Random Rumor Thread: Post em here

[MatthewGeigerII]

curious - any recent news on dion waiters?

he was rumored all over then disappeared

[Scoot McGroot]

I want to make this clear as a Mod of this forum:

Ainge is fair game. I don't agree with much of the vitriol posted against him. But I understand it and he's a public figure and knock yourselves out.

But lumping Celtics fans in with him as a group is unfair and this board can and should be better than that. We have a large number of really great Celtics fans on the Trade Board who have had no issues at all with paying fair value for stars including the Nets picks.

Please don't generalize our fans here. That goes for all fanbases obviously.

Thanks

Chuck

Also, it shouldn't be held against Celtics fans if they post, or infer, "Ainge wouldn't include the Brooklyn picks". That's not Celtics fans refusing to include the Brooklyn pick. That's them saying what they think their GM would or wouldn't do. Big difference that we all overlook a lot of times.

[Scoot McGroot]

is Ty Lawson turning down minimum salary offers, or is nobody even interested? I haven't heard anything.

Indy media has had a few reports on him. It seems we wanted to keep him on a very team friendly deal (near the minimum, multiple years, with non-guaranteed future years) and jumped on Aaron Brooks after it seemed Ty wanted something with a bit more safety, if you will. Reports have him talking with several other teams, and I would assume he'll end up with someone on a Bi-Annual Exception, or something out of the MLE elsewhere, in all likelihood.

[Smitty731]

... he just calmly explains that he was just reporting what he was told...

Taking this out of context and prefacing this all with to being clear that I'm not discussing either of the situations talked about in this thread.

But this is a big problem with a lot of guys that cover stuff. There is in no small amounts of corners a 'I heard it I can run it' attitude, which results in stuff that doesn't pass the 'credible enough to post' muster getting posted because it was someone else who said it, I'm just reporting it.

The information to noise content is always low. Reporting stuff where it is zero just adds to the sound wave clutter. If someone saw Lebron vacationing in LA and asked someone around the league if LAC would do a S&T of Blake for him, thats not a news story. A team without cap space is not offering a 5 year deal to a guy they don't have Bird Rights on, even if an agent says they are.

Newspapers in general have gone from doing articles about what happens, to releasing edited news releases from the people involved in something. When they still have reporters, it is nice when the reporter actually works as a reporter and doesn't just mimic that transition, posting what amounts to pr releases from their various sources.

Edit: and to be clear, Smitty reporting this is the chatter is done in a very different way.

Yeah, fully agree with this. I obviously love to read what Smitty recaps cause I take it with a grain of salt and him just repeating what he's heard around gives some insight into executives' thinking and stuff, without it being necessarily reporting what's going to happen.

But when it comes to reporting itself, the difference between Woj, Shams, Lowe and all the journalists we respect, and the ones we don't, is those guys are very selective in what to report of the things they're hearing, and they thoroughly contrast what they hear with different sources from both sides, etc. until they get a clear picture of what's the actual situation vs what one side tells you about it.

This is spot on. In retrospect, I probably should held what I had. But I'm still a fan more than a journalist, so I jumped. But only after I confirmed a million times.

[Smitty731]

curious - any recent news on dion waiters?

he was rumored all over then disappeared

Lots of Waiters talks in Vegas this week. Everyone seems to think it is odd he hasn't gotten an offer yet. Some think it is because OKC will just match after losing KD. Others think he hasn't gotten anything worth signing and may just take the QO and be a UFA next year.

[BullyKing]

Taking this out of context and prefacing this all with to being clear that I'm not discussing either of the situations talked about in this thread.

But this is a big problem with a lot of guys that cover stuff. There is in no small amounts of corners a 'I heard it I can run it' attitude, which results in stuff that doesn't pass the 'credible enough to post' muster getting posted because it was someone else who said it, I'm just reporting it.

The information to noise content is always low. Reporting stuff where it is zero just adds to the sound wave clutter. If someone saw Lebron vacationing in LA and asked someone around the league if LAC would do a S&T of Blake for him, thats not a news story. A team without cap space is not offering a 5 year deal to a guy they don't have Bird Rights on, even if an agent says they are.

Newspapers in general have gone from doing articles about what happens, to releasing edited news releases from the people involved in something. When they still have reporters, it is nice when the reporter actually works as a reporter and doesn't just mimic that transition, posting what amounts to pr releases from their various sources.

