Collard Greens said:

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Money Ag said:

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Didn't hickory want to trade harden?

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That was me! And to some degree still support it

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Farmer1906 said:

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Hickory High said:

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Money Ag said:

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Didn't hickory want to trade harden?

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No. I ****ing don't. And I never did. Jesus Christ, the amount of hate I get is completely unjustified.

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Is it though?

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Yes. It is. 100%.

I'm just everyone's favorite boogeyman. Constantly accused of saying and thinking things that I haven't said or thought.

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2) LeBron may not talk to any teams personally (reps leading the way)

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Is it just me or does that seem really weird?

Ag_07 said:

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Quote:

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2) LeBron may not talk to any teams personally (reps leading the way)

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Is it just me or does that seem really weird?

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Absolutely....considering the amount of hours many teams have invested in their presentation for LeBron

I don't think it's weird. He's been in the league 15 years. Regardless of what anyone says, his "legacy" is already cemented as top 2 player of all-time. Listening to Magic Johnson drone on about the bright lights of Los Angeles or hearing Daryl Morey talk about the Rockets system to him probably sound like the least appealing things ever. They're just a step above a fan group billboard in terms of how much impact they would have on his decision.

He has 1000% control over his own situation and I'm sure he already made up his mind even before the Finals were over.

I understand what you are saying. He has seen what each team has to offer and probably doesn't want to deal with all the tactics used by various teams.

Right. That's a much better way of putting it.

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rockets/article/Rockets-GM-Daryl-Morey-named-executive-of-the-13028658.php

What's the deal with reports of tension between CP3 and the Rockets?

Dan Scott said:

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https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rockets/article/Rockets-GM-Daryl-Morey-named-executive-of-the-13028658.php

What's the deal with reports of tension between CP3 and the Rockets?

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A week or so ago, there were rumors that CP3 was promised a 5y max deal and that the Rockets don't really want it to be 5y anymore where he would be getting like 46mm at 38 years old.

Yeah I get that as well. And I don't blame for that.

I just can't imagine him coming into a team and walking in the locker room not having any one on one interaction with the HC or GM.

Seems like at least a dinner or meeting or something would be in line. Just kinda odd to me

It'll get there, but right now it's all through back channels. He'll sit through a pitch with the major teams, but there's a good chance he'll already know where he's going then.

I like it.

Lots of smoke about productive talks between Spurs and Lakers. Then if Lakers get Kawhi then they get LeBron. Ugh. Another team in the West that will be dominant, especially if they get PG too.

Think the Lakers are going to have to throw Spurs a lot to get it done. But if they land Kawhi, I think that Bron and PG13 are done deals as well. Terrible deal for everyone.

k20dub said:

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Lots of smoke about productive talks between Spurs and Lakers. Then if Lakers get Kawhi then they get LeBron. Ugh. Another team in the West that will be dominant, especially if they get PG too.

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If I'm SA, if I have to deal with the lakers, I'm shaking them down for every last player they have and multiple unprotected first rounders in the future while taking on bad contracts. Even if they get Leonard and LeBron, how are they going to put together a supporting cast for them with the scarce resources they have left?

Morey pushing for free agency to start before the draft:

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/23911959/zach-lowe-houston-rockets-proposal-flip-nba-draft-free-agency

rvk246 said:

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k20dub said:

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Lots of smoke about productive talks between Spurs and Lakers. Then if Lakers get Kawhi then they get LeBron. Ugh. Another team in the West that will be dominant, especially if they get PG too.

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If I'm SA, if I have to deal with the lakers, I'm shaking them down for every last player they have and multiple unprotected first rounders in the future while taking on bad contracts. Even if they get Leonard and LeBron, how are they going to put together a supporting cast for them with the scarce resources they have left?

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Kawhi
for
S&T Julius Randle
Brandon Ingram
Kyle Kuzma
Unprotected future first

The only annual contracts the lakers have over $2mm right now are Lonzo (7.5mm), Ingram (5.5mm) and Deng (36.8mm over the next two years.)

The two bad contracts the Spurs have are Gasol (23mm guaranteed over the next two years) and Patty Mills (indefensible, idiotic 39mm over 3 years) but no way the Lakers kill cap space with those without shedding Deng's contract and both Gasol and Patty can at least play an NBA game somewhat at this point in their career.

Spurs still end up losing long term because three sub-all-stars for a top-5 player always loses. But at least the Lakers have less depth.

I can't see LA giving up that much fir a guy who's already proven he's willing to just sit out.

Farmer1906 said:

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I can't see LA giving up that much fir a guy who's already proven he's willing to just sit out.

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It's a strange situation. But he's worth considerably more to LA than anyone else. LA likely won't get Bron without doing the deal. And if Bron goes, George has to think that's a better spot than OKC.



