2019 - 2021 Free-Agents

[Ranma]

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[mkwest]

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[mkwest]

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[Galloisdaman]

Quick question which I know was unthinkable previously.

Would you trade Lou Williams if you could get a 1st round pick?

I ask because I started to get more and more concerned about his mindset on defense. I do not think Doc trusts him to start or defend late in games. He becomes more like a rotated offensive designated hitter. At age 33 I do not see that getting better. He was planning to retire when he came here. This may be his last season.

[mkwest]

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[mkwest]

Clippers shed ‘little brother’ status while Lakers lean on legacy

Imagine being a regular at a restaurant that was owned by a renowned chef who famously hired the best staff in the world. It consistently won national awards and was held up as the gold standard in culinary circles. One day the owner passes away and the staff that had made it such a special place either leaves or retires soon after. A few years later the restaurant, which has fallen on hard times, is owned by the chef’s daughter who has hired an inexperienced staff while the food and service has fallen well below its previous high standards. Would you still frequent that restaurant just because the sign outside of the building is the same?

So when someone who grew up in Los Angeles wonders why a free agent would ever sign with the Clippers over the Lakers, it’s important to understand these players are making a decision based on current circumstances, not old stereotypes that are no longer relevant.

The Clippers might always be the “little brother” to the Lakers in the eyes of history and longtime Lakers fans such as Snoop Dogg. But free agents aren’t tying their future to history books; they’re tethering it to those people currently running the team. They will make their decision based on the people in the room recruiting them, not the old banners and jerseys hanging on the walls.

Arash Markazi, LA Times

[mkwest]

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[MartinToVaught]

Durant had to know this was coming when he joined Curry's 73-win team that already won without him. They were never going to appreciate him like OKC did. He can't really be shocked at how they're turning on him now. He also has no room to complain about this when he quit on the Thunder in the face of adversity and then trashed them on his burner accounts.

[esqtvd]

Durant had to know this was coming when he joined Curry's 73-win team that already won without him. They were never going to appreciate him like OKC did. He can't really be shocked at how they're turning on him now. He also has no room to complain about this when he quit on the Thunder in the face of adversity and then trashed them on his burner accounts.

cruel, but fair

[mttwlsn16]

Durant had to know this was coming when he joined Curry's 73-win team that already won without him. They were never going to appreciate him like OKC did. He can't really be shocked at how they're turning on him now. He also has no room to complain about this when he quit on the Thunder in the face of adversity and then trashed them on his burner accounts.

My thoughts:

KD is sole the reason GS is a dynasty.

GS Pre KD
2015: Won finals vs LeBron when his 2nd best teammate that series was Tristan F'ing Thompson
2016: Blew 3-1 lead vs LeBron, Kyrie and co.

Then GS cried and begged KD to join them bc LeBron/Kyrie was too much for them

GS with KD
2017: Smash Cleveland 4-1 (KD MVP)
2018: Sweep Cleveland 4-0 (KD MVP)
2019: Down 3-1 to Toronto without KD. Should've been swept and the series already over. If KD plays its likely 3-1 the other way around.

[Quake Griffin]

Durant had to know this was coming when he joined Curry's 73-win team that already won without him. They were never going to appreciate him like OKC did. He can't really be shocked at how they're turning on him now. He also has no room to complain about this when he quit on the Thunder in the face of adversity and then trashed them on his burner accounts.

My thoughts:

KD is sole the reason GS is a dynasty.

GS Pre KD
2015: Won finals vs LeBron when his 2nd best teammate that series was Tristan F'ing Thompson
2016: Blew 3-1 lead vs LeBron, Kyrie and co.

Then GS cried and begged KD to join them bc LeBron/Kyrie was too much for them

GS with KD
2017: Smash Cleveland 4-1 (KD MVP)
2018: Sweep Cleveland 4-0 (KD MVP)
2019: Down 3-1 to Toronto without KD. Should've been swept and the series already over. If KD plays its likely 3-1 the other way around.

He’s not the SOLE reason they are a dynasty.


Maybe he pushed them over the top.

But that is something totally different than being the sole reason they’re a dynasty,

Btw, they aren’t a dynasty to me.....


Yet *Kawhi Voice*

[mttwlsn16]

Durant had to know this was coming when he joined Curry's 73-win team that already won without him. They were never going to appreciate him like OKC did. He can't really be shocked at how they're turning on him now. He also has no room to complain about this when he quit on the Thunder in the face of adversity and then trashed them on his burner accounts.

My thoughts:

KD is sole the reason GS is a dynasty.

GS Pre KD
2015: Won finals vs LeBron when his 2nd best teammate that series was Tristan F'ing Thompson
2016: Blew 3-1 lead vs LeBron, Kyrie and co.

