Speaker 1: What is up, Fellasiko's I am Dan Valley coming at
you with mister Moore Jensen of the NBA podcast, fame
of Yahoo's Sports, fame of HBO match Name, and of
course only fans celebrity. We are gathered around the Hardwood
Knocks NBA campfire today to say we don't care about
Lebron James watch four point zero. We don't care about
waiting for Jailen Duran to sign wherever he's gonna sign,
which will probably be Detroit if not a sign and
trade for another team. We're gonna go through the lay
of the land post free agency craze. I think we've
borrowing any surprise trades. We've exited the transaction tumult portion
of the NBA offseason. So we're gonna take stock of
every team. Doing the Eastern Conference today, we'll do the
Western Conference I think is scheduled for as of right now.
We're gonna do it on Friday, so you'll be listening
to it shortly after that. But we're gonna begin with
the East. Who's your next pick?
Speaker 2: So my next pick in the Milwaukee Bucks. And it's
almost unfair because I have questions and their needs everywhere,
So like should we I just want to cover them
because like maybe we should ask in reverse, what do
they have covered Tyler hero I?
Speaker 1: So short term you I think you can make the
case that they're set with guards for Tyler Heiro, Ryan Robins,
and Brandon Burry's being just to name a few. But
long term, are you prepared to say anyone on this
rosters just to dead on because we don't know what
Burry's or even Nataman is going to become. So the
answer is yeah, nothing like long.
Speaker 2: We don't know check shit, Yeah, we don't know anything.
And that's kind of why I want them cover it
here because that's their need. Their need is talent, future talent,
and maybe that doesn't come around this year. Maybe it's
a it's unfair to put that moniker on them that
they need talent, But I mean, we're doing a podcast
about all forty teams, so we need to bring them
up and right now. That is their need talent.
Speaker 1: If I was to boil it down to an archetype
of player, you go up and down their current depth
chart their roster. Do they not have a single three
and D wing on this team?
Speaker 2: No?
Speaker 1: Not really, they just traded Torrian Prince and Gary Harris,
who are imperfect answers to that question.
Speaker 2: Yeah, it's not it's definitely not Kyle. It's not aj Green,
Like Green comes closest, right, he comes closest. Is like,
is the the guy with the most upside to answer
that question? Is that Braydon Berry's.
Speaker 1: Yes, Wow, which I which in terms of upside that's problematic.
But actually he might be the answer to that question
right now too, because he's already good defensively, can score
off motion, so he's probably the answer. But after that
it's I don't like, can we three nata ment in there?
I'm with you, it's not Kyle Kuzma. But you look
at this team, I will say, so when you when
we say they need talent, we're talking about long term cornerstones,
because they actually have a lot of talent on his roster.
Speaker 2: Yeah, but they right, but they don't necessarily have the
type of talent that that moves the needle to a
major extent, Right, I think that's fair to say who Jang? Well,
they kept him, that's good. I mean when they I
saw that, they didn't they renounce him or something. At
some point I was like, what what is going on here,
and then they still retained him. I was like, oh, like,
don't throw this kid away. That'd be dumb. But then again,
they also chose native end to the draft. And I'm
still not sure what he actually does on a basketball floor.
Speaker 1: But he's giving me which is awful, like poor man
Zachary Resische vibes and that's not but he's so raw.
Jonathan Wasserman, Bleacher Bords draft guru wasn't particularly high on him,
but he even said the highest end outcome of him
is just maybe someone that we really haven't like. There
isn't a good analog for interesting. Bet Richard says Milwaukee
needs to avoid relegation. I honestly know they don't. They
don't control their own first round pick. They could, They
could be in the relegation zone if they want. I
think they have too much talent to be one of
the Bond three teams. Why so, asked, Are they a
case and Wallace suitor?
Speaker 2: Sure? But to what end you see?
Speaker 1: Would you rather Well, here's a question, would you rather pay?
Because they're both gonna be up for new their new
deals will kick in at the same time, would you
rather pay Ryan Rollins or Casean Wallace, Ryan Rollins, So
what I think just the offensive upside is high.
Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, the shooting the creation absolutely.
Speaker 1: Regularly ask what happens to Tyler Hero. I don't which
did we go through any teams yet that would actually
make sense for a time. I think he's good and
he's on an expiring and contract. I just don't know
what you get for him, right, But I think he
gets traded. I would be pretty so. I know he's
a Wisconsin native, but I'd be surprised if he's on
the bucks pass to trade that line, I would agree.
Speaker 2: I think he's an obvious trade candidate. I have no
idea where he goes, but like someone is going to
need the offense, and look, he's extension eligible. So there's
also this finagling of trying to figure out from other teams,
like what can we actually offer, can we have permission
to negotiate with his age? And like what are we
looking at? Because apparently like the Wizards had a commitment
from Trey Young in terms of the extension before they
traded for him, So that's a thing now.
