Speaker 1: What is up Fellasicico's I Am Dan Valley coming at
you once again with more Jensen of the NBA podcast,
name of Yahoo Sports fame and of OnlyFans celebrity as
well as Forbes fame too, just famous all over the
place around these corners of the internet. We're carrying on
with asking our biggest questions for every NBA team this offseason.
We are going division by division. This is our third installment.
We have done the Southeast and the Southwest and we
are on to the Pacific Division. Before we get started,
mister Jensen, do you have anything that you would like
to say?
Speaker 2: Oh, man, putting me on the spot, like politically known,
you know what. I'm okay.
Speaker 1: The Golden State Warriors are first up. More, what is
your biggest question for them?
Speaker 2: Uh? How do they optimize this old court that they
that they have. I think I think they did something
very bold and something good in giving Steph someone else
to work with in Jimmy but most yeah, oh him too,
Yes for sure. But like obviously you're left with a
lot of questions here, like what is this team going
to look like moving forward? Can you build on the
current core, what's gonna happen to Jonathan Kumingaz He's going
to be a part of it. Can you flip him
for another veteran? Like? I just want to know what
their plan is to optimize, you know, Steph Draymond, Jimmy.
Speaker 1: I'm that is That's the only question that I think
actually matters. But it ties into what I was actually
surprised you didn't pick this one and now I get
to pick it. What is going to happen with Jonathan
Kaminga going into restricted free agency? And I know the
preference for both sides is apparently to work out a
sign in trade. We've gone over before on this podcast.
Base your compensation makes that a little bit difficult. Effectively,
if Jonathan Amena gets a thirty million dollar salary, he
only accounts for fifteen million in outgoing money for Golden State,
that makes pulling off a trade pretty difficult. You could
rope in third and fourth parties. You could hope it's
the nets that are on the other side of it.
What do you do as Golden State, like is it
do you look at this as do you think let's
start here? Do you think that Kaminga can functionally work
alongside Jimmy Butler, Steph and Draymond, And it's not really
a Steph question so much as a Draymond and Jimmy
Butler question.
Speaker 2: Right, Uh, are we going to anticipate him becoming a
dramatically better shooter over the course of summer? Because if so, yeah,
I can see it. If not, eh, that's gonna be rough.
I actually, like Kamenka, I think we've I think the
skepticism and criticism that he's been getting at such a
young age has actually been a little too much. I
do think, like I think someone, I do think not someone.
I think we, as an NBA society, whatever you want
to call it, have been at a little too aggressive
in tearing him down. Because, yes, he does have obvious weaknesses,
especially floor spacing, and you know, he's kind of stuck
between positions. He's twenty two years old. He's twenty two,
he's super young. He's still supremely productive. I do think
there is a way where he can find his way
elsewhere on in a different team. So I'm not like
sitting here saying, oh, his rest of the rest of
his career is going to be bullshit. I think that
just that's way too harsh. He also by the way,
something that seems to fly under the radar with him
over that entire discourse, his ability to get to the
foul line is absurdly good. So, like, there are a
lot of components of him that I like, but you're right,
specifically on this roster next to Jimmy, next to Draymond.
It's so hard to justify a guy who's not much
of a spacer.
Speaker 1: Yeah, and look, the rim sure is divine, and as
you said, the foul drawing, Like there's really only Jimmy
Butler who can do that at a similar level. As
he gets older and he's just prone to being passive
on offense, you need that even more. But I think
what also makes this complicated is you're not at a
point where you can concede a lot necessarily on defense
unless you think that Jimmy Butler can be your kind
of point of attack guy, which I just don't think
that's his best role at this stage of his career.
Like that was kind of the that was like the
sacrifice you made with Andrew Wiggins, like giving up Andrew
Wigs that deals it became very important, Like someone like
Gary Payton Junior became very important. The other issue too,
is just like the rebounding. So if you're playing that lineup,
you're not having another center on the court. And so
what does the rebounding look like with Draymond Green and
Jonathan Kaminga as your front court? And then just the
numbers on it. Golden State net rating of minus fourteen
point nine yea when Kaminga played with those other three guys,
Steph Green and Butler. Now you can take Steph out
of there and it gets even worse at a net
ratings minus twenty five. But we saw under one hundred
possession of this. So I think you could say the
jury is still out, but I think that you're gonna
have to get to a point where this is just
kind of what you need to work with, at least
until the trade deadline. I just worry about, Yeah, how
do you I I've tended to be lower on cominga
than consensus, but I still think that there could be
a really good basketball player in there, and he's shown
it for some extended pockets. I just don't know how
do you do that on this roster to where the
question is, well, how do you optimize him? We're talking
about some of the redundancies that he has with Draymond
Green and Jimmy Butler spatially at least, But also you
don't do you have the stomach if you're going to
try new things with him, or if you're banking on
his three pointer coming along, if you think you could
be more of a play finisher coming off screens, what
is your stomach for testing this stuff out? Because I
think some people's biggest complaints with the Warriors is that
Cominga's either had a quick hook an inconsistent role however
you want to frame it. But the stakes are so
high that do you necessarily have the leeway to see
what you can get in Kaminga like out of Kaminga
with this group. But and before I throw it back
to you, the upshot of all this is you don't
really to me as of right now, I don't think
you really have a choice. I don't know what the
sign and trade out there is, Like the nets really
need to be interested in Jonathan Kmena. It feels like
where maybe there's something to Jonathan Kaminga, there's other moving
parts and you're getting Cam Johnson back from Brooklyn, and
then otherwise it's you're hoping that you can sign him
to a contract that age is well, and you can
move at the trade deadline should he not fit. But
then I'm also sitting here wondering, you don't think there's
any chance because there was a report from Anthony Slater
or the Athletic that Cominga still thinks he's a future
All Star. If you're Jonathan Kaminga, is there any chance
that he would just sign his qualifying offer, play out
next year with a no trade clause, and then you
go into understreet this ree agency in twenty twenty six.
Is that too big of a risk or does it?
You know, if the Warriors want to, you can play
hardball in this market, because again, where is the above
the mid level offer coming from for Kaminga in free agency?
Speaker 2: If there is a guy out there who's a genuine
threat to take the q QO, it's Cominga in my eyes,
for the reasons that you just outlined. They absolutely they
being Comena and his team, his agent. They are well
aware that teams outside the Warriors just don't have cap space.
Obviously the Warriors don't have either. It's only Brooklyn. Like
I think Detroit can get there, but they'll have to
Like Finagle, it's on the stuff, so it's not really plausible.
And also, I unless memory, my memory fails me here.
I do think it's actually in their benefit to act
as over the cap team.
Speaker 1: But yeah, after Kid getting the bump because of all MBA,
it's just you're not gonna do if you have cap space?
Would you would you rather have cap space? Or you
can have the non taxpayer mid level exception that you
let's say you're given on Michael Michael Beasley, Wow, Malik Beasley,
and then you can keep Dennis Sruter and Tim hartwid junior.
It's kind of like a no brainer.
Speaker 2: Well, look, prime my obastly on that Pistons team. Wouldn't
hate it, wouldn't hate it? No, Yeah, exactly, So there
aren't going to be money out there, is the long
and short of it. So from the Warriors perspective, yeah,
I'm absolutely trying to re sign him and then use
him as a trade chip at the trade deadline instead. Absolutely,
that's the right call for the Warriors specifically because you
don't want to end up in a situation where it
becomes the sign and trade and like we can even
set the salaries aside, there are going to be some
teams that are also cautious about going into sign and
trade scenarios because that would hard cap them. There are
a who bunch of consequences here, So the best thing
for the Warriors would be to lock him up and
then just flip him in February next year. Kuminga might disagree, though,
because he and his team are well aware that they're
going to try to squeeze him. They know that they're
going to look at a contract that's probably going to
be below what he can get on the open kid
in twenty twenty six. So I am not ruling out
whatsoever him picking up the qualifying offer. Also because it
seems as though that situation has become a little contentious,
Like it doesn't seem like there is a lot of
love there where he's like devoted to this franchise or
vice versa. It seems like they're pretty much in agreement
that HM like we're open to seeking things elsewhere. So
for him to kind of screw them over a little
bit and say, look, I'm gonna be a twenty three
year old unrestricted free agent next year who who statistically
is supremely productive, I could see why he would bet
on himself in that regard, and the Warriors are in
a situation where they can't just bench him, like they're
still going to need the production on some level, be
that off the bench or whatever. Like they he's too
good to just mothball, so like his value is not
gonna decree, and smart seams around the league would even
still look into him if they did mothball him because
the no context nowadays, this is in the eighties, Like
you understand the context. So it's gonna be interesting. It's
one of those situations that I'm monitoring pretty closely because
I'm pretty sure that we're gonna get some some spiciness
on that account.
Speaker 1: The only thing that I think is a risk, well
not the only thing, but like if Kaminga does go
the QO route, there's maybe he's young enough to where
it wouldn't matter. But like if he goes in and
has another season like he did this year or worse,
I don't know that that big money offer will be
waiting for He could leave, Yeah, he could go somewhere maybe,
but that becomes like this long term, like this multi
year bet on yourself swhere. Now I'm gonna go somewhere
else and establish my value and then get paid. So
that's the risk. But I do agree with you that
there's no like I wouldn't even say that it's just
this summer, but like in recent years, like this is
probably one of the cases where it's yeah, Miles Bridges
ended up doing it. But aside from that, I don't
remember a case where it feels more possible that you
go that route. And because if you're the Warriors, you
know you mentioned preserve the asset, like taking into the
trade deadline, it's tricky because you need to make sure
that the price is right then, because you already know
that he has been an awkward fit so far, even
if you believe in him, you have to account for well,
maybe that stays the same, and so we're going to
be needing to move him on this money. So I'm
fascinated to see how that plays out, this whole situation
with with Golden State, we move on to the Los
Angeles Clippers. What is your biggest question for them? More?
Speaker 2: Oh boy, h is one of them.
Speaker 1: They did the question about age, their age, Well, their.
Speaker 2: Age ken they roll it back? Is kind of my
question here based on their age. They did surprisingly well
this year. This was not a team I had pegged for,
you know, being this good, this potent at all. I
thought that that would be a rough first season at
the into a dome, and lo and behold, they strung
together a strong ass defense and an offense that I
thought was very underrated all things considered. You know, they're
getting up there in age, hardened mid thirties, Kawhi mid thirties.
