1 00:00:15,480 --> 00:00:19,719 What is kracklacing hardwock? Since there's I am day have a value interjecting very 2 00:00:19,760 --> 00:00:23,480 quickly to say, this is part two of our two part Eastern Conference mail 3 00:00:23,519 --> 00:00:27,320 bad. We did over two hours of questions on every single Eastern Conference team. 4 00:00:27,359 --> 00:00:29,760 Thank you for your questions. Grant and I are about to wrap up 5 00:00:29,800 --> 00:00:32,960 the second half of the podcast. Be sure to check out the first part. 6 00:00:33,000 --> 00:00:35,280 The link is in the podcast and the YouTube description, and as always, 7 00:00:35,320 --> 00:00:38,880 please throw us that permit subscription on your podcast player and YouTube as well 8 00:00:38,920 --> 00:00:42,119 as tell people about us. Let's get into it. You got anything else 9 00:00:42,159 --> 00:00:44,719 there? Should we go to Detroit? Let's go to Detroit? Baby, 10 00:00:45,000 --> 00:00:49,600 alright, batter place here. Jesus Christ, It's from Jason Brennan. Outside 11 00:00:49,600 --> 00:00:52,200 of Wimby and Scoot, who do you see the Pistons going after in the 12 00:00:52,240 --> 00:00:56,880 off season through free agency and or the draft? Just as a starting point, 13 00:00:57,840 --> 00:01:00,600 Detroit is still very much a best player available operation. And that's true 14 00:01:00,600 --> 00:01:04,560 of almost everywhere. But I think it was kind of a mistake for the 15 00:01:04,599 --> 00:01:08,040 Pistons to think, you know, that they we're going to beat for a 16 00:01:08,040 --> 00:01:11,879 playoff spot this year. And you know, granted Bogdanovich has been great. 17 00:01:12,000 --> 00:01:17,040 I think the idea that they want to keep him versus move him for future 18 00:01:17,040 --> 00:01:21,040 assets remains crazy to me. So the Pistons just sort of need to know 19 00:01:21,079 --> 00:01:23,920 where they are. And that's like, so if you if you fall to 20 00:01:23,000 --> 00:01:27,840 second and Scoot Henderson's there, you don't think for a fraction of a millisecond 21 00:01:27,959 --> 00:01:30,400 that like, well, I don't know if that's going to work with Ivy 22 00:01:30,439 --> 00:01:34,599 and Kade being are you know primary, Like, no, no, you 23 00:01:34,680 --> 00:01:38,000 just draft the best player. That's that's we're nowhere near ready to start thinking 24 00:01:38,000 --> 00:01:42,719 about fit for the Pistons. So in terms of who else they can add 25 00:01:42,719 --> 00:01:46,319 beyond those two guys, I think it's important to know that they got between 26 00:01:46,359 --> 00:01:49,480 thirty three and forty three million in cap space coming up. I don't think 27 00:01:49,719 --> 00:01:55,079 it makes sense for them to sign anybody for a decent chunk of that if 28 00:01:55,200 --> 00:02:00,519 that player is like over twenty five or isn't someone you think is the best 29 00:02:00,560 --> 00:02:04,280 days are ahead. This is not a veteran signing thing. I still like 30 00:02:04,359 --> 00:02:07,400 the idea of using that space if you can't find the perfect guy as like 31 00:02:07,439 --> 00:02:10,400 a dumping ground for bad salary and picks. It's just the Pistons just they 32 00:02:10,400 --> 00:02:15,400 are where they are and it's still asset accumulation. Maybe people will disagree with 33 00:02:15,439 --> 00:02:21,680 that. I just don't see enough present talent to justify a pivot. So 34 00:02:21,719 --> 00:02:23,719 who should they sign. I'm just looking at younger guys, you know, 35 00:02:23,759 --> 00:02:30,120 Cam Johnson, especially in the kind of in between the guard and center positions. 36 00:02:30,560 --> 00:02:35,919 And Williams let's move to Washington again, he's restricted. That's tricky. 37 00:02:36,120 --> 00:02:39,439 I don't know if I want to pay market rates for him. And it 38 00:02:39,439 --> 00:02:43,639 looks like Grant Williams is going to be expensive too. I think justifiably. 39 00:02:44,000 --> 00:02:46,719 I like that name though, even if you have to pay him Grant the 40 00:02:46,759 --> 00:02:50,599 Grant Williams jayn Nern from Court. Yeah, and you can Grant Williams can 41 00:02:50,599 --> 00:02:53,000 play some backup five if if Stuart's not someone you think, I mean, 42 00:02:53,080 --> 00:02:57,759 even that rotation isn't workable. I think with those three guys, even if 43 00:02:57,960 --> 00:03:00,039 if that's what you got, because you see it with you know, Horford 44 00:03:00,080 --> 00:03:04,639 and Robert Williams and Grant Williams now, I mean Horford stretch makes that a 45 00:03:04,639 --> 00:03:08,800 little different, but it's it's it's viable draft. I'll just fully admit I 46 00:03:08,840 --> 00:03:14,120 haven't done a lot of draft research yet because it's January and the NBA is 47 00:03:14,120 --> 00:03:16,439 hard enough to follow. But a couple of guys Wemby Scoot obviously, like 48 00:03:16,599 --> 00:03:20,240 just if you're one of the first two picks, I don't know how you 49 00:03:20,280 --> 00:03:24,120 ever deviate. Brandon Miller six nine from Alabama. He can shoot it. 50 00:03:24,719 --> 00:03:29,840 I read a Paul George comp which is always enough for me. I think 51 00:03:30,319 --> 00:03:32,599 that's just that's gonna be fine. And he fits in that little in between 52 00:03:32,639 --> 00:03:36,599 area, like can we get a wing that can shoot and create a little 53 00:03:36,680 --> 00:03:40,919 defend to kind of balance out what's sort of like a I guess top and 54 00:03:40,960 --> 00:03:47,000 bottom heavy point guard center roster or playmaker center roster, Cam Whitmore from Villanova. 55 00:03:47,080 --> 00:03:51,520 You're never gonna convince me that it's a bad idea to draft of Villanova 56 00:03:51,680 --> 00:03:57,680 guard or wing. They just always are tough and defend. And this so 57 00:03:58,439 --> 00:04:02,759 W Moore in particular six six super athletic listen at two thirties, so he's 58 00:04:02,759 --> 00:04:08,719 not like the willowy, you know, knocked off his you know, flight 59 00:04:08,800 --> 00:04:13,280 pattern athlete. He's like gonna maybe go through you occasionally. So those are 60 00:04:13,280 --> 00:04:16,040 a couple names I threw in there, but it's all it's all wings and 61 00:04:16,199 --> 00:04:19,600 combo forwards. I think those are those are your targets if you can't get 62 00:04:19,639 --> 00:04:24,680 just the absolute you know, blue chip guy for the Pistons, I wouldn't 63 00:04:24,720 --> 00:04:27,000 mind them. I know these are probably older than you would like, but 64 00:04:27,079 --> 00:04:30,199 like I mean, Gary Shron Junior is pretty young. Yeah. Bobda Mardanovitch, 65 00:04:30,480 --> 00:04:33,120 though, could be helpful for this team. Let's get and let's keep 66 00:04:33,120 --> 00:04:35,639 both of Bogdanovits. Let's put them on the same roster. You wouldn't even 67 00:04:35,680 --> 00:04:39,720 need a new jersey. It'd be perfect. Molik Beasley would kind of not 68 00:04:39,800 --> 00:04:42,920 for the defense, but would be perfect. If I thought that the Jazz 69 00:04:42,920 --> 00:04:45,519 would decline his team option what they which they won't, I'll be I'll be 70 00:04:45,560 --> 00:04:49,720 floored if he reaches free agency. Yeah, the only other one we had 71 00:04:49,720 --> 00:04:53,279 here is from Kevin Marsh. Just real quickly, do you think a trade 72 00:04:53,319 --> 00:04:56,839 of og and and Obi for We're all just trying to trade Og right, 73 00:04:56,839 --> 00:05:01,800 because he fits everywhere for kill, but and a twenty four first would work 74 00:05:01,800 --> 00:05:04,959 for both teams. I do not think that that would work for the Raptors 75 00:05:05,000 --> 00:05:09,720 because I think and I think very highly of An and Obi. I'm still 76 00:05:09,759 --> 00:05:13,480 not sold on Hayes. Burke's in the first round. Pisop would be fine, 77 00:05:13,519 --> 00:05:16,360 but no Og is too good to give up for that. Yeah, 78 00:05:16,480 --> 00:05:20,000 Killian Hayes is just like if he continues to hit these step back jumpers. 79 00:05:20,040 --> 00:05:23,279 His passing has always been there, as defense always been there. But if 80 00:05:23,319 --> 00:05:26,759 this is the Killian Hayes that just finishes the season, I don't think Toronto 81 00:05:26,839 --> 00:05:30,079 does it just because they probably want someone who I think is more of a 82 00:05:30,079 --> 00:05:31,639 compy fit, or need someone who's more of a company fit. Off the 83 00:05:31,680 --> 00:05:36,920 ball. Still, he becomes like a very very I know he'll be entering 84 00:05:36,920 --> 00:05:41,319 the final year of his heal, but he becomes like a very interesting is 85 00:05:41,360 --> 00:05:44,360 it trade piece? Is it? Do we try to work this with Kayden, 86 00:05:44,439 --> 00:05:48,360 Jade and Ivy. But he's been really, really solid, if not 87 00:05:48,600 --> 00:05:56,879 freaking good for Detroit. I think the fact that we're even discussing Killian Hayes 88 00:05:57,000 --> 00:06:02,399 now as like, well, maybe there's something there is just like a momentous 89 00:06:02,399 --> 00:06:08,279 you know salvage of where it looked like things were going for him, you 90 00:06:08,279 --> 00:06:11,959 know for most of again, injury hit, all this other stuff, tough 91 00:06:11,959 --> 00:06:15,120 adjustment coming over, but I just was I could not have been more out 92 00:06:15,199 --> 00:06:18,199 on a player than Hayes and the fact that it's even a thought that he 93 00:06:18,240 --> 00:06:23,399 could feature in a big way for the Pistons or anyone else's Like, would 94 00:06:23,439 --> 00:06:27,639 would have lost a lot of money betting against that. You would be an 95 00:06:27,639 --> 00:06:31,879 interesting team for killing him Hayes. The Magic Okay, maybe, but that's 96 00:06:31,920 --> 00:06:35,079 like there's I mean, he yeah over faults, but like, I don't 97 00:06:35,079 --> 00:06:38,360 know what the Magic have to offer unless they're want to get part of the 98 00:06:38,360 --> 00:06:42,399 pick. But the Warriors would be an interesting team for killing him Hayes. 99 00:06:42,680 --> 00:06:46,560 I don't know why Detroit would have any interest in like James Wiseman picks package, 100 00:06:46,600 --> 00:06:50,079 but like if it was a Moses Moody picks package and then you have 101 00:06:50,120 --> 00:06:56,120 to attach other salary to it. I mean, I'm gonna need to see 102 00:06:56,160 --> 00:06:59,519 some I need to watch some more Hayes tape because you are out of your 103 00:06:59,560 --> 00:07:02,000 mind if that's not even something I guess because you're trading a twenty twenty six 104 00:07:02,040 --> 00:07:04,720 first round pick, I get it, but maybe in the off season when 105 00:07:04,759 --> 00:07:08,560 like it's oh, you could trade it after you get this year's draft pick 106 00:07:09,040 --> 00:07:12,199 or something. I wouldn't give up comingo for him. Oh hell no, 107 00:07:12,439 --> 00:07:17,000 cominga's for him. I just I don't know, I need to be I 108 00:07:17,040 --> 00:07:25,920 have so much Hayes skepticism, like accumulated that it's I just it's really difficult. 109 00:07:25,920 --> 00:07:30,000 It's still like outweighs the good stuff that we've seen lately. Maybe that's 110 00:07:30,040 --> 00:07:31,800 not fair, that's just where I'm at, but he's been really good. 111 00:07:31,800 --> 00:07:33,879 I don't think the Raptors do that trade either. Just to be clear, 112 00:07:34,160 --> 00:07:38,959 now, if it was Killian Hayes and like two Detroit first round picks, 113 00:07:39,879 --> 00:07:43,240 that at least probably gets Toronto thinking maybe not you have to like Killian Hayes 114 00:07:43,279 --> 00:07:46,120 still yeah, yeah, I mean, if you're getting too first with Hayes, 115 00:07:46,199 --> 00:07:49,720 friend, this is Annaobi. Annobie is like young, and that's the 116 00:07:49,759 --> 00:07:55,680 issue. Is just Killian Hayes definitely has the higher offensive ceiling. I think 117 00:07:55,680 --> 00:07:58,560 that's just clear at this point. But like o Giannaobi is defensive player of 118 00:07:58,600 --> 00:08:01,800 the year of potential who doesn't drag down your offense. And that's like probably 119 00:08:01,839 --> 00:08:05,040 the least complimentary thing I could say about it. Like he's better than a 120 00:08:05,079 --> 00:08:09,439 liability is what I'm saying, Like much better than that, So I don't 121 00:08:09,439 --> 00:08:13,079 need to frame it that way. But just because he's so young still, 122 00:08:13,160 --> 00:08:15,680 it makes it really difficult to figure out that. I mean, Killian Hayes 123 00:08:15,720 --> 00:08:18,360 is young as well, but his next contract is coming up, so was 124 00:08:18,399 --> 00:08:22,839 OG's just food for thought. We need to move on because I don't want 125 00:08:22,839 --> 00:08:26,240 to keep saying bad things about Killian Hayes, all right, so we will 126 00:08:26,279 --> 00:08:30,120 move on. And that brings us to z which is my team. We 127 00:08:30,240 --> 00:08:35,120 have the Indiana Pacers. Everything blacks ass. No one believes Indiana when they 128 00:08:35,120 --> 00:08:37,799 say they're negotiating an extension with Miles Turner right where you expect him to move, 129 00:08:37,799 --> 00:08:43,720 if anywhere at the deadline. So I would say, I don't know 130 00:08:43,759 --> 00:08:46,120 if no, I don't know if everyone believes it. I believe that they 131 00:08:46,159 --> 00:08:50,279 are renegotiating extent talks with Miles Turner, and I wouldn't say I have it 132 00:08:50,320 --> 00:08:54,480 on good authority, but from what I've heard, like that might be the 133 00:08:54,519 --> 00:08:56,519 most likely outcome to all this. But the Pacers have never been a wholesale 134 00:08:56,559 --> 00:09:01,559 rebuilding team. If they're willing to give Miles Turner he raised right now, 135 00:09:01,000 --> 00:09:05,039 they can always move him later on this deal. But there also might be 136 00:09:05,080 --> 00:09:07,879 trying to be really good by next season and Miles Turner can be a quintessential 137 00:09:07,879 --> 00:09:11,600 part of that. And if you have him lockdown, you know how you 138 00:09:11,639 --> 00:09:13,279 can build out the rest of your front court rotation. Whereas right now, 139 00:09:13,639 --> 00:09:18,799 between the three and the four spots of legitimate three and four options, Aaron 140 00:09:18,840 --> 00:09:20,159 n. E. Smith is a keeper and it's like, okay, who 141 00:09:20,159 --> 00:09:24,519 else like o' shaber sets good, doesn't play enough? Probably gone after this 142 00:09:24,600 --> 00:09:30,320 year? Jon Smith, former guaranteed starter Jon Smith, like no Isaiah Jackson 143 00:09:30,559 --> 00:09:33,279 kind of his playing time which was all like, it's not where it wasn't 144 00:09:33,279 --> 00:09:39,360 the early part of this season. So I think unless Miles Turner forces the 145 00:09:39,399 --> 00:09:43,399 issue himself or won't sign an extension, it would not shock me. Now 146 00:09:43,480 --> 00:09:45,840 I even call it the most like the outcome is he signs an extension. 