This is the Baseline discussing the hot button topics of the NBA. Welcome everybody,
your tune to the Baseline. Calie Warrenshaw discussing the hot button topics of
the NBA. Special episode of the Baseline Trade deadline discussions. The clock has
now finally struck and all teams need to stop what you're doing for a pause
button, so we can start talking about some of the movements that have already
happened throughout the course of this day and really over the course of the last
week or so with the trays that have taken place. And what better way
for me to be able to have this great conversation. My man warren Shaw
and one of our longtime peoples. Man, he's been doing it for so
long. He's been covering sports, he's been covering music, culture, entertainment.
You can catch him on YouTube as one of the most vibrant channels that's
going on right now. Man Scoop be Brandon Robinson joining us, Man,
Goop, long time, No see my brother. You're looking well, Thank
you, brother, It's good to talk to you. Awesome, awesome seaw
how are we looking, man, what we're feeling? Your thoughts about the
movements that have taken place. Like, if you could think of one word
that could really kind of signify how the NBA trade deadline came out in your
eyes, what would it be. I don't know if I can be as
succinct as to say one word, but I do think it's you know,
if I would, I will try and say that open. And by that
I mean is that the landscape of the lake is open, and a lot
of teams feel like they have an opportunity in the chance. So a lot
of deals were done even previous to the deadline deal. Obviously James Harden,
you know, much earlier in the season, and then Pascal Siakamji and Aobe
et cetera, et cetera. But to me, that signifies that nobody's looking
at another roster and feels like, oh, I'm scared of them. Everybody
feels like they have a chance in this situation. So the moves that we
saw today, even some of the things on the proverbial edges that gives you
maybe a solid third or fourth starter, that signifies to me that, hey,
everybody feels like they have a chance of the season. So the Nuggets
being the defending champions, doesn't scare anybody. The cethic to be no more
in the East doesn't scare anybody. So that's exciting thing for for NBA fans
specifically. I've got a lot of move from made today on trade deadline.
Yeah, I would echo what he said, but I also think some of
the things that that benefited teams that were talked about in contender conversation, I
think the addition of Patrick Beverly on the of the mil Milwaukee Bucks of benefits,
and defensively exponentially, particularly on the on the weak side, because Damian
Lillard, as much as we know him as a as a prolific scorer,
playmaker alongside. To be honest, I think defensively one I think Pat bev
is gonna push him in practice, and two I think Philadelphia got better h
adding an offensive piece. There's a logjam at the two and three position in
Indiana and Buddy hild was the odd man out in that instance, and with
it beat out for at least a month. You can't solely depend on Tyrese
Max in a nine and night out basis to get you scoring. You need
some help. And if Kyle Lowry reaches a buy out with the Charlotte Hornets.
I think that that actually helps MAXI get additional rest come the second half
of the season, and then you wait for a bat to come back.
As far as the New York Knicks, I think they added pieces to their
already deep or at least their talented roster. I won't say deep. I
think that the move made them deeper. And I also think that when you
look at the Phoenix Suns, who many expected to make a run in the
second half of the season, adding Worris O'Neil a small piece to some a
giant come playoff time defensively is going to help the Phoenix Sons quite a bit.
He's very familiar with the NBA's Western Conference, having played for the Utah
Jazz. Those are some of the tips that I that I picked up on.
Yeah, I think depth is the word that comes to mind. You
know, for myself and the teams that you listed off Scoop are teams that
clearly recognize that for them to endure and for them to make the significant run,
their roster has to be full. I know it's real easy that you
can basically run with maybe like you know, six seven deep come playoff time,
but I do think that this run for the championship is going to require
at least nine deep for most contending rosters. And it's interesting that the Bucks
did make that play to bring a guy like Patrick Beverly, and you probably
think that they would double down more on probably trying to score the basketball.
But clearly even with the addition of Doc Rivers, even with the addition of
you know, and they moved, which you will call it Robin Lopez right
like to me, I feel like they need to be quicker, they need
to be more athletic, but they also need to be more disciplined for them
to get back to where they believe that they needed to be. Did it
surprise you that the Knicks really moved like a lot of bodies in order to
get Burke and Bogdanovich. And do you think that makes them significantly better?
Because I think one of the good things that people felt like with the Knicks
is that they had a really deep roster to sustain the injuries that they've been
during. Now we're finding out that og Nanobi is going to be gone for
another three possibly four weeks in order to get himself back on the men.
Well, I think that they were. They already had an impressive roster,
and I think even in Julius Randall's absence, Dante's been Vincenzo held up more
than his end of the bargain. And in addition to now you bring in
an Alec Burke that already had a familiarity playing for the Knicks. I think,
to me this signal is one. The thing that they want to add
more of is premium three point shooting. You have that with Josh Hart,
who also not only gets you premium three point shooting, but for a swingman
in his size gets you salid rebounding. But you get someone who's a solid
shooter. So when Julius Randall does come back, he's a proficient passer.
