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Post by chargerfreak on Jul 2, 2019 2:18:25 GMT -7
So......the Lakers have 32 million dollars in cap space......they were literally a two player team on the roster, now 4ish.
They signed AD, then went mainly dark in the initial free agency...........seems like they are saving that cap money for something big to me.......otherwise they would have spent it already.............
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Post by chopper31 on Jul 2, 2019 2:41:44 GMT -7
One player with whom the Lakers have communicated is Danny Green, according to a person familiar with their communications. Green, who was traded with Leonard from San Antonio to Toronto last summer, is waiting on Leonard's decision before deciding whether to return to Toronto, according to The New York Times. Danny Green’s associate says Lakers called Danny Green. He says it was one of the longer calls and a good one. He’s probably gonna be about an $18 million a year guy. I’m pretty sure the Raptors won’t be bringing him back, because when you add the luxury tax penalty onto that, he’d be around $27 million for at least year 1 and he’s nowhere near worth that. He’s is one of the better “3 and D” guys in the league, but he flamed out big time in the playoffs with his shooting. I’ll miss his defense, but he clearly proved that he can’t be the sniper he is capable of being, in the biggest moments. Many of his minutes in the final two playoff series went to an undrafted guy from Wichita State, who stepped up big time, when Danny couldn’t.
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Post by chopper31 on Jul 2, 2019 3:04:58 GMT -7
So......the Lakers have 32 million dollars in cap space......they were literally a two player team on the roster, now 4ish. They signed AD, then went mainly dark in the initial free agency...........seems like they are saving that cap money for something big to me.......otherwise they would have spent it already............. It’s pretty clear they are not opposed to trying to spend it all in one place, and Kawhi is pretty much the only one left who fits that category. All of the other top tier free agents have already agreed to deals elsewhere. I think it’s extremely foolish to try and spend it all in one place, when you have nearly a full roster to fill out, but it’s no secret that the Lakers Front Office isn’t being run by a bunch of geniuses at the moment. Do they know how to chase the big fish ? Sure....that’s the easy part, which anyone can do. The difficult part is being a good bargain shopper, and that’s where I don’t think they are capable. A guy like Masai Ujiri would get the best bang for the buck with that $32 million, acquiring multiple bargain based players and completing a roster around the two stars. Rob Pelinka probably only knows how to spend it in one place. The Raptors can offer Kawhi $38 million per year, and the Clippers can offer him $35.5 million per year. So assuming he would get the full $32 million from the Lakers, he would have to take the least money, and the rest of the roster would have to be filled with League Minimum Salary guys. One of those guys would be a starter, as well as the entire bench (minus the one no-name guy they already have). Kawhi is no dummy, and knows the need for depth in a roster. He also knows the value of a load management program during the regular season, which is why he was so dynamite in the playoffs this year. In order for the Lakers to even make the playoffs, there would be no load management program available. Not only could LeBron, AD and Kawhi not afford to sit games out, but they would all have to play heavy minutes throughout the regular season and likely have to be staggered with their floor time as much as possible to prevent 5 scrubs from being out there together for an extended time. Throw in an injury to any of the 3, and forget about the season. Playing heavy minutes night after night, is a big risk factor for injuries to happen, and LeBron is also no spring chicken. Lastly, we know the Lakers are interested in him, but what I haven’t seen is any legit confirmation that the interest is mutual. Sure there are reports/rumors, but when a meeting actually takes place, is when I will believe them. There were also reports of Kawhi talking about teaming up with Durant, which I didn’t believe for a second, and given how quickly Durant agreed with Brooklyn I think that shows those reports were just BS. Just like the list of other teams Kawhi was supposed to meet with, which wasted absolutely no time using up there cap space on other signings as soon as the bell sounded. Joining a “super team”, playing heavy regular season minutes, and embracing the Lakers drama and media circus all seems very anti-Kawhi. Him joining the Lakers would also be about adding to LeBron’s legacy, as opposed to his own. AD is an extremely talented player but has no legacy, and just may be a guy that needs to be part of a super team to get a ring, because it’s not like he was on his own out there in New Orleans.
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Post by LIGHTS OUT on Jul 2, 2019 6:29:08 GMT -7
The numbers these FA’s are getting are mind boggling. Tobias Harris gets $180m over 5 years?  Middleton $178m for disappearing in the conference finals. Butler $142m over 4 years? Barnes and Brogdan get $85m over 4?? Harris and Middleton are nice players and worth between around 25M per season. At 35M per season these contracts will not age well. The deals may also be backloaded and later years will be $40M+ per year, yikes! Butler playing where he wants to was a personal decision, not a basketball one. Surprised to see Miami give up assets for the right to sign him for $35.5M. Although Butler has more potential to be worth the price than Harris/Middleton in my opinion. Barnes appears to be signed at market price and the Brogdan deal will look like great value as it ages. These signings make sense to me.
