*NBA THREAD* Abe will be missed (2 Viewers)

[sporthenry]

ESPN Cleveland‏@ESPNClevelandhttps://twitter.com/ESPNCleveland
.@TheRealTRizzo with a huge rumor: #Cavs have made an offer to the Timberwolves for Kevin Love. Deal includes Andrew Wiggins.

Who do you give up to make room for Love? I assume you have to keep Varejao for LeBron?

Bennett, Gee, Wiggins and either Thompson or Waiters plus a first? Pretty good deal for Minnesota, IMO.

I doubt their haul is that good. Heck, Wiggins+ for Love is a great deal for Minnesota. Cleveland probably tries to keep some of them (if they can go over the cap) or trades them for better assets.

But either way, Minnesota just backed into a great situation.

 

[Short Corner]

I don't know why but Todem reminds me of LHUCKS in the wagering thread chasing for 4-8-16 units.

 

[Todem]

Using amnesty on Mike Miller = the worst mistake in Miami franchise history?

Oh god no.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Love stated before the draft he wouldn't sign with Cleveland. Are the Cavs willing to role the dice that a big trade for Love will entice Lebron which will in turn get Love to stay in Cleveland? Pretty big gamble.

Pretty sure he said he WOULD sign IF Lebron played there.

 

[mcintyre1]

Love stated before the draft he wouldn't sign with Cleveland. Are the Cavs willing to role the dice that a big trade for Love will entice Lebron which will in turn get Love to stay in Cleveland? Pretty big gamble.

He also said he would "definitely re-sign" if Lebron is there. So it sounds like Cavs are pretty sure that's happening.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

Love stated before the draft he wouldn't sign with Cleveland. Are the Cavs willing to role the dice that a big trade for Love will entice Lebron which will in turn get Love to stay in Cleveland? Pretty big gamble.

Word came out of his camp that he "100%" would sign if LBJ was there. I'm assuming they won't actually pull the trigger unless they know LBJ is coming.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

So the Cavs are trying to assemble the same cast of role players that wasn't good enough in Miami?

 

[mcintyre1]

There's no way that rumor is true, because if it is, Minnesota is insane for not immediately saying yes.

Kinda where I am too. If the Cavs are offering Wiggins + anything for Love that's an auto accept. It's gotta be either other players or it's a conditional trade that won't go through until a LeBron decision is made. If it really is on the table right now and Minnesota is thinking it over both franchises are idiots.

Reports are that the deal was offered late last night and that it is "in place" as of this morning. I'd consider that pretty much immediately saying yes.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Love stated before the draft he wouldn't sign with Cleveland. Are the Cavs willing to role the dice that a big trade for Love will entice Lebron which will in turn get Love to stay in Cleveland? Pretty big gamble.

Pretty sure he said he WOULD sign IF Lebron played there.

"According to Chris Broussard." So, yeah, grain of salt and all that.

 

[sporthenry]

So the Cavs are trying to assemble the same cast of role players that wasn't good enough in Miami?

Irving + Love > Bosh + Wade HTH.

 

[Captain Quinoa]

Sources are saying things!!!

 

[Captain Quinoa]

Probasketballdraft ‏@Probballdraft 1m

Saw a report that the Cavs have a deal in place for Kevin Love. In talking to sources in Minnesota, Flip Saunders in no rush to deal Love.

Alex Kennedy ‏@AlexKennedyNBA 1m

It is possible that Kevin Love ends up in Cleveland at some point. But source shot down the idea that Cavs-Wolves have a trade lined up now.

 

[Timmay]

From the looks of it, it seems like Lebron told Cleveland to make a move for Love and he would come there?

 

[Kev4029]

Why didn't they take the minimum to have a better chance at winning the title. Its not that money is the only factor, but its certainly the biggest one.

Uh, they did win the title. Its certainly a balancing act. But when you take a lot of money and play for a really mediocre team and then do it again, you clearly prioritize money a lot more than winning. At this stage in his career, if he was really that concerned about winning with all the money he's already made, he'd take less money and go and play for a contender.

How much less and for how much better of a chance? Its not like he can just take 30 million less and go sign with Chicago for a guaranteed championship.

