NBA Free Agency.

[Captnhowdy]

I can just imagine now Kobe being amnestied by the Lakers out of nowhere and the fan base going ape over it. What a day that would be.

 

[Knicks411]

I don't think they're going to amnesty Kobe. His contract is up next year anyway, and the fans would probably hate them if they amnestied him

 

[The General]

On Dwight- I'm in the Bill Simmons, Colin Cowherd camp, Dwight has peaked. He is a player whose dominance is predicated on athleticism. He has no post up game. And he never will. He may have a couple good years left in him but like Sean Kemp and Amare, the decline is on the way. He did not protect the rim last year for the Lakers. He wasn't explosive. Maybe its the back. Or maybe its the slow decent.

Kobe will never be amnestied. My bigger fear is how much they sign him for in '14. It obviously can't be a max deal but will Kobe play for 15 mil or less? He's not a Tim Duncan. He's not getting lowballed.

They will amnesty Metta. They will eventually trade Nash if they can (Toronto makes sense). They will have zero players under contract for the '14 free agent class. Lebron is likely staying in Miami. Paul George and Kyrie Irving are restricted and their teams will match. The only guy I see opting out and coming is Melo. I love Melo and would love him to be a Laker but could there be a worse fit than Melo and Kobe? Melo and Dantoni?

 

[Captnhowdy]

On Dwight- I'm in the Bill Simmons, Colin Cowherd camp, Dwight has peaked. He is a player whose dominance is predicated on athleticism. He has no post up game. And he never will. He may have a couple good years left in him but like Sean Kemp and Amare, the decline is on the way. He did not protect the rim last year for the Lakers. He wasn't explosive. Maybe its the back. Or maybe its the slow decent.

Kobe will never be amnestied. My bigger fear is how much they sign him for in '14. It obviously can't be a max deal but will Kobe play for 15 mil or less? He's not a Tim Duncan. He's not getting lowballed.

They will amnesty Metta. They will eventually trade Nash if they can (Toronto makes sense). They will have zero players under contract for the '14 free agent class. Lebron is likely staying in Miami. Paul George and Kyrie Irving are restricted and their teams will match. The only guy I see opting out and coming is Melo. I love Melo and would love him to be a Laker but could there be a worse fit than Melo and Kobe? Melo and Dantoni?

They already tried that and it didn't work. They did have Stoudamire that did help wreck that team but I doubt Lakers make a run for 'Melo with Dantoni at the helm.

 

[OrangeDW]

They already tried that and it didn't work. They did have Stoudamire that did help wreck that team but I doubt Lakers make a run for 'Melo with Dantoni at the helm.

If it comes down to that, fire D'Antoni.

 

[Knicks411]

I don't think Melo is going anywhere. But D'Antoni will probably be fired in a year anyway.

 

[Captnhowdy]

Ya I don't think 'Melo leaves unless he is traded or knicks won't re-sign him. He wanted to come to NY.

 

[Orangezoo]

Melo I think wants to stay in NY the rest of the way. Even though I am not a big fan of the Bargnani deal - I am intrigued. If he comes in motivated to now get to be a 3rd option with less pressure -he could be a nice asset and work out well. Would love to see the knicks work out something to bring back KMART bring in Brand and also get Brooks at PG. To me that would be the best possible outcome with what is left.

 

[moqui]

On Dwight- I'm in the Bill Simmons, Colin Cowherd camp, Dwight has peaked. He is a player whose dominance is predicated on athleticism.

I'm no Bill Simmons fan, but I will grant that he knows a bit about the NBA. Cowherd, on the other hand, is utterly clueless about hoops. Appeal to Authority is not a valid argument to begin with, but appealing to Cowherd on basketball is disastrous.

In any case, that point of view was demonstrated to be false last season. With a bad back and a torn labrum - limiting his athleticism - D12 still managed to lead the league in rebounding and post a PER close to 20.

He may have "peaked," but a decline does not always immediately follow a peak - there can be a long plateau. If he stays healthy, I'll bet he will post a PER above 20 and be the top center in the league for the entire length of his new contract.

They will amnesty Metta. They will eventually trade Nash if they can (Toronto makes sense). They will have zero players under contract for the '14 free agent class. Lebron is likely staying in Miami. Paul George and Kyrie Irving are restricted and their teams will match. The only guy I see opting out and coming is Melo. I love Melo and would love him to be a Laker but could there be a worse fit than Melo and Kobe? Melo and Dantoni?

they don't need to amnest MWP because his contract ends this year, anyway. as an expiring contract, he has a bit of trade value.

I don't think the Lakers are going to lure a top five FA next year. Players and agents are too savvy about tax implications these days - CA has the highest tax rate in the nation - so there has to be something else (like the likelihood of a title) to make up for that. The Lakers will have an absolutely bare cupboard, so title chances are nil from the start. Miami was able to go from nil to a title contender because Wade was able to convince his two close friends to join him there. Kobe doesn't have two close friends in his entire life, let alone among his NBA peers.

