2016 Official NBA Off-Season Thread: Former Greatness

[pmatic]

Durant is going to be 28, he's not going to an unproven team.

Anyways:

@ESPNSteinLine Story posting now with @ramonashelburne: @espn sources say the Lakers plan to aggressively pursue Miami's Hassan Whiteside in free agency

Here's $94Ms for you Hassan.

 

[rolaholic]

Im pretty sure

Not sure why KD doesn't visit Minnesota. His loss...

why would KD visit Minnesota

Why not though? It's clear that Minnesota is quickly on the rise and a guy like KD gets them there soon instead of in a few years.. He can put his stamp on a smaller market team and be beloved by everyone. KAT is there to be beloved too, but he certainly doesn't seem to mind sharing the spotlight with Russ. He just wants to win, right? It seems forward thinking to me.

To be part of OKC 2.0

What's comparable? Are you talking the team or the city -- both? It's not.

Only just comparing how they're both the most fresh examples of teams building a contender "the right way" through the draft and such ,you don't see it that often anymore

I like Minny as a city

 

[651akathepaul]

What do you guys think minny can get for Rubio?

No clue. I guess it depends on his market. The things he does well, he does very well -- top tier. But the thing he does not do very well (shooting), is bottom tier. There would only be certain teams that would see Rubio as a guy to help get them to the top. There's always GM's that make boneheaded moves, so there's that, but I don't think as an organization you can bank on that. I certainly won't as a fan. I, and most other Wolves fans, want him on this team. They're finally getting good and it was clear how much better they were when he was in the game with all the young studs. He has value to this team.

 

[casper90403]

KD on Minny? Take the homer glasses off. A good young team who's a few years away from being good. KD is not looking to be good in a couple of years. Its ring or bust for him next year.

 

[slick vitale]

This is reminding me of Lebron's FA when alot of delusional fanbases really believed they had a shot at him.

 

[antidope]

Durant is going to be 28, he's not going to an unproven team.

Anyways:

@ESPNSteinLine Story posting now with @ramonashelburne: @espn sources say the Lakers plan to aggressively pursue Miami's Hassan Whiteside in free agency

Here's $94Ms for you Hassan.

No more underhanded mafia deals for Pat Riley

 

[651akathepaul]

Im pretty sure

Not sure why KD doesn't visit Minnesota. His loss...

why would KD visit Minnesota

Why not though? It's clear that Minnesota is quickly on the rise and a guy like KD gets them there soon instead of in a few years.. He can put his stamp on a smaller market team and be beloved by everyone. KAT is there to be beloved too, but he certainly doesn't seem to mind sharing the spotlight with Russ. He just wants to win, right? It seems forward thinking to me.

To be part of OKC 2.0

What's comparable? Are you talking the team or the city -- both? It's not.

Only just comparing how they're both the most fresh examples of teams building a contender "the right way" through the draft and such ,you don't see it that often anymore

I like Minny as a city

I see that. The pieces fit a bit differently, but I know what you mean.

KD on Minny? Take the homer glasses off. A good young team who's a few years away from being good. KD is not looking to be good in a couple of years. Its ring or bust for him next year.

Chill chill...I was looking at it from his perspective too. I know it's rare these days, but it's not unheard of for star to go somewhere that's just starting their winning ways.

Depending on where he goes, what's the guarantee he even accomplishes getting a ring? If he goes anywhere other than GS or the Eastern Conference, then his chances of winning a ring now are no better than if he were to go to Minnesota and win one in 3 years.

 

[651akathepaul]

This is reminding me of Lebron's FA when alot of delusional fanbases really believed they had a shot at him.

And this is me you're talking to?


Take this and run guys...Jesus. I never mentioned Minnesota's chances of landing him. I just wondered aloud why not visit Minnesota and my explanation above is my reason for that. Simmer with these attacks. I'm not a Lakers fan yo.

 

[casper90403]

KD needs to win very soon, not 3-4 years from now. The comparisons to his peers will intensify. Seeing Lebron win kills him.

We all may look at the T-Wolves roster and love it, but someone like KD isn't looking at it the same. It would make zero sense for him to go there.

Going to the Lakers would make more sense than Minnesota.

And for real though, this will be taken as disrespect, but its Minnesota.

 

[Based Jesus]

Wondering why KD doesnt waste time visiting Minny is nothing but homerism. Don't try to frame it any other way.

