NBA 2016-17 Preseason News.

ButtersSuki

Westbrook to Lakers has been on the cards for years. I think the likelihood of that happening at some stage is high, but if Durant leaves it's all but a done deal.

NufcNavan

Horford to the Cs. Still think they need another piece or two to be a contender, but that's a great acquisition.

ButtersSuki

NufcNavan wrote: »

Horford to the Cs. Still think they need another piece or two to be a contender, but that's a great acquisition.

It's good but not great. Was reading a piece in SI yesterday which said they wanted this in place for their KD pitch. Bizarrely, Boston brought Tom Brady to their pitch meeting with Durant......

Ryan Anderson just got $80m off Houston. This in insania.

Carcharodon

Lots of people freaking out over the money but it was to be expected. Maybe not so crazy so soon but in a few years people won't bat a eye lid over these contracts I would think, it will just be the way things are done.
Some pretty sketchy ones being given though.

ButtersSuki

In a move reminding us why the clippers will always be the clippers, they gave Austin Rivers $12m a year. Smmfh.


Wish my dad was an NBA coach. Sulks....

limerickfc

KD to make an announcement either tonight or tomorrow morning at the latest

limerickfc

NufcNavan wrote: »

Horford to the Cs. Still think they need another piece or two to be a contender, but that's a great acquisition.

Is the 4th year a team or player option w

ButtersSuki

limerickfc wrote: »

KD to make an announcement either tonight or tomorrow morning at the latest

I have a strange feeling he's actually going to move. I didn't think so until last night and this morning. Obviously I have no insight into this, but something in my gut is telling me he's gone.

limerickfc

ButtersSuki wrote: »

limerickfc wrote: »

KD to make an announcement either tonight or tomorrow morning at the latest

I have a strange feeling he's actually going to move. I didn't think so until last night and this morning. Obviously I have no insight into this, but something in my gut is telling me he's gone.

If I was him it would be down to the Celtics and thunder, IT Bradley KD Amir/Crowder Horford. That's a top 3 team out east and they still have the ability to go out and get Jimmy Butler or an Allstar player like him with all the assets they have

limerickfc

limerickfc wrote: »

If I was him it would be down to the Celtics and thunder, IT Bradley KD Amir/Crowder Horford. That's a top 3 team out east and they still have the ability to go out and get Jimmy Butler or an Allstar player like him with all the assets they have

Id be absoloutly ecstatic but I can't see himLeaving especially after the oladipo trade

Paully D

Durant won't go. He'll be leaving too much money on the table to do so and because he's at a team who can compete (but IMO who will never get over the line) it's the overriding factor, more so than it usually would be.

As for the Austin Rivers contract. Disgusting really. Nepotism at its finest.

ButtersSuki

Paully D wrote: »

Durant won't go. He'll be leaving too much money on the table to do so and because he's at a team who can compete (but IMO who will never get over the line) it's the overriding factor, more so than it usually would be.

As for the Austin Rivers contract. Disgusting really. Nepotism at its finest.

Tru dat.

ButtersSuki

Paully D wrote: »

Durant won't go. He'll be leaving too much money on the table to do so and because he's at a team who can compete (but IMO who will never get over the line) it's the overriding factor, more so than it usually would be.

Well....yes and no. The players salaries at superstar level are actually their secondary source of income, their main being from endorsements. So a few mil here or there isn't that big a deal....esp. if they're trading up to a better contender...as a championship will bring more endorsements and more money.....

Malcolm Gladwell (an author btw, not a sports journo) who I mentioned a few weeks ago when he as a guest on the Bill Simmons podcast talked about if you were a guy like Curry and you said I'll play for free it would actually bopost your relatability and marketability to such a degree that you'd make a multiple of that salary back in endorsements. Interesting suggestion.

ButtersSuki

How crazy is this?

Austin Rivers will make more in salary next year than Steph Curry.

Think about that.

ButtersSuki

Vienna Big Saliva wrote: »

Id be absoloutly ecstatic but I can't see himLeaving especially after the oladipo trade

He's repeatedly said it will be a basketball decision. If he's true to that, he will not be staying.

He's also publicly lauded David West for taking less money to play in SA this year. Again, could be just words, but if he does leave, people will look to this as a hint.

ButtersSuki

ButtersSuki wrote: »

He's repeatedly said it will be a basketball decision. If he's true to that, he will not be staying.

He's also publicly lauded David West for taking less money to play in SA this year. Again, could be just words, but if he does leave, people will look to this as a hint.

Everyone says that. Celtics are not clearly a better team right now and we have no player like Westbrook. Boston would likely be a better fit for him and I would say ainge and Stephens are clearly better than there counterparts but leaving a team as a stars not an easy thing to do Iv said since day one id be shocked if he move

Carcharodon

ButtersSuki wrote: »

How crazy is this?

