Dex
10-13-2017, 09:53 AM
http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/21002422/zach-lowe-32-crazy-nba-predictions-2017-18
Spurs related stuff below:
LaMarcus Aldridge opts in ... and gets traded
What Aldridge does with his $22 million player option is one of the hottest questions in the league. I probably asked about 50 executives and agents, and the response was close to evenly split.
When Aldridge signed in San Antonio two summers ago, the option barely registered: The cap would zoom up and up, teams would have oodles of room, and Aldridge would opt out to cash in on a new deal.
A player of his age (32) and stature might opt out for the security of something like a three-year, $50 million deal. Waiting another year risks further age-related erosion. (Side note: He's also eligible for an extension before the season starts. Just saying.)
But who is giving Aldridge a new $17 million-per-year deal in a cap environment tighter than anyone anticipated two years ago? Most teams slated to have mega-room are bad. Aldridge serves no purpose on a bad team. The Earl Watson connection will (probably) be there in Phoenix, but Suns GM Ryan McDonough should throw himself in front of any Aldridge signing.
Aldridge might normally count on his incumbent team for that sort of offer. But if this season ends the way the last one did, both parties might be ready to move on. He could still choose that $22 million over a cool market, work with the Spurs on a trade, and try free agency again in the summer of 2019 -- when teams are (for now) projected to have more cap room.
Kawhi Leonard wins MVP
I picked LeBron James a year ago. I was tempted again, but voter fatigue has metastasized. This is a regular-season award; it is absolutely fair to dock LeBron for waiting until April to try on defense.
Kawhi Leonard finished third last season, and the top-two finishers have three new Hall of Fame teammates between them. James Harden and Russell Westbrook won't repeat their anomalous statistical absurdity. Durant and Stephen Curry cannibalize each other. I am skeptical the Bucks win enough to propel Giannis Antetokounmpo.
That leaves Leonard, who should be about ready after sitting the preseason. He showed in the playoffs that he can ramp up his playmaking -- the part of his resume that falls short of historic MVP candidacy levels. If he averages five-plus assists per game, he could emerge as the favorite.
He will probably be the lone All-Star on a 55-plus-win team. He carried the Spurs on offense last season, popping for jumpers all over the court and bailing out dead possessions. He is the NBA's soul-snatcher on defense.
Popovich's resting practices work against him, but cracking 70 games again will satisfy voters.
Spurs related stuff below:
LaMarcus Aldridge opts in ... and gets traded
What Aldridge does with his $22 million player option is one of the hottest questions in the league. I probably asked about 50 executives and agents, and the response was close to evenly split.
When Aldridge signed in San Antonio two summers ago, the option barely registered: The cap would zoom up and up, teams would have oodles of room, and Aldridge would opt out to cash in on a new deal.
A player of his age (32) and stature might opt out for the security of something like a three-year, $50 million deal. Waiting another year risks further age-related erosion. (Side note: He's also eligible for an extension before the season starts. Just saying.)
But who is giving Aldridge a new $17 million-per-year deal in a cap environment tighter than anyone anticipated two years ago? Most teams slated to have mega-room are bad. Aldridge serves no purpose on a bad team. The Earl Watson connection will (probably) be there in Phoenix, but Suns GM Ryan McDonough should throw himself in front of any Aldridge signing.
Aldridge might normally count on his incumbent team for that sort of offer. But if this season ends the way the last one did, both parties might be ready to move on. He could still choose that $22 million over a cool market, work with the Spurs on a trade, and try free agency again in the summer of 2019 -- when teams are (for now) projected to have more cap room.
Kawhi Leonard wins MVP
I picked LeBron James a year ago. I was tempted again, but voter fatigue has metastasized. This is a regular-season award; it is absolutely fair to dock LeBron for waiting until April to try on defense.
Kawhi Leonard finished third last season, and the top-two finishers have three new Hall of Fame teammates between them. James Harden and Russell Westbrook won't repeat their anomalous statistical absurdity. Durant and Stephen Curry cannibalize each other. I am skeptical the Bucks win enough to propel Giannis Antetokounmpo.
That leaves Leonard, who should be about ready after sitting the preseason. He showed in the playoffs that he can ramp up his playmaking -- the part of his resume that falls short of historic MVP candidacy levels. If he averages five-plus assists per game, he could emerge as the favorite.
He will probably be the lone All-Star on a 55-plus-win team. He carried the Spurs on offense last season, popping for jumpers all over the court and bailing out dead possessions. He is the NBA's soul-snatcher on defense.
Popovich's resting practices work against him, but cracking 70 games again will satisfy voters.