NBA 2018-2019

[Sarni]

Apparently Rich Paul will soon inform the rest of the league that Davis does not intend to play anywhere but in LA and will not re-sign with any team that trades for him other than the Lakers.

I wonder what the league will do with this if it’s true.

 

[cesc's_mullet]

Apparently Rich Paul will soon inform the rest of the league that Davis does not intend to play anywhere but in LA and will not re-sign with any team that trades for him other than the Lakers.

I wonder what the league will do with this if it’s true.

What can they do? That's Davis's prerogative at the end of the day.

It's just bullshit for small franchises.

 

[cesc's_mullet]

We’re easily better than the gloryhunting Utd and Pats fans on here.

I felt like pointing this out in the NFL thread. Gloryhunters everywhere

 

[cesc's_mullet]

Anyone reckon there's any chance Klay signs for the Lakers if GSW don't offer a max?

He'd be an absolutely perfect fit for LeBron.

 

[ZDwyr]

Anyone reckon there's any chance Klay signs for the Lakers if GSW don't offer a max?

He'd be an absolutely perfect fit for LeBron.

There's a chance. He's a perfect fit for any superstar really.

 

[Sarni]

Anyone reckon there's any chance Klay signs for the Lakers if GSW don't offer a max?

He'd be an absolutely perfect fit for LeBron.

Woj mentioned this on Monday. Klay’s max will be 25% of salary cap so Lakers could probably find a way to offer that.

 

[charlton66]

Anyone reckon there's any chance Klay signs for the Lakers if GSW don't offer a max?

He'd be an absolutely perfect fit for LeBron.

The real problem for the Warriors will be if Klay makes one of the all NBA teams and becomes eligible for the supermax.

 

[sport2793]

Anyone reckon there's any chance Klay signs for the Lakers if GSW don't offer a max?

He'd be an absolutely perfect fit for LeBron.

I would be stunned if Klay leaves the Warriors. Join LeBron and have to play his Splash brother and the Warriors 4 times a season? I think there is a greater chance of KD leaving than Klay. Of all the Warriors stars, Klay comes across as the least likely to be attracted by the limelight or by a journey to shape his "legacy", the usual crap that superstars seem to go for. Wouldn't even surprise me if he signs for less than the supermax (although he might sign for a regular max contract and demand that the owners pay luxury tax, which is fair given Klay's contribution over the years).

 

[Revan]

The real problem for the Warriors will be if Klay makes one of the all NBA teams and becomes eligible for the supermax.

Can it happen though? Curry, Harden, Lillard and Kyrie are more or less dead cert to be there. Which means that only another 2 guards can be there. There are some others which could get there like Butler and Westbrook.

But yes, if that happens, he'll be off. As much as he wants to stay there, too much money to leave on the table. If he leaves though, Cousins might sign for Warriors, so again 4 all-star calibre players will be there.

 

[Sarni]

Can it happen though? Curry, Harden, Lillard and Kyrie are more or less dead cert to be there. Which means that only another 2 guards can be there. There are some others which could get there like Butler and Westbrook.

But yes, if that happens, he'll be off. As much as he wants to stay there, too much money to leave on the table. If he leaves though, Cousins might sign for Warriors, so again 4 all-star calibre players will be there.

Yeah he's got no chance to make All-NBA team this year. Bradley Beal is another lock to make it at this point I feel and Kemba is way above Klay currently.

There are no circumstances under which Cousins could extend with Warriors other than Durant and Klay both leaving.

 

[Sarni]

I just realized the situation is not all that bad for New Orleans because of the head start Davis has given them by announcing that he wants to leave now.

Some of the moves they IMO have to make are ones that have to be made regardless. A realistic scenario would be:

• Trade Julius Randle for a first round pick and an expiring contract. Potential teams to look at are Utah, Portland and Miami. Doesn't matter whose pick they get, they will all be 17-24 range. Let's say they do it.
• Trade Mirotic for a first round pick and an expiring contract. The best fit are again Utah and Portland but also Philadelphia. Again, they get another pick in the same range as above.
• Trade Jrue Holiday. He's been excellent for a while, the best fit for him are Dallas, Phoenix and Philadelphia. If Phoenix don't get a top 3 pick in the draft I'd say they are better off trading that pick for Jrue + another asset in the Summer.
• Look for a buyer for Moore. In the Summer a team will offer their 2020 lottery protected first rounder for him, with him being expiring and all.

