2021 Playoff and Offseason Speculation - the playoffs. PLAYOFFS????

[Barkley6]

Yeah only way Paul opts out is if he's awesome the rest of this season and feels like he can get something like a 3yr 90mil deal on the open market. That would create a really interesting decision for the Suns.

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I think the simple question to ask is what team would pay Paul $90M over three years? It would have to be a team competing for a chip and most of them don't have cap space. I think at this point, CP3 is interested in winning and competing for a title. The Suns may be his best hope.

I guess Miami or Dallas could probably come up with that type of space and would fit the good team criteria.

But as I originally stated I think by far the most likely path is CP plays out these two years and then both side figure it out from there. Hell it's no given he even plays past this contract.

Its a message board so of course we speculate but sometimes we get a little ahead of ourselves. Hell at this time last year people were ready to give Baynes 4/40 or something like that.

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It's an interesting scenario, the guy is clearly still playing at an All-Star level, even if he's declined from his personal peak. Can he keep that up for more years? Remains to be seen. I think a lot of what happens depends on this season and next. If we make it to say, the WCF or further in those two years, then I think maybe Paul sees maybe sticking it out here for another couple years while Book, DA and Mikal are in their prime as a way to get to a championship. If we make a pair of first round exits...he probably dips.

But I think if we make an especially deep run this year, WCF and lose in 6 or 7 or to the Finals (wouldn't that be amazing?) you might see CP3 willing to wiggle a little on that last year of his deal if he feels like they are one or two pieces away from winning it all. Maybe he opts out of the $40+ million for one year, and we offer him 3/$80m, basically double the overall value and make a longer term commitment to him.

[bwgood77]

Luka has already been on an all-NBA 1st team as a 22 year old, 2x all-star and 4th last season in MVP share last season. At the very least, he's already a top 10 guy now.

Maybe Ayton will peak as the 12-15th best player so I won't argue against that but I think Luka at his peak is easily a top 3 guy in the league.

LeBron
Giannis
Jokic
Embiid
Harden
Steph
Durant
Kawhi
Lillard
AD

All are > Luka clearly. Jimmy is also better. So, he’s not top11 now. Bam and Gobert are also probably superior now. He’s 12th to 14th now. Absolutely no better. 1st team all nba means little; massive counting stats and massive narrative.

Luke is better than Lillard and AD. AD is a #2 player as he showed that he can do absolutely nothing as a #1 player even on those Pelicans teams with Jrue Holliday. Luka’s close to better than Giannis (Giannis far superior defensively but his offense game is basically just run and dunk so Luka beats them by far. I’ll still give Giannis the nod for now but it’s way close). Embiid is playing like an MVP this season and if he maintains this continuity then sure but right now I think Luka is the more valuable player of the two overall even though not for this season (if that makes sense). Embiid doesn’t make his teammates better like Luka does.

So yeah LeBron, Harden, Jokic, Steph, Durant and Kawhi are the only players that are hands down better than players than Luka. Those guys are all also way older and in their 30s while Luka’s barely old enough to drink alcohol in the United States. When the kid starts taking his diet and body seriously, there’s no reason to think he won’t be a unanimous top 2 or at most top 3 player in the league. There’s a reason he’s already “youngest ever to ___ points, assists, 3s, and basically whole bunch of stuff”. Most of those guys I mentioned above will be washed or retired in 3-4 years by when this kid will be barely be hitting his prime.

The future of this league absolutely belongs to him and Zion (who imo will be a more skilled version of Giannis).

I don't know abut Luka ahead of Embiid this year. I read that they have the worst net rating in the NBA when he is off the floor. And they are in 1st place (even though he isn't always on the floor and sometimes sits out for rest or lingering injuries.

[bwgood77]

Yeah only way Paul opts out is if he's awesome the rest of this season and feels like he can get something like a 3yr 90mil deal on the open market. That would create a really interesting decision for the Suns.

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I think the simple question to ask is what team would pay Paul $90M over three years? It would have to be a team competing for a chip and most of them don't have cap space. I think at this point, CP3 is interested in winning and competing for a title. The Suns may be his best hope.

I guess Miami or Dallas could probably come up with that type of space and would fit the good team criteria.

But as I originally stated I think by far the most likely path is CP plays out these two years and then both side figure it out from there. Hell it's no given he even plays past this contract.

