Haha, thanks.Glad we made the NBA offseason thread political.
Well done.
In fairness, I made up for it by discussing Steph Curry's golf swing in V&N. ;-)
Haha, thanks.Glad we made the NBA offseason thread political.
Well done.
This won't work.Lol, today's silly-season rumor: the Warriors are hot for Paul George.
http://nba.nbcsports.com/2017/08/09/rumor-warriors-to-pursue-paul-george/
Not totally unfathomable to me, since George is a CA guy, Klay and PG13 are besties who have talked about teaming up, and KD has called George "his favorite player." Finances would be tricky, but if it happened, I imagine it would be next summer, and would involve the Ws clearing room by trading Iguodala and Livingston into another team's cap space (as they did with Bogut before signing KD).
Potential death lineup 3.0 for 2018-19: Curry, Thompson, George, Durant, Green
Do it, Bob Myers!
NBA source said today: "This will be LeBron's final season in Cleveland. He is 100 percent leaving. Relationship with owners beyond repair."
Going to be such a gloriously-awkward season for Cleveland this year. Makes you wonder if LA has any other competition for LeBron. Things always work out for those bastards.Chris Sheridan, on twitter:
In a normal situation I'd say he stays in Cleveland. The biggest contract he can get is if he stays, right? I'm not sure it's worth it to play for Dan Gilbert.Going to be such a gloriously-awkward season for Cleveland this year. Makes you wonder if LA has any other competition for LeBron. Things always work out for those bastards.
I'd prefer they self immolate, allow the Cs to make the finals and keep the LAL pick in the 2-5 range where we get it, but heh, each their own.Trade him today to LAL for Randle, Clarkson and Lopez. Make them take back Frye to make the money work. Those three are gone next year when they have to clear cap room for Lebron and another max guy anyways. This just saves them the extra steps and awkwardness next summer. I know Lebron has a no-trade clause, but he's going to leave so might as well preserve Bird rights. Everyone needs to come to their senses here and get something done.
LeBron will be 34 next season; and is an awkward fit in terms of game with Lonzo Ball, and an awkward fit in terms of age with all their young'uns. I'd assume if he were to don the purple and gold, it'd need to be alongside a couple of other established stars, with most of the rest of the roster being gutted. My first thought is Angelinos Paul George and Russell Westbrook, which makes for a cool Big 3 that could potentially bother the Warriors, but obviously Westbrook is an awful fit with Ball. Should be an extremely interesting offseason for them, in any case...Going to be such a gloriously-awkward season for Cleveland this year. Makes you wonder if LA has any other competition for LeBron. Things always work out for those bastards.
Not good for our draft pick...at least getting it from LA.Trade him today to LAL for Randle, Clarkson and Lopez.
The pieces are there for the next superteam. They'll be able to sign 2 max guys without giving anyone up, likely LeBron/George. Then, they can use some combination of Randle/Ingram/Ball/picks to land the 3rd star.LeBron will be 34 next season; and is an awkward fit in terms of game with Lonzo Ball, and an awkward fit in terms of age with all their young'uns. I'd assume if he were to don the purple and gold, it'd need to be alongside a couple of other established stars, with most of the rest of the roster being gutted. My first thought is Angelinos Paul George and Russell Westbrook, which makes for a cool Big 3 that could potentially bother the Warriors, but obviously Westbrook is an awful fit with Ball. Should be an extremely interesting offseason for them, in any case...
That's close but not quite right. They have $55 million on the books for 2018-19 already, which leaves just $47M in space assuming a cap around $102 million. They'll need $35.7M for Lebron and $30.6M for George or $66.3 million total in space. They'll have to stretch Deng and trade Clarkson, plus renounce Randle and Lopez.The pieces are there for the next superteam. They'll be able to sign 2 max guys without giving anyone up, likely LeBron/George. Then, they can use some combination of Randle/Ingram/Ball/picks to land the 3rd star.
