Kevin O’Connor
Appearances
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
You're not going to get into the play-in. You're too far back right now. So I'm okay with keeping things together right now. And if Zion is back to prime Zion for the whole rest of the season... I think that maybe gives you an idea of what you want to do in the summer if you're the Pelicans versus dumping things right now just for slightly higher odds.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
So you're still ejecting from the Zion situation.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
If you're trying to add, which I don't think they're going to go the other way. Walker Kessler is a center. Try to go get him from Utah. Then you can play two big lineups. Are you winning four rounds if you make a Walker Kessler trade? No. Just one of the names. You can trade two picks. You can trade multiple swaps. You do have some tradable salaries. So maybe that's one of the guys you go for.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
And... I don't know if you and I feel the same way about this guy, Bill, but I think everything Zach Levine has done this year, forget about last year. No, we're aligned on that. Okay.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
So to me, if you're able to put a package together for Zach Levine, and it's a tough deal, it'd probably have to be a three-way, but if you go get Zach Levine and add him to the bunch with LeBron James, Anthony Davis, if you're able to go get a five like Walker Kessler, you have Dorian Finney-Smith already, you have Austin Reeves,
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Like suddenly you have like a really good top six, top seven with a lot of dynamic scoring ability, versatility on defense, different lineup configurations that you can play. So I think the Lakers should be adding. They should try to trade their 29 and 31. They should try to trade their swaps. They should try to go for something here.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
What if you slightly protect those picks?
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
What's the other way? Does that mean trading AD? Trading LeBron?
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Yeah, if you look at the teams in the NBA right now with 23-plus wins, the only two teams with a negative point differential are Magic, minus 0.5, and the Lakers, minus 2.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Yes. Yep. And the Lakers, they're the only team in the West top six right now with a negative plus minus on the entire season.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Pretty sure he went undrafted, yeah.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
And he also hasn't done anything since game two of the East Finals against the Celtics two years ago in 2023. He was inefficient the rest of that series. Inefficient against Denver. He's mistimed the last two years for suspensions, for being a malcontent, for injuries, for age. I don't know what he's actually worth at this point for all those reasons.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
So I don't even know if I'd want to trade for him if I'm the Suns. I get the appeal. He's better than Bradley Beal. Obviously, they're going to continue trying to build this thing up.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Yes, if it's Bradley Beal, you're doing that.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
That's why you have all these rumors trickling out about how it could be a four or five team trade. Because somebody else would be taking Beal in this situation. I actually figured out what that trade would be.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
I got one too for this one. I want to know if you came up with the same thing.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
It doesn't have to be the Bucs for Beal.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Here's what I got for the Jimmy Butler five-way deal. I got Sons get Butler. Oh, let's hear it. Five-way. Five-way. Sons get Butler. Heat get Chris Middleton and Pat Connaughton. Okay. Bulls get Bradley Beal. Bucks get Zach Levine. And then the Pistons take Bobby Portis into their cap space. And then you...