147 00:09:45,840 --> 00:09:50,240 Now that being said, do we have some Miles Turner trades? And the 148 00:09:50,279 --> 00:09:52,279 answer is I do? And so are you willing to play? Who says 149 00:09:52,320 --> 00:09:58,080 no with me? Yet? Again? Absolutely all right? This one is 150 00:09:58,440 --> 00:10:03,559 tough, but okay, see gets Miles Turner, O'shaber sett and James Johnson. 151 00:10:03,600 --> 00:10:05,039 This would have to be completed separately, but it works. Indiana gets 152 00:10:05,440 --> 00:10:09,919 Jaylen Williams. This past year's lottery pick Jr. E. Muscalla Baisley and 153 00:10:09,960 --> 00:10:15,759 a protected first round pick from the Clippers next year for the lottery twenty twenty 154 00:10:15,759 --> 00:10:18,080 four lottery protected first round pick. And then it turns into two seconds immediately, 155 00:10:18,159 --> 00:10:24,000 noakes, no extending after that, The Thunders say no, because Jaylen 156 00:10:24,039 --> 00:10:26,879 Williams is going to make at least one All Star Game in his career. 157 00:10:26,480 --> 00:10:30,919 I will say the Thunders should target Miles Turner in free agency this summer. 158 00:10:31,000 --> 00:10:33,399 I want to make I just want to make that queer. He'd be great 159 00:10:33,399 --> 00:10:37,600 exit chet Homebred. Next trade, Memphis receives Miles Turner. Indiana gets Danny 160 00:10:37,600 --> 00:10:43,000 Green, one of Santi Aldama, David Roddy or JAKEO Ravia and a first 161 00:10:43,080 --> 00:10:50,639 rounder. I think the Pacers say no because I don't know if any of 162 00:10:50,639 --> 00:10:54,120 those I like Aldama, but I think I think Turner has more value to 163 00:10:54,120 --> 00:10:58,440 Memphis than that. I think I think Memphis could squeeze the Pacers for more. 164 00:10:58,360 --> 00:11:01,159 Would you do two? Let's say two of those youngsters, then take 165 00:11:01,159 --> 00:11:05,799 your pick. Two of those youngsters and a first What if it's the Warriors 166 00:11:05,799 --> 00:11:09,720 first in twenty twenty four that they're putting on the table I think he got 167 00:11:09,759 --> 00:11:13,200 something there. I think that's doable. Two Pelicans trades. The first one 168 00:11:13,320 --> 00:11:18,159 is New Orleans gets Miles Turner. Indiana gets Jonis Valancunis and Herb Jones. 169 00:11:18,799 --> 00:11:22,759 New Orleans says no because they refuse to do the right thing and should have 170 00:11:22,799 --> 00:11:26,960 traded for Miles Turner two years ago. No, this is great. Yeah, 171 00:11:26,000 --> 00:11:30,679 I mean Indiana should Both teams should do this if there's no extension for 172 00:11:30,759 --> 00:11:35,360 Turner in the offing. The other one is, let's just say that they're 173 00:11:35,360 --> 00:11:39,440 not that New Orleans for New Orleans doesn't want to trade Yonis for whatever reason. 174 00:11:39,799 --> 00:11:41,559 Indiana get DeVante Graham, who's another year left on his deal. After 175 00:11:41,600 --> 00:11:46,240 this one, Jackson hayes Herb Jones at a twenty twenty four first round pick 176 00:11:46,360 --> 00:11:50,840 that would be let's say, lotto protected or top ten protected for Miles Turner. 177 00:11:50,360 --> 00:11:54,559 Pelicans should be all over that. The Pacers, I think, would 178 00:11:54,559 --> 00:11:58,440 hope to do a little better her I wouldn't mind eating Graham if it gets 179 00:11:58,440 --> 00:12:01,840 me Herb Jones and a twenty twenty four first, because they're already have three 180 00:12:01,960 --> 00:12:05,440 first and twenty twenty three. I would do that one. I think final 181 00:12:05,480 --> 00:12:11,200 one the Heat, get Miles Turner, the Pacers get Duncan Robinson Nikola Yovic 182 00:12:11,399 --> 00:12:16,559 an unprotected pick this year from Miami, and then a twenty twenty four swap. 183 00:12:16,960 --> 00:12:22,159 I really hate getting Duncan robinson salary on the books if I'm the Pacers, 184 00:12:22,200 --> 00:12:24,759 and I'm not sure either of those first are gonna be super high value 185 00:12:24,759 --> 00:12:30,759 because Miami is just never bad enough. If Miami went two first, so 186 00:12:30,759 --> 00:12:35,639 it would be twenty three unprotected and then twenty seven because that's the plus Duncan 187 00:12:35,720 --> 00:12:37,600 Robinson, would you do it? I like the twenty seven a lot better, 188 00:12:37,679 --> 00:12:41,240 just because it's too hard to see the heat getting bad in a year 189 00:12:41,320 --> 00:12:45,120 or two. But by then, you know, you never know, Jimmy 190 00:12:45,120 --> 00:12:50,080 Butler will probably be done by then. So next Pacers question and our finals 191 00:12:50,120 --> 00:12:54,080 one, came from a friend of the podcast, Rhett Bower. Rhett, 192 00:12:54,240 --> 00:12:58,679 he says, who says, no, Chris de Arte Boston's first and Cleveland's 193 00:12:58,679 --> 00:13:03,799 first for John Collins. He also added in parentheticals, he's not sure whether 194 00:13:03,840 --> 00:13:07,519 he would give up both of those first to Atlanta. So let's say it's 195 00:13:07,559 --> 00:13:11,919 even just the and Indiana can help you complete the lopsided trade because they have 196 00:13:11,919 --> 00:13:15,600 cap space. Do you do Christa War Day in the first for Collins? 197 00:13:15,639 --> 00:13:18,639 If you're Atlanta, is it Collins value? Well, this is our same 198 00:13:18,679 --> 00:13:22,559 thing. I feel like Collins should be worth more. But if you're getting 199 00:13:22,600 --> 00:13:24,919 first, and all this talk is that the Hawks are gonna have to give 200 00:13:26,000 --> 00:13:28,159 up first to move Collins, and I guess this is a good return. 201 00:13:28,519 --> 00:13:35,960 And I believe you're Indians. What's that you do it? If you're Indie 202 00:13:35,039 --> 00:13:41,440 though, yeah, I think I do because those first aren't going to be 203 00:13:41,480 --> 00:13:45,879 any good and Christa War Day can be good. But like you have Hallie 204 00:13:46,000 --> 00:13:50,360 Bennedic Mathren, Buddy Heel's been amazing for you. Andrew dem Hard's there now. 205 00:13:50,440 --> 00:13:52,480 And also Rhett did point this out too. You need John Collins to 206 00:13:52,519 --> 00:13:58,360 be somewhere where he can be the four on defense and the five on offense. 207 00:13:58,720 --> 00:14:01,279 Myles Turner is the perfect So you do this and then you pay Miles 208 00:14:01,279 --> 00:14:03,799 Turner. Yep, yeah, I'm good with that. I like that four 209 00:14:03,840 --> 00:14:07,399 or five combo. It beats the jail and Smith promised starter and Turner combo. 210 00:14:09,960 --> 00:14:13,879 Are you ready to take us two? Let's let's go to Miami. 211 00:14:13,960 --> 00:14:18,080 That's where we're at right alphabet and scouting report on us as alphabet is a 212 00:14:18,120 --> 00:14:22,639 weakness, but that's where we are. This is from Kevin. What can 213 00:14:22,679 --> 00:14:24,320 the Heat realistically get? Is this one you wanted to say, if the 214 00:14:24,399 --> 00:14:28,320 Kyle Lowry thing? I think that's our Yeah, but you can roll with 215 00:14:28,360 --> 00:14:31,879 it, all right, let's do it. It kind of ties into the 216 00:14:31,879 --> 00:14:33,200 next one anyway. I'll be quick on the first part. It's from Kevin. 217 00:14:33,240 --> 00:14:37,799 What can the Heat realistically get for Kyle Lowry in a trade? So 218 00:14:39,000 --> 00:14:41,279 Lowry's making twenty eight million this year, twenty nine next year, it'll be 219 00:14:41,360 --> 00:14:46,039 thirty seven in March. And he's having the worst season since he became a 220 00:14:46,039 --> 00:14:50,200 starter over a decade ago. So if you're training for him, it's name 221 00:14:50,279 --> 00:14:56,600 recognition, it's and the hope that he can be like Capitol letters Kyle Lowry 222 00:14:56,799 --> 00:14:58,440 in a playoff series or two, which is not out of the realm of 223 00:14:58,480 --> 00:15:03,039 possibility. But the trend line is what it is right now, So I 224 00:15:03,080 --> 00:15:05,919 think, actually, you're more likely to have to pay somebody to take him. 225 00:15:07,000 --> 00:15:11,000 You know, you're sweending this just because the numbers are he's been bad. 226 00:15:11,080 --> 00:15:13,240 He hasn't been good, and he still does a lot of the little 227 00:15:13,279 --> 00:15:16,559 things, and he's a you know, a good guy to have around, 228 00:15:16,799 --> 00:15:20,159 good veteran, But like if I'm just comparing him to a somewhat similar guy 229 00:15:20,279 --> 00:15:24,360 and Mike Conley, who's under forty percent from the field and he's scoring worse 230 00:15:24,399 --> 00:15:28,039 than he ever has since he was a rookie and seven o eight, which 231 00:15:28,039 --> 00:15:33,000 feels like it's impossible that someone's been playing that long that's not named Lebron. 232 00:15:33,960 --> 00:15:37,480 But he's a year younger and has a non guarantee on twenty four million next 233 00:15:37,519 --> 00:15:41,720 season. I think Conley is more likely to be a positive asset than Lowry 234 00:15:41,720 --> 00:15:46,360 at this point age cost, additional year of salary you cannot get out of. 235 00:15:46,919 --> 00:15:50,039 That's just that's just what it is. So that gives us to JT 236 00:15:50,159 --> 00:15:52,240 Alexander, who says, who says no to this trade which you got from 237 00:15:52,279 --> 00:15:58,519 the Bill Simmons podcast, and it is as follows. The Raptors receive De'angelo 238 00:15:58,600 --> 00:16:03,120 Russell, Nikola Yovic twenty three first from Miami, the Timberwolves received Lowry, 239 00:16:03,200 --> 00:16:08,000 the Heat received Fred Vanvley and Gary Trent Junior. So my first response to 240 00:16:08,039 --> 00:16:12,200 this is, well, I'll say this, I don't think Minnesota says no 241 00:16:12,279 --> 00:16:17,639 to this because you're moving Russell, who you may not want to resign anyway, 242 00:16:18,360 --> 00:16:21,080 and you get Lowry, who might be the adults in the room that 243 00:16:21,120 --> 00:16:23,679 you need to sort of help fix the situation. This is a really niche 244 00:16:23,720 --> 00:16:30,480 scenario, one of few where I do think Lowry's intangibles might make it so 245 00:16:30,679 --> 00:16:34,960 that the production, which has been poor, matters a little less. And 246 00:16:36,120 --> 00:16:40,840 the fact that you're probably losing Russell for nothing anyway, this you could talk 247 00:16:40,879 --> 00:16:44,240 me into this. So I think Minnesota is good with this because you're also 248 00:16:44,279 --> 00:16:48,480 getting obviously they're just you're just getting off Russell, which you may lose for 249 00:16:48,519 --> 00:16:53,879 nothing. I think the Raptors probably say no first, because I don't think 250 00:16:55,720 --> 00:16:57,960 because they're getting Russell here, and I don't even though he's a point guard 251 00:16:59,000 --> 00:17:02,240 and even though he addresses some of the like who's going to create shots and 252 00:17:02,360 --> 00:17:04,359 that type of thing and run pick and rolls, I didn't. It doesn't 253 00:17:04,359 --> 00:17:08,240 feel like Russell is a Raptors type, not just because of the size, 254 00:17:08,279 --> 00:17:11,680 but I don't. I don't see it. And how much are they gonna 255 00:17:11,680 --> 00:17:18,519 want to pay him? So I guess the Heat are the ones that are 256 00:17:18,599 --> 00:17:22,480 good with this. Oh, they should be with getting van Fleet and GTJ, 257 00:17:22,519 --> 00:17:25,000 I would say, yeah, they should be good. Problem is, 258 00:17:25,079 --> 00:17:26,920 though, those guys could both just opt out. And so I mean, 259 00:17:27,119 --> 00:17:32,920 you gotta do this knowing that you have a number that everybody's cool with. 260 00:17:33,839 --> 00:17:36,039 It would only caught you one first round pick, and this is it. 261 00:17:36,119 --> 00:17:38,519 I don't think. I think Rono would be like hell no, yeah no. 262 00:17:38,720 --> 00:17:41,839 I so I don't know who you think. I don't know if someone 263 00:17:41,920 --> 00:17:44,440 jumps out to you is. All I know for sure is that Minnesota is 264 00:17:44,440 --> 00:17:48,759 doing this one hundred times out of one hundred. But but which just sounds 265 00:17:48,799 --> 00:17:52,079 weird because I just said Lowry is a negative asset. But that's just that's 266 00:17:52,079 --> 00:17:55,759 how it appears to me. I think the Clippers would still get in on 267 00:17:55,759 --> 00:17:57,400 the Lowry sweep stace, and maybe there's something to be done with like John 268 00:17:57,440 --> 00:18:02,079 wall and Marcus Morris or John all are, Reggie Jackson and Marcus Morris, 269 00:18:02,079 --> 00:18:04,519 depending on what you think the value is. I think Washington could talk themselves 270 00:18:04,519 --> 00:18:10,319 into it, like they might offer you Ruey Barton and not Kuzma. But 271 00:18:10,880 --> 00:18:14,839 let's say Monte Morris for Lowry. That would be a team. But I 272 00:18:14,839 --> 00:18:18,640 think you're looking at best you're probably not. You might get these guys might 273 00:18:18,640 --> 00:18:22,480 be your rotation players, but I don't think you're actually getting an upgraded player 274 00:18:22,920 --> 00:18:26,000 as part of a Lowry deal or a better fitting player, unless you're attaching 275 00:18:26,000 --> 00:18:29,279 a whole bunch of stuff. I don't think my point would be though. 