I can't kick out the in the double team and pass the ball pretty well
to open a bogie. But in addition to that, the same goals for
Jalen Brunson, who has another hand to feed and in the secondary, when
you want to play Brunton along the secondary, or if you decide in certain
games you want to start voging. I think the Knicks were in a good
position, and you know the fact that they were able to rest Mitchell Robinson
and go on such a run and doing so, when he comes back,
he's fresh and he's able to spell folks in minutes. I think that the
Knicks definitely this is the year to to really execute on trying to win a
championship. But I'll add this, I think another sneaky move that that benefited
a team in the NBA's Eastern Conference was the move that the the Boston Celtics
made to get Xavier Tillman. Definitely someone who is rough and tough, rabbit,
wolverine and x men, if you will, something that they missed with,
you know, parting ways with uh Marcus Smart. And I think I
think that the East has gotten more competitive and some of the guys that they
brought in on the Knick side as well as the Celtics side, as well
as the Bucks and the Philadelphia seventy six ers interesting. I was gonna say,
Sean, I wanted you to weigh in on that because we talked about
that. I me personally really liked the move of the Celtics getting you know,
Xavier Tilman. I think he brings a little bit of that element that
then the Celtics first got when they had gotten Daniel Tice, you know,
but I feel like he's a more more foundational kind of guy. I can
really learn off of Al Hawford and those guys and really help them shure up
a little bit of what we've seen, which was slippage from the front court
position, you know, being able to compete, get physical, you know
what I'm saying with those bigger teams, especially when Joel Embiid and when Randall
come back fully strong and healthy for that final stretch run. Yeah, a
lot of it here is also with Boston. They need guys to eat up
some minutes. Like we talk about this all the time, like and from
the baseball side, you're like, you need those those innings theaters, if
you will. So Boston has been relying so heavily with on their starting lineup,
you know, that front six, and now you get another guy who
can actually play and not hurt you when he's out there. I think defensively,
Kaita was, you know, he's a he's obviously a big body for
them as well, but he's an experience. So I think till Min has
a little bit more just kind of you know, experience in the NBA,
a little bit more just understanding and basketball IQ by virtue of that experience and
allows Joe Mozulaga and another body to play out there that can spell Al,
that can spell Christaps as well to in the front court and again who's switchable
and technical technically go into that lineup and shoot threes in the way that Boston
wants to continue to do, especially from the corner side of it too.
So Boston definitely, you know, made a smart move. They didn't have
a lot of money to make a larger move anyway. So they find another
partner again in Memphis for the second time within the last year to get a
deal done. What Scoop was talking about though, is really interesting me and
kind of want to take it next one especially comes to the Eastern Conference,
right Philadelphia. So I'm singing their praises in the beginning because I was listen.
The Buddy Heel deal made a lot of sense to me. They get
Buddy healed. He doesn't compete with what Tyreese Maxi does. In fact,
he's a compliment to Maxi and and beat in a lot of ways. Guy
can shoot the three, you know, at a high proficiency and doesn't really
have a whole lot of usage, right he's more of a kind of a
standstill shooter. But then they go and make moves and trade guys to their
proverbial arrivals, Pat Bev to Milwaukee and then even a smaller move Jaden Springer
to the aforementioned Boston Celtics. Now that seems to symbolize that they think they're
going to get Kyle Lowry in the buyout markets, so to speak. But
what were your thoughts on the overall movement from the Philadelphia seventy six ers within
beat out here now scoopy, uh, the buddy heel situation, but then
trading trading players to clearly conference rivals, you know, within the same within
the same year for type competing for an NBA title. Well, I mean,
I think you're right. You did give it to a conference rival.
Luckily for them, they didn't give it to a division rival. But I
think when you look at the fact that they brought a campaign as well,
I think he's someone that does have a level of uh playoff experience to add
to that team. But I think the buddy He'll move was essential for them
because that offense is built around uh Joel Embiid, and while he's out,
you have to add additional offensive scoring, and so to me, the Pat
Bev move was surprising. But the Buddy Hill moved with someone that they had
coveted for some time, someone that they had coveted, I'm told as far
back as when he was in Sacramento. And you know, to me,
they got who they wanted under different circumstances, of course, and beat out
for at least a month or more. Again, uh, you look at
Tyrese Maxley, He's going to need some help scoring the basketball in a world
where you know, you also have Mobamba and you have there's one other guy.
It's been a long day at their disposal. Well, Bias, Tyris
is there, but I was talking about the other the other long guy three
and D guy. But long story short, to me, yes, you
look at the buyout market with Kyle Lowry. I was actually disappointed that Marris
was let go. I thought that that him staying there would have been beneficial
for the long run, at least from positions four to five while you're waiting
for MBI to come back. That wasn't in the cards. But to me,
the fact that basketball right now is such a high scoring game. You
got guys scoring one twenty five to one forty five at night, sometimes adding
a Buddy Hill, who you mentioned could spot up shoot. I think it
was also beneficial because the Pacers were so luck jam at that that swingman position
themselves, having brought in Pascal Siakam and and also more and more having faith
in Benedig Master and who you know now he gets more minutes to me in
the patier's office. Rick Carlisle shared with me that you know, he likes
the approach that Benedig Matherin has and he feels like an older vet on that
team. And when you have the assurance or the confidence from a head coach
and you as just a rookie, they make a move like that for Buddy
Hill. It kind of makes sense in the end. So Philadelphia looks out
by them having so many guys at that position, and I think that that's
gonna help Philly even in the playoffs, because once Joelle and bid Us come
back, and you add Buddy Healed into the mix and potentially bringing in Kyle
Lowry as a backup, and you have you have Tobias Harris, who's been
in every trade room or imaginable, and you add the thing that Philly was
missing was firepower. Tobias Harris can't be the only swing man. You need
to add another guy at that two three position that can can can work wonders
and in that system. And you know one thing in that Philly system,
now with the head coach, they're gonna do a lot of running. Buddy's
gonna fit in very well in that system. Scoopy joining us here on the
baseline, Cali warren Shaw, I got a quick question to ask you in
school. So you you think they're all in with with this trifecta of Tobias
Harris, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Now I know, Buddy Heel is
a is a nex factor sor to speak. But I guess just out of
what I had interpreted and thought that, like I guess, if the sample
size presented itself well and the stock was high and you could probably maybe move
some piece, is change the dynamic. With someone as versatile a coach is
Nick Nurse, I wouldn't have been surprised if maybe Tobias Harris got moved for
the right you know, for the right price or whatever. But do you
buy into the idea that this this can work those three that three headed monster.
