2015 NBA Offseason Thread

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by stevew

Who is signing with the Lakers?

I actually went into the offseason hoping the Lakers would end up with an Aldridge or a Love and some other good piece to get them to at least playoff contender level, as it would make competing with them that much more interesting as a Clips fan.

But now that it appears they may be on the outside looking in on a lot of guys, I'm not too upset.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Guess Tyson is going to help the Suns pitch Aldridge. Would be a fascinating team if they could nab him too.

Still gonna be shocking if LMA doesn't go to San Antonio.

Celtics signed Amir Johnson 2/$24 and Jonas Jerebko 2/$10... Ummm.... Should've just offered Tobias Harris 5/$90

I guess Dallas and LAL both have to be all-in on DeAndre Jordan at this point. That Mavs pick the Celtics own looking a little better.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

I guess Dallas and LAL both have to be all-in on DeAndre Jordan at this point. That Mavs pick the Celtics own looking a little better.

And even with DJ, they can't match the Clips on money or term, nor do they offer him continuing to play with his best friend.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

And even with DJ, they can't match the Clips on money or term, nor do they offer him continuing to play with his best friend.

Remember 12 hours ago when Lakers fans (and front office) thought they were gonna get LMA and DJ? That Lakers pick Phoenix traded for Knight back to looking like a lottery pick.

[nol]

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

Remember 12 hours ago when Lakers fans (and front office) thought they were gonna get LMA and DJ? That Lakers pick Phoenix traded for Knight back to looking like a lottery pick.

It was a lottery pick no matter what. Consider how entrenched most of the West playoff teams are and then remember that Oklahoma City is the first team to replace whoever ends up slipping (and the Jazz are probably next based on how they played once Gobert started playing a bigger role). A lineup of Russell-Clarkson-Kobe-Randle-Aldridge would have gotten absolutely torched on defense.

[Brian Swartz]

I wonder what changed with Aldridge. A few days ago it seemed he was a lock to go to LA according to the reports.

I'm a bit queasy about SA going all-in on him, though it does seem better than any of the alternatives.

[nol]

Originally Posted by Brian Swartz

I wonder what changed with Aldridge. A few days ago it seemed he was a lock to go to LA according to the reports.

I'm a bit queasy about SA going all-in on him, though it does seem better than any of the alternatives.

Kobe spoke for about three minutes in the presentation, said he envisioned LaMarcus Aldridge working with him the same way Pau Gasol did.

— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) July 1, 2015

[Brian Swartz]

...
...
...

*guh*

Thanks Kobe! :P

[Arles]

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

Still gonna be shocking if LMA doesn't go to San Antonio.

Celtics signed Amir Johnson 2/$24 and Jonas Jerebko 2/$10... Ummm.... Should've just offered Tobias Harris 5/$90

I guess Dallas and LAL both have to be all-in on DeAndre Jordan at this point. That Mavs pick the Celtics own looking a little better.

Sounds like Dallas is trying to do a S&T with Phoenix that sends Chandler (4/52) to Phoenix for Brendan Wright (whatever contract Dallas works out with him). There may also be an aspect that involve Aldridge and Portland if he decides on Phoenix:

.@BobbyMarks42 I'm trying to figure out of PHX can pull a double s-and-t: Wright/Chandler, and LMA/whatever POR wants to match $. Head hurts

— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) July 1, 2015

[Arles]

Bresnahan just tweeted this about LMA and the Lakers. Sounds like he passed on them:

LaMarcus Aldridge will not be joining the Lakers, The Times has learned. They were a 50-50 choice but he disliked bball part of presentation

— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) July 1, 2015

It appears the Suns still have an outside chance after SA/Houston, but I can't think it's very high:

Suns GM Ryan McDonough and staff -- with Tyson Chandler -- still in meeting with Aldridge now in Los Angeles, sources tell Yahoo.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 1, 2015

As to the Chandler deal, it's probably a year too many - but I don't mind the money. The Suns badly needed a veteran leader (pref not a guard) as most of the team is under 26.

