LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, and the Perpetual Joke NBA Free Agency Has Become

[HurricaneDij39]

You do realize that most of Danny Green's value is tied to his defense right? Green made 2nd team all defense in 2017.

Carroll is a better matchup against LeBron because of his strength, but Green is an excellent defender. You trying to match him up with guys who play a different position than him doesn't change that.

The fact that SA is loyal to their guys and that Green has been a key role player for them for years. He fits the system and Carrol struggled mightily in Toronto before playing better on an awful Nets team. Why Would SA trade their guy for a player who isn't better and may or may not fit. Especially when said player is older and makes more money.

Carroll was also an instrumental piece on an Atlanta team that won 60 games a few years back...Bet it was ultra-convenient to leave that one out of your player comparisons.

Danny Green is in danger of becoming the next Bruce Bowen or Michael Finley.

Pop's one flaw over the years is that he tends to hang on to his middling veterans too long to the point that they run out of value. The guys mentioned above were traded for Richard Jefferson, who was a major flop for the Spurs - And they were lucky to even get him.

If there was one reason for their gap between titles (2007 to 2014) - This was it.

 

[HurricaneDij39]

That's why I have so much respect for Kobe, he spent his whole career with the Lakers.

Russell Westbrook.

 

[True Lakers Fan]

Russell Westbrook.

Not the same, No championships

 

[tlance]

Carroll was also an instrumental piece on an Atlanta team that won 60 games a few years back...Bet it was ultra-convenient to leave that one out of your player comparisons.

Danny Green is in danger of becoming the next Bruce Bowen or Michael Finley.

Pop's one flaw over the years is that he tends to hang on to his middling veterans too long to the point that they run out of value. The guys mentioned above were traded for Richard Jefferson, who was a major flop for the Spurs - And they were lucky to even get him.

If there was one reason for their gap between titles (2007 to 2014) - This was it.

3 years ago. He isn't the same player now.

The Bruce Bowen comp is a pretty good one. You say it like it is a bad thing.

It isn't that Danny Green is some great asset. He isn't. But you are trading him for a player who is older and not better. What is the point?

If the Spurs are going to rebuild, trade Green for a pick. If they are going to try to improve, trade him for a better player on a multiyear deal to a team trying to generate cap space. Your idea does neither.

 

[HurricaneDij39]

The Bruce Bowen comp is a pretty good one. You say it like it is a bad thing.

Except he wasn't as good...Bruce Bowen in his prime was a defensive 1st team mainstay...Green has made an all-defensive 2nd team, maybe once?

 

[The Oldtimer]

Russell Westbrook.

Yes him too.

 

[The Q]

Weird how you blame Lebron James and not Dan Gilbert for doing next to nothing to build the Cavs when Lebron was first with the Cavs.

Kawhi is far from the first disgruntled player that pushed for a trade. That's been happening since at least Wilt Chamerlain.

They didn’t do nothing. They just did poorly.

Dajuan Wagner over Amare

Luke Jackson in 2004

The Larry Hughes signing.

To be fair to CLe, there years ahead of everyone else with trying to load up with ball movement and shooters, including mo Williams and Anthony Parker.

Those 2 were abysmal against the Celtics in 2010. Had they not been, Lebron probably never leaves.

Also if bosh was willing to sign with CLe then he doesn’t leave either. But he wasn’t, so Miami happened.

 

[Heatles84]

Carroll was also an instrumental piece on an Atlanta team that won 60 games a few years back...Bet it was ultra-convenient to leave that one out of your player comparisons.

Danny Green is in danger of becoming the next Bruce Bowen or Michael Finley.

Pop's one flaw over the years is that he tends to hang on to his middling veterans too long to the point that they run out of value. The guys mentioned above were traded for Richard Jefferson, who was a major flop for the Spurs - And they were lucky to even get him.

If there was one reason for their gap between titles (2007 to 2014) - This was it.

That was 4 years ago. A lot changes in 4 years. Carroll's not the same player he used to be.

 

[HurricaneDij39]

So because the the Spurs were pretty good with Kawhi and have a pretty good system, they should make a stupid trade?

Congratulations...you just managed to outstupid yourself. Well done.

Pop could trade Kawhi straight up for Luol Deng and still look like a genius, but you're still missing the point.

My trade proposal was a last resort option in the event other teams don't step up their offers and if Kawhi's relationship with the team becomes so bad that he absolutely has to go. The point was that they wouldn't actually lose anything in this deal, because Kawhi only played in nine games last year. Worst thing that could possibly happen with this proposed deal is that it doesn't work out and all these contracts will be off the books by 2020 anyway.

The offers currently being made to the Spurs don't exactly move the needle for them. Philly won't offer Fultz and the Lakers won't offer Kuzma. Pop is not stupid enough to gift-wrap another star to an already star-studded franchise.

Deng's contract is worse than Bazemore's. Covington has four years left on a big deal and his skill set isn't out-worldly as it is, and he showed his inconsistency during this year's playoffs. Saric? Sure, good player, but if you were to start him over Pau Gasol your team suddenly becomes extremely small.

Basically, Philly and the Lakers need to step up their respective offers in order to get a deal done.

And last, there was plenty of actual basketball analysis in this here post, but I still expect you to reply with your trademark blanket response simply because you have nothing better to add.

 

[The Q]

There was once a time in NBA history when free agency was strictly about the business of contract details and with whatever team the said player wished to spend his career with. Then, in 2010 - LeBron James happened, and this whole spectacle that is NBA free agency had become much more than that as a result. It has become more about big brands, big egos, big markets, and player collusion. Because of LeBron James.