I don't know exactly. Let's say 4M less for a very good chance to reach the finals (Chicago would be the fav out of the east) vs no chance in LA or NY.

It sure seems that Lebron is staying in the east and his team will be the eastern favorites.

And a year from now NY would have 30-35 million to spend if they resign Melo. Its very possible that Chicago, especially being that we don't know how good Rose is going to be, he was awful last year, isn't going to be a great landing spot.

The Bulls with Melo provided Rose stays healthy and Melo takes a discount so they can keep Gibson are the favorites out of the east.

What about the Wizards, provided Nene is 100% all year and Beal shoots 55% from three? You know, as long as we're inventing preposterous hypotheticals that will never happen.

Rose staying healthy is a preposterous hypothetical? Thanks Dr. Andrews

He's played ten games in 2.5 years and he was basically Jonny Flynn in those 10 games. I won't say that he's never going to return to form, but it is a distinct possibility. A hobbled Rose, Jimmy Butler, Melo (playing out of position), Gibson, Noah and some trash isn't going to get very far in the playoffs. If its a healthy Rose, that's a different story, but they are still going to have a very thin bench.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

So the Cavs are trying to assemble the same cast of role players that wasn't good enough in Miami?

kevin love was in miami?

 

[Freelove]

So the Cavs are trying to assemble the same cast of role players that wasn't good enough in Miami?

If 100% finals appearances and 50% titles isn't good enough, sign me up for not good enough.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Cavs with Love, Irving, and no Varjao would be Horrible defensively.

 

[thecatch]

Why didn't they take the minimum to have a better chance at winning the title. Its not that money is the only factor, but its certainly the biggest one.

Uh, they did win the title. Its certainly a balancing act. But when you take a lot of money and play for a really mediocre team and then do it again, you clearly prioritize money a lot more than winning. At this stage in his career, if he was really that concerned about winning with all the money he's already made, he'd take less money and go and play for a contender.

How much less and for how much better of a chance? Its not like he can just take 30 million less and go sign with Chicago for a guaranteed championship.

I don't know exactly. Let's say 4M less for a very good chance to reach the finals (Chicago would be the fav out of the east) vs no chance in LA or NY.

It sure seems that Lebron is staying in the east and his team will be the eastern favorites.

And a year from now NY would have 30-35 million to spend if they resign Melo. Its very possible that Chicago, especially being that we don't know how good Rose is going to be, he was awful last year, isn't going to be a great landing spot.

He'd have to be very convinced NY is going to land a superstar next year in order for Knicks to even be in a comparable situation to the Bulls (in terms of championship contention) and even then he'd be wasting one more year of his prime.

To go to Chicago, he has to be very convinced that Rose is going to be 100%. In his 10 games last year before he got hurt again, he was awful.

Noah, Gibson and Butler alone are light years better than what he has in NY.

 

[sporthenry]

Cavs with Love, Irving, and no Varjao would be Horrible defensively.

Where is Varejao going?

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

So the Cavs are trying to assemble the same cast of role players that wasn't good enough in Miami?

kevin love was in miami?

Don't think Kevin Love is a role player. I'm talking about Allen, Miller, and Jones.

 

[Freelove]

Why didn't they take the minimum to have a better chance at winning the title. Its not that money is the only factor, but its certainly the biggest one.

Uh, they did win the title. Its certainly a balancing act. But when you take a lot of money and play for a really mediocre team and then do it again, you clearly prioritize money a lot more than winning. At this stage in his career, if he was really that concerned about winning with all the money he's already made, he'd take less money and go and play for a contender.

How much less and for how much better of a chance? Its not like he can just take 30 million less and go sign with Chicago for a guaranteed championship.

I don't know exactly. Let's say 4M less for a very good chance to reach the finals (Chicago would be the fav out of the east) vs no chance in LA or NY.

It sure seems that Lebron is staying in the east and his team will be the eastern favorites.

And a year from now NY would have 30-35 million to spend if they resign Melo. Its very possible that Chicago, especially being that we don't know how good Rose is going to be, he was awful last year, isn't going to be a great landing spot.