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
distribute some picks to the teams that should get them like the Bulls for taking Beal instead of Levine. But that would be the players that work salary-wise. And so you've got Beal, maybe he'd waive his no-trade clause, get reunited with his college coach, Billy Donovan, restore his career there. Who knows what his logic would be going there. But I don't think there's many teams that
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Beal would waive his no trade clause for. And I thought it was very, very interesting that Mark Bartelstein, his agent, came out again publicly tonight. It's the second time he's spoken publicly about Beal. And he listed a bunch of teams, the Lakers, the Bucs, the Heat, all these teams he's not waiving his no trade clause for. The Bulls weren't mentioned.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
So that might be because the Bulls aren't a team that a lot of people are talking about publicly in this whole scenario. But you do have the other stuff reported earlier on Thursday about the Bucs looking at Zach Levine. I don't think the Bucs would want Beal either. He's not necessarily an upgrade over this diminished version of Chris Middleton, but Zach Levine damn well is an upgrade.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
over what you have in Middleton right now. So maybe Beal to the Bulls is something that could make sense there, which is why I came up with those five teams. And the Pistons is the fifth team. You could put other teams there, but they're the one with cap space, so it's just easy.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
If I'm the Suns, I'd probably rather get Zach Levine than Jimmy Butler. I think you're right. I mean, like Jimmy Butler, obviously, he's proven it in the playoffs. He was younger at that time. Zach Levine also has not been in those situations. But if you remove last year when he was out for the season with a foot injury, he's been awesome since 2020. He's been awesome.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
It makes no sense. I just pulled up some numbers prior to the recording, Bill, just because with Levine, a lot of people still think he's some diminished asset. But four of the last five years, if you remove last season, 45% on catch-and-shoot threes, 37% on dribble jumper threes, 45% on mid-range jumpers, 63% on unassisted shots at the rim. He's caught 26 lob dunks.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
That's the fourth most of all guards in the NBA. So he's versatile. We know he's a great athlete. He's an elite shooter off the dribble and off the catch. He's versatile with how he gets to those shots, screens and handoffs, pick and roll. He can shoot from mid-range. He can do a lot for your offense and fit into different roles at this point. last year.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
He's been injury prone, but last year was the only year where it actually affected his performance ever since 2020. So to me, if I'm the, if I'm the bulls, I'd be happy to keep them. I know that creates some roster issues with Kobe white and all that. Maybe you end up flipping him instead, but Kobe white's also on a value contract, but Levine's been awesome, dude.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
I just, I can't, I can't understand why he's still viewed as some horrible player. asset at this point.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Maybe you do. Maybe that's what it ends up being. If the Lakers say, we'll give you two unprotected firsts, if the Suns say, we'll give you... Bradley Beal and two or three firsts that we just received in that really interesting deal with the Jazz.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Best time of the year, Bill. And I have to say, you know, I called you on the phone when I left for Yahoo, but I have to thank you for everything, you know, over those eight years of the ringer publicly. I have to, I have to. Yeah, we're always good.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
I think both say no in the end. Philly needs that big wing. They have enough guards. They have Maxie. McCain's out for the year, but they still have him. So you think they say no faster? I think Philly says no faster, but both end up saying no.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Philly says no. Philly's like, no, you can't give up on Embiid today.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
I think the Sixers would consider trading Embiid this summer. Right now, today, I don't think they would. I just don't think you can today. But this summer, absolutely you could. He starts a whole new contract, $59 million next season, then 64, and then 69 the next three years. Guaranteed.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Very interesting. No, I, the only thing I heard of Bob Myers is that the Sonics could be a team when they expand.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
All right, so we both think- Bill, is Bob a teardown guy? Like if he did get hired by the Sixers, was he somebody to reset things?
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
I think the value is New Orleans takes back a contract with another year on it and you get a pick as well. But Ingram himself, the injuries, the iffy production, not a lot of value and just not a lot of time left on his contract for that matter either.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
I'm liking it with Tobias Harris. I don't think I'd want to screw up that chemistry right now.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Is it possible you don't want to be too good too soon? Why? To disperse? I mean, what's wrong with having another lottery pick this year in a draft where you can take Cooper Flagg if you end up getting lucky with the 5% or 6% chance with your lottery odds?