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Post by chargerfreak on Jul 2, 2019 6:30:31 GMT -7
So......the Lakers have 32 million dollars in cap space......they were literally a two player team on the roster, now 4ish. They signed AD, then went mainly dark in the initial free agency...........seems like they are saving that cap money for something big to me.......otherwise they would have spent it already............. It’s pretty clear they are not opposed to trying to spend it all in one place, and Kawhi is pretty much the only one left who fits that category. All of the other top tier free agents have already agreed to deals elsewhere. I think it’s extremely foolish to try and spend it all in one place, when you have nearly a full roster to fill out, but it’s no secret that the Lakers Front Office isn’t being run by a bunch of geniuses at the moment. Do they know how to chase the big fish ? Sure....that’s the easy part, which anyone can do. The difficult part is being a good bargain shopper, and that’s where I don’t think they are capable. A guy like Masai Ujiri would get the best bang for the buck with that $32 million, acquiring multiple bargain based players and completing a roster around the two stars. Rob Pelinka probably only knows how to spend it in one place. The Raptors can offer Kawhi $38 million per year, and the Clippers can offer him $35.5 million per year. So assuming he would get the full $32 million from the Lakers, he would have to take the least money, and the rest of the roster would have to be filled with League Minimum Salary guys. One of those guys would be a starter, as well as the entire bench (minus the one no-name guy they already have). Kawhi is no dummy, and knows the need for depth in a roster. He also knows the value of a load management program during the regular season, which is why he was so dynamite in the playoffs this year. In order for the Lakers to even make the playoffs, there would be no load management program available. Not only could LeBron, AD and Kawhi not afford to sit games out, but they would all have to play heavy minutes throughout the regular season and likely have to be staggered with their floor time as much as possible to prevent 5 scrubs from being out there together for an extended time. Throw in an injury to any of the 3, and forget about the season. Playing heavy minutes night after night, is a big risk factor for injuries to happen, and LeBron is also no spring chicken. Lastly, we know the Lakers are interested in him, but what I haven’t seen is any legit confirmation that the interest is mutual. Sure there are reports/rumors, but when a meeting actually takes place, is when I will believe them. There were also reports of Kawhi talking about teaming up with Durant, which I didn’t believe for a second, and given how quickly Durant agreed with Brooklyn I think that shows those reports were just BS. Just like the list of other teams Kawhi was supposed to meet with, which wasted absolutely no time using up there cap space on other signings as soon as the bell sounded. Joining a “super team”, playing heavy regular season minutes, and embracing the Lakers drama and media circus all seems very anti-Kawhi. Him joining the Lakers would also be about adding to LeBron’s legacy, as opposed to his own. AD is an extremely talented player but has no legacy, and just may be a guy that needs to be part of a super team to get a ring, because it’s not like he was on his own out there in New Orleans. He would take the "less money" to:
Be on the best team in the NBA Play with LeBron Play for the Lakers. Play in Spotlight LA Play for 3 champs on 3 different teams/MVP
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Post by LIGHTS OUT on Jul 2, 2019 6:40:53 GMT -7
Kawhi is Clippers or Raptors. No way I can see him joining the Lakers, for so many reasons (many outlined by chopper already). If it is the Clippers, I hope the Raptors can work out a sign-and-trade to get some assets in return.
If Kawhi continues to wait and ends up not signing with the Lakers they will be left with only 2nd/3rd tier FA options to fill out the roster. I really hope this happens....I think everyone wants this LeBron/Lakers experiment to fail. Especially after they gave up so many assets for Davis.
I have a feeling that Kawhi won with the Spurs who drafted him, then the first championship for a team he didn't choose. I think there is a part of him that wants to bring the Clippers their first championship and choose his destination. And wouldn't the perfect strategy be to wait it out and screw the Lakers a bit before signing with the Clippers. The Clippers have the roster and coaching to provide some "load management".
