Dragitoff

He reminds me of a big Andre Roberson. That dude was a defensive savant but terrible shooter. This is worse than even he was. He worked because those Thunder teams he started for had some pretty elite offensive talent around him

I think point of attack defense and a true 7 footer should be our targets with our projected 2 FRP this year. Unfortunately, this is a weak draft, but if we're only trying to draft rotational players, I think we can find those. The problem is we don't know for sure who will be here next year. Is Trae or DJM gone? Is Capela or OO gone? While it's probable on both questions, knowing the direction of that could drastically impact that decision. If OO is your starting center, you desperately need a bigger backup center that is capable of playing now (most lilkely) because it's unlikely you keep Fernando as the primary backup behind OO. You'd likely get killed against bigger centers. Dunn is about as plug and play as you get defensively, but is also the poorest offensive wing defender we could have interest in.

To be fair, Gafford is younger and makes less than Capela. With Lively playing well as a rook, I think the ship had already sailed for Capela and the Mavs. I think there were other teams that would've made sense for Capela though.

Jones is a long, athletic defender that's hitting 40% of his 3's. If we are going to build around Trae, you need defenders with length that can hit open shots. With his creation skills, you'll get shots.

Makes you wonder if they'd push all their chips in because Zion is actually healthy. It might be one of their only opportunities to cash in on that. I was invited to a Pels game in a suite. It was Ja's return game and their crowd was rowdy. They showed up and showed out. They are a mid-market team that isn't a FA destination so just like ATL after that ECF run, you sometimes do questionable long-term things to cash in on the short-term. Sometimes they pan out. Sometimes they don't. Shoot your shot NO. Overpay for DJ and OO. I also question how the org views OO as the long-term plan at Center.

He's a big-bodied Center so he's not going to be good in space but has the frame to handle the few big centers that are today's NBA. He is averaging 1bpg so he's not a total non-factor there. He's putting up solid offensive numbers (14+ppg, 9+rpg, and shooting 34% from 3) in only 25mpg.

Going to be hard unless we get our pick back from San Antonio.

Negative

I think Bey might take the QO and try to recoup his value. Before his 3 point shot disappeared this year, someone might've given him $20+ million per season.

I love Alvarado's grit, but his size makes him strictly a Trae backup. I think NO likes him to play him next to CJ or DJ

Just heard him talking about it on B/R live. They've got some interesting pieces like Herb Jones, Troy Murphy and others that could be valuable. Jones is on a reasonable extension and Murphy still has another year left on rookie deal.

He wouldn't fit within our TPE, but what if we pivoted to Jerami Grant? He is a poor man's Siakam isn't he? Can create for himself off the dribble, hit open 3's, play multiple position defense. Seems like Lillard is destined to be traded which would signal more of a rebuild or retool in Portland. Just throwing another idea out there since this Siakam drama is dragging out so long.

If that is indeed the case, I appreciate Landry's backbone. As a rookie GM, most veteran GM's would expect to have the upper hand in negotiations.

40 pages of conversation. 0 pages of actual news.

I think it was more of a serviceable big that is well liked by teammates for basically the vet minimum. When they traded Garuba, they still needed a 3rd center. Fernando is a great person for that role, especially at that salary and with the option years.

Outstanding points! I like the idea of having a team that can take advantage of matchups and utilize athleticism. As good of a passer as Trae is, we rarely played fast for extended periods of time. Having multiple guys who can defend multiple positions AND handle the ball???? I'm having a Fred Sanford clutching my chest moment! lol. Not that he's starter material any longer, but does Danny Green have anything left in the tank? Seems like that gritty 3andD vet that could be valuable.

For the record, I think Siakam is the better overall player for this team mainly because of Trae's defensive shortcomings and worry about him and KAT in a playoff series, but Siakam isn't without his own shortcomings as it would relate to this team in the playoffs. I lineup of OO and Siakam as the primary 4/5 could have it's challenges rebounding and playing defense against Embiid, Giannis, Lopez, Adebayo and some of the other bigs in the East. I think they match up better than KAT and OO, but something to consider. True contenders build their teams with playoff opponents in mind. Who is our _______ stopper? I think what we do at SF if we move for either of these guys is probably as important as getting either of them.

Spacing would be a problem but our offense was pretty good last year with a non-shooter in JC at the 4. I’m not advocating for siakam over KAT. Just pointing out a fact.

While we can debate whether this is the best course of action ad nauseam, it's clear this team is in WIN-NOW mode. They moved a ton of future assets for Murray and Bey. You don't do that with the goal of rebuilding. They want to keep Trae happy and he wants to win so therefore you try to do just that. I love the young guys' potential, but you develop guys to fill spots OR bring in proven guys that help you win. Look at the Braves. It was brutal watching Freddie leave for the Dodgers and Dansby for the Cubs, but they replaced them with guys that weren't in their farm system, but brought in their replacements by trading guys who were. Anthoupolous has done more to instill confidence as a competent and even brilliant GM moreso than Landry at this point, but the concept is still the same. Hate to see them go, but hope who they bring back is a critical piece for us.

What if all this Siakam to ATL was a massive smoke screen. What if the deal all along with indeed a 3 team trade with Toronto and Atlanta and Boston as the 3rd team? Siakam and Capela being the main parts going to Boston with Brown coming to Atlanta and Hunter and others going to Toronto.

Why in the world would Orlando be interested in Siakam? They just waived Bol Bol to help clear up their abundance at the 4/5? Posturing? I'm sure they'd have to send back Carter and more so that could help, but are they going to play Banchero and Siakam as interchangeable PF and C? In other news, good to have my old username profile back. Thanks to those behind the scenes who got me back online. Although this username doesn't make sense for this season in life, it only feels right after years on this site using it. lol.

Love the hashtag

I saw it live and watched the replays of it. Is it possible he was just trying to say "we're cool man" or is it straight trolling? Either way, I love Trae's clutch performances. Kid really had a poor game last night, but had ice water in his veins late in the game. We haven't really had a player like that since "Teague Time". All in all, I think this team will be maddening at times and extremely fun to watch at times. Looking forward to the high points of this roller coaster season. I think both Luka and Trae will have good, maybe even great NBA careers though. They look so much more poised than your average NBA rookies.

I think Bembry is our 3rd PG at the moment.

You should see the footage of me dominating my 4 sons in our driveway. Str8 ballin'