Jg41 wrote:Packaging THJ, cash, the TOR ‘25 2nd (and even 2-3 of our remaining 2nds and/or our ‘26 1st round swap if necessary) in a dump to ORL for a low value 1st (Denver’s ‘25 pick for example) is my slightly preferred use of the THJ asset(?) vs. most alternates.
Why? Orlando needs shooting and wouldn’t be giving up much in return. We’d open up a spot in the rotation for Hardy and unlock our full mid-level exception—which we’ll need to be able to retain DJJ. His value is only going to go up from here, and the BAE is only in play if we get destroyed by OKC in 4 or 5. If we make it out of this round, retaining him for the BAE is a pipe dream.
Then you focus on packaging Green and our 3 firsts (along with a Powell or Exum if necessary for salary matching purposes) to go out and get a bonafide 2-way SF that’s legitimately good enough to relegate DJJ to the bench. Herb Jones would be my pick ideal pick, especially when you factor in age, contract, size, and skillset, but acquiring him specifically will depend on how NO wants to proceed this summer.
Then you sign Hardy to a team friendly extension (3 for 25ish) and give him a legit shot (20-24 min a night) pre-trade deadline to prove he can be our third guard off the bench. If he leaves something to be desired, that’s when you go make a move for a N. Powell / C. Sexton caliber player. Doing so this off-season shortchanges Hardy and neuters his potential as an asset (whether that be on the court or in a trade).
I know Exum’s health + Kyrie and Luka’s RS workload / injury history compels us to think that a more competent tertiary playmaker should be at the top of Nico’s summer wishlist, but anyone who’s watched Hardy play knows he’s a walking bucket. With more polish (he’s got Kidd, Luka and Kyrie to study under— every resource a young guard could ask for) and a consistent role in the rotation, he could absolutely be that guy provided he puts the work in and improves his decision-making.
‘24-‘25 Depth Chart:
PG: L. Doncic (36) / D. Exum (8)
SG: K. Irving (36) / J. Hardy (20) / A. Lawson
SF: H. Jones (30) / D. Jones Jr. (20) / O. Prosper
PF: P. Washington Jr. (30) / M. Kleber (16) / M. Morris
C: D. Lively (24) / D. Gafford (20) / D. Powell
2-ways:
B. Williams
A. Fudge
2024 2nd Rd Pick (Via Boston)
If Dallas could magicallly get Herb then DJJ would not get enough playing time to make his new contract worth it.
Ingram is the odd man out in NOLA not Jones or Murphy so the Pelicans would need to be blown out of the water. Josh Green and 3 **** 1st won’t get Herb. Green is useful on the court but his contract is negative unless he pops the **** off for Dallas in the rest of the post season.
I like Hardy and think the kid could take some THJ minutes with out much drop off, but he shot 41% for the field and 36% from the field with a 2:1 assist to turnover ratio. Any ideas that he’s the 3rd playmaker with out serious improvement is the same type of wishful thinking that cause us to miss the post season last year.
