Speaker 1: What is up Fellasicico's I am Dan for Valley, coming
at you with another NBA trade deadline primer. We're on
to the Philadelphia seventy six Ers, and we have a
curve ball, no grant, no more. We're going to the
bran taporek Well. He is a senior multi platform editor
at Bleacher Report. He also covers the Sixers at every
Place under the Sun at this point. But isn't it
on SI and Liberty Ballers? You also write some stuff
for Forbes? What else have I missed? There's got to
be something else that you do it.
Speaker 2: That's that's most of it. Yeah, we're doing some Lakers stuff.
It's silver screening role. But not much going on the
Lakers side, especially now that Jonathan Kaminga is maybe back
in the Warriors rotation.
Speaker 1: Him and the Warriors. He's destined to retire a Warrior.
Speaker 2: It does feel that way.
Speaker 1: I do respect you focusing on a small market team
like the Lakers. I really think you branching out into
that is great.
Speaker 2: Just the mom and top team. Yeah, they used to be.
Speaker 1: No Man, that Baxter Holmes article, I.
Speaker 2: Haven't read it yet. I need to.
Speaker 1: You need to, Yeah, you need it.
Speaker 2: I saw the uproar about it today, but I have
not actually done dived in.
Speaker 1: So uh the sixers though, Let's begin with their trade
deadline vitals, which I did not I have prepared to
go up on the screen, but didn't upload it, so
I'm just going to read it. Are they're about seven
million dollars over the tax They can trade up to
three first correct, twenty twenty eight from the Clippers, and
then their own in twenty thirty and twenty thirty two?
Did I miss one?
Speaker 2: Trying to think I think they can trade, yes, because
they're twenty six is headed to ok s right, top
four protected, okay, and then top eight protected to Brooklyn
in twenty twenty eight. So then.
Speaker 1: And then it just becomes a second rounder after that, right, yeah,
So they can trade those first those three first twenty
eight from the Clippers and then twenty thirty and twenty
thirty two. They have swap rights with the Clippers in
twenty twenty nine, so that they wanted to offer a
spicy swap, and then notable trade exceptions your favorite eight
million dollars from that kJ Martin dump last year expires
February sixth, so the trade deadline is February fifth, not
a problem. Then they also have three point nine million
from the Caleb Martin trade that Quentin Grimes. They have
that left over that expires February fourth, So good for
the that that was a heck of a Deal's.
Speaker 2: Not the worst trade the Mavericks made last year.
Speaker 1: Somehow, I'd like to start here. Seven million dollars over
the tax. Are they going to duck it, mister Taporek.
Speaker 2: I mean probably, The question is how, because is unless
they're trading one of their big three VJ edgecumb is
their fourth highest paid player at eleven point one million.
I'm gonna go out on a limb and say they
have no interest in trading him. Quentin Grimes is at
eight point seven, but he has veto rights on any
trade involving him because he signed his qualifying offer. Kelleyube
Junior is at eight point four and he's about to
be a nonrestricted free agent no vito rights, so they
could just outright salary type dump him. After that, it's
Andre Drummond at five million, Jared McCain at four point two,
Eric Gordon at two point three, so you know, they
could like Drummond and Gordon combined is seven point three million.
But we just got the report today and not a
surprise for anyone who's been following his team all year,
that they want to convert both Dominic Barlow and Jabarie Walker,
both of whom are on two way deals. They want
to can them to standard contracts at some point during
the regular season. So even if they dump Drummond and Gordon,
that gets them about three hundred thousand below the tax line.
Once you convert either Barlow or Walker, unless it's at
the very end of the season, that's pushing you over.
So they've got to do something bigger than that, whether
it's dumping Ubre as well trying to convince Grimes to
buy into a trade and not veto it like that's
that's my big question is, like I think they do
try to do it, but I'm not quite sure what
it looks like.
Speaker 1: What is if let's say the mandate is they have
to duck the tax, which I would almost guess that
is the is the mandate, What is the most preferred
way for you? Because you've already outlined that Drummond plus
Gordon is not going to work. If we're assuming they're
going to convert Barlow and Walker. Is it just dumping
Kelly or Bridgejunior. Is it looking like will someone take
on Jared McCain and then you move Drummond as well?
What is like the what's the preferred course for you?
Speaker 2: Definitely would not want to move McCain. He's been really
bad this year, to be clear. But you're just selling
low on him. You're selling at his absolute floor of
his value. I mean we saw last year early in
the year before he tore the meniscus, like, there is
a player with fairly high upside in there. I think
it's fair to wonder, you know, whether he fits in
Philadelphia long term, Like there are questions about whether a
Maxie McCain backcourt could hold up defensively, in particular because
both guys that think are listed around six two sixty three.
The addition of VJ. Edgecombe, Like, it's very clear now
that Tyress, Maxim and Edgecomb are going to be the
starting backcourt moving forward. So Jared McCain, if he stays
in Philly long term, you're you know, you're topping out
at like a high end reserve, which you know, I
could understand if he wanted something great somewhere else, but
like he's basically their only potential blue ish chip prospect
that they can offer, So I you know, using selling
him at the absolute lowest of his value to get
out of the salary of the luxury tax would just
be such a gross misuse of resources. But you know,
this is the team that dumped kJ Martin last year
and used two second round picks to do it, so
I can't rule anything out. I think like a combination
of dumping Drummond and then a Quinton Grimes for Tarry
Easton deal would probably be the best case scenario, and
I think that could get you far ish enough. I mean,
maybe you have to get rid of Eric Gordon as
well to get enough breathing room under the tax to
then convert Barlow and Walker, but I think that would
be interesting and like potentially help the team as well
on the court. You can sell that as a potential.
