tOfficial 2015 NBA Draft/Free Agency Thread

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

Rumor #1

LaMarcus Aldridge will be a free agent this offseason and Yahoo's Marc J. Spears reported that he's heard rumors about a potential sign-and-trade with the Los Angeles Clippers for Blake Griffin.

Griffin was drafted by former Clippers' GM Neil Olshey, who is now with the Blazers.

"This is a rumor. Let me say that three times. This is a rumor. This a rumor. This is a rumor," said Spears on John Canzano's radio show.

"Obviously, there’s a connection there with the GM. And you wonder, if LaMarcus is interested in the Clippers, playing with Chris Paul. Could Neil Olshey get his old superstar with the Clippers in Portland?

"I think you get to a point where – Neil is smart. You’ve got to have a come-to-Jesus meeting with LaMarcus and say, “Hey, do you really want to be here or do you think you want to go. Because if you really want to go, help us – the same way Steve Nash helped the Suns. Don’t just walk away. Try to help out Portland in the process."

Rumor #2

The thinking goes something like this: If OKC is genuinely worried Durant will leave in 2016, they have to look to get something in return for him this year. Blake Griffin is from Oklahoma City. The Clippers keep topping out in the second round and might be willing to shake things up. It's a nice theory. Juicy, too. But neither team has ever seriously discussed it. And Clippers owner Steve Ballmer has made it clear to the entire organization that he wants Griffin to be a part of the franchise for his entire career. ESPN.com

 

[CitySushi]

Rumor #1

LaMarcus Aldridge will be a free agent this offseason and Yahoo's Marc J. Spears reported that he's heard rumors about a potential sign-and-trade with the Los Angeles Clippers for Blake Griffin.

Griffin was drafted by former Clippers' GM Neil Olshey, who is now with the Blazers.

"This is a rumor. Let me say that three times. This is a rumor. This a rumor. This is a rumor," said Spears on John Canzano's radio show.

"Obviously, there’s a connection there with the GM. And you wonder, if LaMarcus is interested in the Clippers, playing with Chris Paul. Could Neil Olshey get his old superstar with the Clippers in Portland?

"I think you get to a point where – Neil is smart. You’ve got to have a come-to-Jesus meeting with LaMarcus and say, “Hey, do you really want to be here or do you think you want to go. Because if you really want to go, help us – the same way Steve Nash helped the Suns. Don’t just walk away. Try to help out Portland in the process."

Rumor #2

The thinking goes something like this: If OKC is genuinely worried Durant will leave in 2016, they have to look to get something in return for him this year. Blake Griffin is from Oklahoma City. The Clippers keep topping out in the second round and might be willing to shake things up. It's a nice theory. Juicy, too. But neither team has ever seriously discussed it. And Clippers owner Steve Ballmer has made it clear to the entire organization that he wants Griffin to be a part of the franchise for his entire career. ESPN.com

I hate Blake, but this post season really gave me a new found respect for his game. In the first round of the playoffs he was easily the best player of all the playoff teams. I don't think Aldridge is an upgrade over him and wouldn't consider trading Blake. If anything, I would consider trading CP3. You can build around Blake, but it's always hard to build around a distributing PG.

 

[lakersrule]

Typical media driven garbage Mecca. So there's a GM/draftee connection. Big deal. They need something to write about so they just make up some sign and trade narrative. There's no rumor other than what the media makes up.

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

Laker fans, do you believe there is any truth to this rumor?

Jordan Schultz: Being told that the Lakers will be pursuing Tom Thibodeau. Byron Scott has just the one year left. Lakers would be paying four head coaches. Twitter

Also,

Lakers News: GM Mitch Kupchak Addresses Tom Thibodeau Rumors | Lakers Nation

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

The only way I see the Clippers trading Griffin for Aldridge is if Deandre Jordan leaves. Griffin is also much better at the PF position than Aldridge is, so unless they have a big hole to fill at the 5, that rumored trade would certainly be in the Clippers' disadvantage.

 

[trojanfan12]

Laker fans, do you believe there is any truth to this rumor?

Jordan Schultz: Being told that the Lakers will be pursuing Tom Thibodeau. Byron Scott has just the one year left. Lakers would be paying four head coaches. Twitter

Mitch has already debunked this.