276 00:18:29,279 --> 00:18:32,680 I don't think you need to attach stuff to him to get him. I 277 00:18:32,680 --> 00:18:37,960 think you could get smaller contracts, expiring contracts even for him if you cast 278 00:18:37,039 --> 00:18:41,079 him, or similarly long contracts, but maybe they're broken up into two or 279 00:18:41,119 --> 00:18:45,039 three players rather than just Kyle Lowry himself get better, just a Bysmal start, 280 00:18:45,079 --> 00:18:48,720 I would point out. Yeah, and I love Lowry. He's been 281 00:18:48,759 --> 00:18:52,240 one of my favorite players. It's just I don't know it. So there's 282 00:18:52,240 --> 00:18:56,720 so many It's just so much easier for me to imagine, like this is 283 00:18:56,759 --> 00:19:00,160 the type of contract you have to get off of. It feels like right 284 00:19:00,160 --> 00:19:03,759 now with how he's playing as opposed to we're going to bring back a bunch 285 00:19:03,799 --> 00:19:06,160 of help. But I guess we'll find it, although we may not find 286 00:19:06,200 --> 00:19:08,039 out because I don't know if they're going to trade him. I would be 287 00:19:08,079 --> 00:19:11,240 shocked if it happens middle of the season, right, Yeah, it's an 288 00:19:11,240 --> 00:19:15,440 offseason thing. It feels like, all right, we are onto the Milwaukee 289 00:19:15,440 --> 00:19:18,720 Bucks. We have two questions on them. I'll start with the one from 290 00:19:18,799 --> 00:19:22,920 Nikolo Chekolov part apologies if I mispronounced that. How concerned should Bucks fans be 291 00:19:22,920 --> 00:19:27,960 about the most recent stretch? And so just some background on this. Since 292 00:19:29,000 --> 00:19:32,200 the Bucks is four game win streak in December, they are twenty ninth in 293 00:19:32,319 --> 00:19:36,440 offense overall, including in the half court twenty seventh and three point percentage. 294 00:19:36,759 --> 00:19:41,240 Pat Connaughton, Javon Carter Grayson, Allen Brook Lopez have seen significant dips in 295 00:19:41,240 --> 00:19:45,000 their three point percentage during this time. Chris Middleton, we know, hasn't 296 00:19:45,039 --> 00:19:48,039 really played. Joe Angeles has come back. He looks a little rusty on 297 00:19:48,079 --> 00:19:51,160 the offensive end. Of me Jannest, Drew and Middleton, this should be 298 00:19:51,279 --> 00:19:53,880 a vote in favor of patients have played in just five games together. Drew 299 00:19:53,960 --> 00:20:00,359 his mistime himself. I think Jannest people have made a lot of the range 300 00:20:00,359 --> 00:20:02,720 stuff. I do think it's a problem. They account for thirty percent of 301 00:20:02,759 --> 00:20:04,680 his shots, which isn't an outlier relative of the past few years. But 302 00:20:04,720 --> 00:20:08,000 he's shooting twenty eight percent on them. He's actually been shooting thirty five percent 303 00:20:08,039 --> 00:20:14,000 on them over this your most recent buck stretched since that December winning streak. 304 00:20:14,559 --> 00:20:18,599 I think it's fair to have a moderate level of concern. You need to 305 00:20:18,599 --> 00:20:22,119 see this team at full strength and also acknowledge that they might not give a 306 00:20:22,160 --> 00:20:25,839 fuck whether they're there until the postseason. And I do think they've earned the 307 00:20:25,839 --> 00:20:29,279 benefit of the doubt in that regard, like that's a team that they can 308 00:20:29,319 --> 00:20:33,200 experiment. Now, find out more about their depth, find out things about 309 00:20:33,200 --> 00:20:36,359 the limitations of relying on Grayson out or what you can get out of Marjan 310 00:20:36,440 --> 00:20:41,160 Beauchamp in higher leverage situations. How the Bobby Porters, Brook Lopez Jani's lineup 311 00:20:41,200 --> 00:20:45,359 is going to work. I do think, however, when you look at 312 00:20:45,400 --> 00:20:49,880 this roster, there is a deficit of half court creation. Even when Chris 313 00:20:49,920 --> 00:20:52,440 Middleton is there. The numbers might be fine, but you need like another 314 00:20:52,480 --> 00:20:57,039 floor spaser who can work off the dribble. And I know that Jordan Clarkson 315 00:20:57,519 --> 00:21:02,039 has been mentioned among ends, and I think bucks Chas might even preferm League 316 00:21:02,039 --> 00:21:03,960 Beasley to that. I don't think they have asked that they would have to 317 00:21:03,039 --> 00:21:06,880 go a twenty twenty nine Pick and mar Jehan bow Champ. I think they 318 00:21:06,920 --> 00:21:08,480 get either one of those guys, and I wouldn't do that if I were 319 00:21:08,519 --> 00:21:11,720 them. I don't even know if I would, Like there are the Jazz 320 00:21:11,759 --> 00:21:15,079 taking a twenty twenty nine first and just giving you a league Beasley or Jordan 321 00:21:15,160 --> 00:21:21,559 Clarkson. Maybe Clarkson because he's a free agent. Maybe maybe, I don't 322 00:21:21,599 --> 00:21:25,119 know. I think just if I'm the Bucks, like, yeah, it'd 323 00:21:25,160 --> 00:21:27,640 be cool to have a half court score like a spark plug guy, but 324 00:21:27,720 --> 00:21:33,000 I want someone that I can see closing Game seven of the finals, like 325 00:21:33,240 --> 00:21:36,480 that's that's where this team is. That's and to me, that's always been 326 00:21:36,519 --> 00:21:41,000 the issue is where like where's the upgrade on the Wesley Matthews, Pat Conason, 327 00:21:41,480 --> 00:21:45,519 you know, Grayson Allen, Joe Ingles, like fifth, fifth starter, 328 00:21:45,680 --> 00:21:48,599 fifth closer spot. Where like, where's the guy that can play that 329 00:21:48,640 --> 00:21:52,799 position that isn't just a stand still dependent score like you know, Allen's not 330 00:21:52,839 --> 00:21:57,799 that, but Allen's a defensive liability like West Matthews and Angles at this phase 331 00:21:57,799 --> 00:22:02,880 are just guy. Is that they're both too old, there are too immobile. 332 00:22:02,920 --> 00:22:06,480 There's your you need a shutdown guy there. That's it just that's the 333 00:22:06,519 --> 00:22:12,039 spot I need. And and I don't know where that comes from. And 334 00:22:12,319 --> 00:22:15,839 I don't think Jay Crowder helps you unlock some lineups that I think become very 335 00:22:15,880 --> 00:22:19,480 important in the playoffs. But given how good brook Lopez has been defensively this 336 00:22:19,559 --> 00:22:22,640 season, I don't think you're looking to go y honest as the lone Bay. 337 00:22:22,640 --> 00:22:25,079 You can still pay honest with Crowder and brook Lopez. That's fine. 338 00:22:25,640 --> 00:22:27,200 Yeah, I eat some names. That's bringing to mind. Do they have 339 00:22:27,279 --> 00:22:32,359 the juice like if you put Marjean bow Champ or that twenty twenty nine pick 340 00:22:32,400 --> 00:22:38,519 on the table, do you have the juice to get boy On Madonovitch that 341 00:22:38,799 --> 00:22:41,880 I don't. I don't think that's well. The fact that it's so far 342 00:22:41,960 --> 00:22:45,079 out that first cuts both ways, because maybe the Bucks are bad by then 343 00:22:45,119 --> 00:22:48,680 and that picks good. I don't feel like that's enough. I don't think 344 00:22:48,720 --> 00:22:52,440 and that is I mean, that's the level of upgrade because I could see 345 00:22:52,519 --> 00:22:55,720 him being on the floor at the end of games, whether Lopez is the 346 00:22:55,759 --> 00:22:59,440 five or not, and feeling good about that. That's the that's the level, 347 00:22:59,559 --> 00:23:02,039 Like, that's the minimum level of player I feel like they need. 348 00:23:02,720 --> 00:23:08,079 Would you put both on the table for Bogda mcdonovitch. For this team, 349 00:23:08,119 --> 00:23:11,200 I'd like some I'd like a little more size, I think, because again 350 00:23:11,240 --> 00:23:15,839 I'm just like microscopically focused on who's my three, you know at the end 351 00:23:15,839 --> 00:23:18,480 of the game, and I don't I'm not sure. I mean, he 352 00:23:18,480 --> 00:23:22,440 would be really valuable if you're getting back to like, let's get the half 353 00:23:22,440 --> 00:23:25,519 court offense running like he's a smart passery. He can make shots off the 354 00:23:25,559 --> 00:23:27,240 catch, off the bounce, that all matters. I think that some of 355 00:23:27,279 --> 00:23:30,480 the half court stuff too, by the way, is like, first of 356 00:23:30,519 --> 00:23:33,880 all, we've seen the Bucks win a title with a lot of the same 357 00:23:33,920 --> 00:23:37,559 concerns, But if you don't have the honest Middleton pick and roll, which 358 00:23:37,599 --> 00:23:41,160 they really relied on a lot to get half court buckets lead in games, 359 00:23:41,480 --> 00:23:45,240 I think if that were in play, and who's to say that if they'd 360 00:23:45,240 --> 00:23:47,920 even be using it in January, like that might be just we know, 361 00:23:48,000 --> 00:23:49,480 we have that for when we need it. But I think the half court 362 00:23:49,559 --> 00:23:53,680 numbers can look a lot better when they have that, And that just underscores 363 00:23:53,680 --> 00:23:57,319 the value of Middleton to this team, which is real scary considering his age 364 00:23:57,319 --> 00:24:00,240 and the fact that you just like can't get on the floor. The other 365 00:24:00,279 --> 00:24:03,799 name and I mentioned him before with the hornets. This wouldn't cost you a 366 00:24:03,799 --> 00:24:07,480 first round picker Marjon bow Champ. It cost you probably three players in salary. 367 00:24:07,839 --> 00:24:08,880 You can get there. I did the math, it'd be Grayson Allen. 368 00:24:10,359 --> 00:24:11,680 Maybe you have to use Jordan ware in there. Are you getting? 369 00:24:12,160 --> 00:24:15,759 Are you punting on the Angeles experiment? At that point you have George Hill 370 00:24:15,839 --> 00:24:19,839 salary that might you know, kill my boonholes around the inside. But would 371 00:24:19,839 --> 00:24:25,759 you give up just players for Terry Rosier smaller than you would prefer, but 372 00:24:25,799 --> 00:24:27,559 you haven't given up your first round picker Marjan bow Champ there, and that's 373 00:24:27,599 --> 00:24:30,799 someone who going to space the floor. I think it definitely this offense, 374 00:24:30,839 --> 00:24:33,720 that would be his best role. But can also I wouldn't trust his pull 375 00:24:33,799 --> 00:24:37,599 up like he will drive, yeah, and he has I would. I 376 00:24:38,240 --> 00:24:41,400 agree, Like he's a little smaller than i'd want, kind of like Bogdan 377 00:24:41,440 --> 00:24:47,039 Bogdanovitch. But we've also seen at points Rosier would be like a really kind 378 00:24:47,039 --> 00:24:49,359 of disruptive defender. Maybe that's too far in the past, but like maybe 379 00:24:49,359 --> 00:24:52,240 he can also summon that and add a lot of value that way, so 380 00:24:52,279 --> 00:24:56,839 you don't just have Javon Carter out there as like the only guy that does 381 00:24:56,880 --> 00:25:00,279 that in the backcourt other than Holiday. I could I could see my to 382 00:25:00,279 --> 00:25:03,440 that for sure, especially if you're not giving up bow Champ or like premium 383 00:25:03,599 --> 00:25:07,559 future assets. And the final question on the Bucks, and we kind of 384 00:25:07,559 --> 00:25:11,119 touched upon this is Derek Williams, what should the Bucks do in the offseason 385 00:25:11,160 --> 00:25:15,200 if they don't win the championship this year? And it's, look, I 386 00:25:15,240 --> 00:25:17,440 think you'd be getting out, Well, should they look at breaking up the 387 00:25:17,440 --> 00:25:21,359 Big three? Middleton free agent? No, you go all in and you 388 00:25:21,400 --> 00:25:25,160 figure out the half court issue, and you fuck it's fucked the tax at 389 00:25:25,200 --> 00:25:26,119 that point, I don't care what you're paying. You have you honest, 390 00:25:26,319 --> 00:25:30,559 I know you already want a title, but you keep going, you keep 391 00:25:30,640 --> 00:25:33,319 going, and it's do you aim for a higher scale move? You could, 392 00:25:33,400 --> 00:25:37,519 because now you can trade a pick in twenty nine and thirties. You 393 00:25:37,559 --> 00:25:38,559 could trade a pick in a swap if you really wanted to do it that 394 00:25:38,559 --> 00:25:41,640 way, or at least protect to pick out to twenty thirty. Once the 395 00:25:41,680 --> 00:25:45,559 league calendar resets and you have Marjan bow Champ, does it get harder to 396 00:25:45,599 --> 00:25:49,039 match some salaries because Joe Angels is coming off the books that that could be 397 00:25:49,039 --> 00:25:52,920 an issue. But if you like, if you don't make it to the 398 00:25:52,920 --> 00:25:56,119 conference finals, because like, only two teams make the finals and only one 399 00:25:56,119 --> 00:25:59,359 team to win the championship. I won't call the Bucks of failure if they 400 00:25:59,359 --> 00:26:00,640 don't win the title. But if you don't make it to the Eastern Commerce 401 00:26:00,720 --> 00:26:03,680 finals, or if the way you bow out in the playoffs isn't convincing or 402 00:26:03,759 --> 00:26:08,680 eminently excusable, it's you doubled down like you should have in the first place. 