LeBron is starting to get up there in age but a switch to PF would probably preserve him now that the lateral quickness is starting to go.
All of that is easy to accomplish and none of those moves would be painful on the court. Assuming Bron/George come, they'd have to figure out the final piece but they'll have the assets to get it done. And once LeBron goes to LA, they'll take over the top FA destination position from GS so they'll get some cheap ring chasers as well. I don't see them surpassing GS but they'll be pretty close as long as LeBron doesn't decline significantly.That's close but not quite right. They have $55 million on the books for 2018-19 already, which leaves just $47M in space assuming a cap around $102 million. They'll need $35.7M for Lebron and $30.6M for George or $66.3 million total in space. They'll have to stretch Deng and trade Clarkson, plus renounce Randle and Lopez.
If Lebron keeps doing the short term deals he's been doing the last few years, he'll make the same amount of money anywhere.In a normal situation I'd say he stays in Cleveland. The biggest contract he can get is if he stays, right? I'm not sure it's worth it to play for Dan Gilbert.
They almost definitely won't have the assets to add a third star to a Lebron/George tandem. Assuming they stretch Deng, and get someone to take on Clarkson and send back zero salary, they'll have to renounce everybody not on cheap deals to fit Lebron/George. Randle/KCP/Lopez would be gone. They don't have any extra 1st rounders, and can't trade their own until 2020 and those will be devalued with an expected much better team. I don't think the Kuzmas and Harts help you grab a third star. They'd be left with only Ball and Ingram as real assets. And even if they were willing to part with either or both of them, that third star would have to be on a real cheap contract, otherwise it would be really tough to match salary on a trade.All of that is easy to accomplish and none of those moves would be painful on the court. Assuming Bron/George come, they'd have to figure out the final piece but they'll have the assets to get it done. And once LeBron goes to LA, they'll take over the top FA destination position from GS so they'll get some cheap ring chasers as well. I don't see them surpassing GS but they'll be pretty close as long as LeBron doesn't decline significantly.
Funny you should say that. I heard some NBA radio guys a few weeks ago say that Lebron wants to be a billionaire and that Cleveland can offer him a 5 year, 250 mil contract. That's a quarter bil right there.In a normal situation I'd say he stays in Cleveland. The biggest contract he can get is if he stays, right? I'm not sure it's worth it to play for Dan Gilbert.
If Lebron keeps doing the short term deals he's been doing the last few years, he'll make the same amount of money anywhere.
If he were looking to lock in a max deal for max years, Cleveland could pay him considerably more. I don't think Lebron is looking for that though. I'd expect him to sign a 1+1 deal next summer no matter where he signs, that way he can keep maximum pressure on the front office to build him the team he wants.
Thanks, It'll definite be interesting how James handles it.Funny you should say that. I heard some NBA radio guys a few weeks ago say that Lebron wants to be a billionaire and that Cleveland can offer him a 5 year, 250 mil contract. That's a quarter bil right there.
Looking at it again, you're right. Basically, they'd have:They almost definitely won't have the assets to add a third star to a Lebron/George tandem. Assuming they stretch Deng, and get someone to take on Clarkson and send back zero salary, they'll have to renounce everybody not on cheap deals to fit Lebron/George. Randle/KCP/Lopez would be gone. They don't have any extra 1st rounders, and can't trade their own until 2020 and those will be devalued with an expected much better team. I don't think the Kuzmas and Harts help you grab a third star. They'd be left with only Ball and Ingram as real assets. And even if they were willing to part with either or both of them, that third star would have to be on a real cheap contract, otherwise it would be really tough to match salary on a trade.
The ring chasers, they'll definitely get though.
