2013-14 NBA Offseason/Draft Thread

[Vince, Pt. II]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

I have seen some noise that Thompson is currently a bit overrated so this would be a decent way to cash in on that.

SI

He's become a very good perimeter defender and is one of the top 20 or so shooters in the NBA. And he's only 23. If he develops a move to the rim, he'd be a superstar. As is, he's pretty fantastic. He's not really a piece I think the Warriors should get rid of, especially since Steph and David Lee are pretty terrible defensively.

[Vince, Pt. II]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

Is this opinion based on his game or his off the court stuff? The reason for me asking is you are not the first person I have seen to express such an opinion and many have given his game as a reason for the criticism. The idea of people having such a low opinion of his game is shocking to me when I compare it what the opinion was a year or so ago.

I think the major complaint is that he still doesn't really have a low post game. And at this point it's pretty apparent that he's not going to work on one. So he's not getting any better, and he's getting older, and he's over 7 feet tall. Even as he is, he's a tremendous force...but to know he could (should?) dominate the game and he doesn't...that doesn't seem to bode well.

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by Vince, Pt. II

He's become a very good perimeter defender and is one of the top 20 or so shooters in the NBA. And he's only 23. If he develops a move to the rim, he'd be a superstar. As is, he's pretty fantastic. He's not really a piece I think the Warriors should get rid of, especially since Steph and David Lee are pretty terrible defensively.

I'm not saying I agree with it. It's just some of the chatter I've read.

SI

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by Vince, Pt. II

I think the major complaint is that he still doesn't really have a low post game. And at this point it's pretty apparent that he's not going to work on one. So he's not getting any better, and he's getting older, and he's over 7 feet tall. Even as he is, he's a tremendous force...but to know he could (should?) dominate the game and he doesn't...that doesn't seem to bode well.

Cool. I don't necessarily disagree with what you or sterlingice are saying. I would like to believe that after a full year, he will be able to do more physically. Also after seeing Lebron add pieces to his game, I am not willing to say Dwight won't get better. But you are right. Given where his game is right now, there is a risk. I just feel that his game has not changed much from last year and yet then he was seen as the next great Laker center and the face of the franchise moving forward.

[korme]

Bill Simmons ‏@BillSimmons 2h
My bet on a Dwight outcome: LA sign-and-trades Howard + Artest to GSW for the Bogut/Biedrins expirings + Klay Thompson + future 1st.

Bill Simmons ‏@BillSimmons 2h
PS: Don't be surprised if Nash (expiring in 2015) ends up in a GSW/Howard sign-and-trade, would give Lakers even more 2014 cap space.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Danny

As a Lakers fan, I'd almost think we'd be better off doing a sign an trade for either Bogut and Barnes or Asik and Lin from a 2013/2014 team success standpoint.

No, you wouldn't. Right now, if you don't keep D12, you want cap space for next year. Lin and Asik will lock in those cap dollars well past 2014 for two flawed players.

[Izulde]

Originally Posted by Vince, Pt. II

I think if it costs either Barnes or Thompson, Howard is a terrible idea.

This.

[miami_fan]

With all the focus on next year, I am beginning to wonder. Which team is going to be the 2013 New York Knicks. You know the team that clear all the cap space to get Lebron, realizes they are not getting one of the big free agents and then end up overpaying for the 2013 Amare.

[sterlingice]

I'm really curious who will be the 2014 Amare. That's a much more entertaining question.

Trevor Ariza signs with Minnesota for 4/$60M!

SI

[sterlingice]

Warriors trade Biedrins, Jefferson To Jazz - no word on what the cost was to shed those salaries. Golden State turns around and signs Iggy for 4/$48M. With or without D12, that team got a whole lot stronger all of a sudden.

SI

[RedKingGold]

Iggy's a great signing for the Warriors. That's going to be a hella fun team to watch next year.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

I'm really curious who will be the 2014 Amare. That's a much more entertaining question.

Trevor Ariza signs with Minnesota for 4/$60M!

SI

Yours is a much better question

[Vince, Pt. II]

Wow. Amazing to me that the Warriors front office has changed to a group I can trust.

[sterlingice]

USA Today's Sam Amick reporting D12 to Houston
Dwight Howard will join Houston Rockets

SI

[sterlingice]

And, because I'm not allowed to have nice things,

Woj: Dwight Howard's agent, Dan Fegan tells Y! Sports: "Dwight has not finalized his decision."


SI

[Crapshoot]

Can we all agree no matter what that it will be good to see the Lakers suck next year?

[Arles]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

And, because I'm not allowed to have nice things,

Woj: Dwight Howard's agent, Dan Fegan tells Y! Sports: "Dwight has not finalized his decision."


SI

Dallas pulled out
Atlanta hasn't contacted him (or vice versa)
Golden State is essentially out because they just traded its expiring contracts to Utah
The Lakers meeting did not go well and the team doesn't fit his style..

So, the decision is between Houston and ?

[Matthean]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

Is this opinion based on his game or his off the court stuff? The reason for me asking is you are not the first person I have seen to express such an opinion and many have given his game as a reason for the criticism. The idea of people having such a low opinion of his game is shocking to me when I compare it what the opinion was a year or so ago.

