NBA Offseason Thread 2016

BuellMiller

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And if Bender does well and Ingram busts, you can always edit that last message and say you meant Bender all along. Like a slightly more proactive Chad Ford.
 

HomeRunBaker

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And if Bender does well and Ingram busts, you can always edit that last message and say you meant Bender all along. Like a slightly more proactive Chad Ford.
Right exactly......except I've been clear over the past year+ on my opinions of them. Thanks for playing though.
 

BuellMiller

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Mar 25, 2015
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Oh, certainly. Sorry, reading my message back, I can see the "playful facetiousness"/"cheap-throwaway at CF's expense" of it didn't come across as well as it did in my head. Especially not on a monday.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Oh, certainly. Sorry, reading my message back, I can see the "playful facetiousness"/"cheap-throwaway at CF's expense" of it didn't come across as well as it did in my head. Especially not on a monday.
Monday's in the summer suck. No hoops, no football and the Sox on an off day. We all get passes on a Monday. ;)
 

cheech13

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Prelude to a Westbrook extension?
I don't think it's any coincidence that the amount they saved by rescinding Waiters is what they'll need to renegotiate and extend Westbrook. The question now is does he want to stay?
 

TroyOLeary

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Jul 22, 2005
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Even if he wanted to return, why would Westbrook sign an extension versus entering free agency? He'd be leaving a ton of money on the table for what possible reason?
 

Cellar-Door

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Even if he wanted to return, why would Westbrook sign an extension versus entering free agency? He'd be leaving a ton of money on the table for what possible reason?
It would be a re-negotiation and extension like Harden, not just a straight extension so he picks up about $9M more for this year, which might come close to offsetting the loss over the next 3.
As to why:
Money now before the inevitable lockout? Also locking in guaranteed money before the lockout.
 

pjheff

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As I understand it, the Thunder could increase his salary this coming season by extending him through the following season when, as a ten year veteran, his earning potential in terms of percentage of the salary cap will be at its highest.
 

cheech13

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Even if he wanted to return, why would Westbrook sign an extension versus entering free agency? He'd be leaving a ton of money on the table for what possible reason?
Through a weird quirk created by the cap jump and his contract having run more than three years, they can renegotiate his existing salary up to the current max, then tack on additional years with raises. Because the difference in his current salary and max salary is so large, this renegotiation would actually give him more money over the next four years than opting for free agency. As others have stated, he could also renegotiate for a higher salary now and then go back into free agency as a 10-year vet with a higher max. Either way, it's uniquely advantageous for him to extend now. Downside is he gives up a chance for free agency next year.
 

TroyOLeary

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Jul 22, 2005
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Through a weird quirk created by the cap jump and his contract having run more than three years, they can renegotiate his existing salary up to the current max, then tack on additional years with raises. Because the difference in his current salary and max salary is so large, this renegotiation would actually give him more money over the next four years than opting for free agency. As others have stated, he could also renegotiate for a higher salary now and then go back into free agency as a 10-year vet with a higher max. Either way, it's uniquely advantageous for him to extend now. Downside is he gives up a chance for free agency next year.
I know Harden did it but he had several years left. With another jump in the cap next year there can't be a huge difference with only a single season's raise. His extension would also only be through 19-20 while he could sign through 21-22 in free agency. I guess there's a pretty good chance he'd get another max in the 2020 offseason, but giving up 2 years of contract length is not nothing.

I still think it would be in Westbrook's best interest long term to go to free agency, but there is some value in not having it hanging over your head.
 

cheech13

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  • Expectations for the new-look Knicks are high, Derrick Roseadmits in a conversation with Lang Whitaker of NBA.com. Curiously, the veteran point guard believes his team is viewed in NBA circles as a top-tier contender alongside the Warriors, telling Whitaker, “They’re saying us and Golden State are the super teams.”
Bwahahaha
 

Jed Zeppelin

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Larry Sanders is an all-star Twitter troll. After posting a screenshot from The Warriors and a painting of a Cavalier earlier this summer, he posted these yesterday:



For those who can't see the tweets, they are polls that read:

"Which team do you believe will utilize my skills the best??"

And the choices are Bucks/Lakers/Heat/Mavs, then Cavs/Dubs/Knicks/Celtics. C's are currently leading. I did my part.
 

Grin&MartyBarret

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Looks as though Westbrook's signing a 2 year extension with GS. Will make him a free agent with 10 years of service time, when he'll be eligible for a super max.

So much for the narrative folks were trying to push that Durant left because Westbrook definitely was and he had no choice.
 

CreedBratton

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On mobile but per Woj, Russ very close to agreeing to three year extension with Thunder. So there goes that dream

First year is this upcoming season, just a raise. Third year is player option.
 

DisgruntledSoxFan77

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Looks as though Westbrook's signing a 2 year extension with GS. Will make him a free agent with 10 years of service time, when he'll be eligible for a super max.

So much for the narrative folks were trying to push that Durant left because Westbrook definitely was and he had no choice.
OKC. Or did the Warriors manage to really steal the league?
 

AMS25

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So much for the narrative folks were trying to push that Durant left because Westbrook definitely was and he had no choice.
Yeah, I have no idea where that narrative came from. Thunder insiders had always been more confident about Russ's willingness to stay than they were re: KD. Russ has also meshed better with some of the younger guys like Adams and Kanter than KD did. I think he's looking forward to working with Oladipo; they've been working out together in LA this summer.

