2017 NBA Season (incl Draft / Free Agency)

[MtlJeff]

It's kind of fascinating to see really. The Warriors and Lebron have changed the league to where there's maybe only 6-7 teams really trying

 

The teams trying are either teams that have a generational super-star (Kawhi, Lebron, Westbrook, Harden, Durant, Curry are clearly the top 6 players and guys you can contend with as the best player on your team) , or teams that have no way of getting one but are locked into very good veteran players so will just take the #4 seed and try to make money (Toronto is a good example, Portland is kind of in this territory, Charlotte), or teams that have their future superstars already who are too good to bottom out, so they might as well try (Milwaukee, Minnesota, Denver)

 

Even Boston was not willing to mortgage their future and they were the #1 seed last year. The reason is simply they don't have a generational superstar, would have had to give up way too much to get one to MAYBE contend, and it wasn't worth it

 

So yeah, like 75% of the league is like "you know what, hoard assets for a few years....let's do that"

 

But the 6-7-8 teams that are trying? They are getting guys at pretty good deals. Both Butler and George went cheap

[scratchswinger]

It's a great deal for OKC and unless one of the guys that Indy got becomes a multi year all star than I feel they messed up big time. I get it that they don't want to strengthen their own conference but at the same time that is not an excuse to make a bad deal. I mean K Love, the LAL, or the Boston deals seems much better to me. Reports say that Boston had offered three first round picks and a starter prior in the year, one of the picks being the #1 in this years draft. They could have Ball or Flutz to go with Myles Turner and a few lottery picks in the bank.

 

OKC got rid of what appears to be a bad contract and they have a year now to convince George to stay, I feel they can contend for the #2 spot depending on what else happens in free agency. Presti made up for the Harden debacle with this trade. Ernis Kanters and Adams contracts are still pretty bad though.

[MtlJeff]

I think OKC did the trade to try and convince Westbrook to sign the 5yr max. I'd bet they feel there's a 75% chance George leaves after this season. I'm sure they hope they can convince him to stay but they surely must know an LA guy is REALLY gonna need to be convinced to sign in Oklahoma City. So unless they can assemble a "superteam" there, which they currently aren't , i'm guessing he's gone.

 

But really they gave up very little for him. The worst case is George leaves and the team has no assets around Westbrook, who will be 28-29 at this point, at which case they probably just trade Russell and rebuild that way. Best case is he stays and you gave up role players to pair two top-10 guys together.

 

Again, they HAD to do this. Westbrook reportedly told them he wants to stay but does not want to be the #6 seed every year to do so. If he signs the 5yr max OKC is still in great shape, because Westbrook with 4yrs left on a deal will be one of the highest trade values in the league if the house of cards folds and they need to rebuild. So if George leaves they flip Russell potentially for whatever team Lebron wants to play for (Clippers?) and go from there

 

They had no choice but to make this trade. And the next 18 months or so will basically either be the end of the OKC era or the beginning of a new one for the next 5-6 years

[scratchswinger]

I don't think Russell signs until PG signs or guarantees he will. But you never know, he could sign today and it wouldn't surprise me. Great deal OKC dumping salary and getting the best player.

[scratchswinger]

JJ Redick getting paid, Philly should be a playoff team this year (if they can stay healthy).

[devinh821]

Philly trying to compete this year. Or they think they are. Just waiting for okafor to get traded. He's a really good young player they have and have totally left him outta everything.

[MtlJeff]

Surprised at the 1yr deal considering his age. Philly and Brooklyn were long considered landing spots for him since he lives in the area and both teams would give him the opportunity to shoot a lot. There's people who feel he can be a 20ppg scorer in the right situation and Philly would seem a great spot

 

It's possible he doesn't care about max money (he's filthy rich like everyone in the NBA is obviously, i mean if you aren't living like Mike Tyson 23M alone for this one season will last several lifetimes) or just figures he'll do 1yr deals

 

I like the signing. I know people love to worship Hinkie and hate on the colangelos, but bringing in vets is a move that Hinkie never did and i think really helps the team

[scratchswinger]

I like it because it's a one year deal and they have to spend the money.

