tOfficial 2015 NBA Draft/Free Agency Thread

[Heatles84]

def a good night for the Lakers- but if they intend to keep this pick, and keep Randle- they are not going to be winning anytime soon.

I mean- look at New Orleans- the supposed soon to be "best player in the league" - best #1 overall pick since LeBron supposedly- and they sucked for a couple years and then got the 8 seed.

Young players very rarely win quickly- i mean- even Durant and RW took time to be anything more than an 8 seed dropped in the first round-

now if they trade these picks and bring in some superstars maybe they can jump start it---- but if they think Towns and Randle is their front court for the next 8 years or whatever- its gonna take a lot of time.

The thing is, the Lakers are a destination city. It's a possibility that they can attract key free agents such as a Kevin Love or a Russel Westbrook, as well as maybe sign a Jimmy Butler. I'd prefer Okhafor over Towns. But either the Lakers or Twolves will be fine with either player as they both have high ceilings.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Lakers are history any way until Kobe has retired and been replaced. Kobe was one of the best in his time, but there is no way in hell this Lakers team rebuilds and wins with an aging Kobe with season ending injuries three years straight.

you make a very good point. The LAST thing the Lakers should do in my opinion is to trade Randle or Towns/Okafor for immediate help unless its aplayer in his prime that is a multi time all star. If they try and rush it in order to give Kobe another shot it would be a disaster... DONT belike the Knicks and be ina huge rush all the time.

However- in todays NBA- the 4 and 5 position is ideally one guy that can guardthe rim, and one guy that can rebound andwhat not- butALSO canstretch the floor. Its very hard on teams that have guysat the 4 and 5 if neither of them can shoot. Its one reason why i think it really sucked they missed out on Randle's year of development- and scouting him todetermine if oneday they think hecould stretch the floor.

I think they PROBABLY have to take Towns or Okafor......I just really like Russell though- and a dominant 3 who can do anything is probably the hardest thing to find in the NBA and its probably the best thing to have in the NBA...

I mean- if they start both say Okafor and Randle- if they are 2 rooks that cant shoot a lick- its obviously a developmental year for the team pretty muchno matter who they get in free agency short of LeBron- ESPECIALLY if Clarkson is their starter at PG (which i dont think will be the case- its not too difficult to find a starter level point guard in free agency)...

it should be itnersting though- i applaud the Lakers and their patience thus far in enduring a few awful awful seasons without panicking and making long term moves that will tie you up that have pretty much become the Knicks trade mark pre-Phil...

 

[Black Adam]

you make a very good point. The LAST thing the Lakers should do in my opinion is to trade Randle or Towns/Okafor for immediate help unless its aplayer in his prime that is a multi time all star. If they try and rush it in order to give Kobe another shot it would be a disaster... DONT belike the Knicks and be ina huge rush all the time.

However- in todays NBA- the 4 and 5 position is ideally one guy that can guardthe rim, and one guy that can rebound andwhat not- butALSO canstretch the floor. Its very hard on teams that have guysat the 4 and 5 if neither of them can shoot. Its one reason why i think it really sucked they missed out on Randle's year of development- and scouting him todetermine if oneday they think hecould stretch the floor.

I think they PROBABLY have to take Towns or Okafor......I just really like Russell though- and a dominant 3 who can do anything is probably the hardest thing to find in the NBA and its probably the best thing to have in the NBA...

I mean- if they start both say Okafor and Randle- if they are 2 rooks that cant shoot a lick- its obviously a developmental year for the team pretty muchno matter who they get in free agency short of LeBron- ESPECIALLY if Clarkson is their starter at PG (which i dont think will be the case- its not too difficult to find a starter level point guard in free agency)...

it should be itnersting though- i applaud the Lakers and their patience thus far in enduring a few awful awful seasons without panicking and making long term moves that will tie you up that have pretty much become the Knicks trade mark pre-Phil...

all indications are that Randle isn't a bad shooter. just sayin'...

 

[trojanfan12]

LAKERS have a blindingly bright future.

Hella lot of cap space the next 2 years
owner unafraid of luxury tax
suddenly tons of trade assets
desirable free agents openly wanting LA
2014 lottery pick returning
#2 overall pick in 2015

Sorry Clippers. The Window might be shutting on "we own this town."

