Recap: Free Agency Fallout (or, Westward Ho!)
2017-07-01
While most of the madness arrived in advance of the 12:01 am deadline, there were plenty of shockwaves reverberating throughout the NBA landscape into the wee hours of Friday night. Cavs fans who still held out hope for an eleventh hour PG-13 deal were probably only partially disappointed. The surprise wasn’t that the disgruntled swingman was moved… it was his destination.
Cleveland? Nope. LA? Not yet. Boston? Aw, hell naw!
Instead, Indiana hitched George’s wagon to the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he’ll join last year’s jilted poster boy, Russell Westbrook in at least a one year quest to make life more difficult for the NBA Champs. In return they got…
Sources: Indiana has completed trade of Paul George to Oklahoma City for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2017
Yes, you read that right. No draft picks. No future considerations. Not even cap space since Dipo makes more than PG-13. Just two average rotation pieces for arguably a top 10 player in the League.
If you’re wondering why the Pacers eschewed any sort of straight up or three team trade with the Cavs for Kevin Love or another team’s prospects…
Bottom line: Indy was not going to send Paul George to the Cavs no matter what
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) July 1, 2017
…or why Kevin Pritchard decided not to play ball with Danny Ainge…
Pacers just didn't like offers they got this time around. Cs wouldn't give Brown/Tatum; Indy wasn't interested in Boston vets/non BKN picks.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) July 1, 2017
…there’s the explanations? Actually, based on the information in the next tweet, I’m sure the Knicks or Nets will be requesting permission to speak to Prichard in the near future…
Thunder played long game, didn't bombard or crowd Indy because OKC knew Pacers liked Oladipo/Sabonis. Waited them out.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) July 1, 2017
…or at least the cops might…
Thanks for the tweets reporting the "theft" of Paul George by @okcthunder.
Our investigative findings: totally legal & very savvy.
— Oklahoma City Police (@OKCPD) July 1, 2017
I mean… I knew Sam Presti was kind of a magician… but even if PG-13 winds up being nothing more than a one-year rental, he still gave literally nothing away for him… and even saved some money by getting out from under the terrible Oladipo deal. It’s also entirely possible that Presti Presto just pulled the perfect trick to keep the reigning MVP from bolting in the near future if he can sell George on sticking around to see what comes next.
Unlucky Irish
https://twitter.com/BobanGOAT/status/880973100560547840
Not only did Boston get boxed out on PG-13, but around the same time… another potential target decided to stay on the West Coast…
Blake Griffin plans to reach agreement on a five-year, $173 million deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, league sources tell The Vertical.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2017
Hard to say if it was a good decision by Steve Ballmer to max out a guy with injury and occasional behavioral issues, but he probably had to keep at least one star in his corral after losing CP3 to the Rockets… even if it means watching (gulp) Doc’s kid attempt to run Lob City for the foreseeable future.
With Jimmy Butler, Paul George and Blake Griffin now all west of the Mississippi… the Celtics must turn their full attention to their attempts to throw a reunion party for Gordon Hayward and his old college coach, President Brad Stevens. And, even that’s potentially in doubt, since Gordo’s first meeting is with the Miami Heat’s sockless curmudgeon. I’m going to guess that playing in South Beach with no state tax, and a supporting cast of Dragic, St. Weirdo, Whiteside and Winslow might just trump cold winters, IT4, Bradley, Horford, a rookie and a bunch of assets that have been collecting dust in Danny’s closet for years now…
We should know more about Hayward’s fate in the next few days… but Boston has to be fairly disappointed they haven’t been able to move the needle yet in free agency.