If it were 2-4 years from now and the Lakers were still struggling or not meeting expectations based on the roster, then I'd say there is absolutely truth to it. However, Byron was handed a team that even with everyone healthy, was predicted by most to be looking at a 35-40 win season.

Plus, I wouldn't want to see the reaction that would come from the Showtime Lakers, many of whom are still actively involved with the organization is some capacity.

 

[trojanfan12]

I thought the same initially...lol



Which is the main reason I don't believe this.

We all now the Lakers want the best of the best when it comes to Players and Coaches.

But, they don't eat their own.

This would muddy their reputation of loyalty.

And that bold part is a big part of the reason that the Lakers have long been considered a "destination" franchise.

 

[bksballer89]

Skiles is the front runner for the Orlando head coach job

 

[wildturkey]

Woj is reporting Scott Skiles is the leading candidate for the Magic job.

So we all know how this will work. The Magic will get better, make the playoffs in year 2, and in year 3 he'll be fired because everyone on the roster hates his guts.

 

[Beengay fudgepackers]

Sorry, Lakers fans, but the Bulls aren't letting butler get away. No fucking chance. They'll match any offer made for him. They may have a lot of questions to answer, but letting Butler go just gives them another question to answer in who will be our two guard.

 

[Heatles84]

Sorry, Lakers fans, but the Bulls aren't letting butler get away. No fucking chance. They'll match any offer made for him. They may have a lot of questions to answer, but letting Butler go just gives them another question to answer in who will be our two guard.

Unfortunately, you don't know if it will play out that way. Common sense would be to resign Butler for the max. But....Chicago's ownership helped break up a dynasty, do you think your team's ownership thinks rationally all the time?

 

[Beengay fudgepackers]

Unfortunately, you don't know if it will play out that way. Common sense would be to resign Butler for the max. But....Chicago's ownership helped break up a dynasty, do you think your team's ownership thinks rationally all the time?

That was a little different. I'm not denying that the Bulls might be going to go through some big changes, like shipping some players out of town like Noah, Gibson, and maybe even Rose if anyone will take him, but players like Butler and Niko are part of the future of this team. They will most definitely have a new coach next year too. This isn't the same front office as back then either. Jerry Krause was a moron and he is gone. He broke that team up because he thought the championships were his making and he wanted to prove his worth. He thought he could build another contender around Toni kukoc. He was very wrong. If John Paxson and Gar Foreman have any issues as GM/President of operations, it's that they fall too in love with their own draft picks. There is no way they let either go. That I do know.

 

[bksballer89]

Rumors are that the Bulls are waiting for all the coaching jobs to be filled before letting Thibs though.

If that is true that is beyond ridiculous. I would lose all respect for the Bulls FO if that is the case

 

[trojanfan12]

Rumors are that the Bulls are waiting for all the coaching jobs to be filled before letting Thibs though.

If that is true that is beyond ridiculous. I would lose all respect for the Bulls FO if that is the case

New front office, same old crap.

 

[Heatles84]

That was a little different. I'm not denying that the Bulls might be going to go through some big changes, like shipping some players out of town like Noah, Gibson, and maybe even Rose if anyone will take him, but players like Butler and Niko are part of the future of this team. They will most definitely have a new coach next year too. This isn't the same front office as back then either. Jerry Krause was a moron and he is gone. He broke that team up because he thought the championships were his making and he wanted to prove his worth. He thought he could build another contender around Toni kukoc. He was very wrong. If John Paxson and Gar Foreman have any issues as GM/President of operations, it's that they fall too in love with their own draft picks. There is no way they let either go. That I do know.

What your saying makes sense. I'd definitely build around those two, maybe talk Rose into signing a cap friendly deal on the next contract given obvious injury concerns. But if you had to choose between Rose and Butler, given the rumored beef issues, you go with the latter who's younger and doesn't have the most questionable injury history of any active NBA player. I think Noah's done, Noah's skill is based on hustle, defense, and rebounding; he was non-existent in the 2nd round. The Bulls could trade him to a contender and get a mid-to-late 1st round pick for him. I don't know about Taj Gibson, he's great for depth and his contract isn't ridiculous, he's also productive in his role. I guess you put him on the market and see what you get for him. Keeping him wouldn't be all that bad.

