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

[simmonjm]

The Knicks recently proposed a trade of Amare Stoudemire, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Iman Shumpert for Kevin Love, but the Wolves declined the deal.
Give Phil points for trying but that's hilarious.


Source: Wall Street Journal

Amare not wanting to sign an extension in Minnesota is likely the only thing keeping this deal from getting done. (if only this was true)

 

[GOB]

If Love only wants to go to Cleveland, the Wolves won't get Wiggins, Bennett, and a #1.

I may be delusional but I don't like that a player has that kind of power but that's a whole new discussion.

 

[Abraham]

If Love only wants to go to Cleveland, the Wolves won't get Wiggins, Bennett, and a #1.

I may be delusional but I don't like that a player has that kind of power but that's a whole new discussion.

He won't be able to sign with Cleveland later for the max.

 

[Abraham]

Is there a way flip can assign him to the d league and make him miserable all year? Because that would be awesome.

 

[the moops]

Is there a way flip can assign him to the d league and make him miserable all year? Because that would be awesome.

Kind of odd you have such a hatred for Love, when you cheer for a guy in Howard that acted far dooshier and more vocal in his desire to leave his previous team

 

[Premier]

From God's lips to your ears, Moops.

 

[xulf]

Is there a way flip can assign him to the d league and make him miserable all year? Because that would be awesome.

Because?

 

[Abraham]

Is there a way flip can assign him to the d league and make him miserable all year? Because that would be awesome.

Kind of odd you have such a hatred for Love, when you cheer for a guy in Howard that acted far dooshier and more vocal in his desire to leave his previous team

Fair point.

 

[the moops]

I think I should get drunk and post more often. Cappy usually hates me, and he liked a post of mine. :hugs:

 

[Premier]

That's 2!

 

[GreatLakesMike]

The Cavs aren't actually going to trade anybody for Love, because all their players are too valuable and good despite winning the lottery 3 out of 4 times.

If it comes down to it I think everyone is available but LeBron, Kyrie, and Varejao. Now who they want to trade is a different, shorter list.

Please stop. Kyrie is available for the right price and Varejao? I'm a Cavs fan and love Anderson, but come on. He's out the door as soon as a favorable offer is thrown at the Cavs front office.

 

[Mr. Retukes]

Every player is out the door as soon as a favorable offer is thrown at the team's front office.

Hint: there will be no favorable offers for Varejao.

 

[GreatLakesMike]

I guess Anderson Varejao is the deal-breaker. Cavs had Love, but Minnesota demanding that the Cavs get rid of a 32 year old 8 point/7 rebound guy was asking for too much.

 

[GreatLakesMike]

Every player is out the door as soon as a favorable offer is thrown at the team's front office.

Hint: there will be no favorable offers for Varejao.

But is he available?

 

[Mr. Retukes]

Every player is out the door as soon as a favorable offer is thrown at the team's front office.

Hint: there will be no favorable offers for Varejao.

But is he available?

Sure, why not.

 

[Daywalker]

Every player is out the door as soon as a favorable offer is thrown at the team's front office.

Hint: there will be no favorable offers for Varejao.

But is he available?

Sure, why not.

Perhaps he was asking if he'll be available to suit up. He'll be 32 by start of season and has only played 146 out of 328 games last four seasons.

 

[Captain Quinoa]

I guess Anderson Varejao is the deal-breaker. Cavs had Love, but Minnesota demanding that the Cavs get rid of a 32 year old 8 point/7 rebound guy was asking for too much.

So he's old and average, but he's the deal breaker for Minnesota? Make up your mind, son.

ALso he averaged almost 10 boards a game last year, top 12 in the league.

But being the huge Cavs fan that you are, you know that his value has always exceeded his stats due to energy/hustle/disruption plays that he makes. And again since you missed it before:

Team loves him. Fans love him. Lebron loves him. And until they see if Haywood has anything left, he's the only center on the team and the only other big with playoff experience.

 

[Captain Quinoa]

The Cavs aren't actually going to trade anybody for Love, because all their players are too valuable and good despite winning the lottery 3 out of 4 times.

If it comes down to it I think everyone is available but LeBron, Kyrie, and Varejao. Now who they want to trade is a different, shorter list.

Please stop. Kyrie is available for the right price and Varejao? I'm a Cavs fan and love Anderson, but come on. He's out the door as soon as a favorable offer is thrown at the Cavs front office.

