OT: NBA Offseason

[husky429]

Not the guy I wanted, as I think they need defense first at the position, given that they need to contend with Embiid and others. But maybe Ainge thinks Williams can be the defensive center, and Kanter the offensive guy.

Celtics are set up pretty well for the future if Williams can be a decent big. All the tangibles are there for him. Just needs IQ.

I think Grant williams is an instant contributor. Hell be good, not great for a long time. Paul Millsap-lite maybe.

Langford can learn under Kemba and Smart. The Jays are the best wing duo in the league in 2021--bank on it.

 

[superjohn]

NBA Off-Season Thread

Some big names could be moving, some more certain than others. We have LeBron, and now it looks like Kawhi wants out of San Antonio. With him moving, some big dominoes could start to fall We have to watch at least PG and CP3 as well. Also we're under a week away from the Draft. And the NBA...

the-boneyard.com

What did I get right?

Nuggets were going to be very good.​

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I predicted the Bucks to finish second when everyone else was picking them 6th or 7th in East.​

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Lakers would have trouble making the playoffs when everyone was praising Lebron.​

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My favorite quote of the whole thread is from one superjohn, exactly one year ago today:

"Celtics are right there, everyone else totally stinks in the East though. "

How did that post age?

Are you ever honest about anything? This is before the Raptors, Sixers, and Bucks transformed their teams.

 

[HuskyHawk]

It's so much fun watching Nelson dig. Celtics are going to win the East because Kyrie and Horford are gone and they added Kemba. Lakers are going to suck if they add Kawhi to Lebron and AD.

I don't think anybody thinks they will suck. I would describe them as flawed and fragile. They will have very, very poor depth. On a given night they may beat anybody, or lose to just about anybody. If healthy and they get on a roll, can they win in the playoffs? Sure. But It's no sure thing. Let's see what they end up doing.

It's not like GS adding Durant to a team that was already a championship team.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Rondo, Tyus Jones, Delon Wright, or TJ McConnell for the PG.

Tyreke Evans ring chasing.
Danny Green ring chasing.
Javale McGee ring chasing.
Marcus Morris ring chasing.
Wesely Mathews ring chasing.
Iman Shumpert Lebron chasing.

I owe you an apology. Wes Matthews did sign a ring chasing contract. With the Bucks.

 

[Walker11]

Choosing a trio or duo of role players over Kawhi would be unconscionable. They will attract ring chasers. And they will get stronger each year as they add more players through the exceptions, until LeBron completely falls apart.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Choosing a trio or duo of role players over Kawhi would be unconscionable. They will attract ring chasers. And they will get stronger each year as they add more players through the exceptions, until LeBron completely falls apart.

The better NBA minimum players are signing contracts as we argue this on the Boneyard. The Lakers can't chase them, because they don't know what they need. But Jabari Parker is still on the board. A ball hog with bad knees is exactly what the Lakers need around Lebron and AD.

Switching gears, the Butler deal is going to eat up most of the Heat's cap space for next season too. Honestly, the Heat probably should have ridden out this season with the last year of a lot of ugly contracts, re-signed the players they wanted to significantly lower deals next year, and then added a star free agent. Instead, they are dumping good players to clear cap room which will leave them with no team around Butler.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

The 8 best players left in NBA free agency, ranked

With all the big names gone, who’s left? There aren’t many.

www.sbnation.com

That is what is left. The pickings get pretty slim after Kawhi and Cousins. Green and Morris are solid starters, and after that, I don't think any of the remaining free agents could start for a playoff team.

 

[Walker11]

The better NBA minimum players are signing contracts as we argue this on the Boneyard. The Lakers can't chase them, because they don't know what they need. But Jabari Parker is still on the board. A ball hog with bad knees is exactly what the Lakers need around Lebron and AD.

Switching gears, the Butler deal is going to eat up most of the Heat's cap space for next season too. Honestly, the Heat probably should have ridden out this season with the last year of a lot of ugly contracts, re-signed the players they wanted to significantly lower deals next year, and then added a star free agent. Instead, they are dumping good players to clear cap room which will leave them with no team around Butler.

The Lakers may not have enough depth this year. It may be like the Heat year 1. But they will be the heavy favorite every year after until LeBron retires.