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Post by LIGHTS OUT on Jul 2, 2019 6:51:19 GMT -7
It’s pretty clear they are not opposed to trying to spend it all in one place, and Kawhi is pretty much the only one left who fits that category. All of the other top tier free agents have already agreed to deals elsewhere. I think it’s extremely foolish to try and spend it all in one place, when you have nearly a full roster to fill out, but it’s no secret that the Lakers Front Office isn’t being run by a bunch of geniuses at the moment. Do they know how to chase the big fish ? Sure....that’s the easy part, which anyone can do. The difficult part is being a good bargain shopper, and that’s where I don’t think they are capable. A guy like Masai Ujiri would get the best bang for the buck with that $32 million, acquiring multiple bargain based players and completing a roster around the two stars. Rob Pelinka probably only knows how to spend it in one place. The Raptors can offer Kawhi $38 million per year, and the Clippers can offer him $35.5 million per year. So assuming he would get the full $32 million from the Lakers, he would have to take the least money, and the rest of the roster would have to be filled with League Minimum Salary guys. One of those guys would be a starter, as well as the entire bench (minus the one no-name guy they already have). Kawhi is no dummy, and knows the need for depth in a roster. He also knows the value of a load management program during the regular season, which is why he was so dynamite in the playoffs this year. In order for the Lakers to even make the playoffs, there would be no load management program available. Not only could LeBron, AD and Kawhi not afford to sit games out, but they would all have to play heavy minutes throughout the regular season and likely have to be staggered with their floor time as much as possible to prevent 5 scrubs from being out there together for an extended time. Throw in an injury to any of the 3, and forget about the season. Playing heavy minutes night after night, is a big risk factor for injuries to happen, and LeBron is also no spring chicken. Lastly, we know the Lakers are interested in him, but what I haven’t seen is any legit confirmation that the interest is mutual. Sure there are reports/rumors, but when a meeting actually takes place, is when I will believe them. There were also reports of Kawhi talking about teaming up with Durant, which I didn’t believe for a second, and given how quickly Durant agreed with Brooklyn I think that shows those reports were just BS. Just like the list of other teams Kawhi was supposed to meet with, which wasted absolutely no time using up there cap space on other signings as soon as the bell sounded. Joining a “super team”, playing heavy regular season minutes, and embracing the Lakers drama and media circus all seems very anti-Kawhi. Him joining the Lakers would also be about adding to LeBron’s legacy, as opposed to his own. AD is an extremely talented player but has no legacy, and just may be a guy that needs to be part of a super team to get a ring, because it’s not like he was on his own out there in New Orleans. He would take the "less money" to:
Be on the best team in the NBA Play with LeBron Play for the Lakers. Play in Spotlight LA Play for 3 champs on 3 different teams/MVP
Be on the best team in the NBA (Maybe best 3 players, but not necessarily a team. Lakers have done this before and it didn't work out (see 2004, Go Pistons!) Play with LeBron (Not everyone wants to play with Lebron, he is uncoachable and he doesn't seem like a guy Kawhi would want to play alongside as the second (or third) option) Play for the Lakers. (Everyone talks about wanting to play for the Lakers, Celtics and for some reason Knicks like it is a privilege. I just think it is as big as many believe) Play in Spotlight LA (Kawhi hates the spotlight. If he goes to LA he would likely choose the non-spotlight team....or stay up North) Play for 3 champs on 3 different teams/MVP (I think this is a media creation although he can try to accomplish this with the Clippers. Kawhi wants to play where there is load management, good support system, a shot at a ring, obviously $$, and limited media scrutiny)
I will be shocked if Kawhi chooses the Lakers.
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Post by chargerfreak on Jul 2, 2019 7:29:57 GMT -7
He would take the "less money" to:
Be on the best team in the NBA Play with LeBron Play for the Lakers. Play in Spotlight LA Play for 3 champs on 3 different teams/MVP
Be on the best team in the NBA (Maybe best 3 players, but not necessarily a team. Lakers have done this before and it didn't work out (see 2004, Go Pistons!) Play with LeBron (Not everyone wants to play with Lebron, he is uncoachable and he doesn't seem like a guy Kawhi would want to play alongside as the second (or third) option) Play for the Lakers. (Everyone talks about wanting to play for the Lakers, Celtics and for some reason Knicks like it is a privilege. I just think it is as big as many believe) Play in Spotlight LA (Kawhi hates the spotlight. If he goes to LA he would likely choose the non-spotlight team....or stay up North) Play for 3 champs on 3 different teams/MVP (I think this is a media creation although he can try to accomplish this with the Clippers. Kawhi wants to play where there is load management, good support system, a shot at a ring, obviously $$, and limited media scrutiny)
I will be shocked if Kawhi chooses the Lakers. Time will tell my friend.
chop thinks Leonard delaying so long to announce favors him staying in Toronto. I believe the exact opposite is true. All of the little duckies are getting lined up in a row. For what ? To stay where he already is ? I don't think so......