403 00:26:08,720 --> 00:26:11,599 Though, I think that it was too much of a flex to go 404 00:26:11,680 --> 00:26:15,559 the Joe Angles route in free agency, and if you wanted to go to 405 00:26:15,559 --> 00:26:18,440 the Joe Angles route, you should have been more aggressive on the margins in 406 00:26:18,440 --> 00:26:21,200 the trade market. I mentioned this before. I think Jordan Clarkson would have 407 00:26:21,240 --> 00:26:23,640 been more gettable before the season started, and the fact that the Bucks were 408 00:26:23,640 --> 00:26:26,279 just kind of like and they knew that Middleton was gonna miss time, that 409 00:26:26,279 --> 00:26:29,640 they had Angles on the shelf and we were gonna roll this into well, 410 00:26:29,680 --> 00:26:33,279 we're just gonna be super aligned on West Matthews and Grayson Allen at points this 411 00:26:33,319 --> 00:26:37,079 season it's just it's uninspiring to me. Maybe they shut me up in the 412 00:26:37,119 --> 00:26:41,519 playoffs. That's again I think patience is fine here. They still need to 413 00:26:41,559 --> 00:26:45,319 make some type of move I think to bolster the either the half court offense 414 00:26:45,559 --> 00:26:48,160 or to just unlock. As you said, like what is your best five 415 00:26:48,160 --> 00:26:52,119 man unit, because right now I think it's when they're healthy. I would 416 00:26:52,200 --> 00:26:56,279 lean towards content is that fifth guy over angles, but like it might be 417 00:26:56,319 --> 00:26:59,839 debatable depending on the night, Right, you'd hope it's not a debate. 418 00:27:00,079 --> 00:27:02,640 But but to your point, before we go, I take us to the 419 00:27:02,680 --> 00:27:07,519 Knicks, like the fact that they've mortgaged so much for for holiday and paid 420 00:27:07,599 --> 00:27:11,880 so much to Middleton and they want they want a title. So it's proof 421 00:27:11,880 --> 00:27:15,160 of concept. This is what you do when you have a generational talent in 422 00:27:15,240 --> 00:27:19,079 Jannie who's smack in the middle of his prime. Like there's not tomorrow doesn't 423 00:27:19,079 --> 00:27:23,119 matter, like unless tomorrow is a finals game, Like that's that's it. 424 00:27:23,240 --> 00:27:29,279 You're not looking down the road because you have this guy that is almost impossible 425 00:27:29,319 --> 00:27:33,519 to get. So it's like there's no like step back, there's no well 426 00:27:33,680 --> 00:27:36,799 should we you know, should we quibble over like is Middleton, were should 427 00:27:36,839 --> 00:27:38,960 we try to get like, you know, ten million less for this guy 428 00:27:40,039 --> 00:27:41,880 or say no, it's just whatever costs the costs. And because you have 429 00:27:41,920 --> 00:27:45,920 be honest, it's it's better to do that than to like really try to 430 00:27:47,240 --> 00:27:52,759 overthink things. So we have the Knicks next. So this is from Key 431 00:27:52,960 --> 00:28:00,519 with several ease uh Knicks play in or regular playoff spot. So I'm gonna 432 00:28:00,559 --> 00:28:04,480 keep it simple the Knicks. I would not view the Knicks as having a 433 00:28:04,519 --> 00:28:08,519 better shot at a playoff spot. So talking about the top six than Boston, 434 00:28:08,559 --> 00:28:11,880 Milwaukee, Philly, Brooklyn, Cleveland, like, I just I don't 435 00:28:11,920 --> 00:28:15,079 know. We don't need to have that discussion. I don't think for any 436 00:28:15,079 --> 00:28:18,240 of those teams barring Crazy Injries. So that's down to Indian, New York 437 00:28:18,359 --> 00:28:23,799 and Miami. Maybe Toronto seems unlikely, maybe Washington seems less likely for that 438 00:28:23,920 --> 00:28:27,759 six playoff spot. And look, there's a lot going for the Knicks. 439 00:28:27,799 --> 00:28:33,400 Their fifth when I last looked in simple rating system which Basketball Reference just kind 440 00:28:33,400 --> 00:28:37,240 of MUSHes together strength of schedule and point differential among East teams, So that's 441 00:28:37,279 --> 00:28:41,359 fair their seventh overall. So this is a very East heavy like top chunk 442 00:28:41,440 --> 00:28:47,119 of SRS rankings. They're ahead of Indie, who's seventeenth in Miami, that's 443 00:28:47,160 --> 00:28:52,079 twenty first. So you know, basically, I'm if I'm gonna say that 444 00:28:52,119 --> 00:28:56,680 they're not a playoff team, it's gonna kind of be some gut stuff, 445 00:28:56,079 --> 00:29:03,440 and I'm still gonna say that. I think my Ammy with Bam, Jimmy 446 00:29:03,480 --> 00:29:08,640 Butler and Tyler Hero and just years and years of knowing that the Heat are 447 00:29:08,680 --> 00:29:15,960 not going to be out coached, that they have just a reservoir of playoff 448 00:29:15,039 --> 00:29:18,599 experience and just all the toughness, all the Heat culture, blah blah blah, 449 00:29:18,640 --> 00:29:22,359 Like if you're giving me a coin flip between them and the Knicks, 450 00:29:22,359 --> 00:29:26,240 which is kind of how I view it now. Even though some of the 451 00:29:26,279 --> 00:29:30,319 standings and some of the advanced stuff say the Knicks are just better, I'm 452 00:29:30,359 --> 00:29:33,319 going to trust in the history. So I do think the Knicks are like 453 00:29:33,319 --> 00:29:36,720 a pretty clear, you know, not worse than seventh eighth. I think 454 00:29:36,759 --> 00:29:41,039 if this were a normal pre play in scenario, they'd be a playoff team 455 00:29:41,079 --> 00:29:44,720 and I wouldn't feel really any reservations about that. But if it's a specific 456 00:29:44,799 --> 00:29:48,160 question of are they a top six team in the East, not quite just 457 00:29:48,319 --> 00:29:51,920 not quite, not quite there. I have no argument there, and I 458 00:29:51,920 --> 00:29:53,880 think you also you could just mention that the Pacers are in front of them 459 00:29:53,920 --> 00:29:57,000 right now, there's no guarantee they go anywhere unless they sell the deadline, 460 00:29:57,039 --> 00:30:00,960 and then there's always the chance of the teams behind them. Could one of 461 00:30:02,079 --> 00:30:06,599 Chicago, Toronto or Atlanta really make a late season surge. I wouldn't rule 462 00:30:06,640 --> 00:30:08,119 out. I'd rule it out for the Wizards, make no mistake, But 463 00:30:08,319 --> 00:30:11,000 of those three teams, maybe not. Maybe not. Yeah, So we 464 00:30:11,079 --> 00:30:15,279 got a couple more Knicks questions here do you want to do? I'm gonna 465 00:30:15,279 --> 00:30:19,599 pick one of them. Let's do Do you want to do the Knicks Lavine 466 00:30:19,640 --> 00:30:22,519 stuff? Do you want to do that one? If we got to pick 467 00:30:22,559 --> 00:30:25,160 one of these two, let's take it we're interested in that. Yeah, 468 00:30:25,240 --> 00:30:27,119 let's do it, all right? So this is from Dakota. Do you 469 00:30:27,119 --> 00:30:30,480 think the Knicks should trade for Lavine if he becomes available before the deadline. 470 00:30:30,480 --> 00:30:33,480 I hate to part with IQ, but but I think they should. Not 471 00:30:33,519 --> 00:30:37,640 sure what they're going to do with all those draft picks anyway, So there's 472 00:30:37,680 --> 00:30:41,279 a couple of ways, just you know, back of the napkin stuff that 473 00:30:41,359 --> 00:30:48,599 this could work money wise. You could do Lavine for quickly, Rows Fournier 474 00:30:49,000 --> 00:30:52,119 to make the money work. Quickly, topping fourty a reddish could make the 475 00:30:52,160 --> 00:30:55,960 money work. And so for me it just comes down to, like, 476 00:30:56,519 --> 00:31:02,119 what are we talking about? Pick wise? If you could get you know, 477 00:31:02,319 --> 00:31:04,839 two good ones going out from the Knicks, I'm like legit ones. 478 00:31:06,000 --> 00:31:11,279 I'm fine with that. If I'm the Bulls, maybe the top end quickly 479 00:31:11,799 --> 00:31:15,880 plus a couple of good firsts does it for me because you're getting you know, 480 00:31:15,119 --> 00:31:18,039 some some younger pieces. This all presumes that this is part of a 481 00:31:18,079 --> 00:31:22,839 Bull's tear down, and you the Knicks could just go. You know, 482 00:31:23,200 --> 00:31:27,079 no halfway intelligent team is gonna see this for anything but what it is. 483 00:31:27,119 --> 00:31:30,680 But we like, let's do five first rounders, and three of them are 484 00:31:30,720 --> 00:31:34,359 those like never going to convey with any kind of value Washington, Detroit, 485 00:31:34,599 --> 00:31:38,839 what's the other one? Dallas? All in twenty three that'll just keep bumping 486 00:31:38,880 --> 00:31:45,880 back potentially or just be shitty firsts. I would do that. I think 487 00:31:47,240 --> 00:31:51,359 we've talked about I've talked about reservations about Lavigne, like not a great defender, 488 00:31:51,960 --> 00:31:53,799 it's not an intuitive passer, a great score a great shooter would help 489 00:31:53,839 --> 00:31:57,480 the Knicks certainly more than I think the guys they're giving up. But what 490 00:31:57,519 --> 00:32:00,680 are your thoughts on either of those path Is it the picks that hang you 491 00:32:00,759 --> 00:32:05,640 up? Is it giving up quickly and or topping? Like? Where where 492 00:32:05,640 --> 00:32:08,039 are you on a Lavine to the Knicks trade? It's not giving up quickly 493 00:32:08,119 --> 00:32:10,440 or topping and quickly has been really good defensively this year, and I do 494 00:32:10,480 --> 00:32:14,079 like topping. But if they're just not going to move away from Julius Randall, 495 00:32:14,759 --> 00:32:16,960 I do worry about. Okay, so you're having Levine Brunson, R. 496 00:32:17,039 --> 00:32:20,279 J. Baron Julie's Randall on the same offense all of a sudden, 497 00:32:20,960 --> 00:32:22,759 So that would probably be my argument against going after Leavine. But if it's 498 00:32:22,799 --> 00:32:27,720 if he's going to be substantially cheaper than a Dona Mitchell trade where Chicago is 499 00:32:27,759 --> 00:32:30,920 willing to take back Evan Fournier more willing to do that because they're worried about 500 00:32:31,319 --> 00:32:35,640 Levine's contract a long term. You need to know the health on his knee, 501 00:32:35,720 --> 00:32:38,920 of course, but if it's like if you're not giving up Grimes or 502 00:32:39,000 --> 00:32:45,200 Barrett, and then the pick Hall is substantially less than what you tuck out 503 00:32:45,240 --> 00:32:46,839 for Donovan Mitchell. Yeah, I would consider it. I don't know what 504 00:32:47,039 --> 00:32:51,640 that means in terms of like how many of the Knicks' own picks unprotected? 505 00:32:51,680 --> 00:32:53,920 What I include in zach Lavine trade. This has nothing to do with who 506 00:32:53,960 --> 00:32:58,160 I think zach Levine is at his peak as a player. I'm not including 507 00:32:58,200 --> 00:33:04,559 more than one protected pick beyond this season in his Zach Levine trade because of 508 00:33:04,599 --> 00:33:07,519 the stuff with his knee. That's literally it. It's not the contract, 509 00:33:07,640 --> 00:33:10,960 although it becomes about the contract if his knees an issue. And so if 510 00:33:10,960 --> 00:33:15,759 you're and then if you're building multitudes of layers of picks with all those other 511 00:33:15,799 --> 00:33:19,640 teams, conditional ones that you have, fine, go ahead and do that. 512 00:33:20,319 --> 00:33:22,400 Are you giving up an unprotected pick this year? Is that? Like 513 00:33:22,720 --> 00:33:24,480 even giving off two unprotected picks if one of them is this year, when 514 00:33:24,519 --> 00:33:27,839 you're like kind of going to be in the play in territory, there's no 515 00:33:27,880 --> 00:33:31,400 guarantee Leavin carries you out of there. I'm not giving up more than two 516 00:33:31,400 --> 00:33:35,119 of my own picks and the second one of those is going to be protected 517 00:33:35,240 --> 00:33:37,839 in his zacch Leavin trade. Yeah, That's where I'm at too. I 518 00:33:37,880 --> 00:33:43,359 think It's it's an interesting like look into because a lot of times you know 519 00:33:43,720 --> 00:33:46,160 it's a it's a bonus or it's a value add to trade for a player 520 00:33:46,200 --> 00:33:50,359 that has a bunch of years left on his contract. Now, because it's 521 00:33:50,400 --> 00:33:53,640 so high with annual value for Lavine, maybe that changes things. But like 522 00:33:53,920 --> 00:33:57,960 the biggest what's the biggest risk of the Mitchell trade for Cleveland, it's that 523 00:33:58,039 --> 00:34:00,519 he leaves in a couple of years when it's deals up. You know, 524 00:34:00,720 --> 00:34:05,000 you're giving up all this stuff and it's kind of a mid term rental. 