The PBA trade rumor mill is spinning once again, and the latest buzz involves one of the tallest local players in the league.
According to veteran sports insider Snow Badua on a recent episode of his popular No Cooking Show podcast, the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots have reportedly placed center James Laput on the trade block. While hearing a 6-foot-10 big man being dangled in trade conversations usually raises eyebrows, a closer look at Magnolia’s current frontcourt rotation reveals why this development is anything but surprising.
The Cliff Jopia Factor
The reality of Laput’s situation is heavily tied to the team's recent roster moves—specifically, the arrival of newly signed free agent Cliff Jopia.
When Magnolia brought Jopia into the fold, it was a clear signal that the coaching staff was looking for a different flavor of physical presence and rim protection in the paint. Jopia has quickly earned the trust of the coaching staff, effectively taking over the rotational minutes that would have otherwise gone to Laput. With veteran anchors already eating up the lion's share of playing time, Jopia’s emergence as a reliable backup has pushed Laput further down the bench, leaving the Filipino-Australian big man with little to no opportunity to see the floor.
In professional basketball, minutes are a zero-sum game. If a newly acquired player like Jopia is soaking up the backup center minutes, a player like Laput inevitably becomes a prime trade asset for a team looking to shore up other positions.
A Change of Scenery is Needed
While the rumors suggest his time with the Hotshots might be coming to an end, it is hard not to view this as a potential blessing in disguise for Laput.
Frankly, I remain a firm believer in James Laput’s potential. You simply cannot teach 6-foot-10 size, and he possesses a soft touch and a frame that, if properly utilized, could be a massive problem for opposing teams. However, big men notoriously take longer to develop than guards, and that development requires one crucial ingredient: consistent playing time.
Riding the pine in Magnolia behind established veterans and new signees like Jopia will only stunt his growth. Laput needs to be on a rebuilding squad or a team willing to invest live-game repetitions into his development. He needs to make mistakes on the floor, learn the pace of the PBA, and build his confidence through consistent minutes—things he currently cannot get with the Hotshots.
If the No Cooking Show rumors hold true, a trade would be the best-case scenario for all parties involved. Magnolia gets to balance their roster, and James Laput finally gets the opportunity to prove that his towering potential can translate into legitimate PBA production.
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