Discussing Other Teams' Moves Part 2

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Yeah, I think that's something people are missing on the Spurs, they could easily reload this summer and next for another run. They've got 2 corner stones in Parker and Leonard. I wouldn't bring Manu back, he was just embarrassing in this series.

Manu is "family" who shouldn't play anywhere else. I think they should reload but Manu should be told that if he wants to be like Ray Allen elsewhere, he would have their blessings. Let him test the FA market. SA should have a set figure in mind they won't exceed to retain Ginobili. The Spurs should keep him but only at the right price -- if he agrees to their price and a reducing role. Otherwise, he's free to move forward. The key thing is he gets a best offer from SA or another team. Manu is not totally done IMO.

If they add the right pieces SA can win it again.

[LyricalRico]

Well it looks like Rivers is going to the Clippers.

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/22 ... M-Contract

It might make it harder for Garnett to be sent there, I think a straight up Garnett-Jordan trade would be easy to justify on basketball terms. However adding picks to a young player to acquire a player in his late 30s will be hard to support.

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/22 ... -Violation

Yep, no KG for LAC. Even a straight up deal would be declined IMO, if only for PR reasons. Wonder if they'd let Pierce get traded there? Probably not, I guess.

So now what does Boston do with their aging stars? Apparently they will look to trade Pierce instead of buying him out. He's still an effective player on an expiring contract, so there will be interest. And KG could also essentially be an expiring contract if he really only intends to play one more year and then retire (as has been reported). But his no trade clause will be an issue since he'll have to want to go to the team that wants him.

It could be a while before we see with either of them get moved, though. I think teams will wait and see what happens with Howard and Paul before pulling the trigger on older guys.

[LyricalRico]

Some trade buzz from Ric Bucher (grain of salt required, of course):

League source: three veterans who are candidates to be in deals leading up to, or during NBA draft are the Bulls' Luol Deng, Pacers' Danny Granger and Blazers' Lamarcus Aldridge.

http://sulia.com/channel/basketball/f/0 ... ce=twitter

Granger is a no-brainer, but was surprised to see Aldridge's name pop up. The only name he connected with a team was the Cavs being interested in Luol Deng. I actually think Chicago would be a nice landing spot for Paul Pierce, so moving Deng would open up that spot. Deng for Zeller+19?

[Ruzious]

Some trade buzz from Ric Bucher (grain of salt required, of course):

League source: three veterans who are candidates to be in deals leading up to, or during NBA draft are the Bulls' Luol Deng, Pacers' Danny Granger and Blazers' Lamarcus Aldridge.

http://sulia.com/channel/basketball/f/0 ... ce=twitter

Granger is a no-brainer, but was surprised to see Aldridge's name pop up. The only name he connected with a team was the Cavs being interested in Luol Deng. I actually think Chicago would be a nice landing spot for Paul Pierce, so moving Deng would open up that spot. Deng for Zeller+19?

If Cleveland could get Pierce and Aldridge without giving up either of their starting guards or Thompson, they'd be up their with Indiana as the 2nd best team in the East.

[LyricalRico]

^ Interesting. Maybe the #1+Verajao for Aldridge, and Zeller+19 for Pierce?

EDIT:

Actually, let's make it a 3-way! Agreed to on draft night, and executed on July 1 once CLE/POR have the requisite cap space:

Cavs trade: Verajao, Zeller, #1 and #19
Cavs receive: Aldridge and Paul Pierce

Blazers trade: Aldridge and #10
Blazers receive: Verajao, Garnett, #1 and #19

Celtics trade: Garnett and Pierce
Celtics receive: Zeller and #10

Cleveland upgrades for a run next year and gets a legit big man to pair with Irving (and possibly LeBron). Portland remains competitive and takes a chance on Noel being what Oden couldn't be. Boston gets a lottery pick, a young big, and wipes their cap clean.

[MikeTheKid]

^ Interesting. Maybe the #1+Verajao for Aldridge, and Zeller+19 for Pierce?

EDIT:

Actually, let's make it a 3-way! Agreed to on draft night, and executed on July 1 once CLE/POR have the requisite cap space:

Cavs trade: Verajao, Zeller, #1 and #19
Cavs receive: Aldridge and Paul Pierce

Blazers trade: Aldridge and #10
Blazers receive: Verajao, Garnett, #1 and #19

Celtics trade: Garnett and Pierce
Celtics receive: Zeller and #10

Cleveland upgrades for a run next year and gets a legit big man to pair with Irving (and possibly LeBron). Portland remains competitive and takes a chance on Noel being what Oden couldn't be. Boston gets a lottery pick, a young big, and wipes their cap clean.

