*NBA THREAD* Abe will be missed (4 Viewers)

[TobiasFunke]

Y'all stop hatin' on SWAGGY P!!!!

Nick Young is my everything. If you told me I could have him back in the Wiz rotation but that it would cost the team 5 regular season wins I'd take the deal in a heartbeat.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Gordon Hayward courting day two underway. Not sure what Charlotte's version of the red carpet is, but they have to be pulling out all the stop

They are doing everything possible

It's pronounced GorDON

 

[pollardsvision]

Gordon Hayward courting day two underway. Not sure what Charlotte's version of the red carpet is, but they have to be pulling out all the stops.

I'm not really sure how this works out with Hayward in a Hornets jersey. Utah will match any offer, I think, including Hayward's max.

Now, if it is a max, maybe, just maybe they'd rather not do that, so they'd match and try rape CHA in a trade.

I'm fine overpaying Hayward because they can't seem to get anybody else to take their money. But giving assets for the opportunity to overpay Hayward just feels like too much.

I guess the first step is getting him to want to sign and see what the Jazz do.

True. Though, I'm not sure why that should take more than a phone call asking him if he's interested in making way too much money.

 

[pollardsvision]

Gordon Hayward courting day two underway. Not sure what Charlotte's version of the red carpet is, but they have to be pulling out all the stops.

I'm not really sure how this works out with Hayward in a Hornets jersey. Utah will match any offer, I think, including Hayward's max.Now, if it is a max, maybe, just maybe they'd rather not do that, so they'd match and try rape CHA in a trade.

I'm fine overpaying Hayward because they can't seem to get anybody else to take their money. But giving assets for the opportunity to overpay Hayward just feels like too much.

The Hornets should sign Nick Young rather than offer Hayward a max deal.

Didn't they just have an older version of Nick Young in Ben Gordon?

Career wise, they're pretty similar. As of right now Young is an upgrade. And I doubt Young costs you a ton, so you'll have room to maneuver.

But then you have to watch Nick Young for a year, which really sucks if you want your team to do well.

This is probably true. I enjoyed watching him with the Lakers last year, but as you say, it didn't really matter because the team was horrible, so I wasn't going to stress out over it either way. Seems like he could fill a permitter scoring niche for the Hornets for a couple of years without breaking the bank.

I'm in.

I say we stop wasting our time with all these other fools that aren't coming and just get Swaggy P into the Purple and Teal.

I think he had a higher PPP than Klay Thompson last year.

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

https://twitter.com/nathanfenno/status/486564085241110528/photo/1

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Y'all stop hatin' on SWAGGY P!!!!

Nick Young is my everything. If you told me I could have him back in the Wiz rotation but that it would cost the team 5 regular season wins I'd take the deal in a heartbeat.

How many more wins would you give up if Iggy comes with him?

 

[Kev4029]

I mean it seems kind of dumb not to. Who would you rather have? Lebron at 20M or Hayward at 15? I don't understand why they didn't just do this.

Good point.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Y'all stop hatin' on SWAGGY P!!!!

Nick Young is my everything. If you told me I could have him back in the Wiz rotation but that it would cost the team 5 regular season wins I'd take the deal in a heartbeat.

How many more wins would you give up if Iggy comes with him?

I'd need to get a couple back to compensate for the awful "Fancy" puns and wordplay on Twitter during games.

 

[Short Corner]

Gordon Hayward courting day two underway. Not sure what Charlotte's version of the red carpet is, but they have to be pulling out all the stops.

I'm not really sure how this works out with Hayward in a Hornets jersey. Utah will match any offer, I think, including Hayward's max.

Now, if it is a max, maybe, just maybe they'd rather not do that, so they'd match and try rape CHA in a trade.

I'm fine overpaying Hayward because they can't seem to get anybody else to take their money. But giving assets for the opportunity to overpay Hayward just feels like too much.

Isn't there a dead period after matching an offer sheet on a RFA? Used to be you couldn't move him til Decemberish.