Obviously tank this year to get their pick as high as possible. They have 23 wins now. They won't beat Bulls, Suns, Knicks and Cavs to the bottom, Grizzlies will also get fewer wins than them and so will Atlanta but everyone else can be 'caught'. So they would have 7th odds, that's 7.5% chance at a top pick, 23% chance at a top 3 pick and 32% chance at a top 5 pick. Let's say they are lucky and land at no. 4 and Phoenix drop out of top 4 and give them their pick for Jrue.

They can realistically own 4-5 first round picks this year and get more from Lakers or Boston for AD. They could combine those later picks to move up and potentiall end up with 3 quality prospects in 2019 draft on top of Ingram/Ball/Kuzma or Tatum/Smart packages. Now if they make a deal with Boston they could also get another quality prospect from 2019 draft.

If they play their cards right from here they have a realistic chance to build a really nice team and most importantly a balanced team.

 

[Revan]

Yeah he's got no chance to make All-NBA team this year. Bradley Beal is another lock to make it at this point I feel and Kemba is way above Klay currently.

There are no circumstances under which Cousins could extend with Warriors other than Durant and Klay both leaving.

If Klay leaves, couldn't Cousins get a 1+1 contract for Dubs? Sure, he wouldn't get close to max, but he is still kind of in the rehabilitation process, and Dubs can afford to not play him every game.

Anyway, if Klay leaves, the league becomes instantly more competitive.

 

[Sarni]

If Klay leaves, couldn't Cousins get a 1+1 contract for Dubs? Sure, he wouldn't get close to max, but he is still kind of in the rehabilitation process, and Dubs can afford to not play him every game.

Anyway, if Klay leaves, the league becomes instantly more competitive.

The most Warriors will be able to offer him is 20% raise over his $5.3million salary this season. They do not own his Bird rights.

They have Curry's $40million on the books, Durant will be $35million+ if he re-signs there and Green will be owed $18.5million next season. That's $93.5million for three players plus Iguodala's $17.2million (which will be tough to trade) and Livingston's $7.7million which already brings them over the cap, significantly.

They have zero chance of creating cap space to sign Boogie into. $6.4million is the most they will be able to offer him.

 

[Revan]

The most Warriors will be able to offer him is 20% raise over his $5.3million salary this season. They do not own his Bird rights.

They have Curry's $40million on the books, Durant will be $35million+ if he re-signs there and Green will be owed $18.5million next season. That's $93.5million for three players plus Iguodala's $17.2million (which will be tough to trade) and Livingston's $7.7million which already brings them over the cap, significantly.

They have zero chance of creating cap space to sign Boogie into. $6.4million is the most they will be able to offer him.

Okay, didn't know about it. So yeah, no Boogie next season. They have to accept the ways of life, having only 4 superstars in the team.

 

[Sarni]

2019 free agency and offseason trades will be the most interesting one in a while. Last year had LeBron and George but this year there will be more league defining moves. Really no idea what will happen but Durant, Kawhi, Kemba, Klay, Kyrie and Boogie hitting free agency in the same year + Davis asking for a trade is super interesting.

 

[Sarni]

Okay, didn't know about it. So yeah, no Boogie next season. They have to accept the ways of life, having only 4 superstars in the team.

3.

Either Klay or KD will leave.

 

[Revan]

3.

Either Klay or KD will leave.

They have the bird rights of both, and Klay has said that he'll accept a non-max deal. Do you think that they might keep both?

 

[Sarni]

They have the bird rights of both, and Klay has said that he'll accept a non-max deal. Do you think that they might keep both?

I think 85-90% chance they keep Klay but he will not accept a non-max deal.

50% chance that they keep Durant. I would have said 30% last month but knowing KD if Davis goes to Lakers he will be shit scared of setting up his own team anywhere because he might not win then.

Davis moving will really significantly change the dynamics of the league because another top 5 player will be on a team that can compete.

 

[Sarni]

Rumors (not very reliable) flying that Griffin wants to be traded from Pistons.

How I'd love him on Blazers!

 

[charlton66]

I can see Klay giving the Dubs a home town discount. If he doesn't make all NBA, he is eligible for about $190 million over 5 years. I can see him accepting around $170 million. Because of the repeater tax penalties that the Dubs are going to face that could save the franchise close to $100 million over the lifetime of the deal. If the team is willing to use that extra money to try and keep the band together I can see Klay going for it.