He'd have to be very convinced NY is going to land a superstar next year in order for Knicks to even be in a comparable situation to the Bulls (in terms of championship contention) and even then he'd be wasting one more year of his prime.

To go to Chicago, he has to be very convinced that Rose is going to be 100%. In his 10 games last year before he got hurt again, he was awful.

Noah, Gibson and Butler alone are light years better than what he has in NY.

Giant heaps of cash and a happy wife?

 

[MAC_32]

Cavs with Love, Irving, and no Varjao would be Horrible defensively.

Where is Varejao going?

Speculation that he has to go for cap purposes if Love is brought in.

 

[Kev4029]

Why didn't they take the minimum to have a better chance at winning the title. Its not that money is the only factor, but its certainly the biggest one.

Uh, they did win the title. Its certainly a balancing act. But when you take a lot of money and play for a really mediocre team and then do it again, you clearly prioritize money a lot more than winning. At this stage in his career, if he was really that concerned about winning with all the money he's already made, he'd take less money and go and play for a contender.

How much less and for how much better of a chance? Its not like he can just take 30 million less and go sign with Chicago for a guaranteed championship.

I don't know exactly. Let's say 4M less for a very good chance to reach the finals (Chicago would be the fav out of the east) vs no chance in LA or NY.

It sure seems that Lebron is staying in the east and his team will be the eastern favorites.

And a year from now NY would have 30-35 million to spend if they resign Melo. Its very possible that Chicago, especially being that we don't know how good Rose is going to be, he was awful last year, isn't going to be a great landing spot.

He'd have to be very convinced NY is going to land a superstar next year in order for Knicks to even be in a comparable situation to the Bulls (in terms of championship contention) and even then he'd be wasting one more year of his prime.

To go to Chicago, he has to be very convinced that Rose is going to be 100%. In his 10 games last year before he got hurt again, he was awful.

Noah, Gibson and Butler alone are light years better than what he has in NY.

In 2014, sure, in 2015 when they are capped out with a cheap ### owner, maybe not.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

Cavs with Love, Irving, and no Varjao would be Horrible defensively.

Where is Varejao going?

Nowhere. LBJ loves Andy.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I'm with you, man.

 

[Slapdash]

Sources: Cavs pursuing LeBron's high school coach.

 

[Kev4029]

I would think that the Love trade would happen after the Lebron signing. Trading for Love before signing Lebron would cost them 4 or 5 million dollars in cap or players, as they don't have to trade equal dollars for Love.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

So the Cavs are trying to assemble the same cast of role players that wasn't good enough in Miami?

kevin love was in miami?

Don't think Kevin Love is a role player. I'm talking about Allen, Miller, and Jones.

maybe those role players would be good enough if they had Irving and Love instead of Wade and Bosh.

 

[Abraham]

There is no way that is true. I will be speechless. Without speech, I will be.

Here's how that conversation should go from Minnesota's end.

"Hi Flip, we'd like to offer you Andrew Wig.."

"YES. NO TAKEBACKS. SEND THE PAPERWORK WE SAID 'YES'."

 

[datonn]

Kevin Love to Cleveland would probably be perfect for the Timberwolves...as if that is one of the things that needs to happen for LeBron to return to Cleveland, there's not a team in the NBA that will give the Wolves anywhere close to what Cleveland would for Love. Bringing their home-town superstar back home, while still in the prime of his career, to pair him with a very good Irving and one of the best PF (and maybe THE best rebounder) in the NBA? The Wolves could probably say "oh, and ___________, oh yeah, and _________ too," and Cleveland will happily oblige. Trading Love out of the Western Conference would just be icing on the cake.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Sources: Cavs pursuing LeBron's high school coach.

devin kharpertian ‏@uuords 20m

Report: Cavs not recruiting Dwyane Wade, citing "nah, we're good"

 

[thecatch]

Why didn't they take the minimum to have a better chance at winning the title. Its not that money is the only factor, but its certainly the biggest one.

Uh, they did win the title. Its certainly a balancing act. But when you take a lot of money and play for a really mediocre team and then do it again, you clearly prioritize money a lot more than winning. At this stage in his career, if he was really that concerned about winning with all the money he's already made, he'd take less money and go and play for a contender.

