Official 2022 NBA Free Agency Thread

[Atl Spur]

Kev is in playoff shape……. Call this man the CHEF!!!!

[tbdog]

This is why signing someone like him always makes more sense than signing someone like McDermott.

Depends. McDermott will fetch more interest from playoff teams. Also if McDermott was in the cavs instead of him, that trade still happens.

[exstatic]

In today's NBA, you can't count on virtually anything long term. It's a good amount of talent, but unless Mobley can become it (and even if he is, it's doubtful he'll be a 1st option on a contender), they lack a superstar, have questionable 4-5 spacing, no 3 and D wings and are reliant on two small guards.

Of course they could separate from that mid tier, but I don't see a championship formula.




Despite the agenda driven media predictably gushing and playing their usual narrative/mythologizing game, Ainge did the logical thing and had immense leverage. The job mostly comes down to a combination of luck and not shooting yourself in the foot.

One thing I will give the Cavaliers credit for, was signing Markkanen. They didn't care about fit defensively and instead focused on a rare case of a decent young asset available essentially for free and one year later parlayed him into part of a blockbuster trade.

This is why signing someone like him always makes more sense than signing someone like McDermott.

Markkanen was salary ballast. Three unprotected picks, and two unprotected pick swaps were parlayed into a blockbuster trade.

[KingKev]

^ yeah tough to say is they were just lucky getting off Markkanen’s deal or it was a strategic signing knowing they could eventually move him. If you look at their recent trades with Jarret Allen, LaVert, Prince, Rubio etc they all seem to be impressively strategic though.

Cavs can probably clear 20-30mm in cap space next offseason when Love and LaVert roll off the books.

[Atl Spur]

Cleveland’s fanbase sat through two 19 win seasons to help aid in these “ smart moves towards a rebuild “ in addition to gutting their future assets; this fanbase would never accept this without ing non stop! Let’s see who gets to a le first, Cleveland or San Antonio….. don’t be prisoners of the moment!

[KingKev]

Cleveland’s fanbase sat through two 19 win seasons to help aid in these “ smart moves towards a rebuild “ in addition to gutting their future assets; this fanbase would never accept this without ing non stop! Let’s see who gets to a le first, Cleveland or San Antonio….. don’t be prisoners of the moment!

and we are well on our way to sit through at least 5 years of 25 win seasons with nothing to show for it.

Those trades were smart moves for any team. Contender or rebuilding. I challenge you to take a quick look at the chain of trades that got them this current roster. It’s pretty impressive.

Getting Jarret Allen for basically a first, trading Taureen Prince for Rubio, trading Rubio for LeVert, resigning Rubio, not paying draft capital to offload Love when he looked finished but instead rebuilding his value as a backup big.

[Ariel]

There are a number of teams that are not big spenders and have been building themselves from the ground up in a very impressive manner like Cleveland, Memphis, Toronto, NO, and if we go by a shorter time window I'd add Detroit (Troy Weaver era), Indiana and Utah (Ainge era). Also I'm not a fan of Presti's antics and his drafting is overrated, but no one can say he doesn't have a plan for OKC. Then you have the teams that, on top of being well managed, have more resources and are already ahead like Golden State, Boston, Milwaukee, Dallas, Miami, etc. So the point is, we no longer have a significant compe ive advantage (in talent, resources or management) to keep passing on opportunities, this last year has given me hope, but I wish the FO takes notes from Utah's moves and doesn't half a$$ the rebuild. If we can get a solid return from our veterans now, we should take it.

[Atl Spur]

Most teams try to emulate us. Our teams finger prints are all over these winning orgs as well as those up and coming We haven’t forgot how to win nor team build. Sit back and relax and enjoy the process��������

[Payote75]

Most teams try to emulate us. Our teams finger prints are all over these winning orgs as well as those up and coming We haven’t forgot how to win nor team build. Sit back and relax and enjoy the process��������

I agree with this it's the one thing that keeps me sane through all this but I can't help but see some glaring mistakes that even some of us in this forum who are regular Joe's see as well. Having said that We had a returning Admiral we lucked out with tanking rules were different and got Timmy and Parker and manu were really lucky to be drafted it's like being struck by lightning 4 times in the same spot that's my concern. Tanking won't be as easy as then we would need that lady luck to just get that pick then hit on see mega stars like manu and Parker it's a big ask to do that especially when a lot of our staff is scattered throughout the NBA but like I said the other day like it or lump it weist wait and see how it goes. Question is how long will we be able to wait before rumblings start getting strong of possibly moving the team if attendance dwindles etc crossed and I've liked some of our young players I was ready to add now to them but we went the opposite way so let's see.

