NBA Offseason Thread 2013-2014

Paully D

With the 2012-2013 season over, I thought I'd create an offseason thread. We had one last year which worked well as we were able to put everything in the one place.

NBA Draft: June 27th
Summer League: July 12th

Notable free agents (taken from another forum who got them from Hoops World, so don't blame me if there's anything wrong :pac: ):

PG:
Jeff Teague (Restricted)
Jarrett Jack
CP3
Jennings (R)
Calderon

SG:
OJ Mayo
Tony Allen
Monta
Kevin Martin
JR Smith
Redick
Tyreke (R)

SF:
Iggy

PF:
Josh Smith
Brand
David West
Blair
Millsap

C:
Dwight
Bynum
Kaman
Dalembert
Pekovic
Splitter (R)
Al Jefferson

Stories to look out for are the free agent moves of players like Howard and Paul, the coaching carousel and what older franchises who need to rebuild (such as the Celtics) decide to do.

For Forks Sake

Make of this what you will...http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1681550-rajon-rondo-reportedly-tried-to-fight-doc-rivers-during-celtics-team-meeting

padraig_f

Looks like Doc Rivers to the Clippers is off. I thought it made a lot of sense all round, the Celtics will be rebuilding for the next few years so probably need picks & building-blocks more than an elite coach, and the Clippers have a lot of talent that needs managing, could've been a great match.

Will be a shame if we lose him to broadcasting, he's one of the top 4 coaches in the NBA I think (along with Popovich, Thibodeau and Carlisle), would be a pity to lose one of them.

Paully D

Cleveland have reportedly offered the Celtics two second round picks for Paul Pierce.

ButtersSuki

padraig_f wrote: »

Looks like Doc Rivers to the Clippers is off. I thought it made a lot of sense all round, the Celtics will be rebuilding for the next few years so probably need picks & building-blocks more than an elite coach, and the Clippers have a lot of talent that needs managing, could've been a great match.

Will be a shame if we lose him to broadcasting, he's one of the top 4 coaches in the NBA I think (along with Popovich, Thibodeau and Carlisle), would be a pity to lose one of them.

This was always doomed to failure as you can't trade coaches. Doc has p*ssed a lot of people off in Beantown so it's unlikely he'll be back and with is 5 year contract that likely means TV work. As a C's fan I wish him all the best whatever he decides.

stuchyg

Was hoping someone would create this thread. What odds you think we could get on CP3 being named player/coach at this stage.

Paully D

Looks like the Rivers deal is back on.

Woj has reported that the Clippers will send an unprotected first round pick in 2015 to the Celtics for him. Clippers and Rivers are working out the length of the deal at the minute, and ESPN have reported that, obviously enough, Chris Paul has said he will sign up for a 5 year max deal if/when Rivers joins.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--clippers-finalizing-deal-with-celtics-to-hire-doc-rivers-as-coach-202137296.html

Talks started again on Sunday when the Clippers offered the Celtics a first-round pick to free Rivers from his contract with Boston, sources said.
The Clippers, Celtics are agreeing upon a 2015 unprotected first-round pick, a league source told Yahoo! Sports.

Rivers and the Clippers are still working on the language of a five-year, $35 million contract, and no agreement will be in place until those details are finalized, sources said.

Rivers told the Clippers that he was no longer interested in the position on Friday, but pressure from the franchise's star player, Chris Paul, stayed strong on Clippers management over the weekend and Los Angeles reconsidered its unwillingness to give Boston a first-round pick, sources said.

Clearly, Rivers' telling the Clippers he no longer had interest in the job – and the Celtics setting a Friday deadline for a deal – were negotiating postures to leverage the Clippers back with a better offer.

The NBA will still need to approve the deal.

Rivers had gone into the weekend planning to decide his future with the Celtics, and sources said he had been leaning strongly toward returning next season to fulfill the three years and $21 million left on his contract. With the Celtics moving into a rebuilding phase, several sources told Yahoo! Sports that Boston management preferred draft-pick compensation over paying for an elite coach.

padraig_f

ButtersSuki wrote: »

This was always doomed to failure as you can't trade coaches. Doc has p*ssed a lot of people off in Beantown so it's unlikely he'll be back and with is 5 year contract that likely means TV work. As a C's fan I wish him all the best whatever he decides.

I was confused about this, with conflicting reports if it was allowed or not. My understanding now is, the NBA don't want coaches being traded for active players. So instead of the old deal of Rivers&KG for Jordan&Bledsoe, or whatever, it's now just Rivers for a 1st-round pick.