Its a message board so of course we speculate but sometimes we get a little ahead of ourselves. Hell at this time last year people were ready to give Baynes 4/40 or something like that.

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I think there is about a 1% chance Paul opts out.

[Barkley6]

I think the simple question to ask is what team would pay Paul $90M over three years? It would have to be a team competing for a chip and most of them don't have cap space. I think at this point, CP3 is interested in winning and competing for a title. The Suns may be his best hope.

I guess Miami or Dallas could probably come up with that type of space and would fit the good team criteria.

But as I originally stated I think by far the most likely path is CP plays out these two years and then both side figure it out from there. Hell it's no given he even plays past this contract.

Its a message board so of course we speculate but sometimes we get a little ahead of ourselves. Hell at this time last year people were ready to give Baynes 4/40 or something like that.

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I think there is about a 1% chance Paul opts out.

I think it depends on what he sees his market as. He hasn't always been the healthiest guy and has missed time due to injuries. His career average games played is 65. But if he opts in, and even if he avoids major injury but misses time here and there with some small ones (as he has in the past)...what's the market going to be for a PG who is 37 and is showing signs of wear?

[lilfishi22]

I can't see him opting out. Long term security is likely what he would look for but who's paying a 37 year old player not named Lebron $60-80M over the next 2-3 years to make it worth opting out?

[Revived]

LeBron
Giannis
Jokic
Embiid
Harden
Steph
Durant
Kawhi
Lillard
AD

All are > Luka clearly. Jimmy is also better. So, he’s not top11 now. Bam and Gobert are also probably superior now. He’s 12th to 14th now. Absolutely no better. 1st team all nba means little; massive counting stats and massive narrative.

Luke is better than Lillard and AD. AD is a #2 player as he showed that he can do absolutely nothing as a #1 player even on those Pelicans teams with Jrue Holliday. Luka’s close to better than Giannis (Giannis far superior defensively but his offense game is basically just run and dunk so Luka beats them by far. I’ll still give Giannis the nod for now but it’s way close). Embiid is playing like an MVP this season and if he maintains this continuity then sure but right now I think Luka is the more valuable player of the two overall even though not for this season (if that makes sense). Embiid doesn’t make his teammates better like Luka does.

So yeah LeBron, Harden, Jokic, Steph, Durant and Kawhi are the only players that are hands down better than players than Luka. Those guys are all also way older and in their 30s while Luka’s barely old enough to drink alcohol in the United States. When the kid starts taking his diet and body seriously, there’s no reason to think he won’t be a unanimous top 2 or at most top 3 player in the league. There’s a reason he’s already “youngest ever to ___ points, assists, 3s, and basically whole bunch of stuff”. Most of those guys I mentioned above will be washed or retired in 3-4 years by when this kid will be barely be hitting his prime.

The future of this league absolutely belongs to him and Zion (who imo will be a more skilled version of Giannis).

I don't know abut Luka ahead of Embiid this year. I read that they have the worst net rating in the NBA when he is off the floor. And they are in 1st place (even though he isn't always on the floor and sometimes sits out for rest or lingering injuries.

Oh yeah he definitely isn’t. That’s why I said “even though not for this season” but I worded it in a bit confusing way. Embiid is probably playing better than anyone in the league this year.

[TouchPassDario]

Embiid and AD are much much better than Luka this year.

It’s not close. Defense is a thing.

[spanishninja]

winning can be such a good thing for recognition. Booker just won 2x player of the week and player of the month after a pretty typical month for him numbers wise, but with a 12-3 record who's gonna argue?

[King4Day]

I was listening to NBA radio today and a Nets fan who called it made me laugh. He said Marks should get exec of the year for the Harden trade.
Listen, when a player demands to be traded to that team, and you give up EVERYTHING to get him, there isn't much worth discussing there. Marks gave a blank check and they wrote what they wanted. There's no talent in making that deal happen.

This award is Jones' to lose.

[King4Day]

I also heard on the radio some discussion about Coach of the year.
IMO, if the Knicks finish with an above .500 record, it should go to Thibs. But if Phoenix finishes top 4, or Utah gets the top West seed, it should go to one of those 2.

They didn't mention Monty at all. They talked Thibs and Rivers as the main 2.

[King4Day]

I think the simple question to ask is what team would pay Paul $90M over three years? It would have to be a team competing for a chip and most of them don't have cap space. I think at this point, CP3 is interested in winning and competing for a title. The Suns may be his best hope.

