It’s right around the corner. Who can you see moving? What have you heard? What does your team need? I’ve been seeing we are interested in Taurean Prince and a few others. It’s been out there for a while but just read this morning that Dallas is ready to deal DSJr. and Wes Matthews.

I am wondering what the asking price for Prince is. I'd love the Sixers to make a play for him so I don't have to watch the Corpse of Wilson Chandler in the starting 5.

I'm also wondering why the Hawks have him up on the block? Is it just he and Collins don't mesh well?

I think Lin and baze were higher up the trade list earlier than Prince actually because of their age, contracts, and how theyve played this year

timeline and comeback from that injury for Andre. Obviously, people are different, but it’s the best I got.

or most of it rehabbing away from the team and rebuilding his body mechanics from the ground up. I dont know Ive actually been able to observe a difference (La2philly loves this type of stuff) so he'd probably be able to make more keen observations.

Beginning of the season Jeremy looked pretty slow and bad, and he isnt as explosive as he was in his younger years, but with his experience he's learned how to use his body, balance, and positioning which makes up for it. I've been proud of his growth as an NBA player --especially this year.

I feel like he's definitely lost a step defensively with lateral movement... which may not be a great sign given Andre's strength.

.

That’ll free up the most possible cap room for next summer and get the help we so sorely need

>the help we so sorely need

maybe if simmons learned to shoot outside of five feet you wouldn't have to cop extremely lame pleas for the entire roster. perhaps it would open up space for a great shooter like JJ and/or a great slasher like Jimmy. perhaps the entire team would benefit from having a guard with *at least* a respectable mid-range.

and don't even start with the defensive end. it's an understatement to say that the pieces are already there.

I’m not absolving either of the three stars from blame, but we need better pieces around them too.

Ok... regardless of your Ben Simmons hate, the fact remains the Sixers only have 4 guys that have any business being in a playoff rotation and that is counting JJ Redick who is being asked to do way more than he should at this point in his career. We need another rotation player or two even if Ben turned into a league average shooter overnight.

The *core* is already there. The supporting cast is not.

I guess the Warriors have interest in Robin Lopez, but they're waiting for the Bulls to waive him so they don't have to give anything up.

And what a come up for him; from a dumpster fire/tanking situation to what should be on paper a sure fire ring. And I would imagine he'd contribute decently for them as well since he provides size and good defensive rebounding presence off the bench. I vaguely remember him playing well for his role when he was on the Knicks.

maybe even Alec Burks (though I'd want him to ride this out)

Kevin Love makes too much to be traded but we'll see

.

the only team I'd accept a trade to, since I know it would go somewhere.

.

this dumpster fire organization hasn't had a signed point guard since Brandon Knight.

this team has no depth. let the young kids grow in a rotation but not get worked starting

https://twitter.com/TheHoopCentral/status/1085266146381549568

but i appreciate that tweet, i didnt think the Suns were after him seriously

I doubt we'll get a 2nd rounder for Lopez.


I've been meaning to write up a Bulls post for like 2 weeks.

>I've been meaning to write up a Bulls post for like 2 weeks.

we're the laughingstock of the league. and deservedly so.

https://twitter.com/TheSteinLine/status/1085234848942489600

I like the culture fit for the team and the fact they can run him with Fox. But they already have Bogi playing well and Yogi and Mason playing well enough. Sac is also Bay area adjacent, so it brings him "home"

Early on in the season I saw it as a good fit for him, now not as much. I dont know what else makes sense. Spurs? There were Toronto rumors when Lowry got hurt but he's ok and FVV and Delon are fine. Philly could be an option but that was kind of shot down. Pelicans? Blazers wanted him for some reason..dont see the fit there with Dame, CJ and Duck Sauce playing major minutes.

Seems pretty probable he wont be a Hawk after the deadline though

He must've hit the floor 3X in the 30seconds he was in the game vs the 6ers

I think the refs gave him 1 of those calls...out of pity

only a matter of time before he's injured again

...and he isn't that great fully healthy...

Can't imagine anybody actively pursuing him IMO

>
>Can't imagine anybody actively pursuing him IMO

This part is your opinion right?

It's G-League level, Lin would be an upgrade for sure

has he even played?

neither of them can shoot a lick

https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1086367659363454976

They *bought* the team less than five years ago, right? The Nerder She Wrote Back to Back podcast got a little into the ownership issues this Thursday.

Kind of a shame because the team has been consistently good for number of years, better than their market is big enough to support.

The team still draws so I guess locals will support a winner.

Here's to better ownership. That squad deserves better.

SMH.

But do the suns want an upgrade? At this point they should just suck as much as possible

.

https://twitter.com/espn_macmahon/status/1086418675404554240

https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1086478765327183872?s=19

https://imgur.com/gallery/DrTfp

https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1087866879023165449

Especially Conley, since it's over the next two years. And I believe both have players options their final season. No way should they walk away from that money.

For picks and salary.

