NBA Off-season Moves (starting with my Mavs)

[RonSpringsdaman20]

I think the top 4 are pretty well set.
Honestly if I picked first I'd take Mudiay.
He has Russell Westbrook like athleticism and scoring ability at PG.
Like Westbrook it may take a few years to turn that into an efficient PG but he's a safe bet to dominate whereas the big guys are gonna need to really develop and round out their games once faced with similar athletes.

I can appreciate the Mudiay love, he's very gifted.... I personally like Russell... he is super clever, with a great understanding of change of pace, already an amazing passer, and a really good shooter... doesn't have the athletic gifts Mudiay has obviously..... outside of the "4" I wouldn't be surprised if Kevin Looney, Justice, & Hezonja turn into stars. I really like Cameron Payne, & Myles Turner as well. (Im sure you've watched Turner quite a few times, really up and down as a frosh).

 

[RonSpringsdaman20]

do the Lakers want Randle, Love and the #2 pick likely Okafor all playing 4/5?
That's a ton of offense with no defense other than Jordan Hill.

Terrible defensive front-court.

 

[Biggems]

Ok, first off, let me say, that the following cannot and will not ever happen......it is just a Texas-sized pipe dream

Spurs sign Leonard to max contract (can and will happen)
Spurs trade Splitter, 2016 1st, 2017 2nd, and 2019 2nd to Memphis for Marc Gasol (Grizzlies get something instead of nothing)
Spurs sign Joseph and Bonner, then trade both to Toronto for 2016 and 2017 2nd. (Toronto gets a very good backup PG and a 3 pt threat)
Spurs sign LaMarcus Aldridge to a 2 year deal (short contract because of the huge cap number in a few years)
Spurs sign Danny Green to MLE (gives time to work out long term deal)
Spurs sign Duncan, Manu, Diaw, and Baynes to vet minimums
Spurs trade 2015 1st to Minnesota for both of Minnesota's 2015 2nds
Spurs let Ayres, Williams, and Belinelli (can't afford to keep him) walk

Draft
31 - C Robert Upshaw - Washington (knucklehead, great shot blocker, lots of untapped talent but needs the right situation)
36 - SF Anthony Brown - Stanford (high IQ, very good spot up shooter, versatile defender)
55 - G Pat Connaughton - ND (high IQ, very good athlete, great court vision and awareness, decent shooter (Chip will fix his flaws), high energy defender)

Roster
PG - Parker, Mills, Anderson
SG - Green, Manu, Connaughton
SF - Leonard, Anderson, Brown
PF - Aldridge, Duncan, Diaw
C - Gasol, Baynes, Upshaw


Reality.....
we keep Leonard, Duncan, Manu, Baynes, Diaw
we lose Green, Belinelli, Joseph, Bonner, Ayres, Williams
we sign Aldridge, low-cost veteran wing player or two
we draft a big and wing with our 2 picks

 

[jterrell]

I can appreciate the Mudiay love, he's very gifted.... I personally like Russell... he is super clever, with a great understanding of change of pace, already an amazing passer, and a really good shooter... doesn't have the athletic gifts Mudiay has obviously..... outside of the "4" I wouldn't be surprised if Kevin Looney, Justice, & Hezonja turn into stars. I really like Cameron Payne, & Myles Turner as well. (Im sure you've watched Turner quite a few times, really up and down as a frosh).

Mudiay has played with Randle (Texas Titans and PCA) which might be interesting to think of for LA. Trade one or two spots down and get Mudiay if they they don't want Okafor as bad as most teams(NY Knicks) might.

Turner has a very high ceiling but also a low floor. Not sure he is gonna help first couple seasons. Just so raw.

Justice has a lot of Draymond Green (tough, long arms but not very tall better scorer than given credit for) to his game but not quite the same IQ. Intriguing player for sure.

 

[RonSpringsdaman20]

Mudiay has played with Randle (Texas Titans and PCA) which might be interesting to think of for LA. Trade one or two spots down and get Mudiay if they they don't want Okafor as bad as most teams(NY Knicks) might.

It will be two spots down... The Sixers are cool at 3... I think the Knicks should stand pat... something will shake to them.. be it Mudiay or Okafur...
We will see how interested the Knicks are in either player..... but I think Mudiay is the wild card super star... LA has to think about him at 2, and the Knicks would be crazy to trade away 4 if he's there... I can't see any trades out there that would net them that kind of talent... but maybe I'm just not thinking creatively enough.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

The Lakers might take Okafor, it's certainly possible but, I've heard some interesting things about the Lakers and Okafor. There is speculation that Kupchak doesn't love Okafor. As you may know, Kupchak has some ties back to Carolina. He played for Carolina and has pretty good connections to Duke. There is talk that he may not be that interested in Okafor. Now, you and I both know that most of the stuff you hear around the draft is usually a bunch of crap but, in this case it might be true. There was an interview recently with Kupchak and in that interview, he basically said that the Lakers do not have time to build through the draft. This makes me wonder if Kupchak is feeling like his time is getting short in LA?

