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

Your team costs the following:

Luka (49.5) / x / Bronny (2.3)
AR (20.9) / Smart (6.5) / x
Watson (30) / Jake (6)
Bron (20) / Trade (16.6) / Adou (2.1)
Ayton (8.1) / Hayes (4.5) / x

The trade is listed as 16.6 for Knecht & Vando, but you will be able to take 24.2m back. You add the 9.1m Room and two vet mins on top. And they you re-sign Reaves to his max of 41. And it puts you at 208.3m.

I wonder if Rui would take the 9.1m? Then maybe the trade could be used for another wing, I know I’ve rambled on about Hart, but he can play 2-4 and do a bit of everything.

 

Emplay has us executing the following trade:


The Los Angeles Lakers receive: Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones and Yves Missi.

The New Orleans Pelicans receive: Jarred Vanderbilt, Jake LaRavia, Adou Thiero, Dalton Knecht, 2026 No. 25, 2031 first-rounder, 2033 first-rounder

With a lineup of:

PG: Luka Dončić, Marcus Smart, Bronny James
SG: Austin Reaves, Luke Kennard, Nick Smith Jr.
SF: Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones
PF: LeBron James, Rui Hachimura
C: Deandre Ayton, Jaxson Hayes, Yves Missi

I don’t mind the trade but I’m hesitant to lose the athleticism of Adou. If we could retain him, I’d consider the trade.

 

That was the name! Haven’t seen it used in a long time. Or is he still using it somewhere else?

 

You can’t let Adou Thiero, who may never be an NBA rotation player, be the hang up in a trade that nets you Murphy, Herb Jones and Missi while also getting off of Vando.

 

Speaking of, I'm also curious how the rule changes will impact trades.

 

Adou has that motor, defense and athleticism that could have a positive impact on a team. Those are three traits that are just hard to duplicate. Motor and athleticism, you either have it or you don't - cant really teach it. I wouldn't want to trade this kid.

 

“Could” is the key word here. There have been countless guys with those traits that have never turned into legitimate NBA rotation players. We have one on our team right now in Vando.

 

Thiero is better than Vando. Much better athleticism and strength. Also, a lot more offensive minded. Although his shot needs work, he has a scoring mentality, and knows how to get to the rack. Also had much better hands.

 

We can take this to the Adou thread, but a feel like a lot of folks have just decided that Adou is this super promising wing prospect based on…nothing. Every time he’s played in a game this year I’ve thought the same thing. Great athlete, but has no idea what he’s doing on either side of the court. Makes a ton of mistakes. That’s fine he’s only 22, but I don’t think people are realistic about his prospects. Like basically any second round pick, I think it would be a pleasant surprise if he’s ever a legit Top 8 guy on a good team. Because the vast majority of second round picks never become that.

 

Didn't sit for long. This was rumored a month before he was fired.

ORL is a strange situation. They have some really good players, some either don't fit together or are round pegs in a square hole for that roster build. They were underachievers this year and I think injuries played a role, one of your headline players didn't like the coach. They had to do something and I think still need to do something equally as big on the roster side of it, but I don't think the issue was the coaching.

 

https://craftednba.com/players/comparison/deandre-ayton-vs-robert-williams-iii

If anyone is interested just some analytics on some players.This Ayton and Timelord

 

Didn't realize Williams was only 6'8".

 

yeah, williams has been an analytics darling for years. he just can't stay on the floor. if he could, he's an ideal luka center.

 

https://craftednba.com/players/comparison/jaxson-hayes-vs-yves-missi

Jax and Yves

 

I believe the analytics in this case pretty much agree with the eye test.I agree he would seem to fit in well with this team

 

If you're bringing in Robert Williams, it almost needs to be a 3-man center rotation. Like what Lane did in his ideal offseason pod yesterday or the day before. Bring in Rob Williams at the starter but keep him on cruise control all regular season to save him for the playoffs. You also have Hayes and then a playable third center like Nick Richards.

 

Even at his size has the same 7’6 reach as Ayton

 

Trevor had us getting Richards for the vet minimum. If that's all he costs, I would happily sign him with it. I had us with Williams/Robinson/Hayes. Trevor's build was highly optimistic though, so not sure how realistic it is. He had us conveniently salary dumping Vando and Knecht, without having to give up any 1st's.

 

I like Robert Williams and think he's a lot better than Hayes but I don't think he can be a starting center, given his health concerns

 

I've been one of the biggest Aduo guys on here but I'm escorting him to the French Quarter and buying him dinner at Commander's Palace if this trade actually is something NO would want to consider. That's a lot to get back from NO for the 1st rounders and a bunch of trash