I suppose "delusional" leaves some room for a guy who thinks Gasol would turn the corner in a new environment, but I think his body is just busted, at least for this year.


~~~~~~~~~
"This is the streets, and I am the trap." � Jay Bilas
http://www.popmatters.com/pm/archive/contributor/517
Hip Hop Handbook: http://tinyurl.com/ll4kzz

(Spurs?)

..sheesh.


*skatin' the rings of saturn*


..and miles to go before i sleep...

and still miss the playoffs

www.engadgethd.com - the other stuff i'm looking at

The Ish Smith injury was affected this team a lot more than I thought

Also drafting Luke Kennard over Donovan Mitchell still makes me wince

I’d be thrilled beyond belief if Conley ended up on the Pistons


>and still miss the playoffs
>
>www.engadgethd.com - the other stuff i'm looking at

that move has to be something to support kemba, otherwise we'll lose him at the end of the year, despite the fact that no one (kemba included) wants that

theres a lot of options out there, hopefully mitch can make something happen

https://twitter.com/TheSteinLine/status/1088545494840864768

https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1089280403448479744

*skatin' the rings of saturn*


..and miles to go before i sleep...

But he’d have to prove he deserves minutes over Jonah Bolden, which is probably not the situation he’s looking for

something for nothing, and from a team in the division.

https://twitter.com/BasketballRehab/status/1089237330773360641

https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1089857935532904449?s=19

Agent Rich Paul has notified the New Orleans Pelicans that All-NBA forward Anthony Davis has no intention of signing a contract extension if and when presented and that he has requested a trade, Paul told ESPN on Monday.

https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1089857935532904449

>Agent Rich Paul

Lebron and his crew legit changed the game

What athlete you know has done this?

Seems like both sides would have more control and better options then.

....doesn't mean you have to play it first.

point being: the beauty of having pwer/leverage is you get to use it when you want to

perhaps he was waiting to see what they would do to keep him (and letting that play out)

perhaps... whatever

*shrug*

now that it's pretty clear they will miss the playoffs - it's time.

-->

https://twitter.com/TheSteinLine/status/1091358688235974656

I'm not really sure if him and Ayton are going to work together with lousy defense and I'm not sure the Suns will start winning soon enough before he wants out anyway.

question.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/25900539/boston-celtics-guard-kyrie-irving-says-focus-title-not-future

"Just do the best for me. That's what it comes down to," Irving said. "Obviously this has become an entertainment thing for everyone. ... I'm not worried about a reputation, not worried about a legacy in the league. I'm just trying to be a human being, trying to make the best decision for my family."

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/25894543/kyrie-irving-free-agency-influencing-deadline-moves

Kyrie Irving's free agency influencing deadline moves

Brian Windhorst
ESPN Senior Writer

With the Anthony Davis and Kristaps Porzingis bombshells rocking the NBA this week, teams are cautiously turning their eye toward the Boston Celtics to see if there is any fallout that affects Kyrie Irving's future.

In recent days, teams, players and agents have been discussing the possibility that free-agent-to-be Irving might not be as committed to the Celtics as he has stated publicly, multiple sources told ESPN. And on Friday in New York, Irving was asked if his mindset has changed regarding re-signing with Boston: "Ask me July 1." He says he's going to do what's best for his career.

Davis' camp has let it be known he doesn't consider the Celtics a long-term home because he doesn't believe Irving plans to re-sign with the Celtics next season, sources said. The New York Knicks' stunning salary-dump trade that moved out Porzingis on Thursday cleared enough salary-cap space for the team to chase both Kevin Durant and Irving in free agency.

The Celtics haven't changed their feelings on Irving, and they consider him part of their long-term core; and Irving hasn't informed the team that his feelings have changed, multiple sources said. In general, the Celtics have a reputation as a measured and strategic organization.

With trade demands flying and the high pressure of trade season, it is possible this is simply a disinformation campaign. Davis, for example, is incentivized to remove the Celtics as a bidder for him so he can achieve his preference and be sent to the Los Angeles Lakers. Irving and Davis, however, are friends and communicate regularly.

Nonetheless, there is no mistaking how this information has spread throughout the league despite Irving's strong statements to the contrary. In October, Irving committed to staying with the Celtics long term in front of thousands of fans at a team event. He backed that up with a Nike commercial shot at TD Garden in which he said he wanted to have his number in the rafters.

Things have changed somewhat in Boston since October, however. Irving has quarreled with several of the Celtics' young players at times. Gordon Hayward's recovery from a broken ankle has been more sluggish than expected. And the Celtics have underperformed; they are currently fifth in the Eastern Conference standings.

Celtics general manager Danny Ainge, known as Trader Danny for his willingness to make sweeping moves at any time, has to analyze the situation and make a read on how the team should proceed. There is a delicate scenario with the Celtics juggling several high-stakes situations.

The Celtics are currently precluded from trading for Davis because they've already traded for Irving, and teams are forbidden from trading for two players with designated player contracts. That restriction will expire on July 1 when Irving is projected to become a free agent. But with that fact in the way, the Celtics reached out to the New Orleans Pelicans this week and told them they'd be willing to discuss all players on their roster in a Davis trade that could be made after the season when Irving is expected to become a free agent, sources said.

It remains the Celtics' preference to trade for Davis in June, around the draft, and then re-sign Irving in July, locking both in as their cornerstones for the future. But if Irving's commitment isn't rock solid, things get complicated.

The Celtics might feel they need to execute a Davis trade to secure Irving's commitment. But for Boston to make a massive trade offer for Davis, it might first need to have Irving's commitment to re-signing. It's a chicken-and-egg scenario.

This could be one hope for the Lakers -- that the Pelicans believe the Celtics might never get the chance to make their best offer, and at least consider what the Lakers might offer now.

As Ainge contemplates that, there's another matter that remains on the Celtics' trade board. If the Celtics were to get skittish enough to trade Irving before the trade deadline, it would free them to make a Davis trade now.

Boston is investigating the asking price of a few intriguing young players around the league, perhaps with an eye on acquiring more of New Orleans' preferred trade chips, sources tell ESPN. That could simply be due diligence or the groundwork for something big in the near future.

Currently, the Pelicans don't intend to trade Davis to the Lakers, sources told ESPN, and they rejected a Knicks offer of a package centered on Porzingis before he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks, sources told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne. It seems New Orleans might be content to wait on Boston to be able to make an offer, but that offer wouldn't have to wait until summer if Irving was moved.

The Celtics have won seven of their past eight games. Irving is having, by most accounts, the best regular season of his career. Despite the record, the Celtics are starting to look like the potent contender they were predicted to be at the start of the season.

There are reasons for them to proceed as normal, stick to their plan and trust Irving's word. But the past few days have destabilized situations across the league, and the Celtics are in the center of that storm.

ESPN's Jackie MacMullan and Zach Lowe contributed to this story.

https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1092149551992094720

That the Cavs got anything (he was set to be a UFA) was a win.

Ball and Solomon Hill to Suns
Kuzma, Josh Jackson, Zubac, KCP, 2 firsts to NO

it's likely BS.

Waiting on Woj and ShamsGod to drop the bombs. they're coming.

We keep Hart and BI, and get Davis without taking back dignificant long term salary.

We'd have to take back another player or two to make it work though, so yeah, that's either figazi or just the main pieces.

So huge that I can't believe it'd actually happen. But yeah.

My understanding has been that signing an FA this summer and then trying to flip the kids for that third star was our best course.

Huge would, IMO, mean we did the deal and managed to retain that flexibility for a third star and/or decent money to fill in the gaps.

Either way, retaining BI and Hart would be, well....Magic. lkl