[TD 21]

Markkanen was salary ballast. Three unprotected picks, and two unprotected pick swaps were parlayed into a blockbuster trade.

None of the players were the primary focus, but they also wanted some decent young players back too.

Even while re-building/tanking, teams generally still want a competent team in place and they now have the makings with Sexton to take Mitc 's role as the first option and Markkanen to give them their first starting four since Millsap in '13.

Of course, they're not nearly good enough to have much/if any affect on their draft odds, plus they could have decent resale value down the line.

[KingKev]

None of the players were the primary focus, but they also wanted some decent young players back too.

Even while re-building/tanking, teams generally still want a competent team in place and they now have the makings with Sexton to take Mitc 's role as the first option and Markkanen to give them their first starting four since Millsap in '13.

Of course, they're not nearly good enough to have much/if any affect on their draft odds, plus they could have decent resale value down the line.

Only “casuals” value counting stats on losing teams though bro.

I like how you posted your patented emoji and removed it!

weren’t feeling sexy!?!? I think you look good sis!!!

[TD 21]

Only “casuals” value counting stats on losing teams though bro.

I like how you posted your patented emoji and removed it!

weren’t feeling sexy!?!? I think you look good sis!!!

Absolutes are foolish, but even though I'm not a fan of either, given what they make and their role on teams, it's fair to say the league values them decently.

Except I didn't . . . keep trying.

[KingKev]

Absolutes are foolish, but even though I'm not a fan of either, given what they make and their role on teams, it's fair to say the league values them decently.

Except I didn't . . . keep trying.

Trading in your clown shoes for FLIP FLOPs.

Two days ago you had a different view on JRich’s trade value if he showed out on a bad team but now you have basically implied the Jazz with Markkanan can do the same thing.

And yes you immediately deleted your

[TD 21]

Trading in your clown shoes for FLIP FLOPs.

Two days ago you had a different view on JRich’s trade value if he showed out on a bad team but now you have basically implied the Jazz with Markkanan can do the same thing.

And yes you immediately deleted your

More poor reading comprehension and making things up. I meant Richardson is the same player whether he averages, 8, 10, 12, 14 whatever ppg. The league isn't going to be fooled either way.

That doesn't have anything to do with the players the Jazz received.

[Chinook]

This beef between Teeds and KK is weird, but at least it's providing content during one of the most disappointingly boring off-seasons in recent memory.

[talkspurs]

No chance LA does this. They aren’t taking back a two year contract unless its a decent player. McDs final year greatly impacts there ability to sign a 3rd star in 2023.

If they are really not wanting to give up the second pick this would be a way for them to save it. They also would save lux tax this year and his deal will not be much more then MLE next year so it would not be that bad of a deal for 1 extra year.

[KingKev]

If they are really not wanting to give up the second pick this would be a way for them to save it. They also would save lux tax this year and his deal will not be much more then MLE next year so it would not be that bad of a deal for 1 extra year.

They want to win now. The money isn’t the major issue here it is winning.

Trading Russ for McDermott makes them a worse team this year and hampers their ability to add a third player in the 2023 offseason when Russ comes off the books.

[KingKev]

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/...icks-in-league

I think Jazz and Lakers eventually come to a deal.

That 2027 pick is gold of unprotected given Lakers boom or bust mentality. No way they rebuild by 2027. LBJ will he gone by 2025, AD shortly after and few FRPs in the interim.

I’d do JRich, Jak for Russ 2027, 2029 unprotected or even just 2027 and 2028 pick swap but I doubt Lakers would.

