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

[Potterman]

Cool idea, but every situation can be manipulated. Problem is, every team doesn't have a franchise player on it and I can see someone demanding the franchise money because they have the best stats on the team, but not really a franchise player. I guess you could have defining language with that so they will know if they are eligible for that. I mean, can you see Kyrie Irving the first time he is eligible for a new contract demanding from Cleveland 50 mil or he won't play there? You would have to save these owners from themselves because I bet some of them would pay it. I still think they should have the hard cap and unlimited contracts. They need to change something to make it more even for non-glamorous cities.

The thing is that if Irving wants the franchise status. He can get it from the 29 other teams that can or can't offer it. Cleveland can then tank, and enter the draft or try and sign who they think will be a franchise player from the 29 other teams.

[MoMM]

Also, Bucher mentioned the July 12th 'deadline' before all hell breaks loose with signings. Says we may have to wait until October 12th for some players' new contracts to be tradable before we can trade Dwight again. Interesting point.

I read yesterday that the rookies that were signed just can be traded after 1 month, for example Donotas can only be traded in August.

[woosah]

Cool idea, but every situation can be manipulated. Problem is, every team doesn't have a franchise player on it and I can see someone demanding the franchise money because they have the best stats on the team, but not really a franchise player. I guess you could have defining language with that so they will know if they are eligible for that. I mean, can you see Kyrie Irving the first time he is eligible for a new contract demanding from Cleveland 50 mil or he won't play there? You would have to save these owners from themselves because I bet some of them would pay it. I still think they should have the hard cap and unlimited contracts. They need to change something to make it more even for non-glamorous cities.

The thing is that if Irving wants the franchise status. He can get it from the 29 other teams that can or can't offer it. Cleveland can then tank, and enter the draft or try and sign who they think will be a franchise player from the 29 other teams.

I don't know how long before a rookie coming in can sign a new deal, but it seems that would create a lot of player movement because they would leave as soon as they emerge as the go-to guy on their team. Cleveland could potentially be in position to tank like what, every 3 years if they don't pay the franchise status contract? Maybe I am misreading it, but I don't consider Irving a franchise player even though he is the go-to guy on that team.

[RickB-Orlando]

Cool idea, but every situation can be manipulated. Problem is, every team doesn't have a franchise player on it and I can see someone demanding the franchise money because they have the best stats on the team, but not really a franchise player. I guess you could have defining language with that so they will know if they are eligible for that. I mean, can you see Kyrie Irving the first time he is eligible for a new contract demanding from Cleveland 50 mil or he won't play there? You would have to save these owners from themselves because I bet some of them would pay it. I still think they should have the hard cap and unlimited contracts. They need to change something to make it more even for non-glamorous cities.

The problem that needs to be solved is small markets losing their franchise player to large markets, specifically for non-basketball reasons. We have an owner willing to spend basically whatever it takes to win (good or bad decisions notwithstanding) but we still are unable to keep our top tier player because he is being pushed to a larger market - for better marketing opportunities - by his agent and his shoe sponsor.

A franchise tag fixes this problem. Whether a team chooses to apply the tag or not is up to them. Protecting them from themselves is no longer necessary - if the Cavs wanted to Franchise Irving and pay him at the max (which would really be necessary for a franchise tag) that's their choice.

But it would fix the issue of teams drafting top talent and being completely unable to keep those players due to non-basketball influences. That's what really has me hacked of about this situation.

[MoMM]

What the NBA needed is not a franchise tag but a franchise contract. Every team gets one contract they can use that doesn't count against the cap and can be as high as twice the max. You would have 30 teams all with a star within a couple years. Lebron Wade and Bosh would not be on the same team if one of them was making the same as the other two combined. Dwight wouldn't want to play with Deron if he had to take 15 mill and Deron was making 30. One super contract per team = parity. The problem now is that star players are going to make the same amount of money no matter where they play, so why would they not want to go to their favorite spots if it makes absolutely not difference to their bottom line?

I liked this idea except the bold part, it should count against the cap, but as a MAX contract (half of the franchise contract).

[mhectorgato]

I'm surprised we're going to send the nets Jrich and Earl too...

Deron
Dwight
Johnson
Jrich
Earl

is pretty scary and versatile

One of these is not like the others. I feel bad for him, almost. He chose to stay here, but now may be traded away.

[GameOver25]

Mike and Mike this morning, Mike Smith is telling Bucher how trashy this trade is for Orlando. Good to see a talking head actually acknowledge how bad it is and question why would Orlando do it.

It's about time, Mike Smith from what I've seen isn't bias. Good to hear.

"Biased" is an adjective, and "bias" is a noun.

Somebody is biased, and somebody has a bias.

"Dominate" is a verb, and "dominant" is an adjective.

Somebody is a dominant player, and somebody can dominate the game.

"You're" means "you are", and "your" is a possessive adjective.

You're going to the store to buy your milk.

That is all for now. Thank you for YOUR time.

Okay I get it now. So is it your milk before or after you buy it?