I would love to hear what the 'right price' is for Kyrie. Please give me an offer that another team might reasonably make (i.e. not "uhh.. Durant and Westbrook for Kyrie and Bennett") that the Cavs would accept.

 

[the moops]

The Cavs aren't actually going to trade anybody for Love, because all their players are too valuable and good despite winning the lottery 3 out of 4 times.

If it comes down to it I think everyone is available but LeBron, Kyrie, and Varejao. Now who they want to trade is a different, shorter list.

Please stop. Kyrie is available for the right price and Varejao? I'm a Cavs fan and love Anderson, but come on. He's out the door as soon as a favorable offer is thrown at the Cavs front office.

I would love to hear what the 'right price' is for Kyrie. Please give me an offer that another team might reasonably make (i.e. not "uhh.. Durant and Westbrook for Kyrie and Bennett") that the Cavs would accept.

Love, Rubio for Kyrie, Bennett, Thad Young, and picks (with PHI getting something from CLE for facilitating the deal).

 

[wadegarrett]

The Cavs aren't actually going to trade anybody for Love, because all their players are too valuable and good despite winning the lottery 3 out of 4 times.

If it comes down to it I think everyone is available but LeBron, Kyrie, and Varejao. Now who they want to trade is a different, shorter list.

Please stop. Kyrie is available for the right price and Varejao? I'm a Cavs fan and love Anderson, but come on. He's out the door as soon as a favorable offer is thrown at the Cavs front office.

I would love to hear what the 'right price' is for Kyrie. Please give me an offer that another team might reasonably make (i.e. not "uhh.. Durant and Westbrook for Kyrie and Bennett") that the Cavs would accept.

Love, Rubio for Kyrie, Bennett, Thad Young, and picks (with PHI getting something from CLE for facilitating the deal).

Kyrie Irving cannot be traded for 6 months after the deal he just signed. He's not going anywhere.

 

[Captain Quinoa]

The Cavs aren't actually going to trade anybody for Love, because all their players are too valuable and good despite winning the lottery 3 out of 4 times.

If it comes down to it I think everyone is available but LeBron, Kyrie, and Varejao. Now who they want to trade is a different, shorter list.

Please stop. Kyrie is available for the right price and Varejao? I'm a Cavs fan and love Anderson, but come on. He's out the door as soon as a favorable offer is thrown at the Cavs front office.

I would love to hear what the 'right price' is for Kyrie. Please give me an offer that another team might reasonably make (i.e. not "uhh.. Durant and Westbrook for Kyrie and Bennett") that the Cavs would accept.

Love, Rubio for Kyrie, Bennett, Thad Young, and picks (with PHI getting something from CLE for facilitating the deal).

Don't see how that leaves them better off than just trading for Love.

Also I'll defer to FrosTre but I don't think Minny would give up Love and Rubio since the main reason they are in this position to lose Love was to sign Rubio long term.

 

[GreatLakesMike]

The Cavs aren't actually going to trade anybody for Love, because all their players are too valuable and good despite winning the lottery 3 out of 4 times.

If it comes down to it I think everyone is available but LeBron, Kyrie, and Varejao. Now who they want to trade is a different, shorter list.

Please stop. Kyrie is available for the right price and Varejao? I'm a Cavs fan and love Anderson, but come on. He's out the door as soon as a favorable offer is thrown at the Cavs front office.

I would love to hear what the 'right price' is for Kyrie. Please give me an offer that another team might reasonably make (i.e. not "uhh.. Durant and Westbrook for Kyrie and Bennett") that the Cavs would accept.

Love, Rubio for Kyrie, Bennett, Thad Young, and picks (with PHI getting something from CLE for facilitating the deal).

Kyrie Irving cannot be traded for 6 months after the deal he just signed. He's not going anywhere.

Thanks... didn't realize that. I keep hearing Andy isn't going anywhere because "Lebron mentioned him by name in his essay." I have a difficult time believing Varejao wouldn't be on the first plane out of Cleveland if it meant bringing in Love, or another major piece. Captain didn't say why Andy is unavailable... maybe there's another reason?

ETA: And I'm not saying that the Cavs could trade Varejao for Love. Obviously, Andy would be a piece.

