http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/25868546/anthony-davis-told-new-orleans-pelicans-re-sign

Agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports has informed the New Orleans Pelicans that All-NBA forward Anthony Davis won't sign a contract extension and has requested a trade, Paul told ESPN on Monday morning.

"Anthony wants to be traded to a team that allows him a chance to win consistently and compete for a championship," Paul told ESPN. "Anthony wanted to be honest and clear with his intentions and that's the reason for informing them of this decision now. That's in the best interests of both Anthony's and the organization's future."

Davis is eligible to sign a five-year, $240 million supermax extension this summer. He can become a free agent in the summer of 2020. New Orleans has expressed no desire to trade him before the Feb. 7 trade deadline.

Davis' declaration on wanting out now gives teams other than the Boston Celtics a head start in pursuing trades for him. Restricted by the Rose Rule, Boston cannot trade for Davis until July 1 because league rules wouldn't allow Kyrie Irving's and Davis' contracts under the provision on the roster together. The Rose Rule allows players coming off their rookie-scale contracts to earn 30 percent of the salary cap rather than 25 percent if they meet certain criteria.

Irving becomes a free agent on July 1. Boston could agree to a Davis trade before July 1 that isn't finalized until after that date.

This is an opportunity for the Los Angeles Lakers to be aggressive in offering a package for Davis before Boston's inclusion into talks. Paul also represents Lakers star LeBron James, and the Lakers have been determined to acquire Davis in a deal, league sources said.

Most NBA teams will check on the possibility of a Davis trade.

Davis, 25, who is averaging 29.3 points and 13.3 rebounds per game, is currently sidelined with a volar plate avulsion fracture of his left index finger.

.

Get AD, figure the rest out later.

-->

and they can't offer anything until July 1 - which is why this timing is so important. This is essentially AD signaling he wants to be in L.A. Would Boston mortgage their young core future for AD when he makes it clear he wants to be in L.A.?

I think this is looking good for the Lakers.

-->

I haven't look at contracts, but boston could send Hayward, Brown, Rozier, and maybe Tatum.

kuz, ingram, pope, rondo.

I wanna keep Hart, Zu, and Ball.

Yeah, if they want all the young guys, you give them that. If I’m the Pels, I start the negotiation asking for Ingram, Ball, Kuz, and picks. I don’t think the Lakers will be able to get it lower than two of those guys, some other young pieces like Hart or Zu, and picks.

If I’m Boston, I tell them, “look, we’ll give you Hayward, Brown, Rozier, and two first round picks” and see if there are enticing enough pieces that the Pels will wait til this summer— but I doubt that’s enticing enough to afford the wait and I bet Rich Paul already knows the Lakers are the spot.

BI, Zu, and something else probably goes to a third team who sends someone to NO.

But yeah this is a Brinks truck offer that they need to backup now.

Getting Brawn absolutely accelerated the timeline and you go all in for a guy like AD if he's available.

So yeah, we offer everything that can possibly be offered.

https://twitter.com/BA_Turner/status/1089893568938860544

Hearing from sources if Lakers want Anthony Davis, who has requested a trade, LA has to start the deal with Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Ivica Zubac, No. 1 pick.

>https://twitter.com/BA_Turner/status/1089893568938860544
>
>Hearing from sources if Lakers want Anthony Davis, who has
>requested a trade, LA has to start the deal with Lonzo Ball,
>Kyle Kuzma, Ivica Zubac, No. 1 pick.

Actually surprised not to see BI listed in there. Seems to be the highest ceiling prospect and also the one who doesn't fit with Lebron.

Absolutely.

..lol @ all the speculation.


*skatin' the rings of saturn*


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

and it's part of the fun of the season.

Nothing to lol at there.

..Davis signed with Rich Paul for a reason.


*skatin' the rings of saturn*


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

Until he's actually been traded to the Lakers, it's all speculation.

Trace evidence that points to the Lakers doesn't make it anything more than speculation.

And if he's actually traded to the Lakers?

This discussion would still be speculative, because it's based on a possible outcome that hasn't yet happened.

It's speculative until it's a fact, and it's a fact once it actually happens.

..no harm, though.

my reply was in regards to the constant chatter from the critics that claim FAs/players don't want to play for the Lakers/Lebron. Same thing was said about Kobe and that resulted in back to back championships.

Lol @ all the speculation because it swings wildly from one extreme to another. Yes, its an inevitable part of the media cycle, and the mad-making impact is hilarious. I never said anything was guaranteed. I'm laughing at how worked up people get before anything actually happens.




*skatin' the rings of saturn*


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

But their assets have depreciated, and Magic ain't the only ballsy GM in the L.

Still don't see why Portland or Toronto or Philly don't get in on this. The latter two would become title favorites this year, while Portland would be able to try and maximize both of those stars' primes.

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing

Typical LAL suck the air out of the room

But literally every playoff team that are not the GSW should be making offers

Further, the LAL core just demonstrated they're a .500 team at best

Surely there's a better get for NOLA

Which takes the Orlandos and Sactowns of the world out of the running.

Yeah, this is definitely media bias wanting LeBron to get the best teammate and for the sexiest storyline to materialize, but it's also LA's dogged insistence on trying to get dude. I just don't think it matters. LA should be willing to put all assets on the table, and that still SHOULDN'T be more than the most another team is willing to offer (just for shits and giggles: Siakam, Anunoby, Van Vleet and an unprotected first in two years, when AD and Kawhi could potentially leave, is WAY better than the Lakers' platter and not unreasonable for the title shot it would give Toronto TODAY).

if the rumors are right and AD wants to be in LA, i doubt any team would match what the Lakers will give for a half-season rental

And Toronto and Philly don't seem willing to chance that, even though they already have THIS year? And there are other teams in desperate situations, with stars in their primes and not quite enough to feasibly go to war with Golden State or even the East's heavyweights (Portland, possibly Houston).

AD is that good, and a year and a half is a lot when it's a talent at this level who is unlikely to sign in LA if he's out here counting rings.

Same with Toronto and Kawhi.

Everyone's different and I think AD winds up playing for the Lakers eventually, but I could see some team deciding to take a run on the off chance that he'll stick around. Would be hilarious if it was the Clips.

