tOfficial 2015 NBA Draft/Free Agency Thread

[trojanfan12]

I hear you.

It's win-win.

I love Okafor.

It's kinda a shame that the draft happens before Free agency.

If the Lakers could get Monroe, I'd pass on Okafor and take Russell.

Curry, Kyrie...combo, scoring pg's are the future.

As for Towns, I heard the same about him not working out for anyone.

He and his Pops are enroute to Minny...probably for a meet and greet.

I like Okafor's offensive game, but his defense concerns me. I posted on the Lakers board that if Minny takes Towns and the Lakers take Russell, I hope it means they have a strong idea that they can get 1 of the FA bigs. By strong idea, I don't mean, "We're the Lakers. Of course, we'll get one of them." I mean that they have a strong idea that he wants to be a Laker.

I agree about the draft being before FA. It would make knowing who to draft a lot easier, imo.

Yeah, Towns is making the interview rounds. I think the Lakers already interviewed him, but I'm not 100% certain.

 

[Black Adam]

I like Okafor's offensive game, but his defense concerns me. I posted on the Lakers board that if Minny takes Towns and the Lakers take Russell, I hope it means they have a strong idea that they can get 1 of the FA bigs. By strong idea, I don't mean, "We're the Lakers. Of course, we'll get one of them." I mean that they have a strong idea that he wants to be a Laker.

I agree about the draft being before FA. It would make knowing who to draft a lot easier, imo.

Yeah, Towns is making the interview rounds. I think the Lakers already interviewed him, but I'm not 100% certain.

well, according to one guy, he's "soft". do understand about your defensive concerns as I too would like a defrinite presence down low. guess we'll see how THAT pans out...

 

[WiggyRuss]

well, according to one guy, he's "soft". do understand about your defensive concerns as I too would like a defrinite presence down low. guess we'll see how THAT pans out...

Its just my opinion. The experts on ESPN rarely get it right and they spend their whole time doing this stuff and get paid plenty of money to do so- trust me- I dont believe that my opinion actually carries any weight what so ever- its just my opinion from watching limited amounts of college basketball, reading a handful of articles, and listening to a handful of podcasts and radio spots.

I also thought that Andre Drummond would be too immature to make an impact anytime soon and that obviously was way off---- though I do have to say I really liked MKG and his development into one of the best defenders in the leauge at such a young age is no surprise to me. I also really liked Marcus Smart who you cant yet really make a determination on yet.--- I did really like Alex Len in the previous draft and he seems like he should have gone higher than he did. ---basically the draft is a crap shoot and everyone from me and you- to the best ESPN experts really are grasping at straws.

Okafor could be a hall of famer for all I know. I am just saying that from what I have seen- and where the NBA is going strategy wise, the traditional big men is less important- like I said- the centers starting for the two final teams were Timofy Mozgov and Andrew Bogut- not exactly the days of Kareem and Parish. the Chief vs. Kareem!!!!!- a little bit of a better matchup than Timo vs. Bogut...

Guys like Kyrie, Harden, Lillard, Wall, Rose, Curry, Paul, seem to be the guys most responsible for wins. Its why I think that Russell is the best player in the draft---- id take Towns 2nd because i like how he can play D and has a nice shot ------ but I would take my chance on the potential dominant perimeter player.... but. like i said- just one mans opinion.

 

[WiggyRuss]

and seriously...if someone really really likes Okafor trade down.....maybe you can still get Russell- or then you get Mudiay and or winslow.....

I think Winslow is very similar to Kawhi Leonard and Michael kidd gilchrist- I think he will be better and smoother offensively than MKG- but not quite a potential top 10 player like freaking the great kawhi leonard.

Its SO freaking valuable to have a guy who can guard the great wings in todays NBA. We just saw it in the Finals- It made all the difference having Iggy. It changed the series. For the Spurs having Kawhi able to contain LeBron changed the whole series. Jimmy Butler played great D on LeBron and was the main reason the Bulls were at one time up 2-1 with a 10 point lead late in game 4.

Winslow has such an extremely low chance of being a bust too. Mudiay I think has a high bust rate, but also has a ridiculously high ceiling- he kinda reminds me of Dante Exum in terms of quantifying his ceiling- but in terms of his game I think him and prime Deron Williams have a lot of things in comomn.

anyway....im freaking exhuasted....gnith

 

[Heatles84]

Its just my opinion. The experts on ESPN rarely get it right and they spend their whole time doing this stuff and get paid plenty of money to do so- trust me- I dont believe that my opinion actually carries any weight what so ever- its just my opinion from watching limited amounts of college basketball, reading a handful of articles, and listening to a handful of podcasts and radio spots.

