tOfficial 2015 NBA Draft/Free Agency Thread

[WiggyRuss]

I agree. It will also make it difficult to do anything to improve the team going forward. It's like the comparison I used with the Lakers tying up money in longer term deals with older veterans. Example, Pau had a contract that made him virtually untradeable. If teams didn't want to take on Pau's $19 million, they're not going to want to take on Thompson's $18.8 million. The Lakers had to do it though, because they were in a championship window and did what they had to do to win titles. Those titles, make the re-build we're seeing now worth it.

The Cavs have to give Thompson his money because their window is right now. In a couple of years, that window will shrink considerably, if not close entirely (depends on Lebron's health and how quickly he declines) and the contract they are paying Thompson to win now, becomes the anchor keeping them from moving forward. The question will be whether or not they have a title or 2 to make it worth it.

there are some disparities though- in that- Gasol's 19 million was done in an era of a 60M or so cap- Thompsons 18 or whatever will be in an era of a 108M cap - OR EVEN HIGHER- the difference between a 1/3 of a payroll and 1/6 of a payroll is obviously huge.

Also- Gasol was old with injury issues - while Thompson is young, never hurt, and still has room to improve.

You can work in a lot more flexibility to Thompsons 1/6th of the cap than to someone like Gasol who had almost 1/3 of the cap- .....while- we have seen- how crippling it is to have OVER 1/3 of your cap in Kobe Bryant when he was not even playing because of how he was run into the ground. ---- or like when Amare was untradeable because not only did his skills precipitously decline- but he was injured all the time AND represented about 1/3 of the cap.

AT least when you have a guy who may be overpaid- but is still healthy, young and useful- you can often time move that kind of guy by attaching assets to him- or taking back a similar deal. And really - that is the best qualifer on how to look at these things to compare- what percentage of the cap tehy constitute.

Over the last couple years 1/6 of the cap would amount to about a 10M dollar contract- which would seem "reasonable" considering the circumstances behind Thompsons anticipated deal. No one would bat an eye of Thompson got 10M a year or almost 1/6 of the cap. -----now- the sticker shock gets you- but 18M to 108 is fairly equivalent to 10 million of 60.

 

[Heatles84]

Man, you keep referencing beating the Bulls like you won a title. That's pretty pathetic. We're not even talking about the Bulls.

Sad thing is, Lebron's been beating the Bulls while with the Heat. Outside of the year before he left Cleveland, this is the 1st time he's beaten the Bulls in the last 5 years as a member of the Cavs. But once again, title count comes out to Bulls - 6, Cavs - 0.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Man, you keep referencing beating the Bulls like you won a title. That's pretty pathetic. We're not even talking about the Bulls.

nope- never said they won a title. Just that LeBron beat the crap outta the Bulls again- the Bulls choked, their coach underperformed and was given the heave-ho- and they missed the best chance they will have at getting out of the East.

and like I said- come May- in all likelihood- Joakim will be going for his shine box once again. Hey- SOMEONE has to polish LeBron's shoes- and Noah has proved to be willing over and over again!

 

[Beengay fudgepackers]

nope- never said they won a title. Just that LeBron beat the crap outta the Bulls again- the Bulls choked, their coach underperformed and was given the heave-ho- and they missed the best chance they will have at getting out of the East.

and like I said- come May- in all likelihood- Joakim will be going for his shine box once again. Hey- SOMEONE has to polish LeBron's shoes- and Noah has proved to be willing over and over again!

Oh, really? Is that really going to happen? Did you ask your magic 8 ball on what happens next year or consult a ouija board? I'm pretty sure those are your only two methods of basketball analysis. I have had farts that have demonstrated more basketball IQ than your whole posting career on the hoop.

Anyway, If beating the Bulls is that important to you, you'll probably have a successful season again next year. If winning a title is what you're really after, then you're probably going to be disappointed. It's okay though, you used to be a fan of OKC as well and they haven't been able to get over the hump either, so I'm guessing you're used to it.

 

[ManuForever]

Oh, really? Is that really going to happen? Did you ask your magic 8 ball on what happens next year or consult a ouija board? I'm pretty sure those are your only two methods of basketball analysis. I have had farts that have demonstrated more basketball IQ than your whole posting career on the hoop.

