Jurassic World 3: Where the Dinosaurs have Quad Injuries and Hate Their Shoe Deals

bbc23

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Nov 6, 2009
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SA has one of the smartest front offices in sports. They don’t have to do anything right now. I’m going to love this game of chicken.
Do they? They totally gimped any chance of giving Kawhi any real help with contracts like the Pau deal. They could have had a ton of cap room next year but totally mishandled their situation.
 

Swedgin

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Jun 27, 2013
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Why would Spurs want to trade him to their bitter rival? I’m sure if they trade him it will be somewhere else just to spite him. They could get a better offer than what the Lakers could give them.
Because, if Kawhi's people make it clear that if he goes anywhere other than LA, 1) he is not resigning and 2) may need to continue rest/rehab that quad in 2018-2019, then the Spurs are getting a very limited return. The ability to offer him an extra year is not going to be any comfort to a potential trade partner, given that the guy just gave up the chance to get a supermax.
 

Sox Puppet

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Why would Spurs want to trade him to their bitter rival? I’m sure if they trade him it will be somewhere else just to spite him. They could get a better offer than what the Lakers could give them.
Right - if I'm SA and I know there's no hope of mending this situation, I'd just go to Sacramento and offer Kawhi straight up for the #2 pick. This would (a) screw with Kawhi instead of giving him what he wants, and (b) actually stand a chance of working, since the Kings have no idea what they're doing.
 

BigSoxFan

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Do they? They totally gimped any chance of giving Kawhi any real help with contracts like the Pau deal. They could have had a ton of cap room next year but totally mishandled their situation.
I don't think his teammates' contracts have anything to do with Kawhi's unhappiness in SA
 

bosockboy

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Right - if I'm SA and I know there's no hope of mending this situation, I'd just go to Sacramento and offer Kawhi straight up for the #2 pick. This would (a) screw with Kawhi instead of giving him what he wants, and (b) actually stand a chance of working, since the Kings have no idea what they're doing.
One year of Kawhi for the #2 pick is not happening though.
 

TiredParent

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Dec 8, 2005
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If the Lakers are the only team he wants to play for, how much leverage does Leonard actually have in this situation? He is under contract for this year, but the Lakers have cap space for this year. Part of the appeal of the Lakers to a PG/LeBron/Paul would be signing the second established star for 2018-2019. Would the Lakers even be able to sign a single max player for this year in order to save cap space for Leonard in 2019-2020? Who knows. Maybe the Spurs say "give us Deng and all your young players (Ingram/Ball/Kuzma/Hart) for Leonard and Mills". Maybe the Spurs get nothing. Maybe the Lakers end up with Boogie and Leonard. I have given up trying to guess anymore.
 

JCizzle

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Dec 11, 2006
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But Philly might bite on Leonard in a firesale and if the Lakers force one San Antonio could send him east just to screw the Lakers up.
Yep. Plus maybe he'd end up deciding to stay. Can't Philly fit him through a trade and sign LeBron? Something like Fultz/pick/Saric/Covington/whatever

Simmons/LBJ/Kawhi/Embiid plus whoever else is left is probably a better team than what the Lakers can field. I hope he ends up out west rather than on a team like that.
 

HomeRunBaker

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I don't think you really need to have positions for those three. It would those three + a defensive center + a point guard who can shoot
Yeah this is so true as each player are essentially 2/3/4 combos. You need a big who can space the floor offensively with interior skills defensively and a guard to defend 1's and hit open 3's. Someone cheap like Larkin and his clone would be fine as the 1's.
 

HomeRunBaker

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This guy seems like a baby. How exactly did the Spurs betray him and not vice versa? They weren't the ones playing fortnite or whatever during the playoffs.

Either way, NBA is fun as always and I'm glad we didn't end up with him for Tatum or Brown in February.
They prematurely cleared him twice prior to him reinjuring himself. It isn't hard to see where the betrayal of trust began and continued. I don't blame Kawhi at all for not allowing it a 3rd time.
 

bosockboy

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Celtics will pursue Kawhi, per Woj.
I assume this would be under a scenario where Ainge believes Kyrie is gonna walk, so for one year just have the better player. And it ruins the Lakers plans.

Kyrie is also the best return SA would receive, and it’s very possible SA could sign him.
 

AimingForYoko

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They prematurely cleared him twice prior to him reinjuring himself. It isn't hard to see where the betrayal of trust began and continued. I don't blame Kawhi at all for not allowing it a 3rd time.
yeah but if he wasn't actually hurt why wouldn't they clear him?