You know, we are very guard heavy. We like what
Barlow and Walker have brought, but like Tari Easton in
theory has higher upside than either of those guys, you know,
restricted free agents this summer, so we'll see how that
plays out. But we get a couple months look at him,
we get his bird rights. You know, we aren't sure
that we're going to be able to resign Quinton Grimes
because he's an unrestricted free agent this summer. You know,
Houston might want another guard, especially with Van Vleet out.
Like I think it could actually make sense trading like
a glut that Philly has in the back court and
a glut that Houston has in the front court and
basically swap those.
Speaker 1: The thing about Houston, though, is I've kind of wondered
if they are going to be a team that looks
to get out of the tax as well, because they're
even closer to ducking it than the Sixers. And then
as you mentioned the cell with Quentin Grimes, I guess
Sty'll have I mean they're they might have I mean,
that would be tight. They're probably not gonna have the
non taxpayer mL available, so you're going there kind of
knowing that you either need to leave or you're not
getting more than the non taxpayer mid level.
Speaker 2: Yeah. Yeah, I mean, based on what he's done this year,
you know, I guess like Washington is gonna is projected
to have a fair bit of space this offseason.
Speaker 1: I believe they were a team I had thought of.
I know they have Trey now and Trey Johnson is there,
but his Grimes is sort of like a hybrid two three,
and they have I would say they have wings to
spare if they like Will Riley and if they think
Cam Whitmore comes back and you have bilac U Labali.
I wonder is there something like a Quinton Grimes for
Justin Champagne type deal for the Sixers. That's someone who's
super cost controlled. I think you'd probably have to include
seconds or something because he's so cheap, and Rhymes is
about Grimes probably that he is the better player, so
maybe Washington won't care. That gets you out of the
tax I think, while being able to convert Walker and Barlow,
and then you just have this wing who's super cheap
next season as well. I think he's making under three
million bucks.
Speaker 2: Yeah, I'm here for I like Champagne, that'd be great.
Speaker 1: I love both the champagnees. Yes, Julian Champagne is out
of control.
Speaker 2: Yeah yeah, I mean yeah, But I'm ready to start
both a Thunder and a Spurs podcast now. I'm by the.
Speaker 1: Way, I think there's already a podcast called The Thunder
Buddies podcast. I meant to message you when I.
Speaker 2: Said, that's so rude. They stole an idea.
Speaker 1: That or it's been around so long and we happen
to stumbre on. On the Grimes front, what do you
think they're ultimately gonna do with him? I know he
has veto rights, which makes anything more difficult. But do
you see a scenario which he's back with the team
next season?
Speaker 2: Certainly possible. I mean, they have his bird rights, you know.
I think he changed the agents most importantly, So I
think had he kept his old agent that was off
asking for thirty million dollars a year this past offseason,
probably not. I would hope that his new representation has
a better grasp on his market value.
Speaker 3: You know.
Speaker 2: I think I was thinking about this today, like he
might still try to go for like twenty to twenty
five million, But I think every team is now going
to point to Nikil Alexander Walker and say, like, look,
if that guy's making the non tax MLI, are you
going to perform Nikil Alexander Walker?
Speaker 1: Right?
Speaker 2: I think that's probably his realistic range. So you know,
that opens assuming he's willing to take the non tax
EMILI that opens even more potential options for him otherwise,
I mean Wizards, maybe Jazz, maybe Nets, maybe Bowls, maybe Lakers.
I don't think are going to spend you know, more
on their backcourt if they've very got Luca and Austin Reeves.
Clippers are just such a wild card because we don't
know who's opting interrupting out on that team. So like,
I think there will be some I don't think his
market will be as chilly as it was last year.
I also don't know that he's going to get more
than fifteen million dollars a year now. I think it's
fair to wonder if the Sixers want to pay him
that much money now that they have edge, Like they've
got their three guys on Max Deal's Edgecombe on his
rookie deal for three more years, have McCain as well.
Like at a certain point, if you bring back Quentin Grimes,
is Jared McCain gonna be able to get back on
track next year like this year. I'm writing off entirely
at this point, but I think it is in their
best interest at some point to get him back on track,
if only to rehab his value so he becomes a
positive trade asset in the future that or.
Speaker 1: If you're going to bring back Grimes, you have Edgecomb
and you have Maxie need to be in the mode
of we're just gonna move McCain for what we could
get from it, because I don't I'd find it hard
to believe that if you're running back like this same
sort of backcourt carousel next season, I don't know what
the pathway to him improving his value is because it's
just like hitting more of his open jump shots.
Speaker 2: Okay, sure, yeah, yeah, exactly, Like I think McCain would
fill the role that Grimes is as kind of the
off the bench gunner but can be in these three
guard lineups. Obviously, Grimes is a much better defender than McCain,
but McCain in theory, is a better shooter than Grimes
or was a more consistent shooter than Grimes is. So yeah,
I would say it's probably like, if I had to
put a percentage on it, I think there is a
higher chance he is not on the Sixers next year
than he is on the Sixers. But I also don't
think we can entirely roll that out.
Speaker 1: If if we think that his market is just going
to be the non tax mm league. Doesn't it make
it easy for them to trade him in the sense of, Okay,
he loses his bird rights, but if you're going to
a team that's not you're going to a team that's
projected to be in the second apron or something, it
just makes it easier for him to say, yeah, okay,
I'll go here then, So that might benefit the Sixers
a little bit. They are looking to get out of
the tax, and maybe there's a team that's willing to
give them draft equity or super I mean, you mentioned
that he's doing to be a great scenario. Maybe there's
a third team they could work in. Where are they
going to get off Clin Capella or is it Clincapela?
