How can Porzingis help the Hawks?

Summary

Summary of "How can Porzingis help the Hawks?" | The Athletic NBA Daily Release Date: June 25, 2025

In this episode of The Athletic NBA Daily, hosts Brian Windhorst and Andrew Schleck delve into significant NBA developments, focusing on recent trades, team dynamics, and upcoming prospects. The discussion centers around the Boston Celtics' strategic moves, the New Orleans Pelicans' surprising acquisition of Jordan Poole, the Dallas Mavericks' contract extensions, and anticipates the excitement leading up to the NBA Draft.

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1. NBA Trade Frenzy: Celtics and Pelicans Shake-Up

[02:32] Brian Windhorst opens the discussion by highlighting the flurry of trades affecting major teams:

"We have Andrew Schleck here. And ladies and gentlemen, we also have a bunch of trades. The Celtics are shredding their championship core. The Pelicans are doing stuff. And the NBA draft is today."

[02:37] Andrew Schleck expresses concern over the rapid changes:

"Sheesh. I think everybody heard Aaron Wiggins speech and just got scared. We just gotta like, we gotta do something. We gotta do something today."

The conversation swiftly moves past the Oklahoma City Thunder's championship parade to dissect the Celtics' recent moves.

---

2. Celtics' Bold Moves: Trading Away Drew Holiday

[05:16] Brian Windhorst discusses the recent trade involving Drew Holiday:

"Two nights ago, Drew Holiday gets sent to the Portland Trailblazers. Back to the Portland Trailblazers. If you remember, he got traded in the Damien Lillard trade to Portland, then got rerouted to Boston. Won a championship there, but he's back in Portland."

[06:18] Andrew Schleck assesses the impact:

"I think it helps them, you know, clear out their cap sheet and kind of sort out their backcourt a little bit. It brings in a guy who has such great experience across the NBA that can help you with, you know, shore up your defense on the perimeter and you can teach Scoot Henderson."

They evaluate the trade as beneficial for both Boston and Portland, with Boston gaining financial flexibility and New Orleans bolstering their roster with experienced veterans.

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3. Kristaps Porzingis: A New Asset for the Atlanta Hawks

[10:42] Brian Windhorst introduces the major headline:

"The other Celtics trade that went down and that's Kristaps Porzingis. Porzingis. It's a three-team trade. Porzingis gets sent to the Atlanta Hawks."

[10:57] Andrew Schleck shares his perspective:

"I kind of like this for Atlanta. I think that they needed to add some shooting and Porzingis provides that from a spot that's really valuable."

The hosts discuss the potential benefits Porzingis brings to the Hawks, notably his shooting ability and complementariness with players like Trey Young and the existing frontcourt. However, concerns about his health persist:

"That's really, that's the biggest question though, if he's healthy." [11:00] Andrew Schleck

[11:08] Brian Windhorst elaborates on the strategic fit:

"The pick and pop stuff with Trey Young and Kristoff Porzingis could be very, very fun and lethal."

They conclude that while the trade strengthens the Hawks' offensive options, Porzingis' health remains a pivotal factor in his potential success with the team.

---

4. New Orleans Pelicans Acquire Jordan Poole: A Risky Gamble

[14:16] Brian Windhorst shifts focus to the Pelicans' latest move:

"The New Orleans Pelicans have received Jordan Pool, Sadiq Bay, the 40th pick in the draft. And the Wizards take on CJ McCollum. Kelly Olenek in a future second round pick for the Wizards."

[15:22] Andrew Schleck voices skepticism:

"I'd be a little bit more worried if I'm dealing for Jordan Poole, thinking that something's going to happen there to help turn my franchise around."

The acquisition is critiqued for its ambiguity and potential financial burdens:

"Jordan Poole's owed 31.8 this next year, 34 million this, the year after that, fully guaranteed."

The hosts express uncertainty about Poole's fit and the overall direction of the Pelicans' roster, questioning the long-term viability of this strategy.

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5. Dallas Mavericks' Strategic Contract Extensions

[20:09] Brian Windhorst transitions to the Dallas Mavericks' recent decisions:

"Kyrie Irving got extended. He declined his player option. Extended for three years. I believe it was 119 million dollars. And then Daniel Gafford also extended. That was a 20 million dollar per year deal."

[20:39] Andrew Schleck approves of the moves:

"I like the Kyrie deal. I think it's good to get him locked in. When he was healthy, he was sincerely one of the best guards in the NBA."

Discussion centers on the impact of these extensions on the Mavericks' core stability and future flexibility. While Kyrie Irving's tenure is seen as a positive, questions arise about Daniel Gafford's role and the team's depth:

"Daniel Gafford, PJ Washington, maybe three. Yeah, I guess so."