Edit: and to be clear, Smitty reporting this is the chatter is done in a very different way.

Yeah, fully agree with this. I obviously love to read what Smitty recaps cause I take it with a grain of salt and him just repeating what he's heard around gives some insight into executives' thinking and stuff, without it being necessarily reporting what's going to happen.

But when it comes to reporting itself, the difference between Woj, Shams, Lowe and all the journalists we respect, and the ones we don't, is those guys are very selective in what to report of the things they're hearing, and they thoroughly contrast what they hear with different sources from both sides, etc. until they get a clear picture of what's the actual situation vs what one side tells you about it.

This is spot on. In retrospect, I probably should held what I had. But I'm still a fan more than a journalist, so I jumped. But only after I confirmed a million times.

I'm going to disagree with you. Once you have a reputation/following, you can be as selective as people like Woj/Lowe. But (with all due respect), you're trying to create that reputation and that requires taking some educated gambles on stuff (not saying you should or ever would just throw stuff out there).

[HartfordWhalers]

I'm going to disagree with you. Once you have a reputation/following, you can be as selective as people like Woj/Lowe. But (with all due respect), you're trying to create that reputation and that requires taking some educated gambles on stuff (not saying you should or ever would just throw stuff out there).

Lowe is a great name to include here. He has never gambled. The fact that he is possibly lumped in with Woj is because everything he ever reports is top notch. It is not because he has had so many amazing scoops. You have people like Broussard and Sheridan that gamble. And the result is that they aren't taken serious even if they occasionally hit on something. You get that level not by getting things spectacularly right once in a while, but in not being wrong in general.

{And again, I'm not relating this to Smitty, who I think has nicely prefaced a lot of what he puts out. I read it as something more along the lines of what Kyler's twitter does that a Broussard rumor. 95% of it might end up utterly meaningless in terms of anything ever happening, but a running narrative of "I hear ____ might be talking to ____. Lots of people think they won't talk about ___. ____ likes ____. The general league mood as it feels, and possible scuttlebutt that jumps out of that.}

[winter_mute_13]

I'm going to disagree with you. Once you have a reputation/following, you can be as selective as people like Woj/Lowe. But (with all due respect), you're trying to create that reputation and that requires taking some educated gambles on stuff (not saying you should or ever would just throw stuff out there).

I think Lowe is a very different from guys like Woj/Stein/Shams. Lowe is more of an analyst instead of a reporter. He does "break" news occasionally, but he doesn't compete directly with the likes of Woj.

I don't speak for Smitty obviously but I thought his work has more of an analysis feel.

[BullyKing]

I'm going to disagree with you. Once you have a reputation/following, you can be as selective as people like Woj/Lowe. But (with all due respect), you're trying to create that reputation and that requires taking some educated gambles on stuff (not saying you should or ever would just throw stuff out there).

I think Lowe is a very different from guys like Woj/Stein/Shams. Lowe is more of an analyst instead of a reporter. He does "break" news occasionally, but he doesn't compete directly with the likes of Woj.

I don't speak for Smitty obviously but I thought his work has more of an analysis feel.

Lowe was probably a bad example. I think my point was simply that people like Woj report things are done and being finalized. If something's being finalized, Smitty's not going to get it before Woj. So to build a following, he needs to get out there if he hears something is being seriously discussed. Sometimes that will be "right" (in the sense only that it actually gets completed) and sometimes it will be "wrong." The balance is in the presentation and being clear that this is only being talked about. I have fully confidence in Smitty in how to phrase things. I have less confidence in people's ability to comprehend it accurately.

[BullyKing]

I'm going to disagree with you. Once you have a reputation/following, you can be as selective as people like Woj/Lowe. But (with all due respect), you're trying to create that reputation and that requires taking some educated gambles on stuff (not saying you should or ever would just throw stuff out there).

Lowe is a great name to include here. He has never gambled. The fact that he is possibly lumped in with Woj is because everything he ever reports is top notch. It is not because he has had so many amazing scoops. You have people like Broussard and Sheridan that gamble. And the result is that they aren't taken serious even if they occasionally hit on something. You get that level not by getting things spectacularly right once in a while, but in not being wrong in general.