If Philly can work. My opinion is that it could work, But
it also looking in the off season, Like I feel like a lot of
these moves that were made at the trade deadline were chess pieces that will further
develop in the off season. So like when I look at this move with
bringing in Buddy Hill, in my mind, while I'd like to see it
be successful, I still think that Tobias Howis is going to give you valued
stats on on on a stat sheet. But if Hill turns out to be
what they needed, it could make him. It could make Tobias expendable in
the off season and you could look elsewhere. But in the meantime, you're
gonna go while the going gets hot. Tobias has been all reliable for them
for the last couple of years. One of the things I think with Philly
and kind of closed the book on them. It's like the healed situation gives
them flexibility because he is on an expiring so they will have cap space next
year if they want to retain them they can, or they move him and
move Harris out of this will be I think it really is found money.
With the development of Tyreese Maxie and just how good he has been. But
now, you know, I've seen a lot of people kind of talking stuff
on social media more recently, like we'll see if Tyree's is really like that
with with Joel and b being out right now and listen, hey, it's
not meant for him to be the guy on that team, but he will
get some more licks in here now and then understand what it means for defenses
to focus in on him, you know, for the rest of the season
or for sorry for the for the time that joelas is out. This transition
really quickly over to the Western Conference, and you mentioned, you know,
what the Mavericks have done. Well, you talked a little bit more about
what the what the what the Suns have done, But let's talk about what
the Mavericks have done as well too. Another team that I think improved their
overall positioning here with Luca and Kyrie obviously getting Daniel Gafford and PJ. Washington
from from Charlotte. Your thoughts on the Mads now where they stand in the
Western Conference as they try to you know, all out of there. I
think they're currently seventh. You know, what is the highest what is the
ceiling for the Mavericks in your opinion, Scoop, I think the mass particularly
because now they have minus Luca wearing a face mask, a healthy uh one
two punch with Kai and Luca, but they were missing that third piece.
Some thought that Grant Williams would be that, but you know, Grant gets
to go back home to Charlotte, as does Seth Kirby. But in the
grand scheme of things, I think PJ Washington is a scoring guy that that
would benefit that team a lot. There's been times he's going off in Charlotte
and and and and it's good to see that meaningful basketball or meaningful minutes now
being played for PJ Washington instead of meaningless minutes in Charlotte. I think adding
him to that pot was something that Dallas or was looking to do in the
offseason when they were looking for a third option alongside those two guys. I
do know that Draymond Green was at one point on their wish list. I
know that at some point Kyle I know that Kyle Kuzma was somebody that they
had coveted. Really since September, A very close Map source shared with me
that you know they think that he's probably underrated very much so defensively, but
I also know Sacramento was another team that was in on Kuzma ultimately Kuzma State
in Washington. But I think that the Daniel Gafford part is really the part
that it's going to help them a lot. A guy that came in from
Chicago playing alongside Levigne and then found his way to Chicago to Washington and a
lot of respects. Was a throwing uh in a moved to Washington and the
landlord. I've washed him first hand in Washington. Loved it in our nation's
capital. But I think that style of play that that he exhibits running playing
defense, I think he's he is Jerome Junkyard, Dog Williams with a better
jump shot, nice a school the thunder get Gordon Hayward. I love that
move, by the way, and I've been you know, I'm glad you're
gonna speak to this because I'm trying to wrap my mind around said will just
make them, you know, a better roster. Obviously, availability is the
key, but he's shown that he's been relatively healthy and he's been contributing for
the Charlotte Hornet. So he's another person that you were just alluding to a
moment ago where meaningless minutes, you know what I'm saying in Charlotte now can
mean significant and meaningful minutes, you know, playing at the playing with the
Oklahoma City Thunder. So what were your what were your what was your take?
And how do you see you know, Daganaut utilizing Hayward. Do you
think he's gonna be like an X factor guy, like their their main six.
