2019 NBA Offseason Thread -aka free agency

[katester44]

Probably a day late and a dollar short, especially since I have been AWOL from the site for basically the last month...

Thinking the biggest name of all still hasn't signed - and depending on what he (Kawhi) does, will make or break the Lakers chances at a title. Not sure that LBJ/AD/Kuzma is enough to win a title, but add Kawhi, and they become the immediate favorite to win it all.

Sixers lose JJ and Jimmy -- but get Horford - will they have enough outside shooting, even with keeping Harris?

Celtics lose Kyrie and Horford -- but get Kemba.

Nets grab KD and Kyrie -- are they a contender in the East now?

Heat get Butler...figure he will be asking for a trade out of there by the all star break.

Knicks...get nothing..


Golden State keeps Klay and grabs D'Angelo from the Nets - saying their endgame was to just keep him away from the Lakers.

Clippers -- still the favorite to land Kawhi, and if he departs Toronto for LA, I hope it is with the Clippers.

I am sure I missed something, please feel free to fill in the blanks I have left....

 

[David K.]

Crazy ....as most of the players have signed contracts. Only a few free agents lefted. Best regards, David

 

[katester44]

Crazy ....as most of the players have signed contracts. Only a few free agents lefted. Best regards, David

agreed - just about everyone left will be signing 1 year deals so teams aren't hamstrung by bad contracts heading into next year.

Kawhi is still the huge wildcard.

If he re-signs with the Raptors - they become the favorite in the East and the favorite to win the title again next year.

If he signs with the Clippers - they become the favorite in the West and the potential favorite to win the title.

If he signs with the Lakers - they become the favorite in the West and the favorite to win the title

If he goes anywhere else, would be shocked.

 

[katester44]

Kawhi goes to LaLa Land and joins...the Clippers. And he talks Paul George into coming with him. All that cost the Clips was 4 first rounders, 2 first round swaps and 2 players. And what did it earn them?? an immediate move to the top of the Vegas betting sheets for the championship next year. It also kept Kawhi from joining the Lakers, which almost certainly would have ended the suspense on who next years champion will be -- now the Lakers aren't only not the best team in LA, they aren't the best team that plays on their home court.

Where does that leave Russell Westbrook?? Will he be content to stay in OKC and make $41 million a year and average a triple double, but never contend for a title??

Who now comes out of the East?? Top 3 favorites have to be Milwaukee, Philly...Boston?

 

[katester44]

Have been seeing stories about what a horrible job Sam Presti is doing in OKC and how couldn't he win a title with Durant/Westbrook/Harden.... Sometimes I wonder if people think things through before they say them, or if they just want to make noise... That group got them to an NBA Finals. Got them to a Game 7 in the Conference Finals against Golden State. To me, his only mistake was trading Harden a year too early, when he was still under contract. But after Harden departs, KD departs, but they pick up PG-13 and sign him to a MAX deal. But he demands to be traded to the Clippers. And than seeing no future, Westbrook, who is also under a max contract gets dealt. What did Presti get for all that -OKC has 15 1st round draft picks over the next 7 years, and a couple of decent young players. And you know he is going to move CPIII somewhere. While those picks may not be great the first couple years, once the Rockets and Clippers fall off the ledge (and they will), those picks should be lottery picks for 4 or 5 years.

With the way this seasons free agency has played out - it is truly a players league right now and they are 100% running the show.

 

[katester44]

Jersey Number note for the Lakers....

Anthony Davis will be wearing #3 next year, because the Lakers didn't submit LeBron's request to change to #6 in time for Nike to be able to put a fresh run out on shelves. I just keep thinking to myself, would Jordan have ever given up his #23 for any free agent coming to the Bulls??? Not a chance!!! If you are THE MAN...act like THE MAN!!!

 

[K.C._Royals!]

I wonder what will make me sadder: Seeing Kemba Walker in a Celtics uniform or watching the Hornets lose 50+ games this season?

 

[katester44]

I wonder what will make me sadder: Seeing Kemba Walker in a Celtics uniform or watching the Hornets lose 50+ games this season?

Only get sad if the Celtics win the title - and I don't think that is going to happen. So many old faces in new places - the upcoming season will be interesting to watch. Who knows how it will play out, but I know for a fact that the Hornets will not be the only 50+ loss team this season.

 

[katester44]

With Boogie Cousins out for the year, the Lakers are turning to.....Dwight Howard. Rumor is that they have asked permission to talk with him. This seems like a marriage made in heaven, since it went so well the last time he was in LaLa Land. Especially playing with another ball dominant SF/SG, who is all about winning....