Live Thread: 2023 NBA Draft
2023-06-22Whelp, unless things change drastically, the first pick is set in stone, and the Cavs will be drafting at 49. I don’t have much hope that the Cavs can draft anyone to help them in the near term, but player trade targets I’m looking at include Delon Wright, Yusef Nurkic, Larry Nance Jr., Nassir Little, Daniel Gafford, Monte Morris, and oh so many more. In case you hadn’t heard, the action already got started with CP3 going to the Warriors for Jordan Poole, and the Zinger going to Boston. There’s a lot to keep track of, but check in all night for the fun. As always, Go Cavs.
new post up!
thnx
I envision Bol Bol going to the Lakers or Mavs.
AGREE THINK DIOP GETS A LONG LOOK IN SL ——HEY WE ARENT ASKING HIM FOR “
STAR “ MINUTES -// PRIMARILY AN ATHLETIC BIG WHO CAN DEFEND/ RUN THE FLOOR /ROLL N LOB —-WHICH I BELIEVE DIOP CAN DO WELL FOR BRIEF SPURT ——-MUCH BETTER THAN THE DEPARTED “ ROL-OVER “ —PLUS HE CAN GAIN THAT MUCH NEEDED NBA EXPERIENCE IN BOTH PRACTICE AND GAMES
So lots of people are looking at Strus’ stats, comparing it to Cedi, and saying that they’re about the same player (or that Cedi is actually better). The thing is, Cedi was incredibly streaky that there were some games where he couldn’t hit anything. My guess is that Strus is a lot more steady in terms of outside shooting, which is what this team needs. Strus + Dieng is an upgrade over Cedi + Lamar.
I am guilty of that, a bit. And to a certain degree, I think you are correct. Cedi also has incinsistency with games, he can make three in a row and then chuck an airball.
But Strus’ defensive stats are bad. I mean, I bad. Chris was on that early. I kinda was in the camp that he was a starter on a Finals team, Heat cukture, how bad could he be. 9th percentile bad on some stuff.
I. Mobley signed to a 2-way, along with Craig Porter Jr (which we already knew).
https://cavsnation.com/cavs-sign-a-pair-of-players-to-2-way-deals
One 2-way spot open. 2-3 roster spots, depending on if Merrill sticks. Bates is gonna get one spot, somewhere. So really, 2-3 spots total. 2 at the moment.
Should we be getting a solid defensive rebounder to round out our roster? Does anyone think JA and EM will improve in that area knowing KLove ain’t coming back? We got destroyed by New York in rebounding.
Yes. With elder Mobes on a two way, I think forwards & bigs should be the focus of the last two spots. Though a 2-way wing vet (Green) could work, too.
I think Diop gets a look in SL. Bol is worth considering. Bates will either be a 2-way or rostered. Green. Travers.
YEP JUST SAW THAT ARCH —-CAVS SHOULD BE ON THE PHONE RIGHT NOW
Bol Bol waived by Magic.
Hard, hard pass
…I dunno. Was he waived bc logjam or bc he stinks…?
The more I read up on Strus, the less I like the deal. High volume/not real efficient 3PT shooter who is a poor defender. Malik Beasley only worse.
I think Osman is better, straight up.
Plus I am wary of taking Heat guys. I think they overperform with Miami and revert to the mean eksewhere. Like signing NE guys in the NFL.
Strus is 58% career true shooting which I believe is above average. He was at 56% last year. Beasley is at 55% career. Cedi is at 54% career, although 58% last year. Strus is also younger than both. I have some of the same worries about signing a Heat guy. But he’s been relatively efficient for his career. For whatever reason all of the Heat shooters had a down year last year. Strus/Robinson/Herro all saw major dips in 3%. Strus’s value is his elite shot profile. He has a quick and willing trigger. It will be on JB to make… Read more »
yup. it is time for JB to get serious and show if he can do it or not.
I was thinking the same thing. He seems like a Heat system guy, who works well within that system. That being said I don’t hate the acquisition, just thought we over paid and didn’t really solve the SF position.
