An early summer 2024 thread

[esqtvd]

Not the talent PG is, but DeRozan shows up. A quick back of the envelope says he averages 70+ games a year, never less than 60. Has never played under 2000 minutes since his rookie year. 79 games and 2989 minutes last year at age 34. Amazing.

That's the grit we have always lacked.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/derozde01.html

Remember the speech when Ballmer first came in? HARDCORE! Ballmer's Clippers have been anything but. In fact, that's one thing and the best thing you can say about Zubac and Mann. They show up.

It's not a bad organizational philosophy. Maybe we should try it.

[Roscoe Sheed]

I am liking the idea more and more of the Clippers going after DeRozan instead of PG instead. HIs stats the last three years with the Bulls are pretty good. And, he is another local guy.

DeRozan is literally PG with worse defense. We wouldn't even be getting younger with him since he's the same age as PG. He has the same playoff disappearing acts and the same excuses. "If we had LeBron, we would have won too" is the same kind of weak **** that PG spends his whole podcast saying. I'm all for PG leaving, but I'd rather not replace him with someone who's almost exactly the same.

They are different in several ways- derozan plays hard all the time and has more durability. He is more consistent too. However, he is a somewhat weaker defender (although pg commits some really dumb fouls) and pg has better range

[KL2]

Clippers blinking first. FML.

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Damn. OT. What a trade for OKC.

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[Bobbymcgee]

Wow, Caruso to the Thunder!?! And all they gave up was Giddey?!? That's brutal.

[esqtvd]

Clippers blinking first. FML.

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Damn. OT. What a trade for OKC.

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Caruso is 30. Okies need experience, Bulls need to rebuild. Giddey is a 6-8 swingman with 6000 minutes of NBA experience and is only 21. Makes total sense for both.

And these are solid but fringe starters. It shows why our 25-year-old G-leaguers are a million miles away. Both were contributing in the NBA by that age.

As for PG, I guess it's occurring to people he's 34 and has averaged about 50 games a year over the last 5.

[MartinToVaught]

Wow, Caruso to the Thunder!?! And all they gave up was Giddey?!? That's brutal.

I wish Ballmer would just throw unlimited money at Presti to hire him away. Would be an infinitely better use of his money than maxing out Harden and PG.

[Roscoe Sheed]

Wow, Caruso to the Thunder!?! And all they gave up was Giddey?!? That's brutal.

I wish Ballmer would just throw unlimited money at Presti to hire him away. Would be an infinitely better use of his money than maxing out Harden and PG.

Caruso has his limitations too. Yes, he is a very solid defender, but he is a reluctant shooter- almost afraid at times

[Ballings7]

I don't see Paul George coming back, and overall if I had to choose? I'd rather see him go for flexibility.

I do believe Harden comes back because Harden is in a place where I think he wants to "chill" but have fun and play meaningful, competitive basketball to end his career... he will do that for a couple years with Kawhi + Zu + Mann, Powell, maybe Russ'. I also think he knows the Clippers know he doesn't have other apparent options from decent teams.

Random: Would I do a Jimmy Butler swap if that somehow happened? Another mid-30s, injury-prone player -- but yes, because he has played more in the postseason and plays big-time in the playoffs. I don't think those days are over or degraded too much, and Jimmy can still 'ball at a high-level for another couple seasons.

Kawhi and Jimmy Butler on the same team healthy (enough )for the next two seasons would still be awesome. : )

I hope Jeff Van Gundy influences the team to get "knife fighters" and more defensive size in front court.

Jimmy Butler = knife fighter

[Roscoe Sheed]

I don't see Paul George coming back, and overall if I had to choose? I'd rather see him go for flexibility.

I do believe Harden comes back because Harden is in a place where I think he wants to "chill" but have fun and play meaningful, competitive basketball to end his career... he will do that for a couple years with Kawhi + Zu + Mann, Powell, maybe Russ'. I also think he knows the Clippers know he doesn't have other apparent options from decent teams.

Random: Would I do a Jimmy Butler swap if that somehow happened? Another mid-30s, injury-prone player -- but yes, because he has played more in the postseason and plays big-time in the playoffs. I don't think those days are over or degraded too much, and Jimmy can still 'ball at a high-level for another couple seasons.

Kawhi and Jimmy Butler on the same team healthy (enough )for the next two seasons would still be awesome. : )

I hope Jeff Van Gundy influences the team to get "knife fighters" and more defensive size in front court.

Jimmy Butler = knife fighter

I would much rather have Butler than PG, but why would Miami make such a trade?

