Jaylen finished a -27
I still hated the trade and frankly, IF they were gonna trade him I'd have wanted them to trade him + others for Giannis (didn't realize they'd trade Jaylen anyways even if Giannis fell through). But tonight did feel a bit similar to some of these Game 7s we've seen from Jaylen in the past with the turnovers, poor decisions and subpar defense. When teams put some pressure on him defensively he has trouble, and the C's are capable of doing that too.
Sixers are a loaded team but I also think Embiid is a big part of that. When he's not playing or sits, they are a bit more exposed and Lebron at his age isn't capable of playing center minutes either especially on defense. Frontcourt gets thin fast for them.
I still would?ve likely traded for Giannis - he?s too good not to - but I do really question how he would fit with Tatum and this team. You can see in Miami how his unique nature requires the right players around him.
PG is such a clear fit on both sides of the ball, I think all in all this may be the better bet, especially given Gianni?s? injury history abd what it would take to get him.
I think Giannis would have been great here, and you'd have a three headed monster of Giannis-Robinson-Queta in the frontcourt. Yes, a bit of a void at wing but it would allow Tatum to flourish at the 3 spot, and you still have PP/White/Conley/Hauser and probably another addition from the minimum/ring-chasing market. I didn't want to make the trade because Giannis had injury risks with his calf feeling like a ticking time bomb, and Jaylen is still younger, BUT if you told me we were 1000% trading Jaylen regardless then I would have just acquiesced and traded him to MIL even if it meant parting with Hugo too.
I still think they panic-traded JB to PHI when the offers started to dry (or other teams went other routes) and Brad went with PG13. My biggest issue is that they couldn't get back another young player (like Edgecomb) OR 2 more picks from the deal.