Questions As We Enter Trade Season, Eastern Conference Part 2 - Featuring Dan Favale

Mort and Dan discuss which questions hover over NBA teams, as the league heads into trade season.

Today, they're wrapping up the Eastern Conference.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
We're on to finally, the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Speaker 2 (00:03):
I never would have guessed in a million zillion trillion
years that it would have taken us this long to
get to them, and we were going by record.

Speaker 1 (00:12):
My question for them more is very simple. Yeah, should
we be concerned? Well?

Speaker 3 (00:20):
All right, So when people started freaking out about the
way they lost in the playoffs that last year, I
thought that was a little bit dramatic because they'd only
had kenne Atkinson for that year. That was his debut
season in Cleveland as a head coach, I figured, and
they just went through a bit of an injury period
at that specific point in time. I was like, look,
that's just too many issues like that will iron itself

(00:43):
out come next year.

Speaker 1 (00:45):
They'll be fine.

Speaker 3 (00:47):
I'm not overly concerned because Garland obviously has only played
nine games he's been in that lineup.

Speaker 1 (00:55):
All has played in what ten? Is he up to
ten games or.

Speaker 3 (00:58):
Whatever it is, Jared Allen, he's fifteen fifteen, Sorry, but
you're you're right, he's been in now.

Speaker 1 (01:05):
Oh he's missed ten yeah yeah yeah.

Speaker 3 (01:07):
And also he just hasn't been that good this year
with his feet, which yeah.

Speaker 1 (01:12):
Yeah, it's been the whole even when he's healthy.

Speaker 2 (01:14):
It feels like they're playing mobile at the five more,
which is I don't know if you consider that ideal
or not if you're the Calves.

Speaker 3 (01:20):
They're also integrating Jalen Sison, which I think is something
that's been good. He's been good, but like they're integrating
him in a way where you know, he wasn't really
a part of that whole thing last year, so like
that's a brand new component you're adding to it more
wing oriented. So no, I m I am I concerned

(01:41):
right now? Nou If we're looking at the same picture
in about a month, the answer changes, Yes.

Speaker 2 (01:52):
I'm not concerned either, and I would echo a lot
of what you said and just also add their their
best four guys have played fifty seven minutes together so
far this year, during which time they have a net
rating of almost thirty one, So I know injury stuff
might always be there. If do we think that this
is the new version of Darius Garland, I would say no.

(02:12):
If the concern would be, oh, is he just not
gonna be healthy this year, which is certainly on the table.
I guess there's concerns about if you wanted Evan Mobley
to be the number one option. It feels like it
takes too much for him to c for them to
create advantages for him on offense, or for him to
create his own advantages. That's something I guess to look at.
But this is still just the too much of Evan

(02:33):
Mobley's basically a role player takes that I've seen over
the past couple weeks or just it feels like a
fundamental disconnect from this team. And if they were to
do anything, I would say, could you try and do
something to get you know, DeAndre Hunter is fine, but
I think you could probably make the case on certain
nights that if Max Druce ever gets healthy, he will

(02:54):
give you just as much on defense while more on offense.
But this team is just like sam Merril's missed a
bunch of I can't I just can't bring myself to
have a strong opinion of that. I know we're doing
the injury thing with Cleveland every year, but I think
this team is really good and it kind of falls
in the same bucket as the Knicks, where if you
picked them to come out of the East, you're probably
not feeling any better about your pick. But should you

(03:16):
be feeling that much worse based off what you've seen
this year and the injuries they've dealt with. But look,
if they could go out because they have first round
picks to trade, by the way, so if they wanted
to get they're not gonna get out of the second
aprin they're twenty two million in. But if you could
put first round equity on the table and get Herb Jones,
is that someone that you like is like a better
sort of fifth on this team than a Max Druce

(03:39):
or a DeAndre Hunter or you would prefer I think
Struce is kind of the standard bearer there, right, we
would agree or do you think that?

Speaker 1 (03:45):
Yeah?

Speaker 3 (03:45):
No, I think I think so because with Herb Jones,
he's his shooting.

Speaker 1 (03:51):
We've seen it go up and down. I'm not, and
so yeah, I guess we're the Herb Jones.

Speaker 2 (03:56):
Thing for me was, if you did want to play
mobiley more at the five and you think maybe you're
gonna increasingly close, it feels like Herb Jones would make
a lot of sense.

Speaker 3 (04:04):
Yeah, I think that that would be interesting. Defensively, they'd
be ridiculously good. I wonder if they need something more
off the bench in terms of like, well not offensive
fire proper because they do have a lot When you
really think about it, I see.

Speaker 2 (04:18):
The problem is everything we're doing is unless you just
think that they're not going to be healthy at any
point this season. I don't think you need to do anything.
There's They've been mentioned as a Yiannis.

Speaker 1 (04:28):
Stark horse too.

Speaker 2 (04:29):
I don't see, like Darius Garland Allen and your picks
like maybe that, but like maybe the bucks would bite
on that. I guess the other thing you could do
is would you trade this seems I don't even know
I could wrap my head around. I had would you
trade Evan Mobley for Yannis Evan Mobley in first round
picks for Ranness?

Speaker 1 (04:47):
Like straight up the.

Speaker 2 (04:49):
Other salary has to be and well maybe not the
other salary, Yeah, would have the other teams because right
or maybe not?

Speaker 1 (04:55):
Because it's actually.

Speaker 3 (04:56):
Funny because I just wrote like an entire thing over
at Yahoo where I was making twenty nine trade suggestion
suggestions for for Yanna's and basically I said none for
the Cavaliers just because they're I mean, they are so
deep and over the second apron that it's just ridiculously
difficult to find the trade that even makes sense in

(05:18):
any capacity, and plus like they would have to shed
twenty two I think it's twenty two million on the
second apron just to get below to that point where
they could aggregate contracts like this. It's yeah, I forgot
about that, right, box are seventeen million from the first
a print, which means if they take off yeah, right,

(05:40):
And and this this this article was only like a
team for team trade, Like I wasn't looping in for
her teams when I was doing twenty nine trades. But
but no, if you're asking me straight up like Evan
Mopley and stuff for Yannis in a vacuum and we're
just ignoring like the Aprons and whatnot, I'm going honest, sir,

(06:01):
I I absolutely am.

Speaker 2 (06:03):
I mean he's the better player, but just the time horizon,
I just wonder what you if it's straight up okay
if that, but if you're talking about so Cleveland can
trade their twenty thirty and twenty thirty two first round picks,
you would be giving those to Evan and saying we're
on Donovan Mitchell's timeline, and like we're just gonna we're going.

Speaker 3 (06:19):
Yeah, yeah, Donovan Mitchell and Giannis Santumpo on the same
team going into the playoffs. Yes, please. Both of those
guys have proven time and time again that they raise
their level of play in the postseason. Why wouldn't I
be all over that?

Speaker 1 (06:35):
Ah, man, I don't know if I could do it, but.

Speaker 3 (06:38):
See, that's but like, that's that's also why, like you know,
I always pick up certain players like and I find
myself annoyed with them, like guys who don't step up
in the playoffs. That is just like one of my
main issues. Like, and I'm not saying Evan Moltley doesn't,
but I'm I'm just I think there's certain players who
we just have to look at and go if we

(06:59):
know his story, they race their level of play when
it matters most. I feel as though they should be
prioritized to a bigger sentence, Like that's why I'm so low,
For example, on it, Jaron Jackson Junior, like someone who
just again, yeah, I know I'm playing all the hits today,
but still that's what I'm getting back to, Like, you

(07:19):
need to have guys who become ceiling racers and insert
the playoffs with this mindset of oh, yeah, I'm better
than you thought.

Speaker 1 (07:26):
I was.

Speaker 2 (07:29):
All this is to say. Let me hear this question
from m Tavars fifteen. Do you think the Cats have
to trade Garland because of how he and Mitchell overlap
on the floor.

Speaker 1 (07:36):
No, No, honestly, I think Don.

Speaker 2 (07:39):
Mitchell's been fantastic, But I also kind of think that
Darius Garland does more at his peak to tie everyone
else together on the offensive end, I think, But I
do think this is and this isn't spicy. We're kind
of in the final year of just We're not unless
they win at all, like the two bigs and two
small guards that will be busted up this summer if
they fall short again. And my final stands to them

(08:01):
is I'm not concerned. If they were gonna make a move,
I might just be looking to get someone who can
play the four during those mobili minutes when he is
at the five, and they might look they have those guys.
But if they were looking for an upgrade, Herb Jones
would be the dream. But justin Champagne could work that
they could fit Naji Marshall into their salary structure. We're
just playing the hits again. Our next team mort in

(08:22):
the standings is your Atlanta Hawks. What is your question
for them?

