I think this could be the year Cousins gets out of Sacto. People think that since they won't move him, Karl will go first and they have no reason to trade him but that team they have this year is in serious danger of a epic blow-up. Never mind the shananagans between Karl, DMC and whoevers in charge over in that FO but they have a team full of malcontents with a roster that doesn't look good enough to make the playoffs in a loaded western conference and you have the makings of a disaster. I think Karl's already lost those guys, so it could get real ugly there. Were in a prime position to strike on that.
DeRozan is in an interesting name, and he's likely to be available at some point this year, but I'm not 100% sold on trading a whole lot for him. He's a volume scorer who is neither a very good passer or shooter and honestly I think he's a very similar player to IT save for the position he plays. But that said, if there's one thing this team needs it's a guy who can score from the wing. DeRozan can do that, I would just feel more comfortable trading for him if he wasn't up for a likely-to-be-regretted major contract next summer.
Steven Adams is my guy. I think we still need a long term solution at the 5, and I think a Adams/Zeller rotation with a sprinkle of Olynyk would be a good start. With Kanter resigned and McGary looking like a legit rotation player more suited to the back-up role Adams May come available. Zach Lowe even said as much on his last podcast. I'd consider trading a packing including some combo of AB, Sully, Turner and/or picks in order to get him.
Melo is an interesting target. At first, I thought Phil was dead set on re-tooling a team around around Melo and making some kinda push sooner than later but it just doesn't seem to be in the cards for them. I can certainly see a scenario where he gets traded of he's wiling to waive the no trade clause, and we have assets that NY would like. I just don't know if Ainge makes a move for a 31 year old Carmelo on a huge deal that runs for another 3 or 4 years without another "star" to put next to him. That would seem unlikely at the deadline.
I guess I can see a scenario where Paul George becomes available, but it's a huge long shot and if he did it would take [dang] near every asset we have to get him. Id do it though. At his best he's a top 10-15 player in this league. I love me some Paul George, and if that did happen we'd be one of like two or three teams (Philly, Us, maybe Phoenix or Orlando) that could put together a big enough offer to get him. Just seems highly unlikely.
I think Atlanta is a candidate to take a significant step back wards this season. Losing Carroll is pretty big for them, and if they stumble early the possibility of a Horford deal could come into play. I'd be totally interested in that, Horford is a legit star. Not a superstar, but a REALLY good player. Keep an eye on that one.
The Favors rumors only seemed legit in the context that the Jazz were making a run at Millsap in FA. I really like him, and he's young on a favorable deal. We have the kind of pieces to make a fair offer for him that, in theory anyway, balances out their front court. With Lyles now, an offer or Sullinger, Bradley and maybe Jerebko for Favors and a future 1st sound like a possibility. The Jazz interest in AB is legit and they're looking to make a run.
Tyreke Evans, to me anyway, would be a decent guy to plug into Turner's spot. He has a lot of the same qualities as ET he just does them better and while his outside shot is lacking, he doesn't lack playmaking ability like DeRozan does. Just like with DeRozan though, I'm worried about trading for a wing that can't play off the ball. To maximize Smart and Rozier's developments we need a wing who can score both with and without the ball. He could certainly be available though, especially if they don't get off to a good start.
How about Alex Len as a buy low kind of candidate. In the idea of looking for a long term solution at the 5, he could be it. He's absolutely huge, fairly mobile and made good strides last year. The Suns may not want to give him up after drafting him 5th two years ago but they signed Tyson Chandler to that huge deal. He may come up on the market.
I'd totally consider a Sullinger and change for Terrance Jones trade. The give you the same kind of out put, but Jones is a much more consistent player who I think could do well with an expanded role, and Morey is the kind of guy who would make that swap for a couple extra small assets and a chance with Sullinger who has a higher ceiling. Or a trade for Montijunas for that matter.
I also think Denver only resigned Chandler and Gallo to extensions because those extensions were reasonably priced in the current market and if we get closer To the deadline and they're looking to trade one of them, they'll get more for them with those deals than as impeding FA's due contract raises.
Brooklyn might be willing to give us Lopez for one of their 1sts back.
The one trade I think makes the most sense for all involved is this: Chandler Parsons to Boston for the 2016 Dallas 1st, James Young and a bag of chips. Dallas gets control of it's own pick back, thus can go legit tank mode, and get an intriguing prospect in Young while we get a versatile wing who fits into this team pretty well with his solid all-around game. Watch out for that one.
Plus, when a "star" becomes available it's normally straight out the cut and totally unexpected, so who really knows?