Season speculation, free agency, and trade ideas: #ValleyBoyz rise up

[TASTIC]

Delon Wright. Another triple double - would LOVE him here...

[bwgood77]

He then went to Detroit and did the same thing, taking a bad franchise (29-53, 12th in the East) and turned them around into a playoff team within 2 seasons. This would have been their 2nd Playoff season under him (Thanks to the Blake Griffin trade he made), but of course he was let go before seeing the fruits of his labor come to fruition.

Well he worked for Stan Van Gundy who was also coach, so if he wasn't let go Stan would likely still be the coach and I doubt they make it this year without Dwane Casey....as it is they are barely making it...even though they will maybe be the 6 seed, all of 6-8 will barely make it (Miami probably got knocked out due to their OT loss to the Raptors today).

[bwgood77]

Delon Wright. Another triple double - would LOVE him here...

He's another guy we can throw an offer sheet at. Wouldn't be opposed but if Grizzlies are thinking of moving on from Conley, Wright is probably the guy they would want to keep around after a game like this. Conley might be just as likely if we wanted to trade Tyler Johnson for him and swap picks or something.

I wish the Mavs would have beaten them though. The Mavs and Grizzlies were both 31-47 and had two games against each other Friday and Sunday. Mavs lost the first one....I guess this one went into OT. I want the Mavs to win to have worse Zion odds. Really don't want to see them get Zion. Right now they are sitting in a spot with a 9% chance...if they could just drop 3 or 4 spots (it's very close in standings) it could drop to like 4.5%

[Jdiddy701]

Am I the only reading into Kelly Oubre’s tweet a lil too much? Can teams resign players right now?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[lilfishi22]

Am I the only reading into Kelly Oubre’s tweet a lil too much? Can teams resign players right now?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

What did he say?

[Jdiddy701]

Am I the only reading into Kelly Oubre’s tweet a lil too much? Can teams resign players right now?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

What did he say?

[url]

Read on Twitter

[/url]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[lilfishi22]

Am I the only reading into Kelly Oubre’s tweet a lil too much? Can teams resign players right now?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

What did he say?

[url]

Read on Twitter

[/url]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Maybe you are reading too much into it

I'm pretty sure the teams could start extending their own free agents as soon as their season ends. Our season ends after the Mavs game.

[bwgood77]

What did he say?

[url]

Read on Twitter

[/url]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Maybe you are reading too much into it

I'm pretty sure the teams could start extending their own free agents as soon as their season ends. Our season ends after the Mavs game.

Yeah, he may have wanted the trademark anyway. But I think he expects to stay and wants to stay. I don't know what the rules are on extending but I think he'd want to look at the market for negotiating power unless we gave him a big offer off the bat..I assume he wants a lot...Wizards realized they didn't want to pay him what he wanted so they dealt him.

[Kerrsed]

What I like most about Jeff Bower is the fact that I've never heard of him.

We don't need another decision maker, really. We just need perspective, experience, expertise. This dude sounds like he fits the bill.

I'd be worried about Bower. He's part of the reason that Chris Paul forced his way out of New Orleans. I wouldn't call his rebuild a success here when he couldn't put a team around Paul who forced a trade the season after Bower was fired. If you're at all concerned about Booker forcing his way out of Phoenix then maybe consider looking elsewhere.

I think it's certainly a GM's job to build a team around superstars but like Demps, who has his failings too, New Orleans just isn't a free agent destination. It's one of the smallest markets in the league and while they were lucky enough to land CP3 and AD over successive eras, if you look at all the good players who played with them, they were all traded or drafted players. All of them. Over the past decade and a bit with AD and CP3, some of the best players on those teams were CP3 (drafted), AD (drafted) David West (drafted), Jrue (traded), Eric Gordon (traded), Cousins (traded), Mirotic (traded), Peja (traded), and Tyson Chandler (traded). Every single halfway decent team they've ever assembled, they've done so with zero help in free agency.

Exactly. A great article that i was using for a previous post is this one:

https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2011/12/2/2605301/chris-paul-rumors-deron-williams-trade-hook

Did Utah fail to build a solid team around DeRon Williams? It almost mirrors the CP3 situation, except that Utah saw the signs coming and knew they had to trade him while they could or else he would demand a trade or walk in FA. Demps (Who was GM in NO at the time) wasnt so smart and held on and pretty much got burned.

CP3 leaving was pretty much The Small Market Syndrome that many of these smaller market teams suffer. Big Stars want to go to Big Cities, with a nice night-life and big TV market where they can land those all important advertising deals. Besides the Jordan Brand, does anyone remember Chris Paul in Commercials from his time in New Orleans? NOPE! But the moment he went to LA all of a sudden he is showing up on our TVs with his twin brother in State Farm ads.

