The Official NBASupes, Sothron, and theCampster Insider Thread - NBA 2022-23 Season

[Wretch]

5 hours ago, REHawksFan said:

So Trae wanted Ben and couldn't get him. Then Trae wanted DJM and got him.  Now Trae STILL wants Ben, even with DJM?  Does that mean he wants both together or he's willing to move DJM for Ben?  And Trae lobbied to keep Capela, right? 

I'm just curious if anyone understands Trae's roster building strategy?  And if so, kindly explain it to my like I'm 5.  Thanks. 

 

 

Trae has the ball:
Simmons would play like a low post threat.  He'd post up or be primary roll option.  We would need a center that can step out and shoot (not Capela).  As a Tier 1 facilitator, he can pass out and find guys (DJM, Trae, Hunter, stretch bigs).

DJM has the ball:
Pretty much the same, but two man game with Simmons/DJM.  Trae moves without the ball *fingers crossed* and we have two guys who excel at moving the ball.  Simmons attacking the rim and ball rotation leads to open 3's for Trae?

Simmons has the ball:
Dribble penetration.  Trae spotting up.  Defense dropping back to protect the lob/dribble penetration.  Simmons moves the ball, finds cutters, finds shooters (Trae/DJM/Hunter/Stretch 5) spotting up.

I'm not advocating for Simmons.  Just saying what these guys who are on the court and scouting the league are seeing:

Just throwing some stuff out there.  In an ideal world, on paper, etc...I imagine that people who know the game far better than I do could find all sorts of ways to use him, Trae, and DJM.  He's also exceptional defensively.

Again, not advocating...just discussing ideal scenarios.  None of this works without 3/4 and 5 that can shoot.

[Sothron]

2 hours ago, JayBirdHawk said:

@Sothron @NBASupes  @thecampster

I guess my question is "What exactly is the path the Hawks want for the rest of this season as we consider these trades?  Upgrades to be better, salary clearing etc?

1. Make the playoffs (#6 seed) and compete
2. Happy to make the playoffs from the play-in?
3. Shuffling the deck chairs to clear future salary and see where we end up: play-in or late lottery?
4. Players for picks?
5. Clear the team for best lottery odds?

1. yes, they want to make the playoffs and compete

2. the plan was to avoid the play in but it seems are at least hoping for the play in. so not happy where we are at and is the main reason Nate will be gone after the season

3. Yes, partially. The best way to try and explain this is that they want to shed salary to avoid the LT this season/future seasons BUT also pick up cheaper pieces that allow them to make the playoffs this year. 

4. see above. Going for the big targets in the offseason requires picks/good value contracts. That is what they are trying to get back from JC. Capela will be gone this offseason if they can land Embiid/KAT. Even if they can't do that I do think Capela is still gone. Trae loves Capela but Nick Ressler and Fields want OO to be the starting center (unless we get Embiid/KAT).

5. no, they are not going to tank. Made very clear they are not interested in tanking. Also was made clear that Trae doesn't care if we have first round picks three or five years from now. He wants to win NOW and he wants them to upgrade the roster big time either at the deadline or more likely in the offseason.

[Sothron]

24 minutes ago, Wretch said:

Trae has the ball:
Simmons would play like a low post threat.  He'd post up or be primary roll option.  We would need a center that can step out and shoot (not Capela).  As a Tier 1 facilitator, he can pass out and find guys (DJM, Trae, Hunter, stretch bigs).

DJM has the ball:
Pretty much the same, but two man game with Simmons/DJM.  Trae moves without the ball *fingers crossed* and we have two guys who excel at moving the ball.  Simmons attacking the rim and ball rotation leads to open 3's for Trae?

Simmons has the ball:
Dribble penetration.  Trae spotting up.  Defense dropping back to protect the lob/dribble penetration.  Simmons moves the ball, finds cutters, finds shooters (Trae/DJM/Hunter/Stretch 5) spotting up.