it'd be different if AD was open in terms of where he wanted to go - but being that he's so specific with where he'll sign (Lakers) - nobody is going to give more talent than what the Lakers can offer.

Lakers shouldn't offer the house - but shipping away Kuz, Zo, Zu and some picks should get it done. If not? I'd say stick w/ the core, call the Pels' bluff, and then offer them a lesser package next year once they realize that nobody is going to offer them the goods for one-year of AD w/ one foot already out the door.


-->

Bron's not 100%

Do they think they're going to win a chip by adding AD to a depleted roster?

I'd wait until the offseason, with the probability of keeping some of those pieces

And making a run in 2020 when they're 100%

The general lack of patience with this group is annoying. Yes, I'd have preferred to run it back with last year's squad and given them a year or two of seasoning. Build incrementally. I don't like skipping steps.

But here we are. Can't really bitch about landing Brawn.

But now that we got Brawn, patience isn't at all part of the equation.

Which means we may well make a hasty move or two.

Thing is, this is AD. All in all, I'd rather we show some patience with what we have and make our play next season at the earliest.

But he is absutely worth breaking the bank and fillin ng in the gaps later. I'd be ok with it personally.

This year has been about figuring out who can run w/ the wolves for the next 3 years to vie for titles w/ Bron. They are in win-now mode for the next 3 years - but this year is experimental in a sense. Come next year, there will be no time for incremental improvement and patience with slowly developing young players.

I think the reason you want to try to get AD sooner than later is to go through the initial buffering phase where chemistry is developed. It'd be nice to do that now when there is really no expectation that the Lakers will make a deep playoff run. Also- the Lakers won't be done if they acquire AD - they will be able to make a play for another prime FA as well.

The Lakers have essentially seen what they have w/ the young core - and they should be comfortable w/ letting some of those promising pieces go for a rare talent like AD. That said, I wouldn't give up everybody - because I don't think the Pels are going to be able to command the market for AD. Teams ain't gonna give away the house for a one year rental.


-->

Rondo
Hart/Born Ready
BI/Beasley
Bron/Wagner/Williams
AD/McGee/Chandler

They'd need another ball handler but the buy out market is looming after the trade deadline. There will be a few cheap bodies looming (Carmelo, possibly Kanter, etc).

They get a decent back up PG, maybe add another wing and big for depth and they could absolutely run with the warriors in 7. Rondo, Bron and AD would be very formidable.

Might not beat them but would scare them for 6-7 games. Then they should have a max slot this summer to add the final piece (Kyrie/AD/Klay/Cousins).

... Bron ain't banging in the paint or anything at the 4. He'd likely bring up the ball a lot and lead the team in assists in the playoffs. I don't think they're overly worried about that aspect.

They wouldn't beat the Warriors with that lineup, but there's a lot there to like to suggest that they could at least give the Warriors some short-term scares, especially if Bron and AD are both healthy. Plus the promise of the future.

>They wouldn't beat the Warriors with that lineup, but there's
>a lot there to like to suggest that they could at least give
>the Warriors some short-term scares, especially if Bron and AD
>are both healthy. Plus the promise of the future.

The Warriors play... weird when Rondo is in the game. Add Bron and AD? I dunno. I think it could be a series. As long as the Lakers don't fall all the way off so they miss the playoffs before that trade happens.

>>RE: I don't see how N.O. is gonna get more talent than that
>it'd be different if AD was open in terms of where he wanted
>to go - but being that he's so specific with where he'll sign
>(Lakers) - nobody is going to give more talent than what the
>Lakers can offer.
>

sign with for the long haul if traded to either one of them. So, the appearance now is that he's somewhat open.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/25924855/pelicans-aware-handful-teams-anthony-davis-sign-long-term

And they'd all likely have to center around guys who are about to be free agents.

I don't want another first round bust who can't shoot, much like Josh Jackson, unless they give up very little for it.

40% from the field, 41% from the line, Ball isn't worth that much, no thanks

Especially from the line. But from the perspective of someone to set up all that young talent and push an uptempo offense, Zo would be perfect for that team.

Takes the ball out of Bookers hands and allows him to do what he's best at...score. Will feed Ayton religiously.

For a fanbase that had Jason Kidd, not sure why you'd run from Zo this early in his career.

than JKidd at this point of his career

he might be able to feed Ayton, but if he is doubled and Ball is left alone because he can't hit the broad side of a barn with his shot, what value is it?

http://bkref.com/tiny/SJeZK

Kidd played 7 more minutes per game and was the primary ball handler so he has more dimes. Everything else is comparable about their second yr in the league.

Lonzo shoots better than Kidd overall and their 3pt % are damn near equal. Kidd was just a better FT shooter.

So...you were saying?

Ingram, Kuzma, Lonzo, Rondo, Beasely, Lance, and 2 1st rounders to take AD and Solomon Hill.

Dogg. What the fuck.

That's definitely a "we're playing for next year's offseason" move, but I'd respect it.

AD is making 27 million.
Lebron is making 37 million.
Solomon Hill is making 13 million.
Mo Wagner at 2 million.
Josh Hart at 2 million.
Bonga at 1.6 million.
Svi at 1.6 million.

So that means something like 84.2 million. There's a cap of 118 next year. That's not a ton of money to fill out that roster at ALL.

-->

They think they can get Tatum this summer.

They are incorrect. But good. Let's let this play out.

Also Lonzo has removed the Lakers from his Twitter bio so..... *shrug*

he never had it on there in the first place. Cmon man

and it'd be a really stupid move to do that and then re-neg.

Says that if Lonzo gets traded, he wants it to be Phoenix, not the Pelicans. Okay, guy.

Regardless of what LaVar says, Pels are still going to probably wait until this summer. It's not like the Lakers won't offer them the same core and draft picks when they actually have to compete with other teams for the best package.

>Ingram, Kuzma, Lonzo, Rondo, Beasely, Lance, and 2 1st
>rounders to take AD and Solomon Hill.
>

*all* the youngins. multiple 1sts. and cap relief. or stop calling my fucking phone.

lulz at those stupid ass lowball initial offers. wtf earv.

*burt-dogg "this is ROLLERGIRL" voice*

this is ANTHONY DAVIS, pal. not some hole in the wall. show some respect. don't just ram it in there.

bron bout to be 35. just get the deal done. stop bullshitting.

>*burt-dogg "this is ROLLERGIRL" voice*
>
>this is ANTHONY DAVIS, pal. not some hole in the wall. show
>some respect. don't just ram it in there.

determined to find a trade partner other than the Lakers if at all feasible.

Too early to if I'm just rationalizing or what. But PG showed that nothing is guaranteed. I still think Kuz/BI/Zo will all be very good players.

But AD is otherworldly. This stings because I'm emotionally invested in these kids.

But getting Brawn made a move like this all but inevitable. If a player of this magnitude can be had, may as well go all in.

There's a ton of prime in that career ahead of him. Someone to build around for years to come, even after Bron has retired.

Essentially it's rumor after rumor and headline-grabbing opinion instead of actual facts.

Woj turning into a pundit spinning his opinion as opposed to the alleged objective reporter everyone touts him as.

-->

He retweeted Lavars rant about wanting Zo in Phoenix with the phrase "right on time".

That's very Bleacher Report 2010 of him if there's nothing else to it.

He's basically Chris Mannix now -- feigning objectivity but burning with subjectivity inside - and it's showing.

-->

Like all those LeBron hit pieces based on anonymous sourcing. The Lakers FO doesn't give or Shams shit, it's all to LA Times reporters and Chris Haynes who they trust to be measured and actually report news.

Rest are agent and FO mouthpieces. Woj in particular has zero sources within the Lakers FO and Klutch (unless he gets direct quotes from Rich Paul, in which case Rich is using him as a mouthpiece) but he will try to act like what he's saying holds weight.

https://twitter.com/FletcherWDSU/status/1092540085445238784

Pels think they can land Tatum from Boston - but even if they could - is that better than Kuz, Zo *and* BI? Seems like a clear no.

And I actually think Ainge is trolling because he wants to stick it to Bron in any way he can - so is misleading N.O. by saying he's not concerned with the fact that AD wants nothing to do with being in Boston.

If the Pels turn down the reported trade featuring Zo, Kuz & B.I. and picks (and cap-space) - then they are just inept. They won't get a better deal (and I don't think the Lakers should give that much up).
-->