Important now because of the Steven Adams injury. Who knows so,
but that I guess opens up options. But Grime is
Grime is also just more so than kJ Martin was,
is not someone you want to use as sort of
your tax dumping magnet.
Speaker 2: Right yeah, you oh my god, if you're doing it,
if they're using assets to get off of him, that
would just be like you might as well just commit
your resignation letter. But you know, if you're this is
this speaks to like the overall element that the Sixers
faced the deadline, Like if you trade Grimes. Let's say
you trade them and get like a very heavily protected
first round pick, I think is probably the absolute best
you can do. Or maybe you get a couple of
second round picks for him, or you get another like
Tar East and great. But you know, let's say you
don't get anything of like tremendous value. You're hurting this team,
especially if it's not a player in return, Like if
you're getting a future left asset, great, but you're making
this team worse. And I think you can objectively look
at it, like Joel Embiid has been playing better as
of late. Tyres Maxley was just named his first All
Star starter. Edgecumb has been better than expected as a Ricky. Like,
there are a lot of positives in Philadelphia right now.
The East is wide open. With that said, I still
think no one is really looking at this team like, oh,
they're an actual threat to win the title this year, so.
Speaker 1: They might be a threat to win the East, but.
Speaker 2: I maybe, I mean yeah, like if nothing else, I
think they're a threat to win one round of the
playoffs and get knocked out in the second round as always,
but maybe they go on a conference final run and
maybe that's enough. But you know, so, like do you
look at that and say, you know the Daryl Morrey
theory of like, do we have five percent championship odds?
If so, then we are buyers. If not, then we
are sellers. I don't. I haven't looked at what the
sixers' odds are. I would be surprised if they are
plus two thousand or better right now to win the title.
Definitely not. No, they're plus six thousand, so I haven't close, right, So, like,
do you become sellers in the hopes of maximizing the
maxi edgecombe future? If so, like, how do you explain
that to the players, And how do you explain that
to the fans who went through this miserable season last year?
And like the vibes are better this year because they
haven't had to deal with as many injuries because some
of these players are bouncing back. And yeah, it's a
real tough choice I think for the front office, Like
do you do you take the objective approach of like
this team is not a championship contender or like a
inner circle Championship contender is currently constructed. But it is
a fun story, and like, what you know this? I
think this is kind of the dilemma that a lot
of teams face, like what's our ultimate goal? Like we
say our ultimate goal is winning a championship, but like,
do we care more about putting butts in seats?
Speaker 1: I'm sure I'm sure a bunch of teams do, or
at least the people running them. I'm sure a bunch
of teams do.
Speaker 2: Right, So, I mean, I think that speaks to like,
that's probably why we haven't heard very much about the
Sixers leading up to the deadline. I mean, you know,
they're historically not very quiet. They tend to leak a
lot to the media, and we've heard nothing about them
this year.
Speaker 1: You wrote about it. It is strange. Yeah, I mean,
and I honestly the other thing, too, is you kind
of alluded to this. I'm not saying they should go
this route, but with Joelle Embiid starting to play better,
Paul George has been a fine compliment this season. Couldn't
there be some semblance of urgency to say, hey, it's
not even just oh if we just move grimes to
get out of the tax, maybe we get a pickback
or whatever. But if we do something that in any
way compromises this team, you don't get to just count
on well, like we'll just run it, Like we'll figure
it out next year, right, Like that's when we'll go
all in, because you can't guarantee. I would say Embiid
is sort of the poster player for this. You just
can't even guarantee that Embide is gonna have the stretch
that he's having right now. Again, like every game, every
performance from Embiid is almost so precious just because of
the state of his knee.
Speaker 2: Yeah, like Paul George is not getting any younger. You
signed Paul George to that contract thinking those first two
years were your window and that you would live with
the consequences in the final two years of his deal.
So yeah, I mean, I think there is It's like
there are competing pressures working against them and they have
to kind of choose one direction or the other. But
there's not an obvious like this team should definitely be
a buyer. I think one thing is clear. They should
not be like aggressive buyers, Like I would not trade
that twenty twenty eight Clippers.
Speaker 1: Pick and not even for like Trey Murphy.
Speaker 2: I mean, well, so that's the other thing.
Speaker 1: It's like not even for kul Anthony Towns.
Speaker 2: The Sixers salary structure is such that because they have
three guys on Max Deal's edgecumb is their fourth highest
paid player at eleven point one million, and then it's Grimes,
Glubray Drummond. Like they how do you get to the
money for Trey Murphy, Like he's been such a popular
you know, everyone under the sun loves Trey Murphy, like
every team, it's not just the Sixers, but like, you know,
he comes up all the time. It's like, wow, if
they could just get Trey Murphy, It's like, well, Trey
Murphy's making what twenty twenty five I think, yeah, twenty
five million dollars. Like you can't. You cannot get to
that amount of money unless it's a four for one
or unless one of mb'd Paul George's tyree smacks that
you're going out. And like, obviously, if you can get
Trey Murphy and trade Paul George, great, but how are
you convincing either the Pelicans or another team to take
on Paul George. Well, and you're getting Trey Murphy back.
Speaker 1: So this does leave me to my question, which is
I'm just asking questions here six or as foks Oh boy,
would they consider moving Embiid or Paul George, because if
you're gonna sell and what you're effectively not sell, but
if you're gonna look to duck the tax, at that point,
it's okay. You can't pretend this is about what we're
just trying to maximize our flexibility and chances for next
year because of what you just said about the Paul
George contract, because of what we just alluded to with
Joel Embiid, do they if you're so, if you're gonna sell,
then just freaking sell. And so it's have Paul George
and or Jewell Embiid done enough to where they could
be moved without attaching something to them. And like, let's
use the case of the Pelicans as an example. Could
you do something where it's let's even say Trey Murphy's
not involved, but if you if you're willing to put
picks in to get him, have you progressed to the
point where all right, well, if you're willing to also
take back to Jontay Murray's deal because of him coming
off that Achilles injury and that's just cheaper to work
around moving forward. Is that an option that they could
then explore. I don't It seems far fetched, But if
their mandate is to duck the tax, I'm kind of
just wondering if you can get off And I emotionally
that component with Joe Embiid would be gutting even for me.