 

[Sarni]

I can see Klay giving the Dubs a home town discount. If he doesn't make all NBA, he is eligible for about $190 million over 5 years. I can see him accepting around $170 million. Because of the repeater tax penalties that the Dubs are going to face that could save the franchise close to $100 million over the lifetime of the deal. If the team is willing to use that extra money to try and keep the band together I can see Klay going for it.

Maybe $20million over 5 years (and partly because of that fifth year which only they can offer) but nothing more than that.

Draymond’s situation in 2020 will be interesting. I actually doubt he would normally receive a max offer in free agency but because a lot of teams will get rid of ridiculous 2016 contracts there should be some extra room available. I don’t think Warriors will offer him more than $140million.

 

[Sarni]

Knicks are an interesting destination for Davis. He wants to compete and of course with their current line up he won’t if they can trade Porzingis, Hardaway and pick for him they might be able to sell that to Durant in free agency and if you have those two then you are automatically competitive.

If they land no. 1 pick it will be super interesting.

 

[Bubz27]

Can I ask a question?

Obviously it's all rumours, but there are some genuinely reliable journos in the NBA.

There's a rumour that Pop has told Pels to not trade Davis to the Lakers. Is that not tampering?

In a world where AD is getting fined $50k for simply requesting a trade in public, Popovich saying that sounds like it shouldn't be allowed, right?

Obviously proving it is an issue, but rumours haven't stopped the NBA investigating before

 

[Sean_RedDevil]

 

[Revan]

Hey @Sarni, you know a lot about contracts, but I trust Woj. Told you that AD and Klay might be possible.

 

[Sarni]

Hey @Sarni, you know a lot about contracts, but I trust Woj. Told you that AD and Klay might be possible.

Lakers will not be able to offer him a max either if they trade for Davis now. I don’t get why he would turn down a non-max from Warriors and then accept a non-max from Lakers but maybe it would somehow be possible.

With cap at $109million they will be paying LeBron $37.4million, paying Davis $31.2million and still paying Luol Deng $5million. That brings us to $73.6million and leaves $35.4million. Reduce $900k for all open roster spots and you are at $27million, Klay’s maximum deal will start at $32.7million. That is well short.

However if they don’t trade for AD now they will have cap space for a max player in the Summer. Then they will still be able to trade for him.

There is no way for them to trade for AD now and then offer Klay a max.

Woj is very reliable though, maybe he knows Klay would take a big discount for Lakers and would not for Warriors. Or he’s just doing Klay’s agent a favor here, a gentle reminder that Klay wants a max.

 

[Sarni]

If Pelicans play their cards right they will have better 7 years post Davis than 7 years with Davis were. Actually I think they will be better than they are this season and last season already within 3 years. That could be already in Seattle though.

 

[SportingCP96]

Another Knicks loss on the horizon and I am delighted. Road to Zion !

 

[cesc's_mullet]

Some of the Jokers passes today gave me a hard on. Don't judge me.

 

[Sarni]

Another Knicks loss on the horizon and I am delighted. Road to Zion !

Doesn’t really matter how many they lose. There isn’t really any benefit to being THE worst team in the league when it comes to Zion lottery, the only upside to being the worst over third or fourth worst is that your pick can’t be lower than 5th.

 

[freeurmind]

Can you imagine having Knicks season tickets this year? How have the Nets, the freakin Nets gotten good before the Knicks?

 

[cesc's_mullet]

The pass from the play at 1:34 =

How'd he do that? When he had the ball Morris was in the corner. As he drove to the bucket four defenders collapsed in on him, whilst Morris snuck over to the flank. How'd he even see Morris move with everyone in front of him?

 

[Sarni]

Can you imagine having Knicks season tickets this year? How have the Nets, the freakin Nets gotten good before the Knicks?

Knicks were always going for the tank with Porzingis injured, no other choice for them really. Get a high pick, showcase Hardaway so maybe someone buys him, try in free agency next year because you are in New York.

Nets have a very talented team and have been managed well over last 2-3 years.

 

[Revan]

Lakers will not be able to offer him a max either if they trade for Davis now. I don’t get why he would turn down a non-max from Warriors and then accept a non-max from Lakers but maybe it would somehow be possible.

