NBA OFF TOPIC THREAD

[Stakesarehigh]

Honestly, I don't owners care that much about our deal with watson...at least when it comes to making trades with us. If they think it can help their team, they wont hesitate to deal with us. Think we made 3-4 deals with teams during the draft.

None of which directly relates to the Watson situation as much as the Baker grade.

I'm finding it difficult to understand how a team like Carolina or Seattle wouldn't prefer to pay...let's say 10 million for Baker than roll with what they have.

 

[Stakesarehigh]

completely agree about offseason.

I happen to think there's a decent shot Baker is here in camp. way too much is being made about their situation and the drama it might cause.

Berry and stefanski seem like the type (and maybe his agent) IF it came to it who could sit him down and tell him just come in, put your head down and go to work. Either prove he should play over Brissett if watson is out and/or make another team want him.

There is also the financial considerations for Baker. If he refuses to play he opens himself to losing a good bit of his salary as well as hurting his image for a new deal.

 

[Stakesarehigh]

I get pride and all but he has even more than 18 million reasons to play ball.

 

[trojanfan12]

I'm finding it difficult to understand how a team like Carolina or Seattle wouldn't prefer to pay...let's say 10 million for Baker than roll with what they have.

From what I've read, Seattle is content to punt the season and look to get a QB in the 2023 draft (which is supposed to have some good ones). They will also have some extra picks in that draft and a fair amount of cap space going into 2023. Not saying they won't pivot, especially if they can get the Browns to pay a good chunk of Bakers contract...but I don't think I'd hold my breath waiting. lol

The Panthers are already going to be paying $18.8 million for Darnold.

 

[Shanemansj13]

I think Stephen A. is saying they should trade Lebron bc they can't trade Russ or AD which makes sense but still doesn't seem very realistic.

Russ is in a terrible contract and it would be extremely difficult to move him, stick it out for one more year then rebuild the next season.
AD's value has gone down dramatically I wouldn't say it would be difficult to move him but he isn't worth trading bc of the lack of return LA would get back to how they value him as a player. Maybe LA thinks even with AD and Lebron the time is done and they can't win any more championships, which is definitely reasonable considering AD's injury concerns and all three of those guys' contracts, lack of roster depth, etc.

The only team that actually checks every single box is CLE. They can contend after they trade for Lebron, Lebron would go back to CLE and they have the assets to make a trade and not give up their core. I really don't see any other teams that check all those boxes.

 

[Shanemansj13]

From what I've read, Seattle is content to punt the season and look to get a QB in the 2023 draft (which is supposed to have some good ones). They will also have some extra picks in that draft and a fair amount of cap space going into 2023. Not saying they won't pivot, especially if they can get the Browns to pay a good chunk of Bakers contract...but I don't think I'd hold my breath waiting. lol

The Panthers are already going to be paying $18.8 million for Darnold.

They can definitely punt the shit out of the season starting Lock

 

[dtgold88]

None of which directly relates to the Watson situation as much as the Baker grade.

I'm finding it difficult to understand how a team like Carolina or Seattle wouldn't prefer to pay...let's say 10 million for Baker than roll with what they have.

If they are tanking, I guess, why take a guy who might help them win extra games AND would take away from their own cap carry over?

all I got.

 

[dtgold88]

There is also the financial considerations for Baker. If he refuses to play he opens himself to losing a good bit of his salary as well as hurting his image for a new deal.

I don't think for a second he'll refuse to play.

 

[trojanfan12]

Honestly, I don't owners care that much about our deal with watson...at least when it comes to making trades with us. If they think it can help their team, they wont hesitate to deal with us. Think we made 3-4 deals with teams during the draft.

I agree that they aren't going to walk away from a deal that can improve their teams. But they can also look to make similar deals with other deals and make the Browns their "back burner" team in case they can't get a deal done with another team...that could make it difficult for the Browns.

Not having to fully guarantee contracts is huge in the NFL because it allows them to quickly move on from guys who get injured and/or old.

They aren't going to want to be giving that up, imo.

 

[trojanfan12]

They can definitely punt the shit out of the season starting Lock

It looks like they are going to start Geno, but I've got my fingers crossed for Lock...

Might even have to see if I can find a Drew Lock jersey. lol

 

[trojanfan12]

Russ is in a terrible contract and it would be extremely difficult to move him, stick it out for one more year then rebuild the next season.
AD's value has gone down dramatically I wouldn't say it would be difficult to move him but he isn't worth traded bc of the lack of return LA would get back to how they value him as a player.