His gravity and consistency are really all we need. He is good enough to be a fifth starter on an elite team/conference finalist.
If we could have gotten Beasley we would have I think. As for the $ it was basically fair given the deals for Brown/Kuz/Barnes. I don’t think there were any clearly better SFs that signed for less.
I have been Debbie Downer on Strus, but he is good from the corners.
I think we have 12 guys who are locks to be active on game day if healthy: Garland, Mitchell, E. Mobley, Allen + Rubio, Strus, LeVert, Okoro, Niang + Jerome, Wade, & Jones.
I guess a weird trade or signing could demote someone.
I had it in my mind that we had a TO or something on Green, guess not.
I think I would like Diakate on the main roster. He is decent
I think bringing Green back is certainly an option.
Diakite is not in the SL roster that I saw. Is there an age limit? Experience limit? If not & he’s not on there, I doubt he is back. But if it is a thing related to having too much NBA exp, then he is still in the running. I think there is some limit, but I cannot remember what it is.
yeah. not using Diakate has been a puzzle to me.
The T. Craig deal with Chicago is 2 years, roughly $5 mil. That is good volume. Craig is older, and not a high volume 3 point shooter as Strus or Niang, but a more rugged defender and still a good % from deep.
I’d have been happier with DiVicenzo & Craig. But most media types really like the Strus deal & Niang contract, so what do I know?
FYI DV is a terrible transition passer and had one of the highest turnover rates in transition. I’m stoked we don’t have him. Maybe thinking we should’ve taken a flyer on Beasley tho for 2.7mil
I feel like we were a worse situation for him, though. We have 3 SFs that will need a lot of minutes
Cavaliers The Cavs’ weaknesses were displayed during their playoff implosion against New York, and Cleveland spent the opening days of free agency addressing them. The hope is that the Cavs added enough shooting that Donovan Mitchell won’t have the Knicks’ entire team waiting for him in the paint on his drives this coming spring. In particular, Cleveland took advantage of the most permissive trade rules under the new CBA and its considerable wiggle room below the luxury-tax line to engineer a sign-and-trade that turned Cedi Osman into Max Strus. It only cost the Cavs a second-round pick, and Strus’ deal… Read more »
For the frontcourt, Cleveland went after Georges Niang, who might not be worth $26 million over three years on some other rosters but could easily justify it on this one. The Cavs’ shot blockers (Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley) ease the concerns over Niang on defense, and he’s a career 40.3 percent shooter from 3. He’ll fill the role left open after the Cavs soured on Kevin Love (oops) and Dean Wade proved wanting. The Cavs also needed another guard who could provide some offense after Ricky Rubio and Raul Neto failed to provide much juice. It appears they used… Read more »
The Cavs also resisted going overboard to re-sign their own player, Caris LeVert (two years, $32 million is reasonable here), and his deal is now timed to expire at the franchise’s next big pivot point in 2025, when Mitchell could become a free agent and Mobley will be eligible for a max extension. Cleveland also sent $110,000 to Utah for backup big man Damian Jones. Cleveland still has three open roster spots and will likely fill two of them; the Cavs could still use another forward in the 6-foot-8 range. If they add two veterans at the minimum and waive… Read more »
From Hollinger (Athletic).
Hollinger points out something that doesn’t come up enough re: JA. He is essential for our defense to work with guys like Strus, Niang and others. Garland and Mitchell have improved a ton on that end too bc JA frees them up to be disruptive and gamble a little more
always happy to screw the Dubs!
JASON GREAT CAP STUFF AGAIN!!👍——-CAV MAY WAIT AND SEE HOW SOME OF PLAYER PERFORM IN SUMMER LEAGUE —-BATES / DIOP / TRAVERES ——-GRANTED IT IS ONLY SUMMER LEAGUE —U CAN STILL GET AN IDEA OF A PLAYER S POTENTIAL——STAY TUNED
good point. see how things are looking in SL.