Who knows what the hell the Heat are doing. They aren't even a lock for the playoffs. They traded Richardson and gave up a 1st round pick to the Celtics for the opportunity to overpay a FA.

And what the hell are the Warriors doing. They gave up Iggy and a 1st rounder in order to overpay Russell. They have no cap space forever. I think they have 20 million to give to 10 players. They are in the same spot depth and cap wise than the Lakers would be with Kawhi.

 

[FartMan69]

Need Upstarter to defend a take to the death to really make this thread a disaster zone.

 

[navery12]

If Kawhi goes to the Lakers they immediately become the #1 option for every single veteran that's bought out for the next 3 years and every MLE candidate in the offseason

 

[nelsonmuntz]

If Kawhi goes to the Lakers they immediately become the #1 option for every single veteran that's bought out for the next 3 years and every MLE candidate in the offseason

Name one.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Lebron will turn 35 this season. Lakers made a mess of year 1 of the Lebron era, and now they have put Year 2 in jeopardy. How many NBA players remained superstars into their mid-30's?

 

[navery12]

Name one.

Andre Iguodala when he's bought out by Memphis in a week

 

[djct1999]

Lebron will turn 35 this season. Lakers made a mess of year 1 of the Lebron era, and now they have put Year 2 in jeopardy. How many NBA players remained superstars into their mid-30's?

This is of course, assuming 100% total health. If anyone of those guys goes down for a lengthy period they won't have the depth to win. The west is so competitive, they can't afford to rest Kawhi 20+ games. Will a 35 year old Lebron and a tired Kawhi last the marathon that is the NBA playoffs. Talented teams with depth will simply outlast them. Truth is, they gave up way to much for AD and that will ultimately come back to hurt them, with Kawhi or without.

 

[HuskyHawk]

This is of course, assuming 100% total health. If anyone of those guys goes down for a lengthy period they won't have the depth to win. The west is so competitive, they can't afford to rest Kawhi 20+ games. Will a 35 year old Lebron and a tired Kawhi last the marathon that is the NBA playoffs. Talented teams with depth will simply outlast them. Truth is, they gave up way to much for AD and that will ultimately come back to hurt them, with Kawhi or without.

Yep. The deal for AD was horrible. Should have kept all of that and just signed Kawhi and a serviceable center. Wait until AD is a FA next season or NO was desperate to move him.
That team would be a real contender.

 

[ihatepants]

 

[the Q]

Andre Iguodala when he's bought out by Memphis in a week

I’m surprised the clippers took harkless over iggy.

 

[navery12]

I’m surprised the clippers took harkless over iggy.

Yeah not really sure why they did that. Unless they knew they weren't getting Kawhi and wanted to continue the slow build by adding another 1st to take Harkless

 

[the Q]

Yeah not really sure why they did that. Unless they knew they weren't getting Kawhi and wanted to continue the slow build by adding another 1st to take Harkless

They could’ve gotten a first to take iggy.

 

[navery12]

They could’ve gotten a first to take iggy.

I see what you meant now, agreed on that. I thought you meant go after him when he's bought out

 

[aceboon]

Gonna be funny watching Klutch Sports Media that bashed the Warriors the past few years celebrate a Lakers team that has 3 of the 5 best players once Kawhi makes it official.

 

[Walker11]

Looney remains with GSW. I would have preferred him to Kanter as a Celtics fan (since yesterday). They would have needed pay a tad more. I thought GSW had no money remaining? I do not understand the cap at all. Room exception?

 

[superjohn]

Lebron never gets any help.

 

[UconnU]

Lebron will turn 35 this season. Lakers made a mess of year 1 of the Lebron era, and now they have put Year 2 in jeopardy. How many NBA players remained superstars into their mid-30's?

He’s an old 34/35 too. Lots of miles on him skipping college and making deep post season runs most years. Looks to be in phenomenal shape for his age though.

 

[ihatepants]

Looney remains with GSW. I would have preferred him to Kanter as a Celtics fan (since yesterday). They would have needed pay a tad more. I thought GSW had no money remaining? I do not understand the cap at all. Room exception?

They have ~$18 million before the hard cap to fill out 9 roster slots.