 

[mcintyre1]

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/borowitzreport/2014/07/lebron-to-announce-decision-at-united-nations.html

LEBRON TO ANNOUNCE DECISION AT UNITED NATIONSPOSTED BY ANDY BOROWITZ

NEW YORK (The Borowitz Report)—N.B.A. superstar LeBron James said Tuesday morning that he would announce the name of the team that he is signing with on Thursday at a special session of the United Nations General Assembly to be convened especially for that purpose.

“This decision affects everyone on the planet,” James said. “I want to let all the nations on Earth know at the same time.”

An emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council on Tuesday was deadlocked on the issue, with seven members wanting James to remain in Miami, seven others hoping for a return to Cleveland, and Lithuania abstaining.

The Miami Heat president, Pat Riley, and the Cleveland Cavaliers owner, Dan Gilbert, both confirmed that they would be in the audience at the United Nations to hear James announce his decision. “I’m not going to lie: I wish he’d tell me in advance,” Riley said. “But I guess I’ll have to wait to hear along with Russia, China, Ecuador, and everybody else. That’s the way LeBron wants it.”

To help him with his decision, the N.B.A. star has assembled an esteemed circle of advisers, including Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and the scientist Stephen Hawking, all of whom are expected to be in attendance for the United Nations announcement.

The U.N. General Secretary, Ban Ki-moon, acknowledged on Tuesday that the world body had many other issues on its plate, including conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, but added, “It’s really hard to focus on anything until we know where LeBron is going.”

 

[Todem]

Great post!

 

[Cliff Clavin]

BREAKING NEWS: DARYL MOREY NOW FOLLOWS CHRIS BOSH ON TWITTER. DEAL IMMINENT?

 

[Jayrod]

This place is like a Jr High lunchroom.

 

[Max Power]

Even if the Bulls miss out on Melo. Do they still use the amnesty clause on Boozer?

What is plan B for Bulls?

I wouldnt mind seeing something like this: Sign Stephenson and Gasol to give them some offense. PJ Tucker could fit well in Thibs system. Could use at least 1 decent backup PG. Mo Williams, Ramon Sessions? Likes of Elton Brand or Jermaine O'Neal would be an upgrade to Mohammed.

No way they could afford both Lance and Pau.

There have been reports that Boozer has been told he won't be with the team regardless but I'm not sure they can be 100% trusted. My preference is to just sign Mirotic and a few low salaried bench players and call it an offseason.

Grantland has a piece on different Bulls scenarios. The main idea of it was that the best option for the Bulls is utilizing Boozer in a sign and trade instead of the amnesty. Similar to the Heat situation with the cap holds, the Bulls can currently sign players for the mid-level (for Mirotic) and bi-annual exception. If they amnesty Boozer, they lose both options and signing Mirotic eats up cap space. So it appears the Bulls are hoping they can trade Boozer but not for financial reasons.

Yes, that certainly makes sense. I guess I'm not comfortable overpaying an older, declining player (Gasol, Pierce, even Deng) or a knucklehead (Lance). I would like to see McDermott and Mirotic get regular minutes to see how good they are on the NBA level. Save that "flexibility" for another time.

I've come around to thinking the Bulls need to take a swing on Stephenson. The guy will probably be an all star next season. I think Pasrons and Hayward get matched, so he is probably the best option out there.

And it doesn't look like much cap flexibility would kick in next year either. Dunleavy and Butler are both up for new contracts next season and both will see increases from their current salary. Butler's might be significant. Bulls already have 42mil on the hook just for Rose, Noah and Gibson. And another estimated 8-10mil will Snell, McDermott, and Mirotic. Its not ideal to have 50+ mil committed to 6 players who can't even round out a starting lineup.

If Chicago can land Lance for 9mil a year. I think they need to do it.

 

[Gatorman]

Stephenson on the Bulls makes too much sense to ever happen. He can play defense, would have a coach in Thibs who can reign him in, and has another crazy person in Noah in which to do his antics with.

 

[Gr00vus]

Stephenson on the Bulls makes too much sense to ever happen. He can play defense, would have a coach in Thibs who can reign him in, and has another crazy person in Noah in which to do his antics with.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

Somebody is projecting

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Even if the Bulls miss out on Melo. Do they still use the amnesty clause on Boozer?