I am coming around to liking taking a flyer on Bates. it is a longshot, but he could be good. if not, nice try.
He’s an interesting type for a take a flyer second round pick because he can really hoop and do some things on the offensive side of the floor but he’s an average to below average athlete and body. He’s almost more of a Euro in terms of his game-good feel, balance, shooting than a run and jump guy
I’m calling it now. If we don’t get past the 2nd round next season we should trade Spida and fire JB.
Either way I think we have reached the ceiling on JB with the group that we have.
if JB doesn’t at least get to the 2nd round, it is time to move on. no argument there.
buy why do you want to trade Spida? the only way you do that is if you can get someone better.
the way to win is to get as many top players as you can, and then find a coach that can get it done.
Probably gonna have to make it to at least the conference finals, if you want to keep Mitchell.
Nah, I don’t think he gets pressed if we lose to Boston or Milwaukee: suspect 3rd in the conference might be our ceiling
Craig to the Bulls, 2 years. Undisclosed $$$.
Other than Grant Williams, who is gonna cost more than $4.5 mil, I don’t really see a guy to use one of our exceptions on. Saric?
Guards: DG, Michell, Rubio, Jerome, Merrill
Wings: Strus, LeVert, Okoro
Forwards: Niang, Wade
Bigs: Mobley, Allen, Jones
I think we are full up on guards. A bigger wing (6’6″+, forward, and/or another big is where I’d spend my last two spots. If we sign another small guard, I think it means Merrill is cut loose.
In terms of cap, spotrac has us roughlt $3.5 mil below the tax threshold with 2 roster spots open. With Merrill.
If we use both spots, we need to use one spot on a player with 0 years of experience, with a min salary if $1.1 mil (Bates, Diop, Travers, etc) to stay under the tax threshold. The other coukd have one year if experience (Min salary at $1.8 mil; I. Mobley) or an experienced guy on a vet min (only count $2 mil vs cap; Green). Two guys with NBA experiene will put us over.
If we are OK with being in the tax, we are roughly $10.5 mil below the hard cap, and have the following mechanisms to sign guys:
1) Non-Niang part of MLE ($4.1 mil).
2) Agbaji trade exception ($3.9 mil)
3) Bi-annual exception ($4.5 mil)
ARCH —I HAVE TO DISAGREE WITH YOU ON —“ROL-OVER ” LOPEZ —-MY GRANDMOTHER MOVES QUICKER THAN ” ROL-OVER ” AND SHE IS PASSED AWAY ——–” MORE BEER PLEASE “—–EVERYONE HAVE AN ENJOYABLE // SAFE 4TH
agree. I thought R-O L was a funny guy, but only playable in Clown Time. Jones looks to be a regular rotation guy.
Jones is the Ish Smith of bigs.
10-14 on triples last year. For Utah. 0-3 in LA. 10-17 total.
Backup C is tricky for us, because it is really 3rd string with Mobley the de facto backup C. Guys who really want to play don’t find us a desireable landing spot.
Getting a guy who CAN play but is OK with not playing much is tricky. Creaky vet or developing youngster are the choices. I guess Jones is 27 now.
That’s NBA champion Ish Smith to you
He was integral!
CBS gives Heat, Suns, Cavs, Pacers top grades in FA signings:
https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-free-agency-grades-heat-suns-cavs-and-pacers-earn-top-marks-while-bulls-and-raptors-lag-behind/
The Strus signing seems to be universally liked by the media, which makes me nervous lol
the nice thing about our rebuild is that each step has had a pretty clear need that the FO has addressed without being doofs or overly “outside of the box”. In 21, we had a great defense and basically one shot creator when Sexton got hurt, so we got the best shot creation available on the market with the assets we had in Mitchell, a one-man offense. In 22, we were what we were, but needed a little more shooting and spacing and more development from the youngs. We got the best shooting 3 and best shooting 4 available with… Read more »
smart, conservative moves. what’s not to like?
Think premature to pull the plug on JA and having two bigs who can switch and protect the rim is still a real asset. I think having a little more space and a little more time to gel with Mitchell gives him a bounce back year.