[BacktoBasics]

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/...icks-in-league

I think Jazz and Lakers eventually come to a deal.

That 2027 pick is gold of unprotected given Lakers boom or bust mentality. No way they rebuild by 2027. LBJ will he gone by 2025, AD shortly after and few FRPs in the interim.

I’d do JRich, Jak for Russ 2027, 2029 unprotected or even just 2027 and 2028 pick swap but I doubt Lakers would.

That's too much for a team that seemingly has no issue reloading enough to at least knock on the door of the playoffs.

[Ariel]

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/...icks-in-league

I think Jazz and Lakers eventually come to a deal.

That 2027 pick is gold of unprotected given Lakers boom or bust mentality. No way they rebuild by 2027. LBJ will he gone by 2025, AD shortly after and few FRPs in the interim.

I’d do JRich, Jak for Russ 2027, 2029 unprotected or even just 2027 and 2028 pick swap but I doubt Lakers would.

They're reluctant to do so for Myles Turner + Buddy Hield, they're not doing it for Poeltl + Jason Richardson. The price is fair, but they have just too many needs and nowhere near enough assets. But if time is running out and they have no better deal in sight, who knows...

[mo7888]

Portland just signed Ca to an exhibit 10 deal

[jjspur]

When was the last time the Lakers were a bottom 5 team ? 2015, 2016. Injuries, no Kobe Bryant, signing bad contracts. The lakers and the media are just trying to boost the value of these picks so they can get rid of an albatross contract which is hampering their ability to win now.

Think about it, if the lakers unload the two picks for Russ's contract, that means they can use the money to eventually pay someone else, someone who isn't as bad as Russ. When Lebron leaves/retires the lakers will have that salary as well. For 100 million dollars you can certainly get some decent talent that will keep you out of the bottom 5 or lottery by 2027, making those traded picks less valuable.

If Russ's contract / playing skills weren't that bad they wouldn't be trying to get rid of him. The lakers are trying to pull a fast one on everybody. Let them pay for their own mistakes.

[KingKev]

When was the last time the Lakers were a bottom 5 team ? 2015, 2016. Injuries, no Kobe Bryant, signing bad contracts. The lakers and the media are just trying to boost the value of these picks so they can get rid of an albatross contract which is hampering their ability to win now.

Think about it, if the lakers unload the two picks for Russ's contract, that means they can use the money to eventually pay someone else, someone who isn't as bad as Russ. When Lebron leaves/retires the lakers will have that salary as well. For 100 million dollars you can certainly get some decent talent that will keep you out of the bottom 5 or lottery by 2027, making those traded picks less valuable.

If Russ's contract / playing skills weren't that bad they wouldn't be trying to get rid of him. The lakers are trying to pull a fast one on everybody. Let them pay for their own mistakes.

Whether they trade him today or let him walk in free agency makes no difference for their cap for 2023 so I don’t get your point. Trading him today doesn’t give them immediate cap space for the 2022-23 season.

[KingKev]

They're reluctant to do so for Myles Turner + Buddy Hield, they're not doing it for Poeltl + Jason Richardson. The price is fair, but they have just too many needs and nowhere near enough assets. But if time is running out and they have no better deal in sight, who knows...

Agreed. I’m basically arguing we aren’t going to be able to put a compe ive offer on the table.

[jjspur]

Whether they trade him today or let him walk in free agency makes no difference for their cap for 2023 so I don’t get your point. Trading him today doesn’t give them immediate cap space for the 2022-23 season.

Yes, I know. Russ is more than just a salary problem, he is also a team chemistry problem and a bit of a head case on top of a wasted 47 million dollar salary. That's why they want to trade him.
Trading Russ wont help cap wise now but trading him for players that can contribute now, is a very big plus for the lakers. Sure, the team that trades for Russ will probably get 2 picks in 5 - 7 years, which is fine but will get absolutely nothing now other than a washed up player with a huge contract, that will probably be waived. You can say that's the cost of doing business in the NBA today, but that's an awfully big cost. Like I've said before, let the lakers pay for their own mistakes.