[KingRobb02]

I've said this from the second the CBA came out...a franchise tag isn't even needed. I do believe in players having freedom to go where they want...but the real problem is the incentive system. It's completely counter-intuitive. They should've rewarded players for signing early extensions with their own teams instead of going into unrestricted free-agency to gain the incentive. All that causes is doubt amongst the teams and perpetuates trade speculation, makes teams unwilling to trade for players who won't sign an immediate extension (ala Bynum now with us)....etc etc. If they had simply built into the CBA the opposite incentive (to extend early), teams would know exactly where a player's/agent's head was at and wouldn't have to play all these stupid guessing games to lead to franchise player movement.

What the NBA needed is not a franchise tag but a franchise contract. Every team gets one contract they can use that doesn't count against the cap and can be as high as twice the max. You would have 30 teams all with a star within a couple years. Lebron Wade and Bosh would not be on the same team if one of them was making the same as the other two combined. Dwight wouldn't want to play with Deron if he had to take 15 mill and Deron was making 30. One super contract per team = parity. The problem now is that star players are going to make the same amount of money no matter where they play, so why would they not want to go to their favorite spots if it makes absolutely not difference to their bottom line?

Cool idea, but every situation can be manipulated. Problem is, every team doesn't have a franchise player on it and I can see someone demanding the franchise money because they have the best stats on the team, but not really a franchise player. I guess you could have defining language with that so they will know if they are eligible for that. I mean, can you see Kyrie Irving the first time he is eligible for a new contract demanding from Cleveland 50 mil or he won't play there? You would have to save these owners from themselves because I bet some of them would pay it. I still think they should have the hard cap and unlimited contracts. They need to change something to make it more even for non-glamorous cities.

In addition to that, players need a right to choose where they play. I know our current situation has made it difficult to agree with players needing this right, but Dwight is still under contract so screw his desire to play elsewhere. The only thing a franchise tag would lead to is holdouts and big names threatening to go play in Europe. Then again I am one of the few people who didn't mind when the Heat were able to sign Bosh and James.

[Blue_and_Whte]

"I don't think it benefits the Magic if the Brooklyn deal is off the table"

ok just more of the same from Rudolph

Does he not know that this makes him look ridiculously bias? WTF? The Houston deal including, rooks, picks, and expirings isn't better than brook lopez and late first round picks.........

Hes going to look at people straight in the face while saying that......

[Potterman]

I'm surprised we're going to send the nets Jrich and Earl too...

Deron
Dwight
Johnson
Jrich
Earl

is pretty scary and versatile

One of these is not like the others. I feel bad for him, almost. He chose to stay here, but now may be traded away.

Um, it's not like he accepted a crappy contract for 2 year 1st year team option.

[Blue_and_Whte]

@MagicalNBA

I still don't have details on what HOU is offering, but it is safe to assume anyone on the roster is available

was this posted already? If its what everyone assumes it is then its got to be the deal Henny takes.

[BadMofoPimp]

Anything Houston offers is better than Brooke and (4) late first round picks. Seriously.

[Leoj]

Anything Houston offers is better than Brooke and (4) late first round picks. Seriously.

Letting Dwight rot on the bench and tanking is better than the BKN deal.

[Ballah]

I would actually feel bad for Houston if that deal happens because i think Houston is the only team being talked about that Dwight would walk away from.

[Mule Tears]

Anywhere but Brooklyn. Please. That offer is doodoo.

[MoMM]

Can Omer Asik play at 4? Because if they trade for D12 they will have D12, Asik (8 a year), Scola and Royce White in their frontcourt.

[MagicFan41]

"I don't think it benefits the Magic if the Brooklyn deal is off the table"

ok just more of the same from Rudolph

Does he not know that this makes him look ridiculously bias? WTF? The Houston deal including, rooks, picks, and expirings isn't better than brook lopez and late first round picks.........

Hes going to look at people straight in the face while saying that......

"Biased" is an adjective, and "bias" is a noun.

Somebody is biased, and somebody has a bias.

"Dominate" is a verb, and "dominant" is an adjective.

Somebody is a dominant player, and somebody can dominate the game.

"You're" means "you are", and "your" is a possessive adjective.

You're going to the store to buy your milk.

That is all for now. Thank you for YOUR time.

[arkknight1988]

Baumann is the best in orlando. everyone should follow him on twitter.

[Nyce_1]

Redick Interview on Baumann's show.

http://www.sportstalkflorida.com/jj-redick-exclusive/

[YosemiteSam]

Why is our local paper basing it's stories on rumors from bloggers and other fringe media? They don't even have their own sources but merely regurgitate the stuff from other media stories. If there is one entity that should be leading the insights into this process it should be our local paper, but they've proven what we all know that they are truly pathetic. I'd settle for someone with credibility writing a scathing opinion piece about how taking the NJ trade would be folly for the Magic, but instead they seem to be resigned to us as a loser city and franchise that will be taken advantage of. Where are the champions of our cities and our teams?

I wish wish WISH that Denton was still employed outside of the Magic because at least we could rely on him to be connected and get us some scoop from the team itself. Does anyone in any medium have a connection to the Devos' or Martins so that they could get us a feeling of what the Magic are thinking here?