[scratchswinger]

LeBron not recruiting. So this means he's gone right? Lakers bound? Can't wait. Lakers win another title before OKC or the Clippers just like I said 5 years ago.

[MtlJeff]

Where does he go though? He isn't going to the Lakers this season because they aren't ready and can't get someone else

 

I don't think he wants to waste another season on a team that can't win and i can't imagine he believes Cleveland can.

 

There aren't free agents to partner with anymore

 

 

[scratchswinger]

Honestly his best move is just to stay in the East since they are so depleted. I do have the feeling that he is fed up again with Dan Gilbert and just wants to get away from him. I also think there are some truths to the rumors of him wanting to move his family and business to SoCal full time. The biggest issues with SoCal are the cost of living and the crowds, when you are as rich as Bron these things don't matter. Magic sounds very confident that he can get big names, I mean if Dan Gilbert and Magic are both trying to sell you basketball who would you buy from? As far as this season, it's going to be bad if Cleveland doesn't pull something crazy off.

 

I wonder if Gilbert has the stones to trade LeBron?

[MtlJeff]

I think they still have the kevin love trade to play but that's it.

 

Maybe you get Carmelo or Boogie if things go south on new Orleans. Or if the Knicks buy out Carmelo they pay a 100m tax bill or something and just sign him.

 

I don't think they win either way.

 

Not sure who else thry can reasonably get right now. May have to wait until deadline

[scratchswinger]

Another interesting domino in the upcoming LeBron saga... Chauncey withdrawing from the Cleveland job, is that a sign that he got word LeBron is planning on not returning? Can we just give GS the trophy right now and start next years free agency?

[pinhigh27]

Another interesting domino in the upcoming LeBron saga... Chauncey withdrawing from the Cleveland job, is that a sign that he got word LeBron is planning on not returning? Can we just give GS the trophy right now and start next years free agency?

 

Injuries can always happen. They were down 20 at home in playoffs.

[scratchswinger]

Another interesting domino in the upcoming LeBron saga... Chauncey withdrawing from the Cleveland job, is that a sign that he got word LeBron is planning on not returning? Can we just give GS the trophy right now and start next years free agency?

 

Injuries can always happen. They were down 20 at home in playoffs.

 

Ita going to be a major upset for them too loose.

[MtlJeff]

Lebron should sign in OKC and they can change their name to the Oklahoma City 2019 Los Angeles Lakers.

 

Lebron, PG and Westbrook, they could win!

[scratchswinger]

Lakers won't need Westbrook is the only thing. Haven't you heard that Lonzo is the GOAT?

[scratchswinger]

Seriously though if Westbrook was willing to pass could you imagine a lineup of LeBron, George, Westbrook, Ball and Ingram? That would be :censored2: nasty.

 

One of the knocks on LeBron is that he always played in the weak east and had an easy road to the finals. This opportunity would allow LeBron to end his career wearing a Lakers jersey, possible knocking off one of the great teams of the modern era in GSW, and could again catapult him ahead of MJ. In a few years GS is going to have a lot of miles on their legs after likely going to 5 straight NBA Finals.

 

If Magic gets a meeting with LeBron I would be highly surprised if he didn't close the deal.

[MtlJeff]

We'll see this year playing with PG how Westbrook does as the alpha of the team and playing with a secondary star. He's a better passer than he gets credit for, but will have to stop forcing as much late in games and let George help him

[pinhigh27]

Seriously though if Westbrook was willing to pass could you imagine a lineup of LeBron, George, Westbrook, Ball and Ingram? That would be :censored2: nasty.

 

One of the knocks on LeBron is that he always played in the weak east and had an easy road to the finals. This opportunity would allow LeBron to end his career wearing a Lakers jersey, possible knocking off one of the great teams of the modern era in GSW, and could again catapult him ahead of MJ. In a few years GS is going to have a lot of miles on their legs after likely going to 5 straight NBA Finals.