GL convincing Garnett to waive his no-trade clause to go to Portland

[rockymac52]

I don't think Aldridge is going anywhere this summer. I think he's frequently mentioned in trade rumors because he's at that stage in his career where he might be at his peak, or just about to begin his decline (even if it's slow), and he's stuck on a lottery team that doesn't have much hope of transforming into a legitimate contender in the West any time soon. It makes sense that Aldridge might want to play for a contender while he's still at the top of his game, in which case he'd want out. But he doesn't seem like the type of player to complain about a situation like that, and I don't see him forcing a trade. Then you have the Blazers, who are constantly in limbo trying to become a contender at all costs, because that's their owner's goal. Even if the Cavs or another team wanted Aldridge and could put together a nice package to acquire him, I highly doubt the Blazers bite at this point. They're a bit delusional about their short-term playoff chances (ironically, much like the Cavs), and they seem willing to give up long-term assets to acquire better short-term assets (again, similar to the Cavs).

[LyricalRico]

^ Interesting. Maybe the #1+Verajao for Aldridge, and Zeller+19 for Pierce?

EDIT:

Actually, let's make it a 3-way! Agreed to on draft night, and executed on July 1 once CLE/POR have the requisite cap space:

Cavs trade: Verajao, Zeller, #1 and #19
Cavs receive: Aldridge and Paul Pierce

Blazers trade: Aldridge and #10
Blazers receive: Verajao, Garnett, #1 and #19

Celtics trade: Garnett and Pierce
Celtics receive: Zeller and #10

Cleveland upgrades for a run next year and gets a legit big man to pair with Irving (and possibly LeBron). Portland remains competitive and takes a chance on Noel being what Oden couldn't be. Boston gets a lottery pick, a young big, and wipes their cap clean.

GL convincing Garnett to waive his no-trade clause to go to Portland

Yeah, I thought about that. Maybe add HOU and sent KG there for TRob+filler? The Rockets could still do a S&T for Dwight and fit it under the cap if they sent Asik to LAL.

[MikeTheKid]

^ Interesting. Maybe the #1+Verajao for Aldridge, and Zeller+19 for Pierce?

EDIT:

Actually, let's make it a 3-way! Agreed to on draft night, and executed on July 1 once CLE/POR have the requisite cap space:

Cavs trade: Verajao, Zeller, #1 and #19
Cavs receive: Aldridge and Paul Pierce

Blazers trade: Aldridge and #10
Blazers receive: Verajao, Garnett, #1 and #19

Celtics trade: Garnett and Pierce
Celtics receive: Zeller and #10

Cleveland upgrades for a run next year and gets a legit big man to pair with Irving (and possibly LeBron). Portland remains competitive and takes a chance on Noel being what Oden couldn't be. Boston gets a lottery pick, a young big, and wipes their cap clean.

GL convincing Garnett to waive his no-trade clause to go to Portland

Yeah, I thought about that. Maybe add HOU and sent KG there for TRob+filler? The Rockets could still do a S&T for Dwight and fit it under the cap if they sent Asik to LAL.

That could actually work Rico

[rockymac52]

Wow, Patty Mills decided to exercise his player option, and will remain with the Spurs next season, despite making only $1.1 million and being buried in the depth chart. That surprised me quite a bit. Maybe the Spurs know they're letting Gary Neal go (or perhaps Ginobili), and they told Mills he'd be needed and he'd get his minutes. Who knows?

[FAH1223]

Dave Joerger is officially the Head Coach in Memphis.

The guy many of us on this board wanted is now a HC in the NBA. Good move by the Grizz to keep the continuity.

[LyricalRico]

^ Good move? I"m not so sure. By promoting from within, I would imagine they are basically going to keep the same system. If that's the case, why fire Hollins in the first place? Seems like they just wanted to save money by dumping the higher profile guy and paying the "first time head coach" discount rate.

Well, their decision to cut costs by trading Gay ended with them almost going to the Finals, so maybe they know what they're doing. LOL

[rockymac52]

Getting the same quality product for a reduced price is good business.

But I think they decided to let Hollins go because he didn't see eye to eye with the front office, particularly in regards to the value of statistical analysis. Memphis knew that the reason their team was so good was their defense, and Joerger was the mastermind behind the defense, so he probably deserved the recognition and salary that a head coach normally gets.

[Ruzious]

Dave Joerger is officially the Head Coach in Memphis.

The guy many of us on this board wanted is now a HC in the NBA. Good move by the Grizz to keep the continuity.

I like that move, and I like Denver's move to hire Brian Shaw. Good to see Shaw finally get a head coaching job - after being seemingly being turned down for several other jobs over the last few years.

