NBA Free Agency

[nets on nets on nets]

I liked KD until he went to a team that went 73-9 and BEAT HIS OWN TEAM in 7 games in the conference finals.
Not only did he take another title or 2 away from my beloved Cavs, but all NBA fans were robbed of what was gonna be a fantastic OKC-GS rivalry for years to come. Throw Houston in the mix and wow.

KD is one of, if not the greatest scorer ever, but he threw all chances of ever being on the NBA Mount-Rushmore (probably was a long shot before his decision, but still) with his asinine move to join GS.
The rumors I’m hearing though is KD to win 1 more title with GS then possibly a move to New York..with Kyrie joining him.

 

[lyonhawk]

I don't think they'll get to $300M in tax and by the time the tax gets really outrageous 4-5 years from now, this team may be winding down. Also don't forget the appreciation of the team as a whole. They're currently valued at $3.1B and that goes up every time they win a title.

 

[DukeDenver]

I disagree. In fact, I think it is probably impossible to argue that joining what was already the best team in the league wasn't far and away the easiest route to a title.

How many guys can walk onto the best team in the world and win back-to-back MVPs and be the best player on the team? KD and Lebron (and maybe Anthony Davis) are the only guys that can do that. James Harden would not have been able to do it.

I guess I just don't like the usage of the word "easiest." Of all choices, yes, KD has the best chance at a title with his current team, but what were his chances at the beginning of the year? 50%? Let's say KD had chosen to play with Boston, 76ers, Houston, Toronto or Cleveland. Does that 50% chance drop that much? So I'm supposed to wander about how good KD really is because he won with Steph, Klay, Iggy and Draymond? But had he been with Harden, Capela, Ariza, and Gordon, that title means more for KD the individual player? I'm just not buying it. KD has proven enough to me to put him above, KG, Malone, and DIrk. To me, he's in top 15 territory with Dr. J and Pippen. I won't put him above Kobe or Bird unless he can sustain this level for a while, and I don't feel the need to consider how stacked his team is.

 

[Laettner]

JJ re-signs with Sixers & takes $10M paycut to $13M salary. He should walk! I don't even get out of bed unless my employer offers $15M.

 

[PatrickYates]

I don't think they'll get to $300M in tax and by the time the tax gets really outrageous 4-5 years from now, this team may be winding down. Also don't forget the appreciation of the team as a whole. They're currently valued at $3.1B and that goes up every time they win a title.

ESPN did the math. It is 320m starting next summer (the 19-20 season) and will go up from there.

 

[PatrickYates]

I liked KD until he went to a team that went 73-9 and BEAT HIS OWN TEAM in 7 games in the conference finals.
Not only did he take another title or 2 away from my beloved Cavs, but all NBA fans were robbed of what was gonna be a fantastic OKC-GS rivalry for years to come. Throw Houston in the mix and wow.

KD is one of, if not the greatest scorer ever, but he threw all chances of ever being on the NBA Mount-Rushmore (probably was a long shot before his decision, but still) with his asinine move to join GS.
The rumors I’m hearing though is KD to win 1 more title with GS then possibly a move to New York..with Kyrie joining him.

Not only did he toss his chance to be on Mt. Rushmore, he tossed his chance of being discussed as being worthy of its inclusion.
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Put mathematically, KD had a chance to be a top 15, and maybe top 10, player. Now he's probably outside of the top 20. Still an all time great, still first ballot HOF player. But he diminished his legacy.

 

[HuffyJB]

How many guys can walk onto the best team in the world and win back-to-back MVPs and be the best player on the team? KD and Lebron (and maybe Anthony Davis) are the only guys that can do that. James Harden would not have been able to do it.

I guess I just don't like the usage of the word "easiest." Of all choices, yes, KD has the best chance at a title with his current team, but what were his chances at the beginning of the year? 50%? Let's say KD had chosen to play with Boston, 76ers, Houston, Toronto or Cleveland. Does that 50% chance drop that much? So I'm supposed to wander about how good KD really is because he won with Steph, Klay, Iggy and Draymond? But had he been with Harden, Capela, Ariza, and Gordon, that title means more for KD the individual player? I'm just not buying it. KD has proven enough to me to put him above, KG, Malone, and DIrk. To me, he's in top 15 territory with Dr. J and Pippen. I won't put him above Kobe or Bird unless he can sustain this level for a while, and I don't feel the need to consider how stacked his team is.

