In a surprising twist, the TNT Tropang 5G, still reeling from a failed grand slam bid, are actively seeking to fill the void left by Poy Erram's injury. The team's wish list, according to a recent column, includes three intriguing names: Christian Standhardinger, Kevin Ferrer, and Justin Chua. Here is a breakdown of the likelihood of TNT acquiring each player.
3. Christian Standhardinger (Likelihood: Very Low)
The dream of acquiring Christian Standhardinger remains just that—a dream for TNT. Despite their "obsessed" pursuit of the talented big man, his reported retirement from the PBA makes a trade a very unlikely scenario. According to reports from late last year, Standhardinger informed Terrafirma of his decision to retire after being traded from Ginebra. While Terrafirma still holds his rights, the complexity of a retired player returning to the league makes a deal nearly impossible. Even if he were to consider a comeback, the cost to pry him away from Terrafirma would be astronomical, and there's no guarantee he would be the same dominant force after a long layoff. TNT's front office seems to be going after a ghost.
2. Kevin Ferrer (Likelihood: Medium)
Kevin Ferrer is a more realistic target for TNT. Terrafirma, his current team, has a history of letting go of valuable assets, and Ferrer is a prime example of a player who could be looking for a new home. He is an offensive weapon with a good track record, averaging 10.2 points per game last conference. TNT has the assets to make a deal, and Ferrer's addition would provide a much-needed boost to the team's offense and depth. Given that he is playing for a franchise that has the same sense of direction as a rudderless ship, he would likely be open to a move to a winning team with a rich history. A trade between TNT and Terrafirma seems more probable than a deal for Standhardinger.
1. Justin Chua (Likelihood: High)
Among the three names mentioned, Justin Chua is the most likely player to be traded to TNT. Chua, who previously played for the Tropang Giga in 2017, is currently with Blackwater and fits the profile of a "serviceable big man" that TNT needs. His size and ability to rebound would help mitigate the loss of Erram. A trade for Chua is also more feasible for a few key reasons: Blackwater is more open to trading players than Terrafirma, and Chua's production at his current team is not as crucial as it would be at TNT. Blackwater has a history of trading key players for younger assets or draft picks, so a deal for Chua could be a win-win for both sides. He is not a star, but he can provide the much-needed depth and veteran presence that TNT is looking for.
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