Every Gordon Hayward to me is everything. Eric Payakowski was supposed to be
on a more polished discipline Clippers team back in early two thousands. And it's
not just because he's like it's because you have a team like Shake Gilgris or
a leader in Shake gilg just Alexander, players like Lou Dort and others,
particularly Shake Gills is Alexander who draws the double team triple team on a night
and night out basis. And now he can kick it out to an open
guy, but he can Hayward can drive to the basket himself. He's not
just a spot up shooter. I spent some time with the Thunder last season
in Oklahoma, and the one thing that they've been developing and really have been
focusing on every year is developing a system where guys actually want to be there,
guys are having fun, and guys are winning. And the one thing
that I've really noticed or knew going into this offseason was how excited lou Dort
from Montreal was to play with Shake Gills Alexander from Toronto in the Olympics.
I know, oftentimes we talk about two team USA Basketball and how guys connected
and how they're swag developed, but if you look at that Canadian team,
those guys really connected in the off season and lou Dort and Shay Gilgess Alexander
had that chemistry and it carried over into training camp, and it carried over
into the regular season, and they've been one of them hottest teams that is
that are not always being talked about because they're not in New York or Los
Angeles or more. You even see that in the NBA's the Eastern Conference with
the Cleveland Cavaliers or the seven game winning streak, and they're doing their thing
in the Eastern Conference. So when you look at the Oklahoma City Thunder adding
Gordon Hayward, you're forcing the critics as well as the supporters to talk about
them if you win. Minnesota had that same problem, and you know,
off and on throughout the course of this season you see Minnesota and Oklahoma battle
for the first and second seed. Now you see the Cliffers kind of catching
up and doing their thing. But I like to see the level of competition
that is in that Western Conference, and Oklahoma definitely added to that by bringing
in Gordon Hayward, a guy who has been in the deep running the playoffs.
And you know, now Kim kind of add to the pot alongside chet
holmeren Shake Gills is Alexander Moore. They're like a young old team. You
have the right amount of young people and the right amount of season people.
That's that's like a recipe for success if you asked me, with him trading
out as many guys as they did for Gordon. So assuming Gordon does come
back and is healthy, the overwhelming notion for the Thunder coming into this was
like, Hey, they needed to get a big So Gordon doesn't address that
need per se. But obviously we'll talk a little bit about buyout Gynadates at
the end of the season or at the end of the show, if you
will. But to me, that's something where getting Gordon in here, as
you alluded to from the veterans side, a guy who does a little bit
of everything can help with the playmaking. I think it's a great great move
with Oklahoma City Thunder as you touched on though. Timberwolves too, though,
what did you think about their move in getting Monty Morris, you know,
to back up and aging and often injured Mike Conley. But that team does
look lost sometimes, but they don't have great point guard play. I thought
it was a solid move. Your thoughts on the money Morris Deel from a
couple of days ago. I think the Mighty More was was pretty good,
particularly because he was playing meaningless minutes. He had just gotten back into the
rotation in Detroit and it seemed like everybody was bouncing everybody off of Detroit.
Detroit was like was like the middle point for everybody. It was like the
point. It reminded me of how last decade everybody came through Orlando before they
ended up winning a championship or being on a bigger contender. You think of
like Trevor Reza leaving Orlando to the Knicks going to the Lakers. Detroit was
that point too. Uh. But but I digress when I when I look
at Monte Morris's moved there. He's a guy that's looking for a fit.
I spent a lot of time around him last season when he was in Washington,
and he spoke reverently about his time in Denver, but it just seemed
like in in Washington last season he just never found a groove. You know,
Washington brought him in playing alongside his childhood friend and caw cous I talked
to Monti tonight. Monty's excited to get started. Uh. In Minnesota.
They are franchise that embraces their their players. They build around their players,
and you know, he's in a situation where he can play alongside in Anthony
Edwards, Karl, Anthony Towns, and Rudy Gobert. He does well.
Nas Reed has been such a institution as a as a role player for the
Minnesota Timberwolves this season, I think that the sky's the limit for him.
And you know, he shared with me about a month ago that the difference
between last season and this season has been how much on one accord Rooney and
Carl has has been and how they've been able to find the rights bacing to
make things happen, and Anthony Edwards, of course, is the key that
starts the engine. Nas I asked him if he had to compare Anthony Edwards
to a car, which would be He said, oh, lambo, no
question. Now you got a lambo and you got a driver in Monte Morris
who can steer the ship. In Anthony Networks could just sit in the back
and be driven around and make big plays when he needs to. It's a
recipe for success. But they definitely have veteran leadership as well with Mike Collie
Junior, and I think that they just are trying to gear up for the
playoffs to compete with the Oklahomas, the Clippers, and the Denver Nuggets of
the world. So I like the move for Monty Morris. I think he's
an added piece that's gonna benefit that team. Scoopy joining us here on the
baseline, Cali warren Shaw, be sure to check out his YouTube channel.
I do believe that you dropped an exclusive interview with the mister Michael Buffer.
I believe I think you know. I'm just saying, Scoop beads now should
put legendary to the left of that. Whenever you're getting a listing legendary individuals
like Michael Buffer. I was actually gonna take the opportunity to really check that
out, man, because he's one of my favorite, not just ring announcers,
but just individuals and personalities and stuff like that. So congratulations on being
able to have that sit down conversation, you know, for on your YouTube
channel. Man, Thank you, and maybe there will be two more that
drop tomorrow. I'll share with you Jamal Wilkes as well as DJ Vy.