{And again, I'm not relating this to Smitty, who I think has nicely prefaced a lot of what he puts out. I read it as something more along the lines of what Kyler's twitter does that a Broussard rumor. 95% of it might end up utterly meaningless in terms of anything ever happening, but a running narrative of "I hear ____ might be talking to ____. Lots of people think they won't talk about ___. ____ likes ____. The general league mood as it feels, and possible scuttlebutt that jumps out of that.}

I can't believe what I'm about to say but someone like Keith Pompey is actually a decent example. He rarely "breaks" anything but when he does, he is typically right and out in front of the pack.

[HartfordWhalers]

I'm going to disagree with you. Once you have a reputation/following, you can be as selective as people like Woj/Lowe. But (with all due respect), you're trying to create that reputation and that requires taking some educated gambles on stuff (not saying you should or ever would just throw stuff out there).

Lowe is a great name to include here. He has never gambled. The fact that he is possibly lumped in with Woj is because everything he ever reports is top notch. It is not because he has had so many amazing scoops. You have people like Broussard and Sheridan that gamble. And the result is that they aren't taken serious even if they occasionally hit on something. You get that level not by getting things spectacularly right once in a while, but in not being wrong in general.

{And again, I'm not relating this to Smitty, who I think has nicely prefaced a lot of what he puts out. I read it as something more along the lines of what Kyler's twitter does that a Broussard rumor. 95% of it might end up utterly meaningless in terms of anything ever happening, but a running narrative of "I hear ____ might be talking to ____. Lots of people think they won't talk about ___. ____ likes ____. The general league mood as it feels, and possible scuttlebutt that jumps out of that.}

I can't believe what I'm about to say but someone like Keith Pompey is actually a decent example. He rarely "breaks" anything but when he does, he is typically right and out in front of the pack.

Guess I would disagree there as well. Pompey has stuff that is verifiably factually wrong what feels like a third of the time, and dubious another third. He nails some stuff, but when he reports anything I'm not willing to give it credence for being in the portion of stuff that is true versus the larger portion that is just stuff. Not until it gets verified elsewhere. And it certainly hasn't increased his trust level nationally as a reporter or anything.

[BullyKing]

Lowe is a great name to include here. He has never gambled. The fact that he is possibly lumped in with Woj is because everything he ever reports is top notch. It is not because he has had so many amazing scoops. You have people like Broussard and Sheridan that gamble. And the result is that they aren't taken serious even if they occasionally hit on something. You get that level not by getting things spectacularly right once in a while, but in not being wrong in general.

{And again, I'm not relating this to Smitty, who I think has nicely prefaced a lot of what he puts out. I read it as something more along the lines of what Kyler's twitter does that a Broussard rumor. 95% of it might end up utterly meaningless in terms of anything ever happening, but a running narrative of "I hear ____ might be talking to ____. Lots of people think they won't talk about ___. ____ likes ____. The general league mood as it feels, and possible scuttlebutt that jumps out of that.}

I can't believe what I'm about to say but someone like Keith Pompey is actually a decent example. He rarely "breaks" anything but when he does, he is typically right and out in front of the pack.

Guess I would disagree there as well. Pompey has stuff that is verifiably factually wrong what feels like a third of the time, and dubious another third. He nails some stuff, but when he reports anything I'm not willing to give it credence for being in the portion of stuff that is true versus the larger portion that is just stuff. Not until it gets verified elsewhere. And it certainly hasn't increased his trust level nationally as a reporter or anything.

You could be right and maybe I'm selectively remembering things he got first like Embiid's second surgery.

[Smitty731]

I will say that I have no desire to be Woj/Shams level. Those guys are the best in the business. They get almost everything. I love them as much as anyone else. But being around them this week, I got to see firsthand that what they do is very, very stressful. Those guys have multiple phones that are constantly buzzing. I don't want that life. I'm a nobody compared to them (or most!) and life got bonkers for me this week. I can't imagine their daily lives!

And I do consider myself a writer/analyst vs reporter. And there is a big difference to me. If nothing else, I've learned where I want to be on this side of the game!

On the other side, if a job with a team comes up...well, I'll see you all on the flip side!