 

[JohnfrmCleveland]

Honestly, I'm hoping that Golden State relents and gives up Klay Thompson (is he really that special?) so we don't even have to make this deal. I want to see what we have in Wiggins. I want to see what LeBron, Irving, Wiggins, and a whole bunch of talented depth could do, because I think the bunch we have today is waaaaay better than the bunch LeBron won so many games with in his first time around, and I also think the coach will be better. Plus, I don't like it when free-agents-to-be can force their way off of a team. And I hate that he doesn't even want to opt in to his final year.

Bill Simmons wrote a piece where he mentioned the possibility of Wiggins being the Pippen to LeBron's Jordan. That is a very, very tempting idea to chase.

 

[pollardsvision]

If Love only wants to go to Cleveland, the Wolves won't get Wiggins, Bennett, and a #1.

I may be delusional but I don't like that a player has that kind of power but that's a whole new discussion.

It seems to bother a lot of people, but I don't know why. It really bothers you that Love wants to make his own decision about where he'll play basketball next?

Love's contract to play basketball for MIN has another year on it (2, if he wants). He's indicated that he's going to move on after the year.

I have no idea why so many fans think the player owes it to the team to help them get a bounty upon their exit. He's giving them a heads up, which will help them get something, and there's no reason to expect more than that.

Obviously, Love isn't doing this out of kindness for MIN (nor should he), but these players just end up getting skewered when they do the team a solid and give them warning that they are leaving. Best just to shut up, and let the team get nothing.

 

[NutterButter]

Is there a way flip can assign him to the d league and make him miserable all year? Because that would be awesome.

We're talking about a guy that's get paid 15M next year. How bad could that be? Its not like he's living pay check to pay check like the rest of the guys in that league.

 

[pollardsvision]

I guess Anderson Varejao is the deal-breaker. Cavs had Love, but Minnesota demanding that the Cavs get rid of a 32 year old 8 point/7 rebound guy was asking for too much.

So he's old and average, but he's the deal breaker for Minnesota? Make up your mind, son.

ALso he averaged almost 10 boards a game last year, top 12 in the league.

But being the huge Cavs fan that you are, you know that his value has always exceeded his stats due to energy/hustle/disruption plays that he makes. And again since you missed it before:

Team loves him. Fans love him. Lebron loves him. And until they see if Haywood has anything left, he's the only center on the team and the only other big with playoff experience.

Nice. First "son" dropping since the height of Todem's power, I believe.

 

[Abraham]

Is there a way flip can assign him to the d league and make him miserable all year? Because that would be awesome.

We're talking about a guy that's get paid 15M next year. How bad could that be? Its not like he's living pay check to pay check like the rest of the guys in that league.

Playing in college gyms in McAllen Texas and not being on tv is a bit different then MsG.

 

[pollardsvision]

Is there a way flip can assign him to the d league and make him miserable all year? Because that would be awesome.

A bit off-topic, I guess, but would he play for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in this scenario?

I don't know much about the NBADL set-up, but a quick wiki glance gives the impression that 17 teams actually have their own affiliate team (some having some partial ownership in it) and the Mad Ants get players from the other 13 (incluing MIN) as the lone fully Independently owned team. Though the Mad Ants' own wiki page has them as just affiliated with 5 teams (Hornets, Pacers, Bucks, Pistons, Magic).

I'd like to know ASAP so I can get my Love Mad Ants jersey.

 

[Christo]

Joakim Noah hosts One City BB Tourney at United Center.

 

[GOB]

If Love only wants to go to Cleveland, the Wolves won't get Wiggins, Bennett, and a #1.

I may be delusional but I don't like that a player has that kind of power but that's a whole new discussion.

It seems to bother a lot of people, but I don't know why. It really bothers you that Love wants to make his own decision about where he'll play basketball next?Love's contract to play basketball for MIN has another year on it (2, if he wants). He's indicated that he's going to move on after the year.

I have no idea why so many fans think the player owes it to the team to help them get a bounty upon their exit. He's giving them a heads up, which will help them get something, and there's no reason to expect more than that.

Obviously, Love isn't doing this out of kindness for MIN (nor should he), but these players just end up getting skewered when they do the team a solid and give them warning that they are leaving. Best just to shut up, and let the team get nothing.

Perhaps you are missing my point. I don't like that Kevin Love (assuming he did) said he only wants to go to Cleveland. I also don't think he needed to publicize that he wanted out. He could have just told the FO that he wouldn't be returning when his contract is up. At the same time he didn't need to tell Minny anything and I would be ok with it. I just don't like that he is forcing his way to one team. Thus taking any leverage from Minnesota and allowing Cleveland to get him cheaper and building a potentially great team.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

Plus, I don't like it when free-agents-to-be can force their way off of a team. And I hate that he doesn't even want to opt in to his final year.