[bwgood77]

I'd be worried about Bower. He's part of the reason that Chris Paul forced his way out of New Orleans. I wouldn't call his rebuild a success here when he couldn't put a team around Paul who forced a trade the season after Bower was fired. If you're at all concerned about Booker forcing his way out of Phoenix then maybe consider looking elsewhere.

I think it's certainly a GM's job to build a team around superstars but like Demps, who has his failings too, New Orleans just isn't a free agent destination. It's one of the smallest markets in the league and while they were lucky enough to land CP3 and AD over successive eras, if you look at all the good players who played with them, they were all traded or drafted players. All of them. Over the past decade and a bit with AD and CP3, some of the best players on those teams were CP3 (drafted), AD (drafted) David West (drafted), Jrue (traded), Eric Gordon (traded), Cousins (traded), Mirotic (traded), Peja (traded), and Tyson Chandler (traded). Every single halfway decent team they've ever assembled, they've done so with zero help in free agency.

Exactly. A great article that i was using for a previous post is this one:

https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2011/12/2/2605301/chris-paul-rumors-deron-williams-trade-hook

Did Utah fail to build a solid team around DeRon Williams? It almost mirrors the CP3 situation, except that Utah saw the signs coming and knew they had to trade him while they could or else he would demand a trade or walk in FA. Demps (Who was GM in NO at the time) wasnt so smart and held on and pretty much got burned.

CP3 leaving was pretty much The Small Market Syndrome that many of these smaller market teams suffer. Big Stars want to go to Big Cities, with a nice night-life and big TV market where they can land those all important advertising deals. Besides the Jordan Brand, does anyone remember Chris Paul in Commercials from his time in New Orleans? NOPE! But the moment he went to LA all of a sudden he is showing up on our TVs with his twin brother in State Farm ads.

How many superstars have stayed after their second contract on the team that drafted them? You got the two supposedly retiring this year....any stars in the NBA today? Curry did..is that it?

[lilfishi22]

[url]

Read on Twitter

[/url]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Maybe you are reading too much into it

I'm pretty sure the teams could start extending their own free agents as soon as their season ends. Our season ends after the Mavs game.

Yeah, he may have wanted the trademark anyway. But I think he expects to stay and wants to stay. I don't know what the rules are on extending but I think he'd want to look at the market for negotiating power unless we gave him a big offer off the bat..I assume he wants a lot...Wizards realized they didn't want to pay him what he wanted so they dealt him.

I always thought (and heard) you could start negotiating and agreeing to deals as soon as a team is done with the season. Not sure about the actual inking of deals though.

I think it was you that posted something about his likely market value which was in the low $10M's based on some analysis or something and that's the kind of figure which I hope we can sign him to. I think that's fair

[lilfishi22]

I think it's certainly a GM's job to build a team around superstars but like Demps, who has his failings too, New Orleans just isn't a free agent destination. It's one of the smallest markets in the league and while they were lucky enough to land CP3 and AD over successive eras, if you look at all the good players who played with them, they were all traded or drafted players. All of them. Over the past decade and a bit with AD and CP3, some of the best players on those teams were CP3 (drafted), AD (drafted) David West (drafted), Jrue (traded), Eric Gordon (traded), Cousins (traded), Mirotic (traded), Peja (traded), and Tyson Chandler (traded). Every single halfway decent team they've ever assembled, they've done so with zero help in free agency.

Exactly. A great article that i was using for a previous post is this one:

https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2011/12/2/2605301/chris-paul-rumors-deron-williams-trade-hook

Did Utah fail to build a solid team around DeRon Williams? It almost mirrors the CP3 situation, except that Utah saw the signs coming and knew they had to trade him while they could or else he would demand a trade or walk in FA. Demps (Who was GM in NO at the time) wasnt so smart and held on and pretty much got burned.

CP3 leaving was pretty much The Small Market Syndrome that many of these smaller market teams suffer. Big Stars want to go to Big Cities, with a nice night-life and big TV market where they can land those all important advertising deals. Besides the Jordan Brand, does anyone remember Chris Paul in Commercials from his time in New Orleans? NOPE! But the moment he went to LA all of a sudden he is showing up on our TVs with his twin brother in State Farm ads.

How many superstars have stayed after their second contract on the team that drafted them? You got the two supposedly retiring this year....any stars in the NBA today? Curry did..is that it?

Which is kind of why I think Booker would be on his way out as well if we're not competitive by the time we're halfway into his max deal. He's a competitive guy, has a lot of friends on a lot of different teams and athletes these days are far more about their own brand (winning helps their brand) than they are about building a team so I do think he'll want out the same way AD did, the same way CP3 did and the same way a lot of other stars did. It's exceedingly rare to have your KG type (super)star that is clearly one of the top players in the league and had little high level success with the team that drafted them but decide to stick around anyway.