525 00:34:05,480 --> 00:34:08,320 That wouldn't be the case with Lavigne. But because of the sheer dollar amount, 526 00:34:08,360 --> 00:34:12,360 and because of the health stuff, and just because he's not as good 527 00:34:12,360 --> 00:34:15,039 as a player as Donovan Mitchell, the length of the contract is actually kind 528 00:34:15,079 --> 00:34:19,679 of like that's prohibitive too. That's like that would be the scary part. 529 00:34:19,760 --> 00:34:23,760 So it's interesting that just because of the length of the contract is can cut 530 00:34:23,800 --> 00:34:29,239 either way. I think is kind of the strange takeaway from talking about Lavine 531 00:34:29,239 --> 00:34:30,440 deals. I know what you said, we just kip this one, but 532 00:34:30,480 --> 00:34:34,079 can we do the Julius randol one, Yeah, let's do it. This 533 00:34:34,280 --> 00:34:40,159 is from guarav Or guarv is there a case for the next to be sellers 534 00:34:40,199 --> 00:34:45,360 at the deadline? Now, I don't want to finish, you know, 535 00:34:45,519 --> 00:34:47,280 ninth, and he's perpetually there's a case for the next to be sellers. 536 00:34:49,239 --> 00:34:52,719 So Randall is now back to getting on ironic m v P chance at the 537 00:34:52,719 --> 00:34:55,880 Garden. He would likely be the best star caliber player available for contender looking 538 00:34:55,880 --> 00:34:59,760 to make a move ahead of the deadline, and this might be the best 539 00:35:00,000 --> 00:35:04,079 opportunity for the Knicks to get commensurate value for him. I would trade Randall 540 00:35:04,159 --> 00:35:07,840 for any positive value at the first opportunity available, and if that is now, 541 00:35:07,880 --> 00:35:13,400 then I'm doing it. I just even though he's been better and and 542 00:35:13,559 --> 00:35:16,559 commentsively sure, right, okay, we have to qualify everything because you know 543 00:35:16,559 --> 00:35:21,320 where I'm going, like, he doesn't fit anywhere on a serious winner. 544 00:35:21,440 --> 00:35:25,440 I just you will never convince me that that's that player with his skill set, 545 00:35:25,599 --> 00:35:30,920 defensive shortcomings, ball stopping tendencies, even though, like for a minute 546 00:35:30,920 --> 00:35:32,119 at the beginning of the year, we're like, oh, his points, 547 00:35:32,199 --> 00:35:35,880 his seconds per touch are way down. Maybe he's figured it out. No, 548 00:35:36,000 --> 00:35:39,400 it's just that's not the type of player is so I think he's the 549 00:35:39,440 --> 00:35:44,719 fact that he's been like a really damaging player as recently as last year and 550 00:35:44,880 --> 00:35:50,119 basically all the time on defense this year and his twenty three twenty five twenty 551 00:35:50,199 --> 00:35:53,599 nine million through the life of this contract, which ends with a player option 552 00:35:53,639 --> 00:35:57,440 season, I think in twenty five twenty six. Like, if I could 553 00:35:57,480 --> 00:36:01,440 get anything of that is like a value add I would do it so fast. 554 00:36:02,119 --> 00:36:05,920 I don't even know if that's selling. It's kind of like escaping, 555 00:36:06,159 --> 00:36:08,280 is what that would be. I think it might be for me. I'm 556 00:36:08,320 --> 00:36:12,360 at the point where it's less about what Randall's doing to the team and more 557 00:36:12,400 --> 00:36:16,039 about opening up your future and angling for something bigger than where you are now, 558 00:36:16,039 --> 00:36:19,400 which is like they're probably close to their ceiling. In my book six 559 00:36:19,400 --> 00:36:22,360 to seven in the East is just where I would see them settling in. 560 00:36:22,880 --> 00:36:25,000 And now would be the time to move Julius Randall, because yes, it 561 00:36:25,039 --> 00:36:29,239 opens the runway for others, but like you could get whereas before it was 562 00:36:29,280 --> 00:36:31,679 both the duty the pick to get off of Julius Randall's deal, and now 563 00:36:31,719 --> 00:36:35,239 it's like could they get a pick we'll get I would want to pick and 564 00:36:35,320 --> 00:36:39,159 expiring contracts, and like I would probably move Julius Randall for just expiring contracts 565 00:36:39,199 --> 00:36:43,599 because I think a Knicks fan has been pissed and some of them down voted 566 00:36:43,679 --> 00:36:45,840 this podcast. So if you're listening and want to help us out, go 567 00:36:45,920 --> 00:36:49,800 up vote this podcast on iTunes and Spotify. I would trade him for expiring 568 00:36:49,840 --> 00:36:52,920 contracts and move on fire with the Knicks because I want to start basically over. 569 00:36:52,199 --> 00:36:54,840 If you want to keep down runs in that's fine, Quentin Grimes, 570 00:36:54,920 --> 00:37:00,800 RJ. Barrett. I want to completely just recalibrate his team. However, 571 00:37:01,440 --> 00:37:05,480 from the NIXT perspective, like, yes, you want to pick and I'm 572 00:37:05,559 --> 00:37:07,800 not taken on long term money. And so the deal that I've thought about, 573 00:37:07,880 --> 00:37:12,159 especially in life the Devin Booker injury, is Jay Crowder Dario Sharich, 574 00:37:12,400 --> 00:37:15,000 and then there's another I think you need, might need another contract to get 575 00:37:15,039 --> 00:37:16,599 it done that might actually get it done on zone because what does Randall maker 576 00:37:16,840 --> 00:37:20,599 first shamm it in there if you have to whatever, I mean, yeah, 577 00:37:20,599 --> 00:37:22,519 I mean it's Randall's at twenty three point eight. And then if you 578 00:37:22,559 --> 00:37:29,480 do Sharich and Jay Crowder, you're at I mean you're you're basically twenty So 579 00:37:29,559 --> 00:37:31,360 yeah, you're I think you're there or you're close whatever, If you need 580 00:37:31,400 --> 00:37:37,480 another negligible salary, fine, would they give you this year's first round pick 581 00:37:37,159 --> 00:37:40,320 and a twenty twenty five first round pick. I don't know if I do 582 00:37:40,360 --> 00:37:43,519 that. If I was, I would protect the shit out of the twenty 583 00:37:43,599 --> 00:37:46,239 twenty five first round pick. But if you could get their first round pick 584 00:37:46,280 --> 00:37:52,360 this year, and Jay Crowder like who kind of functionally helps your team, 585 00:37:52,400 --> 00:37:54,039 if you're actually he might not want to play for you unless you're gonna pay 586 00:37:54,079 --> 00:37:58,480 him. That's a whole another can of worms. But he could really work 587 00:37:58,480 --> 00:38:00,239 at the four, and so like if you want Obie Topp and ever like 588 00:38:00,280 --> 00:38:05,719 an Obie Topping Jay Crowder experimental front court. So that would be the type 589 00:38:05,719 --> 00:38:07,920 of deal I would target. I just don't when I start to look at 590 00:38:07,960 --> 00:38:13,760 teams, I don't know who else would want Randall And I'm not let's not 591 00:38:13,800 --> 00:38:15,239 getting too issy and winning player or not. Just like what is the need 592 00:38:15,639 --> 00:38:21,360 for Like the Clippers not really like they just had their half court offensive been 593 00:38:21,400 --> 00:38:24,280 better lately now that Kawhi Leonard plays more Shocker go figure, and then it's 594 00:38:24,320 --> 00:38:28,440 just like you start to run out of options, Like you can name teams, 595 00:38:29,559 --> 00:38:31,840 but like there's no one that I think, with the exception of Phoenix. 596 00:38:31,920 --> 00:38:35,440 Honestly, I don't know if there's anyone out there that would look at 597 00:38:35,519 --> 00:38:39,719 Julius Randall as their primary target. We're Julius Randall away from really not even 598 00:38:39,719 --> 00:38:45,519 winning a title but making a huge difference, a huge dent in this season 599 00:38:45,559 --> 00:38:50,199 and beyond. Yeah, I agree, he's just a player type that I 600 00:38:50,239 --> 00:38:53,440 guess he's a floor raiser. But like, if you're trying to do anything 601 00:38:53,679 --> 00:38:59,360 legitimate and he's gonna make the money that he's making and have the usage rate 602 00:38:59,400 --> 00:39:01,719 that he's gonna have, you're playing him a lot, I guess to justify 603 00:39:01,840 --> 00:39:07,199 that cost. And then I don't. He's just such a negative defensively and 604 00:39:07,280 --> 00:39:12,000 the ball stopping and it's just it doesn't work on a team that's trying to 605 00:39:12,039 --> 00:39:15,760 win in a meaningful way. So like, and it's like even when the 606 00:39:15,800 --> 00:39:19,199 ball stopping is like there's not as much ball stopping, right, He's just 607 00:39:19,320 --> 00:39:22,480 he's been really good for a longer period of time, but it's so waxy 608 00:39:22,519 --> 00:39:25,159 and wayney that's the thing. You don't know which one's gonna be. And 609 00:39:25,199 --> 00:39:30,760 so even teams that could insulate defensively themselves defensively against him. It's can Memphis 610 00:39:30,800 --> 00:39:36,320 talk themselves into Julius Randall And I'll say, I would actually say maybe Jaren 611 00:39:36,400 --> 00:39:38,159 Jackson Junior and Julius rand on the front court would be a heck of a 612 00:39:38,159 --> 00:39:42,000 thing you to watch. But they're not a team that's gonna give you real 613 00:39:42,079 --> 00:39:44,960 value for him, Like maybe you get their first round pick this year and 614 00:39:45,000 --> 00:39:46,199 that's it, and that's money. And if they might not even want to 615 00:39:46,239 --> 00:39:50,360 get to the money to match Julius Randall's salary, they want to trade Danny 616 00:39:50,400 --> 00:39:52,920 Green and that's it. Basically, maybe the Heat was the other team I 617 00:39:52,960 --> 00:39:57,960 thought about. You're also they're not giving you like first round picks. On 618 00:39:58,000 --> 00:40:00,280 first round picks, you're taking back Duncan Robbins in that deal. So are 619 00:40:00,280 --> 00:40:04,960 you doing Duncan Robinson in two first for Julius Randall. I honestly don't know, 620 00:40:05,079 --> 00:40:07,320 because one of them so far out. I don't know if the Heat 621 00:40:07,320 --> 00:40:08,719 would do it and too then it's like, Okay, well now we're getting 622 00:40:08,719 --> 00:40:12,800 into Duncan Robinson has a worse contract than Julius Randall makes less, but it's 623 00:40:12,800 --> 00:40:15,960 just it's a worse contract. Julish Randall's a bigger value. It so's it 624 00:40:16,039 --> 00:40:19,400 kind of feels like Phoenix or Bust. But I would make that deal if 625 00:40:19,400 --> 00:40:22,760 Phoenix put a second first round pick up, even it's like top eighteen protected 626 00:40:22,159 --> 00:40:27,320 and you get their pick this year plus salary that Jake Krab I'm doing it. 627 00:40:27,360 --> 00:40:30,760 I jump on fire the next Yeah, that brings us to Orlando. 628 00:40:31,199 --> 00:40:34,880 We have just one question on them. Thank you Daniel Morton's and the third 629 00:40:34,920 --> 00:40:37,880 for coming through in the clutch. Who do you want to see as the 630 00:40:37,920 --> 00:40:42,119 point guard of the future in Orlando? I will, so I'll start it 631 00:40:42,239 --> 00:40:45,880 by this. I don't think the point guard of the future is on the 632 00:40:45,960 --> 00:40:49,239 Orlando Magic right now. I think Fold has been good this year. Clanty 633 00:40:49,280 --> 00:40:51,639 has been good this year. They've guided the Magic through some tough stretches, 634 00:40:51,679 --> 00:40:54,920 some good fourth quarters. I don't view Jail and Sugs as a point guard. 635 00:40:54,960 --> 00:40:59,079 I think people are way too low on Jail and Sugs though, and 636 00:40:59,119 --> 00:41:01,039 so I don't know how to identify who the point guard in the future is 637 00:41:01,039 --> 00:41:05,079 in Orlando because I don't think he's there. Yeah, if I had to 638 00:41:05,119 --> 00:41:07,519 pick who is the best chance of becoming him, I would argue in favor 639 00:41:07,559 --> 00:41:12,519 of maybe Paddle Bank Harro or Jalen substance will be my second best option. 640 00:41:13,079 --> 00:41:16,639 Now. I think eventually they could go after a Donovan Mitchell type player. 641 00:41:16,679 --> 00:41:19,400 I just think it was too early for them to get involved. Now. 642 00:41:19,639 --> 00:41:22,559 I go back and forth and if Trey Young became available, whether they should 643 00:41:22,599 --> 00:41:24,960 go after him, just because he's such a far departure from the way that 644 00:41:25,039 --> 00:41:30,880 they play right now when you look at his heliocentrism, But like that could 645 00:41:30,880 --> 00:41:32,320 that could be the way that they get their point guard of the future. 