What is plan B for Bulls?

I wouldnt mind seeing something like this: Sign Stephenson and Gasol to give them some offense. PJ Tucker could fit well in Thibs system. Could use at least 1 decent backup PG. Mo Williams, Ramon Sessions? Likes of Elton Brand or Jermaine O'Neal would be an upgrade to Mohammed.

No way they could afford both Lance and Pau.

There have been reports that Boozer has been told he won't be with the team regardless but I'm not sure they can be 100% trusted. My preference is to just sign Mirotic and a few low salaried bench players and call it an offseason.

Grantland has a piece on different Bulls scenarios. The main idea of it was that the best option for the Bulls is utilizing Boozer in a sign and trade instead of the amnesty. Similar to the Heat situation with the cap holds, the Bulls can currently sign players for the mid-level (for Mirotic) and bi-annual exception. If they amnesty Boozer, they lose both options and signing Mirotic eats up cap space. So it appears the Bulls are hoping they can trade Boozer but not for financial reasons.

Yes, that certainly makes sense. I guess I'm not comfortable overpaying an older, declining player (Gasol, Pierce, even Deng) or a knucklehead (Lance). I would like to see McDermott and Mirotic get regular minutes to see how good they are on the NBA level. Save that "flexibility" for another time.

The 3 for 30 they offered Deng (and he rejected early in year I believe) looks quite fair now. Frankly, I think that's pretty much spot on what he's probably worth IMO. His former All Star status may cloud his actual worth (and cause someone to overpay), but he is what he is......probably the 3rd or 4th best player on a contender. Even now being 29 still somehow, there's pretty good chance he peaked several years ago.

 

[Abraham]

I doubt deng sniffs 3/30 unless it's a crummy team. The contenders are looking at the big 3, Melo, and love. If they miss on those guys they are likely to hold the space for later I would think.

 

[sporthenry]

I doubt deng sniffs 3/30 unless it's a crummy team. The contenders are looking at the big 3, Melo, and love. If they miss on those guys they are likely to hold the space for later I would think.

Frye and Bradley got 4/32. $2 million a year more for Deng isn't that bad especially on a 3 year deal at age 29. This is likely his last big payday.

ETA: Asking for $12 million per year. No comment on length of that though.

 

[tommyGunZ]

If Channing Frye gets $8M per, for 4 years, isn't Deng worth far more?

 

[Abraham]

I doubt deng sniffs 3/30 unless it's a crummy team. The contenders are looking at the big 3, Melo, and love. If they miss on those guys they are likely to hold the space for later I would think.

Frye and Bradley got 4/32. $2 million a year more for Deng isn't that bad especially on a 3 year deal at age 29. This is likely his last big payday.

Those guys signed with bad teams. I'm sure he can get 3/30 from a team that isn't very good and has room. Bucks come to mind or whoever misses out on GorDON.

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

I'd be surprised if Denger doesn't get 3/30 or more. (Wolves will take him!)

 

[pollardsvision]

If Channing Frye gets $8M per, for 4 years, isn't Deng worth far more?

Maybe, but it's also a guy worth 30 fewer wins than Lebron. I doubt teams are tripping over themselves.

 

[sporthenry]

I doubt deng sniffs 3/30 unless it's a crummy team. The contenders are looking at the big 3, Melo, and love. If they miss on those guys they are likely to hold the space for later I would think.

Frye and Bradley got 4/32. $2 million a year more for Deng isn't that bad especially on a 3 year deal at age 29. This is likely his last big payday.

Those guys signed with bad teams. I'm sure he can get 3/30 from a team that isn't very good and has room. Bucks come to mind or whoever misses out on GorDON.

To be fair, most contenders aren't looking at Wade either. And honestly if we're talking about contenders, what contenders are after Melo/Love? LeBron pretty much makes wherever he goes a contender but Melo is looking at either going back to a 37 win team in flux or the team which just picked 7th in the draft. Are NY/LA contenders with Melo this year?

And Deng could go to Atlanta for 3/30+ and I wouldn't call them crummy.