I don't think Westbrook is turning down his DVPE supermax deal, and as such I'm not sure that George leaves OKC either. I have a sneaking suspicion that the move they end up trying to make is moving Adams for a third guy to run with their big two and live with the weakness at the C spot.LeBron will be 34 next season; and is an awkward fit in terms of game with Lonzo Ball, and an awkward fit in terms of age with all their young'uns. I'd assume if he were to don the purple and gold, it'd need to be alongside a couple of other established stars, with most of the rest of the roster being gutted. My first thought is Angelinos Paul George and Russell Westbrook, which makes for a cool Big 3 that could potentially bother the Warriors, but obviously Westbrook is an awful fit with Ball. Should be an extremely interesting offseason for them, in any case...
I don't think Adams is their type of player, but if Presti could pry Middleton and take the contract of Celtic Killer Greg Monroe for Adams it would be a very nice compliment to PG and Russ.I don't think Westbrook is turning down his DVPE supermax deal, and as such I'm not sure that George leaves OKC either. I have a sneaking suspicion that the move they end up trying to make is moving Adams for a third guy to run with their big two and live with the weakness at the C spot.
Other sources say that the July 1 offer was pulled quickly when his agent countered, and that the 17.5M offer was never made. Which makes sense, the 1 year deal doesn't do anything for DAL, they knew he had to sign a 1 year 4.1 if there wasn't a long term deal. why would they give him an extra 13M with no benefit to them?Nerlens Noel signs his qualifying offer with the Mavs- one year at 4.1 million. This, after he allegedly turned down 4/70 on July 1st and more recently fired his agent and was rumored to have turned down a one year/17.5 offer.
He's making a big bet on himself, but I'm still a Noel truther. He has DPOY talent if he's healthy and able contribute enough on offense to stay on the court.
Yeah, that 1/17.5 rumor didn't make any sense to me. I wonder where the hell that came from.Other sources say that the July 1 offer was pulled quickly when his agent countered, and that the 17.5M offer was never made. Which makes sense, the 1 year deal doesn't do anything for DAL, they knew he had to sign a 1 year 4.1 if there wasn't a long term deal. why would they give him an extra 13M with no benefit to them?
And yet, matching simply because of the money offered shows that not to be the case.The reason the TBs matched on Allan Crabbe is because Paul Allen refuses to be outbid by anyone. He wants to show that he's not going to make decisions based on money.
Not to mention, didn't exactly hurt Andre's case in FA this yearRe Evan and Andre: what's funny about that is that they're apparently BFFs, so when Evan called Andre and told him about Portland's huge contract offer, Andre told him to sign it immediately. Which from Andre's POV (I imagine) had the twin benefits of getting his buddy paid and hamstringing one of the Warriors' nominal competitors.
I might be overly optimistic on DEN, but I have them a notch above the Blazers. Jokic is really freaking good, and Millsap is a perfect fit into what they have, in addition to also being really freaking good.Tier 1: GS
Tier 2: SAS, HOU
Tier 3: OKC, MIN
Tier 4: POR, DEN
Tier 5: LAC, MEM, UTA, NOP
Tier 6: DAL, LAL
Tier 7: SAC, PHO
Maybe I am putting too much stock in the veterans they signed and the "culture change" but I really think SAC should be switched with LAL. And I actually think there is a decent gap between Tier 6 and 7Great info, thanks, WBCD.
If the Blazers were in the East, I'd totally pencil them in for 50+. In the buzzsaw that is the West, I think you have to correct that to more like 45. Generally, I think I'd put them on the WC "fourth tier" with Denver. Something like...
Tier 1: GS
Tier 2: SAS, HOU
Tier 3: OKC, MIN
Tier 4: POR, DEN
Tier 5: LAC, MEM, UTA, NOP
Tier 6: DAL, LAL
Tier 7: SAC, PHO
Re Evan and Andre: what's funny about that is that they're apparently BFFs, so when Evan called Andre and told him about Portland's huge contract offer, Andre told him to sign it immediately. Which from Andre's POV (I imagine) had the twin benefits of getting his buddy paid and hamstringing one of the Warriors' nominal competitors.
