Actually when the process began, my main hope was that the Sixers got KD. I'd be ecstatic if that happened.Things I'm pondering heading into 2018
- Think of the moves the Celtics made last year, bringing back only four of their existing players. While tight cap space around the league makes it tough, someone is going to likely make massive overhauls.
- It just feels to me like Lebron will go to LA.
- Mario Hezonja will end up being most improved player next year, playing for someone other than the Magic putting up 18/4/5 per game.
- I'm not sold on Durant staying with the Warriors. He will be a free agent and no one is talking about it. Something out there tells me he is going to want to line up a situation where he can clear his name (add to his legacy, whatever) for going to the Warriors and taking the easy route. Honestly he is a better fit in Philly than Lebron, and being four years younger more closely matches Philly's stars ages.
I think you’re giving KD way too much credit here. Plus, he’s got the it’s hard to be so good on such a good team angle going.Things I'm pondering heading into 2018
- I'm not sold on Durant staying with the Warriors. He will be a free agent and no one is talking about it. Something out there tells me he is going to want to line up a situation where he can clear his name (add to his legacy, whatever) for going to the Warriors and taking the easy route. Honestly he is a better fit in Philly than Lebron, and being four years younger more closely matches Philly's stars ages.
I like this listThings I'm pondering heading into 2018
- Think of the moves the Celtics made last year, bringing back only four of their existing players. While tight cap space around the league makes it tough, someone is going to likely make massive overhauls.
- It just feels to me like Lebron will go to LA.
- Mario Hezonja will end up being most improved player next year, playing for someone other than the Magic putting up 18/4/5 per game.
- I'm not sold on Durant staying with the Warriors. He will be a free agent and no one is talking about it. Something out there tells me he is going to want to line up a situation where he can clear his name (add to his legacy, whatever) for going to the Warriors and taking the easy route. Honestly he is a better fit in Philly than Lebron, and being four years younger more closely matches Philly's stars ages.
Who does Bron need to get to LA to end up there? Is George enough for him to jump to the West? Just seems like a strange move to me unless there is something in the works that nobody is talking/knows about.I like this list
Raptors seem like the most likely to make massive overhauls, but my dark horse is Portland.
My gut feeling is LA, Philly or staying in Cleveland and them overhauling the roster. Not sure why, it just feels that way.
His dad is on local radio here in L.A. and also does radio commentary for Laker games. He's made it clear Klay wants to stay with the Warriors and that it's highly unlikely he goes anywhere else of his own volition.I read some where that he [Thompson] wasn't going anywhere and that is why we aren't hearing about it.
I was more talking about Durant, but yes I read that about Klay too. My bad this is from the other thread. You got me all mixed up.His dad is on local radio here in L.A. and also does radio commentary for Laker games. He's made it clear Klay wants to stay with the Warriors and that it's highly unlikely he goes anywhere else of his own volition.
Yeah, I have no idea what was going on in my brain that I short circuited to talking about Klay. Sorry about that.I was more talking about Durant, but yes I read that about Klay too. My bad this is from the other thread. You got me all mixed up.
Only way the Lakers make sense to me is if he's put other priorities ahead of what goes on on the court. Then it makes a lot of sense.Who does Bron need to get to LA to end up there? Is George enough for him to jump to the West? Just seems like a strange move to me unless there is something in the works that nobody is talking/knows about.
Lakers sign him to max contract after they miss out on LebronThaddeus Young is "seriously contemplating" declining his player option worth $13.7 million for the 2018-19 season, according to sources of Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
This report jives with an earlier report from J. Micheal of the Indianapolis Star, with the reasoning being that the 29-year-old vet would like to hit the open market now while he's still in his prime in hopes of locking up a long-term deal. Young wasn't overwhelmingly impressive this past season with averages of 11.8 points, 6.3 boards and 1.7 steals per game, but he did serve in a leadership role on a young Pacers' team that took LeBron James' Cavs to seven games in the first-round, and his ability to guard multiple positions is attractive in the current NBA landscape.
Source: ESPN
I think someone needs to tell Thad that not a lot of teams have money this year and he would be wise to wait and try his luck next year.
But how better to stop the howls about KD being a frontrunner than leaving it and ending that reign with his new team (which he will if he does). Kevin Durant would be the Messiah of the Process - helping rather than stunting their growth and elevating the New Big Three past even the Big Four in the beauty of their play.Actually when the process began, my main hope was that the Sixers got KD. I'd be ecstatic if that happened.
But he's got a good thing going in Oakland. They can win the next 2-4 titles.
i was thinking the same, just checked the odds for where Lebron plays next year:Only way the Lakers make sense to me is if he's put other priorities ahead of what goes on on the court. Then it makes a lot of sense.
I try hard not to jump up and down shouting about it, but I've won boatloads the last two seasons betting early futures on GS. And I posted as much early in both seasons. It is a long long time to let a casino hold your money. It's a stressful situation at times too. I still haven't cashed out but may head to Vegas tonight. The joke around here is the Warriors are putting a Laker fan's kid through college. There's also an M5 in the garage that wouldn't be here if not for the Durant signing. I made the first big bet just after, and I made more when the budget allowed. I had a nice run with nba dfs that stalled and Draft Kings started feeling dicey, so I took that bankroll and put it on the Warriors. Something someone smarter than me said in the gambling thread back then about believing in your locks and no brainers rang true, so I went as all in as I could justify. Two years in a row. It's about Durant joining the best team in the league. A team I already argued was the best I'd ever seen. I'm 99% sure he stays put, but he is what makes it a no brainer, so I'll wait.Made some money on Dubs futures bet this season. Looking to do so again...but I'm guessing the price will be better come free agency?