His mental makeup. He has the physical skills, but I'm doubtful I want him to be the franchise guy, and it appears he doesn't want to be it either.

[sterlingice]

Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojYahooNBA 3m Dwight Howard and his representatives still need to go through details of a proposed contract with the Rockets, sources tell Y! Sports.

Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojYahooNBA 7m USA Today first reported that Dwight Howard will sign with the Rockets.

Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojYahooNBA 8m
Nevertheless, multiple sources tell Y! Sports Howard has chosen the Rockets but is still finalizing details of agreement.


Ok, so this looks like it's pretty much a done deal. Woj was just a little annoyed that someone scooped him, it looks like.



SI

[nol]

Glad it's finally over. This move opens the floodgates for a lot of transactions across the league. Already hearing Asik may want out of Houston. The Hawks may try to get him in a sign-and-trade for Josh Smith.

[Vince, Pt. II]

Oof, if the reports are true, this is the Utah/Golden State trade that cleared the cap room to get Iguodala:

Utah Receives:
2014 1st Round Pick
2017 1st Round Pick
Andris Biedrins
Richard Jefferson
Brandon Rush

Golden State receives:
Kevin Murphy (2nd round pick out of Tennessee Tech in 2012)

That's an awful lot to pay just to get rid of two expiring contracts.

[bulletsponge]

Originally Posted by Crapshoot

Can we all agree no matter what that it will be good to see the Lakers suck next year?

i dont know if this will get houston a championship, but fucking over the Lakers or NY is always a good feeling

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by Crapshoot

Can we all agree no matter what that it will be good to see the Lakers suck next year?

Wiggins would look good as a Laker

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

And, because I'm not allowed to have nice things,

Woj: Dwight Howard's agent, Dan Fegan tells Y! Sports: "Dwight has not finalized his decision."


SI

Welcome to Dwight's world. It really has to due with Dwight wanting to announce his decision on twitter.

Great start for Howard! Small mind, small market shine!

[MrBug708]

The path for the Lakers is clear next year. They are not better without Dwight, but he wasn't leading us anywhere soon.

Trade Pau, annesty Metta, sit Kobe out for the year (Fat chance), cut Nash, and basically take 2014 off. Lebron in LA will look pretty nice with Wiggins and Kobe

[Matthean]

Originally Posted by Crapshoot

Can we all agree no matter what that it will be good to see the Lakers suck next year?

The bigger issue is long term. They essentially have nobody to build around unless I'm missing somebody.

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by Matthean

The bigger issue is long term. They essentially have nobody to build around unless I'm missing somebody.

They should have two max contract spots available for 2014.

[murrayyyyy]

Rob Hennigan is looking really good right now as part of that 4 team deal. Can we redo that GM of the year thing?

Denver has lost Iggy
Lakers has lost Howard
76ers has probably lost Bynum playing 0 mins
Magic have Affallo, Haklesss, Vucevic, Denver's lower 2014 1st(so the Knicks or Nuggets), a future 76ers 1st, a future Lakers 1st, a future Lakers 2nd...

[DaddyTorgo]

Amusing that the 6ers gave up ANYTHING to have Bynum play 0 minutes for them.

That's a fucking mega-horrible trade in hindsight, eh?

[Arles]

Originally Posted by Vince, Pt. II

Oof, if the reports are true, this is the Utah/Golden State trade that cleared the cap room to get Iguodala:

Utah Receives:
2014 1st Round Pick
2017 1st Round Pick
Andris Biedrins
Richard Jefferson
Brandon Rush

Golden State receives:
Kevin Murphy (2nd round pick out of Tennessee Tech in 2012)

That's an awful lot to pay just to get rid of two expiring contracts.

Actually the deal is:
Utah Receives:
2014 1st Round Pick
2017 1st Round Pick
Andris Biedrins
Richard Jefferson
Brandon Rush

Golden State receives:
Kevin Murphy (2nd round pick out of Tennessee Tech in 2012)
Ability to sign Andre Iguodala
Avoid paying $40+ mil in Luxury tax
Avoid potentially being a tax repeater team next offseason

Those bottom two are certainly worth a pick in the late teens and one probably in the 20s. Add in Iggy and it's not awful. Heck, a few seasons back the Suns paid two first round picks to shed Kurt Thomas' $9 mil contract. Shedding $24+ million for two mid to late picks seems pretty fair for GS.

[murrayyyyy]

So how long until Aisk and Lin get traded to Atlanta for Josh Smith? 30 mins?

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by Arles

Actually the deal is:
Utah Receives:
2014 1st Round Pick
2017 1st Round Pick
Andris Biedrins
Richard Jefferson
Brandon Rush

Golden State receives:
Kevin Murphy (2nd round pick out of Tennessee Tech in 2012)
Ability to sign Andre Iguodala
Avoid paying $40+ mil in Luxury tax
Avoid potentially being a tax repeater team next offseason

Those bottom two are certainly worth a pick in the late teens and one probably in the 20s. Add in Iggy and it's not awful. Heck, a few seasons back the Suns paid two first round picks to shed Kurt Thomas' $9 mil contract. Shedding $24+ million for two mid to late picks seems pretty fair for GS.

