SB Nation NBA Mock Draft Public Email Thread, Finally.

Yesterday, the SB Nation NBA Mock Draft concluded with Detroit taking the intriguing Tony Mitchell with their recently-fake-acquired 30th pick. You already know that the Liberty Ballers Front Office made a major three-team trade where the Sixers acquired DeAndre Jordan and the rights to Anthony Bennett in exchange for Spencer Hawes, Jason Richardson, and the 35th overall pick in the Draft.

Despite much bargaining and begging and pestering, that was the only move we made. You'll read some about how hard I was trying to get back into the first round to pick up the dropping-like-a-New-Zealand-rock Steven Adams, who fell all the way to Utah at #26. I dangled everything from second-rounders to Thaddeus Young to Evan Turner to Lavoy Allen.

The lesson here is: Maybe we're too hard on front offices for not simply making a move to get back into the first round. I wanted them to jump in and get Perry Jones last year SO BADLY and they didn't do it. But maybe they tried and it just didn't work out. Teams love first round picks. It's awfully hard to get them to give them away.

You'll read a little about how hard I tried and butted heads with some of the other guys here (*AHEM* BAUMANN *AHEM*) in my front office. I don't know if there are as much insanity and Point Break references in real front offices. I'd call it at a strong maybe.

But now that it's all out in the open, we can finally show you all the insanity that went down in the Liberty Ballers email thread over the course of this mock draft. Take a deep breath and watch me become manic below...

MIKE LEVIN

BIG THINGS BIG THINGS BIG THINGS.

OK. So the SBNBA crew is having a mock draft before the real draft where we can trade picks and basically be the team's GM. Obviously I'm taking it way too seriously and I've emailed like 13 teams already. And it turns out I made a deal. But it's not approved yet because I said I had to check with my guys. You are my guys.

It's with the Clippers [I lay out trade terms, Sacramento not yet involved] I'm talking with Steve Perrin from Clips Nation.

He's ready to go with this. I am elated. This is a definite YES, correct? We move up in the draft, we get rid of Spencer, we have the same years left to pay DAJ as we did J-Rich, and he's got much more upside. Who knows how DAJ would work without Blake next to him? Maybe he figures it out? Either way, it's only two years.

I need at least 3 of you guys to say yes before I call it. TRADING SPENCER! GUYS! I'm going Full Hinkie, guys.

MIKE BAUMANN

DeAndre Jordan is going to drive you absolutely nuts. There's gotta be another shoe to drop.

BRANDON LEE

GTFO SPENCER

MIKE LEVIN

Baumann, is that a vote for yes? I'm Hinkie, so I'll keep maneuvering - promise.

I'm such a nerd. I'm such a nerd. I'm such a nerd. I'm such a nerd. I'm such a nerd.

And I'm counting on you guys to help me find undervalued assets around the league and Hinkie them to the Sixers. This is a collaborative front office. Who wants to be Tony DiLeo? Dave is probably Courtney Witte.

MIKE BAUMANN

It seems too good to be true. Perhaps we've been blinded by our hatred of Spencer Hawes.

Nah, fuck it.

MIKE LEVIN

THAT'S TWO VOTES.

Also, keep this in-house until further notice. Don't want to get it out yet.

ONE MORE VOTE PLEASE.

DEREK BODNER

Yeah, you can't turn that down. JRich's contract is horrible. DeAndre's might be a little high, but it's only 2 years.

MIKE LEVIN

Excellent. We've got a movie.

JUSTIN F.

I'll add (what is now an apparently unnecessary) yes as well. Any time you can unload Spencer Hawes in a trade that nets more than a hill of beans, you always say yes.

Don't worry boss. Your secret's safe with me.

RICH HOFMANN

Why would they do this? I guess downgrading from DAJ's to JRich's salary gives them more flexibility (don't know their cap situation, is LBJ in play?). DAJ has his flaws but I'd do it just to see what Jrue could do with an athletic big.

You're one step close to Rockets-ball with this, too.

MIKE LEVIN

I want to kiss you on the mouth for saying that, Rich Hofmann.

This hasn't been announced in the SBNBA group yet because it technically hasn't actually started, but it is as official as it can be for now.

Fake Sixers now have 11/25/42 and guaranteed roster spots for Jrue, Thad, DeAndre, Evan, Lavoy, Moultrie, Kwame (lol), and 2 1st rounders. That's 8-9. Is Justin Holiday definitely signed for next year? I think so. Plenty of room to maneuver still though.

What should be my next target? Moving up in the draft or trying to move Thad for a 2-year contract and a pick?

SEAN O'CONNOR

I'd focus on moving up in the draft. Might want to float something Detroit's way...

Anyway, I can see why they want that deal. Gets a shooting two-guard and a perimeter shooting big -- two holes they had to fill. That whole "not having a starting center" thing and the draft pick swap would have me looking elsewhere though.

MIKE LEVIN

That was Steve's thought process. Blake/Spencer as a frontcourt is... interesting... The draft pick swap was something I threw in at the last minute like taking on more salary for DAJ (it was originally supposed to be Caron's expiring) was a huge deal, which it's not. I'm trying to be savvy, guys SHUT UP ABOUT IT!