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
10th best odds, 3% chance at the number one pick, which is unlikely.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
I mean, I'd like to see them add two for the right pieces. McCollum, point guard in his 30s. I'm iffy there, and I don't love the Ingram fit. Okay, so you wouldn't do anything. That's why I put it in the I'm not sure I would do this camp. I wouldn't do that. There's other stuff I think I would do if I'm the Spurs, but I wouldn't do that.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
I'd think about Zion. That'd be fun.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Maxi, Wemby, that's what I'm talking about.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
That's what I'm talking about.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
You kind of like this one. I love it. Yeah. I mean, I'm into it. It's kind of like the same reason why I liked Reed Shepard for them in the draft, because I want that shooting, smaller, quick guard, speedy guy to pair with Victor. I mean, I know the Chris Paul stuff is working. I get it. It looks good. He's almost 40. But he moves so slow, he can't get into the paint anymore.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
I think Wemby should be getting a lot more lob opportunities than he's been able to, but that's because Chris Paul is very slow and he's not able to beat guys off the dribble and defenses can just switch. You wouldn't be able to do that as much if it's Maxie or somebody like that.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
I think so. Really? I love Castle. I'm all in on that, dude. I mean, it was so close for me between those guys. I think I had it. Shepard, Castle, Klingon.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
I don't know if I'd change that at this point right now.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
I just think it's a lack of playing time. They just have too many guys.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
if they like let's say they got that maxi deal or whoever the small guard is castle can be like your iguodala type to like stephen curry like he does he does everything for your team he can defend every position cut spot up screen sometimes run pick and roll handle the offense for you the castle is just like a total true swiss army knife yeah that roster i don't know i love him he's perfect with victor perfect for the spurs
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Yeah, I think with this Lively injury, there's been some trickling out for a few days that like, oh, maybe they're going to go after a center. But I'm like, huh, maybe they want to just have some versatility in the front court. But now that we know about the injury, it completely explains why they're going for a center here. And so my question is, what type of center are they going to go for?
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Um, let's see on my list. Uh, I mean, I, I think most of mine, maybe you can say there's a chance. So none of them, I would say are super crazy.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
All right, first one, Orlando Magic, Anthony Simons to the Magic for Cole Anthony, Jet Howard, and one first round pick going to the Blazers. So you upgrade over Cole Anthony with Anthony Simons, younger guy as well, that still fits the roster for you moving forward in Orlando. And Portland gets Jed Howard. Maybe he turns into something, a future pick.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
And they get some salary relief as well since you're going to have Cole Anthony, Jed Howard in pieces rather than that big Simons deal in the $25 million range.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
And for Portland, it's all in. Let's get a full look at Scoot. Scoot's been better as of late. He's shown signs of life. So that's part of it. He's shown signs of life, all right. There's been life. That's part of it for Portland here. It's like you have Simons who's taking a lot of those touches. He's absorbing a lot of those minutes. Cole Anthony, great chemistry guy for the Magic.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
That's one reason why you wouldn't want to move him. But he can be that in Portland, too. He could be the backup spark plug point guard. Simons is actually deserving of a bigger role. So I think he could get that with the magic that he can't get with Portland because you still need to invest in Scoot if you're the Blazers, despite all the ups and downs.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
They're going to go for another lob, vertical guy like Lively, like Gafford. But if you add a third guy like that and then Lively comes back, Right, then what's your roster? Yeah, exactly. So I wonder if maybe for them they still go after a pick-and-pop big or a switchable big, somebody like that to give them some frontcourt versatility.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
I mean, it's complicated. I'm just trying to figure out the salaries here. So Mitchell Robinson, to be clear, he's going to... He's $14 million.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Because they're way under the cap, right? They have the cap, yeah. Well, if they're taking it to Cam Johnson, they won't be under the cap, though.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Regardless of the surrounding pieces, the idea of Cam Johnson on the Pistons makes a lot of sense. I mean, as a better Tim Hardaway. Yes, that type of guy they should be going for, for sure. Like if it's if it's an easier deal to make, then that may be. But like, I don't know about all the other pieces, but Cam Johnson of the Pistons. Yes, please. Like, that's a good idea.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
I made it too complicated, but yes, like just simply that idea. I like. Yes.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
I have a Mitchell Robinson trade in part for that reason. Let's hear it. I got the Knicks and the Jazz. I got Mitchell Robinson, Deuce McBride, who had pained me to trade, and Precious Achua for Colin Sexton, Walker Kessler, and a salary filler in Zfiba Kyluk. So in this case, you would do this deal if you're the Knicks knowing that Mitchell Robinson may not be coming back for the entire season.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
