The 2018-2019 Around the NBA thread

[Russ Smith]

I think there’s a good chance he goes to NY and zero chance of OKC. NY has the off-court “opportunities” he seems to think he’s taking advantage of. Especially if RK is offered a position with the team, they’ll have influence over personnel matters. If it pans out that way I’d guess a lot of it is already in place, which makes the Porzingis move a lot easier for the Knicks.

I don’t even think NYK is a challenge, exactly. Durant has rings now. They would pair him with another star most likely and at least be a competitor. Then we’ll see how much he cares about competing.

People will laugh but another attraction to the Knicks is they have Allonzo Trier. I know he's no great player but been saying for years at some point it's almost a lock Trier and Durant will be together in the NBA. I was surprised the Warriors didn't find a way to draft him. Durant befriended Trier his rookie year in Seattle when Trier was a kid whose mom was making youtube videos and he was being sent to private school by a local rich guy who saw his early morning workouts and wanted to help the family. Durant refers to Trier as his little brother.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Yeah, but Livingston and Iggy were hell of a lot better before Durant. It's not a knock on them- it's Father Time catching up.
I don't think the Warriors win another one if KD leaves.

Sure and they parted ways with a few effective role players too. Before KD, their bench was a real threat.

 

[Finito]

New Suns coach Luke Walton mark it down.

 

[Proximo]

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Soooo... Kyrie is gone....

Wow. Well the NBA is becoming a joke. Where does he want to go - probably LA.

I have this terrible feeling when all is said and done somehow Kyrie, Kawai, Durant, and Davis will all end up on either the Clippers or Lakers.

 

[Proximo]

New Suns coach Luke Walton mark it down.

Is this something you want to happen?

I am having a hard time grading Igor, but the record is obviously very bad. I don't think Walton is a great coach either though.

 

[1Sun]

Is this something you want to happen?

I am having a hard time grading Igor, but the record is obviously very bad. I don't think Walton is a great coach either though.

He's better than Igor...

 

[GatorAZ]

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[1Sun]

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Great. Just like LeBron, he has his heart and mind set on the Lakers...

 

[Russ Smith]

Yeah, but Livingston and Iggy were hell of a lot better before Durant. It's not a knock on them- it's Father Time catching up.
I don't think the Warriors win another one if KD leaves.

I tend to agree. Jones, Looney, McKinnie, Cook are all reasonably good players, Looney better than that, but I don't think you win a title with those guys and just Curry and Klay. I can see Green sticking around if Durant leaves but Green's shooting has really fallen off. Someone needs to get him to straighten out that elbow his shot is too flat because of the chicken wing.

 

[sunsfan88]

Great. Just like LeBron, he has his heart and mind set on the Lakers...

Paul George once did as well.

 

[sunsfan88]

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Suns need to take advantage and acquire Rubio if this happens.

 

[1Sun]

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Suns need to take advantage and acquire Rubio if this happens.

Why? Rubio this year has proved not to be all that much better than Melton/Okobo.

Unless you buy into Igor Kokoskov being a miracle worker with him (which I don't believe) rather than last year just being a fluke year (which I do believe)...

 

[Ronin]

Wizards owner: Team not trading Beal, Wall or Porter Jr.

https://www.upi.com/Wizards-owner-Team-not-trading-Beal-Wall-or-Porter-Jr/5391548960971/

 

[GatorAZ]

https://www.upi.com/Wizards-owner-Team-not-trading-Beal-Wall-or-Porter-Jr/5391548960971/

Translation: Beal is our best player and nobody wants Wall or Porter.

 

[elindholm]

Translation: Beal is our best player and nobody wants Wall or Porter.

I have Porter on my fantasy team, and even I don't want him.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

AD’s dad talks of spurning Celtics due to their lack loyalty amidst trade rumors swirling due to his sons lack loyalty in demanding a trade. Fantastic hypocrisy.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/25902808/anthony-davis-sr-never-want-my-son-play-boston

 

[Hoop Head]

AD’s dad talks of spurning Celtics due to their lack loyalty amidst trade rumors swirling due to his sons lack loyalty in demanding a trade. Fantastic hypocrisy.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/25902808/anthony-davis-sr-never-want-my-son-play-boston

I like how AD doesn't want to go to Boston because of how they handled the Kyrie/IT trade but more than that, the Thomas deal falls on Lebron's shoulders. Lebron had half the team traded at the deadline last year and IT was one of them. IT was the scapegoat for the Cav's sluggish start even when he wasn't playing. Now Davis wants to join the only guy in the NBA who is less loyal than Kevin Durant? Come on.

I think it would be hilarious if IT returns to Boston after this season and picks up where he left off in Boston. With Kyrie changing his tune about resigning there the Celtics should make a 3 way trade to bring Davis in, sending out Kyrie, throw in some assets for AD, and throw the Nuggets a late 1st round pick to get IT back. I know it won't happen but at this pont so many things have happened that weren't supposed to that I'll give his is 1 15% probability.

 

[JCSunsfan]

AD’s dad talks of spurning Celtics due to their lack loyalty amidst trade rumors swirling due to his sons lack loyalty in demanding a trade. Fantastic hypocrisy.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/25902808/anthony-davis-sr-never-want-my-son-play-boston

Nothing surprises me coming from anyone associated with Rich Paul. The NBA should never let a player have ownership in an agency. Its a conflict of interest and automatic collusion.

 

[Proximo]

Nothing surprises me coming from anyone associated with Rich Paul. The NBA should never let a player have ownership in an agency. Its a conflict of interest and automatic collusion.

