The Official Off-Season Thread, part I of many

[KGboss]

Wtf is this hate on crazy hair? Y'all balding?

Watch the vid kid

[LarryBirdsFingr]

way to make analytics and management into a race issue ESPN....

[Froob]

way to make analytics and management into a race issue ESPN....

ESPN's credibility falls by the minute.

[KumaJG]

how long do you think the Celts rebuild going to be

[Kenhov]

There are some players who can make a big difference to a team like the Celtics.

One of them is Ryan Anderson.

If we manage to trade for Okafor without giving up 3, and pickup Ryan Anderson this would be a lethal one -two punch on offense at the 4 and 5 especially as their games complement each other.

Defensively would be the challenge but I have confidence in Stevens putting together a strong team defence.

[Kenhov]

By the way I think a decoy trade would be Paul George.

That Indiana team as it is currently cannot go much further.

We can offer them the 3, 16 and the Nets pick next year which could be Harry Giles, plus KO and Amir Johnson

Then use Bradley and a later pick to move up to 8. Pick up Buddy Hield.

Then pickup Ryan Anderson and Dwight Howard in FA.

IT / Rozier
Smart / Buddy Hield
Paul George / Crowder
Ryan Anderson / Mickey
Dwight Howard / Sullinger

[165bows]

Sticker shock of the day:

Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times:

Clippers reserve center Cole Aldrich will opt out of his contract that will pay him $1.2 million next season, per source.

— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) June 2, 2016

The Clippers have Aldrich’s Non-Bird rights, which allow them to exceed the cap to sign Aldrich to up to 120% of the minimum salary. That won’t get it done. The Clippers – who are expected to stay over the cap – could also offer the mid-level exception. But even if they remain below the apron and offer the $5,628,000 non-taxpayer mid-level exception, I’d be shocked if that’s be enough.

Aldrich proved himself one of the NBA’s better backup centers last season. He’s mobile enough and does what limited big men do – rebound, protect the paint and foul too much. His scoring near the basket really improved playing in a better offense, too.

http://nba.nbcsports.com/2016/06/03/report-cole-aldrich-opting-out-of-clippers-contract/

[Curmudgeon]

Meh, I'm not going to overpay for Cole Aldrich, who is only a marginal improvement over Zeller.

Failing Durant, my #1 FA target would be Pau Gasol on a two year deal. He's aged well and would be better value than Horford, who will demand 4 years at the max.

My #1 trade target would be Kawhi Leonard. Bird isn't going to trade Paul George, and Butler isn't worth anything close to the packages rumored to have been offered.

The Spurs, meanwhile are an old team that needs to retool with younger players. Boston offers Johnson, Bradley and all three of its 2016 first rounders for Leonard.

[Murta]

My #1 trade target would be Kawhi Leonard. Bird isn't going to trade Paul George, and Butler isn't worth anything close to the packages rumored to have been offered.

The Spurs, meanwhile are an old team that needs to retool with younger players. Boston offers Johnson, Bradley and all three of its 2016 first rounders for Leonard.

Spurs ain't trading Leonard for everything Celtics have + NFL expansion in San Antonio + Bill Belichick.

[Curmudgeon]

My #1 trade target would be Kawhi Leonard. Bird isn't going to trade Paul George, and Butler isn't worth anything close to the packages rumored to have been offered.

The Spurs, meanwhile are an old team that needs to retool with younger players. Boston offers Johnson, Bradley and all three of its 2016 first rounders for Leonard.

Spurs ain't trading Leonard for everything Celtics have + NFL expansion in San Antonio + Bill Belichick.

He's their only tradeable asset and it's pretty obvious from the thrashing they took from OKC in the playoffs that they need to retool.

[Murta]

He's their only tradeable asset and it's pretty obvious from the thrashing they took from OKC in the playoffs that they need to retool.

I'd say LMA is pretty tradeable too. Trading Leonard (or LMA) means Spurs wouldn't retool, they'd rebuild. Anyhow, Pop believes in the idea that his team is a type of family.. If they hadn't broken up the core after losing in 1st round against Dallas 4-1 in 2009, in 2nd round against Suns 4-0 in 2010 and 1st round against Memphis 4-2 in 2011, they aren't breaking it up after 67 wins.

The two ways I see it going is either keeping the band together for another season or changing role players (Mills, Green, K. Anderson) and seeing Manu and/or Duncan retire.

Trading either of two stars on long-term deals is a pretty pointless move.

[RickyDizzle]

Aldrich had a great year, he may get $10 mil per...

[Curmudgeon]

Trading either of two stars on long-term deals is a pretty pointless move.

No it isn't. Right now the Spurs are stuck in the mediocre middle, with no prospect of immediate improvement. Aldridge did not distinguish himself in the playoffs and is not getting any younger either. I suppose they could sign Conley (as is rumored) but do do that they must shed salary. Same with Horford, who basically duplicates Aldridge.

Popovich and Buford aren't stupid. They will take a brutally honest look at their roster and realize they must retool. And the only asset that will bring a large enough haul to retool quickly is Leonard.

[Murta]

Trading either of two stars on long-term deals is a pretty pointless move.

No it isn't. Right now the Spurs are stuck in the mediocre middle, with no prospect of immediate improvement. Aldridge did not distinguish himself in the playoffs and is not getting any younger either. I suppose they could sign Conley (as is rumored) but do do that they must shed salary. Same with Horford, who basically duplicates Aldridge.

Popovich and Buford aren't stupid. They will take a brutally honest look at their roster and realize they must retool. And the only asset that will bring a large enough haul to retool quickly is Leonard.

If 2nd place in the NBA regular season means mediocre middle

I still don't understand how trading Leonard, a top 5 player, gets you out of of "mediocre middle". When the picks grow-up Aldridge will be 34 at least (2019).

