NBA Free Agency Thread

[Smash Williams]

If there was a Shaq-type FA this year, the Lakers would have gone after him with both guns blazing, and probably would have pulled it off. These guys aren't anywhere near that level, though, and I think that negates most of LA's advantage. As good as LMA is, given his age, the Lakers weren't going to be building around him. He plays the same position as Randle, and it's clear that Randle and Russell are the future. He could win a championship in LA, but he might be coming off the bench by that time, as it wouldn't come until he was 32 or 33.

Next year, however, Kevin Durant is a free agent. He is the kind of guy that LA would build their team around despite having Russell and Randle. If he isn't happy in OKC, things could get interesting.

Shaq's free agency was in a completely different era. The dynamics are incomparable to free agency today.

Although there was a salary cap back then, there was no maximum on individual salaries (in Michael Jordan's last two seasons, his salary was greater than the entire salary cap). The Magic lowballed Shaq, partly because they didn't forsee someone else carving out enough cap space to outbid them...then Jerry West trade Divac not only to get Kobe, but also to make a bigger offer to Shaq. Of course, Shaq was offended, and he wanted to make crappy movies and albums, so LA was a great fit.

Also, the Lakers were a playoff team with quality young talent before Shaq arrived. That, aside from the completely different salary cap rules, make 2015 or 2016 incomparable to the courting of Shaq in 1996.

 

[Smash Williams]

Had they kept Howard and/or Gasol they wouldn't have won anything and wouldn't have Russell or Randle. The rules have changed. Shaq and Lebron are the only free agents in the past 30 years to lead a title team. Stars are acquired via the draft. There is a massive dropoff in star potential after the first 3-8 picks. You have to suck to get a star these days. It's just the way it is.

They tried to keep both of them. They didn't have to do that, nor am I saying they should have. The fact that they wouldn't have won anything with them only makes the decision not to trade them that much more egregious. They could've traded them for future assets and still have rebuilt.

 

[jmizzy4ou]

They tried to keep both of them. They didn't have to do that, nor am I saying they should have. The fact that they wouldn't have won anything with them only makes the decision not to trade them that much more egregious. They could've traded them for future assets and still have rebuilt.

As usual Smash is owning this thread, and nothing more needs to be said. Any Lakers fan who thinks there's no problem with NOT being able to land a quality FA after all the bells & whistles were rolled out the last 2 yrs is delusional & in denial.

The point is LA has always been able to get who they wanted, coupled with sound moves by Buss, and like Smash said West. The current regime has shown 00000 ability to analyze and make championship moves. Like I said, I see no indication KD or RW would leave a team on the cusp, for a rebuilding project relying on 21 yr old unproven draftees.....

Heck KD could go to his hometown team & play with a top 10 PG. LA currently has no drawing power on the roster, and the ownership is considered a joke around the league.

Magic Johnson is trying to remain supportive, but he has said the Lakers won't be the Lakers until baby Buss is out of the way. He is egotistical, stubborn, easily angered, and knows little to nothing about how to build a franchise. His sister woulda been a better fit, IMO......

 

[bocabull]

They tried to keep both of them. They didn't have to do that, nor am I saying they should have. The fact that they wouldn't have won anything with them only makes the decision not to trade them that much more egregious. They could've traded them for future assets and still have rebuilt.

Howard was a surprise no doubt. But Gasol they played fine. They entertained offers for him and didn't get anything worthwhile. The last offer was to trade him for Boozer which they declined. Then they got Boozer off waivers at a $12 million discount and used the money to pay Lin for a season in exchange for the Rockets first round pick. They used cap space to buy the pick that produced Clarkson from Washington.

The Lakers are about winning titles, not winning 40 games.

 

[thebigabd]

A match made in heaven for thebigabd!! Greg Monroe to the Bucks. haha

Very glad the Lakers refused to offer him a max deal. He could be a good fit there but it's all about Jabari Parker recovering from the ACL.

Haha, didnt see this before I made the thread. I got excited.

Huge deal for the Bucks.. now the Magic need to sign someone.

 

[Eielson]

tap the breaks. Most balanced young lineups you've ever seen?