646 00:41:32,760 --> 00:41:39,039 That or it Scoot Henderson. I think it's more likely the Magic draft or 647 00:41:39,039 --> 00:41:42,840 trade for their point guard of the future than it is that he's already on 648 00:41:42,920 --> 00:41:46,039 the roster. Yeah, I agree with that. I do. I have 649 00:41:46,119 --> 00:41:49,679 to bring up every time we talk about the Magic Bank Harro was going to 650 00:41:49,760 --> 00:41:53,440 be my answer. But I think you have so many options because Bank Harro 651 00:41:53,639 --> 00:42:00,239 and Franz Wagner have proven to be like pretty certainly Bank Harro like via old 652 00:42:00,239 --> 00:42:04,480 distributors, So you you don't even need a royal point guard necessarily. You 653 00:42:04,840 --> 00:42:07,239 could just build out like this guy can guard and he can shoot, he's 654 00:42:07,280 --> 00:42:10,159 a bad passer, like you could have like a Gary Payton, the second 655 00:42:10,199 --> 00:42:13,800 type back there, and then you could have just a guy who's going to 656 00:42:13,880 --> 00:42:16,119 knock down shots and defend like a I don't know, I don't again, 657 00:42:16,400 --> 00:42:22,039 but I agree like he's not on the roster. I just don't think he's 658 00:42:22,079 --> 00:42:24,880 there. So if you do make a trade for like van Fleet or for 659 00:42:25,039 --> 00:42:30,039 Russell or for you know, whatever other potential short term fix, you might 660 00:42:30,400 --> 00:42:35,519 be interested in pursuing. Alex Caruso is another guy, Like he's not a 661 00:42:35,519 --> 00:42:37,960 point guard of the future, but you could get away with that type of 662 00:42:37,039 --> 00:42:42,840 guy because you get so much playmaking from other spots. But yeah, they 663 00:42:42,840 --> 00:42:45,079 just don't have that get And maybe it's more of an off season decision because 664 00:42:45,079 --> 00:42:49,360 it might depend on what direction of Utah's headed, Like would you look at 665 00:42:49,519 --> 00:42:52,639 the like, can we have Mike Conley is a stop gap if we're trying 666 00:42:52,639 --> 00:42:54,199 to do something now and like you just have that job that Isaac numbers are 667 00:42:54,320 --> 00:42:58,800 to floating around and we want to roll the dice on him. Might call 668 00:42:58,880 --> 00:43:00,800 it be perfect for this was just sort of a steward. You have to 669 00:43:00,840 --> 00:43:04,320 want to win now though, and that's not a long term solution. Yeah, 670 00:43:04,360 --> 00:43:08,360 I'm not giving up anything remotely future of value for the future to get. 671 00:43:10,360 --> 00:43:15,360 Yeah, it's just not gonna that takes us to the Sixers. This 672 00:43:15,440 --> 00:43:19,320 is from Robin Plunder. What's your best guest on James Harden extension stay in 673 00:43:19,320 --> 00:43:23,360 Philly, five year max, back to Houston? So I want to start 674 00:43:23,400 --> 00:43:28,000 with the back to the did the back to Houston thing like blow your mind 675 00:43:28,039 --> 00:43:30,199 as much as it did mind? I just couldn't believe that that, Like 676 00:43:30,519 --> 00:43:34,599 everything about that, the fact that the report dropped on Christmas, the fact 677 00:43:34,599 --> 00:43:37,920 that that was even I just couldn't get my head around that. What were 678 00:43:37,920 --> 00:43:42,719 your thoughts there? Two things stood out. It blew my mind when I 679 00:43:42,840 --> 00:43:45,880 saw it. Jake Fisher reported it over the summer that hardned considered Houston, 680 00:43:46,480 --> 00:43:49,480 and so it blew my mind then. So we knew it was out in 681 00:43:49,480 --> 00:43:51,679 the ether. I don't know if I knew how serious it was. The 682 00:43:51,840 --> 00:43:54,239 timing was mind melting more than anything, because it doesn't work in service of 683 00:43:54,320 --> 00:43:58,400 James Harden this far out from free agency. He's having a good stretch, 684 00:43:58,400 --> 00:44:01,400 Sixer having a good stretch. We've used his contract leverage. That's something you 685 00:44:01,719 --> 00:44:07,000 use closer to actual free agency when you've quelled the biggest doubt, which is 686 00:44:07,039 --> 00:44:10,079 can I stay healthy the entire season and then play in the postseason. And 687 00:44:10,119 --> 00:44:15,840 I think I settled on the fact that maybe this was like Houston flexing a 688 00:44:15,920 --> 00:44:17,760 little bit, or this is what happens when you don't have an actual agent 689 00:44:17,840 --> 00:44:23,639 and there's not someone out there kind of protecting your best interests. So that 690 00:44:24,039 --> 00:44:28,199 do you think it came from Houston or do you think it came from Harden? 691 00:44:29,559 --> 00:44:32,920 I answered, I don't know. I would say that it didn't come 692 00:44:32,960 --> 00:44:37,559 from Harden on purpose. I believe it. I believe that he will look 693 00:44:37,559 --> 00:44:40,920 at Houston. I don't believe that it was his side that would have leaked 694 00:44:40,960 --> 00:44:44,000 this. I don't also don't know if it was Houston side. It could 695 00:44:44,000 --> 00:44:49,840 have been another team like just trying to like like you know so, but 696 00:44:49,880 --> 00:44:52,000 it could have been Houston like maybe trying to get the word out there, 697 00:44:52,079 --> 00:44:53,519 like Oh. The thing I proposed is just like if Harden is going to 698 00:44:53,559 --> 00:44:57,679 Houston, like then the Rockets probably wound up trading for Kevin Durant once he 699 00:44:57,719 --> 00:45:01,320 gets there. I mean, your wife, but I'm dead serious. I 700 00:45:01,440 --> 00:45:06,079 just well, I wouldn't put anything. So I'm gonna answer the question my 701 00:45:06,159 --> 00:45:07,880 guess is he's gonna do like I think it's been out there that he's interested 702 00:45:07,920 --> 00:45:13,280 in one plus ones. I think the weirdness of the opt out and the 703 00:45:13,280 --> 00:45:16,880 resigning for a big pay cut to facilitate, you know, better role players 704 00:45:16,880 --> 00:45:21,840 on the Sixers this year, rightfully, I think or probably didn't get enough 705 00:45:21,880 --> 00:45:25,440 tampering attention relatives to some of the other stuff that got tampering probes. I 706 00:45:25,480 --> 00:45:29,719 guess I think he's gonna do a one plus one to stay with the Sixers. 707 00:45:30,719 --> 00:45:32,760 And that's all because because I want to get to this, like in 708 00:45:32,800 --> 00:45:38,320 addition to all the other stuff, if I don't understand like what circumstances have 709 00:45:38,440 --> 00:45:43,920 changed in a favorable way for Harden, that Houston is more appealing because it's 710 00:45:43,960 --> 00:45:46,960 like Darryl Moorey's not there. He was your biggest advocate. So but you 711 00:45:47,000 --> 00:45:51,360 still have the same coach that you quit on. Steven Silas is still there, 712 00:45:51,559 --> 00:45:53,639 you still have the same ownership group. So is it just that like 713 00:45:53,719 --> 00:45:59,719 you missed being allowed to fly to Vegas and do whatever you wanted all the 714 00:45:59,760 --> 00:46:04,760 time. I'm like, is it that he has real ties to the community 715 00:46:04,760 --> 00:46:07,440 there? Right that? And I think that matters I think the other thing 716 00:46:07,480 --> 00:46:14,559 is is he doesn't seem like someone who's a cold weather climate type of guy, 717 00:46:14,800 --> 00:46:16,000 and so being in Brooklyn and Philly through the winter, like, hey, 718 00:46:16,000 --> 00:46:20,039 this came out during like the cold front, when the we were in 719 00:46:20,079 --> 00:46:22,599 the fucking tundra. That's the Maybe, that's all it is is he was 720 00:46:22,639 --> 00:46:27,320 having a bad day. He was twenty two degree weather and he said, 721 00:46:27,440 --> 00:46:30,639 get me back to the Gulf Coast. The other thing is those you mentioned 722 00:46:30,639 --> 00:46:35,679 it is like the I guarantee you the coach changes if he goes back Steven 723 00:46:35,679 --> 00:46:38,119 Silas and may Paul Silas rest in peace, and he's not been I don't 724 00:46:38,119 --> 00:46:40,400 think Steven Sie has been dealt a great hand. I would be shocked if 725 00:46:40,400 --> 00:46:45,760 he might still be coaching Houston next year, even if Harden's not there. 726 00:46:45,079 --> 00:46:47,199 But you kind of hit it like, yeah, Tillman Fatida is still there. 727 00:46:47,280 --> 00:46:51,480 But Tillman Fatida is like not made of money quite frankly, and he 728 00:46:51,519 --> 00:46:53,360 probably wants to win now, so he would probably fork over the moon for 729 00:46:53,400 --> 00:46:58,760 Harden, who's also familiar with Raphael Stone, who is under Daryl Morey for 730 00:46:58,800 --> 00:47:00,519 the for the longest time. And so you go back there, there's a 731 00:47:00,559 --> 00:47:04,519 comfort level, maybe you know you're gonna have certain agency. And I don't 732 00:47:04,519 --> 00:47:08,039 know if you saw within that woad piece it was buried at the bottom, 733 00:47:08,079 --> 00:47:12,480 but it said that like James Harden basically doesn't have a great working relationship yet 734 00:47:12,519 --> 00:47:16,800 with Doc Rivers Surprise surprise, or Joel Embiid and so there is you're like, 735 00:47:16,960 --> 00:47:21,159 if that's if he's just not happy and like he's just longing for a 736 00:47:21,159 --> 00:47:23,119 time in Houston. My British would be he signs a two plus one, 737 00:47:23,519 --> 00:47:27,320 by the way, because I think that still gives you the leverage to force 738 00:47:27,360 --> 00:47:30,559 a trade if you want out sooner, but it's not so far away and 739 00:47:30,679 --> 00:47:34,239 you lock more long term security down, but it's not so far away that 740 00:47:34,280 --> 00:47:37,719 you don't have options. So that will be my official guest. I'm curious 741 00:47:37,760 --> 00:47:42,000 as the number, do you think he gets max or short of the max? 742 00:47:42,920 --> 00:47:46,440 Honestly, I think a lot of that depends on playoff performance this year, 743 00:47:46,519 --> 00:47:51,519 and that's like a stupid way to evaluate stuff. But if if for 744 00:47:51,599 --> 00:47:55,519 the whatever a year in a row forty six nine, by the way, 745 00:47:55,559 --> 00:47:59,599 I can't so here I'll tie this in. I'm gonna so no, I'm 746 00:47:59,599 --> 00:48:02,280 not going that high. I could see another deal that looks like the one 747 00:48:02,320 --> 00:48:07,239 he just signed where it's it's what it was like sixty eight maybe or six 748 00:48:07,440 --> 00:48:10,280 something like that, thirty some odd million a year, you know, with 749 00:48:10,320 --> 00:48:15,599 a player option. That's maybe. But here's the other thing that I wanted 750 00:48:15,599 --> 00:48:17,480 to get to is like, all this is a Harden's interested in going back. 751 00:48:17,880 --> 00:48:22,199 I don't whatever you think about that. If you're Houston, do you 752 00:48:22,239 --> 00:48:27,360 want anything to do with this? Like you're not far along in your rebuild 753 00:48:27,400 --> 00:48:31,199 and you're going to give some substantial amount of money to someone that will fundamentally 754 00:48:31,280 --> 00:48:36,840 change how you play that that will you know, he's a great passer, 755 00:48:36,920 --> 00:48:39,079 So maybe that's helpful for a team that turns it over more than anybody else 756 00:48:39,119 --> 00:48:43,719 and is just disorganized and the offense sucks. And you know, because Kevin 757 00:48:43,719 --> 00:48:47,320 Porter Junior is not a point guard and Jalen Green has his issues, maybe 758 00:48:47,320 --> 00:48:52,000 you could talk yourself into this being helpful to what the Rockets need. But 759 00:48:52,079 --> 00:48:55,000 I just think this is not the type of move that a Houston team, 760 00:48:55,039 --> 00:49:00,360 being where it is, should even consider. Like, I just the coming 761 00:49:00,400 --> 00:49:02,400 angle great, but like is it a home I guess I guess people would 762 00:49:02,440 --> 00:49:06,480 be glad to have him back because he does have ties, but he did 763 00:49:06,519 --> 00:49:09,719 force his way off the team like not long ago. I just and it 764 00:49:09,800 --> 00:49:13,840 just don't know how that serves any of the like bigger picture interests for the 765 00:49:13,920 --> 00:49:15,840 Rockets. It would feel like a it would feel like a move motivated by 766 00:49:15,840 --> 00:49:21,079 all the wrong things. If the Rockets wanted or even thought about doing this, 767 00:49:21,440 --> 00:49:23,599 I think you would do it because he's not coming back, and this 768 00:49:23,679 --> 00:49:27,960 would have to be your interests. We need to align. He's not coming 769 00:49:28,000 --> 00:49:30,199 back. We've we've seen this movie before where veterans, Oh yeah, I'm 770 00:49:30,199 --> 00:49:32,559 good with growing with the young guys, and we'll get the title contentions sooner 771 00:49:32,599 --> 00:49:36,360 than iverythink you'll get there, because you will blow it up. And that's 772 00:49:36,400 --> 00:49:37,920 what will happen if James Harden comes back. I don't know how many of 773 00:49:38,000 --> 00:49:44,079 Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Junior this year's pick Terry's Tarry Easton, Kevin Porter 774 00:49:44,199 --> 00:49:45,280 Junior out for in Chaco. I don't know how many of them get traded. 775 00:49:46,039 --> 00:49:49,360 More than one of them is getting trade if James Harden's coming back, 776 00:49:49,679 --> 00:49:52,480 and so you ask yourself, then why Because James Harden is not this open 777 00:49:52,519 --> 00:49:57,159 line of title contention. It's because James Harden isn't coming alone, and that's 778 00:49:57,199 --> 00:50:00,800 the answer. He's coming with Kevin Durant. Is he coming with Lebron James? 