What was the most questionable offseason move so far?
Bontemps: The sign-and-trade for Terry Rozier (three years, $58 million) in Charlotte doesn't make any sense. Sure, the Hornets didn't have a point guard after losing Kemba Walker, but Tomas Satoransky and Delon Wright were both signed-and-traded for contracts that fit the midlevel exception -- half of Rozier's contract. Tyus Jones was signed by Memphis to a similarly reasonable deal. All of them are in the same range of player as Rozier. This is just the latest head-scratching move by Charlotte over the past decade. Honorable mention: Phoenix signing Rubio and having to trade two second-round picks to clear the space to do so.
Schmitz: Sacramento signing Harrison Barnes to $85 million over four years. The Kings clearly had money to spend, but this is more about taking away offensive volume from an exciting young core of De'Aaron Fox, Marvin Bagley and Bogdan Bogdanovic. Barnes is capable of functioning as a serviceable floor spacer, but at age 27, with that hefty price tag, he's likely to remain empowered to play his isolation-heavy, catch-and-hold style that doesn't figure to positively impact the development of Sacramento's young players.
Friedell: Crushing the Knicks for missing out on KD and Kyrie, after so many in the league thought they would land there is too easy, so ... I really like the Al Horford move for Philadelphia, but is Tobias Harris going to improve to a point where he will live up to his $180 million contract? Harris has lots of talent, but can he both take and make the big shots that Butler hit for this group? If Harris can elevate his game and Ben Simmons learns how to shoot with consistency, the Sixers can get out of the East. But by committing to Harris with that deal, they have to hope he's ready for the challenge.
McMenamin: The Hornets signing Rozier. Not only is he replacing one of the most beloved figures in franchise history in Kemba Walker; not only was he one of the major voices of unrest in a testy Boston locker room last season; not only did he once go 2-for-14 from the field (0-for-10 from 3) in a Game 7 at home with a trip to the Finals on the line; but we're also talking about a guy with career numbers of 38% shooting and 2.3 assists per game at point guard earning $19 million a year. It's mind-boggling.
Andrews: It was not so long ago that Paul George publicly declared his affection for Oklahoma City and chose to stay there and compete alongside Russell Westbrook rather than go to a Los Angeles team. That's why seeing him request a trade to the Clippers came as somewhat of a surprise. Yes, OKC was in a tough spot: Honor George's trade request and rebuild in a tight Western Conference or decline to trade him and potentially end up with a disgruntled star (see 2018-19 Anthony Davis). Now, though, the Thunder are at risk of losing their franchise player in Westbrook.
Re: Around the NBA 10
Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2019 5:33 pm
by catch20two
The Rozier signing (& trade) is indeed mind boggling. Team should’ve just let Monk, Graham, and whoever they drafted in the 2nd round push the tank. Instead they overpaid for Rozier to get in the way of the progress of their young players and they’re still going to be the worst team in the league.
Re: Around the NBA 10
Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2019 6:35 pm
by amcoolio
catch20two wrote:The Rozier signing (& trade) is indeed mind boggling. Team should’ve just let Monk, Graham, and whoever they drafted in the 2nd round push the tank. Instead they overpaid for Rozier to get in the way of the progress of their young players and they’re still going to be the worst team in the league.
We won't be the worst. I'd place money that we aren't the 2nd worst team either. You are greatly exaggerating.
Re: Around the NBA 10
Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2019 6:50 pm
by Chapelchilla
amcoolio wrote:
catch20two wrote:The Rozier signing (& trade) is indeed mind boggling. Team should’ve just let Monk, Graham, and whoever they drafted in the 2nd round push the tank. Instead they overpaid for Rozier to get in the way of the progress of their young players and they’re still going to be the worst team in the league.
We won't be the worst. I'd place money that we aren't the 2nd worst team either. You are greatly exaggerating.
We basically got Rozier for nothing (we spent money we couldn't spend elsewhere for 2 years and no valuable picks are involved) and he could turn out to be an actual asset as a young PG with upside remaining. Or he may stink, but it's the type of chance I think you have to take when we are short on opportunity due to a horrible cap situation.
Re: Around the NBA 10
Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2019 7:00 pm
by catch20two
amcoolio wrote:
catch20two wrote:The Rozier signing (& trade) is indeed mind boggling. Team should’ve just let Monk, Graham, and whoever they drafted in the 2nd round push the tank. Instead they overpaid for Rozier to get in the way of the progress of their young players and they’re still going to be the worst team in the league.
We won't be the worst. I'd place money that we aren't the 2nd worst team either. You are greatly exaggerating.
I understand your optimistic hopes as a Charlotte fan but there’s not really any roster in the league with less talent or upside.
All I can think about is Rozier attempting 20 shots on 38% shooting getting more frustrated from all the losses translating from being privileged enough to play for a playoff contending Boston team throughout his career onto a tanking team that can’t win with their best effort.