Marc Stein: "Nothing official til NBA has its say. But since there is no player component here, likelihood is that first-rounder for Doc would be OK'd"

Looking at the latest Wojnarowski report, seems pretty close to being done.

leggo

And now we play the waiting game: waiting for the NBA to approve and waiting for the inevitable second trade that'd send Garnett to LA (and perhaps Bledsoe to Boston).

Pierce to Cleveland would be a great move for the Cavs. It'd put them in the race for the 8th-spot of the playoffs, and if they were to get it it would be an interesting tempter for LeBron should they look to re-recruit him. IF they were to do so, that'd be an interesting prospect for Pierce to resign, leaving them with LeBron, Kyrie, Pierce and Varejao. Not saying all of that could happen...but you'd have to figure it's lingering in the minds of the Cavs' office.

Meanwhile Boston get to build around Rondo, Avery Bradley, Jeff Green and...cap space, I suppose.

padraig_f

leggo wrote: »

Meanwhile Boston get to build around Rondo, Avery Bradley, Jeff Green and...cap space, I suppose.

Hire Vinny del Negro, tell Rondo not to rush back from his ACL, and go all-out for Andrew Wiggins in 2014.

stuchyg

Yea id say some of the tanking could be epic next season. Do ppl remember the hype for LBJ coming to thr league. Is it the same for Wiggins

leggo

padraig_f wrote: »

Hire Vinny del Negro, tell Rondo not to rush back from his ACL, and go all-out for Andrew Wiggins in 2014.

As much as I love the idea of Del Negro being a one-way ticket to the #1 pick, I wouldn't put it past him to even make a mess of that plan and end up taking Boston to the playoffs.

Masked Man

looks like a 3yr/$21m deal for Doc.

Possibly (probably!) stupid question: what's the difference between a protected and unprotected pick?

Wonder what will happen with KG, especially if the league blocks him going to the Clippers.

Dublin Red Devil

It's basically confirmed now. Doc Rivers and Kevin Garnett to the Clippers. DeAndre Jordan and 2 1st round Draft picks to Celtics

padraig_f

Masked Man wrote: »

looks like a 3yr/$21m deal for Doc.

Possibly (probably!) stupid question: what's the difference between a protected and unprotected pick?

Wonder what will happen with KG, especially if the league blocks him going to the Clippers.

Protected means it's deferred while it falls in a certain range. e.g. the Bulls currently own a first-round pick from the Bobcats:

top-12 protected in 2013
top-10 in 2014
top-8 in 2015
unprotected in 2016

Because the Bobcats are picking in the top 12 this year, they keep the pick for this year. As soon as their pick comes outside the protected range, the Bulls will get it.


Example of why it's used....a few years ago the Clippers traded Baron Davis and a first-round pick (unprotected) to the Cavs. They foolishly didn't protect the pick, because it only had a 2% chance to win the lottery. That 2% chance won the draft-lottery and the Cavs got the pick (Kyrie Irving). Had the Clippers protected the pick, they'd have had the number 1 pick that year.

So protecting it kind of ensures it's a medium-value asset, and you're not giving away too much.

For this one it doesn't really matter, because if the Clippers make the playoffs (almost certain), they won't even be in the lottery, so their pick can't be in the top 14.

ButtersSuki

The ongoing saga between Doc Rivers, the Celtics and the Clippers may be nearing a resolution. After initially balking at surrendering a first round pick for the right to hire Rivers, the Clippers re-engaged Boston on Sunday and have agreed to send an unprotected 2015 first round pick to Boston, a league source confirmed to SI.com.

The Clippers and Rivers have agreed on the framework of a three-year, $21 million deal--the same length and salary Rivers had on his contract with the Celtics.

Yahoo! Sports first reported the restarted talks between LA and Boston.
One of the final hurdles could be the NBA. The collective bargaining agreement doesn't allow coaches to be traded, and in recent public comments commisioner David Stern made it clear that an earlier trade scenario that would have sent Rivers and Kevin Garnett to Los Angeles for a package headlined by DeAndre Jordan and draft considerations would not get league approval.

"I would say, in the language of diplomacy, that the teams are aware that the collective bargaining agreement doesn't authorize trades involving coaches' contracts," Stern told ESPN Radio. "The only consideration that can be done here in player transactions is other players, draft picks and a very limited amount of cash. But coaches' contracts don't qualify as extra consideration — or acceptable consideration — in player contracts. The teams know that. It has been confirmed to them. What the rules won't allow can't be gotten around by breaking it up into two transactions."