 

If Magic gets a meeting with LeBron I would be highly surprised if he didn't close the deal.

.

No way when has LeBron ever chose to make it harder on himself? I just don't understand if he was going to start something new, why not do it in the east

[MtlJeff]

One thing that is starting to grow tiresome is players like lebron complaining about how underpaid they are. If a CEO making 30M a year was all over Twitter saying CEO 's should make double that, the liberal media would go after him REALLY hard. But when Lebron says Steph Curry should be making 80m a year instead of 40m in a condescending way. People back Lebron! Including sites that have boasted in the past about being very liberal like "the ringer"

 

Do Nba players have the best publicists in the world?

 

Highest average salary in history of pro sports. Underpaid, and players on the best team in the league compared themselves to slaves last year

[scratchswinger]

The difference is that CEOs don't have a limit of what they can make. If someone wants to pay them 50mil a year than they can pay them 50mil a year. That is the point he is making the and basis of the complaint. With no salary cap these guys would be making much more. The overall amount of income is not the issue, the fact that people would pay them more and they can't is the issue. Do they have salary limitations per player in football and MLB? Serious question, I don't know the answer but I believe it's no. MLB has no cap I think and NFL has a cap but signing bonuses don't go towards the cap and are the only guaranteed money. I think that's how it works.... So if that's the case when you compare their limitations to their peers of other spots they are kind of undervalued even with these crazy numbers, again the overall number shouldn't even be looked at in this discussion.

[scratchswinger]

Seriously though if Westbrook was willing to pass could you imagine a lineup of LeBron, George, Westbrook, Ball and Ingram? That would be :censored2: nasty.

 

One of the knocks on LeBron is that he always played in the weak east and had an easy road to the finals. This opportunity would allow LeBron to end his career wearing a Lakers jersey, possible knocking off one of the great teams of the modern era in GSW, and could again catapult him ahead of MJ. In a few years GS is going to have a lot of miles on their legs after likely going to 5 straight NBA Finals.

 

If Magic gets a meeting with LeBron I would be highly surprised if he didn't close the deal.

.

No way when has LeBron ever chose to make it harder on himself? I just don't understand if he was going to start something new, why not do it in the east

 

Wants to live in LA full time and raise his family here.

 

Wants the luster of playing for an all time great franchise, he is a Yankee and Cowboy fan. Their is something different about doing it in LA or NY instead of Cleveland.

 

Wants to play with new stars. Lonzo is going to be a guy that greats gravitate to, he's the GOAT for Christ sake.

[MtlJeff]

The difference is that CEOs don't have a limit of what they can make. If someone wants to pay them 50mil a year than they can pay them 50mil a year. That is the point he is making the and basis of the complaint. With no salary cap these guys would be making much more. The overall amount of income is not the issue, the fact that people would pay them more and they can't is the issue. Do they have salary limitations per player in football and MLB? Serious question, I don't know the answer but I believe it's no. MLB has no cap I think and NFL has a cap but signing bonuses don't go towards the cap and are the only guaranteed money. I think that's how it works.... So if that's the case when you compare their limitations to their peers of other spots they are kind of undervalued even with these crazy numbers, again the overall number shouldn't even be looked at in this discussion.

 

Theres no way around it though if Lebron got 100m than the other guys on his team would get less. Money is still limited to what the team makes in profit and he's posting that he/curry should get more of it. Basically same as a CEO right, if he increases his pay it comes from somewhere

 

I just enjoy the irony in the politics of it. Because these guys are worshipped by sites like theringer.com who openly call themselves a very liberal site, that would oppose actual CEOs doing this but praises athletes for doing the same.