AD also bought a mansion in L.A. (with no direct ties to the region like PG & Kawhi).

The timing of this public stance by AD makes it clear he wants to go to L.A. If he was open to other teams and not partial to the Lakers - he would not have made this public statement and would take his time w/ this process. This public stance is clearly to make a push for this trade to happen prior to the deadline and prior to Boston being able to get into the mix.


-->

Zo was cookin before the injury. Pelicans should be ecstatic to get 3 young, viable starters.

And yes, Kuzma has appreciated into something that a team with an elite passer could convince themselves could be its third star on a championship squad, the other two were supposed to be stars, full-stop. Neither looks like a certifiable starter quite yet, and why in God's name would you take a deal for two possible starters and a possible star when none of them look like they have the skills or athleticism necessary to have the ceiling of an all-out superstar?

I'd wait on Tatum or see if you can get Philly desperate enough to toss in Simmons, or even take the bag from Toronto, before I'd take this deal that damned my team to mediocrity for at least another half-decade with no clear path toward a championship caliber roster.

>I'd wait on Tatum or see if you can get Philly desperate
>enough to toss in Simmons, or even take the bag from Toronto,
>before I'd take this deal that damned my team to mediocrity
>for at least another half-decade with no clear path toward a
>championship caliber roster.

Boston ain't dealing Tatum if AD is intent on being in L.A. (which all signs point to). And N.O. rolling the dice hoping that Philly will deal Simmons? Yikes.

Kuz's stock is rising and is showing signs of being all-star material - Lonzo is a rare talent and will develop into a quality starting PG (if not an all-star at some point). Throw in Zu, Hart and some picks? It's not gonna get better than that for N.O.

-->

Boston can't trade until July right? If so, I'd wait until then and drive up the cost.

The tears if he doesn't go to the Lakers would be hilarious too.

>Boston can't trade until July right?

-->

https://www.si.com/nba/2019/01/28/anthony-davis-trade-rumors-pelicans-play-rest-season-alvin-gentry?utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sinow&utm_source=twitter.com&xid=socialflow_twitter_si

Pels gotta ask themselves what utility is there in delaying the inevitable. Every day that Davis is in a Pelican uniform is essentially wasted motions. They won't make the playoffs this year - and nobody can really offer them the assets that the Lakers can (particularly if it's true that AD has made it clear he wants to be a Laker).

Not sure what the point is to hold on to AD as long as you can at this point.

-->

Pretty simple reasoning on their parts, even if they're not deluded into thinking they can find a way to keep Brow.

however - at this point they've got to know essentially what Boston's offer will be (Boston has been inquiring about Davis for years so N.O. has an idea of what would be offered).

N.O. has to weigh Boston's offer with what L.A. can offer - and they also have to be willing to take the risk that Boston won't offer the full package unless A.D. demonstrates in some way he's open to signing w/ Boston -- but all signs point to him wanting to go to L.A. (Klutch Sports, mansion in L.A., making this public *right now* when the Celtics can't deal (until July).

Also - the Pels can get the best package from L.A. *right now* - because L.A. is likely ready to ship the goods that they've been coveting closely with the opportunity to strike gold being immediate and only open for 10 days.

Pels might actually F around and land Kuz, Zo, Zu, Hart *and* picks if they act right now.

If they wait? They have to endure months of home games where the crowd is dead/boo'ing AD, nobody is motivated to play, and the team's growth is in stall mode until the AD situation is resolved.

Look at Indiana: They knew PG was leaving...they didn't stall, they shipped him for the best deal available and ended up in a quality situation w/ Vic and strong pieces to make them a viable contender in the East.

I don't think it's wise for N.O. to wait when the writing is on the wall.


-->

I'm good with it being Zo, Kuzma, or BI. If we gotta part with all 3, well...it's AD so...

NO isn't under the gun to act RIGHT NOW. Every deal that could make and every player available will still be on the table when the season is over. In fact, there will be more players available and more potential deals. They'll see what every team has to offer this summer, and then they'll trade him.

Plus they have their pick for the next 2 years so AD sitting out games or sulking kinda doesn't matter. They're in the lottery right today, and looks like they'll stay there. Boston probably has the most to offer - and obviously as much as I'd like to see AD here, I can't think of any reason they would deal him to a WC team.

i would not at all be surprised if paul is tryna push ad to the lakers this season.

I may be in the minority...but I think there is no way Magic does not get this done.

...just because Rich Paul wants them to. It’s in their interest to make the best trade possible. In fact, I’d say its NO’s best interest to wait until the off season.

Right now, the Lakers are the only potentially contending to team ready to make a deal. The Pels could just wait until the summer and negotiate with a bunch of teams to get the most for him. Shoot, if they wanted to, they could conceivably wait until next year’s trade deadline.

That said, the pressure here is on Magic to do whatever he needs to get the trade done before the deadline. The pressure isn’t on the Pels to trade him.

Obscure clause in the CBA, something to do with trading for multiple players on their rookie contract extensions in a single season's calendar year.


If the Pelicans want to hear Boston's offer, or prefer it to the Lakers, they'll wait.