When asked by host Stephen A. Smith about the possibility of two separate transactions—Rivers being let out of his contract, followed by a Garnett-Jordan trade, or vice versa—Stern scoffed at the suggestion.

"If you would think that those, now, after being all over the media for the last week or whatever, are separate transactions, [then] when you get back from Miami, Stephen, I have a bridge that connects to Brooklyn that I would very much enjoy selling to you," Stern said.

Should this version of the Clippers deal fall apart, it's becoming less and less likely that Rivers returns to Boston. Rivers has a strong interest in coaching the Clippers. The Denver Nuggets, which reached out to Boston two weeks ago, dangling a first round pick in exchange for Rivers, re-engaged the Celtics over the weekend with a similar offer, according to a source. The Nuggets were told Rivers isn't interested in coaching in Denver at this time. If the Clippers deal crumbles, there are strong indications that Rivers would return to broadcasting, where he would command an annual salary in the neighborhood of $2 million per year.


Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nba/news/20130623/doc-rivers-boston-celtics-la-clippers-trade-donald-sterling/#ixzz2X7SWGVmA

If Stern doesn't approve it it's dead in the water (remember the Chris Paul to the Lakers trade anyone?). Were it just a pick for Rivers I'd say the C's were being shortchanged, but obviously both deals are connected. The C's will likely get a coach for a few mil less per year than Rivers was making so I'm pretty sure that's been factored into Ainge's thinking on this.

Dublin Red Devil

Just a reminder to NBA fan. The 2013 NBA Draft is just 3 days away.

Date

---

June 27, 2013

Time

---

Midnight (Irish Time)

Location----Barclays Center, Brooklyn NY

Network----ESPN


Discuss at...

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056896254&page=10

padraig_f

ButtersSuki wrote: »

If Stern doesn't approve it it's dead in the water (remember the Chris Paul to the Lakers trade anyone?). Were it just a pick for Rivers I'd say the C's were being shortchanged, but obviously both deals are connected. The C's will likely get a coach for a few mil less per year than Rivers was making so I'm pretty sure that's been factored into Ainge's thinking on this.

Oh yeah, the Celtics would definitely be getting the worse end of that deal, but if Rivers wants to go, they probably have no choice but to get what they can for him.

No point in hanging onto a coach who doesn't want to be there, if you think he'll walk at the end of his contract anyway. And as I speculated with the Vinny del Negro masterplan, it may be in the Celtics' best interest to have a worse coach next year, now they are committed to rebuilding.

ButtersSuki

Done deal now according to various reports in the US media.

Rivers to Clipps for a 2015 unprotected pick. Seems a small price to pay from the Clipps point of view as you'd assume barring a major catastrophe they'll make the Playoffs putting that pick at best No. 17 and at worst No. 30. Not so amazing for the Celtics when you see it like that.

Doesn't look like KG is going to be joining him....for the moment at least, though I suspect this will be the hottest topic come All Star Break next Feb.

stuchyg

Docs gone and it I'd likely that pp will get waived or traded. Strong chance for me that kg retires if he doesn't go to the clips

padraig_f

Ooh, didn't think I'd have an interest in the top end of the draft...
Report: Luol Deng to the Wizards for the No. 3 pick discussed

I think Marc Stein is pretty reliable, but lots more of these options get explored than acted on, so still far from likely at this stage.

ButtersSuki

padraig_f wrote: »

Ooh, didn't think I'd have an interest in the top end of the draft...
Report: Luol Deng to the Wizards for the No. 3 pick discussed

I think Marc Stein is pretty reliable, but lots more of these options get explored than acted on, so still far from likely at this stage.

Wow, a legit all star for a no. 3 pick in what's generally considered a weak draft? Thought Thibs loved him? Looks strange if true IMO.

killwill

ButtersSuki wrote: »

Wow, a legit all star for a no. 3 pick in what's generally considered a weak draft? Thought Thibs loved him? Looks strange if true IMO.

I dont think Thibs can keep both Deng and Butler happy with minutes next season. Something has to give. They are both great defensive players but Butler offers more on offence.

Masked Man

Cheers padraig

ButtersSuki

killwill wrote: »

I dont think Thibs can keep both Deng and Butler happy with minutes next season. Something has to give. They are both great defensive players but Butler offers more on offence.