Bower, if he's going to be one of the main voices of this team, along with Jones and Trevor will have a big job of bringing this team back to true competitive basketball and playoff contention or the biggest star we've had since Nash left the city is gone.

[dremill24]

Should claim Rodney McGruder...If only because he’s too good to be on the waiver wire.

[WeekapaugGroove]

I think it's certainly a GM's job to build a team around superstars but like Demps, who has his failings too, New Orleans just isn't a free agent destination. It's one of the smallest markets in the league and while they were lucky enough to land CP3 and AD over successive eras, if you look at all the good players who played with them, they were all traded or drafted players. All of them. Over the past decade and a bit with AD and CP3, some of the best players on those teams were CP3 (drafted), AD (drafted) David West (drafted), Jrue (traded), Eric Gordon (traded), Cousins (traded), Mirotic (traded), Peja (traded), and Tyson Chandler (traded). Every single halfway decent team they've ever assembled, they've done so with zero help in free agency.

Exactly. A great article that i was using for a previous post is this one:

https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2011/12/2/2605301/chris-paul-rumors-deron-williams-trade-hook

Did Utah fail to build a solid team around DeRon Williams? It almost mirrors the CP3 situation, except that Utah saw the signs coming and knew they had to trade him while they could or else he would demand a trade or walk in FA. Demps (Who was GM in NO at the time) wasnt so smart and held on and pretty much got burned.

CP3 leaving was pretty much The Small Market Syndrome that many of these smaller market teams suffer. Big Stars want to go to Big Cities, with a nice night-life and big TV market where they can land those all important advertising deals. Besides the Jordan Brand, does anyone remember Chris Paul in Commercials from his time in New Orleans? NOPE! But the moment he went to LA all of a sudden he is showing up on our TVs with his twin brother in State Farm ads.

How many superstars have stayed after their second contract on the team that drafted them? You got the two supposedly retiring this year....any stars in the NBA today? Curry did..is that it?

Westbrook curry and wall are the big names I can think of off the top of my head that are on their 3rd deals right now.

A lot of guys do leave after their second deal. Some because of winning but if you look at it plenty of guys have left good winning teams too. Sometimes guys just want a change after 8-9 years in one place and it's no fault of the team. And as much as its off-putting when guys like George and Davis force their way out a year early it's honestly better for their teams to get something in a trade vs having them simply walk.

I don't have a problem with guys leaving after their second contract it's their right. Teams decide to move on from guys at that time too. Both cousins and butler were super max eligible and the kings and bulls moved on before paying it. Now neither guy was much fun to deal with so that contributed. Funny how both those teams got ripped for their return at the time but now it looks much better.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using RealGM mobile app

[Kerrsed]

I think it's certainly a GM's job to build a team around superstars but like Demps, who has his failings too, New Orleans just isn't a free agent destination. It's one of the smallest markets in the league and while they were lucky enough to land CP3 and AD over successive eras, if you look at all the good players who played with them, they were all traded or drafted players. All of them. Over the past decade and a bit with AD and CP3, some of the best players on those teams were CP3 (drafted), AD (drafted) David West (drafted), Jrue (traded), Eric Gordon (traded), Cousins (traded), Mirotic (traded), Peja (traded), and Tyson Chandler (traded). Every single halfway decent team they've ever assembled, they've done so with zero help in free agency.

Exactly. A great article that i was using for a previous post is this one:

https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2011/12/2/2605301/chris-paul-rumors-deron-williams-trade-hook

Did Utah fail to build a solid team around DeRon Williams? It almost mirrors the CP3 situation, except that Utah saw the signs coming and knew they had to trade him while they could or else he would demand a trade or walk in FA. Demps (Who was GM in NO at the time) wasnt so smart and held on and pretty much got burned.

CP3 leaving was pretty much The Small Market Syndrome that many of these smaller market teams suffer. Big Stars want to go to Big Cities, with a nice night-life and big TV market where they can land those all important advertising deals. Besides the Jordan Brand, does anyone remember Chris Paul in Commercials from his time in New Orleans? NOPE! But the moment he went to LA all of a sudden he is showing up on our TVs with his twin brother in State Farm ads.

How many superstars have stayed after their second contract on the team that drafted them? You got the two supposedly retiring this year....any stars in the NBA today? Curry did..is that it?

Just off the top of my head......







Im sure i might be able to find more in time that kept with their team beyond the 2nd contract, but what if they left not on their own accord but because their team traded them instead? Im sure there are a couple in that boat as well (Harden).

Definitely see a trend with the names. All seem to be Point Guards that run the team/offense.

[bwgood77]

Just off the top of my head......