And so you get Walker Kessler back to fill a similar role. You get Colin Sexton as an upgrade over Deuce McBride. I love Deuce. I think Deuce is better than Tom Thibodeau. I mean, Tom Thibodeau barely plays him, though. He barely plays any of the guys off the bench.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
But Gafford looked damn good in the first half of their game on Sunday. So Gafford, we know he can step his play up. So I wouldn't say, I don't think I'd go as far as you to say that they're screwed, but it is going to be a lot dependent on what they do to fill that center gap because it can't just be Gafford. That's all they have now.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
So maybe you don't even make this deal for that reason, knowing Tibbs is going to have Walker Kessel playing eight minutes a game and Sexton playing 15. But maybe he would play some of those guys more. So I think if you're the Knicks, something along those lines, I'd be wanting to get another center because as much as I really like Precious Achua, I want a true five.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
I want another true rim protector next to Cat because what they've been doing lately in the lineups have worked well, but they've barely played Cat with Achua. It's worked when they have. It's been really successful for that team. But I want to see somebody that allows Cat to be in that role he was next to Gobert in Minnesota.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
I know Achua doesn't offer the rim protection that, say, Walker Kessler could. So maybe I've made that deal too complicated and you trim it down. No, I see what you're trying to do with it, though.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
I mean, that's the case with a lot of guys.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Next year, Bill, they're going to go get BYU's A.J. Devonsa. One more year of being crappy.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
One more year. Just one more if you're the Jazz. And also, next year's class has more than just AJ, too. Next year's class, you've got the Boozers, you've got Kareem Lopez, who's dominating in the NBL right now, is 17 years old in a men's league. So there's a lot of guys in next year's class that could be a number one quality pick. So I think it's one more year for Utah.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
I mean, right, today. All time.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
All time, yes. The bounce is going to prove it. Is it Rocky Marciano from Brockton? Yeah, over my shoulder, these two bobbleheads. I got Marvin Hagler and Rocky Marciano. So Marciano and Hagler are one, too. All time. Yeah, they're one, too, without a doubt.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
So with Jordan Poole, Bill. Yeah, let's hear it. Throughout his entire basketball life, he's been a near 90% guy from the free throw line. He's had touch near the basket on floaters, but he's never been a consistent three-point shooter until this season. 25 years old, over 40% from three for the first time in his entire career after he was a below 34% guy. What if this is the new Jordan Poole?
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Yeah. And for pool, like it's not like a, you have them till he's 27, 28 years old. So it's not a long-term commitment.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Right. The wizards went from one of the, one of the worst watches in the league last year to, Oh, wait a minute. They're pretty fun. There's this, like pool's been really good. Alex SAR is getting better. They've been a fun team to watch.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Kuzma has not been good. But Poole, I'm intrigued. I'm intrigued because for a long time... So you like this one? This might be the first one we've fully agreed on. I like this one because Poole is the type of guy that I think is worth a swing. Like for the Spurs, these guys, I don't want to get... When they first drafted Webby, Bill, I was thinking, oh, they should accelerate.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
They should go after Brooke Lopez and have another big. They should go after a veteran and really support Victor and be good right away. I've backed off that the last year and a half. I want them instead to take these short-term guys who are swings. I'd be open to Zion, Jordan Poole types, guys like that who help you be competitive, but
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
But you're not having to overspend all of your future baskets because the time you're going to be really wanting to trade in those assets, like the two future picks you got from Minnesota, the picks you have from the Hawks, that's going to be in the next two, three, four years in that range when Victor's into his mid-20s.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
That's when it's time to go build and try to go for it and take those really big swings on proven guys.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
And they are competitive. They're just slightly below 500. They're really great when Victor's on the floor.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
And Vassell's been disappointing this season. No, he has.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
I like it. I'm into it. That's a good creative idea. I hadn't thought about Jordan Poole as a target for the Spurs. That's a good one.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
I don't have a Zion to the Spurs one. I was just intrigued by the idea after you mentioned the Pelicans trades.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
I don't want Randall on Detroit.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Yeah, I think that's exactly what he is. I mean, it's crazy to say that about a dude who was two-time All-NBA and he's had some really good seasons, but he's just been horrible for Minnesota this year. And he's also had times where he was horrible for the Knicks. And so you have this really good thing going right now with the Pistons.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
I know Cade's not perfect yet, but I don't want Randall clogging the lane for Cade when things are finally opening up for him and he's looking like a borderline All-NBA guy. All right, that's fair. But why do you like it for the other teams, though? I'm just curious.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Or is that in part his fault that it's not working perfectly?
