NBA 2019-20: Fresh Champs, Fresh Faces, Fresh Places!

stringertom

stringertom

Bionic Poster
Raul_SJ said:
:unsure:
So in that scenario, KD leaves nothing in the table; would then end up earning the same over 5 years with Nets as he would have with GSW over 5 years? I had thought the salary rules incentivize players to stay with current team.

Knicks are smart. Did not want to pay injured player the max.

ESPN's Ramona Shelburne and Wojnarowski reported a reason Durant may have looked past the Knicks, noting that owner James Dolan and the team "were not prepared to offer Kevin Durant a full max contract due to concerns over his recovery from the Achilles injury."
Click to expand...
The sign-and-trade clause has been used to get the FA the extra cash and maximum length of contract for quite a while. The most memorable one was LeBron’s The Decision 1.0, where Cleveland received two 1R, two 2R and a trade exception figure that was used to sign FAs immediately to help fill the rather large void left after his boot scoot to South Beach.
 
stringertom

stringertom

Bionic Poster
Raul_SJ said:
Has any player led three different teams to championships?
Kawhi could do it with the Clippers. LeBron with the Lakers.
Still an outside chance they could both do it together with the Lakers.
Click to expand...
“Led” is the key word there...Robert Horry and John Salley both won titles with three different teams as important role players.
 
hollywood9826

hollywood9826

Hall of Fame
I don't think the injury will end KDs career, but will he be a top 3 player after is the question? He probably wont get back to that level but he will still be pretty freaking good and worthy of a max (or close to it) deal. Kyrie and KD left 10 mill (combined) on the table to fit DeAndre.

Did it end up being a three team trade or 2 separate deals?
KD to BK
Russell to GSW
Iggy a 2024 1st round pick (1-4 protected) or 2025 (1st protected) or 2026 unprotected

Pretty good for Memphis here. Get a hard working consummate professional and a 1st rounder a few years down the road, just because they had the cash to fit things in.
 
T1000

T1000

Legend
As the official armchair gm for the Knicks on TW I’m fine with not giving KD a max.

1. Achilles injury and he’s over 30
2. Most likely meant growth stunter and locker room cancer Kyrie was coming with him. A year of Kyrie alone plus this disaster of a roster would be a disaster.
3. KD + Kyrie + current roster isn’t contending for championships and they wouldn’t have cap room to add other pieces

Randle Taj and Bullock are a step in the right direction if the organization can develop RJ and Knox. I’m not confident with the player development though no young player has really gotten better here. Robinson was good when he came and he didn’t really improve until Deandre came. I see very little growth from Knox he’s not much better than when he got drafted. If that section of the organization isn’t overhauled then the future is dim unless those two can figure it out on their own
 
L

LeeD

Bionic Poster
Like GS's Russell acquisition.
They need scoring.
They can trade him for a PF as needed.
Youth with skills, and good iso ball scorer.
 
hollywood9826

hollywood9826

Hall of Fame
LeeD said:
Like GS's Russell acquisition.
They need scoring.
They can trade him for a PF as needed.
Youth with skills, and good iso ball scorer.
Click to expand...

It really was good a acquisition. Its possible he gets better and they decide to keep him.
But he will be a good trade chip to set the team up for when Klay comes back. Russell/Curry doesn't have the same punch as Klay/Curry mainly because Klay is so good on D which takes pressure off Curry ion that end.

To turn a guy who leaving anyway and Iggy into 4 years of an All start is a good get.
 
hollywood9826

hollywood9826

Hall of Fame
Lost in GSW/BK stuff is that Utah looks to be really freaking good.

Adding Conley and Bogdanvich to offer up plenty of versatility on offense is good and Gobert makes it hard to score in the paint. Utah going all in in what could be a wide open west.

Pacers also look to have done rather well. Brogdan is everything you would want in a modern non superstar player. He plays great D, makes threes and FT and everything else. Bucks should have paid him as well as Middleton to try to strike while to Iron was hot and sneak a title in. But the went OKC and got cheap. They will never get over the hump and Giannis will sign somewhere else in a couple years.

And Pelicans are looking like they are doing things the right way. Surrounding an athletic marvel like Zion with 3 point shooting never hurts. That team should give Reddick plenty of source material for his podcast as well.
 
hollywood9826

hollywood9826

Hall of Fame
heat traded Whiteside to the Blazers for Harkless and Leonard. Kinda makes sense for both here. Miami needed the space and I think were tired of Whiteside anyway. Blazers need someone to play center while there guy gets healed.

Butler seems like a perfect for Riley/Spo he wants to work and he gets mad at laziness Riley is about that.
 
stringertom

stringertom

Bionic Poster
hollywood9826 said:
Lost in GSW/BK stuff is that Utah looks to be really freaking good.