Ah....Butler was 8.6 points, 1.4 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game last year, Deng was 16.5, 3.0 and 6.3 in the same categories.

Only thing Butler has over Deng right now is youth.

This makes me wonder how sick Deng was in the Playoffs and if there is lasting damage to that.

Joaquin223

ButtersSuki wrote: »

Ah....Butler was 8.6 points, 1.4 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game last year, Deng was 16.5, 3.0 and 6.3 in the same categories.

Read into the numbers man, that's in 12 fewer minutes a game and a reduced role in the offense with Deng around. They had pretty much the exact same numbers in the playoffs. Purely cost-cutting move by the Bulls, and wouldn't be a bad one either if they like someone at 3.

ButtersSuki

Joaquin223 wrote: »

Read into the numbers man, that's in 12 fewer minutes a game and a reduced role in the offense with Deng around. They had pretty much the exact same numbers in the playoffs. Purely cost-cutting move by the Bulls, and wouldn't be a bad one either if they like someone at 3.

Yes I can do the math but Deng was clearly sick in the Playoffs and Butler was tailor made to hurt Miami given his size, strength and explosiveness. His stats also increased in the Miami series over those of the Nets series, bolstering his averages as a result.

I'm not saying he's bad or anything (!) but are you going to make a call they're comparable over 12 playoff games for Butler versus 7 for Deng or a full regular season for both? You're not comparing like with like.

Butler clearly has huge upside and potential but if Rose is back healthy next year he'll likely have less of the ball than he did this year.

Deng is a legit All Star. Butler has played just 2 seasons in the NBA.

I'd be willing to bet if he's healthy and in Chicago next year Deng's stats will be better than Butler's next year, and they most definitely will if he's with the Wizards.

The draft is weak this year, this makes no sense to me unless Deng isn't recovering from his illness. Money? No. This is Chicago. Luxury tax isn't an issue for them.

Paully D

ButtersSuki wrote: »

Money? No. This is Chicago. Luxury tax isn't an issue for them.

Many people think that, but money is actually a huge issue for this front office. They do whatever they can to avoid paying any sort of luxury tax and only ended up paying it last year, for the first time ever, because they made a complete balls of trying to trade Hamilton at the deadline.

The Bulls are all in on trying to get a superstar free agent in 2014. Boozer will be amnestied next year and its a matter of time before Deng is moved on.

The fact they wont delve into the luxury tax has been a huge frustration for me and many other fans.

Joaquin223

Paully D wrote: »

The Bulls are all in on trying to get a superstar free agent in 2014. Boozer will be amnestied next year and its a matter of time before Deng is moved on.

Yes, this would seem to be the plan, and a good one at that. They have the legitimate superstar player in Rose, which is always one of the biggest challenges for a team trying to get over the top. They have the coach. Then a nice long-term core in Noah, Butler, Taj - all of whom are attractive trade pieces as well if something arises.

Getting a high draft pick for Deng when you have a guy giving you most of his production at a fraction of the price is a very shrewd piece of business.

Now, far more interesting question. If you're Cleveland, what do you do with the number 1 pick?

Dublin Red Devil

I believe this Deng for Washington's Draft pick could be true. The Wizards were almost certainly going to take SF Otto Porter with the 3rd pick. They need a SF and Deng plays the position aswell.

The Bulls would most likely us the pick to take a big man. Probably Alex Len

Paully D

Dublin Red Devil wrote: »

I believe this Deng for Washington's Draft pick could be true. The Wizards were almost certainly going to take SF Otto Porter with the 3rd pick. They need a SF and Deng plays the position aswell.

The Bulls would most likely us the pick to take a big man. Probably Alex Len

I'd be amazed if we took Len if the deal goes ahead. Part of the deal is Okafor + #3 for Deng, so we'd have Noah and Okafor at that position meaning Len isn't necessary.

I think a wing is far, far more likely if the proposed trade goes ahead.

That said, I'd be very surprised if this happens. The Bulls are just trying to raise Deng's value to get something rather than losing him for nothing next year, but something many aren't considering is that there's very little chance of Deng re-signing with the Wizards next season in any case (he would easily pick up a nice deal with a team much closer to contending) so it would be a pretty pointless move on their part to have him just for one year.

The most realistic scenario is that this trade comes to nothing, the Bulls take Dieng on Thursday night and the Wizards take Potter.

