I think an opt out and extend is a very realistic possibility for George. Not so much because the Celtics would choose him over White but trading him next offseason on his current contract is a little tricky. He doesn’t have to decide on his player option until a couple days after the draft, by which time a lot of the big trades will already be done. Declining the option without an extension would almost certainly be an empty threat, but he could drag his feet to try to influence where he ends up. I also think a lower number would probably increase his trade value. Even if it’s expiring, absorbing almost 60 million dollars is going to difficult for a lot of teams

37 year old Paul George is not part of our long term plans. Idk why you’d want to keep him until he’s 39 in the 2029 playoffs, but White, who even with a horrible year was excellent analytically and contributed to winning, you want shipped out so quickly when he’s under contract for the same amount of time (until he’s almost 35) and we more urgently need guards, not wings.

Derrick White since he got here has been a largely positive player, and just from 1 down year shooting when he played a heavy minutes load is not a reason to believe in Paul George more than him.

I completely disagree about keeping Paul George beyond this year. If you’re moving White, Hauser and let’s say Robinson, you reduce your depth to Tatum, another star, Paul George, Queta, Pritchard and what we have among the bench. Either way, that leaves us really thin at guard or Center depending on who the star is, and we’re right back to where we were last year.

It’s much easier to keep White and Robinson, flip Paul George for the star, and then you have both the star and better depth. The whole point of Paul George’s contract is it makes it really easy to match for a max contract player, most of which are very, very good players.

not likely, no. I think Brad’s word choice (“optionality”) spoke volumes on what to expect from the PG trade - I’m betting he’ll be gone at the deadline. and I’d hate to lose Neemy at this point! he’s earned his stay and on a very friendly contract, they wouldn’t have signed him thru `31 if they didn’t want him.

as to Mitchell Robinson: pretty certain coaching staff is going to move heaven-and-earth to get his FT% up where it needs to be. Big gamble but if you’ve watched any of the playoffs for the last 3 seasons you may have noticed what a beast he is on the glass. Huge acquisition imo - barring injury I just can’t see them moving him this season. Having him & Queta for $30M/season combined is incredible work by Brad.

Buffalo will bounce back - if you’ve watched him over the course of his NBA career last year was an anomaly.

PG would probably ask for ²⁄₇₀  at the absolute minimum.

I doubt Brad makes that kind of bet on an injury prone player for their 37-38yo seasons.

They’re all competing for that 15th spot, which we usually keep open for the most promising two-way player.

Carter was a lottery prospect and has the most NBA experience, he’d probably be the favourite. He’s also been pretty dominant at a G-League level, and I think he’ll be running the Maine team while he’s there. So he’s also probably going to be the most deserving of a promotion.

I think we’re waiting to see more of his 3P shooting. He showed a lot of progress in his shooting at college. Then he got drafted and injured. I think we’re waiting to see if he can get back on track in that area.

We were reportedly interested in Keon Ellis last season and Carter would fill a similar gap. We could use an on-ball defensive pest at the guard position. There’s also a chance we let go of Conley mid-season, which would open up a guard spot for Carter.

Williams might get in as injury insurance for Robinson. Two-ways aren’t playoff eligibile, so there would be a real benefit to promoting him early. That chance goes up dramatically if Robinson gets hurt right around the time we’re looking to promote.

I think injuries are how he’ll get playing time and how he’ll get his best chance at making the roster. He needs to stay ready for the entirety of the season to capitalise. Someone will get hurt at some point, Joe will test his options, and those 1-2 games could change the trajectory of his career.

Mitchell’s a rookie. I think he’d have to be unbelieveably good to get his chance this early. Even if the team likes him, they will want to keep him on that two-way contract for this season and have him spend most of his time working behind the scenes.

Devin Carter is on his 3rd NBA season which means this is the last year he can be a 2-way player and can only sign standard contracts after this.

The exact wording is poorly written: Only players with three or fewer years of NBA service are able to sign Two-Way Contracts, which can be for either one or two seasons.

At the end of this season Carter will have 3 years of NBA service. So he’ll be able to sign for 1 more year and then he’ll be ineligible.

For example, the Hawks have Jalen Wilson on their books as a two-way contract for next year. He’s already played 3 seasons.

Honestly, I have zero expectations for any of these guys. They could cut any of them tomorrow and I wouldn’t be particularly disappointed. Mitchell is the one of the three I’m most excited about, I think, just because he brings an element of athleticism we don’t really have.

i’m not high on amari. just seems so lost a lot of the time. will be thrilled if i’m wrong. he has shown flashes of rim protection and passing but touch around the rim is brutal.