I have to keep telling myself this isn't, like, a real thing. Wait, is it though?

I'll reach out to Detroit.

BRANDON LEE

I want it to be real so, so bad. I can't do Hawes for another year PLEASE GOD HELP

MIKE LEVIN

How do we feel about trying to pry Favors or Kanter from Utah? I'd have to offer Thad and maybe 11.

Would a Favors/DAJ frontcourt work? Seems too slow, and neither can particularly stretch the floor. Am I wrong? Just spitballing here, fellas.

MIKE BAUMANN

I don't like it.

Also, this is the coolest thing.

MIKE LEVIN

I know. It's really my wet dream. I've got spreadsheets going like you don't even know.

SEAN O'CONNOR

Seems like Thad and 11 might be a bit too much. Maybe you could propose Evan and 11? Play up the idea that they can sign Millsap and have a better version of Thad?

I don't particularly care about fit at the moment, seeing as we're just trying to get talent. Getting Favors would be a coup.

ROY BURTON

Thad and 11 is too rich for my blood. Evan and 11 is more reasonable.

I usually hate mock drafts, but this is fantastic in every way.

BTW, consider this email my tacit approval to trade Spencer and/or Evan in any future SBN Draftstravaganzas.

MIKE LEVIN

Excellent.

I started the conversation with Evan/11 for Favors/21. We'll see where it goes from there.

Guys what if Josh Harris hired ALL OF US to work in the front office? I'm not leaving showbiz for anything short of Assistant GM.

MIKE BAUMANN

If we wind up with Jordan and Favors, we need to also hire, like, the best big man coach in the world to teach them to, you know, play basketball.

MIKE LEVIN

Geiger available?

MIKE BAUMANN

Did Sam Hinkie have Kevin McHale in his checked baggage when he left Houston? Maybe someone could give Hakeem a call.

MIKE LEVIN

I feel like we should have some sort of plan as to which assets we feel we can take advantage of their being undervalued, or which shitty contracts we can take on (for like two years) in order to get a big sweetener. Like taking Perkins so we can get Perry Jones.

So give it a look around when you're procrastinating other things (like me, all day), and let's make a list of guys we want to target.

Favors and Kanter can be on there. So could Perk with PJIII and Jeremy Lamb. Who do you guys like?

MIKE BAUMANN

Not Perk, Jones and Lamb.

Though if you get a second pick in the 20s, we should get Jeff Withey.

MIKE LEVIN

Obviously Perk is terrible, but his contract is only 2 years and if we swallowed that pill, we could get some roses along with it. That's what I'm saying the Sixers can do since they're so far from contending.

SEAN O'CONNOR

Before I think about more things, should we consider making this a public thread after the SBN draft ends or no? (ed. note: !!!!)

BRANDON LEE

Is it possible to try to sign and trade Bynum?

I've always irrationally liked Jordan Hill. Chris Copeland worth taking a look into?

DAVE RUETER

Thomas Robinson. And Houston is looking to trade him in real life.

MAKE IT HAPPEN RUBE.

Both second rounders?

MIKE LEVIN

We can't let the world see the inner workings of our front office!

No way 2 2nds gets us T-Rob but I love the thought process.

Can't imagine a S&T with Bynum happens.

DAVE RUETER

Moultrie and the 25th.

MOULTRIE AND THE 25TH.

MIKE BAUMANN

How many years does Jose Calderon have left on his deal? I know he's massively overpaid but I like his game anyway. Might be able to flip a cheaper, less good player for a legitimate bench guard.

MIKE LEVIN

He's a free agent.

SEAN O'CONNOR

He's a free agent now.

MIKE LEVIN

I'll see what I can do about Moultrie and the 25th.

MIKE BAUMANN

Oh I can't add. Or read. Basketball Reference has it right there.

Well let's sign him.

MIKE LEVIN

Sent feelers to the Bobcats (4) and Suns (5). I don't think 1/2 will talk to us. Maybe the Wizards if we make another move.

Here's the list of players I want, with, in some cases, players on shitty contracts I'd take back to get them. I left out Houston, because I just want everyone.

ATL: John Jenkins
CHA: Jeff Taylor, #4 -- Tyrus Thomas
CLE: Varejao's contract, a lotto-protected 1st rounder next year.
DEN: Evan Fournier
DET: Kim English
GS: Biedrins expiring, Brandon Rush (on a player option, so I'm not sure how this would work)
LAL: Jordan Hill
MEM: Bayless, Ed Davis, Arthur
MIL: Maybe Ilyasova is undervalued now?
NO: Eric Gordon, obviously.
OKC: A Thad for Lamb/Sefolosha/Thabeet/29 may currently be on the table. Thoughts on that? I'd try to flip Sefolosha/picks to move up.
PHO: Kendall Marshall (think he'd be perfect backing up Jrue)
SAC: Jimmer, Cousins (worth talking about)
TOR: T-Ross -- Bargnani's terrible contract is only two years!
UTA: Favors, Kanter, Alec Burks, Hayward
WAS: Seraphin Let's make things happen, guys.

TANNER STEIDEL

Evan Fournier and Kim English for the whole roster, every draft pick ever, and Dave's Stackhouse jersey.