Austin Rivers will make more in salary next year than Steph Curry.

Think about that.

I just saw the contract he was given, it really is mind blowing, I don't think he is as bad as people make out but he is pretty average.
As I said before the whole money thing should balance out in a few years, curry will get his pay day, no doubting that.
What's interesting is that the clippers must of gotten a no off durant because they have screwed themselves with cap space with this move,it's crazy

Carcharodon

Durant will most likely move next year, that's what makes more sense. Okc are still contenders and he will get a huge pay day next year.
I think the Warriors are in with a decent shout if he goes, Barnes out and durant in, perfect !! Obviously a few more would go but it would be worth it, he is basically a center and would suit their style if he bought into their philosophy

ButtersSuki

On Rivers, si.com reporting deal done before they had word back from Durant, which means they have to trade Griffin, Jordan or Paul to make it work financially. You'd assume they had presented their plan to include those guys ahead of Rivers.......wouldn't you? So they took themselves out of the race with that one move. Even if they had waited until they got word back from Durant and even if that was a "no", it's not like they'd be facing enormous competition to re-sign Rivers. Absolute joke of a move. I've said it before and I'll probably say it again, if his dad wasn't an NBA coach he'd be playing in Europe.

ButtersSuki

Carcharodon wrote: »

I just saw the contract he was given, it really is mind blowing, I don't think he is as bad as people make out but he is pretty average.
As I said before the whole money thing should balance out in a few years, curry will get his pay day, no doubting that.
What's interesting is that the clippers must of gotten a no off durant because they have screwed themselves with cap space with this move,it's crazy

He is.

LuckyLloyd

So Knicks rolling with:

Calderon -> Rose
Arron Affalo -> Courtney Lee
Melo -> Melo
Porzingis -> Porzingis
Robin Lopez -> Noah

Likes of Galloway, Grant, Vujacic, O'Quinn and maybe Derrick Williams off the bench.

Are they better? Maybe a little. If Rose recovers even some of his MVP form and Porzingis progresses like one would hope they could have a look at playoffs. However Lee on books until 34, Melo is already 32, Noah on books until 34 also. Feels like another Melo / Stoudemire type team at best that can sneak a 7 or 8 seed and lose in the first round of the playoffs. Unless Porzingis becomes elite, in which case the supporting cast would be decent and experienced to help make a run in the next couple of years.

Interesting stuff to be fair - can't wait to see how it plays out. I think the more time Porzingis sees at 5 the better it will be for all concerned.

NufcNavan

Noah could be a huge red flag. His body was breaking down last season for the Bulls.

NufcNavan

That Rondo contract is a steal when you look at some of the insanity that's gone on the last few days. Good for Chicago.

LuckyLloyd

NufcNavan wrote: »

Noah could be a huge red flag. His body was breaking down last season for the Bulls.

I agree. Plus I think they'd be better served letting Porzingis start at 5 anyway - particularly when you have Melo and Rose on the floor.

After these moves they're way closer to 25 wins than they are the ECF, I'll say that much.

Carcharodon

ButtersSuki wrote: »

Carcharodon wrote: »

I just saw the contract he was given, it really is mind blowing, I don't think he is as bad as people make out but he is pretty average.
As I said before the whole money thing should balance out in a few years, curry will get his pay day, no doubting that.
What's interesting is that the clippers must of gotten a no off durant because they have screwed themselves with cap space with this move,it's crazy

He is.

Well we can agree to disagree I suppose. Not saying he is a great player, he is average like a lot of players, maybe similar to Lin, he did well at Duke, he was a top ten draft, you can't blame his Dad for that ? He has had a few injuries since coming into the league, he has had a few big games. I understand where the hate comes from and agree it's pretty dubious getting that contract with your dad in charge but there are worse players out there

ButtersSuki

Carcharodon wrote: »

Well we can agree to disagree I suppose. Not saying he is a great player, he is average like a lot of players, maybe similar to Lin, he did well at Duke, he was a top ten draft, you can't blame his Dad for that ? He has had a few injuries since coming into the league, he has had a few big games. I understand where the hate comes from and agree it's pretty dubious getting that contract with your dad in charge but there are worse players out there

It's more than that though. They took themselves out of the Durant race just to keep him. Think about that. It's insane on any level no matter how you square it. And as I said the other day, even wait until you get a no from Durant, then resign him if you want.

He was a one and done in Duke and apart from one big shot against UNC, he didn't really do much and certainly hasn't done anything in the NBA to deserve the contract he just got. He got pretty much the same deal as Crawford on a per year basis (who averages twice as many points and is a 3 time 6th Man of the Year Award Winner). They seriously overpaid and it's not like they needed to - there would be f*ck all of a market for him.