[esqtvd]

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ADD: I just got back from Philly and the sportstalkradio there--WIP--is the #1 or 2 station of ANY type and highly influential. [Philly is a NUTS sports town.] The overwhelming consensus is zero interest in Paul George, so even as a PR move by hated owner Josh Harris, not worth the money, time or trouble.

[Bobbymcgee]

So if George opts in so the Clippers can trade him (latest rumor) what are the likely destinations?

George to the Knicks for OG Anunoby + Hartenstein + picks?

George to Atlanta for Trae Young + filler?

George to Cleveland for Garland + Allen?

George to Miami for Butler + Jaquez?

[KL2]

If it’s an opt in and trade I think it would be back to the Pacers. And I wouldn’t expect a nice haul back because he’s not going to a team where we’ve depleted it.

On one hand it feels like he’s burned some bridges and gone. On the other it just feels like stirring the pot and we’ll all settle with a run it back. With fake smiles on and fingers crossed we’ll make near the finish line.

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[wco81]

Windhorst said the Clippers are calling PG's bluff.

The offer they have on the table is the same as Kawhi's. Lot of money but not the full max.

So the Clippers think that money and staying in LA will make him extend.

[MartinToVaught]

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This is clearly the ideal solution for everyone, though I still wouldn't put it past Frank to screw this up.

[nickhx2]

Windhorst said the Clippers are calling PG's bluff.

The offer they have on the table is the same as Kawhi's. Lot of money but not the full max.

So the Clippers think that money and staying in LA will make him extend.

this is my expectation as well, all things considered

[ejftw]

So if George opts in so the Clippers can trade him (latest rumor) what are the likely destinations?

George to the Knicks for OG Anunoby + Hartenstein + picks?

George to Atlanta for Trae Young + filler?

George to Cleveland for Garland + Allen?

George to Miami for Butler + Jaquez?

This isn't prime or even close to it PG we are talking about.

Those offers would be akin to those teams offering their fifth starter for Kawhi tbh

[KL2]

Seems like a lot of posturing just to end up with the deal that’s been on the table all along no? Not getting my hopes up it means something else of course. I’ll give credit to the FO if they don’t cave when it’s all said and done.

If it’s the opt in/trade route what’s the hold up? I assume scenarios have all ready been kicked around?

[Bobbymcgee]

So if George opts in so the Clippers can trade him (latest rumor) what are the likely destinations?

George to the Knicks for OG Anunoby + Hartenstein + picks?

George to Atlanta for Trae Young + filler?

George to Cleveland for Garland + Allen?

George to Miami for Butler + Jaquez?

This isn't prime or even close to it PG we are talking about.

Those offers would be akin to those teams offering their fifth starter for Kawhi tbh

So what do you think is a realistic offer for George? Maybe DeRozan and Vucevic from the Bulls?

[esqtvd]

So if George opts in so the Clippers can trade him (latest rumor) what are the likely destinations?

George to the Knicks for OG Anunoby + Hartenstein + picks?

George to Atlanta for Trae Young + filler?

George to Cleveland for Garland + Allen?

George to Miami for Butler + Jaquez?

Easy there, Bobby McGee.

IF there's a sign & trade, basically they're clearing cap room, so all we'll get back is somebody's spare parts. There's no point in weakening your team by trading away a key contributor just to pay top dollar to a 34-year-old. That's not an upgrade.

For instance, in the Chris Paul S&T, Lou Williams was coming off his worst season ever, shooting 39%/32%, a high-volume chucker with no D. Trezz was an 18 mpg 6'8" center with no game more than 3 feet from the hoop. Sam Dekker was a draft bust who ended up in Europe. We did get Pat Bev, but he was the guy CP3 was replacing. And there was a FRP, but that turned out to be a #30--Omri Spellman, who lasted only 2 years in the NBA.

Mostly, the Rockets gave us stuff they'd never miss, and some stuff they were happy to get rid of.

[ejftw]

So if George opts in so the Clippers can trade him (latest rumor) what are the likely destinations?

George to the Knicks for OG Anunoby + Hartenstein + picks?

George to Atlanta for Trae Young + filler?

George to Cleveland for Garland + Allen?

George to Miami for Butler + Jaquez?

This isn't prime or even close to it PG we are talking about.

Those offers would be akin to those teams offering their fifth starter for Kawhi tbh

So what do you think is a realistic offer for George? Maybe DeRozan and Vucevic from the Bulls?

Say, with Sac, it would be Barnes/Vezenkov/Duarte/Huerter/#13

With Orlando, Ingles/Cole/#16

Etc