In fact, if I were a Lakers fan/executive and I didn't hear a yes from NO before the trade deadline, I'd be pretty worried that I wasn't getting AD this summer either.


~~~~~~~~~
"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

https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1090065872016822272

We know Boston has an assload of pics. But I'm thinking New Orleans will want players in return also.

I'm thinking the players Boston most would be most willing to part with are their 3 biggest contracts, Hayward, Horford & Kyrie. I don't think the Pelicans would have a lot of interest in them.

It seems like that would be more interested in Tatum & Brown in return, but would Danny be willing to part with them?

Would AD, Kyrie, Hayward & Horford be a true contender? Can they max AD AND Kyrie with the Hayward and Horford contract on the books?

>We know Boston has an assload of pics. But I'm thinking New
>Orleans will want players in return also.

I imagine Ainge knows he can't get this down on just college kids with potential. He knows that his young guys are going to be have to be part of the deal.

>It seems like that would be more interested in Tatum & Brown
>in return, but would Danny be willing to part with them?

I'd think any offer Ainge would make to NO without those two would be a non-starter. Maybe they'd be able to include either Hayward or Horford just to free up some money to save on luxury tax. But no matter what, Boston would have to come up off both the young players. Plus some of the picks.

>Would AD, Kyrie, Hayward & Horford be a true contender?

Don't see why not. One of the top 4 players in the league, one of the best one on one guys in the league. Veteran center and swingman. Plus whatever younger players are leftover. It will certainly keep them in the mix.

>Can they max AD AND Kyrie with the Hayward and Horford contract
>on the books?

If the get Davis then the get his Bird rights. Which means that they can sign him to the biggest contract regardless of salary cap implications. They'd pay a shit-ton in luxury tax, but if they thought they were going to be in a better position to win a chip, they'd do it.

>>Would AD, Kyrie, Hayward & Horford be a true contender?
>
>Don't see why not. One of the top 4 players in the league, one
>of the best one on one guys in the league. Veteran center and
>swingman. Plus whatever younger players are leftover. It will
>certainly keep them in the mix.

Horford will be 33 and looking for a re-up as well, who knows if Hayward will ever be what he was in Utah

>>Can they max AD AND Kyrie with the Hayward and Horford
>contract
>>on the books?
>
>If the get Davis then the get his Bird rights. Which means
>that they can sign him to the biggest contract regardless of
>salary cap implications. They'd pay a shit-ton in luxury tax,
>but if they thought they were going to be in a better position
>to win a chip, they'd do it.

I guess we’ll see

Lots of options for LA too but they also have leverage.

If they make a move at the deadline, I could see it being for a rental package, then he signs in LA as UFA.

Can someone enlighten me regarding the potential for a sign-and-trade this summer?

He’s exactly what a lot of teams need, but Spurs would do right by him and have the pieces to put around him.

I wish NBA free agency wasn’t bullshit

>He’s exactly what a lot of teams need, but Spurs would do
>right by him and have the pieces to put around him.
>
>I wish NBA free agency wasn’t bullshit

Like they “did right by” Kawhi?

“NBA bullshit” was how you got Duncan stop crying lol

https://twitter.com/LegionHoops/status/1090005981528911872?s=19

now he's afraid to go to a team with Elfrid Payton. Lol.

https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1090065872016822272

But sure. He’s a “budget” Elfrid 🙄

...

doesn’t want to go there

What the fuck ever.

and that's where he wants to be, if he goes elsewhere he'd rather be in a winning situation just like anybody else.

Overall I think its good for him to leave LA because his skills are largely wasted playing with Lebron.

if he could hit an uncontested shot from outside a foot.

good grief

I know we're at an all-time low threshold in that regard but cmon. I can understand harping on his shooting because he has struggled but your commentary on the strongest part of his game (and then trying to deflect from it rather than just acknowledging it) is telling.

Didn't know that was the one thing he may be capable of doing at a level that his fans seem to think he should be regarded at.

Look at either his individual or the team defensive metrics, he's an elite defensive player.

He gets cooked regularly. He's just not as bad on defense as he is on offense.

.

We all see these games.

They're on tv all of the time.

In fact you’re borderline horrible at it.

Lmao

Lonzo sucks.

You have no response for that.

So that must mean I’m upset no UK players have been named to an All Star Game where the teams haven’t been named yet.

Jesus Christ you’re the Wile E. Coyote of OKS.

>In fact you’re borderline horrible at it.
>
>Lmao
>
>Lonzo sucks.
>
>You have no response for that.
>
>So that must mean I’m upset no UK players have been named to
>an All Star Game where the teams haven’t been named yet.
>
>Jesus Christ you’re the Wile E. Coyote of OKS.

Do you realize that if and when Lonzo is traded I won't care?

I'm not on some college fanboy shit following guys around from team to team.

and putting up nonsensical arguments cuz a player got drafted by “your team” that you have no financial stake in so happens to be a walking shitty diaper.

You’re so evolved.

you better sign that receipt with "professional fan boy". That's good lol

...

Those clowns got a lotta nerve.

I saw a tweet come across on his "preferences" and literally laughed out loud.

And there are Laker fans in here saying "I get it"

LOL I never really noticed how much Laker fans over rate their players until the last couple years.

No one gives a f*ck what Zo wants. And they shouldn't.

>
>I saw a tweet come across on his "preferences" and literally
>laughed out loud.
>
>And there are Laker fans in here saying "I get it"
>
>LOL I never really noticed how much Laker fans over rate their
>players until the last couple years.
>
>No one gives a f*ck what Zo wants. And they shouldn't.

>>
>>I saw a tweet come across on his "preferences" and literally
>>laughed out loud.
>>
>>And there are Laker fans in here saying "I get it"
>>
>>LOL I never really noticed how much Laker fans over rate
>their
>>players until the last couple years.
>>
>>No one gives a f*ck what Zo wants. And they shouldn't.


y'all realize that once Lonzo is traded most Laker fans will forget about him?

The only Laker that really gets "overrated" is BI and that's mainly from Bags and he's not even a Laker fan that's that weird college fanboy shit

This is not Paul George or DeMarcus Cousins we are talking about.

AD is Top-3 level player, he's 25 years old. The last bigman of such caliber on the trade market was named Kareem.

That's another level of Trade Wars shit. So forget about weak-ass offers with weak-ass names like Tatum, Lonzo, Ingram, Kuzma, etc. That shit don't rate on the next level.

We gonna hear about Ben Simmons, Porzingis and 1st, Green AND Klay. Everybody will try to get in the mix. Don't forget, you get AD, you get a shot at Kyrie or Durant in the summer.

your boy is older and coming off a year long injury. Tatum's got an extra two years of control, at the same age is putting up more efficient practically identical numbers and clearly only gonna get better.

zingis...

-----------
you think we playing chess, but i'm playing mad-making. Basaglia

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/anthony-davis-trade-rumors-celtics-not-high-on-all-stars-list-of-preferred-destinations/