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
I mean, even with a healthy lively, I'm curious, do you still view them as upper tier in the Western Conference, right on the same level as Denver, who's really come along lately? Russell Westbrook, you've got to give the dude credit. He is playing at the best level that he has in years. Jamal Murray getting along better now.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
All right, I got a small one. This is a son's one. Yusuf Nurkic and one of the first you got in that Utah deal to the Blazers for Robert Williams. Send Nurk back to Portland. Get time Lord. Obviously injury prone, but he's a lob guy. Fits the Nick Richards profile.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Yes, so you're saving money and you're getting a guy who fits your roster.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Maybe Nurkic comes off the bench for you behind Klingin, something like that. You know, uh, But then you have the Aiton issue as well. But I want to see them go with two bigs sometimes. I'd like to see them try that out more often. I don't know. I think Billups is resistant to doing that. But at least Nurkic is a guy, he's a vet. Maybe he plays a little bit off the bench for you.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
But being back in Portland, maybe he won't pout like he is in Phoenix right now. Is Aiton a trade piece to you in any way? I don't think so. So he's another one. I agree with you. He's been productive, but who's trading for him at $30-plus million? So many teams have fives right now. I don't think there's many teams out there that would want a five making his money with how inconsistent he is.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Yeah. I don't know the team. I'm not sure. New Orleans made sense a little bit before the season, but not so much right now. Yeah, they're 12-32. Yes. They're the only team that I really had thought of before the season. At this point, I don't see something there for him.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Let's see. I got one right here. I got a Cam Johnson one. I mentioned this on my podcast with Bobby Marks earlier in the week, and he was iffy on it, so I'm curious about your thoughts. Cam Johnson to the Cavs for Isaac Okoro, rookie Jalen Tyson, Niang's contract, and their unprotected 2031 firsts.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Bobby was iffy on it because the Cavs, you could argue, and I think his reason is pretty sound here, you could argue the Cavs should try to get under the luxury tax this year to not get that clock started. So you become a team over the tax multiple years in a row once Mobley has to be re-signed and all these guys' deals come up.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Until Bobby was like, maybe you go the other way and try to trade a guy to get under the tax. I think that makes sense. At the same time, Cam Johnson is very clearly an upgrade over Isaac Okoro. He adds dynamic shooting ability to your team when you're on a 70-win pace. This could be your chance to go for it. This could be the only year. Who knows what's going to happen in the future?
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
So I like the idea of at least going for it this year and trying to roll the dice with somebody like Cam Johnson adding more upside to your team.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
I don't know who it is, though, that you can go get. I mean, like, Isaac Okoro is a better defender, but he also is somebody that you're going to be helping off of on defense. It's always a push-pull with these guys. So for the Cavs, you have limited assets. Well, why do they have to do anything?
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
It's kind of crazy. Like with Russ, it didn't work with LeBron. It works sometimes with the Clippers, but not all the time. It didn't in one of their playoffs. And not at the end. Yeah. And then with Jokic, it's like you have Jokic after the game talking about like we can read each other's minds. There is some chemistry that they have.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Yep, sometimes it is. And sometimes you regret not trying to add another piece. It can go both ways. I think it depends. Cam Johnson's a good guy. I think he could fit into any locker room flawlessly. I don't think it'd be an issue adding him to the team. Yeah, he's been great. So I just think if you're talking about who defends Tatum, who defends Brown...
