2019 PBA Phil. Cup - Early Trade Ideas for Ginebra, Columbian and Meralco

(c) PBA Media Bureau

I know that the season is not even a month old but man, talking about trades is one of the most fun things to do in its duration.

With a two-week break coming due to the 2019 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, teams will have a good opportunity for trading and culturing guys.

So, let us start the roll running!


Columbian Dyip - A high upside forward
Dyip has silently built a pretty good and young guard rotation, Rashawn McCarthy-Reden Celda-Jerramy King-JP Calvo. With Perez at the wing, they need to add a high ceiling guy in their forward rotation.

I am a believer of the Semerad twins because of their physique and their good shooting mechanics. Will TNT say no to a 2nd rounder from the Dyip? The other possibility is the high flying Lervin Flores of Northport who could cost a little bit less but with the same upside.

Meralco Bolts - A trade for the future
I am not pretty sure Meralco fans are becoming sour with my sustained take that the Bolts should try to think about the future more instead of the present. One thing that I am pretty sure is that Meralco will make a move to clear the log jam in their guard rotation.

If I am the one who will be making the move,  I will sell high on Baser Amer. Amer is a great point guard but I do not think he is in the level of irreplaceable types like Jayson Castro and LA Tenorio.

Knowing that the 2019 and the 2020 draft are being projected with twice as the talent of 2018 draft, they should try to get one 1st round pick in those drafts for him.

Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel - Trade for a shooter
I know that with coach Tim Cone at the driver seat, Ginebra can overcome their need of shooting. But man, the numbers do not lie that they badly need someone who can hit threes!

They are currently shooting 5.5 out of 18 shots per game from beyond the arc. They are at the bottom of the two statistical categories. With Jeff Chan's inability to do what he is supposed to do and with Scottie Thompson's slow development from beyond the arc, the hole is really oozing.

Two guards from Dyip are interesting targets. They are Rashawn McCarthy and Reden Celda. Two underrated guards who pushed their way to relevance. They are capable shooters and can also make plays if necessary.