In other news: water is wet.

-->

Drive that value down Rich!

this was put into play, long ago.

...when it was a forgone conclusion that he wanted to play for the Lakers?

Or no team would trade anything of value for Kawhi when it was clear that he wanted to go to the Lakers?

They are having a fine season but you could make the case that Kuz & Zo plus picks would be a better bet for the future than having DeRozan essentially keep you at status quo (with guaranteed playoff exits) for the foreseeable future.

The goal for the Pels isn't to stick it to the Lakers or to Davis - it's to get the best possible return value for AD in a trade. And it's actually very likely that the Lakers have the most compelling package to offer.


-->

>They are having a fine season but you could make the case
>that Kuz & Zo plus picks would be a better bet for the future
>than having DeRozan essentially keep you at status quo (with
>guaranteed playoff exits) for the foreseeable future.

Before the Kawhi trade was even made, there was the general idea this was the end of the road for a while for the Spurs. The rebuild was about to begin and maybe Pop would be retiring soon (which was in play as soon as his wife died). Now, their current situation is not that. They're still probably a first round exit (though it depends if they can climb into the 4/5 slot), but they've got two established All-Stars an can probably sign some key pieces that will fit the system in the next few seasons. Plus, the team generally drafts well. So they're not consigned to mediocrity or anything.

>The goal for the Pels isn't to stick it to the Lakers or to
>Davis - it's to get the best possible return value for AD in a
>trade. And it's actually very likely that the Lakers have the
>most compelling package to offer.

That remains to be seen. As of now, the Pels are only really negotiating with one team. So clearly it behooves Magic to put together the absolute best package possible because he's only got a window of the next weeks where he's the only serious suitor. However, if we're being real, everything Magic makes available today is going to be available in June/July, so it unless somehow Magic comes through with an absolutely baffling, can't miss package, I really doubt that the Pels won't wait until summer.

and I screamed all season that he wasn't leaving OKC, even though everyone already had Swingman Lakers jerseys made up. But, PG didn't hire Lebron's best friend as his agent, or wait til Monday morning at 6 am, less than 2 weeks before the trade deadline to notify the team he was bouncing...when he wouldn't let Rich discuss it, before. Look...all situations are different, but IMO...this is a plan put in place, long ago...playing out how it's supposed to.

https://www.thescore.com/news/1706993?fbclid=IwAR0n9J2dfDk7b34Rp6d4JwDu_Dv7GDgpohL87S-gJ26MA7wModDZAOQa9MI

LeThanos is about to end the reign of terror.

AD making it clear he wants to be in L.A. w/ Kang.

That tired narrative of "nobody wants to play w/ LeBron!" looking real sus.

-->

IF the Warriors don't offer Klay the max (they've been saying that they will) AND the Lakers trade for AD (which there's no guarentee they will) then MAYBE Klay would consider signing with the Lakers.

Seriously, Woj is y'all's king?

Only way Klay is leaving the Warriors is if they trade him and Green for AD. Which won't happen either.

Because I can see that team giving the Warriors a run.

adding a top 5 player.

-->

All reward, no risk in trying to get the W's to offer him the max.

huh Pelicans?

It's their own fault. I saw it on AD's face when they asked him about Cousin's not getting a deal with NO this past summer.

He was disappointed. And now Cousins is looking like he'll be his old self within a few months.

Oh well...I'd hate to see AD play with LeBron in LA, mainly because I'd want him to come back and be the savior for the Bulls, but I'd be glued to the screen should it happen.

Bron might get 5-6 after all huh?

>Bron might get 5-6 after all huh?

as long as the 3 Horsemen/1 Donkey don't

Fuck you.
They gone.

But it's not impossible. The Pels just made too many dumb moves that add up to this situation. Won't be the last team to do it, either.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
<---- 5....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dlgiritpmfo

=======================================

https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1090376655003156484

for a number of reasons, but mostly because they are mad.

The next step is for them to say he either 1) won't sign an extension where he's traded or 2)he will only sign if he is dealt to the Lakers.

I don't see why this is even necessary. Klutch as a facilitator, for openers. It's just logical that a top FA would look at LA, or wherever LeBron was if signing there were feasible. From there, he could have informed the team (frankly they could have fucking guessed) that he wasn't going to re-up. But give them the time to find a suitable partner and certainly don't cut down their options by making his intentions (about re-signing, where he will re-sign, etc) known. That just seems punitive, and I don't see why. As much as I have criticized the Pelicans at times, they have made various efforts to keep him, they just haven't worked out (biggest thing was Boogie's injury, which was beyond their control). So why meddle like this? Why open up the conversation about tampering?

LeBron ain't no fool, he knows him and AD alone will be a tall task. Klutch comes out with this, suppresses the trade market as best they can and gives the Lakers leverage to include less. Clearly it's all coordinated but you won't find evidence of that.

https://twitter.com/hmfaigen/status/1090528973673648128

who voted him into the AS rising stars game. It's a funny thing when you actually talk to players/coaches about how they see Lonzo vs the common fan.

I'm just hoping Klutch suppressing the market allows us to keep him. Dude is such a good compliment to superstars as a low usage, high impact player and was just finding his confidence on the offensive end.

maybe not a perennial all-star - but his two-way ability, size, instincts and just flat-out ability to make plays is a rarity in this league.

Of course the Pels want him in an AD trade. They ain't dumb. And Lonzo has *real* value on the market - more than Rozier.


-->

Based solely on playing in that game. I decided not to cover to many years since the format of this game hasn't been very consistent over the past decade, and not too recent so guys had more time to develop. I'll just do 2010-2014 and if I say on the bubble, it's only because there's a season or two you could argue for a bench spot for that guy.


2010: 7/19 All-Stars (Gasol, Lopez, Rose, Westbrook repeat) w/ Danilo Gallinari, Eric Gordon on the fringe
2011: 8/19 All-Stars (Curry/Harden repeat) w/ Eric Bledsoe, Wes Matthews, Ibaka on fringe)
2012: 8/21 All-Stars (Cousins/Griffin repeat) w/ Rubio? on fringe
2013: 9/21 All-Stars (Kyrie/Kemba/Kawhi repeat) w/ Rubio? on fringe
2014: 6/18 All-Stars (AD, Lillard, Beal, Drummond repeat) w/ Steven Adams on fringe


I'm not really sure why I included Rubio other than he's got one other worldly skill; other guys that are Pretty Good but I didn't mention were Tyreke, Greg Monroe, Derrick Favors, Tim Hardaway Jr., Harrison Barnes, Chandler Parsons, MKG, Tristan, Faried, Markieff and Taj Gibson and maybe one or two other guys, but a lot of the guys that play in this game also burnt out pretty quickly or had really up-and-down careers.


More than anything I found it interesting how consistent that game's rosters tend to shake out between guys that take the leap, guys that settle into roles, guys that have sever highs and lows and guys we completely forgot about as soon as their new car smell wore off.