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Post by LIGHTS OUT on Jul 2, 2019 7:39:17 GMT -7
Be on the best team in the NBA (Maybe best 3 players, but not necessarily a team. Lakers have done this before and it didn't work out (see 2004, Go Pistons!) Play with LeBron (Not everyone wants to play with Lebron, he is uncoachable and he doesn't seem like a guy Kawhi would want to play alongside as the second (or third) option) Play for the Lakers. (Everyone talks about wanting to play for the Lakers, Celtics and for some reason Knicks like it is a privilege. I just think it is as big as many believe) Play in Spotlight LA (Kawhi hates the spotlight. If he goes to LA he would likely choose the non-spotlight team....or stay up North) Play for 3 champs on 3 different teams/MVP (I think this is a media creation although he can try to accomplish this with the Clippers. Kawhi wants to play where there is load management, good support system, a shot at a ring, obviously $$, and limited media scrutiny)
I will be shocked if Kawhi chooses the Lakers.Time will tell my friend.
chop thinks Leonard delaying so long to announce favors him staying in Toronto. I believe the exact opposite is true. All of the little duckies are getting lined up in a row. For what ? To stay where he already is ? I don't think so......
I hate to agree with this but I do. I think if Leonard was staying he would have announced it at the parade, or as soon as FA began. Although Chopper's point may be valid because....it would leave the Raptors in a tough spot if they miss out on the top FAs and THEN Leonard leaves. After all the goodwill he built in Toronto/Canada, it would be cold thing to do....delay the decision and then leave.
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Post by chargerfreak on Jul 2, 2019 9:16:18 GMT -7
Time will tell my friend.
chop thinks Leonard delaying so long to announce favors him staying in Toronto. I believe the exact opposite is true. All of the little duckies are getting lined up in a row. For what ? To stay where he already is ? I don't think so......
I think if Leonard was staying he would have announced it at the parade, or as soon as FA began. Although Chopper's point may be valid because....it would leave the Raptors in a tough spot if they miss out on the top FAs and THEN Leonard leaves. After all the goodwill he built in Toronto/Canada, it would be cold thing to do....delay the decision and then leave. EVERY POSTER ON THIS BOARD SHOULD COPY AND PASTE THIS FOR ALL OF MY GLORIOUS POSTS.
Great call on the reverse. If he bails, thanks for waiting as Toronto could have played in the initial action of FA. Nice post !
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Post by chopper31 on Jul 2, 2019 14:27:10 GMT -7
He would take the "less money" to:
Be on the best team in the NBA Play with LeBron Play for the Lakers. Play in Spotlight LA Play for 3 champs on 3 different teams/MVP
Be on the best team in the NBA (Maybe best 3 players, but not necessarily a team. Lakers have done this before and it didn't work out (see 2004, Go Pistons!) Play with LeBron (Not everyone wants to play with Lebron, he is uncoachable and he doesn't seem like a guy Kawhi would want to play alongside as the second (or third) option) Play for the Lakers. (Everyone talks about wanting to play for the Lakers, Celtics and for some reason Knicks like it is a privilege. I just think it is as big as many believe) Play in Spotlight LA (Kawhi hates the spotlight. If he goes to LA he would likely choose the non-spotlight team....or stay up North) Play for 3 champs on 3 different teams/MVP (I think this is a media creation although he can try to accomplish this with the Clippers. Kawhi wants to play where there is load management, good support system, a shot at a ring, obviously $$, and limited media scrutiny)
I will be shocked if Kawhi chooses the Lakers. You’ve got the responses pretty well covered. The only thing I’d like to add, is that his chances of winning the Finals MVP as a member of the Lakers is much less than it would be on a team where he is unquestionably “the man”. But you’re right, that is nothing more than a media creation anyway. Kawhi is not one to chase personal glory, if he could give the Finals MVP award to the entire team, he would. He actually said that.
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Post by chopper31 on Jul 2, 2019 14:35:29 GMT -7
Time will tell my friend.
chop thinks Leonard delaying so long to announce favors him staying in Toronto. I believe the exact opposite is true. All of the little duckies are getting lined up in a row. For what ? To stay where he already is ? I don't think so......
