Around the League

[Snakebites]

Yeah, I think people are making assumptions about the Magic, Bulls, and Hornets. The Magic will be better this year, the Bulls could be better this year (the number of variables with that team is crazy), and the Hornets won't take a step backward as much as people think. They played their best ball when Al Jefferson was hurt and probably didn't bat an eyelash letting him walk, and I think MKG will be healthy this year, that will help them quite a bit.

[ChuckVanBrown]

Outside of Miami and Atlanta, I don't think any East team has declined this offseason. Knicks, Bucks, Magic, and Washington should be better than last season. How much better is up in the air. Even Brooklyn and Philly have made some minor improvements. They won't be playoff teams but will likely be a little better. Miami is now out of the playoff picture, but Atlanta is likely still a playoff contending team.

Bulls are a crapshoot. Could see them being competitive, but they may also be a disaster. Pacers have made roster improvements, but those may cancel out by not having Vogel.

Pistons and Hornets will likely be fighting for home court advantage. Raptors and Celtics will battle for a second seed, while the Cavs will be sitting at the top again.

[DBC10]

^Agreed.

I'd argue Atlanta has gotten a bit better with Horford out and DHoward in. Howard probides much needed rebounding and somewhat ok post scoring. Knicks should either be considerably better or everyone underperforms and they're looking from the outside once again. They're my lowkey pick for a great season this year. Might make them my second team again.

I love the moves made by Brooklyn. Getting Lin and offloading assets for younger talent has been refreshing to see unlike the Billy King era.

[joedumars1]

I don't get the MKG love. He was my favorite player in that class tho. Dre was 2nd! MKG hasn't developed a shot like I thought he would. Seems might be injury prone. This year is huge for him imo.

[MrBigShot]

According to Hornets fans the team plays significantly better when MKG is on the court stats wise. This will definitely be a big year for him, truth be told I'm still pretty high on him and think he can be an all star.

[coordinator0]

Yeah, they've maintained that for a couple years now. I believe them too. Jefferson isn't good anymore so losing him is no big deal. But they seemed to have replaced Al with Hibbert and he might actually be worse. Kaminsky should take a step forward though and play more minutes. Zeller is meh.

Lin on the other hand will be hard to replace. He played a big role for them last season and really gave the Hornets a different look with Walker and Batum on the court. Kidd-Gilchrist doesn't replace that. They signed Sessions but he's trash and neither Lamb or Belinelli are particularly inspiring either.

[sfballa13]

Yeah, I think people are making assumptions about the Magic, Bulls, and Hornets. The Magic will be better this year, the Bulls could be better this year (the number of variables with that team is crazy), and the Hornets won't take a step backward as much as people think. They played their best ball when Al Jefferson was hurt and probably didn't bat an eyelash letting him walk, and I think MKG will be healthy this year, that will help them quite a bit.

I think Hoiberg might need to be fired for that team to reach it's fullest potential

I think they definitely improved

Got Valentine in the draft and went from Rose, Noah (barely played) to Rondo, Wade, Robin Lopez

Id say thats a huge improvement

[MrBigShot]

viewtopic.php?f=20&t=1460156

Most heat fans preferred to tell Wade to beg for the minimum than clear room for him. This move will be catastrophic for the Heat imo. They wont make the playoffs, and future FAs will look at this and remember that when push comes to shove, even if you sacrifice and take less money, even if you carry your team to a championship and then help win 2 more, they wont take care of you. Bosh's health is up in the air. Whiteside's prime may very well end up being completely wasted.

Very puzzling that so many of them would prefer to keep Josh Richardson or McRoberts over bringing back Wade.

[Alexander]

viewtopic.php?f=20&t=1460156

Most heat fans preferred to tell Wade to beg for the minimum than clear room for him. This move will be catastrophic for the Heat imo. They wont make the playoffs, and future FAs will look at this and remember that when push comes to shove, even if you sacrifice and take less money, even if you carry your team to a championship and then help win 2 more, they wont take care of you. Bosh's health is up in the air. Whiteside's prime may very well end up being completely wasted.

Very puzzling that so many of them would prefer to keep Josh Richardson or McRoberts over bringing back Wade.

Yeah, this can't be a good look for Pat Riley. One of the good things about Joe Dumars was that he took care of his vets. When Wade sacrifices millions upon millions for Miami to make title runs, with the promise of having it made up for him on the back end, and that doesn't happen? I'd be wary of it as a free agent.

[joedumars1]

viewtopic.php?f=20&t=1460156

Most heat fans preferred to tell Wade to beg for the minimum than clear room for him. This move will be catastrophic for the Heat imo. They wont make the playoffs, and future FAs will look at this and remember that when push comes to shove, even if you sacrifice and take less money, even if you carry your team to a championship and then help win 2 more, they wont take care of you. Bosh's health is up in the air. Whiteside's prime may very well end up being completely wasted.