~~~~~~~~~
"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

Add a wing like Middleton in free agency and New Orleans is in the conversation.

Unless questionable organizational shit is going on behind the scenes, LOL at this soft ass Millennial shit.

People are shrugging this off like it's a LeBron/Larry Hughes situation and it's (obviously) not even close.

but the last straw for AD was likely seeing Cousins and Rondo go (after significant success last year in the 'offs). That core could've really progressed this year (Cousins would now be back and they'd be climbing up in the standings). N.O. made some F.O. blunders, but it's also AD's right as a player to want a new experience. It's not some "soft millennial" sh!t to want to be mobile in your profession.

-->

A couple smart moves this summer and New Orleans is not that far off.

> It's not some "soft millennial"
>sh!t to want to be mobile in your profession.

Absolutely agree. But nothing resembling that was said in his press release. He said he wanted to win.

I get the lure of LA and all that entails from a marketing and lifestyle (and LeBron) standpoint, but as a fan I personally miss the days when when elite players took pride in beating the best.

>I get the lure of LA and all that entails from a marketing and
>lifestyle (and LeBron) standpoint, but as a fan I personally
>miss the days when when elite players took pride in beating
>the best.

Isn't that what he's doing, though? He wants to compete against the best: Golden State. They start a legitimate all-star team with 2 league MVPs. 5 all-stars. N.O.'s current iteration isn't sniffing that. I think part of AD's desire to be in L.A. (outside of the obvious perks) is the idea that he, LeBron & Co. actually can challenge the best in a meaningful way.


-->

>Isn't that what he's doing, though? He wants to compete
>against the best: Golden State. They start a legitimate
>all-star team with 2 league MVPs. 5 all-stars. N.O.'s
>current iteration isn't sniffing that. I think part of AD's
>desire to be in L.A. (outside of the obvious perks) is the
>idea that he, LeBron & Co. actually can challenge the best in
>a meaningful way.
>

obviously this logic is sound.

but as a fan I want to to see a player like AD with hall of fame talent buck the status quo. and shit, the Warriors (and LeBron for that matter) may not have more than two years of dominance left. in theory dude could legitimately be competing for a championship in new orleans at age 27 with their current core plus a guy like middleton.

>I get the lure of LA and all that entails from a marketing and
>lifestyle (and LeBron) standpoint, but as a fan I personally
>miss the days when when elite players took pride in beating
>the best.

I do too.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for the players having more power/freedom/mobility. And no one should be expected to play (work) in a shitty situation.


But I definitely miss the days before these AAU squads. It is boring, predictable, and kind of hard to root for players who just squad up.

Agendas on here though are unreal. KD is a bitch, but AD just wants to win?

If AD is unhappy with NO, thats fine- I wish he would go to another team that wasn't pre-built for him then to compete AGAINST Bron and GS.

>Agendas on here though are unreal. KD is a bitch, but AD just
>wants to win?
>

>Agendas on here though are unreal. KD is a bitch, but AD just
>wants to win?

KD went to an all-time 73-win champion. If AD joined the Lakers, he'd be joining a .500 team that's currently the 9th seed. He would have to build a championship team w/ Bron from essentially scratch.

It's wrong to call KD a 'bitch' for the GS move, but it wasn't a move that required him to exert any leadership. He was plugged into a championship team that didn't particularly need him to win. The Lakers would absolutely need AD to win a title.

entirely different situations that aren't at all alike.

-->

And without him, the Cavs are likely back to back champs and the rockets scoot their asses out of the playoffs last year in 5 games...Easy.

KD gives them another playmaker which Klay isn't and Draymond is extremely limited at beyond passing.

You just hate that KD usurped LeBron having another title (I think the rockets would have beaten last year's Cavs).

But let's not act like GS didn't get KD to offset LeBron+2 Allstars.

In the two-plus seasons since Durant linked up with the Warriors, the team is 21-20 when Durant has played and Curry has not. When Durant sits and Curry doesn’t, the team is 25-9.

They won a 'chip without him and were a 73-win team w/ out him. He's nice to have, but they aren't a very good team when he's the leader (and Curry sits). He's a high-end sniper and hired assassin, but he stepped into a ready-made situation. There's no arguing that.

-->

But at the end of the day, this is AD needing Bron to win.

Just like it was KD feeling he needed Steph etc to win.

Just like (this one is going to hurt) Bron feeling like he needed Wade to win.


Look, its not that serious. My basic point is I'd respect AD a lot more if it was "I'm done with NO, they shit the bed on Boogie and Rondo, I'm heading to a better run organization"

But that's not what this is. This is "I want to play with Bron and Bron wants to play with me"

*** Oh, and its debatable if NO is even that bad of an organization. Boogie got seriously hurt...if that doesn't happen...then what?

And if AD is a top 3-5 player in the league, why aren't people lining up to join him in NO? Why does he gotta follow Bron?

And, you should admit this more than anyone, this is AD saying "I don't want to be the alpha" because we all know that will be Bron.


I just don't like the top 10 players in the league squading up on some "I call team captain, I pick XXX" shit.

Shit is corny to me, and pretty boring. I can respect their freedom to do it, but still not like it.

Call me old and grumpy I'll own it. But I don't think its a good sign that the most interesting time of the NBA is now the off season.

Nobody has *ever* won multiple championships without a championship caliber supporting cast.

What's a bit different is that in today's NBA - you need at least 2 other stars to win (Golden State has 5).

