Ah, was t factoring in the cap holds on the first round picks. That makes more sense.also forgot that cap holds on the FAs have a bigger number than their salary. Thanks.
He has until July 3rd to renounce AJ and JJ or their contracts become guaranteed.I read that Danny has to decide on JJ and AJ before the 3rd for some reason. Does any of this ring a bell? Or does Danny have until the 3rd to announce his action on them?
It's quite possible there will not be trades out there for them yet. Most teams are going to be looking to catch bigger fish this early and aren't going to want to lock up their cap space in good value but mediocre role players. Anyway, the best case for their value is something like a second round pick or someone absorbing James Young. That loss of value is trivial if sacrificing it lands Durant.One would think Danny already knows if there will be trades out there for them. No reason not to start talking about them early.
They will have to wait, but I think they could net something better than a 2nd or James Young type. If someone like the Grizz goes into full rebuild, they could look to move a Zach Randolph or Danny attaches a low value pick with someone like JJ for Tyreke Evans from NOP.It's quite possible there will not be trades out there for them yet. Most teams are going to be looking to catch bigger fish this early and aren't going to want to lock up their cap space in good value but mediocre role players. Anyway, the best case for their value is something like a second round pick or someone absorbing James Young. That loss of value is trivial if sacrificing it lands Durant.
I heard the same thing. Thomas is not like Westbrook. Westbrook is a top 5 player in the league who needs the ball in his hands a lot to be successful. Thomas is a nice player who can play off the ball and would fit in fine as a 3rd option or even a 6th man on a good team. On a mediocre team such as the '15-'16 Celtics with not a lot of scoring he had to dominate the ball at times but he's not that kind of player. Broussard is going to be Broussard.So Broussard (I know, I know) said this morning that he doesn't think it'll be Boston cuz Durant got frustrated playing with Westbrook and you know, the Celtics have Thomas, who's kinda like Westbrook but not as good.
I guess that means he shoots a lot? Thomas did take fewer shots than Westbrook on a team where he was usually the only option as opposed to having Durant running alongside him.
It's Broussard so take it with a grain of salt.
Marc Stein @ESPNSteinLine 26s27 seconds ago
Our @chris_broussard just reported Kevin Durant will meet with his current Thunder employers Thursday ... on the day before free agency.
It's Broussard so take it with a grain of salt.
Marc Stein @ESPNSteinLine 26s27 seconds ago
Our @chris_broussard just reported Kevin Durant will meet with his current Thunder employers Thursday ... on the day before free agency.
It matters only in terms of timing. In order to be most efficient, one would expect KD to interview with OKC before 7/1, since he can. In that way, he can line up the other interviews for 7/1 and 7/2 and make a decision ASAP thereafter. I don't think it says anything about where he is leaning, rather it is simply reflects the most optimal logistics. The key will be whether he also speaks to OKC at the end of the interview process.We knew he was going to meet with them and 4/5 other teams, does the order matter?
Vegas apparently assume that Knicks fans just love giving away money, with Lakers fans less delusional, but still pretty dumb.From the CelticsBlog world, here are the odds from Vegas for different NBA teams signing various free agents.
According to the bookies, the Celtics have a great shot at Howard, but not so much for Durant. Enjoy and place those bets early!
Howard
Celtics Even
Hawks + 175
Rockets + 1200
The Field + 175
Durant
Thunder - 500
Warriors + 400
Heat + 1200
Knicks + 1400
Celtics + 1600
Spurs + 1600
Clippers + 5000
Lakers + 6600
Wizards + 10000
That and the Knicks aren't currently on Durant's meeting schedule.Surprised the Knicks are above the Cs and the Clips below for Durant. Regardless of Melo, Knicks are still owned by Dolan and run by Phil Jackson, so that's a negative for a "supportive FO and winning/high-effort culture".
There's another key point - Celtics aren't done re-making their roster. We have 2 potential high lottery picks in next 2 years along with the Celtics' pick in 2018. In 2019, we have 3 more picks (assuming LAC make playoffs). This is a team that is well-positioned to add quality young players or to trade for another impact player in the next couple of years.The Celtics don't have much of a chance to land Durant, but if I'm Danny, here's my pitch:
1. Obviously, we give you max dollars (everyone will do that though).
2. We have enough cash to pay for another legit max player. Help us pick that guy out, Kevin!
3. We have one of the best coaches in the NBA.
4. We have a team full of hard-working, talented young players. They just need a star. That's you.
5. We play in the Eastern Conference. Everyone has to go through LeBron, but in the East, that's all you really will have to get through. You won't have to go through three grueling rounds in the West anymore.