Paully D

Just watched the 30 for 30 documentary 'Benji', about the basketball player Ben Wilson. Such a sad story

Here's part 1, with the rest of the parts easily available on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0nf7b0SzQI

BQQ

Shaw took the Nuggets job.

ButtersSuki

On Deng, given the counter-arguments posted above, I can admit to seeing some logic to it, though the negatives still outweigh it for me.
Here's why:

• With Rose back healthy and the Heat (Bosh and Wade) in decline the Bulls will be a real No. 1 contender in the East - if they keep Deng. They will not have that depth with a rookie in his place who's trying to learn the pro game
• You have a short window to win in the NBA, trading Deng for an unproven rookie is not a "win-now" move. To do this is essentially writing off next year for me and doubling down on 2015 which is a very risky strategy
• In addition to the above, yeah Boozer is overpaid and likely to be amnestied but again, a fully fit Bulls team (inc;. Rose, Deng and Boozer) have a real shot at taking down the Heat in a Playoff series. If I'm the Bulls, I roll the dice on that for next year and then blow it up for 2015
• If you do want to trade Deng for a draft pick (or to save money), why settle for #3? Why not go to Cleveland who clearly want someone in that position (see the rumoured Paul Pierce trade) and who have talked openly about trading the #1 pick? Deng has to be a more attractive proposition than Pierce (and I say that as a Celtics fan)
• I keep going back to this draft......there's no consensus #1 player...or #2,#3,#4,#5 for that matter....what if this all backfired and the player Chicago have their eye on goes before their pick? :eek:

Finally......if it does happen....and I couldn't resist this...and mods I am joking.....the big upside for Deng is he'd get to play with boards.ie fave John Wall! :pac::D:rolleyes:

For Forks Sake

Dublin Red Devil wrote: »

I believe this Deng for Washington's Draft pick could be true. The Wizards were almost certainly going to take SF Otto Porter with the 3rd pick. They need a SF and Deng plays the position aswell.

The Bulls would most likely us the pick to take a big man. Probably Alex Len

I doubt it, that's covered with Boozer/Noah/Gibson.

There's a more pressing need for a SG, so (if) Len goes 1 and Orlando take a punt on Noel, that leaves either Oladipo or McLemore as the likely choices.

padraig_f

Couple of things playing into the Deng trade idea...

- Jimmy Butler is currently playing 2, but is possibly more of a natural 3 (was comfortable enough guarding Lebron in the playoffs). So you trade Deng, move Jimmy to the 3, and get more of a pure 2, like Oladipo in the draft (or a couple of decent free-agents available, JJ Reddick, OJ Mayo etc.).

- Deng has only 1 year to run on his contract, and could be looking for $10m+ this time next year. Two cheaper contracts of Butler + Oladipo may be more sustainable over the next few years in terms of the cap.

- Deng didn't have a great year this last year. I was happy for him to get the all-star the year before, but didn't think he deserved it this year, got it more on reputation. An all-star should be able to carry a team offensively to an extent, and he didn't do that this year with Rose out. Not a big knock on him, that's who he is, he's a guy that relies on others to create his shot, this last year with Rose out, he shot just 42% from the field, and 32% from 3, below-average numbers. He had some ligament problem with his hand that I thought he was going to get surgery on in the off-season, but he never did (not sure what the deal with that is), and I don't think his shot has been the same since.

Good defensively, good engine and solid offensive production with the right support, but that doesn't make you an irreplaceable player at $10m+. I agree with Paully, the likeliehood is the trade doesn't happen, and the Bulls would be happy to have Deng back, but I can also see why they're exploring trade options.

Dublin Red Devil

For Forks Sake wrote: »

I doubt it, that's covered with Boozer/Noah/Gibson.

There's a more pressing need for a SG, so (if) Len goes 1 and Orlando take a punt on Noel, that leaves either Oladipo or McLemore as the likely choices.

We're disussing it at http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056896254

For Forks Sake

Dublin Red Devil wrote: »

We're disussing it at http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056896254

No, you're talking to yourself on the other thread. If a mod wants to move my post, then let them at it.

However, I was responding to a post in this thread.

For Forks Sake

padraig_f wrote: »

Couple of things playing into the Deng trade idea...

- Jimmy Butler is currently playing 2, but is possibly more of a natural 3 (was comfortable enough guarding Lebron in the playoffs). So you trade Deng, move Jimmy to the 3, and get more of a pure 2, like Oladipo in the draft (or a couple of decent free-agents available, JJ Reddick, OJ Mayo etc.).

