tOfficial 2015 NBA Draft/Free Agency Thread

[gordontrue]

So... apparently TT and Klutch Sports' instagram accounts posted the same picture of LeBron and TT at the same time as LeBron posted it???

If that's the case, I'm going to back off my stance and admit being wrong. That definitely makes it seem like a message directed at the Cavs.

And if that is what's going on I can only smh at LeBron. I think he gets a lot of unfair assumptive criticism for a lot of what he says and does... but the fact is sometimes he really doesn't handle off-the-court stuff as well as he could.

 

[trojanfan12]

Truth to tell, Lebron's "get it done" message is probably intended for both sides. He's been to 5 straight finals with 2 different teams, so he knows how difficult it is. The team doesn't need any distractions of any kind.

However, he has to actually play with TT, so he has to at least appear to be on TT's side. If TT (and other teammates) feel Lebron took managements side in a contract negotiation, it could effect team chemistry.

Which is why he never should have involved himself in the first place.

 

[bksballer89]

MKG basically out the year. Out 6 months which take us into April

 

[wildturkey]

MKG basically out the year. Out 6 months which take us into April

That could be a bigger loss than most would realize. Not that Charlotte was going to do much anyway but he masked a ton of problems defensively for them

 

[trojanfan12]

Is it just me, or does there seem to be more instances of younger guys suffering serious injuries over the past few seasons than we used to see?

 

[tducey]

To bad for MKG and indeed Charlotte, the guy is a good player for them for sure.

 

[WiggyRuss]

I really hope Thompson comes to his senses.

I of course want him in camp- but he is simply not a top 20 player in basketball and he should NOT be paid like one. Hamstringing the roster with a guy making max money who does not deserve max money is not something I see the CAvs doing. 16M is PLENTY for Thompson. Like I have said- good for him- he gambled on himself last summer- and it paid off....he hit the lotto and now he is doubling down and public opinion is against him right now.

The signing of Sasha Kaun really is a nice insurance policy- this guy started ahead of Mozgov on the Russian National team- and is coming over to the states because he married his wife that he met while attending Kansas U. and she wants to come back to the states. He is actually taking a significant pay cut to come to the NBA.

If it comes down to losing Thompson or paying nearly 20M a season for him- if he keeps up that demand- i do not know where this will go.

I would think concessions will eventually be made on both sides- but we shall see...

 

[WiggyRuss]

To bad for MKG and indeed Charlotte, the guy is a good player for them for sure.

yah...i really like him as a player. He will be 1st team all defense someday.

 

[trojanfan12]

I really hope Thompson comes to his senses.

I of course want him in camp- but he is simply not a top 20 player in basketball and he should NOT be paid like one. Hamstringing the roster with a guy making max money who does not deserve max money is not something I see the CAvs doing. 16M is PLENTY for Thompson. Like I have said- good for him- he gambled on himself last summer- and it paid off....he hit the lotto and now he is doubling down and public opinion is against him right now.

The signing of Sasha Kaun really is a nice insurance policy- this guy started ahead of Mozgov on the Russian National team- and is coming over to the states because he married his wife that he met while attending Kansas U. and she wants to come back to the states. He is actually taking a significant pay cut to come to the NBA.

If it comes down to losing Thompson or paying nearly 20M a season for him- if he keeps up that demand- i do not know where this will go.

I would think concessions will eventually be made on both sides- but we shall see...

What's your thought on Lebron seeming to insert himself into TT's contract negotiation?

 

[WiggyRuss]

What's your thought on Lebron seeming to insert himself into TT's contract negotiation?

Well - LeBron obviously spoke of it as a potential distraction, while keeping in mind that it is EARLY October. LeBron without a doubt wants the guy who was his most reliable side-kick in last year's playoffs back. LeBron realizes Thompson is still very young, still improving and is a significant part of the teams big picture going forward. LeBron was careful to explain that his quote was meant for not just the Cavs- but also for TT.

