Kawhi Thread, Numero 4 -- Traded to Raptors for DeRozan, others

[LarryBirdsFingr]

Well, I met Greg Popovich today. ( I respectfully did not ask him about Kahwi. And he seemed to appreciate it)

One town to the north, the streets are filled with families and vacationers. One town to the south, the streets are filled with families and vacationers.

The town in the middle is ghost town. A quaint Maine shipping/boating town, but not really a vacation destination. Who is literally the only person sitting on the bench on main street? Greg Popovich. (He lives in the area)

I approached him, and told him I appreciated all he has given to the game, and to the world with his wisdom and timely/insightful views on social issues. I also mentioned how beautiful his system is to watch, and that it has always been a pleasure to see his teams play. He said that it was "very flattering".

He made classic pop joke when i first approached and said "haha sorry to bother you". He laughed and responded with "usually maine is a pretty good hiding spot for me, i love it here"

He asked me "what do you do" and i gave him my background, and my relation to the celtics. We spent most of the rest of our brief conversation talking about murray, and how foolish so many NBA teams were for overlooking him. He thinks "murray is really going surprise a lot of people some day"

I did not ask him for a selfie, because i hate that BS, but I did sneak snap this pic as I approached him.

I didn't realize Pop had a place there. It's gotta be a tough first summer without his wife. We have a wedding shower in the next town over this weekend. You from that town, LBF, or just visiting?

I have homes in boston, NH, and Maine.

[Bohemian]

Well, I met Greg Popovich today. ( I respectfully did not ask him about Kahwi. And he seemed to appreciate it)

One town to the north, the streets are filled with families and vacationers. One town to the south, the streets are filled with families and vacationers.

The town in the middle is ghost town. A quaint Maine shipping/boating town, but not really a vacation destination. Who is literally the only person sitting on the bench on main street? Greg Popovich. (He lives in the area)

I approached him, and told him I appreciated all he has given to the game, and to the world with his wisdom and timely/insightful views on social issues. I also mentioned how beautiful his system is to watch, and that it has always been a pleasure to see his teams play. He said that it was "very flattering".

He made classic pop joke when i first approached and said "haha sorry to bother you". He laughed and responded with "usually maine is a pretty good hiding spot for me, i love it here"

He asked me "what do you do" and i gave him my background, and my relation to the celtics. We spent most of the rest of our brief conversation talking about murray, and how foolish so many NBA teams were for overlooking him. He thinks "murray is really going surprise a lot of people some day"

I did not ask him for a selfie, because i hate that BS, but I did sneak snap this pic as I approached him.

Awesome story. Thanks for sharing. It must have been cool to be able to talk to one of the most respected people in the NBA. At least in my case he is probably the person I respect the most outside the Boston Celtics. One of the best coaches in the history of the game.

[MaxwellSmart]

Well, I met Greg Popovich today. ( I respectfully did not ask him about Kahwi. And he seemed to appreciate it)

One town to the north, the streets are filled with families and vacationers. One town to the south, the streets are filled with families and vacationers.

The town in the middle is ghost town. A quaint Maine shipping/boating town, but not really a vacation destination. Who is literally the only person sitting on the bench on main street? Greg Popovich. (He lives in the area)

I approached him, and told him I appreciated all he has given to the game, and to the world with his wisdom and timely/insightful views on social issues. I also mentioned how beautiful his system is to watch, and that it has always been a pleasure to see his teams play. He said that it was "very flattering".

He made classic pop joke when i first approached and said "haha sorry to bother you". He laughed and responded with "usually maine is a pretty good hiding spot for me, i love it here"

He asked me "what do you do" and i gave him my background, and my relation to the celtics. We spent most of the rest of our brief conversation talking about murray, and how foolish so many NBA teams were for overlooking him. He thinks "murray is really going surprise a lot of people some day"

I did not ask him for a selfie, because i hate that BS, but I did sneak snap this pic as I approached him.

Nice, I would have had a hard time not yelling at him, for stealing Tim Duncan from us.
#neverforget

[ermocrate]

Is it even possible? How can we match his salary without including one of the starters?

With a Smart S/T, neither Tatum nor Brown matches Kawhi salary... Morris + Rozier are at 8.4m combined, a resigned Smart at 11+ millions makes the deal possible.

Anyway SA did make the PO without Kawhi this year and next year they will have room for a max contract. To me it's not too bad if they stay with Parker-Smart-Gay-Gasol-Aldridge-Mills-Rozier-Morris-Green-Murray and some journeyman for a year and then make a run for Towns or Klay Thompson while having 2 high draft picks.

No one is going to want to sign in San Antonio. They couldn't even attract free agents when they were at their peak (Aldridge was the only one); let alone now.

Wasn't San Antonio on Kyrie's list? Also I remeber that said for the Celtics.

[ermocrate]

This is a real post from a Lakers fan on their forums, or a newly converted Lakers fan I got no idea.

I guess we shouldn't bother since it's all being directed behind the scenes by Lebron!!!!!

We should all relax.