Damn jerk trying to take a little bit of control over his short career.

 

[Abraham]

Plus, I don't like it when free-agents-to-be can force their way off of a team. And I hate that he doesn't even want to opt in to his final year.

Damn jerk trying to take a little bit of control over his short career.

He had control when he signed his contract. He will have control when he's done with that contract.

 

[pollardsvision]

If Love only wants to go to Cleveland, the Wolves won't get Wiggins, Bennett, and a #1.

I may be delusional but I don't like that a player has that kind of power but that's a whole new discussion.

It seems to bother a lot of people, but I don't know why. It really bothers you that Love wants to make his own decision about where he'll play basketball next?Love's contract to play basketball for MIN has another year on it (2, if he wants). He's indicated that he's going to move on after the year.

I have no idea why so many fans think the player owes it to the team to help them get a bounty upon their exit. He's giving them a heads up, which will help them get something, and there's no reason to expect more than that.

Obviously, Love isn't doing this out of kindness for MIN (nor should he), but these players just end up getting skewered when they do the team a solid and give them warning that they are leaving. Best just to shut up, and let the team get nothing.

Perhaps you are missing my point. I don't like that Kevin Love (assuming he did) said he only wants to go to Cleveland. I also don't think he needed to publicize that he wanted out. He could have just told the FO that he wouldn't be returning when his contract is up.At the same time he didn't need to tell Minny anything and I would be ok with it. I just don't like that he is forcing his way to one team. Thus taking any leverage from Minnesota and allowing Cleveland to get him cheaper and building a potentially great team.

MIN is free to trade Love wherever they like.

The haul is only going to be great if he commits long-term to the new team. MIN just needs to thank it's lucky stars that CLE fell ###-backwards into this scenario, giving them such a team.

To say he's "forcing his way to one team" is to assume that MIN has some right to trade away more than one-year of Love's services, which they never "owned". It also ignores that Love, you know, has the right to choose his own path in a year.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

Plus, I don't like it when free-agents-to-be can force their way off of a team. And I hate that he doesn't even want to opt in to his final year.

Damn jerk trying to take a little bit of control over his short career.

He had control when he signed his contract. He will have control when he's done with that contract.

Right, and Minn still has control over where he plays 2014-2015. He's just letting all parties know his intentions so they can respond appropriately.

 

[JohnfrmCleveland]

If Love only wants to go to Cleveland, the Wolves won't get Wiggins, Bennett, and a #1.

I may be delusional but I don't like that a player has that kind of power but that's a whole new discussion.

It seems to bother a lot of people, but I don't know why. It really bothers you that Love wants to make his own decision about where he'll play basketball next?

Love's contract to play basketball for MIN has another year on it (2, if he wants). He's indicated that he's going to move on after the year.

I have no idea why so many fans think the player owes it to the team to help them get a bounty upon their exit. He's giving them a heads up, which will help them get something, and there's no reason to expect more than that.

Obviously, Love isn't doing this out of kindness for MIN (nor should he), but these players just end up getting skewered when they do the team a solid and give them warning that they are leaving. Best just to shut up, and let the team get nothing.

It's not anything against the players themselves. Obviously, everyone should have the freedom to move on. But the way the NBA works, this also makes it very hard to keep a team together, and not lose tons of built-up talent/value.

The best-case scenario (for the team) is when their star FA quietly tells the front office to get what they can for him, because he's leaving. When he goes public, they probably lose some leverage. But Minnesota is going to come out of this trade OK.

The worst-case scenario is the 2010 Cavs, who had the best record in the league, and couldn't really trade LeBron, even if they had a clue he was leaving. To make it worse, he left near the end of the free agent frenzy, so there was no way to try to replace him. So the Cavs franchise lost a ton of value, plus they had a lost season.

You can't blame LeBron for leaving - he fulfilled his contract. But the system has real problems, as designed. If Love won't even opt in to his final year, the Cavs would be risking the health of their franchise for years, giving up so much for a possible one-year rental. And if Love leaves after we gave up Wiggins, Bennett, and a first-rounder for him, I don't like the chances of keeping LeBron around, either.

 

[GOB]

If Love only wants to go to Cleveland, the Wolves won't get Wiggins, Bennett, and a #1.