 

[The General]

Lakers are leaning towards keeping Metta. Amnesty would save them 19 mil in luxury tax. I imagine he will be moved to a contender later this year for picks but that's a lot to pay for Ron.

Fyi, Kobe has one friend, Melo. They were spotted out to dinner together Sunday night in Newport. And Stephen A. said this AM that it was 50/50 on whether Melo would be a Laker next year. Take it all for what it's worth. Maybe nothing. Maybe something.

Bounce Dantoni, sign Melo, sign Cousins. Or wait til '15 for Rondo, Love. Options remain. They also have their pick in '14 which could be in the lottery. Would it shock anyone to see the ball bounce their way?

The cupboard won't be bare long.

 

[Knicks411]

In any case, that point of view was demonstrated to be false last season. With a bad back and a torn labrum - limiting his athleticism - D12 still managed to lead the league in rebounding and post a PER close to 20.

He may have "peaked," but a decline does not always immediately follow a peak - there can be a long plateau. If he stays healthy, I'll bet he will post a PER above 20 and be the top center in the league for the entire length of his new contract.

This is kind of where the max salary helps. I don't know if Dwight is ever going to be the player he was in the 2008-2011 period (when he was one of the three best players in the league, IMO), but he doesn't need to be like that to be worth his contract. Like you said, if he puts up a 20 PER or whatever, with the good defense, he will be worth the max deal.

 

[The General]

This is kind of where the max salary helps. I don't know if Dwight is ever going to be the player he was in the 2008-2011 period (when he was one of the three best players in the league, IMO), but he doesn't need to be like that to be worth his contract. Like you said, if he puts up a 20 PER or whatever, with the good defense, he will be worth the max deal.

I agree he is worth the money, that's the nature of the league. Just don't know if he will ever lead a team to a title. And that is how he will be measured. Not on PER. Guys who win titles are serious when the ball tips, Kobe, Duncan, Lebron. They aren't around. Dwight seems to lack that edge.

Will be fascinating to see how it plays out. Howard is out of excuse if this doesn't go well. He got what he wanted. I don't see Harden dumping it into the post 20 times a game for a dude who has no post moves and can't hit free throws. Gonna get old, fast. Is it Harden's team or Dwight's? The problem with Dwight is he refuses to accept what he is, a great defensive player and rebounder. Great in transition. Average offensive game. But he demands the ball.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Lakers are leaning towards keeping Metta. Amnesty would save them 19 mil in luxury tax. I imagine he will be moved to a contender later this year for picks but that's a lot to pay for Ron.

Fyi, Kobe has one friend, Melo. They were spotted out to dinner together Sunday night in Newport. And Stephen A. said this AM that it was 50/50 on whether Melo would be a Laker next year. Take it all for what it's worth. Maybe nothing. Maybe something.

Bounce Dantoni, sign Melo, sign Cousins. Or wait til '15 for Rondo, Love. Options remain. They also have their pick in '14 which could be in the lottery. Would it shock anyone to see the ball bounce their way?

The cupboard won't be bare long.

Yeah, for whatever reason, Kobe really seems to respect Melo's game and has always seemed to want to play alongside him.

 

[The General]

Yeah, for whatever reason, Kobe really seems to respect Melo's game and has always seemed to want to play alongside him.

And somehow Melo can tolerate Kobe's tyrannical behavior. I think Kobe respects Melo's work ethic. It's my dream to see Melo in a Laker uniform.

Much less of a dream, I'd like them to sign Wes. Just once I want to see a Cuse guy in purple and gold. Not sure it's ever happened.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

And somehow Melo can tolerate Kobe's tyrannical behavior. I think Kobe respects Melo's work ethic. It's my dream to see Melo in a Laker uniform.

Much less of a dream, I'd like them to sign Wes. Just once I want to see a Cuse guy in purple and gold. Not sure it's ever happened.

Wes will land somewhere on a cheap deal and end up being a bargain.

 

[Knicks411]

I agree he is worth the money, that's the nature of the league. Just don't know if he will ever lead a team to a title. And that is how he will be measured. Not on PER. Guys who win titles are serious when the ball tips, Kobe, Duncan, Lebron. They aren't around. Dwight seems to lack that edge.

Will be fascinating to see how it plays out. Howard is out of excuse if this doesn't go well. He got what he wanted. I don't see Harden dumping it into the post 20 times a game for a dude who has no post moves and can't hit free throws. Gonna get old, fast. Is it Harden's team or Dwight's? The problem with Dwight is he refuses to accept what he is, a great defensive player and rebounder. Great in transition. Average offensive game. But he demands the ball.