Even Norman Powell is in the spring chicken anymore, Like,
there are a lot of these guys where each is
becoming a factor. Do they just roll it back? Do
they try to build? Do they try to pivot just
slightly to like get younger, to get those guys more breaks?
Like what is their plan there? Like are they just
hoping for a duplicated season next year from what they
had this year? Are they willing to take a short
step back to get younger and then the season after
is when they explode? Or are they all in for
next season.
Speaker 1: That's a good question, and I don't actually know the answer.
They're one of the more fascinating teams because they were
so good. I think you can make the case that,
like leading into the playoffs with that offensive uptick they
experience mid season. It made you believe like, oh, they
could absolutely win it all, like maybe they would have been.
I think it turned out Denver was clearly the best
matchup for the Thunder, But that I had the thought of,
is Los Angeles like the best matchup for OKC in
the Western Conference? My concern and I think it's what
it stretches into my question, and it covers some of
the bases on yours. How is that going to impact
how you're handling the James Harden situation and then your
ability to I think they still need offensive help because
you could, let's say you're counting on Kawhi Leonard to
be even more available. Let's say you have bock Dot,
Bogdanovich and Norman Powell. They were just too reliant on
age thirty five James Harden and in the regular season, like, yeah,
he was able to deliver, but the offense still had
cracks for so long. Some of those cracks just turned
into these like monster wide open gaps by the playoffs
and you just need another You need someone else who
can run the offense. And I think we've kind of
seen that they're not even gonna ask Kuhi to do that,
Like they're really trying to streamline his offense role even
in the minutes that he's not playing without James Harden.
And so how do you go about juggling all these
things what you mentioned where you're juggling the long term,
but now you have this James Harden as a player option.
What are you doing? And there's there a way for
you to resign James Harden on a deal that one
preserves your access to most or all of the bigger
mid level exception which is worth fourteen point one million.
And then two is that contract at length to where
it kind of aligns with the rest of your books,
where we KNOWWHI Leonard coming off the books in two years?
Are you able to schedule it all that way so
that you have the option of taking this not necessarily
year by year, but you can kind of reevaluate at
that point if you decide it's time for more of
a wholesale pivot, maybe even a rebuild. You're not worried
about having one of these older guys on the books
for longer than the other. It's an interesting balancing act
for them, But I would guess and I think this
is the right move, especially when you look at their
draft pick obligations. They're gonna try and win next season.
I just don't know the extent to how aggressive they're
gonna be this offseason, and I think they have I'd
like to see them get a different backup look at
the five, too, But I really think that they need
to get more. I don't want to say it has
to be a point guard, but it has to be
a game manager on this team because they just don't
the secondary. They don't have it anymore. Whether you I
don't care. It's not Kawhi, it's not Bogdanovich, it's certainly
not Norman Powell. So I'm very curious to see how aggressive,
if at all, they will be in trying to fill
that void.
Speaker 2: If you're not gonna say it, I'll say it. Yeah,
they need a point guard. I have no issue saying.
Speaker 1: It's just like the position stuff is just I you
know what I mean, Like it's they need someone who
could run the offense, and yeah.
Speaker 2: It's traditionally that's called a point guard, right.
Speaker 1: But it's positions are just malleable now, like you wouldn't
call like it could be if you want Lebron James
on this team, like he's a point guard. I guess
by function, but defensively, is he a point guard? Absolutely not, dude.
Speaker 2: Even back in the nineties, Steve Kerr called Scotti Pibtens
their point guard. So like, you know what we mean,
like the primary initiator?
Speaker 1: Is that just that too for trying to be too thorough? Okay,
nice job. I just the thing is is too It's
not even just during the non James Harden minutes, right,
but it's just like, provide James Harden some type of
in game break off the ball. I know that's not
how he's like best used all the time, but he's
just older now. You don't want to go into this
seeing his like his true usage spiked quite a bit
from his first season in LA to his second season.
I just don't think he want to be in that
same position next year.
Speaker 2: Would Iyudo Sumu do something for you on this team.
Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean he'd add to their defense. I think
I wonder if you would want someone who's a little
bit better of I love Ayu, and this is the
second podcast where I feel like I've like had to
criticize him because I don't know that it's like the
perfect team for him. So I think he'd be great here,
but do you think he gives you enough of the
he They did experiment with mall like traditional pick and
roll stuff with him, but he still seems more suited
to he has to drive and spray type deal.
Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, look, it's for me. It's also the
price point, Like I'm not looking at bringing in someone
who's gonna cost you thirty million, right, Like I have
to be realistic with in what the Clippers can also
relinquish and whatnot. Like I'm not even sure what the
deal is, to be honest with you, for Io, I
don't know what the deal is there, but I do
think he'd being more offensive competent. That that's harsh, but
I do feel that way than Chris Don, for example.
There would be more pick and roll initiation, there would
be more spot up shooting, there would be more of
a control of the offense offensively, at least defensively strong
point of attack defender. Like, I'm not looking for a
Steve Nash type to come in in this situation. I
don't think that exists. I don't think that's realistic. Iowe
to me feels like a fair compromise of a player archetype.
Speaker 1: What would you. I guess it's Chris Paul ringions out
of the question. With James Harden here, I'm sure I'm
wondering if they would prefer to try and address a
via free agency because I don't know. I guess you're
giving up Done or Derek Jones for and then something
else for Io because I don't know if the balls
are gonna have interest in any one of.
Speaker 2: The Tias Jones. What does Tyas Jones do anything for you? Defensively?
Is not? I mean he's a small you.
Speaker 1: Can't catulate him. Though that I wouldn't be worried about
the defense. I think he would be an excellent fit,
and that might be like a team that's willing to
I don't know, like after his season in Phoenix, Like
what team is coming in over the top with the
full non taxpayer. I don't think that's gonna be out there.
It wasn't out there for him last season, so I
don't think it's gonna be out here for him this summer. Yeah,
that'd be a really good name. What about Dennis Shrewder A.
Speaker 2: Little too volatile for my taste. I don't hate it, though,
Like I do think he is a guy who can
what's the phrasing here. He's a guy who can get
in there and just get you what you need at
some points, and then you have to live with the
rest that you don't want. Like that's the type of
player that he is. Right, it's not quite Russell Westbrook
territory where you have to live with like a long
list of weaknesses. But there are some issues, like he
can have long periods of inefficient for example, he can
have long periods where the defense is not exactly as
intuned as it was five years ago. So I don't
hate it, but I would like to see different options.
Speaker 1: First, I have two more names for you when I
throw out the long shot one. I know we just
talked about how they need to preserve their future. I
give up part of the future to get Kobe White
on this team. Yeah, like they have a distant First,
they could include to match the salary I was.
Speaker 2: Thinking about him earlier. I think generally Chicago's going to
come up a lot on these episodes that we're doing
right now, because if they have those two guards in
Kobe and Io, who contractually are just in such an
odd spot, so they're going to come up a lot
Kobe would make a ton of sense. I just what's
the deal?
Speaker 1: What is lay? I think you have to include what
is their first allowable trade, but their first allowable first
round pick to trade, So like that's giving up quite
a bit of just oh, okay, are we prepared to
go that far out in this chicag prepared to use
that as the primary compensation? Because I think, you know,
we look at these different draft picks and we say, oh,
those distant ones are those are so valuable? And that's
because they are. But if you're a front office in
today's NBA, you think our tourists is thinking that he's
going to be the one that's going to make the
Clippers pick in what is it twenty thirty?
Speaker 2: Yes, yeah, it's the Bulls. I mean, look, they gave
guard packs about eleven years too long, so why not.
Speaker 1: This name just came to me. He's not like the
most traditional point guard, since that's what we're gonna go
instead of a four general game matter Peyton Pritchard on this.
Speaker 2: Team obviously, but like, why would the Celtics pivot off
of one of the best contracts in the league because.
Speaker 1: They're a two year gap window now cutting costs and
they get more first. I mean, I guess you're locking
up a twenty sure.
Speaker 2: Cutting cots, but like that, he's he's so cheap though,
like you can make in the argument that you're not
really so.
Speaker 1: Cheap before he becomes like he's cheap until he becomes expensive,
because what does he does? He even have two years
left on his deal.
Speaker 2: He's got three?
Speaker 1: Oh they got that was a four year deal. That's right, Okay,
he's like.
Speaker 2: He's at seven point two this upcoming season, seven point seven,
eight point three. He's he's an under certad free agents
in twenty twenty eight.
Speaker 1: Your disrespectful tone is not appreciated. I was just naming names,
but I was just asking questions. The other free agent
that could be interesting would be Malcolm Brogden. I know
they punted on acquiring him a couple of years back,
and he's pretty injury prone, But that would be someone
who I liked that I gotta compromise your floor spacing,
got some still pretty good size. If you're starting him
at the one, or not starting him but playing him
a witht the one could play with or without James Harden.
That might be my favorite name.
Speaker 2: Yeah, that's a really good one. That's uh. I like
that one.
Speaker 1: How aggressive do you think they're going to be this offseason? Though,
Like to answer your own kind of question at the.
Speaker 2: Top, Oh, I think they need to be aggressive. Like
I don't think you can sit there and say, oh,
we were surprising everyone. Let's just roll it back because
now that surprise is kind of no longer price. And
we've seen that beforehand with NBA teams trying to say, oh, okay,
like we shocked the world, let's just keep it rolling,
and then because the secret is out, you kind of
get stuck in your tracks. I mean, look at the Kings.
The Kings is an obvious example of this, So you
do need to do something to up the ant. I
actually really not a thing about it. I really like
the Malcolm Brocton idea. I think that was a good one.
Speaker 1: I think it's time to move on to the Los
Angeles Lakers more. What's your biggest question for them?
Speaker 2: My biggest question with the Lakers is what center? Specifically
which center? Obviously they should.
Speaker 1: You pluralize that? Which centers which centers?
Speaker 2: Yeah? Uh, honestly, I that's the one thing, right, Like,
if we're looking at the big the big gust need
of them. It's having some type of guy who can produce,
and then it's up to us to figure out what
type of center are they looking for? Are they looking
for a half cord Nikola Vucevich? Well, actually, you know what,
that's not true, because is apparently a lot better when
the tempo is high, surprisingly so, But do they need
a guy who is offensive minded, who can shoot, who
can pass, who's more earth bound, or do they need
a rim running, athletic center who can catch slobs like
obviously the second archete type leans itself lends itself well
to Luka. I'm not saying the ch option is bad though,
Like I think they can make that work. But what
type of center are they looking for?
