OT - NBA off-season thread

[awfuldan]

So stoked on Rudy Gay to SAS. My favorite move of free agency thus far.

When was the last time there was a Husky playing big minutes on a legit contender? Ray Allen and the Heat?

Huge jump for Rudy from the Kings. Well worth the pay cut.

 

[Rocktheworld]

Not sure if it was mentioned but there goes Olynyk to Miami for 4 years 50 mil

 

[Walker11]

Not sure if it was mentioned but there goes Olynyk to Miami for 4 years 50 mil

I like the fit - not really sure about the price value for a guy who will play low 20 MPG. MIA player development is on a different level, esp. seeing what they did to Waiters and Johnson's bodies and games. No doubt he will be in the shape of his life. Really interested in seeing how MIA comes out the gates next year - they ended the season on a 30-11 run, or something like that, once the roster was fully healthy.

 

[Rocktheworld]

I like the fit - not really sure about the price value for a guy who will play low 20 MPG. MIA player development is on a different level, esp. seeing what they did to Waiters and Johnson's bodies and games. No doubt he will be in the shape of his life. Really interested in seeing how MIA comes out the gates next year - they ended the season on a 30-11 run, or something like that, once the roster was fully healthy.

I just think of Boston's now glaring lack of big bodies. I think I saw Chris Brousard share a rumor that Marc Gasol may be headed there in the near future but Tatum clearly isn't ready to bang with NBA bigs.

 

[Walker11]

I just think of Boston's now glaring lack of big bodies. I think I saw Chris Brousard share a rumor that Marc Gasol may be headed there in the near future but Tatum clearly isn't ready to bang with NBA bigs.

Never heard that rumor but yea, it does seem to be out there on twitter quite a bit. What do you think? That would be a damn beautiful offense IMO but IDK about the defensive matchups versus the elite of the elite...Tatum has looked awesome in the summer league, but you are right - no chance in the post on D quite yet.

 

[champs99and04]

The fact that Bradley is being floated in a Hayward sign-and-trade is crazy to me. And Crowder's not a guy I'd be in a hurry to get rid of either.

 

[intlzncster]

The fact that Bradley is being floated in a Hayward sign-and-trade is crazy to me. And Crowder's not a guy I'd be in a hurry to get rid of either.

Losing Bradley would be asinine.

 

[Deleted at users request]

SAS just picked up a great chess piece with Rudy Gay. He has the size to matchup with KD and Draymond defensively. Can come off the bench for Kawahi or play the stretch 4. Gives the Spurs more depth and versatility.
Note: Rudy Gay and Draymond are the same size. At 6'7 230 with a 7' wingspan (Dray) and 6'8 220 with a 7' wingspan. (Rudy)

BOS is in a situation where they can either win a championship or stay a middling team if they don't play their cards right. Philly had a SCARY core and I don't think they'll get the horses to get past Lebron while he's in his prime. They do have the cards to be set for years to come if played right. Hayward is going to be a big piece to that. Great signing for the future. They should really consider trading IT and get his value for him while he's hot. Keep Avery Bradley as he can be an AMAZING 6th man as a guy who could lock up both guard spots and be a threat offensively. Crowder, Smart, IT, Horford, Brown, and all the picks (except BKN) should be on the chopping block if it means bringing in an elite talent. STILL think they should target Jahlil Okafor as the Sixers should be looking to dump him.

GSW
SAS
OKC
HOU
MINN
POR
DEN
LAL

is how I see the West shaping up so far. OKC is having an amazing offseason and I think CP3/Harden will work better than people think. West is DEEP.

 

[intlzncster]

hahaha

 

[Fishy]

I kinda miss the Phil Jackson era.

 

[Dogdeacon]

Never heard that rumor but yea, it does seem to be out there on twitter quite a bit. What do you think? That would be a damn beautiful offense IMO but IDK about the defensive matchups versus the elite of the elite...Tatum has looked awesome in the summer league, but you are right - no chance in the post on D quite yet.