Of course there are worse players out there, but none are getting that kind of preferential treatment.

krustydoyle

Durrant signing with the Warriors.. Just broke now

paulie21

krustydoyle wrote:

Durrant signing with the Warriors.. Just broke now

Never expected him to leave OKC. Have to make Dubs massive favourites for next season

ButtersSuki

said I had a strange feeling last night. Shlt just got real.

The world has changed. Warriors are barring injury unstoppable now.

LuckyLloyd

If you can't beat em join em. Kevin Durant couldn't lead his own team to a title. GSW were already favourites. Probably robs the league of any competitive interest until the finals unfortunately.

OKC now need to trade Westbrook before the deadline, and the sooner the better probably.

Wow did not expect that I will be curious to see if he gets the "he had to go to stephs team to win" stuff that Lebron got

LuckyLloyd

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

If you can't beat em join em. Kevin Durant couldn't lead his own team to a title. GSW were already favourites. Probably robs the league of any competitive interest until the finals unfortunately.

OKC now need to trade Westbrook before the deadline, and the sooner the better probably.

Hah just as I was posting. Why do you think they have to trade Westbrook just because Durant left does not mean they need to suddenly tank that's very strange logic

Okc possibly become the greatest what if in nba history now outside of perhaps Len bias

LuckyLloyd

Vienna Big Saliva wrote: »

Hah just as I was posting. Why do you think they have to trade Westbrook just because Durant left does not mean they need to suddenly tank that's very strange logic

Okc possibly become the greatest what if in nba history now outside of perhaps Len bias

Because they can't win a title now so you should absolutely extract some value from a top five player before he walks in free agency at the end of the year.

GoldFour4

Cavs will be at a great bargain price at the bookies after this. Well worth a a few quid. Signing Durant means GSW will be down a couple of role players. An injury will ruin them

SantryRed

Wow. Talk about a super team. If they all stay healthy it's really hard to see how they don't win it.

Carcharodon

Vienna Big Saliva wrote: »

Wow did not expect that I will be curious to see if he gets the "he had to go to stephs team to win" stuff that Lebron got

He did it in a much classier and low key way, no comparison. Took less money to try and win now

ButtersSuki

malistheman wrote: »

Cavs will be at a great bargain price at the bookies after this. Well worth a a few quid. Signing Durant means GSW will be down a couple of role players. An injury will ruin them

Only guy they absolutely have to move now contract wise is Barnes - and talk about an upgrade. They could stick with the remaining roster and pay the luxury tax. Biggest offender on the luxury tax bill this year? The Cavs. It pays to overpay in some circumstances obviously.

LuckyLloyd

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

Because they can't win a title now so you should absolutely extract some value from a top five player before he walks in free agency at the end of the year.

but you will never get value for a top 5 guy they god **** all for harden. What if they play this year and come close again with westbrook and oladipo perhaps they end up fitting together better. stephen adams has started to look like a really good player and they have cap to get whoever they want thats left. Do they really have to trade him or do you just think they lakers will get him for russell and randel

ButtersSuki

Carcharodon wrote: »

He did it in a much classier and low key way, no comparison. Took less money to try and win now

I wonder did he say "I'm taking my talents to the Bay Area"? :rolleyes::):pac::D

Nope, because he's not that much of a tool.

malistheman

malistheman wrote: »

Cavs will be at a great bargain price at the bookies after this. Well worth a a few quid. Signing Durant means GSW will be down a couple of role players. An injury will ruin them

I think they could get a few guys to sign for them for nothing now though as they are as close to a lock you can get for a title.. Whats ray allen doing at the mo

the fact that they won't go for a regular season record again will be huge

ButtersSuki

I think Westbrook will stay this season and walk next summer.

Tell you what though, I know who'll be winning scoring title next year..........and who'll have a decent shot at MVP (depending on how many games they win).

ButtersSuki

If you're Sam Presti, you have to be fired after this. First they let Harden go for SFA because they refused to pay the luxury tax. That refusal to pay has cost them a title, no question in my mind. The Cavs were the biggest sinners on the luxury tax front this year but does anyone in Cleveland care as they won a title? No.

Now he's failed to keep KD. Westbrook will leave, be that in a trade this summer (unlikely) or IMO next summer when he's a FA. It's over for OKC unfortunately.

NufcNavan

I would just love to hear one coherent argument as to why this is anything but awful for the league. One of the best players in the league just joined the team that was the best team of the last two years. The Thunder are completely gone. The league was already extremely top heavy.

Really makes me respect what the Pacers accomplished from 2012-2014 the old fashioned way.

It doesn't speak well for someone's competitive desire when they lose a close 7 game series to a team, then join the team they lost to instead of trying to beat them again. Doesn't really have anything to do with Bird or Magic, especially considering that Durant already played with one of the best players in the league. It's not like he didn't have help.