You will definitely never find me denying that KD is an outstanding player. No debate there.

I just take issue with your notion that anyone who doesn't like KD's move must be "bitter." Can you genuinely not see how the optics of his move move could bother some? Charles Barkely called it the weakest move by a superstar in the history of the NBA. As you say, had he of gone to any of those other quality teams they would have been much improved and might have even been catapulted to marginal favorites. But by going where he did, the heavy favorites then moved basically into "foregone conclusion" territory.

 

[PatrickYates]

You will definitely never find me denying that KD is an outstanding player. No debate there.

I just take issue with your notion that anyone who doesn't like KD's move must be "bitter." Can you genuinely not see how the optics of his move move could bother some? Charles Barkely called it the weakest move by a superstar in the history of the NBA. As you say, had he of gone to any of those other quality teams they would have been much improved and might have even been catapulted to marginal favorites. But by going where he did, the heavy favorites then moved basically into "foregone conclusion" territory.

Further, it made his "big" shots that much easier. LBJ made some great plays in the finals, and he did so as the complete focus of GSW's entire D. KD made big plays while sharing the court with the most offensively gifted lineup in professional sports history. KD went to the one team where he was guaranteed to face the least possible defensive pressure.

 

[DukeDenver]

You will definitely never find me denying that KD is an outstanding player. No debate there.

I just take issue with your notion that anyone who doesn't like KD's move must be "bitter." Can you genuinely not see how the optics of his move move could bother some? Charles Barkely called it the weakest move by a superstar in the history of the NBA. As you say, had he of gone to any of those other quality teams they would have been much improved and might have even been catapulted to marginal favorites. But by going where he did, the heavy favorites then moved basically into "foregone conclusion" territory.

...except that Houston likely beats them if Paul stays healthy. Foregone conclusion that they are one of the top 4 teams, yes.

There are only a few teams in the NBA that play unselfishly and make smart passes and play great team D: Warriors, Spurs, Jazz and Boston, maybe a few more. KD just wanted to experience the opposite of Westbrook ball. He chooses the Warriors because he was already friends with those guys. I can see how it would bother some, sure. In the real world though, you don't turn down Harvard to go to your state school if both are free. My original point was that I don't think KD's team choice detracts at all from his legacy. Such an assertion ignores how KD has elevated the Warriors, an already historically good team.

 

[DukeDenver]

Further, it made his "big" shots that much easier. LBJ made some great plays in the finals, and he did so as the complete focus of GSW's entire D. KD made big plays while sharing the court with the most offensively gifted lineup in professional sports history. KD went to the one team where he was guaranteed to face the least possible defensive pressure.

KD's shot makes were incredibly difficult and guarded well in the playoffs. I'm not sure about that one. Maybe he can get more rest overall, and that helped, but he wasn't more open that I saw.

 

[HuffyJB]

...except that Houston likely beats them if Paul stays healthy. Foregone conclusion that they are one of the top 4 teams, yes.

That was probably more a byproduct of Curry and Iggy's health than it was Houston's talent. When all things are equal, no one is currently in GS's stratosphere. Maybe the impending free agent shakeups will change that.

 

[DukeDenver]

That was probably more a byproduct of Curry and Iggy's health than it was Houston's talent. When all things are equal, no one is currently in GS's stratosphere. Maybe the impending free agent shakeups will change that.

I’m looking forward to a non GSW/Cle finals...

 

[QC Dukie]

For all you warriors haters. Demarcus cousins just signed with them.

 

[CRAZIE4LIFE]

For all you warriors haters. Demarcus cousins just signed with them.

Not a fan of either.

 

[QC Dukie]

Not a fan of either.