So if you want to paint that as AD needs Bron to win; or Bron needs a washed Wade to win (lol that was cute) - have at it. Jordan needed Pip to win; Bird needed Chief/McHale and DJ to win; Magic needed Kareem, Worthy & Scott to win etc...

But that's not the point. The point is - AD going to L.A. (if it happens) is nothing like KD going to G.S.; nor was Bron going to Miami anything like KD going to G.S. The only thing that's consistent about all of these moves is the player being empowered to author his own career via mobility.

And you can thank the BronFather for that.




-->

You can apply the same standards to everyone equally, and still be a huge Bron fan.

You can even be a huge AD fan when he joins Bron.

No one is going to take that from you. Just be consistent.

>Nobody has *ever* won multiple championships without a
>championship caliber supporting cast.

Where did I say otherwise?

>
>What's a bit different is that in today's NBA - you need at
>least 2 other stars to win (Golden State has 5).

Right. Which I find corny and boring. Just my opinion. Like I said, I own it.

I think GS is corny too man. The problem is that you have this loathing for them, but won't even admit the similarities.

>
>So if you want to paint that as AD needs Bron to win;


Ummm you did. And others. "AD wants to win"

Okay. Cool. My point is that I wish (based on my opinion) that he wanted to win as the alpha. I wish (based on my opinion) that he wanted to go a "better organization" and still be the man.

or Bron
>needs a washed Wade to win (lol that was cute) - have at it.

Its stuff like this that honestly makes me question how long you have paid attention. Their first year together, there was literal debate who's team it was.

You think he went to Miami cuz he loves black uniforms?

Nah. He went to a better organization that had a better chance to win. But he didn't go to Chicago or Dallas or wherever...he went to Miami. To team with D-Wade, who was not at all washed yet and he brought Bosh.

He went to make winning easier. Just like KD. And AD if it happens.

If you want to say the KD thing is worse, okay- fine. But to say they are "nothing alike" is just fanboy denial Vex.

Just own it. He controlled his destiny, and started a trend.

A trend that you like. A trend that I don't like. Simple as that.

>Jordan needed Pip to win; Bird needed Chief/McHale and DJ to
>win; Magic needed Kareem, Worthy & Scott to win etc...

Right. Where did I say that wasn't the case?

But since you made the comparison, and keeping in mind that I am owning being old and grumpy, this would be like Barkley demanding to be traded to Chicago to play with Jordan rather than try to beat him.

Or Jordan demanding to be traded to LA, rather than trying to catch Magic.

Or Isiah demanding to be traded to Boston so he can play second fiddle to Larry.

etc

That would be corny. See the difference?

>
>But that's not the point. The point is - AD going to L.A. (if
>it happens) is nothing like KD going to G.S.;

Yes it is man. You can't create your own reality.

KD went to GS to make winning easier. (there were already alphas there)

AD, who many say is the best young star in the league, wants to go play second fiddle to Bron. To make winning easier (like you and others said)



nor was Bron
>going to Miami anything like KD going to G.S. The only thing
>that's consistent about all of these moves is the player being
>empowered to author his own career via mobility.

Are you reading my posts or nah? I say I'm all for that. More power to them.

Just as a basketball fan, I wish they were more interested in competing against each other rather than squading up on some AAU shit. It isn't interesting (to me- based on my personal opinion)



>
>And you can thank the BronFather for that.
>
>

Not everything has to be about Lebron, but okay. I'm not really debating or concerned with where it started.

Its just that (in my opinion) I think the league would be more interesting if AD was more interested in BEATING Lebron than joining him. Or if KD was more interested in BEATING Steph than joining him. Etc.


If anything, I blame the shadow MJ as cast on the league. We talked about chips so much, players are just going out and buying them essentially. There is no standard anymore on HOW a chip is won I guess. I just don't like it. *shrugs*

Glad we settled that.

-->

If they took the Lakers deal...
you get a third team involved, let's say the suns...
you trade Ball for a first.
you trade kuzma or ingram for a first to another team.

You don't have to be stuck with the baby lakers going fwd.

if you also got 2 firsts from the lakers, you could potentially
have 3 or 4 first round picks.

plus their own first round pick.


stock pile assets. start over completely. trade jrue at deadline for a first.

if you got 5 or 6 first round picks... then trade for a star if you want. or trade a few firsts for a higher pick in a draft.

there are avenues to be in decent shape with a clean slate.

Why ever would the Pelicans rush to trade him now?

Trading now only really helps the Lakers. The Pelicans can talk themselves into it being a fair trade, but come on.

No. If you’re the Pelicans you wait until the Celtics can talk. They have the better pieces. And the Lakers will still be as desperate in July as they are in January.

So what if AD won’t resign with the Celtics. If I’m Ainge I’m like “who cares we’ll still go to the Finals for two years” And if you think both the Celtics and Pelicans aren’t already having “off-the-record” talks you’re crazy. If the players can collude all they want out in the open now then GMs can text each other like it’s nothing.

Who cares what Lebron’s California Cabal wants. The Pelicans could set themselves up for the future and the Celtics could go all in for a short window. The Lakers problems are theirs alone and I think they’re actually in a tough spot if the Pelicans are patient.

So there C's get a 1 yr rental and he leaves. Now the thing is, maybe they get to the finals or win the title. But really, how much would the Celtics give up for a 1yr rental. Ainge isn't as desperate as the raptors were with kawhi.

NO will want Tatum, Brown, Smart/Rozier and a few 1stb round picks.

Ainge is not giving that up for a 1 yr rental.

Rich Paul has already said AD wants to be in LA and won't resign with anyone else.

They likely will send him to another desperate franchise willing to bet the farm on a 1yr shot.

https://twitter.com/BA_Turner/status/1091058024515424256?s=19

As pointed out in the comments of course.

I'd be really, really, REALLY surprised if Demps went for that without hearing what other teams are offering this summer.

I'd call the Pels bluff on this. There's no crazy need to get AD before the deadline. Sure, it'd be nice to have him *right now*, but he will inevitably land in L.A.

Giving up Zo, Zu, Kuz & BI (and picks) is just too much capital to trade. With Kawhi, it wasn't really sure where he wanted to go. AD isn't hinting - he's screaming that he's going to L.A. No team is going to give the House for AD when they know where he'll be in a little over a year - and neither should the Lakers.
-->

No team is going to give the House for AD when
>they know where he'll be in a little over a year - and neither
>should the Lakers.

