Yeah, it doesn’t even have to be injuries: PG or KL could just decided in 3 years that they won a few titles, the LA thing has run its course, and decide to go somewhere else. This is pretty very roughly what happened at the end of the Heat’s run.Well the league has to move the draft to LA as soon as possible, since the two teams there have like 3 draft picks between them in the next 20 years.
Gotta go for it, if you're the LAC, without question. And good chance the swaps are useless. But sweet mother of God. When that snowball inevitably starts rolling downhill, ain't nothing gonna stop it.
I was hoping that KL would stay in Toronto, since it's a nice story. Team builds around him, some good young guys, etc. But that kick in the nuts for the LAL is lovely, with PG of all people joining KL in Clipperland and Mr. Laker masterminding it... Just fucking marvelous.
Harrell as well (I guess he’s not bigger than 6-9, but a very good nba big) So they are ok if you imagine one vet big guy addition I’d sayThey still have Lou Williams too, right? That's a pretty solid roster, but is Zubac the only guy over 6'9"?
Morris is also Klutch.Other than the needs of KCP’s agents being very important to Lakers, that is...
The Laker had three Fs, they desperately need guards. I’d argue that Green and KCP were a lot more important to them than another 3/4.Seems Lakers could have used him more so than KCP.
Nuance is a lost art in 2019, but I'm not ready to give up.Yeah, it doesn’t even have to be injuries: PG or KL could just decided in 3 years that they won a few titles, the LA thing has run its course, and decide to go somewhere else. This is pretty very roughly what happened at the end of the Heat’s run.
In the meantime, I need an acronym for “I still think the Clippers should have made the trade”, kind of like RIGBY in the Silicon Valley show.
Cool and masterful? Didn't Presti get every pick he could? It was probably a very short negotiation - "You want PG? Give me everything or otherwise no."Agree with others about Presti. Gun to his head and he was cool and masterful. That's as good a haul as could be expected. I wonder what else was in that Russ-PG for Siakam deal...
I contemplated about this as well, but when you look at Magic’s history, “can’t keep mouth shut” is about a thousand times more likely then “vindictive calculating cleverness”.One can only wonder if Magic did this to undermine Pelinka. I mean everyone else in the world knows that KL likes to keepeverything on the QT and that he needs to be able to trust his team's organization to do the same.
Right because PG was already signed so he had no leverage to bolt.Cool and masterful? Didn't Presti get every pick he could? It was probably a very short negotiation - "You want PG? Give me everything or otherwise no."
The only thing they could have haggled about is the years of the pick swaps.
Yeah, it’s a funny downside of being an LA team. You are pretty sure the guy you get will re-sign, so the counterparty knows almost exactly where your walkaway point is. You get your guy, but because your cards are face up, your final deal is always right up against your BATNA.Cool and masterful? Didn't Presti get every pick he could? It was probably a very short negotiation - "You want PG? Give me everything or otherwise no."
The only thing they could have haggled about is the years of the pick swaps.
I'd be surprised if Morris doesn't end up with the LakersWho’s left that has need and cap space?
Still, a trip to the Magic kingdom really makes it clear.Kawhi didn't need anyone to point out what a Mickey Mouse organization they are.
Is Westbrook on his contract a positive asset? He'd improve the Suns or Magic, but not enough to justify moving assets. Maybe the Wolves would give up picks to swap RWB for Wiggins?If Presti can bait a desperate GM into giving up real assets for Westbrook, the cupboard will fill up again quickly for OKC.
Right after the AD trade, the talk of adding a 3rd star centered around Kemba and Kawhi. Having Kemba quickly decide on the Celtics, and Kawhi turn over every stone to get to LAC despite the clear path to the Lakers is about as satisfying an outcome as possible so far.
I mean Jalen said “99% Toronto”.......so he did stop short of 100.Broussard was the only guy who declared anything with confidence, though, right?
And I mean that's just shooting fish in a barrel.
All the picks they just got are about as close to worthless as can be. Really OKC just turned Paul George into Gallinari and SGA, which no GM would want to do, except under duress.Cool and masterful? Didn't Presti get every pick he could? It was probably a very short negotiation - "You want PG? Give me everything or otherwise no."
The only thing they could have haggled about is the years of the pick swaps.
I don't know about worthless but look at what BRK did without any draft picks. Turns out having cap space is a great way to build assets in today's NBA.All the picks they just got are about as close to worthless as can be. Really OKC just turned Paul George into Gallinari and SGA, which no GM would want to do, except under duress.
The winner in this trade is New Orleans, because now there's a tiny chance the Laker team falls apart at the end of this year when a frustrated AD leaves in free agency.
Hahaha, yes, this. Do not want to turn this political, but was thinking the same thing the other day...at some point a GM is gonna be like: “2026? Hell, we might not even have a country then, let alone an NBA! Picks for all!”Wonder if the Clippers were holding the line on the picks, the earthquake hit, and they just said screw it we could die tonight! All the first rounders and swaps you want!
Yeah, it sucks that kids in the East won’t get to watch the MVP.NBA fans on the East Coast are going to have to stay up until 1am every night to see any of the league's marquee players now.