Both hosts agree that while these extensions solidify key players, the Mavericks still face challenges in balancing their roster and ensuring optimal player utilization.

---

6. Anticipation for the NBA Draft: Prospects and Predictions

[24:02] Brian Windhorst builds excitement for the upcoming draft:

"It's happening tonight. I'm so excited. We're gonna do a live show as well, so come and hop on with us."

[25:06] Andrew Schleck makes his first pick:

"I'll go first. At number nine. I've really, I've fallen in love with this guy as a draft prospect. Okay, give me Cedric Coward."

[27:10] Andrew Schleck shares his top choice for the Oklahoma City Thunder:

"The guy that I'm looking at for you, you could go a bunch of different directions. I feel like Oklahoma City loves to find a guy with character, but I think a dude that I would you guys would just fall in love with is Thomas Sorber. Georgetown guy, big man, long arms."

The duo engages in friendly banter about draft strategies, with Brian suggesting potential picks like Thomas Sorber for the Thunder and Andrew advocating for shooters like Cedric Coward for the Raptors. The conversation underscores the importance of strategic drafting in shaping team futures:

"I just really like Cedric Coward. I think he could be a really fun, fun player there, and I think that he can play right away." [25:22] Andrew Schleck

They also touch upon the excitement of introducing new talent and the potential impact of these fresh faces in the league.

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7. Concluding Thoughts and Live Draft Show Tease

As the episode wraps up, Brian Windhorst invites listeners to join the live draft show:

"We'll be back in a sec. We'll talk about the Mavericks contract extensions and more. The NBA Draft."

Both hosts express enthusiasm for the draft night activities, promising listeners an engaging and interactive experience:

"Folks, again tap into our live stream. Talking about the NBA drafts. Going to be myself, Andrew. It'll be a lot of fun. We'll talk about the draft. We'll react if anything crazy happens."

The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to support their YouTube channel and tune into the live draft coverage.

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Notable Quotes:

• Andrew Schleck on Jordan Poole's fit with the Pelicans:

  "This roster is kind of a mess, in my opinion. Yeah, I don't get. I don't honestly don't get where they're going."

• Brian Windhorst on Celtics' strategic flexibility:

  "The main goal for Boston here was to get rid of Jrue Holiday's contract and the fact that they didn't have to attach picks. Actually got two second round picks in return."

• Andrew Schleck on the Mavericks' Kyrie Irving extension:

  "He's a guy that has made it through injuries before. Kind of knows what it takes to get to the other side."

---

This episode offers a comprehensive analysis of pivotal NBA moves, providing listeners with insightful commentary on how these changes might shape the future of the teams involved. From strategic trades to contract extensions and draft anticipations, Brian Windhorst and Andrew Schleck deliver a nuanced exploration of the league's evolving landscape.

Transcript

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[Andrew Schleck]

Foreign.

[Brian Windhorst]

Good morning and welcome to the Athletic NBA Daily for June 25th, 2025. We have Andrew Schlecked here. And ladies and gentlemen, we also have a bunch of trades. The Celtics are shredding their championship core. The Pelicans are doing stuff. And the NBA draft is today. Good morning everybody. Good morning, Andrew.

[Andrew Schleck]

Morning.

[Brian Windhorst]

My goodness. Lots of trades. Lots of things happening in the NBA very quickly.

[Andrew Schleck]

Sheesh. I think everybody heard Aaron Wiggins speech and just got scared. We just gotta like, we gotta do something. We gotta do something today.

[Brian Windhorst]

Okay, well let actually let's talk about that before the trade stuff happened. How was the parade?

[Andrew Schleck]

It was glorious. It was absolutely glorious. It was. It's funny because when you think about Oklahoma City prior to the Last few days. Oklahoma City is basically known for tragedy. And like I say it in like a, an, in a very serious way. Like you think about the Oklahoma City bombing that happened in the 90s.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah.

[Andrew Schleck]

About like tornadoes, like these devastating tornadoes that happen. This is without a doubt the most positive, impactful thing that has ever happened in the state of Oklahoma. And it's very cool to be a part of it. You know, I was born and raised in Oklahoma City, covered the Thunder for a long time. And so for that team to break through was. It was very special. I think a lot of people will always remember. Yeah, that moment for the team and for the city and for everybody to kind of gather like that was really something special.

[Brian Windhorst]

I will credit the championship parade broadcast because I was watching it while I was at the gym this morning and they, I. It's just a credit to how knowledgeable the fans in Oklahoma are because they knew everything about everything. They were like, the draft is tomorrow, we've got two picks, what are we going to do? And they're talking about the draft during the parade. I thought that was awesome. To your point, like the Aaron, Aaron Wiggins speech was incredible. I've watched it a couple times since now. It's like the black hole to the NBA champion.