Really not even sure what I prefer at this point.

I love this roster. I'd like to see them cook.

But it's AD.

Either choice portends a lot, and if we don't pull it off, I'm a bit concerned about a potential headache from disgruntled players. May as well sit Brawn and let the kids cook if that happens.

https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1092578278299189248

It's basically just freeing up an additional $8 million in salary. I think KCP has trade veto power (lol) but if we trade KCP's $12 mil for Jabari's $20 mil with a team option on next year, it means there's that much less salary.

Is his ultimate goal to put doubt into ADs mind about being a Laker because they wouldn’t give up too much for him?

LeBron is on the downside of his career and AD is injury prone. You can’t give up ALL the young players AND picks 7 years in the future. Fuck that. That’s how you become the Nets.

If they do that bullshit.

The most recent offer was already overpaying in a market with no serious active competition.

But two more picks on top of what we already offered? They can go fuck themselves.

with the pels luck AD will break his foot walking to the fridge.

edit: its hilarious that Demps dumbass actually thinks Ainge will put Tatum in the deal in the summer.

They're giving away all leverage by upping the ante on these offers

Officially comedy at this point.

to all of this.

Just wait and see.

I like seeing all the different angles and agendas are at work though. Shits like the movie “Crash” but good.

>As maybe the only real AD fan in here.

what is THAT all about?

>I like seeing all the different angles and agendas are at work
>though. Shits like the movie “Crash” but good.

Only to realize it's MAGIC JOHNSON'S car and he can have it along with three first rounders, Kuz, Rondo and Ball. He jumps out of the car.

>I like seeing all the different angles and agendas are at work
>though. Shits like the movie “Crash” but good.

^^^^^

Fixed it. We all know how much of a "real fan" you'd be if he went to a different school.

https://twitter.com/JakeLFischer/status/1092865337979211776?s=19

Lowry and Conley are a wash (I'd probably give the edge to Lowry just on age and injury history) and Gasol is on the downside of his career. He's better than Jonas, but...ehhh.

EDIT: Well I'll be damned. Conley is younger than Lowry.

https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-anthony-davis-trade-talks-20190205-story.html?fbclid=IwAR0R2L43U9WE_Fn2NOZFqsCc5Z-qTQoifYhXZLpMcqd6MDgstUSatLQmT5A

Again, no one should be shocked here. The Pels were always going to wait until the Summer, unless the Lakers agreed to four picks, young talent, cap relief deal.

And shoot, they'll still have a shot to get it, depending on what other teams offer, and how much pressure Paul puts on the Laker's front office.

EDIT: It is interesting the that Lakers were down to give up the ENTIRE young core (Ball, Ingram, Hart, Zubac, and Kuzma), KCP, two first rounders, and take on Solomon Hill's salary. It was when the Pelicans asked for two more first rounders and two second rounders that they balked.

The problem is there's just no contender with an expendable player even remotely on the level of value of Anthony Davis. Not even a pair of players tbh. So it makes sense that the Pels are gonna ask for way more than a team will be willing to part with at first. They can just chill Davis out on the bench, get the tank rolling, see if they can get Zion, and work from there.

.

Good that they are pulling out. N.O. can drag this into the summer and beyond - only to find out that there is no offer more compelling than what the Lakers just offered. At that point, Lakers should not offer what they offered this week - and they won't.

Congrats N.O. - you just made a bad business decision.

-->

.

>Good that they are pulling out. N.O. can drag this into the
>summer and beyond - only to find out that there is no offer
>more compelling than what the Lakers just offered.

I'm guessing the Bostons and SA's of the world are going to be putting together pretty heavy offers that will mix quality and draft picks. The Pels will have a better idea of what teams are going to offer.


>A that point, Lakers should not offer what they offered this week -
>and they won't.

Yeah, this summer they'll offer even more than the young core and two draft picks. Paul will def. put the pressure on them to.

>I'm guessing the Bostons and SA's of the world are going to be
>putting together pretty heavy offers that will mix quality and
>draft picks. The Pels will have a better idea of what teams
>are going to offer.

Indeed they will. And they'll discover that nobody is going to give them all the draft picks and quality young talent that the Lakers just offered up. Nobody. You think Boston is giving up Tatum and prime talent/picks for a one-year rental? Pop? AD is not going to sign in Boston or S.A. They are trolling and they have one thing in common: an interest in not allowing players/agents to dictate. That's what this is all about.

>>A that point, Lakers should not offer what they offered this
>week -
>>and they won't.
>
>Yeah, this summer they'll offer even more than the young core
>and two draft picks. Paul will def. put the pressure on them
>to.

lol no chance the Lakers offer more than what they just offered.


-->

>Indeed they will. And they'll discover that nobody is going
>to give them all the draft picks and quality young talent that
>the Lakers just offered up. Nobody.

Yeah, these teams aren't going to low-ball the Pels. What would be the point? And Boston certainly would give up Tatum and draft picks.

> You think Boston is giving up Tatum and prime talent/picks for a
>one-year rental? Pop?

People can say this as much as they want, but it all changes when the player actually joins another team. Once again, it was a forgone conclusion George was a one-year rental for OKC and was Lakers-bound, and it wasn't. If the Celts trade for AD and then get to the Finals, no one should fool themselves into thinking he'd leave just to go to the Lakers instead. Same with him going to the Spurs and going deep in the play-offs.

>They are
>trolling and they have one thing in common: an interest in not
>allowing players/agents to dictate. That's what this is all
>about.

What would be the endgame for "trolling" the Pels? They talk the Pels out of not trading AD to the Lakers this season, then offer them jack shit over the summer? For what? Risk the Pels going back to the Lakers? And even in the fantasy world where the Lakers then low ball the Pels and they "have" to settle for less, then AD is on the Lakers and not the Celtics or the Spurs or whoever.

>lol no chance the Lakers offer more than what they just
>offered.

The additional draft picks are what's going to be needed to get the deal done for the Lakers. Especially with no guarantee that the Lakers young core would even re-up for the Pels. LaVar ball is already telling anyone who'll listen that Lonzo will refuse to even play for the Pels if he gets traded.

If it takes more draft picks to make the trade happen, the Lakers will make included more draft picks. Especially when they're competing with other suitors.

...will get from the Lakers is what they just offered. That's the baseline moving forward. But it will be more, because the Lakers will offer more draft picks. Otherwise, the Pels sit on AD until next year's trade deadline, waiting for someone to get desperate.

I doubt we add additional picks. And if so, they would come with a concession elsewhere, and/or heavily protected.

As far as teams getting "desperate", that's not the case. NO will be in a position to either get a return or let him walk, allowing someone else sign him outright.

At that point, where is the incentive to give up the farm?

The only reason we offered as much as we did is because Boston may be able to field a competing offer this summer, in addition to whoever lands the #1 this year. We bid against ourselves to get him now, but NO is overplaying that with the impression that Ainge will offer a bigger treasure trove.

If they don't deal him now, it becomes a buyers market.

The Lakers offered the house *right now* because they knew that everyone else couldn't get involved or be prepared to negotiate right now - so they presented their max offer.

They will have no reason to offer this equivalence (let alone more) in the summer. No other team is going to offer what the Lakers just offered - and the Lakers will know that and then the Pels will have to make a decision as to what the best return is for AD (and perhaps their emotions will calm down by the summer).

Sucks for N.O. They almost bled out the Lakers with an absurd package - and absolutely should have done that.

-->

>They will have no reason to offer this equivalence (let alone
>more) in the summer. No other team is going to offer what the
>Lakers just offered - and the Lakers will know that and then
>the Pels will have to make a decision as to what the best
>return is for AD (and perhaps their emotions will calm down by
>the summer).

Really? No reason? Even after other teams make their offers? They're not going to try to compete because NO turned them down in February? After Boston and whoever else make their offers, the Lakers are just going to offer Zubac and a sack of hair, just to just show the Pels? That would make Magic a really crappy GM.