[pancakes3]

I bet Shaw will be hyped up big time by the media if/when he becomes uber successful next season. With the team coming back healthy, I can see them being 2nd round material depending on the matchup. If he can develop talent the way he's credited by many past players, that nuggets team could potentially be a juggernaut. I hope he unleashes the beast that is Anthony Randolph. I don't know who has more untapped potential - him or McGee.

[Upper Decker]

I see Denver regressing BIG time next year. I wouldn't be shocked if they win less than 40 games. I expect them to drop 12-15 games next year for several reasons.

1. Iggy opt'd out and I highly doubt he resigns. Almost immediately after the trade he said he was opting out and I know he was close with Karl. He's going to get better offers to compete elsewhere. Less Iggy = More losses
2. Gallo tore his ACL two months ago, but just had surgery a couple weeks ago. He's highly unlikely to return until after the ASB. Less Gallo = More losses
3. The buzz word out in Denver is "player development" and there has been a lot of discussion about how Karl refused to develop players (I'm looking at you McGee and Magic Randolph). I expect that management will force Shaw to start McGee and if he plays 35 mpg against starters he'll be exposed, just like he was in Washington. Karl coached McGee perfectly last year. As an 18 mpg back up against other back ups he's effective, against starters he's exposed. More McGee = less wins

[rockymac52]

I see Denver regressing BIG time next year. I wouldn't be shocked if they win less than 40 games. I expect them to drop 12-15 games next year for several reasons.

1. Iggy opt'd out and I highly doubt he resigns. Almost immediately after the trade he said he was opting out and I know he was close with Karl. He's going to get better offers to compete elsewhere. Less Iggy = More losses
2. Gallo tore his ACL two months ago, but just had surgery a couple weeks ago. He's highly unlikely to return until after the ASB. Less Gallo = More losses
3. The buzz word out in Denver is "player development" and there has been a lot of discussion about how Karl refused to develop players (I'm looking at you McGee and Magic Randolph). I expect that management will force Shaw to start McGee and if he plays 35 mpg against starters he'll be exposed, just like he was in Washington. Karl coached McGee perfectly last year. As an 18 mpg back up against other back ups he's effective, against starters he's exposed. More McGee = less wins

1. I agree with you that if Iggy left, they'd regress. But I'm not convinced he's leaving yet, although it certainly doesn't look too good.

2. I read something recently about how Gallo didn't actually tear his ACL or something like that. He's expecting to be ready for the start of the season now I believe.

3. We'll see I guess. I think McGee can handle more minutes just fine. I also have confidence in Shaw's ability to develop players, from what we've seen so far.

If they lose Iggy, they could take a step back this year, but they're still a lock for the playoffs. If they re-sign Iggy, I think it's very plausible that they actually improve.

[LyricalRico]

Latest from around the league:

If the Celtics can unload Pierce to a team with enough cap space to absorb his salary, they will get a trade exception worth Pierce’s salary, or $15.3 million. And if that happens, the plan is already in place. According to a source, the Celtics have a sign-and-trade offer ready for Atlanta forward Josh Smith that would be the top priority in free agency.

According to ESPN.com, just two years into his tenure, the Kings are looking to move guard Jimmer Fredette in an effort to get a low first-round pick, where the team would take a shooting guard. The site pointed to Indiana (No. 23) or Utah (No. 21) as potential destinations for Fredette.

http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/story/2 ... eng-jimmer

The Rockets are in advanced talks on a cap-clearing trade of forward Thomas Robinson, with a deal potentially “imminent,” a person with knowledge of their plans said on Tuesday.

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls have shown interest in Robinson, according to another individual with knowledge of the Rockets efforts to move Robinson’s $3.5 million salary next season. The Bulls may be interested in Robinson as part of a larger deal, the individual said.

San Antonio had been interested in Robinson but the teams are not in talks about a deal. It would be difficult for the Spurs to make any sort of deal for Robinson directly with the Rockets and would likely have to add a third team in a larger deal.

http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2 ... -robinson/

[Ruzious]

Speaking of Pierce, don't be surprised if the Bucks make a strong push for him. They have cap room, and they NEED a 3. They also seem to be interested in Allen Crabbe in the draft.

[LyricalRico]

But the Cavs are also exploring trading the top pick since they’re not in love with any one player who in a “normal” year wouldn’t be a top pick. According to a source, Cleveland offered the No. 1 pick, Tristan Thompson and Dion Waiters to try and land Minnesota’s Kevin Love. But new Timberwolves president Flip Saunders won’t move Love.

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_ ... raft-picks



Not sure which is more unbelievable - that CLE would offer that package for Love, or that MIN would turn it down.