- Deng has only 1 year to run on his contract, and could be looking for $10m+ this time next year. Two cheaper contracts of Butler + Oladipo may be more sustainable over the next few years in terms of the cap.

- Deng didn't have a great year this last year. I was happy for him to get the all-star the year before, but didn't think he deserved it this year, got it more on reputation. An all-star should be able to carry a team offensively to an extent, and he didn't do that this year with Rose out. Not a big knock on him, that's who he is, he's a guy that relies on others to create his shot, this last year with Rose out, he shot just 42% from the field, and 32% from 3, below-average numbers. He had some ligament problem with his hand that I thought he was going to get surgery on in the off-season, but he never did (not sure what the deal with that is), and I don't think his shot has been the same since.

Good defensively, good engine and solid offensive production with the right support, but that doesn't make you an irreplaceable player at $10m+. I agree with Paully, the likeliehood is the trade doesn't happen, and the Bulls would be happy to have Deng back, but I can also see why they're exploring trade options.

fwiw, Sam Smith doesn't think the Deng trade is a runner: http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/bulls-aim-find-contributor-no-20.html

Dublin Red Devil

For Forks Sake wrote: »

No, you're talking to yourself on the other thread. If a mod wants to move my post, then let them at it.

However, I was responding to a post in this thread.

Whatever you're having yourself.



(I'm posting this in the wrong palce but) McLemore is the obviously choice over Oladipo. Personally I think McLemore will be drafted before Chicago would potential pick 3rd. So if the rumor is true and The Bulls go down the SG route. It would have to be Oladipo

For Forks Sake

Now this would be interesting from an Irish perspective: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--celtics-will-consider-assistant-jay-larranaga--other-youthful-candidates--for-head-coaching-job-155145849.html

The Boston Celtics will consider several younger and lower-profile candidates for the franchise's coaching vacancy, including assistant coach Jay Larranaga, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

After two seasons as a head coach in the NBA Development League, Larranaga, 38, made a strong impression on coach Doc Rivers and the Celtics' front office during the 2012-13 season.

Larranaga will coach the Celtics' summer league entry in Orlando, allowing general manager Danny Ainge a better look at him.

With Rivers and his $7 million salary headed to the Clippers, the Celtics are moving into a rebuilding phase. They expect to have a young roster and no longer want to pay an elite coach's salary.

Rivers also has a strong interest in bringing Larranaga to the Clippers as part of his coaching staff, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

Larranaga reached the playoffs in each of his two seasons with Erie of the D-League and set a team record with 32 victories in a season. Before getting the assignment in Erie, he played 12 seasons of professional basketball in Europe, including a stint as player-coach for the Irish National team.

Larranaga, the son of Miami (Fla.) basketball coach Jim Larranaga, spent the summer of 2012 as an assistant coach on the Ukraine national team under former longtime NBA head coach and current basketball broadcaster Mike Fratello.

padraig_f

For Forks Sake wrote: »

fwiw, Sam Smith doesn't think the Deng trade is a runner: http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/bulls-aim-find-contributor-no-20.html

Maybe that specific one to the Wizards is a non-runner, but I do think there's something going on there. I see now Wojnarowski has a piece:
Bulls, Luol Deng talking contract extension

Sounds like the opposite of the original story, but could be part of the same thing...i.e. discuss a cheaper extension, if it's going to be too expensive, may need to do a trade this year, rather than lose him next year for nothing.

ButtersSuki

This one has been floating for a few weeks now but gained a degree of credibility it didn't have until now - just warched this morning's PTI podcast from the US and heard Mike Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser discussing a possible trade between the Clippers and LA for Blake Griffin and Dwight Howard.

Would actually suit both teams for a variety of different reasons but not sure this will happen. Howard would get to play with Paul and away from D'Antoni whilst the Lakers would love the nightly highlight reel Griffin would give them. This one could go some distance. I think Griffin long term would become a better player under Rivers, but it may not be his call. If Howard got back to being a 20-10 guy and played at near Defensive Player of the Year level like he did for a few years he improves the Clippers no end, while BG can be the face of a run and gun Lakers as a legit 20-10 guy himself.

