u/TechnologyOk2293

Thought this was an interesting list, so I wanted to share with the class. It is based on 2025 stats and contract numbers so it doesn’t account for new deals.

I know it’s expected that players getting starter level minutes on cheap contracts are going to be high on this list. But it’s still interesting to see KPJ at 16, Rollins at 20, and Jaquez at 21.

It seems that a lot of people consider KPJ to be basically salary filler. It was vindicating to see him this high on the list as a Bucks fan that actually watched him play last year.

Considering the Nuggets salary restrictions and lack of bench production/creation and guard depth, KPJ would be an ideal player in any PWat trade. I know they seem to want draft picks in the trade, but the Bucks likely have the best player to offer in return compared to the other suitors. The only argument would be if the Cavs would include Tyson in any trade — which I don’t think would make a ton of sense for them.

I don’t understand why no one is talking about how Miami can’t trade the 13th pick until draft night. Sure, a deal can be announced prior to the draft and the actual execution of it happens later.

But why would Horst publicly announce a deal if it can’t actually happen until draft night? There’s no reason to close the door on other teams that might put together a better deal. Do I honestly think that there is going to be a better deal than the Heats? Probably not.

Riley has been after Giannis for so long, that he and Horst know exactly where they both sit on the deal. Horst is waiting and Riley has to wait patiently. With the deals being thrown out, Riley has nothing else to add to the trade to outbid a deal that includes a true blue chip prospect from another team a la Paolo or Mobley.

So, I like to imagine that Horst and Riley have just been meeting up at a bar somewhere for the past couple months to have a few beers and laugh at the schmucks like Shams who have been saying that a deal is going to happen any day when they both know shit wont go down until the last minute.