Speaker 1: I guess, yeah, I wasn't completely buying if it wasn't
Brooklyn who seemed they were just desperate to get someone
like him there. I wasn't buying that there was another
team that was going to be prepared to right right,
maxim Ount, Uh my turn, let's go with Let's go
with Washington. We talked about out at length the other day.
I'm going to I'm not sold on the shooting around
this team just yet, but I'm gonna go with point
of attack defense instead. There's really oh when you're looking
at who needs to guard the primary ball handlers. Last year,
their top four in the percentage of defensive possessions spent
guarding primary ball handlers. One of them is off the team,
but their top four was Trey Young, Trey Johnson, Bub
Carrington and CJ. McCollum. That is not okay if you're
looking to have a good defense. And while I do
think now they've backstopped them, they just have a lot
of size on the back line with Anthony Davis, DeAndre
and Alexar Tritian Vuksovich is there, He's not really known
as a defender. I don't like, who do you trust
is a point of attack defender on this team? But
law Koulabali can do some of it, but I think
you also want him on the wings just because they're
like Keishawn, George is fine. Will Riley might be fine.
I like both of those guys, but they're not. But
they needed if they were gonna go out, they got
Chris Middleton back for some reason. That was just the
The Dallas Mavericks and Washington passing d Loan Chris Middleton
back and forth is kind of funny. But I would
have preferred them to like, can you go out and
get a Chris done for this team? Rather than did
you need a Chris Middleton? They traded for the wrong Chris.
That's that's the more okay?
Speaker 2: That fair? Uh? To answer your question, yes, I would
have Billa Kullabli as my point of attack defender because frankly,
I feel more comfortable with the Bonza and Trey Johnson
and and Will Riley, keech Or George and so on
and so on to cover wings. Look, if I'm gonna
have to find value in Kulabli moving forward, because he's
extension eligible, he's going to be a restricted free agent
next year. If he doesn't sign an extension, you are
gonna need to figure out what the hell he is
and if he's not the offensive player that your envisioned,
at least turned him into one of those absolutely insanely
switchable defense right. Like, you have to find some type
of use for him at this point. I don't want
to just stick him on wings. I want to throw
him into the deep end of the pool and just say, look,
this is going to be your fourth year. It's it's
just time. It's time that you you really showed us
that you're worth of huture commitment for For our point
of view.
Speaker 1: I think they would be an interesting and then probably
have to be other teams involved just because of the money. Okay,
So he's looking to say they would be a good
lou door team. I know he doesn't check the shooting box,
but that's the I think that's the level of guy
that would help out. They make everyone because do you,
I know you're okay? Blah Kulabali ag de Bon says
that like those aren't. I don't know if I want
those guys in the point of attack roles in general, Okay,
because one, I don't know if the bons I can
do it. I feel like he's going to be but
he needs to be against probably guys that are how you.
Speaker 2: Know that's super tax that I also only mentioned, Like,
I don't know why you're throwing Aj in.
Speaker 1: There just because he's I'm talking about like their core players,
is it? Do you want Keysjan George or like you
have to look at because they don't have it in
a guard is my point. It's not Carrington, it's not
Trey Johnson, it's not Trey Young.
Speaker 2: Justin Champagne john Justin Champagne. I'll give a crack at
that role as well. Fair.
Speaker 1: I don't know. I mean, I how high end is that?
Though not true, but I get they have a lot
of They have a lot of wings on this team,
which makes it interesting. But I don't know, Like Blakula
Bali is very clearly their highest n wing defender, and
I might want I think you'd one want someone other,
just an extra body, like warm body who can handle
those responsibilities. So Chris Dunn would be the name I
would circle, but if lou Dorp becomes available, although the
Wizard's salary structures all sorts of messed up too. I mean,
they have DeAndre Ayton's deal that they could ship off
to another team now. But yeah, so Wizards, I'm going
with point of attack defense. Shooting is depending on how
much you trust Keijan George. Yeah, Trey Johnson, Will Riley,
that might be a need block, Hoobell. He has not
shown enough there. And if you're gonna start or excuse me,
if you're gonna add any point play Davis and Sar,
you really need Sar to become just a decided the
above average shooter. Two.
Speaker 2: Yeah, I'm gonna go with the New York Knicks. Who
are they?
Speaker 1: Oh, that's right, the reigning champs.
Speaker 2: Uh yeah, yeah, there we go. And in terms of
neat I don't think they have all that many. By
h I will say offensive depth. I just need a
little bit more scoring pop off the bench. And look,
it's not a lot, but we have to find needs
with everyone, and that's the one I have. Just I
would like to have someone else come off the bench
with a little bit more ability to self create and
go get a bucket.