I personally put stock into his Uncle whispering in his ear.
 

lexrageorge

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Jul 31, 2007
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Right - if I'm SA and I know there's no hope of mending this situation, I'd just go to Sacramento and offer Kawhi straight up for the #2 pick. This would (a) screw with Kawhi instead of giving him what he wants, and (b) actually stand a chance of working, since the Kings have no idea what they're doing.
Let this happen, and then let Kawhi sit out half the games with "injury". Kings finish the season with 2nd worst record and Celtics get the #2 pick in 2019 draft. FYI, it never happens quite this cleanly, but, this is the Kings we're talking about...
 

the moops

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Kyrie for Kawhi.
Let Smart walk.
Sign Tyreke Evans to the full MLE.
Roll out an all switch defense of Tyreke, Hayward, Tatum, Kawhi, Horford with a bench of Rozier, Brown, Theis, Morris, and Baynes
 

Sam Ray Not

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KL for KI straight up makes sense for both teams — same age, same contract situation, comparable flight risks in 2019, comparably "peculiar" personalities, comparable championship pedigree, comparable injury question marks.

Cs let Smart walk; Spurs replace the aging/retiring Tony Parker with Kyrie (with Patty Mills returning to the bench where he belongs).

SAS: Irving-Murray-Green-Gay-Aldridge
BOS: Rozier-Tatum-Leonard-Hayward-Horford (Brown in the Iguodala / Super 6th Man role)

Do it!! You know the front offices of Boston and San Antonio would both love to bust the MFLakers' chops...
 

Sox Puppet

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Would we be ready to hand the car keys over to Rozier as our primary PG in that scenario? I suppose that's the easiest position to upgrade in the draft or free agency nowadays.

Can't say I'm a big Kawhi fan after what has played out this year, but the thought of him in green locking down KD in the Finals is a pretty sweet one.
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

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If the Lakers are the only team he wants to play for, how much leverage does Leonard actually have in this situation? He is under contract for this year, but the Lakers have cap space for this year. Part of the appeal of the Lakers to a PG/LeBron/Paul would be signing the second established star for 2018-2019. Would the Lakers even be able to sign a single max player for this year in order to save cap space for Leonard in 2019-2020? Who knows. Maybe the Spurs say "give us Deng and all your young players (Ingram/Ball/Kuzma/Hart) for Leonard and Mills". Maybe the Spurs get nothing. Maybe the Lakers end up with Boogie and Leonard. I have given up trying to guess anymore.
Kawhi has a ton of leverage since no team is going to trade for him unless they get assurances he is going to play, and probably the only team that is getting those assurances (through back channels) is LAL.

Besides, has a superstar who has forced a trade ever gotten traded to a destination he didn't want to go?

On second thought, maybe SAS will screw him over and simply not trade him - although it makes more sense to get any positive asset they can out of the deal. But if Kawhi does get traded, he'll have some say in the destination.
 

DJnVa

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Dec 16, 2010
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Ugh this is going to happen isn't it. At least the Celtics will be favorites in the east. I still think GS is better than whatever the Lakers end up with but man them and Houston, what a conference that will be.
It seems likely, but it's not an "ugh" for me---James not going to Philly is fine with me.
 

The Social Chair

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Feb 17, 2010
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Kawhi has a ton of leverage since no team is going to trade for him unless they get assurances he is going to play, and probably the only team that is getting those assurances (through back channels) is LAL.

Besides, has a superstar who has forced a trade ever gotten traded to a destination he didn't want to go?

.
Paul George?
 

nighthob

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Jul 15, 2005
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Kyrie for Kawhi.
Let Smart walk.
Sign Tyreke Evans to the full MLE.
Roll out an all switch defense of Tyreke, Hayward, Tatum, Kawhi, Horford with a bench of Rozier, Brown, Theis, Morris, and Baynes
If you're trading Kyrie you actually need Smart for the playmaking. Especially if you want an all-switchy defense.
 

TheDeuce222

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Jul 19, 2005
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The deal that works under the cap without including Kyrie, Horford, Hayward or Tatum is Brown, Rozier, Marcus Morris, Yabu, Ojeleye and Nader for Leonard. Obviously would have to include pick(s) as well. You'd then obviously have to resign Smart. Would be unsettling to go into next summer with Kyrie and Kawhi both in free agent years, but that may well be a gamble you have to take on your coach, your organizational structure, and the likelihood you'd be in the Finals next year, and hope Leonard and Irving want to stick around long term. Also would block him from Philly.

I'm undecided, I can definitely see an argument on not doing it and instead going into next season staying the course with our current path.
 

DJnVa

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Trading Jaylen and our picks when both Kyrie and Kawhi can walk next year is kinda crazy.
I think it was listing all of our assets, not saying they would all be included in a deal.

I hope. Cuz otherwise, no way. You don't get Jaylen and that Kings pick *unless* we have assurances from Kawhi.
 

nighthob

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I dunno. Kawhi was a deadly pick n roll player in 2017. But either way, I could be convinced of Smart or Tyreke on the team.
I like Tyreke, but he's pretty awful defensively. He was too slow, laterally, before all the knee injuries. Balky Kneed Tyreke can be a liability against against quicker players.
 

