Sabonis Idea -- GSW <> IND <> BOS

[Csfan1984]

I meant what I said. Smart could get you Moody and Looney but not Kuminga as well.

And Sabonis isn't a Jack of all trades best two way player at his position like Holiday is considered.

Not worth debating the Smart bit -- tomato, tomaato.

Disagree on your Holliday take. Sabonis is 5+ years younger than Jrue was when he was traded to MIL, is a 2 time All-Star before the age of 25, is averaging 19, 12 and 4 this season, and is cost controlled under market value ($18.5M this season) until the summer of 2024. Not to mention what he would do for the Cs offensive flow.

He's certainly not LESS valuable than Holliday. I assume he and Brogdon are the least likely to be traded by IND between now and next season. If they do move Sabonis, there will be demand for him and they'll fetch a premium.

We are in disagreement then as Holiday is a fit on any team lacking a All-NBA PG. Sabonis needs a system and team set up. That changes value more than age. Most teams trade for winning not control of a player.

[todd_days_41]

I had not seen this previously -- apologies if it's been posted elsewhere:

Indiana Pacers: There’s belief that pretty much every Pacer is gettable right now outside of Malcolm Brogdon, who can’t be dealt for a year after signing his extension, but here are some things to consider.

Kevin O’Connor of the Ringer reported that Domantas Sabonis wants out of Indiana. That’s what I was told by multiple league sources as well, and that it wasn’t just this season, but instead going back to last year Sabonis was looking for a change of scenery.

However, Scott Agness who covers the Pacers and is plugged in refuted that sentiment. Herb Simon met with reporters this week, a rare instance, and said that the team is not “panicking.”

Pacers owner Herb Simon just finished meeting with a small group of us and answered every question.

"We’re not in a panic mode to make changes,” he said.

Also, Bleacher Report suggests this, which suggests I'm barking up the right tree on outgoing package:

Celtics Get a 3rd Star with Domantas Sabonis

Boston Celtics Receive: F/C Domantas Sabonis

Indiana Pacers Receive: G Marcus Smart, PF Grant Williams, SG Romeo Langford, 2022 first-round pick (top-five protected)

If the Pacers end up trading one of their big men, you can bet it won't be for a rebuild. Governor Herb Simon, 87, has already said as much. Even when Indiana traded Paul George, it did so for Victor Oladipo and Sabonis, with no draft picks changing hands.

If Sabonis is indeed unhappy in Indy, the Pacers will primarily seek win-now help in return.

Smart is still a bulldog of a defender, and Indiana could use his playmaking with backup point guard TJ McConnell likely done for the season following hand surgery. The Pacers are 14th in defense, even with all-world rim-protector Myles Turner. Having Smart and Turner in the same starting lineup could make them elite.

Williams, 23, is good enough to take over the starting power forward job in Indiana with Sabonis gone and provides elite floor-spacing (45.3 percent from three) next to Turner. Langford is a former Indiana University star who's also enjoying a career year from outside the arc (37.2 percent).

While the trade is primarily done to acquire Smart, Williams and Langford, adding the Celtics' lightly protected first-round pick doesn't hurt, either.

For Boston, this is a chance to add a star without giving up Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown and make a serious run toward the top of the East.

Sabonis is a two-time All-Star and one of the best passing big men in the NBA. He is also under contract for two more seasons after this one, giving Boston a core (along with Robert Williams III) that has a chance to play together for a long time.

Giving up Smart hurts, but getting Sabonis in return would be worth it.