Speaker 3 (08:26):
I have been thinking so hard because I was kind
of counting it out that I would have to, you know,
get a question out of that. I'm struggling finding one,
but I think maybe there is something. And I'm not
sure it's trade oriented in that regard, but it's worth
keeping your eye on. So Sucker Rishchet is having a

(08:50):
what's the kind word a soso season, A mah season.
He's not hitting from the outside from someone who's six',
nine six,' ten he. Barely rebounding everything seems like it's
just a, sophomore slump?

Speaker 1 (09:05):
Is it?

Speaker 3 (09:07):
Is, it like are we looking at someone who we
have this in these inflated expectations for because he was
the first pick of, a draft fully ignoring that that
specific draft was all types.

Speaker 1 (09:21):
Of horseshit so that's. My, QUESTION like.

Speaker 2 (09:30):
I guess it's tough for me to say that we
need to RECALIBRATE when i don't think anyone pegged him
has a star, coming, Out.

Speaker 3 (09:36):
Right, BUT this, i mean, you know, he's STARTING but
i don't even want to, call him, you know having
starter starting player influence at, this, POINT.

Speaker 2 (09:49):
Right, i so but what is the what is the?
Question here is just do you want them to? Sell,
high basically what's?

Speaker 3 (09:58):
To do that's my question just with Him because i'm,
Actually like i'm impressed that he hasn't played, a lot
BUT when kp has, been there he's been putting up
almost twenty. A game by, The Way Hello Nikoille Alex
santa walker averaging almost twenty one. Per game. That's wonderful
like there are a lot of great, stuff Happening Like
jalen johnson clear Lcrowd, all star Probably AN all nba

(10:20):
guy if he finished the year out. This way there's
just so much like elsewhere on, The Roster trey young
has only played. Five games it's gonna be interesting to
see if he can like buy in into the same
ankle as everyone else when he. Comes, BACK like i
kind of low key liked this TEAM because i don't
think we associate them with, you know finals expectations. Or

(10:41):
anything we're just kind of intrigued to see can they,
move forward can they find a way to like make
all the? Pieces Fit and recearche was one of those
pieces or. Presume pieces And what i'm really asking is
should we still consider him one? Of those should we
Just because i'm open to The idea dan that this
is just a, sophomore slom that this could just, Mean

(11:01):
NOTHING and, I HOPE i'm i hope that's, the CASE
but i the little voice in the back of my
head is kind, OF saying i.

Speaker 1 (11:10):
Don't know i'm not sure. About.

Speaker 2 (11:11):
That man if they coming to that Verdict When trey
young has played, so LITTLE because i think specifically when
you look At What reesa shay can give you inside
the arc with his caught like type, OF GAMES i
i think that he might be more dependent On What
tray young does as a playmaker Than What jalen johnson

(11:33):
might be doing as. A playmaker but to, your Point
If jalen johnson, is gonna, you know be like leading
this crazy transition Attack Like reese cha's supposed to, THRIVE
there i given a lot of thought, to like does
the spacing get Wonky And reese chay's minutes if Because
Of dyson daniels being on the floor and Even A.
Jalen JOHNSON so I think trey is all sorts, Of
IMPORTANT but i think it's probably fair to. BE concerned

(11:55):
i just don't it'd be different if we viewed him
in like even if we viewed him just to go
back To the cavs because we were just talking. About
them we thought that he Was At darius, garland's Level
An All STAR all nba. TYPE player i don't think
anyone had him build. As that even When the hawks,
took him he was. A consonant feels like the plug
and play fit type. Of Guy and atlanta, TO me

(12:18):
i think needs to address more wholesale questions before they
get into their Concern For. Reese's, shay now is it
easier to move him if you were going In on
yannis to where maybe over the summer you, might say
we're Not Including reesa shay if we go in for your,
honest now because you probably don't want to Give Up jon,
johnson either even though those two would be a. WEIRD
fit i. Don't know it's this, is like this. Is

(12:39):
tough it's, year TWO so i would throw it out.
The window And the hawks just with Not Having. Trey,
young now if you Think the hawks' ultimate vision does
Not Include, trey young now we're having another type. OF
discussion i Just Don't reese shay is so low on
my list of priorities for this TEAM because i feel
like they have more of a wholesale question standing them in,
the face, which is do you think that they're.

Speaker 1 (13:01):
Actually better off and buy?

Speaker 2 (13:03):
BETTER off, i mean not, hitting restart but do you
think that they're just a better Team Without?

Speaker 1 (13:08):
Trey, YOUNG.

Speaker 3 (13:12):
Well, I mean I just i DON'T feel i have
enough data, For, that like because how would how would?
All right So nicolexand walker just use, an example he's?

Speaker 1 (13:22):
Blown?

Speaker 3 (13:22):
Up right is That because trey hasn't? Been there or
would he actually just have been able to do the
same Thing? Alongside trade, for me it's always been like
the collective buy in, for everyone and also like the
finding the. Right, Fit Nikola, alexander Walker And dyson daniels
seem to me to be more appropriate Fits alongside trade than,

(13:45):
for example, You Know deontay murray when they. Tried THAT
so i would like to see Him be trey, that
is being given the chance of playing with this particular
you know. Ensemble Cast before i'm ready to once and
for all say oh this team is better, WITHOUT him
i think the Only conclusion i'm ready to make Is

(14:06):
That jalen johnson is Better Than. Trey young that is
the only CONCLUSION that i would like fully Committed to at,
THIS point i.

Speaker 2 (14:13):
Still have a tough time, getting There but i'm just
running out of. Reasons too Like It's jalen johnson's. BEEN
spectacular i still Think the hawks are whether he's the
number One or trey's the, number one they've kind of
proven that they will be decided to Be.

Speaker 1 (14:26):
Mid uh what? Is this let's say that this IS
what i find.

Speaker 2 (14:30):
More fascinating in, All likelihood they're not going To Move,
Trey young they're not gonna Trade, For giannis they're not
Gonna move what is this team's biggest need to you is?
Currently constructed that was my question.

Speaker 3 (14:39):
For them their, Biggest, Need well i've at point guard,
because again everything was Tailored around, Trey right like someone
who can come in and just make. The passage we
can Talk about trey being a bad defender and taking
really weird shots until we're blue in, the face but
we can't ignore the fact that his playmaking.

Speaker 1 (14:57):
Is elde someone who.

Speaker 3 (14:59):
Can just come in and make the, right passes who
can get the, transition.

Speaker 1 (15:03):
Going who can get. Everyone involved that is still.

Speaker 3 (15:07):
A need that is SOMETHING that i still MISS and
I realize i'm saying That As delon johnson is doing
a perfectly fine job handling, that responsibility but when push comes,
to shove you're gonna need more guys to be able to,
do that especially in the potential. Playoff context so point guard.

Speaker 1 (15:24):
Play playmaking what about Like A trey jones? For, them
yeah that'd. Be FUN like.

Speaker 3 (15:31):
I wouldn't i wouldn't hate someone who's like at a
lower what's the word quality of, point guard who, comes
in who doesn't really cost you, that much who is
underrated a, little bit but we'll just like find his
way THROUGH the dna of.

Speaker 1 (15:45):
The, team yeah that's a. Good show do you think.

Speaker 2 (15:48):
We have this from behind underscore ninety tray? For ad
what does that Solve? FOR atlanta i don't love The
Ad jllen johnson. Front, COURT no i, mean, yeah.

Speaker 3 (16:00):
NOW yeah i have nothing to say OTHER than i
agree that would be a.

Speaker 1 (16:07):
Weird, Fit yes do you.

Speaker 2 (16:10):
Think that there's any WAY and I honestly i think
this will be Blamed, on TREY but i think it's
also a Matter Of jalen. Johnson too is there any
way for those two to bring out to operate at their?
Peaks together because we've seen other co stars who are
great on the ball work off. Each OTHER but i
think what we've Seen from trey just thus far, the
shortcomings or at least looking at the time he spent

(16:33):
away from, the ball the sample size.

Speaker 1 (16:34):
Isn't there is it a? Willingness thing? Is it can
he just not be used? THAT way i.