No one in this world is going to tell me that Lebron and Kawhi aren't talking to each other over all this. In fact, I'm fairly certain Lebron has had numerous phone conversations with Kawhi, and are probably talking as we write our posts here.

Lebron knows what's up with Kawhi's health status and where his mindset is. This info is being given to Magic's team, and this is what is driving the negotiations.

This is why I keep saying that Lebron didn't want PG on this Lakers team. Lebron is influencing more that you think.

Lebron probably knows for certain that he and KL are on the same page, so KL is telling him to tell the Laker management to chill out and don't trade certain people just to get him; keep certain players there.

This is why I'm not worried about any of this. Lebron is here, and he's doing more our Lakers than most would know.

Hey, can't blame the guy. I feel the exact same way, except replace Lakers with Celtics, Magic with Danny, and Lebron with Kyrie.

All this replace thing make me puke... Anyway, I don't thin Kyrie will ever call Kawhi, I think it's not even in favor getting him.

[ermocrate]

I love read Lakers stuff ...the more they can pump there own tyres up the better.

They have done well, which is what I want - lift them up to the middle of the lottery rankings and let them just be perennial cannon fodder in the West.

No disrespect but LBJ is going to find himself a year older, in a conference where teams in the bottom half of the playoffs wont be Pacers, Heat, Bucks & Wizards it will be Jazz, Spurs, Thunder & TWolves. No giving yourself a bit of a rest, they'll be in a dog eat dog race just to make the finals rather than shape where you sit.

Entry into the top half of the West is a 2 All Star minimum .....and to get this they are going to have to trade out the couple of tradable pieces they currently have.

Rondo, McGee .....it is comical and as a C's fan bring me more of this every day.

It is kinda funny I admit. Not all Lakers fans are still down with all these moves though, a few of them wanted the quiet rebuild in the west and to wait out the Warriors run. And some always hated Lebron and prefer Kobe. I would say most are slowly getting on board with it though but they realize their team isn't close to beating Golden State right now.

Yeah, for sure you can find a bunch of normal people even in a country of freaks.

[Valid]

With a Smart S/T, neither Tatum nor Brown matches Kawhi salary... Morris + Rozier are at 8.4m combined, a resigned Smart at 11+ millions makes the deal possible.

Anyway SA did make the PO without Kawhi this year and next year they will have room for a max contract. To me it's not too bad if they stay with Parker-Smart-Gay-Gasol-Aldridge-Mills-Rozier-Morris-Green-Murray and some journeyman for a year and then make a run for Towns or Klay Thompson while having 2 high draft picks.

No one is going to want to sign in San Antonio. They couldn't even attract free agents when they were at their peak (Aldridge was the only one); let alone now.

Wasn't San Antonio on Kyrie's list? Also I remeber that said for the Celtics.

1.) That was when Kawhi was there. You think Kyrie would have re-upped in SA if Kawhi was out?
2.) You cannot even compare San Antonio and Boston. Boston is a large market. San Antonio is essentially Cleveland.

[ermocrate]

No one is going to want to sign in San Antonio. They couldn't even attract free agents when they were at their peak (Aldridge was the only one); let alone now.

Wasn't San Antonio on Kyrie's list? Also I remeber that said for the Celtics.

1.) That was when Kawhi was there. You think Kyrie would have re-upped in SA if Kawhi was out?
2.) You cannot even compare San Antonio and Boston. Boston is a large market. San Antonio is essentially Cleveland.

1) Kyrie wanted to play with a great coach, the great coach is already there.
2) Yeah but still it's a place with a big Bball culture, not Cleveland, I agree only smart player can enjoy that and they are no a ton but still non inexistent.

[thebigeasy]

Thanks for sharing LBF! I give you a TON of credit for not even once mentioning the name Kawhi. And seeing his pic made my stomach drop. I, genuinely, feel bad for him in regards to him losing his partner in crime. I can whine and complain about the Mrs. with the best of them but I would never want to trade places and be sitting on that bench alone. Here's hoping that he can find someone to help fill the void because he's one of the few good guys left in the NBA and he deserves it. Thanks again!

[3D Chess]

Great post LBF.

Glad it was you that ran into him, and not Moose23, who would have come up with a 10-pick, 9 player, 5 team deal to pitch to Pop.

(sorry Moose, no offense).

[Afam]

Read on Twitter

[Afam]

Spurs should give permission to the celtics, maybe the sixers to either meet or talk to Kawhi. Something like a 24 - 48 hours. That is the only way they are going to get better offers.

[Valid]

Wasn't San Antonio on Kyrie's list? Also I remeber that said for the Celtics.

1.) That was when Kawhi was there. You think Kyrie would have re-upped in SA if Kawhi was out?
2.) You cannot even compare San Antonio and Boston. Boston is a large market. San Antonio is essentially Cleveland.

1) Kyrie wanted to play with a great coach, the great coach is already there.
2) Yeah but still it's a place with a big Bball culture, not Cleveland, I agree only smart player can enjoy that and they are no a ton but still non inexistent.

