2021-2022 NBA Season

[bksballer89]

I can tell you right now RW is not going to opt out of $47 mil simply out of frustration. That's beyond wishful thinking.

yep he is either getting traded or bought out. That opt out aint happening

 

[shopson67]

I can tell you right now RW is not going to opt out of $47 mil simply out of frustration. That's beyond wishful thinking.

We just need to create a groundswell of fake news that there are multiple takers for him in this summer's market should become a FA for max money. Does Russia have any hackers available currently, or are they a bit busy at the moment?

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

Sure, he has lost some explosiveness but not enough to where he can't rebound on another team. He's making poorer decisions because of the pressure of playing with LeBron and AD. Just my opinion, we're not going to see eye to eye on this.

Dude, he's cooked.

He's Robert Pack.

 

[Wamu]

Lebron deserves a heaping portion of the blame for that Westbrook trade he pushed for. Rescind that trade and the Lakers are probably at least .500 and wouldn't have chased so many fading veterans to fill some of those holes. Kuzma, KCP, likely keep Caruso, etc. Assuming AD is still injured; if not, the Lakers are well above .500 without the Westbrook trade. Of course, the front office is also to blame for allowing that trade to get pushed through (or not allowing Pelinka enough power to stand against it if he wanted to).

I like how you said of course the FO is also to blame. But then try to give Pelinka a pass. He doesn't get one.

Both are to blame. I find it a little odd the people that wanna put too much blame on LeBron just happen to not like him very much.

And Caruso? Are you saying LeBron's the reason Caruso's no longer a Laker? He wanted him in Los Angeles. If you disagree with that here's an article from si-com: Lakers: LeBron James really wanted Alex Caruso back in Los Angeles.

One more thing. About Buddy Heild. If I remember correctly wasn't it LeBron & AD (not just LeBron by himself) that wanted Westbrick instead of Heild? If so that can't all be put on him.

 

[shopson67]

The buyout stretch scenario doesn't provide much beyond luxury tax threshold relief unfortunately.

 

[WiggyRuss]

I wouldn't bother with the stretch, just eat the contract next year when it is determined he won't be dealt before the deadline (preferably as early as possible). It's not like they can bring in big money FA midseason.

Now if they have FA available that they could acquire if they stretch Westbrook in the preseason, that's an interesting option. They would only be able to stretch it one year (basically cut the cap hit in half for two seasons instead of one), so the long term impact is minimal.

I think if you have 1year left the contract can be stretched over 3 years

but- that means- 3 years from now- you still have about 16M on the books....not ideal. swallow it all in one year.

 

[tlance]

People have been saying this since he first came into the league. He will not age gracefully, and it's coming true.

Might have been the easiest call ever.

Highly explosive athlete who can’t shoot and has a relatively low BBall IQ compared to other top players.

 

[CitySushi]

Dude, he's cooked.

He's Robert Pack.

Shout out to Robert Pack.

 

[shopson67]

I like how you said of course the FO is also to blame. But then try to give Pelinka a pass. He doesn't get one.

Both are to blame. I find it a little odd the people that wanna put too much blame on LeBron just happen to not like him very much.

And Caruso? Are you saying LeBron's the reason Caruso's no longer a Laker? He wanted him in Los Angeles. If you disagree with that here's an article from si-com: Lakers: LeBron James really wanted Alex Caruso back in Los Angeles.

One more thing. About Buddy Heild. If I remember correctly wasn't it LeBron & AD (not just LeBron by himself) that wanted Westbrick instead of Heild? If so that can't all be put on him.

I'm not giving Pelinka a pass, just wondering if he had enough backing to contest the trade had he desired to.

I'm saying the Westbrook trade is why Caruso is no longer a Laker (as well as avoidance of the luxury tax threshold), which Lebron pushed through.

I didn't address Buddy Hield, but sure Hield likely replaces Kuzma and KCP on the roster without the Westbrook trade. Not sure I love that move either (defensive ramifications), but it's better than the Westbrook move.

 

[shopson67]

I think if you have 1year left the contract can be stretched over 3 years

but- that means- 3 years from now- you still have about 16M on the books....not ideal. swallow it all in one year.

Yes, twice the length (1 year) plus one if done before Sept 1st.

If a team elects to do so, the player’s remaining protected compensation is stretched over twice the number of years remaining on the contract plus one more year. If a team waives a player on or after September 1, then the current season’s salary cannot be stretched and only future seasons will be.

 

[CitySushi]

12 games left. Doesn't sound like he will be back before the end of regular season which is in 3 weeks

Brutal. Right as Draymond comes back too. We had a great chance this year if we went into the playoffs healthy. Now it's a coinflip at best, IMO.