How much less and for how much better of a chance? Its not like he can just take 30 million less and go sign with Chicago for a guaranteed championship.

I don't know exactly. Let's say 4M less for a very good chance to reach the finals (Chicago would be the fav out of the east) vs no chance in LA or NY.

It sure seems that Lebron is staying in the east and his team will be the eastern favorites.

And a year from now NY would have 30-35 million to spend if they resign Melo. Its very possible that Chicago, especially being that we don't know how good Rose is going to be, he was awful last year, isn't going to be a great landing spot.

He'd have to be very convinced NY is going to land a superstar next year in order for Knicks to even be in a comparable situation to the Bulls (in terms of championship contention) and even then he'd be wasting one more year of his prime.

To go to Chicago, he has to be very convinced that Rose is going to be 100%. In his 10 games last year before he got hurt again, he was awful.

Noah, Gibson and Butler alone are light years better than what he has in NY.

In 2014, sure, in 2015 when they are capped out with a cheap ### owner, maybe not.

I think I'd take my chances with a talented roster and a cheap owner versus a worthless roster and trusting Dolan to spend his money wisely. (Edit: assuming winning is the priority - not that I'm necessarily saying it is or should be).

 

[RUSF18]

Boy I sure hope Todem is a good sport about all of this.

every once in awhile, a .01% shot comes through. he never said there was no chance LBJ was gone. at least he was open to the possibility here.

False. Go back to before the opt-outs.

 

[Kev4029]

I think I'd take my chances with a talented roster and a cheap owner versus a worthless roster and trusting Dolan to spend his money wisely.

My point is, its not that talented unless Rose is 100%, which very possibly may not be the case. That roster with a crappy Rose and Melo isn't going to make the finals.

 

[sporthenry]

There is no way that is true. I will be speechless. Without speech, I will be.

Here's how that conversation should go from Minnesota's end.

"Hi Flip, we'd like to offer you Andrew Wig.."

"YES. NO TAKEBACKS. SEND THE PAPERWORK WE SAID 'YES'."

Didn't they flat out reject the #1 pick before the draft?

 

[TobiasFunke]

Why didn't they take the minimum to have a better chance at winning the title. Its not that money is the only factor, but its certainly the biggest one.

Uh, they did win the title. Its certainly a balancing act. But when you take a lot of money and play for a really mediocre team and then do it again, you clearly prioritize money a lot more than winning. At this stage in his career, if he was really that concerned about winning with all the money he's already made, he'd take less money and go and play for a contender.

How much less and for how much better of a chance? Its not like he can just take 30 million less and go sign with Chicago for a guaranteed championship.

I don't know exactly. Let's say 4M less for a very good chance to reach the finals (Chicago would be the fav out of the east) vs no chance in LA or NY.

It sure seems that Lebron is staying in the east and his team will be the eastern favorites.

And a year from now NY would have 30-35 million to spend if they resign Melo. Its very possible that Chicago, especially being that we don't know how good Rose is going to be, he was awful last year, isn't going to be a great landing spot.

The Bulls with Melo provided Rose stays healthy and Melo takes a discount so they can keep Gibson are the favorites out of the east.

What about the Wizards, provided Nene is 100% all year and Beal shoots 55% from three? You know, as long as we're inventing preposterous hypotheticals that will never happen.

Rose staying healthy is a preposterous hypothetical? Thanks Dr. Andrews

Maybe you've got a long list of NBA stars who missed basically two full seasons with knee injuries and then returned at or near their previous level of performance. I've never seen even one but it's possible I just don't know about them. You got some examples?

This was a sincere question, btw. Are there any examples that give the Bulls hope?

 

[Vykng]

Adrian Wojnarowski

Verified account‏@WojYahooNBA
LeBron James reached out to two vet free agents last week about joining him, IF he left Miami, sources tell Yahoo. Mike Miller was one.

 

[mcintyre1]

There is no way that is true. I will be speechless. Without speech, I will be.

Here's how that conversation should go from Minnesota's end.

"Hi Flip, we'd like to offer you Andrew Wig.."

"YES. NO TAKEBACKS. SEND THE PAPERWORK WE SAID 'YES'."