Anyways, thrilled to have Westbrook back. There's nothing like watching a-n-g-r-y Russ! A triple double every night!
 

bgcpark

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Jul 14, 2005
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Zach Lowe talked about a Westbrook extension on his podcast with Marc Stein. They mentioned it was fairly likely because it was the way for him to make the most money. Doesn't mean he can't eventually be traded.
 

Grin&MartyBarret

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Yeah, I have no idea where that narrative came from. Thunder insiders had always been more confident about Russ's willingness to stay than they were re: KD. Russ has also meshed better with some of the younger guys like Adams and Kanter than KD did. I think he's looking forward to working with Oladipo; they've been working out together in LA this summer.

Anyways, thrilled to have Westbrook back. There's nothing like watching a-n-g-r-y Russ! A triple double every night!
I think it was just Golden State fanboys trying to convince themselves that Durant's not to blame or whatever.
 

AMS25

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I think it was just Golden State fanboys trying to convince themselves that Durant's not to blame or whatever.
Eh, there have also been a number of presumptuous Lakers and Knicks fans who were totally *sure* that Westbrook would leave for their teams because Westbrook grew up in LA or because their city was far more glamorous than OKC. Because LA and NY have such big fan bases, their chattering came to look like conventional wisdom.

But, yeah, GSW fans do like to paint KD's decision in the best light. It makes them feel better about their super team.
 

Sam Ray Not

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But, yeah, GSW fans do like to paint KD's decision in the best light. It makes them feel better about their super team.
Haha, well, naturally. In the lead-up to KD's decision, I definitely considered the "Russ is on his way out anyway" angle as one of many potential reasons he might bolt — not so much because it made me feel better about the Ws as because it seemed like one of the few credible reasons he might consider leaving what appeared to be a pretty great situation in OKC. In light of Russ's decision, that angle doesn't carry as much water. Now it seems like the reasons were probably some combo of (1) he wasn't that thrilled with Russ, Donovan, Presti, Clay Bennett and co.; and (2) he was pretty thrilled about the idea of playing with Curry, Thompson, Iguodala, Green, Steve Kerr, Jerry West and co (and super-flattered at how ardently they all seemed to want to play with him). During the Team USA scrimmages last summer, he described playing with scholars of the game like Curry and Draymond as "basketball heaven." Basically, he followed his bliss.

Or you know, the mainstream hot take: he's a big pussy.

Also worth noting that we don't know how recently Russell made up his mind. I'd guess that after years of being cast as the erratic, bad boy second fiddle who took too many of the great KD's shots, he's was totally eating up his sudden new role as the gutsy and loyal "non-pussy" of the duo. Now he gets to savor that role for another year or two, while getting a gigantic raise, and only minimally limiting his flexibility to jump to another team when he feels like doing so.
 
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AMS25

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. During the Team USA scrimmages last summer, he described playing with scholars of the game like Curry and Draymond as "basketball heaven."
Yeah, that scholar of the game who posted a picture of his penis online! Sorry, couldn't resist.... As a Thunder fan, I don't think of Durant as a pussy so much as disingenuous. But, what's done is done and now it's time to enjoy a-n-g-r-y Russ.
 

Sam Ray Not

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Haha, well, he's a renaissance man! Or non-gentleman and a scholar?

Off-court peccadillos and high leg-kicks notwithstanding, he's clearly a high-level thinker on the floor. As I posted in the Warriors thread, he had the 4th highest assist/turnover ratio in the league last year among non-little guys. The top 5, in order, were: Shaun Livingston, Andre Iguodala, Al Horford, Draymond, and LeBron James.

It's gonna be ridiculously fun for Durant to play on this team, even when the mainstream media writes off the first of his four or five championships as shameless gravy-train-riding.
 

SoxinSeattle

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Too bad. I was really hoping he would put the second knife in Clay Bennett's heart of coal. Happy for RW though if that's where he wants to be.

What are expectations for the Thunder in 2016?
 

AMS25

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What are expectations for the Thunder in 2016?[/QUOTE said:
Oh, maybe sixth-eighth seed in the playoffs. Can't pretend that the loss of KD wasn't a major hit. OKC's performance may depend on how the kids develop, like Cameron Payne, Alex Abrines, Mitch McGary, and Domantas Sabonis. (Payne is currently recovering from a fractured foot.) It will also be interesting to see how Oladipo fits in with the squad. It's a young team, but I'm hopeful that Steven Adams will continue to improve on the offensive end.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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I am thrilled for AMS25 that Westbrook decided to stay. He is going to be throwing up large numbers every night. That said, there is a part of me who was hoping for him to wind up in Boston...

As for Draymond Green, pictures of his junk aside, his Snapchat stories of Team USA has been must-see social media for anyone who loves the NBA. It alternates between him roasting Carmelo for being, old, singing along to Jimmy Butler's eclectic musical selection, mocking Jimmy Butler for said musical selection, harassing KD and Klay Thompson for anything, goofing around with Kyrie Irving, busting on DeAndre Jordan and Boogie Cousins and running around planes and busses trying to wake up and generally torment anyone and everyone who falls asleep. Yesterday Draymond did an in-depth analysis of Team USA's hair (on Klay "bad taper but no real issues", on Jimmy Butler, "extremely rough"). Maybe I find it more amusing than most but its pretty clear he relishes the role of being that team's shit stirrer, shocking as that may be...
 

HomeRunBaker

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Small sample and all but I just witnessed Sabonis defend a pick-n-roll early in this Brasil game probably worse than I've ever seen a pick-n-roll defended. It was Hardenesque except he was really trying simply unsure of what to do.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Yi isn't being signed to replace anyone.....he is signing a $1m guaranteed deal with incentives. He's nothing more than a low risk/whatever reward while filling out the 15-man roster.