2025-26 Team Developments: Trades / Free Agents / News / Rumors / Ideas

What do you think our main issue is?

 

I thought our boys did damn well on the perimeter against Minnesota professor. Those dudes shot like crap against us, we had other issues in that series, but IMO our perimeter D was pretty solid.

 

What is it you think we need? Another big and strong guy?

 

Rebounding and lack of athleticism on the wing. A long athletic wing that can swing 2-4 in spots defensively is ideal for me. I wouldn't mind a more physical 5 that's a good idea too. I like bigs.

Awhile ago Time lord and Thybulle were fine enough for me. Recently I've started liking the idea of Kris Dunn added to the mix. Low cost vets with some playoffs experience. That lines up with Rob's preferred MO ...IMO. I'd take those moves, bring in a draft pick, and basically run it back with most of the core we have now.

 

really? i thought they knew they could get a foot in the paint on every possession, and it opened things up for an offense that can be clunky due to the gobert factor.

but anyway, i think about more than one playoff series. we got beaten time and again by speed and quickness this year. again, houston doesn't have that. they have power. we're better equipped to manage that as is, sort of how we played memphis better than other teams did a couple years back.

 

Ellis provides athleticism on the wing. He's not like a Watson in terms of height, but he's got a long wing span. The guy averages over a block a game as a guard. I don't mind going after a 5 either, but a rim protector to help the defense, and someomeone who makes sense with Luka. Let me guess, you like big forwards with questionable shooting volume, and bigs who are big and strong, but don't catch lobs.

 

I gave you my 3 selections above. Ellis dies on screens frequently and isn't physical enough to be an elite wing stopper IMO. Really Id prefer Dunn over Ellis straight up. I didn't know Time lord couldn't catch lobs...are you sure about that?

 

I have a suspicion we'll find out Mark Walter is not about trading our few 1st round picks away especially this year when he had his team go out and find a reputed really good evaluator in Bennett of college players (and undoubtedly already young pro players too) that aren't going to be top dollar to get to play specific roles for us. This roster isn't that far away and doesn't need the bulk-of-the-season stated "everyone can go except Luka!" ridiculous statements on forums everywhere .... as opposed to 2-3 great fillings of needs from the draft, Rob scoring one of his out of left field deals and internal development .... cough, Adou .... rather than paying top dollar for already well paid players or giving up a first in this year's deep draft, really especially with the Bigs or other gems.

 

Ant was the only guy getting into the paint, frequently but he's Ant..and shot poorly in that series too tbh.
Ellis wouldn't be of any use against him...or SGA..Murray..probably not Fox either. Again a long athletic wing would be the best move..could have had a bigger impact against Denver too IMO. You haven't noticed that it's the Rui/Vando spot that I tend to focus on more yet?

I do like this Watson kid...injuries/experience gives me pause on coughing up 30M tho.

 

What context was the Kings? A lot of excuses for a player who has never shown much and actually regressed this year.

 

Rui would still get 20 minutes a playoff game with no injuries.Cleveland doesn’t trust Ellis it’s just that simple

 

Ellis scares me - he seems a little light in the trunk when he plays defense and now another team is barely playing him. weird disconnect between the metrics which love his defense and my eye test

 

I'm not saying pay the guy 30 million dollars. I'm proposing a little more than MLE money. His pay is adjusted accordingly. He's not getting paid like a Jalen Suggs, or possibly Watson. That salary slot fits bringing back Lebron, Smart, and Kennard. Yeah he has soem flaws, just like many of these players we are talking about. But in terms of a player who both shoots and defends well, you could do much worse for 17 million.

 

17 M? Kris Dunn for example...makes 5.6M..tell me where is this big gap between the two?

https://www.sports-reference.com/st...=elliske01&utm_medium=sr_xsite&utm_source=bbr

 

But why should Reaves be friendly. He’s an all star caliber guy that can run an offense and is a real competitor. He is also at the 25% max level, I see no reason why he should accept less than the maximum, this is his probably one and only max contract.

I wouldn’t hold it against him if he got his fair worth, the guys a beast.

 

I think Hayes comes back for the minimum again and we can look after him a little more next year.

As for Smart and Kennard, I did a bit of a dive on cap space for teams this offseason and who will have the MLE and playing time, and honestly I think Smart and Kennard just won’t have that kind of money out there for them. Smart probably resigns for 12m and Kennard probably doesn’t get more than the room - not because I’m trying to be optimistic just because I can’t see who else can spend on them.

For example, Rui, whether right or wrong is going to get MLE offers due to age, size and shooting. While Kennard probably won’t.

 

I like Dunn, especially at 5.6. I've always liked Dunn. I wanted us to draft him way back when. The problem with Dunn though, on this team is that he is a lower volume 3-pt shooter. He only makes 1.3 out of 3.5 per 36 minutes this season, and 1.0 out of 3.1 for his career. In contrast, i mentioned Ellis earlier, I think it was about double that. Dunn has shown improvement though. With that said, I woudknt mind him. If we could get him, that would be solid. He is on the Clippers though, and they generally don't like to deal with us. I'm not sure how we would get him.

 

I think I’m off the Ellis bandwagon… I really liked the idea of getting him this year and then using his bird rights. But at MLE or 17m, you’re expecting a starter and I think he can get played off the floor due to his small stature. I’d rather Rui to be honest. And I reject the idea that he is a Smart like player, he lacks the competitor and hustle in him. Smart like players are Jrue, Suggs, Draymond, Hart, Brooks etc.

You can probably get GP2 or Thybulle for the minimum that does 80% of what Ellis does.

 

Fair enough. By any chance do you know what teams would likely have the NON taxpayer MLE, and what teams will have cap room?

 

Well for me.. having Austin, Luka, Smart and Luke, the best complimentary guard for them IMO, is a more defensive minded guy, with some physicality, preferably one whose physicality doesn't drop off, if he's not getting up shots or scoring. I also love the value at that salary.

I don't know what the Flippers are going to do man..I know Beal might opt in, and try to work his value back up. But I'd definitely take a stab at an expiring Dunn, by offering a couple of 2nds and Dalton. Or even Jaxson , if we came up with this Missi kid.