[Andrew Schleck]

That's just, that's funny because we asked him about it is actually the, he was called the, the black. They were called the black eye of the NBA.

[Brian Windhorst]

Oh, the black eye. Right.

[Andrew Schleck]

By a, A man who remain nameless that's on NBA radio who may or may not have connections to Sam Presti and ah, front office. But yeah, the Wiggins thing was amazing. It was hilarious because it, yeah, he, he's not a guy. Like the story I tell about Aaron Wiggins, when we, when I think about Wiggins doing that today is I was in the locker room one time and he, he's a pretty quiet guy kind of around media and I was in post game or pregame availability and there wasn't really anybody in there. So I go to walk out and Aaron Wiggins crawls out from the inside of his locker. I didn't even know he was in. I didn't know he was in the room. But he just kind of like creeps out of the locker and he's like kind of just. And then just kind of slithers out of the locker room like wigs. I don't know. You're in here. What are you doing?

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah.

[Andrew Schleck]

And then he, you know, pulls that out. So it was, it was very fun.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah, I loved it. I Feel like everybody kind of like got out of their shell in that parade. Right. You know, we saw everybody kind of get loose.

[Andrew Schleck]

You know, it was. It was very fun to see them.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah.

[Andrew Schleck]

Let loose and just enjoy it.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah. You know what? We often obsess over the trades, and we are about to obsess over some trades right now, don't you? But the reason to do the trades is to get to where the Oklahoma City Thunder. We're just that that's exactly a championship. Maybe not in the case of the Boston Celtics, who are taking apart a championship core. And I feel like we have to break down both these traits together in a little bit. We'll start with the Drew Holiday trade. So two nights ago, Drew Holiday gets sent to the Portland Trailblazers. Back to the Portland Trailblazers. If you remember, he got traded in the Damien Lillard trade to Portland, then got rerouted to Boston. Won a championship there, but he's back in Portland. Anthony Simons and two second round picks headed to the Boston Celtics. What were your thoughts initially for this trade?

[Andrew Schleck]

Well, the first thing was, am I dreaming? Because, like, why are they trading for him again? Yeah, I guess to keep him this time. And it's just funny how differently the Blazers are positioned after a year. You know, the fact that they trade for him and this is clearly not a place for you right now, Drew. I guess not a year later. It's a couple years later. But like, this is clearly not a place for you. Actually, on second thought, maybe it is a little ways down the road. Yes, it is. This is a great place for you. Just a couple years away. It's. It's very. It's a kind of a cool story in that way. I like it for the Blazers. I think that it accomplishes a few different. A couple different things. You know, I think it helps them, you know, clear out their cap sheet and kind of sort out their backcourt a little bit. It brings in a guy who has such great experience across the NBA that can help you with, you know, shore up your defense on the perimeter and you can teach Scoot Henderson. So I, I love the deal for them, for Boston. I mean, I. What's going to happen with Anthony Simons here in Boston feels like a strange fit there. And like, really?

[Brian Windhorst]

Wow. I, So I, I love this trade for both teams. At first I was like, okay, this is surprising. I, maybe I'm a bigger Simons guy than consensus. I think that might be the case here. But I just think a guy who's as talented of a shooter as he is in that offensive system where it's like, hey, we're, we're still going to take 60 threes a game.

[Andrew Schleck]

Yeah.

[Brian Windhorst]

There is a world in which he, he kind of thrives there. That, that's my idea with what Anthony Simons can do, you know.

[Andrew Schleck]

Yeah, I get it. And, and I, I guess whenever I think about this Boston team, I think about a team that can be target. Like a guy that can be targeted on the other end for sure. Like offensively, yes. I think it's going to be amazing. But yeah, when it comes down to it, like they're going to be trying to compete for titles whenever Tatum comes back and, and you just see it in the playoffs if, if there's a mismatch that exists.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yep.

[Andrew Schleck]

When you get down to the conference finals and the finals, it's just, it's hunting time. Like let's hunt whoever it is.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah.

[Andrew Schleck]

And I think Anthony Simons, who has no playoff experience, who, you know, will get hunted in those moments, I would just worry about him getting, getting played off the court on the other end. So like that, that to me it's, it's a little, it's, it's an interesting fit, I would say.

[Brian Windhorst]

Hey, look, the, the main goal for Boston here was to get rid of Jrue Holiday's contract and the fact that they didn't have to attach picks. Actually got two second round picks in return.