Kenny F'ing Powers

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Nov 17, 2010
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Fuck it. I know Kawhi is a wildcard, but the best possible construction of the Celtics roster for the next 5 years is:

Irving
Hayward
Kawhi
Tatum
Horford

If you're trying to trade for Kawhi, trading Kawhi for Irving is the safer of the pathes due to injury concern and risk of players leaving (NYC calling to Irving, Irving not wanting 2nd banana again, etc). But people seem to forget how great Irving is. He's more valuable than Brown. Hes a top 8 player. You team Kawhi and Irving together and cross your fingers that everyone stays. If they do, it's a dynasty. Period.
 

vicirus

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Jul 17, 2005
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I could see a Kyrie for Kawhi swap, but isn’t the more cut throat option most likely? This is Angie we’re talking about...

Kawhi for Hayward + Memphis pick + LAC pick

I’d also accept a sign and traded Smart+Morris+Kings Pick for Kawhi. Also with the added protection of including the Memphis pick if the King’s pick doesn’t convey. In this scenario, SAS could flip the pick or make it a 3-team scenario for an NBA ready player if they want to compete next year. For the Celtics, they’d have a massive tax bill and then arrange something with Horford whereby he opts out and signs a 5 year deal at manageable dollars.
 
This is what the NBA has become, isn't it? Five or six teams suck out all of the oxygen, plotting mega-deals to create mega-teams, while nobody else has a hope in hell. The NBA is now much more like the English Premier League than the NFL, NHL or MLB. (There is always the possibility in the NBA that your team can become one of those five or six teams, which is different from English soccer...but within any period of several seasons, it's otherwise pretty much identical.)
 

DJnVa

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This is what the NBA has become, isn't it? Five or six teams suck out all of the oxygen, plotting mega-deals to create mega-teams, while nobody else has a hope in hell. The NBA is now much more like the English Premier League than the NFL, NHL or MLB. (There is always the possibility in the NBA that your team can become one of those five or six teams, which is different from English soccer...but within any period of several seasons, it's otherwise pretty much identical.)
Well, I mean Leicester? Not a mega team. Won the league.
 

The Social Chair

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Feb 17, 2010
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Hayward makes the most sense for both teams but you really risk alienating Stevens.
This is what the NBA has become, isn't it? Five or six teams suck out all of the oxygen, plotting mega-deals to create mega-teams, while nobody else has a hope in hell. The NBA is now much more like the English Premier League than the NFL, NHL or MLB. (There is always the possibility in the NBA that your team can become one of those five or six teams, which is different from English soccer...but within any period of several seasons, it's otherwise pretty much identical.)
Besides the 70s it has always been a few teams dominating the league. It's the nature of basketball.
 

Ed Hillel

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The deal that works under the cap without including Kyrie, Horford, Hayward or Tatum is Brown, Rozier, Marcus Morris, Yabu, Ojeleye and Nader for Leonard. Obviously would have to include pick(s) as well. You'd then obviously have to resign Smart. Would be unsettling to go into next summer with Kyrie and Kawhi both in free agent years, but that may well be a gamble you have to take on your coach, your organizational structure, and the likelihood you'd be in the Finals next year, and hope Leonard and Irving want to stick around long term. Also would block him from Philly.
Do you really need to include picks if Brown is involved? Who can offer better than Brown? I guess maybe Lonzo and Ingram, but there’s no Deng contract eating up 15+% of their space next season. Additionally, if offers are close in value, Pop probably sends him to not LA and the East.
 

dcmissle

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This is what the NBA has become, isn't it? Five or six teams suck out all of the oxygen, plotting mega-deals to create mega-teams, while nobody else has a hope in hell. The NBA is now much more like the English Premier League than the NFL, NHL or MLB. (There is always the possibility in the NBA that your team can become one of those five or six teams, which is different from English soccer...but within any period of several seasons, it's otherwise pretty much identical.)
Yes, with the players nowadays active plotters.

The skids are greased for a three-headed monster in LA. The four letter is effusive over it, to the point of assigning one of its writers the detailed nut-and-bolts of it. Which is good for ESPN, what with Tiger about to miss the cut in the US Open.

Starfucker Nation.
 

ifmanis5

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I agree with Woj, Ball is just not a Spurs player. Pop would probably quit rather than deal with that circus. Dealing Kyrie means Rozier, who can't pass, is your PG. It's basically a no distributor but lots of length lineup. I'd rather keep Kyrie.
 

SoxFanInPdx

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Jul 15, 2005
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I hold onto what we have going on here. I've been a Brown believer since he was drafted. Brown is on a trajectory to be Kawhi. I'd be nervous of Kwahi leaving for the Lakers if no extension was signed right away. Speaking of an extension, I would want no part of paying this guy the 5-year $219 mill super max deal that he's rumored to be wanting and is actually eligible for.