And you keep on saying "No other team is going to offer what the Lakers are offering," like that's somehow set in stone. And like that package is somehow the best thing for the Pels moving forward.

>Really? No reason? Even after other teams make their offers?
>They're not going to try to compete because NO turned them
>down in February? After Boston and whoever else make their
>offers, the Lakers are just going to offer Zubac and a sack of
>hair, just to just show the Pels? That would make Magic a
>really crappy GM.

They'll offer a competitive package - but it won't be what they just offered because they won't have as much of an incentive to get the deal done. They will be looking at other FA's in the Summer and won't be solely focused on landing AD (when they can just wait a year and sign him outright).

The Lakers incentive for signing AD *now* was to compete this year with him -- the longer this drags along, the less incentive there is for the Lakers to not just wait until he's a FA and make their pitch then.

>And you keep on saying "No other team is going to offer what
>the Lakers are offering," like that's somehow set in stone.
>And like that package is somehow the best thing for the Pels
>moving forward.

We'll see - but again - I'm just using logic. Why would a team offer anything on-par w/ what the Lakers offered when AD has made it clear he doesn't want to sign with them? You think Boston is going to offer Tatum, Rozier and tons of draft picks for AD w/ out knowing that he wants to be there? Same goes for other teams.

Again: Zo, BI, Kuz, Zubac plus multiple draft picks is a hell of an offer. It's too much. Let's see if anyone matches that and return to this discussion then.




-->

>They'll offer a competitive package - but it won't be what
>they just offered because they won't have as much of an
>incentive to get the deal done. They will be looking at other
>FA's in the Summer and won't be solely focused on landing AD
>(when they can just wait a year and sign him outright).

>The Lakers incentive for signing AD *now* was to compete this
>year with him -- the longer this drags along, the less
>incentive there is for the Lakers to not just wait until he's
>a FA and make their pitch then.

You know who's not going to be happy about that scenario? Rich Paul and LeBron James. They wanted AD on the team right now, or failing that, this summer. So if the Pels decide not to trade AD before the deadline and then some other team trades for him during the off-season because the Lakers weren't willing to offer the Pels the same deal that they did in February, the Lakers would have a very hard time explaining to those two, "Hey, we can always sign him in 2020!" By then LeBron is 36. And none of the free agents that the Lakers are going to have a shot at signing this summer are going to be as good as AD.


>We'll see - but again - I'm just using logic. Why would a
>team offer anything on-par w/ what the Lakers offered when AD
>has made it clear he doesn't want to sign with them? You
>think Boston is going to offer Tatum, Rozier and tons of draft
>picks for AD w/ out knowing that he wants to be there? Same
>goes for other teams.

I'm using logic as well. If the Celtics make that offer, trade for AD, then go to or win the Finals, you think that he's definitively going to say, "Nah, man, I'm not staying here. It's off to the Lakers I go"? Inertia in these situations is extremely important, which is why the Lakers and Rich Paul are desperate to get this done as soon as possible.

and like CC said below I also think the Clippers are in the running as being part of the 4 teams AD has given the go ahead for a long term deal and the draft pick assets that are better than LAL's picks and probably better than Boston's too

Lakers didn't dumb out. they don't need to. let the Worriers do their thing this season

https://twitter.com/PelicansNBA/status/1092884169762447361

Conley coming in his stead?

https://www.si.com/nba/2019/02/05/nba-trade-rumors-mike-conley-kyle-lowry-marc-gasol-grizzlies-raptors

The Memphis Grizzlies have continued trade discussions on both franchise cornerstones Mike Conley and Marc Gasol in lead up to Thursday’s trade deadline. As has been widely reported, the Utah Jazz have initiated negotiations centered around Ricky Rubio involving a young player such as Dante Exum and Grayson Allen while the Detroit Pistons have called building packages around point guard Reggie Jackson.

Perhaps of greatest intrigue, the Toronto Raptors have called Memphis offering Jonas Valanciunas and Kyle Lowry for both of Conley and Gasol, league sources told Sports Illustrated. Memphis, sources said, would prefer to receive younger players such as OG Anunoby or draft assets in any exchange with Toronto that would send Conley north. The Grizzlies of course rejected Toronto’s initial offer.

Lowry has been made aware of Toronto’s negotiations involving him, according to once source close to the All-Star point guard.

.

https://twitter.com/TheHoopCentral/status/1092920691505037312

https://twitter.com/SeanDeveney/status/1093010303066009600

Gasol didn't play last night, so if they're not trading him . . .

https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1092947061585182721

.

https://twitter.com/WorldWideWob/status/1092970468515008513

I need to see.... have the Cavs lost by that much this season?

You know he’s in the locker room gassing these kids up while at the same time texting Magic and Rich Paul “they’re all sorry”

I’m shocked Magic and Jeanie aren’t applying the Pat Riley approach but here we are.

whoever that GM is needs to be canned this offseason if they dont get a better offer than what the Lakers did

that being said i cant blame this current group of young guys for feeling betrayed/undermined, but the nba is business and they'll soon learn.

what a mess all around though, i cant imagine AD is very popular among his teammates

basically with bron, brow and another max FA they can't afford to pay any of these dudes their market salary after their rookie deals anyway. so why should this be a surprise? it's not a "fair" deal to trade your whole team apart from bron for one guy, but it's a practical deal looking at all angles.

as for dell demps, he is not going to win any GM of the year awards in this lifetime. but he is not in a hurry here and i get the feeling like the ownership has instructed him to avoid dealing AD to the lakers if possible. they seem pretty touched by this whole klutch koup.

Hi

.

www.engadgethd.com - the other stuff i'm looking at

a hot streak with absolutely nothing on the line never sold me. other than BI i am not hype on any one player and much less on how they fit together. and obviously getting bron and then losing him for a quarter of the season hasn't helped matters. if i were them i would probably give in to bron's whim and be a super team. a lotta talk about are they going to be a vehicle like the cavs were or a real organization like the heat were, although i dunno about that dichotomy. but you look at it, hey, riley was in miami a long time and so was wade. the lakers have no figured like riles in the FO or like wade on the court. they are a vehicle; history has nothing to do with it. this season is pretty much in the trash. i would give in and let bron and klutch do their thing here.

Sad

Lmao... Lakers are sorry.

for Reggie Bullock.

Pistons might be looking to add heavy salary (Conley) and won't resign Bullock this off-season anyways but get a potential shooter replacement. We get a pretty damn good shooter (39% on catch and shoot 3's from all over the floor) who fits into our 1-year deal cap space.

he and Griffin had a good little thing going on in Detroit. Not a bad trade

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/25935274/clippers-agree-trade-tobias-harris-76ers-deal-involving-6-players

Sources: Clippers agree to trade Tobias Harris to 76ers in deal involving 6 players
2:35 AM ET
Adrian Wojnarowski
ESPN

print
The LA Clippers have agreed to trade forward Tobias Harris, center Boban Marjanovic and forward Mike Scott to the Philadelphia 76ers for guard Landry Shamet, forwards Wilson Chandler and Mike Muscala, its 2020 first-round pick, an unprotected 2021 unprotected first-round pick via Miami and a 2021 and 2023 second-round pick, league sources told ESPN.

Harris could be moving toward a maximum-level contract in free agency this summer, something that would've been difficult for Clippers to do with their own free agency aspirations.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/25935274/clippers-agree-trade-tobias-harris-76ers-deal-involving-6-players

The LA Clippers have agreed to trade forward Tobias Harris, center Boban Marjanovic and forward Mike Scott to the Philadelphia 76ers for guard Landry Shamet, forwards Wilson Chandler and Mike Muscala, the Sixers' 2020 first-round pick, an unprotected 2021 first-round pick via Miami and a 2021 and 2023 second-round pick, league sources told ESPN.

Harris could be moving toward a maximum-level contract in free agency this summer, something that would've been difficult for the Clippers to give with their own free-agency aspirations.

Philadelphia has long-term plans for Harris, Jimmy Butler, Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons together, budgeting to re-sign and keep a new big four, league sources told ESPN. In addition to Harris, Butler will be a free agent this summer.

