The Durant Sweepstakes
- Thread starter RedOctober3829
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Nothing to add other than Horford and Durant on the Celtics would be awesome. More than 25 % fun to dream about.
It will 100% suck when it doesn't happen.
It will 100% suck when it doesn't happen.
Brian Windhorst @WindhorstESPN 19m19 minutes ago
Hawks have been involved in trade talks today in an effort to open additional cap space to re-sign Al Horford if needed, sources say.
Adrian Wojnarowski @WojVerticalNBA 17m17 minutes ago
Sources: Hawks aren't ruling out possibility that they could bring back Al Horford. If he decides to stay, ATL has ways to unload salary.
Hawks have been involved in trade talks today in an effort to open additional cap space to re-sign Al Horford if needed, sources say.
Adrian Wojnarowski @WojVerticalNBA 17m17 minutes ago
Sources: Hawks aren't ruling out possibility that they could bring back Al Horford. If he decides to stay, ATL has ways to unload salary.
Chris HaynesVerified account@ChrisBHaynes
According to sources, a trade that's been pondered in recent days featured Hawks forward Paul Millsap and collection of picks owned by Suns.
PHX has its own picks and 2018/2021 MIA 1st rounders.
According to sources, a trade that's been pondered in recent days featured Hawks forward Paul Millsap and collection of picks owned by Suns.
PHX has its own picks and 2018/2021 MIA 1st rounders.
Probably, but that has a lot to do with team situations. If you changed it to just PER prior to signing contract, the Celtics would be near the top, same if you included players acquired in trades. The Celtics have been really good for 2 stretches, where they traded for or re-signed big stars, with a stretch of being bad in the middle.
That is an odd one and not a good one for Dubs fans, except he followed it up with this..
I've got a guy on twitter talking about Jimmy Butler getting a handy from the Bulls. Is this the thread where I post it? Thanks.
That was just Ballmer showing him the secret to downgrade from Windows 10 back to Windows 7.
If Horford does agree to sign with the Wizards, does that maybe change Durants mind on meeting with them?
Wall Beal Durant Horford (porter when small, Gortat when big) is a legitimate starting 5, especially in the East.
Wall Beal Durant Horford (porter when small, Gortat when big) is a legitimate starting 5, especially in the East.
I apologize for offending you by posting a joke tweet about Durant's meeting with the Clippers. I understand now that many people in this thread may not have found it as funny as I did (or funny at all) and for that I am truly sorry.
In other Twitter news:
So that's OKC, GS, LAC and SA out of the way. Next up, Boston...
Porbably not for two reasons:
1. Almost impossible to make the cap work. They can get Horford in by renouncing everyone but Beal. If they cut their non-guaranteed guys that puts than at 85M. They need another 16-17M (not counting incomplete roster charges). That would mean gettting someone to eat Gotat's 12, and either Morris or Porter (if Porter they might have to add Oubre too). So that would be a full cap for 5 players w/ no rookies and have to fill the other 10 spots with minimum guys.
2. A lot of smart tied in basketball people think that Durant has never wanted to play in his home town. There are a bunch of extra things that come with it that a guy like Durant who just wants to play basketball and keep his head down for the most part doesn't want.
I'd guess they'd be favorites to win the title. Who could match that starting 5 and their depth? They wouldn't have any real weakness, at least offensively. Of course if the Celtics signed Horford and Durant, you can say almost the same thing about them. Probably any NBA team still in tact from last year that adds Durant and Horford becomes a favorite.
Would Horford be our center though? Horford/Durant/Crowder/Bradley/IT with Smart, Olynyk and either Jaylen or Rozier being the first guys off the bench looks like a team that could push for 55ish wins. Ideally you could find another shooter and an energy big but maybe Hunter and/or Mickey could fill those roles.
What other moves do you think the C's would have to make if they did land Horford and Durant? Stand pat? Look to trade one of Bradley or Smart? Trade Crowder? Sign someone else?
If the Celtics pulled off the Durant-Horford coup, then they would have to release Sullinger, Johnson and Jerebko, so more big men would be needed. Mickey would get his chance and Zizic might come over this year after all. Keep Crowder, Bradley and Smart -- they will be needed to maintain the team's defense toughness. Play Crowder more often at power forward: he has the bulk to handle more rebounding duties. Sign nobody else, unless a cheap veteran point guard can be brought on board so that the Celtics don't have to rely on Rozier if Thomas gets injured. There is a lot of positional flexibility on a roster like this:
PG: Thomas, Rozier, Jackson
SG: Bradley, Smart, Hunter
SF: Durant, Brown
PF: Crowder, Mickey
C: Horford, Olynyk
Brady, though, is an impressive guy to add to the pitch. I assume he'll speak just to Boston-as-a-star, but still a nice addition.