Lebron has no chill. And they will not try to waste any time because the time is always now when it comes to make a deal for a superstar.

pels cant even negotiate with other teams to drive the bidding price up.

its either trade him to the lakers and get marginal roi or let him walk in a few.

bron and them klutch boys dont play.

No other team is going to offer a starting 5

LA has too much leverage to make that offer

and why wouldn't NOLA jump all over that offer

I call bullshit

https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1091569367693705216?s=19

guess brandon ingram is untradeable

Remember, both were saying Demps "won't even pick up the phone" on Wednesday and then Lakers beat reporters (BA Turner and Ganguli) reported that Demps had been conversing with the Lakers FO since Tuesday.

You have to remember that Woj and Shams are mouthpieces for agents mostly (which is why they get a lot of breaking news on transactions) but their track record (esp Woj) on detailing the actual process of a trade is quite poor and inaccurate.

-->

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

sign with for the long haul.

Woj has been interestingly biased in his reporting on this in N.O.'s favor - constantly opining that they should wait until the summer because other teams will offer compelling packages - but he doesn't know that to be factual.

I can't see AD demanding a trade mid-season to be moved to Milwaukee, for example - doesn't make any sense.

It's L.A.

-->

taking that Sol Hill money:
https://twitter.com/BA_Turner/status/1092522375734837251

Good lawd thats like half the team for one guy. All just to lose to the Warriors anyway.

after they get AD, which I think they will, there’s more this summer...Kalyan’s, Kamba, etc...

But (and I may be missing something) I just haven't seen THIS particular iteration of the Lakers front office actually get the relatively big free agents who can make them a legit contender. I was a fan of them developing their young guys and filling in their gaps with the rest of the pieces in the offseason, and I get them throwing everything but the kitchen sink to get AD, but I didn't envision the trade being THIS. In my mind, you gotta keep Rondo and Kuz or BI.

>you gotta keep Rondo and Kuz or BI.

Going through every emotion. Shit is hilarious

*skatin' the rings of saturn*


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

Get. The. Fuck. Out. Of. Here.

Maginka do NOT do this.

I hope teams lowball the fuck out of them this summer.

At any rate I say its time to pack it in and move on. Thanks but no thanks.

Turner in particular is really well sourced because he has his team connects via the LA Times and New Orleans connects via growing up and coming up there as a sports journalist.

but if I'm the Lakers - I'm calling the Pels' bluff - they are tripping. Let them have hurt feelings and drag this process into the summer - then once the Pels realize they aren't going to get nearly what the Lakers had initially offered in February - offer them a fraction of the package.

-->

plus, Pop and Ainge are in his ear. At the end of the day (c)John Thompson...AD is a Laker by Thursday.

Lakers have all the pressure to get this deal done now.

LA Times reporting.

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

But yeah, Lakers were willing to giving up the entire young core, KCP, and two first rounders to get this done before Thursday. It was the two additional first rounders and two second rounders that made them pull out.

and they are correct. Pels had an opportunity to really get tremendous value from L.A. for AD and they messed it up, badly.

I guess that's why they'll always be a mediocre franchise.

Good for LAL for walking away from this madness. Lakers will be just fine - and AD will be coming - just not now.
-->

You think the Pelicans will really bench him for the season?

I know he's had injury issues, so they could fall back on that. I'm guessing at this point, AD isn't eager to get back on the court, if both of them are indeed intent in making sure he gets traded this summer. Probably both sides are going to have a sit down at some point in the near future.

moving him midseason never made any logical sense, to anyone other than the most hopeful delusional laker/bron partisans.

-->

this is a complete disaster for LA

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
<---- 5....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dlgiritpmfo

=======================================

and I remember this same outrage culture last January/February when the Cavs went through their drama and everyone ruled them out. Fast forward a few months and the Cavs were in the Finals.

Lakers will be just fine. They were never trying to win the title this year. They will acquire what they need in the offseason and make a run at the 'chip for 2020.

Relax. It's good for your health.

-->

completely away from the rest of the team lol



yeah they're federally fucked

are feeling right now?

people act like the pelicans fucked the lakers, at least over the next few months, they fucked themselves too. they just have to suffer through it.

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

"We knew that basically at the end of the day, what happened happened," Johnson said before the Lakers' 140-123 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday. "And we knew that when we first started, in terms of what happened. But hey, it is what it is."

Bro, what? That’s like if you programmed a bot to talk like an athlete. IBM Watson could’ve explained their L more clearly.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/25967528/lakers-magic-johnson-says-pelicans-act-good-faith

That is why you will not see the Lakers match the offer they just extended in the Summer. Pelicans acted like jilted lovers and made emo business decision that likely won't serve them well.

Lakers - in good faith - offered up everything the Pelicans wanted - and they had no intention of ever brokering a deal.

-->

The side thats still talkin about it.

and they're still going on ..

sounds a bit like entitlement

them other mf's he was listening to will give him a job.

Anyone who thought otherwise was lying to themselves

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26011206/anthony-davis-says-celtics-all-teams-pelicans-trade-list

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Pelicans forward Anthony Davis spent more than 10 minutes of his All-Star Game media day news conference Saturday being remarkably candid about his decision to request a trade away from New Orleans and about the destinations he would like to eventually wind up in.

That candidness included Davis addressing one of the biggest questions surrounding his future leading up to the NBA's trade deadline: Why weren't the Boston Celtics -- the team almost universally hailed as the one with the most assets to acquire him in a trade -- not on his list?

Next three moves for the Pelicans: How to rebuild after an AD trade
What should be the next steps for New Orleans after firing GM Dell Demps?

"They are on my list," Davis said.

That was just one of several jaw-dropping moments during Davis' 24-minute meeting with the media Saturday. He discussed not only the possibility of playing for the Celtics but also why he would be interested in joining the New York Knicks, the firing of Pelicans general manager Dell Demps on Friday afternoon and why he asked for a trade out of New Orleans in the first place.