Adding Conley and Bogdanvich to offer up plenty of versatility on offense is good and Gobert makes it hard to score in the paint. Utah going all in in what could be a wide open west.

Pacers also look to have done rather well. Brogdan is everything you would want in a modern non superstar player. He plays great D, makes threes and FT and everything else. Bucks should have paid him as well as Middleton to try to strike while to Iron was hot and sneak a title in. But the went OKC and got cheap. They will never get over the hump and Giannis will sign somewhere else in a couple years.

And Pelicans are looking like they are doing things the right way. Surrounding an athletic marvel like Zion with 3 point shooting never hurts. That team should give Reddick plenty of source material for his podcast as well.
Click to expand...
I’m a big Brogdon fan but there had to be a “fall guy” if the Bucks retained Middleton. GM Horst will now have enough cap to offer Giannis when they sit at the table next year. At least they got some picks. George Hill also offers more size than MB in the backcourt when paired with Bledsoe. Two needs to fill will be a full season of healthy play by DeVincenzo (25 games last year) and a suitable backup for Bledsoe.
 
Raul_SJ

Raul_SJ

G.O.A.T.
I'd like to see both Looney and Boogie stay on the team...
If Cook can step up, Warriors still have a solid starting lineup without KT. Not dominant, but solid.
Draymond, Steph, IGGY, Boogie, Cook

20000482.png
20000485.png
20000487.png
20000862.png
20001573.png
 
stringertom

stringertom

Bionic Poster
Raul_SJ said:
I'd like to see both Looney and Boogie stay on the team...
If Cook can step up, Warriors still have a solid starting lineup without KT. Not dominant, but solid.
Draymond, Steph, IGGY, Boogie, Cook

20000482.png
20000485.png
20000487.png
20000862.png
20001573.png
Click to expand...
Iguodala is gone...he was part of the three-team sign-and-trade KD/Russell/ AI Bklyn/GSW/Memphis triangle.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DSH
Raul_SJ

Raul_SJ

G.O.A.T.
How does Kawhi walk away from a team he just led to a title?
And then break the hearts of an entire country that adores him?
So cold.
:unsure:


4Ce5unc.png
 
hollywood9826

hollywood9826

Hall of Fame
LeeD said:
Wolves want D Russell
Wolves don't want Andre Wiggins.
Warriors need wing players.
Both make the same $$
Trade....
Click to expand...

Not a bad thought. Wiggins offers a bit more size but I think Russell is a better shooter and decision maker.
But I think Russell is better trade bait to get the help the Warriors need when Klay comes back.
Although Wiggins could play the IGGY role at that point and si overall a better athelete that should theoretically be able to play better defense.
 
victorcruz

victorcruz

Hall of Fame
hollywood9826 said:
Not a bad thought. Wiggins offers a bit more size but I think Russell is a better shooter and decision maker.
But I think Russell is better trade bait to get the help the Warriors need when Klay comes back.
Although Wiggins could play the IGGY role at that point and si overall a better athelete that should theoretically be able to play better defense.
Click to expand...
Wiggins has absolutely no hunger. Dude got paid, and is a passive role player in half the games he plays. Plus his defense sucks. He could never do what Iggy did for them. He is at best a Harrison Barnes type, someone that has talent but no heart or hunger to get better.
 
hollywood9826

hollywood9826

Hall of Fame
Wiggins is still young. maybe a change of scenery and being around a winning culture could light the fire. Draymond could help light that fire or make him go crazy and have to be admitted into an asylum.
From an entertainment standpoint I say do it.
 
Raul_SJ

Raul_SJ

G.O.A.T.
Raul_SJ said:
How does Kawhi walk away from a team he just led to a title?
And then break the hearts of an entire country that adores him?
So cold.
:unsure:


4Ce5unc.png
Click to expand...

I predict Kawhi will stay in Canada. Perhaps a one year deal.
No player has ever walked away after leading his team to a championship.
Must stay and try to repeat with this great Raptors team.
 
Last edited:
stringertom

stringertom

Bionic Poster
hollywood9826 said:
Not a bad thought. Wiggins offers a bit more size but I think Russell is a better shooter and decision maker.
But I think Russell is better trade bait to get the help the Warriors need when Klay comes back.
Although Wiggins could play the IGGY role at that point and si overall a better athelete that should theoretically be able to play better defense.
Click to expand...
Russell was brought in for his trade value after KT is ready again but I bet he’s going to play hard to make that decision really tough for GSW brass as the trade deadline approaches. There’s not a player in the league who wants to play for a fourth team in three years and that will happen if he doesn’t shine from the start. I like his game and Kerr will be up to figure out a three-guard tandem that works for the long haul. He’s also much younger than Chef and KT so he will be the transition backcourt talent for the Warriors during the second half of the 20’s.
 