AD is working hard to be the next Durant

 

[GatorAZ]

AD’s dad talks of spurning Celtics due to their lack loyalty amidst trade rumors swirling due to his sons lack loyalty in demanding a trade. Fantastic hypocrisy.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/25902808/anthony-davis-sr-never-want-my-son-play-boston

As tragic as Thomas’ sister passing away was the idea it should’ve made him untouchable is ridiculous.

 

[Hoop Head]

As tragic as Thomas’ sister passing away was the idea it should’ve made him untouchable is ridiculous.

I don't think anyone thought he was untouchable because of what happened to his sister, it was mainly how they shipped him out before he even recovered from his injury. Also that his injury was misdiagnosed and surgery was delayed so he could play was a bit of an issue as well. Had he had the surgery and rested up they wouldn't have had a deep playoff run that year but then they probably wouldn't make the Kyrie trade either. Instead they hid his medicals, downplaying what the problem was and sent him packing for a PG that was arguably at a similar level as him. Kyrie was younger but IT came off a season where he was a legit MVP candidate and then after he recruited Hayward they sent him packing for Kyrie, and the Cavs were a rival of sorts for Boston at that time.

Who knows, maybe Kyrie bolts and they can replace him with IT on a cheap deal? That would be interesting and I wouldn't put it past Ainge to try if Kyrie really does leave. I think next summer will be another difficult period for IT because he still hasn't returned to action but he shut things down in March last year to have surgery on his hip, finally, after being dealt to the Lakers by the Cavs. Now he's just sort of waiting to heal to join Denver's rotation and prove he's worth more than a minimum contract. If he ends up playing for the league minimum again the Suns better try to sign him. I know he shouldn't be option #1 but if we strike out on a number of players and IT is still out there then we need to bring him to man the Point for a year. He's not ideal but he is a legit NBA PG and is better than what we have.

 

[SunsTzu]

I don't think anyone thought he was untouchable because of what happened to his sister, it was mainly how they shipped him out before he even recovered from his injury. Also that his injury was misdiagnosed and surgery was delayed so he could play was a bit of an issue as well. Had he had the surgery and rested up they wouldn't have had a deep playoff run that year but then they probably wouldn't make the Kyrie trade either. Instead they hid his medicals, downplaying what the problem was and sent him packing for a PG that was arguably at a similar level as him. Kyrie was younger but IT came off a season where he was a legit MVP candidate and then after he recruited Hayward they sent him packing for Kyrie, and the Cavs were a rival of sorts for Boston at that time.

Who knows, maybe Kyrie bolts and they can replace him with IT on a cheap deal? That would be interesting and I wouldn't put it past Ainge to try if Kyrie really does leave. I think next summer will be another difficult period for IT because he still hasn't returned to action but he shut things down in March last year to have surgery on his hip, finally, after being dealt to the Lakers by the Cavs. Now he's just sort of waiting to heal to join Denver's rotation and prove he's worth more than a minimum contract. If he ends up playing for the league minimum again the Suns better try to sign him. I know he shouldn't be option #1 but if we strike out on a number of players and IT is still out there then we need to bring him to man the Point for a year. He's not ideal but he is a legit NBA PG and is better than what we have.

While true there could be some perceived shadiness on how the Celtics dealt with Thomas, it is interesting that Thomas was actively trying to rejoin them this past summer. Also interesting that Davis Sr doesn't mention how Lebron's camp treated IT in their time together before getting him shipped out, or some of the Lakers recent employee relation situations.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I am such a Suns fan, but with the NBA is getting really hard to be a fan.

Kyrie, Bledsoe, Prozingis, Kahwi, AD. All demanding trades before their contracts are out. That is just unacceptable.

LeBron and KD were free agents. They could sign wherever they wanted. I don't like it, but that is their choice. I don't even have a problem with Kevin Love telling the Wolves he would not resign with them when his contract was up. He gave them an opportunity to get a return.

But just forcing their way out is unethical. It will happen with the Suns eventually again too. I am really not interested in going through that.

 

[Hoop Head]

I am such a Suns fan, but with the NBA is getting really hard to be a fan.

Kyrie, Bledsoe, Prozingis, Kahwi, AD. All demanding trades before their contracts are out. That is just unacceptable.

LeBron and KD were free agents. They could sign wherever they wanted. I don't like it, but that is their choice. I don't even have a problem with Kevin Love telling the Wolves he would not resign with them when his contract was up. He gave them an opportunity to get a return.

But just forcing their way out is unethical. It will happen with the Suns eventually again too. I am really not interested in going through that.

You're ok with what Kevin Love did but not Davis? They did the same thing. Davis said he wasn't signing an extension with New Orleans so he'd like to be moved. Love said he wasn't signing an extension in Minnesota and they moved him. The next step after saying they won't resign is trading them, whether they publicly make that request or not.

 

[Mainstreet]

I am such a Suns fan, but with the NBA is getting really hard to be a fan.

Kyrie, Bledsoe, Prozingis, Kahwi, AD. All demanding trades before their contracts are out. That is just unacceptable.

LeBron and KD were free agents. They could sign wherever they wanted. I don't like it, but that is their choice. I don't even have a problem with Kevin Love telling the Wolves he would not resign with them when his contract was up. He gave them an opportunity to get a return.

But just forcing their way out is unethical. It will happen with the Suns eventually again too. I am really not interested in going through that.

I think fans have this in the back of their mind. It may be too early to worry about Booker wanting to leave but in time, like Anthony Davis, players want to win.

The Suns have to get this summer right. In time they have to become attractive to free agents.