Don't get Aejones point considering none of those guys are taking 1yr deals.

What the Suns did was similar to the Redick thing. And who cares about a glut of wings/4's when some of those guys are Bender and Chriss. The org seems to be giving up on them which is probably the right move.

Guess you could say that is somewhat of an indictment on the Suns player development (those 2, Len, Payton) but sometimes it is good to cut your losses and turn the page.


Also, you can likely flip Ariza at the deadline for a pick. Something like Ariza for expirings, pick.

Yeah can't have LeBron playing with anyone else competant on offense. Would ruin the ability to make excuses and also lower his PER a little.

Were Rockets not able to match it? Seems like it'll be hard to replace him.

Also seems kinda lol for him. 15 million is obv a sick amount but it's not like he'd have been working for peanuts in Houston and could have competed for a title there.

Don't really see any way LeBron does better than Jokic/Murray/Harris as far as teammates go if he goes to the Lakers. Even if they get Kawhi the rest of the roster is still lol.

How can lebron goto Denver they’re way over the cap already? I agree that Denver or philly are better destinations now that lal loses out on PG and likely have to sell the farm in assets to get kawhi. Maybe next year makes more sense for lebron to jump west now. The biggest issue with Denver is joining the tougher conference.

Really enjoying the amount of butthurt from both BronStan and LakerFan regarding this Paul George decision.

NBA Offseason always the GOAT.

I think Lakers are gonna go hard after Boogie now, Randle's market seems pretty dry as well. Then get the Kawhi deal.

Something like Cousins-Randle-LeBron-Kawhi-Lonzo

Agree why waste money on a Scrub like Paul George when you can sign the Timmy mogoz and loul dengs of the world are a a a a available

IMO it’s the spurs thAt now must be feeling the pressure . Their leverage ends the minute LeBron signs with another team besides the Lakers . Would the Lakers still give up the farm for Kawhi knowing LeBron wasn’t coming . In that scenario I think Lakers are better served standing pat and the they young guys improve

Ya but at same time LAL may need Kawhi to cement Bron coming. Delicate game of chicken for both sides.

But yes, if Bron doesn't go to LA then SAS leverage is screwed.

Other teams still want kawhi though even if it’s only a potential rental.

Stretching Melo saves 90 million this year, but probably costs 20 million in 2 future years via repeater tax. Trade salary dumping him into the Lakers space saves all the money. Does the 2022 unprotected 1st get it done? Maybe add the 1-20 part of the 2020 first that's the Magic's 21-30? Lakers essentially roll over their PG cap space to next summer.

Sixers miss on LeBron they may take this route too. Is Melo really much worse than Ilyasova at this point?

That was also the KCP thing. He's probably not doing it again, but maybe?

There's like 0 opportunity cost to signing Ariza for 1 year (instead of 2+), unlike the younger guys tho. So from a GM optics move (a year from now), that also makes sense.

Ariza can also play the new-game 4 (which is just a 3) where the others guys (minus Gordon) would be small for that.

If you sign Gordon to an offer sheet you're probably ending up with nothing. It's worth the gamble over this, but only if they like him as a foundational piece. Gordon wants to have the ball in his hands creating more, don't think that's needed right now (developmentally) with the young guys they have.

I'm guessing KCP atleast wants to test the market and see if he can do better.

Ariza is more versatile in terms of positions he can play than KCP as well.

Bradley or Smart as your 1 with Booker as your 2 seems fine. I'd really like Smart.

I could see Smart taking 1/15. He wants big money so would retest next year. (Instead of taking like 4/36 - Don't think Ainge is willing to pay him much more than that.)

Agreed on both points. You'd have to wait out KCP, and Ariza is gone by then.

Smart is a RFA and Celts would likely match 1/15.

I think Bradley is good but had a rough year last year and is always hurt. Most of these other scenarios are unlikely to happen and minor improvements at best so why not just lock up Ariza 1/15?

re: Smart

But again, if he pans out: It's actually a bad move.

You're not making the playoffs this year, and he's gone next - or you're paying him market money.

I'd be surprised if Ainge matched. Maybe I'm wrong though. I probably am and they'd use him as a piece at the deadline to match salaries or it doesn't hurt if they let him walk next (like it would to Phoneix's gm).

Agreed. Maybe he takes a small deal moving forward to stay and retire, like Nene.

Ariza is a very useful player, wouldn't shock me if a contender gives a 1st for him at the deadline.

And having a vet that can space the floor and defend multiple positions could help with the growth of their other guys.

If Phoenix wanted Smart at 15/year it would cost 2/30, Ainge doesn't match that imo.

Just don't do the Rondo in Sac move of a 1 w/ a PO.

Good point.

I think Ainge matches 2/30 on Smart rather than lose him for nothing. Can always trade him later.

Can offer sheets be less than 3 years?

So yeah, they couldn't have offered 1/15.

Have to look up what the max QO is for him.

Warriors title equity up about 15% in the last 10 hours, GG