 

[CitySushi]

The problem isn't that he's not still quick and explosive, he is. But he no longer has that, for lack of a better term, ''turbo-charger'' that used to separate him. Now, when he needs that extra burst, it's not there much of the time and unlike guys like Kobe, MJ, Lebron, etc...he's done nothing to adjust his game.

So guys who used to not be able to stay with him, now can and shots that used to be uncontested layups or dunks are now contested.

You're not completely wrong, some of it is the pressure of trying to change his game to fit with Lebron and he'd likely be better if he could go ''full Russ'', but he still wouldn't be what we're used to because Father Time has caught up and he wasn't prepared for it.

Like Kobe, he's never been an efficient scorer. But unlike Kobe, he hasn't adjusted his game or become a smarter player to hang on to whatever efficiency he used to have. So what used to be a constant attack of explosive athleticism, now just looks like flailing.

He's on the Allen Iverson trajectory. At a certain point they both became diminishing returns having them out on the court. Despite them still putting up numbers, it was to a detriment of the team. Unfortunately his contact makes it so that the scrutiny he's under amplifies.

 

[tlance]

He's still plenty explosive in transition and slashing, but the rest of his game is failing. Turnovers, losing his handle, bricking layups, failing jumper. He's relying so much on going 100% explosive that he's losing control and has lost touch and feel on his shots. Plus, he gets lost on defense. Bring him off the bench for now, try to trade him as an expiring deal, then buy him out if necessary. GET HIM OFF THE TEAM.

I agree, except….

He has always relied 100% on being explosive. I don’t know why he can’t make free throws anymore, but the rest is symptomatic of not being able to beat his man as easily as he could before.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

I think if you have 1year left the contract can be stretched over 3 years

but- that means- 3 years from now- you still have about 16M on the books....not ideal. swallow it all in one year.

Dude, they are still paying Deng.

I don't see them stretching him unless it helps them get a star this year.

Who's out there that they can bring in?

Beal isn't coming for the midlevel.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

Brutal. Right as Draymond comes back too. We had a great chance this year if we went into the playoffs healthy. Now it's a coinflip at best, IMO.

Sorry, Fishy.

 

[Wamu]

I'm not giving Pelinka a pass, just wondering if he had enough backing to contest the trade had he desired to.

I'm saying the Westbrook trade is why Caruso is no longer a Laker (as well as avoidance of the luxury tax threshold), which Lebron pushed through.

I didn't address Buddy Hield, but sure Hield likely replaces Kuzma and KCP on the roster without the Westbrook trade. Not sure I love that move either (defensive ramifications), but it's better than the Westbrook move.

Okay my bad, thought you were giving him a pass. But Westbrick has been a disaster for your Lakers. Didn't expect this at all. Thought things were going to go a lot more smoother than they have this season.

My guess is the roster will look much different next season. But to me one of the biggest shockers is Vogel hasn't been fired. Not saying things are his fault. But when things go bad it's usually the HC that gets the blame.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

I'm not giving Pelinka a pass, just wondering if he had enough backing to contest the trade had he desired to.

I'm saying the Westbrook trade is why Caruso is no longer a Laker (as well as avoidance of the luxury tax threshold), which Lebron pushed through.

I didn't address Buddy Hield, but sure Hield likely replaces Kuzma and KCP on the roster without the Westbrook trade. Not sure I love that move either (defensive ramifications), but it's better than the Westbrook move.

You would have kept your pick, KCP and had the ability to pay Caruso.

The trade was Trezl and Kuz for Buddy.

Pick, Bald Mamba, KCP, Buddy > Westbrick

 

[CitySushi]

Let's say Jordan Poole though goes nuts this last stretch and plays well into the playoffs. Do the Warriors cash him out with the extension? What do they do in the off-season about Wiggins. This is still a pivotal time for the Warriors organization as a whole.

 

[dtgold88]

I like Okoro’s recent aggression in understanding that the foul line can help him get production for his team. Saw a box recently where he went to the line like 11 or 12 times. You guys really do have some exciting young pieces. If the Sixers don’t round out this roster for next year, I’m saying the Cavs are more likely to close on a title before the Sixers do. Sixers window is closing. Embiid turned 28 today. He’s probably only got 4 years tops (and that’s an aggressive projection) being a top 5 player.

Even better is he's really improved his FT shooting....too bad Levert missed a key one.

Happen to agree about future. Need to get Allen back to make any noise this year and with no sexton even if in don't see winning more than a couple games. Next year? If we just came back at full strength and Rubio returned or someone like him it could be an exciting season....if we just stay relatively healthy.

 

[dtgold88]

Well, I’m not a fan of that 3rd quarter. Woof. Also, will some one please get DeAndre Jordan and sit him the fuck down?

I liked it.....but never thought we'd win, especially after didn't take advantage of Embiid sitting.