As the Lakers have moved heaven and earth to keep Howard this will take a lot to make it happen, but it looks on paper to be a win-win.

leggo

Ooh, I can't see Howard and Paul as a good match. If him and Griffin had trouble co-existing due to Blake not getting that Chris was 'the guy', adding Howard to the mix would be disastrous. And Chris Paul would definitely still have to be 'the guy' there, it's the only way they succeed. I don't think Dwight has the legs left to be a top 10, never mind a top 5, guy anymore. But Howard's ego probably wouldn't allow him to be a small fish in an even smaller pond. He needs a guy who'll be the engine of the team and make him effective without wanting to hog the limelight.

For that reason he'd fit much better at Houston, where James Harden is a proven team player who has shown he has no problem letting others take the headlines while he does the work.

ButtersSuki

They've had a bit of a bromance going all year with both saying they'd like to be team mates "at some stage". Atlanta have openly stated they'd like to bring both players together this summer- even publishing fan letters saying as much in contravention of league rules for which they were fined. With Doc arriving at the Clipps, Paul is pretty much guaranteed to stay so I wouldn't rule anything out just yet, though I can't see the Lakers giving him up considering what they've put into acquiring him.

Houston is attractive fom coaching and playing perspectives but I just think given Howard's ego it's not a big(cool/prestige/marquee) enough team for him.

ButtersSuki

The rumor mill continues to churn as we get closer to Thursday’s NBA draft. Here’s a round-up of the most noteworthy trade rumors from late Monday and Tuesday.

• ESPN.com: “The Cavs continue to mull their options at No. 1. They are engaged in trade talks with a number of teams. Sources say the Thunder, Timberwolves and Blazers have been the most proactive in trying to get the No. 1 pick — but so far neither team has persuaded the Cavs to move out of the top pick.”
• HoopsWorld.com: “There was some commentary yesterday suggesting that LaMarcus Aldridge had requested a trade from the Blazers (completely untrue), but that hasn’t stopped teams from trying to tempt the Blazers into a deal. The Cleveland Cavaliers are said to have offered both the No. 1 overall pick and the No. overall 19 pick in exchange for Aldridge and were turned away, while there have been rumblings that new Suns general manager Ryan McDonough has made at least one pass at Aldridge involving Marcin Gortat.”
• Yahoo! Sports: “The Atlanta Hawks are dangling their two first-round picks for a trade in hopes of moving up in Thursday’s NBA draft, possibly as high as the top five, sources tell Yahoo! Sports. … The Hawks also are intrigued by UCLA small forward Shabazz Muhammad, a source said.”
• SportsCity.com: “Eric Bledsoe and Caron Butler are expected to be packaged in a draft-day trade for Orlando’s Arron Afflalo, addressing the Clipper need for a shooting guard.”
• ESPN.com: “The Sacramento Kings are looking to acquire a second first-round pick and are using guard Jimmer Fredette as bait. Sources say the Kings have reached out to a number of teams in the mid-to-late first round in an attempt to secure another pick. Both the Indiana Pacers and Utah Jazz are potential destinations for Jimmer. Kings coach Mike Malone is enamored with both Tim Hardaway Jr. and Tony Snell, but the Kings feel that they can get them much lower in the draft.”
• New York Post: “The Knicks have offered future second-round picks and future considerations (cash) to Portland in an attempt to regain the rights to small forward Kostas Papanikolaou, according to sources. … The Knicks drafted Papanikolaou last June in the second round with the 48th overall pick, telling the media he would be ready to arrive in the NBA for the 2013-14 season. But in desperation, with almost no assets left, Grunwald dealt Papanikolaou in the Raymond Felton sign-and-trade so he could avoid matching Jeremy Lin’s monster contract offer.”
• Houston Chronicle: “The Rockets are in advanced talks on a cap-clearing trade of forward Thomas Robinson, with a deal potentially ‘imminent,’ a person with knowledge of their plans said on Tuesday. … The Cleveland Cavaliers and San Antonio Spurs have shown interest in Robinson, according to another individual with knowledge of the Rockets efforts to move Robinson’s $3.5 million salary next season.”
• ESPN.com: “The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Milwaukee Bucks are among the teams that have expressed trade interest in Boston Celtics star Paul Pierce, according to sources with knowledge of the talks. … The Celtics do remain hopeful of acquiring a first-round pick for Pierce this week in conjunction with Thursday’s draft. But sources said the Celtics have shown an inclination to try to work with Pierce to get him to a favorable destination — which essentially translates to a contending team — if they indeed decide to trade him by week’s end.”
• Sporting News: “If the Celtics can unload Pierce to a team with enough cap space to absorb his salary, they will get a trade exception worth Pierce’s salary, or $15.3 million. And if that happens, the plan is already in place. According to a source, the Celtics have a sign-and-trade offer ready for Atlanta forward Josh Smith that would be the top priority in free agency.”
• ESPN.com: “According to a source, Cleveland offered the No. 1 pick, Tristan Thompson and Dion Waiters to try and land Minnesota’s Kevin Love. But new Timberwolves president Flip Saunders won’t move Love.”
• Timberwolves president Flip Saunders: “Have to chuckle at all the trade comments, proposals and some suggestions. DO enjoy them but please think first lol.”
• Charlotte Observer: “An NBA source with knowledge of the situation adamantly denied Tuesday that the Charlotte Bobcats are shopping small forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist as a trade commodity.”