I may be delusional but I don't like that a player has that kind of power but that's a whole new discussion.

It seems to bother a lot of people, but I don't know why. It really bothers you that Love wants to make his own decision about where he'll play basketball next?Love's contract to play basketball for MIN has another year on it (2, if he wants). He's indicated that he's going to move on after the year.

I have no idea why so many fans think the player owes it to the team to help them get a bounty upon their exit. He's giving them a heads up, which will help them get something, and there's no reason to expect more than that.

Obviously, Love isn't doing this out of kindness for MIN (nor should he), but these players just end up getting skewered when they do the team a solid and give them warning that they are leaving. Best just to shut up, and let the team get nothing.

Perhaps you are missing my point. I don't like that Kevin Love (assuming he did) said he only wants to go to Cleveland. I also don't think he needed to publicize that he wanted out. He could have just told the FO that he wouldn't be returning when his contract is up.At the same time he didn't need to tell Minny anything and I would be ok with it. I just don't like that he is forcing his way to one team. Thus taking any leverage from Minnesota and allowing Cleveland to get him cheaper and building a potentially great team.

MIN is free to trade Love wherever they like.The haul is only going to be great if he commits long-term to the new team. MIN just needs to thank it's lucky stars that CLE fell ###-backwards into this scenario, giving them such a team.

To say he's "forcing his way to one team" is to assume that MIN has some right to trade away more than one-year of Love's services, which they never "owned". It also ignores that Love, you know, has the right to choose his own path in a year.

That's fine. Kevin Love should play out his contract and sign wherever he pleases. He will get the max and deservedly so. I wish him much success.But you cannot ignore the fact that Cleveland is going to get a great player for less than market value. I don't like that a player has forced his way on to one team (assuming that is what he is doing). It really puts other teams at a disadvantage, Minnesota included.

 

[pollardsvision]

If Love only wants to go to Cleveland, the Wolves won't get Wiggins, Bennett, and a #1.

I may be delusional but I don't like that a player has that kind of power but that's a whole new discussion.

It seems to bother a lot of people, but I don't know why. It really bothers you that Love wants to make his own decision about where he'll play basketball next?

Love's contract to play basketball for MIN has another year on it (2, if he wants). He's indicated that he's going to move on after the year.

I have no idea why so many fans think the player owes it to the team to help them get a bounty upon their exit. He's giving them a heads up, which will help them get something, and there's no reason to expect more than that.

Obviously, Love isn't doing this out of kindness for MIN (nor should he), but these players just end up getting skewered when they do the team a solid and give them warning that they are leaving. Best just to shut up, and let the team get nothing.

It's not anything against the players themselves. Obviously, everyone should have the freedom to move on. But the way the NBA works, this also makes it very hard to keep a team together, and not lose tons of built-up talent/value.

The best-case scenario (for the team) is when their star FA quietly tells the front office to get what they can for him, because he's leaving. When he goes public, they probably lose some leverage. But Minnesota is going to come out of this trade OK.

The worst-case scenario is the 2010 Cavs, who had the best record in the league, and couldn't really trade LeBron, even if they had a clue he was leaving. To make it worse, he left near the end of the free agent frenzy, so there was no way to try to replace him. So the Cavs franchise lost a ton of value, plus they had a lost season.

You can't blame LeBron for leaving - he fulfilled his contract. But the system has real problems, as designed. If Love won't even opt in to his final year, the Cavs would be risking the health of their franchise for years, giving up so much for a possible one-year rental. And if Love leaves after we gave up Wiggins, Bennett, and a first-rounder for him, I don't like the chances of keeping LeBron around, either.

I think the NBA system is fine, for the most part.

It's designed to make it easier for teams to stay together. Anything more would probably go to far to infringe upon a player's free will, I think.

As it stands now, a player is lucky to get 15 years in the NBA, 10 really, and the player really doesn't have a choice in where they spend the first 7 years. In order for that not to be true, they'd have to be the first player in NBA history to literally not care about money.

70% of a decade out of these guys is quite a lot.

 

[thecatch]

Plus, I don't like it when free-agents-to-be can force their way off of a team. And I hate that he doesn't even want to opt in to his final year.

Damn jerk trying to take a little bit of control over his short career.

He had control when he signed his contract. He will have control when he's done with that contract.