Im sure i might be able to find more in time that kept with their team beyond the 2nd contract, but what if they left not on their own accord but because their team traded them instead? Im sure there are a couple in that boat as well (Harden).

Definitely see a trend with the names. All seem to be Point Guards that run the team/offense.

Well Kemba is still on the tail end of his second. So he'd be one of the ones to just walk if he leaves.

[Crives]

How much money do you realistically think Oubre is looking at with valley boys merch? Would it be legal for him to do some sales through the suns and pick up a hefty royalty? If he’s looking at a big lifetime opportunity maybe this helps to drive his extension cost down.

[WeekapaugGroove]

How much money do you realistically think Oubre is looking at with valley boys merch? Would it be legal for him to do some sales through the suns and pick up a hefty royalty? If he’s looking at a big lifetime opportunity maybe this helps to drive his extension cost down.

I doubt he takes a discount for the merch. But it sure does look like he wants to stay so I'd guess they work out a reasonable deal before he hits the open market.

I'm not saying anything Kelly has done off the court hasn't been guenine but he really played this thing perfectly after the trade. Embraced the team and city and took on a vocal role I the locker room for the team he had the best chance of getting paid and playing a big role with the next few years.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using RealGM mobile app

[bwgood77]

How much money do you realistically think Oubre is looking at with valley boys merch? Would it be legal for him to do some sales through the suns and pick up a hefty royalty? If he’s looking at a big lifetime opportunity maybe this helps to drive his extension cost down.

I doubt he takes a discount for the merch. But it sure does look like he wants to stay so I'd guess they work out a reasonable deal before he hits the open market.

I'm not saying anything Kelly has done off the court hasn't been guenine but he really played this thing perfectly after the trade. Embraced the team and city and took on a vocal role I the locker room for the team he had the best chance of getting paid and playing a big role with the next few years.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using RealGM mobile app

Yeah, I was thinking it couldn't have worked out better for him to get paid. When we get Tyler we have a nice streak with Oubre in there too and then he's out for the season. Prior to Tyler with Oubre we had a huge losing streak.

Depends on if another team wants him. It should be $11-$14 a year maybe, including his positivity to locker room. Based on play, a bit lower range. But another team like Orlando may want him.

[bwgood77]

Richaun Holmes, Phoenix Suns
Ah, the fourth center in The Process. Holmes showed promise as a hoppy dive-and-dunk finisher, but the Sixers had no room for him; they dealt him to Phoenix for cash.

Holmes found himself behind a decorated veteran, Tyson Chandler, and the No. 1 pick in the draft, Deandre Ayton. "It wasn't a fair fight," says Igor Kokoskov, the Suns head coach. But Holmes brought a jolt of energy every time he stepped on the floor. The Suns bizarrely waived Chandler in November -- you're welcome, Bron! -- opening a full-time role for Holmes.

Holmes is shooting 61 percent, mostly on dunks and layups. Like Birch, he has embraced the drudgery of endless zero-to-60 rim runs that yield little in the way of touches or numbers. Only three rotation bigs roll to the rim after setting picks more often, per possession, than Holmes, according to Second Spectrum. Phoenix has been much better with Holmes on the floor.

He has taken zero 3s after launching 77 two seasons ago as the Sixers tried to turn him into a stretch-center and find minutes for him at power forward. He hasn't given up that dream.

"I'll get back to shooting 3s," Holmes says. "But it was important for us as a young team to have defined rolls. Mine was to roll to the rim."

Kokoskov says one of his assistants recently approached him with a message from Holmes: He wants to shoot 3s. "If we're up 40, I'll draw up a play for him to shoot a 3," Kokoskov says with a chuckle. "Right now, I want him to dunk everything. And dunk it hard."

Holmes has flashed some ball skills -- including play-action keepers:


For now, Holmes is thrilled to have a regular role. He remembers his first G-League assignment with the Sixers' team in Delaware. He didn't bring gear -- headband, shooting sleeves, game-ready basketball shoes. He assumed it would be at his locker. Nope. Just a jersey and shorts. Luckily, Holmes says, he was wearing a pair of Nike LeBrons that were good enough for one game. He also hadn't brought any food, expecting an NBA-style pregame spread. He ran to Subway to scarf down something before tip-off, he says.

"I wouldn't have it any other way," Holmes says of his path. "Being undervalued and overlooked -- it puts a chip on your shoulder that keeps you working."

Holmes will be a free agent after this season. He has earned a look, even if he hasn't quite answered questions about his rebounding and defense.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26468868/our-favorite-nba-role-players-watch-season

Derrick Jones Jr and Shaquille Harrison also made the list. Khem Birch, who is a FA too, and he could be an interesting FA target as backup C if someone else overpays Holmes. Though of course with Holmes and bird rights, we could go over the cap after signing others to bring him back.