As teams besides the Heat consider how aggressively to pursue Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, one factor they’re weighing is whether it makes more sense to preserve their assets in the hopes of landing an even more valuable star in the near future, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said this week during an appearance on NBA Today (YouTube link).
“There could be some massive talents available for trades next season. Maybe at the trade deadline, maybe next year,” Wojnarowski said. “So you have teams weighing the assets they might use to trade for Damian Lillard vs. who could be available to them that they don’t want to be out of the game for. Some younger, first team All-NBA type players who may be in that marketplace.”
While Wojnarowski didn’t name any specific players, his ESPN colleague Zach Lowe followed up on Woj’s point by directly mentioning Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and obliquely referencing Sixers center Joel Embiid as well.
“Look, not to put it too baldly, but Giannis’ recent comments have changed the landscape of the league, at least a little bit, and have had teams at least have the meeting of, ‘Wait a second, do we need to keep our powder dry if we think we have a one percent, two percent, five percent (chance to acquire him)?'” Lowe said.
“And by the way, the Bucks may not have to trade Giannis at all. They may win the title this year, everything’s fine, he signs an extension. But those comments, along with everything going on in Philly, have at least forced you to have the meeting of, ‘Do we need to keep our powder dry?'”
Here are a few more trade-related notes and rumors:
- The Mavericks, Sixers, Bucks are among the teams to watch as the Pacers seek a trade partner for sharpshooter Buddy Hield, Shams Charania of The Athletic said in an appearance on The Rally (Twitter video link). “Those are the types of teams that could definitely use a shooter like Buddy Hield,” Charania said. “And I think they’ve had a level of interest in him over the last several months.”
- With Deandre Ayton‘s name once again popping up in trade rumors, Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Sports cites a source who says the Mavericks made an “underwhelming” offer for the Suns center over the summer. Bourguet adds that Phoenix fielded inquiries on Ayton on draft night in June, but the offers at that time weren’t compelling, with one source even describing them as “trash.”
- While Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe acknowledges that the Malcolm Brogdon situation in Boston “feels slightly off,” he hasn’t gotten any recent indications that the Celtics are considering trading Brogdon any more than they’re considering moving any other player.
the odds of Giannis or Embiid becoming a free agent is slim and none. Any team hoping to sign them is just hoping and nothing more.
U underestimate the Sixers ability to destroy their team, which they have done consistently for a decade, outside of the one time they were smart and traded for Jimmy Butler.
I am very sure that Embiid is not happy with taking this season off to let Morey and Harden have a staring contest and sacrificing another year of his prime. Wouldn’t you want out? Lakers and Heat are calling…they are better run organizations.
Giannis I agree was more of a kick in the backside for the Bucks. I doubt he leaves.
I thought Giannis will want out in the next two years before his comments. This is the reasons why:
1. The next three best players, Holiday, Middleton and Lopez are all at mid-30s or will be there in the next couple of years.
2. The Bucks have have no younger players coming behind them that are any meaningful players.
3. They have no assets to trade for any meaningful players. And no, you aren’t going to get any stars back for mid-30’s players, one with major recent injury.
So, unless Giannis wants to play with a multi-year building team for the rest of his viable championship years (he is 28 years old already), then he will request a trade out.
The Sixers have been a joke now. Simmons creates huge drama, and now Harden. They get a new coach. They really have Embid and no one else. Maxey is ok, but he is no future superstar. And that is it. Embid will want out too.
Your Maxey is ok comment totally destroyed any chance you had of credibility. Work on your game.
In looking at the east, barring injury, the 4 all star guards will likely come from the group of Brunson, Brown, Mitchell, Butler, Halliburton, Ball and Young. All of those guys are in long term contracts and in their early prime except Butler. Maxes is a potential all star I. A couple years but is likely an injury replacement for the next 2-3 years. He is better than ok but not #2 on a championship team
Pritchard didn’t blink when the Myles Turner complexities were unfolding. And he won’t with Hield either. P’s will get value or Hield will be the super sub behind Mathurin…
Not mentioned Heild suggestions:
Buddy Heild, Isiah Jackson and 2 protected first round picks for RJ Barrett
Knicks have been on the look out for better outside shooting. Jackson gives them a back up forward and they bank some more picks which could then used to go big name hunting.
If the Knicks could then land a big name at SF or C, you have some really solid pieces around him.
Pacers meanwhile add a solid wing to their core. Tyrese is the 1 and Turner the 5 but aside from that you have options. Walker or Toppin, then any combination of SG and SF from Barrett, Brown and Benedict Mathurin.
Buddy Heild and TJ McConnell for Gary Trent Jr and Otto Porter Jr
Toronto I think needs to add another point guard and TJ McConnell would be a solid addition for that role. Buddy also helps fill another concern for them which is outside shooting and floor spacing. He’s one of the best shooter in the league and would help open space for Scottie Barnes or Pascal Siakim on the inside.
As for Indy, Gary Trent Jr is a slightly more well rounded shooting guard. He’s not quite as good as Buddy from outside but offers more on defence and can do more with the ball in his hands. He’s equally as happy either as a starter or off the bench which works well with Bruce and Benedict. Then on top of that you add more depth with Otto Porter who gives you another 3 and D option at either forward spot.
Lastly and maybe underwhelming but
Buddy Heild and TJ McConnell for Gordan Hayward and a protected first
Hornets add a lethal outside shooter and back up point guard. Hayward isn’t exactly needed with all their forwards (Miller, Bridges, Washington, Jones, Martin, Thor) but they could with shooting and point guard depth.
Indy takes Hayward to give them some experience, think he’s still got some in the tank to have a solid playoff run and help Tyrese and them. But really, they get a juicy expiring deal and draft pick from it.