NBA Offseason

[Khalifa]

Instead of going back to the finals thread I thought I'd just do another one. Few guys like to talk basketball on here so why not.

Celts passed up #1 pick. Got #3 and two future firsts, great move by Boston considering they loved Jackson all along.

Lakers traded Dlo Russell for Lopez and another first rounder (#27). Lakers also gave up Mozgov which was the main reason to complete the deal to get PG13. With Lakers being my team I'm a bit indifferent on the trade. First off it's a lot of chips to put in the "We trust Paul George will come here" basket. What if he doesn't? We just lost Russell for nothing. Lopez is good to get us a few wins, but he will be gone next year. I also thought we woulda got a lot more for Dlo. It was reported we are looking to get another lottery pick but obviously Dlo couldn't command that value, which is weird.

Two reports for Jimmy Buckets that told complete opposite things to the other came out within half n hour apart. First one was Jimmy is trying to get Bulls office to trade him to Cavs. The second one was Butler doesn't want to move and is unlikely to stay with the Cavs long term.

Draft tomorrow as well. Been a hell of an offseason.

 

[Cena Is A Punk Rocker]

I see the Russell trade more of a move to transition in Lonzo Ball taking over point. Good trade for both sides IMO.

 

[George Steele's Barber]

Lakers trade made sense as long as they can use the cap space to land a big fish or two next year and Ball works out.

 

[Khalifa]

Yeah I agree Lakers had to do it. Just hard to see Druss go but it would be impossible to have a backcourt of him and ball. Defense would be so bad.

Dwight Howard just traded to the hornets for Miles Plumlee, Bellineli and pick 41. Pick 31 also went to the hornets. Good move by the hornets I think. We know what Dwight is now, adds defense and he can occasionally go big.

 

[Da Prophet]

As the internet said, Dwight Howard went from All-NBA First Team, All-Defensive First Team to getting traded for Miles Plumlee, Marco Belinelli in 5 years flat.

Leaving the Magic really did a lot for Dwight.

 

[Richard Blonoff]

Fuck Paul George. I'm out now.

 

[JGlass]

As the internet said, Dwight Howard went from All-NBA First Team, All-Defensive First Team to getting traded for Miles Plumlee, Marco Belinelli in 5 years flat.

Leaving the Magic really did a lot for Dwight.

That's really not as dramatic a decline as you're making it out to be, especially considering his style of play. Big men that use their body are more apt to have a quick decline than, say, more mobile, lighter players.

Still, you're not wrong in saying that it's certainly a pretty sizable fall from grace.

He was a fairly effective player last season, maybe he'll be able to contribute to Charolette, a team that has enough talent to get a low seed in the playoffs.

 

[Dmbfantomas]

Lakers trade was great. Russell stinks, it cleared up money for next year, and Brook Lopez is evolving his game (even though I think he'll be a one year guy.)

 

[JGlass]

I think the trade is mostly a push with slightly more upside for the Nets. Russell will have plenty of opportunities to score on a Brooklyn team without many other option, and Kenny Atkinson is known for player development and working with guards, so maybe Russell thrives in Brooklyn.

The Nets were my team growing up, so I'd love to have a reason to be excited about them again.

 

[Big Nick Dudley]

So excited to watch my Pistons draft someone who won't be worth a single shit, trade for no one worth a package of hot dogs and sign no one anyone has ever heard of. Oh, and we get to pay Josh Smith for another 28 years.

 

[SSJPhenom]

The Lakers trade was them trying to get rid of the Mozgov contract. A contract that they had no business having in the first place. It was also them making room for Lonzo Ball and Paul George. The next thing they need to do is get rid of the Deng contact because that one is ridiculous as well.

Paul George is going to be a Laker. The only question is do they go ahead and trade for him now or do they just wait until next summer when they can just sign him without losing anything in return. I think that if they could get away with getting George now for anything less than their draft pick, Lopez, and Brandon Ingram then they should go ahead and do it and not leave it to chance that he's just going to up and sign next summer when he's a free agent. He'd have a whole year to change his mind if they wait, but if they get him now, they could talk him into signing a contract extension. Plus, they'd have a core of Lonzo Ball, Ingram, George, and Lopez. They'd go from being pathetic to probably being a mid to low level play off team in a years time. The Lakers would be the Lakers again.

I'm much more interested in how things are developing in Boston. If they get Jimmy Butler and sign Gordon Hayward; unless the Cavs can make some big moves then Boston will be the team to beat in the East next season.

 

[Fire Marshall Bill]

I'm much more interested in how things are developing in Boston. If they get Jimmy Butler and sign Gordon Hayward; unless the Cavs can make some big moves then Boston will be the team to beat in the East next season.

Jimmy Butler already told Cleveland he'd rather stay in Chicago. I have a hard time believing Boston would entice him then.

