theheroatl

There is a high chance we strike out on any sort of high level guard/forward which would be ashame. It’s gonna take a big negotiation effort on Travis part to get that peice because it won’t come easy whether convincing LaVine to leave money, choosing between Mitchell or Gobert but not both, or convincing Presti to give SGA away while still not affecting the ability to sign Ayton. We need certain things to make the next level and it would be an A level effort to get to the next level. that’s why I expect nothing major to happen because it takes an obnoxious gm like Morey to harass and berate other GMs into submission and I’m not sure Travis has that in him.

Sam Presti is vastly overrated. If your strategy is to stockpile picks by sending out talent then he wins. Until he wins a championship he is just another “process” guy. I would rate Masai up near the best because of his overall job including drafting FVV, Pascal, OG, and Scottie. Since he arrives Toronto hasn’t been in the dumpster. Bob Myers clearly learned a ton from Larry Riley so Travis is just trying to carry that torch but overall luck is needed. Whomever Orlando and Knicks have at any given time is probably a candidate for the worst.

It would be best to list the trade evidence to judge them hindsight. Travis doesn’t really lose trades he just makes balances ones. Can’t deny Sam Presti has a way of just going after picks. Not sure that is the goal in the NBA.

If we are trying for SGA then Ayton is out due to the 2 rookie max cap right? So not sure if I believe that one unless Aytons agent has said no to Atlanta

My main question with that rumor is why would a GM trust Rich Paul and take on Eric Bledsoe while subsequently rely on a 3rd party GM to be aligned/go along with Rich Paul’s supposed plan? Doesn’t it take one person at the end of the line to push the abort button? Does Schlenk have any history whatsoever with Rich Paul?

Are you serious on this rumor as in it came from a source? Just wondering what assets OKC wants for that much.

Ehh I’m not a fan how this thread goes off on tangents like the Al hate/love debate. Can we have a rumors/potential trade/signings thread?

So is Utah actually willing to trade Gobert?

I really hope Schlenk can grab some combination of OG, LaVine, Gobert, and/or Ayton. We gonna need some real firepower to keep up in the east if Mitchell comes over. Also, I doubt Kyrie gets shipped out. I think they try to run out Ben, Kyrie, and KD together next year.

The Celtics are not a model for not changing a team. If anything they show the importance of us improving our defense which is severely lacking, by either adding Gobert and/or a better defensive guard. Derrick White would have been the move for us at the deadline.

https://nba.nbcsports.com/2022/05/25/are-lavine-rumors-smoke-without-fire-report-says-teams-expect-him-to-re-sign-with-bulls/ This is the sort of blog post that the local beat writer posts before their hometown team gets jilted. To be honest, if Atlanta isn’t appealing to Zach he would probably force something to L.A.

I think a shooting guard that plays above the rim would be a valuable upgrade due to the slashing holes that Trae can create. Mitchell is a great player that should probably stay on the Jazz like Lillard has stayed with Portland. LaVine and Ayton on the Hawks next season is probably my top preference. It’s probably the best combination that can happen due to the ridiculous over 2 limitation on rookie max contracts per team as discussed here. Also, to add on… I’m always a hawks team guy first whether it’s Shareef, Josh, Joe, Mookie, Jeff, Kyle, Trae, John, Rasheed (LOL) or the many other faces of the franchise.

Exactly, I'm not attached to any particular player but I believe Trae is a superstar (yeah yeah debatable by main stream media). Fans need to decide whether they want to win or like players personally because many times that clashes. One thing is becoming clear.. we have some injury prone players.

Definitely reading the tea leaves that the FO wants that wing scorer/sg in the Klay mold. Got to be athletic and can score. That is an absolute priority so take your pick of the top of the targets and I'll be happy. Mitchell, Lavine, etc. The starting center has to be defensive minded and finish at the rim.

