Breaking down Favale’s trade suggestion
The issue is what Favale is suggesting the Thunder could get back for Gallinari via a trade package from the Lakers.
As of Saturday, it was confirmed the Lakers are headed to the NBA Finals. As such, it’s a veritable certainty Anthony Davis (the big fish in this offseason free agent pool) will re-sign with the gold and purple. Between his contract and LeBron James, there isn’t a lot of open cap space nor are there appealing assets worth chomping at the bit over. To wit:
"Cobbling together enough outgoing money without including Danny Green will be the real challenge. It depends on where Gallinari’s price point falls and how many incumbents exercise their player options. Avery Bradley, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, JaVale McGee and Rajon Rondo all become useful salary filler if they forgo the chance to explore free agency. A package assembled around Bradley, McGee and Quinn Cook (non-guaranteed) would let the Lakers start Gallinari at around $17.2 million. They can drive up that number by dealing the No. 28 pick as an actual salary, including yet another player or subbing in KCP’s money for anyone."
Scanning the players Favale suggests works for the Lakers but doesn’t work for the Thunder under any stretch of the imagination.
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For those who caught any of the Lakers’ path to the finals many of the players grouped here either haven’t played much or haven’t provided a positive impact. Quinn Cook has appeared in four playoff games; three from the Blazers series and all of 2:48 in the Nuggets series. He’s contracted to make $3 million in 2020-21.
JaVale McGee was so ineffective versus the Nuggets he was replaced in the starting rotation by Dwight Howard and was limited to slightly more than five and two minutes in the last two games. McGee is set to earn $4.2 million in 2020-21.
Danny Green is a whole other can of worms. While he was considered the typical 3 & D player for years his regression in one season is palpable. With Toronto, he shot 45.5 percent from the perimeter but shot 36.7 percent this season in LA.
Arguably the offense was the Raptors was more free-flowing and allowed him to excel whereas in LA his shots come less frequently and it puts him out of rhythm. His defense is the larger concern as it’s not even close to the prowess he once showcased. Factoring in his salary of $15.365 million and he’s not a desirable contract since it won’t be a contract Presti could flip easily.
Avery Bradley is set to earn $5 million and while he’s a great defender especially on the perimeter he doesn’t add much offense to the equation.