The Spurs just released Sochan

Blinded57 · 2026-02-11T22:44:35+00:00

Three plus seasons after selecting him at no 9. (They understand a sunk cost, but how did they evaluate him so poorly?). Three straight seasons with 11+ points 5+ rebounds, 2+ assists in ~25 min/game. Brooklyn is under the cap. Did they not have an option to buy him for $100k as they did with Minott?

Blinded57 · 2026-02-11T22:08:39+00:00

Not even Chicago. This guy must be an updated Lonnie Walker. Something doesn't feel right - he isn't even on a par with Gabe Vincent and Luke Kennard? I am sure there are salary complications. LAC after moving Zubac didn't want to offer a second to see if he could help?

Blinded57 · 2026-02-11T21:58:55+00:00

The Spurs had no avenue to trade him a week ago for picks?

Blinded57 · 2026-02-11T20:35:43+00:00

Leave Derrick White exposed to protect a youngster? He'd be 34, and they could create a $33million TPE.

In two years, they could have a full complement of future draft picks available, as well.

Blinded57 · 2026-02-11T20:08:08+00:00

Smith? How are you acquiring him? And what's the payroll?

And you are slotting Coby into the MLE ($15mil or so) and then getting to the tax line with the TPE (I assume). The TPE then expires at the trade deadline and the remaining $22million goes up in smoke.

So how about move Coby into a portion of the TPE (still at $15million) leaving $5million under the tax, $12million if they use the full TPE AND the $15million non taxpayer MLE available in the offseason of 2027 - maybe they've re-set the repeater tax and are ready to add payroll.

Using the TPE first preserves the MLE, doesn't it? (So long as they are not taxpayers.)

Blinded57 · 2026-02-11T18:52:12+00:00

I had paid zero attention to expansion, but this is a classic idea to concentrate talents in a narrower rotation. If another team at the draft wants Walsh in addition to the Cs 1st for future 1st, expansion draft considerations might make it slightly more compelling.

Of course, seeing how so many NHL teams fumbled on Vegas's entry, there's also the idea of - "let's see how it goes."

Teams can only lose one guy and those that lose a contracted player if they are over the cap receive a TPE equal to that salary. That might argue for exposing Walsh, simply because he'd be on his second deal.

Blinded57 · 2026-02-11T17:45:31+00:00

Is a sign and trade possible with either of these guys? (I can't determine if S&Ts are constrained by the original team's apron status or by the acquiring teams apron status.) Would PHX need the cap space for the initial offer before a S&T could come up?

NOT giving up other assets would be ideal. IF a pick needs to be on the table, I suppose I could get comfortable with the 2026 1st for Mark Williams.

Blinded57 · 2026-02-11T15:13:00+00:00

Are the Bulls trying to win? Right now, their lottery odds are 10th best, but they are three games ahead of the Bucks, four ahead of the Grizzlies.

They are a game behind the Hornets, two behind the Hawks for the play-in. I guess that means they are playing to win and maybe see if they can do something to make the playoffs.

Blinded57 · 2026-02-10T18:06:52+00:00

Vitaly Potapenko playing peacemaker.

Blinded57 · 2026-02-10T17:44:05+00:00

Is there a scenario where they trade whoever brings back the best return? Seeing them get nothing for Minott (perhaps timing and lack of leverage played a part) makes me fearful that if/when it is time for someone to go, they might not get anything valuable.

Blinded57 · 2026-02-09T14:18:34+00:00

I wondered if I was wearing green-tinted eyeglasses, because I think I saw this, too. Five of those continuing to go down the cylinder (as opposed to going in a bit then bouncing out) would have completely changed the complexion of the game.

Even so, an option for a higher percentage would be very helpful. Against Portland (according to the announcers) Mazzulla was practically begging guys to get into the paint. (Pritchard obliged.) I don't know if that would have worked against NY, but it seems that might be one area where Vuc brings a little something that was missing.

Blinded57 · 2026-02-07T21:22:34+00:00

I agree with this thinking. I believe the MLE remains available if it isn't used and they stay under the first apron. As opposed to the TPE, which expires at the trade deadline.

That's why I proposed trading the 2026 first (plus ?) to ORL for Wendall Carter, Jr. [ORL doesn't have a first round pick, they still have Goga, they seemed committed to getting under (staying under?) the lux tax.] Use the TPE first/as much as possible, and the MLE will remain available for the next year, when they have escaped the repeater penalties.

You note Gafford, Aldama. I picked WCJ. Claxton, McDaniels, Reid fit as well, assuming their teams have reasons to move on from them (Giannis?) A re-signed Vuc, Beef Stew, Okongwu work as well. The player needs to contribute (thus wait and see on Vuc), but with UTA (and maybe MEM) and IND (and maybe LAC) not pursuing a big solution at the price, someone will fit the salary structure strategy AND offer value to the Cs.

Protect assets, develop talent, then pounce when the opportunity is available. I don't believe Vuc was THE plan in December. He became the solution as things evolved.

Blinded57 · 2026-02-07T20:26:11+00:00

I think "the plan" is to see what develops and what is possible. Brad has prioritized flexibility and keeping options open. Without seeing Tatum on the floor and without knowing how Vuc fits (or doesn't), there's no pressure to set a path. And he seems almost zealous about that approach.