And I don't like root or cover the Sixers exclusively
and that so that would be darring. But like Paul
George specifically, I just sort of wonder if your duckum
attack have says he reached the point where, even if
it's a small ass like, would I use Jarret McCain
to get off of Paul George contract and duck the tax? Yeah?
Like that's probably something I would do as a Sixers
if I'm not looking at this season as something I'm
trying to actually make the most.
Speaker 2: Of, right, Yeah, I mean I think I would be
surprised if they could get off either contract without attaching assets,
especially if they're getting a player.
Speaker 1: What if they call the Bulls or the Kings? Oh god,
And is the same person answering the phone regardless of
what they call, Because those teams seem to share the
same brain wavelength.
Speaker 2: Sure, yeah, I mean then you run into the issue
of roster spots, because like if you're trading Paul George,
you know, the Bulls have a million expiring contracts, but
you either have to loop in a third team or
you know, you can't bring back all four guys and
then also have roster spots to convert Barlow and Walker.
And also, I mean, if.
Speaker 1: You're taking back, couldn't the Bulls do it? Can they
not do it with two? Is it Vooch? Plus what's
the other big.
Speaker 3: Expiring Zach Collinsum they can take their I assume they
are way under the first apron so I'm sure they
can take back more money than the sendout.
Speaker 2: But right, yeah, I think that's still it might be close, actually,
but I would be surprised if that alone. Good clear
it's about the thirty nine point five and it's in
the neighborhood. It could probably, I'm sure it could be
a three for one in that case.
Speaker 1: Three for one. And then if you find Gordon's on
the minimum, so you find a team to so then
it's you're really it's a three for two if.
Speaker 2: In this trade right, yeah, yeah, I mean, I don't
know why the Bulls want Paul George, but.
Speaker 1: Sure it's the Bulls. I don't know, I'm sure. I
also don't think they could do it. I think maybe
if they were doing more of in a we're attaching
picks to Paul George to try and get like just
the Pelicans as an example. I haven't thought about this
at Also, Pelicans fans, please don't get mad. But it's like, oh,
Paul George, four, Paul George, all the picks, Jared McCain
and you're getting back Trey Murphy and the jet like that.
I think they could probably do something like that at
this point. But it's also, again I'm naming the Pelicans.
I don't think they're a team that would consider it.
So it's it feels like at this point, which is
wild to say, who do you think it would be
easier to move Paul George with a shorter contract or
Joel Embiid with the higher upside as a player.
Speaker 2: It's a fair question. I've had the same question about Embiid,
and I'm sure i'll write about it between now and
the deadline of like now that he is rounding back
into form, is this a cell high opportunity And I
don't know if it is, Like I don't know if
teams would be convinced that, like, oh yeah, this is
a guy worth gambling on because he hasn't even started
his contract extension, which is three years and projected to
be one hundred and eighty eight million dollars. So you know,
he's still got three years left at thirty five plus
percent of the cap. Just given how cautious teams have
been with say second Apron stuff, you know, I'm guessing
both guys are still under I did wonder with the
Jimmy Butler injury, who says no to Paul George for Jimmy.
Speaker 1: Because Jimmy Paul George for Jimmy. Oh and so from
the Sixers perspective, that's just we get out from the
contract a year earlier.
Speaker 2: Yeah, And I mean, and Beid loves Jimmy Butler. They
played together for have a season, like he would go
to war for that dude. So if Jimmy is back
next year, you know you are punting on this year obviously,
but yeah, you're you get out one year earlier and
you get you know, Embiad's.
Speaker 1: Jimmy coming back before twenty twenty seven would be the question.
Speaker 2: It's a fair question, Yeah, I would imagine so like
acl to me is slightly less serious than Achilles, and
he's got you know, give or take nine months, So
I would think he's back, if not at the start
of the year, fairly early on. But ages concern obviously.
Speaker 1: I wonder if it's the Warriors who would say no anyway,
just because they have their books online right now to
where that could change over the offes. But like Steph,
Jimmy and Draymond, assuming he picks up his player, rog
all come off the books after next year.
Speaker 2: Yeah, I think Jimmy like fits the ethos of that
team more than they expected him to. Not to say
that Paul George wouldn't, but you know, I think from
the Warriors side, yeah, like that's that is the counter
argument to it is that you are cutting into the
twenty twenty seventh space that you are cherishing, but you're
turning a player who was a fifty four million dollars
dead cap hit for the rest of the season into
Paul George, who you did pursue in assigning trade before
the Sixers.
Speaker 1: Got him, right, So I not that. Wow, that'd be fascinating.
Speaker 2: Yeah, I don't. I don't think either side does it ultimately,
But that was a challenge trade that came to mind
in the wake of his injury. But overall, I mean,
I think it's a very fair question of like, should
they know if they can find a team that is
willing to take on Embiid, Like kat is one that
I would not do it for because it's only one
year less on his deal.
Speaker 1: Well what if it's what if it's what if he's
going to decline that player option? There could be another
team that's gonna pay him sixty plus mints.
Speaker 2: All right, by all means, So yeah, go ahead, Katy.
Speaker 1: Would you take back a longer Like what if Toronto
comes calling and I think that Yaka Purtle deal expires
in twenty one, sixteen or something like that, hundred years
from now, right, right? But like, is that something you
consider of just working He's still when he's healthy, he's
not Embiid. He's a useful player, but that contract just
goes on forever.
