NBA Playoffs 2023

[kraidstar]

Okc  would be an interesting landing spot for lillard.   They have the draft picks to help Portland rebuild.  Same with Orlando. They have 2 high picks which would be very enticing.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Ayton and Paul for Lillard and Nurkic.  Maybe Payne also goes to Portland. Is Ayton enough of a prize for Portland in that scenario?

I could see an Irving for Paul trade after Irving can get traded after resigning in Dallas (also with Ayton and probably Hardaway).

That's not going to get you a star like Lillard. I was thinking something more like Gordon and Zubac for Ayton and Paul.

Something like Collins and Capella for Ayton and Paul might be close to value also.

[RJ87]

Ayton and Paul for Lillard and Nurkic.  Maybe Payne also goes to Portland. Is Ayton enough of a prize for Portland in that scenario?

I could see an Irving for Paul trade after Irving can get traded after resigning in Dallas (also with Ayton and probably Hardaway).

That's not going to get you a star like Lillard. I was thinking something more like Gordon and Zubac for Ayton and Paul.

Something like Collins and Capella for Ayton and Paul might be close to value also.

Is Paul getting rerouted to a 3rd team in that deal? Because I don't see a clear role for him in Atlanta with Trae/Murray/Boggy there.

And also I'm not sure if I wouldn't just prefer to keep Capela.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Ayton and Paul for Lillard and Nurkic.  Maybe Payne also goes to Portland. Is Ayton enough of a prize for Portland in that scenario?

I could see an Irving for Paul trade after Irving can get traded after resigning in Dallas (also with Ayton and probably Hardaway).

That's not going to get you a star like Lillard. I was thinking something more like Gordon and Zubac for Ayton and Paul.

Something like Collins and Capella for Ayton and Paul might be close to value also.

Is Paul getting rerouted to a 3rd team in that deal? Because I don't see a clear role for him in Atlanta with Trae/Murray/Boggy there.

And also I'm not sure if I wouldn't just prefer to keep Capela.

At this point in his career, Paul is a negative value contract in my opinion. I'm guessing he'd be bought out. He could be rerouted to a third team, but it would need to be for a bloated contract back.

The idea behind that trade is to pair an (potentially) elite pick-and-roll player with Young. Ayton can roll all the way to the rim, do the short roll, and pop out. Eventually he may stretch the floor to the three point line.

[RJ87]

Ayton and Paul for Lillard and Nurkic.  Maybe Payne also goes to Portland. Is Ayton enough of a prize for Portland in that scenario?

I could see an Irving for Paul trade after Irving can get traded after resigning in Dallas (also with Ayton and probably Hardaway).

That's not going to get you a star like Lillard. I was thinking something more like Gordon and Zubac for Ayton and Paul.

Something like Collins and Capella for Ayton and Paul might be close to value also.

Is Paul getting rerouted to a 3rd team in that deal? Because I don't see a clear role for him in Atlanta with Trae/Murray/Boggy there.

And also I'm not sure if I wouldn't just prefer to keep Capela.

At this point in his career, Paul is a negative value contract in my opinion. I'm guessing he'd be bought out. He could be rerouted to a third team, but it would need to be for a bloated contract back.

The idea behind that trade is to pair an (potentially) elite pick-and-roll player with Young. Ayton can roll all the way to the rim, do the short roll, and pop out. Eventually he may stretch the floor to the three point line.

Yeah, I'm not sure I'd be willing to gamble on Ayton developing any further. He's been in the league for 5 years and he's still the player he was when he came in. Atlanta seems to want to compete now, I think they go for a more sure thing if the opportunity is there.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Ayton and Paul for Lillard and Nurkic.  Maybe Payne also goes to Portland. Is Ayton enough of a prize for Portland in that scenario?

I could see an Irving for Paul trade after Irving can get traded after resigning in Dallas (also with Ayton and probably Hardaway).

That's not going to get you a star like Lillard. I was thinking something more like Gordon and Zubac for Ayton and Paul.

Something like Collins and Capella for Ayton and Paul might be close to value also.