[Arles]

Wow, there's an ESPN report the Golden State isn't willing to give Draymond Green the same offer that Middleton and Knight got in FA (5/70) - which is what he's asking for. Given the market, I'd have to think that someone would give him a better deal than those two. Sounds like a dangerous game to play with the Knicks, Mavs and Lakers begging someone to take their cap space.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by Arles

Sounds like Dallas is trying to do a S&T with Phoenix that sends Chandler (4/52) to Phoenix for Brendan Wright (whatever contract Dallas works out with him). There may also be an aspect that involve Aldridge and Portland if he decides on Phoenix:

.@BobbyMarks42 I'm trying to figure out of PHX can pull a double s-and-t: Wright/Chandler, and LMA/whatever POR wants to match $. Head hurts

— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) July 1, 2015

That would help Phoenix make the money work if LMA picks them, but isn't going to help them get LMA. Signing Chandler was big because LMA hated playing center so much, but I can't imagine trading Bledsoe or the Morii would help sell LMA on Phoenix.

[stevew]

It would be nice if the Cavs could trade Haywood somewhere to someone under the cap so they can score a 10M exception.

[Arles]

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

That would help Phoenix make the money work if LMA picks them, but isn't going to help them get LMA. Signing Chandler was big because LMA hated playing center so much, but I can't imagine trading Bledsoe or the Morii would help sell LMA on Phoenix.

I think that's the point. After signing Chandler, the Suns didn't have any cap space left (they had about $12 mil going in). So, if LMA does pick them, they would need some creativity to make it all work.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Arles

I think that's the point. After signing Chandler, the Suns didn't have any cap space left (they had about $12 mil going in). So, if LMA does pick them, they would need some creativity to make it all work.

When I see "need some creativity to make it all work", that pretty much reads as "not going to happen."

As for the Lakers with LMA thing, I'm not shocked. That franchise ownership now, in the wake of Buss Sr. departing, has been a mess for years now. I just think Jim Buss is a bad manager of a franchise, but he's too arrogant to see it. And he and his sister are too fractious with each other to form an effective team.

Some examples of odd Laker front office behavior: 1) offering Kobe cap killing money last year; 2) the whole Dwight Howard thing; 3) the four interviews before hiring Byron Scott; 4) the firing of Buss Sr.'s long time scouting staff; 5) the treatment of Phil Jackson when they hired D'Antoni; 6) the terrible coaching decisions (Mike Brown, D'Antoni, Scott).

The Busses are a trainwreck now with Dad gone.

[Sublime 2]

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

Still gonna be shocking if LMA doesn't go to San Antonio.

Celtics signed Amir Johnson 2/$24 and Jonas Jerebko 2/$10... Ummm.... Should've just offered Tobias Harris 5/$90

I guess Dallas and LAL both have to be all-in on DeAndre Jordan at this point. That Mavs pick the Celtics own looking a little better.

I'm not positive, but I think the Celtics could still stretch Gerald Wallace's contract to gain enough room to offer sheet Harris, but I'm not sure they're willing to go to 5/$90.

[Groundhog]

lol @ LMA disliking the 'bball' part of the presentation. I'm guessing it was 30 minutes of Kobe shooting contested long two-point jumpers.

If GSW don't give Green the money he is after, they are nuts. Curry is great, but he is a huge part of the reason behind their success last year.

[nol]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

lol @ LMA disliking the 'bball' part of the presentation. I'm guessing it was 30 minutes of Kobe shooting contested long two-point jumpers.

If GSW don't give Green the money he is after, they are nuts. Curry is great, but he is a huge part of the reason behind their success last year.

Golden State is going to match whatever. They're just using the usual RFA technique of having the player find an offer sheet elsewhere at first. This year is definitely rare in terms of how many restricted free agents have re-signed on the very first day.

[murrayyyyy]

3 years for Paul Pierce? Someone needs to get that wheelchair ready in Staples Center.

[nol]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Clippers talking to Wesley Johnson, Jeremy Lin, Willie Green, Corey Brewer and CJ Watson.

Will someone please lock GM Doc Rivers in the utility closet for the next two weeks?

I was gonna say, at least wait until Paul Pierce signs and DeAndre re-signs for GM Doc to take a break.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by nol

I was gonna say, at least wait until Paul Pierce signs and DeAndre re-signs for GM Doc to take a break.

Meh...those offers have been made. Pierce was either coming or not. I always thought DJ would stay for max money and playing with Blake.

[murrayyyyy]

Is ATL really better with Milsap playing the 3, Horford at the 4 and Splitter at the 5?

[Groundhog]

Millsap can maybeeeeeee pull off the SF conversion, but it's a bit of a plodding frontcourt overall.

Jordan is crazy if he leaves LA (assuming they max him) given 95% of his offense comes from just being on the court with CP3 and Blake.

[Izulde]

I can't wait for Kobe to retire.

[heybrad]

Originally Posted by Izulde

I can't wait for Kobe to retire.

