2018 NBA offseason thread

Sam Ray Not

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Is the one GM who didn't have Boston in the E Conf top 4 Ainge in a "don't jinx" sort of way?
I'd assume it's Ainge in a "not allowed to pick your own team" sort of way. :) (Similarly, I'm guessing the the guy who didn't have GS in the top 4 is Bob Myers.)
 

jimv

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.....
Hadn't noticed the LeBron leadership thing. Really hard to comment on behind the scenes stuff based only on media reports...I guess that might be one where I'd defer to GMs....
I think there's a lot to be said for his leadership - Lebron is 100% committed to maximizing his basketball talent - consider his workout regime, the diet, etc. He doesn't miss games or practices, old teammates sing his praises (mostly anyway), never any off court trouble,

He's a diva and tends to the dramatic but you could do far worse for your locker room alpha
 

Kliq

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Well his leadership skills are going to get put to the test this season with that group of knuckleheads.
 

HomeRunBaker

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I think there's a lot to be said for his leadership - Lebron is 100% committed to maximizing his basketball talent - consider his workout regime, the diet, etc. He doesn't miss games or practices, old teammates sing his praises (mostly anyway), never any off court trouble,

He's a diva and tends to the dramatic but you could do far worse for your locker room alpha
LeBron is known for organizing summer mini-camps with his teammates with a high attendance participation. The definition of a leader is one who acquires followers. LeBron is certainly on the short list of the elite in this league.
 

Tony C

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I guess after raising the question, I'll join the chorus - you're all probably right.

Maybe some of the perceived drama around LeBron has come from playing with older players, either diva-ish in their own right (Wade) or true knuckleheads like J.R. Smith?

The leadership you guys note might be a better match with a young team like the Lakers in which his work ethic and demands will be accepted rather than resisted. I actually don't think he's playing with a bunch of knuckleheads in L.A. -- Stephenson is a lousy player and not sure why the Lakers signed him, but he's always worked hard so far as I can tell even if he's a bit wacky. And Beasley may look stoned, but he seems to have matured. Rondo is a bit weird but, again, not in the sense that he isn't intensely focused on the game. And, more importantly, beyond the one year wonders, in the main with guys like Kuzma and Ingram and Ball and Hart, Lebron has an impressionable, hard-working crew around him that I imagine will follow his lead in a positive way.
 

Cesar Crespo

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The KAT thing popped to me, too -- you're right it wasn't a lost season for him, but nonetheless think his stock has significantly dropped.
Not only wasn't it a lost year, it was another year of growth for a guy who doesn't turn 23 for another month+. Maybe it isn't Jimmy Butler that is the problem or his defense is that much of an issue. Thing is, if I were to make the same list, Towns probably doesn't crack my top 5 either. That seems absurd when you look at the numbers he's posted at his age, but the league is flush of talent and there's something about Towns that just doesn't inspire me.

Also funny that Giannis got votes for being the best SF, the best PF and the best C in the NBA. If I was starting a team, he's easily my vote.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Imbricus

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Looks like the Warriors destroyed the Kings using less than half their starting lineup, in what appears to be a good omen for the pick ...
 

Sam Ray Not

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Breakfast with Markelle: Mavs and Sixers in a barnburner in Shenzhen. Sixers up 97-96, Markelle with 6 pts (3-7 fg), Luka with 15 (4-8 fg), 4 ast, 5 reb.

Stating the obvious, but: the Kings and Hawks really need to be relegated to the D-league for passing on Doncic. I haven't been impressed at all by what I've seen from Bagley and Young.
 

BigSoxFan

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There are fears that Dejounte Murray may have torn his ACL. This comes a day after the Spurs lost Lonnie Walker for a couple months due to a torn meniscus. Would be a killer injury to lose Murray.
 

Sam Ray Not

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Yeah, horrible (potential) news about Murray. He and Walker were basically the two reasons to watch the Spurs this season; outside of them, it's mostly slow, unwatchable iso-plays and long-twos by DeRozan, Aldridge, and Gay. I watched some of the Rockets-Spurs game last night and got Raptors-Cavs playoffs PTSD from watching DeRozan go iso dribble-dribble-dribble long-two every time down the floor in crunchtime. Such a painful brand of basketball to watch and have to root for.