Speaker 1: You probably need both, right There's I don't be cause there.
I mean, there would be guys that maybe could blend
it all together, but the Lakers don't have the assets
to go get them. Maybe if you're looking at free agents,
the closest I could come up with, like in terms
of affordability. And I want to make it clear I
love this player, but it's a reach to say he
feels both like Chris Bouchet like that as someone who
is not as the earth bound, but he will stretch
the floor, so that's not like they probably need to
get bigger though, And I think he's listed at six',
nine SO i you, Know and that's the other, thing
is like more how they're doing this via, trade, right
because when you look at their, tools at most they're
gonna have the mini mid. Level AND i just don't
know that a center who like is like going to
be of real use to. Them that's not getting, You,
like it's not getting You Steven, adams, right is it
even getting like maybe it would get You Al, horford
BUT i think he'd want to stay in The, East so,
LIKE i just don't are you gonna bring Where we're
gonna run? Back De Andre drummond train for? Them like
the free agent list is just anyone who's.
Speaker 2: Interesting, jesus would he even get up the floor by
the Time luca is at the foul?
Speaker 1: Line Al horford wouldn't get up the floor by the
time lucas at the Ful And i'd be more worried
About luca getting up the floor by the Time Al
horford's at the foul.
Speaker 2: Line, See i'm an optimist in that regard BECAUSE i
do think that even though we were talking About luca's
yo extra pounds is the nice way to say, it
he does have. SPURT i think does operate. Quickly my
point is, this he's more or less a catch and shoot. Center,
yeah he can, pass he can do these. Things but
like he's not someone who will go up and grab
your shits on the, lobs, Right like he's not someone
who go in and be a major vertical. Threat i'm well.
Speaker 1: That he would be a floor space or and he
helps your defense.
Speaker 2: Too, yeah, yeah that is.
Speaker 1: True by the, way if you could Get Al horford
for the mini mad, level it shouldn't be a. QUESTION
i don't care.
Speaker 2: That, no, no, no of course, not of course. Not. Uh
i'm curious what do you think they can get for
the contract Of Jared.
Speaker 1: Vanderbilt what are they giving to get off of?
Speaker 2: It, yeah and that's where we are.
Speaker 1: Right IT'S i don't know if IT'S i don't know
if it needs to be like a major. Asset BUT
i don't think that contract looks a little underwater because
he's kind of. Proven there's the health, stuff very specific.
FIT i think you know they're expiring contracts probably have
the most value where It's cleveland Gave vincent.
Speaker 2: That the player option For vanderbilt in twenty seven to twenty,
eight it's definitely not going to be an, asset all,
Right So Maxic kleeber, then, like so the expiring contract,
there which center are you identifying who has a longer
contract attached to his, name who might not be, considered you,
know a quote unquote valuable, Contract but who will fit
with the bron And luca is? That does that player exist?
Speaker 1: Conceptually what About Robert williams the?
Speaker 2: Third, YEAH i don't hate. That the availability would scare
The pachisus out of.
Speaker 1: Me and that's like they're also an, interests like you
have to include something else because you can't take back
more money than you're sending out as this. TEAM i
don't know that the name's out, THERE i thought free agent,
wise and again he doesn't check every. Box he's gotten.
Older But Clint capella might fall into their price, range
and that just might be a sort of an innings.
Eater that's someone that you look, At, yeah you do
you have other? Centers what's that that's?
Speaker 2: Uninspiring it's really.
Speaker 1: So, inspiring but relative to their. Resources my point is
BECAUSE i don't what if they did the same trade,
package so it's money Plus dalton connect and then the
twenty thirty swap and a twenty thirty one first round.
Pick who is there like a realistic best center you
could see a team look all, right, like, oh we'll
think about.
Speaker 2: This, god that's a good, question cause it's.
Speaker 1: NOT i mean The hornets would still do it For Mark.
Speaker 2: Williams but, right so we have to think like in
The Mark Williams ballpark of, centers.
Speaker 1: Like that's not that's not getting you jail On, duran?
Speaker 2: Right, NO i, NO i don't think, so, yeah does
that get?
Speaker 1: You that seems way too? Much but, like do you
go back to? This SO i would adjust the. PACKAGE
i want to make it Clear i'm not giving up,
that but, like do you go back to The Daniel
gafford well In?
Speaker 2: DALLAS i mean that worked a little.
Speaker 1: BIT i just don't, like are you giving would you
give up a first? Year LIKE i. CAN'T i don't
know THAT i could give, up But i'm not giving
up a twenty thirty swap or twenty thirty one first
round pick For gafford If i'm The, Lakers like that's
SOMETHING i.
Speaker 2: HAVEN'T i have one that's, spicy that's this is, spicy
and it. DEPENDS i don't know where you stand On
Derek lively going back to, that, well, wow are you
willing to Relinquish austin where you used to Get Derek
lively in?
Speaker 1: There ooh, yeah you know? What probably like that's just
because you have to think About Austin reeves's next contract,
too and he's he'll be less and he's not even. Redundant.
NOW i don't mean to say they can't have too
many like, playmakers but like Old lebron's not gonna be there,
forever so him And LOU i don't want to get
into a point where like you Have Austin reeves on
this number that just like he's like a you, know
worth twenty five percent of the salary cap or. Something
SO i think If i'm The, LAKERS i would build
something Around Austin reeves for For Derek, LIVELY i Just.
DALLAS i don't know. WHY i guess they're, saying, hey
we have a d And gafford And cooper flag and
we're to roll defensively on the front. Line is that,
WELL i mean you also have To.
Speaker 2: Washington you have to think about offense. Too lively the
comarrison doesn't think about.
Speaker 1: OFFENSE i think we know that is.
Speaker 2: True that is, true but like it's so weird to
me How dallas finally found like the center For, luca
the center and they had a year and a half
together and then that's all she. WROTE i would love
to see The lakers sort of explore that and, go,
look they found, something they decided to break it. Up
that's not on. Us let's see if we can reassemble
this thing in LA.
Speaker 1: I i don't hate that. Idea it's like that's like a,
risk but IT'S i, mean you're getting, younger so he
fits The luca timeline and he's was one of our
Biggest what was our biggest concern For Derek lively offensively
after The luca trade is what is he going to
look like Without? Luca and now you just won't even
have to imagine it because he won't ride with.
Speaker 2: And he's a guy WHO i actually think will have
space upside.
Speaker 1: Too oh, really m.
Speaker 2: M that shot isn't broken by any. MEANS i don't know.
Speaker 1: IF i could get, there would you based on we
haven't seen him shoot a ton of threes and make
them more based off sample. Size how about that based off?
Data take that for the, data.
Speaker 2: Take that for. Data that's, fine that's. Fair i'll buy.
That BUT i, mean when we have seen him, shoot
be that from mid, range be that you know in pregame,
workouts whatever that looks.
Speaker 1: Goy, yes the empty gym. WORKOUTS i get.
Speaker 2: IT i hear. YOU i hear. YOU i do understand
your point, There but, like the shot looks good Though
i'm not seeing. Results i'm saying, Process, like it's not,
broken it's it's one motion. Shot it seems to be.
Working i'm just Not, Look i'm not ruling it. Out
it's All i'm, Saying.
Speaker 1: Look he did you fifty six percent from float or,
Range so if that equates to and this year he
was and that was that accounted for all but one
of his mid range jump. Shot SO i just we
haven't seen it in gameplay, yet SO i can't say
THAT i think he's gonna have like force facing. Potential
this is it's a tough. Thing would you, Consider LIKE
i don't even know If utah would trade him at this,
point but, like Does Walker? Kessler do you want anything
for you.
Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, yeah for, sure for. SURE i MEAN i
he is a huge human being and that's a major,
upside especially when you're playing next To luca because his
catch radius is. Absurd so, yeah, no he absolutely does
something for. Me if i'm, La, yeah would.
Speaker 1: You look at combining like step laddering your way with smaller?
Contracts If portland was just looking to get Off DeAndre
ayden's expiring, DEAL.
Speaker 2: I look the narrative of Having luca And DeAndre ayden
on the same team after the whole twenty eighteen draft. Deboggle,
yeah that would be. Fun, look he needs something right
like aiden to, me he's always needed guys around him
who have a very specific set of. Skills oh, MAN
i make it sound like vamnissent. Here that's not my,
Intention BUT i Think luke might actually be the guy
who could unlock him to a bigger.
Speaker 1: Extent, YEAH i. WOULDN'T i wouldn't hate the. FIT i
just don't even know because it, okay we can get
to the, money but that's, like what are you Sending?
Portland like you can't send them like a twenty thirty
one first round pick For DeAndre eight and, like would
you consider giving Up dalt and connect for, THAT i.
DON'T i guess if you're getting off The Jared vanderbilt
deal is part of? It, sure why? Not it's just
this is what makes it so, hard like for The
lakers to fix the the to fix but like even
address the center position is like you're.
Speaker 2: Getting a trade if they need anything more than expiring.
Speaker 1: CONTRACTS i guess if you just wanted To portland is, saying,
hey we'll roll forward with we Have Donovan, Klingen we're
gonna Play Robert williams the. Third, sure but The lakers
expiring contracts are Gab.
Speaker 2: Bi Maxi kleeber so, like so it doesn't even get you, there, no, no, No so,
okay so you'll have to Include. Vanderbilt that's. True but
like you shave off a ton of money for next,
summer like you shave off twenty three million off that
deal With Gabe vincent And Mexico. Liba it's expiring deals
of what For?
Speaker 1: PORTLAND i mean only has one year. Left he's expiring himself, Though.
Speaker 2: Oh my, god is he already? EXPIRING i thought he
had a year left after.
Speaker 1: Next he's got he's expiring as. Well so if You're.
Portland you know, what that's my.
Speaker 2: BAD i thought he had twenty six twenty seven as.
Well that changes the. Calculus you're absolutely, right, THEN i
do agree that then it's going to be harder to
find a trade that makes. Sense you probably have to
Include dalton connect for that to make. Sense, yes.