Harris leads the Clippers in scoring this season, averaging a career-best 20.7 points in 54 games.

Embiid
Harris
Butler
JJ
Simmons

hmmm....

but for now the clippers lose their fan favorites.
and it prob will move the them out of the plyaoff picture soon.
they played better than expected this year.

They got quite a few picks and some not bad pieces for a guy that was leaving anyway, and they could be an underrated free agent destination this summer.

I don't see how anyone beats Philly in the East.

Who is your favorite Kyrie type?

https://twitter.com/BillSimmons/status/1093175609046355968

That Sixers trade felt desperate - gave up way too much for an expiring FA. And throwing Shamet in the deal was just weird. But fundamentally... their crunch-time 5 is flawed now. No lineup flexibility, nobody to defend the Kyrie types. Why not make same offer for Jrue Holiday?

I would've expected a happy post from him about this.

www.engadgethd.com - the other stuff i'm looking at

For the people saying ZOMG WHY DID THEY GIVE SO MUCH FOR A PENDING UFA, they will get him re-signed yet they were unlikely to have the cap space to sign him outright on July 1, and further he wasn't going to get that point as there were other interested teams (who wanted to acquire and extend him). He is a good fit for this five offensively, a very good fit, a shooter who isn't a specialist. I mean his percentages are the same as Korver's from 3 and solid from inside the arc, yet he can also play. They also get a real backup center here and probably a better fit as a backup 4 with Scott in place of Muscala. Giving up Shamet hurts but you gotta figure that put it over the top. The first this year is no big deal and while the Miami first may hurt, it was acquired exactly for this kind of trade.

The Clippers make out very well here. They need real max players, not supporting big-money players like Harris. They also don't want to forfeit their first this year so it behooves them to miss the playoffs (confers if they make it). They get two firsts, a decent young guard, a contract that they can flip in Chandler, etc. I think they will do more dealing before July 1, possibly even at the deadline. Clean house and position themselves to make a run at AD in a trade and Kawhi as a UFA. In fact I will go out on a limb and say they land AD. Think about it, they have a lot of assets, savvy management and if all things are equal or near equal, the Pelicans would love to stick it to the Lakers and send him to the same building to wear a different jersey. I don't think Boston will land him and I am not sure Toronto has the futures to do it unless they open up their bag pretty wide. I dunno if the Clippers are being discussed as a possibility but of all the team-up scenarios I could see and would like a Brow/Claw tandem more than any other.

The Clips getting that valuable Miami pick and others to stockpile is what the Pels wanted in a trade. I am assuming SGA goes with them too and a few pieces to make the deal work moneywise.

Again, what was the rush for the Pelicans? There was one credible (desperate) suitor, of course they should ask for as much as they can. And if there's no real urgency on their part, and Davis/Paul(Bron) have already showed their hands, why rush? Rich Paul and AD thought they could just will this into existence, never considering that in the end they don't really have power like that, don't really have the most leverage. Worse yet, the Lakers are now going to be forced to offer up even MORE than they offered this time around, because all it will take next time is one more suitor to crank up the heat in Staples Center (presumably Boston.)

Man I come away from this thinking, like I've thought many times before, that Danny Ainge is the most gangster GM there is. He spoiled the Lakers plans, hinted at making Tatum available, then probably won't make Tatum available and will still offer the nicest rebuilding package this Summer.

anyway, I feel like the Lakers should be more focused on 2019 free agents.

AD has all but come out and said that he's not interested in Boston. So in the end Ainge might be playing himself as well by alienating Tatum.

If their priority is to get as much return value as possible for AD - then no - they've made a horrible business decision tainted by emotions.

>Man I come away from this thinking, like I've thought many
>times before, that Danny Ainge is the most gangster GM there
>is. He spoiled the Lakers plans, hinted at making Tatum
>available, then probably won't make Tatum available and will
>still offer the nicest rebuilding package this Summer.

How does that help Ainge or the Pels? Also - AD does not want to go to Boston precisely because of how disloyal Ainge is (citing the IT situation). So sure - you can praise Ainge for being a GOP fanboy and a bitter GM, but his mindset in seeing players as expendable human capital is not serving the organization as they try to land AD.


-->

like Toronto is doing

but his mindset in seeing
>players as expendable human capital is not serving the
>organization as they try to land AD.

this is dumb. AD wants a trade now and LA is ready to give up all their young talent aka treating them as "expendable human capital". how else is this supposed to work?
the only reason they say this is because he wants to got to LA and nowhere else. the other teams they named are just to pretend he is not set on one team.

>this is dumb. AD wants a trade now and LA is ready to give up
>all their young talent aka treating them as "expendable human
>capital". how else is this supposed to work?

big difference between trading young assets for a rare superstar big-man in Anthony Davis and riding IT until the wheels come off - knowing that he's seriously injured in a contract year (yet you keep playing him) while he's dealing with the death of his sister - and then you just throw him off the ship like damaged cargo and say "it's just business."

That's fine - but don't be surprised when AD and his family want nothing to do with him going to Boston after that.

-->

>>this is dumb. AD wants a trade now and LA is ready to give
>up
>>all their young talent aka treating them as "expendable
>human
>>capital". how else is this supposed to work?
>
>big difference between trading young assets for a rare
>superstar big-man in Anthony Davis and riding IT until the
>wheels come off - knowing that he's seriously injured in a
>contract year (yet you keep playing him) while he's dealing
>with the death of his sister - and then you just throw him off
>the ship like damaged cargo and say "it's just business."
>
>That's fine - but don't be surprised when AD and his family
>want nothing to do with him going to Boston after that.


sure, i was also empathetic towards IT but it really is no different from any other player getting traded without wanting out.
we usually don't know other players personal stories and affiliations within the org, city etc.
you are getting traded in this league if your org thinks they are better without you. same happens the other way around, see AD.
same happens much quicker to coaches. COY? fine, lose a couple of games to start the season and you're out.
i woulnd't have wanted to make that decision but if it's about feelings not being hurt most trades won't happen.
celtics had a chance to get a rare super star and shot at a chip that they didn't have with IT.
did IT say that he didn't want to play because of the terrible accident or injury?
and he did get send to a team that just competed in the finals with arguably the best player in the league...who probably had no problem to pass IT along either because it apparently didn't work out.

again, if loyalty is so important they would not want the lakers to trade their young future to a team that will go nowhere.

LA has been bidding against themselves this whole time lol and apparently NY was the #1 team on his list, not LA

>
>and apparently NY was the #1 team on his list, not LA

Do you have a source to back this up?

-->

>>
>>and apparently NY was the #1 team on his list, not LA
>
>Do you have a source to back this up?
>

Do you really think Magic and Rob were leaking every offer they made to the Pels? A lot of that was made up

https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/ny-sports-los-angeles-lakers-trade-deadline-20190205-story.html

https://twitter.com/TheSteinLine/status/1093341105926668290?s=19

but yeah, point taken. more than one horse in the race.

They don’t know what Boston’s offer will be, it’s all hypotheticals. Regardless, the mistake our FO made is not walking away earlier and actually getting a counter offer before continuing to offer more. It’s also made more difficult by other GMs and organizations telling Demps not to give in.

> It’s also made more
>difficult by other GMs and organizations telling Demps not to
>give in.

I mean shit man, if these players can just collude out in the open, why can't the GMs talk to Demps? If the Pelicans just trade him and not seek optimum value, then in a way they're just kowtowing to Rich PAul, Anthony Davis, and Lebron James. I completely get them digging their heels in.

Will Ainge actually offer Tatum or not? No one knows that.