 

[JGlass]

No way are the Lakers going to trade for PG13 right now, there's literally no reason for them to do it other than freeing up cap space, and I doubt the Pacers would take on a dumb contract for their best player when they could probably get something better from a team that can use George to contend. Paul George probably couldn't even drag the Lakers to the playoffs, let alone put up a fight against teams like the Spurs and Warriors. They need more than him, and they'll shoot to get it in one fell swoop a year from now.

If the rumors of Butler pushing for a Cleveland trade are true, I reckon they'll make it happen somehow. I don't know who gets shuffled where, but I wouldn't be totally opposed to a trade that moves Butler to Cleveland and Love to Chicago. It's not the type of move that makes them immediate threats to take the title back from GS, but it certainly moves them closer, especially if they can land a big that can help more on the defensive side of things.

If the Cavs swap Butler for Love (and I assume a few other pieces would move in the process), I wonder what options they have in the FA market? I doubt Blake Griffin is on the table, but maybe Millsap? Maybe Ibaka? Maybe Pau takes the pay cut for one more ring? If they dump Love they'll need to replace him, as their backcourt options are pretty embarrassing once you move past LeBron.

Jimmy Butler already told Cleveland he'd rather stay in Chicago. I have a hard time believing Boston would entice him then.

Has this been settled on as the true story coming out of Chicago? I've heard reports that say the opposite, but I've also read reports that repeat what you've said.

Boy, this 24 hour NBA news cycle is EXHAUSTING.

 

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Has this been settled on as the true story coming out of Chicago? I've heard reports that say the opposite, but I've also read reports that repeat what you've said.

Boy, this 24 hour NBA news cycle is EXHAUSTING.

I haven't seen any of the reports stating he wanted to go to Cleveland at all. Admittedly, I haven't been looking for them though.

Without making some very major changes in Boston and SA, no one is catching GS or Cleveland. Pau supposedly opted out of his contract to take less money and free more for SA to get help. Boston certainly has trade pieces, but just Hayward is not going to cut it.

 

[SSJPhenom]

Jimmy Butler already told Cleveland he'd rather stay in Chicago. I have a hard time believing Boston would entice him then.

This is not what I've seen/heard/read on the situation. Everything that I've been exposed to regarding Butler is that he's not opposed to a trade and that Cleveland and Boston are trying to get him. The Bulls already tried to trade him to the 76ers for their #3 draft pick. At least that's what was reported a few days ago. For some reason the 76ers declined the trade saying that they would rather stick with their young group. Which was the reason behind Boston trying to get the #3 pick to begin with because they thought that they could trade that pick for Butler.

Shit changes so often in the NBA that this may not be the case anymore. Who the hell knows. For example, it was reported several times that Jerry West was going to the L.A. Clippers to be their GM. Now it's being said that he's just a consultant and that Doc is still the acting GM. That doesn't make sense to me though. Why would he leave Golden State for a lesser job/title?

 

[SSJPhenom]

No way are the Lakers going to trade for PG13 right now, there's literally no reason for them to do it other than freeing up cap space, and I doubt the Pacers would take on a dumb contract for their best player when they could probably get something better from a team that can use George to contend. Paul George probably couldn't even drag the Lakers to the playoffs, let alone put up a fight against teams like the Spurs and Warriors. They need more than him, and they'll shoot to get it in one fell swoop a year from now.

I would've agreed with you before the Lopez trade. Now that Lopez is there, though that changes things a little. Lopez isn't a god send, however, he is a very good and versatile big that can score and rebound. Add PG13 to him and Brandon Ingram with a fresh Lonzo Ball coming in and some serviceable role players and I think that if they were to get PG13 now then they could probably make the playoffs. I agree that they're definitely not going to compete with GS or SA, however, they'd take a HUGE step in the right direction. If anything they should do it just to clear some cap space to take on PG13 and to sign some other players that they might need or want. Also, let's say they don't do it and this year goes by and he changes his mind and signs with another team or the Pacers trade him to another team (which is likely), the Cavs for example, and the Cavs win the title next year and he decides to stay for another shot at it? The Lakers would've had a chance at a relatively young franchise player. Also, I don't think that it'd take a lot to get PG13 away from the Pacers. He's already said that he's not signing with the team after his contact is up. So that takes away a lot of what the Pacers could've asked for right there. It would come down to you either trade him and get some serviceable players or you get nothing because I can't really see a team trading some huge assets to basically rent PG13 for a season. Unless it's the Lakers because they know that they could probably resign him or get him to agree to an extension and BAM, L.A. has their team back.

 

[Khalifa]

This is not what I've seen/heard/read on the situation. Everything that I've been exposed to regarding Butler is that he's not opposed to a trade and that Cleveland and Boston are trying to get him

I've been seeing a lot of the opposite now after seeing what you said to start off with. Hard situation to guess but I'd be willing to bet my life he ain't going to Cavs this offseason.