Is Paul getting rerouted to a 3rd team in that deal? Because I don't see a clear role for him in Atlanta with Trae/Murray/Boggy there.

And also I'm not sure if I wouldn't just prefer to keep Capela.

At this point in his career, Paul is a negative value contract in my opinion. I'm guessing he'd be bought out. He could be rerouted to a third team, but it would need to be for a bloated contract back.

The idea behind that trade is to pair an (potentially) elite pick-and-roll player with Young. Ayton can roll all the way to the rim, do the short roll, and pop out. Eventually he may stretch the floor to the three point line.

Yeah, I'm not sure I'd be willing to gamble on Ayton developing any further. He's been in the league for 5 years and he's still the player he was when he came in. Atlanta seems to want to compete now, I think they go for a more sure thing if the opportunity is there.

Let me be clear - I'm no fan of Ayton. I don't think he will ever reach his potential. But my opinion of him and the league's opinion of hime are probably two different things. I'm just looking around the league at teams that seem like they need a shake up and are willing to take a risk.

[nebist]

Tough to find a good fit for Ayton. I think it would have to be a bad, young team or a desperate team to take a chance on him at that $. The two best fits I can see are the Piston (bad, young) and Hawks (desperate).

For the Hawks, I think the Capela/Collins package that was mentioned makes some sense.

For the Pistons, you're probably looking at something like Bagley, Wiseman, and Burks?

[Who]

Best trade option for Ayton may be a team with cap space that has high draft pick. Ayton won't get you into the top 5 but he should get you a pick in the 6-10 range closer to the 6-8 range. Maybe you can use that pick with CP3 contract (only partially guaranteed) to find a 3rd star that route.

[RJ87]

Tough to find a good fit for Ayton. I think it would have to be a bad, young team or a desperate team to take a chance on him at that $. The two best fits I can see are the Piston (bad, young) and Hawks (desperate).

For the Hawks, I think the Capela/Collins package that was mentioned makes some sense.

For the Pistons, you're probably looking at something like Bagley, Wiseman, and Burks?

I think the best fit for him on paper is Dallas with Luka creating most of his offense. I just don't see how it happens without a Kyrie sign and trade and who knows how Phoenix/KD feels about that.

[Donoghus]

Enjoy the two games tonight.  No games tomm.

[RJ87]

Enjoy the two games tonight.  No games tomm.

I think both teams force a game 7. Even those lackadaisical Knicks.

[Donoghus]

Enjoy the two games tonight.  No games tomm.

I think both teams force a game 7. Even those lackadaisical Knicks.

I'm leaning the opposite about tonight but hope we get those Game 7s.

[Who]

Tough to find a good fit for Ayton. I think it would have to be a bad, young team or a desperate team to take a chance on him at that $. The two best fits I can see are the Piston (bad, young) and Hawks (desperate).

For the Hawks, I think the Capela/Collins package that was mentioned makes some sense.

For the Pistons, you're probably looking at something like Bagley, Wiseman, and Burks?

I think the best fit for him on paper is Dallas with Luka creating most of his offense. I just don't see how it happens without a Kyrie sign and trade and who knows how Phoenix/KD feels about that.

Phoenix tried to get Kyrie before the trade deadline. I think it was CP3 and a first but BKN wanted 2 firsts and PHO didn't want to give that up because Kyrie was going to be a FA. So they like Kyrie.

I don't think Dallas would do it though. Kyrie is more valuable than Ayton. I expect Kyrie back there and for the supporting cast to be changed rather than the star duo changed for DAL.

[Who]

Enjoy the two games tonight.  No games tomm.

I think both teams force a game 7. Even those lackadaisical Knicks.

I would love that. Miami need an ego check. Sick of hearing so much about them. They have been thoroughly mediocre all season. They still have little talent around their big two of Bam & Jimmy. Sick of hearing them talked about like they are hot stuff.

[gouki88]

I'd like to see Paul return to New Orleans. Ayton & CP3 for McCollum, JV and Temple (picks added as necessary).