As for the GM's talking, I wasn't inferring that they shouldn't. GM's talk all the time, far more than players do. I have no problems with either yet organizations only problems when the players want to take their fortunes into their own hands even though the organization has proven inept.

Their options are much broader in the summer than at the deadline and taking a bad team's whole roster doesn't sound like a slam dunk to me either. I'd have handled this a little differently than they have, but I'd definitely have let this roll over into the offseason when teams have more options and there will be more suitors.

proved themselves to be inept. They will have destroyed the morale and spirit of this team. The young boys will be ready to just get this season over with. Might as well just sit Lebron for the rest of the season so these young dudes can cook more.

Damned shame how they played themselves. Mitch may have struck out too much in his last few years but he damned sure didn't look as bad as these dudes will if AD ain't wearing the Purple & Gold before the All-Star break.

https://sports.yahoo.com/rumor-gregg-popovich-cautioned-dell-221949750.html

https://twitter.com/TheHoopCentral/status/1093178518844788736

>https://twitter.com/TheHoopCentral/status/1093178518844788736

https://twitter.com/TheSteinLine/status/1093255046626795521

as part of a deal involving BK Berder (Brandon "Hammer Shoes" Knight).

though the Thunder also has interest. Acquired him from the Jazz earlier in the season. I think I like that Rockets deal, if only because it helps them (Burks is a pretty good rotational guard on an expiring)

https://twitter.com/TheSteinLine/status/1093209821216686080

The Grizzlies, meanwhile, continue to press in their efforts to move Marc Gasol (Charlotte in the lead) and Mike Conley (Detroit and Utah are deeply interested but are yet to meet Memphis' asking price)

https://twitter.com/JohnMartin929/status/1093215840030412801

Utah's final offer to the Grizzlies for Mike Conley, per @Tjonesonthenba on the show: First-round pick, second-round pick, and expirings, dollar for dollar. Grizzlies asked for Exum and were told no.

Heard they wont put any firsts in the deal. Seems like one team will blink or a third team will swoop in.

as long as we're not giving up any youth for him (miles, monk, graham)

https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1093247620473077760

.

Ryan Anderson goes to Miami
https://twitter.com/AmicoHoops/status/1093263043075735559

https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1093307081040560128

This is good.

Now... Do we take Morant or Zion if we get #1? 🤔😁 Hmmmm...

.

It is short-sighted for sure for us to go out for a playoff run. Especially since there isn't much talent on this team.

how Leonsis runs the Caps so well, and with the Wiz basically does the exact opposite of everything that worked.

GMGM: built a pretty good team but it was time to move on to a new GM
new GM: wins championship by tweaking previous team

Ernie Grunfeld: below mediocre forever, never fired.

I think Wall's popped achilles finally made it clear that this team is going to be, at best, a borderline playoff team for the foreseeable future.

No point paying the luxury tax for a team with limited potential.

This feels like a mini-reboot... I assume they're going to keep Brad and a couple of the young guys and try to re-orient the team for when Wall returns in a season and a half.

And they still want to push for the playoffs for some horrible reason.

Good thing is they get away from Otto's contract before that 15% trade kicker kick in at the offseason.

portis is good, but redundant. plays the same position as lauri legend and WCJ.

parker's a guy they never should've signed in the first place.

and both were out the door this summer.

to turn that into a good player at a position of need? nice.

porter has 2 more years left. those were years when the club wasn't going to be a player in free agency anyway. so yes he's overpaid but the contract is really a moot point.

this is a win.

Checked out a couple months ago and life has been good. But it’s been weird not caring/watching. I expect them to be somewhat watchable after the break.

I understand the tank and all but our core needs to prove something in the second half. Otto could be the perfect glue guy.

I will say though that his inconsistent scoring is maddening at times. But he's an overall positive on the court.

https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1093312670860754945

https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1093313769894223872

www.engadgethd.com - the other stuff i'm looking at

Man, Burks deserved to be on that Rockets team, but oh well.

We got who I expected

https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1093347451266834432

.

is Dallas trying to soft-tank?

And would get another $10m if Dwight Powell opts out. They want to go big game hunting this summer with their new, young star core in place and see if they get any traction. If not, they can try and trade someone into that space next year.

I feel like this is all pretty damn appealing for them. And Barnes honestly isn't an amazing fit next to Doncic. When you have a player that good, makes sense to try and lose anything that doesn't look perfect next to him (which is partly why I think they were so game to cut bait with DSJ, even though I still think he could be really damn good).

>And would get another $10m if Dwight Powell opts out. They
>want to go big game hunting this summer with their new, young
>star core in place and see if they get any traction. If not,
>they can try and trade someone into that space next year.
>
>I feel like this is all pretty damn appealing for them. And
>Barnes honestly isn't an amazing fit next to Doncic. When you
>have a player that good, makes sense to try and lose anything
>that doesn't look perfect next to him (which is partly why I
>think they were so game to cut bait with DSJ, even though I
>still think he could be really damn good).

and replaces Barnes a SECOND time? LMAO

>and replaces Barnes a SECOND time? LMAO

I'm not surprised beat writers haven't driven that potential story line into the ground since Durant did get Porzingis that Unicorn nickname.

Definitely makes the race for the 8th seed interesting. Even though it seems like the Clippers are retooling for next season, Kings definitely trying to make a push.

Would be cool to see him go back to Memphis and retire there, but I'm sure he'll catch on with a playoff team.

https://twitter.com/_Andrew_Lopez/status/1093363382462365697

https://deadspin.com/report-the-pelicans-invented-a-new-kind-of-tampering-a-1832415741

and a perfect counter chess move in response to all of Bron and the Lakers bullshit

They're gonna plastic wrap Dell Demps' car in retaliation.

If this is really true, it's arguably worse than the Pelicans. Why would any player ever trust this organization?

Rich Paul and Lebron made this messy from jump. This didn’t have to be public knowledge. What’s the desired positive outcome in making AD’s intentions public knowledge?

Now moving forward the messy types like Klutch can be expected to be held accountable in public. That’s good.

I wish Wall hadn’t gotten so badly injured man. Hes a Klutch guy and would’ve made for a great backup plan for the Lakers

Why do leaks and agent communications to the media have to work just one way? Why does Lebron alone get to the benefit of communicating through the press? This is what happens when players/agents are involving themselves in trades rather than just leaving it to GMs to handle.

This is good.

haha word?

he played in the league for a few years. i remember him on 95 live.

I thought he was a generic white dude.

Demps and Monty Williams were running the show.

And when the Hornets fucked the Lakers over the first time with the Chris Paul non-trade.

How can they ever proceed through the rest of the Season? And now that they've showed their hand so openly, aren't they in trouble to land him in the Summer too?

>How can they ever proceed through the rest of the Season?

They can't, and won't. In fact, the team jet will likely stop working. Lakers jerseys will simply vanish, and every player on the roster will cometely forget not only that they are NBA players, but how to play the game of basketball.

Staples center will vanish into a black hole, leaving nothing but a massive cement slab in it's absence. Spectrum's Lakers channel will go dark, and by this time tomorrow, Jeanie Buss will be a withered, old vagrant with amnesia.

Because there's just no way they can proceed through the rest of the season. How can they, after whiffing on a big trade?

>now that they've showed their hand so openly, aren't they in
>trouble to land him in the Summer too?

Lmao...Showing their hand openly does absolutely nothing to hurt their chances. It's a matter of what else is on the table combined with NO's willingness to do a deal, and at what price.

That's it.

http://board.okayplayer.com/okp.php?az=show_topic&forum=8&topic_id=2684563&mesg_id=2684563&page=#2686885

team managers they are.

And this is coming from a Lakers fan who was Magic's biggest fan during his playing days.

This whole episode is comical. Jerry West prolly laughing his ass off right now.

Sources with Zach Lowe: Nikola Mirotic to Milwaukee.

https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1093568982848811009