PG Shuffle
Paul George notwithstanding… there was a true game of musical chairs for point guards last night. The Wolves sent their PG to the Jazz…
Breaking: T-Wolves trade Ricky Rubio to Jazz for a 1st round pick, per @tribjazz & @ESPNSteinLine pic.twitter.com/ZNFZ5J5iWE
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 30, 2017
…then signed the PG from the Pacers…
https://twitter.com/SInow/status/880981952664408064
…so, does that mean the former Pacers’ PG who previously went to the Jazz goes… back to Indy? Probably not… although he won’t likely be going to his rumored destination in San Antonio after this happened…
Free agent Patty Mills has agreed to a 4-year, $50M deal to stay with San Antonio, league sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/K9ZzMOnDzR
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2017
(This was actually the first in a barrage of WojBombs under his new ESPN moniker)
No word yet on where George Hill will actually land… same with Kyle Lowry, Derrick Rose and the recently waived Rajon Rondo. Three other PGs won’t be going anywhere anytime soon (most likely) with John Wall getting offered a max extension…
Wizards offered John Wall supermax extension but he'll consider for awhile. Decision not based just on offseason https://t.co/IGZdWLFvG0
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) July 1, 2017
And both of the Warrior ball-handlers, as Joe Lacob begins his campaign to prove that a millionaire can outspend billionaires…
Stephen Curry has agreed to a 5-year, $201M deal with Golden State, agent Jeff Austin of Octagon tells ESPN. No… https://t.co/v8sOh909y7
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2017
Golden State, Shaun Livingston reach agreement on 3-years, $24 million, league sources tell ESPN.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 1, 2017
So much for the Warriors losing important pieces… at least until Andre Iguodala is done with his round of meetings with the Spurs, Kings and Rockets. But, at least they’re rumored to have a “Plan B”
Warriors Consider Rudy Gay Plan B If Andre Iguodala Leaves: https://t.co/VAHdLjKZXQ pic.twitter.com/JfOgrg6OYE
— RealGM (@RealGM) July 1, 2017
It’s The (L)East We Can Do
Sure, the Western Conference not only retained their current All Stars, but also got an infusion of new ones to bolster their quest for super teams… but, hey the East made some noise too!
Welcome back Tony Snell! pic.twitter.com/NFdQmQxszl
— Bucks Schmucks (@BucksSchmucks) July 1, 2017
THE FUTURE IS HERE FOR CHICAGO:
Jk, it's just Cristiano Felicio for the MLE #sad pic.twitter.com/CEwlGlN1Bg
— Armchair NBA (@ArmchairNBA) July 1, 2017
What can’t Ron Baker do?https://t.co/hesxRNaYAv
— SB Nation (@SBNation) July 1, 2017
Yep… this “BakerBomb” was the third biggest piece signing for an EC team at the deadline. Madness indeed…
Aside from the question of where Gordon Hayward lands, another big name from the East is also almost assuredly headed West…
https://twitter.com/SInow/status/881013266528575488
But, maybe JJ Redick will cast his lot with what suddenly looks like a top four team in the EC…
J.J. Redick Rules Out Re-Signing With Clippers, Receiving Interest From Wolves, 76ers, Nets: https://t.co/C5MRO0DLmx
— RealGM (@RealGM) July 1, 2017
And, it’s becoming more and more of a safe bet that remaining names like John Wall, Kyle Lowry, Serge Ibaka, Otto Porter and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will stay in the East for at least a little while longer. Yet, none of these players reside at the top of last year’s #NBARank List.
And Then There Was One…
With Paul George moving West, only 1 of the top 14 players in last year’s #NBARank will be in the Eastern Conference. pic.twitter.com/xmexPKuWxB
— ESPN (@espn) July 1, 2017
The one still happens to be the best player on the planet, although he’ll be another year older, and another year closer to the nationally presumed temptation to head West himself. Yet, for all of the media speculation that LeBron might leave for the bright lights of Los Angeles at 12:01 on July 1, 2018… ask this question… why? As in… “why leave the Eastern Conference which has only gotten weaker and give up the opportunity to coast into the Finals pretty much every year until retirement… oh, and also soak up about $210M of @CavsDan’s money?” If there’s one thing LeBron James is… it’s shrewd. You think he congratulated Steph on his mega-deal without knowing he will eclipse it next summer?
https://twitter.com/KingJames/status/881016029840683008
If you want to spend the next 364.5 days of your life being nervous about LBJ potentially leaving again… go right ahead. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you not to do so…
Mostly Quiet In The ‘Land
For all the upheaval in Free Agency leading up to the deadline… things were relatively sedate with the wine & gold. There was a report, per Joe Vardon, that the Cavs were going to make a qualifying offer to Kyle Korver at the deadline. Not sure if that happened, but he’s certainly also rumored to be a secondary target for teams pursuing the slightly younger JJ Redick…
https://twitter.com/KeithSmithNBA/status/881017486577197057
There was one interesting notion floating around that Cleveland might be looking to find some grind for their bench bunch…
https://twitter.com/daldridgetnt/status/880980460918145024
Also… this interesting tidbit might have gone relatively unnoticed by most… although was assuredly met with glee by Nate and Ben…
https://twitter.com/IAmDPick/status/880847698647240706
So… that’s the latest and greatest from the immediate wave of deadline madness. Plenty more fireworks expected as the Fourth of July weekend rolls along. Check back in regularly for updates, conjecture and viral Windy memes…
https://twitter.com/KennyDucey/status/880999406085873664
It’s funny. Shump is exactly the type of guy we’d be targeting if he wasn’t on our team.