MIKE LEVIN

How do we feel about these two trades:

1. Thad to OKC for some combination of Lamb/Sefolosha/Thabeet/PJII/29

2. Thad/Lavoy to CHA for Tyrus Thomas/Jeff Taylor/#4

MIKE BAUMANN

I don't like either of them. The first one is a solid starter for some combination for five assets the the most likely outcome for each of which is "not particularly useful."

The second one...Tyrus Thomas is a big who shot 36 percent over the past two seasons. I don't want to pay $8.7 million next year for that. And who would you take at 4? I mean, Thomas is the kind of contract we can absorb, but he can be had because he's the fucking worst. No way.

MIKE LEVIN

It's basically me coming to the realization that the Sixers can't be bad enough if Thad is on the team and they won't get good enough until he's gone. And he can't really stretch the floor like you want in a Houston-like offense.

So he's our best trade chip. And I've talked to a lot of people in this hypothetical -- nobody's really salivating after Thad.

Thus, I want to move him. The first choice nets us more assets to move around. Jeremy Lamb would easily be a top 5 pick in this draft. PJIII definitely has the talent. Thabo can be moved to move up, or he's an expiring contract. And I love Thabeet because I'm an idiot.

The second is taking on Thomas because he has one less year than Thad. And a really cheap guy who I think can be a solid benchman. But most importantly, the 4th pick. That gets us Otto or Bennett or Oladipo. All on rookie deals. I want them much more than I want Thad. I think Charlotte does it because they're tired of waiting. for draft picks and they're not in love with any of them.

That's my pitch at least. I don't particularly care of Tyrus sucks. He's on the bench until he expires and we can use that money to go big.

MIKE BAUMANN

I still don't like the OKC trade. I actually like Thabeet too, but you can get him for nothing. Maybe try to work out a separate deal for him. I don't see how Lamb and Jones are anything more than lottery tickets

I don't know much about Taylor, but if you pull the trigger on that deal, you have to 1) move Turner, particularly if you draft Oladipo (which is what I'd do) and 2) Replace one of the two rotation bigs you lost, ideally getting back someone who can shoot a little and defend stretch 4s.

Which brings me to the next point: I love Ersan Ilyasova. He's not a big per se, but he can guard both forward positions and shoot the three. Is there an Evan Turner trade to be made for him?

MIKE LEVIN

Better lotto tickets than you can get in this draft. Remember what the Celtics got for Al Jefferson and Gerald Green? Even if we don't use them, there's value in young, cheap guys with a world of upside.

Moving Turner in some hypothetical move to get Ilyasova could be a thing. Id try to pry Henson away in that scenario.

MIKE BAUMANN

I'd like to not have *all* lottery tickets, though.

I don't think you can get Henson without kicking in something else of significance--I don't think Turner alone gets you Ilyasova alone. But shit, if you can get Ilyasova at all, I don't care what else happens. Throw Roy and Dave in the deal for all I care.

RICH HOFMANN

I'd be pretty surprised if they'd trade Ilyasova for Turner, unless they wanted to blow it up completely and try to tank. There's a pretty big gap between them as players.

MIKE BAUMANN

Yeah, it's gonna cost Turner plus a first-rounder, I think.

BRANDON LEE

If we're gonna move him, I like Deal 1 more than Deal 2.

MIKE LEVIN

Good because Deal 2 is off the table.

I potentially have a deal in place with Rohan at #6 - if both Oladipo and Burke are gone, he'll trade me 6 for 11/25.

Think it's worth pulling the trigger for Bennett or Len? I'm partial to Bennett but could be convinced otherwise.

So far it's gone to form -- Noel, Ben, Otto with the first three picks. And rumor has it the Bobcats are taking Oladipo here.

SEAN O'CONNOR

I think so, hopefully Phoenix has a thing for drafting point guards in back to back years.

MIKE BAUMANN

This trade fills me with ennui. I abstain.

ROY BURTON

Ehh... I guess. Bennett and Len don't move me that much, so that's all the enthusiasm I can muster for the deal.

MIKE LEVIN

4, Len
5. Oladipo
6. Burke

I've offered 11/25 to the Kings for #7 because I want Bennett. Waiting to hear back.

How do we feel about Turner to the Celtics for Courtney Lee and 16? That's what's on the table if Shabazz is gone by then.

OK the deal is now in place for 11/25 for 7 providing ONE OF Schroeder, MCW, or Dieng being available for the Kings to take at 11, which I'm like a thousand percent sure will be the case.

I think banking on Bennett's upside for the small price of a late first is worth it. Need a few YES's though, so let's hear 'em.

SEAN O'CONNOR

Yes, he's good value at 7. And I don't like what's available at 11. Good deal to me.

MIKE LEVIN

I agree. Especially since the 25th pick was just the 35th pick before the DAJ trade. I don't value it that much. Need another YES before doing it.

ROY BURTON

DO IT.

MIKE LEVIN

I pulled the trigger. Assuming one of Dieng/MCW/Schroeder are available, we have Bennett.

BOOM.

And I'm working hard on trying to flip Thad for OKC for some combo of PJ/Lamb/Sefolosha/Thabeet/12 as well. I'm really really really excited.