[Andrew Schleck]

Yeah.

[Brian Windhorst]

Along with Simons and were able to kind of bet on this youngish guy to maybe get a little bit better. I feel like that's a huge win for them. And from, from Portland's perspective, I don't hate it because we've seen how important vets are to teams, you know, in general that want to take that competitive step. You think of, you know, Tobias Harris and Malik Beasley in Detroit. You think of Fred Van Vliet and Dylan Brooks in Houston. Teams who want to like just take that next step with their young core make a lot of sense. And also it's kind of a testament to the confidence they have in Scoot Henderson, in Shade and Sharp and Denny Abdia to eventually take those steps. I'm actually really high on the Portland Trailblazers in general. I tweeted this yesterday, but I 44 wins next season is my law. It's a July law or a June lock that I'm making right now that.

[Andrew Schleck]

I'm really high on them. That's not that high. I just don't know. Also with the Simon's thing like Dukes, do you Give him an extension like.

[Brian Windhorst]

Right.

[Andrew Schleck]

Yes, that, that's the thing that's confusing.

[Brian Windhorst]

To me is like, yeah, they could also trade him again, you know, that's the other part to this. Like they could, they could move him down the road so it adds that level of flexibility. Okay. Worth mentioning, the other Celtics trade that went down and that's Kristaps Porzingis. Porzingis. It's a three team trade. Porzingis gets sent to the Atlanta Hawks. The Nets receive Terence mann and the 22nd pick. Nets now have five first round picks. We'll talk about that in a little bit. But the Celtics get George Niang and a second round pick and get out of the second apron. So they are officially under the quote unquote, you know, fake hard cap of the NBA. Thoughts on Porzingis to Atlanta?

[Andrew Schleck]

I kind of like this for Atlanta. I think that they needed to add some shooting and Porzingis provides that from a spot that's really valuable. And now you have like, if, if he's healthy, you have this like Jalen Johnson, Porzingis front court.

[Brian Windhorst]

That's really, that's the biggest question though, if he's healthy.

[Andrew Schleck]

You know, it's always the question. It is. But if you're Atlanta, like, what else are you doing and how can you get a guy that has that kind of upside?

[Brian Windhorst]

Right.

[Andrew Schleck]

Trading what they traded, you know, for sure, it just doesn't really exist. If you believe in this Trey Young led team, you have to take some risks in order to get to where you want to go. And so I, I like it from that angle. I think it also allows you, you can play him next to Nyoko Kong Woo, if you wanted to. Yeah, well, like there's just a lot that you could do with those guys. I, I like it from that stance. But yeah, health wise it is, it's absolutely terrifying. But if you're thinking about, hey, maybe we can, maybe we can help him out, maybe he can get over this illness in Atlanta. Like, I don't, I don't know, I don't know what to do with that. But I do like the basketball fit.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah, the pick and pop stuff with Trey Young and Kristoff Sportzingus could be very, very fun and lethal. I don't think he's really had a pick and pop threat in his career that I can think of. It's always been like that rim runner type. The Capellas, the Ineka, Congos of the world. Yep, that is fun. I think the connection him, Jalen Johnson and Christophs Porzingis can have in like, Spain. Pick and roll actions would be a lot of fun, too. Yeah, they basically gave up the 22nd pick for Christoph Sportsingis, who's better than that. But it was because the Celtics again were trying to shed salary. And the question I have for you as we, we kind of round out the Celtics part of this, do you think that they end up trading Jalen Brown or Derrick White? I'll add, I'll sprinkle a Derek White in there. But the real interest is Jalen Brown.

[Andrew Schleck]

I don't think so. I think you got to hold on to those guys. I think do whatever you can to hold on to those guys. You've, you've done your financial work here. I think it's, I think it's time to kind of write it out. Listen, look at the Eastern Conference.

[Brian Windhorst]

It's wide open at the East. Yeah.

[Andrew Schleck]

It's not, I'm not saying they'll make a finals run, but could this team win around in the playoffs?

[Brian Windhorst]

Absolutely.

[Andrew Schleck]

It's not an insane take. And you also don't underestimate giving some of these other guys more touches toward the end of games and more ability to kind of spread their wings offensively to see what they've got, because those experiences are extremely valuable. This is not a throwaway year for Boston. This is a year to kind of explore what other guys can do as you wait for your best player to come back. There can be a lot, a lot of value had here. And so I just don't think you can just trade away these guys.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah, I'm also curious, like, what they do to round out the roster for the rest of the year because they don't have any. I mean, Luke Cornett is an unrestricted free agent. They got to resign him. Al Horford is an unrestricted free agent. Who knows if he wants to continue playing basketball at the age he's at right now. Yeah, at this point it's like Xavier Tillman is their starting center. Like, what is that? What does that look like? Yes, I like the rest of their group, but they still got to round out this roster. And there's, there's kind of conversation of them maybe trying to get into another first round pick or something like that in the draft. We'll see what the Celtics do, but clearly going to be a very busy summer for them. Very busy. They're going to be active, doing a lot of stuff.