leggo

ButtersSuki wrote: »

They've had a bit of a bromance going all year with both saying they'd like to be team mates "at some stage". Atlanta have openly stated they'd like to bring both players together this summer- even publishing fan letters saying as much in contravention of league rules for which they were fined. With Doc arriving at the Clipps, Paul is pretty much guaranteed to stay so I wouldn't rule anything out just yet, though I can't see the Lakers giving him up considering what they've put into acquiring him.

Houston is attractive fom coaching and playing perspectives but I just think given Howard's ego it's not a big(cool/prestige/marquee) enough team for him.

I dunno, I would've said the same last year, but having completely flopped under the weight of pressure that comes with being a top guy on a top franchise, I could see him now being attracted to a smaller franchise with championship aspirations.

Of course this is all just me speculating on what I think his best move would be (with media talk my only source). It all depends on what Howard wants. Though if he does just want a big franchise, why not just re-sign with the Lakers?

ButtersSuki

leggo wrote: »

I dunno, I would've said the same last year, but having completely flopped under the weight of pressure that comes with being a top guy on a top franchise, I could see him now being attracted to a smaller franchise with championship aspirations.

Of course this is all just me speculating on what I think his best move would be (with media talk my only source). It all depends on what Howard wants. Though if he does just want a big franchise, why not just re-sign with the Lakers?

It's not working with him and Kobe, nor with him and D'Antoni.

As big a star as Paul is, he's a facilitator more than Kobe will ever be so that's going to be a huge attraction to Howard. Plus if he stays in LA, he'll still be in the biggest media market in the world so he can still be ummmm, "D12"/"Superman" and take all of the extras that go with that.:rolleyes:

Paully D

The Lakers messed it all up when they rejected Phil Jackson. He'd have got Kobe and Howard working together and everyone playing team ball. They could have had a great shot but pissed it all away when they took D'Antoni because they were worried about how Nash would fit in under Jackson.

padraig_f

Report: Rockets looking at Cavs at 19, Bulls at 20 for Thomas Robinson


The Bulls don't reallly need a PF, but trading a 20th pick for a 5th overall from a year ago would be a nice bit of business. Haven't been following T Robb too much, but here's John Hollinger's profile from a year ago:

John Hollinger wrote:

Thomas Robinson Hollinger Stats

Scouting report
+ Beastly power forward who dominates on glass. Athletic, tough-minded finisher.
+ Perimeter game needs work. Moves need refinement. Should be solid defender.

Analysis
Robinson was a no-brainer pick when he fell to No. 5 in the draft. His prodigious rebounding alone was a major reason to nab him, as he racked up the best defensive rebound rate and the best overall rebound rate of any prospect. Robinson accomplished both by comfortable margins, despite Kansas having played the nation's toughest schedule. Between Robinson and DeMarcus Cousins, the Kings should absolutely destroy opponents on the glass.

Robinson also has some skill to get shots at the basket, especially posting up or making quick moves off the dribble. He is a bit short for a 4 and shot only 50 percent on 2s, an indication that he may have some issues finishing against size. Similarly, his other stats are more solid than great.

Still, he's such an overwhelming force on the glass that he almost can't help but be a productive NBA power forward, and he is athletic enough that his game may evolve in several directions.

Paully D

I also see reports that LaMarcus Aldridge could be put on the trade block (Chad Ford, ESPN) and wants to join the Bulls. He'd be a superb pick up and it would mean the end of Carlos Boozer who is a great guy but just a poor fit for us.

Hard to believe we traded Aldridge for Tyrus Thomas back in the day, but that Bobcats pick from that trade would be a nice bit of trade bait if such a deal was to go ahead.

I'd be over the moon if we were to get him.