It’s amazing the confidence that some of you have in thinking that there are much higher ceilings for Cap, JC, Huerter, Bogi… maybe Hunter can get it together but he seems injury prone. It’s possible he can put it together like Kawhi but I’m not seeing the aggressiveness yet. You can develop your team sure but at the end of the day Milwaukee acquired Jrue Holiday to put them over the edge. Same with Jimmy Butler. Championship teams that acquired via trade or free agency multiple stars is the norm not the exception. Rarely did they develop average players into stars. And Bogi Cap Dre JC and Huerter are average players right now in my eyes. I don’t have the confidence in any of those to go out there and win a finals game if Trae goes out. Caps degrading finishing around the rim and lack of a jump hook is an issue for him moving forward. Once again for the back, we’re talking about championships not good seasons. Raptors got a good group together for their run via a lot of transactions. Siakam was the one that benefited from Lowry, Kawhi, Serge, and Marc coming in. I know some of y’all want to believe in the Pistons model but it rarely happens. We gotta be like Milwaukee and Toronto when they won and put it together for a championship. Or else maybe y’all don’t actually want a championship but would rather just see the good guys develop into good players and championship is not as important.

As much as running it back seems like a good idea based on a segment of last seasons games and the ECF season, we still are just trying to get a championship not just good records. We need stars plus Trae to get through the toughest ECF and Finals teams. RARELY do teams get the trophy without 2-3 stars (Giannis/Jrue, Bron/AD... etc). I will be disappointed in Schlenk if he doesn't get both of the stars needed next to Trae because he has enough assets to do so. A combination of these will do the job imo: Ayton/Lavine/Trae Gobert/Lavine/Trae AD/Lavine/Trae AD/Mitchell/Trae Gobert/Simmons/Trae AD/Simmons/Trae It's a given those teams would require luxury tax but that's what it's all about at this point now that we have a top 5 star (yes he is a top 5 star). And also Lavine and Gobert are stars btw so don't try and argue that.

LaVine and Gobert would work for me.. Obviously the forwards would have to be strong defensive vets not rookies paired with OO. OO seems like a great fit at PF if he stays slim and gets speed. The problem is you are needing him on screen rolls and I don’t view him as a powerful leaper.

I’m not sure the Nets will part with Simmons until after 22-23. Atlanta would have the best package for Gobert if the Jazz want it but I doubt Schlenk overpays. Same with Ayton. His trade grades have been pretty A & B level so far. Jazz probably won’t trade both stars and keep one or the other. More likely they keep Mitchell since the fan base is eating up the fodder that Gobert is the reason they can’t make it far in the playoffs. If the Gobert deal goes through I bet they try and get Bruce Brown or some defensive wing since Hunter would definitely be sent to Utah.

Solo needs to come back

Hunter is due for an extension so I don’t see him on the roster next year. I think Schlenk needs to swing for these guys using (in no particular order) the chips we have: Malcom Brogdon Donovan Mitchell Rudy Gobert DeAndre Ayton Zion (if he wants max and NO is forced to SNT) Any other primary targets out there that are feasible? (work via trade on and combo of JC Bogi Hunter Huerter) Also, I’m not talking about role players because we have some. I think Delon is signed on bird rights. I didn’t list Simmons because I think 1000% Sean marks will wait until 1-2 years of his nonsense before dumping him off for scrubs. Gallo I’m inclined they can’t find a partner and they waive and resign for the tax MLE

I could see the pick going for Ayton or Mitchell with 1-2 of our forwards/Capela

Ressler isn't paying the tax to run it back. Maybe resign Delon but Gallo is absolutely getting waived before July. JC, Hunter, Kev, and Bogi will be shopped aggressively for better or worse. Count on it.

If you run it back what’s the plan to get through Giannis? Let’s say Miami has an off year or has a letdown if they win the finals, Philly is now a treadmill team, and Celtics are a problem as well. We had issues scoring on the Celtics like everyone else. The Hawks need an absolute reliable star scoring option as the 2nd option to Trae plus upgrades defensively across the board. Knowing that.. it’s an absolute must to make trades if you don’t want another disappointment season.

My hope is that JC, Huerter, Bogi, Capela OR Hunter are used as major pieces to get 2 all stars. No sense in sending out those guys out on the floor next year again.

LOL Sorry man I forgot the Rookie contract max again