I'm not advocating for Simmons.  Just saying what these guys who are on the court and scouting the league are seeing:

Just throwing some stuff out there.  In an ideal world, on paper, etc...I imagine that people who know the game far better than I do could find all sorts of ways to use him, Trae, and DJM.  He's also exceptional defensively.

Again, not advocating...just discussing ideal scenarios.  None of this works without 3/4 and 5 that can shoot.

Just to add if we got Simmons he would play PF for us. People forget he's 6'10 or 6'11 and at least 240 pounds. He can legit defend all five positions in the NBA at a high level. 

[NekiEcko]

First of all, good job to our insiders of hook us up with good information and hopefully it won't be used like all of the other times (Please keep this information inhouse please?).  But I have a few questions about that information.

1.  So what is the percent that John will be in Hawks Uniform past the trade deadline?

2.  What made Ressler finally decided to go into the Luxury Tax mode?

3.  Outside of that, what else should we be keeping our eyes on in the next few weeks?

I know that TV deal is stilling getting work on and that expansion will happen, but Vegas is not a lock in anymore (Mexico City is gaining alot of stream right now with Seattle)

Edited January 16, 2023 by NekiEcko

[macdaddy]

53 minutes ago, Sothron said:

Just to add if we got Simmons he would play PF for us. People forget he's 6'10 or 6'11 and at least 240 pounds. He can legit defend all five positions in the NBA at a high level. 

I guess i haven't watched him enough but i have serious doubts he can defend 4 and 5s effectively.   I mean maybe if he's switched on to them for a play but not full time.  I'm not sure where to find the info but isn't there somewhere that shows how many minutes he's logged at the 4?

I'll make an avatar bet that we will not pay the luxury tax this year if there are any takers. 

[JayBirdHawk]

20 minutes ago, NekiEcko said:

.  What made Ressler finally decided to go into the Luxury Tax mode?

We are not it the tax, all Supes said was Ressler is not afraid of the tax this year (which is wgat he also said last offseasonbut still dumped Huerter).....I don't believe that for one second. This is also in conflict with Soth said about Ressler not wanting to pay the tax next year as well unless it's for KAT or Embiid.

11 minutes ago, macdaddy said:

I'll make an avatar bet that we will not pay the luxury tax this year if there are any takers. 

Good luck with that.  

[LucastheThird]

12 minutes ago, macdaddy said:

I'll make an avatar bet that we will not pay the luxury tax this year if there are any takers. 

Yeah with Big Ressler only wanting to go into the tax for an Embiid or KAT, this sounds like a losing bet for anyone. 

[warcore]

If we trade for Simmons this deadline, then we can't trade or either of Kat or Embiid due to the rules of only being allowed to trade for one player on a rookie max extension. Same thing the Nets dealt with this summer (except they didn't)

[JayBirdHawk]

4 minutes ago, warcore said:

If we trade for Simmons this deadline, then we can't trade or either of Kat or Embiid due to the rules of only being allowed to trade for one player on a rookie max extension. Same thing the Nets dealt with this summer (except they didn't)

A very good reminder.

[terrell]

8 hours ago, macdaddy said:

Boy 4 years ago if i'd have told you the top 4 in the west this season would be Nuggets, Grizz, Pelicans, Sac i don't think anyone would have believed it. 

Yeah I wish we had the Sac pick this year instead of next.. smh

[kg01]

22 minutes ago, warcore said:

If we trade for Simmons this deadline, then we can't trade or either of Kat or Embiid due to the rules of only being allowed to trade for one player on a rookie max extension. Same thing the Nets dealt with this summer (except they didn't)

Eh, I'm good on both of them.  Mainly because I see then as long, long shots.

[TheNorthCydeRises]

16 hours ago, REHawksFan said:

So Trae wanted Ben and couldn't get him. Then Trae wanted DJM and got him.  Now Trae STILL wants Ben, even with DJM?  Does that mean he wants both together or he's willing to move DJM for Ben?  And Trae lobbied to keep Capela, right? 