I also thought that Andre Drummond would be too immature to make an impact anytime soon and that obviously was way off---- though I do have to say I really liked MKG and his development into one of the best defenders in the leauge at such a young age is no surprise to me. I also really liked Marcus Smart who you cant yet really make a determination on yet.--- I did really like Alex Len in the previous draft and he seems like he should have gone higher than he did. ---basically the draft is a crap shoot and everyone from me and you- to the best ESPN experts really are grasping at straws.

Okafor could be a hall of famer for all I know. I am just saying that from what I have seen- and where the NBA is going strategy wise, the traditional big men is less important- like I said- the centers starting for the two final teams were Timofy Mozgov and Andrew Bogut- not exactly the days of Kareem and Parish. the Chief vs. Kareem!!!!!- a little bit of a better matchup than Timo vs. Bogut...

Guys like Kyrie, Harden, Lillard, Wall, Rose, Curry, Paul, seem to be the guys most responsible for wins. Its why I think that Russell is the best player in the draft---- id take Towns 2nd because i like how he can play D and has a nice shot ------ but I would take my chance on the potential dominant perimeter player.... but. like i said- just one mans opinion.

Your premise is skewed. This was as wide open as the NBA had been in years. There was a plethora of injuries that helped both teams get where they were (I'm aware the Cavs had injuries of their own). Let's take a look at center matchups the last few Finals:

2014: Bosh vs. Duncan/Splitter
2013: Bosh vs. Duncan/Splitter
2012: Bosh vs. Perkins
2011: Illgauskas vs. Chandler
2010: Bynum vs. Perkins
2009: Bynum vs. Dwight

With this being said, I'm fully aware that Bosh is not your typical center as he's more of a stretch 4 that had to play center for the Heat's small ball lineups. Having a dominant center is not a necessity, but sure makes your life easier as a coach. Having a rim presence was the one thing the Dubs were lacking in the Finals. The Cavs made it to the Finals, because 1) Lebron 2) The East is god awful. Calling Okafor soft is quite hilarious, he was the anchor on that national title team. I'm also guessing dominant big men are losing their value in the league, the Pelicans should probably just trade Anthony Davis for a couple of 3-point shooters and call it a day.

 

[Black Adam]

seems pretty decent in this clip...

 

[Hornsstampede2.0]

One year without big men suddenly makes it a perimeter league???????
That is BS.

Success in the NBA = Big, Big, Big, Big, and Bigger.
People forget how awesome Bosh and Duncan were in those series.

Everything possibly had to break for the Warriors to happen.
Literally every single other contender got decimated by injuries.
Golden State did not prove we are in a new NBA. They proved that Healthy teams win.


Durant missed 50 games
Westbrook misses 25 games
Leonard misses 20 games
Parker misses 20 games
Blake misses 10 games
Lebron misses 12 games
Rose and Irving miss the finals
Aldridge and Matthews miss many games
Conley gets hurt in the playoffs
Rose misses a ton of games
Howard misses 40 games then gets hurt in game 1 vs GS
Beverly gets hurt

We will never see anything like that again with so many contenders getting hurt.

 

[trojanfan12]

One year without big men suddenly makes it a perimeter league???????
That is BS.

Success in the NBA = Big, Big, Big, Big, and Bigger.
People forget how awesome Bosh and Duncan were in those series.

Everything possibly had to break for the Warriors to happen.
Literally every single other contender got decimated by injuries.
Golden State did not prove we are in a new NBA. They proved that Healthy teams win.


Durant missed 50 games
Westbrook misses 25 games
Leonard misses 20 games
Parker misses 20 games
Blake misses 10 games
Lebron misses 12 games
Rose and Irving miss the finals
Aldridge and Matthews miss many games
Conley gets hurt in the playoffs
Rose misses a ton of games
Howard misses 40 games then gets hurt in game 1 vs GS
Beverly gets hurt

We will never see anything like that again with so many contenders getting hurt.

Yeah, the Warriors are a great team no doubt, but I agree that 1 season doesn't make a trend. Especially when considering the rash of injuries.

Golden St. got destroyed in the paint by TinaFey Mozgov in some of those games and he's average at best. There's no doubt that the league has changed a bit and there's more emphasis on perimeter play, but to say bigs no longer matter is more than a little premature, imo.

 

[DJ]

Can't for free agency to begin!!!