Re: Around the NBA 10
Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2019 7:39 pm
by 316Hornets
catch20two wrote:
amcoolio wrote:
catch20two wrote:The Rozier signing (& trade) is indeed mind boggling. Team should’ve just let Monk, Graham, and whoever they drafted in the 2nd round push the tank. Instead they overpaid for Rozier to get in the way of the progress of their young players and they’re still going to be the worst team in the league.
We won't be the worst. I'd place money that we aren't the 2nd worst team either. You are greatly exaggerating.
I understand your optimistic hopes as a Charlotte fan but there’s not really any roster in the league with less talent or upside.
All I can think about is Rozier attempting 20 shots on 38% shooting getting more frustrated from all the losses translating from being privileged enough to play for a playoff contending Boston team throughout his career onto a tanking team that can’t win with their best effort.
Rozier is questionable on his ability to lead a team. If it's any positive, his defense is better than Kemba. Might as well give him a shot. If he looks solid, the team should look to address the center position.
Re: Around the NBA 10
Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2019 8:44 pm
by vexco
JDuaneWayne wrote:The ASG excuse for handling Kemba really has no basis and is a tired if not stupid argument. You could have traded Kemba and rolled out the red carpet for him and gave him a huge thank you and basically made the weekend about him. This is what they will do the first Boston comes to town so I don't really see any difference.
This wouldn't be an issue if he didn't make all NBA. Either way, it's unreasonable to expect the team hosting the ASG to trade its 1 player who will be involved. ASG was a big deal for Charlotte.
Re: Around the NBA 10
Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2019 10:13 pm
by JDuaneWayne
vexco wrote:
JDuaneWayne wrote:The ASG excuse for handling Kemba really has no basis and is a tired if not stupid argument. You could have traded Kemba and rolled out the red carpet for him and gave him a huge thank you and basically made the weekend about him. This is what they will do the first Boston comes to town so I don't really see any difference.
This wouldn't be an issue if he didn't make all NBA. Either way, it's unreasonable to expect the team hosting the ASG to trade its 1 player who will be involved. ASG was a big deal for Charlotte.
Wouldn't have been an issue? We didn't offer him the regular max... Y'all killing me making excuses for this and that. Fans aren't that mad about Kemba leaving now, moreso how it was handled. Why do you think they would have been mad then?
Re: Around the NBA 10
Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2019 12:17 am
by vexco
JDuaneWayne wrote:
vexco wrote:
JDuaneWayne wrote:The ASG excuse for handling Kemba really has no basis and is a tired if not stupid argument. You could have traded Kemba and rolled out the red carpet for him and gave him a huge thank you and basically made the weekend about him. This is what they will do the first Boston comes to town so I don't really see any difference.
This wouldn't be an issue if he didn't make all NBA. Either way, it's unreasonable to expect the team hosting the ASG to trade its 1 player who will be involved. ASG was a big deal for Charlotte.
Wouldn't have been an issue? We didn't offer him the regular max... Y'all killing me making excuses for this and that. Fans aren't that mad about Kemba leaving now, moreso how it was handled. Why do you think they would have been mad then?
I'm not making any excuses. I'm telling you point blank that he made the right choice letting Kemba walk. You can't call a simple explanation an excuse because it doesn't fit the narrative you're trying to push. Miss me with that ****.
Re: Around the NBA 10
Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2019 1:05 am
by JDuaneWayne
vexco wrote:
JDuaneWayne wrote:
vexco wrote: This wouldn't be an issue if he didn't make all NBA. Either way, it's unreasonable to expect the team hosting the ASG to trade its 1 player who will be involved. ASG was a big deal for Charlotte.
Wouldn't have been an issue? We didn't offer him the regular max... Y'all killing me making excuses for this and that. Fans aren't that mad about Kemba leaving now, moreso how it was handled. Why do you think they would have been mad then?
I'm not making any excuses. I'm telling you point blank that he made the right choice letting Kemba walk. You can't call a simple explanation an excuse because it doesn't fit the narrative you're trying to push. Miss me with that ****.
And it doesn't fit your narrative to let him go for nothing when you knew the most you would pay him. All-NBA has nothing to do with it we didn't match the regular max. I'll leave it there though, it's TBD if it was the right decision or not.
Around the NBA 10
Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2019 2:50 am
by JMAC3
It bothers me that people are still upset about Rozier....
Hornets met with him before trading for him. Gave him the lowest amount of years you can with a SnT. We also structured the deal so it’s declining in payout.
Honestly I feel like the people who are mad about Kemba leaving and us paying Rozier are fans that don’t know anything about how the salary cap works.
The same fans who are mad we didn’t pay Kemba the max would be complaining if we did pay him the full max. They just want something to be mad about and no matter what we did was going to be wrong.
Hell even if we traded him at deadline those fans would be saying “You don’t trade a star player who says he wants to be here, this is why Charlotte will never win”.
For these professional NBA reporters to say Delon Wright and Tyus Jones are in the same tier of Rozier is laughable. Neither one is starting level player and the league knows this, hence why they were easily had and teams didn’t match with RFA rights.
