Originally Posted by
ScoutWannabe
Here are some thoughts on possible trade partners and free agents. After considering other team's needs, salary, and rosters here are possible trade candidates.
Steven Adams
4 teams need a big & have salary compatible trade candidates. My personal favorite option is Fred VanVleet. The Raptors won with similar style players (Ibaka, Gasol), and they will likely draft a top 4 player at guard. VanVleet would provide improved perimeter defense and 3 PT shooting.
1. Raptors (Fred VanVleet)
2. Hornets (Terry Rozier)
3. Kings (Buddy Hield)
4. Spurs (Rudy Gay)
Eric Bledsoe
1. New York Knicks - the Knicks have cap space and draft capital. Involving Zo or Hart on a sign and trade is definitely possible but it's harder to project without knowing those players' salary expectations. However even without it we know the Knicks want to trade up. One scenario currently is
Knicks Receive:
Bledsoe
Draft Picks (10, 40, 43, 53)
Pelicans Receive:
Draft Picks (19, 21, & 32)
In this scenario we'd have 2 firsts (19 & 21), 2 early 2nds (32 & 35) and cap relief.
Free Agency
Which brings me to the free agents. I mainly looked at unrestricted players, and I numbered each prospect's ranking. The primary factors I considered were age, potential salary, PER, per 36 minute stats, and projected team fit. If we traded Bledsoe and Adams, in exchange for Fred VanVleet at PG, Andre Drummond would be an interesting choice. He's young, the leagues best rebounder and defensive big. It would be a better version of Adams.
Bryn Forbes and TJ McConnell aren't household names but their numbers surprised me. Their per 36 min stats, salary and age make them uniquely undervalued in this class. Derozen and Oladipo are 2 of the best players available but both are expensive and do not stretch the floor. Dinwiddie and Oubre Jr are two others that had great numbers, but this SF and PG class is so thin that we should expect they'll command top dollar and starter minutes. What do you guys think? Who did I miss? What targets are you hoping for?
PG
3. TJ McConnell
8. Elfrid Payton
10. Kris Dunn
SG
2. Demar Derozan
4. Brynn Forbes
7. Spencer Dinwiddie
9. Victor Olidipo
11. Tyler Johnson
12. Kent Bazemore
13. Alex Caruso
SF
7. Kelly Oubre Jr
C
1. Andre Drummond (if we trade Adams for say VanVleet)
5. Willy Hernangomez
6. Hassan Whiteside