I think that's true but he seems so goofy and maybe comes off as not too serious? Durant seems to have a bit of Duncan in him personality-wise... I could be wrong.
Given that most of the commentators have suggested Durant wants a basketball conversation about winning I'd hope Celts pitch has a heavy element of Stevens talking about scheme and roles, and that guys like Olynyk and IT are there to say they are excited for KD and excited to play the supporting roles described in the scheme. If he wants to play with a big 3.big 4 Celts have no chance---might as well play the angle he wants to be the clear number one on a great team---that is the angle they can pitch better than anyone else.
Agreed, which is why it's surprising not to see Stevens in that photo. Maybe just out of range?
I assumed so---if they brought Brady and not the head coach that's probably not going to work well. But I doubt that is the case---it's nearly impossible for Stevens to have something more important going on today, isn't it?
Thomas isn't visible in that picture and we've seen it reported he'll be there...likely just another set of guys off-camera.
I actually think bringing the whole team is a pretty cool message vs. other teams just sending their stars. Also, Tom fucking Brady.
Is that Bradley Whitford between Ainge and Brady?
Based on who is in the picture, the narrative is clear. Brady was part of the team that ran out on the field together in the 2002 Superbowl. Ainge built the ubuntu team. Olynyk and Smart are high effort low ego guys with different personalities.
However:
Based on who is in the picture, the narrative is clear. Brady was part of the team that ran out on the field together in the 2002 Superbowl. Ainge built the ubuntu team. Olynyk and Smart are high effort low ego guys with different personalities.
However:
I guess the other message Brady can deliver pretty uniquely--and that would fit with bringing a bunch of the roster---is that it takes a team being aligned and focused together to win. Not a bad way for Celts to frame the choice for Durant: which organization, top to bottom and through the roster, fits best with you and is most committted to winning with you? If you want to win championships that's the only thing you should care about.
I have no idea what motivates him but that's a pretty powerful message and a perfect messenger for it.
I think that is also the response to Woj: if the meeting is about shoe sales the Celtics aren't getting Durant. If it's about winning basketball games, they are putting forward a good narrative.
I have no idea what motivates him but that's a pretty powerful message and a perfect messenger for it.
I think that is also the response to Woj: if the meeting is about shoe sales the Celtics aren't getting Durant. If it's about winning basketball games, they are putting forward a good narrative.
It's not like bringing a potential teammate to the meeting. These guys make most of their money on shoe deals. Who they associate with matters to their other pay-masters.
Who? Nike cares. And they - the people who pay Durant the majority of his income - are constantly in his ear about what to wear, how to look, who to be associated with, where to sign, etc, when outside a game-playing context.
It's central to the business of sports. Durant would be competing with Brady for billboards and the shoe-buying attention of kids. In other words, Nike would be second fiddle in the market to UA from the get-go. And Ainge is drawing attention to that.
Not saying this wrinkle is dispositive or means anything to Durant, but endorsement politics is an interesting factor nonetheless.
Adam Himmelsbach @AdamHimmelsbach
Yes, Tom Brady's in New York to help Celtics lure Kevin Durant to Boston. "Durant's favorite athlete," source says.
Yes, Tom Brady's in New York to help Celtics lure Kevin Durant to Boston. "Durant's favorite athlete," source says.
It really isn't though.
Guys from different brands spend tons of time together. Durant and Harden, Paul and Wade, Everybody and Kanye.
Nike cares about Durant winning because that's what sells shoes. They don't give a shit who he hangs out with.
Maybe Olynyk is there for other purposes...
Here's how it works. You want Kelly gone?
Yes
Kelly you've been traded.
Either that or Danny has him killed on the spot.
Here's how it works. You want Kelly gone?
Yes
Kelly you've been traded.
Either that or Danny has him killed on the spot.
If it's about winning basketball games we are a heavy underdog to Golden State, San Antonio, OKC, and the Clippers......maybe even Miami.
For this year and next, probably. Over the next 6-7? There's a good argument for Boston. And it's not like he's 30+, he's only 27 and probably has at least 5-6 years left of high-level basketball.
Even for the next 2, if he signs here with Horford, they are already title contenders, even if not favorites, so it's not like they'd be totally wasted years.
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That's a good point. And the players will come to him. I mean, the 2014 Cavs were 33-49.
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