I mean, Harden is a pretty similar player to DeRozan a lot of ways, but at least someone at some point got through to him that layups, free throws and threes are winning basketball and long twos are not.

Anyway, fingers crossed the Murray thing is just a mild MCL strain or something. He's a fun young player to watch.
 

HowBoutDemSox

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Shams: The Phoenix Suns have fired GM Ryan McDonough.


Shams: Suns will now have GM role served by vice president of basketball operations James Jones and assistant GM Trevor Bukstein.
That’s odd timing. Where they unhappy with his off season? Otherwise, why not bring in a GM earlier when they had the first overall pick to craft the future of the franchise according to their own vision, I would imagine that would have been a nice hook to lure a top level GM candidate. Unless they expect their internal folks to continue in the role indefinitely.
 

BigSoxFan

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That’s odd timing. Where they unhappy with his off season? Otherwise, why not bring in a GM earlier when they had the first overall pick to craft the future of the franchise according to their own vision, I would imagine that would have been a nice hook to lure a top level GM candidate. Unless they expect their internal folks to continue in the role indefinitely.
Agreed. Really weird to have this happen right before the season and obviously bad timing for McDonough to come right after he landed a potential franchise center in Ayton. Have to wonder if some kind of internal politics are at play. On a petty note, I find this to be nice karmic payback for that little smug Josh Jackson press conference. It will be interesting to see where he lands - didn't really build up the greatest resume while in Phoenix.
 

RedOctober3829

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Agreed. Really weird to have this happen right before the season and obviously bad timing for McDonough to come right after he landed a potential franchise center in Ayton. Have to wonder if some kind of internal politics are at play. On a petty note, I find this to be nice karmic payback for that little smug Josh Jackson press conference. It will be interesting to see where he lands - didn't really build up the greatest resume while in Phoenix.
I wonder if he was fired because he didn't pull the trigger on a trade for a starting PG and the owner wanted someone who would give up unprotected 1sts like it's been reported. They've undoubtedly engaged the C's for Rozier.
 

BigSoxFan

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I wonder if he was fired because he didn't pull the trigger on a trade for a starting PG and the owner wanted someone who would give up unprotected 1sts like it's been reported. They've undoubtedly engaged the C's for Rozier.
You may be right. Lots of people are reporting that Sarver is getting Jerry Jones-like and may be mingling in the day-to-day ops a lot. Rozier really would make a world of sense for that team.
 

nighthob

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I wonder if he was fired because he didn't pull the trigger on a trade for a starting PG and the owner wanted someone who would give up unprotected 1sts like it's been reported. They've undoubtedly engaged the C's for Rozier.
I imagine partly that and partly McDonough Christ Granting himself out of general usefulness. His determination to "win" every trade has probably made it increasingly difficult for the Suns to get practical deals done. (Admission, I've never been a McDonough fan, so keep that in mind.)

To be brutally frank he should have been fired for botching the Irving trade on the table in the summer of '17 (because I can't imagine that it was Cleveland's front office that leaked the news that Kyrie was about to be traded to the Suns) just so that he could hold on to the #4 pick and steal a superstar for damaged goods, a point guard that's bone on bone in both knees. Only to be forced to unload the damaged goods a few months later in a salary dump (that pretty much defines incompetence).

McDonough should have kept his fricking trap shut until he and the Suns front office had a chance to pitch Kyrie on their future. Now, much like Grant, he lucked into the #1 pick after screwing things up. But also like Grant it looks like he's continued to prioritize "winning" trades over putting his young players in the best position to succeed. I don't blame Sarver for trying to find a better executive.
 

Cesar Crespo

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Aren't you supposed to fire people at the end of the season, not at the start? LOL Suns.