Say all this works and we get both 12 and 16 -- I'd love to grab a wing defender that can shoot at one of those spots. Maybe like Oladipo light. Who fits that bill, Derek? Or anybody who knows this class better than I do.

DEREK BODNER

Not a whole lot of wing *defenders* at that spot in the draft. Reggie Bullock probably fits the bill the most, but I think 16 might be a little bit high for him. The other options at that point in the draft are either point guards or not really defenders (KCP, Saric, Crabbe)

I actually think Crabbe would be a nice fit next to Jrue in a situation where he's not the focal point like he is in Cal. But he's not a defender.

MIKE LEVIN

We'll definitely take our time discussing it if/when it happens. Bullock is a guy I was looking at though. If the Courtney Lee move happens, he'd be a nice 7th-8th guy, but I don't think I want him starting even though he's probably the bset on D out of the bunch.

BRANDON LEE

I'm good on both the Bennett and ET trades.

DAVE RUETER

Tony Mitchell?

MIKE LEVIN

Joni Mitchell?

ROY BURTON

Freddie Mitchell?

MIKE BAUMANN

I'm sorry, I've never read "Song of Solomon."

MIKE LEVIN

Guys somebody finally reached out to *ME* about a trade! I had already talked to like 15 teams without a single one approaching me. I finally feel wanted!

Can't make the trade since I already moved 11 but YAY STILL

Clips/Kings trade became official. Hopefully there won't be any opposing-blogger-scuttlebutt happening. I'm so excited about this.

RICH HOFMANN

In addition to the team, does Donald Sterling also run the SB Nation Clippers site? That's a hijacking, Levin.

SEAN O'CONNOR

We acquired the two best players in a trade, moved up in the draft, and got rid of Hawes and Richardson's contract!

Levin for exec of the year.

MIKE LEVIN

*does jig*

Was offered this from Phoenix. I think it's a definite NO but I wanted to see if y'all could convince me otherwise.

Morris 1 + Morris 2 + Kendall Marshall + 30 for Turner + Moultrie + 2014 second rounderr

MIKE BAUMANN

It'd be cool to have twins.

MIKE LEVIN

Twin twins!

MIKE BAUMANN

You could fill out a roster of NBA brothers, couldn't you? What's Kareem Rush up to?

ROY BURTON

Oh hell no.

BRANDON LEE

Nah yo

MIKE LEVIN

So here are my two ideal offers that are currently on the table.

1. Thad to OKC for PJ3/Thabeet/Sefolosha/12
2. Evan to Boston for Courtney Lee/16 -- this is dependent on Shabazz being gone by 16.

But now I have a backup to that Evan deal with Phoenix. Shannon Brown's expiring, Kendall Marshall, and 30. What do we think about that? I like getting Jrue a backup that can develop. I think the Boston deal is better, but I don't think it's quite as appealing unless I make the Thad trade and take a wing with the 12th pick.

Either way, I want to trade Thad for a wing (either a player or a pick that I'll take a wing with) and subsequently move Evan for cheaper, young depth that fits our hypothetical system. How do we feel about this?

MIKE BAUMANN

All of that for Thad? Fuck. Do it.

ROY BURTON

I LOVE both of those deals, especially the one for Thad.

MIKE LEVIN

Yeah I'm all about the Thad deal. If money worked, I'd try to get Lamb. But it's not working, so I'll settle for those lottery tickets. It's currently OKC's pick, so I'm just waiting for them to decide if they want to do it or not.

Evan's Celtics deal is also a maybe on their end still.

The Phoenix one would definitely happen -- do we like that or should I explore elsewhere?

BRANDON LEE

+1. Get it done Rube

MIKE BAUMANN

I don't like that one as much.

MIKE LEVIN

OKC stopped responding to my emails. Thad deal fell through. They took Zeller.

But this one has been accepted by Indiana, though I'm not sure.

1. Evan Turner for Gerald Green (2 years, $7M), Orlando Johnson (rookie deal), Lotto Protected 2014 pick

I'm waiting to hear back from the Celtics now that they are up (after Bennett, it went McCollum, KCW, Gobert, MCW, Zeller, Shabazz, Schroeder, Larkin), but I think this trade is still in pole position.

2. Evan Turner for Courtney Lee (3 years, $16M) and #16

And the Phoenix trade is the same deal as Indiana. They accepted it, I've got them on hold.

3. Evan Turner for Shannon Brown (1 year $3.5M), Kendall Marshall (rookie deal), and #30

I'd love everybody to respond to this with which trade they like the best so we can come to a nice consensus. Talk to me, consultants!

MIKE BAUMANN

I like the Celtics deal best, though I'm acutely aware of how much I overrate Courtney Lee.

MIKE LEVIN

Oh and if you could rank them also, because the likelihood of the Celtics trade falling through is probably pretty high.

AND just like that, the Celtics trade is off the table.

So: Indiana or Phoenix? Or neither?

MIKE BAUMANN

Neither.

BRANDON LEE

1) Suns
2) Indiana
3) Just keep him

RICH HOFMANN

If this were real life, I'd say none. I'd rather let Turner walk next year than take back Gerald Green for an extra year.