A big +1 to this.

[MrBug708]

Yup

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by Sublime 2

I'm not positive, but I think the Celtics could still stretch Gerald Wallace's contract to gain enough room to offer sheet Harris, but I'm not sure they're willing to go to 5/$90.

No need to stretch Wallace, plus he makes a really good trade chip when paired with our trade exceptions. Btw, if the reports are true and the 2nd year is non-guaranteed for both Johnson and Jerebko I like it a lot more.

(Also, remember when people were freaking out over Avery Bradley getting $8m/y?)

[murrayyyyy]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

Jordan is crazy if he leaves LA (assuming they max him) given 95% of his offense comes from just being on the court with CP3 and Blake.

I dunno on this one. I mean he is from Texas, he went to A&M and a Texas team is offering you. You go from the worst Marginal Income Tax rate situation to the best (13.3% to 0%). Add in that he is only 26 years old so he has a chance at maybe 2 more max deals with Dallas. That's a lot of money to look at turning down.

When Washington free agent Trevor Ariza agreed to a four-year, $32 million deal with Houston — accepting essentially the same salary the Wizards offered him — multiple outlets noted a big difference in Ariza’s take-home pay with the Rockets. The lack of a state tax in Texas vs. the local taxes (and higher cost of living) in and around Washington, D.C., meant the veteran wing player would pocket as much as $3 million more by working and living in Houston.

That's a 4 year 32 million dollar deal. Tristian Thompson just got $80 million for 5 years. Middleton got 5 years and $70m. If he can get close to 90 million over 5 years that still give him his last contract at 31 and probably pockets him an extra 12 million in his pocket going from Cali to Texas.

Banners may hang forever but a bank account for a guy without a ton of endorsements is probably more valuable. The Mavs can go buy him a PG when the cap gets out of control in 2 years.

[murrayyyyy]

Originally Posted by Arles

Sounds like Dallas is trying to do a S&T with Phoenix that sends Chandler (4/52) to Phoenix for Brendan Wright (whatever contract Dallas works out with him). There may also be an aspect that involve Aldridge and Portland if he decides on Phoenix:

.@BobbyMarks42 I'm trying to figure out of PHX can pull a double s-and-t: Wright/Chandler, and LMA/whatever POR wants to match $. Head hurts

— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) July 1, 2015

Grizz signed Brandan Wirght for the MLE today. Wright and Gasol look a lot different from when they played against each other in HS.

[nol]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

Millsap can maybeeeeeee pull off the SF conversion, but it's a bit of a plodding frontcourt overall.

Splitter does not play enough minutes to have to worry about getting all three on the court at once. He's a good backup big guy and good to have for certain matchups, but Tiago Splitter is not someone who changes a team's overall offensive strategy

[Groundhog]

Originally Posted by nol

Splitter does not play enough minutes to have to worry about getting all three on the court at once. He's a good backup big guy and good to have for certain matchups, but Tiago Splitter is not someone who changes a team's overall offensive strategy

That's probably going to change in Atlanta though - I'm assuming they expect him to be their starting C. I imagine he'll be seeing more minutes than he did in San Antonio now, given the Hawks aren't nearly as flexible with their lineup... especially with Carroll gone.

[murrayyyyy]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

That's probably going to change in Atlanta though - I'm assuming they expect him to be their starting C. I imagine he'll be seeing more minutes than he did in San Antonio now, given the Hawks aren't nearly as flexible with their lineup... especially with Carroll gone.

And Antic aigned overseas before free agency

[stevew]

Can I just say that I'm like 50% as interested in the playoffs/draft/off-season as normal due to Simmons not being around. I feel like he was great at culling all the appropriate viewpoints and I'm basically lost.

[MikeVic]

Originally Posted by stevew

Can I just say that I'm like 50% as interested in the playoffs/draft/off-season as normal due to Simmons not being around. I feel like he was great at culling all the appropriate viewpoints and I'm basically lost.

Yeah, I don't know the whole story both times he's had an extended absence during NBA pre-season/off-season stuff, but it sucks for fans. I think he was suspended in the middle of the pre-season countdown last year. I listen to most of his podcasts, so it sucks those aren't around right now too.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

That's probably going to change in Atlanta though - I'm assuming they expect him to be their starting C. I imagine he'll be seeing more minutes than he did in San Antonio now, given the Hawks aren't nearly as flexible with their lineup... especially with Carroll gone.