Speaker 2 (16:38):
Don't know and Then With, JALEN johnson i just think
you have Too many there's a lot of the play
finishing stuff and quick decisions he can make when he's
away from, The BALL but i don't know if he's
even a good enough shooter, to, say well if you
take the ball out of his hands for x amount
of possessions x percentage of possessions per game that he's on,
THE floor, i say all this. HE'S shooting i want
forty plus percent from three on four attempts. Per game

(17:02):
under five per thirty six minutes is nothing for someone
who is going to play it in. His position And
so i'm just is it similar to THE concerns, I
have i guess are Less About trey, young singularly although
if You Believe jalen johnson's, just better and he's, better
defensively so that's the easier that the positional like the. Positional,
size sure it's similar to Palo and franz to where

(17:23):
you have to ask yourself can they bring out the
best in? One another and what's interesting IS that i
Think because Palow and franz can be interchangeable at both
ends and a lot, of respects you feel more confident about.
THOSE two i just want to see more. Of it
like It's Even. JALEN johnson I think i caught shit
from a. FEW people i might have said he was.
Injury PRONE if i, SAID that i apologize with misuse.

(17:44):
Of phrasing we just Haven't Seen jalen johnson do this
for an entire season of where he was one in
a big role because you look at like how little
he was playing to open up his time IN, the
nba and in the past two seasons we've just seen
like his availability cut short for. Whatever Reason so i'm,
not saying so You Hate jalen johnson is what we.
Can conclude i'm just saying we've we've yet To See

(18:06):
All Star jalen johnson play at more than fifty five
fifty six games.

Speaker 3 (18:09):
A time THAT'S all i. GET it i think that's perfectly.
REASONABLE skepticism i GET that i disagree, with it but
that's Also because i'm leaning into the optimism of it all.
With him but that doesn't mean that what you lay
out here is not something That the hawks in the
front office shouldn't have in the back of their minds,
as well because you're right if you can't find someone

(18:32):
to probably build around him as well in terms of
like you have to consider like where does he come
short in terms of his skill set and what type
of point guards can't he be.

Speaker 1 (18:43):
Paired, with yeah it's that's going to be a.

Speaker 3 (18:46):
DIFFICULT process i Agree that Trey and jalen are, not necessarily,
you know the most obvious, compatible pairing so then it
becomes a question of finding out who.

Speaker 2 (18:57):
It's also just this Version Of jalen johnson cat, and,
say well can he? Be competitive because you want to
have the ball in? His hand SO there i would
would you say that this is a good problem that,
they HAVE though i know a lot of people are
pinning it Negative and i'm kind of looking at IT
as i have, some concerns but this is like a
really good problem. TO HAVE i i agree our next
team more Is The. MILWAUKEE bucks, I look i've tried,

(19:22):
to stay we'll dig into maybe some less. Cliche STUFF
but i think the question is what is going On, With,
giannis like how does? This end and if you're not gonna,
move him are you selling? Him now especially that he's
dealing with the. Cash strain is this a gap year
situation or if you're actively trying to? Get better what

(19:44):
is it this team needs around him to be a?
Viable threat, and Look to, jannis's credit they're a plus
eight point five per one hundred possessions when he's on.
The court, the offense it's actually been Okay When Kevin
porter junior's played, without him but that sample is. SO
small kpj looks good since. COMING back I think i
lean more towards they need to get someone else who

(20:06):
can generate shots if you want to continue building this Thing,
WITH jannis i just, don't know given not the state
of the rumor mill, right now but how it's.

Speaker 1 (20:15):
Been since this.

Speaker 2 (20:16):
Past offseason if You're, THE bucks i don't know how
you talk yourself into anything other than we need to
if you want to keep, You honest since can we
sell you on a?

Speaker 1 (20:24):
Gap year we'll get a.

Speaker 2 (20:25):
High pick it'll either be our own Of, the pelicans
and then we can revisit trade scenarios over the off
season or just recalibrate our direction over. The, OFFSEASON yeah,
i mean they don't have any more bullets left in
the chamber other than that than.

Speaker 3 (20:39):
Just waiting that is what. They've done they've they've exhausted
everything in order.

Speaker 1 (20:45):
They have but they have A first they could trade first.

Speaker 2 (20:49):
ROUND equity i don't think, they, should right but that
was sudden that, opened, UP right i mean that wasn't
something that.

Speaker 1 (20:56):
Was, available no.

Speaker 2 (20:59):
They couldn't trade twenty three two. Last year they could
trade it, In, right, Yeah exactly so, like yes new
pick will be opened up for it's look at.

Speaker 3 (21:09):
That roster look that it's that it's a direct result
of them making these short term decisions over and over and.

Speaker 1 (21:16):
Over again after winning, The CHAMPIONSHIP.

Speaker 3 (21:19):
Like, I know box fans are going to come in, and,
say well, context matters and like, this scenario. This scenario
look at the end of, the day this franchise made
a bunch of. Bad decisions, it happens it has like whoa.

Speaker 1 (21:33):
What what is what are you Faulting the bucks for doing?

Speaker 3 (21:36):
Exactly, That well so for for first, AND foremost i
don't think even if he was, SOMEWHAT limited i don't
Think Trading chris Middleton For, kyle kuzma, generally speaking was
a pretty good idea AS good i also don't think
it's a smart idea if you Do have giannis in
your possession, to, say hey let's create five years of
having dead cap space because of waving And Stretching, damian

(21:59):
lillar because, YOU know I understand i understood, the Predicament
though i'm NOT saying i don't understand the predicament because
you know he was insured that that leaves you in
a really. Tough spot but instead of paying for that
for one year where you were going to be, without
him you're now going to pay having five years where
what is a twenty three million every. Single year it's

(22:20):
just overall, to me this hasn't been a roster that
was fitting of Someone of. Giannis's, stature like there's him
and we're not even sure who's the. Second, best well
this year We've Seen, ryan rawlins, you know evolve to
the POINT where i consider him the second, best player,
which also by, the way when you're then going out

(22:42):
and spending one hundred plus millions On mile turner and
he's not immediately the next best. PLAYER issues I just
i never liked the roster construction post. CHAMPIONSHIP whatsoever i
felt they came and They, hired doc they Hired. Darted
HAM it's i consider this team and absolute. SHIT show
i don't. TRUST them i don't trust their capability of

(23:04):
making trades that makes them better for the, long term
that makes them also by default more Attractive for giannis to.

Speaker 1 (23:12):
STAY put i just so you were against The Initial damian,
lillard trade, Then.

Speaker 3 (23:18):
NO so i know that that was exhausting a lot
of that and THAT'S why i mentioned afterwards the predicament
they found themselves in after. THAT injury i fully understand
That the dame thing was different to me because they
found someone who was at Least approaching gianni's level at
that point.

Speaker 1 (23:35):
In, Time right So.

Speaker 2 (23:36):
Then i'm just curious as, TO why i. DON'T know
i think the criticism for.

Speaker 1 (23:40):
This team is then. Being Overstated the doc. EYRE is,
I mean i don't want to like they clearly they've maybe.

Speaker 2 (23:46):
They've honestly the biggest criticism could be have they cow
toed too Much to Janice's whims if it's not Just even,
janie's allegiance but the whims of oh he's reevaluating his
future every. Five seconds it feels like my counter would
just Be. It's yannis how long? Is it like They
had kareem and then fifty sixty, years later whatever, it

(24:07):
was They. Get yannest that's probably what's going to happen again.
THIS year i ACTUALLY think i give. Them credit the
one MOVE that i looked at, AND like i just
thought it was awful in, REAL time i believe Was The,
kyle kuzma Like The chris, Middleton, STUFF.

Speaker 1 (24:19):
Oh i totally, get that And the.

Speaker 2 (24:22):
Dame thing it's easy to look at now the, waven
stretch NOT that i guess there were some people that
were on the fence about the initial Arrival. OF dame
i appreciated we all thought that's what they needed when
they made like that's what their offense could. HAVE needed
i think the only way that you could really fault
this front office is one you could look at and
say they haven't gotten. Enough traction maybe out of like

(24:42):
the draft picks they've been able. To use that would be,
there's that but it's also just then they should have
made the decision To move yannis sooner or been more
stubborn in some of their principles with, team building you
could say they should have, done that but you are
kind Of discounting yannis is a once in a generation
talent and if these are the, Steps, that, yeah again

(25:04):
the front office is there because you don't want to
make the excuse That Like lebron James And anthony davis
had control With The russell westbrook TRADE in la, way
back when the front office is there because they need to,
Run interference they need to keep expectations. In CHECK but
i also when it comes to someone who's actively looking.

Speaker 3 (25:20):
To leave if they did what they could To, KEEP
yonni i have under CONTRACT who i have. UNDER contract
i am not obligated AS an nba franchise to trade my.
Star PLAYER if i have him on under contract for
a couple of years, AT least i understand if he, IS.

Speaker 1 (25:40):
Like i want to get out, Of here i'm going
to make it a mess.