Speaker 2: It's awful. Yeah, And it would be like because I
mean they see.
Speaker 1: Quickly next season, it's insane.
Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, yeah, they don't need quickly, and that's
the other guy that they're dangling, So it would be
like Barrett and Purtle.
Speaker 1: I don't even think that gets you there is because
Toronto's is gonna want to duck attacks itself. So you
need another team.
Speaker 2: Yeah, like Baji going somewhere else.
Speaker 1: Yeah, for sure, I think that's a no brainer there.
What you do as a basis though, like you're taking
back Purdl and barg just to get off the MB contract.
That feels underwhelming. Barret's a very useful player, especially for
a wing star team.
Speaker 2: Yeah, Amas, but I'd be lying if I said I
wouldn't consider it.
Speaker 1: Wow.
Speaker 2: I mean you know, like I am so happy that
Joel Embiid is playing as well as he is right now.
We've just seen this story how many times before, Like.
Speaker 1: I just feel like the vibes of doing it, like
for that reason to where these aren't players you would
be chasing independently where it's Peardle and Barrett, the vibes
for like karmically speaking, you can't. You can't do that.
Speaker 2: Yeah, And also, like you know, I there's there's not
urgency in the sense of like let's say they could
dump em be to the Bulls for Vooch and Collins
and whoever, like just clear his money from the books.
After this year, you still got Paul George and Tyrese
Maxi on max contracts. So like, unless you are able
to clear off both Embiid and Paul George, you're still
not going to have significant cap space this offseason, especially
if you're gonna have to re sign Grimes or Ubra.
And it's not like this free agent class is teaming
with superstars anyway, so I think.
Speaker 1: And it's not like free agency matters anymore at the brain.
Speaker 2: Yeah, And if you have cap space, you sign Paul
George two hundred million dollars contracts and you hate it.
So you know, I think you it almost behooves them
to just see see what happens this year. And then
you know, twenty twenty six, twenty seven, you are one
year closer to the expiration of both of those contracts.
Twenty seven to twenty eight. Paul George is not an
expiring deal. Like I don't know that those contracts ever
have significant value or significant positive value, but you know,
two years from now, who knows, like a fifty six
point six million dollar expiring contract, especially with the cap
going up as quickly as it is, Like, maybe we
will start to see some more underwater contracts the teams
are looking to get off of long term and like
at that point, you know, a peral contract is you
don't have sixteen years left on it. You're only down
to fourteen at that point, so it might be slightly
more tolerable from that perspective as well.
Speaker 1: Suffice it to say, it sounds like we'd both be
shocked if either Paul George or Joel Embiid was traded.
Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean it'd be interesting like that. That could
certainly explain the radio silence from the sixer side, although.
Speaker 1: You can't, I'm sorry, you can't just dumping in bead
something was gonna I don't, like aliens are gonna abduct
or something.
Speaker 2: I can't well, I mean, yeah, it speaks to like
I think George and Embiid are separate in this conversation,
Like if you dump George, I think it would be
more understandable. But MB, especially with him playing as well
as he has lately, and like the two man action
with him in Maxie and the attention that he draws
from defenders really does help the rest of the team,
like if you're trading that guy, if you if you
do this Toronto deal MB for RJ Barrett and Pertle,
Perle with his back injury is just like hasn't played
it all this year. That is unquestionably making this team worse.
And I think that is you know, I don't think
you necessarily have to camera about the fan perspective, like
if you you know, when they inevitably do the luxuries
tacks dump and fans get really mad, I don't think
they're gonna care all that much. But like, I think
you do have to worry about it from the player's side,
like how do you sell this to Tyrese, Maxie and
VJ Edgecum In particular, by making that trade, you are
telling them you do not believe in them. You do
not believe in this team as constructed. And I think
that's a tough message to send to your you know
who you hope to be your two star players moving forward.
Speaker 1: So let's get into actual needs, targets for realistic targets
for them. I have is their biggest need for me
was just more wings, Yes, more actual wing depth. And
as justin Edwards Truther, I will note that that hurts
me to say, yes, what do you think comes after that?
Because I feel like that's the odd that's the low
hanging fruit one. Is there anything else that brings to
mind for you?
Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, depending on what they do with Grimes,
another guard, especially with McGain struggling like he has this year,
I don't know if he will be reliable at any
point this season. You know, there are only other options?
Are thirty? Is Kyle Lowry? Forty? Now is the officially
passed forty But no March twenty fifth, We're still still
on the right side of forty book Kyle Lowry and
I But yes, another guard I think, especially if they
Grimes would be a big one. And then I mean,
depending on if Drummond is part of the salary dump.
You know, Adam Bono would be their only other true center.
You know, they've they've done some small ball stuff, but
if they dump Drummond, they think a fairly inexpensive center
would make sense for them as well.
Speaker 1: Yeah, they were that. Yeah, that's a good point. So
do any names spring to mind for you? I know
I've shared my I still have my top three big
board for them. It changed after a bit Initially I
put aggressive targets because they have that Clippers pick. Then
it was just like, it's not they're gonna duct. I
think they're gonna duct tax. But maybe they'll do it,
you know, in two stages where they shave a little
bit money off now and then the rest on draft
night or something. But I have all my top three
targets for them were all making I think they're all
under like three million bucks under.
Speaker 2: Sounds right for sure. Yeah. And I think the only
like concrete rumor that we've gotten so far, and I
think this was from Jake Fisher, was that the Sixers
and Grizzlies held some preliminary talks. Not in reference to
John Morant, but he's I think he said, like around
the fringes or around the edges of the roster.