That does not appear to be the plan, what I've read talks about Splitter being able to play alongside both bigs in relief with rare times for all three to be on the floor together (no belief that Millsap can guard the 3). At the moment the team really doesn't have a starting small forward -- Thabo is closest but will be coming back from injury & is preferred off the bench presumably -- so more moves are expected.

[nol]

Sixers get Stauskas from the Kings in exchange for taking on some salary. Kings planning on using that salary room on Rondo and Monta Ellis

[Groundhog]

That Rondo/Ellis backcourt was really dynamite for Dallas last season...........

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by nol

Sixers get Stauskas from the Kings in exchange for taking on some salary. Kings planning on using that salary room on Rondo and Monta Ellis

They are also giving up another 1st and the Sixers have the right to swap 1st rounders with them in 2 other seasons. That is a really bad trade for the Kings.

[stevew]

Draymond gets 5/85

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by stevew

Can I just say that I'm like 50% as interested in the playoffs/draft/off-season as normal due to Simmons not being around. I feel like he was great at culling all the appropriate viewpoints and I'm basically lost.

Zach Lowe and Woj are the two I make sure to follow. Grantland also still does big roundups after a big day like this, although some of their contributors get a little too cute and their analysis can be hit or miss.

F.e. Lowe had a big podcast with Marc Stein yesterday, although it's probably 50% out of date by now. ‘The Lowe Post’ Podcast: Marc Stein on LaMarcus Aldridge, DeAndre Jordan, and More «

[nol]

Monta Ellis would probably be the prototypical guy to gamble for a steal a couple times and then go cherrypick in the 4-on-5 system.


This is the craziest thing about the Kings' situation: Best 5-man units, Best 4-man units

They actually played pretty well before people started getting injured and coaches started getting fired; by the time all of that blew over, it was time to go into "keep the protected pick" mode. The bench was so devoid of actual NBA players that I could not rule out a playoff run given the right free agency moves - even amid all the craziness.

The unfortunate reality is that the front office is such a shitshow that they're going to have to pay a premium to sign anyone decent. It would be nice if someone there had the gravitas to be like "Look, Rondo, we know you're not really hearing from anybody right now. You're basically one year from playing in China. We're gonna give you this one year deal and this is going to be the best situation for you to rehab your image just in time to get one last big contract when the cap rises," so the Kings would have the money to get another shooter or two in the mix.

[stevew]

Wesley Matthews is a nice piece, but injury wise I'm not sure what kind of price you'll end up paying. Seems like the type of guy that the Knicks should attempt to lure with a large 1 year deal. I guess you gotta figure his price was going to be approx 17m a year before injury.

[Vince, Pt. II]

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

Zach Lowe and Woj are the two I make sure to follow. Grantland also still does big roundups after a big day like this, although some of their contributors get a little too cute and their analysis can be hit or miss.

F.e. Lowe had a big podcast with Marc Stein yesterday, although it's probably 50% out of date by now. ‘The Lowe Post’ Podcast: Marc Stein on LaMarcus Aldridge, DeAndre Jordan, and More «

I'll second the Zach Lowe recommendation. Really enjoyed just about everything I've ever seen/read from him.

[RainMaker]

Has anyone ever come back from an achilles tear and been like themselves? Seems a lot of people putting faith in Matthews being healthy.

Also the 4 on 5 plan is one of the dumbest ideas in the history of the NBA and I am happy that the man behind it is nowhere near a franchise I like.

[Neon_Chaos]

Originally Posted by Vince, Pt. II

I'll second the Zach Lowe recommendation. Really enjoyed just about everything I've ever seen/read from him.

+1 more. Zach Lowe is just really really knowledgable without being pretentious.

[Groundhog]

If I'm the Knicks, I give the Rockets a call and see if they want Melo for some parts - Dekker/Motiejunas/T.Jones.

[JeeberD]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

If I'm the Knicks, I give the Rockets a call and see if they want Melo for some parts - Dekker/Motiejunas/T.Jones.

Why would we want another ballhog? I don't see Melo and Harden playing well together...

[JeeberD]

Dola-

And there's no way we give up both Jones and Motiejunas.

[murrayyyyy]

Greg Monroe just chose the Bucks over the Knicks and Lakers.

Things I would have never said 2 years ago. A player thinks the Bucks are the better choice.

[Logan]

Originally Posted by Arles

Wow, there's an ESPN report the Golden State isn't willing to give Draymond Green the same offer that Middleton and Knight got in FA (5/70) - which is what he's asking for.

Originally Posted by stevew

Draymond gets 5/85

Go ESPN!