I'll tap the breaks when you give me a reason to. When's the last time you saw a lineup so deep from 1-5 with everybody age 25 or younger? MCW may be the worst of the bunch, and he was the 2014 Rookie of the Year.

 

[Eielson]

Shaq's free agency was in a completely different era. The dynamics are incomparable to free agency today.

True. That's not what I'm saying, though. I'm saying that a player of Shaq's caliber would be more drawn to LA than lesser players. I'm not making an era reference.

I'm not going to say too much about this until LMA actually eliminates LA, though.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

I'll tap the breaks when you give me a reason to. When's the last time you saw a lineup so deep from 1-5 with everybody age 25 or younger? MCW may be the worst of the bunch, and he was the 2014 Rookie of the Year.

I have given you plenty of reasons in my last post.

And to answer your question

Westbrook, kd, harden and serge knocks the Bucks lineup out of the park


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[Eielson]

I have given you plenty of reasons in my last post.

And to answer your question

Westbrook, kd, harden and serge knocks the Bucks lineup out of the park

Who are #4 and #5?

I'm not talking about a top-heavy team. I'm talking about having potential all-stars from 1-5 all under the age of 25.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

Serge is four. Doesn't matter whom you put at five. It isn't close

And lol at potential all stars one trough five on that team. They'll be lucky to have one


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[Eielson]

Serge is four. Doesn't matter whom you put at five. It isn't close

Not the 4 position. As in, who is the #4 and #5 players.

And lol at potential all stars one trough five on that team. They'll be lucky to have one

I'm sorry, but you're not even worth talking to if you think the Bucks will be lucky to ever put one of their current guys in the All-Star game. That's nonsense.

 

[KCRuf/Nek]

I am absolutely stunned at the money being given to so many of these players.

 

[bocabull]

Who are #4 and #5?

I'm not talking about a top-heavy team. I'm talking about having potential all-stars from 1-5 all under the age of 25.

Bounce is the ultimate thunder homer. According to him they have 4 first team all NBA players and should have won the title every year. Don't expect a reasonable discussion with him on any topic unless you are drooling over anything OKC.

Anyway don't forget about Rashad Vaughn too. Bucks gave certainly assembled a host of assets. It's really all about Jabari Parker though he could be MVP caliber.

 

[One More Rebound]

I am absolutely stunned at the money being given to so many of these players.

Ed Davis is getting a twenty million dollar contract. Let that sink in. Ed Davis. Twenty million dollars.

 

[Sooner04]

I am absolutely stunned at the money being given to so many of these players.

You're not alone.

I don't follow the league religiously like I did when the Sonics were around, but I still keep pretty close tabs. There are guys getting contracts worth 10 million per and I know NOTHING about them. Why is Ed Davis getting paid? Because he's left-handed?

Someone is going to pay DeAndre Jordan, and they're going to be up late with cold sweats for months afterward. Buyer's remorse to the maximum power. I wouldn't give a sack of magic beans for that guy.

 

[One More Rebound]

Marco Belinelli. 19 Million. Amazing.

 

[WTSooner]

Some of the high contracts are b/c the cap is going up either next year or the year after. These contracts will look like bargains then.

 

[Eielson]

Some of the high contracts are b/c the cap is going up either next year or the year after. These contracts will look like bargains then.

To some extent, I'm in agreement. I don't think the cap jump is going to be large enough to make Carroll at 15M look good, though.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

Not the 4 position. As in, who is the #4 and #5 players.



I'm sorry, but you're not even worth talking to if you think the Bucks will be lucky to ever put one of their current guys in the All-Star game. That's nonsense.

I named four. Russ. Kd. Harde.n. Serge.
You could throw in cole Aldrich as a fifth and it would still trump what the bucks are throwing out.

It's not even close

Let's just tag this thread and check back on it later


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[SoonerBounce13]

Bounce is the ultimate thunder homer. According to him they have 4 first team all NBA players and should have won the title every year. Don't expect a reasonable discussion with him on any topic unless you are drooling over anything OKC.

Anyway don't forget about Rashad Vaughn too. Bucks gave certainly assembled a host of assets. It's really all about Jabari Parker though he could be MVP caliber.

Lol


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