Those will both trot tomorrow on my YouTube channel. Subscribe to my YouTube channel
Scoopy TV, as well as the Scoopy Radio podcast on on streaming platform.
Absolutely all right, Scoop. So like, look, man, let's talk
about who didn't I know we're talking about the DIDs, But I'm really curious
from your perspective, and we can stay on the West Western Conference and then
maybe pivot to the East if you believe that there's any teams who you thought
should have made some kind of move to be made. So I'm just curious
from your perspective, who would you have expected, you know, for us
to be talking about on today's trade deadline. I knew that the Pelicans and
the Hawks were having some level of conversation concerning adding a center and or a
center or power forward, a center that can shoot, or rim protector.
I know that the Pelicans had their eyes on on Yaka on Coongo of the
Hawks, but the talks never really materialized. I know that the Pelicans' focus
was on a backup point guard as well as a rint protector. And I'm
told that you know they are looking to add a fourteenth man to the roster,
and that's where the buyout market comes together. I'll be honest with you.
The three names across the league that I think number one rim protector,
I think Robin Lopez would fit like a glove in that system with the Pelicans.
But I'll add that I also feel like Robin Lopez would fit like a
glove in Philadelphia while while Joel Embiide is out and now that you've add scoring
power to their system with Healed, that would benefit them. But I think
in the system that the Pelicans run quite naturally, Robert Lopez would fit.
I think that was the surprise that they didn't execute on the move. I
know Wndell Carter Jr. Was another guy that was of interest to that team
as far as I know, I'll say I think people were surprised that the
Lakers didn't make a move. I was not, because trading D'Angelo Russell never
made sense to me, particularly because if dejontey Murray was your your target,
he didn't have any reps with those guys going into training camp. And I'm
big on like, if you're going to make a move like that and you
think you're making a run for championship, those guys have to be on one
accord. I feel like the Lakers' problem has been the fact that the guys
that they that they signed in or you know, signed resigned to sign.
They basically have been hurt. So Torrian Prince has been in and out.
You look at Lebron and Anthony Davis have been in and out, but ultimately,
you know, at one point people call them for for dark and Ham's
job. I really think that the Lakers, as much as we talk about
the the Nuggets and the Clippers and the Suns, I think once healthy,
they can compete. I'm not willing to call them a championship team just yet
because they've been Teeter towering, but I never thought that making a move for
de Jonte Murray in the middle of the season made sense. It's good,
let's stay out west, you know, and then obviously you will swing over
to the east. So I mean, just again for due diligence, we
got to touch I guess on the Warriors. So similarly, I think the
Dubbs feel like, listen, they just need some guys to play better,
and maybe that's who's gold, but I think that's their thinking going into this,
and that they're not usually a team that makes a whole lot of dealers
in the middle of the season anyway. So from your standpoint, did the
Warriors standing pat Not necessarily surprise you do, but you just feel like that
was the right move for them, given given what they've accomplished and how they
were trying to manage that team. Because I think one other thing too is
I know a lot of larger mediology talking about moving Clay Thompson, moving Clay
Thompson, but somebody said today, I think that was the watch they might
have been watching, the span, the gravity that that would take away from
that locker room, I don't even know. I just bringing in somebody else,
like, I don't know if it brings the energy and the hoop that
they might have been looking for because Clay is such a such a centerpiece of
what they've done for so long, so that to me seems is more better
absorbed over the course of the summer than the middle of the season. If
they're going to try to make a move like that, your thoughts, that's
an all season conversation. And I'll add, as much as you said,
he's the gravity of that team being around them, and Draymond being a heart
and soul of that team. Again, he's a like when you're a shooter,
you have to have a short memory, and when you're in a slump,
you're in a slump. But when you had, you had. I
think that the Warriors to me, are like the New Age Spurs, Like
they're at some point they sneak up on you and you're like, how did
they get here? So I think they're a rhythmic shot, a run away.
You look at the last two seasons, like not last season, but
the season before they made it to the finals and after guys set out for
a long period of time like they are the half court YMCA team. I'm
not saying they're going to the finals, but what I'm saying is you don't
mess up chemistry like that during the middle of the season, especially someone who's
been a cornerstone of that franchise. That's that's a dialogue you have any offseason.
I never really bought into the fact that Clay was getting moved, but
I think there are some teams across the league that he would fit well.
And that's a conversation that if he if he leaves, you revisit in the
off season. So yeah, the Lakers and the Warriors are just those teams
that you know, they have veterans that really kick it into a high gear
the second half of the season, like and I think Denver is becoming that
they just look old. But even though they're a little young with they're guys
that were on other teams. Phoenix is in a similar space. So you
gonna see guys really kicking into the next gear in the second half of the
season and maybe had a piece or two. And that's what I look at
with with the Warriors specifically. Yeah, I mean, to me, I
think the Lakers and the Warriors are you know, they're there buyout buddies.