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
It's hard to defend those guys, all these great players at that level anyway, unless you have a truly elite elite.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Try that one more time. Drive to the middle of the floor with your left hand again. But I think for the Cavs, if you're talking about that matchup issue... I mean, you do have Dean Wade, who's been really good defensively for you. But even then, Dean Wade alone isn't stopping those guys. It's having Evan Mobley shade over and help. It's having Jared Allen presence at the basket.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
It's Donovan Mitchell helping at the nail and shading help over. It's more than one guy. So I don't think Cam Johnson's some liability by any means. He's just an average defender. But he's definitely somebody they would pick on compared to the others. And by the way, if you're picking on anybody, like if it's an in-game lineup, it's Garland. It's Garland still.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Cleveland. I mean, obviously one and two, both one seeds.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Is there another one you want to throw? Go with your big one. You ready for the big one? I got my favorite ones out.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
It feels like every other game, once it's Jokic and Westbrook, then it's Jokic and Murray, then it's Jokic and MPJ. It's always a different connection. Their offense, sometimes I felt like it got a bit dry.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Are you sure this is the Lakers going the other way? Draymond's still a really good defender. It's a pretty good trade.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
I don't think the Warriors do it, but I'm intrigued. Too many picks? Yeah. Too many picks.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
You think Steph would break up? Let's say the Warriors are in a position. They're no to blowing it up, no to trading Steph and Draymond this summer, right? Let's just say they're not going to do that. Do you think Steph would be willing to break up with Draymond in this scenario?
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Sometimes it was always Jokic-Murray end-of-game situations, but there's variety now that makes me think, wait a minute, is Denver actually just the only true contender besides OKC in the Western Conference? Are they actually the team that could take them down? Because I'm not... I'm not totally sold on Dallas anyway. I think they have too many holes. I'm still worried about Luka's health.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Draymond might want it to happen.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Orlando's interesting, though. If they were to give Isaac, who's like $24 million. I'm doing this on top of my head. Cole Anthony, who's like $12 million. So Isaac would have to be in the trade. Yeah. Maybe that gets you there. Orlando would be interesting, too.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Something like that. I'm pulling up a trading machine right now. Yeah, I'm looking at Scott Check. Isaac at 25, Anthony at 12.9, and then Jet Howard at 5.3. I think Caldwell Pope would have to be in it.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
And then for Isaac Anthony and jet Howard, those guys are, well, wouldn't Carter have to be in that trade though? No, I mean, it wouldn't have to be. Finance-wise, he wouldn't have to be. You could put him in there instead of Cole Anthony, potentially, I think. Is Cerruti on this? No, no, no. You can't do Wendell Carter. You could do Wendell Carter.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
What's up, Cerruti? 80 for Isaac, Anthony, and Howard, and then a bunch of picks. No, let's put Carter in there. You can't trade Carter. Carter cannot be traded this season. Oh, because he had the extension. Yes, so he can't be traded.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
I mean, when you're coming back post-All-Star break with that type of injury, that's the type of thing they can get hurt again. And Kyrie in and out still as well. A lot of questions there with them, even prior to Lively.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
I mean, you just listed like almost all of them. Is it five, six? Do you want to give all those picks for AD?
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
I want to do it for all those picks.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
I want to do it for all those picks. Three picks? I'd be cheap there if I'm the magic. Like 80 is 31 right now. He's got four years left until he's 34, 35 years old. And he's going to be making almost $60 million the next three years.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
I know. Davis is like the 11th best guy in the league. I know. That's the bar. I think it has to be five picks.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Three picks? But here's the one thing, Sir Rudy, right? Like, what is that next thing? No, you're right. But let's say there's a player that anytime a player that becomes available who's better than A.D., It's going to be Utah or the Thunder or the Spurs or the Rockets, the Nets, these teams that have more picks in quantity and quality. The Rockets can trade for them this summer.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Exactly. All these other teams have more quantity and quality. The Magic can't wait for that top five guy.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
No, that's all I had listed, Bill. That 81 has me thinking, though. I mean, because for the Lakers, Bill...