Spurs need to liquidate Parker and Green who are past or nearing their expiring dates. Not trade a top 5 player who is only freaking 25 years old. They could tank for 3 years (not gonna do it, but could) and Leonard would only be 28 with one year left on contract.

[Slartibartfast]

Trading either of two stars on long-term deals is a pretty pointless move.

No it isn't. Right now the Spurs are stuck in the mediocre middle, with no prospect of immediate improvement. Aldridge did not distinguish himself in the playoffs and is not getting any younger either. I suppose they could sign Conley (as is rumored) but do do that they must shed salary. Same with Horford, who basically duplicates Aldridge.

Popovich and Buford aren't stupid. They will take a brutally honest look at their roster and realize they must retool. And the only asset that will bring a large enough haul to retool quickly is Leonard.

Why on earth would they trade their not yet 25 year old best player to "retool"?

[Curmudgeon]

Why on earth would they trade their not yet 25 year old best player to "retool"?

Because no one wants Parker or Aldridge and players like Danny Green won't bring much of a return.

SA is in a very different position from Indiana. SA is bumping up against a 90M cap, which severely inhibits their flexibility to make personnel changes. Indiana payroll is $17M less. That's why Leonard is more likely to be moved than George.

[FakeScreenName123]

Why on earth would they trade their not yet 25 year old best player to "retool"?

Agreed. The position stated is ludicrous and incorrect. But won't be backed down.

Team finishes within the top 10 regular season record of all time = mediocre.


It's almost as crazy as offering 3 non top 2 picks for MVP runner up/b2b defensive player of the year just entering his prime.

[2Mas]

My #1 trade target would be Kawhi Leonard. Bird isn't going to trade Paul George, and Butler isn't worth anything close to the packages rumored to have been offered.

The Spurs, meanwhile are an old team that needs to retool with younger players. Boston offers Johnson, Bradley and all three of its 2016 first rounders for Leonard.

Spurs ain't trading Leonard for everything Celtics have + NFL expansion in San Antonio + Bill Belichick.

Leonard & that contract is one of the most untouchable deals in the league.

[Slartibartfast]

Why on earth would they trade their not yet 25 year old best player to "retool"?

Because no one wants Parker or Aldridge and players like Danny Green won't bring much of a return.

SA is in a very different position from Indiana. SA is bumping up against a 90M cap, which severely inhibits their flexibility to make personnel changes. Indiana payroll is $17M less. That's why Leonard is more likely to be moved than George.

No one wants Aldridge? The guy was one of the most coveted free agents in the league last year and just came off a great year for a 67 win team. They could get a massive return for LMA if they wanted to move him.

Even TP, who looks like toast, has enough pedigree to get a look from a bunch of teams desperate for PG help. Like Spurs expat Sean Marks in Brooklyn. Or PG/big name-happy Dallas. Or veteran starved, culture change focused Philly. Or Utah. Or Sacramento.

[soxfan2003]

Trading either of two stars on long-term deals is a pretty pointless move.

No it isn't. Right now the Spurs are stuck in the mediocre middle, with no prospect of immediate improvement. Aldridge did not distinguish himself in the playoffs and is not getting any younger either. I suppose they could sign Conley (as is rumored) but do do that they must shed salary. Same with Horford, who basically duplicates Aldridge.

Popovich and Buford aren't stupid. They will take a brutally honest look at their roster and realize they must retool. And the only asset that will bring a large enough haul to retool quickly is Leonard.

Popovich has publicly put Leonard in the Bird/Duncan/Kobe category. That is the definition of untraceable when the player is 24 about to turn 25 and not acting up. He has called him a superstar. He loves him as a player and has been a big time believer in him since his rookie year. How often do teams win when they trade top 2-3 NBA players? And how often are 67 win teams that have a chance to add talent broken up when their best player is just about to turn 25?

Literally no one believes in tanking _much more_ -- some believe in it more but not much more -- than me but I wouldn't fathom doing so unless I thought the next Duncan/Lebron was truly in the 2017 draft. And even then a team would have to overwhelm me.

With an expected superstar in the 2017 draft going #1 so its a no brainer choice, then I could see Leonard for 1) All Nets picks including #3 this year. 2) Memphis pick. 3) Marcus Smart 4) IT 5) Avery Bradley or Crowder (whichever is more valuable to the Spurs in a deal). 5) 1 unprotected Celtics pick from 2019-2021 of the Spurs choosing.

Completely drain the Celtics of nearly literally every good asset and then immediately trade IT and Bradley or Crowder for picks.

I realize this is an insane package and an insane package and a Greg Oden like player coming out of the 2017 draft is what it would take in an environment with tons of cap room and the Celtics potentially having the ability to sign someone like KD as a FA. I simply do not make it easy for Boston or any team to build a great team..

Leonard, who turns 25 at the end of the month, is a top 2-3 player on a great contract and seems to be of great character which cannot be said about some other stars. Just gigantic asset.

I'd love him on the Celtics and have been stalking the guy since his rookie year but right now is his peak valuation IMHO since he was 2nd in MVP and is on a great long term way below market contract. Spurs would have to fall apart for SA to get more realistic since they have no reason right now to be realistic. Zero reason.

Spurs will be looking to add Kevin Durant and if that fails perhaps someone like Conley.

If Popovich really wants to get ruthless, he will try and trade Parker and get a younger PG with more athleticism.

Unless Spurs are overwhelmed, Aldridge and everyone else on the Spurs including Popovich himself goes way before Leonard.

Given Popovich's great reputation, no reason for him to not to try to build via FA when he was just able to snag the most coveted FA that switched teams last year.