Raul_SJ

Raul_SJ

G.O.A.T.
Federer and Del Potro said:
Twitter trying to will LA Kawhi into existence but nothing yet lol
Click to expand...

If Kawhi must leave for L.A., the NBA should hope that he goes to the Clippers, where they can be competitive with the Lakers; if not the better team.
Not good for the league to have LeBron, Kawhi and AD dominate with the Lakers.
 
hollywood9826

hollywood9826

Hall of Fame
Raul_SJ said:
If Kawhi must leave for L.A., the NBA should hope that he goes to the Clippers, where they can be competitive with the Lakers; if not the better team.
Not good for the league to have LeBron, Kawhi and AD dominate with the Lakers.
Click to expand...

The hardcore fans would hate it. This years TV ratings would say the casual fans want LeBron in the playoffs. The even more casual Lakers fans want the Lakers in the Finals. I'm thinking the NBA would lean towards whatever gives them the best ratings to then get bigger TV deals.
 
T1000

T1000

Legend
victorcruz said:
Wiggins has absolutely no hunger. Dude got paid, and is a passive role player in half the games he plays. Plus his defense sucks. He could never do what Iggy did for them. He is at best a Harrison Barnes type, someone that has talent but no heart or hunger to get better.
Click to expand...

Couldn’t have said it better myself. Waste of talent and athleticism

hollywood9826 said:
The hardcore fans would hate it. This years TV ratings would say the casual fans want LeBron in the playoffs. The even more casual Lakers fans want the Lakers in the Finals. I'm thinking the NBA would lean towards whatever gives them the best ratings to then get bigger TV deals.
Click to expand...

If the NBA wanted ratings to go up they would’ve given the Knicks Zion (no I’ll never get over it) and the Lakers Morant. Pretty much guarantees KD and Kyrie to the Knicks and Kawhai would go to the Raptors or Clippers. Now you have like 7 or 8 legit contenders instead of 3 or 4.
 
hollywood9826

hollywood9826

Hall of Fame
T1000 said:
Couldn’t have said it better myself. Waste of talent and athleticism



If the NBA wanted ratings to go up they would’ve given the Knicks Zion (no I’ll never get over it) and the Lakers Morant. Pretty much guarantees KD and Kyrie to the Knicks and Kawhai would go to the Raptors or Clippers. Now you have like 7 or 8 legit contenders instead of 3 or 4.
Click to expand...

If Dolan wasn't a walking potential sexual harassment litigation disaster for NBA they probably would have plugged the Ewing envelope freezer back in :)
 
NonP

NonP

Legend
Kawhi (wisely) taking his sweet time to decide. Wasn't expecting anything less.

I am somewhat surprised and concerned that he seems to be giving the Fakers serious consideration. Am I the only one who chuckled at this assurance from LeBron?

The Kawhi pitch, whether it is from the Lakers or LeBron, is this: LeBron basically is saying, ‘Hey, this is going to be your team in two years.’ I have heard this for years, but LeBron at one point wants to play with his son (Bronny). And depending on when that happens, that’s going to be LeBron’s priority and that may not be with the Lakers,” [Ryan] Russillo said on the Woj Pod.
Click to expand...

In other words, this is my team as long as I'm around but I'll hand over the baton when I'm down and out. Why would the league's best player even bother to put up with this? It should be obvious by now that when LBJ wins he gets almost all the credit, but when he loses his minions get most of the blame. That's why Kyrie ditched LBJ without warning, and while one might argue that Kawhi ain't nobody's Robin I say that's more reason why he should go his own way and add to his individual legacy with no strings attached.
 
Raul_SJ

Raul_SJ

G.O.A.T.
stringertom said:
$50million will fund a lot of soap opera episodes, no?
Click to expand...

.
"We won here without you B*tch!!". Perkins says a line was crossed with those harsh words.
Team suspends Draymond but then owner announces he wants Draymond there for life. Tough to stay after that.

Perkins says KD left $70 million on the table. Probably wrong about that. Strange that Perkins is not aware of the sign and trade clause which will
allow KD to still get paid. Nobody leaves that much on the table over an argument.

 
Last edited:
NonP

NonP

Legend
-NN- said:
Clippers get Kawhi...


and Paul George.


Best league in the world.
Click to expand...