Don't feel bad about it either. We're all guilty of it sometimes. Except for Knicks fans. We know better.

 

[651akathepaul]

KD needs to win very soon, not 3-4 years from now. The comparisons to his peers will intensify. Seeing Lebron win kills him.

We all may look at the T-Wolves roster and love it, but someone like KD isn't looking at it the same. It would make zero sense for him to go there.

Going to the Lakers would make more sense than Minnesota.

And for real though, this will be taken as disrespect, but its Minnesota.

I disagree that it makes zero sense. And I also disagree that the Lakers would be better. I don't understand that at all. But yeah...LA > Minnesota...So what tough? It's KD...He's demonstrated that it's not about the city necessarily.

 

[rolaholic]

Durant is going to be 28, he's not going to an unproven team.

Anyways:

@ESPNSteinLine Story posting now with @ramonashelburne: @espn sources say the Lakers plan to aggressively pursue Miami's Hassan Whiteside in free agency

Here's $94Ms for you Hassan.

No more underhanded mafia deals for Pat Riley

Who knows what kind of dirt Riles might have on Hassan...

 

[casper90403]

I've been told if the Lakers let Clarkson walk, than OKC fans (and KD) should be worried.

Probably won't happen, but if it does, someone has made the Lakers feel like he's coming to play for them.

View media item 2080872

 

[casper90403]

I disagree that it makes zero sense. And I also disagree that the Lakers would be better. I don't understand that at all. But yeah...LA > Minnesota...So what tough? It's KD...He's demonstrated that it's not about the city necessarily.

0.0 sense. Sorry. Enjoy what you have. Let everyone beat each other up and overspend on players. You guys will be making moves in 2-3 years.

KD just isn't in your picture right now.

 

[651akathepaul]

Wondering why KD doesnt waste time visiting Minny is nothing but homerism. Don't try to frame it any other way.
Don't feel bad about it either. We're all guilty of it sometimes. Except for Knicks fans. We know better.

I'm partial, yeah...And because it's KD and he wants to win now, then maybe I am off base with this, but I'm coming from my perspective and how I would look at something like this. I mean, I've seen Cano shock a lot of people by coming to Seattle. Money driven, most likely, but he wanted to be part of something being built and win on a much less unheralded franchise than the Yankees.

 

[casper90403]

I'm partial, yeah...And because it's KD and he wants to win now, then maybe I am off base with this, but I'm coming from my perspective and how I would look at something like this. I mean, I've seen Cano shock a lot of people by coming to Seattle. Money driven, most likely, but he wanted to be part of something being built and win on a much less unheralded franchise than the Yankees.

Cano was ALL money driven. The Mariners backed up the brinks truck and said here you go. 10 year $240M contract for a 31 year old?

 

[651akathepaul]

I disagree that it makes zero sense. And I also disagree that the Lakers would be better. I don't understand that at all. But yeah...LA > Minnesota...So what tough? It's KD...He's demonstrated that it's not about the city necessarily.

0.0 sense. Sorry. Enjoy what you have. Let everyone beat each other up and overspend on players. You guys will be making moves in 2-3 years.

KD just isn't in your picture right now.

"I wonder why KD doesn't visit Minnesota" does not mean I'm saying "KD is crazy not to want to join the Timberwolves." And it's important because it's just wonderment. I'm extremely happy with where this franchise is. That's not lost on me whatsoever and I will remain that way regardless of what you think my expectations are of Durant in Minnesota.

 

[pmatic]

Sources: Lakers to aggressively pursue Hassan Whiteside in free agency

The Los Angeles Lakers plan to aggressively pursue Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside when NBA free agency starts, according to league sources.

With rim protection and perimeter shooting ranking as the Lakers' foremost areas of concern heading into the open market, sources told ESPN.com that Whiteside has emerged a priority target for L.A.

The Lakers, like the Heat, are still hopeful of securing a face-to-face recruiting meeting with Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant once free agency season commences at 12:01 a.m. on July 1. But the Lakers, sources say, are highly intrigued by Whiteside and what he could bring them as a double-double presence inside.

ESPN.com reported earlier this week that the Dallas Mavericks also intend to be a serious suitor for Whiteside, with Dallas expected to land one of the first recruiting meetings Whiteside conducts in the opening hours of free agency. The Portland Trail Blazers are another team that has been linked with Whiteside and there will surely be others.