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
you're right like i don't think they're gonna necessarily go the other way that you're proposing but it's something they should at least think about like this week i made the case writing like the warriors should blow it up because they're not going anywhere steph's declining draymond's declining at least they're showing signs of it this year reminds me of the the 2012-13 celtics when kg and pierce were still really good but but they clearly were beginning to fall a little bit
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
And they make the deal that leads to Tatum and Brown. And so I think the Warriors are in that spot where at least the front office and ownership should be thinking about it. And for the Lakers, obviously LeBron, I mean, LeBron's not the same guy. He's just not. He's still a great player, but he's not the same level player. And AD, who knows when the injuries will start perking back up again.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
So they should think about it. I just think that Lakers roster is still worth at least exploring adding more. But if the Magic call up and offer you four firsts and two swaps, you've got to take that meeting and really think hard about it. Because if you do that, then that opens up your ability to say, oh, guess what? We are open to LeBron trades.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
And then if you were to get something for LeBron too, suddenly you'd have the most picks in the NBA. Yeah.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
I want to do it without LeBron if I'm Cleveland.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Maybe the sons for LeBron, somebody like that. short flight away from LA instead of Jimmy Butler.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Why is that? Is that because of LeBron not being top two, top three anymore? Is that why? Or is that more something about the supporting cast? Why do you think that is? Well, I mean, he's 40.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
But he's still one of the 10 to 15 best guys. 80, you said 11th best or something like that. So if you still have two top 15 guys.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
They're two moves away from at least having a chance. Everyone's two moves away. Well, that's exactly why it's difficult for them. They're two moves away from having a chance. And even then, they're still not the favorite. I'm still not taking them in a series against OKC or Denver. I still think they're probably a second round out.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Even if they do get Levine, even if they do get Kessler, but you'd have a better shot in that scenario. But I still want to pick them for all the reasons we're talking about.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
every team i just think and it can happen that like the warriors had a pretty good path in 2022 and like her talked about recently and they they win it all like it's not impossible to happen um so that that's what they know way but i i do think you know if a team calls up for ad it makes a significant offer they need to be thinking about that they have to who do you have in the finals right now
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
still okay see in the west though denver really intrigues me just the way they're playing lately like we talked about earlier with ross stepping up and everything and murray looks way better than he did four weeks ago he looks way better he looks more like himself and then in the east i'm still gonna take the celtics for now even though i think the shooting the shooting i'm worried about most because like the you know some of the other stuff i think they're just bored this happens almost every december into january with them yeah
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
But the shooting, they're closer to the middle of the pack in three-point percentage this season. I wonder if there's some tired legs there. Drew Holliday has regressed as a shooter. Derek White has as of late. And Jerry Lynn Brown looks like there's something off with him. I worry there, but I'll still lean towards Boston right now over Cleveland. That may change by the end of the season, though.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
They're not beating Boston, though. Their offense, their 30th and three-point percentage. They haven't had their guys. I know, but even with those guys, their offense isn't there yet.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
The Olympics may have been very bad for those guys. Very possible. Especially white and holiday, having a long offseason, a long playoffs. Something's off with those guys. That's where my concern is as well, is with those guards and the overall team shooting ability.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
All the Celtic fans would be like, oh no, they got that guy? Levine, Giannis would be beautiful together. That would be incredible. Lopez has been great this year for them too. If they can subtract Portis and upgrade from Middleton, I think they're cooking. They got something there.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
I don't think you can throw away the season. You can't. Like you said, with Embiid, if he's healthy, they've been good after he got back in December. Granted, he's missed a lot of time since then. But if Embiid's healthy, you know you're competitive. The problem is the fact that you get Paul George and you're saying, well, he's just going to be better than Tobias Harris.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
