Official Speculation Thread (Pt. XXXVII Off-Season Edition)

[Def Swami]

Bynum is not a cornerstone player. He is the 2a, meaning there is a player equivalent to Bynum's level, or 3rd best player on a championship team.

He's 24 and stuck in the shadows of one of the highest volume shooters in NBA history.
He's 2A to one of the top ten players in NBA history.
Dwight would be 2A there as well.

I agree.

If Bynum is averaging 18 and 12 behind Kobe, I think his scoring would skyrocket on our team. And as hard as it is to believe, I think he's more mature than Dwight and has more potential to become a leader of a team than D12.

[Official]

Bynum is not a cornerstone player. He is the 2a, meaning there is a player equivalent to Bynum's level, or 3rd best player on a championship team.

He's 24 and stuck in the shadows of one of the highest volume shooters in NBA history.
He's 2A to one of the top ten players in NBA history.
Dwight would be 2A there as well.

Howard would be a 1a or 1b in LA. I am not referring to offense but overall. Howard is a superstar. Bynum is an all star center with injury problems.

[The-Dawson]

I need you to clarify a few things...
The bulls drafted Noah, Rose, and essentially Deng, how were they 'put together' through trades and FA? Are you saying the boozer signing is what put them over the top and not drafting Rose/Noah/Deng?
Memphis drafted Conley, Gay, Mayo (essentially) and Pau Gasol (which as an asset, turned into Marc Gasol). I also would not say that team was 'put together' through trades/free agency. Their core pieces were put together through the draft and they added a big piece in Randolph through FA.
How do you think the celtics were able to get Garnett and Allen? By collecting assets through the draft, which they were able to then trade.
LA drafted Kobe/Bynum/Fisher/Marc Gasol (who they flipped for Pau)
Miami is the only team you could make a case for being built solely through Free Agency.
OKC is the only team you could make the case for being built solely through the draft.
The fact of the matter is great teams are typically built through the draft with trading being a by-product of good drafting

The Lakers didnt draft Kobe the Hornets did who were forced to trade him to the Lakers for nothin

For nothing? Vlade Divac was a borderline all-star. How many teams would trade a very good 7'1'' center for a mid round rookie out of high school. Just the year before Vlade was traded he was putting up 16/10/4/2. Which is now unheard of for a center. Do your research next time.

Yes I know who he was traded for and was he an all star? no he wasnt and from what i remember on draft night Kobe would only play in LA so who knows if he woulda went higher than 13 if he didnt scare teams off

And he averaged 12 and 8 the season before he was traded

[The-Dawson]

I'm sure this has been mentioned but can Jersey amnesty/waive a player/players to get cap room next year?

I have had a feeling the Houston deal wasn't quite as easy as us getting all their assets and them getting an immature blowhard. Hopefully teams look around and see that the, humble servant of God that is Dwight Howard, won't have many options next year and up the offer. Bynum and Gasol is too good to be true.

Only players under contract from the old CBA and players that are still on their team from the old CBA. So they can't amnesty D-Will, Lopez, Johnson, or Crash.

They already used the amnesty clause on Travis Outlaw too

[ThatFloridaDude]

Bynum is not a cornerstone player. He is the 2a, meaning there is a player equivalent to Bynum's level, or 3rd best player on a championship team.

He's 24 and stuck in the shadows of one of the highest volume shooters in NBA history.
He's 2A to one of the top ten players in NBA history.
Dwight would be 2A there as well.

Howard would be a 1a or 1b in LA. I am not referring to offense but overall. Howard is a superstar. Bynum is an all star center with injury problems.

Howard has had the chance to prove that. Bynum has not. Bynum needs a chance to do that being the first option.

[in-limbo]

I'm sure this has been mentioned but can Jersey amnesty/waive a player/players to get cap room next year?

I have had a feeling the Houston deal wasn't quite as easy as us getting all their assets and them getting an immature blowhard. Hopefully teams look around and see that the, humble servant of God that is Dwight Howard, won't have many options next year and up the offer. Bynum and Gasol is too good to be true.

Only players under contract from the old CBA and players that are still on their team from the old CBA. So they can't amnesty D-Will, Lopez, Johnson, or Crash.

If Amnestying Lopez could get them Dwight, I think they do it. It's only money at that point.

My bad....read that wrong.

[cvMagic]

Bynum is not a cornerstone player. He is the 2a, meaning there is a player equivalent to Bynum's level, or 3rd best player on a championship team.

He's 24 and stuck in the shadows of one of the highest volume shooters in NBA history.
He's 2A to one of the top ten players in NBA history.
Dwight would be 2A there as well.

Howard would be a 1a or 1b in LA. I am not referring to offense but overall. Howard is a superstar. Bynum is an all star center with injury problems.