Shannon Brown, Kendall Marshall, who had about as bad a year as an NBA player could theoretically have and the 30th pick in a very bad draft, who you have to pay, is also a pretty bad haul.

I'd say no to the Boston deal as well. Sure, you're theoretically upgrading from Evan Turner to Courtney Lee (and after a quick look at his numbers, I'm not even sure it's that much) but I don't think it's a great thing for a rebuilding team to be paying Courtney Lee 16 million dollars over three years.

As much as I don't value Evan Turner, I think trading him for generally similar players with more years is a mistake. I'd rather just have the cap space next year than take on any of these guys.

MIKE LEVIN

At least we know Gerald Green is only here for one more year. We have to consider the likelihood of the team just letting Turner walk away after this season. I'm not sure what the percentages are, but I'd really rather they not sign him at all.

I think Orlando Johnson could turn into something. And I'd really like another pick in next year's draft. If anything, just to eventually be able to package it (figure mid-20's?) to move up.

I'm gonna say no to Phoenix, although I would really like to make another pick for funsies. Indiana is still on the table for me.

RICH HOFMANN

Aren't you (and by extension, us) the team? Didn't you just answer your own question?

I think you're hooked on trades like Bodhi and all the Point Break bros were addicted to doing crazy shit. You can't live without the adrenaline rush. Point Break has been on HBO a lot recently, btw.

MIKE BAUMANN

I was gonna say exactly what Rich just said, except nowhere near as artfully.

MIKE LEVIN

I can't disagree with any of this. I need to move Thad or Evan or I will have failed. I almost made a True Blood reference. What is happening to me.

RICH HOFMANN

If it makes you feel better, you've already won. That Clippers-Kings trade was literally like that scene in Moneyball when Beane gets Rincon.

MIKE LEVIN

I wouldn't mind if Bennett turned into Ricardo Rincon. Talk about a steal.

Yeah I feel pretty good about it. But I'd love to move Turner or Thad for picks and young upsidey guys and go into this season with assets aplenty. I'm still trying.

I could probably get one of the Morris twins with Marshall and #30 for Turner. Their GM really wants to trade. Would that make it worthwhile for us? I do think Kendall will get much better and turn into a solid backup PG, which we'd have on the cheap for 3 years.

I REALLY WANT TO PICK AGAIN GUYS.

MIKE BAUMANN

Someone take his keys. He's not good to drive.

SEAN O'CONNOR

If you can get Marcus, I'd take that deal.

MIKE LEVIN

WE HAVE ONE VOTE FOR MARCUS.

Wait, I need another vote. Both traes just for Evan.

1. to Indiana for Gerald Green, Orlando Johnson, 2014 Lotto-Protected First
2. to Phoenix for Kendall Marshall, Marcus Morris, #30Fuck off, Mike. Don't you have literally anything better to do?
3. Fuck off, Mike. Don't you have literally anything better else to do?

Rank 'em!

MIKE BAUMANN

Weren't we just getting both twins from Phoenix?

SEAN O'CONNOR

I already voted, but just because: 2, 3, 1 -- that first trade is awful

JUSTIN F.

1) All this Hinkie Panky is going to your head.
2) Phoenix Deal
3) Indiana Deal

MIKE BAUMANN

What Justin said.

MIKE LEVIN

Guys I see no value in Evan going forward ESPECIALLY in the Houston-esque system we're supposedly going to run. Unless he massively overhauls his game (which I hope will be the case, but which is also tremendously unlikely), I just don't think he fits in this system. Or any system, really.

So if I can get three cheap assets for him, I think I should do it. Drunk with Hinkiejuice or no, I think it's the right move.

MIKE BAUMANN

You seem awful sure of what kind of offense the Sixers are going to run before a head coach gets picked.

MIKE LEVIN

I AM THE GM I AM ALL KNOWING

RICH HOFMANN

I don't think Evan will work in any offense. The question is what you define as an asset.

MIKE BAUMANN

I don't define Gerald Green or No. 30 picks as assets.

MIKE LEVIN

Backup point guard on a cheap contract currently at an historic BUY LOW?

Foreign rookie we can stash overseas?

A guy who has a twin who is from Philly who used to play for the Rockets?

And though we were talking about the Phoenix trade before, I think Gerald Green would be dirty in a Houston-esque offense.

MIKE BAUMANN

You actually sound like you're starting to go crazy.

MIKE LEVIN

Tell that to this mirror, MICHAEL.

RICH HOFMANN

I saw someone on Twitter call Gerald Green "The Human Defeat Cigar." Didn't Sam Young just play over him for the entire playoffs? Sam Young!

MIKE LEVIN

If there's one thing I learned during my travels with Hasheem Thabeet and Joe Alexander, it's this: Never Give Up On Upside.

And I never will.

RICH HOFMANN

The Thabeet trade was much, much better. Go call the OKC guy again and tell him that this is Thaddeus Young you're offering.

*Remind* him would be a better word. But get that dude on the horn. This Gerald Green talk is scary.

MIKE LEVIN

Dude I LOVED that trade. He hasn't responded to like 4 emails over the past 3 days. He ain't buyin'.

I don't think you guys are valuing the 2014 1st rounder in the Indiana deal. Even if it's like 25, we can package it like we did this year (11+25=7) to move up more. Next year's draft, you guys!

