The 2017-2018 Around the NBA thread

[Mainstreet]

It looks like the Lakers are re-engaged with the Spurs about Leonard.

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

 

[GatorAZ]

It’s probably going down soon because the Spurs are backs into a corner. Ingram, Kuzma and Hart wouldn’t be a bad return given the situation.

 

[Mainstreet]

It’s probably going down soon because the Spurs are backs into a corner. Ingram, Kuzma and Hart wouldn’t be a bad return given the situation.

If this happens the Spurs make out like bandits with Pop coaching them.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

It’s probably going down soon because the Spurs are backs into a corner. Ingram, Kuzma and Hart wouldn’t be a bad return given the situation.

I’d require future unprotected picks when the new big three lakers retiee

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

If this happens the Spurs make out like bandits with Pop coaching them.

Interesting I think they get underpaid.

 

[Mainstreet]

I’d require future unprotected picks when the new big three lakers retiee

That too! LOL

 

[Folster]

I really hope the Spurs trade-rape the Lakers and make off with Ingram, Kuzma, Ball, anyone else with marginal talent, and picks. Just absolutely gut their squad like Denver did to NY in the Melo trade. That would make me happy.

Watching the Lakers roll out LeBron, Kawhi and a bunch of old has-beens and scrubs would be highly entertaining.

 

[Carolinacacti]

Lakers will over pay to get that first star knowing another will come. I feel the Laker hate building up in me. We can only hope it goes like the Howard, Nash bomb.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Interesting I think they get underpaid.

Me tool. Ingram, Kuzma, picks, lots of picks.

 

[Finito]

The pressure is on the Lakers the Spurs are in no hurry everything coming out is how there is pressure for LA to do something before Lebron makes his desicion.

 

[GatorAZ]

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/...san-antonio-spurs-re-open-talks-kawhi-leonard

 

[1tinsoldier]

the Spurs are in control.
they can get good value for Leonard from the East and still compete for, or in, the Playoffs
and the Lakers will continue to struggle
trading him to the Lakers means they'll be conceding the Spurs to the Lakers with Leonard, Lebron, and another star for 3 to 5 years (Lebron dreams of being in the League with his son)

for it to work for the Spurs they'd also need to get post-Lebron picks from the Lakers and switch to rebuild mode
i don't see it happening.
Magic would have to do some real magic again
like become 25 and resign with the Lakers himself

it's more feasible for the Spurs to trade with Cavs if they can return some value

 

[AzStevenCal]

the Spurs are in control.
they can get good value for Leonard from the East and still compete for, or in, the Playoffs
and the Lakers will continue to struggle
trading him to the Lakers means they'll be conceding the Spurs to the Lakers with Leonard, Lebron, and another star for 3 to 5 years (Lebron dreams of being in the League with his son)

for it to work for the Spurs they'd also need to get post-Lebron picks from the Lakers and switch to rebuild mode
i don't see it happening.
Magic would have to do some real magic again
like become 25 and resign with the Lakers himself

it's more feasible for the Spurs to trade with Cavs if they can return some value

They have some added leverage right now because of Lebron's timeline but I wouldn't say they were in control. They have limited options available to them and if they don't take advantage of the Lakers eagerness to deal before Lebron's opt-in day (Friday), they will have even fewer. If they were really in control, they'd simply re-sign Kawhi (which may still happen according to Woj).

 

[GatorAZ]

They have some added leverage right now because of Lebron's timeline but I wouldn't say they were in control. They have limited options available to them and if they don't take advantage of the Lakers eagerness to deal before Lebron's opt-in day (Friday), they will have even fewer. If they were really in control, they'd simply re-sign Kawhi (which may still happen according to Woj).

I’d say neither team has overwhelming leverage right now but the Lakers are in better position to call the Spurs bluff if they ask for something crazy. Yes it might result in not getting Lebron this summer but LA will still have cap space for a max guys next summer. Lebron isn’t signing anything larger than a 1 year deal and Kawhi is LA-bound regardless. I think the Spurs should be careful overplaying their hand.