Speaker 1: DOES i don't even know if they would. PART i
mean you could take a shot like Would orlando give
You Jonathan isaac or could you even Get Wendell Carter
junior would be interesting IN La what?
Speaker 2: Did what did?
Speaker 3: It?
Speaker 1: Really you don't think? SO i.
Speaker 2: DON'T i don't like is sick to, me is just
a little bit broken now because he's he gained all
the weight and he lost his. Mobility he's he can't
stay on the. Floor the offense is just completely in the. Shitter,
defensively he also lost a. STEP i JUST i don't
trust him moving. Forward as For, carter he just stopped
developing and for some, reason, inexplicably they gave him an,
extension which was totally odd timing for all that's. Transpired
he he's completely stagnated in his development and given the
current status of who he is as a, PLAYER i
just don't think he's worth the squeeze. Whatsoever AND i
say that as someone who was supremely high on him
in twenty.
Speaker 1: EIGHTEEN i like kind of the versatility he's probably he's like,
two he's more earth bound for someone that you would
want Alongside.
Speaker 2: Luca SO i totally not a good enough shooter to justify.
Speaker 1: IT i think maybe the. LOOK i THINK i would
be curious to see what he looks like outside Of.
Orlando spacing, though would be that is?
Speaker 2: Fair? Like that is? Fair, yes.
Speaker 1: Like i'm kind of just out of, name so just
like you, Know i'm. Not would you look at reuniting
him with christops Porzingis luca and christops porzingis if The
celtics are looking to shave money and you're sending these
smaller contracts.
Speaker 2: Elsewhere it did seem like they buried the, hatchet didn't.
Speaker 1: IT i just that's another. Guy do you trust him
to be? Available and now you've got to worry about
his next? Contract if it's not costing you a first round,
PICK i might consider.
Speaker 2: It, Yeah, no, no what ABOUT i would consider it?
Speaker 1: Too what About i'm SURPRISED i haven't thought of this guy,
before AND i don't think his team is looking to trade.
Him but if you gave The Mark williams offer To
atlanta For onyeka Kung, wu.
Speaker 2: So is So kongvo big? Enough that is my. QUESTION
i love, him he's one of my favorite players to,
watch but he's six' eight AND while i, get there
there there's a. Wingspan there he's not necessarily someone who will.
Overpower you he's not someone who imposes great size. UPON
you i think there is a somewhat set ceiling. WITH
him i would look for someone who, is, taller larger
takes up, more SPACE but i don't hate, The, option
like if that's the best they, can, Do yeah i'm
pulling the TRIGGER because i do need someone.
Speaker 1: Doesn't even think about, that offer though they probably at
least think, about, IT right i.
Speaker 2: DON'T know I mean i don't think. THEY should i
don't think that's. An offer they're like entirely excited about.
Speaker 1: Connect a swap and a twenty thirty one verst.
Speaker 2: Round, PICK well, i mean look at they also have
to think about, their, Season right They're, losing capella which
is much of.
Speaker 1: A lot, i mean they could bring him back if
they really, want to.
Speaker 2: They could but like they don't really have a lot
of size at the specifically at the. Center spot they
have size at, the wings at the four or at.
Off guard obviously they don't have a lot upfront in
terms of like. Your center can they afford to? GIVE that.
Speaker 1: I guess if you're pivoting and if they for some
Reason Trade trey young or they decide they're playing the longer,
term game that would be something that would be worth
the dice roll Then because kung was. Not old but
it's just if. YOU'RE rebuilding i don't know that you
sit there and view him as. A cornerstone we've spent
a lot of time on. Your question so my question
really QUICK was I think i have a.
Speaker 2: Final. Center, good now you have to be a little
open to this because he's never played a lot of,
minutes before so this would you'd have to believe that
you can stretch his minutes out and he's a, permanent
monster but we've never seen sustainable over like thirty. Plus Minutes,
jalen smith.
Speaker 1: That'd. BE it, i mean it's worth, a shot especially
if Like would, chicago, Say Hey jalen smith has two
years left on, his deal we will glad they take
one of your expiring contracts him and like very low
level compensation. FROM there i don't hate that. At all
that'd be.
Speaker 2: Interesting inside outside athletic block shot rebounds at a. HIGH
level i don't.
Speaker 1: Hate it that'd be an. INTERESTING flyer i would feel
uncomfortable if he's my starting center in a, playoff Series that,
I'll say but. That's fair they're not working. With much
my other, question is so much time is spent on the, center,
Position rightfully so can this team get more two? Way players,
you like who's the who Aside From Dorian finney smith
is their best two? Way, player oh that's a.
Speaker 2: Good question is that is that like A. Healthy mexicaliba.
Speaker 1: It Might Be, Bronnie james LIKE it's i think people
would probably, point, To like i'm actually leeber is a
good one if. He's healthy but that's like a big
ass if they probably like we, hear like well We've
seen luca lock, up sometimes or like lebron can turn,
it on and IT'S just i don't know that It's Probably,
Gabe vincent Like If gabe vincent, is hitting it's probably.
The answer and that makes, me uncomfortable Is all i'm going.
To SAY but i don't know how you go about
because if you're targeting, a center YOU'RE not i mean.
Via trade if you can sign, a, center, okay sure
BUT like i just don't know how to do you
have the assets to improve this rotation to the extremes
that it feels like it needs to. Be IMPROVED so
i know You, Have luca I'm assuming lebron we'll, be
back And like Ruy hot chimore has been great, For
Them austin reeve's been really good. For them but that
kind of might open up another question that you touched
on when You Mentioned derek wively is does is this
the offseason to then look At Trading austin reeves just
because the way your roster is, made up the number
of boxes you need, to check and he is probably
your single most valuable, trade asset with the exception of
maybe the twenty thirty one first.
Speaker 2: ROUND pick, I mean lakers fans will hate the idea
of Shipping Out, austin REEVES and i, Get It like
i'm not gonna sit here, and, say well he's redundant
or anything of, that nature because he is a surprise dreamely.
Good player, you know twenty, plus points almost, six assists.
This year he's a pig and, roll guy high, efficiency
guy can play both on and off. The ball you
have to at least consider it for the. Right FIT
AND i i would hate pivoting off of HIM because
i think, he's very.
Speaker 3: Very Underrated josh weird where doesn't it feel like he's
probably overrated in the Eyes of lakers fans and then
underrated in the eyes of national like fans and media
members because they're overcorrecting for Like the.
Speaker 1: Lakers, bump yeah.
Speaker 2: Correct exactly he would be interesting to like at least
explore the trade. VALUE off i just don't know what. You're,
like again if it's, steric, Lively yeah i'm, doing IT
but i don't know what else you're.
Speaker 1: Looking for going Back to Dallas mavericks well is like kind,
Of funny but that's because you could open up that structure, To,
like Okay is dallas giving you if you're sending out
more salary or including, something else like is You Know
naji MARSHALL Or pj washington on? The TABLE Like pj
washington's interesting because They Have cooper Flag And. Anthony davis
now They Have. Naji marshall i'm not say he's. Entirely
redundant you could make, it work but he's going to
be a, free agent or he can sign his, four
year basically ninety million. DOLLAR extension i don't know if
you could Compensate the mavericks enough to get him. En
lively but if it's the twenty thirty and twenty thirty,
two swap twenty thirty one first round Pick, and, reeves
like maybe that gets you thinking or is there Some
super oh, Go, AHEAD.
Speaker 2: No i just before we just get out ahead. Of
this do we honestly think that and, It's this this
is gonna sound like. A joke it's not intended. To
be do we really think that these two teams are
going to trade with? Each? Other again do we think
That the mavericks are just because of, the narratives because
of the his the recent history With the, Luga trade
like we're sitting here exploring. This genuinely are we sure
that there is some mandiated from ownerships that you are
not gonna deal With the lakers for a?
Speaker 1: While NOW am? I? Sure NO would i put it?
Speaker 2: Past?
Speaker 1: Them, also no to deal With the. LAKERS again I
Think cooper flag gives them a level of agency where
people be like you, know what like they're rebuilding. Or
something so to, your point it would be a little.
Bit surprising the OTHER thing i, WAS thinking i don't
necessarily know if this Is An austin reeves, level return
but you have the salaries to. Do it is there
some type of super construction WITH the nets where You're
Getting nick Claxton And, Cam johnson so we're talking like
fifty million dollars. In salary, but like IF, you're la
you have the two swaps and a pick that you
can move, twenty thirty twenty thirty and twenty thirty, two
swaps twenty thirty one first round picks you're sending back mostly.
EXPIRING contracts i don't know WHAT the nets is appetite
for that would Be If austin reeves is involved is
a more. INTERESTING lesson I Don't Just nicholas claxton was
a name we didn't Mention with centers and so he
came Up for like that would also be an interesting NAME.
Speaker 2: For la if you Can Get nick Claxton And camp
johnson Without Relinquishing, austin REEVES then i don't care about. The,
bigs yeah you do that? Next Time does brooklyn?
Speaker 1: Do that Though the claxton deal is FASCINATING because i
don't think it's a. Bad ONE but i think you
look at it and it's like three years and seventy
five million or whatever's left, on it, and, it's oh
that's that gives you a little bit. Of pause he is?
He is he might be like aside FROM a bam out,
of buy like he's one of the five most wwitchable
bigs IN, The nba like of, pure centers he's like
one of the five most wwitchable bigs. Out.
Speaker 2: There easily he's got like sixty nine three and. Seventy
million it's not like his contract is. SO good i
don't understand why anyone would test Its eight so he's
he's had twenty five point three, next year that's only
sixteen point four percent of. The cap then it decreases
to twenty three point one and to twenty, point nine
so his ultimate end of contracts compensation level is eleven
point seven of the.
Speaker 1: SALARY cap i think for some of the offensive question
marks as well as the health question marks and even
just the, Slight frame i'm not saying it's a. BAD
deal i think he's a really, good player and if.
It's not if it's considered a, net positive then like
that's bad For the lakers because then, the nets like
the asking price goes up. On IT so i don't
think the package we, laid out if it's just the
picks that's not, Getting you like if it's the Picks
in dalton connect and salary that's not Getting you Cam.
And claxton Maybe The mark williams offer Gets, you claxton
or could you give up a? Little less is there
no swap? Involved there that would be an interesting route
for them. TO go i want to make. IT clear
I think. CLAXTON'S fantastic i just don't you KNOW the
i don't HATE his i would trade for. HIS contract
i want to make. IT clear i just think there's
still some question. Marks there as, a player, FOR sure.
