Trade Official 2025-2026 Trade Deadline Thread

[Ariel]

The problem with Houston long term is that they have a bunch of good, young, but ultimately flawed players, that fall in that zone where they're good enough that you feel compelled to keep and extend them, but not good enough that they're worthy of a max or near max contract. That's a dangerous place, 2 good but not great guys making about 25% of the cap is a much worse deal than a true game changer making 30%-35%.

Particularly in the case of Amen giving him a huge extension is risky, it may very well be that playoff teams scheme for him and negate a fair bit of what he does on offense. So far they've handled their contract extensions fairly well, but they should be really careful with him next offseason or they might find themselves in trouble in a couple of years. I think not listening to offers for Amen could bite them in the ass long term.

This is why I also consider Houston losers of the trade deadline, their window is closer than they seem to think (their best playoff performer is 37) and there were several players available for peanuts who could have helped tremendously (Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, Collin Sexton, etc).

PS: come at me all you want, but I think the Spurs need to be careful not to fall into this trap themselves, especially with Castle.

 

[Correct Crusader]

Sengun is just another Sabonis.
People like to compare other unathletic bigs that can pass the ball with Jokic, but it's not even close.
Not only on offense, but on defense because while Jokic is a bad defender, he's huge and still offers something on that end.
Sengun and Sabonis aren't big enough, making them a complete non-factor.

Sengun/Amen combo was never going to work, regardless of who else is on the floor.
Having two non-shooters is too easy to defend for elite teams.


Even before Gordon got to Denver, he was a 32% 3pt shooter on 3.4 attempts.
Subpar, but solid enough for his position.

Amen has been getting Ben Simmons treatment as of late and the Rockets haven't figured out how to deal with it.
Perimeter players with no jumpshot whatsoever are a negative on the floor unless they're complete freaks like Zion or Giannis.

Amen's 18ppg on 50% FG looks great on paper, but in reality it's not doing much for the team.
Reminds me of Jeremy last season.
I spent months trying to explain to a lot of Jeremy fans that 11ppg on 53% FG doesn't mean shit since he was the least threatening player on the floor.
And look what happened this season, he's out of the picture.
The best thing Lebron ever said was "2 points aren't 2 points".
Nobody cares if the likes of Simmons, Amen or Sochan get 15 points because those 15 points won't beat you and they're not momentum changing players.

I'm really interested to see what happens with Amen's extension this summer.
They simply can't give him a rookie max, it would be the last nail in the coffin of this current iteration of their roster.
Should've packaged Amen+Sengun for Giannis, would be the best offer the Bucks got and they'd still have picks left over with a functional roster around Giannis and KD. Luckily, they didn't.

The main thing is Senguns efficiency. He's shooting around 55% TS on the season. As opposed to Jokic's 70% TS and Victors 62% TS

 

[RC_Drunkford]

the issue with Sengun was always that he's

1. too small to protect the rim as a C

2. too flat footed to guard smaller players on the perimeter to play PF

He's the definition of a tweener big. Those just cap your ceiling in any line ups, no matter who you surround them with. That's why the Rockets play the most zone defense in the NBA.


There's a huge difference between Amen and players like Castle and Harper. Castle shoots 34% on catch and shoot 3s. Castle has good midrange numbers. Harper had decent shooting percentages in college.

If you watch the last game we played against Dallas, the Mavs consistently put Gafford and their back up C on Castle and Harper. They were sagging off not even trying to guard them on the perimeter. Yet these guys still scored lay ups against them because they are big, super shifty and able to attack angles. Amen is a lot less polished and relies on his athleticism.

 

[scott]

@RC_Drunkford - Utah Started George/Bailey/Lauri/JJJ/Nurk today. I think the Lauri SF era has begun (per our previous discussion)

 

[Robz4000]

Said it in another thread but if Utah somehow lands a top 2 pick (or someone takes Boozer at 2) they'll be up there with the Spurs and Thunder for the next decade tbh. Even then they prolly have the inside track to acquiring Ant down the line when he inevitably asks out considering they own most of Minny's picks iirc.