Option A:
LeBron
Kawhi
Paul George
Josh Hart
Lonzo

Option B:
Randle
Kuzma
Ingram
Hart
Lonzo

PG opted out per WOJ. Dominoes are falling. It could mean he signs a bigger deal with OKC but i have doubts about that.

Anyone else think CP3 is waiting to see how this shakes out?

I have this gut wrenching feeling if LA gets Kawhi and Lebron it would be very enticing for him to head back to LA.

I'm also praying that in all this that LA dumps the headache that is the Balls right into SA's lap.

Ag_07 said:

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I'm also praying that in all this that LA dumps the headache that is the Balls right into SA's lap.

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So that Pop Smear can help him become Jason Kidd? No thanks.

SI article has Paul on the 'Buyer's Beware' list. And absolutely have to agree. On one hand, there almost certainly had to be a handshake deal for Paul to come to the Rockets. On the other hand, giving him a 5-year max deal would be financially stupid.

https://www.si.com/nba/2018/06/27/nba-free-agency-buyer-beware-chris-paul-marcus-smart-isaiah-thomas

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The issues here are health and age. Paul will turn 34 next year, and he missed 24 games during the regular season before sitting out the final two games of the West Finals with a hamstring injury. The only realistic buyer for Paul's services seem to be the Rockets, barring an 11th-hour swoop by a LeBron-led Lakers. So my advice for Daryl Morey is.good luck! Because I have no clue how I'd handle this!

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On one hand, Paul deserves max money, and one would have to assume Houston gave him some assurances when he agreed to play on a one-year deal last summer. On the other hand, how many years do you give Paul? Giving him a full max over five seasons could cripple the back-half of James Harden's prime.

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Offering Paul a two-year deal could make him want to explore other options, or create a tight championship window for this current iteration of the Rockets. Look, Paul was spectacular last season and perhaps his aging curve shouldn't be judged against point guards of the past. But CP3 also has a bit of an injury history, and even with James Harden as a running mate, Paul carries a pretty big load in Houston.

I'm not saying the Rockets shouldn't bring him back. I'm saying reports of tension between the two sides here isn't all too surprising, because Houston needs to play this situation pretty delicately. It's unfortunate that Harden and Paul are in such different stages of their careers.

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Well, It's looking more and more like Lebron, Kawhi, and PG will be heading up the next Super Team in LA. I believe this was Lebrons plan all along (before the playoffs ended) and the pieces are starting to fall in place. Now CP3 is starting to worry me in that he may bolt for LA also. Though not sure how all that will work financially.

htownag99 said:

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Well, It's looking more and more like Lebron, Kawhi, and PG will be heading up the next Super Team in LA. I believe this was Lebrons plan all along (before the playoffs ended) and the pieces are starting to fall in place. Now CP3 is starting to worry me in that he may bolt for LA also. Though not sure how all that will work financially.

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Pretty much no way they can do Bron+Kawhi+PG+Paul unless all are willing to take significant pay cuts.

Guitarsoup said:

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htownag99 said:

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Well, It's looking more and more like Lebron, Kawhi, and PG will be heading up the next Super Team in LA. I believe this was Lebrons plan all along (before the playoffs ended) and the pieces are starting to fall in place. Now CP3 is starting to worry me in that he may bolt for LA also. Though not sure how all that will work financially.

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Pretty much no way they can do Bron+Kawhi+PG+Paul unless all are willing to take significant pay cuts.

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Yep. They can sign both LeBron and PG to max deals immediately, and can do the trade for Kawhi and he'd fit as well for the 1 year left on his current contract (after next year was over, re-signing Kawhi would become a financial problem...but LeBron + George for maxes + trade for Kawhi absolutely feasible for Lakers for 2018-2019 season).

But they don't have room on top of the above to also pay Paul what he wants, unless folks are willing to take major pay cuts.

I understand the concern of offering Paul a max deal but the reality is...what are they supposed to do? If we don't offer max and Paul decides to go elsewhere, there's no way we're competing with the Warriors. Do we let Paul walk, concede this season and hope that the Warriors break up after this season? Tough spot to be in. It's looking more and more likely that we are running the same team back for this upcoming season. Saw a report that Ariza is listening to team's offers as well.

I think the thing is:

No team would give an injury-prone Chris Paul 5 years at max so he gets 46mm when he is 38.
If the Lakers pull off the super team deal, the teams with cap space are:
* Chicago (not competitive with the Celtics and already have some young talent at PG, with bigger needs elsewhere)
* Philly - has Fultz, Simmons and McConnell to run point
* Atlanta - drafted a PG and has Schroeder, plus the team is trash.
* Sacramento - have Fox, but they are trash.

Houston knows Paul won't get a better team and no team with room is good with the exception of Philly, who doesn't really need him. So it is a game of Chicken. You don't want Paul to cripple the Rockets for three years to run it back next year.

If the LAL super team happens then you have less of a reason to offer Paul the max.

If the super team happens, do we try to keep CP3 and sign Jordan?