6. If you go to GS and you win, you're just a cog in an already great machine. Same with San Antonio. If you win in OKC, I get it, but here, you will be THE MAN. You won't just be helping an already great team to a title, and thus people will wonder how much of it was due to you. You will be the undisputed alpha dog on this team. Whether you want to admit it or not, this is important to you for your legacy.
7. Look at those rafters. Russell. Cousy. Havlicek. Bird. McHale. Some of the all-time greats up there. You want to be in the pantheon of all-time greats wearing Celtic green, Kevin. It means so much more than being an all-time great for the Thunder. Really. It does. Just like being an all-time great for the Yankees or Red Sox means more than being an all-time great for the Texas Rangers.
Put it all together, Kevin, and this is the place for you. Great organization. Great fans. Historic, iconic franchise. Better road to a championship. You will be the undisputed leader of the team. You help pick your teammate. You will not regret this decision to come to Boston, Kevin.
Now I know that's still a longshot, but I don't know if they have much else to offer. And really, I think it's reasonably compelling, but then again, I'm a Celtics fan and want him to come here.
The days of three grueling rounds in the west are over. It's a four team conference these days.5. We play in the Eastern Conference. Everyone has to go through LeBron, but in the East, that's all you really will have to get through. You won't have to go through three grueling rounds in the West anymore.
This. Not merely coach and culture, but it's the ideal spot for his own dreamteam, with the Celtics already loaded with low cost depth players.I know this is nuts, and I'm not drunk or high, but I think the Celtics have a realistic shot at landing Durant. My betting money would still be on OKC, but if he leaves, I think it's for Boston. Comes down to the Coach and Culture.
That still leaves two really tough playoff rounds in which you're almost certainly facing both the Spurs and Warriors. And you have to exert yourself in the regular season to get home-court advantage against even one of those teams. Also, teams like Portland are potential first round opponents if you're the 4 seed.The days of three grueling rounds in the west are over. It's a four team conference these days.
If the Cs aren't meeting until Saturday, I wonder what DA is going to do with Amir and JJ? I suppose he'll decline the options if he thinks there's any chance but it would suck if he let them go and didn't get KD.
Maybe. But a much harder regular season and the road to the finals is still significantly more difficult in the west.The days of three grueling rounds in the west are over. It's a four team conference these days.
Wouldn't they both be easily tradable once the options are picked up? Or is there some rule against that?If the Cs aren't meeting until Saturday, I wonder what DA is going to do with Amir and JJ? I suppose he'll decline the options if he thinks there's any chance but it would suck if he let them go and didn't get KD.
They gonna let him set off the cannons on the Esplanade?Tim Welsh said the Celtics meeting with KD isn't until July 4th.
I'll let him pitch for the Red Sox too. Can't get any worse.They gonna let him set off the cannons on the Esplanade?
I thought that DA had until Sunday to renounce/retain Amir and JJ?If the Cs aren't meeting until Saturday, I wonder what DA is going to do with Amir and JJ? I suppose he'll decline the options if he thinks there's any chance but it would suck if he let them go and didn't get KD.
If he insists on prima nocta, you know what to do.I'll let him pitch for the Red Sox too. Can't get any worse.
My wedding is Saturday about 50 miles from where KD will be. I'm more than willing to invite him and he can bring IT as his plus one!!
Assuming the rule for non-guaranteed contracts becoming guaranteed mid-season applies to this case as well, they have to put the players on waivers in advance of the actual guarantee deadline. Here is the relevant passage from Question 64 of the cbafaq:I thought that DA had until Sunday to renounce/retain Amir and JJ?
In addition, on January 102 the base salary in all contracts becomes guaranteed for the remainder of that season (except for one case -- see question 67). A player must clear waivers before this date, so teams have to waive players by 5:00 PM Eastern Time on January 7th in order to have them off their rosters before January 10.
Let's say the Celtics pull off a miracle and sign both Horford and Durant, with the cap rising again next year could they potentially add a 3rd max guy to that next offseason? Or would they have to trade/renouce too many valuable assets for that to actually work