Anyway, If beating the Bulls is that important to you, you'll probably have a successful season again next year. If winning a title is what you're really after, then you're probably going to be disappointed. It's okay though, you used to be a fan of OKC as well and they haven't been able to get over the hump either, so I'm guessing you're used to it.

Bold demonstrates what I hate most about fans like Wiggy. Get an awesome roster and they go apeshit and begin to predict things and try backing them up to make themselves believe it'll come true. Worst part about basketball fans, if you ask me.

 

[DJ Fieri]

She has a beautiful smile, LAD.

 

[DJ Fieri]

there are some disparities though- in that- Gasol's 19 million was done in an era of a 60M or so cap- Thompsons 18 or whatever will be in an era of a 108M cap - OR EVEN HIGHER- the difference between a 1/3 of a payroll and 1/6 of a payroll is obviously huge.

Also- Gasol was old with injury issues - while Thompson is young, never hurt, and still has room to improve.

You can work in a lot more flexibility to Thompsons 1/6th of the cap than to someone like Gasol who had almost 1/3 of the cap- .....while- we have seen- how crippling it is to have OVER 1/3 of your cap in Kobe Bryant when he was not even playing because of how he was run into the ground. ---- or like when Amare was untradeable because not only did his skills precipitously decline- but he was injured all the time AND represented about 1/3 of the cap.

AT least when you have a guy who may be overpaid- but is still healthy, young and useful- you can often time move that kind of guy by attaching assets to him- or taking back a similar deal. And really - that is the best qualifer on how to look at these things to compare- what percentage of the cap tehy constitute.

Over the last couple years 1/6 of the cap would amount to about a 10M dollar contract- which would seem "reasonable" considering the circumstances behind Thompsons anticipated deal. No one would bat an eye of Thompson got 10M a year or almost 1/6 of the cap. -----now- the sticker shock gets you- but 18M to 108 is fairly equivalent to 10 million of 60.

Bottom line........Thompson will never be as good as Gasol or the center piece to a title team.

 

[bksballer89]

Report: Tristan Thompson rejected $80 million contract offer from Cavaliers because his perceived peers got more | ProBasketballTalk

Thompson might think he’s in the same group as Monroe (three-year max contract) and Green (five years, $82 million), but he’s not as good as those two. They deserve to be paid more than Thompson.

 

[OutlawImmortal]

Report: Tristan Thompson rejected $80 million contract offer from Cavaliers because his perceived peers got more | ProBasketballTalk

Thompson might think he’s in the same group as Monroe (three-year max contract) and Green (five years, $82 million), but he’s not as good as those two. They deserve to be paid more than Thompson.

Great post BK, it's all about what other players of the same skill level are being paid. % of the salary cap a contract takes up is irrelevant.

 

[bksballer89]

Fans be crazy

 

[DJ Fieri]

Report: Tristan Thompson rejected $80 million contract offer from Cavaliers because his perceived peers got more | ProBasketballTalk

Thompson might think he’s in the same group as Monroe (three-year max contract) and Green (five years, $82 million), but he’s not as good as those two. They deserve to be paid more than Thompson.

"I’m not sure who Thompson considers his peers, but I place him solidly behind Marc Gasol, LaMarcus Aldridge, Kevin Love, DeAndre Jordan, Greg Monroe, Draymond Green, Brook Lopez, Paul Millsapand Tim Duncan in the next group of big-man free agents."

I agree but doubt Wiggy does.

 

[bksballer89]

Not sure if you guys been on espn lately but the espn summer forecast is a good debate topic. So far they predicted rookie of the year and full regular season standings for both conferences.

NBA: 2015 Summer Forecast, Rookie of the Year
NBA: 2015 Summer Forecast, East standings
NBA: 2015 Summer Forecast, West standings

 

[Heatles84]

"I’m not sure who Thompson considers his peers, but I place him solidly behind Marc Gasol, LaMarcus Aldridge, Kevin Love, DeAndre Jordan, Greg Monroe, Draymond Green, Brook Lopez, Paul Millsapand Tim Duncan in the next group of big-man free agents."