Speaker 3 (25:43):
For you but if you believe in, your vision if
you believe you can go out there and actually make,
some prudent smart moves just by having a spread of
patience and, DOING so i will also have to believe
that my, own superstar, you know will, Realize eventually, oh
shit they actually brought in GUYS who i can. Play

(26:04):
WITH perhaps i was just a little. Too Impatient now
i'm happy again because. We're winning Thank you bucks for
doing the. Right thing it's just the thing. You said
it just reacting on. A whim that's an issue.

Speaker 1 (26:18):
FOR me i.

Speaker 3 (26:18):
Wouldn't okay maybe THAT'S why i would also. GET fired
i would never run an organization. That way if my
star player WAS and i had him on a contract
for at least two or three years and he, was,
LIKE well i don't know if this is THE direction
i want to. Go in i'm, just like, tough shit
let me prove to you that.

Speaker 1 (26:33):
You're WRONG.

Speaker 2 (26:36):
And i guess that's where we DIFFER is I would
i would take that, stance personally AT least i would
like TO think i would have the goal to take.
That stance the, reality is especially with a y honest
even him soft launching his trade demand over the past
however many months if you date back to, the offseason
has been problematic enough if you're going to turn him
INTO a i don't think he'd ever quit on, the

(26:56):
team but just a mal content it's that's tough, to
DO and I think i.

Speaker 1 (27:02):
DON'T know i just don't they've.

Speaker 2 (27:04):
Made missteps i'm not trying to say they were perfect
and they handled all of. THIS ideally i just feel
like the hand they've like they've, made them. THEY'VE acted
i think the way that you would want a Team
with giannis to act is that they've never.

Speaker 1 (27:17):
Held back would like Look at Dame.

Speaker 2 (27:19):
In portland we Criticized the blazers a lot for half
measure after half measure after. Half Measure, the bucks for the,
most part seem like They've made they've sometimes been the,
wrong measures but they've tried to make the full, tilt
MEASURES and I guess i give them more credit.

Speaker 1 (27:33):
For that to end on the it all starts and Ends.

Speaker 2 (27:36):
WITH yiannis i don't think now it would be irresponsible
of them to make a move to try and upgrade
the roster while giving up first round Equity Any ryan
robbins if they wanted to move him when he's.

Speaker 1 (27:46):
TRADE eligible i think at this point it has to
be one of. Two things is they sit there, and, Say,
hey yannis this is going to be a.

Speaker 2 (27:53):
Gap year we'll get a high, draft pick and then
we will reevaluate over the summer our trade options with
that draft pick plus two more, it up we'd be
able to trade up the three first. Round picks or
maybe it's two first round picks and we're developing this player,
we draft or they just need to look at.

Speaker 1 (28:07):
Moving him there's no like and we all.

Speaker 2 (28:09):
Know how to with all The pushback i've provided to,
you more we all know how.

Speaker 1 (28:13):
This ends johannis is.

Speaker 2 (28:15):
Getting traded it's just are they gonna be able to
prolong it a little? Bit longer is it gonna happen by,
the deadline or is it gonna happen over the, off
season or does it happen in the middle of. NEXT
season i honestly don't know because of the way this
saga has. PLAYED out i do think there's. Something too
there is value at this point As the bucks to
where you could say we are ripping off the, band
aid is that it Feels like gianni's has been pushing

(28:36):
them to make the. Decision anyway this is the classic
case of neither side wants to break up with.

Speaker 1 (28:40):
The others you've probably reached the.

Speaker 2 (28:43):
Point As, the BUCKS but i would understand it if
you said they wouldn't just because of How anomalous giannis
is a player and an icon to.

Speaker 3 (28:49):
The franchise and they won a championship at the end of,
the day they wanted they won. A title, i mean
we can't sit here and say that in any way
this was a failed experiment or what they won a.

Speaker 2 (29:01):
FREAKING championship i this is poetic that you get this
team because It's your chicago you. F you poetic is
the word More your, chicago, bulls right.

Speaker 3 (29:12):
Thank you what to do with all the expiring contracts
is going to be my question here because they have
a ton. Of Them Vouch, Sack Collins kevin herder and
and See So, Kobe white Iodosumu And. Javon CARTER can
i just this is Not really. CHICAGO oriented I just
i want to bitch about this again because it. Annoys

(29:33):
me the one and forty percent extension. Limit rule it just,
it look it hits my ass in all the. Wrong
places because you do, something good you get a, guy
back two, guys here and to Assume One kobe white,
by negotiating and you're getting guys back at a price point,
that yes is. Team friendly that is what a. Team

(29:54):
is supposed to do when you're negotiating with free agents
and then your panel for not even being able to
extend them because of that extension limit when they're, your
guys you. Drafted them even, to me that is just
such a. Ridiculous rule Where the bulls here in this,
particular instance they are getting screwed over by doing what

(30:18):
they're supposed to, be doing getting a good deal. FOR
themselves i don't think This Benefits kobe White or iodos.
WHO either i don't think it benefits the team Because
obviously Kobe and iole they would love to be on,
you know longer term deals so they don't have to,
you know risk injuries.

Speaker 1 (30:35):
And whatnot so it's just.

Speaker 2 (30:40):
Underscore ninety in The Chat patrick williams, SHOULD stay I
don't this is kind Of like johanna's inquired About the
bulls and they weren't interested type Rumors Like patrick williams
is gonna Stay Because patrick williams can't, be.

Speaker 1 (30:54):
Moved right, so yeah that was just.

Speaker 3 (30:58):
My aside but all, the honestly if they had, Competent,
leadership dan they'd. Be interested because they have so many,
expiring contracts they, have draft they have their own. Draft
picks like if you had a really good managerial team
and an ownership who actually understood the concept OF, a
cba this would. Be intriguing the amount of possibilities that

(31:24):
are open For the bulls could be quite intoxicating to
ME if, i was, you know an adequate.

Speaker 1 (31:30):
General, manager.

Speaker 2 (31:33):
Yeah it's they're probably more likely to extend all of
these expiring contracts than they are to trade any. Of
them and, by THAT obviously I KNOW i Ow And
kobe white won't. Sign anything they'll Probably, extend vouch They'll
Extend kevin Herder And.

Speaker 1 (31:46):
Zach collins?

Speaker 2 (31:47):
Why not this is we know what they should do
because since starting six, and one they're twenty ninth, on
offense twenty fourth, on defense a whopping three And thirteen.

Speaker 1 (31:58):
Vouch Even Trey jones.

Speaker 2 (32:00):
Ottus bouzelis of course they've all cooled off in a.

Speaker 1 (32:02):
Big way they.

Speaker 2 (32:03):
Should be trading these guys for what value they can.
Get back and if long term money is, ACCOMPANY it
a companied, with that hopefully you've gotten draft compensation. For
it and this applies To the bulls might be getting
screwed in, these things but in, some ways because they're
not Good enough it's almost better for them that they
Can't Pay kobe white the max, right now because they
probably would and that's not going to set them up
to be in a.

Speaker 1 (32:22):
Good, Situation, Correct correct they should be looking. To move
there's nobody on. This roster i'm not looking.

Speaker 2 (32:30):
To move you could Say modest buzzellis deserves to, be
untouchable but we might have gotten ahead of our skis
with him.

Speaker 1 (32:35):
Last year at the start of, this year we need.

Speaker 2 (32:37):
To see i'm not looking to actively, trade him but
he's the closest you have Him Or. Josh giddey i'm
sure they view him as just and he's been one
of their more consistent players this year on the, offensive
end so you have to say that. For him they
should be looking to trade, everybody, though basically and they won't.
Do that AND that's i. Find them, you're right they could.
BE interesting i find them wholly unstimulating to talk about

(32:59):
because we know that gonna do nothing and just to
send deeper into the eleventh Circle of hell or whatever
they're in.

Speaker 1 (33:06):
RIGHT now, i agree should we, move on which would.

Speaker 2 (33:10):
Mean that our next team will a little spicier team
here this this team.

Speaker 1 (33:15):
Is Interesting The. Charlotte hornets more the.

Speaker 2 (33:18):
QUESTION is i kind of want to know how they're
gonna operate at, the deadline because Historically Under, JEFF peter
i say historically it's only been a. Few seasons they've
just taken, On salaries they've, traded guys, gotten PICKS and
i think they'll operate in the same, vein again except
you don't necessarily have Aside From, colin sexton JUST because
i Don't Think miles bridges really has any trade. VALUE

(33:39):
whatsoever i don't think that they have like the pieces to,
Do that AND so i find myself kind, of wondering
are we ever he's, injured again gonna get to see
what Like a, Lamello Ball Brandon miller conkin nipple cores
could look like over an extended period. Of time is
there something to the Reports that LaMelo? Was unhappy was
that more About the hornets soft launched their own sort.