You know, they like to you know what I'm saying, to shop,
you know, and uh, you know, get the great, get the
groceries at bargain rates, and there's nothing wrong with that because some of the
players that they do put on their roster are serviceable, whether it's for short
term or long term need you know. So with with that being said,
I'm just curious what happened to the Sacramento Kings. Like, you know,
a year ago, this team came out like lightning in a bottle, right,
Like they just are like, like to me, like the next the
next level Warriors, right we dubbed them as the next Warriors two point zero
or whatever. And you would have thought that, you know, given what
the roster is and this team has struggled, they're not they don't look nearly
as crisp as they did last year, you would still think that they would
have to tweak that team if there's an expectation one to reposition themselves back to
where they are and then two to not fall off from what they you know,
built up if the perception is that they're not going to be, you
know, looked as overachievers. So what does your take about the fact that
the Kings really didn't make any any meaning? Is it more that they're really
confident they just figure this thing out, or should it be a reason to
be concerned. I get the sense that Kuzma, who was on their dartboard,
couldn't come at the price one two injuries to Sabonis and the Aaron Fox
and others has kind of been like just the level of inconsistency or people not
Like I never bought into the Warriors the second the next coming I actually looked
at I've always over the last year, have said this, I look at
this Akramental Kings as Denver light more than I did a second coming of the
Warriors, And I think I look at them similarly to how I looked at
the Knicks when they made the playoffs for the first time in the last like
when they played against the Hawks and the playoffs and the Hawks and the Knicks
had the same exact record, and they excited a lot of people. And
then I feel like the last couple of years they Teeter Tyler and then along
came O Giananobe, like it's gonna take a level of a name to come
in a defensive stop for to come in, Like I think that's what happens.
I kind of look at the Atlanta Hawks that way, like the Hawks
were this close from going to the finals, and they were young squad,
and then it's de Jonte Murray coming in and like, I just remember that
team going toe for toe with the Bucks and they just didn't they didn't hold
on into the end. I look at Sacramento the same way. I think
they're a player away, like a third player away from being combative. So
let's swing it out to the Eastern Conference here a little bit now, And
just from the aspect is because I got to ask, have the Bulls just
trapped themselves? Like I think? Now? Obviously Levigne got injured, they
weren't able to move him. But Drummond had a lot of interest from what
I've from when I've heard or read, and he's played well when given the
opportunity minutes. They started double bigs. More recently against the Minnesota Timberwolves the
other night, Ucevic and Drummond started and they both found a way to play
well. Now, again, that's because Minnesota is a big team. So
I don't know if if Donovan will do that every single night, But what
are their Bulls doing? Like? I love the season, Kobe White has
had love it. I think he's just been been amazing this year, but
they're a ten seed and I don't know that there's a whole lot of upward
trajectory for them. Did they missed the boat by not making a move or
is your sense like, hey, they're just trying to compete with this roster
and see where it goes. I think the Bulls's biggest hurdle has been the
fact that Lonzo Ball has been out and he was such a significant part to
this Bulls rebuilding. And I think also, as you're asking me this question,
it reminds me of the trade deadline a couple of years ago where the
Pelicans and the Bulls were having a conversation about Lonzo and ultimately the Bulls waited
until the offseason to bring in Lonzo and they kept Kobe. Imagine if they
did, this season would have been a lot worse. I swear they would
have been like that. They would have had the fortieth worst record in the
NBA, and it's not even forty teams. Like I think, when you
look at the Bulls and you look at I think the other she was this.
If you looked at the beginning of the season, there were many out
there who believed that the Knicks and the Miami Heat would have been buyers at
the trade deadline or at some point during the season for DeMar DeRozan. And
what happened was Terry Roseer went to Miami and o Giana Noobi went to the
New York Knicks, And so the dialogue then shifted because the Bulls started to
be a little bit more competitive, and then you looked at the Bulls and
Zach Levine and the Lakers was something we talked about, and then he got
hurt again, and so now that conversation about the Lakers and the Bulls was
kind of dead. The other thing is I think that the Bulls waiting until
the off season makes more sense because again I go back to what I said
about chessboards, that conversation about Levine could be or revisit this offseason. I
think that when you look at the talent that they have on the floor,
their talent is good, just not together and not on that team because they've
been hurt. I think that the Bulls and the Washington Wizards are very similar
situations. They have certain guys that are names, but together on a team,
they just are not good. But I think a la carte they benefit
other teams. I think Levine and his health is a red flag for some
teams because it seems like he's a name, he's got, he's been an
All Star, but his level of staying healthy and consistency has been lacking.
DeMar Derozanto me I can build around him, which I could build around him,
But I really think that for the Bulls, their biggest portion is the
fact that Lonzo Ball a quarterback. Eat. I know that's a word that's
used negatively, but a quarterback type of point guard that you can use in
their system would have done wonders for him for that team had they stayed healthy,
and that's just not been the case. I think they revisit something this
offseason. What I don't know Scoopy joining us here on the baseline Calie warren
Shaw discussing the hot button tops of the NBA are trade deadline discussion. So
school, you, you basically tell me this team didn't do nothing was probably
the best thing that happened for him, East or West? You tell him
Ask me that question again, which team that didn't do anything? It was
the best move made the team that did not do anything, and it was
good for them to not do something. You know, sometimes you gotta feel
like you got to get in the mix and then whatever it is that you're
doing really doesn't bowl well for you, whether it be on or off the
court. Probably of the Orlando Magic we talked about every other hot button team.