Gasol has been in Memphis since high school and he's got a real bond with Mike Conley who is still getting better and among the top PGs in the league. Memphis is clearly re-tooling, but they have to keep those 2 otherwise they shift to rebuilding and its not the type of market that can withstand that. Back in the day Calipari's teams outdrew the Grizz.

Zizic doesn't look NBA ready, so Celtics are really in a pickle for big guys. Crowder is valuable for LeBron guarding and his contract, but Crowder is the obvious piece to move (agree don't trade Bradley & would prefer they don't trade Smart who is less valuable playing-wise, yet more entertaining than Crowder). So they need to move Crowder for a rebounding C/PF that can protect the rim - basically they need a non-calcified Amir Johnson.
Is Emeka still available?

 

[Mr. French]

For the record, I AM a big Gay guy.

 

[HooperScooper]

For the record, I AM a big Gay guy.

 

[HuskiesAllDay]

Avery Bradley to the Pistons for Marcus Morris.

Morris is a good player, but he doesn't really rebound (4.6 rpg). Also C's just traded their best defender and now are thin in the back court unless they plan on using Hayward at the 2.

Not sure I love this move. But they got a good player back and we knew they couldn't re-sign AB. Sad to see him go. Really like his game.

 

[intlzncster]

Avery Bradley to the Pistons for Marcus Morris.

Morris is a good player, but he doesn't really rebound (4.6 rpg). Also C's just traded their best defender and now are thin in the back court unless they plan on using Hayward at the 2.

Not sure I love this move. But they got a good player back and we knew they couldn't re-sign AB. Sad to see him go. Really like his game.

It's a stupid move. I'm pissed. Freakin Ainge sometimes overthinks things. Get rid of Smart. Bradley >> Smart. Just stupid.

 

[JSM1970]

I would have preferred AB longer term, but they probably knew they weren't paying him next offseason

It's a stupid move. I'm pissed. Freakin Ainge sometimes overthinks things. Get rid of Smart. Bradley >> Smart. Just stupid.

 

[intlzncster]

hahaha

And he signed the offer sheet of course.

 

[superjohn]

Clippers just signed Milos Teodosic, he's one of the best passers ever. Wish he came over years ago but glad he's finally here.

 

[HuskiesAllDay]

It's a stupid move. I'm pissed. Freakin Ainge sometimes overthinks things. Get rid of Smart. Bradley >> Smart. Just stupid.

I agree. AB was my favorite Celtic. Hes definitely better much better than Smart. But they probably couldn't get a guy like Morris for Smart. Also Smart ins't going to command a near max deal like AB will next year. I've read that Bradley is going to get close to $25MM a year, so they cant afford him.

Morris for $4.6MM a year is good value. Would much rather see Smart and Crowder (what are they going to do with him?) go than AB. But the money wasn't going to work out.

 

[intlzncster]

I agree. AB was my favorite Celtic. Hes definitely better much better than Smart. But they probably couldn't get a guy like Morris for Smart. Also Smart ins't going to command a near max deal like AB will next year. I've read that Bradley is going to get close to $25MM a year, so they cant afford him.

Morris for $4.6MM a year is good value. Would much rather see Smart and Crowder (what are they going to do with him?) go than AB. But the money wasn't going to work out.

So they have Morris, Crowder, Jalen, Tatum, and Hayward log jamming up the joint. Horford and noone at the 5. I get that in the modern NBA, you can easily play multiples of these guys at the same time.

But I'd rather have this problem at the guard slot. atm, They've got IT, Smart, Rozier, and Demetrius Jackson, Kadeem Allen at as the guards. WTF

I don't pretend to be an NBA expert, so this is just my uneducated opinion. I'm just unhappy.

 

[HuskiesAllDay]

So they have Morris, Crowder, Jalen, Tatum, and Hayward log jamming up the joint. Horford and noone at the 5. I get that in the modern NBA, you can easily play multiples of these guys at the same time.

