An early summer 2024 thread

[TrueLAfan]

Hmm. More and more, looks like PG is gone.

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[ejftw]

Yeah, I don't believe a word Fischer says

[KL2]

We’ve been saying the last several months that PG talked like he was out the door while Harden spoke like his return was just a formality. I don’t know if he’ll take that kind of pay cut but I bet he’s taking a team friendly deal for sure.

[wco81]

I guess the real test will be 4 seasons from now. How much better will that team be than if PG had a $50 million plus number that season.

OTOH, team is coming off a 51-win season, though underperformed in the playoffs.

What are the odds that team is going to be more competitive without PG's 22.6 PPG? Is Kawhi and Harden going to be ale to make up even half that amount of points and the Clippers get another scorer who can make up most of the rest?

[og15]

I'm not even mad at PG. Do you want to be the guy years later after the NBA checks stop coming in the mail knowing that you passed up on $50 million?

I know PG wishes he was a veteran minimum journeyman so nobody would expect him to do anything in the playoffs, but he's already made a ton of money throughout his career. He could retire today and be set for life. Guys like LeBron, Duncan, Dirk, who have actually accomplished something in the NBA have taken less to help their teams - gee, it's almost like there's a correlation there - so PG is not above doing the same. Frankly, it shouldn't even be viewed as taking a pay cut because that would imply he's actually worth the 4-year max, which he's not. He wouldn't even be worth that under the old CBA, let alone the new one. Notice how the only teams offering that are two of the most poorly-run franchises in the league.

Also, the blatant hypocrisy makes it worse. His entire time here, he's made demand after demand to the front office and then choked when it's time for him to perform. The front office wants him to do one favor in return and he screws us in epic fashion. He got all his buddies to sign here on dirt-cheap contracts for years, but when it's time for him to sacrifice, he won't do a far less extreme version of what he convinced Russ, Reggie, Wall, PPat, etc. to do. He deserves all the criticism he gets.

Dirk and Duncan were lifetime players on those teams, there's definitely a different rapport. Basically with the Clippers and George, neither him or the franchise owe each other anything, which is why neither side is budging on their stance and which is why we are where we are.

Then secondly, if this was a team that has already won and is seen as a top contender with him, there could even be an argument for taking a paycut to win, but here he's taking a paycut to at least according to most of our fans, just lose in the first or second round. And then he will be highly criticized for not being as good as we knew he wasn't when the actual best player and guy who will get the majority credit if they do win in Kawhi will, based on history more than likely be injured again.

Of course a lot of people wanted him gone anyways, so I'm not sure I'm understanding the idea of being mad that he's not taking a paycut etc for those who wanted him gone anyways.

It's a hard sell for anger to say, "I don't want you on the team, but I want you to take a paycut to re-sign with the team so we can trade your butt at the first sign of a good deal"

[madmaxmedia]

Hmm. More and more, looks like PG is gone.

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If James has that mindset then kudos to him for sure, that's being a real team guy.

[og15]

Hmm. More and more, looks like PG is gone.

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If James has that mindset then kudos to him for sure, that's being a real team guy.

There's definitely some spin here too because I'm not sure any of the cap space teams are places Harden would want to go or who would want him.

Obviously not Philly, definitely not Orlando fit wise, obviously he does not want the Pistons. No chance with Pop and San Antonio wanting him, etc

Players and agents will definitely scope the landscape of teams and he knows what the reality is also.

[wco81]

The Athletic article on the trade which failed to materialize.

The Warriors offered some combination of Andrew Wiggins, Chris Paul, either Jonathan Kuminga or Moses Moody plus one future first round picks. Golden State was never prepared to put both Wiggins and Kuminga together in a trade package.

The financial concerns of a deal were a major factor for the Clippers as they will get out from the second apron and have more roster maneuverability if he walks as a free agent.

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/276413/Warriors-Believed-They-Were-On-Verge-Of-Deal-For-Paul-George-Clippers-Reluctance-Likely-Financial

[esqtvd]

I'm not even mad at PG. Do you want to be the guy years later after the NBA checks stop coming in the mail knowing that you passed up on $50 million?