The public sentiment and the media sentiment in Cleveland is against Thompson as everyone out there thinks that 16 million is not only EXTREMELY fair- but represents a premium for Thompson. LeBron is of course going to support his teammate- especially one that shares an agent- but LeBron does not expect the Cavs to pay Thompson max money- and i dont think he WANTS the Cavs to pay Thompson max money. LeBron of course does not care about Gilberts cash- but he does care about the salary cap ramifications of paying a non-max player max money and how that can hurt the teams ability to add players going forward. If you listen to Cleveland radio or read local newspapers etc. it seems that most people believe LeBron just wants it to get done so they can stop asking questions about it.

At this point though- COULD Rich Paul and Thompson even accept the 5 year 80M offer? wouldnt that be a major loss to them? --- This makes me believe that LeBron expects the Cavs to come up off of 80M - but more as a publicity move as opposed to he thinks Thompson deserves the max. I do not in anyway shape or form believe that LeBron thinks Thompson should get a 5 year 94 million dollar deal- but LeBron wants it done- and if he thinks getting involved will do that- then more power to him.

 

[trojanfan12]

Well - LeBron obviously spoke of it as a potential distraction, while keeping in mind that it is EARLY October. LeBron without a doubt wants the guy who was his most reliable side-kick in last year's playoffs back. LeBron realizes Thompson is still very young, still improving and is a significant part of the teams big picture going forward. LeBron was careful to explain that his quote was meant for not just the Cavs- but also for TT.

The public sentiment and the media sentiment in Cleveland is against Thompson as everyone out there thinks that 16 million is not only EXTREMELY fair- but represents a premium for Thompson. LeBron is of course going to support his teammate- especially one that shares an agent- but LeBron does not expect the Cavs to pay Thompson max money- and i dont think he WANTS the Cavs to pay Thompson max money. LeBron of course does not care about Gilberts cash- but he does care about the salary cap ramifications of paying a non-max player max money and how that can hurt the teams ability to add players going forward. If you listen to Cleveland radio or read local newspapers etc. it seems that most people believe LeBron just wants it to get done so they can stop asking questions about it.

At this point though- COULD Rich Paul and Thompson even accept the 5 year 80M offer? wouldnt that be a major loss to them? --- This makes me believe that LeBron expects the Cavs to come up off of 80M - but more as a publicity move as opposed to he thinks Thompson deserves the max. I do not in anyway shape or form believe that LeBron thinks Thompson should get a 5 year 94 million dollar deal- but LeBron wants it done- and if he thinks getting involved will do that- then more power to him.

Yeah, I mostly agree with this. As I posted earlier, I think Lebron realizes that the longer this drags out, the bigger the distraction will be. He's been to 5 straight finals and knows how hard it really is. It could also reach a point where TT signs, but no one is happy, which would also be a distraction.

The Cavs offered 5 years/$80 million and TT reportedly wants 5 years/$94 million. Any chance that the 2 sides agree to "split the difference" and bring him in at around 5 years/$87 million? Or has that ship sailed?

I don't agree though with "more power to him" on Lebron involving himself in the negotiations. It's pretty much an unwritten rule that players don't involve themselves in another players negotiations (the old "you don't mess with another man's money" rule). Just too many ways that it could end badly or end up with hard feelings.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Yeah, I mostly agree with this. As I posted earlier, I think Lebron realizes that the longer this drags out, the bigger the distraction will be. He's been to 5 straight finals and knows how hard it really is. It could also reach a point where TT signs, but no one is happy, which would also be a distraction.



I don't agree though with "more power to him" on Lebron involving himself in the negotiations. It's pretty much an unwritten rule that players don't involve themselves in another players negotiations (the old "you don't mess with another man's money" rule). Just too many ways that it could end badly or end up with hard feelings.

I dont necesarily agree with it either on a fundamental level- but if it means having the best player in the world on your team and practically punching your ticket to the NBA Finals in October- i will suck it up- as I would assume the vast majority of sane people would.

 

[trojanfan12]

I dont necesarily agree with it either on a fundamental level- but if it means having the best player in the world on your team and practically punching your ticket to the NBA Finals in October- i will suck it up- as I would assume the vast majority of sane people would.

Yeah, that's a good point. As a Lakers fan, if Kobe did the same, I wouldn't like it and would probably be pissed and on here bashing him for it.