I'm just curious if anyone understands Trae's roster building strategy?  And if so, kindly explain it to my like I'm 5.  Thanks. 

 

 

 

The strategy is easy

• Trae
• Dejounte
• Hunter
• Simmons
• Capela

You can either keep Trae as the primary ball handler, or run the offense more through Simmons ( who doesn't want to shoot anyway ).  Trae gets to run around like Steph Curry and shoot a ton of spot up 3s, while still having the ability to attack with the dribble drive.

Trae, Dejounte, and Hunter handle the bulk of the scoring.  Simmons facilitates.  Capela plays his offensive rebound game in the paint.  The defense potentially becomes even better.

[Jdawgflow]

12 hours ago, NBASupes said:

I should have added this in the first post. Tony isn't afraid to pay the LT this year. Some of these deals they are pursuing will have them paying the LT.

Then why in the world did he trade Kevin to get out of the luxury tax when he easily could have done it at the trade deadline if we sucked or used Kevin in a bigger trade to go further into the tax for a superstar.

[NBASupes]

6 hours ago, Jdawgflow said:

Then why in the world did he trade Kevin to get out of the luxury tax when he easily could have done it at the trade deadline if we sucked or used Kevin in a bigger trade to go further into the tax for a superstar.

While I don't have the reasoning, maybe Sothron does. My guess is lack of playing time and thinking they can maximize on his trade value in the summer. That was a mistake. Considering how the trade market is right now, probably would have gotten more. 

As for paying the LT for the right guys, maybe they didn't see Kevin as the right guy

[kelston827]

The things folks will believe. LOL

[bleachkit]

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10061960-report-trae-young-was-fined-by-hawks-for-using-private-jet-during-2022-nba-playoffs 

 

 

[macdaddy]

1 hour ago, NBASupes said:

While I don't have the reasoning, maybe Sothron does. My guess is lack of playing time and thinking they can maximize on his trade value in the summer. That was a mistake. Considering how the trade market is right now, probably would have gotten more. 

As for paying the LT for the right guys, maybe they didn't see Kevin as the right guy

Hard to imagine getting less of a return than JHoliday and a late first for an NBA starter who shoots the three well, has good size, is under 25, and on a bargain contract.  

[JayBirdHawk]

6 minutes ago, bleachkit said:

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10061960-report-trae-young-was-fined-by-hawks-for-using-private-jet-during-2022-nba-playoffs 

 

 

yep.

Talked about this yesterday.  That is not good leadership as the face of the franchise.

[AHF]

2 hours ago, NBASupes said:

While I don't have the reasoning, maybe Sothron does. My guess is lack of playing time and thinking they can maximize on his trade value in the summer. That was a mistake. Considering how the trade market is right now, probably would have gotten more. 

As for paying the LT for the right guys, maybe they didn't see Kevin as the right guy

The only thing I can see is that teams had room to absorb salary this summer and there is less certainty as to how many teams will be able to do that mid-year and so the decision was made to unload Kevin when it was certain we could get under the tax line.  But this same issue was raised at the time of the trade because the NBA is quite flexible as far as when you need to be under the tax line to avoid the tax (and collect from tax paying teams).

[JayBirdHawk]

Just now, macdaddy said:

Hard to imagine getting less of a return than JHoliday and a late first for an NBA starter who shoots the three well, has good size, is under 25, and on a bargain contract.  

This biggest reason Tony does not want to pay the tax is simple.  He wants his share of the tax payment by the 10 or so teams that have to pay the tax. 

10 teams were tax payers last year total ~$676 million dollars.  Divide that by the 20 non-tax paying teams that is $33.8 million. Tony is not passing up on $30+ million to pay $5 million in tax.

The luxury tax money, which is the penalty for illegally exceeding the salary cap, is collected by the NBA and then re-distributed equally among teams that did not pay luxury tax.