side of a team. And here he was, about to run an NBA franchise.”
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He’s assisted basketball people. By supplying numbers. That a computer is programmed to accumulate and analyze. Basically reading what a computer counts. And applying it to understand how to win in basketball.
The problem is there is no magical stat or stats that guarantee winning. Winning is about chemistry and playing both ways. It’s about creating a team culture. that you can’t turn into a stat. Analytics is a tool. Could be a very good tool if used right. But it’s not the end all.
Moreyon is not a basketball savant. He is a counter. Who thinks he can define competition. No one defines competition. That’s why they compete.
Once you think you have a Curry. A Harden comes along. Than a Jokic. But the safest is always the do it all a Bron …….
It’s easier to build around great players. But you still need warriors around them. And the analysis and competitiveness of a coach and management. It’s never about a TOOL .
Morey is not a GM he’s a GM assistant …..
I doubt he understands pick-n-roll.
Certainly doesn’t understand when to move away from a player (Harden, PJ).
Sixers had plenty of offers for Ben before that all went south. Moreyon specifically held out for a Washed Harden. His claim to fame ……… how that go.
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Really why is CP3 even a talking point with Knicks. Move on already. Chris should just end it with Clippers. He should retire with them. And go in the Hall as a Clipper. He might even get one last shot at a Title with the Clippers. Move on please ….
Daryl Morey Rocks
if you are gonna tamper and lose a pick, it better be for a game-changer. All-in-all only losing a 2nd round pick was lucky. 76ers will be able to buy a 2nd round pick if they want one, they’re for sale every year.