[Andrew Schleck]

And like. Yeah, yeah, it's, it's, it's clear a lot of times when teams make trades like this and make several trades. It's like. Okay, something's not done.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah. Okay, Andrew, quickly. Are you a Jordan Pool believer?

[Andrew Schleck]

I am. I'm not a Jordan Pool believer.

[Brian Windhorst]

Okay.

[Andrew Schleck]

I guess it's like, what. What are you asking me to believe in? Is my first question.

[Brian Windhorst]

Are you believing in a guy who can put some buckets up for you?

[Andrew Schleck]

Yeah, but also, Pelicans don't belong in the pool. All right.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah.

[Andrew Schleck]

Or the other way around. I don't know. Yeah, but it's. But it's not great. I.

[Brian Windhorst]

Okay, look, let me break down the.

[Andrew Schleck]

Trick on the trade and then.

[Brian Windhorst]

Okay, so the New Orleans Pelicans have received Jordan Pool, Sadiq Bay, the 40th pick in the draft. And the Wizards take on CJ McCollum. Kelly Olenek in a future second round pick for the Wizards. This is just like they take on a bunch of expiring salary. They now have a hundred million dollars in cap space potentially next summer. So that's what the Wizards are trying to do. But the Pelicans now have Jordan Poole. That's the other side of this.

[Andrew Schleck]

Joe. Joe Dumars. Listen, man.

[Brian Windhorst]

Trading for Sadiq Bay, Troy Weaver.

[Andrew Schleck]

That's a Weaver guy.

[Brian Windhorst]

He's a Weaver guy.

[Andrew Schleck]

What are we doing here? What's going on? Why are we doing this? What's happening to my Pelicans roster that actually looks so fun and promising not that long ago.

[Brian Windhorst]

Not a believer in Jordan Pool.

[Andrew Schleck]

I. I certainly don't believe in the Dejounte Murray Jordan Pool backcourt. Don't like that. I don't know. I don't know what this team is becoming. You know, I don't. I don't know what is happening to this team. I'd be very worried. I was. You would already should be worried if you're a Pelicans fan. But I'd be a little bit more worried if I'm dealing for Jordan Poole, thinking that something's going to happen there to help turn my franchise around. You know, this is two. Two summers in a row they've traded for players that I don't know are going to help you get to the place you want to be. And so, you know, Jordan Poole's owed 31.8 this next year, 34 million this, the year after that, fully guaranteed. I. This. This roster is kind of a mess, in my opinion. Yeah, I don't get. I don't honestly don't get where they're going. And so, yeah, I don't think. I don't know what question they're trying to answer. But, but if Jordan Pool is the answer you come up with, then I'm concerned.

[Brian Windhorst]

Well, this is the first major transaction for the Joe Dumars era New Orleans Pelicans. And so I'm, I'm really curious like, what the thought process was behind getting Jordan Poole here. Maybe it was just like, hey, I honestly and truthfully in the Wizards games that I watched last year, I thought Jay Jordan Poole was actually better than he was in his first year with the Wizards. Bar was on the floor, but he took a step at being a little bit more efficient, a little bit more concise, etc. Etc. So I don't know, maybe it's just a bet on a guy who might get better for you and you're giving away some of these older pieces and that's the gist of it.

[Andrew Schleck]

Maybe they're just trying to fill the salary slot because CJ is going to expire.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah.

[Andrew Schleck]

And all you're trying to do is continue the salary spot as an asset.

[Brian Windhorst]

Right.

[Andrew Schleck]

Like, if that's the explanation, if that's the answer to the question, whatever the question we're trying to answer is, I'm okay with that. I'm okay with trying to do that. But if it's a basketball solution, again.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah, there's a lot of questions there.

[Andrew Schleck]

Not unless, you know, expansion's happening and you're moving to the East. Okay.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah, New Orleans moving to the East. Oh, we've had this conversation before. Okay. Anyways, coming up, we'll be back in a sec. We'll talk about the Mavericks contract extensions and more. The NBA Draft.

[Andrew Schleck]

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[Brian Windhorst]

Okay? We are back talking about the Mavericks contract extension. So Kyrie Irving got extended. He declined his player option. Extended for three years. I believe it was 119 million dollars. And then Daniel Gafford also extended. That was a 20 million dollar per year deal. How do you feel about the Mavs doing things, extending their guys, keeping their core together? Obviously they're going to be taking Cooper Flag tonight.

