Offseason Predictions Thread!

[fishercob]

Predict anything you want about where any player signs, for how much, how long, trades, etc!

[gravytrain24]

Durant will sign a 1 year deal with the Warriors. Then next season he and Russell Westbrook will sign with the Lakers.

[verbal8]

Durant will sign a 1 year deal with the Warriors. Then next season he and Russell Westbrook will sign with the Lakers.

I think there are 2 options if Durant re-signs with the Thunder - 1/1 or 5-year max.

I think if you put Lakers/Knicks on the Thunder(~58%) and redistribute the "Other" i think the Realgm poll is close:
http://basketball.realgm.com/poll/242409/Which-team-do-you-predict-Kevin-Durant-will-sign-with-in-free-agency

If he stays with the Thunder I predict he goes with the 5 year max.

[verbal8]

I predict the Knicks sign Dwight Howard with 4 year max.

[Ruzious]

I predict the Knicks sign Dwight Howard with 4 year max.

And... Rose and Melo will freeze him out of the offense.

[dckingsfan]

I predict the Knicks sign Dwight Howard with 4 year max.

PG: Rose, ??
SG: ??, Langston Galloway (RFA)
SF: Anthony, Cleanthony Early (RFA)
PF: Porzingis, Anthony
C: Howard, O'Quinn

[gtn130]

I predict the Knicks sign Dwight Howard with 4 year max.

PG: Rose, ??
SG: ??, Langston Galloway (RFA)
SF: Anthony, Cleanthony Early (RFA)
PF: Porzingis, Anthony
C: Howard, O'Quinn

pretty legit 36 win team right there

[nate33]

I think Durant signs the 1+1. Objectively, there's every reason to believe that OKC with Durant will be better than Golden State anyhow, since Golden State may lose some of their depth to the cap and since Iggy and Bogut will slow down. With that the case, I think Durant stays put, takes one last shot at winning it all for his home team, and then departing next year when there is more money.

I think the Wizards resign Beal to a max contract, and then sign one of Batum, Jeff Green, Marvin Williams or Ryan Anderson to an overpriced, 4-year contract. They also bring over Sato.

[80sballboy]

I think Durant signs the 1+1. Objectively, there's every reason to believe that OKC with Durant will be better than Golden State anyhow, since Golden State may lose some of their depth to the cap and since Iggy and Bogut will slow down. With that the case, I think Durant stays put, takes one last shot at winning it all for his home team, and then departing next year when there is more money.

I think the Wizards resign Beal to a max contract, and then sign one of Batum, Jeff Green, Marvin Williams or Ryan Anderson to an overpriced, 4-year contract. They also bring over Sato.

Yeah, seems about right on Wiz prediction. I'd prefer Batum, even though he's not a serious need. I know he wants to return to Charlotte but if they get Barnes, there is no need for Batum.

[nate33]

I think Durant signs the 1+1. Objectively, there's every reason to believe that OKC with Durant will be better than Golden State anyhow, since Golden State may lose some of their depth to the cap and since Iggy and Bogut will slow down. With that the case, I think Durant stays put, takes one last shot at winning it all for his home team, and then departing next year when there is more money.

I think the Wizards resign Beal to a max contract, and then sign one of Batum, Jeff Green, Marvin Williams or Ryan Anderson to an overpriced, 4-year contract. They also bring over Sato.

Yeah, seems about right on Wiz prediction. I'd prefer Batum, even though he's not a serious need. I know he wants to return to Charlotte but if they get Barnes, there is no need for Batum.

Agreed. I'd prefer Batum too.

[Dat2U]

I predict the Knicks sign Dwight Howard with 4 year max.

PG: Rose, ??
SG: ??, Langston Galloway (RFA)
SF: Anthony, Cleanthony Early (RFA)
PF: Porzingis, Anthony
C: Howard, O'Quinn

They want to keep Langston Galloway & Lance Thomas. They also have Justin Holiday & plan to bring over Willy Hernangomez (their 2nd pick from last year).