I know PG wishes he was a veteran minimum journeyman so nobody would expect him to do anything in the playoffs, but he's already made a ton of money throughout his career. He could retire today and be set for life. Guys like LeBron, Duncan, Dirk, who have actually accomplished something in the NBA have taken less to help their teams - gee, it's almost like there's a correlation there - so PG is not above doing the same. Frankly, it shouldn't even be viewed as taking a pay cut because that would imply he's actually worth the 4-year max, which he's not. He wouldn't even be worth that under the old CBA, let alone the new one. Notice how the only teams offering that are two of the most poorly-run franchises in the league.

Also, the blatant hypocrisy makes it worse. His entire time here, he's made demand after demand to the front office and then choked when it's time for him to perform. The front office wants him to do one favor in return and he screws us in epic fashion. He got all his buddies to sign here on dirt-cheap contracts for years, but when it's time for him to sacrifice, he won't do a far less extreme version of what he convinced Russ, Reggie, Wall, PPat, etc. to do. He deserves all the criticism he gets.

He does deserve criticism, I'm not saying he doesn't. Its been an up and down rollercoaster with him over these past five years. No question about it, but you're not turning down $50 f*cking million dollars no matter what. Leaving $50 mill on the table is not a pay cut, that's generational wealth out the window! So lets get this straight, he turns down $50 million and lets say hypothetically Kawhi misses yet another post season, PG will have to do all the heavy lifting as usual, more than likely at his age he won't get it done, and then have to take on the entire wrath of the fanbase all over again while Kawhi chills out in the cut in San Diego, no pressure, no heat, and hang out with Kendrick at pop up concerts. And yes PG will make the situation worse by running his mouth on his podcast and making suggestions to the front office on who to sign next, but he still can't turn down fifty mill if its a possibility. What world do y'all live in?

Hell yeah. And it's $60 million. And Kawhi is always hurt. 213 was worth a try--maybe even worth another try--but not for 60 MILLION DOLLARS! Out of your own pocket? After what they did to Blake and Nico and Reggie? From the Philly papers [since the LA Slimes doesn't even have a Clippers beat writer anymore]:

https://www.inquirer.com/sixers/live/sixers-free-agency-paul-george-rumors-news-20240630.html


Can the 76ers get their man?

Can they turn skepticism into elation by nabbing their biggest free-agent acquisition in some time?

Paul George has declined his $48.7 million option for next season with the Los Angeles Clippers, becoming an unrestricted free agent. The Clippers can offer George a four-year, $221 million maximum salary, but weren’t willing to give him more than three years, $152.3 million. The Sixers and other teams can offer four years, $212 million. [That's 60 million clams, folks.--TVD]

Sources believe Philly is the frontrunner to acquire the 6-foot-8, 220-pounder. However, the Orlando Magic, another potential destination, cleared up available cap for him. And you have to wonder if he’ll remain in Los Angeles if the Clippers give into his demands for a fourth year.

The nine-time All-Star will meet with the Sixers, Magic, and Clippers shortly after free agency begins at 6 p.m. Sunday.

George has long been the Sixers’ top free-agent target to pair alongside All-Stars Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.

If he comes to Philly, sources believe George will help recruit solid role players for the Sixers’ pursuit of an NBA championship-caliber roster.

— Keith Pompey

Joining Embiid and Maxey, two all-stars? And Morey still sitting on a pile of cash? In the East, where only the Celts won over 50 games? If Philly is buying, I'm selling.

[Roscoe Sheed]

I guess the real test will be 4 seasons from now. How much better will that team be than if PG had a $50 million plus number that season.

OTOH, team is coming off a 51-win season, though underperformed in the playoffs.

What are the odds that team is going to be more competitive without PG's 22.6 PPG? Is Kawhi and Harden going to be ale to make up even half that amount of points and the Clippers get another scorer who can make up most of the rest?

Derozan can make up for it on offense if they can sign him. However he is a limited 3 point shooter and is supposedly a weak defender although he seems to have the physical tools to be a solid defender

[KL2]

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[clipsfever]

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[ejftw]

Can't argue that Harden deal

[KL2]

It’s a solid deal. 2nd year is a player option.

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[KL2]

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[esqtvd]

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[KL2]

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[KL2]

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[esqtvd]

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[og15]

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Westbrook and Harden don't work well enough together and Westbrook is just not the guy in the playoffs, so even if he has a good regular season for you, you know he'll be game planned to be ineffective as a scorer in the post season and to shrink the floor drastically, just doesn't make sense to have him unless he's running the show and there's spacing at every other position.