Then GS cried and begged KD to join them bc LeBron/Kyrie was too much for them

GS with KD
2017: Smash Cleveland 4-1 (KD MVP)
2018: Sweep Cleveland 4-0 (KD MVP)
2019: Down 3-1 to Toronto without KD. Should've been swept and the series already over. If KD plays its likely 3-1 the other way around.

He’s not the SOLE reason they are a dynasty.


Maybe he pushed them over the top.

But that is something totally different than being the sole reason they’re a dynasty,

Btw, they aren’t a dynasty to me.....


Yet *Kawhi Voice*

They don't beat Houston in the WCF last year without him. Also took CP3 getting hurt.

Now with KD out we see exactly what happens.

If he stayed in OKC, a Curry lead Warrior team does not go to 5 straight finals and does not win the last 2.

KD put them over the top, making them into the dynasty they currently are.

[mkwest]

A couple months old, but it's entertaining...

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[Ranma]

I don't have much interest in Irving. If the big FA's aren't coming here, I'd rather they go/stay east.

Gotcha. Likewise, I don't have interest in Irving either. Obviously, the last thing I want is Anthony Davis on the Lakers, so I guess him going east would be best even if he were to team up in Brooklyn with Irving. Hopefully, the Knicks won't be able to secure AD and KD together.

Speaking of big free agents, I've been on record as saying that I think Kawhi comes to the Clippers regardless of what happens in the Finals and Kawhi himself has just come out and said that his free-agency plans will not be affected one way or the other by the current series against the Warriors regardless of the outcome. You would think this has to bode well for the Clippers' chances given that we've been the odds-on favorite to sign him for practically all of the postseason and beyond, plus, he reportedly and specifically wanted to be traded to the better Los Angeles team (the one without LeBron).

On the flip side, I think the Raptors winning the championship would actually hurt our chances at signing Durant assuming we sign Kawhi first. KD hasn't found happiness riding or even driving the bandwagon in Golden State because of his insecurity of the Warriors not being his team. Can you imagine him leaving Golden State amid criticisms of front-running only to join Kawhi on the Clippers after the Klaw carried the Raptors to a title? I'm not sure KD's fragile psyche can handle that.

At the same time, Jerry West and Doc Rivers may be able to convince him to see it differently. Even if he wants to lead his own team to a championship, he can't be as dense or cocky to think he'll be able to do so by himself. LeBron needed to team up with Wade in Miami and Irving in Cleveland. Unless he wants to join Irving in Brooklyn, it may be a matter of Durant choosing one or the other: share the glory with Kawhi in Los Angeles or lead a hapless Knicks team to nowhere.

Durant has admired and respected the Logo, so he would certainly benefit from West's advice just as Kobe and Shaq have in the past. For all the criticisms I have of Doc Rivers, I certainly recognize Rivers's inclination and adept ability to manage star players, especially those in need of ego boosts. Remember when he absurdly compared DeAndre Jordan to Bill Russell? Well, that got DJ to care about and excel in defense even as he selfishly padded his rebounding stats at the expense of the team. Rivers is probably the most qualified coach in the NBA to manage Durant's psyche while massaging his ego.

If we miss out on Kawhi, it may actually increase our chances at Durant. Although, I would certainly be disappointed in not getting K. Leonard regardless of whether we sign Durant or not.

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[Galloisdaman]

My thoughts:

KD is sole the reason GS is a dynasty.

GS Pre KD
2015: Won finals vs LeBron when his 2nd best teammate that series was Tristan F'ing Thompson
2016: Blew 3-1 lead vs LeBron, Kyrie and co.

Then GS cried and begged KD to join them bc LeBron/Kyrie was too much for them

GS with KD
2017: Smash Cleveland 4-1 (KD MVP)
2018: Sweep Cleveland 4-0 (KD MVP)
2019: Down 3-1 to Toronto without KD. Should've been swept and the series already over. If KD plays its likely 3-1 the other way around.

He’s not the SOLE reason they are a dynasty.


Maybe he pushed them over the top.

But that is something totally different than being the sole reason they’re a dynasty,

Btw, they aren’t a dynasty to me.....


Yet *Kawhi Voice*

They don't beat Houston in the WCF last year without him. Also took CP3 getting hurt.

Now with KD out we see exactly what happens.

If he stayed in OKC, a Curry lead Warrior team does not go to 5 straight finals and does not win the last 2.

KD put them over the top, making them into the dynasty they currently are.

Do the Warriors beat the Clippers for sure in the first round without KD who was in god mode?

[Quake Griffin]

My opinion is no. That Warriors team that beat the Blazers and stole one in Toronto before Klay's injury would beat us imo.

[Quake Griffin]

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[Ranma]

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[mkwest]

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