Speaker 2: I would Look And claxton johnson might be the most
intriguing duo to get Into the, lakers system because you
can definitely see a world where in both of those
benefit Greatly.
Speaker 1: From luca that's just you never see those with, it's,
like oh fifty million dollars and out going money Of.
The lakers, it's right what are? You doing what is
the most you're willing to give up As the lakers in,
that SCENARIO because i don't even know if they're best
Offer the nets would consider for that JUST because.
Speaker 2: I mean i Probably Consider austin reeves if That's the
if those are the Two that, i'm Getting.
Speaker 1: So reeves and the swaps and the pick, plus salary.
Speaker 2: That's, SOMETHING yeah i mean look with protections on. The,
picks yes well the pick the only pick that you could.
Speaker 1: Give up that's enough On. The lakers let's go To The.
Phoenix suns mort what is your biggest question? For them
and it's not who is their? Head coach because we know, and,
surprise surprise do you? Or Not Michigan state ties who could?
Speaker 2: Have guessed, OH yeah I mean i couldn't. For sure
WHAT'S the? Kyd return i'm going to keep it simple on.
This one what is a realistic Return For KEVIN durand.
Speaker 1: I, DON'T know i. THINK that i think it's all
you know what makes it even more difficult or? Not
difficult but do you know what makes the optics? More
difficult because of everything you gave up To Get kevin
rant and you're not gonna get anywhere near that much
for him now he's gonna be thirty Seven. In september
he's still probably one of the fifteen best players in.
The league He MAKES all nba, this year if he doesn't,
get injured but he's on an expired, god ract he's
going to third. THIRTY seven i don't if you would
have set the over under in the equivalent of two
first round picks or two and. A half, let's say
are you taking? The over the under depends.
Speaker 2: On protection you can't just say first, Round now.
Speaker 1: I'm giving you the over on like. You can it depends. On, protections,
okay fine but like if he's going to, a contender
you'd like those picks probably won't be, good anyway or
they'll be protected if he's going to a.
Speaker 2: Tea he goes to, A CONTENDER i'm i am willing
to say that it could go over, based on, you
know just who he is as a basketball player and
depending on, The team like if those picks are projected
to being like the, late, TWENTIES yeah i could see
three picks getting relinquished if you're looking at it from
a perspective of a team that's like in the playoffs
but not really that advanced into, you know a team
that has made the, conference finals, for example the team
that's like trying to make a move to. Get THERE
then i think under unless they're, fucking desperate.
Speaker 1: Maybe this is a better way to parse. It out
would you do Just because houston is the team that's
mentioned so much? For him what'd you do number Ten In?
Jabari smith and then you're figuring out The Salt Maybe
jalen green' is the matching? Salary there do you do
That For? Kevin Durant so phoenix gets its own pick
from this Year Back Jabari Smith jalen, green's contract and,
then yeah you're sending UP commit i. Do that you
do that as who?
Speaker 2: BOTH teams i do That. As houston that was the
first One. For Phoenix. Jalen green i'll get. My pickback that's.
Really Important jalen green will be sort of like a,
reclamation project LIKE can i make something happen? With him the, thing,
is though the positional overlap that we've just Seen with
Book And, bradley beal that's just gonna be worse than
Down With. JALEN green, i mean you'll have those three
guys all off guards and exclusively, off guards trying to
make heads and tails of, their, minutes distribution, their roles or.
Positional BREAKDOWNS so, i Mean, FOR phoenix i would love
to get the. PICK back i would probably Ask for
brooks Instead, of green and then maybe some additional COMPENSATION if,
i could just to not make a mess of the
frickin' shooting guard.
Speaker 1: Position there do, YOU do i Guess from, houston's perspective
are You using brooks And Then jabari smith and then
number ten To Get? Kevin? Durant like? Is that do
you think that's?
Speaker 2: TOO much i don't think it's. Too much not if
it's that level of COMPENSATION that i can get. Behind
with my issue for a long time was relinquishing half
Thester For kevin DURAND that i just think should be a.
Non starter if that's the Specific package i'm, GIVING up
i can live. With that.
Speaker 1: Do you have any other teams or packages you wanted
to go through?
Speaker 2: On, HIM well i mean there are a lot of
teams that have, been, Mentioned Right the nakes have, been
Mentioned the spurs have. Been mentioned it's just so hard
for me to justify relinquishing, you know a great deal
for a guy who's. THAT old i understand he's, Still
good but we have no idea of how long he's.
Gonna play we have no idea if he's, you know
he's reaching that point where age is also just increasing the.
Injury risk, for example there are just so many question
Marks where i'm like hesitant, to, say, oh yeah let's
go all In For kevin durand at. This stage so
there are teams where he'd, be interesting sure can they
get there too making a trade package that makes sense for,
both sides Where the suns are also feeling secure and.
LINQUISHING him i find. It tough there isn't like that
one thing out there that just. MAKES sense i do
have one, for, you though one THAT and i have
to make sure, it's legal by, the WAY because i
didn't check. My Apology so I'll go i'll go.
Speaker 1: Through one, them FIRST because i think he's been tied
To the knicks a little bit. More recently if you're
the what IS? THE sig, i mean there's reporting out
there That says phoenix Doesn't Want Karl. Anthony towns but
just from a, value perspective even if you need to
rope in third and fourth teams that are Maybe sending
phoenix Something For Karl. Anthony towns If you're phoenix And
the knicks are able to get you, a Package Where's
Karl anthony towns and the rights to your twenty six
first round? Pick back are you doing That For Kevin.
Speaker 2: Durant towns and the right? For you, See again i'm
Higher on towns, than most so my natural inclination is to.
Say NO but i also understand, that specifically in like
a one, Year window durand is. More valuable, He's, better
like he does level, You.
Speaker 1: Up so you think It's the knicks that are. Giving
up i've been fascinated by That because i've seen a lot.
Speaker 2: Of.
Speaker 1: PEOPLE one I Think leon roe should be fired if
he's trading some combination of ognoob plus Anybody For, kevin
durant because now you're giving up two rotation players for
when you were. Shallow Enough the COWNS discussion i find
fascinating just because he's like seven years Younger Than. KEVIN
durant i. Get it but if You're the knicks and
you're already looking at it through the lens, of well
we're paying him all. This money he's on a thirty five.
Percent max it's less than thirty five percent of the,
cap now but we don't think he can be. Our
center you're like His contract hesrota about one hundred and
seventy it's one hundred and seventy plus million over the next.
Three years that's not like there's A reason minnesota traded
him like it Worked With, rudy GOBERT and i don't
know that that was the right trade. For them but
as soon as the bill came due on that, supermax
extension they got rid. Of him i've gone back and
forth on what, because yes you're shrinking, your WINDOW but
i don't Know That Karl anthony towns is going to
age into a good asset. For you and so if
you can get it effectively for if you can look
at this and say We Turn, Julius Randall dante DiVincenzo
and the number SEVENTEEN pick I think detroit Sent to minnesota,
this year if you turn That Into, KEVIN durant i
don't think. That's terrible if you're looking at it, that
way and there's a Chance that kad leaves you a
little more flexible. Moving forward if he's not being paid
the max on HIS next i don't know if that's
what he. Would do i'm just saying he's. Gonna be
he's turning thirty Seven. In september so is this someone
who starts playing out his days on. SUBMAX deals i.
DON'T know i think there'd be teams that would give him.
THE max i want to. BE clear i don't KNOW
where i land on, the discussion to, be HONEST but
i do think that's.
Speaker 2: Really hard it's really HARD.
Speaker 1: If i had to, push though just to give a,
definitive ANSWER since i pushed you for one On the.
Picks Thing if I'm, The knicks i'm probably doing IT because.
I don't I Think kevin. Durant's better he helps your
defense more Than Karl an, towns does especially during the
Jail in. Brunson MINUTES and i think it's easier, to
approximate with, limited resources fleshing out your front line Rotation
Around mitchell Robinson And kevin durant like getting another center,
in there than it, is, to oh you want someone
who provides you with dependable number two. Scoring That kevin
durant still.
Speaker 2: Does, that, yes absolutely and probably will until he's.
Speaker 1: LIKE four i can tell, you Though that, knicks fans
it doesn't seem like they would do it that they
think that town is way more Valuable, than DURANT and.
I don't i would take exception with, the WAY but
i do think it's, YOU know i think it's a
fair stance to, say no we're not. Doing that if that's,
your position then, then sure that's totally fine.
Speaker 2: My idea don't move.
Speaker 1: It, on sorry mout.
Speaker 2: Of Time No paul george and number Three for Katie?
Speaker 1: The sixers can you do? That though because it's like
you're getting Off The paul, george money but you're not stending.
Your window you're shrinking it because you got rid of.
The number like if if you don't Know What joel
embiid is going, TO be i don't know how, You
do like you just have to suck it up and
rite Because If joel embiid, is cooked your future is
cooked and you need, that number like you have to ride.
THIS out i can't.
Speaker 2: Do that you can't. Do that so who's? Saying No
The phoenix? Sun's?
Speaker 1: Saying though If The phoenix suns say no, TO that
i think they're out of their Minds Because paul george
is still a. Basketball player you may not like the
contract or what he's provided he's still a. Basketball player
so and you're getting the number. Three pick phoenix has to.
Speaker 2: Do that i'm not sure That the philadelphia seventy six
or doesn't. HAVE to i think. THEY should i don't
think that's a. Bad deal so you're you're, Using, LIKE
okay i, Don't, know okay stay with me on. This
one we don't Know If paul george, is cooked, ALL
right i know you don't believe that that's. TOTALLY fair
i think there are recent whole question marks around him.
MOVING forward i think the contract is. IT greaches I
think durand is so much better at a similar age bracket,
as well where it makes sense to get him in
there as a plug and play guy who can really elevate.
That team it kind of also makes it easier to
Swallow if joel is not going To, Beat, Joel Right
So KAD Tyre's maxi, JARED McCain i don't hate that
as a, primary trio and then whatever you kind of Get,
from joe that's cream and you get off the.
Speaker 1: Damn deal so you're using the number three pick basically
as a salary.
Speaker 2: Dump mechanism unless you if You View kevin durant as a.