 

[bksballer89]

2015 NBA Mock Drafts - CBSSports.com Basketball

 

[trojanfan12]

You and me both But Kupchak has made pretty good choices since then, so I think we are good

If memory serves, it was Phil that wanted Kwame.

 

[WiggyRuss]

The thing is, the Lakers are a destination city. It's a possibility that they can attract key free agents such as a Kevin Love or a Russel Westbrook, as well as maybe sign a Jimmy Butler. I'd prefer Okhafor over Towns. But either the Lakers or Twolves will be fine with either player as they both have high ceilings.

JImmy Butler is a restricted free agent is is going to be offeed the max. No one in NBA history has turned down the max while being a restricted free agent- its why I laughed at the people who thought Kyrie was going to leave.

RW is under contract for a while and the first year he could suit up for another team unless a trade happens is the '17/'18 season.

The Lakers have 14M in cap room with Hill- and 23 million in cap room without Hill.

Greg Monroe or Draymond Green are going to cost 15-16 million or so.

MGasol, and Alridge, and Love i suppose are the big time free agents- each will get like 20 million a year.

The Lakers have Kobe for 25 million, Young at 5 million, Randle at 3, Clarkson at 1, their new pick at 6M, Sacre at 1, and thats pretty much it.

Now I dont know if i am in the majoity or minority- but i would think they either deal Hill or let him go to get that 9 million i ncap space.

so what o they do with that 23 million? They DEFINITELY need a SF unless they draft Russell- (which i kinda think they should do- becuase then they could sign Monroe)

lets say they give Rondo 3 years at 12 million a year- which is a little conservative for Rondo but lets just say thats what it is fro arguments sake...

that gives themabout 10-12M on another player---- I was thinking either Tobias Harris- or maybe Thad Young......Harris will get at least 12, while Young will probably get about 8-10...

if the Lakers cut Hill- where do you think thy can realistically spend 23 million?

 

[WiggyRuss]

as for Okafor or Towns I hread that practically every team in the league prefers Towns, - EXECEPT the Twolves who were said to like Okafor....kinda interesting.....

I think if Towns is there they have to take him, but id consider Russell over Okafor. Its just sO FREKAING HARD to find a wing player like Russell....you can find bigs- you cant find dominate bigs true- but you can find bigs.....

 

[Heatles84]

JImmy Butler is a restricted free agent is is going to be offeed the max. No one in NBA history has turned down the max while being a restricted free agent- its why I laughed at the people who thought Kyrie was going to leave.

RW is under contract for a while and the first year he could suit up for another team unless a trade happens is the '17/'18 season.

The Lakers have 14M in cap room with Hill- and 23 million in cap room without Hill.

Greg Monroe or Draymond Green are going to cost 15-16 million or so.

MGasol, and Alridge, and Love i suppose are the big time free agents- each will get like 20 million a year.

The Lakers have Kobe for 25 million, Young at 5 million, Randle at 3, Clarkson at 1, their new pick at 6M, Sacre at 1, and thats pretty much it.

Now I dont know if i am in the majoity or minority- but i would think they either deal Hill or let him go to get that 9 million i ncap space.

so what o they do with that 23 million? They DEFINITELY need a SF unless they draft Russell- (which i kinda think they should do- becuase then they could sign Monroe)

lets say they give Rondo 3 years at 12 million a year- which is a little conservative for Rondo but lets just say thats what it is fro arguments sake...

that gives themabout 10-12M on another player---- I was thinking either Tobias Harris- or maybe Thad Young......Harris will get at least 12, while Young will probably get about 8-10...

if the Lakers cut Hill- where do you think thy can realistically spend 23 million?

Wiggy, I agree with most of what you're saying. However, its the Lakers that more than likely will be offering the max, which would put Chicago over the salary cap. By all accounts, the Bulls ownership has proven that they'll cut cost when possible and aren't willing to commit fully (on a financial level) to winning titles in the salary cap era (figured I should mention this last part because people will bring up Jordan's 6 titles).

