parfait

So, when the game is on the line, you give the ball to Collins to take over, the same as a Tatum or a Mitchell? I think that’s the barometer for a max deal.

Thanks for all the info @NBASupes. Sorry, who is TT?

I agree. I think it'll be in the $20-$25 million per year range for Hayward. Hardly breaking the bank, for a well above average starter in his prime.

Pacers gotta clear cap space, deal with Oladipo, and figure out where Hayward would play in relation to Oladipo and Warren. It's a lot more seamless with Atlanta. But, we have been jilted at the altar before, so there's that.

Then that's free entertainment for you too. See, there's something for everyone, lol.

I may not be in the biz, but my understanding is that the majority of leaks come from the league office and from agents, rather than from front offices. I believe @NBASupes connection is in the first category.

I actually agree with you, fundamentally-speaking. But I believe that this does not matter in this context, since there is no money being charged, there is no official business being carried out, nor any sort of certification or licensing being claimed. This is all being done in a sports entertainment context. So one can individually decide if the information provided by @NBASupes and @thecampster is worth their time and attention, or not. I believe that the vast majority of squawkers feel that it is, and I for one am thankful for it, especially at the trade deadline and during the draft and free agency.

Pretty strong words. Admittedly it's hard for us rank-and-file Hawks fans to verify @NBASupes info as being Inside Stuff. But it is equally hard for you or anyone to prove that it isn't. So with those realities in place, why choose the path of mean-spiritedness, especially in the context of a fun, festive message board?

Agreed. He's had legit info. And it's a helluva lotta fun. Oh, and it's certainly preferable to the diesel-puter!

@NBASupes does this Chris Paul trade KILL the 5 team deal? Or are there attempts underway to modify it to a 4 team swap?

Yeah, I agree. All analysts describe this as a flat draft, with one of the plateaus being from 4 to 20 of the first round. Everyone is trying to trade down. If we get two players, such as Vassell, Maxey, or Cole at 13 and 17, you can't tell me players like Haliburton, Avdija, and Okorro clearly more talented than them. Heck the way the board is playing out, theoretically, right now, both Okorro and Hayes could slide outside of the top 10 and be within reach.

The other clue I remember @NBASupes giving about the Megatrade was that we would be acquiring a "playmaker." Does Lavine or even Siakam qualify for this label? Could this point towards B. Simmons once again? My brain is short-circuiting!

Hey @NBASupes you mentioned that there were no picks being sent out in the megatrade. Did you say if there were any picks coming to Atlanta in the deal?

My interpretation of @NBASupes' clues is that Collins is NOT part of the mega-trade. And he also emphasized that Oladipo just doesn't have the trade value to bring back a blockbuster return. I think that statement also confirms that Collins is not a part of it. Add the part where @thecampster said that we would be "surprised" as to how much teams are planning for 2021, I would thus like to interpret that we will be getting a relatively premium talent, perhaps with a big contract, without giving up commensurate value. Also, we're trading back from #6 in order to preserve some salary cap space. And remember also, @NBASupes reply to the question of whether he liked this trade for Atlanta was "Hell yeah!" So, based on all of that, I would say that we are giving up Dedmon and some additional filler, for something like Siakam, primarily in order to allow Toronto to clear space for Giannis next year. Man, this is requiring some next-level tea-leaf-reading!

Hey, @NBASupes thanks so much for the info. But I have to ask, when you say things like "megatrade" and "prepare to be shocked," are you embellishing just a bit just to play with us. I believe in the info that you get from your sources, but if they end up trading Dedmon's expiring contract for a middling veteran backup, it definitely won't rise to the level of the words you've been using. You're not playing when you use those terms, are you? Also, to reiterate a question asked earlier, does it look like the trade will be announced tomorrow?

If we work off of this list, perhaps Anonoby from Toronto, or Levert or Dinwiddie from Brooklyn? It’s definitely not THJ from Dallas!!

Hey @NBASupesand @thecampster, it's been pretty quiet lately. Is it the calm before the storm, or are you both under gag orders from your sources as we get closer to crunch time?

No. It will not be salary wise possible. If he opts out, yes. I am pretty sure there is a number his agent and the Hawks are targeting. I just wouldn't know what that is nor could I get it. We probably won't know that information till signings start. THIS WAS @NBASupes TO DOING THE MEGATRADE WITH A HAYWARD OPT OUT VS OPT IN. I TOOK THIS AS MEANING WE COULD DO THE MEGATRADE IF HAYWARD OPTS OUT AND WE SIGN HIM. @NBASupes AMIRITE?

Nah, man, that was a direct quote from @NBASupes saying that we can't do the Megatrade if Hayward OPTS IN, but that we CAN do it if he OPTS OUT and we sign him to a new deal with a lower AAV.

So, Supes, you say if Hayward opts out and signs with us, then we can do Hayward AND the MegaTrade. And, Campster,you say we could get 2 veterans and subtract 2 rookie contracts. With those statements in mind, could the possible transactions be the following: 1) Hayward opts out and signs with us, say 4 years/$80 million. 2) Megatrade: (Collins?) + Dedmon OUT, (B. Wallace?) IN. 3) #6 and K. Huerter OUT, #2 (A, Edwards) and (T. Jerome?) IN 4) Sign S. Labissiere to a 4 year low salary contract. 5) This is me spitballing: How about Dario Saric for backup PF? The possibilities are intriguing at least. Thanks Supes and Campster for the fun speculating!

Supes, the 3 team trade, as you see its construction, do you like it for Atlanta?

Hopefully Nash wouldn't screw over his college backcourt mate like that.

I kind of agree with @marco102 I think Killian is big enough, and enough of a scorer, to play alongside Trae. Although, his spot up shooting numbers would need to improve.

Yeah, I think DraftTwitter, at least, buys the shooting from his high school/EYBL days. That's why DraftTwitter has Maxey generally in the 5-10 range, unlike the sourced draft projections.