After seeing the destruction of the Raptors and more carefully considering everything, I think a trade for Harden is probably the wrong move. In fact, I was wrong to suggest we should trade JB. Clearly he can become an all-NBAer, perhaps even the undisputed alpha in a winning duo with Tatum. However, I still think we need more firepower to compete for a championship anytime soon, and I’m growing increasingly concerned about losing out on maximizing the value of the TPE. However, there is a team in the west (reminder: no team in the east is going to do business with Danny) that may be open to moving a couple of solid contributors to us if we’re willing to part with Langford, Nesmith and multiple picks, so on that note:
Step One (TPE is Step Two):
To SAC: Langford, Nesmith, Edwards, Green
To BOS: Jabari Parker (26 years old in March)
https://tradenba.com/trades/QQEmyWT5aStep Two (TPE):
To SAC: ‘21 1st, ‘21 2nd, ‘22 2nd, ‘23 1st (Top 3 Protected)
To BOS: Buddy Hield (turned 28 years old last month)
https://tradenba.com/trades/3S2ns5cHoWe’re adding some much needed depth at the 3/4 in Parker, who Sac probably realizes is going to jump ship (and there’s something going on where he’s not playing for “personal” reasons so perhaps the Kings are going to get what they can?), and who knows what CBS might be able to do with Parker after a disappointing start to his career (remember the magic he worked with our last 2nd overall pick disappointment we picked up - that is, Evan Turner).
Bringing in Hield as our sixth man (or starter when Kemba is hurt with Smart at PG) gives us an extra scoring option to complement the Jays. Furthermore, his contract hedges against the risk of Smart leaving us in free agency. Perhaps long-term we’re looking at a youthful backcourt of PP and Hield complementing Brown and Tatum at the 3/4, with Timelord as our 5. So we really can start to consolidate/trade picks that are clearly of greater value to a team that is really still building themselves up compared to a title contender. Adding more developmental players (after how many the past half decade?) is not what we need/want, but a veteran shooter like Hield (or Barnes) is. If they’re unwilling to part with Hield, take the 2023 pick off the table (or the 2nd rounders), retain one of Langford/Nesmith, and get Barnes instead as a consolation prize (unless we can do something better with the TPE).
We’re probably not going to be able to move Walker without giving up a pick, which is off the table if we move our ‘21 and ‘23 picks, so we need to hope and pray for a full recovery (or at least hope he can play 18-24 MPG the next three years as a spark-plug 6th man behind Smart/Hield, potentially PP/Hield in 2-3 years):
2020-2021 (Truly ten-deep if Kemba returns to form):
Kemba/Teague/PP
Smart/Hield
Brown/Parker
Tatum/Theis/Semi/G. Williams
TT/Timelord/Add a veteran (any potential buyout candidates?)
If Parker shows promise and re-signs, we’ve got this foundation heading into the 2021 off-season (a great position of championship-contending continuity IMHO—and ten-deep with only three players older than 27, with Hield being 28 still, TT at 30 and Kemba at 31)
Kemba/PP
Smart/Hield
Brown/Parker
Tatum/G. Williams
TT/Timelord
Rights to Theis and Semi
Thoughts? Any other deals out there like this one?