Speaker 1: Jack Landale, Baby's that was my name.
Speaker 2: Yeah. I immediately as soon as that came out, went
to their salary sheet and started like no, no, no,
you know, Contavious Callwellpelp too expensive, Santi Aldama two perspective,
Brandon Clark even him, probably too expensive. A twelve point
five million. Yeah, I mean it's either hammer joint contrad
but I think Jack Landale would be my guess as well.
I mean, I don't think you can get Jay Huff
from the Pacers because they.
Speaker 1: He's got my big board for them there. I go
back and forth because I think it's become pretty clear
that Jay Huff, despite what people said, coming in as
not the long term option at center. They are sure,
but unless you can guarantee they're going to get one
in the draft or over the offseason something how, they
don't have like other good options to say. So, you
can't just give up on Jay Huff because the Sixers
throw X amount of sections at you.
Speaker 2: I don't think, right, Yeah exactly. I mean you need
a center.
Speaker 1: I've seen some Siakham for a few minutes and I'm intrigued.
So maybe that's maybe they just latch onto that and decide, yeah,
let's roll forward with that.
Speaker 2: Maybe there's a Drummond for Jay Huff swap in their future.
Speaker 1: Yeah, that would I mean I would like that for
the Sixers.
Speaker 2: Yeah, Trim's with two point seven million.
Speaker 1: It's all about all about tame and money.
Speaker 2: You know, I really care about Josh Harris's back account.
I want him to really fund the Washington Commander's retirement fund.
Speaker 1: Yeah, let's hear the more names.
Speaker 2: If you got him, I don't know if he's obtainable
or what it would cost to obtain him, but Zeek
Bay in New Orleans.
Speaker 1: Yeah, I wish he shot it a little bit better, but.
Speaker 2: Yeah, he's just been a nice, quiet bounce back year
for him. Only six point one this year, six point
four million next year, so having him under contract on
a fairly affordable price for the next two years. I
you know, again, like, I don't know how you get
to that salary point unless it's ideally if you're trading
for him, you were not trading a wing out, so
you know you're not doing like Sadik Bay for Kelly Ubre.
Could you do Sadik Bay for Quentin Grimes? Would Quentin
Grimes sign off on that knowing that like de Jante
Murray is there, Jordan Poole is there, but they don't
seem to really believe in him.
Speaker 1: Are you sure because they gave up an expiring contract, one.
Speaker 2: Pretty valuable one as it turned out.
Speaker 1: Uh.
Speaker 2: Yeah, They've got Jeremiah Fears as well, so a lot
of that backcourt could be crowded. But I think that
would be if you could do a Grimes for Sadiq Bay,
I'd be pretty into that as well.
Speaker 1: What about so what about Kean ellis a little smaller,
pretty super cheap fits everywhere.
Speaker 2: Yep.
Speaker 1: The one of the well I mentioned, I mentioned Justin
Champagne already, so I need to mention him again. The
other one I thought of, he's been pre injured this
year and there have to be other teams almost assuredly involved.
But I really like the idea of Karent Shannon Jr.
And so if you were able to get like, would
you consider giving up McCain if it meant getting him.
If they decide they're out on Rob Dillingham and McCain
gives them a better Oh, he's better than Calmly, he's
better than bones if we're looking for another ball handler
in our playoff.
Speaker 2: Rotation Jessey, How okay? So Shannon's under contract for three
more years as well. I mean that would be My
concern is, like, especially when you've got three guys on
Max steels, you just need guys on cheap long term
contracts is as much as humanly possible. So I wouldn't
want to dump McCain for someone on expiring for sure.
But Shannon, he and Shannon have the same length. Yeah,
I don't know. I still have hope for McCain. Like
I don't know, Shannon hasn't necessarily shown the same upside
as McCain did last year. I know McCain has really
struggled this year, but like I just am still clinging desperately.
Speaker 1: To Shannon has not been that good either. I had
him ticketed for just a mega breakown. I know he's
dealing with the ankle stuff on off, but I expect
a lot more from him.
Speaker 2: Yeah, Like McCain's overcome you know, yeah, the meniscus last
year and then towards the UCL and his thumb right
before training camp this year. So I like there's a
chance that he comes back next year and is you know,
right back to what he was as a rookie, and
like he just needed a year to reset basically. So
I would be less into that one. I think I'm
really not trying to sell low on Jerem McCain if
I can avoid.
Speaker 1: It, fair I don't. I mean you probably, I don't
know if they would even ask her if you're willing
to give up some second round of compensation. Maybe it's
something different, But as just a wing in Philly. Terren
Shannon would be interesting.
Speaker 2: Yeah, what about I'm.
Speaker 1: Just gonna keep naming Grizzlies Vince Williams Junior, little smaller
but defends up a lot.
Speaker 2: Yep, yep, yeah, I mean I didn't. I assumed if
they are, you know, moving off of John in particular,
that like a lot of those cheap young guys like
Gigi Jackson was another one that could be of interest.
Scottie Pippen Jr. Would be of interest, but like all
these guys are on, I.
Speaker 1: Didn't what is going on with Scottie Pippen Junior and
Tigers just haven't played this season? Him and tyger Rome.
I need to know.
Speaker 2: Yeah, I think it's one of those like injuries of
the timeline keeps getting pushed back and back and back. Yeah,
they're saving them for after the Josh trade.
Speaker 1: That or they're like I there was that. I think
it was Zach Lowe said that, and if it was
fascinating that did the Grizzlies always intend to like be
a lottery team this year because they renegotiate and extend
Jared Jackson Junior and then he immediately has surgery and
like we haven't heard anything on Ty Jerome or Scottie
Pippen junior. We know, like Zach Edy, they knew like
he was dealing with a bunch of health stuff as
well coming into the year, and so I kind of
just they traded Desmond Bane. Of course, I kind of
like put a pin in that. I was like, yeah,
you know, they tried to spin it as they were
just reorienting, not like going through some type of gap year.