Yeah, I'm not saying I disagree with you. Just that it's nice for Houston, because the best players in the league are worth so much more than the max salary, that even if they don't live all the way up to what you expect, it isn't a bad contract.

But you're right; Dwight should embrace what he is and let Harden be the main guy on the offense.

Wes will land somewhere on a cheap deal and end up being a bargain.

Not trying to troll or anything, but I've seen this sentiment in a few places, am I missing something? I mean, he cracked 40% for the first time in his career, but on the other hand, he cracked 40% for the first time in his career.

 

[The General]

Wes will land somewhere on a cheap deal and end up being a bargain.

Agreed. I think he'd be a great fit in Dantoni's system.

 

[The General]

Not trying to troll or anything, but I've seen this sentiment in a few places, am I missing something? I mean, he cracked 40% for the first time in his career, but on the other hand, he cracked 40% for the first time in his career.

Wes is a vet minimum role player. Was asked to do the wrong things in Minn. Abandoned in Phx. Hopefully he'll find his niche.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Not trying to troll or anything, but I've seen this sentiment in a few places, am I missing something? I mean, he cracked 40% for the first time in his career, but on the other hand, he cracked 40% for the first time in his career.

His #s after the all-star break were pretty decent. He's hurt because people remember him as a lottery bust though. I look at a guy like Demarre Carrol, who has a new contract, and isn't the player Wes is, especially considering he settled in once he got some consistent run. Wes will land somewhere and he still has some upside, especially on a really cheap deal.

 

[moqui]

The cupboard won't be bare long.

The cupboard won't be bare because they have a revenue stream and the NBA is a game of musical chairs - everyone wants to land on a seat and keep playing. But, there is no reason for any title-driven superstar to sign up with the Lakers - they have no stable to offer them. Unless a future superstar lands in their lap in the 2014 draft, I think that the balance of the decade is going to resemble the Nick Van Exel/Cedric Ceballos era.

Unless, of course, Jimmy B eats humble pie and lets Phil Jackson run the basketball operations. Phil alone would lure quality FAs and could become the West Coast Pat Riley.

 

[Knicks411]

His #s after the all-star break were pretty decent. He's hurt because people remember him as a lottery bust though. I look at a guy like Demarre Carrol, who has a new contract, and isn't the player Wes is, especially considering he settled in once he got some consistent run. Wes will land somewhere and he still has some upside, especially on a really cheap deal.

I guess, he shot 42.6% from the field after the break, which is really only good in comparison. And it's a really small sample.

Carroll was a pretty good player last year. He played over 1,000 minutes with a PER of 15.5. Wes has a career PER of 9.5.

I dunno, I'm not trying to be a hater here, but I see pretty much nothing from Wes.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

I guess, he shot 42.6% from the field after the break, which is really only good in comparison. And it's a really small sample.

Carroll was a pretty good player last year. He played over 1,000 minutes with a PER of 15.5. Wes has a career PER of 9.5.

I dunno, I'm not trying to be a hater here, but I see pretty much nothing from Wes.

I watched some Jazz games and picked Carroll for a reason. Wes is a better player.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[Knicks411]

Well, I can count the number of times I saw Carroll play last on one hand, so I don't want to go too overboard defending him. The stats look solid though. And wes's numbers are pretty awful.

We'll see. I feel bad trashing the kid

 

[The General]

The cupboard won't be bare because they have a revenue stream and the NBA is a game of musical chairs - everyone wants to land on a seat and keep playing. But, there is no reason for any title-driven superstar to sign up with the Lakers - they have no stable to offer them. Unless a future superstar lands in their lap in the 2014 draft, I think that the balance of the decade is going to resemble the Nick Van Exel/Cedric Ceballos era.

Unless, of course, Jimmy B eats humble pie and lets Phil Jackson run the basketball operations. Phil alone would lure quality FAs and could become the West Coast Pat Riley.

Eh, I think that there are still plenty of reasons to want to be a Laker. They aren't going to suddenly turn into the Bucks. Phil is looming. It's a matter of time. Phil can't go a day without a Laker related tweet.

Why would Melo stay with the Knicks? They are going nowhere. Melo's window is closing. Sadly.

 

[moqui]

Eh, I think that there are still plenty of reasons to want to be a Laker. They aren't going to suddenly turn into the Bucks. Phil is looming. It's a matter of time. Phil can't go a day without a Laker related tweet..

What would those reasons be? Kobe is an ahole, Jimmy B is a fool, Kupchak is a yes man, the glamour team plays across the hall, Cali taxes are the highest in the nation (so why take the hit for an empty roster?) . . . the only thing left is an appeal to history. Good luck with that pitch on the 20-something generation. As for Phil - he is putting on the mild pressure, but he won't get control unless and until Jimmy cedes it.

Why would Melo stay with the Knicks? They are going nowhere.

because they are his team. . . why join the also going nowhere Los Angeles Kobes?