(34:02):
Of trade you'll Gauge for, LaMelo HIMSELF because i, would
argue if any party in this is going to be
more frustrated than the other with, the situation it Should
be charlotte more So. THAN LaMelo i still Believe, in
LaMelo but we're just getting to a point when you
look at the sample of just Him And brandon miller
very low over the past two, plus seasons and now

(34:22):
You're Throwing conkin nipple.

Speaker 1 (34:24):
IN there i don't know what to make of.

Speaker 2 (34:26):
This team and so my question about their trade deadline
direction is do you think it's gonna mirror more of the,
level headed, conservative approach smart to be sure savvy that
they've Taken Under, jeff peterson or do you see the
POTENTIAL and i know we're talking about just one player
here for them to do something, more seismic spicier, this season.

Speaker 1 (34:48):
They SHOULD so i, hope so, Because well.

Speaker 2 (34:52):
I'm sorry what are you Getting For LaMelo ball that
you're saying you should or you at the point where
as well just Were it's zion level just trading for.

Speaker 1 (35:00):
Aspiring, CONTRACTS.

Speaker 3 (35:02):
Well i mean that is Not something i'm privy to
at this point because that depends on like the beauty
that is in the eye of the beholder at the
end of.

Speaker 1 (35:11):
The, Day, RIGHT so i was RUNNING an, nba team
they would get you.

Speaker 3 (35:14):
Would probably give up something a lot you Give, l
yeah you like you would have a Team Of Reed Shepherd,
LaMelo ball no one else and you'd just say go
two on five every.

Speaker 1 (35:26):
Single Game Jabari smith, junior too just to prove a point.
As well, all right? Thank?

Speaker 3 (35:31):
You yeah, UH no, I look I honestly i don't
care whether they get not care that's the. WRONG phrasing
i don't know whether they can get something more than
expiring contracts Out. Of lameto but at, This point I'm
just i'm not closing. The door That's how i'll. Phrase
it i'm not closing the door on. Any offer i'm

(35:52):
taking everything. Under consideration i'm bringing it back to the
rest of. My team i'm having meetings upon meetings, upon
Meetings and, i'm saying what are we going to? Do
here are we willing to just cut bait on this
guy who's like the former rook, gifty year who's The Former, all,
star this this? And that are we just fed up at?
This point and if the room, is, like yeah, we

(36:16):
are then go ahead and. Do IT i'll i won't, blame,
You CERTAINLY.

Speaker 2 (36:22):
I'm i think they get more than an expiring, contracts
Him but i'm just not trading him. Right now i'm,
holding out. Remaining patient And if, i'm them it's just
they have a lot. OF it, i mean Even T
jon salon starting to play a. Little better You Have,
brendon miller you Have Kan. KIN nipple i still Really like.
Leam McNeil you've gotten a lot More At ryan KULKBRENNER
than i would. Have predicted Same With, seon James Like,

(36:43):
MUSSA diabade i think for them it just needs to
be and they've done a good job of this buy.
And large i'm looking at repeating my past two or
three trade deadlines or whatever. It's been what is the
money we could. Send out maybe we're taking back a
less desirable contract and it's attached to draft compensation To.
Revisit boston it's if we Sent Them. Collin sexton would

(37:04):
they attach Anything To? Anthony?

Speaker 1 (37:06):
Simons yeah they were smart the, Draft too they.

Speaker 3 (37:09):
DRAFTED WELL i, i look if they get any sort
of draft Equity for lametal and they keep their current,
trend GOING they i think they were three or four
In the.

Speaker 2 (37:21):
Are you completely out on? THE idea i know this
takes a level of patients that. Seems ubsecene at, this
point they're headed for top lottery, odds again and so it's,
Just Okay, Brendon Miller, conkin nipple another, High, Pick LaMelo
or at that point are you getting to this is
just too many cooks in, the kitchen of which were
being pulled in too many.

Speaker 1 (37:41):
Different directions well that's circle jerk motion.

Speaker 3 (37:45):
Over here yeah, you were and you enjoyed. It, too
look it's the injury thing. As, well like EVEN if,
I were i was willing to give this, A go.
I can't i can't go into a Season trust LaMelo
will play more than what five for.

Speaker 1 (38:01):
FORTY games i can't.

Speaker 3 (38:02):
Trust that, he's like let me just let me just look,
At it so forty, six games twenty, two games forty,
seven games and, then, like okay that's that's.

Speaker 1 (38:13):
JUST obscene i can't.

Speaker 3 (38:15):
TRUST that i can't and and AND if i go into,
A season i have to plan for. EIGHTY two i.
HAVE to i can't plan for. FORTY one i can't
plan for. THIRTY five i have to plan for. EIGHTY two.
I can't i can't do that. With him and he's
taking up a pretty substantial amount of, you know my.

Speaker 1 (38:32):
Cap Space if.

Speaker 3 (38:32):
I'm, The hornet, it's like what is that twenty eighty
five twenty four and a half percent, twenty four.

Speaker 1 (38:37):
Twenty, FIVE yeah.

Speaker 2 (38:38):
I mean he's on the fun unless you think that
he needs to be waived in stretched just.

Speaker 1 (38:43):
Stop, playing no, it's oh It's not.

Speaker 2 (38:45):
I'm agrea and also it's just how do you Plan
around Let's use conkinnipple as. THE example i think it's
a that's, not malpractice but like run more pick and
rolls With conk nipple trying to run the entire offense at,
this point he's at like two, per game and you
have You Have, trey mann You.

Speaker 1 (39:01):
Have LaMelo you need to dilute.

Speaker 2 (39:03):
That SOMEHOW now i would Gravitate, towards LaMelo might take
care of it himself by, missing time and you could
look At. MOVING sexton I think i do think there's something.
To it gets complicated to start developing all these hiring
youngsters if the guy around which you've so far structured
your franchise can't be relied upon to. Playing GAMES and
i don't think this Is a LaMelo doesn't want to

(39:23):
playersn't taking CARE of I think Charlotte and LaMelo seem
like they have actually tried everything and it's just not.
WORKING out i don't know what the answer, is, Here
though that's why it's. A question i think the one
DEFINITIVE thing i would, say is, to me from a franchise,
VALUE perspective i don't think it makes sense to move.

Speaker 1 (39:40):
Him now the offers.

Speaker 2 (39:41):
You're getting at, this moment even if he doesn't play
another game for, the season or if he doesn't, PLAY
well i don't think those are just gonna.

Speaker 1 (39:47):
Dissipate or get materially worse over.

Speaker 2 (39:50):
The SUMMER and i would like to see the rest of,
this season or at least post, trade deadline even if
he runs into the rookie wall or he's not as
Efficient Like, conkin nipple let's really see what he. Can
do is the stuff they basically run the offense, through
him it feels like without him actually being on the
ball as much as he. Could be And so i'd
like to just see more of that as we. Move
forward our next team up more Are Your. Brooklyn nets

(40:15):
what's your question?

Speaker 3 (40:16):
For, them so how do you survive going into a
first round where you have five, draft picks five first,
round picks and not getting more out of it than
what we've seen? Right, now basically can they survive whiffing
on an entire draft where they had.

Speaker 1 (40:35):
FIVE picks i know you're gonna.

Speaker 3 (40:37):
Push back you're, Gonna Say, Drank Powell, drake poullas come
join my Team Alongside reach Shepherd And labelo Ball And.
Jabari smith, That's. COOL dan I Like drake, POWELL too i,
see it but like to the point where it was
so many picks.

Speaker 1 (40:52):
And who they? Wived ON who i?

Speaker 3 (40:56):
Just, wish, OKAY okay i hear, You like whift is a,
big world but like out of that, grouping is does
anyone stand out to you as a, future, star which,
after all is the point of going into a draft
and going?

Speaker 1 (41:09):
On guy or are you thinking, process?

Speaker 2 (41:11):
Process process, WELL one I Think danny wolf is starting
to show signs and this is coming as someone WHO
is i was Not A danny. Wolf guy, Between Him
drake Powell And, YEGOR joeman i think you've gotten three
guys who, were intrigued and certainly two where were they
supposed to get a star with where?

Speaker 1 (41:29):
They DRAFTED oh i would have. TRADED up i would
have tried to. Trade, Up yeah i'm sure. They did
you think they sat there and did?

Speaker 3 (41:36):
Absolutely NOTHING so i might, be MISREMEMBERING but i do
think we heard something or read something about them preferring
to optimize the amount of first round, draft picks maybe
like you're talking out trades because they wanted to have
more guys on that. SALARY structure i just DO believe

(41:57):
i read something along those lines during.