OK so here's the Phoenix trade:

Turner for #30, Kendall Marshall and Marcus Morris.

That's three first rounders. I honestly think that's A) better than letting him walk, and B) the best we're going to get in this hypothetical mock draft situation where the Sixers are effectively trying to clean house. I'm not gonna trade Thad for nothing, but Evan has so little value around the league that I think this is worth it.

MIKE BAUMANN

I say no, but it'll get approved by the rest of the gang, so enjoy Kyrylo Fesenko. I mean Petteri Koponen.

MIKE LEVIN

I'll never stop believing in Petteri Koponen.

But like what is the reasoning for saying no? What does holding onto Turner get you?

MIKE BAUMANN

What does any of the players you're trading for get you? If this were real life I'd buy a camera and tape it to your TV and watch Kendall Marshall drive you slowly insane.

RICH HOFMANN

Just another man's opinion, but I'm with Baumann on this one. I really don't value that pick, nor Kendall Marshall.

MIKE LEVIN

He had a HORRENDOUS year last year. If he played well, this trade wouldn't be possible. I think it's a nice Buy Low move. If he can turn himself into a solid backup point guard this year, then he's a tradable asset again. Marcus Morris is only in his 3rd year and he could be a fine 7th-8th guy. And I still see a ton of guys I like who might be around at 30. Like Archie Goodwin and Hardaway and Withey. Steven Adams hasn't even been picked yet and we're on 19. Maybe I take Marshall and 30 and trade up to the early 20's.

It makes us more flexible, gives us more assets, and gets rid of a guy who none of us believe in anymore.

SEAN O'CONNOR

Trading a disappointing 4th year player with a huge qualifying offer for younger players with friendlier contracts who can be rotation guys - I actually like this deal quite a bit.

MIKE LEVIN

MY MAN.

Gotta get a few other opinions before I ultimately listen to none of you and power trip myself into making this trade.

Honestly though, MJ/Rich, give me the rationale for holding onto Turner. And I'd like to hear Derek's opinion on this too.

RICH HOFMANN

Here's my question: Why would fake Phoenix be doing this if they thought Kendall Marshall could be a solid backup point guard? That's all they need him to be -- a crazy low expectation for a lottery pick in his second year, mind you -- because they already have Dragic. If they're willing to trade him for Evan Turner in what amounts to a salary dump, that's a huge red flag to me.

MIKE BAUMANN

I do like Withey.

RICH HOFMANN

If you let him walk, then you have only Jrue, DAJ, Arnett, Thad, and Bennett on the books in 14-15. Doing some quick (and probably incorrect) math, that's a little less than 35 million bucks. When is copious amounts of cap space with a smart GM a bad thing? That is my rationale. I'd rather spend the $5 million you're picking up somewhere else, especially when your roster is already loaded with power forward (is Marcus Morris taking away from Bennett?) and already has a point guard who is going to play 36 minutes a night.

MIKE LEVIN

I don't see Marcus taking too many minutes away from Bennett. I would theoretically try to move Thad during the season.

And I don't think the cap space is a major issue. 3 cheap, movable young guys are not going to keep them from going after big free agents. They can move them pretty easily if it comes to that point.

Here's the Phoenix GM's rationale on Marshall after saying Turner just needs a fresh start.

The Suns were a total mess last year. A total mess. Marshall's biggest issue is his shooting form, but almost as big is his mental block against wanting to take shots. He just doesn't want to shoot. He wants to find the open man. Other things will fix themselves - he'll find a way to defend passably, and he'll find a way make a game plan on his own offense (post-ups, using his body for separation, etc). He's big at 6'4" and 200+. The guy will have a 10-15 year career. Add a desire to shoot, and he'll be a 10-15 year starter on playoff teams.

But anyway, I digress. The only reason I'm thinking of trading him is just to wash the stink of last season off the franchise. It's not his fault. But Marshall didn't do anything to make it better either. He just watched it happen.

I don't agree that he'll be a starter on playoff teams, but I do think he just had a terrible rookie year on a terrible team. Your red flag for Marshall should also send up red flags for him about Turner.

ROY BURTON

I flip-flopped more than John Kerry on this one, but I have to side with Baumann and Hofmann. The allure of having 3 first-round picks is better than the talent you can actually get with those picks (in most cases). I think we should be trying to get rid of salary/marginal players, not trying to add more.

Besides, this is a make-or-break year from Evan: If he's great, you have a decent complementary player. If not, you let him walk and have cap space. Wins all around.

MIKE LEVIN

I went outside the system and asked Spike about it - he said he'd absolutely do it.

This is Evan's 3rd straight make or break year. If he's great, he's going to want to sign for way too much money. The cap space you'd save between Evan and these young guys with more upside is marginal. These are all assets. That's what Hinkie's about. Evan is not an asset. Evan is in the way.

BRANDON LEE

I'm with Levin/Sean on this. I'm kind of just done with ET, and that deal seems fine enough to me.

And imagine all of the Splinter ET-can-do-no-wrong-love-fest moments we could avoid!