 

[DJ]

I like Okafor's offensive game, but his defense concerns me. I posted on the Lakers board that if Minny takes Towns and the Lakers take Russell, I hope it means they have a strong idea that they can get 1 of the FA bigs. By strong idea, I don't mean, "We're the Lakers. Of course, we'll get one of them." I mean that they have a strong idea that he wants to be a Laker.

I agree about the draft being before FA. It would make knowing who to draft a lot easier, imo.

Yeah, Towns is making the interview rounds. I think the Lakers already interviewed him, but I'm not 100% certain.

I want Mudiay.

 

[DJ]

You sure?
How much cap space does it actually free up?
You can't assume 20M frees up just because that's his salary.

You would only have available whatever the cap is minus the other players salaries.

Exactly.

Cleveland Cavaliers Salaries | HoopsHype

Basically, without Love they have 42 million committed to players but TT wants a huge deal. They can't do much, except trade for somebody.

 

[trojanfan12]

I want Mudiay.

Most of the NBA folks seem a little higher on Russell than Mudiay. Honestly, I can't make up my mind beyong Towns. I have Towns as the guy I'd like to see the Lakers get most of all. After that, I keep swapping Okafor, Russell and Mudiay as my #2.

 

[gordontrue]

Says the Cleveland fan who is starting to sound like a Cubs fan "wait till next year".

That comparison is just.... the worst. Cubs fans really? After going 6 games deep into the Finals?? Lame.

This was a GREAT year for the Cavs. Ultimately it was a failed year because it didn't end in a championship... But that was the most success the Cleveland Cavs have ever had and it was a lot of fun to watch.

I guess Heat, Spurs, Lakers, Celtics, Mavs, and now Warriors fans can make fun of Cav fans for being happy about a failed season.... but hey man, its about enjoying the journey.

 

[DJ]

Most of the NBA folks seem a little higher on Russell than Mudiay. Honestly, I can't make up my mind beyong Towns. I have Towns as the guy I'd like to see the Lakers get most of all. After that, I keep swapping Okafor, Russell and Mudiay as my #2.

I have my list as:

1-Mudiay (comparisons to RW)
2-Towns
3-Russell

Because I believe Okafor goes #1 to Minnesota.

 

[trojanfan12]

Exactly.

Cleveland Cavaliers Salaries | HoopsHype

Basically, without Love they have 42 million committed to players but TT wants a huge deal. They can't do much, except trade for somebody.

Interesting. Cavs are at nearly $60 million for this coming season and that's with 6 guys showing at $0 one of whom is Kyrie and without Lebron and Love potentially opting out and having to be re-signed for more money.

Lakers are at just over $37 million with 8 players showing at $0. If the rumors about the Lakers not picking up the team option of Hill, they will be at just over $28 million.

 

[DJ]

Interesting. Cavs are at nearly $60 million for this coming season and that's with 6 guys showing at $0 one of whom is Kyrie and without Lebron and Love potentially opting out and having to be re-signed for more money.

Lakers are at just over $37 million with 8 players showing at $0. If the rumors about the Lakers not picking up the team option of Hill, they will be at just ober $28 million.

The Lakers are in a good place.

 

[gordontrue]

Exactly.

Cleveland Cavaliers Salaries | HoopsHype

Basically, without Love they have 42 million committed to players but TT wants a huge deal. They can't do much, except trade for somebody.

Yep. The Cavs can bring everyone back because of the combination of rights they have to sign them over the cap.

Its not like if you don't get Love... you can just go a different max player... there's no room.

The only way they could do that is with some sort of sign and trade with Love... but you're not going to get equal value coming back... so the priority is to keep Love. If Love is set on going... then you try to get a good role player back from the team he goes to.

 

[DJ]

Exactly.

Cleveland Cavaliers Salaries | HoopsHype

Basically, without Love they have 42 million committed to players but TT wants a huge deal. They can't do much, except trade for somebody.

Cleveland Cavaliers Team Payroll | Basketball-Reference.com

This is actually better since Irving is signed. Has them at just under 72 million without Love. However, they really need to find a sucker to take Haywood's deal.

 

[trojanfan12]

The Lakers are in a good place.

How is that possible? We have been assured that the Lakers are fucked for decades.

Seriously though, they need to get this draft pick right and put their best foot forward in FA. They are still the Lakers, they are still in L.A. and they still have all of that tradition and history that players want to be a part of/are intrigued by.

However, while those are still advantages, they aren't as great as they used to be. They can't just sit back and say "We're the Lakers" flash some rings and trophies and expect players to sign anymore.

 

[DJ]

Hoops Hype is usually pretty good but they didn't have Irving's number for some reason.