But I'd rather have this problem at the guard slot. atm, They've got IT, Smart, Rozier, and Demetrius Jackson, Kadeem Allen at as the guards. WTF

I don't pretend to be an NBA expert, so this is just my uneducated opinion. I'm just unhappy.

I'm not disagreeing with you. Maybe this move is part of a future trade? Although I don't see them moving Morris with his contract. Not going to find many guys who can score 15 a game at under $5MM a year.

Agree they are full at the wing and light at the guard. IT cant defend. Smart cant shoot. Rozier is still raw. None of them are taller than 6'2.

Maybe Hayward plays the 2? They definitely need to add another guard.

 

[champs99and04]

I would take Bradley over Hayward straight up. I don't agree with a single thing the Celtics have done this off-season.

 

[Lefty2one]

Didn't take long for the Knicks to make yet another stupid move. No idea what they're thinking with that Hardaway Jr signing.

 

[UConn990411]

I would take Bradley over Hayward straight up. I don't agree with a single thing the Celtics have done this off-season.

Haha, come on.

Bradley is terrific, but he was never going to be extended after next season. They were able to get a useful player in Morris for two years, while preserving cap space to sign another veteran.

Hayward isn't a huge upgrade over Bradley, but he definitely is one, and he provides a much-needed scoring threat. Even better, you can count on him being healthy throughout the season.

 

[Dogdeacon]

It's a stupid move. I'm pissed. Freakin Ainge sometimes overthinks things. Get rid of Smart. Bradley >> Smart. Just stupid.

I don't think it's overthinking more over anticipating. Agree AB > Smart, but Smart is definitely more versatile. Somehow despite lots of positionless players the Celtics have no SG and no C. Bottom line I guess is they weren't or couldn't resign both AB & Isiaih next year so we lose AB a year early. I'd start Brown at SG to hasten his development and because Smart is an inconsistent shooter at best.

 

[champs99and04]

Haha, come on.

Bradley is terrific, but he was never going to be extended after next season. They were able to get a useful player in Morris for two years, while preserving cap space to sign another veteran.

Hayward isn't a huge upgrade over Bradley, but he definitely is one, and he provides a much-needed scoring threat. Even better, you can count on him being healthy throughout the season.

Hayward is probably slightly better overall. He might be a better fit for this particular Boston team - since they were offensively challenged last year - than Bradley, the major distinction being that Hayward can get his own shot and Bradley can't.

But if I'm trying to build a title team from scratch, I think I would take Bradley. If he's the third best player on your team, I would take Bradley because he needs the ball less than Hayward (not saying Hayward can't be effective off the ball, but if he's not going to be a high usage player, his impact is marginalized a bit).

And Boston is one of the few teams in the league that kind of has the luxury of building from scratch, no? Maybe Anthony Davis isn't available today or tomorrow, but if I'm them I'd rather pay Bradley, maintain their other cheap contracts, and let the young guys develop on rosters that aren't going to be as good right away but have less of a dead end vibe to them. Building around Isaiah, Hayward, and Horford seems like a dead end.

 

[UConn990411]

Hayward is probably slightly better overall. He might be a better fit for this particular Boston team - since they were offensively challenged last year - than Bradley, the major distinction being that Hayward can get his own shot and Bradley can't.

But if I'm trying to build a title team from scratch, I think I would take Bradley. If he's the third best player on your team, I would take Bradley because he needs the ball less than Hayward (not saying Hayward can't be effective off the ball, but if he's not going to be a high usage player, his impact is marginalized a bit).

And Boston is one of the few teams in the league that kind of has the luxury of building from scratch, no? Maybe Anthony Davis isn't available today or tomorrow, but if I'm them I'd rather pay Bradley, maintain their other cheap contracts, and let the young guys develop on rosters that aren't going to be as good right away but have less of a dead end vibe to them. Building around Isaiah, Hayward, and Horford seems like a dead end.

It's not a dead end when you have Brown, Tatum, and potentially two top picks next year to include in your rebuild. If any of those players developed, you're in business. And it's not like Horford, Hayward, or IT will be under contract forever.

