2019 - 2021 Free-Agents

Post #501 » by **mkwest** » Wed May 15, 2019 2:48 am

Jerry West to return as a Clippers consultant for another season

The Clippers are expected to pursue free agents such as Toronto’s Kawhi Leonard and Golden State’s Kevin Durant, though coach Doc Rivers has said they will keep their financial flexibility for 2020 if they are unable to sign players this summer who fit their needs.

Andrew Greif, LA Times

Post #502 » by **mkwest** » Fri May 17, 2019 5:23 am

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simon24 · Post #503 » by **simon24** » Fri May 17, 2019 7:42 am

mkwest wrote:

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Leverage season. June 30th can't get here soon enough.

Post #504 » by **mkwest** » Sun May 19, 2019 12:51 am

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mttwlsn16 · Post #505 » by **mttwlsn16** » Sun May 19, 2019 10:26 pm

I'm not big on Jimmy Butler bc of his past troubles and him being a little older, but if he comes along with KD or Kawhi, and not alone, I think I'd be totally cool with him being a Clipper.

Quake Griffin · Post #506 » by **Quake Griffin** » Wed May 22, 2019 1:37 am

Phone update says we are serious contender for KD.

I’ll wait for Ranma.

Ranma · Post #507 » by **Ranma** » Wed May 22, 2019 1:42 am

Quake Griffin wrote:Phone update says we are serious contender for KD.

I’ll wait for Ranma.

I'm actually behind in catching up with the posts on this forum, but took a quick glance for some news to find Quake alerting me to this tidbit.

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Spoiler:

MartinToVaught · Post #508 » by **MartinToVaught** » Wed May 22, 2019 1:59 am

Not surprising in the least. I always thought the Knicks rumors made no sense, especially with how Kyrie really hurt his stock all season. If you're going to leave the Warriors, why go to one of the league's most dysfunctional franchises to play with a weirdo like Kyrie? Not to mention the NY media's craziness.

Ranma · Post #509 » by **Ranma** » Wed May 22, 2019 2:06 am

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MartinToVaught · Post #510 » by **MartinToVaught** » Wed May 22, 2019 2:21 am

My problem with the "leverage play" theory is this: what does Durant even need "leverage" for? If you hear the media tell it, he's been guaranteed to sign with the Knicks for months already and the free agency process is just a formality. It's not like the Knicks are going to say "psych, we're giving you the veteran's minimum instead of that max deal you wanted" at the last minute.

I'm thinking the media's just backpedaling from their all-Knicks-all-the-time narrative because it might not turn out that way after all.

Fireburner · Post #511 » by **Fireburner** » Wed May 22, 2019 4:06 am

This latest rumor made me remember Sam Amick's article back in February of how the Clippers grand plan was always Durant and Leonard. It's still hard to imagine but if that actually gains momentum... phew.

Post #512 » by **QRich3** » Wed May 22, 2019 10:21 am

The Knicks being a dysfunktional franchise that's been a dumpster fire for most of the time I've been alive is what's supposed to be a draw for Durant though, to become the saviour of the biggest team in the league and write a corny storyline for himself like Lebron did when he came back to Cleveland. If he was looking for a well functioning franchise with a good chance of winning, we wouldn't be talking about him leaving the Warriors.

I still don't see why would he come here.

MartinToVaught · Post #513 » by **MartinToVaught** » Wed May 22, 2019 2:13 pm

Leading the Clippers to a championship would be the closest NBA equivalent to the Cubs winning the World Series. I mean, we've never even been to the conference finals. And the last time we had a so-called contending team, it was nothing but heartbreak in the playoffs.

If he really wants to rewrite his legacy, earning a ring with the Clippers would do the most to win KD back some respect.

Galloisdaman · Post #514 » by **Galloisdaman** » Wed May 22, 2019 3:11 pm

What would a Max deal for Durant be from the Clippers and the Warriors? Is it like 45 million a year?

Quake Griffin · Post #515 » by **Quake Griffin** » Wed May 22, 2019 3:33 pm

MartinToVaught wrote:Leading the Clippers to a championship would be the closest NBA equivalent to the Cubs winning the World Series. I mean, we've never even been to the conference finals. And the last time we had a so-called contending team, it was nothing but heartbreak in the playoffs.

If he really wants to rewrite his legacy, earning a ring with the Clippers would do the most to win KD back some respect.

Gonna haggle with this.

The Cubs have a HUUUUGE fan base and are probably next to the Yankees in filling up opposing teams stadiums when they travel. They're #1 in their city. Generally, they were seen (annoyingly in my mind) as "loveable losers". The entire country (except me) seemed to be rooting for them to win it all against the Indians.

The Clippers are #2 in their city, with a small (but loyal) fanbase. While the substance of him winning with the Clippers is that he brought a "lowly" franchise to their first ring, I doubt that publicly it will be anywhere near as poetic, and "magical" as the Cubs winning that Game 7 in Cleveland.

I'm not sure the Clippers can capture that all in one offseason.
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But this is the perfect place to go if you're feeling the pressure of people saying the Warriors don't need you.
You feel like you can show them? Go to their "rival". Great front office. Good coach. Good culture and nice young pieces. Decent chance of winning. Much better chance of validating yourself than New York.

Question is...if that's his motivation. Does he want to validate himself with Kawhi as his running mate?

Post #516 » by **mkwest** » Wed May 22, 2019 6:43 pm

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wco81 · Post #517 » by **wco81** » Thu May 23, 2019 7:37 am

Some guy on ESPN says it was urban legend that Ballmer wanted to come to the KD pitch meeting in summer of 2017 with like $175 million in cash.

Had to be talked out of it.

Post #518 » by **QRich3** » Thu May 23, 2019 8:34 am

wco81 wrote:Some guy on ESPN says it was urban legend that Ballmer wanted to come to the KD pitch meeting in summer of 2017 with like $175 million in cash.

Had to be talked out of it.

lol I'm not one for grand gestures, but that would've impressed the f*ck outta me :lol:

Glad he was talked out of it if true though

Galloisdaman · Post #519 » by **Galloisdaman** » Thu May 23, 2019 1:27 pm

wco81 wrote:Some guy on ESPN says it was urban legend that Ballmer wanted to come to the KD pitch meeting in summer of 2017 with like $175 million in cash.

Had to be talked out of it.

I think that could be very hard (not impossible) to put together. I think most local branches only keep around $50k nowadays.

What would be the years and money difference between a Clippers offer or a max from GS?

wco81 · Post #520 » by **wco81** » Thu May 23, 2019 3:30 pm

Maybe he would have brought one of those giant checks.

But KD already had a 9-figure deal from Nike by then.

Who will be a member of the Clippers this summer?