Speaker 1 (41:59):
The Draft, who.

Speaker 2 (42:00):
Okay BUT i'm i would need to know the trade
opportunity they passed on to say that.

Speaker 3 (42:05):
They missed and, that's fair that. Is, Fair overall i'm.
Just Underwhelmed maybe i'm. Just Whelmed if i'm being in the.
POSITIVE light i just wonder where they go. FROM here
i wonder what's the jumping off point, or like what
are they going into the next season high? Off on
are they looking at this group of rupe? This, summer
yeah which. IS fair I just, i look this rebuilding

(42:29):
process is going to. Take, TIME absolutely i did think
that there would be more pisas in this draft class
for them. At Least so i'm just. WONDERING overall i
don't even know how to phrase. The question it's just
Are they are they still as optimistic about the future
as they were before? The draft is probably.

Speaker 2 (42:50):
MY Question, I mean i don't know why they should be,
more pessimistic JUST because i think you look at It
Like danny wolf is, an example just SOMEONE that i
wasn't high on. Coming in he's the three point shot
falling at the moment over forty four percent through his.
Last yep seems even seeing him like some kind of

(43:12):
hook shot. From him maybe you wish he finishes at
the basket a little. Bit, Better, Sure Jager, Joe man
i've Actually been he's. Been more he has more functional
FLEXIBILITY than. I anticipated you KNOW how i Feel About.
DRAKE powell i think that that dude is going to
be a good three and d. Plus guy what more
did you in a draft class that many?

Speaker 1 (43:28):
Agree like it?

Speaker 2 (43:30):
Was good it, was good but Where like i'm just
where you're mad that They took Zarah For.

Speaker 1 (43:36):
NOLAN trey i.

Speaker 3 (43:37):
Just, can't YEAH so i can't list every. Single name but,
but AGAIN like, i thought at every single turn that
they had, TO pick i would have gone in like
a plethora of different directions at every. Single TURN and i, Was,
Like okay i'm keeping an, open mind like there could
be something really. GOOD here i Will Say, drake powell

(44:00):
given that he's how he's looked, Right now i'm open
to the idea that that is a very good like.
DRAFT slot i, Don't, KNOW dan i, just OVERALL when
i watched this team, Play on. I'm struggling i'm really
struggling to see like the. The upside you're way bit
like you're way bigger off an optimist on this TEAM than.
I AM and i appreciate THAT because i got it's

(44:24):
it's looking like it's such a, long process.

Speaker 2 (44:28):
WHICH is i, mean yeah my response that would just
kind of, be, like, no, no shit it's a. Long
process look at the start it's they were coming from.
SO right i find this more of an inserting question.
For them how are they gonna use their? Cap space
they've got fifteen point three million leading into the.

Speaker 1 (44:42):
Trade deadline i'm assuming they're gonna facilitate a.

Speaker 2 (44:45):
FEW moves I JUST i'm i do you think it's
gonna end up being something that's bigger or were gonna
be broken up into? Multiple legs? Was WHAT and i
guess they could. Do it they could do both because
they have salaries. To move who is the this is,
what's interesting who's the most likely player to be traded on?

Speaker 3 (45:02):
THIS team i think, they're considered like if there's interest,
FOR it i wouldn't be surprised if they're very keen
on double Dipping With Michael porter junior by getting, you
know getting a draft pick for taking, him on and
then now because he's playing the way that, he is
getting a draft pick for him specifically in. A, trade

(45:24):
now given his, salary structure that's probably not the cleanest
trade to make because he's earning. That MUCH so i
find that more likely to be an, offseason thing. If, Anything,
so yeah to answer your specific question of how they're
going to split, IT up i would imagine that they
would be willing to go in the multitude, different directions

(45:46):
like if they can get assets in some capacity of
spreading of, you know spreading up the cap space into
two bits and absorb something.

Speaker 1 (45:55):
From. THERE cool i THINK that i.

Speaker 2 (46:00):
Feel like that's what, they'll do JUST because i don't
know what's the team that's coming, in with like the
one like bit like we need to Dumple, maybe boston
like we're gonna compensate you to soak up twelve plus
million dollars. In SALARY and i also don't know what's
the bad contract out there that a team would because
you could Point To paul George or Jowell and bee
can they work out, something there like With, the sixers
Do Something paul George For Michael. Porter junior what are

(46:24):
they attaching To that you're only really saving, a year
Right because porter has one More And paul george has
two after. This ONE so i don't know what the
level of compensation would, be THERE but i agree with
you that it'll probably end up being something on the. Smaller,
end Yeah The indiana pacers are my TEAM and i
have two full questions.

Speaker 1 (46:42):
For them let's start with the.

Speaker 2 (46:43):
Cliche one do they have to render a Verdict On
benedic matherrin before this, trade deadline knowing that he's headed into?
Restrict agency or do you think because of HOW the rfa,
market is they don't have to worry about him standing
out this year when it comes to grappling with his next, price.

Speaker 3 (47:01):
Point He's again we're coming back to this thing we
talked about in Regards To jason. Satum earlier we don't
know how anyone is going to look post, You Know
Achilles tear in Terms Of. Tyres haliburton here's a Guy In.
Benedict matherin he's not, a playmaker but we damn well
know rather that he.

Speaker 1 (47:22):
Can score we.

Speaker 3 (47:23):
Know this we know he can get to the free,
throw line we know he, can rebound we know that
there's a certain baseline you can expect out of him every.
Single NIGHT do i lean into that and go at
least we have some sort of knowledge about, this player
and that makes it worth it for us to go
into unrestricted free, or sorry restricted free agency and try

(47:43):
to get. Him back OR do i go because he's
a bit of a. Known commodity let him go out
to the trade market and SEE whatever i can. Squeeze
OUT but i would also be fearful THAT if i
do move Him and halle is coming back, Next year
i'm looking at a Situation where i'm putting him in
such a rough spot because he's coming off and a kill,

(48:04):
his Tear and i'm probably gonna, Ask, him, hey no
we Don't have ben to. Mathin anymore can you come
in immediately in?

Speaker 1 (48:10):
Average? Thirty please. Thank YOU.

Speaker 3 (48:14):
It's i would like that buffer of having a guy
who can just go in and get you a Bucket
as hallie like slowly gets back, into.

Speaker 2 (48:22):
FORM which I think i'd probably agree, with YOU because
i don't know what the what's the team that's coming
in and bowling you over With A benedic. MATHERN offer
i would probably just wait it OUT. Until rfa my
more intriguing question for them would be should they be
in the market to get a center or big that
they think can be on the roster this past season
or are you not doing anything to plan around the

(48:45):
future until one you know where your draft? Pick, is
yeah To, What haliburton because if you're waiting to See
what haliburton is gonna look like you're not making any
big time decisions until the middle of.

Speaker 1 (48:55):
Next, year.

Speaker 3 (48:57):
YEAH right, i MEAN if i win the lottery And
and i'm looking At It, darren peterson, for example then
that's my that's my my my. Primary Focus then hallie
even becomes my. Secondary, Focus, honestly, SO no i wouldn't
go out and do anything. Quite, yet, Also shot, I'm,
Sorry yeah.

Speaker 2 (49:18):
Halle becomes your secondary focus if you win.

Speaker 1 (49:21):
The, lottery.

Speaker 3 (49:23):
Again we don't know how he's it's an. Achilles tear
that wouldn't.

Speaker 1 (49:28):
Just right but so you're you've now if you're, doing
that that Does mean i'm writing. Him, off, no, No
no if you're saying that he's your, secondary focus that.

Speaker 3 (49:38):
Doesn't mean that's that's a. Big, thing hey you're my
secondary focus ON an. Nba team that Means That i'm
i'm still, Considering you i'm still having you in. My
plans i'm. Still there i'm, not, saying oh you're no
longer the. Team leader i'm saying that we have to
know for certain like what is. Going on so That
means i'm going to make my initial MOVE if i win,

(49:59):
the lottery that Is Drafting darren peterson, for example, and,
saying okay this, right now as of, right now we
know there's a known, commodity here again depending on if
it delivers to the point, of expectation and THAT'S when
i basically say that's that's going to be. My Primary
if halle then comes, back, plays, well okay we can

(50:19):
shift our focus Back, to halle but we don't. Know
yet it's probably gonna be a year and a. Half
total that's what we. Always hear you know that there's,
the year the full year of, coming back and then
it takes about half a season if, not more to
really get into the hang of. Things again so it's
just such a devastating INJURY that i can't sit here

(50:41):
And say i'm going.

Speaker 1 (50:42):
To put my eggs In The tyres. HALIBURTON basket.

