If Ainge can only get one, I'm sure he'd prefer that the one be Hayward, who costs no assets. Jumping on George now locks them out of a second acquisition. Worth taking the chance and waiting for free agency, imo.I really don't want to see PG on the Cavs on the off chance both he and LBJ re-up there with Kyrie. Let's go Danny.
I'm sure that's why Cleveland and Denver are seemingly pushing this so much. But Indiana's best bet is to wait. I'd be surprised if they pulled the trigger before Danny and teams like the Spurs were ready to move.If Ainge can only get one, I'm sure he'd prefer that the one be Hayward, who costs no assets. Jumping on George now locks them out of a second acquisition. Worth taking the chance and waiting for free agency, imo.
Ohm Youngmisuk, ESPN Staff Writer
Wouldn't Danny have already given Indiana a look at what he expects to offer for PG? It's probably a lot more than most teams can offer, at least if you value draft picks.I'm sure that's why Cleveland and Denver are seemingly pushing this so much. But Indiana's best bet is to wait. I'd be surprised if they pulled the trigger before Danny and teams like the Spurs were ready to move.
I'm sure Indiana knows that Bradley/Crowder plus sweeteners is the most likely deal if Danny engages. But I'm sure there's a negotiation to be had on what those sweeteners would be. If Danny can land a FA big fish, he's probably more likely to deal assuming George is amenable. End of the day, Indiana knows they have Cleveland on the hook so I think it makes sense to hold off and wait for more teams to join the bidding. Don't think the opportunity cost of doing so is very high given what Indiana would have likely gotten back in that 3 way.Wouldn't Danny have already given Indiana a look at what he expects to offer for PG? It's probably a lot more than most teams can offer, at least if you value draft picks.
Fwiw, Steve Kyler is the asshat who left Draymond Green off his DPOY ballot for moral reasons. (Which says very little about his sources, which I'm sure are perfectly solid...)Steve Kyler re: Cavs 3 way trade with Pacers and Nuggets.
Several of us noted that it doesn't seem viable to put together a deal that works for all three teams---the above is why! That's a horrendous return on PGThat screams Faried, Chandler, Arthur to me. Stay hesitant, Indiana.
Yup, some real sweeteners would have to be added to make it worth it for Indiana. Cleveland obviously doesn't have any. Jokic is off limits. Murray is probably too. Denver's future picks are likely to be meh. So what's left? Mudiay? Hernangomez? Harris? I just don't see it.Several of us noted that it doesn't seem viable to put together a deal that works for all three teams---the above is why! That's a horrendous return on PG
I can understand that. Embiid was so far beyond anyone else eligible when he played. The argument is that Bradley played few enough games that a slightly lesser defender who played many more games was better. Embiid was a legit all star caliber player for a small number of games and every other rookie was not particularly good for more games.Guy on radio said he didn't vote or Bradley because he only played 55 games.
15 minutes later he revealed his ROY vote--Embiid.
Tough to view on the phone but it looks like our friend Bill Simmons put Austin Rivers on the 2nd team in his ballot.I love that these are public. Some of these people are dumb.
Richard Walker has some hilariously bad choices. First team has Towns, Whiteside, Wall, and Westbrook. Second team has Lillard
Yes, he published his picks back in April.Tough to view on the phone but it looks like our friend Bill Simmons put Austin Rivers on the 2nd team in his ballot.
If I am reading it correctly, David Aldridge gave Russ a first team vote. That is grounds for losing the right to cast a ballot in future years.Here's the All-Defense voting. Guy who voted for IT4 is from Argentina. http://official.nba.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2017/06/2016-17-NBA-All-Defensive-Team-Voting-Results.pdf
I'd be all over getting Dieng from them if they go that route and need to shed some salary (non-Hayward+PG world, at least).Man, MIN can make themsleves into a very nice team this offseason.
Would prefer they move on from Rubio.