779 00:50:00,320 --> 00:50:04,159 Is that something like, yeah, you're really aging out your core then? 780 00:50:04,239 --> 00:50:06,639 But also, how much does it cost to get Lebron James out of 781 00:50:06,719 --> 00:50:07,719 LA at this point? If he really wants to leave over the summer, 782 00:50:07,760 --> 00:50:14,360 might not cost you as much? Like you probably you probably exit any Lebron 783 00:50:14,519 --> 00:50:20,039 James trade with two of Jabari Smith Junior Jaw and Green and this year's first 784 00:50:20,079 --> 00:50:23,239 round pick still on your roster, you'd have to. But I just, 785 00:50:23,480 --> 00:50:28,239 I mean, if you the only there's no scenario where Lebron James goes to 786 00:50:28,280 --> 00:50:32,079 Houston, I don't care if I mean, unless unless Durant does come with 787 00:50:32,119 --> 00:50:37,519 Harden and it's like let's go work, it's me that would be like now, 788 00:50:37,559 --> 00:50:40,480 we're just now. So that's why I'm just I had to like back 789 00:50:40,559 --> 00:50:44,360 way off of this and just say the answer to the question is he's gonna 790 00:50:44,360 --> 00:50:46,039 stay in Philly. I think one plus one, you say two plus one. 791 00:50:46,239 --> 00:50:50,800 The Houston thing is too bizarre and there are too many like why I 792 00:50:50,880 --> 00:50:55,519 bet you people do. What's that? I bet you people thought the Brooklyn 793 00:50:55,519 --> 00:51:00,880 scenario is too bizarre. I know, I just uh, I think it's 794 00:51:00,880 --> 00:51:04,320 My prediction is with you. I think he's in Philly next year. I 795 00:51:04,360 --> 00:51:09,840 think the Houston concept is very real. So I guess why I'm bumping on 796 00:51:09,880 --> 00:51:15,199 it is because I also accept that it's very real and it seems like the 797 00:51:15,239 --> 00:51:19,280 worst idea in history, and I can't like get my brain around it rationally. 798 00:51:20,119 --> 00:51:22,519 So that's where it seems real and it seems insane. So like square 799 00:51:22,559 --> 00:51:28,800 those two things. Let's get to the Toronto Raptors and so this one comes. 800 00:51:28,840 --> 00:51:30,119 We have a bunch of questions there. So ss how good has Pascal 801 00:51:30,159 --> 00:51:34,159 Siakam really been this season? By the number? So I have a couple 802 00:51:34,199 --> 00:51:37,880 here, he's twenty fourth and estimated plus minus which given the amount of time 803 00:51:37,880 --> 00:51:39,159 he's missed, and how just bad the Raptors have been overall, I would 804 00:51:39,159 --> 00:51:43,719 say, is like, that's a win. Also, here's every non guard 805 00:51:44,199 --> 00:51:46,360 or no, here's everyone in NBA history. Excuse me. I changed the 806 00:51:46,400 --> 00:51:51,519 qualifiers to average twenty five plus points, eight plus three bounds, six plus 807 00:51:51,519 --> 00:51:54,599 assist while shooting better than fifty percent on twos and thirty four percent on threes 808 00:51:54,880 --> 00:52:00,320 for an entire season. Larry Bird, Lebron, Luca don Chich, Nicole 809 00:52:00,400 --> 00:52:05,280 Yokis, James Harden, and Pascal Siakam is on pace too comfortably right now. 810 00:52:05,679 --> 00:52:08,119 Join that club. And something else to consider with him is, I 811 00:52:08,159 --> 00:52:10,360 think, and this is the part of his game that I would like to 812 00:52:10,400 --> 00:52:15,280 highlight the most, is he has more of a diversified portfolio. When you're 813 00:52:15,280 --> 00:52:19,519 looking at his drives, there's more directionality there, there's better decision making. 814 00:52:20,000 --> 00:52:23,519 And so among there have been in the MBA, there have been a hundred 815 00:52:23,599 --> 00:52:29,920 and sixty six players who have finished at least one hundred drives this season. 816 00:52:30,440 --> 00:52:34,679 Pascal Siakam is scoring on more than or generating points on more than sixty percent 817 00:52:34,679 --> 00:52:37,920 of his drives and has a turnover rate lower than five while getting to the 818 00:52:37,960 --> 00:52:44,719 foul line more than ten percent of the time. Here's everyone in the league 819 00:52:44,960 --> 00:52:50,440 minimum one hundred drives to match those benchmarks. DeMar Derozen and Kyle Anderson and 820 00:52:50,559 --> 00:52:52,360 both Nicole Yokich and Lebron are very close to being him there, And so 821 00:52:52,440 --> 00:52:55,159 like, that's that's good. That's just how good Pascal Siakam has been by 822 00:52:55,159 --> 00:52:59,079 the numbers, he is not the issue in Toronto. I do think in 823 00:52:59,119 --> 00:53:02,519 an ideal world, you need someone to be your number one or at least 824 00:53:02,559 --> 00:53:07,880 your number one scorer in the half court. And I don't know that Fred 825 00:53:07,960 --> 00:53:10,159 Van Fleet's game is dynamic enough. It stalls out too much for me. 826 00:53:10,559 --> 00:53:14,760 His off ball stuff is good, like kind of everything else feels like it's 827 00:53:14,800 --> 00:53:16,239 up in the air when you're looking at his finishing inside the ark and ability 828 00:53:16,280 --> 00:53:21,199 to knock down difficult looks off the dribble. So I think Pascoe Siakam would 829 00:53:21,199 --> 00:53:23,760 be in the All NBA discussion if the season ended today. Yeah, I 830 00:53:23,800 --> 00:53:28,000 was just gonna say, I was gonna say exactly that he's had an All 831 00:53:28,079 --> 00:53:32,199 NBA season, and I'm concerned that because the Raptors are viewed somewhat correctly as 832 00:53:32,400 --> 00:53:37,000 being disappointing, that he's not gonna get that he's not gonna get fair consideration. 833 00:53:37,280 --> 00:53:38,679 He's like, I think we both had him as a for sure All 834 00:53:38,719 --> 00:53:44,840 Star, like he's been great. The injuries to Zion and Anthony Davis. 835 00:53:44,880 --> 00:53:46,320 Now I think kind of open up the run if he stays healthy, open 836 00:53:46,400 --> 00:53:49,280 up the runway a little bit, but a lot of that could depend on 837 00:53:49,320 --> 00:53:52,159 what what is Toronto doing at the deadline and if they're selling. I would 838 00:53:52,159 --> 00:53:55,119 be shocked if they trade Siakham. But is he gonna be shut down at 839 00:53:55,119 --> 00:53:59,440 some point if they decide to go the bigger picture route? Maybe so, 840 00:53:59,760 --> 00:54:02,960 But I agree like it when when a guy like him is having a season 841 00:54:04,079 --> 00:54:07,039 this good and the Raptors have had just continue to have such a struggle creating 842 00:54:07,079 --> 00:54:12,239 shots, it does tell you that the bar for like someone else to help 843 00:54:12,280 --> 00:54:15,760 in that regard is pretty low, because if your second best guy is doing 844 00:54:15,760 --> 00:54:20,559 what you just outline offensively, like, you don't need you don't need I 845 00:54:20,599 --> 00:54:24,559 mean to be a contender. You need someone that's better, but to be 846 00:54:24,639 --> 00:54:30,079 like just a passable offense that isn't floundering under five hundred. Like to get 847 00:54:30,119 --> 00:54:35,239 into the next question about the Raptors, you like don't need a huge upgrade 848 00:54:35,280 --> 00:54:37,800 in terms of in terms of like a steward for the offense. And I 849 00:54:37,840 --> 00:54:42,320 think that's that I would I then misspoke, is that pass with Scotlan can 850 00:54:42,320 --> 00:54:45,119 be your best player and be your best offensive player, you need a more 851 00:54:45,199 --> 00:54:49,760 dynamic sidekick next to him. Whether it's however you want to face it Yeah, 852 00:54:50,280 --> 00:54:52,719 let's do the next one because this ties into kind of what we're talking 853 00:54:52,760 --> 00:54:55,559 about. Htt Bauer asked you the Raptors looking to Conley, I'm struggling to 854 00:54:55,559 --> 00:55:00,079 see the gettable guard that can shoot and defend enough to warrant playing time the 855 00:55:00,159 --> 00:55:04,320 Raptors. But maybe I need to lower the bar from starter quality. And 856 00:55:04,760 --> 00:55:08,039 I don't like Mike Conley would be a really good fit in Toronto. I 857 00:55:08,079 --> 00:55:13,119 think doesn't fit their Project Sticks nine model. I don't know what you're giving 858 00:55:13,199 --> 00:55:15,599 matching the salary gets tough. Are you giving up? Are you step laddering 859 00:55:15,639 --> 00:55:19,239 your way there? Are you just giving up Gary Trend Junior? And that's 860 00:55:19,239 --> 00:55:22,000 the move, but you're taking on longer term money and you're worried about your 861 00:55:22,000 --> 00:55:28,400 long term finances. Is there like a combo Malik Beasley Mike Conley trade there? 862 00:55:28,480 --> 00:55:30,519 I mean, that's a lot of money going in and out, but 863 00:55:30,639 --> 00:55:32,920 is there something to work work there? And a lot of that depends on 864 00:55:32,960 --> 00:55:36,199 what Utah is doing. It's the deadline. I don't know how you feel 865 00:55:36,239 --> 00:55:39,960 about the Mike Conley name though for Toronto. Well, based on this year, 866 00:55:40,000 --> 00:55:45,440 he's not someone that can shoot, but I would trust in the larger 867 00:55:45,480 --> 00:55:49,559 body of work and just the idea that he does. He does do a 868 00:55:49,599 --> 00:55:52,280 lot of things that Van Fleet does not do. I really still like VanVleet 869 00:55:52,639 --> 00:55:58,599 just because we've we've seen him be hugely valuable in big games, in playoff 870 00:55:58,639 --> 00:56:02,039 series like his I think really for him, Like I think I looked it 871 00:56:02,119 --> 00:56:07,079 up the other day, it's all catch and shoot threes for Van Fleet that 872 00:56:07,159 --> 00:56:09,840 have just fallen off, and and that that's a huge factor. I mean, 873 00:56:09,880 --> 00:56:13,239 that's a big thing to fall off for a guy like him because that 874 00:56:13,320 --> 00:56:19,239 matters so much. But his pull up stuff is really valuable. That's part 875 00:56:19,239 --> 00:56:21,679 of what's helped him. He's right around the loaf. I think thirty two 876 00:56:21,679 --> 00:56:23,519 point eight percent is what I looked at, which is roughly what he did 877 00:56:23,519 --> 00:56:31,199 the year before. Thirty two point eight. Oh yeah, But he's a 878 00:56:31,199 --> 00:56:34,440 guy that he's kind of like Kemba Walker used to be, where just the 879 00:56:34,480 --> 00:56:36,679 fact that he can get off so many you know, on the high pick 880 00:56:36,679 --> 00:56:40,039 and roll like matters. But but yeah, Conley's fine. I mean, 881 00:56:40,360 --> 00:56:44,079 you want to talk about Lowry, I feel like the long term money for 882 00:56:44,159 --> 00:56:49,599 him makes that prohibitive. If you could, if you're trying to get what 883 00:56:49,719 --> 00:56:52,840 if this is just spitballing now, But if we keep trying to everyone keeps 884 00:56:52,840 --> 00:56:57,960 trying to trade Anna Obie, if you could get you know, maybe you 885 00:56:58,000 --> 00:57:00,559 get a pick or two back Walker Ketler is kind of a big focus of 886 00:57:00,559 --> 00:57:05,039 that deal. You maybe get a short term point guard, probably not getting 887 00:57:05,079 --> 00:57:07,039 obviously not getting marking in, but if you could just I'm just obsessed with 888 00:57:07,079 --> 00:57:13,280 finding like ones and fives for the Raptors now because because I think the tide 889 00:57:13,519 --> 00:57:16,760 is now turning and we're all kind of out on the current roster construction plan 890 00:57:16,840 --> 00:57:21,880 of no positions and everybody's tall but not tall enough and not quick enough and 891 00:57:21,920 --> 00:57:24,880 all that stuff. Yeah, I don't know, Conley's fine. I wouldn't 892 00:57:24,920 --> 00:57:29,519 want Angelo Russell to just throw another name out there that we've just mentioned, 893 00:57:30,159 --> 00:57:31,639 but yeah, someone like that. You need someone that can run the offense. 894 00:57:32,400 --> 00:57:35,960 And I'm not even sure. I'm not sure they like what if it 895 00:57:36,000 --> 00:57:39,400 was moly Beasley instead to is that two Gary Trent Junior? Is Stree's gonna 896 00:57:39,400 --> 00:57:43,320 say, how different is he offensively than Trent Junior. He's a better shooter 897 00:57:43,440 --> 00:57:45,920 probably, but he's not as good a defender. So so here's two names 898 00:57:46,039 --> 00:57:51,599 bog Bogdanovich. Sure, yeah, that makes sense. Both the other one 899 00:57:51,679 --> 00:57:53,480 is given out like the Raptors. Yes, they like to get out in 900 00:57:53,519 --> 00:57:58,719 transition, but their half court offense is slow. What about Monte Morris? 901 00:58:00,320 --> 00:58:02,079 Doesn't he strike you as just a game manager, which I guess, like 902 00:58:02,519 --> 00:58:06,400 that's kind of what we've said they need. But but if you're trying to 903 00:58:06,400 --> 00:58:08,960 speed things up, maybe he moves the ball a little quicker. I'm okay 904 00:58:09,000 --> 00:58:12,960 with that. He just was just thinking he kind of fits into the slow 905 00:58:13,039 --> 00:58:16,039 motif and couldn't be like probably a little bit faster than like their op like 906 00:58:16,079 --> 00:58:19,559 going through the motions of isolates, like to get rid of the ball at 907 00:58:19,639 --> 00:58:22,599 least. Yeah, no, that I mean, that's not that's not way 908 00:58:22,599 --> 00:58:27,480 off. I mean like trying to think who else, even I'm drawn blanks 909 00:58:27,519 --> 00:58:30,280 on who else would make sense? Like what if it was just someone on 910 00:58:30,320 --> 00:58:34,440 the level of like Taias Jones, Like would that make a difference or is 911 00:58:34,440 --> 00:58:37,400 he almost two van fleet esque in terms of like his playing style? I 912 00:58:37,440 --> 00:58:42,199 think you would make Again, I think having someone who's Van Fleets improved so 913 00:58:42,280 --> 00:58:44,679 much as an actual point guard, I don't know that it make that much 914 00:58:44,800 --> 00:58:46,679 of a difference, but it would it would certainly help your bench. We're 915 00:58:46,679 --> 00:58:51,760 talking about Tias Jones and uh, you know, maybe even as Caruso. 916 00:58:52,239 --> 00:58:53,800 But is he won't give you any volume? But is he someone who would? 