2025-26 Team Developments: Trades / Free Agents / News / Rumors / Ideas

Ellis/Eason is a lot of STOCKS and DEFLECTIONS,and good rebounding and excellent 3-pt shooting. I like that combo.

 

You could sign Thybulle for much less and add a Dort for the same price people want to sign Watson for. Offer Watson 24-25 mil. It still puts Denver in a bad position

 

I think they may need 2 picks to dump Gordon, he's starting next year a 3 year extension ending at 37 mil. Nobody wants that contract

I think Denver has no choice but to let Watson go. Their window is purely Jokic and they don't need to gut the team just to keep Watson. Without Watson they are still a contender and have the pieces.
It's a no brainer for us, I'll be mad if we don't pursue it.
Just get the right number. I think we can get him the range of 25-28m. Just enough for Denver to have to dump 3 assets to match and decide not to.

Then get Ellis,we need to convince him of a starter role for 3 to 5 years.

Then you're settled and you can read the market and see what else you can do.

Luka | Smart | Bronny
AR | Kennard | Bufkin
Ellis | Middleton (MLE)| Thiero
Watson | Jake | Vando
Ayton | Hayes | 2026 pick

This is a solid team. We can use the picks and trade Vando and Knecht for a Eason for example. Or Dort. Or Jabari. Portis. Ware. We have options after guaranteeing Watson and Ellis.
Imagine a 9 man rotation of Luka, AR, Ellis, Watson, Smart, Middleton, Eason, Kennard and Ayton

 

Big Wings:

Watson
Eason
Smith
Cam Johnson
Gordon
Wiggins
Wade
Collins
Bridges
Bridges
Rechaser
Rui
Harris

 

yes or Ellis and Thybulle and still have cap space.

 

We could sign Ellis outright, since he's a UFA. I would go as far as trading this year's 1st for Watson, if needed. Nuggets might want an immediate cheap asset.

 

Yeah, good point. Thybulle does have a 6-11 wingspan, so he could play bigger.

 

Thybulle has been injury plagued. Him alone doesn't sound like much, but when you combine him with Smart, Thiero, etc, you create duplication (in a good way), and create a defensive identity. How much do you think he will get paid?

 

Ellis bricked a lot of open 3 with the Cavs - I don't think people would be happy with him if he played like that with the Lakers

 

Yes this team needs depth to keep the defensive effort for 48 minutes.He made 11mil this year.Because of his injury history he won’t get any more than that I would assume. He has been playing well since returning getting about 15 minutes a game