Is that what everyone else is waiting for?
i was thinking the same, just checked the odds for where Lebron plays next year:
Sixers +280
Houston +420
Boston +1300
Lakers -165
Personally, i think that is insane. Sixers odds actually got a little closer, Rockets were the one who took the big hit. But Lakers being the favorite is crazy.
Yea everything else I'm seeing is in the +200 range for the Lakers. Still the favorite but not -165. Obviously it can move by the minute.
Where are these odds posted. I really liked LA 5-1, but wouldn't touch this. Still.
Huh. If something has happened to move the odds even this much I sure have no clue what it is. Last I looked it was Philly a heavy favorite, Cleveland a solid second choice, and LA third fiddle.Yea everything else I'm seeing is in the +200 range for the Lakers. Still the favorite but not -165. Obviously it can move by the minute.
2 thingsLakers sign him to max contract after they miss out on Lebron
5dimes. already moved:
Where are these odds posted. I really liked LA 5-1, but wouldn't touch this. Still.
The Gary Payton stuff kind of took off today and then the school denied (they probably would either way I assume). Baby Pippen, Baby Kenyon and Baby Bronny taking the easy road forming a high school super team.Huh. If something has happened to move the odds even this much I sure have no clue what it is. Last I looked it was Philly a heavy favorite, Cleveland a solid second choice, and LA third fiddle.
i am just not seeing it. were Lakers better than Cavs without Lebron? Lakers certainly young and have upside, but 1/3 of the league was actively tanking at various points last year when Lakers had no incentive to. they are young, but i just can't see it.Lebron to the Lakers makes the most sense to me
Its actually brilliant. Lebron can say after extensive talks with my family, we decided to go to xxxx team. No damn way is he letting his wife and kids make this decision though, but he can deflect any feedback by bringing his family in as part of the decision making process.i am just not seeing it. were Lakers better than Cavs without Lebron? Lakers certainly young and have upside, but 1/3 of the league was actively tanking at various points last year when Lakers had no incentive to. they are young, but i just can't see it.
i think when Lebron says his family will weigh in heavily with this decision he is saying he doesn't want to force them to move a ton. if he was still in his 1 year deals maybe, but i can't see a reason why he goes to LA
It has little to do with basketball.i am just not seeing it. were Lakers better than Cavs without Lebron? Lakers certainly young and have upside, but 1/3 of the league was actively tanking at various points last year when Lakers had no incentive to. they are young, but i just can't see it.
i think when Lebron says his family will weigh in heavily with this decision he is saying he doesn't want to force them to move a ton. if he was still in his 1 year deals maybe, but i can't see a reason why he goes to LA
Could not agree with this more...pretty simple...and you didn't even touch on the off-the-court stuff...Its actually brilliant. Lebron can say after extensive talks with my family, we decided to go to xxxx team. No damn way is he letting his wife and kids make this decision though, but he can deflect any feedback by bringing his family in as part of the decision making process.
Lakers have the one greatest asset you need in free agency. Actual cap space. You can't compare what the Lakers have now to what they will be with two max free agents. They can then flip Ingram, Ball, or Kuzma and draft picks on the backside for a top 30 type player (Kemba?) that decides they want to get out of xxxx town and the GM doesn't want to get stuck with nothing (see Kyrie and PG last year).
And then the Lakers have three top 30 players if they play it right. Makes all the sense in the world to me, has for weeks...
if that is the case, then yeah there are only 1 or 2 options he is likely interested. If that is the case i am more surprised to not hear NY mentioned.It has little to do with basketball.
I think LeBron would love to play for the Knicks if they weren't such a train wreck...the Knicks do not get enough credit for how badly run they have been...it is it pretty impressive that a franchise that should be a magnet for stars has figured out a way to not attract them...if that is the case, then yeah there are only 1 or 2 options he is likely interested. If that is the case i am more surprised to not hear NY mentioned.
all i know is you could see smoke coming out of Lebron's head this year playing with that Cavs team. i can only imagine the excitement he would have 30 games into a season with the Lakers
Agreed. LA can give him that big market business rich guy stuff and he’s going into a palatable basketball situation. New York not so much.I think LeBron would love to play for the Knicks if they weren't such a train wreck...the Knicks do not get enough credit for how badly run they have been...it is it pretty impressive that a franchise that should be a magnet for stars has figured out a way to not attract them...
You might be right, but the fact that you can't see the Lakers or other teams should put up red flags for yourself. You have tunnel vision.i don't know, i just keep adding to "Lebron to the Sixers" as the odds keep looking good
houston never made sense to me. i think Spurs are a dark horse possibility, and i am sure there are other teams. i just can't see a team like the Lakers come completely out of nowhere (they have talked about this for the better part of the year). if the Lakers were a possibility i would have thought we would have heard a rumbling or 2 during the yearYou might be right, but the fact that you can't see the Lakers or other teams should put up red flags for yourself. You have tunnel vision.