He's going to be way better than Harris that has been for us. And then he looks like Tobias Harris for you. And so if Paul George is actually... Is that an insult to Tobias Harris? I'm not sure. Yeah, it is. Because Tobias Harris is very average, below average with the Sixers. And he's been pretty good with the Pistons.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
That would be fair if he did say that he's at least been on the court. But with Paul George, he just looks like a complete shell of his former self. So if the Paul George decline is beginning and this isn't just an off year at 35, 36 years old, whatever he is, you have to take advantage of these years, especially if like Embiid is healthy come April and you sneak in as the seven or the eight seed.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Yeah. That's what I mean. If they win the two playing games and they sneak in in that case, and there's a seven or eight, like you gotta, you have to go for that possibility. You can't completely tank out here, but if MB doesn't come back, Moving up in the lottery is your silver lining here for Philadelphia. But I don't think you can tank for that. It's not worth doing that.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
You at least have to go for it. Otherwise, it's another year wasted. And for Daryl Morey in the front office as well, and Nick Nurse as head coach, that could mean your job too. If they do miss the playoffs, and if next year they go into things and it's not better, you might not get another job anytime soon. So I don't think they have much of a choice but to go for it now.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Those guys don't play hard for Nurse at all.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Yeah, I mean, at the least, at a minimum, he was a far better spot-up shooter than Tobias Harris. He was always above 40% from three. Tobias Harris was very streaky and consistent in lower volume. This year, Paul George, only 35% from three, has not been a knockdown guy on top of, you know, just stinking it up, end-of-game situations, losing control of the ball in the final minutes of games.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Right. real careless turnovers and the defense is not at a lockdown level for that matter either. So like the things that you thought at a minimum, we're getting elite defender and knockdown shooter who can sometimes go off. You're not even getting the role player stuff from him right now. And so that's where your Philadelphia
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
If he's not producing, I don't know if there's an answer for you to solve that at all with this roster. You were banking on Paul George. You waited for him in free agency. That's what the whole plan was, was to go out and get Paul George for seven months. This was the plan. So if he's not working out, nobody's going to take him for that matter.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Well, Golden State was in the mix for Paul George, too. Golden State. Oh, yeah. But at the same time, can you be relieved if you're them, though? You're super average this year. Yeah, you're a 500 team. Yeah. So we agree. Philly needs to use those picks, though. They have four tradable picks. They need to use those, I'd say.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
I don't know. He looks pretty damn good, Bill.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
It's too small. But I think McCain's value would only go up. To me, I mean, I think everybody talks about Jimmy Butler as a guy to Phoenix and all these other teams. Nobody ever mentions Philly. What if Philly offered three firsts with Paul George? to reunite Jimmy Butler with Joel Embiid. Maybe you don't do that if you're Philly.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Maybe you keep your tradable picks and go elsewhere, but I'm just throwing the idea out there. And maybe Miami rolls the dice with Paul George as a longer-term salary.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
I think you just keep it going. Honestly, I wouldn't necessarily tank it out unless you're getting a really, really good deal from McCollum. I think trading CJ McCollum would definitely be top of my list aside from the obvious Ingram.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
I mean, nobody's wanted Ingram for a year and a half.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
Yes. Is that going to change in the next three weeks here? With McCollum, at least he has had some banger performances as of late. He's looked healthy. He looks very good for them right now. So maybe you're trading McCollum. The issue is the fact that he's a tough guy to trade at $33 million this year. He's still a smaller guard. So for New Orleans, part of me, Bill, looks at this as...
The Bill Simmons Podcast
An NBA Fake-Trade Fiesta With Kevin O’Connor
A year in which your horrible start with Zion missing time keeps you in the lottery. It's going to keep you having good draft odds. And then the Lakers pick. Yes. So if you win towards the end of the season, maybe you actually have some clarity on what you want to do heading into the summer. So I'm not totally against keeping things together because you're going to have a lottery pick anyway.