PG Derrick Rose / ???
SG ??? / Langston Galloway / Justin Holiday
SF Carmelo Anthony / Lance Thomas
PF Kristaps Porzingis / ???
CE Dwight Howard / Kyle O'Quinn / Willy Hernangomez

35-40 wins sounds about right.

[Dat2U]

I think Durant signs the 1+1. Objectively, there's every reason to believe that OKC with Durant will be better than Golden State anyhow, since Golden State may lose some of their depth to the cap and since Iggy and Bogut will slow down. With that the case, I think Durant stays put, takes one last shot at winning it all for his home team, and then departing next year when there is more money.

I think the Wizards resign Beal to a max contract, and then sign one of Batum, Jeff Green, Marvin Williams or Ryan Anderson to an overpriced, 4-year contract. They also bring over Sato.

Yeah, seems about right on Wiz prediction. I'd prefer Batum, even though he's not a serious need. I know he wants to return to Charlotte but if they get Barnes, there is no need for Batum.

Agreed. I'd prefer Batum too.

I want nothing to do with Batum. I don't see much difference b/w him & Porter (although they both have different roles - I believe they were similarly effective at them). I also think Batum stepped up in a contract year. He had a slow, steady decline in Portland. He's not a great shooter & he has to continually be urged to be more aggressive. With a $20 mil+ contract, he'd have little impetus to be aggressive anymore. And I don't see a positional fit with Porter as neither is really capable of guarding 4s. I like Otto as our starting 3 and I think Otto will continue to improve.

This is all probably moot anyways because he's likely to re-sign in Charlotte. Out of the guys you listed Jeff Green & Ryan Anderson are probably the most realistic options Ernie will pursue.

[dckingsfan]

I predict the Knicks sign Dwight Howard with 4 year max.

PG: Rose, ??
SG: ??, Langston Galloway (RFA)
SF: Anthony, Cleanthony Early (RFA)
PF: Porzingis, Anthony
C: Howard, O'Quinn

They want to keep Langston Galloway & Lance Thomas. They also have Justin Holiday & plan to bring over Willy Hernangomez (their 2nd pick from last year).

PG Derrick Rose / ???
SG ??? / Langston Galloway / Justin Holiday
SF Carmelo Anthony / Lance Thomas
PF Kristaps Porzingis / Carmelo Anthony/ ???
CE Dwight Howard / Kyle O'Quinn / Willy Hernangomez

35-40 wins sounds about right.

Got it, forgot about Thomas - do you think they bring Afflalo back?

[Dat2U]

PG: Rose, ??
SG: ??, Langston Galloway (RFA)
SF: Anthony, Cleanthony Early (RFA)
PF: Porzingis, Anthony
C: Howard, O'Quinn

They want to keep Langston Galloway & Lance Thomas. They also have Justin Holiday & plan to bring over Willy Hernangomez (their 2nd pick from last year).

PG Derrick Rose / ???
SG ??? / Langston Galloway / Justin Holiday
SF Carmelo Anthony / Lance Thomas
PF Kristaps Porzingis / Carmelo Anthony/ ???
CE Dwight Howard / Kyle O'Quinn / Willy Hernangomez

35-40 wins sounds about right.

Got it, forgot about Thomas - do you think they bring Afflalo back?

For the Wizards sake I hope so. He was every shade of terrible and stopped defender at a passable level years ago. I could see Eric Gordon being a target. Either way b/w Rose, Afflalo/Gordon & Melo you'd have one of the worst perimeter defending teams in the league.

[80sballboy]

Yeah, seems about right on Wiz prediction. I'd prefer Batum, even though he's not a serious need. I know he wants to return to Charlotte but if they get Barnes, there is no need for Batum.

Agreed. I'd prefer Batum too.

I want nothing to do with Batum. I don't see much difference b/w him & Porter (although they both have different roles - I believe they were similarly effective at them). I also think Batum stepped up in a contract year. He had a slow, steady decline in Portland. He's not a great shooter & he has to continually be urged to be more aggressive. With a $20 mil+ contract, he'd have little impetus to be aggressive anymore. And I don't see a positional fit with Porter as neither is really capable of guarding 4s. I like Otto as our starting 3 and I think Otto will continue to improve.

