Vucevic Alternatives

[Who]

I am looking at 2026-27 FA list. Not seeing many options.

My favourite is Goga Bitadze. He is a good defender & rebounder. A limited offensive player. Gives you a 2nd defensive center behind Queta.

Day'Ron Sharpe
Jonas Valanciunas - worse version of Vooch
Al Horford - over the hill?
Brook Lopez - over the hill?
Kevon Looney - over the hill
Paul Reed
Jericho Sims
Sandro Mamukelashvili - doesn't play much defense

Any other ideas?

[celticinorlando]

I do not think Al will ever set foot in Boston again. Something happened behind the scenes. He skipped coming to Boston this year to be honored even.

I'd like to pry Isaiah Hartenstein away from the Thunder if they need cap space, which they might.

[ozgod]

Dayron Sharpe is probably the one with the most upside of your list. I thought the knock on him was he was too similar to Queta and they wanted a different look. But if you want a full center and assume Q is only half a center, then Sharpe might be the other half. Then you have Garza for stretching the floor for a different look. And presumably you would have to sign Vuc to a new contract at a lower number than $20m to fit in Sharpe's $6m to stay under the tax. I just cannot see them exceeding the tax next year given you need to be under it for 2 years to reset the repeater rate.

[Who]

I'd like to pry Isaiah Hartenstein away from the Thunder if they need cap space, which they might.

I'd love him too. I don't know what we have to offer though. Especially if it involves them cutting salary.

If I am OKC, I am looking for a trade package for Hartenstein that would be similar to the type of trade package BOS would demand for D White. I don't see what we have to make that offer.

[Who]

Looking at OKC's salary. They have an expected $250mil salary. The luxury tax starts around $200mil and the 2nd apron at $220mil.

They could cut $30mil in salary and get to the 2nd apron by trading Hartenstein ($28mil) or by trading Caruso + I Joe ($19.5m + $11.3mil).