PG who can shoot, Butler, Wiggins, Millsap, Towns is a sick lineup.
he also is not that goodDieng has one of those salaries that gets much higher against the cap if he is traded.
Millsap helps their shooting and defensive woes, but it would also mean running inverted sets where KAT and Millsap stretch the floor for Butler and Wiggins in the post and I'm not sure that's sustainable or a good use of everyone's skill sets. I still think their most pressing need is finding a PG that can shoot and defend (Lowry or Hill would be perfect). If they can solve the hole at PG in free agency and flip Rubio into a "3 and D" they'd probably be a legit playoff team.Man, MIN can make themsleves into a very nice team this offseason.
Would prefer they move on from Rubio.
PG who can shoot, Butler, Wiggins, Millsap, Towns is a sick lineup.
He's ok but he's not the type of player the Celtics target. Although he is a really good FT shooter and he did extend his range last year. If he does add the 3, that changes things.he also is not that good
Kind of like Zizic, who the Celtics drafted? I think Ainge keeps disproving the legions of theories of his "type".He's ok but he's not the type of player the Celtics target. Although he is a really good FT shooter and he did extend his range last year. If he does add the 3, that changes things.
If SAC gets Milsap, we better hope LAL sux balls this year. Which they probably should (though not as much as BRK or CHI).
This would mean that the Cavs-Pacers-Nuggets deal looks to be dead.
League sources tell http://hoopscriitc.com that Paul Millsap will have at least 3 teams (SAC, DEN, and MIN) offering him a max contract
Especially in his age 34 season.I can't imagine Millsap dragging along a bunch of young SAC players out of the lottery in 2019
This team would be sick to watch offensively. Defensively they would still struggle as Paul appeared to lose a step last year defensively (his offensive game was still amazing) but who cares. He would be going from "Lob City" to "Seven Seconds Or Less" and it will be a blast.Marc SteinVerified account @ESPNSteinLine
Story going online now: League sources tell me Houston has emerged as an increasingly serious threat to sign Chris Paul in free agency.
Not quite sure why Paul would be interested in Houston over San Antonio assuming both can clear the requisite space. I think he's a much better fit in SA unless he thinks playing with Harden can help to keep him fresh by sharing the ball handling responsibilities.Marc SteinVerified account @ESPNSteinLine
Story going online now: League sources tell me Houston has emerged as an increasingly serious threat to sign Chris Paul in free agency.
Depending on the PG maybe but they play towns a lot at 4 and tibs loves his 2 bigs.Man, MIN can make themsleves into a very nice team this offseason.
Would prefer they move on from Rubio.
PG who can shoot, Butler, Wiggins, Millsap, Towns is a sick lineup.
Man people are so off on the kings. Fox is going to be a mess in the half court his shot isn't going to fix itself instantly even in a best case. He need stop add wait, his tape shows him getting muscled out of plays and shots constantly. I'm dubious he can but if he can it's not instant either.If SAC gets Milsap, we better hope LAL sux balls this year. Which they probably should (though not as much as BRK or CHI).
edit: unless it is traded as is rumoured.
And here's the full story:And, here is this week's Woj bomb (though its very unsurprising).
For those with the ap:
Owner James Dolan is weighing the future of Phil Jackson as New York Knicks President, league sources tell @TheVertical. Story online soon.
Anytime Dolan does something that isn't an egregious fuckup counts as a surprise.And, here is this week's Woj bomb (though its very unsurprising).
For those with the ap:
Owner James Dolan is weighing the future of Phil Jackson as New York Knicks President, league sources tell @TheVertical. Story online soon.
--Harrison Barnes"Honestly, I've just been trying to work as hard as I can and spend as much time as I can with him in the gym. I remember one day at practice we're standing on the sidelines on the gym and said, 'Oh man, Dirk, you're about to get to 20 years. That's impressive. Do you think I can get to 20 years?' He's like, 'No way man. You need major skill to get to 20 years.'