Speaker 1: Yeah, I think I think that's totally fair. It Also,
you have Jose Alvarado and Duce McBride and Jordan Clarkson,
but you don't necessarily have that B plus ball handler
behind Jalen Brunson right now. And I think When you
look at the passing creation on this team, Karnthie Towns
has passes statistically the past two years have been the
highest quality. When you're looking at the shots they've generated,
there's I don't know if you have enough of a
backstop like Jalen Brunson having wrist surgery is kind of
a oh crap moment because you only need him right
for the playoffs, but it just kind of reminds you
how fragile it feels like their offensive infrastructure might be.
I'm curious if this doesn't get to the point of
your bench concerns. If the way they use kar Anthy
Towns for more in the playoffs now kind of opens
different doors and you can run different where you're never
without a top tier offensive engine there and like something
like the lineups without Jalen Brunson have always performed well.
I do agree with you that would be a need.
I actually have it as they need a better backup center.
I don't think this isn't just about going from Mitchell
Robinson to Andre Drummond. I just Andre Drummond is graded
out as above average rim protector when you look at
points saved per one hundred possessions. I think once his
entire career, and you lost mobility going from Robinson to him.
You maybe gained some flour spacing, but you lost rim accuracy.
I'd like you look like you're it's a downgrade as
an offensive rebounding backup five. But that's unnecessarily pejorative because
no one's as good as Mitchell Robinson there, and Drummond
does enough of it. So when I saw them linked
to Jannis valenciunis that's the wrong answer when you already
have Andre Drummond on your team. I think they need
a more mobile backup five, which is why the report
that they were linked to a Musa diabate in trade talks.
I don't the salary structure fits. I don't know how
many seconds it would take to get him, because Charlotte
has a trillion of those. But I also don't think
you're getting a first for Musa when he's about to
enter free agency. But that's the type of big they need,
and he's not on the open market right now. I mean,
I wouldn't mind them taking a flyer on Micah Potter,
but they need to trade I think for another backup big,
and I again but another ball handler. I wouldn't hate either,
but I think that a backup big is just more
pressing in the sense of Karl Anthony Towns even in
the playoffs. Isn't gonna play forty eight minutes a game.
Speaker 2: I think that's reasonable. So who should next you.
Speaker 1: I'm gonna go with the Orlando Magic because we haven't
talked about shooting enough more. It's just shooting for this team. Yeah,
still right. You could talk yourself into they need more
guard creation, but I just think, look, if Polo and
Franz and Desmond Baine and Anthony Black are all healthy,
they're gonna be fine. Desmond Baine is the only trustworthy
catch and shoot and pull up threat from deep on
this team. Trustworthy. You want to squint and say, what
if John sucks is another really good year, or if
Tristan de Silva shoots it? Okay, maybe Paulo gets better
or Franz gets better. Sure, it is very much Desmond
Bane and that is that is it. And this team
is into the luxury tax right now. I think there
were they ten million over the first Apron or something.
I'll go double check that. I don't know where they
get it from or how they get it. But that
needs to be Go out there and get Bryce sense
A Ba from Utah. What is it called like he's
cheap I'm trying to think of like cheap shooters. Go
get Vic Crachi from.
Speaker 2: I love that you went Sensu box. You know how
big of a fan I am his?
Speaker 1: So, yes, I did not. I didn't know you liked
Bryce Sensaba at all. I did when you said that
they should max him out in extension talks.
Speaker 2: All right, that's what I said. That's true. We are
Jamal Kane dunks frankly, I don't know if you remember
that one against the who was Durham he dunked on.
Speaker 1: Oh yes, well look that counts as vertical spacing then, right,
so look they're solid. But yeah, so they they are
as of right now, they're what are they there? Over
the tax by or they are? Do we think they
even finished that? They have ten million in first apron space?
Excuse me, that's why we spoke. So they just don't
have a Oh no, they're ten yeah, they're ten million,
they're over yeah, excuse me over So I don't know
how they get a dumb If anything, I'm gonna think
they're looking to cut costs. But at some point, can
you turn go go? But although I guess Mo Wagner
is not there anymore, so do they need him when
you're looking at kind of their backup big man rotation,
like do you how do you feel about is they
can come? Oh they have boots now?
Speaker 2: Yeah?
Speaker 1: Can you turn go go? But Todd's a seven point
six number into some type.
Speaker 2: Of resigned didn't he or did he go somewhere else?
Speaker 1: No? No, he went to Ah, he's got a mutual
option in Brooklyn.
Speaker 2: Sir, come on, Oh that's true. Yeah, okay, that's true.
My bad.
Speaker 1: Maybe Jace Richardson pops this year or do we see
a lot of Javon Carter Anthony Black gonna be a
better shooter? They just need they need better shooters.
Speaker 2: They they yeah, and they need to figure out their
salary strugs because more.
Speaker 1: We have some breaking news that complicates this, that complicated
an exercise we already did a little bit. Okay, developing.
This is from Sean Sharania. The Los Angeles Clippers Toronto
Raptors trade centered on Kawhi Leonard will not be completed
until the NBA investigation into the Clippers is over.
Speaker 2: Oh.
Speaker 1: Oh, that's that's awkward. It's a lot awkward.