[BuzzCity]

I will say that I have no desire to be Woj/Shams level. Those guys are the best in the business. They get almost everything. I love them as much as anyone else. But being around them this week, I got to see firsthand that what they do is very, very stressful. Those guys have multiple phones that are constantly buzzing. I don't want that life. I'm a nobody compared to them (or most!) and life got bonkers for me this week. I can't imagine their daily lives!

And I do consider myself a writer/analyst vs reporter. And there is a big difference to me. If nothing else, I've learned where I want to be on this side of the game!

On the other side, if a job with a team comes up...well, I'll see you all on the flip side!

Imma be honest Smitty, I come to this site all day everyday. Rumors or true discussions between teams, doesn't matter to me. Obviously I wouldn't want u or any other person on here just making up BS and feeding it to us like facts. However, the excitement and discussion about these rumors is what's great. If a trade or signing doesn't pan out, who cares?? I for one, love to hear any possible rumor. So keep it coming man. It's great for the board and much better than us having nothing to discuss.

[BullyKing]

I will say that I have no desire to be Woj/Shams level. Those guys are the best in the business. They get almost everything. I love them as much as anyone else. But being around them this week, I got to see firsthand that what they do is very, very stressful. Those guys have multiple phones that are constantly buzzing. I don't want that life. I'm a nobody compared to them (or most!) and life got bonkers for me this week. I can't imagine their daily lives!

And I do consider myself a writer/analyst vs reporter. And there is a big difference to me. If nothing else, I've learned where I want to be on this side of the game!

On the other side, if a job with a team comes up...well, I'll see you all on the flip side!

Imma be honest Smitty, I come to this site all day everyday. Rumors or true discussions between teams, doesn't matter to me. Obviously I wouldn't want u or any other person on here just making up BS and feeding it to us like facts. However, the excitement and discussion about these rumors is what's great. If a trade or signing doesn't pan out, who cares?? I for one, love to hear any possible rumor. So keep it coming man. It's great for the board and much better than us having nothing to discuss.

Definitely - would love you to post whatever you're hearing regardless of how flimsy*

* I reserve my right to hold you personally accountable when something you posted that I liked doesn't come to pass.

[Smitty731]

Definitely - would love you to post whatever you're hearing regardless of how flimsy*

* I reserve my right to hold you personally accountable when something you posted that I liked doesn't come to pass.

This made me laugh pretty hard. Thanks!

[pelifan]

When did this thread become a Smitty Q & A? I'm awfully confused.

[Sportfan73]

When did this thread become a Smitty Q & A? I'm awfully confused.

Just embrace it.

[Smitty731]

Ok. I am prefacing this with 2 things:

1. Do not overreact and go crazy, because this is all very loose.

2. Because it is very loose, I can not post it on Twitter. Plus, that didn't go great for me last time so....

Two of my sources have confirmed different parts of this and I am putting it together. And a third added a little credence as well. Here goes...

The Celtics are trying to go big. They want both Griffin and Westbrook. They would rather do it with agreements to stay in Boston but are willing to do it without those guarantees. So here is what the basic pieces in and out would be:

Boston gets: Blake Griffin, Paul Pierce and Russell Westbrook.

Boston gives to LAC: Amir Johnson, Tyler Zeller (S&T for 1 guaranteed year at around ~$6.5 million, just enough for salary matching) and 1 BRK pick + another first rounder (LAC pick back maybe?) and/or Jaylen Brown.

Boston gives to OKC: Marcus Smart, Jonas Jerebko, R.J. Hunter, Jordan Mickey, James Young + 1 BRK pick + another 1st Rounder or two (future BOS 1st and/or MEM 1st).

If LAC would rather, Boston will give up Crowder, but would prefer not to.

And they would then fill out their bench with veteran FAs. If Crowder goes in the LAC deal (which would also remove Zeller but include Holland), then Brown stays and Pierce starts with Brown backing him up. The Celtics like the idea of splitting Thomas and Westbrook to start games, but they would play plenty together.

Putting it all together:

We know the Griffin/Westbrook parts. The interesting part I got today from a different source was many of the veteran FAs who remain unsigned are waiting because their agents believe this is happening and they want to be the guys to fill out the Boston roster. Think some familiar names. Maybe some guys who recently wore the green.

[Karmaloop]

Wait...so the Celtics are not only getting Blake Griffin AND Russell Westbrook, but they're not giving up either Avery Bradley or Jae Crowder in this deal? Yeah, that smells off.