With that said, they do have an interesting core of players and a competent GM could probably turn those pieces into a decent team. Ayton looks to be the real deal and while opinions vary wildly on Booker, he's a very gifted offensive player and somehow only turns 22 later this month. If he played on a real team that could hide his shortcomings...
 

nighthob

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You may be right. Lots of people are reporting that Sarver is getting Jerry Jones-like and may be mingling in the day-to-day ops a lot. Rozier really would make a world of sense for that team.
Yeah, having Rozier and Booker provide the scoring and with better vet roleplayers that squad would be competing for a playoff spot from the getgo. And even though they won't make it, there's real value in making sure that Ayton is playing games that matter in March and April.
 

BigSoxFan

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Yeah, having Rozier and Booker provide the scoring and with better vet roleplayers that squad would be competing for a playoff spot from the getgo. And even though they won't make it, there's real value in making sure that Ayton is playing games that matter in March and April.
Agreed. A Rozier/Booker pairing would be the perfect way to break in Ayton by alleviating the need for him to shoulder a heavy scoring burden early on. Their PG spot is a huge dumpster fire right now and having a bottom tier PG in the NBA is like having a crappy QB.
 

cheech13

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Sarver is a bad owner and this move reeks of organizational disfunction, but let’s be honest: McDonough was probably the worst GM in the league and deserved this a long time ago. Outside of drafting Booker and that surprise 40+ win season under Hornacek it’s been a total tire fire.
 

InstaFace

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Agreed. Really weird to have this happen right before the season and obviously bad timing for McDonough to come right after he landed a potential franchise center in Ayton. Have to wonder if some kind of internal politics are at play. On a petty note, I find this to be nice karmic payback for that little smug Josh Jackson press conference. It will be interesting to see where he lands - didn't really build up the greatest resume while in Phoenix.
This one?

On a scale of 1 to "Belichick on Freddie Mitchell after the 2004 SB", I give that about a 4.
 

Sam Ray Not

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Dammit, torn ACL for DeJounte Murray, done for the season. Brutal last couple years for the Spurs.

 
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BigSoxFan

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Dammit, torn ACL for DeJounte Mauray, done for the season. Brutal last couple years for the Spurs.

Ugh. That's a killer injury for SA. Patty Mills can't create offense for anybody but himself. Going to be iso-central all year with DeRozan/Aldridge.
 

PedroKsBambino

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Boy, you have to wonder if they'd have thought about the return for Kawhi differently if they had known they wouldn't have Murray. Probably the case that Pop simply doesn't want to punt this late in his career, but they are really in a tough spot now.
 

BigSoxFan

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Boy, you have to wonder if they'd have thought about the return for Kawhi differently if they had known they wouldn't have Murray. Probably the case that Pop simply doesn't want to punt this late in his career, but they are really in a tough spot now.
Basically a lost year for the Spurs. Alridge's age 33 and DeRozan's age 29 seasons are about to be wasted along with key developmental time for Murray and Walker. The Spurs have had a great run but they're heading into NBA purgatory. Too good to bottom out but not good enough to have any chance of winning, even if there weren't a juggernaut like GS around. Will be interesting to see how much longer Pop sticks it out given that he turns 70 in January.
 

BigSoxFan

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Could they get a decent return trading Aldridge at this stage?
Probably not. He only makes sense for a team that is ready to win now and those teams won't have the assets that would make it worthwhile for SA. They'd also have to find a taker for DeRozan. At this stage, they'll just gut out a 43-45 win season and be first round fodder in the playoffs.
 

BigSoxFan

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Future unprotected 1st for Rozier? Who says no?
Probably Phoenix. They'd want protections on it, which I'd be fine with as long as it's structured like Memphis'. Something like Top 5 protected in 2019, Top 3 protected in 2020, and unprotected in 2021 would work for me.
 

Royal Reader

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Probably Phoenix. They'd want protections on it, which I'd be fine with as long as it's structured like Memphis'. Something like Top 5 protected in 2019, Top 3 protected in 2020, and unprotected in 2021 would work for me.
Are we not talking about San Antonio?
 

moondog80

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SA says no. Not giving up an unprotected 1st for one year of Rozier in a year where their upside is the 4 seed in the West. I'm not sure who would give up a non-heavily protected 1st for him. Maybe a team that really likes him and would have trouble attracting any decent FA, so the Bird rights would be valuable?

