Packfill

Can the Pelicans afford Murray given they already have Zion. Ingram and CJ on big money deals (particularly since they would still need a center since Valancius is a free agent this off-season)? Seems like they would need to do something much more radical to fit Murray from a salary perspective.

I don't see why San Antonio would want to do a deal like this. Russell does not move the needle for them. They need to hold on for a real star to pair with Wemby. They have time.

Hunter's "health" is a defining part of his Hawks tenure. He can always be counted on to miss at least 15 games unfortunately. Last year's 67 games played will unfortunately remain his career high since he has already missed too many games this year to reach that level again.

Hawks seem to be showcasing Murray.

If the Hawks are not getting better offers than that is a reflection of his value - and unfortunately if this is the state of play no other teams value him like the Hawks did a year ago. His matador defense is not helping matters to be sure.

If Minny is unloading KAT because his $49m salary puts them over the second apron, would they want a package that includes guys like Murray ($25m) and OO ($14m) since that would not result in much of a cap savings? I guess they would not need to bring back Conley so is that where the savings comes from? If the Hawks don't get rid of other salaries would adding KAT but the Hawks into the tax too?

What is Orlando's rationale for starting someone like Caleb Houstan? They have better options.

I don't think the Hawks see Bufkin as a starter long term - more of a combo guard off the bench. Personally I have more hope of AJ emerging as a starting caliber 2 guard than Kobe.

I have to imagine the two 2024 draft picks Indy is giving up are "discounted" given that the draft is not considered to be very good.

I think if there is one thing Quinn got right it was giving playing time to JJ. Nate did not give JJ any playing time, but as soon as Quinn arrived JJ entered the rotation and those minutes he got last season have benefitted him now. That said, it is hard to understand why the player development is so uneven - OO and AJ have both seemingly regressed and none of this years draft picks are ready to play. My expectations for any 2024 draft picks (not even taking into account the fact that this is supposed to be a weak draft) making an impact next season are very, very low.

Obviously the production is different. My point was that the Hawks could do a lot better filling out their roster. I doubt Dallas was expecting Derrick Jones Jr. or Dante Exum to play big roles when the season started.

That is at best a lateral move in my opinion. Vuc is in steady decline and his 3-point shooting has not been league average for a couple years now. Pass.

Dallas is starting Derrick Jones Jr. a journeyman and, when he was healthy, giving rotational minutes to Dante Exum, who washed out of the NBA for a couple of years. Both are basically minimum salary guys like the Matthews.

No. Pacers have only one guy with size. They are smaller than the Hawks.

DJM also seems like a bad fit for the Knicks.

Knicks are 5-0 post OJ trade. They are going to add pieces not take away.

Plus the Knicks have such a dearth of big men then can't possibly trade one without getting another back in return.

Agree 100%. We either need a guy who can step-up like playoff Jamal Murray (and play at a super high and efficient level in the space created by Trae's gravity) or we need someone with enough gravity of their own to stop the focus on Trae.

Getting a championship is hard. Denver won last year because playoff Jamal Murray gives Denver two superstar scoring options in the playoffs (he has been exceptional in the two deep playoff runs this iteration of the Nuggets have had). Regular season Trae is way better than regular season Jamal Murray (and more durable to boot) but we can only hope playoff Trae plays at a level that Jamal Murray has in the playoffs. No doubt the chances of that would be improved by having another scoring option on the team that would prevent defenses from keying exclusively on him. So yes, the Hawks still need a Jokic - or at least someone who can be their playoff Jamal Murray. No easy task.

I like that trade for the Hawks but don't see the motivation to do anything like that for the other two teams. Net's lock up a roster with no true number 1 scorer and the Jazz trade away their only good player a package that does not present a clear near term opportunity to acquire a star (unless bottoming out for the 2025 draft is the point, and maybe it is).

Minny is in first place. I can't see them making a move to save money in-season. Maybe in the off-season, but not now.

I don't understand why the Knicks would want Dejounte. Even with OJ they need another big wing, not a smallish two guard.

At this point, it is it more likely they trade for help now or sell assets to get better in the future? I am not sure anymore.

If the Pels move Zion they need a power forward to replace him. Much like the Hawks, perhaps moreso, they have a dearth of big men.

I don't see why the Lakers or Knicks do those first two trades. Last trade makes sense for the Lakers but obviously is trash for the Hawks.