Speaker 2: Oh all right, so you know what.
Speaker 1: There's a long statement from the Clippers, but I don't know.
It just said for the past ten months, our organization
has fully cooperated with an NBA investigation, participating in dozens
of interviews, providing tens of thousands of documents, and facilitating
access to our staff. While the process has been challenging,
we have remained committed to transparency. On June thirtieth, we
reached an agreement in principle to trade Kawhi to Toronto.
We have since been informed that the trade can only
be finalized if the Raptors ownership group assumes the risk
of penalties related to contract.
Speaker 2: Holy shit, Oh my god.
Speaker 1: I'm not going to read the rest of the statement
because it's really long and I want time to digest
it since we're reading it live. That is interesting. They
did close with We remain confident that when the facts
are evaluated fairly and thoroughly, the NBA will confirm exactly
what we have said from the beginning. We have not
done what we are accused of doing. This is actually insane.
Speaker 2: Yes it is, Yes, it is that is That is wild?
That is absolutely wild.
Speaker 1: I don't even know what to I don't even know
what to do. You have any thoughts on that?
Speaker 2: Just look, I mean, at the end of the day,
I'm probably not surprised, Like again, that investigation was real.
I mean, this is NBA business daddy coming home and
saying no, no, no, no, no, We're not playing like this. Frankly,
I get it. I've been very critical of the league
over the past year or so with a lot of
things that they've implemented. I agree with this one. I
think this is a completely fair and reasonable thing where
they've come in and basically said, no, we need to
get some ducks in a row before everything happens here.
Speaker 1: Well, couldn't you? I'm if the NBA is actually going
to punish the Clippers yet, like it turns out that
they they find we didn't do what we're accused of doing.
Speaker 2: Let's be more.
Speaker 1: Vague than that. If we find out that they are
they did what they were accused of doing. Couldn't you
if you're making the Kawhi Leonard trade, I guess the
concern is because his contract could be voided, Because couldn't
you just retroactively say we're docking the Clippers those draft picks,
Like what is it? Do you know what I mean? Like,
what is the what becomes the harm in letting this
deal go through if you end up having to punish
the Clippers?
Speaker 2: So so like the draft picks goes where just back.
Speaker 1: The routs just end earlier. We have twenty nine picks
that year, they shouldn't go back to Toronto. That'd be main.
Speaker 2: Right, could you imagine? No? But like I hate all right,
I hear what you're saying. I just hated because that
means there are at least some one player not getting drafted.
I and that's just that sucks, Like you want to
get drafted. Yeah, I guess you could finagle it. But
I actually appreciate the way that this has developed. I
think that's this is the right approach, basically taking its
steps and then if the league comes up finding nothing,
which okay, yeah, then you can just go ahead as planned.
But this complicates their off seasons, both of them significant.
Speaker 1: Get ready to speak Canadian Paul George, there's like here
because they're not bringing Brandon Ingram back, right, They're gonna
go and trade. Uh, They're gonna trade with Paul George
or something they go after trade Murphy. Yeah, that's that's what. Also,
how do you let that leak without, you know, without
kind of confirming with the league that we can trade
Kawhi Leonard? Then why do you try to trade Kawhi Leonard?
That is that's mind melding to me that the Clippers
didn't have confirmation they could do this before, not that
they had confirmation, but that this wasn't How is this
not a stipulation or known beforehand?
Speaker 2: And then they were seeking that Toronto took which they
absolutely should not be on the for No, No, that's ridiculous.
Which is also is that that bit of a smoking gun?
Oh yeah, like if you guys take the take the findes,
like what really, Like that's kind of assuming that something's
going to be found, right?
Speaker 1: I don't I honestly don't know, because also do that
is the investigation over? Because it doesn't sound like it's over.
So what are you saying, Like what if it's not
over by the start of the regular season.
Speaker 2: I don't know. I'm guessing he's not going to play
until after it's over.
Speaker 1: By the way, Kawhi, you don't think we'll play for
the if he uh, well, I guess that. I don't know.
I feel like their working relationship with the Clippers is
fine enough that he.
Speaker 2: No, no, no, no, no, I'm sinking. I'm saying the league
could might come in and say, look, until all of
this is clear, we're just not playing like we're.
Speaker 1: But then where were where was this last year? Then? Though?
So they let him play last year, but we can't
play next year. That's so great.
Speaker 2: I don't. I don't disagree with you, but like, now
that this is out, they have to follow through, right,
like they have to do something. Get They can't come
out and do this and then and then afterwards feel
like will and Nilly and going, oh, it's fine. He
plays like this is salary caps for convention and Kawhi's team,
you know, has agreed to it in some capacity like this,
there should be some level of penalty raced against him too.
Speaker 1: I don't know how I feel about one. I want
to know just what my biggest qualm is. How was
this not something that was taken to before the trade
was agreed upon. I don't, I just don't. The Rafters
can't do this trade now, you can't accept the penalty.