Keep seeing Dallas but don’t like any of their guys that much. Kleber and Wood would be useful I guess, and maybe a pick or two helps you, but Allen really can do a lot at a high level, and I like his chemistry with Evan.
(and anyone you trade for gets eaten up by MitchRob, the best offensive rebounder in the league, anyways — trading Allen feels a LOT like fighting the last war, imo he is a dog)
That’s my sentiment exactly. No need to overreact to having matchup problems against the Knicks
plus, the other teams in the East we are chasing have huge 5s. we need a guy like JA more than a wing imo. Not here to watch Embiid or Brook or Porzi put Richaun Holmes or JaVale McGee through the stanchion ten times a half.
I’m not opposed to trading Allen, but it would have to be for the right piece and I can’t think of any specific trades that make sense.
I mostly agree. The years for Strus makes me a little nervous. If he shoots his career average, we’re good. If he has any regression, that contract probably isn’t tradable for at least 2 years.
I have hopes JA, DG, and Mobes will do better next year in the POs.
If I trade JA, I want an all-star guy back. Like maybe when Embiid has had enough in Philly (I kid).
For me:
Niang > Wade or Stevens.
Jerome > Neto.
Jones > Lopez.
Strus = Cedi.
And I loved Llama, liked Neto & Cedi, and am intruiged by Wade’s potential.
None of those guys is a dog like Stevens. I think we are a touch too Clark Kent personality wise.
my hope is Strus is more consistent than Cedi. Think Cedi can do more but it would be nice to know basically what you are getting from that spot.
I think that’s it. Cedi is a jack of all trades, and likely better than Strus at more things. But a jack of all trades is almost worthless in the NBA. Strus puts up 3s at a higher rate than almost anybody in the NBA. He has a real identifiable skill at which he excels. I think that makes him more valuable on the Cavs specifically.
I think Niang is a better option than Wade or Stevens. I don’t know that Jerome is better than Neto, or Jones is better than Lopez. I have a feeling that Jones will never play, much like Lopez.
wasn’t he getting rotation minutes last year?
Jones or Jerome?
Jerome was on a 2 way but played in 45 games for GSW, getting rotation minutes. 18+ mpg. He is 6’5″ and a better shooter than Neto. 4/1 assist to TO, but having Steph & Klay helps there.
Jones did not play much for LA, a bit more for Utah. 19 games for the Jazz at 15.8 mpg. 8 mpg in 22 games for LAL.
At minimum Jerome’s size should make it easier to create playable bench lineups with him that still keep one of Garland or Mitchell on the floor, compared to Neto. (Unless he’s a turnstile on D, I don’t know his game).
So:
PG: Garland, Rubio, Jerome (Mitchell, LeVert)
SG: Spida, LeVert, Merrill (DG, Strus, Ice, Jerome)
SF: Strus, Okoro, LeVert, (Wade, Niang)
PF: E. Mobley, Niang, Wade
C: Allen, (E. Mobley), Jones
2-way: Porter Jr
That is 14 guys. Save for Merrill, I think each is pretty certain to make the team unless someone goes nuts at Summer League.
I think Merrill, Bates, I. Mobley, and perhaps Nance, Diop, & Travers are in the running for the last 1-2 roster spots or two 2 way spots left.
Without Cedi the Cavs could be in contention for slowest team in the league.
With Cedi I believe we were last in pace.
That’s not what I got when I googled it, but I’m not known for my googling skills.
You’re right — my first googling attempt got the slowest teams OF ALL TIME. So, yeah, they should have a lock for 2023-24 now.
As of early Sunday morning, here are the top free agents from our top-50 list who have yet to agree to new deals:
Miles Bridges, F, Hornets (RFA)
P.J. Washington, F, Hornets (RFA)
Grant Williams, F, Celtics (RFA)
Christian Wood, F/C
Kelly Oubre, F
Eric Gordon, G
Malik Beasley, G/F
Matisse Thybulle, F, Trail Blazers (RFA)
Lonnie Walker, G/F
Mason Plumlee, C
Ayo Dosunmu, G, Bulls (RFA)
Torrey Craig, F
Hamidou Diallo, G
Paul Reed, F/C, Sixers (RFA)
I’d target Christian Wood.