This has to be virtually unprecedented. Way beyond what Lebron did because Lebron went to a new team that hadn't had success in several years. He immediately owned their identity. Durant will never have that kind of identity in GS because they easily could have won it without him.

ButtersSuki

ButtersSuki wrote: »

I have a strange feeling he's actually going to move. I didn't think so until last night and this morning. Obviously I have no insight into this, but something in my gut is telling me he's gone.

:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

Carcharodon

ButtersSuki wrote: »

malistheman wrote: »

Cavs will be at a great bargain price at the bookies after this. Well worth a a few quid. Signing Durant means GSW will be down a couple of role players. An injury will ruin them

Only guy they absolutely have to move now contract wise is Barnes - and talk about an upgrade. They could stick with the remaining roster and pay the luxury tax. Biggest offender on the luxury tax bill this year? The Cavs. It pays to overpay in some circumstances obviously.

Barnes for sure and Bogut I would think and maybe a role player or two

LuckyLloyd

Vienna Big Saliva wrote: »

but you will never get value for a top 5 guy they god **** all for harden. What if they play this year and come close again with westbrook and oladipo perhaps they end up fitting together better. stephen adams has started to look like a really good player and they have cap to get whoever they want thats left. Do they really have to trade him or do you just think they lakers will get him for russell and randel

I think they will absolutely trade him, yes. That they ****ed up the Harden trade at the time is of no consequence. Keeping him makes the rebuilding process harder when he walks at he end of the year. And he will.

LuckyLloyd

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

I think they will absolutely trade him, yes. That they ****ed up the Harden trade at the time is of no consequence. Keeping him makes the rebuilding process harder when he walks at he end of the year. And he will.

how can you know he will most people "knew" kd was staying

ButtersSuki

NufcNavan wrote: »

I would just love to hear one coherent argument as to why this is anything but awful for the league. One of the best players in the league just joined the team that was the best team of the last two years. The Thunder are completely gone. The league was already extremely top heavy.

Really makes me respect what the Pacers accomplished from 2012-2014 the old fashioned way.

It doesn't speak well for someone's competitive desire when they lose a close 7 game series to a team, then join the team they lost to instead of trying to beat them again. Doesn't really have anything to do with Bird or Magic, especially considering that Durant already played with one of the best players in the league. It's not like he didn't have help.

This has to be virtually unprecedented. Way beyond what Lebron did because Lebron went to a new team that hadn't had success in several years. He immediately owned their identity. Durant will never have that kind of identity in GS because they easily could have won it without him.

I largely agree, but one way it is good - and this is a very limited perspective - is that GS will be the hottest sports ticket in the NBA next year. They will be simply phenomenal to watch in full tilt. All team 3 point records are likely breakable next year, as is team FT%; but these are for the nerdiest of nerds like myself.

It's also been a long time since there's been 3 20PPG player on one team. Last I can remember was Seattle with Dale Ellis, Xavier McDaniel and Tom Chambers. There'll be some high scoring games that's for sure.....

NufcNavan

ButtersSuki wrote: »

I largely agree, but one way it is good - and this is a very limited perspective - is that GS will be the hottest sports ticket in the NBA next year. They will be simply phenomenal to watch in full tilt. All team 3 point records are likely breakable next year, as is team FT%; but these are for the nerdiest of nerds like myself.

It's also been a long time since there's been 3 20PPG player on one team. Last I can remember was Seattle with Dale Ellis, Xavier McDaniel and Tom Chambers. There'll be some high scoring games that's for sure.....

Look at it this way. The Heat had some insane talent. However, they went four straight years without winning a playoff series after winning the 06 title (i.e. they started sucking once Shaq fell off). Yes Bosh was a talented player, but he also never made it past the first round in Toronto. All I'm saying is that even though Miami had a massive talent edge, Lebron was still going to a franchise that hadn't accomplished much over the previous few seasons. He was the cornerstone of a new team that was trying to soar to new heights.

With Durant going to GS, he's going to a team that won a title in 2015, then set the all time winning record and made the Finals again in 2016....i.e. Pretty much the most successful team over the last two seasons. Sure they could win the title with Durant, but they could also win it without him. Miami wasn't winning any title without Lebron. It is an insanely lame decision for Durant considering his Thunder had the Warriors dead to rights.

I know I know, his decision, his life, etc. But it's a sports forum for sports commentary. I think it would be pretty much the lamest FA decision in league history.

LuckyLloyd

Vienna Big Saliva wrote: »

how can you know he will most people "knew" kd was staying

I'd happily make a wager that he isn't at the Thunder to start the 2017 / 18 season. He'll go somewhere else to try and win along with getting paid. It's ****ing Oklahoma City don't forget. If you ain't winning titles no need to be there.