hootie249

This is great news if true.

I guess in the end if the Lakers wanted either i wouldn't care but i think management wants to see another year of elite defense and both of them are important on that end.

It's hard to say "Why would New Orleans do that?" when everything they do makes no sense. I guess i would kick the can on it if they are that stupid. Anyhow our center situation is interesting. JI was tried as a small ball center and that didn't work. WCJ is our most versatile and offensive center but he sucked on offense last year. He doesn't get near enough rebounds nor blocks but it's because he is always away from the basket switching on defense and shooting 3's(LOL!!!) on offense. If he was used more traditionally could he improve those other numbers? Is it still possible or is he a final product? These are important questions because we have already seen Goga hold down the fort as a traditional center and Moe be the spark plug on offense. Contract wise the reason you see so many of us calling for a trade is when Paolo's extension kicks in both WCJ and Isaac have 3 years left at a combined almost 35 million(15 for JI and almost 20 for WCJ). That's 3 our of 5 contention years. In my mind Paolo's 5 year contract is our contention window. Can we afford to make a mistake on those two during this run? Isaac is a sunk cost and his defense still changes things alot. It just stinks he never learned to score. But his contract is easily waived and stretched since it's only half guaranteed. The big question is WCJ. He could be seen as cheap this year but not next. He is frustrating because about half of each year he might as well be a 3rd stringer because that's how he plays.

It's like signing two players for the price of one. Gary"Gary Harris" Harris makes sense now. The one you think your getting as a good 3 and D guard and the one you actually get who likes to put up 0's on the stat line.

Next years thread will have to be about other teams. Time to stop dreaming about rookies and start stacking championships!

Jett is Caleb now, by the way. His contract is already picked up. There is a date later this year when we either pick up or decline his contract next year. That's why we haven't heard or discussed his contract. The only thing left for him is if we jettison his contract in a trade or not. I do not believe we can, so expect his contract to be non guaranteed for next year later this summer.

Yes and i would think they want to at least one more year. Because the luxury tax is like a time clock and i bet they would rather it start next year when Paolo's extension kicks in.

And this is why last summer a bunch of us were worried about the extensions. Both those contracts last THREE YEARS!!! Even tanking teams won't do this without compensation.

I guess the point is, all the guys in the price ranges we are talking about have flaws. For instance i can't believe old Brook Lopez got paid but he is a champion and has had incredible years at a late stage in his career.

Or trade his contract to the Lakers for an expiring Maxi Kleber. Centers don't win championships anymore. Jokic is the literal unicorn we have all talked about since pingus tingus was drafted. Jokic is a unicorn, he doesn't count, might not ever be another like him.

I can agree on this. Goga is the clear cut better old school center. He can man the inside and get rebounds. If we had to go without one i would rather go with that with a team as big as the Magic. In theory WCJ can do so much more, but it's all about him. We know he is soft around the rim, but he doesn't have to be.

If they could convince Suggs to come off the bench he could be sixth man of the year. Why not?

Can we sign Ben Simmons to a two way? LOL!

Kennard to Atlanta! Question, does Atlanta have a salary cap like everyone else?

WCJ is only 10 million this year and is super important to our overall defense. This is all on him and the coaches. He only gets moved if he is a massive disappointment. I'd rather start and finish the year dominating then think about some cost cutting smart guy trade. The main thing is most of these guys are somewhat movable to very movable if we have to.