The following free agents were noted in the honorable mention section of our top-50 list and aren’t yet spoken for:
Mohamed Bamba, C
Dalano Banton, G
Terence Davis, G
Javonte Green, G
Derrick Jones, F
Cory Joseph, G
Romeo Langford, G/F
Jaylen Nowell, G
Kendrick Nunn, G
Dario Saric, F
Saric & Bamba would be my oreferences here. But with the Jones signing,,I think wexare out of the backup C market.
Re Hoops Rumors
At the start, I’d have preferred Williams or Craig. Then Walker, Plumblee, or Dosunmu.
But with Niang, Strus, Jerome, and Jones already in the fold, and $4.5 mil our biggest salary chip to offer, expectations need to be readjusted.
Knicks got DiVecenzo for the full MLE it looks like.
i don’t think any of those guys come for 4.5m, but would love to be surprised by Bamba or Saric or Walker IV
who’s got a guess on who is playing where
Been saying to myself how I hate when my teams win the off-season, since it’s been so meaningless for many a Cleveland team… but, go Cavs!
thing is, it always seems like your team is winning in the off season.
Except for the Guardians, who maybe pick up a couple from the scrap heap in the off season, and then they out play expectations by a mile. With less money than anyone. The organization might be the best in all sports.
I hope Lillard doesn’t end up w/ Heat.
That would suck. I would like him to go to Philly because it would be fun to see them collapse a third different way
haha!
dunno, Lillard has bad luck
Christ, I’m tired of that story. “Dame is too loyal”…yeah, the Blazers paid him the max at every single turn. Cry me a freaking river. Maybe the Blazers were overly loyal to a guy who could take them nowhere? I know the Heat is where he wants to go, I hope he goes anywhere else.
I’m tired of players signing max deals then demanding to be traded. You had your opportunity to leave. They should have to give back their money for breaking their contract.
they would get a max deal anywhere though. it’s just the going rate
They don’t get as much money from the teams that didn’t draft them.
true. but signing the max deal before the trade demand is good for the team and the player, no? makes them a better asset, gives them more $. I don’t see the problem even a little. KD knew he was out but you better believe BKN was happier with what they got back for him vs. Kyrie’s expiring contract
I’d do him to the Pels for Zion and a guy (CJ, Jones, Trey Murphy, Daniels) and all those picks they have from AD deal
Had to update my handle, I’ll figure out a better one later
Get out your block of cheese!
Lol
Moe! Larry! the cheese!
Sorry, man.
Donte DiVincenzo is headed to New York, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link), who hears from agent Jason Glushon that DiVincenzo has agreed to sign a four-year, $50MM contract with the Knicks.
The deal will reunite DiVincenzo with his former Villanova teammates Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart.
good deal for NY
Agreed.
Jerome received a $2.165MM qualifying offer from the Warriors this week, making him a restricted free agent. However, Cleveland was able to put together a package that Golden State doesn’t plan to match, according to Anthony Slater of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Jerome spent one season with Golden State after signing a two-way contract last October. He appeared in 45 games, averaging 6.9 points, 1.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 18.1 minutes per night.
Like his size and shooting. I know a lot of Warriors fans didn’t like losing him.
Jerome killed us in a game here where the Warriors made like 25 threes last year.
He was a 2 way guy for them, but played in 45 games. They did extend him a QO. 6.9/1.7/3.0 in 18.1 mpg. 0.7 TO for an assist/TO ratio over 4. Shot it at: 48.8/38.9/92.7. Good size at 6’5″ and can even play a little off ball.
Liked him out of college. I think this means Neto will not be back.