When LeBron left Cleveland for the first time to form a superteam in Miami, it became acceptable for these self-proclaimed "star" players to throw their teammates, their coaches (looking at you, Kawhi Leonard), and even their ownership under the microscope. Because of LeBron James. It has come to be a regular occurrence in the NBA throughout this decade. Because of LeBron James.

In the current NBA, there are plenty of teams that are more well-managed than the Lakers. There were several teams more deserving of LeBron's services. But, in the end - The big market and his big business ventures were ultimately the deciding factor in his free agency this time around. At least Art Modell only left Cleveland once, and it is this that is the very reason why we as a culture keep him out of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Shame on LeBron James.

Shame on these self-righteous NBA "stars".

Now, on to my Kawhi Leonard trade idea...

San Antonio receives - Kent Bazemore, DeMarre Carroll, and a future 2022 second round draft pick (from Atlanta)

Atlanta receives - Kawhi Leonard

Brooklyn receives - Danny Green

From San Antonio's perspective: The Spurs need to be able to prove the point to Kawhi that beggars can't be choosers by forcing him to spend a year of his prime in a hapless situation in Atlanta - A team that currently is almost blatantly tanking. It is not that Bazemore is a bad player - He did shoot a career-high 39.4 percent from three this past season - It's simply a matter of him not being worth his contract. And who knows, maybe Pop could make a diamond in the rough out of him. Carroll would give San Antonio a designated LeBron defender for the upcoming season.

From Atlanta's perspective: For the Hawks, this deal would provide a bargaining opportunity. Atlanta would be off the hook for the final two years of Bazemore's contract while surrendering only a second round pick well down the road. While it is highly unlikely that Kawhi Leonard commits to them long-term, they would be given the opportunity to flip him at next February's trade deadline for more assets moving forward.

From Brooklyn's perspective: Simple salary dump. Green will earn more than $5 million less than DeMarre Carroll in the final year of their respective deals, and would instantly become a buyout candidate upon completion of this proposed deal.

LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, and the Perpetual Joke NBA Free Agency Has Become

What exactly is wrong with players taking some control of their lives and careers?

They are stuck with an anti American draft and salary cap already.

 

[Heatles84]

Pop could trade Kawhi straight up for Luol Deng and still look like a genius, but you're still missing the point.

I didn't even get pass this line.

How would trading for a top 5 NBA player for a washed up 3 that's well overpaid for the next 2 years be a good thing?

For a self-proclaimed genius, you sure do say some dumb shit.

 

[HurricaneDij39]

And LOL Apparently the Spurs improve by three games according to Hollinger's analysis with the trade machine...NBA Trade Machine - ESPN

 

[Wamu]

I didn't even get pass this line.

How would trading for a top 5 NBA player for a washed up 3 that's well overpaid for the next 2 years be a good thing?

For a self-proclaimed genius, you sure do say some dumb shit.

I was just about to say something similar.

 

[tlance]

Pop could trade Kawhi straight up for Luol Deng and still look like a genius, but you're still missing the point.

My trade proposal was a last resort option in the event other teams don't step up their offers and if Kawhi's relationship with the team becomes so bad that he absolutely has to go. The point was that they wouldn't actually lose anything in this deal, because Kawhi only played in nine games last year. Worst thing that could possibly happen with this proposed deal is that it doesn't work out and all these contracts will be off the books by 2020 anyway.

The offers currently being made to the Spurs don't exactly move the needle for them. Philly won't offer Fultz and the Lakers won't offer Kuzma. Pop is not stupid enough to gift-wrap another star to an already star-studded franchise.

Deng's contract is worse than Bazemore's. Covington has four years left on a big deal and his skill set isn't out-worldly as it is, and he showed his inconsistency during this year's playoffs. Saric? Sure, good player, but if you were to start him over Pau Gasol your team suddenly becomes extremely small.

Basically, Philly and the Lakers need to step up their respective offers in order to get a deal done.

And last, there was plenty of actual basketball analysis in this here post, but I still expect you to reply with your trademark blanket response simply because you have nothing better to add.

There is nothing to add. Your proposal isn't a last resort option. It isn't an option at all because it is stupid. There is absolutely nothing appealing about that trade idea for the Spurs. Nothing.

Now stop trying to justify it. It was a terrible post.

 

[Heatles84]

Pop could straight up trade Deng for Kawhi and that's a good thing.

Holy. Fuck. I've heard it all now.

San Antonio would riot if that happened.

 

[tlance]

And LOL Apparently the Spurs improve by three games according to Hollinger's analysis with the trade machine...NBA Trade Machine - ESPN

Well, the trade machine must be assuming 0 games played for Kawhi. Either that or The trade machine is broken.

 

[Heatles84]

Well, the trade machine must be assuming 0 games played for Kawhi. Either that or The trade machine is broken.

Hawks would lose 4 more games with Kawhi in place instead of Bazemore. Buttermilk tits is really doubling down on idiocy here.

 

[flyerhawk]

Well, the trade machine must be assuming 0 games played for Kawhi. Either that or The trade machine is broken.

I'm guessing that Kawhi's 0 games played last year might have an impact on a statistical model like Hollinger's.

 

[HurricaneDij39]

Well, the trade machine must be assuming 0 games played for Kawhi. Either that or The trade machine is broken.

Works just fine. Analysis for a Giannis/Whiteside straight-up deal is spot on...NBA Trade Machine - ESPN

Some of you simply have a hard time admitting that this "bored" is my bitch...Expecting this to be fouled out in 3-2-1...

 

[HurricaneDij39]

Pop could straight up trade Deng for Kawhi and that's a good thing.

Holy. Fuck. I've heard it all now.

San Antonio would riot if that happened.

twas a joke, numbfuck.