 

[True Lakers Fan]

The Buss family will gradually get better with their choices now that their father is gone. It takes time for new leaders to learn their positions and gain an understanding of the correct decisions. That doesn't happen over night. I believe the Lakers will most likely make the playoffs next year if they get one or two quality free agents. If they don't and they stick with their young talent, than that's going to be tough.

 

[True Lakers Fan]

Wiggy, I agree with most of what you're saying. However, its the Lakers that more than likely will be offering the max, which would put Chicago over the salary cap. By all accounts, the Bulls ownership has proven that they'll cut cost when possible and aren't willing to commit fully (on a financial level) to winning titles in the salary cap era (figured I should mention this last part because people will bring up Jordan's 6 titles).

As I recall the ownership refused to pay Phil Jackson more money and blew up a team that may have won another championship under Phil Jackson. Then Jordan left because Phil Jackson left and it was busted up. Kind of makes your point about the Bulls not being willing to part with more money

 

[WiggyRuss]

Wiggy, I agree with most of what you're saying. However, its the Lakers that more than likely will be offering the max, which would put Chicago over the salary cap. By all accounts, the Bulls ownership has proven that they'll cut cost when possible and aren't willing to commit fully (on a financial level) to winning titles in the salary cap era (figured I should mention this last part because people will bring up Jordan's 6 titles).

dude...you need to understand the AMAZING deal guys that sign as max free agents this summer are going to be soon--- its why you listen to the Chicago/Cavs series and here HONEST opinions on how garbage man Tristan Thompson will get a max deal.

A max deal for a butler or green or even a thompson- is going to be about 15.5 million dollars. about 1/4 of the cap - that is the definition of a max player unless they are a Rose rule max - they get 1/4 of thecap...which will be about 16 million. Its what Kyrie Irving signed and its why he is goign to be one of the best deals in the NBA later on in his contract.

Butler signing a 16 million dollar max right now is a STEAL for the Bulls. 2 years from now 1/4 of the cap is going to be OVER 25 million for a "max" player. There is no way on Gods green earth the Bulls do not bring back Jimmy Butler at 16 million a year , when 3 offseasons from now the cap is going to be 108 million dollars at 16 million is going tobethe going rate for a above average big man like Tristan Thompson.

Its why giving Dragic 20 million is something that is palatable if you believe in him- he gets a little extra than the guys coming off their rookie deals - but soon he will be LESS than 1/5 of your cap even though he will be a "max"-

its why Draymond Green will DEFINITELy get the "max" 15-16 million.


and the thing is- the Lakers cant even offer as much since the home team gets the built in advantage of an extra contract year and slightly higher raises.

The Bulls would move Noah or Gibson or wheover LONG before they declined to give Jimmy Butler 16 million a year.- especialy when 16 million a year is going tobe a STEAL soon.

 

[True Lakers Fan]

If memory serves, it was Phil that wanted Kwame.

Yeah - but the Leadership pulled the trigger, but I say we blame Michael Jordan for drafting him to begin with. On the other hand, Kwame Brown did bring us Gasol and two more championships so..... Mabe it was worth a little bit of rain. Man I hated that guy though - he was so stupid and clumsy

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

The thing is, the Lakers are a destination city. It's a possibility that they can attract key free agents such as a Kevin Love or a Russel Westbrook, as well as maybe sign a Jimmy Butler. I'd prefer Okhafor over Towns. But either the Lakers or Twolves will be fine with either player as they both have high ceilings.

Yep.

I don't know what their FA plan is.

But, they will be able to fill a position of need with a sensational player from the draft, get a healthy Randle back and have tons of cash to fill the rest of the holes.

The Lakers could get real good, real quick.

 

[WiggyRuss]

a way Jimmy Butler MIGHT leave is this:

He already bet on himself when he turned down 4 years 40 last year.

He could take a 1 year deal this year- when the salary cap is about 65 million- and WAIT till next year when the cap goes up to the low nineties.

say he takes a 1 year deal - this year while he is restricted-

THEN he could go back out as UNRESTRICTED- when thecap is in the nineties- and get a "max" that starts at like 23M dollars. I have heard that is a consideration.