JB gotta go if he can’t make this work. Got all the outside help we needed and if he’s as good at development as he needs to be, Mobley and Garland and Okoro should level up.
if not, start looking
right
So will Ty Jerome replace Neto?
Don’t mind it, I like Jerome.
I would assume so.
$80M/4 years for Dillon Brooks by Rockets. Definitely seems like an overpay.
Huh
LMFAOOO Caris better for less than half the price.
Do they think it’s illegal to sign anybody between 6’5” and 7’?
Niang?
Fair! We got one!
Well Ty Jerome seems tall for an SG
6-5?
He’s a PG. Basketball reference gets that stuff wrong sometimes.
Dillon Brooks going to the Rockets
Cause of course he is. They’re going to be insufferable.
Yep
Love this trade for all involved.
lmao aight man
Herb Jones is a very good defender who can guard four positions. Cavs have Dean Wade to guard tall threes, and that’s about it.
He’s a good player. What was the last five team trade in NBA history? I can’t think of more than 3 in the last 20 years but could be wrong.
No. Interesting idea, though. Not kicking Allen to the curb after one bad series. He’s a better regular season guy than Nurk, and a better defender.
I am not remaking the team identity to get Herb Jones, whom I like, but is a limited guy (defensive stopper).
If we crap the bed again in the POs, then we can look at changes. Coaches, core four, everything on the table.
send Mitchell and Allen to the Clips for Pandemic P and Zubac, hire Lue
A former first-round pick, Jones signed with the Lakers last offseason after playing for five different teams in his first six NBA seasons, then was sent to the Jazz in the three-team trade-deadline deal involving D’Angelo Russell, Russell Westbrook, and Mike Conley.
Jones saw more regular playing time in Utah than he had in Los Angeles, averaging 4.6 points and 3.5 rebounds in 15.8 minutes per contest in his 19 appearances for the Jazz. In total, he played in 41 regular season games and averaged 3.5 PPG and 3.0 RPG in 11.6 MPG.
seems like a good fit
He will barely play
Who is the Cavs third big?
Wade?
Jones is gonna play.
yeah, Nate is on it. Nice to have an NBA player at backup C
Niang is the 3rd big, wade 4th I think
other than 16 mpg at center
Its so annoying that none of these moves matter because JB is still gonna be the coach. Great moves btw. I love them. But JB is still the guy at the helm.
Well he can’t play Llama anymore 😂
Literally the best move of the offseason was dumping his ass so JB can’t start him for 30% of the season LMFAO
lighten up.
been having a quality discussion.
Buddy take a minute
The Jazz have agreed to trade center Damian Jones to the Cavaliers, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link).
It’s not yet clear what Utah will receive in the deal, but according to Wojnarowski (Twitter link), Cleveland is acquiring Jones without sending out a player of its own. That’s possible because the big man is in the second year of a two-year, minimum-salary contract, so his salary can be taken on using the minimum salary exception.
Jones picked up his $2,586,665 player option for the 2023/24 season last week.
Is Damian Jones a live body?
He’s coming from the Jazz. I’ve never heard of him.
I vaguely recall him being a Ws pick?
Yep. He’s been around the block a couple of times. Must be the answer at backup center.
He stinks, but he’s big and willing to foul.
An Enforcer!
Strus and Niang were both top 15-ish in catch and shoot attempts the past 2 years. Both were excellent in 2022, shooting 40%+ on catch and shoot. Niang was excellent again last year, but Strus took a dip to 36%. That decline coincided with Lowry’s production taking a significant dip. FWIW, Strus, Duncan Robinson, and Herro all saw their 3% drop considerably from 2022 to 2023. Could be a chicken and egg situation, but the 2022 Heat were a much better regular season team than in 2023. By way of comparison, nobody on the Cavs sniffed the top 50 in… Read more »
Nice analysis.
