As far as missing minutes with foul trouble, Grant Williams and Salaun as backups can totally makeup for that. Edit -not to mention if they also keep Bridges which would be the best option because it would be a win now move. - As for rebounds don't use him for fantasy. But he's still a great player who can contribute all over the floor and in particular in weak spots on this team on defense with his length. He's exactly what the Hornets need and the exact kind of player they should "go after when the time comes" or however they phrased it.
You're seeing things backwards. Saying that a player is soft and also prone to fouling is a contradiction by itself. Most elite rim protectors have low defensive rebound numbers because they're almost always making a rotation to contest shots at the rim instead of boxing out. Yes, you would need size and above avg rebounders positionally on the rest of the lineup, and we do have the positional size part with LaMelo and Miller in the backcourt (Kon is not a bad rebounder either). Defensive rebound is mostly a team effort as we can see from the roster this year being top 10 in the category.
His contract still isnt worth it so if you bring him then say bye bye to either Kon or Brandon because Brandon's contract will overlap Melo's and JJJ. You want to sign Kon long term also ASAP to trading for him makes that significantly harder.
I know that the numbers itself are crazy, but JJJ is not on a 35% max. It's hard to project our future salary not knowing what Miller will be. I wish Miller had shown enough to be an unquestionable core piece and future max extension player with supermax triggers, but that's just not the case. If Miller is a player we don't want to do that, then I don't think you'll make a money-related case against trading for JJJ.
In any case, I know that Kon plays well-beyond a normal rookie, but Kon rookie extension only happens in the 2029 offseason, when LaMelo contracts expires and JJJ would be making his PO choice. If you want to make a a solid playoffs team while also having LaMelo, the scenarios where we would need to bring in a player making at the very least 30% of the CAP like JJJ are almost inevitable (edit: the Bam/Lauri examples were bad tbh). Barring lottery luck or another awesome pick, I think JJJ is one of the most realistic not terrible ideas.
If Miller is a player we don't want to do that, then I don't think you'll make a money-related case against trading for JJJ.
Wouldn't surprise if we move Miller in a JJJ trade should we choose to honestly, I want him to work out and its way too early to give up but it wouldnt surprise me because I dont think hes going to be worth the type of money hes going to ask for honestly.
but Kon rookie extension only happens in the 2029 offseason
The issue is that if you decide to extend Brandon then Kons extension factors in because I want that kid locked up ASAP and Brandond contract factors into that.
I don't think there's reason to doom about a scenario where we would be paying near maxes to LaMelo, Kon and Miller simultaneously. Unless we overpay Miller in a bad way, it would mean a very good outcome where all of them hit their ceiling and the team is a solid top 6 seed. Again, next season will make or break if we want to keep LaMelo on good terms, and a trade for an expensive player is an alternative to improve the team in an attempt to start competing. It's a matter of weighting in the potential targets, and I don't really see a dozen names better than JJJ.
His contract still isnt worth it so if you bring him then say bye bye to either Kon or Brandon because Brandon's contract will overlap Melo's and JJJ
If you get a max player with the 2026 draft pick you're going to have the same problem at some point. And in that case, you don't have a contender in the meantime. If you add Jackson now, you have a guaranteed contender. You'd have your current big 3 + an experienced veteran who fills a hole in the roster for a substantial window. If you rely on developing so many players so young, by the time they are good enough, you're liable to already be having your roster crunch cut down any window of having your big 3 + another elite piece.
Its entirely possible Jackson ends up being worth his contract. Remember the circumstances around Siakam recently. His value was low and he was up for an extension. A lot of people didn't think he'd be worth it but after winning conference finals MVP he proved he was. His perceived value was impacted by his poor team circumstances in Toronto where he and Barnes overlapped too much. Now all of a sudden Siakam's on a losing team and would likely be considered overpaid if people didn't have such clear cut evidence to know better.
You have to have an expensive team if you want to win. You have to pay players big money. Elite defensive power forwards are always going to valuable. There's so few of them and they are necessary to winning at the highest level. Here are the 30 recent Finals teams basically all having a power forward with an elite combination of size, athleticism and defense, Chet, Siakam, Horford/Porzingus, PJ Washington, Aaron Gordon, Bam, Draymond, Robert Williams/Horford/Grant Williams, Giannis, AD, Bam, Siakam, Draymond/Durant, Draymond/Durant, LeBron, LeBron, Draymond/Harrison Barnes, Duncan/Kawhi, Bosh/LeBron, Bosh/LeBron, Ibaka/Durant, Dirk/Shawn Marion, Bosh/LeBron, Odom/Artest, Garnett.
What are the odds the 2026 draft pick is as good as Jaren Jackson Jr.? Maybe 25%. And that might be very generous. A quick google search estimated 5%. A number of other teams will out tank you no matter what you do. 6'11, 242 pounds, 7'4 wingspan, 26 years old, athletic, agile. Perennial all defensive player. Nicknamed "Block Panther". Has been a top 2 player twice on Western Conference 2 seed teams. Plays the exact role the Hornets need, a long power forward that can disrupt things on defense and knock down shots.
