DLeethal wrote:"2 way" is a very vague term that usually includes any scorer that plays any defense at all or any defender who can hit a shot at all.

But you can't name 20 true elite wing defenders who are efficient 15ppg scorers better than OG. There is a difference between a 2 way guy like OG or McDaniels and a "3 & D" guy who can play great D and stand in the corner.

That said, both OG and Mikal are probably closer to the downside of their careers than their upside. Selling on one of those guys early is not crazy IMO. There are lots of ways to build this team and "wingstop" is not a prerequisite. We saw how good we were with a flamethrower SG like prime Dante and another defensive big. You can always retool the lineup. Trading OG gives you some options because he has value.

I agree, OG is unique, but OTOH there are certainly alot of guys that are very good defensively, but have a much better all around offensive game. So if you're asking name guys that are as good or better on D than OG and have at least his offensive game, then yes the list is much shorter with those unique parameters. But in terms of two way players, there are lots of guys that fit the bill. I mean even older guys like Khawi & Lebron can still play very high level D when they need to. The Truth is OG goes through stretches too where he's not locked in, very hard to play elite defense for 82 games.

EwingsGlass wrote:

nycericanguy wrote:

DLeethal wrote:"2 way" is a very vague term that usually includes any scorer that plays any defense at all or any defender who can hit a shot at all.

But you can't name 20 true elite wing defenders who are efficient 15ppg scorers better than OG. There is a difference between a 2 way guy like OG or McDaniels and a "3 & D" guy who can play great D and stand in the corner.

That said, both OG and Mikal are probably closer to the downside of their careers than their upside. Selling on one of those guys early is not crazy IMO. There are lots of ways to build this team and "wingstop" is not a prerequisite. We saw how good we were with a flamethrower SG like prime Dante and another defensive big. You can always retool the lineup. Trading OG gives you some options because he has value.

I agree, OG is unique, but OTOH there are certainly alot of guys that are very good defensively, but have a much better all around offensive game. So if you're asking name guys that are as good or better on D than OG and have at least his offensive game, then yes the list is much shorter with those unique parameters. But in terms of two way players, there are lots of guys that fit the bill. I mean even older guys like Khawi & Lebron can still play very high level D when they need to. The Truth is OG goes through stretches too where he's not locked in, very hard to play elite defense for 82 games.

I have him as a Top 40 player. Hard to climb without better passing and self creation.

I have him as a top 10 defender overall. Notably, I think PF is out of position for him, he guards 1-4, and takes the toughest assignment.

In terms of perimeter defense, I have him top 3.

In terms of help defense he may be the best in the league.

Most of his minutes come with two average to below average defenders on the court. And an undersized PF. All great players but OG deserves credit for covering much of the defensive weaknesses in that lineup.

all fair rankings

tough to rank him in general though.

think about guys like Brooks, Siakam, Barnes... guys who are very very good on D, can guard multiple positions. but probably have more well rounded offensive games.

Or a guy like Bane, who is a pitbull defensively, and has shown he can put up 23ppg and shoot 40% from 3. Or a guy like Dyson Daniels who is probably the best backcourt defender in the league and still puts up 16/6/6.

OG can change a game when he's locked in, heck so can Mitch. and Mitch is absolutely a two way player even if he can't shoot or create his own shot. His offensive rebounding, screen setting, rolls to the basket and vertical spacing are absolutely game changing for our offense.

Short version: Knicks trying to move him for a couple of seconds and would be willing to include more seconds and/or player like Dadiet if it's a player who they could envision doing stuff on the court that is actually helpful.

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chislic wrote:Zubac has been my Giannis pivot. Mitch + Yabu gets you there financially. The Clippers would save an additional $12,954,546 (Mitch's expiring deal) in 2027. Maybe now that Harden wants out the Clippers might be willing to deal.

“The Clippers have long been prioritizing their cap space heading into the summer of 2027, and were not willing to give players deals beyond the 2026-27 season. Harden, who turns 37 in August, had been hoping to secure a two-year, fully guaranteed deal worth $80 million after this season, sources said, but the Clippers have remained steadfast in their unwillingness to go beyond 2027.”