"I'm just keeping it real, to be honest," Davis said with a smile, when asked why he was being so forthright about his future. "I knew that's all you guys wanted to talk about. I just stated how I feel, stated my intentions, and we'll go on from there."

The most significant of those stated intentions, however, was Davis' willingness to go to Boston. With young forwards Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown and a plethora of draft picks -- most notably a protected first-rounder from the rebuilding Memphis Grizzlies that could become unprotected in 2021 -- the Celtics have enough to beat any other team's realistic offer for Davis.

The one thing that could have stopped them, however, was being unsure of Davis' willingness to stick around after he can become a free agent in 2020. That, in theory, could have opened the door to Davis' top destination, the Los Angeles Lakers, where he could play alongside LeBron James and instantly return the Lakers to championship contention. New Orleans, however, was underwhelmed by the Lakers' collection of young players (Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, Lonzo Ball) and draft picks, and negotiations became both public and acrimonious on both sides.

Highlighting that point was Lakers president of basketball operations Magic Johnson declaring last weekend in Philadelphia that the Pelicans did not negotiate in good faith in their talks about Davis.

In the days leading up to the deadline, sources told ESPN that the Celtics -- who couldn't trade for Davis until this summer because they had already traded for Kyrie Irving, who also is on a designated rookie contract extension -- remained steadfast in their desire to acquire Davis, with the belief that partnering him and Irving would be enough to not only turn the Celtics into a contender in the East but also to convince Davis to stay in Boston long term.

Once the deadline passed, that belief only grew in Boston.

Landing Davis this summer also could be necessary to keep Irving, who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Irving said earlier this month that his previous stance that he was fully committed to re-signing in Boston after the season had somewhat changed.

"Ask me July 1," Irving said.

Davis, though, was happy to talk about his future in mid-February. When the Celtics came back up in the wake of him saying they were on his list, Davis repeated a variation of the same phrase -- "I never said Boston was not on my list" -- three times. He subsequently went on NBA TV and declared that "all 29 teams" were on his list, which ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported before the trade deadline was initially two teams -- the Lakers and Knicks -- before later expanding to the LA Clippers and Milwaukee Bucks.

"Market doesn't matter to me," Davis said. "I just want to win. Big market, small market, it doesn't matter. My focus is on winning at this point in my career. And wherever that may be, it could be a big market or a small market, I just want to win."

Davis was asked why he would be interested in playing for the Knicks, who are on his list while sporting the NBA's second-worst record at 11-47.

"It's a great franchise," Davis said. "Playing obviously at the Garden, the city ... but also Milwaukee is on that list, too. It doesn't matter about big market, small market; it's about winning for me.

" have a nice little team, I don't go look at teams. ... I'm still with the Pelicans. I'm still representing the Pelicans. I don't go out and look at other teams and say, 'How can I fit here?'

"When that time comes, that time comes. My job right now is to go finish these last 20-something games in New Orleans and see what goes from there and owe it to myself to leave it all on the court and to the fans or the NBA or myself to go out there with my teammates and compete at a high level."

Regardless of all the talk of lists, Davis made one thing clear: He doesn't plan on signing an extension anywhere -- be it a preferred destination or not -- until he can become a free agent in 2020. That's because Davis would stand to make significantly more money by opting out of the final year of his contract, becoming a free agent and signing a new deal with either the team that trades for him or somewhere else.

But even if it is the prudent financial move, going such a route would force any team that trades a significant haul of assets to acquire Davis to have to wait for a year to make sure he was willing to stay there.

"Obviously teams are going to have their offers," Davis said. "There's a time in free agency where I'll get a chance to go out there and see. It's about the best situation for me, the best fit for me. When that time comes, I'll have to re-evaluate my situation and see what market best fits me and go from there.

"I'll be a free agent in 2020, and I'm going to test free agency, but no matter what, I'm just going to play basketball. That's all I'm going to do."

To that end, Davis -- who said he plans to play in Sunday's All-Star Game, although he is still unsure whether he will be able to after suffering a muscle contusion in his shoulder Thursday against the Oklahoma City Thunder -- said he wants to play out the remainder of the season with the Pelicans, rather than being exiled from the team until a deal can be worked out this summer.

"That's their decision," Davis said. "Obviously it's a business, and I understand that. When we were talking in the beginning about playing or not playing, I understood from their perspective. My job is to play the game of basketball, and that's what I'm going to continue to do."

Davis was asked for the first time about the firing of Demps, who was dismissed Friday afternoon after Davis left Thursday's game before it ended to get an MRI on his injured shoulder. Demps selected Davis with the first overall pick in the 2012 draft.

"I didn't know anything about it, but obviously the Pelicans have to do what's best for them," Davis said. "My intentions are still the same, no matter who the GM is or whatever. My intentions are still the same. The Pelicans made a move that was best for their organization, and for me, I'm still going to go out there and play basketball for obviously Danny Ferry right now and go out there and continue to play basketball with my teammates and play the game the right way."

Davis said if Pelicans fans disapprove of him for leaving that he would understand, but he hopes his tenure in New Orleans -- which includes six All-Star appearances, including an All-Star MVP award two years ago in The Big Easy, and three first-team All-NBA selections but only two playoff appearances -- will be judged favorably.

"I've been here seven years," Davis said. "I love the fans there. I mean, it's hard to me to define my legacy. I think the people of New Orleans will be able to do that more, based on their opinion.

"But for me, I was in that community, going out there every day and trying to help my team win, night in and night out, playing through injuries, having fun with my teammates, and so I think they'll remember a guy who wanted to go out there and win and play for the team, play for the organization.

"My job is to play basketball. The fans can have whatever opinion they want. Hopefully it's a good opinion, but if not, I'll understand."

As for all that's happened in the three weeks since his agent, Rich Paul, went public with his trade request, Davis said the fact it hasn't worked out isn't anything that he is worried about.

"It wasn't stressful at all for me. I had a plan, and I had steps to follow that plan and did what I'm supposed to do," Davis said. "Obviously I knew there was a chance it probably wasn't going to happen, because the Pelicans have to make that decision . But I followed that plan, and like I said, nothing happened, so I'm still here playing basketball until the end of the season."

had something to do with that