Arbitrary argument, especially since Kobe thought Dwight would be great in the "Tyson Chandler" role for the team last season.
And this season - he'd be the 4th best offensive player on the team after Kobe, Nash, and Gasol.

As for injuries - only one of the two centers is guaranteed to play the opening game this year. And it ain't Dwight.

[chunnyboy]

the nets have already used their amnesty clause (you only get one use) on travis outlaw

bynum is a cornerstone talent - i'm not saying he's not, as a first option - he can definitely put up 24 points and 13 rebounds - that's great but his health does not pass the eye test

some guys are just not meant to last physically and the way bynum runs the floor just... looks tiresome - heavy legs and land with damaging impact and his body doesn't seem to carry the weight in a right way and all that - if he lost 20-25 lbs to put less weight on his knees and feet could change my view point though

that's my chief concern right now - that although bynum is an extremely capable talent who hasn't reached his prime... i just don't know if he ever will because of those knees - do we really want another grant hill scenario? consider the financial toll that a resigned and unhealthy bynum will take on the organization

[rcklsscognition]

Houston could eat D12, J-Rich, Hedo, and Duhon and only send us only Kevin Martin and the trade is legal. Have a look at Houston's cap space, they've got like 34 mil in salary with Martin and Scola. Even if they don't amnesty Scola, I think they can squeeze all 4 of our guys in legally by just trading Martin and maybe a couple mil of the other scrubs they have.

[Blue_and_Whte]

I want the Houston deal. I think the game is perimeter oriented I like the idea of developing Lamb and/or Jones get a center that can rebound and play defense. I loath the idea of dumping the ball into the post as everyone stands around and watches.

[Tayswagzzz]

Houston could eat D12, J-Rich, Hedo, and Duhon and only send us only Kevin Martin and the trade is legal. Have a look at Houston's cap space, they've got like 34 mil in salary with Martin and Scola. Even if they don't amnesty Scola, I think they can squeeze all 4 of our guys in legally by just trading Martin and maybe a couple mil of the other scrubs they have.

That is so awesome. If we can unload j rich hedo and duhon, this makes the deal amazing. Something has to be stopping this trade from happening right now.

[MoMM]

Houston could eat D12, J-Rich, Hedo, and Duhon and only send us only Kevin Martin and the trade is legal. Have a look at Houston's cap space, they've got like 34 mil in salary with Martin and Scola. Even if they don't amnesty Scola, I think they can squeeze all 4 of our guys in legally by just trading Martin and maybe a couple mil of the other scrubs they have.

I think they have even less, because Lowry (5.75M) was traded for a 1st.

[ludeboy]

You have to admire the Houston front office. Not scared to make a play, aggressive in their decisions. And a bit loco!

[tiderulz]

Houston could eat D12, J-Rich, Hedo, and Duhon and only send us only Kevin Martin and the trade is legal. Have a look at Houston's cap space, they've got like 34 mil in salary with Martin and Scola. Even if they don't amnesty Scola, I think they can squeeze all 4 of our guys in legally by just trading Martin and maybe a couple mil of the other scrubs they have.

just pull out Duhon, buy him out now. Not like we need the space to rebuild this year. Helps with Houston swallowing contracts.

[Official]

Arbitrary argument, especially since Kobe thought Dwight would be great in the "Tyson Chandler" role for the team last season.
And this season - he'd be the 4th best offensive player on the team after Kobe, Nash, and Gasol.

As for injuries - only one of the two centers is guaranteed to play the opening game this year. And it ain't Dwight.

Dwight Howard is a better scorer than Nash and Gasol at this point. He would be the best or second best player on LA depending on what your opinion is of Kobe.

[MoMM]

Better scorer? D12 would only get points when he gets an offensive rebound.

[RickB-Orlando]

Arbitrary argument, especially since Kobe thought Dwight would be great in the "Tyson Chandler" role for the team last season.
And this season - he'd be the 4th best offensive player on the team after Kobe, Nash, and Gasol.

As for injuries - only one of the two centers is guaranteed to play the opening game this year. And it ain't Dwight.

Dwight Howard is a better scorer than Nash and Gasol at this point. He would be the best or second best player on LA depending on what your opinion is of Kobe.

Hah...hahaha....hahaha. Wow, you had me for a second, that was...wait, you're serious?

[jadewbj]

Better scorer? D12 would only get points when he gets an offensive rebound.

He will be lucky to touch the ball.

[ThatFloridaDude]

Hey quick question. For you people that want the Houston Deal? Could their draft picks they got this year work well with oQuiin and Drew?

[Official]

Please explain to me how Nash's 12.5ppg and Pau's 12.7ppg make them better scorers than Howard's 20.6ppg