 

[Beengay fudgepackers]

What your saying makes sense. I'd definitely build around those two, maybe talk Rose into signing a cap friendly deal on the next contract given obvious injury concerns. But if you had to choose between Rose and Butler, given the rumored beef issues, you go with the latter who's younger and doesn't have the most questionable injury history of any active NBA player. I think Noah's done, Noah's skill is based on hustle, defense, and rebounding; he was non-existent in the 2nd round. The Bulls could trade him to a contender and get a mid-to-late 1st round pick for him. I don't know about Taj Gibson, he's great for depth and his contract isn't ridiculous, he's also productive in his role. I guess you put him on the market and see what you get for him. Keeping him wouldn't be all that bad.

Taj Gibson is like a smaller Noah on defense. He used to be able to guard the 1-5 positions, but recently his mobility has been reduced. He still has a bit of a back to the basket game, but not enough to warrant his contract. I could see him on the way out as well. Pau will probably be here another year and then be let go. Also, I wouldn't discount the Bulls chances if everyone but this is brought back. This team has the talent to win in it all. With a coach that won't run this team into the ground during the regular season, and Mirotic's growth in his second year, I think this team could be even more dangerous next year. Heck Noah might be better next year after another year of healing from his knee surgery. From what I have heard, the Bulls are blaming this teams failures on the coach and he might be the only guy they get rid of. I also don't buy the tension between rose and butler rumor either.

 

[gordontrue]

Rumors are that the Bulls are waiting for all the coaching jobs to be filled before letting Thibs though.

If that is true that is beyond ridiculous. I would lose all respect for the Bulls FO if that is the case

I heard that, too, and agree with your take on it. But I'm guessing that is coming from Thibbs camp and is how they see it.

What I suspect the Bulls are doing is trying to pull off a trade of Thibbs instead of firing him. What they don't understand is that that will never work - given that everyone knows they don't want him anymore.

 

[trojanfan12]

Taj Gibson is like a smaller Noah on defense. He used to be able to guard the 1-5 positions, but recently his mobility has been reduced. He still has a bit of a back to the basket game, but not enough to warrant his contract. I could see him on the way out as well. Pau will probably be here another year and then be let go. Also, I wouldn't discount the Bulls chances if everyone but this is brought back. This team has the talent to win in it all. With a coach that won't run this team into the ground during the regular season, and Mirotic's growth in his second year, I think this team could be even more dangerous next year. Heck Noah might be better next year after another year of healing from his knee surgery. From what I have heard, the Bulls are blaming this teams failures on the coach and he might be the only guy they get rid of. I also don't buy the tension between rose and butler rumor either.

That was kind of my question as soon as the Bulls were eliminated. When you look at that roster and see the injuries, etc. that the Cavs had, the Bulls should still be playing. There were many who thought that if both teams were healthy, the Bulls still win.

So, do you blow up the roster over essentially one bad series in their first season together? Maybe get rid of Thibs and try again with a different coach? Do you bring everybody back, including Thibs, and give the whole group one more shot? Maybe bring in an offensive coach to offset Thibs weakness in that area?

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

Rumors are that the Bulls are waiting for all the coaching jobs to be filled before letting Thibs though.

If that is true that is beyond ridiculous. I would lose all respect for the Bulls FO if that is the case

Saw that too.

Doesn't matter.

I bet he'd still be in play for the Cavs which would be worst case scenario for the Bulls.

Blatt could win it all and still be on the chopping block if the right guy comes available.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

I'm used to living vicariously thru the Lakers.

But, it's a bit odd doing so from this direction.

The Clips don't have a pick, in any round.

Just goes to show that when we sorta win, we still lose.

Oh well....

Have you guys seen the Melo for the #2 pick rumors?

Folks are taking Mitch's " We don't have time to build thru the draft " statement to the extreme.

I wouldn't do this deal......unless I knew I was getting Monroe or Brook Lopez and Rondo orDragic in free agency.

You'd score a Zillion points.

But, who would play defense?

Oh, dear....maybe they'd sign DeAndre at the 5 instead.

* hides under bed until Free Agency is over *

I have seen the rumor a few different places. But, I'm posting this link because they have a few interesting scenarios.


Best Potential Trade Scenarios for Every Top 5 Pick in the 2015 NBA Draft | Bleacher Report