So you're gonna trade draft picks for Kawhi Leonard and
then get docked draft picks potentially. Yeah, So I just
don't I don't know how I feel about said if
you let him play last year while the investigation was
going on, I don't understand why this move can't grow
through and then you can rect it, like just dock
them the picks after the trade and then you know what,
put those Adam silver loves having tournaments, have a tournament
to see who gets those picks, the spots line or something.
Speaker 2: I don't care. Come on, guys, go out in plates
to see if we can find your replacement. Come on,
come on, well they could.
Speaker 1: Put Look, I'm just saying this feels like to me,
by the league, feels like a weird line to draw
unless they got the results and they're in which case,
well then okay, levy the punishment. So I just I
guess what I'm most thrown by is just how was
this not?
Speaker 2: Yeah?
Speaker 1: This is something that should have been clarified like before
the trade deadline, because people were wondering if they were
gonna trade Kawhi. Yeah, so that's that's what I don't
understand here and now I'm sort of is there so
I can ask you this question. Is there a team
Qui's back on the Clippers right now? Now you know this,
Is there a team that should just go out and
trade for them anyway.
Speaker 2: Like with assuming the risk of Pedalsy, well, could you
do this?
Speaker 1: You just get what if it's Toronto, you just get
rid of the picks? Like is that just what happens
now or is it?
Speaker 2: Oh so you basically sell the Clippers. We'll do this
trade regardless, but like we're not giving you the picks.
That's gonna be the compensation for us, Like taking the you.
Speaker 1: Risk Kaui's contract getting voided, I guess would be part
of the punishment. Yeah, Or here's one if let's let's.
Speaker 2: Say he's back, You're getting off the the You're getting
off the contract of brandon Ingram, So like sure that
might be worth it.
Speaker 1: So I'm just wondering, like that might be is now
does the cost of the Kauhi trade? And then then
I won't feel bad for the Clippers If the Toronto
Raptors get out of this wall acquiring Kwhi Leonard for
less draft compensation, All right, then you know what that's
on the that's still a little insane though that one, again,
this wasn't established. But two, he could play for you,
but you can't necessarily just I find the thought process here.
Someone can says that, what do you think if this
trade doesn't go through? What do you does? Does one
Toronto still trade brandon Ingram somewhere else?
Speaker 2: I'd be shocked if someone wants him again. I thought
the Clippers did this a little bit out of necessity.
Speaker 1: I mean, I think he's just he's not a two
year deal and as someone who can eat up offensive possessions,
I don't know it's.
Speaker 2: And he looked like a damn g leaker in the playoffs.
Speaker 1: Oh man, all right, no, but he did.
Speaker 2: He was so bad. Come on, you saw this.
Speaker 1: He was he was injured, and there's just like a
lack of other I mean, Scottie Barnes was killed like
he's I don't know what you want.
Speaker 2: He was also injured, then why play him?
Speaker 1: But did you look at what? Did you see how
Cleveland was guarding him because the lack.
Speaker 2: Of an other series? Yeah, I saw it, and I
still think he took stupid ass shots.
Speaker 1: That is all I think. Branding was bad in the playoffs,
and the fact that you think nobody should trade from
him is perhaps one of.
Speaker 2: Your worst I'm saying it's a lot of money. It's
a forty plus million dollar con That is not what
you just said. Yes, forty million dollars a lot of
money that's tied Like look, look, Kevin Herder played like
crap in the playoffs too, but he's only okay, he
signed for a year, but okay, you know what I mean, Like,
that's not the deel break, like the salary attached to
his name when.
Speaker 1: I don't think he's a value contract. I think the
idea that Brandon Ingram isn't a valuable player to me
or like it would be Oh wait we have it
is this Raptor. Oh let's see the Raptors. This is
now from this How do we like this unfolding from
Scham's The League informed us that, as a result of
the ongoing investigation of the Clipers, would ass the risk
of any potential outcome of the investigation impacting Kawhi. In
light of this, we will wait until the league's investigation
is complete. The Raptors remain eager to bring Kauhi back
to Rono and look forward to a swift resolution for
our players, our organizations, and our fans. So does that
mean we should expect we should uh slam o'clock says
Herder was a doctor injured. To be fair, Kevin Hurter
hasn't made a three in like three years though. To
be even more fair, since the Light the Beam season,
he's been pretty bad. Man, I guess so my read
on this is that we should expect the investigation to
be done shortly. Otherwise this is just super awkward forever.
You can't just wait until the investigation, Like, oh, so
it's now we're in November and the investigation's done. It's
like what has happened since then?
Speaker 2: Man? Yeah, yeah, I don't even know how we continue
with this because like we just wrapped up the matchic
and now we're gonna go needs with someone else, Like
I this was.
Speaker 1: This is a good point, by the way, from a
why so Toronto getting punished for a scandal that tamper
to gets them in the first place is bullshit and
a reminder that Canadian teams that anything don't matter to
these losers. I don't know who's ah, it's a quote.