You have disparaged Delly since his time was cut in the Finals against GS. Shumpert had a similar reduction and logged just 4 minutes in Game 5. I say double standard. Shumpert was just awful against the Warriors. And as you say continually, the regular season doesn’t matter. So don’t point to Shump’s regular season either, which got worse as the year progressed too.
Delly shot 20% in the Finals. He was awful. Shump still has upside although I doubt he’llever reach it. Shumperts worse games in the Finals are still miles above Delly who was so bad last year the Mo freakin Williams and Dahntay Jones were getting playing time over him.
Delly deadenders
And Shump shot a stellar .235 in the five games against GS. No alternative facts on this, Cols
Better than Delly who couldn’t even see the floor.
Shump killed the Cavs every time he saw the floor.
Another example of Lue’s cluelessness about who to play.
Shumpert’s worst game in the finals wasn’t miles above anyone’s. It’s very odd why you continue to defend Shumpert. If Delly or any other player not on Cols’ ‘free pass’ list had the finals Shumpert did, every new article at CtB would have at least a dozen Cols posts about how he sucked.
Delly is your obsession…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIs5StN8J-0
Delly’s Games 1,2, and 3 of the 15 Finals are vastly better than ANY GAME SHUMP HAS EVER PLAYED!
Can’t say I care about Calderon at all. Can’t believe Reddick $23M for 1 year ?!?
Calderon is a very good floor general. He’s also above average from distance. A poor defender, but very high IQ overall player.
Welcome to the Cavs José!
https://twitter.com/BobbyMarks42/status/881317437261488129
https://twitter.com/mcten/status/881316436777545728
Who can he even realistically recruit? Think he really is going to peddle wares to league minimum guys?
Calderon is a great natural shooter and occasional playmaker. Probably not much worse than Deron Williams on defense. Hopefully he has something left in the gas tank at age 35.
Yeah I don’t see him getting many playoff minutes.
Depends if he can hit an open 3…. Deron Williams certainly couldn’t in the Finals.
https://twitter.com/joevardon/status/881316323132833796
https://twitter.com/PrioritySports/status/881312822755549184
https://twitter.com/ChrisBHaynes/status/881313834643968000
I hope it’s on a Vet min.
For sure. He is nowhere near worth our MLE.
Please Houston take Shump off our hands. Pretty please. Hopefully if it happens we can give Derrick and Cedi some good minutes. Plus Wade…
https://twitter.com/WindhorstESPN/status/881293702290956291
So then it looks like Koby Altman is the new GM.
TT, Shump, and JR take up 30% of the team’s salary cap. If there was some way to deal them, they could bring back a max player. Not sure who’s out there but I’d be trying to move them and get another big time piece.
I’m in for this ?
So with this rockets Shumpert thing, we would just be dumping his contract for cap relief? Sounds like Gilbert is done spending unlimited amounts. Even if we use that money to free up space to sign Korver, we are essentially trading shumpert for Korver without replacing shumpert with anyone of equal ability?? Sounds cheap.
How would this setup future deals. We would still be well into tax and over the cap with Korver. This just sounds like tax relief to me.
They get a pick, which they could use as part of other negotiations. If they get rid of Shump and the cap relief is to sign Korver and bring him over Cedi, I think it’s worth it. But I hope they do more, to find another wing.
But they won’t have cap relief. Only some tax relief. With the guys they have signed now including shump they are at 129 mill. Without shump 119 mill. Still in the tax and over the cap. Less into the tax though which saves Gilbert a lot of money. Doesn’t really help sign Korver, except saving Gilbert tax dollars. Again. I think this is a money saving move more than anything. I doubt Osman as a rookie is able to replace Shumpert’s value. I was hoping they would package shumpert with someone else to actually go out and get a better… Read more »
I’m not sure how much value Shump really has. If it means we can resign Korver, I’m fine with it. I’m not one to defend Gilbert, but he is paying more than any owner in the league, at least right now.