Was going to make this post but Arles made it for me. Tho, again, not in a vacuum and consider opportunity cost. There are other deals they could have made but not getting Howard, Iggy is a good fit for them.

SI

[Vince, Pt. II]

Originally Posted by Arles

Actually the deal is:
Utah Receives:
2014 1st Round Pick
2017 1st Round Pick
Andris Biedrins
Richard Jefferson
Brandon Rush

Golden State receives:
Kevin Murphy (2nd round pick out of Tennessee Tech in 2012)
Ability to sign Andre Iguodala
Avoid paying $40+ mil in Luxury tax
Avoid potentially being a tax repeater team next offseason

Those bottom two are certainly worth a pick in the late teens and one probably in the 20s. Add in Iggy and it's not awful. Heck, a few seasons back the Suns paid two first round picks to shed Kurt Thomas' $9 mil contract. Shedding $24+ million for two mid to late picks seems pretty fair for GS.

True, and I'm still happy with the outcome. I think I'm most sad to see Rush go. He was a nice player to have around. But basically you're trading Rush and two 1sts for Iggy (in terms of on-the-court impact), and that's not a bad thing at all.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Arles

Atlanta hasn't contacted him (or vice versa)

Atlanta was either the first or second team (I don't recall which) to meet with Howard. It was before he talked to the Lakers.

Not that anything was going to come of that, but they did meet with him.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by murrayyyyy

So how long until Aisk and Lin get traded to Atlanta for Josh Smith? 30 mins?

Hmm ... how about just Asik for Smith straight up?

Would be nice to have an actual big man for a change, and most importantly it rids Atlanta of Smith's "jump shot" (and I use the term loosely).

[murrayyyyy]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Hmm ... how about just Asik for Smith straight up?

Would be nice to have an actual big man for a change, and most importantly it rids Atlanta of Smith's "jump shot" (and I use the term loosely).

I don't think that works under cap figured, I think a pick has to go with Asik or Lin (backloaded contract).

If Morey can pull off trading Asik and Lin in separate deals then he has played the past two off seasons perfectly.

Did Orlando use their trade exception for the Howard deal yet? That's got to be 17 million and coming up in a few months. Wonder if they will hit up Miami and use it to acquire some overpriced 4 like Bosh for a pick since they have a ton of them and Miami has none.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by murrayyyyy

I don't think that works under cap figured, I think a pick has to go with Asik or Lin (backloaded contract).

Not sure I like that one very well.

I mean, getting rid of Smith has a lot of value, but that's asking a lot. Hmm ... maybe they could flip him somewhere for a couple of players. I mean, Atlanta only has 3 under contract at the moment (4 if you count the comical D-League scrub they in the draft day deals), plus the two picks. Multiple bodies would have more value than Lin for the Hawks I'd think.

[Izulde]

Howard changed his mind and is now 50-50.

[Matthean]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

They should have two max contract spots available for 2014.

Which is still a gamble.

[Matthean]

Originally Posted by Izulde

Howard changed his mind and is now 50-50.

Howard causing issues already? Didn't see that coming.

[MrBug708]

I don't think so. Of course, I've seen it twice in my lifetime where the Lakers have missed the postseason, so I've come to expect things to break our way

[cuervo72]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

Amusing that the 6ers gave up ANYTHING to have Bynum play 0 minutes for them.

That's a fucking mega-horrible trade in hindsight, eh?

As Sixers trades go historically, that's not so bad.

[bulletsponge]

geez what a drama queen. i cant decide if i want him in Houston or to keep his whinny little ass in Lala land

[hoopsguy]

Crap like this is why people have grown to despise Dwight Howard over the past few seasons. Or jump to the conclusion that he is a mental midget. Or both.

[murrayyyyy]

I would assume it's a sign and trade ploy by Dwight hoping the Lakers will give him the extra 30 million.

[bulletsponge]

how often is it you hope a franchise player doesnt pick your team during FA?

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by murrayyyyy

I would assume it's a sign and trade ploy by Dwight hoping the Lakers will give him the extra 30 million.

I thought there was some clause/rule (mentioned earlier here?) that said he couldn't get the extra year/cash if he was traded?

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by Matthean

Howard causing issues already? Didn't see that coming.

*sigh* On the one hand, how predictably frustrating.

On the other hand, Howard never said he had picked anywhere and this was a lot of media- fairly credible ones by NBA standards- running with it. So I have this slight bit of sympathy for him but not really.

SI

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by murrayyyyy

I would assume it's a sign and trade ploy by Dwight hoping the Lakers will give him the extra 30 million.

NBA Salary Cap FAQ

Doesn't work that way under the new CBA. He's either on the Lakers for 5 years or anyone else for 4. There's not much motivation to do a S&T like this.

SI

[SirFozzie]

Yeah, LA's not playing that game:

Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojYahooNBA 3m
Los Angeles issued a statement saying that Howard informed Kupchak of his decision "to not return to the Lakers."