Very puzzling that so many of them would prefer to keep Josh Richardson or McRoberts over bringing back Wade.

I gave you a and1, but I woulnd't of let go of Richardson. Maybe Justise, but probably not. I'm sure they could've found a way tho if they really want to

[coordinator0]

viewtopic.php?f=20&t=1460156

Most heat fans preferred to tell Wade to beg for the minimum than clear room for him. This move will be catastrophic for the Heat imo. They wont make the playoffs, and future FAs will look at this and remember that when push comes to shove, even if you sacrifice and take less money, even if you carry your team to a championship and then help win 2 more, they wont take care of you. Bosh's health is up in the air. Whiteside's prime may very well end up being completely wasted.

Very puzzling that so many of them would prefer to keep Josh Richardson or McRoberts over bringing back Wade.

The poll just ended today so I'm sure there were some sour grapes votes. I wouldn't put a whole lot of emphasis on that.

[Pharaoh]

The Heat could have sent us McBob and a first to keep Wade, could have done a lot of things really.

They screwed their franchise player to avoid repeating the Lakers/Kobe scenario but IMO sometimes you gotta do it.

Guy won 3 titles as part of that organisation - how you treat him on the way up AND on the way down matters.

On Charlotte: I don't think they miss Lin as much as people think...and hindsight being what it is I think they overpaid for Al Jefferson in order to change the perception of their franchise...Batum stayed so it worked

[coordinator0]

Brooklyn just signed Crabbe to an offer sheet worth more than the premature report a few days ago. It's 4-years and $75+ million to be more specific. That's a ton, but the Nets need players and have cap space to spend. Especially since Miami is probably matching on Tyler Johnson now. I kind of like it for them, although Crabbe isn't particularly great. With their draft pick situation why not. Screw Boston.

[SAKURABA216]

Brooklyn just signed Crabbe to an offer sheet worth more than the premature report a few days ago. It's 4-years and $75+ million to be more specific. That's a ton, but the Nets need players and have cap space to spend. Especially since Miami is probably matching on Tyler Johnson now. I kind of like it for them, although Crabbe isn't particularly great. With their draft pick situation why not. Screw Boston.

Will this set the market for KCP? If Crabbe and Bazemore can pull in about 18.5 mil a year I'm scared what someone will offer Pope.

[coordinator0]

Depends on the season he has. Fournier and Crabbe got paid based overwhelmingly on their shooting. They don't bring a whole lot more to the table. If Caldwell-Pope ups his percentages from three by a good bit then the Pistons are likely looking at matching a max contract offer sheet for him (which would be around $24 million I beleive with the new cap projections) if they just don't give him one outright.

If it doesn't go up or just slightly increases then the contract is probably something in the $17-$20 million dollar on average range. Outside shooting is pretty much the only thing holding him back from being a very valuable wing. With Kentavious' age, better handles (still not good enough to be a plus though), midrange game, and finishing ability in addition to really good defense he will get paid a lot regardless. I'd like to see better shot selection from him too but that's also something I think gets better with experience. Unless you're Nick Young of course.

[tmorgan]

Hoping Pope starts at less than 20 mil annually is probably dreaming with a 102 million cap projection.

If he hits 35% of his threes this year (a marked improvement), it's guaranteed. If he plays about the same, it could still happen, because all kinds of league execs are likely in love with his defense.

[Blkbrd671]

Brooklyn just signed Crabbe to an offer sheet worth more than the premature report a few days ago. It's 4-years and $75+ million to be more specific. That's a ton, but the Nets need players and have cap space to spend. Especially since Miami is probably matching on Tyler Johnson now. I kind of like it for them, although Crabbe isn't particularly great. With their draft pick situation why not. Screw Boston.

Will this set the market for KCP? If Crabbe and Bazemore can pull in about 18.5 mil a year I'm scared what someone will offer Pope.

Why you guys so worried about having to pay KCP, if he's worth 19mil a year SVG will offer it to him , if he's not but other teams want to pay him that, then we have SJ and Hilliard waiting in the wing. If he shows he worth the 19 mil, that is exciting to think. I think we can safely say, SVG's not going to pay a player just because he likes him and is going to ignore the efficiency or offensive side of the ball.

If KCP takes the jump in his 4th year like so many other great players in the league, i think 20 mil is probably the number we looking at.

[Alexander]

oh, my, God, Ben Simmons' passing is superb.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brSJQGP33i4 vs Jazz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8xMmrXpOrc vs Celtics

[ChuckVanBrown]

KCP will definitely get at least $20m a season, barring any injuries. This free agency had placed a high value on productive players coming out of their rookie deals. KCP is no different, and is going to get paid big money.

My hope is he becomes a more consistent shooter this season. Then I'd have no issues with the Pistons handing him a big contract.

[Laimbeer]

Mo Speights to Clips for one year minimum. WTF.