I don't know who said that, but it is I
don't understand why Toronto would have to assume the risk
I agree at all. If they're agreeing to I guess
should they assume the risk of his contract getting voided? Though?
Speaker 2: I mean, look, if his contract is getting voided, I
assume that would happen in Los Angeles, Toronto, or a
third place where he ends up. I mean, that's just.
Speaker 1: Not well, that's my point though. It's just because the contract,
if part of the punishment was always going to be
the contract was voided, I guess I might understand that
part of it. But when they say assume the punishment
is it you have to give up you get doc
draft picks because kawhi' is on your team, that makes
no sense to.
Speaker 2: Me, right right, No, I'm going to follow this so
thoroughly because this this is nuts. Have we ever seen
anything like this?
Speaker 1: I mean, think of rescinded trade. This is kind of
like a rescinded trade for the moment, right right right.
Speaker 2: But those it's primarily off of, like medicals.
Speaker 1: Mark Williams do not as a bout of unis. I'm
trying to think of other like what other.
Speaker 2: Dwight this is Tyson Chandler to, Okay, see.
Speaker 1: This is crazier than what Dwight Howard did right where
he was on a plane, like he was getting traded
on a plane and decided that he didn't want to
leave the Magic at one point. This is even more
bonkers than that.
Speaker 2: Yeah, oh god, this league, man, this league.
Speaker 1: The Richard says, the league didn't tell Miami about the
terrors he investigate and let them trade for him and
then didn't let him play.
Speaker 2: This is par for the course, oh, Howard, Beck says
the same thing you said, like two immediate thoughts. One
you think they would have consulted the league office before
agreeing to the deal? Uh too, Though I don't want
to jump to yeah, go.
Speaker 1: Ahead, it's not even before the deal. This is a
shot like leading into the trade that like why was
this not talked about?
Speaker 2: And then he also says, which I agree with, though
I don't want to jump to conclusions. This certainly leaves
open the possibility of the Kawhi's contract gets voided, which
would sort of ruin the trade, which, yes, yeah, who
benefits the most?
Speaker 1: Listen, where's Kawhi Land If his contract gets voided? Who's
the team that comes in there and cap space is gone.
Speaker 2: For the most part, right, So so what is he
looking at like mid level?
Speaker 1: Yeah, the Warriors for them, they could open the non tax.
The Warriors could open the non tax.
Speaker 2: I mean that might be enough to get them Lebron
instead of trading for Anthony Davis.
Speaker 1: This is insane.
Speaker 2: This is insane.
Speaker 1: Yes, this is insane. And this is even different. Richard
said about Miami. I guess it's a fair point one.
I want to know how it didn't come up in
their due diligence of this though, regulator says the Pistons
do have space. I keep assuming Jaalen Duran is gonna
come back.
Speaker 2: The business were waiting on this, they were playing this.
Speaker 1: They go and they just signed Kawhi Leonard for that
would be insane. Uh. This is just different because we've
now everyone's known about this, including both of the teams
involved in the trade, and nobody thought to get this
confirmation beforehand. My god, h this is confused. A great theater,
but this, this particular situation could have been totally avoided.
Speaker 2: Yep, yep.
Speaker 1: Uh, we gotta get back. I think we only have
one team left, right, Oh no, we have two.
Speaker 2: We pick too at least right, Uh, whose.
Speaker 1: Pick is it?
Speaker 2: It's you? You chose Orlando, didn't you?
Speaker 1: Yeah?
Speaker 2: So yeah, she picked the bulls.
Speaker 1: I feel like everyone's waiting for you to pick the bulls.
Speaker 2: I'm gonna go with the Brooklyn Nets, all right, lame,
but I want you to pick the bulls.
Speaker 1: All right, you picked the Brooklyn Nets. You care to
get into what their needs are?
Speaker 2: Look at that roster everything, I don't I just again,
this is such a This is a Milwaukee situation all
over again. Basically we have to go through every single team,
and this team just needs so many things. They need
reliable guard play. I mean, kil Brown, good choice. I
want to see him get off the ground quickly and
we'll see if he does that or if this is
a one of those situations where it's a slow start.
But overall, I don't like the guard rotation as is.
The wing situation is completely devoid of interest. The big
man situation is Julius Rental and den Sharp. I guess,
Noah Clowney, you want to throw him in there? Just
why not? But like this roster is just so weird,
So perhaps their biggest need is rosters, symmetry, line up, symmetry.
Speaker 1: So it's interesting for them. I have a wing slash
combo forward of the future, just because I think you
can talk yourself into there's Jaeger, Joe Man, there's Mikel Brown,
and you could say, right, they have the base line
of or if you like Nolan trey Or, can can
Yegor Joeman play the three and like you view those three?