[Andrew Schleck]

Yeah.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah. Thoughts on the Mavs moves?

[Andrew Schleck]

I like the Kyrie deal. I think it's good to get him locked in. When he was healthy, he was sincerely one of the best guards in the NBA. Yeah, I was coming off the ACL tear, so a little scary about his age and everything. But my guess is that he'll be just fine. He's a guy that has made it through injuries before. Kind of knows what it takes to get to the other side.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah.

[Andrew Schleck]

So I do love that for them. The Gaffer deal is a really interesting one because when you look at the way this team is constructed, you kind of think they needed to trade Gafford. But with the extension that they gave him, he's still tradable, which I think is. Yes, it's very interesting because now he actually might hold a little bit more value to some teams out there on this extension. So I, I like it from that standpoint, it still gives them options. You didn't trap yourself for the next six months with having. I mean like we all know that AD is probably a starting center in.

[Brian Windhorst]

The NBA, but he doesn't want to be that.

[Andrew Schleck]

He wants to be.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah. Starting power forward, right?

[Andrew Schleck]

Yeah. Great. But you're drafting Cooper Flag, who plays what position.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah, exactly.

[Andrew Schleck]

Power forward. So like what are we doing here? I like that it gives them options. I like that it potentially adds a little bit more value to Gafford. I like those things about it. I don't think there's any problem with the 20 million dollar contract for anybody in this league. I think that's an easy one to get out. Get out of. I think that it's like 10 of the cap or whatever it is. It's. It's. Yeah, it's fine. It's a fine deal. I think it's good business done by the Mavs. Honest. I don't know what else you would do. And so I. I like getting these things done.

[Brian Windhorst]

I'm kind of surprised that it from Gafford side though, because all the reporting was. He wants starter money. He wants a starting role.

[Andrew Schleck]

Yeah.

[Brian Windhorst]

And I. I'm not sure that, that maybe. Maybe that's the purpose here. It's like he's going to start ahead of Lively and Lively will be coming off the bench, but that seems backwards in. In process. So I'm kind of surprised that this was the deal. And also $20 million is not starting center money anymore because of the way that the gap is going up. It's like $30 million is starters starting center money. So I'm surprised.

[Andrew Schleck]

From Gaffer bench for the Mavs would be my question.

[Brian Windhorst]

Daniel Gafford, PJ Washington, maybe three. Yeah, I guess so. Yeah. Naji Marshall coming off the bench, they have no guards. They have this Brandon Williams guy who I like, but after that they have no other guards.

[Andrew Schleck]

Yeah, this Brandon Williams guy, other than.

[Brian Windhorst]

That, I have no idea.

[Andrew Schleck]

I think he's good.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah.

[Andrew Schleck]

Yeah, it is. It's tricky. But that's maybe where, like I said, you could trade Gafford, so maybe eventually, Right? Yeah, maybe. Maybe you could trade Gafford for. For somebody.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah. There's also the PJ Washington extension. So maybe. Maybe that's the guy they trade to go out and like, even up this roster a little bit. That's.

[Andrew Schleck]

Yeah. Somebody's gonna end up unhappy on this team as.

[Brian Windhorst]

Exactly.

[Andrew Schleck]

That's the thing about it is it's not only you have an imbalanced roster. DJ Washington should play a lot of minutes. Daniel Gafford should play a lot of minutes. Derek Lively should play a lot of minutes. Anthony Davis should play a lot of minutes. Cooper flag. All these guys should play a lot. And so you can't. You can't be like, hey, everybody, we're all going to play a 19 minutes a game. Like, what are you talking about? Like, yeah, yeah, there has to take here.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah. There has to be a through line here with what the plan is. Okay, let's. Let's talk about the NBA draft. It's happening tonight. I'm so excited. You. You can't even believe how excited I am for this. We're gonna do a live show as well, so come and hop on with us and, and yes, react to everything that's happening with the draft.

[Andrew Schleck]

Live.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yes. EA draft, live in action. But yeah, no, I'm, I'm so excited for the draft. Like, genuinely could not be more excited for it. I've really, really dived deep because that's just the way this draft has worked out for me, truthfully.

[Andrew Schleck]

Yeah.

[Brian Windhorst]

Very intrigued by what the Nets are doing. They now have five first round picks in this draft. Are they moving up? Are they buying into another lottery? Are they doing something else? Are they trading for a big guy? I don't know what they're doing, but it's, it's fishy and I'm intrigued. Okay. We, we thought it would be cool to do a little exercise. I will draft a player for your team, the Oklahoma City Thunder. Yeah, you will draft a player for my team, the Toronto Raptors.