This is all probably moot anyways because he's likely to re-sign in Charlotte. Out of the guys you listed Jeff Green & Ryan Anderson are probably the most realistic options Ernie will pursue.

Totally disagree about Batum. He helped change Charlotte into a winner and he's much more of a facilatator than Otto is. Also a better defender. Not a great shooter, but adequate and yes, his numbers declined in Portland but the Hornets took a shot on him and how'd that work out?

But if Golden State (he's apparently their Plan B) wants him and Durant goes elsewhere as does Barnes, I'm sure he'll wind up there.

[gtn130]

I'm predicting the Wizards don't max anyone (outside of Beal) because Leonsis thinks that's the sharp move, so they effectively strike out on all impact players and then sign average to below average cheaper vets and play for 42 wins next year

[Dat2U]

Agreed. I'd prefer Batum too.

I want nothing to do with Batum. I don't see much difference b/w him & Porter (although they both have different roles - I believe they were similarly effective at them). I also think Batum stepped up in a contract year. He had a slow, steady decline in Portland. He's not a great shooter & he has to continually be urged to be more aggressive. With a $20 mil+ contract, he'd have little impetus to be aggressive anymore. And I don't see a positional fit with Porter as neither is really capable of guarding 4s. I like Otto as our starting 3 and I think Otto will continue to improve.

This is all probably moot anyways because he's likely to re-sign in Charlotte. Out of the guys you listed Jeff Green & Ryan Anderson are probably the most realistic options Ernie will pursue.

Totally disagree about Batum. He helped change Charlotte into a winner and he's much more of a facilatator than Otto is. Also a better defender. Not a great shooter, but adequate and yes, his numbers declined in Portland but the Hornets took a shot on him and how'd that work out?

But if Golden State (he's apparently their Plan B) wants him and Durant goes elsewhere as does Barnes, I'm sure he'll wind up there.

Charlotte adding a quality player in the mix in Batum, moving Cody from PF to C (better spacing) and getting career years from Kemba Walker & Marvin Williams helped Charlotte get to 48 wins. Batum alone did not make Charlotte a winner, he was a piece of a bigger puzzle.

Batum was the 2nd ball-handler in their lineup. Otto was mainly off-the-ball as a 3&D guy. Both were solid at their roles. I don't see a wide variance in terms of their level of performance, again it's just Batum's role was different. I think Otto could do more than he was asked. Coming out of college, I though Otto was quite skilled with the ball in his hands --- even further along than when Beal first came out. But while Beal was pushed to address his ball-handling weaknesses, Otto was pretty much pigeonholed into a much smaller role off-the-ball.

And again, I don't see a fit on the roster. Batum pushes Otto to the bench. Otto is much better than a 15-minute backup. Otto is already a better shooter at this stage of his career. I also don't see how you play them together unless your putting one of them at SG as neither offers enough physicality to help as a stretch 4. It's a piss poor allocation of resources to blow 20+ mil on Batum when you have Otto still on his rookie deal and were not gaining a whole lot of wins in that swap. Your basically paying a massive premium for what amounts to a marginal upgrade at best.

I also disagree that Batum is a superior defender. You may be looking at the individual defensive ability of Otto but defense is so much more than individual D. Otto struggles with bigger SFs but most players struggle with the likes of Melo, LeBron, George & Durant. The only way you stop guys like that is with solid team concepts that are executed at a high level.

[Rafael122]

I think DeRozan and Whiteside go to the Lakers. Conley signs w/the Spurs, Horford goes to Miami.

[gtn130]

I think DeRozan and Whiteside go to the Lakers. Conley signs w/the Spurs, Horford goes to Miami.

DeRozan is a huge favorite to resign with Toronto. DDR wants to be back and Toronto wants him back. They're gonna max him afaik

[fishercob]

I am predicting at least one of Durant and Horford sign with Boston -- and potentially both.