And the talking heads with exclusive access to "sources" now have eggs on their faces. In the last few days we've heard that Kawhi is "99%" staying with the Raps or the Clips were out of the running. (BTW if this doesn't convince you of the ridiculous media bias towards the Lakers I don't know what will.) And pretty much nobody expected George to be part of the equation. Wow. Anyhoo glad KL made the right decision to spurn the toxic Fakers headed by a declining king and instead build his own castle next door.

...but Kawhi why you gotta diss my boy Russ so?! They're now saying Westbrook himself may be out the trading door now. We'll see.
 
stringertom

stringertom

Bionic Poster
Lost in all the big name hoopla of Kawhi/PG13 are the moves FrankWest made before tonight to make shedding two studs (SGA/Gallinari) for George practical:

1. Resigning Patrick Beverley for less than what Sacto offered the pit bull PG.

2. Getting Moe Harkless from Portland in the 4-team swap involving Jimmy Butler. One of the 1R picks they swapped for PG13 is the one they picked up in that transaction.

3. Adding SG Rodney Magruder from Miami in a cap-friendly 3 years/$15million deal in April. He gives them depth in the one area now vulnerable after trading SGA, their backcourt star of the future.

4. Absolutely fleecing LAL in the Zubac trade, giving up Mike Muscala for their starting center AND the expiring contract of Michael Beasley, who now plays in China. Magic keeps giving even in retirement!

LAC starting lineup:

HC Doc Rivers

PG Shamet (another brilliant pickup for Harris) or Beverley

SG McGruder

SF/PF George and Leonard

C Zubac

Bench: Sweet Lou & Harrell are incumbents but add in Harkless and 2018 1R draft pick SG Jerome Robinson, the second of back to back picks with SGA in that draft. I’m unsure where JaMychal Green and Sindarius Thornwell will wind up in their cap configuration.

That’s a winning roster!
 
stringertom

stringertom

Bionic Poster
LAL lineup is pretty top heavy and loaded in bigs with LABrawny, Unibrow and Kuzma. Adding Danny Green gives them a perimeter shooter but not a ball handler extraordinaire. They are re-signing KCP for the backcourt but that tandem is big, not smooth. This will place even more pressure on the aging multitasker James to be point forward in a slow, old and not so speedy combination with almost no depth off the bench. They are a mid-season injury away from being an also-run contender in the WC.

Denver and LAC are the obvious inside lane favorites for the top 2 seeds. If Porter for Denver ever gets healthy, they will be a tough test for LAC. If KT returns early enough, watch out for GSW to get in the fray as a #6 seed or better and do damage. They are one-and-done as #7 or worse.
 
Steve0904

Steve0904

Talk Tennis Guru
Raul_SJ said:
Where do the NBA champs go from here? Losing Kawhi and Danny Green.

:unsure:
Click to expand...

Not far unfortunately. Because of the length of the Kawhi sweepstakes there aren't many options left. And if they don't pick up anyone they'll be lucky to make the playoffs next year IMO. The highest I could see them finishing is 6 or 7 in the East.

It's too bad. I had hoped he might want to try his hand at a repeat, but no such luck. I appreciate what Kawhi did for Toronto and Canada, he's the main reason they won an NBA title, don't get me wrong, and he made his decision on his terms without the hoopla, I respect that, but I don't think he'll quite get the hero's welcome whenever LAC plays in Toronto again. And I think many people are taking that for granted, especially the Canadian sports media. They just say stuff like "we owe him a championship" or "he won us a championship" and while both statements may be more or less true I don't expect that alone to take the sting out of Kawhi leaving for a fair chunk of the Raptors fanbase. It won't be quite like VC returning to Toronto when he played for the Nets, but I think some people (myself included) are a bit disappointed that he left the team after winning an NBA title and being showered with love and affection at the parade by over 2 million people. And most of all, left the team that helped him resurrect his career after a bad injury. It's a strange scenario because I think now that they won the title in Toronto it hurts more. I was hoping he'd sign for even just 1 more year, and then if they failed to defend their title (high likelihood even with Kawhi returning IMO) I don't think I'd feel anywhere near as disappointed in Kawhi leaving. But to leave after an NBA title just seems wrong to me, and makes it all feel a bit worse.

Again, I'll reiterate, I don't hate Kawhi now, and I respect that he made his own decision, he deserves that, but I am slightly disappointed even though I didn't really expect him to re-sign. I hope Kawhi doesn't expect to win a title with every new team he joins either, because I don't think it should work that way, but we'll see if he can get them a championship as well. Not gonna lie, my first reaction if LAC doesn't win the title next year is going to be laughter, especially if they lose to the Lakers. :laughing:
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

NonP
The 2023–24 NBA Season
50 51 52
Replies
3K
Views
26K
Pheasant
Pheasant
Top