Speaker 2 (50:46):
I think that is a wild take to Have that
you say you would shift, your focus because that entails
you would then Be Trading pascal siakam if this number
one overall pick is becoming your, primary focus and to
say that without Knowing what haliburton, looks like if you
want to go into it with an, open mind and now,
it's oh we have this potential out or this Reorient

(51:08):
tram pascal, IMMEDIATELY though.

Speaker 1 (51:12):
I then.

Speaker 2 (51:13):
I don't i think what you're saying is at war
with itself because you can't you can't say the number
one overall pick is the primary focus of the franchise
and then say we're Gonna Have pascal Siakam and halliburton
like we're gonna like they're.

Speaker 1 (51:27):
The Competent The dallas Mavericks Trade anthony davis after They
Got cooper flas is your idea of a well run
Franchise The.

Speaker 3 (51:35):
Dallas mavericks, all right see now, That's fair but you
KNOW what i, mean though in terms of we've seen
so many times it seemed getting the number one pick
and they've still had veterans at their disposal they figure
out something over the course of like a two, year,
period right and then they, Figure, out okay what timeline are.
WE on i am just saying it, would be in,
my opinion irresponsible to go into this thing, and, say,

(51:58):
oh yeah we Expect tyrese alburton to come back and be,
you know his. Lovely self we all hope so obviously we.
Hope so but, TO me i would feel that it's
just putting all of my eggs in one basket that is.

Speaker 1 (52:13):
EXTREMELY uncertain.

Speaker 2 (52:16):
I think, if that if, you're again if you're going
in it as a do or, die perspective that they're
just counting on that and they were gonna do something
reckless like trade that. Draft, pick SURE but i don't
think you can go into next season Not viewing haliburton
AS plan a and then looking to pivot away from
that if.

Speaker 1 (52:33):
He's not this is all to say you're not telling
a different. Spot, there.

Speaker 3 (52:40):
Again depending on depending one Star and, peterson specifically he's.

Speaker 1 (52:44):
The guy. FOR me.

Speaker 2 (52:46):
I just haliburton is a, known quantity just led you
to back to back, conference FINALS and, i, actually yeah
that's like subscribe to they. DO that i don't know
what he's gonna, look like especially with the way That
the pacers want. To play but to say you're going
to do pivot away from him before, him play.

Speaker 3 (53:03):
HE'S insane i guess that's. A pivot i guess that's.
A Pivot but i'm not like Saying that i'm. Excluding
him there's. A difference i'm SAYING that i have to
go into what is healthy, and LIKE if i have
the number one pig and it's a GUY who i
consider a franchise, ALTERING player i would be absolute foolish, to, say,

(53:23):
Oh Hey, darren peterson We'll be we'll be back to
you in about a year and. A half THAT'S just
i can't go into a new situation.

Speaker 1 (53:31):
Like that.

Speaker 2 (53:33):
So you're not touching this roster and you don't think
they need to look at a big of the future
or at.

Speaker 3 (53:38):
Least waiting they have like a, huffs sir how dare
you he's leaving the league?

Speaker 1 (53:41):
In blocks what if the other in? Eighteen minutes the
OTHER question.

Speaker 2 (53:45):
I have I'm sure pacers fans probably tuned out because, they're, like,
oh look the two questions that all the national guys.

Speaker 1 (53:49):
Talk about is it.

Speaker 2 (53:51):
Time, to like especially if you're kind of in on
the Idea. Of Mathrin Where's jaris walker fit on? This
team he shot better from three. OF late i don't like.
Him defense all THE things i thought he was going
to be, bad at he's. Good at all THE things
i thought he was going to be, good at he's.
BAD at i JUST don't i don't know what his
future is on. This team And now i'm kind, of

(54:11):
wondering this is, year three do you kind of what
if you could do Something Like walker Toppin Or walker
jackson and a twenty twenty seven first round pick For A.

Speaker 3 (54:21):
Vita, zubats okay so you get an in prime center?

Speaker 1 (54:29):
Right, now.

Speaker 3 (54:32):
Yeah trying to look at the upside here interest in
terms LIKE because i do See if hallie does get
back and, he's Himself.

Speaker 1 (54:41):
Notably ja huff is still on, The roster so exactly that's.

Speaker 3 (54:46):
Not bad that is not Bad because i'm also beginning
to be a little bit, not Out But i'm i'm
very Worried About jeris walker at. THIS point i SPOKE
to i spoke with, oh god. It's late why WHY
am i completely whiffing on the? NAME here i Spoke With.
Rick carlisle there we go head coach, of sir it

(55:11):
is one AM and i. Am, tired carlisle, of course
and he was saying he was so impressed with this
was last, season though But, in january so almost a,
year ago but he was saying he was so Impressed
with jarris's transition to three instead of. The four and
when he, said that it, WAS like, I mean I
obviously i'm not going to push back ON an nba

(55:32):
coach because, you know he's forgotten more about basketball in
THE time i asked the Question that i've.

Speaker 1 (55:36):
Ever known but it's not.

Speaker 3 (55:39):
A he he to me was, always like, you know
somewhat of a PURE for i saw him as sort
of like New Era paul millsap and him just running
around in the perimeter is Something that i've generally been.
OPPOSED to i thought you needed to have him closer
to the basket in the initial years and then he

(55:59):
could sort of slowly you would level up to the
point where he could be more of a. Floor spacer
but as of, right now it's, year three he's been giving.
An opportunity he's playing twenty six minutes per game and
he's just not. Converting shots he's it's been it's been.
A mess let's just be real. About it it's been a.
Freaking MESS so. I am i am not out on.
THAT deal i that is one of the few ONES

(56:20):
where i could see the logic.

Speaker 1 (56:22):
In, it yes they're in a. TRICKY spot i expect
them to, do nothing but that was who thought we
were gonna have a huge disagreement. Over them we.

Speaker 2 (56:28):
Are onto to wrap up With Your. Washington WIZARDS but
i already know what your question is going.

Speaker 1 (56:34):
To be, more so there. It is it's. On screen
if you would care to read it to the folks.

Speaker 3 (56:38):
At home, Thank you, thank. YOU sir i appreciate the last.
MINUTE trow I will i will read IT because i will.

Speaker 1 (56:47):
OWN it i.

Speaker 3 (56:48):
Was wrong the, question, is well cam Wickmore Win Most,
improved player and he. Will not, nor well there's a
last season left to. Play, More listen i'm gonna. Double
down i'm gonna double down and make myself even more of.
An Ass tias jones also won't Win six man Of.

Speaker 1 (57:04):
The year oh?

Speaker 2 (57:05):
YOU picked i thought? You picked, oh no that wasn't you?
Someone Else.

Speaker 1 (57:09):
Tias, jones yeah, that's, yeah.

Speaker 3 (57:14):
Yeah that's the awards predictions has they've been especially rough
on me this year. Especially, rough, no, no sir he
will Not Win Most. Improved players he will not Even
win Most improved player on his. Own team he.

Speaker 2 (57:30):
Will not even Win most improved practice, participant, apparently.

Speaker 3 (57:33):
Right oh, Boy no but so obviously the question is
in regards to, the, bets RIGHT? C, J, chris like.

Speaker 1 (57:43):
Are they going to pivot off of them? Mid season? Can?

Speaker 3 (57:46):
They like are they earning a Lot of they're earning
both of them are earning a lot. Of money are
they earning too much to a point where other teams?
Are interested, we'll see but that's probably going to be my.
Big questions, And, Also dan i'm not even in a
Rush if I'm if i'm Not, The wizards.

Speaker 1 (58:03):
I'm not you just have all this cap. Space comment
you don't need to be in a rush.

Speaker 3 (58:06):
For Sure right, AND frankly i like the idea Of
Having chris MIDLETON. And cg McCollum there for, you know
an even longer stretch for the entirety of the season
rather because these are quality locker. ROOM guys i know
the record doesn't, reflect ANYTHING but i trust those two
guys to at least bring out something in. YOUNG players i.

Speaker 1 (58:29):
Don't disagree with you when it COMES. To.

Speaker 2 (58:32):
CJ McCollum I and i'm probably inconsistent.

Speaker 1 (58:35):
On this it cuts like one of. Two ways how
do you feel ABOUT.

Speaker 2 (58:39):
What cj McCollum's usage is going to be, Knowing, that
okay yes he's averaging three point four us is, per
game but he's not necessarily known as someone's gonna elevate everyone,
around him so he serves. As this i'm looking more
so with the second half of, the year where, it's
okay he's this defensive magnet to When If trey johnson's
available and you want to see him generate more of.

Speaker 1 (58:56):
THE.

Speaker 2 (58:57):
Offense cg mccomban theory could help because the even gravitates towards.