 

[Gatorman]

Atlanta would be a nice fit for Deng.

 

[Daywalker]

Doesn't appear like the Bulls really went all out for Carmelo. They probably could have put the most money in front Carmelo with a sign and trade with NY. Doesn't look like it went to that point. Might be the smart move.

Stephenson signing would be nice. Take last year's team and add a healthy Rose, Stephenson, Mcdermott and Mirotic. Lot to like.

 

[NutterButter]

If Lebron is staying, what is there to meet about? Don't we know exactly what this team looks like if Bosh resigns for the most part. If he's leaving for sure or if another team makes the right offer, I guess a meeting makes a little more in that he'd like to tell them face to face.

 

[Max Power]

Doesn't appear like the Bulls really went all out for Carmelo. They probably could have put the most money in front Carmelo with a sign and trade with NY. Doesn't look like it went to that point. Might be the smart move.

Stephenson signing would be nice. Take last year's team and add a healthy Rose, Stephenson, Mcdermott and Mirotic. Lot to like.

I think "all out" would mean losing Taj. That's a pretty big risk / reward for them. I can't fault the Bulls for how they played their hand.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Are NY/LA contenders with Melo this year?

No.

NY just missed the playoffs with him -- in a historically bad Eastern Conference.

And LA will be irrelevant until that Kobe contract is off the books.

 

[Balco]

I feel like Lebron has to sign with Cleveland out of guilt. Why is he prolonging signing with the Heat?

 

[Ilov80s]

I feel like Lebron has to sign with Cleveland out of guilt. Why is he prolonging signing with the Heat?

He should sign with Cleveland. That would be a sexy team.

 

[Bobcat10]

Sheridan up to 90%:

A plugged-in source tells me there is a 90 percent chance that LeBron James will return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, and it will be announced on www.lebronjames.com if it happens.

That is my latest intelligence, and it comes from the same league source who told me Monday that he felt there was a 75 percent chance James returns to his original NBA team.

Remember this, folks: This comes down to LeBron building a legacy, which leads us to two points:

_There is nothing left for him to accomplish in Miami. He went there for four years, he went to the NBA Finals all four years, and he won two titles while learning what it takes to be a champion. Nobody can ever take that away from him.

_ A chance to return home as a successful, seasoned adult with a chance to deliver the city of Cleveland its first championship in any sport since 1964 is too much of a legacy opportunity for James to pass up.

http://www.sheridanhoops.com/2014/07/08/sheridans-top-25-free-agents-july-8-edition/#M6X35A2rIe5RxKYA.99

 

[Todem]

The crazier it gets the more confidence I am getting in Lebron extending in Miami. 90% sure reeks of such BS I can smell it from my keyboard.

Just went from 99% to 99.5% sure he extends right here in South Florida.

 

[Bobcat10]

If Lebron is staying, what is there to meet about? Don't we know exactly what this team looks like if Bosh resigns for the most part. If he's leaving for sure or if another team makes the right offer, I guess a meeting makes a little more in that he'd like to tell them face to face.

You learn from your mistakes, right?Seems weird that he'd have a planning meeting with the Heat on the eve of FA.

Oh ya, and Lebron and his team had a big meeting with Nike today in LV.

Still not believing it myself, just seems like a lot of things pointing towards Cle to me.

 

[Bobcat10]

The crazier it gets the more confidence I am getting in Lebron extending in Miami. 90% sure reeks of such BS I can smell it from my keyboard.

Sure would be a lot of BS in the end, that's certain.

There are apparently also things happening at the building where the Witness billboard was...(the source lives with me and is female, so even I take that with a grain of salt lol...but she does work in said building).

You're right tho...it all reeks.

 

[sporthenry]

The crazier it gets the more confidence I am getting in Lebron extending in Miami. 90% sure reeks of such BS I can smell it from my keyboard.

You are already 99% sure. So what does this make you? 99.95%

 

[Gr00vus]

The crazier it gets the more confidence I am getting in Lebron extending in Miami. 90% sure reeks of such BS I can smell it from my keyboard.

You've now surpassed the Laker fans last year who were certain Howard would never leave L.A. for Houston.