Me neither

 

[2 skerz 3_rivals208847]

At some point, the luxury tax becomes too much for an ownership group that isn't composed of multibillionairs. This isn't Steve Ballmer, with his in excess of 10 billion dollar net worth. The owner is a guy worth between 1.5 and 2 billion, as the majority owner.
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He's not going to run a money losing team to win titles. He's got 3 already, with a fourth likely to come. And a decent chance to win still more WITHOUT KD.
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While it is POSSIBLE to pay huge salaries to Curry AND Durant AND Klay AND Draymond, while also funding a solid supporting cast, I'm not sure the owner will do it.
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I think some around here think the players will take a reasonable discount to chase titles. With 3, or 4, titles, I'm not so sure. Klay and Draymond especially need to max out on their earnings on the next contract. It is their last big one, and I think they'll want the max. When the owner asks KD to take a discount similar to the ones he's asking Klay and Dray to take, I'm betting someone(s) balk, especially with HOF status all but locked up by that point.
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I mean, if they max out guys, they are looking at 320 million dollars in TAX, on top of the actual salaries. I'm not sure even a title will deliver the funds to offset that expenditure.

Great post! Really though, if they keep Steph, Klay, and Draymond they will be a favorite every year. Look what they just dis adding Boogie. If the can’t keep KD they’ll land someone just under the super max because unlike Lebron, guys will flock to play with Steph!

 

[2 skerz 3_rivals208847]

I disagree. In fact, I think it is probably impossible to argue that joining what was already the best team in the league wasn't far and away the easiest route to a title.

None of that changes the fact that he is of course an incredible player. But he went to a situation that made his team one of if not the biggest favorites in the history of the NBA.

Took Lebron’s “decision” and smacked him in the face with it lol

 

[500HP_Devil]

Cousins is like 25ppg 13 rebounds 4-5 assists etc etc when healthy dude is a beast. LeBron should have gone to Philly unless Kawhi joins him in LA. GSW might not lose too many games next year.

 

[bullcity gamer]

Our guy Seth Curry signed a 2 year deal with the Trailblazers. Him and Trent to come off the bench for Lillard and McCullom is nice.

 

[PixelDevil]

As someone who doesn't mind the Warriors and loves schadenfreude

 

[sheyduke]

Lebron is setting up for life after basketball. It don’t matter who he surrounds his self with it’s still his team and he runs the show.

I really don’t see the lakers getting Leonard until free agency unless the spurs take three first round picks off the table. I can see one and two young players. Leonard’s situation reminds me of Howard’s when the Lakers traded three first rounders for him and not only did he not stay after the season he didn’t even stay healthy. I can see the lakers trading for love though. Gives them another stretch option next to Lebron and Ingram.

 

[PatrickYates]

Cousins is like 25ppg 13 rebounds 4-5 assists etc etc when healthy dude is a beast. LeBron should have gone to Philly unless Kawhi joins him in LA. GSW might not lose too many games next year.

But....Cousins is an offensive minded C. Which is fine, but the GSW need DEFENSE, not scoring. The rebounding should help, no doubt.
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To me, this is a deal that helps Cousins, because it is a "show me" deal for a big coming off the most devastating injuries that big man can suffer, Achilles tear. Christian L. had just become an all star when he tore his, and was never the same after that. Maybe Boogie won't be the same.
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But he's cheap, and has a year to win a title and prove he's healthy.
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And GSW has some options if Durant does leave next summer.

 

[crazyduke3]

For all you warriors haters. Demarcus cousins just signed with them.

I love it. The hate will continue to pour in as will the GSW wins.

I just wish Charlotte would have been all these guys destination instead! Oh well.

 

[Fresh1972]

I see Rondo went to the Lakers. Smart move as it is a huge upgrade to Lonzo. Lakers need to move Lonzo to some delusional team that thinks he can actually be an average PG...!

 

[PixelDevil]

I love it. The hate will continue to pour in as will the GSW wins.

I just wish Charlotte would have been all these guys destination instead! Oh well.

We couldn’t even land our guy Seth Curry. As long as MJ is at the the helm, we’ll continue to strive for mediocrity.

 

[PatrickYates]

I see Rondo went to the Lakers. Smart move as it is a huge upgrade to Lonzo. Lakers need to move Lonzo to some delusional team that thinks he can actually be an average PG...!

Disagree, though that is subject to change. LBJ needs to be surrounded by SHOOTERS, and that is one thing that Rondo isn't good at. Further, Rondo's strength is running a team, but that would take the ball out of LBJ's hands.
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Although, Rondo would allow LBJ to scale back both his minutes and his effort level on the court by having another team runner on the roster. But that shooting by RR is limiting.
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Letting Randle walk was smart.

 

[QC Dukie]

Geez