But when you look at just the three four spot
just I don't think I like Drake Powell, but doesn't
seem like he checks that box. Julius Randall short term answer,
Mo Wagner short term, Kean Ellis short term, Michael Porter Junior,
Josh why not short term? And so it gets into
the oh, they just need talent, because you could sit
here and say, well, do they even have their center
of the future, like that's not necessarily dayron sharp h.
But to not really even have a candidate for like
a combo wing of the future feels a little because
at least now you kind of look at it and
it's all right, like Mikel Brown and Yegor Joeman they
got some real and Nolan trey Or they got real
guard and Drake Powell is it too? They got some
real guard prospects in there. I think they need more
flyers on the wing. I like Joshua Jefferson's probably my
favorite wing prospect. That I like it more than Drake Powell.
That's probably my favorite wing prospect they have. But that's
not that's not a lot.
Speaker 2: Nope, Nope. I at this rate, I'm just curious that
what they're going to do again. You and I we
disagree on this. I I did not love their draft
last year. I just I didn't love it either.
Speaker 1: I just think that I think the whole oh, they
have five point guards was wildly inaccurate type deal. That's
anopsis of it.
Speaker 2: Oh at five point No. I I just think they
went over five in the first round. But I mean
that's that's where I'm at. Uh So again we're going
back to talent level. I think you're right, and maybe
maybe maybe we could just sum it up. I just
don't even care about positional need right now. Just find
a number one guy. Find the guy. Maybe they did,
maybe it's me kil Brown. We don't know, Like I'm
for that, but right right right, he is there.
Speaker 1: I think MIKEL. Brown is very clearly their highest end prospect.
I like Jegor Joeman. But unless he just has some
type of you know, getting inside the arc finishing chops
that we haven't seen. Uh yeah, I'm gonna pick so
two teams left.
Speaker 2: I'm I thought, yeah, I thought we only have one
team left.
Speaker 1: I was mathing off of eyesight. I'm gonna go with
the Hornets because that'll force you to pick the Bulls next,
which is just I will.
Speaker 2: Didn't we get didn't we all? God damn it. I
thought we had gamed it wrong.
Speaker 1: Sucks for you, sucks for you, the Hornets. I was
tempted to go with playmaking, just because I don't know
that Christian Anderson, Kobe White, Kanka Nipple is gonna like
his for in terms of half core creation for everybody else.
I don't know if that's gonna be enough, and we
don't have the data. Kobe White played seventy four possessions
with Miller andk Nipple and no LaMelo last year, so
they did lose what I think is a transcendent playmaker
in Lamello. I think this is another team though that
needs point of attack, wing defense, just name it. At
this point, I mean not that I was I'm not
a Josh Green guy, but he was you kind of
just lost that body to throw at other dudes. So
you have Miller, who I think is fine. Royce O'Neil's
kind of I don't want to say he's washed, but
he's not great on that's like it's kind of Brandon
Miller and Seon James. Now, so I think you need
there needs to be somebody else, like we're getting into
what is Grant Williams Okay, switchable t Johnson, excuse me, athletic?
They need like they need, they need the guy you
look at and say, oh, he's all defense and that
not necessarily going to be elected to all defense, but
he might not provide enough on offense and see On
James checks that box a little bit. Uh, they need
another guy just along the lines that they can view
as a lockdown defender. I think Charles Lee's probably coaxed
better defensive returns out of teams that aren't so talented
on the less glamorous end, But he's gonna have his
work cut out for him, like kind of the same
as could you argue not having LaMelo Is makes that
an upgrade yet? Sure, but I think looking at the
perimeter specifically a point of attack wing. Defense is still
a need for this team.
Speaker 2: Yeah, I've loved their summer, but if we have to
find a need defense and playmaking, I think those two
are the right choices. I'm still reasonably high on this team.
I think the three point volume is going to be insane.
I don't think the advanced playmaking is going to be
that necessary because it's going to be a five out
oriented offense, I assume, But at any rate, it's still
in need. Like you can never have too much creative passing,
you can never have too much quality defense. So the
fact that you have neither of those avenues available to
the extent that you need, yes, I would agree with
you that something's got to give eventually.
Speaker 1: That or the case because regular says losing bridges help
their defense. I mean, no, I won't argue that point here.
But if you're building, for sure, if you're building your
best playmaking lineup, it comes at the cost of defense.
If you're building your best defensive lineup, one, I don't
even know what that looks like. So it's Mussa diabate,
nas Reed, Miller, Seon James, and then conk Nipple. If
we're trying to be semi realistic, so you're losing. You
might be losing too much offense in that regard, and
then if you're building your best playmaking unit, you're for
sure gonna it's gonna come at a stark defensive costs.
I agree, who's the final team, Moore that you're gonna
that you're gonna pick?
Speaker 2: I hate you so much for this, I really do. Yeah,
that was you just set me up? All right? Well,
their their biggest need is that they need to trade Josh, No,
it's uh.
Speaker 1: To the what was the team we sent them to
hypothetically before?