[cdnglf]

The difference is that CEOs don't have a limit of what they can make. If someone wants to pay them 50mil a year than they can pay them 50mil a year. That is the point he is making the and basis of the complaint. With no salary cap these guys would be making much more. The overall amount of income is not the issue, the fact that people would pay them more and they can't is the issue. Do they have salary limitations per player in football and MLB? Serious question, I don't know the answer but I believe it's no. MLB has no cap I think and NFL has a cap but signing bonuses don't go towards the cap and are the only guaranteed money. I think that's how it works.... So if that's the case when you compare their limitations to their peers of other spots they are kind of undervalued even with these crazy numbers, again the overall number shouldn't even be looked at in this discussion.

 

MLB has a luxury tax, but no per-player max or length limit. NFL has a cap (which afaik includes signing bonuses), but non-guaranteed contracts and "dead money" make it less straightforward than the others IMO. No per-player max that I'm aware of, but the necessity of filling out a roster has created an implicit per-position max. NHL has a hard cap, with annual per-player maximums, contract length maximums, and a clawback called "escrow".

 

If Lebron doesn't like how much he's making, he should take it up with the players association. It was the PA that agreed to per-player maximums.

That said, Curry now has the highest annual salary in the four leagues... so I don't think NBA players have much to complain about.

[pinhigh27]

Seriously though if Westbrook was willing to pass could you imagine a lineup of LeBron, George, Westbrook, Ball and Ingram? That would be :censored2: nasty.

 

One of the knocks on LeBron is that he always played in the weak east and had an easy road to the finals. This opportunity would allow LeBron to end his career wearing a Lakers jersey, possible knocking off one of the great teams of the modern era in GSW, and could again catapult him ahead of MJ. In a few years GS is going to have a lot of miles on their legs after likely going to 5 straight NBA Finals.

 

If Magic gets a meeting with LeBron I would be highly surprised if he didn't close the deal.

.

No way when has LeBron ever chose to make it harder on himself? I just don't understand if he was going to start something new, why not do it in the east

 

Wants to live in LA full time and raise his family here.

 

Wants the luster of playing for an all time great franchise, he is a Yankee and Cowboy fan. Their is something different about doing it in LA or NY instead of Cleveland.

 

Wants to play with new stars. Lonzo is going to be a guy that greats gravitate to, he's the GOAT for Christ sake.

 

I understand the allure of doing it in LA or NY but then why not do it in NY. The east is just so much easier

[MtlJeff]

At the end of the day the leagues have their pay structure set up in a way that they think is in the best interest of attracting viewers and keeping the league profitable which makes everyone money.

 

The NBA is probably the most "socialist" of the leagues, in that there is guaranteed contracts , and max contracts that limit the top end. There is also a cap and luxury tax that is fairly penal, and some revenue sharing. The max contracts are limited, but specifically set up high enough so that the amount of stars on a team is limited most of the time and parity is likely. The NBA draft rewards the worst teams with the highest picks (this is common to every sport though)

 

It is very obvious that the NBA 's MO is to try and promote parity, while also ensuring that all players in the league get paid well, promoting revenue and payroll sharing more than top-end people and organizations hoarding it all

 

The NBA as mentioned, is a largely socialist entity. This benefits the middle class of players and teams, but hurts the top-end teams like the Lakers (who in a MLB style league could just act like the Yankees and buy everyone) or Lebron, who could earn 100M a year.

 

At the end of the day as PinHigh says, the owners and players union all agreed to this!

 

Lebron can be the social media white knight for the players, but he means only the top 5-10 players in the league. His comments are basically an FU to the 100 or so guys like CJ Miles or PJ Tucker who thanks to the midlevel exception get 8M instead of 500K to play on Lebron's team while he earns 90M

[Qqq123xx]

Hayward to Celtics been buzzing late afternoon.

[pinhigh27]

Hayward to Celtics been buzzing late afternoon.

 

Love it! With Browns development, Hayward and Tatum added they should be good competition for cavs!

[xxio]

All the free agents should have gone to the East where they could have a chance getting to the Conference Finals. More exposure in pressure games.