Speaker 1: Salary dump but here's my, thing is so what YOU
can't i, will say you can't make that deal unless
you Believe That joel ebid is going To Be joel embiid,
next season because what are You With, Tyre's maxie jared
McCain And quentin Grinds And. Kevin durant you're not a contender.
Speaker 2: In The, eastern conference, you, know, no, no, no.
Speaker 1: NO no.
Speaker 2: I agree. I agree on, the surface not a contender
In The. Eastern conference that is so weird. RIGHT now
i could see why they would squint and say there's a,
chance there like there's there could be a. Way, IN
again i agree, With you joe is the major. One
here he has to. Be healthy but RIGHT now i
Look At paul george as one of the worst frickin'
contracts IN, the NBA and i Don't think i'm wrong
in having. That evaluation if you can pivot off of
that and even upgrade that, Salary slot i'm considering adding
number three. To THAT like i will, say this if
If the philadelphia seven or six ers decide to, just
say you, know what like, you said we'll just swallow
those contracts we'll use. Number three we'll use that as
a launching off point Where It's, Tyrese maxi jared McCain and.
Number three that's gonna be our future and we just
have to wait and Beat The paul. GEORGE out i
will have no quorms with. That plan that is a
perfectly reasonably reasonable PLAN that i can. Get BEHIND so
i don't think there's a wrong answer specifically to. This one.
Speaker 1: It would be tough for me to give up number
three without knowings and this this isn't Just A kevin,
durant thing by, the way like, you're offering, you know
short of that Getting. You, yannis okay if you Get, you,
yannis yeah, go ahead, Right right but like to not
Know what joelle is and to give up the number
three pick just feels incredibly. Short SIGHTED and i would
think That the sons need to somehow figure out a
way to get more Stuff to philly in.
Speaker 2: THAT scenario, i, mean Look if philly can get even
more stuff out, of that all, the. Better right.
Speaker 1: My question for them just to and it steps on
the toes. Of yours so the discussion is going. To
continue do you Think the suns will be open to
a gap year to where it's if you're doing. A,
choice well my point is is that. You could it
feels Like so washington's a. Good example they swap Rights
on phoenix's like eight times swap pick or whatever. IT
is i feel like you could get that back pretty easily,
because like even if you Went to washington, and said
here's number, twenty nine we want our, swap pack where
is the world in Which the wizards are better Than
the sun's, Next, season like it's not A, man Like
the wizards aren't gonna let. That happen they're so early under.
The rebuild so if you can get your first round,
pick back and that's part of being open to a,
gap year you can go through next SEASON, trade kd
get back what you WILL. For kd maybe it gets
easier to move bial like next offseason when he's an.
Expiring contract still is the no. Trade clause but you
go into the summer of twenty twenty seven with just
a twenty twenty six, excuse me with a pretty good
draft pick that you're adding to. The Equation You're kevin durant,
turn return And Then, devin booker assuming that he's going
to be on board, with that or do you think
it's just such a non starter for this team because
of the way, it's run because of what we know About,
matt ishbia, because like LIKE there's i really believe there's
a world in which you could easily just get back
the rights to your own twenty six rush.
Speaker 2: Round pick the mattshpia of it all is the, big,
Question right and obviously we're not privy to what happens
internally outside of what's. Being, reported uh it does feel
like they are trying to go, you know fast and
furious with this. Whole thing and if that's, the, PLAN
yeah i don't think a gap here is in. The,
cards however like he how long has mattsh been? An?
Owner now it seems like everyone who has new owner
syndrome also eventually just calms the fuck down after a
couple of years and, just realizes, oh wait this is
this is not, a sprint this is.
Speaker 1: A marathon isn't he going the opposite direction Though that
you saw the interview where he said that he's going
to be more involved. In forward, You're right.
Speaker 2: You're right it might be. An issue you might it
might be, an issue and that might be the answer,
right there that the gap year is just not a
valid idea. For them it should it.
Speaker 1: Should BE so i, was saying is that a stupid question?
Speaker 2: To?
Speaker 1: ASK oh i, don't, say yeah.
Speaker 2: Stupid, question, No, NO no, i, MEAN look i will say,
this though book is getting to an age now where
it's probably going to be a hard sell. For, him so,
like you you would need to thoroughly communicate it, with
him and you need to make sure he's on board
before you. Do, anything.
Speaker 1: Yeah. HE was i think it bodes well for them
that he was included in the, coaching search at least that's.
Per reporting And if, i'm Him though i've seen some
people say that they shouldn't give him the, two year
one hundred and fifty million. Dollar Extension if, I'm him
i'm not. SIGNING it i can sign for more, next
Summer and i'm keeping pressure on this organization to make
The right i'm not saying that he should, request out
although if it, WERE me i. Probably would But LIKE
i'm i said This About nicole, Jokich too i'm not signing.
THE extension i want to keep pressure on this organization
to continue making the right decisions and put me in a.
Place too if it's not next season then moving forward.
To WIN so i think that's going to be an
inflection Point for phoenix. As well is that everyone just
seems to Assume That devin booker is going to sign.
The deal He. Loves phoenix we all, know that so maybe.
He Does If I'm, devin booker EVEN if i don't want,
To leave i'm not signing IT because i want the
team to continue to feel. That Pressure The kevin durant
stuff is, just though that is the right question, to
ASK and i. DON'T know i don't know how to gauge.
His VALUE and i was even trying to think of like,
surprise teams like who hasn't been mentioned that could just
get In The kevin durant sweepstakes because we've Heard the
knicks And the spurs And, the rockets like how many?
TIMES overall i.
Speaker 2: Have one but you're gonna hate ME because i FEEL
like i bring them up as A. The bulls yeah, but, wait,
really seriously they are just run, so poorly and now
that all this the criticism of them is always affecting their.
Decision making it is could you not just see how
they would Trade For kevin durant and just like put
it on the front time of the front page Of
The chicago. Trip, youner, whatever look we GOT an mvp.
OR whatever, i MEAN it's I just i don't rule
out anything stupid from. That organization and for them, to acquire,
you know a soon to be thirty seven year olds
star and trot him out as the savior of, the
franchise so as they Did With dwayne wade when they
signed him in, twenty sixteen it JUST would i wouldn't
put it.
Speaker 1: PAST them I love it's such a good brand to
have where it's, just, like well any teams you just
go fleece the bulls because because they'll let them be just.
Speaker 2: Absolutely destroyed it's it's funny because people people say that, and,
like oh that's not how. It works it's it's literally how.
It's worked Like the Spurs, and kings who had made
recent deals, with them deliberately brought them Into The tieran
fox trade to, fleece them and. They did, it's like
this is a perfectly valid to. TEACH choice i.
Speaker 1: LOVE it. I don't i just can't imagine they're. That
dumb but if they go ahead And give josh getting
like two hundred million dollars. THIS summer I will i'll
shut right mouth forever and just defer.
Speaker 2: TO you, I mean i'm just saying you can't rule.
It out That's all. I'm saying this isn't a.
Speaker 1: Surprise team we just haven't talked. About them. Do you
is there any construction that makes sense for Both the Suns.
In minnesota THAT'S why i haven't looked.
Speaker 2: Into IT but i have to assume it's one of
those situations where we'll figure something out if that becomes
like a. Real conversation because they were in on that
discussion obviously and Just. Loves katie that's his. Childhood idol
it seems like the respect. Is mutual it Seems like
grand isn't ruling that. Destination out, so LIKE while i
haven't sat down and done the number specifically on What
a minnesota oriented trade, could be it feels like you
can get that done if you.
Speaker 1: Want to would you just as a like, framework construction
we're not matching, It. HERE okay i do think what
becomes critical For a minnesota offer is You Need julius
randall to. OPT inuse i just, don't, know like are
You trading jade McDaniels is the primary. Outgoing salary You Trading,
rudy gobert so You need randall to. Opt in are
you doing Something Like randall devincenzo and then dilling him
and this year's first round pick you're Getting. FROM detroit
i think that's, number SEVENTEEN but i should double check
that In case.
Speaker 2: I'm, Longing YEAH i'm i. Probably Am and i'm saying
that As a, dillingham fan, But yeah i'm probably doing that,
BECAUSE look i also need to make sure that my guy.
Is happy mike Guy Wants. Kevin durant is that gonna?
Appease him is that gonna make him a? Happy camper
is that gonna sign show a sign of commitment to
him as Well that i'm going out and? Doing?
Speaker 1: This, YEAH yeah, i mean and then you're Left, with, GOBERT,
McDaniels Kd, Anthony Edwards mike conley's. Still there you're feeling
at that point like maybe you're just are you just
at that point you Have to you're figuring out a
way to not be hard gapped like it would like
you're sending out more money than. You're receiving rope in.
The nets another, Team, whatever like are you just paying
through the teeth And It's Nikkeil alexander walker you're, coming
back And naz reid you're. Coming BACK like i think
at that point you might as well because you're so. All, in,
yeah yeah and you aught Like Maybe tarren Shannon And
john clark will be able to hold you still Have
in my initial response in my, head, was man that's
like sacrificing a lot. Of depth but if you're just
willing to pay nas Reading To Ki, alexander walker it's,
oh no that team's like really. Fucking, good yeah.
Speaker 2: It, could be it could be. Really good it's not where,
you're relinquishing, you know in so much talent to a
point where you're, gonna look, you know into the playoffs,
From outside like you're not gonna be on the outside
looking and you're absolutely gonna be in the thick. OF
things i don't, hate IT and i, think again the
added benefits of committing yourself to to ant in that
way that is a. REAL thing I haven't.
Speaker 1: I Don't think i've asked you about, this specifically but if,
you could and you could, game it, but like if You're,
the nuggets are you giving up the one pick you
could trade the swaps one of your young guys and
then making a salary Work With michael porter Junior Charge
zeke naji are You, doing.
Speaker 2: Yeah you didn't ask, me today but YOU and i
had this conversation a couple of, months ago, and yes
the answer Remains yes yoki with, durand, yeah absolutely even though,
he's old even though you know you don't really know
what's going to go on contractually. Moving, Forward, Absolutely.
Speaker 1: Yes where would be the so let's say they're quibbling
over the. YOUNG player i actually really only think the
only quibble point would be if they Asked For peyton
watson or if they willing To take, But Yes, Julian strauthor,
Yes obviously but like If It's christian brown is the?