I am hoping this doesn’t make the offense too predictable as teams play up on the shooters and dare them to beat them off the dribble. Cedi had a little bit of that secondary playmaker in him – from watching Strus in the playoffs, I think he can do a little bit of that. Haven’t seen enough of Niang to know his game.
i think the offense overall has to play faster and initiate sooner to be less predictable, which is on the core 4 and JB. Donovan walking it up into a wing 3 is decent offense from a results standpoint in the regular season but it’s not great
Austin Reeves 4-yr deal with Lakers for $54M, also less than Strus.
He had some weird contract situation where that’s the most Lakers could offer unless somebody else came in with a bigger offer.
BLopez signs back with the Bucks
Pat Bev going to the Sixers
Obi Toppin is getting traded to the Pacers for 2nd rounders.
Good get for the Pacers
HAVE TO PUT ON MY “ PROUD PAPA HAT “ AND DO SOEM BRAGGING—MY GRANDSON S TEAM WON THEIR LITTLE LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP LAST NIGHT —A COMEBACK IN THE LAST INNING/GRANSON SMACKED A GRANDSLAM TO WIN THE GAME ——-YES THERE WAS …….” MORE 🍺 BEER PLEASE AT NOMAD S PATIO 👍🍺🤪
Word! Congrats, grandpa!
LETS GOO NOMAD GOT THE CLUTCH GENE!
JASON THANK YOU FOR THE “ EDUCATION” CONTRACTS / ETC —— THAT STUFF IS BEYOND MY “ COMPREHENSIVE ABILITIES “ ——I CAN FIGURE OUT HOW MANY BEERS 🍺 I WILL NEED FOR A HOLIDAY WEEKEND——DEPENDING ON HOW MANY SONS SHOW UP
We are hard capped at $172.294 with the S&T for Strus. I *think* the rule is tax threshold +$7 mil. Currently, our 10 guaranteed guys + Merrill puts us at around $157 mil. The tax line is $165.294. $15 mil to the hard cap.
We have left:
1) Remainder of non-taxpayer MLE: $4.1 mil.
2) Bi-annual exception: $4.5 mil
3) Trade exception: Agbaji deal: $3.9
We could use all of them + a vet min & squeek in under the hard cap,,but I suspect we’ll want some room and may try to stay under the tax at $165.
Yeah I imagine because of the lack of control/loss of most of our future 1st, they’ll want to stay under the tax until they really think they’re all in for a chip
STILL NEED A BACK UP BIG —-BYOMBO OR MO BAMA ?
Diop or elder Mobley could make the team as well.
When did Lasagna Flop come back?
He is on the Summer League roster I saw. Travers, too. I think both guys + I Mobley couod be in the running for end of roster or the 2 remaining 2 way spots.
NATE HAVING “LLAMA “ POST TRADE WITHDRAWAL 🤪🍺🤪🍺🤪🍺🏀😡
Not very impressed with this deal tbh.
Think Cedi will have a vastly better season on a team with a good coach.
he’ll have a vastly better season b/c he’ll get opportunities on a team going nowhere imo. it’s a good spot for him: no way Pop trusts him when things actually start to matter for SAS but he’ll produce well until then.
Lol. If the Spurs get Lillard they’ll be a playoff team.
They aren’t getting Lillard. And even if they did, I am not sure they are top 8.
Nuggets, Suns, Lakers, Dubs, Grizz, Clips, + Kings is 7.
Wolves, Mavs, Pels, and OKC are all trying to win now and have good/solid bases. That is 11.
Pop is obviously a better coach than JB, but aside from Spo/Kerr and maybe Lue/Malone/Carlisle, he is head & shoulders above everyone else.
you know ball
At least one of Clippers, Lakers, Golden state will likely be derailed by injuries. Mike brown and the Kings being good two years in a row? Sus. Who knows about Memphis.
I agree.
but will point out that there was plenty of bitching about Lue when he was in Cleveland.
most of that went to the usual casual blogboi stuff like rotations and minutes distribution and him not going outside anything plain vanilla for the three months of the regular season where we were chillmoding and thus awful
buddy, i dunno.
who gets knocked out there? DEN, MEM, SAC, LAL, LAC, PHX, GSW way better…I guess Minny at 8 goes? but NOP and OKC have clear paths to improving to a non-playin team.