 

[1tinsoldier]

the LA factor isn't what it used to be. and neither is N.Y..
superstars got together in Golden State, in Cleveland, and maybe Houston is next.
hell, we've got a couple of superstars nesting in Oklahoma now.

the trend is Super Teams, not Super Cities

Lebron and Leonard prefer LA, but they can get what they're after elsewhere too
advantage Spurs over Lakers
they're compromised in the larger Leonard situation but are in "control" of Laker negotiations
they shut down Laker talks once and are just listening again to see how far the Lakers' will bend
but my wager is that they are going to require more than the Lakers can give

frankly, the Spurs are smarter than the Lakers
the Lakers picked Lonzo 2nd last year and they're still getting outplayed by Lavar

 

[AzStevenCal]

I’d say neither team has overwhelming leverage right now but the Lakers are in better position to call the Spurs bluff if they ask for something crazy. Yes it might result in not getting Lebron this summer but LA will still have cap space for a max guys next summer. Lebron isn’t signing anything larger than a 1 year deal and Kawhi is LA-bound regardless. I think the Spurs should be careful overplaying their hand.

I agree with most of this but I'm not so sure on the one year deal. At some point, it makes sense for Lebron to take the full contract and he's rapidly approaching that age.

 

[Hoop Head]

I really hope the Spurs trade-rape the Lakers and make off with Ingram, Kuzma, Ball, anyone else with marginal talent, and picks. Just absolutely gut their squad like Denver did to NY in the Melo trade. That would make me happy.

Watching the Lakers roll out LeBron, Kawhi and a bunch of old has-beens and scrubs would be highly entertaining.

I hope they both lose, somehow. I don't want to see either get better from making a deal. I guess the ideal scenario is the Spurs land 3 of the Lakers young players who never end up being anything worthwhile. While the Lakers end up failing to resign Kawhi and they lose him for nothing in free agency. The only way it could get better is if Leonard leaves for the Clippers.

 

[Finito]

"Lebron hit up Durant about coming to the Laker"- Steven A Smith

Damn it Lebron do you have any shame? I used to be a Lebron fan but this is getting stupid. Begging players to come help you now.

 

[Chaplin]

"Lebron hit up Durant about coming to the Laker"- Steven A Smith

Damn it Lebron do you have any shame? I used to be a Lebron fan but this is getting stupid. Begging players to come help you now.

Destroying the league.

 

[Proximo]

Durant would destroy all his credibility and be hated for years if he did that. I can't see that happening.

Yes, Lebron is a tool for even asking him to do it, because he would hurt his own legacy as well.

 

[Finito]

Destroying the league.

The league is healthier than its probably ever been. Despite what some fans think super teams are good for sports.

Ratings and money is up while all other sports are down

 

[Chaplin]

The league is healthier than its probably ever been. Despite what some fans think super teams are good for sports.

Ratings and money is up while all other sports are down

It's only good for the fans of those super teams and management. How you can say it's good for a majority of the fans?

 

[Finito]

It's only good for the fans of those super teams and management. How you can say it's good for a majority of the fans?

Rating prove it. People like super teams. I for one am a life long Suns fan and consider myself a die hard Suns fan from day 1 im born and raised here in Mesa, but a few years ago when the Warriors won 73 games and on the other side when Lebron, Kyrie and Love were steam rolling through the East

I have never in my life been more excited to watch and NBA finals in my life. I was like a kid and the way it ended with Cleveland coming back 3-1 was just amazing.

People like watching stuff like that

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Rating prove it. People like super teams. I for one am a life long Suns fan and consider myself a die hard Suns fan from day 1 im born and raised here in Mesa, but a few years ago when the Warriors won 73 games and on the other side when Lebron, Kyrie and Love were steam rolling through the East

I have never in my life been more excited to watch and NBA finals in my life. I was like a kid and the way it ended with Cleveland coming back 3-1 was just amazing.

People like watching stuff like that

Sure and that 73 win Warriors team was organic. That was before they got KD in free agency and they haven't been nearly as fun to watch since they did.

 

[Raindog]

People WILL inevitably get bored with the superteam concept. There is nothing more monotonous than knowing who is going to be the champs (and even the runnerup) before the season even starts. Why bother following unless your team happens to be one of the superteams?

I think there is a novelty factor that may hold fan interest for a couple years, to see if one superteam can beat the other. But even that loses its fascination with time.