Speaker 1 (59:00):
Him first but one how often do you want to
play those? Two TOGETHER?

Speaker 2 (59:03):
Is cj also can he uplift players around him by
having the ball so much in, His hands so it's
kind of a splitting.

Speaker 1 (59:10):
HAIRS thing i agree the high character is a.

Speaker 2 (59:13):
Big deal could the high character translate to a role
in which he has scaled.

Speaker 1 (59:19):
Down on a team that is?

Speaker 2 (59:20):
Going nowhere because the fact that he has a prominent
role on THIS team i think probably plays into the
way that he is approaching, it again high, character GUY
and i think Having him middleton in the locker room.
Is good i'm also, thinking, like well at, some point
maybe you want to plumb the depths of this a little,
bit more or of some of the younger guys a
little bit more Like The, keyshawn George The trey johnson

(59:42):
for the two and Then Even, bub CARRINGTON who i
think you know he's been asked to shape shift. A
lot do you want to try different Things With? ALEX
sar i do think one thing they could do to
maybe get the best of, both WORLDS but i don't
know how feasible, it is is what if they just
traded for like an actual, fl general just like someone
who could organize.

Speaker 1 (01:00:02):
The offense they don't have. THAT right i would.

Speaker 3 (01:00:05):
LOVE that i would love that because, last YEAR and
i actually don't want to loop in this year because
he's only.

Speaker 1 (01:00:11):
Played Sixteen Games.

Speaker 3 (01:00:12):
Alex ar last year there was a major issue guards
or just primary playmakers would just Frequently. Ignore sar, you
know when he had, lob opportunities when he was just
close to. The basket it's not it, wasn't intentional it
was just, you know it Was bub carrington for the,
most part, you know a rookie himself who just didn't

(01:00:33):
really have his head up the floor and was able
to spot that to the extent that. He did but
it just became a bit weird that it was just
this theme all, the time like nothing was really corrected
over the course of.

Speaker 1 (01:00:44):
THE year i firmly Believe THAT.

Speaker 3 (01:00:47):
Alex sr, you know probably suffered a loss of like
a four point scoring average per game last year because
guys just did not fucking see him and major major issue.
This year sixteen, games in he's for him, at, least
uh we're seeing, more scoring we're seeing him getting the

(01:01:07):
ball a little bit more in, those spots but there
are still that's there's still that issue that he can
be a lob threat and that ball is just not
being passed over. The TOP so i think it would
behoove them to bring in someone who's like a true.
Point guard you Brought Up trey jones a couple of
times for. Other teams that's an interesting PLAYER who i
wouldn't hate see there under, THAT prism i think that.

Speaker 2 (01:01:31):
You WOULD love i know he's injured and you probably
the give up stuff. The game Scotti, pip oh.

Speaker 3 (01:01:36):
That's, good, yes yes young enough to also join in
on you know. Them well The trade jones is, as well, but,
LIKE yes i agree, with you that's a.

Speaker 1 (01:01:44):
Good one THE other i caught shit for.

Speaker 2 (01:01:46):
THIS one i was trying to name players where it's
you don't have to give up much or anything and.
They fit do you want a younger GUY like, I Said,
tyler kohlik who is the best passer On, the knicks
but he has all sorts of, flaws right And the,
wizards Fans some wizards fans, were MAD and i was,
just like we need to recognize Where the wizards. Are
apt they're not going to go out there and trade
for like give up first round picks to go, get

(01:02:07):
somebody is.

Speaker 3 (01:02:07):
My point but can what like what is the deal
For for tyler calling.

Speaker 1 (01:02:11):
Though he has?

Speaker 2 (01:02:12):
Two years it's. Basically nothing it's it's under, No sorry,
i'm sorry what's the trade you? Take him Because the
knicks want to cut money beneath this this like he
fits into, An exception like it's Just the knicks might
even give you a second round pick at this point to.

Speaker 1 (01:02:25):
Do it he's been playing a little, bit more but.
They don't they.

Speaker 2 (01:02:27):
Clearly don't or maybe it's you Took On pocom dattier
as Well As.

Speaker 1 (01:02:31):
Tyler cole That's just.

Speaker 2 (01:02:32):
I'm saying because they're not going to do anything that's
super like a, Consolidation trade i'm just either take a
flyer OR like, I said i would Definitely Go trey
jones if you had to give up some seconds, For
Him Scottie. Pippen jr if, He's healthy i'd probably give
up some nasty Stuff For Scottie.

Speaker 1 (01:02:48):
Pippen jr I'm not i'm not gonna, Lie THERE am?

Speaker 3 (01:02:50):
I wrong and also saying there is potentially solutions To
the alex sar not getting the ball problem and on
the roster, by, saying hey Just Play Charif.

Speaker 1 (01:03:00):
Cooper, MOORE ah i don't KNOW that i have given that.
ENOUGH thought i loved him.

Speaker 3 (01:03:10):
In college let's just put that one of the best playmakers.
In college put a lot of pressure on the rims.
As WELL like, i know, he's small six foot nothing
on a. GOOD day i loved the passing, Instincts though
but that's. That's fair like. That's fair he's only played.
TEN minutes i would if they give completely.

Speaker 2 (01:03:28):
Different positions but if they play him and aren't giving
a ton of Minutes To. JAMIR walkins i will probably riot,
against that.

Speaker 1 (01:03:35):
So, That's, fair yeah but THAT'S what i.

Speaker 2 (01:03:37):
Would be THEY'RE gonna i think they can facilitate salary
dumps because they are beneath the.

Speaker 1 (01:03:40):
LUXURY attacking i think. THEY will.

Speaker 2 (01:03:42):
I would i do think maybe it ends up being
a buyout, or SOMETHING but i do think it ONE.
Of cj McCollum Or chris middleton is gonna end up
being especially like when you Look, at middleton, It's well
riley's showing, Some stuff like do you look at Just
Moving cam whitmore at? This point are you ready to
bail out on him Or? The wizards do you still appreciate?
That flyer the, Fair fair there's so many different things they,

(01:04:05):
could DO but. I do i think the one thing
we're really in lockstep with is that it feels like
this team could benefit from more of a. Offensive organizer
it's just it's just tough because of the, spot there
and are you willing to give up stuff to get
that type of, A player and what is what is
the risk reward Profile of let's say they, get that
Whether It's, trey jones whether.

Speaker 1 (01:04:26):
It's whoever is there any?

Speaker 2 (01:04:28):
Downside, too well now we have kind of diminished someone
else's role who's more on our timeline Than A trey
jones or. A whoever so you, could say go out
and get one of the. Younger guys but unless you're
taking again a bottom of the barrel flyer On A,
tyler kohlik you might be giving up something substantial to
get a prompt like you're probably giving up something interesting

(01:04:49):
to Get A scottie pip.

Speaker 1 (01:04:50):
In junior if. He's, healthy yeah and he's not even.
Super young what? Is he? TWENTY seven i.

Speaker 2 (01:04:55):
Think, he's, younger right, twenty five? TWENTY six i mean
that's certainly. Young enough so, so yeah.

Speaker 3 (01:05:02):
That's, INTERESTING yeah i wouldn't go out and just sell.
The farm let's just he just turned. Twenty, five yeah?
Super young WHY did i think he was? SO old
i would, trade everything Give.

Speaker 1 (01:05:14):
Up alexar then just go go Get, to.

Speaker 3 (01:05:16):
God because we've heard about him for so. Many years
we were waiting for his arrival as well coming into. The,
league yeah.

Speaker 1 (01:05:23):
For sure.

Speaker 2 (01:05:23):
Uh there they are one of my favorite teams to
watch near the trade, deadline though BECAUSE they i think
are going to be important to making other deals work
or other team's visions. Actually actualizing do you have anything else?

Speaker 1 (01:05:35):
ON this.

Speaker 2 (01:05:35):
I don't why don't you tell our audience where they
could find you in all the great work that.

Speaker 1 (01:05:40):
You do two and a half, Hours, LATER yeah i
appreciate that you can find my work Over At.

Speaker 3 (01:05:46):
Yahoo sports you can listen TO the, nba podcast and
if You speak danish you can Listen to Bus, or
beater or catch Me calling KAMES on Hbo.

Speaker 2 (01:05:57):
Mex until, next time and, as always do all the things, rate,
review subscribe hype.

Speaker 1 (01:06:02):
Points comments we went two and a half hours On The.

Speaker 2 (01:06:04):
Eastern Conference the west will be up at, some point
probably even live. As, well finally shout out to, the one,
the only. The indelible, he, also unfortunately will not be
winning The NBA's Most Improved, player award even though maybe,
he Should Mister Frank nila keina