That’s great, but he basically told LBJ, I am not going to make moves to save tax dollars while you are here.
Just to save tax dollars
Ok correction. The 129 is with the non guaranteed 4 million from Felder, Tavares, and Sanders. Total guaranteed is about 125 mill with shump, and 115 without. Still don’t think that changes our mid level exception.
https://twitter.com/JeffZillgitt/status/881279029327921152
Gross. Even Shump looks amazing compared to him.
Anyone have a crazy theory on the Shumpert trade?
To allow us to do a sign and trade with someone. Also, he sucks, so they’re just happy to dump the contract. So so glad we kept shump instead of delly.
But we are still in the tax even with dumping his salary. Just less so. Money saving trade.
John Wall 42 million per year?! I didn’t know it was going to get so crazy.
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/881271833416183808
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/881270395969699844
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/881260339349815296
Forget Billups. Move on. We need a guy under 6’5″ who can play D if Shump goes.
PJ Tucker ??
Make this happen!
Makes sense. Cedi comes over. Keep Korver. Dump Shump. If Altman pulls it off he’d win me over.
The fact they used a picture with David Stern in it tells you about all you need to know regarding the veracity of this post…
https://twitter.com/CavsNews365/status/881256098048622592
Looking forward to the State Farm commercials with Paul, Harden and Shump…
Well, we know Shump can take DJ’s place as a crossdresser from his Halloween costume…
Why wouldn’t he take this?
https://twitter.com/RealGM/status/881253070448885760
He probably will.
Cap hell for the Dubs!
Because he can get more and it’s his last shot.
Not a good sign…
https://twitter.com/AmicoHoops/status/881250706132525056
Okay… this would make more sense…
https://twitter.com/WindhorstESPN/status/881250380453093376
Especially if they’re just replacing Shump with Cedi on the roster…
I’m not sure the are direct replacements. Shump could guard PGs. Not sure Cedi can.
Cedi will use the Force…
Shump could. He mostly chose not to
This would be a solid deal for the Cavs. We can hopefully retire http://www.pleasestopdribblingShump.com
I’m fine with that. Hopefully they can also pick up PJ Tucker.
Chris Paul will love Shump…
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/881249660614057984
But for whom? I don’t know much about the Rockets and I don’t know if they have someone that the Cavs could use… Only Anderson and I really doubt it’s going to be him.
https://twitter.com/PerSources/status/881245558702309377
They should also sign Varejao.
Maybe as a brand ambassador or dude who helps new players get acquainted with the league.
I was thinking more for the hair.
So then Korver should get something done soon, since Reddick has signed with the 6ers.
So 1 year and $19M? /s
https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/881235854374653953
Reddick to Sixers, one year, 23 mill.
Wow!
https://twitter.com/oldseaminer/status/881244175487741952
He’s not the only guy who gets to decide this stuff. But you knew that and decided to take a cheap shot anyways.
Huh? He’s the one complaining about it.
And your point is gat he should decertify and go non union. Which is impossible for him to do and you know it. Cheap shot artist.
Philly should throw a pile of money at Iggy
Best news of the day: https://mobile.twitter.com/AlexKennedyNBA/status/881214336940863489
Mercy, I hope some smart owner like MICHAEL JORDAN doesn’t steal Shump from the Cavs!!
Maybe we forgot about the Bucks, Wizards and Raptors (if they keep Lowry). So maybe the East is not that bad after all.
I expect the Bucks to be a lot better this year.
We will sweep them.
??? off course you will say that.
The Cs will improve a tad. Raps, Wiz, & Bucks will be good. 2nd half Heat + Hayward are good. That is six. Plus maybe Philly.
https://twitter.com/sam_amick/status/881215147334750213
https://twitter.com/sam_amick/status/881217147212410880
THIS CHAUNCEY “DELAY ” IS GETTING TO BE OLD / A JOKE —-EITHER ALL IN OR OUT …….LIKE EVIL”S IDEA FREE UP A ROSTER SPOT ….JFJ FOR G.M. —EVERYONE SAYS HE HAS GREAT BASKETBALL INTELLIGENCE PLUS YOU KEEP LEBRON HAPPY
https://twitter.com/NBAcom/status/881213147322994690
Godfather offer incoming…wonder if Pat will don socks for the occasion…
Who knows what Hayward will do, but sounds like he may be leaning to Heat. It would be amusing to see Danny sitting on his ‘assets’ yet another year. He’ll be able to cheer himself up by paying IT 30 mill a year soon, though.