I hate to agree with this but I do. I think if Leonard was staying he would have announced it at the parade, or as soon as FA began. Although Chopper's point may be valid because....it would leave the Raptors in a tough spot if they miss out on the top FAs and THEN Leonard leaves. After all the goodwill he built in Toronto/Canada, it would be cold thing to do....delay the decision and then leave. The Raptors are already $3.17 million over the salary cap, even if Kawhi doesn’t resign, so they were never in the game for any Free Agents other than those who will play for league minimum salary (and they are free to make those signings anytime). They can exceed the cap to resign Kawhi (and Danny Green if they really want to), but will be subject to the luxury tax penalty. The reason I say the longer this drags out, the better for the Raptors, is because they can wait for him and won’t be passing up anything. The Lakers and Clippers on the other hand have already missed out on the other top tier free agents, and at some point will have to switch gears if the waiting period gets too long, and use up their cap space on others. The Raptors don’t have to worry about cap space.
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Post by chopper31 on Jul 2, 2019 14:41:13 GMT -7
I hate to agree with this but I do. I think if Leonard was staying he would have announced it at the parade, or as soon as FA began. Although Chopper's point may be valid because....it would leave the Raptors in a tough spot if they miss out on the top FAs and THEN Leonard leaves. After all the goodwill he built in Toronto/Canada, it would be cold thing to do....delay the decision and then leave. EVERY POSTER ON THIS BOARD SHOULD COPY AND PASTE THIS FOR ALL OF MY GLORIOUS POSTS.
Great call on the reverse. If he bails, thanks for waiting as Toronto could have played in the initial action of FA. Nice post !
Not true, see above post. It’s going to be at least one (I think both) of the LA teams that will have lost out on the other signings they could have made, while they were waiting around for Kawhi. The Raptors never had that option, and can wait all the way until opening day if they have to, without affecting their FA moves.
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Post by chopper31 on Jul 2, 2019 15:57:05 GMT -7
Time will tell my friend.
chop thinks Leonard delaying so long to announce favors him staying in Toronto. I believe the exact opposite is true. All of the little duckies are getting lined up in a row. For what ? To stay where he already is ? I don't think so......
I think if Leonard was staying he would have announced it at the parade, or as soon as FA began. I’m 99% sure he didn’t have an offer on the table yet, at the time of the parade, and I’m not sure he does as of today either. If that is the case, there is no way he could announce that he’s re-signing, even if he wanted to. He can’t make an announcement based on an assumption that MLSE is going to offer him the max amount, and pay the luxury tax that goes along with it. It would be a bad business decision (for negotiation purposes) to announce to the World that you are resigning, before an offer is even made. He is meeting with the Raptors last, and as far as I know, he hasn’t met with any team yet. I recently heard he doesn’t plan on making any decisions until the end of the week. As you suggested in your other post, the idea about screwing the Lakers by purposely dragging things out as other potential signings come off the board, that same idea could hold true if he knew in the back of his mind he was returning to the Raptors. The Lakers are trying to assemble a super team, which could be a threat to his chances of repeating with the Raptors. The Raptors also have no problem whatsoever in him taking his sweet time in making a decision, as it can’t effect their free agency plans either way...
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Post by chopper31 on Jul 2, 2019 16:16:39 GMT -7
Kawhi is Clippers or Raptors. No way I can see him joining the Lakers, for so many reasons (many outlined by chopper already). If it is the Clippers, I hope the Raptors can work out a sign-and-trade to get some assets in return. If Kawhi continues to wait and ends up not signing with the Lakers they will be left with only 2nd/3rd tier FA options to fill out the roster. I really hope this happens....I think everyone wants this LeBron/Lakers experiment to fail. Especially after they gave up so many assets for Davis. I have a feeling that Kawhi won with the Spurs who drafted him, then the first championship for a team he didn't choose. I think there is a part of him that wants to bring the Clippers their first championship and choose his destination. And wouldn't the perfect strategy be to wait it out and screw the Lakers a bit before signing with the Clippers. The Clippers have the roster and coaching to provide some "load management". With the Raptors already being over the cap, I don’t believe (by rule) that a sign & trade is possible, but I’m not 100% sure. What I do know is there is no love between the Raptors and Clippers. The Raptors have complained to the league multiple times about the Clippers tampering with Kawhi, and recently got them fined for some comments Doc Rivers made. I can’t see the two organizations working together to do something above and beyond, and the Clippers have enough cap space that they don’t need to worry about shedding any, so there is no need or incentive for them to give anything up. In the case of the Lakers, they have nothing/nobody left to trade away.
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