But now I'm kind of wondering if the writing.
Speaker 2: Was just always on the wall, I could see it.
Speaker 1: This is tough. I mean, like there are a ton
of players that you can name that would make sense
for the Sixers, but they need to be like what
about Shima kay Luke has had a pretty good season
in Utah, and if Bryce sends the boss popping, maybe
they're open to getting rid of him. And you could
like Utah has the flexibility to I don't know if
Kelly Ubra plus whatever for because I don't know why
Utah wants Kelly Ubray, especially if they're not trying to win,
so maybe there's a third team involved, but they have
the flexibility I'm saying to get the Sixers out of
the tax while sending back Shaima kaya Luke.
Speaker 2: That's true. Yeah, I mean I think that would be
a priority for sure. But this is this is where
you run into the same problem. It's like you have
to almost go shopping like at the absolute max in
the ten to fifteen million dollar range, Like you can't.
Speaker 1: I wasn't even thinking that high.
Speaker 2: Yeah right, I mean probably not because they're probably looking
at trim salary no matter who they're guse.
Speaker 1: Even if it was so if you were, I guess
what you could do. So if you trade Kelly lubridg
Junior and Andre Drummonds, what does that get you to
like thirteen million?
Speaker 2: Yeah, thirteen point four.
Speaker 1: You could take a player back making like six million.
If if that player happens to be a wing who
were you're still kind of wing light, But I guess
at least they you're not wing I mean, Sadik Bay
kind of works for that. Six point one is right
in that range. Yeah, you're Can I interest you in
a Zaia Williams?
Speaker 2: Oh no, thank you?
Speaker 1: Now this would also require separate team. But if Cleveland
was really looking to cut costs, Dean Wade would be fascinating.
Speaker 2: That would be Yeah, I'd be more open to that.
Speaker 1: And like they're just saying, hey, I mean, but they
kind of play different positions, but they really believe in
Jalen Tyson that much.
Speaker 3: Yeah.
Speaker 1: Yeah, Now, okay, here's an interesting thing. They mentioned the Grizzlies.
Would you put the clippers pick on the table if
it got you out of the tax and no and
you got back Jalen wells, oh.
Speaker 2: Okay, I thought you were going in a different direction there.
Speaker 1: I would you say, John Moran, I'm not.
Speaker 2: No, no, no. I thought some sort of like Paul George
Jaron Jackson Jr.
Speaker 1: Like I didn't really thought about that, but.
Speaker 2: Mhm, I would be very reluctant to that clippers pick,
especially until we get word on like what the findings
on the aspiration scandal. I I mean, I don't think,
especially given the state of the world currently, I think
nothing will happen, and you know, a billionaire will go unpunished,
as this tradition these days. But on the off chance
that Adam Silver does come down fairly hard on the clippers,
like that only increases the perceived value of that pick.
You also just don't know, like the clippers are such
a blank slate after twenty twenty seven, you know, there's
there's certainly like upside there because they will have so
much money to spend and maybe like maybe they get
Giannis and Jokichen, you know, or off to the races,
but maybe they strike out on everyone and are building
around you know, Kawhi and James Harden in their late
thirties at that point, and like there's that pick is
unprotected like that, it needs to be a pretty big
upgrade to move off of that pick.
Speaker 1: So would you be willing to give up one of
the sixers of his own distant first? Then for something similar?
What if it's like Kelly Ubre and Andre Drummond for
you get to pick, Maybe you don't get to pick,
but you're getting back Jalen Wells plus one of Cam
Spencer or Vince Williams.
Speaker 2: I don't think I would do that.
Speaker 1: I would do that in a heartbeat. I mean, I'm
Cam Spencer pilled, but I don't even guaranteed. I just
think Jalen Wells, I guess if you don't trust him
to defend bigger wings, that's fine, but Jalen Wells is
cheap for what another two years?
Speaker 2: Yeah? Yeah, I mean I do like Cam Spencer too,
I think I guess my concern is just like I
don't know how much better that makes this Sixers team.
I don't think that that type of move like transforms
them into a contender all of a sudden. So, like,
what's what's the upside to giving away, especially if it's
a distant first like that's one of your main tradeable chips,
you know, I think you need to the Sixers need
to like balance thinking of the now, but also thinking
of the post Embeid and post Paul George, Like what's
the future in twenty twenty eight, twenty twenty nine, when
Maxi and Edge come coming off of their respective contracts,
and like ideally we are resigning them both and will
continue to build around them into the twenty thirties. Like
at that point you're gonna want assets because like you know,
there there is a pocket of time where you might
be able to get a third star next to those two,
once George is off the books and then beads on
an expiring deal. So I think I'm unless it is
for like a massive upgrade, I would not be inclined
to trade any first round picks this year just to
preserve that flexibility moving forward?
Speaker 1: What is there a player then that you would be
willing And we already mentioned that Trey Murphy is just
that wouldn't even count because of his salary structure. Is
there a player that then fits all the boxes the
Sixers would need to check that you So you're assuming
they're probably trying to get out of tacks, but they're
also trying to upgrade the roster. Is there a player
that you would be willing to give up pick or
picks for?
Speaker 2: I mean, Michael Porter Junior is in the rumor mill.
Speaker 1: But again, how are you getting to that salary you're
thinking Paul in that scenario?
Speaker 2: Yeah, it is one fewer year on his deal.
Speaker 1: In Michael give up the Clippers or a first round
pick for that? I don't think I would.
Speaker 2: I don't, I don't.