That's not great from a league perspective.
Except for Giannis, Kyrie, Embiid and KD in a year, sure.NBA fans on the East Coast are going to have to stay up until 1am every night to see any of the league's marquee players now.
That's not great from a league perspective.
Great pick up. Jerry West genius is sublime. All hail JerryCongrats dude. It’s one thing for your squad to land two franchise players in the same day, but for longtime Clips fans, punking Big Brother in the process has to feel nice.
PatBev, Harkless, PG and Kawhi is a sick defensive lineup. Sub in Shamet (under the radar Jerry “King of the” West move) and Harrell and they can light it up.
So glad I get to keep rooting for Kawhi.
My rule of thumb is to always give Ainge & co. the benefit of the doubt when it comes to evaluating current NBA players.Lakers (w/ an assist by Philly) follies are taking the sting away from losing Al Horford. It also has me re-considering my thoughts that Danny mishandled Al's contract demands.
Now is the time for you to be the bigger person and comfort them by reminding them that there is no shame in being a 5 seed.The whining from my laker friends and family this morning is amazing.
Guess you assholes will just have to settle for lebron james and Anthony Davis. Gtfoh
KD is out for the year. The other guys you named are tier 2 superstars as far as most fans are concerned.Except for Giannis, Kyrie, Embiid and KD in a year, sure.
Particularly when in a few months he’s going to get a younger big to replace him.My rule of thumb is to always give Ainge & co. the benefit of the doubt when it comes to evaluating current NBA players.
Giannis won the MVP and is hugely well-known and popular. Kyrie sells more shoes than almost anyone, particularly to the younger demographic. Embiid is maybe the biggest personality in the league and is also really fucking good. Go do hot takes somewhere else.KD is out for the year. The other guys you named are tier 2 superstars as far as most fans are concerned.
That's why the NBA keeps James Dolan's checkbook around.Reminder: Russ (age 30) is still on the books for 4/171 and is a UFA in 2023 w/a player option in 2022.
Nice. Maybe capitalize Kingdom to work the Lebron reference in there. I'm chugging the Lakerfreude this morning.Still, a trip to the Magic kingdom really makes it clear.
My most vocal Laker fan friend has so far been silent this morning. My “wow, Jerry West sticking it to the Lakers was unexpected.” And “Wonder if AD asks to be traded to the Celtics now. . . . . . “ texts have not gotten responses.The whining from my laker friends and family this morning is amazing.
Guess you assholes will just have to settle for lebron james and Anthony Davis. Gtfoh
Ah, so now Giannis is a star? We’re getting somewhere!Giannis is the last star standing in the East.
Lebron, Curry, Leonard, Davis, Lillard, Harden....basically any other star a fan might tune in to watch, are in the West, mostly in the Pacific time zone.
"Hot Take" is the absolute lamest message board cliche reply ever. Maybe bring some thought to your post.
ok fellas this is a day of celebration for those that have had enough of the Lakers, Lebron, Klutch, RWB, Toronto Championships, GSW domination, Harden's play (Kawhi/George will stop him cold) and AD spurning the Celtics.Giannis is the last star standing in the East.
Lebron, Curry, Leonard, Davis, Lillard, Harden....basically any other star a fan might tune in to watch, are in the West, mostly in the Pacific time zone.
"Hot Take" is the absolute lamest message board cliche reply ever. Maybe bring some thought to your post.
I wonder how much of this is on Westbrook though? Guy plays like he’s the only star on his team and consistently doesn’t share the ball even though he’s the PG and not an amazing outside shooter.. despite having Durant, Harden and George as teammates. At some point you may want to be more pass first and less of a volume shooter/scorer.Holy balls what a curveball that was; Leonard signing with the Clippers isn't that surprising, but just tossing in George out of the blue is unreal. Feel bad for Westbrook though; in a constantly rearranging league where stars hop from team to team, he stays loyal only to see other stars come and go.
Has anyone in anything ever just basically kicked ass for 50+ years the way Jerry West has in basketball?
Paul George re-signed there knowing full well what type of player Wetbrook is/was thoughI wonder how much of this is on Westbrook though? Guy plays like he’s the only star on his team and consistently doesn’t share the ball even though he’s the PG and not an amazing outside shooter.. despite having Durant, Harden and George as teammates. At some point you may want to be more pass first and less of a volume shooter/scorer.
Calling Gianni a tier 2 player immediately invalidates anything Coop says now and forever.Giannis won the MVP and is hugely well-known and popular. Kyrie sells more shoes than almost anyone, particularly to the younger demographic. Embiid is maybe the biggest personality in the league and is also really fucking good. Go do hot takes somewhere else.
Spurning the Lakers in the process. All hail King George!Paul George re-signed there knowing full well what type of player Wetbrook is/was though
It could, but it's not clear who would take Westbrook's contract (or Adams' either). Maybe OKC trades Schroder?Question for the group: doesn't this move for OKC signal a selloff? If so, the ripples from this trade could be felt throughout thr year, no?