The true winner of this deal is the strip clubs and poker rooms of HOUThis seems like a deal aimed at improving chemistry rather than win totals even accounting for the delta between their production.
Frankly, if you are a fan of either club you should probably be fine with this trade. Its not likely to change either team's prospects this year at least. And maybe a change of scenery is beneficial for all involved.
HOU gets the pick, not WASI'll have to see how healthy Wall is, but seems like a win for Washington. Russ' contract is still bad, but he is at least healthy and will play at a pretty high level, especially if Washington can space the floor for him. I think that's a playoff team in the East, plus they get a pick.
I thought I remember reading a while back that Wall's trade kicker isn't even legal because it puts him above the max allowed salary? No idea if I am making that up thoughView: https://twitter.com/davidaldridgedc/status/1334302247812018182
John Wall just made like 25% more between his trade kicker and state income tax
Pretty crazy that Wall will have made like 3x as much as him. What a killer Achilles injury that was.Boogie and Wall reunited.
It is voided because he's already over the max.I thought I remember reading a while back that Wall's trade kicker isn't even legal because it puts him above the max allowed salary? No idea if I am making that up though
Yikes, 8.8% in a random sampling.... did they all vacation in the Dakotas?48 players have tested positive in the league’s initial COVID testing as everyone reports to camp, per Shams
View: https://mobile.twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1334270996803620866
Bryant and Wagner are very interesting pieces.Westbrook, Beal, Bertans is a fun trio.
I guess they have Lopez to plat some defense. But the rest of the team is pretty meh
The Dakotas would be over the moon for a sub 10% positivity rate. The national average is 10.2 at present.Yikes, 8.8% in a random sampling.... did they all vacation in the Dakotas?
Those are big numbers, most estimates are around 2-3% of the country being currently infected right now.
I can't decide if being youth wealthy athletes should make them prone to taking more risks or fewer. On the one hand, I bet most of them feel invincible by virtue of being young and in incredible shape. On the other hand, long term impacts to their lungs or anything else are going to be much more expensive than for the average person.Yikes, 8.8% in a random sampling.... did they all vacation in the Dakotas?
Those are big numbers, most estimates are around 2-3% of the country being currently infected right now.
The national average is percent of tests that are positive yes? That is an importantly different statistic since this was a sample of all players whereas there is some huge selection bias in the national numbers.The Dakotas would be over the moon for a sub 10% positivity rate. The national average is 10.2 at present.
That's not what the NBA is doing. They are screening EVERYONE. So their positive rate should be close to the percentage of truly infected people in the entire population.The Dakotas would be over the moon for a sub 10% positivity rate. The national average is 10.2 at present.
Anything is possible in the Eastern Conference!Are the Wizards a playoff team now? The bottom of the east bracket is still pretty messy.
The Wizards are going to score a lot of points with those shooters around Westbrook. Washington/Atnalta games are going to be tons of fun. It's going to be like watching All Star games from the 80s.That Washington team will score assuming Russ and Beal can share the ball somewhat, but the defense is going to be atrocious. Russ and Bertans are both brutal, and Beal/Rui/Bryant are below average at best. Washington-Atlanta games could end up 140-135 next year.
But what if it's a three way deal where Kyrie ends up in Cleveland or Madison Square Garden?If Harden ends up on Brooklyn, I’m pretty sure I’d root for the Lakers in a series against that team, which is something I never thought I’d say.
If Kyrie ends up having to watch from Cleveland as Harden lights up Brooklyn with his woulda-been, coulda-been Batman while he berates Andre Drummond for setting a screen too low, I will stake out every bar in Prospect Heights just on the hope of buying Sean Marks a beer.But what if it's a three way deal where Kyrie ends up in Cleveland or Madison Square Garden?
+1 on your feelings about Russ. He’s this generation’s AI to me. Must-watch for the energy he brings to the game.He takes a lot of shit, much of it deserved, for his shot selection and decision-making, but Russ will always be one of my favorite players from this era, so I’m excited to get to watch him more, even if his days of open court terror and tomahawk dunks are mostly past. Also, from the accounts I’ve read, he’s a thoughtful guy who generally treats people well, even when the can’t do anything for him, so he’s easy for me to root for.