 

[Todem]

The crazier it gets the more confidence I am getting in Lebron extending in Miami. 90% sure reeks of such BS I can smell it from my keyboard.

You've now surpassed the Laker fans last year who were certain Howard would never leave L.A. for Houston.

Howard is a flake...and Laker fans are not too bright.

99.5% Lebron will be here.

 

[Gr00vus]

The crazier it gets the more confidence I am getting in Lebron extending in Miami. 90% sure reeks of such BS I can smell it from my keyboard.

You've now surpassed the Laker fans last year who were certain Howard would never leave L.A. for Houston.

Howard is a flake...and Laker fans are not too bright.

99.5% Lebron will be here.

And here you've surpassed them in blind, rabid fandom - congrats.

 

[Todem]

The crazier it gets the more confidence I am getting in Lebron extending in Miami. 90% sure reeks of such BS I can smell it from my keyboard.

You've now surpassed the Laker fans last year who were certain Howard would never leave L.A. for Houston.

Howard is a flake...and Laker fans are not too bright.99.5% Lebron will be here.

And here you've surpassed them in blind, rabid fandom - congrats.

Blind? No I have clearly seen what we will find out this week.

 

[modogg]

I just hope Lebron is doing this all on purpose to troll Cleveland fans again.

 

[Todem]

Lebron has done nothing. Agents, media are pulling the wool over Cleveland's eyes.

It's cruel.

 

[sporthenry]

I just hope Lebron is doing this all on purpose to troll Cleveland fans again.

For as much as you can feel bad for LeBron, I kinda do. Granted his silence has probably stoked some of the flames but most of this circus isn't really his fault. Heck, by him seriously considering Cleveland as it appears now, it might make him worse than if he just reupped with Miami right away.

 

[Bobcat10]

I just hope Lebron is doing this all on purpose to troll Cleveland fans again.

That's mean, Mo. I don't think that was his purpose last time.

 

[Todem]

I just hope Lebron is doing this all on purpose to troll Cleveland fans again.

For as much as you can feel bad for LeBron, I kinda do. Granted his silence has probably stoked some of the flames but most of this circus isn't really his fault. Heck, by him seriously considering Cleveland as it appears now, it might make him worse than if he just reupped with Miami right away.

No matter what happens he will painted as a villain again...some how some way. It will be insane for a few days after he extends here. Then reality sets in that The Heat will keep contending for a few more years.

In Riley We Trust!

 

[Balco]

I just hope Lebron is doing this all on purpose to troll Cleveland fans again.

For as much as you can feel bad for LeBron, I kinda do. Granted his silence has probably stoked some of the flames but most of this circus isn't really his fault. Heck, by him seriously considering Cleveland as it appears now, it might make him worse than if he just reupped with Miami right away.

If he resigns with Miami, it shows he hasn't really matured and learned from his mistakes from "The Decision". He could have avoided all this unneccessary drama by either telling Cleveland no thanks when they showed interest (and have it leaked he said no thanks), or quickly stating he is going back to Miami.

 

[NutterButter]

I'm still waiting for a logical reason why he'd wait this long to announce he's returning if its so certain he's returning. Not sure if there's a Heat superfan on this board, but if there is, could you please answer that?

 

[Balco]

I just hope Lebron is doing this all on purpose to troll Cleveland fans again.

For as much as you can feel bad for LeBron, I kinda do. Granted his silence has probably stoked some of the flames but most of this circus isn't really his fault. Heck, by him seriously considering Cleveland as it appears now, it might make him worse than if he just reupped with Miami right away.

No matter what happens he will painted as a villain again...some how some way. It will be insane for a few days after he extends here. Then reality sets in that The Heat will keep contending for a few more years.

In Riley We Trust!

I won't paint him as a villain, just surprised he hasn't learned from the decision fiasco.

 

[Balco]

I'm still waiting for a logical reason why he'd wait this long to announce he's returning if its so certain he's returning. Not sure if there's a Heat superfan on this board, but if there is, could you please answer that?

It's why it makes me feel like he is actually going to sign with Cleveland. Is it really possible he is still that immature?