[Andrew Schleck]

Love it.

[Brian Windhorst]

Would you like to go first?

[Andrew Schleck]

I'll go first.

[Brian Windhorst]

Okay. Okay. All right.

[Andrew Schleck]

At number nine.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah.

[Andrew Schleck]

I've really, I've fallen in love with this guy as a draft prospect. Okay, give me Cedric Coward.

[Brian Windhorst]

I like it. I would love it.

[Andrew Schleck]

Or the Raptors. I believe in his shooting upside, which is something that needs to be said about whoever the Raptors draft. Right. Like.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah, very true. Yeah.

[Andrew Schleck]

Use some more shooting. I, I like him a lot. I think he's a guy that could do a lot of things off the ball, on the ball. I think that defensively he's got some potential as well. He's been a draft riser throughout the process. He's kind of a bigger guard. I don't know. I, I just really like Cedric Coward. I think that he could be a really fun, fun player there, and I think that he can play right away. There's other guys in this range that I just wonder, could they play right away. There's also some Raptors he players.

[Brian Windhorst]

There's a lot of Raptor Z players in there.

[Andrew Schleck]

Shoot it in that range that I would be a little terrified of joining them. Like, let's just. Can we give Scotty some shooters, please? That's all I want. Yeah, let's, let's stop getting guys that could just. That just drive the ball to oblivion. Like, we need guys that can shoot it.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah, I, I agree. It would be great to have Cedric Coward. I think he would be awesome. He's also one of those guys where it's like, I would love for the Raptors to acquire another pick in order to get a guy like Cedric Coward. He is a bucket. He just Is a professional scorer and because he's been through kind of multiple places, D3 then playing, and he was supposed to play at Duke and decided to just declare for the NBA draft, like.

[Andrew Schleck]

Yep.

[Brian Windhorst]

He's. He's kind of grown into his game. So. To your point, experienced in what he can do too. Okay. For the Oklahoma City Thunder, you guys have two picks, obviously. So intrigued to see what you guys do there.

[Andrew Schleck]

Yeah, there's. There's some trade up rumors.

[Brian Windhorst]

There's maybe, maybe even, who knows? Look at us. Look at us. You know, it could be a possibility.

[Andrew Schleck]

You want two picks? Yeah, I know somebody's got two picks, right?

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah, exactly. Call my people. Call my people.

[Andrew Schleck]

You call Messiah, I'll call Sam. We'll get them linked up. We'll see if they have each other's numbers.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah, yeah. They're pretty well acquainted. I will say they know each other very well. Okay. I would say the guy that I'm looking at for you, you could go a bunch of different directions. I feel like Oklahoma City loves to find a guy with character, but I think a dude that I would. You guys would just fall in love with is Thomas Sorber.

[Andrew Schleck]

Yeah.

[Brian Windhorst]

Georgetown guy, big man, long arms. So matches the kind of descriptors in terms of the defense you guys like to play with the activity and deflections and whatnot. Yeah, I, I don't want to say Hartenstein replacement because Hartenstein's still a part of this team, but eventually could be a Hartenstein replacement. That to me, is the intrigue of Sorber, who can put the ball on the floor, make plays offensively. I've had this comp for a little bit, but he kind of reminds me of Roy Hibbert. He's a little smaller than Roy Hibbert, but he's long.

[Andrew Schleck]

He's a lot smaller than Roy Hibbert.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yes. Roy Hibbert's like seven one or whatever and Thomas Orb is like six, nine. But he's, he is a giant in terms of arms, like huge length, like wingspan. Through the roof.

[Andrew Schleck]

Georgetown, we got slow feet. We got, we got everything.

[Brian Windhorst]

Kind of matches. It does. And, and he does the vertical. You know, he stays vertical. It's incredible to watch.

[Andrew Schleck]

Yep.

[Brian Windhorst]

Thomas Sorber for the Oklahoma City Thunder. I really like that pick.

[Andrew Schleck]

Yeah, I don't, I don't mind that one. He. I. It's. It's finding the, like third center or fourth center now, you know, behind J. Will. Yeah, it's a little boring. It's a little bit boring. I would like to take your Take.

[Brian Windhorst]

Your fun pick in the other pick, you know. You know, you could get.

[Andrew Schleck]

I mean, maybe L. McNeely falls to me at 24, then. Then I could be a little happy. But I think he's going in that probably 17 to 21 range, I would guess, but you know, a little boring. But maybe he is. Maybe he is that replacement. Because the Thunder are going to have to make some tough decisions here eventually. Years. Yeah. And Hartenstein has a team option on his. Not this next year, but the year after that.