When a player has brought a franchise as much continued success as Love has the Wolves, they owe it to the player to make sure he's taken care of.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

If Love only wants to go to Cleveland, the Wolves won't get Wiggins, Bennett, and a #1.I may be delusional but I don't like that a player has that kind of power but that's a whole new discussion.

It seems to bother a lot of people, but I don't know why. It really bothers you that Love wants to make his own decision about where he'll play basketball next?Love's contract to play basketball for MIN has another year on it (2, if he wants). He's indicated that he's going to move on after the year.I have no idea why so many fans think the player owes it to the team to help them get a bounty upon their exit. He's giving them a heads up, which will help them get something, and there's no reason to expect more than that.Obviously, Love isn't doing this out of kindness for MIN (nor should he), but these players just end up getting skewered when they do the team a solid and give them warning that they are leaving. Best just to shut up, and let the team get nothing.

It's not anything against the players themselves. Obviously, everyone should have the freedom to move on. But the way the NBA works, this also makes it very hard to keep a team together, and not lose tons of built-up talent/value. The best-case scenario (for the team) is when their star FA quietly tells the front office to get what they can for him, because he's leaving. When he goes public, they probably lose some leverage. But Minnesota is going to come out of this trade OK. The worst-case scenario is the 2010 Cavs, who had the best record in the league, and couldn't really trade LeBron, even if they had a clue he was leaving. To make it worse, he left near the end of the free agent frenzy, so there was no way to try to replace him. So the Cavs franchise lost a ton of value, plus they had a lost season. You can't blame LeBron for leaving - he fulfilled his contract. But the system has real problems, as designed. If Love won't even opt in to his final year, the Cavs would be risking the health of their franchise for years, giving up so much for a possible one-year rental. And if Love leaves after we gave up Wiggins, Bennett, and a first-rounder for him, I don't like the chances of keeping LeBron around, either.

I think the NBA system is fine, for the most part.It's designed to make it easier for teams to stay together. Anything more would probably go to far to infringe upon a player's free will, I think.As it stands now, a player is lucky to get 15 years in the NBA, 10 really, and the player really doesn't have a choice in where they spend the first 7 years. In order for that not to be true, they'd have to be the first player in NBA history to literally not care about money.70% of a decade out of these guys is quite a lot.

Love could have accepted the qualifying offer and gone elsewhere. He chose to take the cash and stay in Minny.

 

[GOB]

Love wants the max and to sign where he wants. Great but to force your way on to a team and get both doesn't sit right with me. Now maybe if this is Orlando I'm singing a different tune.

Play out your contract, sign with Cleveland for whatever they can afford and compete for a championship.

You can't have it your way this isn't Burger King it's the NBA.

 

[pollardsvision]

If Love only wants to go to Cleveland, the Wolves won't get Wiggins, Bennett, and a #1.I may be delusional but I don't like that a player has that kind of power but that's a whole new discussion.

It seems to bother a lot of people, but I don't know why. It really bothers you that Love wants to make his own decision about where he'll play basketball next?Love's contract to play basketball for MIN has another year on it (2, if he wants). He's indicated that he's going to move on after the year.I have no idea why so many fans think the player owes it to the team to help them get a bounty upon their exit. He's giving them a heads up, which will help them get something, and there's no reason to expect more than that.Obviously, Love isn't doing this out of kindness for MIN (nor should he), but these players just end up getting skewered when they do the team a solid and give them warning that they are leaving. Best just to shut up, and let the team get nothing.

It's not anything against the players themselves. Obviously, everyone should have the freedom to move on. But the way the NBA works, this also makes it very hard to keep a team together, and not lose tons of built-up talent/value. The best-case scenario (for the team) is when their star FA quietly tells the front office to get what they can for him, because he's leaving. When he goes public, they probably lose some leverage. But Minnesota is going to come out of this trade OK. The worst-case scenario is the 2010 Cavs, who had the best record in the league, and couldn't really trade LeBron, even if they had a clue he was leaving. To make it worse, he left near the end of the free agent frenzy, so there was no way to try to replace him. So the Cavs franchise lost a ton of value, plus they had a lost season. You can't blame LeBron for leaving - he fulfilled his contract. But the system has real problems, as designed. If Love won't even opt in to his final year, the Cavs would be risking the health of their franchise for years, giving up so much for a possible one-year rental. And if Love leaves after we gave up Wiggins, Bennett, and a first-rounder for him, I don't like the chances of keeping LeBron around, either.