The problem with moving Russ, even with the terrible contract, isn't that he is untradeable. He's been said to be untradeable the last 3 times he was traded.

The problem is moving him without taking longer term deals on "damaged players". For example, the Hornets trade that has come up includes Gordon Hayward. Which, on paper, would be a great pickup for the Lakers. He'd be a great fit alongside Lebron.

But he is set to make $30 million next year and $31 million for '23-'24. Considering his and AD's injury history, that's potentially over $75 million sitting on the bench in street clothes for much of the next 2 years.

 

[tlance]

There was Tyler Thigpen and Brodie Croyle for the Chiefs. Funny part is as long as I've followed the Chiefs I can count the number of QB'S that deserved to be called FRANCHISE Quarterback on one hand...

I think that is true for pretty much everyone.

The problem comes when you run out of fingers to count on 2 hands between franchise QBs. That is my situation.

 

[Shanemansj13]

The problem with moving Russ, even with the terrible contract, isn't that he is untradeable. He's been said to be untradeable the last 3 times he was traded.

The problem is moving him without taking longer term deals on "damaged players". For example, the Hornets trade that has come up includes Gordon Hayward. Which, on paper, would be a great pickup for the Lakers. He'd be a great fit alongside Lebron.

But he is set to make $30 million next year and $31 million for '23-'24. Considering his and AD's injury history, that's potentially over $75 million sitting on the bench in street clothes for much of the next 2 years.

Yeah and fit matters, in that example I think Hayward is a much better fit but can he stay on the court. If he can't, the Lakers have to deal with 2 years of his contract instead of 1 year of Russ' contract.

 

[trojanfan12]

Yeah and fit matters, in that example I think Hayward is a much better fit but can he stay on the court. If he can't, the Lakers have to deal with 2 years of his contract instead of 1 year of Russ' contract.

Exactly. Lebron with a healthy AD and Hayward for around 70 games, could definitely contend if they get solid role players to put around them. But at this point, what are the chances that 1 of them manages that, let alone both?

I'm resigned to, unless some team just gets stupid, the Lakers having Westbrook at least until the trade deadline, if not the entire season. There are worse things than going into a season over $100 million coming off the books.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

Exactly. Lebron with a healthy AD and Hayward for around 70 games, could definitely contend if they get solid role players to put around them. But at this point, what are the chances that 1 of them manages that, let alone both?

I'm resigned to, unless some team just gets stupid, the Lakers having Westbrook at least until the trade deadline, if not the entire season. There are worse things than going into a season over $100 million coming off the books.

100 million?

You don't see LeBron taking a extension?

 

[trojanfan12]

100 million?

You don't see LeBron taking a extension?

Maybe. More likely that in the off-season they go the "2 years with an option on year 2" route, imo. Lebron may want to see who they can get in FA. Plus, if I understand the cap correctly (I probably don't. lol) they could sign FA's then go over the cap to sign Lebron. Hopefully allowing them a little more cash to go after FA's.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

k.

Maybe. More likely that in the off-season they go the "2 years with an option on year 2" route, imo. Lebron may want to see who they can get in FA. Plus, if I understand the cap correctly (I probably don't. lol) they could sign FA's then go over the cap to sign Lebron. Hopefully allowing them a little more cash to go after FA's.

In theory, yes.

But, his cap hold is humongous at 50 million.

You can only get from under that by renouncing him or signing him to a lower number.

 

[trojanfan12]

k.

In theory, yes.

But, his cap hold is humongous at 50 million.

You can only get from under that by renouncing him or signing him to a lower number.

lol

Then maybe they go ahead and extend. Knew I had to be missing something.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

lol

Then maybe they go ahead and extend. Knew I had to be missing something.

No.

You have it right.

Its just guys in Lebron's tier are at the highest salary.

Your cap hold is gonna be higher than the previous salary because they assume the guy will get a raise.

Look at what Miami did with Olidipo.

He went from 20 plus mil to a vet minimum contract.

So, his cap hold is like 2 mil and they have his bird rights.

Tim Duncan did that kinda a thing a few times Dirk too in order to free up money/remove cap hold/ sign guys to get over the hump.

LeBron will likely never do that.

 

[Wamu]

@dtgold88 @Stakesarehigh @Shanemansj13

2021 locker room issues details show problematic division

After OBJ's dad went to social media and ripped Mayfield multiple players lobbied to keep OBJ in Cleveland.

It's an interesting article.