917 00:58:53,840 --> 00:58:57,639 But I still think it needs to be someone who's like a florist basing 918 00:58:57,639 --> 00:59:00,239 shot creator, which is why Fudanovitch might be perfect. Yeah, I don't 919 00:59:00,239 --> 00:59:04,119 know that you want him running point guard stuff, but he will get off 920 00:59:04,159 --> 00:59:07,559 looks and he can put the ball on the floor and maybe you fold him 921 00:59:07,559 --> 00:59:08,960 into a John Collins trade. And is that what? I don't know if 922 00:59:08,960 --> 00:59:12,719 I'm giving up I'm not giving up og for Rodanovitch and John Collins, but 923 00:59:12,760 --> 00:59:15,559 like you could try to do something like that. I don't know why the 924 00:59:15,559 --> 00:59:17,920 hawksan want to get rid of Odanovitch after trading Kevin Hurder for what it's worth. 925 00:59:19,000 --> 00:59:22,599 But yeah, I mean maybe like Orlando the point guard of the future 926 00:59:22,719 --> 00:59:24,639 is not currently on the Toronto Raptors. Well, I think that's clear, 927 00:59:24,719 --> 00:59:30,440 and it's also why like if there were ever higher level star discussions, I 928 00:59:30,440 --> 00:59:32,320 don't know what star become available, but I even thought about, like if 929 00:59:32,320 --> 00:59:37,679 Trey Young was available, there's probably a trade like around Fred van Fleet for 930 00:59:37,719 --> 00:59:39,480 Trey Young, that might make sense for both sides, like where Atlanta's not 931 00:59:39,559 --> 00:59:45,239 dropping off, but they're also getting future equity. And I think that Trey 932 00:59:45,320 --> 00:59:50,119 Young would obviously elevate Toronto's offense. He is the opposite of the type of 933 00:59:50,159 --> 00:59:52,840 player they target, even on the smaller end of the spectrum. But still, 934 00:59:53,320 --> 00:59:58,760 yeah, all right, this is the world to our last team here 935 00:59:58,760 --> 01:00:02,039 in the Washington Wizards. I think I'm gonna answer the second question first. 936 01:00:04,360 --> 01:00:07,920 This is from Celtics Stoomer. How good can the Wizards be with the trio 937 01:00:07,199 --> 01:00:12,920 treo that was a slip trio of Trey Bill and Porzingis. I mean, 938 01:00:12,960 --> 01:00:17,679 the offense would be really good us. I don't know who you're guarding Porzingis. 939 01:00:17,679 --> 01:00:21,320 First of all, Porzingis has been better than I and I think most 940 01:00:21,360 --> 01:00:23,239 people thought he would be, and they're using him differently, they're posting him 941 01:00:23,280 --> 01:00:28,880 up more. There's a really good art. I'm just like the audacity behind 942 01:00:28,920 --> 01:00:32,000 some of the shot and they're going in, Yeah, he took a turnaround 943 01:00:32,000 --> 01:00:37,480 over Jannis last night from like eighteen feet seconds left on the shot clock, 944 01:00:37,880 --> 01:00:39,719 So you're talking you saw the same one I was just like Pap didn't put 945 01:00:39,760 --> 01:00:43,599 it on Twitter. I was like, what the fuck? That is a 946 01:00:43,639 --> 01:00:47,159 tough ass shot and he hit it. But yeah, so great offense. 947 01:00:47,239 --> 01:00:51,800 Sure, I think Trey alone, I think put your floor pretty high unless 948 01:00:51,800 --> 01:00:57,400 you're talking about this Atlanta season. And then Bill is, well he pulled 949 01:00:57,440 --> 01:01:00,920 his hamstring again. But when he's on the floor and when he's right, 950 01:01:00,039 --> 01:01:04,599 like, that's a luxury number two option. And then Porzingis as a third 951 01:01:04,599 --> 01:01:07,679 guy that can just crush switches in the post and spread the floor. Awesome 952 01:01:07,719 --> 01:01:12,440 offense. The health histories and all that other stuff, like, you know, 953 01:01:12,559 --> 01:01:15,719 the likely outcome is probably not great, but I wanted to go to 954 01:01:16,519 --> 01:01:21,159 this is spending more than Mark Cuban. What would need to happen for the 955 01:01:21,159 --> 01:01:24,880 Wizards to win the East? They need to trade for trede Young without giving 956 01:01:24,920 --> 01:01:29,480 up Porzingis or Bradley Beal probably right, right, but I figured it out. 957 01:01:29,519 --> 01:01:31,519 Actually, do you want to hear It's there's multiple steps to the process. 958 01:01:31,840 --> 01:01:35,719 Let's hear it. This is the Wizards winning the East, right, 959 01:01:36,239 --> 01:01:37,920 So to me, that is not just finishing first. To me, that's 960 01:01:37,960 --> 01:01:42,639 like you're in the finals, You're the East representative in the Finals. So 961 01:01:42,719 --> 01:01:46,119 first there's a meteor strike that destroys half the western half of the country, 962 01:01:47,280 --> 01:01:52,360 and so now the NBA has So this is that step one one A. 963 01:01:52,280 --> 01:01:58,039 The NBA has to feel two full All Star teams. By the NBA pushes 964 01:01:58,079 --> 01:02:00,000 on, you know, they push on because we have the bubble after COVID 965 01:02:00,039 --> 01:02:04,199 and they're going to press on after the meteor strike. So the All Star 966 01:02:04,239 --> 01:02:07,639 Game is comprised only of East players now, so you're doubling the East players, 967 01:02:07,639 --> 01:02:12,960 you're taking unrelated Meanwhile, Brad Beale is bitten by a radioactive spider and 968 01:02:13,079 --> 01:02:16,920 gains superpowers, but is still overpaid even with them. So then Kyrie takes 969 01:02:16,920 --> 01:02:21,920 control of the flight to the All Star Game, flies to the edge of 970 01:02:21,920 --> 01:02:24,519 the Earth where he proves it's flat and facetimes the next top ten vote getters 971 01:02:24,559 --> 01:02:29,119 who aren't on the plane, and they're also stunned that they reevaluate their lives 972 01:02:29,159 --> 01:02:34,039 and choices into side basketball is too trivial to continue to pursue. Porzingis is 973 01:02:34,079 --> 01:02:36,880 also bitten by a radioactive spider, but a different one, which is a 974 01:02:36,920 --> 01:02:42,239 wild coincidence possible pest control problem at Capitol and Arena. He then accidentally shares 975 01:02:42,280 --> 01:02:45,719 water bottles at practice and transmits those powers to Kyle Kuzma and Daniel Gafford. 976 01:02:45,760 --> 01:02:51,119 So now you have four starters with superpowers from spiders on the Wizards. The 977 01:02:51,199 --> 01:02:54,079 Bucks, who led by Chris Middleton who was not on the All Star plane 978 01:02:54,079 --> 01:02:58,519 because he didn't play enough, are undone by a gambling scandal. They've been 979 01:02:58,519 --> 01:03:04,320 betting on pickleball. Lebron James is pissed off because he's an investor. All 980 01:03:04,360 --> 01:03:07,519 of the rest of the Bucks are suspended for life. Brad Stevens takes the 981 01:03:07,679 --> 01:03:10,880 entire Celtics roster through an obscure loophole back to Butler where he coaches, and 982 01:03:10,920 --> 01:03:15,719 they win twelfth straight national titles, which was his plan all along. And 983 01:03:15,760 --> 01:03:19,239 then I guess the rest of the other East teams just don't play, and 984 01:03:19,239 --> 01:03:24,599 that's how the Wizards win the East. So there are other explanations probably that 985 01:03:24,639 --> 01:03:29,719 aren't as dickish and condescending, but that's kind of how I see it happened. 986 01:03:29,800 --> 01:03:32,000 They can probably talk themselves into being buyers at the deadline or something, 987 01:03:32,039 --> 01:03:36,760 but they they're not, and their only way they're gonna win is just the 988 01:03:36,840 --> 01:03:40,639 exact way that you immediately outlined it, which was spectacular, and I don't 989 01:03:40,639 --> 01:03:44,719 take it as a condesenting answer to the question. The question, actually I 990 01:03:44,719 --> 01:03:46,960 think reflects how the Wizards would think, is that they're not looking at the 991 01:03:46,960 --> 01:03:50,159 longer term Bison. They're like, well, how can we win the East 992 01:03:50,199 --> 01:03:52,119 this season? This is this is the mid what do they call it middle 993 01:03:52,280 --> 01:03:55,800 middle out building or no, that's from like Silicon Valley middle out something. 994 01:03:55,840 --> 01:04:00,760 It's like, what do they call it middle build? That the term? 995 01:04:00,800 --> 01:04:04,400 I guess it's the middle build. It's d you see that ever changing for 996 01:04:04,639 --> 01:04:10,039 the franchise, The Bill, the Bill contract all in all seriousness, the 997 01:04:10,079 --> 01:04:14,920 Bill contract was just we've been able to just beat it into the ground. 998 01:04:15,000 --> 01:04:20,519 But it's just symptomatic of an approach to roster building that I just think puts 999 01:04:20,519 --> 01:04:26,159 a cap on how good you can be. That is way below winning the 1000 01:04:26,159 --> 01:04:30,760 East or reaching the conference finals or anything like that. Because the best version 1001 01:04:30,800 --> 01:04:33,360 of Bill is awesome, I don't know if there's reason to believe we'll see 1002 01:04:33,360 --> 01:04:38,159 it. And then I also don't know if that guy with really good supporting 1003 01:04:38,199 --> 01:04:41,960 players, even if you throw Trey Young on there somehow without giving up like 1004 01:04:42,039 --> 01:04:45,960 every young wing or pick or any whatever. It's just not quite there. 1005 01:04:47,119 --> 01:04:51,559 Just take just to finish the thought, Like take last night's game we're recording 1006 01:04:51,559 --> 01:04:58,199 this on Wednesday, in which Porzingis hit a ridiculous shot over honest. To 1007 01:04:58,280 --> 01:05:01,760 win a conference or finish first in a conference, you need a y honest 1008 01:05:01,840 --> 01:05:06,280 type like you need the guy that is just I'm in charge, because how 1009 01:05:06,280 --> 01:05:12,280 many conference finalists don't have that guy or someone like that that's just overpowering, 1010 01:05:12,800 --> 01:05:16,159 undeniable. It doesn't have to be the way honest does it through like sheer 1011 01:05:16,199 --> 01:05:19,920 force, but you have that guy. And when the Wizards paid Deal what 1012 01:05:19,960 --> 01:05:24,360 they paid him, they paid him like that guy, and that prohibits them 1013 01:05:24,360 --> 01:05:28,320 from getting that guy and being able to pay him. So this just the 1014 01:05:28,400 --> 01:05:30,960 cap is just is on for this team, and it's going to be there, 1015 01:05:31,239 --> 01:05:34,360 you know, until this thing gets blown up, which to your point, 1016 01:05:34,719 --> 01:05:38,880 like may never happen. It's just kind of are just gonna ride this 1017 01:05:39,199 --> 01:05:43,159 to disappointing seasons. And I think the real answer here, though, is 1018 01:05:43,199 --> 01:05:46,440 that the Wizards need to acquire a player that they don't currently have the assets 1019 01:05:46,480 --> 01:05:54,719 to get until at least at least that pick obligation to new York expires, 1020 01:05:54,760 --> 01:06:00,000 which probably won't be this season. It's protected. It's out a long time. 1021 01:06:00,159 --> 01:06:01,880 I think it's two, two, twenty six, or is it even 1022 01:06:01,880 --> 01:06:08,000 twenty and twenty seven. It's protected until as they scrolled through here, twenty 1023 01:06:08,199 --> 01:06:11,400 and twenty six. Yes, and so like, you need that obligation to 1024 01:06:11,559 --> 01:06:14,519 convey so that you can if you want to. I don't know that I 1025 01:06:14,519 --> 01:06:16,960 would suggest it, but if you wanted to give the all picks and swaps 1026 01:06:17,000 --> 01:06:19,840 package, you can't have that on your ledger when you figure out a way 1027 01:06:19,920 --> 01:06:24,639 to unprotect it from the Knicks. Yeah, that's an interesting idea. No, 1028 01:06:25,000 --> 01:06:28,559 those picks with the long you know, year over year rollover things sound 1029 01:06:28,599 --> 01:06:30,960 like good ideas until they're not. Until they just can you do the conditional 1030 01:06:31,360 --> 01:06:35,519 dance? But when it's a team like the Wizards and you're not sure that, 1031 01:06:35,599 --> 01:06:38,360 you can't just say it'd be different. It's like, oh, we 1032 01:06:38,440 --> 01:06:41,039 know the first pick that they're gonna give us is gonna convey in two and 1033 01:06:41,079 --> 01:06:44,199 twenty five. If the Wizards didn't know it's not your twenty, they can't 1034 01:06:44,199 --> 01:06:45,920 trade their twenty twenty five pick right now because this year's isn't conveying to the 1035 01:06:46,000 --> 01:06:48,800 Knicks. Yeah, all right, that's gonna do it, I think for 1036 01:06:48,840 --> 01:06:54,159 our Eastern Conference mailbag. Apologies to anyone offended by my wizards slander, although 1037 01:06:54,159 --> 01:06:59,239 it's only slander if it's not true. Remember, please everyone, rate, 1038 01:06:59,280 --> 01:07:01,119 review, subscribe, follow us on our socials they're here. If you're watching 1039 01:07:01,159 --> 01:07:05,199 us on YouTube at Hardwood Knocks everywhere else, check in with us on TikTok, 1040 01:07:05,280 --> 01:07:10,880 share everything. Tell your friends if you enjoy it. If you enjoy 1041 01:07:10,920 --> 01:07:15,000 these mail bags, please contribute. We'll put out blasts for those on Discord, 1042 01:07:15,000 --> 01:07:17,079 where you can also join and kind of engage in whether some pretty good 1043 01:07:17,440 --> 01:07:21,760 live game camp fires and just general team talk. So yeah, tell friends, 1044 01:07:21,880 --> 01:07:27,400 follow us like us do everything to make us feel good about ourselves because 1045 01:07:27,800 --> 01:07:31,079 we need it. So until we meet again, I would like to apologize 1046 01:07:31,119 --> 01:07:35,639 to Jared Allen and give a shout out to the one and only best human 1047 01:07:35,679 --> 01:07:36,960 alive, Frankly the human