monsterpile wrote:lipoli390 wrote:monsterpile wrote:lipoli390 wrote:monsterpile wrote:In Hollinger's latest mock draft which actually seemed to have some interesting stuff in it he mentioned a possible trade structure of the Hornets moving up would be #1 and Evans and Spellman for #3 #32 and Miles Bridges. I've been warming up to the idea of Bridges actually. That athleticism is pretty exciting. Yes he dropped off from a decent rookie season but he was asked to be much more of a scorer and his rookie year he played with either an all-star PG or Tomy Parker. This year he played with a 2nd year Graham and Rozier who is more of a combo guard than a PG. Batum played less this year too. Did Bridges really suck that much more or was there other issues? He played more minutes but had quite bit fewer dunks. Im not suggesting there is massive untapped potential but he could be one of those guys that ends up being a really solid guy for some team. #32 could be used in a few ways including moving up in the draft. Maybe there will be a guy we could stash with one of those Two 2nd round picks.
I'm with your, Monster, in coming around on a swap with Charlotte that brings in Miles Bridges. He's a great athlete and was a good 3-point shooter in college. He's still young with lots of upside. As you suggested, the #32 pick would have significant value. I think it could be packaged with #17 to move up at least several slots. If the Wolves ended up doing this deal, I would hope they'd draft Okongwu at #3. Then I'd like to see them do a deal for Atlanta's #6 pick and grab Haliburton, Vassell or Williams. If they really believe in Edwards and he's available at #3, the might still have a chance to get Okongwu at #6.
Another possibility I was contemplating (Probably unlikely) is trading down from 3 to 4 with the Bulls. Hollinger pointed out that the Bulls GM worked with Rosas in Houston so there is a relationship there. So many current NBA GMs worked for the Rockets.
That would be an interesting move, Monster. I could see it happening if the Bulls really covet the player (Edwards or Ball) available at #3. I'm not sure, thought, who the Bulls would give up in that situation to move up one more slot for Edwards or Ball. Carter?
Idk you gotta match salaries for Carter but giving up a little something from our roster to make that happen would be a little easier since it was just one slot. It's hard to find a match. I'm not sure giving up say Layman and Vanderbilt sounds too exciting as those guys may both have value. We could get the #44 I suppose.
This sort of brings me to a question I've been pondering. Which guy would you be more enthused about getting Bridges or Carter? Which do you you think has more value in general?
Edit: I think James Johnson for Felicio and Wendell Carter would work salary wise. I'd want #44 for taking on Felicio and giving up Johnson. Felicio might be worthwhile as an expiring salary in some sort of deal. It would be sort of impressive in a way to have moved Dieng's salary down to just Felicio's 7.5 million. Felicio is pretty much worthless on the court though.
Between Bridges and Carter, I think Carter is the better overall talent. But Bridges is probably the better fit if he develops into the 3&D guy he was projected to become coming out of college. I like that Bridges would add more athleticism to the rotation. Like you, I'd definitely want at least #44 for taking on Felicio. All of us have been using Johnson in our trade ideas for salary match purposes. But it's worth remembering that Johnson is a good player who improves our defense and can provide experienced veteran leadership. Ryan raved about his leadership last March. So Johnson has value to the Wolves and to potential trade partners. He has extra value as an expiring contract.
Our discussion on this topic underscores why the Wolves should probably just take Wiseman and keep him. If they believe, as Cam and others believe, that Wiseman is clearly the best player in the draft and a potentially elite NBA big, then it probably doesn't make sense trying to figure out if Carter, Bridges or someone else would be the better return in a pick swap. Just take the guy you think stands alone as the best player in the draft and turn your attention to getting one more player you really like using picks #17 and 33 or other assets. I'm still not sure myself. I'd be all in on Wiseman if I wasn't so high on Okongwu.