Didn't they flat out reject the #1 pick before the draft?

Nope, Love's camp killed it because he said he wouldn't re-sign.

 

[Captain Quinoa]

Ethan J. Skolnick ‏@EthanJSkolnick 3m

I spoke to a player who is close to LeBron... He laughed at the notion that Heat's recent moves would impress LeBron....

Ethan J. Skolnick ‏@EthanJSkolnick now

... (2/2) That player's belief is Miami would have been better off holding cap space to sell LeBron on prospect of something bigger.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Boy I sure hope Todem is a good sport about all of this.

every once in awhile, a .01% shot comes through. he never said there was no chance LBJ was gone. at least he was open to the possibility here.

False. Go back to before the opt-outs.

well, if there's anybody who knows what LBJ is going to do, it's #1 Heater fan Todem. I think we can probably all stop following this story.

 

[Gr00vus]

If indeed the impossible happens (IMO) and Lebron leaves

That word - I do not think it means what you think it means.

 

[thecatch]

I think I'd take my chances with a talented roster and a cheap owner versus a worthless roster and trusting Dolan to spend his money wisely.

My point is, its not that talented unless Rose is 100%, which very possibly may not be the case. That roster with a crappy Rose and Melo isn't going to make the finals.

My point is that it is a way, way more competitive roster than anything NY puts out this year and odds are it's better than NY rolls out next year as well.

 

[Slapdash]

I just want Lebron to make up his ####### mind already.

 

[timschochet]

I just want Lebron to make up his ####### mind already.

His role models are Hamlet and Brett Favre.

 

[SWC]

the lesson in the nba is that a good coach can beat three hall of famers with a great scheme and ball movement and that isolation ball can get beat if i was labron i would think about that a lot like every day probably and maybe even more than that because you know what the spurs sure made them look bad in the finals and i mean really bad take that to the bank brohans

 

[Bobcat10]

Anderson Varejao $9,800,000 (TO)

Kyrie Irving $7,459,924

Anthony Bennett $5,563,920

Tristan Thompson $5,421,233

Dion Waiters $4,062,000

Matthew Dellavedova $816,482

Carrick Felix $816,482

Scotty Hopson $2,450,000 (TO)

Brendan Haywood $2M?

Wiggins

Harris

Powell

I think that's the current roster?

Lebron $20.7

Kevin Love $15,719,063

Kevin Martin $6,792,500 (maybe)

 

[Bobcat10]

I just want Lebron to make up his ####### mind already.

NBA trade deadline, draft and FA are better than most of the season. This is so entertaining.

 

[Gatorman]

Interesting. If Lebron goes back to CLE> Godbless and thanks for the rings. I can understand the Allure of going home although if a guy crapped on me the way the owner of the Cavs did, I am not sure I go back.

The big issue with the CLE team is they will not play Defense the way the heat did, and I think that makes the difference getting out of the East.

 

[NutterButter]

Maybe you've got a long list of NBA stars who missed basically two full seasons with knee injuries and then returned at or near their previous level of performance. I've never seen even one but it's possible I just don't know about them. You got some examples?

This was a sincere question, btw. Are there any examples that give the Bulls hope?

I don't have a clue. So are you saying that Rose's career is essentially over or that he'll just be a shell of his former self?

 

[Gadzooks]

If you're Minnesota, what's better for you: Wiggins and whatever else CLE can add (draft picks which will be at the bottom of he first round if CLE has LeBron and Love) or a Hershal Walker type deal from Boston: 5 #1 picks over the next 4 years (including potential good Brooklyn picks) and a couple young "nice" players (Sullinger, Bradley, Smart or Young) and Boston takes Kevin Martin's contract.

Boston's picks thru 2018:

2015 BOS #1

2015 LAC #1

2015 PHI #1 (lottery protected, turns into 2 #2s if PHI in lottery)

2016 BOS #1

2016 NETs #1

2016 CLE #1 (top 10 protected)

2017 the higher of BOS #1 or NETS #1

2018 BOS #1

2018 NETS #1

Although, I would think Ainge is trying to move some of those picks for a player Minnesota would want and add some picks to the deal for Love.