MIKE LEVIN

After this year, Marcus has a team option for $3M. Turn it down and he walks. So you're only dealing with $2M of Marshall and like $1M of pick #30 for 2014-15.

This is the best we're going to get. It is young, cheap value for Turner.

Voting is 3-3 right now with the Spike Eskin wild card favoring the trade. Need a couple more votes, but I have to let the guy know soon.

SEAN O'CONNOR

I think you have to make the decision on Morris' option before the year starts, so that would be a decision made in, like, October.

MIKE LEVIN

For the '14-15 option? Hm. Well, either way. I wouldn't mind picking it up and having him as a $3M expiring after this season. With DAJ here, we're fake planning for a massive FA move either next summer or the following one when DAJ expires.

Aside from raising the banners and marching South to meet me in open battle on the Kingsroad, Baumann hasn't given any reason on not doing the trade.

This is the best we're going to get for Turner. I know. I asked EVERYBODY. We will get three assets that, regardless of your opinion of said assets, will be cost-controlled players here that fill rolls and can be moved quite easily. We all don't think Evan has a future in Philadelphia.

So the only reason you can oppose this trade is if you:

1) Think that extra $2M in cap room is worth more than a point guard we're buying way low on and the 30th pick in a role playery but deep draft.
2) Think that there is a better deal out there somewhere, so find me one.
3) Believe Evan Turner can turn it all around and may just be worth that $8.7M qualifying offer or a new, fat contract. Which one is it?

MIKE BAUMANN

Here's why I wouldn't do it. I don't think Evan Turner is literally worthless. Marshall is a question mark and Morris isn't any better than whatever scrub you pick off the street, and a scrub off the street is the modal outcome for the No. 30 pick, hence the Koponen joke. None of those are commodities worth giving up an asset of any kind for, even an asset whose value has depreciated as far as Turner has.

Turner is never going to score reliably in this league, so get back someone with a bankable NBA skill and I'll come around. Now, if such a person can't be had for Turner, then just sit on him for a year and let him walk. Because I'm DYING to see fucking Bobby Sura or somesuch start on a wing this season. You're thinking not with your head but with your overwhelming sense of disappointment and as a result you're talking yourself into a your-garbage-for-my-trash trade that has even less upside than you think.

So make the trade, don't make the trade, whatever. But if you do, you'd sure as shit better get a guy with one bankable NBA skill with that No. 30 pick. Because Turner can be a rotation player in the NBA at least, and you're hell-bent-for-leather on trading him for 2 guys who are going to suck and get waived and a spin at the European Wheel of Fortune that will wind up playing for Benetton Treviso for the rest of his career.

I don't know which of the three categories that falls under.

MIKE LEVIN

I respect that, but I think you're thinking in a vacuum. Evan, on the team I'm theoretically constructing, gets in the way. He's not fast. He's not athletic. He can't finish at the rim. He doesn't get to the line. He can't shoot. In a world in which every player was playing with a blank slate behind them, yes, Evan is probably in the Top 100 in the world. But since guys have the backdrop of a team and playing within that team, Evan drops significantly.

I can't see a scenario in which Evan is any more than a 6th man on a decent team. The Sixers are not a decent team. The Sixers won't become a decent team in the time it takes for Evan to ask for a new, fat contract. Letting him walk gets us nothing but $2M more cap space than we'd have if we made this trade.

We're tearing it down. Trading Evan does that. If it gets us nothing but a point guard with tremendous passing ability (Marshall) and either a projectable wing (Goodwin), a shooter (Robinson), a rebounder (Mbakwe), or a shot-blocker (Withey), then that's fine.

I am only thinking with my head. Turner does not fit on this team. This year will not prove anything other than just that. I'd rather get rid of him and gamble on some modicum of upside, and if not upside, then tradeable assets.

MIKE BAUMANN

Is Withey going to be around at 30?

I give. But I'd almost rather have a second-rounder than Morris.

MIKE LEVIN

We're stuck at 19 (an issue regarding Dario Saric's draft status) and both guys are still on the board. Withey may fall to 30.

I'll try to scrape a 2nd rounder as well.

RICH HOFMANN

Why is this year's team so important that getting rid of Evan Turner is such a must? He doesn't fit on any team. You are allowed to think he's a bad player (Which by the way, I said when they picked up his option before the season) and still dislike this trade. Are the Sixers somehow competing for something this season?

You keep saying $2 million in cap space, but then you're telling me that you don't think one of your "assets" is worth picking up a $3 million QO on. The other assets are a point guard who had just an unbelievably bad rookie year (I don't see "decent backup point guard" as upside, and he's far from that right now), and the 30th pick in the draft.

That's fine, you value those players more than I do, but your rationale isn't superior (Neither is mine, btw.). Our player valuations are just different.

MIKE LEVIN

I only said you can let Morris walk and save $3M in cap space because you were the one citing cap space as a reason. So if you wanted the cap space, you can decline the option and the difference between w/trade and w/o trade is just $2M in cap space. I don't know what I'd do with Morris, but I think it's worth one season to find out. And the same goes with Marshall. I'd like to basically throw last year out entirely, which is unfair but maybe it really was just the worst of all possible outcomes, and look at his DX scouting report going in to the draft: http://www.draftexpress.com/article/NBA-Draft-Prospect-of-the-Week-Kendall-Marshall-3875/

And maybe the broken bone in his wrist really affected him last year. It wouldn't be the first time a wrist injury has messed with a guy's shot or his confidence.

