It was a game of telephone. As JC notes, it started last year before he was even on the Celtics, and the “noises” this year came about when he was asked about signing an extension and like every other player who isn’t actually a free agent, said he’s going to see how things go.
Yeah, the only thing that worries me here is that it isn't that hard for him to say "I'm not signing now for financial reasons, but I intend to sign with the Celtics if they offer me the max, barring some drastic change."
How would it benefit the player by sharing this info with his GM? The downside is that the GM could move him to a less desirable a location. The upside is none.
With LeBron out of the way, I don’t see the need to give up additional assets for Kawhi rental. Matching salaries without Jaylen or Kyrie is nearly impossible if the Spurs aren’t interested in Smart. My hunch is that Philly bites the bullet and traded for Kawhi.
And this is the only reason I can see Danny staying involved. To prevent Kawhi from getting to Philly, or at least make sure they give up as much as possible to get him.
Thanks for sharing. I've been trying to communicate just how much Spurs fans HATE the Lakers. When I lived in SA, I would see literal fistfights in the arena between fans. You don't see that very often in the NBA, at least I haven't watching the Celtics.
To be clear in case it wasn't to all, this is for NEXT season. Kawhi is going to have to leave a ton of contract money on the table. I'm sure he can recoup a good piece of it to play where he wants and to create a top contender.
LOL at "sharp money" and MyBookie appearing in the same sentence. The reason the Lakers are favorites to win the championship is because of how square that place is. No other book has them anywhere closet to that. I've made so much money off their stupid odds that they won't let me bet there anymore...after just 6 months. Sure, they had Lebron at -5000, but they were also the only ones carrying that market. All other books took it down because Lakers was a foregone conclusion by Friday.
Same as the Kawhi betting market - THIS season, not next. Exact wording: "KAHWI LEONARD TEAM AT THE START OF 18/19 SEASON"
Okay...I think that's what everyone was assuming, so the clarification seemed odd.
Go fish. Lakers will wait a year to sign him in FA if that's the Spurs asking price.
The Cousins signing probably makes that 1-year wait that much easier too. Maybe the Lakers bite (on a compromised package) without it.
Doesn't pass the Trade Machine. Lakers would be over the cap for one, about 103M including KL if I did the math right. Could make it happen though if the Lakers are desperate to get him now.
Yeah, I'm okay with it too---assuming we want to win the title, we only have to beat 1 of these western teams. Tougher competition for the Warriors might mean we could grab home court.
Agreed. I’m ok with Lakers getting Kawhi but I want them to give up real assets. If not, no way. Let LeBron kill himself this year trying to carry a mediocre team in the WC. I’ll worry about the Warriors if/when the time comes.
That's fair. If Magic has to send two of their three young guys plus picks, that will take the sting out of it.
I get that point of view. Getting to the finals is the next logical step for this team. I just hate to see anything good happen to the Lakers.
That ended up being a good deal for Memphis. Better than the Wolves got for Kevin Garnett, anyway.
Tough basis of comparison. Pretty much everyone in NBA history has gotten worse deals than the Cs got for Garnett and Pierce.
I hate this view of the trade years later. Did the grizzlies win TWO titles as a result? No. But the Lakers did and it elevated Kobe's legacy. F the grizz forever for that trade.
QFT