But if it resulted in a trip to the finals, I'm sure I'd find it in my heart to forgive him.

 

[WiggyRuss]

people are sleeping on the Sasha Kaun acquisition a little bit I think......

I think he is instantly the Cavs best defending big man. He is legit. He is NOT an offensive player- but the Cavs have PLENTY of offense.....this guy plays great D, protects the rim, sets AMAZING hard picks, and is a cerebral player.

I imagine him taking a more significant role than previously thought- kind of like Delly last year. If/when Thompson signs- the Cavs big man depth is just CRAZY....which is also working against Thompson of course.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

people are sleeping on the Sasha Kaun acquisition a little bit I think......

I think he is instantly the Cavs best defending big man. He is legit. He is NOT an offensive player- but the Cavs have PLENTY of offense.....this guy plays great D, protects the rim, sets AMAZING hard picks, and is a cerebral player.

I imagine him taking a more significant role than previously thought- kind of like Delly last year. If/when Thompson signs- the Cavs big man depth is just CRAZY....which is also working against Thompson of course.

Everyone knows that Tristan isn't worth what he's asking.
The question is, how much will Gilbert gamble that it won't be the excuse James uses to leave being as though he publicly stated last year that winning 1 title in Cleveland was his ultimate goal as a player.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Everyone knows that Tristan isn't worth what he's asking.
The question is, how much will Gilbert gamble that it won't be the excuse James uses to leave being as though he publicly stated last year that winning 1 title in Cleveland was his ultimate goal as a player.

LeBron is going no where.

He has Kyrie and Love signed up long term at absolutely great prices- 2 guys just ENTERING their primes.

Love is 26 and is making an average of 22 million for the next 4 years.

Kyrie is 23 and is making an average of about 17 million for the next 4 years.

With how salaries are going up- those deals are going to be- if not extremely beneficial to the team, certainly on the lower side of what contracts will look like going forward -- when soon and very soon- players with not nearly the pedigree and talent of Love and Irving (2 legitimate all stars- and 2 guys that can ABSOLUTELY be the 2nd and 3rd best player on a championship team) will be making MUCH MUCH more than the about 20M or so a year those 2 guys average out too.

If you are building a team going forward- and you have Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love as about 40M of your payroll for the next 4 years- you have a GREAT FOUNDATION- --- King James is NOT LEAVING THAT and ruining his reputation in the process. It makes no sense- from a media standpoint, marketing standpoint, winning standpoint....anyway you cut it.

If LeBron James leaves the Cleveland Cavaliers- and says it was because Dan Gilbert would only offer Tristan Thompson 16 a year instead of 19 a year- I will fly to Florida and landscape your property that whole following summer! LOL

 

[LAD]

Here's his full quote....

“The last thing you need is a distraction when you try to make a championship run. And we have that right now. It’s unfortunate for both sides that we’re going through it right now as a team.”

“I’m not going to go to them and tell them what they should do,” James said regarding the Cavs. “That’s their job, they know how to do it very well and they’ve done that to this point. They’ve brought in and did what they had to do for us to be a contending team. Obviously Tristan is a big part of that run we want to make. I believe that something will happen.”


(Pro-tip... anytime you see a one-line quote in a tweet... go ahead and click through to the article and get some context).

That has nothing to do with the point people are making regarding LBJ and minding his own business. Reading the rest of his quote doesn't enlighten us on why he didn't say "that's not my business" when asked.

 

[bksballer89]

PG 13 with 24 at the half. Safe to say he is back

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

To bad for MKG and indeed Charlotte, the guy is a good player for them for sure.

I think MKG will turn into a solid pro in a few years.

But, trading for Batum should soften the blow for the Hornets this Season.

They are going to miss his defense. But, Batum will give them a 3rd scorer which they desperately need.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

PG 13 with 24 at the half. Safe to say he is back

Is he playing PF?

I think that's insane...lol

I read the other day that Koufas would be the starting center for Sacto and Boogie would be playing the 4.

No way PG should be checking guys like Bg32, Davis, Ibaka, Aldridge or Bosh...among others.

So he certainly can't do a thing with a guy like Cousins.