That great coach might be gone by 2020, and I highly doubt he just wants to play with a "great coach" in San Antonio. He is going to want to make sure he can win there, too.

[ThirtyFour]

Spoiler:

Well, I met Greg Popovich today. ( I respectfully did not ask him about Kahwi. And he seemed to appreciate it)

One town to the north, the streets are filled with families and vacationers. One town to the south, the streets are filled with families and vacationers.

The town in the middle is ghost town. A quaint Maine shipping/boating town, but not really a vacation destination. Who is literally the only person sitting on the bench on main street? Greg Popovich. (He lives in the area)

I approached him, and told him I appreciated all he has given to the game, and to the world with his wisdom and timely/insightful views on social issues. I also mentioned how beautiful his system is to watch, and that it has always been a pleasure to see his teams play. He said that it was "very flattering".

He made classic pop joke when i first approached and said "haha sorry to bother you". He laughed and responded with "usually maine is a pretty good hiding spot for me, i love it here"

He asked me "what do you do" and i gave him my background, and my relation to the celtics. We spent most of the rest of our brief conversation talking about murray, and how foolish so many NBA teams were for overlooking him. He thinks "murray is really going surprise a lot of people some day"

I did not ask him for a selfie, because i hate that BS, but I did sneak snap this pic as I approached him.

The real question here is who is playing who though

Well played! Bond with the interview target, prove you understand well enough to communicate with them, and get the best information you can from them, which rarely is exactly the secrets you would MOST want ...

He graduated with a bachelor's degree in Soviet Studies, and underwent Air Force intelligence training.[7] At one point, Popovich considered a career with the Central Intelligence Agency.[8][8] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregg_Popovich

A little game of cat and mouse? Cloak and Dagger? Pop probably tailed LBF all the way back to Boston In fact he may even have him under surveillance as we speak, just to see how much he knows about the Celtics and their intentions.

[sully00]

I keep sitting down and trying to figure this out. Saying to myself, "Obviously we're not going to give up the farm, and obviously San Antonio's not going to take a nothing burger, so what's a fair compromise?"

And I keep giving up after about two minutes. As long as we have reason to believe he's set on LAL, I'm not giving up any of Brown, Tatum or the Sac pick. And, for someone of Leonard's caliber, those are the only there assets that really matter. I don't see them accepting any combination of lesser picks and players, no matter how much raw quantity we try to shovel into the deal.

Since I haven't heard otherwise, I assume SAS still hasn't given us permission to speak with Leonard directly? If they want us to up our offer, one would think that they would do that, unless they know we're not going to like what we hear. So that's the only conclusion I can draw: that we wouldn't like what we heard.

So I'm at a point where I'm not just skeptical that there's a deal - I'm almost certain there's not one.

There is an update on Hoopsrumors about how complicated this is because Leonard's agent is not an NBA agent who people have a level of trust and nobody knows the validity of what his Uncle is saying. It seems like the communication situation is really bad for SA never mind mixing in another team. SA would also like KL to wake up tomorrow and change his mind and sign that super max contract. I think the Lakers talk was to put pressure on the Spurs who may not have been taking KL trade request seriously. Basically if you don't trade KL then he will sign with the Lakers in '19. There now seems to be just as much whispering that he doesn't really want to be Lebron's sidekick or try and share the town with him by going to the Clippers. That said he has no reason to give anyone any assurances on what he is going to do a year from now.

I always felt that Irving and Leonard where trying to get together. I am not so sure now I am concerned that from a marketing standpoint it may be difficult for them to share the same team. But you also have to have killer teammates to win. Would Irving and Leonard be the partnership that he may be concerned might not play out with Lebron?

[ConstableGeneva]

It's Philly (70%), Boston (20%), Lakers (7%), Clips (2%), field (1%). A wild guess.

[Fencer reregistered]

It's Philly (70%), Boston (20%), Lakers (7%), Clips (2%), field (1%). A wild guess.

The team with the best chance of keeping Kawhi afterwards if he plays there next season without a prior commitment is ...

....

...

... San Antonio.

So why would they trade him to anybody else if all they can get is one-year-rental fair value?

[ConstableGeneva]

It's Philly (70%), Boston (20%), Lakers (7%), Clips (2%), field (1%). A wild guess.

The team with the best chance of keeping Kawhi afterwards if he plays there next season without a prior commitment is ...

....

...

... San Antonio.

So why would they trade him to anybody else if all they can get is one-year-rental fair value?

Yeah, I should've clarified IF he were traded.

[Valid]

It's Philly (70%), Boston (20%), Lakers (7%), Clips (2%), field (1%). A wild guess.

I'd go 90 percent Lakers, 10 percent the field (if he gets traded, of course).

All the Lakers need to do is offer up Ingram and it's done.

[Valid]

How hilarious would all of this be if Kawhi suddenly decides to sign a supermax with San Antonio?

And you know what? Seeing how unbelievably volatile this situation has become, I'm not even sure I would rule out that possibility.