Its not worth the risk of trying to find 1 of these players in the draft rather than taking the opportunity when the known quantity of Jackson is available. The Hornets have a Jaren Jackson sized hole in their lineup and there just happens to be a team going through a colossal franchise pivot to a rebuild and unprecedentedly are making their perennial all defensive power forward, Jackson himself, available for trade. And it comes at a time when you have basically all the other players necessary for a championship team and have been accumulating draft capital for just such a move.
Well, he's not really a 5. He's been best used alongside a 5 who cleans the glass as he's never really seemed to understand how rebounding works.
The problem is that the 2025 version of Jaren Jackson may not actually be a 4, either. While his best defense has generally been played as a help man trying to alter shots, his mobility right now ain't looking great.
The goal is to have a championship team. Jaren Jackson Jr. is really good at basketball. He gives you a championship team. Your goal is to add him to your team. An all NBA defender at the 4 is a key archetype to find when putting together a championship roster, not to mention in Jackson's case a legit 2-way player and all-star caliber. He strongly compliments all 3 of your best players as well as literally every player on the roster. You're already stacked 1-3 and this would extend this advantage to round out the roster with high end talent.
This current team tied the NBA record for 3's in a half and just set a franchise record for margin of victory on the road. Adding Jackson puts them over the top.
Even if you had to go into the tax this year it would be worth it. You could match salaries by losing very little. Connaugton, Mann and Green is enough matching salary. Its feasible you can do the deal and use the NTMLE and duck the tax this year. Its possible you can even duck the tax next year in that scenario. The repeater doesn't kick in until after 3 years of being in the tax. You have a real championship window and plenty of flexibility down the road.
Jaren Jackson Jr. is set to make over $49M starting next season. The Hornets already gave LaMelo a massive contract, and they’ll have to pay Brandon Miller soon, too. That would mean Jaren, LaMelo, and Brandon alone would eat up the entire salary cap. Then what happens to Kon? And what about the center spot or the rest of the roster?
People keep saying to swap Miles for Jaren, but they’re forgetting that a 20-point scorer is locked in at just $20M. He’s not even half the price of Jaren—he’s significantly cheaper than that.
Maybe if he wasn’t on a max but I wouldn’t touch him at his current cap hit.
Lamelo for Jackson. It's only deal wont screw hornets.
tough to hear… but I hate to say it makes sense.
Don’t trust Iko
fr this is the same dude who “broke” that lamelo wants out lol
This times 200.
On his contract? I can't see why we would
Tbh I didn't realize he signed an extension this summer lol. Dangerous contract to be taking on.
If his contract wasn’t what it is I would love a JJJ and Moussa lineup
Fuck no.
And you shouldn't trust Iko (even if hes probably right to assume this much). Memphis need a full rebuild so this makes sense really.
Pass
Not sure how trustworthy it is but JJJ is one the few expensive players that are very obvious fit with Melo/Kon/Miller.
Hes prone to fouling, Can't Reb and plays soft for 6'10
100% agree it's a no for me
As far as missing minutes with foul trouble, Grant Williams and Salaun as backups can totally makeup for that. Edit -not to mention if they also keep Bridges which would be the best option because it would be a win now move. - As for rebounds don't use him for fantasy. But he's still a great player who can contribute all over the floor and in particular in weak spots on this team on defense with his length. He's exactly what the Hornets need and the exact kind of player they should "go after when the time comes" or however they phrased it.
You're seeing things backwards. Saying that a player is soft and also prone to fouling is a contradiction by itself. Most elite rim protectors have low defensive rebound numbers because they're almost always making a rotation to contest shots at the rim instead of boxing out. Yes, you would need size and above avg rebounders positionally on the rest of the lineup, and we do have the positional size part with LaMelo and Miller in the backcourt (Kon is not a bad rebounder either). Defensive rebound is mostly a team effort as we can see from the roster this year being top 10 in the category.
His contract still isnt worth it so if you bring him then say bye bye to either Kon or Brandon because Brandon's contract will overlap Melo's and JJJ. You want to sign Kon long term also ASAP to trading for him makes that significantly harder.
I know that the numbers itself are crazy, but JJJ is not on a 35% max. It's hard to project our future salary not knowing what Miller will be. I wish Miller had shown enough to be an unquestionable core piece and future max extension player with supermax triggers, but that's just not the case. If Miller is a player we don't want to do that, then I don't think you'll make a money-related case against trading for JJJ.
In any case, I know that Kon plays well-beyond a normal rookie, but Kon rookie extension only happens in the 2029 offseason, when LaMelo contracts expires and JJJ would be making his PO choice. If you want to make a a solid playoffs team while also having LaMelo, the scenarios where we would need to bring in a player making at the very least 30% of the CAP like JJJ are almost inevitable (edit: the Bam/Lauri examples were bad tbh). Barring lottery luck or another awesome pick, I think JJJ is one of the most realistic not terrible ideas.
Wouldn't surprise if we move Miller in a JJJ trade should we choose to honestly, I want him to work out and its way too early to give up but it wouldnt surprise me because I dont think hes going to be worth the type of money hes going to ask for honestly.