I think they're a young team to watch, and like I mentioned before,
you have a rising star and Pallo Manketto, You've got some other pieces
around them. I think, you know, the biggest the biggest thing that
that that's been talked about with the Magic was Wendell Carter Junior. And I
think defensively they'll at least be decent. I don't think they're going to the
finals. I don't think they go to the second round. But I think
I think Orlando didn't really need to give Wendell to another team to make them
better. I like that call, you know. I think a lot of
Orlando Magic fans on our timelines where like, hey, do something they wanted
to, you know, backup point guards or whatever. And I think in
essence that brings us to me in the next part of the conversation is the
buyouts. Now, two things happened for me that I was like, just
just like that like just peace Killian Hayes, just dropped by the Pistons.
Just peace out, James Bookknight, peace out in Charlotte. And then,
unfortunately, I think what didn't happen for PJ. Tucker on the Clippers.
He's pieced in. He hasn't found his way out just yet. Your thoughts
on this potential buyout market and some of the guys that might that might be
available for teams that didn't make a movement as yet. I think Joe Harris
will be the thought process of some and he has a relationship with both Kyrie
and and with Lebron does is that someone that you bring in over there?
He also has a relationship with Kevin Durant. I'm not sure what there.
I know, I'm not sure how many guys they have only active Roston now,
so don't quote me, but you know, Utah Watson Nabi was not
a fit. He was moved. You thought that he'd get you some premium
three point shooting. Maybe Phoenix would work. LA makes sense on that front.
I think that's the biggest name that I saw for a team with with
with Championship aspirations and Kyle Lowry again, I see Philadelphia or Los Angeles chasing
him, but a guy from North Philly, Cardinal Docker, He's own Villanova's
own Philadelphia makes the most sense to me. For for Kyle Lowry if he
reaches a bio with the Charlotte Hornets, and what do you think is gonna
happen with Dennis Schroeder Because I know we haven't made much a discussion, but
if the Lakers are are thinking about trying to do something, do you think
that Shrewder stands pat or do you think that he also could possibly UH be
out buy out friendly and he would want to return back to La La Land.
Well, I definitely think the Nets are trying to build uhil build blocks
like Tetris and UH stack a lot of chips as far as just their future
goes and building around Michael Bridges, Dennis Smith Junior and others. There's a
lot of guard on that Nets team, and I don't think while the Lakers
would definitely be a team of interests, he wanted to resign with him and
he ultimately went in another direction. I also look at other teams out there
that are in need of a point guard, like a like Aay Young,
a Pelicans team like UH I know that Dante Exhem in Dallas makes is a
de facto point guard, but I just think they got too many guards in
Dallas. So Dallas may not be the best fit. But New Orleans would
be a fit. To me, the Clippers would be a fit. Those
are the two teams that stand out to me right now. Maybe Houston,
but but ultimately yeah, Victor Oladipo I think was also brought out. I'm
not sure what the market is for him. And you know Indiana would return
there would be great, but I don't know how the relationship was with is
with India after he left. So but but as far as your question about
Dennis Shooter, either LA team would make sense to me if he decides to
get some sort of buy out with the Brooklyn Mets scool before we let you
get out of here. Just you know, is there anything else that you
can expect to see any other names? Again? A touched on PJ.
Tucker, I spent your dinuity potentially rumor to the Lakers. I think as
we're going on and people are still getting waived and dropped, you know,
as we're recording, some names are still flying off the board. But you
know, is there anybody else that you'd like to see, you know,
maybe land somewhere else. You mentioned Marcus Morris as well too, you know,
any potential landing SPUs for some of those guys. I can't think of
it any right now. It's for a long day, but if I have
anything else, that's what the NBA does to you, Scoop Yeah, to
specifically tell you, thank you, thank you for having me on your show
though, No, absolutely, Man, listen, it's been great, you
know, to be able to have you on board man again. We you
know, we totally applaud the efforts you. You know, you're out there,
you're doing your thing. You're you're marrying the game, you know what
I'm saying with the culture and it's awesome to see, and uh, we
want to continue to support that platform as well too, Man to you know,
by all means, Man, let people know what you got going on.
I know you mentioned that you have two new interviews coming down the pike
again, to make sure you let our audiences know where to catch it and
when they should expect for those to happen. So most importantly following on Twitter
and Instagram at Scoop B. Subscribe to my YouTube at Scoopy TV and subscribe
to the Scoopy Radio podcast the most streaming platforms. And yeah, a couple
of interviews dropping tomorrow Djvy Jabol Wilkes. We dropped one with Michael Buffer early
this week a couple of weeks ago, Prince said, Michael Jackson Son.
So a lot of you know, overlaying crossover into other things, but keep
it locked Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, everything in between. Thank you brothers
for having me once again. Absolutely thanks for hopping on board with us.
Brandon Man, best of luck, brother. Likewise, you too, keep
shying. Yes, indeed, mister Shaw look man, a lot of movement,
not not not you know, listen, not a lot of big names.