Re: Around the NBA 10
Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2019 12:24 pm
by JDuaneWayne
JMAC3 wrote:It bothers me that people are still upset about Rozier....
Hornets met with him before trading for him. Gave him the lowest amount of years you can with a SnT. We also structured the deal so it’s declining in payout.
Honestly I feel like the people who are mad about Kemba leaving and us paying Rozier are fans that don’t know anything about how the salary cap works.
The same fans who are mad we didn’t pay Kemba the max would be complaining if we did pay him the full max. They just want something to be mad about and no matter what we did was going to be wrong.
Hell even if we traded him at deadline those fans would be saying “You don’t trade a star player who says he wants to be here, this is why Charlotte will never win”.
For these professional NBA reporters to say Delon Wright and Tyus Jones are in the same tier of Rozier is laughable. Neither one is starting level player and the league knows this, hence why they were easily had and teams didn’t match with RFA rights.
I'm over it, I'm just off thinking Mitch is a good GM and we have a plan. Just because he's better than Cho isn't saying much. Isn't he being a placeholder for Buzz? As far as Rozier, seems like we overpaid some but I guess we had too but in the end it feels like more treadmilling and saving face.
Re: Around the NBA 10
Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2019 3:06 pm
by Braggins
Hornets are in the bottom three with the Knicks and Cavs imo. The Hawks and a couple other teams are close and could end up worse if the players don't mesh as well or they have more injuries. Also if Borrego is actually a good coach, which I'm leaning towards thinking he is at the moment, that could raise the floor a bit.
There is no justification for letting Kemba walk for nothing without offering the full normal max. If he just wanted to leave or wanted the super max, both of which contradict his own words, then so be it and let him leave, but that doesn't seem to be the case. If they weren't going to offer the max then they definitely should have traded him at the deadline. This situation was the worst case of mismanagement I've seen since I started following this team, which is saying a lot, and I honestly can't believe anyone is defending how it was handled.
Re: Around the NBA 10
Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2019 3:44 pm
by Vanderbilt_Grad
Super interesting part 1 ESPN article on injuries in the NBA.
"I have many kids who are going to go play in college next year," says Dr. Neeru Jayanthi, the Director of Sports Medicine Research and Education at Emory Healthcare in the Atlanta area and one of the leading researchers on youth sports, "and this whole year has just been about trying to get healthy so they can step on that doorstep as a freshman and actually have a chance to participate."
Says Jayanthi: "Kids are broken by the time they get to college."
"They just march in here and out -- knee pain, ankle pain, head pain, back pain," says Dr. Chris Powers, a USC professor and the director of its biokinesiology program. "We see kids all the time that are 10, 11 years old with really bad tendonitis and overuse injuries all the time. I've seen ACL tears in 11-year-olds."
In his career, Jordan battled the hard-hitting "Bad Boys" Pistons and legendarily played through most any injury. In Jordan's day, the gold standard for durability was simple: start all 82 NBA regular-season games, which he did in eight of his 13 seasons in Chicago.
But it's not as if Jordan was a relentless baller all year long.
"When the season ended, Michael left and played golf and didn't pick up a basketball again until probably a little bit before training camp [in September]," says Wally Blase, a Bulls athletic trainer from 1993-2000. "He might have played pickup ball with some friends, but he wasn't working eight hours a day at some gym with some shooting coach." (And in contrast to the myth that has grown around him, Jordan, Blase notes, didn't treat every practice as if it were Game 7: "There were days when Michael would show up, put ice on his knees, go smoke a cigar and then go play 18 holes of golf.") Jordan wasn't unique in this regard. Former Lakers head athletic trainer Gary Vitti, who spent 32 years with the team, says the Showtime Lakers "hardly played any basketball" when the season ended: "As soon as the season was over, everybody would take at least minimum two weeks, two to three weeks off, give their bodies a rest, let them recover, and then slowly we would do either some jogging or biking and some strength training."
Re: Around the NBA 10
Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2019 3:57 pm
by LofJ
I believe that the mess that is 'amateur' sports for kids younger than 18 is massively contributing to shorter careers. It isn't healthy for kids that still have growing minds and bodies to be pushing themselves 24/7. They need time to rest, be bored, and have fun with their peers. Those things are essential for a healthy mind and body, they aren't a sign of laziness or underachievement. We aren't talking about fully developed men here, these players are adolescent children.
Re: Around the NBA 10
Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2019 7:15 pm
by predators
"Keep in mind," he adds, "I grew up playing, like, no games. We just played a game once every two weeks before I came back to the States."
Throughout his career, Bryant has railed against American youth basketball for failing to develop players' skills, often noting that overseas players were far more advanced on the fundamentals. But for as much as he advocates skill development, Bryant preaches patience.
The NBA should go full Euro and do youth academies so they have more control over it. I think the quality of play would be significantly higher after 10 or years just because the lower end players would be that much better.
Re: Around the NBA 10
Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2019 12:29 am
by MasterIchiro
Westbrook to Rockets for Chris Paul + 2 firsts and 2 pick swaps.