ANSWER now i.
Speaker 2: Feel as though you have to have a point where
you just, Say NO and i too would Say That's. Christian,
BROWN yeah.
Speaker 1: I agree i'm just too curious if you felt any differently. On,
THAT no.
Speaker 2: I do i'm very High On. CHRISTIAN brown i think
there are a lot of people, who aren't which kind
of weirds me out a. LITTLE bit i think, HE
is i think he's. REALLY good i think he's become.
QUITE underrated.
Speaker 1: I don't know if, he's UNDERRATED but i think he's.
Really good IT would i would love to see a
random team just come, in here by, the Way like
toronto Or man portland would be, really funny, just, like
hey WE have Kd And donovan Klingen And denny avia
and then you're still gonna have some Version Of Scooter
anthony Simon's and Shande Like tamani. KAMARA there i. Don't,
KNOW again i don't know what the compensation is going out.
Speaker 2: Like, THAT actually, i mean if it's up, to you
it's a one to one Swap between Durand And. Tomani
kamara that like talent why wise in your mind at
least that's gonna be.
Speaker 1: Once, one no if You're The, portland troublers you got
to say no. To that you can't come Up To.
Mony kamara that's out of. This world our, final Team The.
Sacramento kings moret what is your biggest question For?
Speaker 2: The kings what the fuck is? Happening?
Speaker 1: HERE yeah i went on a radio spot the other
Day With alan styles does a, great job and Just
like i'm being asked questions About the kings and what they,
Should DO and i have to always preface it, by
SAYING if i, were them you strip it down and start. Over,
now yeah but we know they don't operate in. That
VACUUM and i just, don't like what is the plan?
FROM here i think that's the.
Speaker 2: RIGHT question i have. No, IDEA look, i mean you
don't even know what's going to go on With, sa
bonus like he's going to have that situation that sit
down with him rather where he's going to ask them about.
The future what can they even present that? Makes sense
Keith and murray a GUY who i freaking love coming into.
THE draft i think it's fair, to say, offensively speaking
he's made, strives defensively but offensively has not become the
player that we thought. He'd become is? That him is that?
The organization is it a little bit. Of BOTH while
I adore sacklavine as, a player you can't have him
as your number. ONE guy i think he needs to
go to a place where he's the, secondary guy highly
efficient off guard who should be playing often in the.
Lead Playmaker The demard ROSEN inclusion i when, IT happened
i tried to talk myself into IT because i could
see some variation of how. It work but then everything
fell to the GROUND and i, was like, oh yeah
that was the other side of. The Coin malik, monk
great great improvements as an on ball creator in. Recent
years still not like a natural point guard, at all
like primarily still a two playmaking. Two guard, if Anything Love,
kean ellis does he provide you enough offense to justify
him in like a large capacity, Starting ROLE like I
just i don't know what the fuck is up and
down with. THIS team i have, NO idea.
Speaker 1: I don't i don't have any answers. THERE Either I
demanda sabonis did basically call for them to get a
point guard during his. Exit interview they, need that which
is a wild thing that you Have, Zach Lavine Tomarta Rosenham,
league monk but like you need the end si bonus.
As well but you need someone to actually replace like
the workload That The aaron fox, was taking who can
be the like run the offense too from the, outside
in not just do this the bonus type. Of stuff,
and look there are names they should have a non taxperiment,
level exception but like it just gets all sorts. Of
hazy so we're gonna bring in another guard and that's
you can't keep tomart ros in another Guard And zach
Lavine And maligue monk on. This TEAM and I Know
malige Monk can like that's someone who can create a
lot out of their. Driving kicks you just need more
of like that conventional FLOOR general i think to pair
With the bonus and like what do you look like defensively,
after That like kean allis. Good defender we'll see what
we get Out, of debt see what they get Out
Of devin carter. This Year, keithan murray as, you said
has made a ton of. Strides there they could also
you could also argue like They Have Jonas alan cunis
there and he proved useful, for them but it'd be
cool to have a different type of four option or
like another big like a more of a rim protector Behind,
the bonus or maybe someone who could Play With. Sa
bonis there's just a lot of boxes that this team
still needs. To check because if you said they have,
this talent like do you feel can they approximate like
having a, number one like do you think With, de
Rosens a Bonus and levine that they, usually, say oh
they'll approximate like, the offense you don't need to need
you don't need to look for like The arn fox
was giving you a primary scorers punch at the point.
Guard position can you at least look at this team, and,
say well they don't need that out of the point.
Speaker 2: Guard, spot, UH well, i, mean look they kind. Of
do because if that number one option isn't the, floor
leader who else?
Speaker 1: IS it, I don't. I don't i don't have.
Speaker 2: An answer that's that's kind Of where. I'm fallback you
Don't want levine to go into like the the number one.
Tier role we saw That. In chicago he was. Over
text we Saw De martin rosen play that tier. One
role he did it fine in his first Year. In
chicago but that's what three years ago will be four
years ago at the start of. Next season you can't approximate.
That Anymore si bonus isn't a shot creator to the
extent where he can be the. First option he needs
to be set up. A lot he's not. That guy
so by process, of elimination it almost has to be
a point guard or a playmaker who comes in, and,
Says yeah i'm running the. Goddamn show i'm the. First
option i'm the. Primary playmaker i'm the, one who, you
know cobbles this entire. Offense together because it Can't, be
sack Can't, be tomorrow Can't, be sabonis Can't Be. Keikan,
murray sorry it. Just can't it can't be any of those.
Foreign guys those four guys have to play off. OF someone.
Speaker 1: I think i feel like that goes a little bit of,
an extreme but it's ALSO just i can't you're saying
that they need to play off. OF somebody i Think
The marta rosen could technically be in the, right system
someone that's used as just like the playmaking strides he's
made over, the PAST like i, don't guess like seven
years the point.
Speaker 2: Which he hasn't utilized during the entirety Of his chicago
era and and then not as well. THIS year, i
mean he he had It In, san antonio then he
Came to chicago and he, basically said well, Fuck that
i'm just.
Speaker 1: GONNA shoot, i mean how many guards did you have
working in Also? In CHICAGO and I don't i DON'T
think i LOOKED at i MAYBE like i just wasn't watching,
CLOSELY enough, i GUESS but i didn't Look At demarta
rosa as like a playmaking net Negative.
Speaker 2: In, chicago, no, no no. He wasn't But what I'm what,
i'm saying is he when he Was In, san antonio
he was kind, of balancing, you know scoring responsibility with
playmaking right like he was the primary. Offensive engine he
was the guy who said. Guys up he also called
for his, own number but he did it under, you
know some some he was a little bit more moderate
in his in his. Offensive approach then he Came to
chicago and it was just handcuffs. Were off it was
all about. Like scoring he had the in his hands
plenty to do, playmaking stuff but it more than more times,
than not it ended up in a shot attempt that
persisted throughout His entire chicago tenure and has continued Into the.
Sacramento year SO while i agree with you that he
has the, SKILL set i am racing serious questions as
to whether or not he is willing to apply them
to become more of a creature than. A score.
Speaker 1: I think. IT'S on, I look i think to, your point,
he's older and even at his best, PASSING version i
don't think you want him being your number one. PLAYMAKING
option i just, don't, THINK like i don't know if
they need to play off someone like he is someone
who would, be quintessential come in and create the secondary offense.
For EVERYBODY so i. GET that i GUESS what i
was more so focused on is could you, go out
like you've mentioned him for every, single team if you
went out and got A, Highas, jones like are you
saying you need more of a score punch if you're
going to sign your, game, manager playmaker whatever you want to.
Speaker 2: CALL them i Actually Like tys jones for. This team
he's obviously not a. First option you're, Absolutely right but
that's always been through the lens of what is what
is realistic For, The Kings Like tys jones is realistic,
FOR them i don't think it's realistic asking for a.
PRIMARY creator i don't think it's it's realistic going for,
that Superstar That luka doncic guy who just has everything
handled and everyone else play off of. That GUY so,
i think regardless of what we're talking, about Here the
kings are not going to have. That guy they're going
to have to get satisfied with the players that they
have and like try to figure out something, There, LIKE
yeah i would like To See tiz jones on this
team based on the realistic opportunities they have. At hand
is that going? To change they're what they need. TO
have i don't.
Speaker 1: Think so would you consider going for like one of
the bigger name like this is going to cost you
and you do have some, to spare and it's gonna.
COST you i mean we're mentioning all. These players if
you're getting someone, of consequence you're trading at least One Of,
Zack Lvine demarta Rosen Or. Malik monk probably are you
Looking at if You're, The Kings, Trey Young? LaMelo ball
should they should they go back To The bulls well
and try And Get kobe white.
Speaker 2: On this it's funny you say That The bulls Well because,
ricky O'Donnell host Of, cash considerations is almost Convinced the
bulls are going to Trade for sabonis this summer and relinquish,
you know draft picks and ironically booch, and stuff which
would just be. Fucking Hilarious Like Damar levine vouch returned
back again Just. In sacramento that'd. Be fun but If
the bulls were to do that and then relinquish picks
to get. The bonus suddenly that, becomes, interesting right because
then now you have additional picks to. Spare something you
actually have an acid trove of fair a fair bunch
of of of, attractive picks and you have. Matchable contracts
now you might actually be ready to go out and
make a play for real number one and start off.
THAT way.
Speaker 1: I guess i mean my question with my actual question,
for THEM because i don't have any idea what this team.
IS doing i want to Know if kigemur gets an
extension and how much. It's for i'm just curious to
see Where his, you know how they value, Him internally
but what, YOU'RE saying i THINK if i thought that
they WOULD actually i guess unless he asked, FOR it
i don't see Them. Shopping sabonis i'm very curious, to
like What is sabonis's, trade VALUE and i Think any
kings fans that listen, TO me I Had doma sabonis
As AN all nba player. THIS year i think he was.
REALLY good i think he's a fantastic. Basketball player but
he's such a specific fit when you look at both
his strengths and his weaknesses it undermines a bit of his.
Trade VALUE and i also think YOU and i have
talked about this. At length we it feels like we're
gonna enter. THE phase i don't know if we're, there
yet but it feels like we're gonna enter the phase
where these max is. Near max, the extension the renegotiating extent,
he got the One That larry. Marketing got those deals
aren't gonna be. Just, considered yeah do them for players
who are not top fifteen to twenty guys like universally
consensus and demas a bonus falls into. THAT bucket i
would be very curious to see what teams would be interested.