I think the NBA system is fine, for the most part.It's designed to make it easier for teams to stay together. Anything more would probably go to far to infringe upon a player's free will, I think.As it stands now, a player is lucky to get 15 years in the NBA, 10 really, and the player really doesn't have a choice in where they spend the first 7 years. In order for that not to be true, they'd have to be the first player in NBA history to literally not care about money.70% of a decade out of these guys is quite a lot.

Love could have accepted the qualifying offer and gone elsewhere. He chose to take the cash and stay in Minny.

Has a max-type player ever done that?

That's why I say they'd have to be the first player in NBA history that doesn't care about money at all.

I assume there's a good chance LeBron would've become the first if he weren't from Akron.

I'd guess we'll start seeing some players do this at some point, but so far, that security of the first big payday has been too much to pass up.

 

[CurlyNight]

Good luck to Byron Scott with the Lakers. Loved watching him as a player. And no surprise LeB kept #23 as that's what he was in Cleveland. He's getting bashing on Instagram as people are saying that's MJs # and he's no MJ. I don't think he chose 23 when he was drafted, and why wouldn't he want to keep the # he was on that team? I still don't get why Kobe changed from 8 to 24. If you are going to leave your mark on a team, you shouldn't switch #s imo.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Did you buy a new Lebron jersey yet.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

If Love only wants to go to Cleveland, the Wolves won't get Wiggins, Bennett, and a #1.I may be delusional but I don't like that a player has that kind of power but that's a whole new discussion.

It seems to bother a lot of people, but I don't know why. It really bothers you that Love wants to make his own decision about where he'll play basketball next?Love's contract to play basketball for MIN has another year on it (2, if he wants). He's indicated that he's going to move on after the year.I have no idea why so many fans think the player owes it to the team to help them get a bounty upon their exit. He's giving them a heads up, which will help them get something, and there's no reason to expect more than that.Obviously, Love isn't doing this out of kindness for MIN (nor should he), but these players just end up getting skewered when they do the team a solid and give them warning that they are leaving. Best just to shut up, and let the team get nothing.

It's not anything against the players themselves. Obviously, everyone should have the freedom to move on. But the way the NBA works, this also makes it very hard to keep a team together, and not lose tons of built-up talent/value. The best-case scenario (for the team) is when their star FA quietly tells the front office to get what they can for him, because he's leaving. When he goes public, they probably lose some leverage. But Minnesota is going to come out of this trade OK. The worst-case scenario is the 2010 Cavs, who had the best record in the league, and couldn't really trade LeBron, even if they had a clue he was leaving. To make it worse, he left near the end of the free agent frenzy, so there was no way to try to replace him. So the Cavs franchise lost a ton of value, plus they had a lost season. You can't blame LeBron for leaving - he fulfilled his contract. But the system has real problems, as designed. If Love won't even opt in to his final year, the Cavs would be risking the health of their franchise for years, giving up so much for a possible one-year rental. And if Love leaves after we gave up Wiggins, Bennett, and a first-rounder for him, I don't like the chances of keeping LeBron around, either.

I think the NBA system is fine, for the most part.It's designed to make it easier for teams to stay together. Anything more would probably go to far to infringe upon a player's free will, I think.As it stands now, a player is lucky to get 15 years in the NBA, 10 really, and the player really doesn't have a choice in where they spend the first 7 years. In order for that not to be true, they'd have to be the first player in NBA history to literally not care about money.70% of a decade out of these guys is quite a lot.

Love could have accepted the qualifying offer and gone elsewhere. He chose to take the cash and stay in Minny.

Has a max-type player ever done that?That's why I say they'd have to be the first player in NBA history that doesn't care about money at all.I assume there's a good chance LeBron would've become the first if he weren't from Akron.I'd guess we'll start seeing some players do this at some point, but so far, that security of the first big payday has been too much to pass up.

Not that I know of. He's just following in the footsteps of great guys like Howard and Melo. Take a ####load of cash from a franchise then hold them hostage.

 

[Mr. Retukes]

But you cannot ignore the fact that Cleveland is going to get a great player for less than market value. I don't like that a player has forced his way on to one team (assuming that is what he is doing). It really puts other teams at a disadvantage, Minnesota included.

Minnesota is not at a disadvantage at all. They have an opportunity to receive SOMETHING when there is a very good chance that they could receive NOTHING.

And if you're going to complain about "market value", then you may as well complain that players shouldn't have contracts. A player at the end of his contract has less market value than a player at the beginning of his contract. That's not Kevin Love's fault.