Aldridge is only 32, and his game should age decently. Gasol is ancient though, and his age related decline has already happenedIn Pop we trust and all, but I'm not buying the Spurs as a serious contender. They swapped Simmons for Rudy Gay, Parker is hurt, and Gasol and Aldridge are at the point where rapid age-related decline is possible. I think they slip back to the middle of the pack this year.
Good stuff, but almost shockingly candid, especially from a middle management guy. Can you imagine if some Patriots scout did this at a football camp?If anyone is interested, I went to my son's basketball camp and during one session one of the assistant GMs for the Trail Blazers gave a talk. The first 30 minutes was all salary cap and personnel stuff - which I'm sure the kids had to be wondering what any of it meant and was moderately interesting to the adults. He did have some interesting things to say. From memory:
DLil is one of the best people in the NBA hands down and not many people know about all of the things he does.
CJ McCollum is unguardable - literally no one can stop him. He might make or miss but he's unguardable. Also, the TBs knew this for two years before CJ really got his chance (injuries).
Nurkic is just like CJ. No one knows how good he is going to be but he's a top 5 center in the NBA.
The reason the TBs matched on Allan Crabbe is because Paul Allen refuses to be outbid by anyone. He wants to show that he's not going to make decisions based on money. He also confirmed that Crabbe can't do anything except shoot.
They signed Evan Turner to "be their Andre Iguadola". He really said that. A few of us were really amused by his characterization of ET.
Lillard is recruiting Carmelo and "if Carmelo wants to come to Portland, he'll be in Portland."
He thought all of the top draft picks would be very good NBA players but none would be the best player on a championship team.
He also had an interesting story about Chandler Parsons and that the TBs and Parsons were literally in the room about to sign the free agent offer but their doctor called and wouldn't clear his physical. That's how Parsons ended up in Memphis. I did a quick google search and didn't see this reported anywhere.
Finally, although he admitted that none of DLill, CJ, or Nurkic really play defense, he kept saying that people would be surprised how good the TBs were going to be and he intimated that they would win 50 games.
Just throwing this out there in case anyone is interested.
That's a push at worst, even with Gay coming off an Achilles. Simmons was bad last season (.504 true shooting) and is not at an age (28) where you necessarily expect improvement. Gay's also significantly bigger and longer than Simmons, and a much better rebounder, which should allow them to run more smallball looks with Leonard-LMA as the de facto 4-5.They swapped Simmons for Rudy Gay
True, but if you believe Danny Green, his rehab is going great and he's a couple months ahead of schedule. Also, as crafty as is, he's no longer an absolutely indispensable part of the team. Patty Mills has rated better by most metrics for a few seasons now.Parker is hurt
Both had already significantly declined from their peaks last season, and yet the team was still much better than any non-GSW team in the NBA (+7.13 SRS; #3 was Houston at +5.84, #4 Clippers at +4.42). In the playoffs, they destroyed the Rockets with Kawhi and Parker hurt; then put the fear of God into the mighty Warriors in Oakland before Kawhi — their one truly indispensable player — got Zaza'd.Gasol and Aldridge are at the point where rapid age-related decline is possible.
Crazy talk. What's your over/under in wins for them?I think they slip back to the middle of the pack this year.
The guy sounded as if he was writing his own puff piece about himself - he wanted to tell everyone how successful he was.Good stuff, but almost shockingly candid, especially from a middle management guy. Can you imagine if some Patriots scout did this at a football camp?
Edit: too many beers.The Bulls and Dwyane Wade have reached an agreement on a buyout.
Wade and Melo on the same team would be almost comical.Wade, LeBron, Paul and Melo are all good friends. Wade will have to choose who he likes the most.
And the non-existent defense. Can you imagine the playoffs when IT is also back? That's going to be ugly.I really, really want to see the spacing of a Wade/Rose backcourt.