I guess Miami or Dallas could probably come up with that type of space and would fit the good team criteria.

But as I originally stated I think by far the most likely path is CP plays out these two years and then both side figure it out from there. Hell it's no given he even plays past this contract.

Its a message board so of course we speculate but sometimes we get a little ahead of ourselves. Hell at this time last year people were ready to give Baynes 4/40 or something like that.

Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

I think there is about a 1% chance Paul opts out.

I could see his agent finding out what he can get on the market like Hayward did.
I don't think he'll leave, but I could see him opting out if Phoenix says, 'we'll give you a 3 year 90-100mil deal'.

He's not gonna get the same cash from contenders and Phoenix is likely his best, last chance, at a ring.

[Barkley6]

I also heard on the radio some discussion about Coach of the year.
IMO, if the Knicks finish with an above .500 record, it should go to Thibs. But if Phoenix finishes top 4, or Utah gets the top West seed, it should go to one of those 2.

They didn't mention Monty at all. They talked Thibs and Rivers as the main 2.

COTY is a really hard one to pin down every year. Sometimes there are clear cut winners, like D'Antoni in Nash's first year because not only were we winning but we were changing the way the game was played to do it. It was new and exciting and took the league by storm.

But in a more typical year, it's hard to say....should it be the best team? the team that over performs expectations? It's tough.

EOTY is James Jones award this year. Brooklyn is playing well and I give them credit for the Nash hire because it's clearly working out, the Harden trade less so because he made pretty clear where he wanted to go.

for James Jones to go get CP3, go get Crowder, bring back Frank...I mean you look at our entire roster and who on our team hasn't played a major role in at least ONE win? Even guys who aren't in the rotation now like Galloway and Carter helped us win early on. I think when you look at our 12th, 13th and 14th guy....I'd take who we have over anyone in the league's 12th, 13th or 14th guy.

[TouchPassDario]

Galloway damn near won us that Detroit game dagnabbit.

Moore helped us win a couple recently (17 on 7-11 against someone?).

I am curious if JJ thinks of making a move. Perhaps Cam J, Galloway, and a 1st to Orlando for AGo?

[TouchPassDario]

It was 7-10 for 17 against Cleveland.
He also went 5-6 in the Philly game.

[TouchPassDario]

I could be overrating Gordon’s defense.

[Blonde]

Galloway damn near won us that Detroit game dagnabbit.

Moore helped us win a couple recently (17 on 7-11 against someone?).

I am curious if JJ thinks of making a move. Perhaps Cam J, Galloway, and a 1st to Orlando for AGo?

I’ve long coveted Aaron Gordon for the Suns and think he’s poised to be a star role player on a winning team. Him and Mikal would wreck havok on defense. I think he’s a worthy gamble and CamJ should absolutely be on the table.

[Revived]

Embiid and AD are much much better than Luka this year.

It’s not close. Defense is a thing.

You must have hated Steve Nash winning MVPs. Also must not think much of Harden or Curry lol.

Nobody would take AD over Luka. AD in his prime failed to carry to Pelicans anywhere by himself. Luka carried the Mavs to the playoffs in his 2nd season while breaking MJ records.

Embiid this season is definitely better than Luka but not overall.

[TouchPassDario]

Embiid and AD are much much better than Luka this year.

It’s not close. Defense is a thing.

You must have hated Steve Nash winning MVPs. Also must not think much of Harden or Curry lol.

Nobody would take AD over Luka. AD in his prime failed to carry to Pelicans anywhere by himself. Luka carried the Mavs to the playoffs in his 2nd season while breaking MJ records.

Embiid this season is definitely better than Luka but not overall.

AD went 48-34 with the Canz. Luka is .500 this year.

[Mulhollanddrive]

Cam Johnson is a better player than Gordon right now, we'd be relying on Gordon learning how to shoot at 26.

[King4Day]

Galloway damn near won us that Detroit game dagnabbit.

Moore helped us win a couple recently (17 on 7-11 against someone?).

I am curious if JJ thinks of making a move. Perhaps Cam J, Galloway, and a 1st to Orlando for AGo?

I’ve long coveted Aaron Gordon for the Suns and think he’s poised to be a star role player on a winning team. Him and Mikal would wreck havok on defense. I think he’s a worthy gamble and CamJ should absolutely be on the table.

What would Gordon do for us?
And can he defend?