Obviously as a unrestricted free agent Chicagowould not have the right to match- but they would still have his Bird Rigths and be the only teamthat could offer him a 5th year and slightly better raises.---but- while the Bulls would DEFINITELy giveh im 16 a year- would they give him 23 a year?

 

[WiggyRuss]

Yep.

I don't know what their FA plan is.

But, they will be able to fill a position of need with a sensational player from the draft, get a healthy Randle back and have tons of cash to fill the rest of the holes.

The Lakers could get real good, real quick.

23million in cap room if they get rid of Hill....that gets you Greg Monroe and Rajon Rondo if you are very veery very lucky.

until Kobe comes off/ the cap goes up big time- its not going to happen over night through free agency.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

JImmy Butler is a restricted free agent is is going to be offeed the max. No one in NBA history has turned down the max while being a restricted free agent- its why I laughed at the people who thought Kyrie was going to leave.

RW is under contract for a while and the first year he could suit up for another team unless a trade happens is the '17/'18 season.

The Lakers have 14M in cap room with Hill- and 23 million in cap room without Hill.

Greg Monroe or Draymond Green are going to cost 15-16 million or so.

MGasol, and Alridge, and Love i suppose are the big time free agents- each will get like 20 million a year.

The Lakers have Kobe for 25 million, Young at 5 million, Randle at 3, Clarkson at 1, their new pick at 6M, Sacre at 1, and thats pretty much it.

Now I dont know if i am in the majoity or minority- but i would think they either deal Hill or let him go to get that 9 million i ncap space.

so what o they do with that 23 million? They DEFINITELY need a SF unless they draft Russell- (which i kinda think they should do- becuase then they could sign Monroe)

lets say they give Rondo 3 years at 12 million a year- which is a little conservative for Rondo but lets just say thats what it is fro arguments sake...

that gives themabout 10-12M on another player---- I was thinking either Tobias Harris- or maybe Thad Young......Harris will get at least 12, while Young will probably get about 8-10...

if the Lakers cut Hill- where do you think thy can realistically spend 23 million?

I could see them parting with their late 1st rounder and maybe Randle * don't kill me Laker Nation* for a guy like.........Ty Lawson.

Forget Rondo, sign Tobias Harris and Monroe.

I honestly think Okafor will play the 4.

Quiet as kept, I read a rumor yesterday that said Rose went all passive aggressive and does not like the fact that Butler is the man.

Would any Team have the balls to gamble on his contract?

Rose was never asked directly why he disappeared when his team needed him most, but sources tell 670 The Score that a common NBA problem affected the Bulls at the worst possible time – two alpha dogs and only one basketball. It looked strange when wing Jimmy Butler kept flashing to Rose’s side of the floor, calling for the ball, as the Bulls’ offense was drying up. Rose was all too happy to oblige instead of waving Butler off and taking charge, either resetting the called play or taking his man – often the undrafted Matthew Dellavedova – hard to the rim for at least a likely foul

Butler is very aware that he won his bet on himself and is poised to reap the reward of a maximum contract from the Bulls, whether or not it takes an offer sheet from another club in restricted free agency this summer. Butler’s emergence was validated by the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award, and he’s now feeling every bit the star, with all that entails. CBS Chicago

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

hell, i'll take it. say what you will, but my personal opinion is we're finally heading in the right direction...

if it takes as long as Portland did to put a winning roster together I wouldn't be all that upset about it. Rome wasn't built in a day...

Anyone that says different is hating.

 

[Kold]

Boy we are in PRIME position to rebound. Doesn't have to be next year, but for years to come I am/and was confident years ago that things would turn around. Excuse this snarky comment.....but the whole "Lakers have no future" argument from some time ago is looking pretty rough right about now

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

interesting...

everything i'm hearing is that the T-Wolves are gonna take Okafor...

Yes, that's what I'm seeing too.

Only thing that can derail that is probably his physical.

I have not ready anything that would suggest he has any issues.

But, this would make me pause....

Chad Ford: Karl Towns was an 81% free-throw shooter. Okafor 51%. That’s a big deal to scouts after watching D’Andre Jordan/Dwight Howard hack-a-thonsTwitter @chadfordinsider