.

i guarantee he wins at least 1 playoff game for them this year, with like an 18 pt 4th quarter or some crazy shit like that.

____________________

<================== Learn the name now before everyone gets dunked on

in a roundabout way milwaukee upgrades maker's roster slot here. miro has been banged up again but hopefully he can stay healthy down the stretch

https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1093583073361514497

https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1093583301720330240

https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1093584193811083265

Toronto goes in deeper for this year and is a great fit for Gasol. He will play kinda like Arvydas did in Portland, 30-ish real strong minutes, the rest of the time they go small/one-big. Upgrade for them and gives them flexibility going forward. Obviously Toronto is thinking about a potential matchup with El Proceso.

Memphis gets some useful bodies out of the deal rather than losing Marc for nothing. As expected they will wait to deal Conley, much broader possibilities in the summertime.

the good ol' days are really gone

and yea, end of an era. its been fun buddy. I hope Mike ends up with a contender

to me it seems ridiculous to think that these guys with huge salaries and years left on their deal can/will move at the deadline. that's definitely an offseason when more decisions and more sweeping changes can be made. i could see conley staying in the west. utah and spurs would be possibilities. i don't think detroit will be all that competitive even though they have interest.

if they even meet.

according to a tweet I just read from Woj. Monster trade right there if true. Gotta wonder wonder Toronto gave up.

Toronto is planning to send Jonas Valanciunas, Delon Wright, CJ Milles and a 2024 second-round pick to the the Grizzlies for Gasol, league sources tell ESPN.

https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1093584193811083265

Not a bad day for them, considering this is a lost season

Does rjc27 still post here?

GASOL IN TORONTO!!
MIROTIC IN MILWAUKEE!!

Maybe the most intriguing matchup of bigs in the entire postseason

Toronto: Lowry, Pascal, Kawhi, Ibaka, Gasol
Philly: Simmons, Redick, Butler, Tobias, Embiid
Boston: Kyrie, Hayward, Brown, Tatum, Horford
Bucks: Bledsoe, Middleton Niko, Giannis, Lopez

No seriously, I'm riding for the Bucks.

How y'all doin?

like literally ejaculate like Peter North after an oyster buffet.

They won't whiff completely or have a Dumars-level "fuck it, just spend the money" moment but I don't see them luring the top top guys. Something says, hey, you wouldn't make the KP deal without a firm sense of who you can sign. But then you remember, oh shit, this is James Dolan and the Knicks, and apocalyptic levels of pessimism enter your mind.

>
https://tinyurl.com/yaj4t57n

Personally, I wouldn't trade Zubac for Muscala

but they desperately need a 3pt shooter

It's a glaring hole for the LAL

because if not - this is insanely dumb.

-->

LeBron was always coming.

Just about everything that’s been done outside LeBron has been utter shit.

Fuck outta here. What have Magic and Rob done to even come CLOSE to what Mitch or West accomplished?

Jerry West.

>Fuck outta here. What have Magic and Rob done to even come
>CLOSE to what Mitch or West accomplished?

Well lets see they had to get rid of BOTH of the horrible Mosgov and Deng contracts Mitch signed for starters. They signed the best player in the world to a 4 year deal. And they STILL have cap space to sign another max contract this off-season.

I'd say Magic and Rob are doing pretty damn good. Lebron and the "broken" youngins knocked what a lot of people thought was going to be the best team in the east last night.

Like I've said before I felt like the AD thing was a long shot pipe dream to begin with. It didn't workout, we're still pushing. Like I've also said I don't think anybody is beating the Warriors this season regardless. Depending what happens this offseason there may be some chinks in the armor next season.

https://twitter.com/damanr/status/1093617996210233344?s=19

The Magic are trading for Markelle Fultz, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.com.

Jonathon Simmons will be traded to the 76ers as part of a package for Markelle Fultz.

The real prize for Philly is getting two draft picks in the deal, one first-round (OKC's) and one second-round.

are we getting vuc back? lmao.

Pretty remarkable to get anything for Fultz. And since the Magic are rancid trash, the picks they get should be good ones, correct? What a come up.

>Pretty remarkable to get anything for Fultz. And since the
>Magic are rancid trash, the picks they get should be good
>ones, correct? What a come up.

So that shouldn't be very good. The second rounder should be good, all things considered.

I hope a change of scenery helps.

Though I guess so does Fultz. Clears out one long-armed big man for the Magic, Sixers get to move on from Fultz.

My mistake

www.engadgethd.com - the other stuff i'm looking at

I'm still a big Fultz stockholder, as I believe once he shakes whatever he's got, he can be really special... but goddamn at punting on him for *that* in return. They coulda had Tatum, now they have Jonathon Simmons and change.

on their draft board.

I find that hard to believe.


To me there was no consensus No. 1 there but Fultz was the best talent. I wanted Philly to trade down and take Dennis Smith Jr (or possibly Malik Monk) but at that time I also wasn't sure how long Simmons was going to run the one. I also liked Markkanen as a possible trade-way-down-and-add-an-asset deal, but then he went higher than I figured.

His stock is plummeting. Obviously they put him out there and this was the best offer. They can't wait any longer for two reasons. One, his stock could drop to nothing. Two, and more importantly, they can't have his salary on the books while they wait around, at least not beyond this season. They need to clear room (Fultz, Reddick) for the bumps in salary to Butler and Harris.

To look at what they invested in him is a falsehood. So much has happened since then and it was the previous regime. "They could have had Tatum" seems dubious since they probably would have drafted Jackson and obviously passed on both guys for the upgrade to Fultz, who apparently they had no idea was a basket case on various levels.

I don't think you can pan this deal. It isn't great return but there was no way to recuperate what they invested and probably not any way to do much better at this point. They have a core of four guys who are very good and are doing what they have to do to get them signed. Fultz is no longer part of the plan so they got what they could and kept it moving. The only thing to lament here is that they didn't make a move with Fultz this past summer when his stock was higher.

>They need
>to clear room (Fultz, Reddick) for the bumps in salary to
>Butler and Harris.

The tank rolls on.

I read that Fizdale actually like D'Andre Jordan as a defensive mentor for Mitchell Robinson, so I dunno if D'Andre will get bought out as well. He'd be so deadly for the Rockets since Clint Capela is out and all.

C-Deandre Jordan/Robinson
PF-Zion/Lance Thomas
SF-Durant/Knox
SG-DSJ/Trier
PG-Kyrie/Frank

1. Knox off the bench. Hahahahahhaha
1. If they get the first pick, AD is coming

Unless they trade DSJ or bench Zion (what for when he's the money maker?), not sure why Knox starts.

...

And if they have Kyrie, DSJ is being shown the door.

Can’t have 2 niggaz dribbling the air out the ball like it’s a 90s rap video.
Especially when one is borderline horrible.

for Davis if they get #1.

I'm assuming DSJ and Zion would be the draw. Knox might be included too.

Knicks end up with Kyrie, Davis and Durant to build around.

The clear winners:
Philadelphia
Milwaukee
Toronto

Low key winners:
Kings
Pacers
Bulls

Losers/No Impact:
Do I have to say it?

I can not wait to see the top East teams after the trade.

If Pacers make a playoff push I want to see that too.

ALL THA DAMN SHOOTERS.

They have a plan and they took steps toward it for sure by moving a couple contracts and adding some significant assets in the process.

I see what's going on here

1. Cavs trade Rodd Future to Portland for Nik Stauskas, Wade Baldwin IV and picks

2. Stauskas and Baldwin traded to Rockets for Brandon Knight, Marquese Chriss and picks (Alec Burks from Cavs to Kings > Shump to Rockets was also part of this deal)

3. Stauskas and Baldwin traded to Pacers from Rockets w/second round pick for draft rights to Maarty Leunen

4. Stauskas waived by Pacers

5. Stauskas signs with Cavs

hilarious.

Rodney The Creator and Alec Burks out
1 first rounder, 3 second rounders

+ Stauskas, BK, and Chriss

I ain't mad

Overall I think the Cavs have done a more than fair job with a shitty situation.

.

----------

IG @h_n_z

https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1096164892057522176

him and steve bout to be bodying niggs like JYD and hogan.

you know, it pisses me off that the Worriers went full Anos on the league

because this is about as hype as I've been over the NBA when my team ain't nowhere in it in a long time

buyout guys have until 11:59 tonight to sign and be eligible for the playoffs

https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1101599109054676993