I agree but doubt Wiggy does.

If Thompson was on the Kings, Wiggy would go on about how this is a continued string of bad moves made by the Kings. Thompson is not worth the money he's asking for, plain and simple. Break it down how you want, but he's going to be grossly overpaid. It doesn't matter how the cap is increasing or other bullshit factors that dip shit tries to bring up. Wiggy just likes to argue to argue.

 

[trojanfan12]

there are some disparities though- in that- Gasol's 19 million was done in an era of a 60M or so cap- Thompsons 18 or whatever will be in an era of a 108M cap - OR EVEN HIGHER- the difference between a 1/3 of a payroll and 1/6 of a payroll is obviously huge.

Also- Gasol was old with injury issues - while Thompson is young, never hurt, and still has room to improve.

You can work in a lot more flexibility to Thompsons 1/6th of the cap than to someone like Gasol who had almost 1/3 of the cap- .....while- we have seen- how crippling it is to have OVER 1/3 of your cap in Kobe Bryant when he was not even playing because of how he was run into the ground. ---- or like when Amare was untradeable because not only did his skills precipitously decline- but he was injured all the time AND represented about 1/3 of the cap.

AT least when you have a guy who may be overpaid- but is still healthy, young and useful- you can often time move that kind of guy by attaching assets to him- or taking back a similar deal. And really - that is the best qualifer on how to look at these things to compare- what percentage of the cap tehy constitute.

Over the last couple years 1/6 of the cap would amount to about a 10M dollar contract- which would seem "reasonable" considering the circumstances behind Thompsons anticipated deal. No one would bat an eye of Thompson got 10M a year or almost 1/6 of the cap. -----now- the sticker shock gets you- but 18M to 108 is fairly equivalent to 10 million of 60.

Don't even have to respond. Everyone else already did.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

Well- Tristan and Love each have to get the lions share of the minutes over Mozgov and Varejao- which was true for the most part last year.

With a year of experience under his belt it will be intersting to see how Blatt manages it all.

With all the depth in the front court that the Cavs have between those 4 bigs- tehre is no reason to run any of them into the ground or play any of them over 32-34 minutes a game during the regular season. Its nice having 4 quality big men - that is for sure. Someteams dont even have 2!.

Mecca- your Clips could use another rim protector that is for sure...

Yes, playing all 4 of those guys is a luxury.

But, paying all 4 will be luxury tax HELL.

As for the Clippers, the thing that gets my goat about Blake is his lack of shot blocking.

Forget about the fact that he has short T-Rex arms.

He can jump out of the gym to put a guy on a poster.

But, he can't block one shot a game?

It really pisses me off.

For his career, Josh blocks about 2 shots per game.

Last year he was down. But, he should be good for 1.5 per game.

So, it will be up to him and DJ.

I really hope our Rookie gets some burn.

Dawson is a straight up GOON.

He's waaaaaaay shorter than Tristan. But, he hustles in the same mold and is also a black hole on offense.

I just hope his body holds up.

 

[Heatles84]

Isn't this what everyone's been telling dipshit this whole time?

 

[Black Adam]

Isn't this what everyone's been telling dipshit this whole time?

yep, that pretty much sums it up, but remember, Wiggy ain't scared...no, really...

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

Isn't this what everyone's been telling dipshit this whole time?

Saw a great quote on ESPN that sums up my opinion of Wiggy's take on the Cavs and Heat next Season.

" Would rather be unexpected small film that succeeds than blockbuster that fails."

 

[gordontrue]

Valanciunas 4 year deal is official... reportedly between 16 and 17.5 mill per year.

 

[gordontrue]

Saw a great quote on ESPN that sums up my opinion of Wiggy's take on the Cavs and Heat next Season.

" Would rather be unexpected small film that succeeds than blockbuster that fails."

The problem with that quote is that the criteria for a Blockbuster movie failing... isn't being edged out by another movie and coming in 2nd place for the weekend. A blockbuster can easily still be considered a huge success without 'winning' its weekend.

On the other hand, in sports, failure is anything short of being 1st.