As for Lakers trading to get Paul George, I wouldn't. We can get him for free. Randle won't become a superstar but he will be a good player. We would have to trade him to get George so to trade Russell and Randle for George when we could've got him for free doesn't sit well for me. George is 28 next May as well, he probably has 5 at the absolute max of playing how he does now, otherwise he's going in decline. That's not accounting for the fact that Ingram could develop into a better first option than George. It's not like picking up Wiggins or a Anthony Davis where you know you have these guys in their prime for 5+ years. We would've been shocking for 4 years and two of those years were just to get Paul George, yeah I don't like it.

Surely Lebron doesn't go to L.A as well? Why is he even being tipped to leave his hometown when he's got a super team there and only just came home. I'd be very surprise if he leaves again.

 

[A11oftheLights]

Lebron is being touted to leave because the Cavs dont match up very well to the warriors because they are so dependant on Lebron, it turns to shit as soon as he leaves. The Cavs need CP3. Move Kyrie to 2 and become the new Kobe and have paul run the offence when Lebron isnt there. That wouldnt completely solve the durant problem for the cavs but it would mean Lebron can rest and not be completely worn out from having to carry the O and guard Durant for 45 minutes. The cavs dont really need george, especially if he leaves after a year too.

 

[Khalifa]

Butler just got traded to the T-wolves for Lavine, Kriss dunn and the #7 pick!

Can't believe Celtics passed on Josh Jackson!

 

[JGlass]

I think that in both the major trades that occurred yesterday the sellers came out as the winners, unless the buyers think they can resign their new acquisitions (more on that in a second though).

The Bulls are definitely going to miss Butler, as it was largely because of him that they were able to make the playoffs. I don't think LaVine is going to come in and contribute immediately, but he's a player with a lot of talent, and if he can develop it he's going to be a solid starter, maybe even an All-Star. Kris Dunn has also been hyped as a tremendous talent, and both guys are very young (LaVine is 22, Dunn is 23). I can't comment on the rookies that got traded, but moving up from 16th to 7th never hurts, right? If the Bulls can fix what is allegedly a toxic environment, then I think all 3 of these guys can play big roles in this team's future. I don't know if any of these guys will develop into a superstar of Jimmy Butler's level, but I think Chicago needed to hit the reset button and start from scratch, and this trade gives them a solid foundation.

The Pacers trade is slightly different since neither Avery Bradley or Jae Crowder are as young as Dunn and LaVine (both are 26), and the Celtics also give up the number 3 overall pick, which should be guaranteed talent. That said, the Pacers were largely in the same position as the Bulls: stuck and in need of fresh blood and a new start. They get ride of Paul George, a terrific player but one that clearly has little to no interest in playing in Indiana, and in return they get two solid guys and a rookie with tons of upside. Maybe Myles Turner and Jayson Tatum can be the foundation that they build around, and Crowder and Bradley can certainly help the Pacers not be a garbage team over the next few years.

So the question for the buyers is... will all this be worth it?

For the Celtics, I can't imagine it will be, but at the same time this isn't much of a risk for them. Even with PG13 on the roster, I don't think they have what it takes to topple the Cavs as kings of the east. IT is coming off an injury, they still have a big question mark at the PF position, and they lost two of their starters to this trade (though one is automatically replace by George). The good news is that Marcus Smart looks like he's got what it takes to be a starter, and they have Terry Rozier and Jaylen Brown waiting in the wings, and if they develop well they can easily be replacements for Crowder and Bradley. But do the Celtics think they can manage to convince Paul George to stay in Boston over the course of one season? Do they really think this team can topple the Cavs, and then compete with Golden State? Brad Stevens is a great coach, probably one of the best in the league, but he's got to work George into his system and rebuild some chemistry after the departure of two starters.

For the Wolves, resigning Butler is more realistic. Unlike Paul George, there hasn't been any talk about him desperately wanting to play for a single team, so if the Wolves can impress him, maybe he'll stay. The Wolves/Bulls trade is a far more even trade in my opinion, and the Wolves still look like they can be trouble moving forward. With Butler at SG, Wiggins at SF, and KAT at C, they have a legitimate big 3. They're a playoff team this year, and only a few moves from being a major force in the West. I wouldn't be surprised to see them go from worst to first in their division this year, and that type of turnaround is the kind of thing that could convince a star player to resign.

 

[SSJPhenom]

Is the PG13 trade to Boston official? I heard that the talks between the teams had broken down to be continued at a later time. Am I missing something?

 

[Richard Blonoff]

Again, fuck Paul George.

 

[JGlass]

Is the PG13 trade to Boston official? I heard that the talks between the teams had broken down to be continued at a later time. Am I missing something?

Oh shit, I guess they have stalled out. I was under the impression it was a done deal.

 

[JGlass]

Again, fuck Paul George.

You guys have got to get rid of him, he's going to be public enemy number one every time he steps on the floor at home.

Conversely, he's going to get a hero's welcome when the Pacers play @ Lakers.

 

[SSJPhenom]

If PG13 does end up in Boston and they sign Gordon Hayward as well, I'm telling you, the Celtics will challenge the Cavs and probably win. Could the beat Golden State? Not likely, but it would be interesting.