To me, Zubac is the guy you get now. You can pair him with Kat, JJJ or Giannis depending on how that shakes out. Dunn would also be a possibility in the deal to enhance our POA defense.

no way do you trade Mitch for Zubac, even if Zubac is better all around he's not the game changer come playoff time that Mitch is. crazy that some people still doubt the impact Mitch has, Mitch's impact can be that of a top 15 player come playoff time.

if LA decides to trade Harden to CLE and signal a retooling of sorts, I'd definitely be intrigued by KAT for Khawi. If you're LA and you can turn Khawi & Harden into KAT & Garland, that's not bad considering their window is basically closed now.

We would need to trade Yabu for a backup C though, or maybe even take back Brook Lopez as well from LA.

Another bigger trade could be KAT + Mikal for Khawi + Zubac.

martin wrote:

chislic wrote:Zubac has been my Giannis pivot. Mitch + Yabu gets you there financially. The Clippers would save an additional $12,954,546 (Mitch's expiring deal) in 2027. Maybe now that Harden wants out the Clippers might be willing to deal.

“The Clippers have long been prioritizing their cap space heading into the summer of 2027, and were not willing to give players deals beyond the 2026-27 season. Harden, who turns 37 in August, had been hoping to secure a two-year, fully guaranteed deal worth $80 million after this season, sources said, but the Clippers have remained steadfast in their unwillingness to go beyond 2027.”

To me, Zubac is the guy you get now. You can pair him with Kat, JJJ or Giannis depending on how that shakes out. Dunn would also be a possibility in the deal to enhance our POA defense.

But why would Clips do this? They'll already be under the cap and have enough team options to make that happen.

Zubac is the guy who I'd expect the LAC to build around, right after they move Kawhi too.

they wouldnt and we wouldnt either.

martin wrote:

chislic wrote:Zubac has been my Giannis pivot. Mitch + Yabu gets you there financially. The Clippers would save an additional $12,954,546 (Mitch's expiring deal) in 2027. Maybe now that Harden wants out the Clippers might be willing to deal.

“The Clippers have long been prioritizing their cap space heading into the summer of 2027, and were not willing to give players deals beyond the 2026-27 season. Harden, who turns 37 in August, had been hoping to secure a two-year, fully guaranteed deal worth $80 million after this season, sources said, but the Clippers have remained steadfast in their unwillingness to go beyond 2027.”

To me, Zubac is the guy you get now. You can pair him with Kat, JJJ or Giannis depending on how that shakes out. Dunn would also be a possibility in the deal to enhance our POA defense.

But why would Clips do this? They'll already be under the cap and have enough team options to make that happen.

Zubac is the guy who I'd expect the LAC to build around, right after they move Kawhi too.

Zubac is 28 year old. Late prime. (our timeline) By the time LAC will be done building he'll be a 30+. He's good, but not All-Star level talent. I'm just suggesting he might be attainable. Not likely, but also not farfetched. NY's trade proposal wouldn't just be Mitch + Yabu. Other players might be involved. Picks.

Hapoel Tel Aviv in negotiations with Guerschon Yabusele?
Feb. 03, 2026, 10:10 AM EST
Sport5 reports that Hapoel Tel Aviv are in negotiations with Guerschon Yabusele over a potential deal.
The forward is described as a high-profile target, with multiple European clubs keeping close tabs on his case. The report frames it as a “big move” Hapoel want to complete in the next few days.
It also notes Panathinaikos AKTOR among the teams linked to the former Real Madrid Baloncesto player.
Sportando

If the player decides to comeback to EuroLeague, …
Feb. 03, 2026, 10:10 AM EST
Matteo Andreani: Hapoel Tel Aviv - Guerschon Yabusele. If the player decides to comeback to EuroLeague, Hapoel is ready to make a big offer. Hapoel offer to Yabusele is 2,5m $ until the end of the seasoN and 5 m $ for next year I'm told.
x.com

Lonzo Ball joining LaMelo in Charlotte?
Feb. 03, 2026, 3:30 AM EST
Sources say there has been some preliminary conversation between the Cavaliers and Hornets about Ball trade constructions that could furnish Charlotte with second-round draft capital and thus enable the Hornets to pair the elder Ball with his younger brother LaMelo. Charlotte, Brooklyn and Utah, according to league sources, are all teams that have been looking to facilitate multi-team trades or take on unwanted salary in exchange for draft pick compensation.
marcstein.substack.com

Bulls’ Ayo Dosunmu Considered Trade ‘Name to Watch’ for Knicks (Reports)