I love Bradley, but the guy can never stay healthy. Re-signing an injury-prone, under-sized shooting guard to a long-term contract seems like more of a dead end to me.

 

[Dogdeacon]

Hayward is probably slightly better overall. He might be a better fit for this particular Boston team - since they were offensively challenged last year - than Bradley, the major distinction being that Hayward can get his own shot and Bradley can't.

But if I'm trying to build a title team from scratch, I think I would take Bradley. If he's the third best player on your team, I would take Bradley because he needs the ball less than Hayward (not saying Hayward can't be effective off the ball, but if he's not going to be a high usage player, his impact is marginalized a bit).

And Boston is one of the few teams in the league that kind of has the luxury of building from scratch, no? Maybe Anthony Davis isn't available today or tomorrow, but if I'm them I'd rather pay Bradley, maintain their other cheap contracts, and let the young guys develop on rosters that aren't going to be as good right away but have less of a dead end vibe to them. Building around Isaiah, Hayward, and Horford seems like a dead end.

Hayward is a lot better than AB, look at any rankings & its obvious even before accounting for injury history. I love Bradley and really enjoyed watching him develop, he does the little things, tries hard, plays great D & finishes plays, but thinking that AB can be the 3rd best guy on championship team is a huge leap. Bradley showed he can compete and warrants PT in competitive playoff series, but I see either AB or Smart as ideal 5th guys, or 6th man on championship team.

The big problem with the series of moves is now all of Boston's guard value lies in Isaiah. Whereas they could have had Fultz & Isaiah with Hayward, JBrown/Crowder & Horford now they are still small upfront and only have one high value guard. If Isaiah is hurt, doesn't re-up or drops off they are back looking for quality guards in next year's draft. I.e. if the series of moves was reversed and first they traded AB, then they signed Hayward as a free agent, you'd think it'd be nuts to pass on the guard prospect and draft another SF.

 

[champs99and04]

It's not a dead end when you have Brown, Tatum, and potentially two top picks next year to include in your rebuild. If any of those players developed, you're in business. And it's not like Horford, Hayward, or IT will be under contract forever.

I love Bradley, but the guy can never stay healthy. Re-signing an injury-prone, under-sized shooting guard to a long-term contract seems like more of a dead end to me.

That's what makes it tricky. Those guys are practically infants. On one hand, it makes sense to draft and develop as you wait for time to run it's course with Cleveland and Golden State. On the other, it's a model - re-building and contending at the same time, more or less - that doesn't really have a precedent and runs contrary to how other title teams have been built in recent years. The closest I can think of is the Spurs with Leonard - they managed to build a team good enough to win the championship without compromising his development.

But that was a unique situation that will be hard to replicate (though I don't blame them for trying). In a worst case scenario, you're not good enough to beat Cleveland now and not good enough to beat Philly, Milwaukee, or whomever later. That's assuming a lot, though, and ultimately this is entertainment. Not every move you make has to be a ruthless referendum on your title chances - the Celtics are set up to be good for a long time and you're always an injury or two from the entire landscape of the league changing.

 

[intlzncster]

On the other, it's a model - re-building and contending at the same time, more or less - that doesn't really have a precedent and runs contrary to how other title teams have been built in recent years. The closest I can think of is the Spurs with Leonard - they managed to build a team good enough to win the championship without compromising his development.

But that was a unique situation that will be hard to replicate (though I don't blame them for trying). In a worst case scenario, you're not good enough to beat Cleveland now and not good enough to beat Philly, Milwaukee, or whomever later. That's assuming a lot, though, and ultimately this is entertainment. Not every move you make has to be a ruthless referendum on your title chances - the Celtics are set up to be good for a long time and you're always an injury or two from the entire landscape of the league changing.

I think the huge plus about doing it the way they are is that it makes Boston a hell of a lot more attractive to free agents than it would be otherwise (tanking). They can see a stable front office, top shelf coaching situation, and solid team dynamics. That's a lot better than jumping on a sank ship, hoping for it to be resurrected.