But I think it's more so the teams, the teams that did make
those moves, And I think it shared up a lot of what we've been
talking about through the course of the first half, you know, of this
seat of this seat of the season. Yeah, if these teams are really
serious, if they truly believe there's an opportunity, a pathway to probably get
into you know, the NBA Finals that they're gonna need to utilize the trade
deadline smartly, not over extend themselves. And I think we saw that with
a lot of the teams that participated in making the kind of moves that they've
made. Yeah, I think what ended up happening is like, again,
no big, big names on trade deadline Day. A lot of the work
was done earlier in the year, as I said in the outset. But
one thing I will say about the Knicks specifically, because I think a lot
of them are saying that they are the winners of the day. In a
lot of ways, they are because they've still preserved CP flexibility. They still
have all of their first round draft picks. They didn't move at a first
round draft pick in any of these deals, and they can still see how
things go. So I'm excited for them. The Cavs standing PAT, I
thought was an interesting situation, but they're just so hot right now, so
you know, they feel like they needed to do anything significant. The Nuggets
stand pat as well. They're defending champions. Yes, they don't have Bruce
Brown anymore, but you know they feel like, hey, they'll they'll be
able to figure it out. Bruce Brown doesn't move from Toronto, so that
Toronto keeps that that chip and that opportunity to move him maybe you know,
right as we're getting into free agency, because they will have a team option
on him, just so a lot of like little machinations. But as you
alluded to, this is a very very wide open situation with you know,
moves that will be interested to see and with now the trades trade dayline passed
us and all start on the horizon. This is one of the reasons the
MBA did it this way because now you'll have all that rest. Right,
they'll be like roughly like nine days without actual NBA games at some point,
and so yes, some guys will go on vacation and they'll be in the
Islands and so forth and so forth. But for coaches and players who stay,
they'll get to be able to get some practice time. And for some
of these new players they'll be able to actually learn their teammates some as well.
And I think that's a very very huge thing. I think the worst
thing for the Milwaukee Bucks is the All Star break because now Doc Rivers is
supposed to coach it, so he doesn't get to take the weekend off,
if you will, whatever. He's got to be doing that, and he
has still be a couple of days afterwards. But to me. The All
Star break is a crucial point now coming after the trade deadline, because it
allows teams and some players who did get moved or have new pieces, allows
them to get acclimated a little bit in the throes of the season. I
supposed where you wouldn't have that practice signed before. I will say, though,
that to your point about Doc Rivers, I think this will actually help
him. I think it will benefit him in some ways because it keeps him
around basketball. I think there's something to be said when you remove yourself or
you've been removed from that element as a coach because you're doing a lot of
media like type things and not are being and not being invested in the coaching
aspect of things. So I think he uses this opportunity to really observe.
You know, listen, this is why Doc Rivers is always going to be
regarded one of the great coaches you know, in NBA history, regardless of
what people may say, regardless of you know, what his record is reflective
of in the playoffs and things of that nature. He's a man that's prepared.
He's shown you know, fifty eight percent winning percentage as an NBA coach
that you know, that's nothing to sniff at, and it's taking advantage of
those opportunities that present themselves where where most people consider it as downtime, that's
probably prime time for Doc Rivers to prep and prepare and get these guys ready
for the quick turnaround that's gonna be necessary for this Bucks team to re supplant
themselves again to be the team to beat in the Eastern Conference. So yeah,
yeah, and I'm gonna, you know, we'll closee on the Bucks
note. I guess there's some degree I'm gonna I'm gonna expect it. You
know, I'm not sourced, you're not sourci or whatever, but we like
we take stock of what's going on in the league. If p J.
Tucker ultimately gets a buy out from from the Clippers in his interesting situations,
since they're showing that he's you know, he's not playing, but they're winning
without him, I think a return to Milwaukee would be just what the doctor
ordered. I think he would potentially go there. And I know everyone's gonna
say, oh, he'll go to the Lakers and you know some of those
you know, fancier teams, But to me, a return to Milwaukee makes
a lot of sense. And yes they have j Crowder still earning like that
too. But I think that's the spy. He would be comfortable and going
into or or God forbid for for Boston's fans, he goes back to Miami.
I think it's going to be a retread. I don't think it'd be
a brand new team that he hasn't played for before. He's going to go
somewhere where he's comfortable, all right, So PJ. Tucker Watch, that's
what we will be on. You know what I'm saying. Yeah, I
mean listen, and it's a The guy's a bulldog. You can't tell me
you don't like bulldogs when it's playoff time, Yes, sir, Yes,
sir. Man so a lot of fun stuff, man, a lot of
fun stuff. Bulldog and brothers like them George town Hoys did once again.
Man, we like to thank our man Scoop Bee, who was burning midnight
oil and toughed it out to jump on board with us. Man. Just
really appreciate him taking the time to help us break down the trade deadline.
And as always, my brother appreciate you. You know what I'm saying,
uh, putting it, making it happen. I'm saying and again for us,
uh, you know, laying it down and discussing what needs to be
discussed. Sir, I gotta lay you gotta utilize our connections. And you
know Scoop Bee has been rocking us for a little while too, so you
know, glad to see that he's still doing his thing, you know,
in the ethos outside of even sports and entertainment, just you know, has
has has has it baled in really and truly and for us, we hope
your friends listeners, we hope you enjoyed this episode of the Baseline Trade Deadline
edition. You know, it wasn't an emergency podcast we hadn't planned, but
I think it was enough meat on the bone for us to have this conversation.
So again, shout out to Scoop Bee, Brandon Robinson absolutely for the
Baseline, Calie Warren, y'all, we appreciate you guys, thanks for hopping
on board with us this week. To catch up with you next time.