Speaking to SiriusXM NBA Radio (SoundCloud link) in Las Vegas, Sixers general manager Bryan Colangelo acknowledged that his team’s roster is “top-heavy,” with a logjam of young talent at the center position. Although Colangelo said the Sixers like Nerlens Noel, Joel Embiid, and Jahlil Okafor, he suggested, half-jokingly, that he’s “absolutely not” comfortable heading into the season with all three still on the roster.
“What we are comfortable doing is saying we’re not going to make a bad deal just to make a deal,” the Sixers GM said. “I think we could be a better basketball team if we could distribute that talent better, and maybe take one of those assets and address other needs on the roster. But I think right now, it’s best to say we like all of them [and] we want to see if we can make the most out of each of them in terms of their contributions to this team. At the end of the day, the reality says one probably has to go at some point — but only when the deal is right.”
Here’s more from out of the Atlantic division:
- Although there’s no indication yet that the Thunder are exploring a Russell Westbrook trade, rival general managers think GM Sam Presti will do so sooner rather than later if he suspects that Westbrook is leaning toward leaving as a free agent next summer, says Howard Beck of Bleacher Report (video link). According to Beck, many of those rival GMs believe that the Celtics are the most likely landing spot for Westbrook if Oklahoma City does pursue a trade.
- Having missed out on a pair of RFA targets, the Nets are currently mulling making an offer to another RFA, Dion Waiters, as we heard over the weekend. According to Brian Lewis of The New York Post, Brooklyn has also displayed interest in Terrence Jones, Jordan Hill, and Maurice Harkless.
- Nets general manager Sean Marks, who acknowledged that his team is in the market for wing players, also said that he’s in no rush to meet the salary floor, as Lewis details. “At some point we have to get there,” Marks said. “But it’s not immediate right now. We’re not just going to go out and spend for the sake of spending. It’s about us doing the right things at the right times.”
- Celtics first-rounder Ante Zizic is headed back to Cibona Zagreb, his team in Croatia, tweets international basketball journalist David Pick. Boston GM Danny Ainge had previously confirmed that Zizic, who reportedly received some interest from other European clubs, would remain overseas for the 2016/17 season.
Would a Russell Isaiah combo actually work?
Probably not, and I would think the Celtics would rather trade Isiah than Crowder if you are getting Russell. Westbrook/Bradley/Crowder/Olynk/Horford? I guess you could have him as your 6th man. Would OKC do a trade of Smart, Jaylen Brown, and Brooklyn 2017 pick for Westy?
Probably not.
Though didn’t Weetbrook play SG in college? I could see that actually.
Definitely could play off ball, but does he want to haha?? Assuming you keep Thomas and Avery Bradley in a trade for Westbrook, would have to think Thomas would be 6th man. Then again, looking at trade machine they may have to include Bradley, Thomas, or Crowder to match salaries. OKC won’t want jerebko or Amir Johnson.
You could bump Bradley to 6th man, or go small ball and have crowder play 4. Plus they would certainly take on Johnson or Jerebko if they weren’t the actual return, but we’re only there for matching salaries. I could see them taking picks and salary in return. It’s basically free cap space next year since Jerebko and Johnson have 1 yr left.
And your proposal is a lot for 1 year of Westbrook. Brown, Smart and a Brooklyn pick? I was thinking Smart and two first rounders that aren’t Brooklyn. He’s a rental.
And a very good rental. Arguably one of the top 5-10 players in the league. That Brooklyn pick would definetly have to be packaged for Westbrook. And while Westbrook could probably play the 2, he’s most effective at the point with the ball in his hands. I think OKC is probably going to ask (from Boston) for the Brooklyn pick plus some combination of another first round pick/Smart/Thomas.
You know the Nets could trade another three or four first round picks for a couple of has beens with grossly over inflated contracts. Then they could minimally hit the cap floor and throw their future away for another eight years.
No way the Cs can give up top assets without a commitment from Westbrook