Or maybe Philly, because he could conceivably be the difference in getting them to the NBA finals, and a near-future pick wouldn't project to be in the lottery? But then again, they are probably done dealing with Ainge :)
 
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HomeRunBaker

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I wonder if he was fired because he didn't pull the trigger on a trade for a starting PG and the owner wanted someone who would give up unprotected 1sts like it's been reported. They've undoubtedly engaged the C's for Rozier.
You have bingo right here. Sarver's comments insinuate that the PG position, or lack of addressing it, is what caused him to fire McDonough. I'm guessing Jones has a directive from Sarver to be aggressive here just as Billy King was to Prokhorov's demands to jeopardize the future for the present leading to the Pierce/KG trade.

Danny has a major chip in Rozier that he could get a real return on however it would be at the cost of having Rozier for this potential championship contending season. The only way this occurs imo is if we get a steal of a return...….and if anyone mentions the name "Bender" I'm throwing my internet through the window!
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

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You have bingo right here. Sarver's comments insinuate that the PG position, or lack of addressing it, is what caused him to fire McDonough. I'm guessing Jones has a directive from Sarver to be aggressive here just as Billy King was to Prokhorov's demands to jeopardize the future for the present leading to the Pierce/KG trade.

Danny has a major chip in Rozier that he could get a real return on however it would be at the cost of having Rozier for this potential championship contending season. The only way this occurs imo is if we get a steal of a return...….and if anyone mentions the name "Bender" I'm throwing my internet through the window!
Man, I hear that Danny might go on a . . . . .


. . . wait for it . . .


Bender!
 

moondog80

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Obviously we don't know where any teams will be picking next year but theoretically, how high of a pick would it take to give up Rozier? I wouldn't start to think about it until 14 or so.
 

snowmanny

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If there was a trade that included BOS having the option of swapping the SAC/PHI pick for the PHX pick on draft day I'd be tempted. Just to improve the odds of a top 3 pick.
 

Papelbon's Poutine

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SA says no. Not giving up an unprotected 1st for one year of Rozier in a year where their upside is the 4 seed in the West. I'm not sure who would give up a non-heavily protected 1st for him. Maybe a team that really likes him and would have trouble attracting any decent FA, so the Bird rights would be valuable?
I was thinking along the lines of, with Pop only having so many years left, maybe like a 2021 or later 1st, once he'll be gone, maybe with some protections that get it to unprotected shortly after that; Buford is probably too smart to just give up when Pop goes tho, so yeah, I'm probably fishing here.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Obviously we don't know where any teams will be picking next year but theoretically, how high of a pick would it take to give up Rozier? I wouldn't start to think about it until 14 or so.
That's too close to a wash in value and you don't lose Rozier for this season for a wash......you move him for a home run! Ainge is creative so here's my angle.....the Suns own a limited protected first from the Bucks that turns unprotected in 2021. If Ainge has information that Giannis leaving the Bucks that pick would suddenly carry a ton more potential and we know from the Nets and Grizzlies future picks that Danny loves nothing more than to trust his projections down the road.

Rozier for a Phoenix 1st (with some protections) and the Bucks pick which already carries protections. Who says no?
 

TripleOT

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Is another high pick more valuable than having Rozier for the championship run this season?
 

Papelbon's Poutine

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It would depend on how high the pick is and when it comes due.

Personally, I think a top ten a few years down the road is worth it; I’m
not seeing Rozier as the difference between beating GS and not. Reasonable minds can differ on that and I’ll gladly be proven wrong. I just don’t see him as the difference maker, short of a big injury in GS. And the team is going to get really expensive quite quickly.
 

JCizzle

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Interesting timing for this conversation. BRobb writes that they may be working on an extension with Rozier with a quote from Rozier that he's at least considering it. It would carry a required poison pill that basically prevents him from being traded until July 1.

 

nighthob

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When you sign someone to an extension of their rookie deal after three seasons their fourth year carries a five year salary average for outgoing trade purposes.

Regardless the reason for the extension is the same reason they tried to sign Smart last October, so that he’d be available as salary ballast for a summer deal. So look at this in the latest move in Danny’s Unibrower Hunt. Rozier and Brown would work for salary next July and I doubt that the Pelicans do any better on the open market.