If Harden ends up on Brooklyn, I’m pretty sure I’d root for the Lakers in a series against that team, which is something I never thought I’d say.
Yeah I'm with you. Just love the unbridled energy that he plays with. I'll be following and rooting for the Wizards this year.He takes a lot of shit, much of it deserved, for his shot selection and decision-making, but Russ will always be one of my favorite players from this era, so I’m excited to get to watch him more, even if his days of open court terror and tomahawk dunks are mostly past. Also, from the accounts I’ve read, he’s a thoughtful guy who generally treats people well, even when the can’t do anything for him, so he’s easy for me to root for.
If Harden ends up on Brooklyn, I’m pretty sure I’d root for the Lakers in a series against that team, which is something I never thought I’d say.
If only there was a team out there that had mastered the art of taking bad contracts and turning them into assets...Any chance the Wizards move Westbrook along elsewhere?
Fertitta Yard SaleMan, this has to mean Harden is being actively shopped. He’s not going to be willing to play on the remnants of this gutted roster.
PJ Tucker anyone?Fertitta Yard Sale
I'd like to use $13MM of that TPE on Christian Wood if possible
Don't we kind of already have one in Grant? Also, Tucker turns 36 in May. Not sure how much he has left. I'd obviously take him if they'd be willing to give him away for almost nothing.PJ Tucker anyone?
CWoods $13MM/yr for 3yrs fits nicely also
I would certainly throw some distant highly protected pick and Edwards or something for a year of Tucker. We do kind of have one on Grant, but at this point Tucker is better. But I also would love to see a Smart, Brown, Tatum, Grant, Tucker defenseDon't we kind of already have one in Grant? Also, Tucker turns 36 in May. Not sure how much he has left. I'd obviously take him if they'd be willing to give him away for almost nothing.
Woods was an absolute heist. What the hell is the Pistons new GM doing?I think HOU might blow it up at the deadline, but I think they are really showing that they are building around Harden.
Wood was a steal, and the Wall/Westbrook deal is clearly about moving a player (yet another) who Harden couldn't coexist with. Wall is probably never going to be the same, but if he's decent he's also less of a personality to challenge Harden. The Rockets are honestly going to be in the "not quite a contender" tier all year. I don't think they sell everything off though.
Edit- also, the Rockets aren't dumping Woods in January. IF they sell Harden off, they'll let Wood put up massive numbers and make that newly signed deal look even better.
Wood seems like such an obvious fit, a long stretch 4. No one like that on the current roster. Theis/Thompson, Wood, Tatum, Brown and Smart would be a great starting 5.Fertitta Yard Sale
I'd like to use $13MM of that TPE on Christian Wood if possible
Woods would be 6th man extraordinaire for the CelticsWood seems like such an obvious fit, a long stretch 4. No one like that on the current roster. Theis/Thompson, Wood, Tatum, Brown and Smart would be a great starting 5.
I am not sure HOU knows what they are doing. They signed Wood - good move. They moved off of Covington though, and he seemed like an excellent fit next to Harden. And now the Wall move.I think HOU might blow it up at the deadline, but I think they are really showing that they are building around Harden.
It makes the most sense if they’re trying to tank while not lowering leverage in a possible Harden trade too much.I am not sure HOU knows what they are doing. They signed Wood - good move. They moved off of Covington though, and he seemed like an excellent fit next to Harden. And now the Wall move.
It's not about Basketball fit, it's.... we need to move Russ to keep Harden happy, nobody wants that money, except WAS who will give us a pick (that might be good) and John Wall's identical contract. If you need to move Russ this is what you get. Then you hope Wall looks great coming off injury (unlikely) so you can flip him into a couple players to a team like the Knicks.I don't understand this move for Houston unless they're dealing Harden. They dealt Russ for perhaps the only point guard who's worse off the ball than he is. You'd have to actively try to make a fit this bad from a basketball standpoint. If you're really building around Harden, he should be your point guard.
Still, I'd be surprised if they traded Harden before the season. What a mess.