2026 NBA Trade Discussion Thread

[jom2003]

Watson. Kessler’s potential as a floor stretcher is awesome but what’s most important is he blocks shots and rebounds and you can find those guys. They’re usually not that expensive.

Two-way 6’ 8” guys that score >20ppg on great efficiency on and off the ball are the apex player archetype. Fun exercise: name all the players that meet these criteria.

There is a glut of capspace teams this offseason and not a ton of targets. Add into that that RFAs necessarily get a bump in pay on their offer sheets.

Watson is a lock to get paid something close to the max but I think it’s the max.

I think we've seen how important it is for Hardy's offense to have a big man like Nurk who can make plays consistently on both high and low post with his passing. Too bad Kess is out for the year so we can't really see his development on that end. I think this is much more important than his rebounding and shot blocking cuz we can find big men with those two attributes fairly easily at a much more affordable price. Kess would need to show his ability to pass the ball and set up for his teammates to justify his max status.

 

[NUMBERICA]

Think I'd still prefer to just go with two rotation level players over a max for Watson, but my opinion on that could change depending on if Watson continues to play at a high level (and actually watch him) and if the Jazz get a top 3 pick

If the Jazz get an AJ or DP I really see no reason in maxing a perimeter player.

Been thinking on that last point quite a bit and can’t poke a hole in it. Perhaps most importantly, players that can demand a near-max are wanting to sign at a place where they don’t have a clear lane to being a closer/starter.

The way I’ve been thinking about it lately is if we get a top-2 pick, we just grab Peterson or AJ and target Ayo. If we don’t get Peterson/AJ, then going hard at Watson (and maybe Ayo, but I’d probably turn my attention to a Walker contingency).

 

[NUMBERICA]

I think Watson’s a pipe dream, ultimately. I think Denver matches any offer and will figure out the rest (which means someone probably gets Cam Johnson and/or Braun for free-ish).

 

[fishonjazz]

If the Jazz got #1 overall and Milwaukee/Giannis came to you and said Ace, #1, matching salary in the form of a Walker S&T and a first, and Giannis agreed to a long term extension, would you do it?

Hell no. Not even close.

 

[jom2003]

Ayo would be a good consolation price in case we miss out on Black or Watson. But I'd be really disappointed if the Ainges aren't at least making an effort to pursue both these guys.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Hell no. Not even close.

That's crazy.

Lauri/Giannis/Keyonte plus they would still have a ton of future picks.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Ayo would be a good consolation price in case we miss out on Black or Watson. But I'd be really disappointed if the Ainges aren't at least making an effort to pursue both these guys.

Bro just give up on Black lmao. It's not possible

 

[NUMBERICA]

Bro just give up on Black lmao. It's not possible

I mostly agree.

However, I might make a last-ditch attempt with Key and the pick if it’s not top-4. He is a very special player.

 

[fishonjazz]

That's crazy.

Lauri/Giannis/Keyonte plus they would still have a ton of future picks. I

If it's crazy then I got lots of company.
Who has said yes so far to that trade proposal?

 

[NUMBERICA]

That's crazy.

Lauri/Giannis/Keyonte plus they would still have a ton of future picks.

Not really.

 

[Elizah Huge]

I mostly agree.

However, I might make a last-ditch attempt with Key and the pick if it’s not top-4. He is a very special player.

Wait… what?

 

[Elizah Huge]

Not really.

All of our own picks, two additional in 2027, and two in 2029/2031. That’s a **** ton.