A Whack - A - Mole Trade
So this one just sort of spiraled on me into something other than I originally intended, well the framework originally was KAT to the Knicks with a 3rd team, Golden State, middling the Mitchell Robinson aspect while pocketing a couple picks , simple right?
Yeah the salaries don't really line up, the Warriors are over the 2nd tax apron, the Knicks and Timberwolves are both hard capped from using the NTMLE. So they don't exactly make easy trade partners. The Knicks also still need to currently sign 2 guys even minimum deals if they take on even a little salary it would likely push them over.
Timberwolves Fans - If you are tempted to say no to this , pick a toe on your foot(either one) smack it with a hammer and say "thank you sir may I have another pretty please?"
Really in a trade for Towns this would be an absolute maximum return. 3 Young High upside players that you could argue are the perfect compliments for Anthony Edwards and even fit well around Gobert.
A low wing in RJ Barrett former #3 overall pick, yeah he's not yet hitting the 3 consistently but he's a good defender and scorer lets Edwards focus on being Edwards
Jalen Suggs a plus defender already former #5 overall pick who doesn't need the Ball in his hands to make an impact becomes the PG of the future, he's actually form Minnesota, he gets another season to learn under Conley before wheeling it out for primetime.
Kuminga becomes the 4 and stretch 4 at that next to Gobert, he can also play the 3 in some lineups or small ball 5. Another plus defender.
Knicks Fans , if you don't like Towns you hate this. Got it.
If you do like Towns that's a lot of draft compensation going out , however, you keep younger players like Quickly, Grimes, and Hart you get out of the Fournier contract a year early
Knicks also get flexibility by getting walk away contracts from Harris and Young.
Warriors Fans - Walking away with great young pieces
For the Warriors they become Merlin and "youthen" yes Wiggins and Payton II play vital roles but OG Anouby and Mitchell Robinson would be two young core pieces. Robinson is on a long term declining deal.
You'd have to work things out with Anouby next season during the player option while simultaneously juggling Klay Thompson but I think the risk here is worth the reward.
Magic Fans - Well they get Gary Trent Jr.
They also do it yes Fultz and Suggs leaving would hurt but without moving anyone of their own picks in the future. Even without a Trent Extension the risk is likely worth the reward.
Given the would switch from PG overload to SG overload they probably move Gary Payton II after the 60 day moratorium (heck maybe even back to Golden State that would be funny) but Trent Jr was a Magic target for a reason.
Raptors fans, yeah I get it
If you don't like it won't hold it against you. I know the Raptors didn't expect to lose VanVleet, I mean after all how do you expect to know Houston will pay 40 mil a season.
I think the Raptors overplayed their hand with Portland , Anouby for 3 and Simmons was a good deal and I get it VanVleet, but no matter how much a dude loves your city money talks (ask Bruce Brown). Maybe the Raptors are better off calling Portland and seeing if Cronin would crawl back to Lillard with Roses and go "Please Baby, One more chance baby, I'm begging you" however
They panic signed Dennis Shroeder for basically the full NTMLE huh? Backup PG who is 29. Maybe the rebuild button is looking a lot more interesting at this point.
Fultz would be a massive upgrade, Wiggins fits fine with Barnes and the Raptors can follow their plan of skipping the 2024 draft, maybe, more on that in two lines but 4 1's 2 2's and a pick swap in the highly anticipated 2026 year , plus Moses Moody wouldn't be too bad.
Pick Details
The Dallas Pick conveyed by the Knicks is 1-10 protected in 2024 and 2025 else 2nd rounder ; so it will likely convey sometime soon assuming Dallas doesn't cheat (again) in back to back seasons)
Detroit Pick from the Knicks isn't going anywhere anytime soon , it's protected (1-18) 2024, (1-13) 2025, (1-11) 2026, (1-9) 2027; so call it somewhere in 2026 or 2027 at this point.
The Magic pick is from Denver conveys either 2025 or 2027 it's protected 1-5.
A 2026 1st Round Pick from Golden State Protected 1-10
A 2028 Minnesota Pick swap option Timberwolves versus Raptors pick in that year
Second Round pick a fairly low 2024 2nd rounder likely from Memphis unless you know something about the Wizards I don't
A good 2025 second rounder from Detroit
So share your thoughts
Anyway my assumption here is that the Raptors take a breath, realize Schroeder isn't the option they need and decide to hit rebuild with Barnes as the lead guy. Again, Timberwolves fans, I better not hear a peep of dismay over that pick swap except quite applause :) Virtually the same with Golden State fans the two of you are getting better than you deserve that future pick is cheap compared to the cap implications and play quality here.