With cap at $109million they will be paying LeBron $37.4million, paying Davis $31.2million and still paying Luol Deng $5million. That brings us to $73.6million and leaves $35.4million. Reduce $900k for all open roster spots and you are at $27million, Klay’s maximum deal will start at $32.7million. That is well short.

However if they don’t trade for AD now they will have cap space for a max player in the Summer. Then they will still be able to trade for him.

There is no way for them to trade for AD now and then offer Klay a max.

Woj is very reliable though, maybe he knows Klay would take a big discount for Lakers and would not for Warriors. Or he’s just doing Klay’s agent a favor here, a gentle reminder that Klay wants a max.

I don't think that he was talking there as in Klay giving them a discount. Am I right in the following rationalization: Lakers first sign Klay, then they trade for AD, in which case they will have his Bird rights (similar to Houston with CP3), in which case they can go over the salary cap (by paying luxury task). I guess something like that should work, right?

 

[Sarni]

I don't think that he was talking there as in Klay giving them a discount. Am I right in the following rationalization: Lakers first sign Klay, then they trade for AD, in which case they will have his Bird rights (similar to Houston with CP3), in which case they can go over the salary cap (by paying luxury task). I guess something like that should work, right?

They can do that in this order, yes, I have said it above. This is however tricky as they need to send $21.7million in salaries - Ball, Ingram, Kuzma and Hart don't get you to that. You have to include Wagner as well, or both Svi and Bonga.

Then what they are left with are these three players and nobody else. You need to sign minimum salary free agents (10 of them) and you can allow to sign one mid-level exception player (which can be some half decent vet like Wes Matthews or George Hill).

They cannot trade for AD now and then sign Klay to the max. By being creative they could offer Klay $5million per year below the max but realistically they'd probably be able to offer him no more than $20million.

Lakers are better off waiting until Summer before placing AD bid as well but their issues is that their assets probably have no shot at getting them AD in the Summer unless he specifically suggests everyone else he will only resign with Lakers but even that did not stop OKC from getting George (and keeping him).

Calculations like above show how lucky Warriors were to be able to accomplish the team they've built. Yes, three of them were drafted by them but Durant's free agency came at the exactly right time for them, normally a team with 3 stars can never sign a KD type of player.

 

[Sarni]

The pass from the play at 1:34 =

How'd he do that? When he had the ball Morris was in the corner. As he drove to the bucket four defenders collapsed in on him, whilst Morris snuck over to the flank. How'd he even see Morris move with everyone in front of him?

Jokic is amazing but Nuggets depth is what impresses me most. They literally have 11-12 players who can give you good minutes and are still waiting on Porter (potentially franchise changing player) and Vanderbilt (I rate his skillset very highly, he seems to be killing it in G-League right now).

 

[Sarni]

Blazers again giving me false hope with wins like this. It's great to beat Jazz by 27 points but you just know they won't play like this in the playoffs.

 

[freeurmind]

Knicks were always going for the tank with Porzingis injured, no other choice for them really. Get a high pick, showcase Hardaway so maybe someone buys him, try in free agency next year because you are in New York.

Nets have a very talented team and have been managed well over last 2-3 years.

I've never bought this idea that Free Agents want to play in NY. Apart from Amare, what other big name in recent years chose to come here? And no, Joakim Noah does not count. I'd love to see the Knicks make some smart trades, build up a core of good young players over the next few years and develop an identity and then maybe go after the big FA. Hpefully thy can get some kind of discount on Porzingis but I can see a few teams throwing the max his way so they'll have to pay up to match.

 

[freeurmind]

Blazers again giving me false hope with wins like this. It's great to beat Jazz by 27 points but you just know they won't play like this in the playoffs.

Not to sound like a Liverpool fan but this may be their year. At some point you feel like they're gonna show up for multiple playoff series. I can definitely see them getting past Houston esp if they have home court.

 

[Sarni]

Not to sound like a Liverpool fan but this may be their year. At some point you feel like they're gonna show up for multiple playoff series. I can definitely see them getting past Houston esp if they have home court.

I won't get my hopes up. Teams know how to handle this team in the playoffs, you try to cut Lillard out of the game and we are done. Lillard-McCollum backcourt does not work in the playoffs, one series won in the last 3 years and it was only because Chris Paul and Blake Griffin got injured in the exact same game while 2-1 ahead in the series.

Making it into WCF would be awesome and I think with 1-2 good moves this team could be as good as any West team bar Warriors but last year's series against Pelicans have stripped me off all hope.