Speaker 1: I wouldn't like it this year.
Speaker 2: But yeah, I mean you're paying in part, you're paying
to get off of Paul George.
Speaker 1: Okay, fair, But.
Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean I don't know that that makes them Again,
like I don't know, Paul George is Swapping Paul George
for Michael Porter does not make them a contender anymore
so than they are right now, maybe a little bit
like Michael Porter is, you know, a higher volume scorer,
at least in Brooklyn this year. But we also seen
Michael Porter in you know, in the number three role.
It's like what he was playing for his entire career
prior to now, and still very good, but like you know,
you're expecting somewhere in the seventeen to eighteen point range,
not twenty six. You know, he is a really good
three point shooter. So was Paul George before he came
to Philadelphia. But then he came to Philadelphia and.
Speaker 1: It's almost just like, well, I mean he's been Michael
Porter Junior's been sneaky durable for like three or four
years now, and Paul George has not. So there's that
upgrade consider But.
Speaker 2: He's much younger, like you could feasibly talk to. I mean,
he's not like on the same developmental curve obviously as
Maximy an edgecumb but like he's closer. He's kind of
more of a like bridge between eras than Paul George.
Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean that'd be interesting. I don't think if
I'm the Sixers, I'm not giving up a pick for that, though,
I don't think I get like I'm not better enough
after that? Right, do you have any other names or
anything else you wanted to point out about the Sixers
entering the trade deadline.
Speaker 2: The only other thing I'd flag is, so they're gonna
convert Walker in Barlow at some point, but there's a
limit to how many games they can play both of
those guys. Although you know Barlow has been starting for them,
Jabari Walker has been coming off the bench for them
every game, but it's like playing every game. Keith Smith
of spot Track point this out earlier today. I've been
right about a couple times since, like mid December. They
are down to two games left where they can have
Walker and Barlow active until they fill their fifteenth roster spot.
They can do so by converting one of them, but
I would imagine they are hoping not to do that
until after the trade deadline to just maintain their optionality,
like in case they do need to do a two
for one or three for two whatever, So they can
also do that by signing a ten day. So all
that is a very long winded way of saying, I'm
guessing they sign a ten day on Saturday, would be
my guest, because if they do it, then that covers
six games, so that gets them right into the trade deadline.
Jabari Walker only has eight games left on the two
way deal as well. He's played forty two. You can
only play fifty before they have to decide whether to
convert you or let you go. So I'm guessing he
gets one game off between now and the trade deadline
and then they convert him either the day like you
know trade deadlines at what three or four pm, and
then they convert him. They do have a game against
the Lakers that night, so I think it's going to
happen fairly quickly. But yeah, that's that is the sneaky
thing I am keeping track of. And you know, it
brings me back to the first question you ask me of, like,
why haven't they done this yet? What they've been You've
been able to sign a ten day contract since January fifth.
You knew this clock was sticking down, ticking down, ticking down.
We're now at two games left, it's January twenty. First,
why haven't they sent a ten day contract? It makes
me think it's all about the luxury tax, baby, because
it's one hundred and thirty thousand dollars give or take
for every ten day contract you hand out, So that
puts them we're now going to be seven point one
billion dollars over. That's just another one hundred and thirty
thousand dollars they need to account for. So they really
took this thing to the deadline.
Speaker 1: Which almost makes you think that they are trying to
do it in one shot, because if you were willing
to do it in two stages, you don't have to
concern yourself as much with the one hundred and thirty
thousand dollars that you're tacking on for the ten day contract. So,
and I guess when you look at their salary structures,
unless you're taking back a cheaper player who has multiple
years left on this deal, which I guess is the goal.
But it's not like you can move Kelly Ubridge junior
on draft night if you so. Like they're running into
that problem because of the expirings. But yeah, that's that's
gonna be fascinating to watch. They're a team that's I
don't expect them to do anything nuclear. I'm sort of
just sitting here waiting. Okay, the right of passage is
the annual sixer salary.
Speaker 2: Don't because that's right.
Speaker 1: When they're coming. That's just what's what I want to know.
Speaker 2: Historically at about two thirty pm on February fifth would
be my guess. They like to sneak it in while
no one's paying attention. Like every all the other trade
fireworks going off, and then it's like, oh, Sixers traded
Kelly Aubridgejunior and gave up two second round picks. It's like,
what when did they get back a banner? It's ahead
and then they duck the luxuries ax for the fifth
trade year. Congratulations, mister Taporak.
Speaker 1: Are you able to tell our audience where they can
find you in all the great work that you do?
Speaker 2: Yes, you can find me on Blue Sky at B
T O P O R E K all Sixer stuff.
Now at on S side you can find me fan
sited Forbes Sports silver Screen role. I think that is
it as of now. Oh and then b R occasionally
where both you and I work and I'm gonna strong
arm you into more big NBA projects here this year.
Speaker 1: Are you going to be on the I do live
grades for Bleacher Report on deadline Day? Are you going
to be Are we working in tandem this year on
that or they decided that I'm so good and flawless
that I'm not going to need an editor to go
through it this year.
Speaker 2: Because that is correct.
Speaker 3: You are.
Speaker 2: You're on your own best friends. I am our NFL
editor is going on paternity leave starting next week, so
I will be an NFL editor for the next three
months up until the NFL Draft, so I'll be front
and center for the A. J. Brown trade when it happens.
Speaker 1: I'm definitely giving the Sixers an A plus when they trade.
The Clippers picked a duck attacks.
Speaker 2: Oh my god, I'm signing back on just to scrub
that grade trains it to a triple F.
Speaker 1: Until next time, and as always, please remember to rate,
review or subscribe, and shout out to the one, the Only,
mister Frank Pila Keina