Edit: Nvm, they traded those away.

 

[Spursgenius]

The problem with Houston long term is that they have a bunch of good, young, but ultimately flawed players, that fall in that zone where they're good enough that you feel compelled to keep and extend them, but not good enough that they're worthy of a max or near max contract. That's a dangerous place, 2 good but not great guys making about 25% of the cap is a much worse deal than a true game changer making 30%-35%.

Particularly in the case of Amen giving him a huge extension is risky, it may very well be that playoff teams scheme for him and negate a fair bit of what he does on offense. So far they've handled their contract extensions fairly well, but they should be really careful with him next offseason or they might find themselves in trouble in a couple of years. I think not listening to offers for Amen could bite them in the ass long term.

This is why I also consider Houston losers of the trade deadline, their window is closer than they seem to think (their best playoff performer is 37) and there were several players available for peanuts who could have helped tremendously (Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, Collin Sexton, etc).

PS: come at me all you want, but I think the Spurs need to be careful not to fall into this trap themselves, especially with Castle.

and Harper. Both cant shoot yet. They have to develop minimum 35 percent from 3 to get max rookie deals.

 

[Spursgenius]

Said it in another thread but if Utah somehow lands a top 2 pick (or someone takes Boozer at 2) they'll be up there with the Spurs and Thunder for the next decade tbh. Even then they prolly have the inside track to acquiring Ant down the line when he inevitably asks out considering they own most of Minny's picks iirc.

Edit: Nvm, they traded those away.

imagine Utah with a healthy peterson, and bringing Bailey of the bench

 

[Robz4000]

imagine Utah with a healthy peterson, and bringing Bailey of the bench

Gonna have nightmares tonight. Thanks.

 

[Spursgenius]

Gonna have nightmares tonight. Thanks.

So if Spurs somehow get number 1 pick with Hawks pick do they Take Peterson ? Or Boozer? or Dybantsa

 

[Robz4000]

So if Spurs somehow get number 1 pick with Hawks pick do they Take Peterson ? Or Boozer? or Dybantsa

Dybansta easily tbh, and/or trade down for a treasure trove of picks and take Caleb Wilson imo.

 

[CGD]

Dybansta easily tbh, and/or trade down for a treasure trove of picks and take Caleb Wilson imo.

I think Boozer would be the best first

 

[wemvp]

Dybansta easily tbh, and/or trade down for a treasure trove of picks and take Caleb Wilson imo.

I think at this point trade down would be the answer. There really havent been quite enough touches for Harper this season yet and they don't need to add anyone to what they have that needs the ball a lot. Getting a haul of first round picks to replenish cheap labor during the Wemby, Castle, Harper big contract years would be way more valuable.

 

[spursistan]

You watch Wizards owner Ted Leonsis dapping AD three times in short clip and you realize how desperate they are to sell tickets by acquiring 'names' (AD, Trae) to put butts on seats

https://twitter.com/x/status/2020563951923220618

 

[Correct Crusader]

Said it in another thread but if Utah somehow lands a top 2 pick (or someone takes Boozer at 2) they'll be up there with the Spurs and Thunder for the next decade tbh. Even then they prolly have the inside track to acquiring Ant down the line when he inevitably asks out considering they own most of Minny's picks iirc.

Edit: Nvm, they traded those away.

They'll be really good next year for sure. Dream for them is getting Darryn Peterson to pair with Keyonte.
Good high end talent + good depth.

 

[Correct Crusader]

You watch Wizards owner Ted Leonsis dapping AD three times in short clip and you realize how desperate they are to sell tickets by acquiring 'names' (AD, Trae) to put butts on seats

https://twitter.com/x/status/2020563951923220618

Not much desperation? They practically got them for free.

 

[spursistan]

Not much desperation? They practically got them for free.

Sarr, Coulibaly, Johnson are not selling tickets for them. Zero name recognition

 

[Spursgenius]

Sarr, Coulibaly, Johnson are not selling tickets for them. Zero name recognition

Sarr, AD, Couli, Johnson, Kyshawn salty 5. Trae off the bench sixth man