[Brian Windhorst]

Right.

[Andrew Schleck]

And so maybe he extends. I mean the guy was wearing a shirt with Nick Collison's face on it today. Maybe that's signaling. Hey, you know what? Nick Collison took less money to stay here.

[Brian Windhorst]

He did.

[Andrew Schleck]

Maybe I'll do the same thing to stick around okc. Maybe it's a signal out there. And Thomas Sorber, you can stay away. I have no idea. I have no idea. But we'll. We'll find out. I don't. I don't. I don't mind the server pick.

[Brian Windhorst]

Do you have a position you like because you're an NBA champion? I don't know what position you really need. And they also have. There's no roster spots. So what position do you really want for this Thunder team?

[Andrew Schleck]

Oh, I don't know. I. I would like a bigger wing shooting, I guess and shoot it a little bit. I mean that would. That would be nice. I mean a lot of people draw Colin Murray Boyle's lines to the Thunder. Obviously not a shooter. Kind of the. The anti shooter. He was on one of the Raptors. He guys I was thinking of definitely.

[Brian Windhorst]

Is a Raptors State.

[Andrew Schleck]

Defends, passes, does all the deflection stuff that you like.

[Brian Windhorst]

Like that could also see Cedric Coward for you guys. To be honest with you.

[Andrew Schleck]

I would like that a lot. I don't know that he gets to. To 15, but.

[Brian Windhorst]

Fair enough. Fair enough.

[Andrew Schleck]

I like him. I also like Nick Clifford from Colorado State. I think he is a fun. A fun player. He'd be. He's like J Dub's age basically though.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah. Yeah, I know he's an older guy. Yeah, he's basically like a veteran at this point.

[Andrew Schleck]

He's a super senior. I think he is legitimately four years older than Nikola topic. So I think that. I don't. The Thunder usually don't draft guys that are that old, but I think he's. He's interesting for sure. I. I just. Just please just don't. Sam, please don't take Jaeger Demon. Just please don't do it. Like don't, don't do it. That's my only thing.

[Brian Windhorst]

Another topic type.

[Andrew Schleck]

He's a. Listen, have you ever heard this story? It's undertake a giant point guard that can't shoot.

[Brian Windhorst]

They love them though. They're hoping. They just want the one guy. Yeah, yeah.

[Andrew Schleck]

They just want one guy. I can't wait for this draft. I. There are a lot of fun characters in this.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yes.

[Andrew Schleck]

Also I mentioned Nick. I don't know if his name is Dominique. I couldn't find it in Samvasini's draft guide. It doesn't say that it is. And so I'm just sitting here holding out hope that we get the first Nick ever in the NBA.

[Brian Windhorst]

His mama calls him Nick so I' ma call him Nick. That's what I'm gonna go with. I don't know.

[Andrew Schleck]

I love. I love welcoming brand new first names.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yes.

[Andrew Schleck]

The NBA. It's one of my favorite things.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah. Hopefully there's an espandiar one day in the NBA. How cool would that be? What a brand new first name.

[Andrew Schleck]

You know, there hasn't been common, has there?

[Brian Windhorst]

I don't know. No, maybe not. I don't think so.

[Andrew Schleck]

There. There hasn't been. Okay, there hasn't been. And you know what? We're welcoming at least two new first names to the NBA.

[Brian Windhorst]

Wonderful.

[Andrew Schleck]

No con ever either. Like very fun first name guys.

[Brian Windhorst]

Yeah.

[Andrew Schleck]

Casperus. Probably not a Casperus.

[Brian Windhorst]

Probably.

[Andrew Schleck]

Get ready Basketball reference. You're getting a Casperus.

[Brian Windhorst]

Anybody on 2k now who wants to create a my player? And your name is Khan. You're welcome. Yep, you're welcome.

[Andrew Schleck]

There has been a VJ before. I don't know. I'm sorry. I'm taking everybody on this weird journey of my brain right now when it comes to the league.

[Brian Windhorst]

Oh, it's okay. It's okay. This is what the people want. Okay, folks, again tap into our live stream. Talking about the NBA drafts. Going to be myself, Andrew. It'll be a lot of fun. We'll talk about the draft. We'll react if anything crazy happens. And I imagine something crazy will happen because that's the world that we live in in the NBA. Folks, as always, thank you for tapping in. Do the liking, subscribing and things that you guys usually do to make sure this YouTube channel gets the support it requires. Appreciate you. Thank you, Andrew. Appreciate you as well. See you guys later. Take care.

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