Fact is: he was a lotto pick for a reason and he can still find a niche in the NBA as an extremely good passer with a high basketball IQ. That, in a backup to our stud point guard, is valuable to me. Evan, meanwhile, we know everything about. And I'd rather get a few moderately priced lottery tickets for him before we let him go for nothing.

And to work backwards, I think getting rid of Evan this year helps lay the groundwork for what will ultimately become this team's core. Anthony Bennett gets less offensive touches if Evan is here. DeAndre Jordan gets to play with his low-post game less. I'd rather just be done with him now and move onto the future immediately.

DAVE RUETER

I will share my thoughts at about 4AM Vegas time.

I will call each of you individually with my draft plan. Don't you dare send me to your voicemails.

RICH HOFMANN

Actually, I just looked at Marshall's contract. 2014-15 has a team option. OK, you can do this, but you're just trading garbage for garbage.

MIKE LEVIN

Good enough for me!

SEAN O'CONNOR

Wait, a couple more things!

I like Marshall's ability to play in a hypothetical backcourt with Jrue, for what it's worth. He might not amount to anything, but I'd rather have him for next year and beyond than a retread backup guard.

And Marcus Morris, before he got traded to that mess in Phoenix last year, was actually pretty good with the Rockets as a stretch four. He's not a long-term starter or anything, but I believe he could play well enough alongside either Thad or Bennett as a three or back Bennett up once a hypothetical Thad trade goes through.

TANNER STEIDEL

Levin always gets his man.

Dave, I'll be on my drive to work around 4:10 Vegas time. I expect a call.

RICH HOFMANN

The most bizarre thing I read in this whole thing was the Phoenix guy automatically assuming that Marshall will find a way to defend passably. Good God that's so far from guaranteed.

MIKE BAUMANN

Draft Withey or Karasev or both or I'm going to disembowel you with a tuning fork.

MIKE LEVIN

Karasev just went. Tune up that fork, baby.

JUSTIN F.

I agree with Rich that this is pretty much garbage for garbage, but I'll vote yes as I think the ever slight upside of Marshall/Morris/30 outweighs keeping Turner.

MIKE BAUMANN

You better hope Withey is around at 30.

MIKE LEVIN

So the dude is still deciding because he has another offer of Brandon Knight + 37 for Marshall + 30. Obviously that's a better offer but he finds Turner more valuable so he's still thinking.

Fingers and butts crossed.

BRANDON LEE

So do we have a second round still btw?

Hello Norvel Pelle?

MIKE LEVIN

WELL.

After agreeing to the trade, he just backed out. That's fun. So you win, Rich and Mike and Roy. HAPPY?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?

Anyway, how do we feel about Thad/Kwame for Humphries' expiring, Tyshawn Taylor and #22. I'd probably get Steven Adams because he's still available. Although Withey, Crabbe, Hardaway, Noguiera, Bullock, Snell, and Goodwin are also still around.

Let me know soon because Brooklyn is on the clock and I just floated a whisper of this their way.

ROY BURTON

I'd do it.

SEAN O'CONNOR

I would not.

MIKE BAUMANN

Me neither.

MIKE LEVIN

Evan/Kwame/Lavoy for Kris/22?

MIKE BAUMANN

That one I like a lot better

ROY BURTON

That one is better.

SEAN O'CONNOR

I could go for that.

JUSTIN F.

That's a good one.

RICH HOFMANN

That's a bingo.

BRANDON LEE

Do it.

MIKE LEVIN

They passed.

Indiana's deal is also gone. You guys really fucking hate me, don't you?

Possible Spurs trade: Cory Joseph/Bonner/28 for Evan/42.

Weigh in. Or stab me in the face.

RICH HOFMANN

You are basically trading Evan for two expirings (Bonner can shoot and play 4, Joseph is a passable backup point, though right now he's playing in a great situation) and the right to move up 14 spots. I'm OK with this one.

MIKE LEVIN

Yeah Bonner is definitely just the contract. CJ can grow into something but at the very least, he's a fine backup point guard who isn't Royal Ivey. And there are still lots of good guys on the board I like. If this deal happens (PLEASE LORD I JUST WANT TO PICK AGAIN), we'll have another long argument about who to take where some or most of you threaten to leave the blog. Only one not allowed to leave is Dave, because I know he already hates it so much and I have a lifetime contract with him.

BRANDON LEE

I'm fine with this deal.

MIKE LEVIN

Still waiting to hear back about it, but in the meantime! I have an offer of Lavoy to the Cavs for #33. I think that's an easy yes, but I wanted to check with you guys first. Any thoughts?

MIKE BAUMANN

I'm drunk.

MIKE LEVIN

Giddy up.

SEAN O'CONNOR

Sounds like a deal to me.

ROY BURTON

I approve.

MIKE LEVIN

He backed out.

It's all over, guys.

------------------------------------

Be honest. How many of you read this whole thing? Because if you have, then you are now the owner of the blog.

MAN that was exhausting.