That’s expecting a lot from some guys like SoChan and Keldon who are nice but green. SAS would look nice on paper with Dame but we all know about the lights being bright. That said, generational bigs tend to raise a team’s floor fast, so no doubt they’d be in the mix.
Amico says Strus was 45% from the corners.
Will be interesting to see who starts. Caris seemed to do better off the bench and only shined as a starter when DG/DM were out. And he seemed to like the bench role.
I still like Ice, but more as a SG than SF, where he can take advantage of smaller guys on O at the rim.
I guess that means Strus.
yup, Caris is made for the sixth man role
Heat got Thomas Bryant for the vet min.
ah, that would have been nice
He is smelling Dame trade & a ring chase.
I could go for someone like Biyombo.
DG, DM, Strus, Mobes, JA.
Rubio, Ice, LeVert, Niang, Biyombo/Diop.
Neto/CPJ, Green, Bates, Wade, I. Mobley.
Maybe Diop, Bates, I. Mobley, and/or CPJ take the two ways & Merrill + another vet or two make it.
oooh i like Biyombo
We are gonna need DG, Mobes, and JA to be better under the bright lights. And Rubio to be healthier. Hitting on the big Bates swing would be wonderful, but iur track record there is poor (KPJ).
Wade playing better would help a lot, too. LeVert being more consistent.
yup. Bates is a lotto ticket. Stach him in the D league and hope for some kind of a payoff.
The goal this year should be 2nd round or beyond.
Celtics, Bucks, Hear, 76ers are gonna be a tough nut to crack. But hopefully we can be better than the Knicks, Brooklyn, and Toronto.
my hot take is we can beat the heat: mobley on jimmy and allen on Bam is tough.
Okoro on Dame?
put NOMAD on Dame!
Hey Arch, doesn’t seem to matter whether you have an account on Twitter anymore. I have been “rate limited” for the last hour, unable to not only post but also see any content at all…. Musk is such a rat f&$cker.
I cancelled my account (for the 3rd time) 6 months ago. I’m not going back. It’s a cesspool. And I can’t stand Musk. He’s insufferable.
The Zuck/Musk cage fight is taking shape. I hope they both get their asses kicked.
haha — that will go down as the definition of “win/win”!
Lillard is demanding a trade to either the Heat or Nets. Portland will accommodate.
While Brooklyn could put together a competitive offer of players and draft picks, it sounds like Lillard is focused specifically on Miami. League sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link) that the Blazers were told that Dame would like to end up with the Heat. Lillard spoke to some Heat players recently about how a deal might work, tweets Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press.
I don’t know what Miami could provide? I guess Lowry’s contract plus some picks?
And Herro
Kevin Love is a Portland native, I believe.
Exactly what I thought. He could go home. Basically a sign and retire contract.
He basically on a vet min.
Do we think Strus starts at SF? Or Ice? Wade? Danny Green if he’s back? Caris?
Starters: DG, DM, EM, JA.
Rotation Bench: RR, Strus, LeVert, Niang, ????
Deep Bench: Merrill, Bates, Wade
That’s 11. Counting Bates & Merrill. At least 4 more. 3rd PG (Neto/CPJ). Legit backup C (Diop/???). Plus maybe elder Mobley & Green?
I think Strus/Okoro start depending on matchups.
Prince can be a fun experience, but he’s a bit erratic. Really struggles with decision making. He’s also become more of a PF and is a really poor rebounder for a 4. He’s also 2 years older than Strus
I think you keep starting Okoro and Strus comes off bench early with Levert for Okoro and Allen
Fwiw:
Since we traded Llama, does that mean we can bury the junkyard dog award?
Here’s hoping. The rotating participation award crap was beginning to bother.
Prince signed for $4.7 with LA. I’d have much preferred him over Strus, and Grant Williams over Niang, but maybe those guys did not want to be here.
I think Prince has PTSD from playing with Sexton.
That’s fair.
Lol