IN him i think there are some. FUN ones i
caught SHIT because i, Was like i'm gonna be funny
to see him Reunite In san Antonio With daron fox
like Him And wemby like that actually makes a lot
of sense when you Look at sabonis's strengths. And weaknesses
he can stretch. THE floor i think maybe the team
that's most interesting to Me, Is phoenix like can they?
Parlay There kevin durant return Into. DOMAS sabonis i think
him Next To devin booker makes a lot, Of SENSE
but i don't Know what sabonis's market, would, be right
and this has nothing of what Are the kings trying
to accomplish as part Of A demont's? Sibonis trade because
even if he asked, her out are you sure one
hundred percent sure that the front office that vivek ronadive
would sit there and, say like we kind of have
to rebuild or they still going to try and keep
whatever window they think is. Open open.
Speaker 2: Probably the latter.
Speaker 1: So, terrifying.
Speaker 2: Yeah but it's a, fair point and that might be
the number one question with a bullet when you think,
about it what is the trade value of? These guys
like what can you? Actually get perhaps that's the first
thing that they have to, figure out is what can
we actually Get, for Sabonis, froy Levine, for Drosan for
murray for, That, sake like what are some of the
offers that we know are on? The table what are
what is the value of these guys so we can
enter a postseason, or sorry an, Off season so excuse
me with a realistic sense of what we can Get
for that might have to just be the number one
thing they have to.
Speaker 1: Figure out what would you to kind of pivot off, of,
this well or do you Have any sabonis teams that?
Speaker 2: YOU like, I don't and THE reason i don't is
and you, said it he's such a. Specific player he's
he's not a, rim protect he's not, a well he's
a low volume, floor Spacer, right like he's not a
natural catch and shoot guy who is like high volume three.
Point shooter so you know where. He operates he operates
in the, mid post he operates in the, high post,
low post and he's, an elite, elite rebounder. Elite playmaker
gives you a bunch, of physicality high. Efficiency scoring, That's
great but if he is your, first option he comes
with a ceiling for. Your Team so i'm just trying
to figure out what team out there has already a
first option who's, significantly better who doesn't have a strong
defensive need because he doesn't, provide that nor do they
have a particularly strong. Spacing Need and i'm coming up a.
LITTLE short i think.
Speaker 1: If you're gonna play him, at center it almost feels
like it's, either OR because i think he's, For, what
like if he's, a center the floor spacing he's shown
specifically over the past, two seasons that's more than enough.
To me so if you're gonna play him, at center
then it's can we insulate? Him defensively but if, you're,
thinking oh we need to play him next to another big,
then yeah that's when the floor spacing question really comes. Into.
Speaker 2: Play, Yeah YEAH and i feel like you kind of
have to because he's not a. ROOM protector, i.
Speaker 1: Mean the kings have like shown at points they can
string together like an averagist defense, with him in part
because of the rebounding And Like keegan murray is one
of the best things he's thinks he's done defensively is
just like being the low man. At TIMES so i
think there are ways you could game in. A round
but that's what that's what makes this bonus discussion so
fascinating why he's PROBABLY also i think he would be
more valuable To a kings team trying to win than
Even a king's team trying to rebuild as a. Trade
ASSET like i think his value in the former route
strips that at, the ladder WHICH is i feel like
an asshole for saying when this is such a, good
player but like the functionality of the way that he.
Is impactful it's very unique and specific in a way
that can sometimes. Be, LIMITING yeah. I agree what would
You Give kegan murray in an extension?
Speaker 2: Right now i'm Probably like i'm looking to. Squeeze him
i'm absolutely looking to squeez him after the year he.
Just HAD so i would start as slow at as
fifteen million a year because he's not going to. Take
THAT but I want i want to SEE if i
can get him panicked enough and then probably settle in
for something along the long the lines of eighteen million.
Speaker 1: Per, year wow i'd probably. GO higher.
Speaker 2: I don't i think I'd be i'm NOT saying i wouldn't,
go Higher but i'm starting. Real low.
Speaker 1: If he's willing to sign for like four and, one, Hundred.
Speaker 2: No i'm not.
Speaker 1: Doing, THAT wow i would do that in. A heartbeat.
THAT'S interesting I.
Speaker 2: Wouldn't i get the. DEFENSIVE improvements i am super worried
about his offense. Moving forward he seems like a guy
who just gets so shaken mentally in terms of like
the confidence comes. In Waves if i'm investing one hundred
million in, a player even in today's, SALARY structure i
just can't have someone who bends that way in terms, of,
Like oh i'm a little doubt. On myself i'm going
to go through two weeks of hitting like twenty five
percent of. MY threes. I can't i need someone who's
going to come in and take those shots, with purpose
with confidence and not just the. Three pointers like we've
seen in year two that he had some on ball
chops and he had some opportunity to display that this season,
as well where he just Didn't when damar was off
the floor and he was in a position to sort.
Of create so like he's just not exploring himself whatsoever on,
the floor and that Concerns that that greatly.
Speaker 1: Worries me I've always i've kind of more chalked it
up to Like the kings, than him like that they're
the shooting inconsistency can, be weird but he's so they've
made him so reliant on him getting the ball from
other PEOPLE that, I actually i. DON'T know I guess
i don't KNOW if i SHOULD say, i DISAGREE but
i don't know that he's been afforded the time in
space to see if he has like real more on
ball chops.
Speaker 2: To explore and, that's fair But that i'm not investing
in THAT if i don't, KNOW that i know you don't.
Speaker 1: Know that but it's just Like If I'm keegan murray
and like they're just the hardlining at four and, One
hundred I'm probably i'll take it to restricted free agency
when there's more. CAP space i think teams he's at
least shown that he's on the very high end of
THREE and d and we've seen those players get some like.
Serious money and unless you think that, the LEAGUE because
i don't Know That keegan murray's defensive value is is
like nationally known now just among like fans and people,
like us, let's Say but i'm SURE, the nba like
people inside the understand how valuable, is defensively for what
he is offensively now and what he, PROVIDES defensively i
think that's more than a twenty five million dollars a.
Year player But maybe. I'M wrong i just the pecking
order has Overturned in sacramento like a couple of times
since he's, been there and in multiple times last season
when you look at The darn fox trade you Brought Into,
marto ROZEN so i it makes HIS but I will
i think the thing we are you're on. His extension
negotiations are so complex because Of the kings's direction or,
lack thereof and because it feels like he either hasn't
proven enough offensively or we don't have enough information on,
him offensively and then it's you get into playing the playing, game, there,
like well who's that fault? For that for the, most.
Speaker 2: Part right also adding to the complexity of the situation
is the fact that he'll be twenty five starting next.
Speaker 1: To, year yeah. That's ready is one of the older
guys on The rookie yeah.
Speaker 2: HE is, i mean that's just something you have to
bag into. It ALL like i will, Say this i'll
trust him More Than. Josh getty out give hi More Than,
josh kitty, FOR sure.
Speaker 1: I would say that's damning with. Faint praise.
Speaker 2: I'm just say, and look Not saying i'll give it
more if the Bulls Gift.
Speaker 1: Josh kitty So Whatever josh kiddy gets locked, in at
that's What the kings have to that's What the kings have.
To give key. Heard IT.
Speaker 2: But, i, mean look and it's NOT like i don't.
Like him he's actually one of THE guys i had
like the best eye too when he came out of.
THE draft i, was, LIKE yeah i trust. THIS dude
i am all in on. That EXPERIENCE and i thought
he had a rookie season where he was shoehorn into
like just, taking threes and the word coming Out of
sacramento at the time was, don't worry like he'll get
more reps on ball in, gear two and. He did to,
their credit he. Actually did and then, we, thought oh
year three is when he's. Gonna, pop, then like now
he's building that up for him not to pop in
that system when there was a need for, you know
both floor spacing and high efficiency. Offensive creation him not
even being able to get to the free throw, line
whatsoever like point nine point nine attempts, Per, game, like
yeah we can see here and chalk it up to.
The organization. THAT'S fine i don't have any issues, with
that because that organization is. RUN weirdly i still need
to see Something before, i'm, like, oh yeah fuck that,
one million one hundred and twenty, five million let's, Go
NUTS like I just i can't. Get There but i'm,
also like, You know i'm a safety in seat belts kind.
Speaker 1: Of, guy well if you're a safety and, seatbelts guy
if he's not signing an extension that, you're offering are
you willing to take it to restricted? Free agency or
is this become orre they going to Trade A keigan.
Murray Thing and i'll preface this, by saying with any,
OTHER organization i would assume it goes to restricted, Free
agency but because It's, THE kings i just wouldn't roll
out anything at.
Speaker 2: THIS point i would go to restricted free agency, because
look that has proven to be a market where you
can really, Squeeze GUYS so i wouldn't be. Too WORRIED
like i don't think he's going to have A year
ford leap where he's going to be Like a max
guy or A near. MAX guy i just don't. See it,
and look if he does become significantly better in, YEAR
four i have no issues paying for what a guy.
Is worth.
Speaker 1: Do you have anything else on? This team.
Speaker 2: Just figure, it, Out Man, JESUS christ.
Speaker 1: I don't i honestly don't. Know where we know that
they have, clear NEEDS but i don't know how they're
gonna go about. Addressing them they probably do have the
assets to address some, of THEM but I just I
guess i need to see what their first move is
of the offseason to kind of, Understand, like okay this
is where, they're going because even if you assume that
they're not gonna LOOK to i, don't know tread water,
Or rebuild i'm, just, curious, like well who is the
player that they've, identified as whether it's a free agent
or a, trade target that this is someone who's gonna
help us get to where we're trying? To? Go right
do you wanna let our subscribers and listeners know where
they can find you and all the work that.
Speaker 2: You, do, yes sir you can find me Over At,
blue SKY, AT. Msja nba you can find my work
Over At yahoo Sports. AND forbes i run, the PODCAST The,
nba podcast and if You, Speak Danish busser beat will
be a. Podcast.
Speaker 1: Feature definitely this is about until. Next time it has
always the shout out to, the one, the only the
player who could Fix The sacramento kings and turn them
into championship, contenders Overnight Mister Frank gila chino