Speaker 2: Was it the Heat Miami? I think again, they they
just need so many things, uh where to start? Really,
they're they're just starting over from scratch. So like they have,
like they got a center, they got a shooting guard,
but like none of those two are viewed as necessarily
long term pieces. I think both Claxton and Powell were
acquired for free by the way to be pivoted off later.
Like I would be kind of surprised if Claxton Powell
are on the team after the trade deadline, which would
be the smart approach, just get them in there to
trade them later. Take on bad money and pick this compensation.
Why not? So if that's the play, cool, But in
terms of need, like they need a first tier player,
like like their star, the guy who they can you
can build around. Because it's not Josh Kitty, is it?
Caleb Wilson will find out, But you know.
Speaker 1: You can't be I guess I don't. I do understand
a Scotty Barnes comps with him. I don't think he's
They need their number one offensive option. I don't know
if that's gonna be Boozellis or Caleb Wilson.
Speaker 2: No I would I would be surprised too. I do
think Caleb Wilson is going to be a really fine player,
but I just don't know if he has that every
Everyone's also like, oh, it's the new Kevin Garnett and
he has like a seven foot seven to one wingspan.
Usually the guys who become that level player have these
insane long arms and can you slide up positions? I
question if Wilson can actually slide up to the five
if he's more of like a pure four. And that's
kind of it. So there are questions. There are definitely questions.
I don't think they have their best player moving forward.
I don't think they have their second best player moving forward.
I tell.
Speaker 1: I feel like Kayleb Wilson or Brizzelles could still have No.
Speaker 2: We don't. We don't have any data on Wilson.
Speaker 1: I do.
Speaker 2: I like Bussella's fine. I really do, actually think he's
going to be like a twenty plus score and everything,
But like, is he going to be the second best
player if they want to be a good team. I
don't know if you have to move him down the
pegging order a little bit. It depends again, like if
he takes a major leap, obviously will reality reevaluate. But
as of right now, I have a hard time seeing,
you know, someone on this roster who just is primary
and secondary option?
Speaker 1: Well what about like he's still pretty young. Couldn't Patrick
Williams develop into that?
Speaker 2: Oh man?
Speaker 1: Well you know what?
Speaker 2: Who? I feel bad for Demartin Rosen Dumars spent like
three years just trying to get Patrick Williams into the
right mindset and nothing worked. Like Poort, Demartin Rosen were
just wasting three years of his life with that project.
Speaker 1: Uh, and then he went right to the Kings. He
got paid though so up. They can build. This isn't
doesn't get any but they can. They can build. I
know a lot of people are lower on Claxton after
last year, but he was dealing with back stuff and
I still think he can add a ton of value
defensively even though he's not super strong. This team can
build a lot of interesting defensive lineups if they just
want to punt on like shooting or out like between
Dan and Swayne and Caleb Wilson, Buzellis, Claxton, h Miller,
Noah Sange if he's healthy, Isaaca Korro, this team might
be a little bit like feisty on the defensive end.
This year. Sure doesn't change what you're saying. I think
that there are a ton of needs. They need their
first option, they need shooting and center of the future.
They might if you were to look at this team
and say they're set here for the future, you might
be able to say, between Buzzellis and Caleb Wilson, I'm
willing to give them they have like a forward spot
or bright locked.
Speaker 2: I think that would be reasonable. Yes, And look if
if Wilson and Pussilla's becomes like long term starters and
those are like the main guys, you know, not not
the main guys in a couple of years because they
need someone better, but like if they are just high
level starters. Yeah, I think that's a win.
Speaker 1: Yeah for sure, you've anything else? Or are you ready
to We did it under ninety minutes while reacting to
breaking news.
Speaker 2: I think we did well because you and I usually
have issues keeping it short. This is this is like
improved our couple's counseling sessions have gone great. Thank you,
honey with attention spans.
Speaker 1: I don't know if anyone appreciates us when we do
like ten minutes on every single team, right, we do
that either? So? Uh, can you just tell our everyone
who's watching listening where they can find you and all
the work that.
Speaker 2: Yes, yes, you can find my work overad Yahoo Sports,
and you can listen to the NBA podcast and if
you understand Danish, you can listen to buser Beater or
catch from calling games at HBO Max.
Speaker 1: And because I'm just so bad at promoing this, do
not forget to subscribe to our patreon if you want
all this content ad free, as well as some of
bonus extra bonus episodes every month, and just a bunch
of other goodies Discord Access as well, Patreon, dot com,
Slash Harbor, Knox NBA, and come back tentatively Google Live
Friday at four pm Eastern to do the Western Conference
version of this. Hopefully nothing comes up, although with the
Kahi trade being rescinded, more than I might need to
have a discussion, like with them, what that's gonna look like?
That only the Clippers right now though, so until next time,
and as always, we need the shout out to the one,
the only, the indelible. His trade for him has never
ever been rescinded, mister Frank Ila Tina