I think he’s a guy who is somewhat propped up by the system and his coach. But he’s the perfect target for the Sixers before the deadline for a few reasons:
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He is only making $17 million/year
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He is under contract for $18 million in 24-25
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The Jazz aren’t ready to compete before his contract expires and should tank
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He is the perfect 4 for Embiid and secondary playmaker to Maxey
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Trading for him allows the Sixers to have max cap space next summer
Would the Jazz accept this?
Marcus Morris + 3 1sts (including the 2028 unprotected LAC 1st) + pick swap for Markkanen
Dump Korkmaz at the deadline to get under the tax so we have more runway in the coming years with the repeater tax
This would lead to the following team this year:
PG: Maxey, Beverley
SG: Melton, House, Springer
SF: Tobias, Oubre, Covington
PF: Markkanen, Batum
C: Embiid, Reed, Bamba
And we’d have the following players under contract going into free agency:
Embiid: $51,415,938
Markkanen: $18,044,544
Melton: $15,000,000 (cap hold)
Maxey: $13,000,000 (cap hold)
Reed: $7,723,000
Springer: $4,018,363
Total Salary: $109.2 million
Projected Salary Cap: $149 million
Space: $39.7 million
Max Contract by experience:
6 years or fewer: 25%, $37,250,000
7 to 9 years: 30%, $44,700,000
10 or more years: 35%, $52,150,000
We could get to the 7 to 9 year max by dumping Reed (OG), and we could get to the 10 or more year max if we trade Melton at the deadline or renounce his rights (Lebron, Kawhi, Paul George).
It will be interesting to see what Daryl does because there aren’t any slam dunk free agent options. Honestly, my dream would be to get Lebron.
This would be the ideal dream scenario:
Trade Melton, Reed, expiring contracts, 3 1sts, pick swap, whatever we have to do and end up with Caruso & Markkanen.
That would leave us with the following players:
Embiid: $51,415,938
Markkanen: $18,044,544
Maxey: $13,000,000 (cap hold)
Caruso: $9,890,000
Springer: $4,018,363
Total Salary: $96 million
Sign Lebron to a 3 year 10 year max with a player option.
Maxey
Caruso
Lebron
Markkanen
Embiid
That’s a great lineup that would be one of the title contenders. I know some of you will hate trading Reed but Lebron is the big fish we should be chasing. I love OG, and he would fit great, but not sure he is going to be worth $44 million/year.
If it’s there you make the trade and throw in anyone not named Maxey or Embiid. Realistically speaking, Morey will probably wait a few months and see how things shake out. First team that falters and decides to rebuild, Morey now has picks to swoop in. Would love to get Lauri, but it will probably be someone like Siakam or OG.