I don't think there's reason to doom about a scenario where we would be paying near maxes to LaMelo, Kon and Miller simultaneously. Unless we overpay Miller in a bad way, it would mean a very good outcome where all of them hit their ceiling and the team is a solid top 6 seed. Again, next season will make or break if we want to keep LaMelo on good terms, and a trade for an expensive player is an alternative to improve the team in an attempt to start competing. It's a matter of weighting in the potential targets, and I don't really see a dozen names better than JJJ.
If you get a max player with the 2026 draft pick you're going to have the same problem at some point. And in that case, you don't have a contender in the meantime. If you add Jackson now, you have a guaranteed contender. You'd have your current big 3 + an experienced veteran who fills a hole in the roster for a substantial window. If you rely on developing so many players so young, by the time they are good enough, you're liable to already be having your roster crunch cut down any window of having your big 3 + another elite piece.
Its entirely possible Jackson ends up being worth his contract. Remember the circumstances around Siakam recently. His value was low and he was up for an extension. A lot of people didn't think he'd be worth it but after winning conference finals MVP he proved he was. His perceived value was impacted by his poor team circumstances in Toronto where he and Barnes overlapped too much. Now all of a sudden Siakam's on a losing team and would likely be considered overpaid if people didn't have such clear cut evidence to know better.
You have to have an expensive team if you want to win. You have to pay players big money. Elite defensive power forwards are always going to valuable. There's so few of them and they are necessary to winning at the highest level. Here are the 30 recent Finals teams basically all having a power forward with an elite combination of size, athleticism and defense, Chet, Siakam, Horford/Porzingus, PJ Washington, Aaron Gordon, Bam, Draymond, Robert Williams/Horford/Grant Williams, Giannis, AD, Bam, Siakam, Draymond/Durant, Draymond/Durant, LeBron, LeBron, Draymond/Harrison Barnes, Duncan/Kawhi, Bosh/LeBron, Bosh/LeBron, Ibaka/Durant, Dirk/Shawn Marion, Bosh/LeBron, Odom/Artest, Garnett.
What are the odds the 2026 draft pick is as good as Jaren Jackson Jr.? Maybe 25%. And that might be very generous. A quick google search estimated 5%. A number of other teams will out tank you no matter what you do. 6'11, 242 pounds, 7'4 wingspan, 26 years old, athletic, agile. Perennial all defensive player. Nicknamed "Block Panther". Has been a top 2 player twice on Western Conference 2 seed teams. Plays the exact role the Hornets need, a long power forward that can disrupt things on defense and knock down shots.
Its not worth the risk of trying to find 1 of these players in the draft rather than taking the opportunity when the known quantity of Jackson is available. The Hornets have a Jaren Jackson sized hole in their lineup and there just happens to be a team going through a colossal franchise pivot to a rebuild and unprecedentedly are making their perennial all defensive power forward, Jackson himself, available for trade. And it comes at a time when you have basically all the other players necessary for a championship team and have been accumulating draft capital for just such a move.
Yeah with a star center I think he’d be a great fit
He needs a legit big next to him like Steven Adams or else he’s useless
(Iko)
Iko = Fake
Not interested
Contract is scary
Kon kneup is the face of the nba
JJJ has arguably been worse this year than Miles Bridges. I cannot believe I just said that sentence but it’s true (arguably)
Well, he's not really a 5. He's been best used alongside a 5 who cleans the glass as he's never really seemed to understand how rebounding works.
The problem is that the 2025 version of Jaren Jackson may not actually be a 4, either. While his best defense has generally been played as a help man trying to alter shots, his mobility right now ain't looking great.
This is very insightful. I appreciate it. I’m admittedly basing my thoughts on watching miles & looking at JJJ’s numbers on paper so fit is lost on me
Presumably a deduction rather than a 'scoop', considering the source.
The goal is to have a championship team. Jaren Jackson Jr. is really good at basketball. He gives you a championship team. Your goal is to add him to your team. An all NBA defender at the 4 is a key archetype to find when putting together a championship roster, not to mention in Jackson's case a legit 2-way player and all-star caliber. He strongly compliments all 3 of your best players as well as literally every player on the roster. You're already stacked 1-3 and this would extend this advantage to round out the roster with high end talent.
This current team tied the NBA record for 3's in a half and just set a franchise record for margin of victory on the road. Adding Jackson puts them over the top.
Even if you had to go into the tax this year it would be worth it. You could match salaries by losing very little. Connaugton, Mann and Green is enough matching salary. Its feasible you can do the deal and use the NTMLE and duck the tax this year. Its possible you can even duck the tax next year in that scenario. The repeater doesn't kick in until after 3 years of being in the tax. You have a real championship window and plenty of flexibility down the road.
Jaren Jackson Jr. is set to make over $49M starting next season. The Hornets already gave LaMelo a massive contract, and they’ll have to pay Brandon Miller soon, too. That would mean Jaren, LaMelo, and Brandon alone would eat up the entire salary cap. Then what happens to Kon? And what about the center spot or the rest of the roster?
People keep saying to swap Miles for Jaren, but they’re forgetting that a 20-point scorer is locked in at just $20M. He’s not even half the price of Jaren—he’s significantly cheaper than that.