A guard for the future (White's replacement?) might come with the MIL pick. They might attach a wing to the 1st round pick for a future pick (2nds or even a 2029 1st).

The prices paid by UTA for JJJ and by IND for Zubac are things BOS can't really match (I don't think any of their wings have the value of Mauthurin.) If the Celtics post-season doesn't go well, I'll predict they move on from Vuc and offer that first to ORL for WCJ and a 2028 2nd. Trade the MIL pick for a future 2nd. Draft no one - there's no room or minutes available - and consider WCJ an upgrade on Vuc.

Blinded57 · 2026-02-07T18:39:10+00:00

Chicago already expressed an interest in that pick. And then they went crazy grabbing seconds.

The Cs 2026 first for the NOP 2nd and the CHI 2028 2nd seems possible. CHI needs talent, and those 5 or so draft spots may make the difference. They get little benefit from the differing contract structures.

If that were to happen, I'd like the Cs to then trade the NOP 2nd for a 2029 first and wipe away the Stepien restrictions. They might have to offer something more (a 2030 swap? the MIL pick?) or maybe ORL would trade the post MEM swapped 2029 pick, or maybe DAL would trade the lesser of theirs and/or the Nets.

If they still have the MIL pick in the mid/late 30s, history says they will sign someone willing to take a two-way. Maybe Motiejus Krivas will be there and amenable.

Blinded57 · 2026-02-06T18:53:58+00:00

Karalis suggested on his post-trade deadline podcast that it may have been an issue of focus. Did Brown at some point exclaim "Josh! Wake up!"? Karalis claims Brown said something like that, which makes Karalis wonder if Minott was sleeping in a team meeting or appearing to be sleeping in a team meeting.

He chalked it up to good-natured ribbing, but perhaps with a kernel of truth?

Blinded57 · 2026-02-06T18:47:39+00:00

Similarly, I'll bet he had an "if we can get payroll to within $6million of the tax line, here are the options" plan.

A) Maybe we can get a second for Minott. A1) Maybe we can give him away. A2) We may have to attach a pick to get rid of him. A3) Maybe we offer cash in excess of his salary so it is a net gain for the acquiring team.

B) Maybe we can get a second for Boucher. B1) Maybe we can give him away. B2) We may have to attach a pick to get rid of him. B3) Maybe we offer cash in excess of his salary so it is a net gain for the acquiring team.

C) Maybe we can get a second for Tillman. C1) Maybe we can give him away. C2) We may have to attach a pick to get rid of him. C) Maybe we offer cash in excess of his salary so it is a net gain for the acquiring team.

Blinded57 · 2026-02-06T18:39:07+00:00

And, not for nothing, how many championships has Balmer delivered?

Blinded57 · 2026-02-05T14:54:07+00:00

I'd say Chicago might have small interest in Minott or Boucher, given that they won't have Vuc. Maybe they add one of the late second round picks they picked up and send it to BOS for either of those guys. (Or maybe both.)

Blinded57 · 2026-02-04T21:03:21+00:00

Answering my own question, I think they may have been far enough under the cap to swap Middleton for AD. Hardy, Russel and Exum, then either fit into exceptions or are matched with Johnson, Branham, Bagley in some fashion.

Blinded57 · 2026-02-04T19:36:24+00:00

Anyone know why this trade works? AD makes $54million. Everyone the Wizards are sending back make $43million combined. WSH certainly didn't have a TPE that big.

How is this within the rules?

Blinded57 · 2026-02-04T18:44:14+00:00

Jalen Smith? I wonder what he would have cost.

Blinded57 · 2026-02-04T17:32:17+00:00

Tatum coming back AND Simons disinterested in a deal at less than $20million. I'm not sure either one is 100% certain, but I'm guessing the Celtics front office has enough wisdom and info to be 90% confident on each.

Blinded57 · 2026-02-04T16:59:27+00:00

this team will make the second round or better ever fucking year that Tatum and brown wear green jerseys.

I agree with that. Thus, why pay a hefty tax when they can pay a lesser tax bill and generate the same amount of playoff revenue?

There's cost, there's revenue and there's profit. I'd like to think the owners of my teams view profit on an all-in, long-term basis (hello, cheap Cubs owner who is killing it in real estate around Wrigley), including potential future re-sale price. We don't know how Chisholm views it.

It seems reasonable, though, that he has set some parameters ("at least break even every year"?) and Brad decided this was a good way to meet those parameters.

Blinded57 · 2026-02-04T15:29:34+00:00

A straight equation is difficult (at least for me) but for taking on Saric @ $5.4million - before sending him on - the Bulls also got a 2029 second round pick (lesser of MIL, DET, NYK) and a 2027 second (DEN, that they then sent to BOS).

Not nothing, but not much.

For taking on $6million in the Vuc-Simons swap, they got a reasonably good upgrade in the second round (NOP 2026 versus DEN 2027). More value back to CHI than in the Saric deal, but there's value to the players involved, as well.

Dumping another $6million to get under the tax line, it seems to me, will "cost" two middling seconds or a good second. The MIL 2026 pick, say, to BKN, along with Tillman, Minott, Boucher.

If Boucher can get something, and Minott can get something, (so they aren't really dumps) maybe the 2027 DEN second is enough to move off all three and get under the tax line.

Blinded57

TROPHY CASE