And another one! Mein Gott!
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/881205359624429568
The East just got real… /s
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/881204148305354754
Pretty sure none of these other dudes ever broke their hand punching out a friend at 2am outside a bar… just sayin…
https://twitter.com/SInow/status/881203678845292545
Lol. Seriously.
I feel like that would be a shirt approved by Donald Sterling during his ownership.
Too many minorities for Donald probably…
Ha, yeah, good point. Sterling was a real garbage person.
That’s pretty Micky Mouse stuff, but Clips gonna clip…
What the hell?
Just like the Jimmy Butler trade…
https://twitter.com/gifdsports/status/881203296844869632
Hey! The Celtics signed someone!
https://twitter.com/SInow/status/881201763080187904
https://twitter.com/RealGM/status/881202080894996480
https://twitter.com/twithersAP/status/881196015663165441
Sure doesn’t sound like Billups is taking the job. Curious when/ if the Cavs are going to interview someone else. Perhaps Rasheed Wallace.
I vote for JFJ…
Ben Wallace?
As long as it’s not Jalen Rose…
That would be the Armageddon scenario…I would hire Phil Jackson before Jalen…
Chris Grant 2.0.
His first move will be proving he was right and bringing back gum drop bear.
How about Billy King? That sounds good, right Gilbert
Let me echo the sentiments of those below. Great work, EG.
Thanks Nate! It was fun to write
Much rather have nene than Randolph. Much better defender and more mobile at this point in his career.
Agreed
Disagree. Randolph is more durable and a much better post player. Cant put Klay on Zach. Or likely KD either.
Prichard already grooming his replacement…
https://twitter.com/Pacers/status/881187941284020224
I’m convinced Pritchard is carrying the water for a very very bitter owner. Why do you think Bird left?
Yeah, I think this was almost all ownership…90% that, and maybe 10% not wanting to help anyone in the East…
You sure about that?
https://twitter.com/MikeWiseguy/status/881171086699884548
Okay, maybe vice versa – 90% Pritchard saying FU to anyone in the East. If that is true, he’s a moron. This is a business.
Reneged because the owner told him to…
Not so fast Rockets…
https://twitter.com/MarcJSpearsESPN/status/881188941176504320
David West is back with GSW…
https://twitter.com/daldridgetnt/status/881188596274909185
https://twitter.com/mikepolkjr/status/874449854185037826
I’m still learning this free agent thing, so you can sign for a ridiculous amount of money your own free agents like the Warriors just did with Steph but you can’t do it with a free agent coming from another team cause it will really mess up your cap?
Yes… you’re allowed to go over the cap to sign your own guys if you control their rights. It’s a lot more complex if you don’t…
Wow, so then the Warriors are going to continue to have a 3rd of the Western conference all stars team on their roster and no one can do anything about it.
What a joke!
Also, after KD left OKC, the league instituted a rule that allows teams to offer significantly more money to retain their own free agent than teams that would be trying to steal the free agent away. Hence why GS was able to offer Curry so much more money than any other team and he didn’t meet with anybody else.
The Calderon thing is less interesting. Still, he is a good passer & can shoot. He takes care of the ball. DWill turned it over too much. No D. Perhaps White can make the team. Clips picked up Liggins’ option.
Hope Liggins has some good games, if only to p!ss off Cols!
Well, the dunces at FTS hate the Randolph interest. Which only convinces me further it is a good idea. The author says he doesn’t fill a need. Moron. How about a guy who: plays hard all the time; is an excellent post player who can feast on smalls; can get his own shot; can give you scoring punch off the bench; is a very good rebounder; and thrives on physical play. Those all seem like areas of need for this team.
In my opinion: Clogs the lane for Kyrie and Lebron and not athletic enough to cover Draymond/KD/Iguodala. Surely at his age isn’t as spry as TT, so I’m not sure how much Lue would play him when rotations get tight. Yes, against other competition, he would definitely have a role (I could see him very effective against Spurs/Celtics/Wizards). But against the Warriors specifically, I don’t see how he moves the needle UNLESS he embraces that ENFORCER role a la Perkins a few years ago.
Also, I’m also in the mindset that we should be getting younger, not older.
You can run an offense around him on second team. Cavs have to find a way to not suck for 12 minutes a night so they can rest Bron. Zach might help there.