After averaging 14.8 points, 11.8 rebounds and a league-leading 3.7 blocks per game last season, Whiteside is expected to command a maximum contract this season, with a first-season salary forecasted to be in the $22 million range.

"More than likely, players out there in free agency, our No. 1 priority is Hassan Whiteside," Heat president Pat Riley told reporters after the season. "He's 26 years old. He's a game changer."

ESPN.com also reported this week that that Lakers, Orlando Magic and Detroit Pistons are among the teams expected to pursue Atlanta Hawks free agent-to-be Al Horford.

Longtime Heat star Dwyane Wade will also be a free agent and is expected to stay with the only team he's ever played for.

The Heat have only early Bird rights on Whiteside, meaning they must use cap space to sign him for more than a league average salary and cannot offer a fifth year on his deal. A maximum contract for Whiteside would be a projected $94.8 million over four years.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/1...ressively-pursue-hassan-whiteside-free-agency

 

[casper90403]

"I wonder why KD doesn't visit Minnesota" does not mean I'm saying "KD is crazy not to want to join the Timberwolves." And it's important because it's just wonderment. I'm extremely happy with where this franchise is. That's not lost on me whatsoever and I will remain that way regardless of what you think my expectations are of Durant in Minnesota.

I get it. For the past 5 years, as a Clipper fan, I've been thinking Lebron/KD/Melo would be coming to play for us. I was delusional.

This is the first year where I stopped thinking what if. LAC on KD's list? Yeah, i've seen it before. Not happening.

 

[651akathepaul]

I'm partial, yeah...And because it's KD and he wants to win now, then maybe I am off base with this, but I'm coming from my perspective and how I would look at something like this. I mean, I've seen Cano shock a lot of people by coming to Seattle. Money driven, most likely, but he wanted to be part of something being built and win on a much less unheralded franchise than the Yankees.

Cano was ALL money driven. The Mariners backed up the brinks truck and said here you go. 10 year $240M contract for a 31 year old?

Which is what I pointed out...Which also illustrates how athletes can look at being a FA differently. Cano chases money, Lebron chases a ring..There are some that want to do it do their way and not create a super power -- that's where my wonderment is.

Ya'll are a product of this thread with spouting off on a tangent that wasn't really the point. I just want a conversation, baby! Look what this nonsense turned into?

 

[651akathepaul]

"I wonder why KD doesn't visit Minnesota" does not mean I'm saying "KD is crazy not to want to join the Timberwolves." And it's important because it's just wonderment. I'm extremely happy with where this franchise is. That's not lost on me whatsoever and I will remain that way regardless of what you think my expectations are of Durant in Minnesota.

I get it. For the past 5 years, as a Clipper fan, I've been thinking Lebron/KD/Melo would be coming to play for us. I was delusional.

This is the first year where I stopped thinking what if. LAC on KD's list? Yeah, i've seen it before. Not happening.

I don't see why he would not strongly consider the Clippers either, but isn't he at least visiting there? It makes sense if he does and think it wouldn't hurt to visit other places as well.

 

[casper90403]

I don't see why he would not strongly consider the Clippers either.

because without Blake, they aren't better than the current OKC team, Spurs, or GSW. All of those situations are better than CP3/KD/DJ and a bunch of bums (and i was kind putting DJ in a "trio" as if he's some type of star, because he is not

 

[casper90403]

Which is what I pointed out...Which also illustrates how athletes can look at being a FA differently. Cano chases money, Lebron chases a ring..There are some that want to do it do their way and not create a super power -- that's where my wonderment is.

Ya'll are a product of this thread with spouting off on a tangent that wasn't really the point. I just want a conversation, baby! Look what this nonsense turned into?

and this is why i love the off season threads! More interesting than the regular season garbage.

 

[651akathepaul]

Which is what I pointed out...Which also illustrates how athletes can look at being a FA differently. Cano chases money, Lebron chases a ring..There are some that want to do it do their way and not create a super power -- that's where my wonderment is.

Ya'll are a product of this thread with spouting off on a tangent that wasn't really the point. I just want a conversation, baby! Look what this nonsense turned into?

and this is why i love the off season threads! More interesting than the regular season garbage.

We can all agree on something.

 

[Quincy McCall]

What exactly is Riley's plan?

Wade playing for peanuts? Whiteside taking less than the max after where his career has taken him?

Probably has a deal in place to salary dump dragic, if a verbal agreement could be met

Word is that he got a good amount of offers for him before/during the draft. Probably has a deal in place if ish hits the fan