 

[CurlyNight]

Did you buy a new Lebron jersey yet.

I don't waste my money on NBA stuff or any sport stuff. The only jersey I have is from a bet back in 2006 with someone on another forum with me saying the Heat would win it all. I got a nice authentic Shaq jersey out of it.

 

[pollardsvision]

Not that I know of. He's just following in the footsteps of great guys like Howard and Melo. Take a ####load of cash from a franchise then hold them hostage.

Oh, come on.

Crappy team gets a stud...fine, you get 7 years to make something of it. If not, it's on you. Maybe you get a Jonas out of the deal, maybe not.

I'm very bitter though because, by my calculation, the Hornets have only drafted 3 players, in the last 22 years, that had any remote potential to ever be the 1st or 2nd best player on a contender (in the eyes of any reasonable person). 2 couldn't stay healthy (Baron, Okafor). 1 of those was still on the roster when the ####### team left (before NO just gave him away). We'll see about the 3rd (Vonleh). This isn't counting the whole Kobe thing.

I'm tired seeing people ##### about only getting 7 years out of one that does hit.

 

[thecatch]

Not that I know of. He's just following in the footsteps of great guys like Howard and Melo. Take a ####load of cash from a franchise then hold them hostage.

Oh, come on.Crappy team gets a stud...fine, you get 7 years to make something of it. If not, it's on you. Maybe you get a Jonas out of the deal, maybe not.

I'm very bitter though because, by my calculation, the Hornets have only drafted 3 players, in the last 22 years, that had any remote potential to ever be the 1st or 2nd best player on a contender (in the eyes of any reasonable person). 2 couldn't stay healthy. 1 of those was still on the roster when the ####### team left (before NO just gave him away). We'll see about the 3rd (Vonleh). This isn't counting the whole Kobe thing.

I'm tired seeing people ##### about only getting 7 years out of one that does hit.

MIN has effectively been robbed of the value of the last season of his contract by virtue of his trade demand.

Vonleh has best player on a contender potential?

 

[pollardsvision]

Not that I know of. He's just following in the footsteps of great guys like Howard and Melo. Take a ####load of cash from a franchise then hold them hostage.

Oh, come on.Crappy team gets a stud...fine, you get 7 years to make something of it. If not, it's on you. Maybe you get a Jonas out of the deal, maybe not.

I'm very bitter though because, by my calculation, the Hornets have only drafted 3 players, in the last 22 years, that had any remote potential to ever be the 1st or 2nd best player on a contender (in the eyes of any reasonable person). 2 couldn't stay healthy. 1 of those was still on the roster when the ####### team left (before NO just gave him away). We'll see about the 3rd (Vonleh). This isn't counting the whole Kobe thing.

I'm tired seeing people ##### about only getting 7 years out of one that does hit.

MIN has effectively been robbed of the value of the last season of his contract by virtue of his trade demand.

Vonleh has best player on a contender potential?

I don't see it that way. If not for this notion that they have to get something for him, they are more than welcome to go make a run this year and not worry about it. If I'm Flip, I tell CLE to send me their best offer involving Wiggins or that's exactly what I do, btw.

On Vonleh, certainly, I'm grasping at straws to find CHA draft picks with elite upside since Zo and LJ, but imo, he's clearly one of the Top 3 since then.And yes, I think he has that kind of upside. He's got potential to be a stretch 4 that can still defend the rim. He dropped to #9 because that's far from a certainty, but that kind of upside is quite a novelty among CHA draft picks (that, and the tall, white Steph Curry was too enticing for your boys to pass up).

 

[Premier]

Honestly, I'm hoping that Golden State relents and gives up Klay Thompson (is he really that special?) so we don't even have to make this deal. I want to see what we have in Wiggins. I want to see what LeBron, Irving, Wiggins, and a whole bunch of talented depth could do, because I think the bunch we have today is waaaaay better than the bunch LeBron won so many games with in his first time around, and I also think the coach will be better. Plus, I don't like it when free-agents-to-be can force their way off of a team. And I hate that he doesn't even want to opt in to his final year.

Bill Simmons wrote a piece where he mentioned the possibility of Wiggins being the Pippen to LeBron's Jordan. That is a very, very tempting idea to chase.

Right. It's an idea. People always fall in love with potential. Oddly, even when a top-5 player is sitting there staton them in the face.