If only Lue could develop an offense around Love when LeBron is out… still boggles my mind.
https://twitter.com/JasonLloydNBA/status/881134687585959936
Unfortunately my own interest couldn’t be less mutual.
http://www.adultdiaper.org/assets/images/1053.jpg
Depends on what kind of shape he’s in…
Also how does TV money work in bball? Does local coverage money still get divided evenly in the league? If not I am guessing local TV money alone from the Bay Area metro area and Northern California as a whole will cover the warrior’s team salaries and tax.
I mean obviously the conference system is good for the cavs currently, but this is ridiculous. What is the point of having conferences at this point?
Exactly, I was thinking the same yesterday.
Conferences give you rivalries. Getting rid of conferences would be dumb.
Rivalries only work if teams are competitive. Besides, you could still get rivalries if teams are meeting in the playoffs most years.
They should get rid of divisions. Still, it saves travel $$$.
Great coverage last night and with this summary, EG. Kudos for encapsulating the action so accurately and cleverly too.
Thanks Mike!
Seconded!
To me the Cavs looking at Randolph could mean that one of the Cavs bigs could get traded. Maybe.
Really enjoyed the Live Thread and Recap EG. It was a stellar free agent frenzy for the Cavs. They didn’t lose a rotation player, and Cedi is on his way. Not really sure about Zach fitting. There are still trade possibilities though. Frye has value to the right team on an expiring deal. I was kind of bummed they couldn’t make a move for Rubio, but there’s still hope for an MKG trade.
It’s kind of amazing how exciting this part of the NBA offseason is… maybe more fun that this year’s playoffs… and certainly more than the regular season
The playoffs were fun until the almost inevitable warriors thrashing. The regular season was basically not worth watching. A lot of us did, but I am not sure why now. I mean the team didn’t care. I am not sure why I did. Next year may be similar or even more apathetic given how the things are playing out for the east in FA.
So LeBron has caused the the warriors to get Durant and everyone else flee the east to get away from facing him. I love it. LeBron is the destroyer of worlds.
Don’t see Butler and PG getting traded as ‘fleeing’.
I guess Cols means that the Pacers and Bull conceded the east to the Cavs by trading them.
Outstanding recap EG. The OKC Police tweet had me roaring.
Yeah, that was pretty hysterical
Pacers are so dumb.
I get they didn’t wanted to help the Celtics or Cavs or any other east contender get better but giving him up to Okc like that was really dumb.
I also love watching Boston get skunked. If they don’t even get Hayward, I will die laughing. And even if they do, he is at best a 2nd or 3rd banana on a really good team.
Great post EG!
One thought: has there ever been a player that was so good that he basically forced all of the rivals in his conference to not even try to compete against him? Because that is what is going on with LBJ. As long as he is around, teams in East are not investing aggressively to compete against him.
Thanks Hot Sauce!
East is kinda like the relegation league
With Milsap apparently heading to the west as EG noted, this has to be the most unbalanced the conferences have perhaps ever been. The NBA’s competition problem now extends beyond just Cavs/Dubs IV to the lack of real rooting interest for virtually all Eastern Conference teams.
At least Ainge didn’t get his filthy hands on PG. Screw Ainge. Predictions: Iggy signs with GS, Hayward ends up in Boston. Reddick goes to whoever can offer him the most money, likely Nets, because he’s always been all about the money.
The Warriors already inked Livingston.
AGREED THINK HAYWARD STAYS WITH THE JAZZ—–TIMBERWOLVES HAVING A NICE OFF SEASON……HOPE IGGGY DOES NOT RETURN TO THE DUBS THAT WOULD JUST SUCK IF THEY ARE ABLE TO RESIGN / HOLD ONTO ALL THEIR PLAYERS …RANDOLPH WOULD BE A NICE ADDITION OFF THE BENCH
Watched a lot of this go down via Twitter realtime – you’ve captured it beautifully EG. And the look on the panel’s faces when Windy slid right by was priceless.
Thanks EG. That’s was a baffling trade by Pritchard.
I think Hayward stays in Utah. They are already better than Miami and Boston (whom they won the same number of games as) and Gobert is turning into a top 10 player if you look at some of the combined metrics at nba math http://nbamath.com/tpa-database/nba-2016-17-tpa-scores/
I don’t think Pritchard will be in that job for very long… He was also rumored to be heavily chasing Jrue Holiday… which is also a head scratcher for a rebuilding effort…