Bucks veteran Brook Lopez and Knicks big man Mitchell Robinson are among the prominent centers who are available for trade this offseason, reports Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports. Fischer hears from sources who say Clint Capela (Hawks), Walker Kessler (Jazz) and Isaiah Stewart (Pistons) are other big men names to watch on the trade market.
According to Fischer, Milwaukee is open to roster changes and has been gauging Lopez’s market value. The 36-year-old will earn $23MM in 2024/25, which is the final season of his contract. League sources tell Fischer the Rockets warned Lopez when they pursued him last summer that returning to the Bucks could eventually lead to him being traded.
While the Alex Caruso trade wouldn’t preclude the Thunder from making a run at Isaiah Hartenstein, they seem far more focused on finding a “situational reserve” center instead of a signing a starting-caliber big man like Hartenstein, per Fischer. As of now, the Knicks seem to be in the driver’s seat to re-sign the 26-year-old, Fischer writes — that’s why New York has been discussing Robinson deals.
Ian Begley of SNY.tv has also heard Robinson has popped up in trade talks (Twitter link). Begley believes the Knicks aren’t “fully committed” to dealing Robinson, but they view his contract — he’ll make $27.3MM over the next two seasons — as a valuable trade chip.
As cap expert Yossi Gozlan observes (via Twitter), moving off Robinson’s salary would give New York more financial flexibility this offseason, perhaps to re-sign Precious Achiuwa and OG Anunoby. If the Knicks make no other cost-cutting moves, they would project to be well over the second tax apron if they bring back all their key free agents.
Capela, 30, is on a $22.3MM expiring contract. He has popped up in trade rumors for some time. While Fischer suggests the Hawks and Pistons been actively exploring deals for Capela and Stewart, respectively, his wording on Kessler is more speculative, writing that “rival teams believe” the Jazz are open to the possibility of moving the 22-year-old, who excelled as a rookie in ’22/23 but had an uneven second season.
People really jumped the gun on Walker Kessler after his first half season. He’s a reserve C in this league.
We’ll see, he’s only 22. He did average 2.4 blocks and 7.5 rebounds primarily coming off the bench last season.
The comparisons to Gobert were especially laughable. “But they both get a lot of blocks!” or something.
I get thinking Kessler might have been better value-wise relative to his contract at the time (and particularly in the context of the full trade), but there were people straight up saying he was nearly as good as him.
The Gobert comparisons were laughable but he could still be a serviceable starting center similar to Steven Adams. Bigs usually take time to develop.
Kessler got messed up by Kerr on Team USA. It’s all mental for Kessler right now.
He def has the tools to be a solid, consistent, starting center. He just needs to be more assertive and nasty.
How did Kerr mess him up? He put up pretty good numbers.
I’m guessing you didn’t watch TeamUSA actually play? He didn’t even see the floor in many games. Most he saw garbage time or very little. It shook his confidence compared to last year. Not the same player.
I’m guessing you don’t watch much sports. I guess you never heard Heliot Ramos. He is running to be MLB Rookie of the year. Most people thought he would lose his Minor League contract. NBA contracts pay millions more than no MLB contracts. So, what was Kessler worried about?
What does that have to do with Kessler? So you admit you were a numbers watcher for TeamUSA?
I already told you. His confidence was affected. Money doesn’t cure a lack of confidence. It can give you a false sense of confidence, however.
@Benboy
Yeah, as a German I was pretty confused (not that I was mad about the outcome) that Kerr just sat there watching how team USA pretty much got destroyed on the boards and didn’t even try to play Kessler in that game. Now, maybe they would have played him off the floor, because all German bigs can shoot (although non of them is an elite shooter), but they didn’t even try.
I have no illusions, the only reason we won that game is that we had more length and rebounding. And the tallest guy and best rebounder on team USA was on the bench.
How did Kerr mess up Kessler? He played pretty well.
As a GSW fan, please, take Wiggins, GP2 and CP3 for as many of these bigs as possible!!
Dreaming
I hope that if Robinson is traded that means OG, IHART and Precious are staying. Still wouldn’t mind Randle going in a deal more. What are the chances that OB1 wants to comes back?
Why couldn’t the Warriors trade for Brooks Lopez? Lopez is on the downside of his career. Shouldn’t take a whole lot to get him.
Salary matching has to happen though.
Depends what the Bucks want. If they just want to dump salary (their payroll is pretty high), the Warriors could partially guarantee CP3’s contract for $15.5M, throw in a draft pick, and take Lopez back. Bucks could waive and stretch CP. If they want good players back, the Warriors are not the team to trade with.
link to nypost.com
Gee ……. I wonder who’s been saying it …
Knicks want to level up. They should be looking at a SG ……. Jalen Green !!
Aka
Milwaukee is just gushing the value of Brook because of a poor playoffs as a team and he’s older now. Unlikely to make any drastic jumps unless the deal works out well for them.
Mitchell Robinson on the block cause the Knick want to retain Hartenstein, no surprises there.
Clint Capela, as I said a bunch. Hawks may take Sarr or Clingan in the draft and with Onyeka the back up secured, Clint on an expiring deal isn’t needed anymore.
Isiah Stewart, was battling for the starting spot but Jalen Duren has really won that fight and made that position his. Stewart can play the 4 but not really ideal…
Walker Kessler as the article states more speculation but after a great rookie year he did ride the bench a lot this past season. Obviously the team aren’t as high on him anymore but he clearly has talent.
Stewart would be a solid target for OKC. Can slot in at PF or C, can happily come off the bench, can shoot the ball and adds some toughness on the inside. Although not a great rebounder. They have plenty of picks and moveable contracts with value.
Stewart could also be a target for the bucks as a Lopez replacement. Can shoot a little, tough inside presence, young and with potential to improve but Bucks are in win now mode and does he make them any better idk.
Mitchell Robinson, I could see him more as a Pelicans target if they lose Jonas and are ultimately left with no one. Although for now I still really like the idea of Murray and Capela to New Orleans for Ingram and whatever …
Walker Kessler, pure speculation but would be perfect for Golden Stats Warriors. Size, toughness, rebounding, shot contesting, cheap contract. Works on a Kuminga and Podzi timeline if your thinking about the future. Him and Looney can share that centre position.