Whatever the case, I don't expect to see the Lakers picking in the 2nd. I think they either trade up into the top overall pick to take a player they may really want or, they trade down and pick up picks or players or both. If the right Vet is available, they could trade picks for a Vet, assuming they can find a trade partner.

I have no proof to substantiate the Kupchak rumors but I think there may be something to them. You hear a lot of loose talk about Kupchak and the LA ownership. This actually stems from Jeanie Buss and Phil Jackson and the whole deal where the Lakers and Kupchak elected to go in a different direction. I think Pressure has been mounting and I'm not sure how good of a relation ship Kupchak has with Jeanie Buss at this point. Will be interesting to see how this works out. I'll tell you know though, I am thinking that the Lakers will look very different next year. They may not look like a championship team but do think a lot of this roster is going to turn over. That's just my opinion.

 

[jterrell]

You don't need any spy decoders to realize the Lakers aren't going to be happy winning 20 games a year.

Kupchak may well be in a bad spot because he can either do the stupid thing and try to save his job but hurt the franchise for a decade or he can make smart moves knowing he'll be scapegoated. Honestly the over-aggressive win now moves is why they are so bad. 3 firsts for Steve Nash? Sheesh.
I can see they felt they owed it to Kobe to go out guns blazing but that's over with now IMHO.

The Lakers' best bet is probably try to trade down a couple spots and add Mudiay or Russell to play with Clarkson. Spend one more year developing guys and land in the lottery again.
Then open up the coffers to add a star duo to come in and carry them to the playoffs. Timing would be there for the Spurs and Mavs to fall off big time and perhaps even the Rockets if Dwight is basically done in 2 years.

The Lakers' issue this year is LeBron is the only truly transformative NBA force. So no one else they adds makes them a playoff team. They could be vastly improved but the West is just too tough to move from the very bottom to the top 8 seeds.

Another tact that might be possible is to simply move Randle and add Okafor. The challenge there is getting much for a guy coming off serious injury.

As to moving up, I just don't see the ammo for such a move. 27th plus 2nd won't get you 1st overall.
They can't trade next year's first.
And there isn't much in the current roster of trade value.

 

[bounce]

Ok, first off, let me say, that the following cannot and will not ever happen......it is just a Texas-sized pipe dream

Spurs sign Leonard to max contract (can and will happen)
Spurs trade Splitter, 2016 1st, 2017 2nd, and 2019 2nd to Memphis for Marc Gasol (Grizzlies get something instead of nothing)
Spurs sign Joseph and Bonner, then trade both to Toronto for 2016 and 2017 2nd. (Toronto gets a very good backup PG and a 3 pt threat)
Spurs sign LaMarcus Aldridge to a 2 year deal (short contract because of the huge cap number in a few years)
Spurs sign Danny Green to MLE (gives time to work out long term deal)
Spurs sign Duncan, Manu, Diaw, and Baynes to vet minimums
Spurs trade 2015 1st to Minnesota for both of Minnesota's 2015 2nds
Spurs let Ayres, Williams, and Belinelli (can't afford to keep him) walk

Draft
31 - C Robert Upshaw - Washington (knucklehead, great shot blocker, lots of untapped talent but needs the right situation)
36 - SF Anthony Brown - Stanford (high IQ, very good spot up shooter, versatile defender)
55 - G Pat Connaughton - ND (high IQ, very good athlete, great court vision and awareness, decent shooter (Chip will fix his flaws), high energy defender)

Roster
PG - Parker, Mills, Anderson
SG - Green, Manu, Connaughton
SF - Leonard, Anderson, Brown
PF - Aldridge, Duncan, Diaw
C - Gasol, Baynes, Upshaw


Reality.....
we keep Leonard, Duncan, Manu, Baynes, Diaw
we lose Green, Belinelli, Joseph, Bonner, Ayres, Williams
we sign Aldridge, low-cost veteran wing player or two
we draft a big and wing with our 2 picks

I know it's all pie in the sky, but Duncan isn't coming off the bench.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

You don't need any spy decoders to realize the Lakers aren't going to be happy winning 20 games a year.

Kupchak may well be in a bad spot because he can either do the stupid thing and try to save his job but hurt the franchise for a decade or he can make smart moves knowing he'll be scapegoated. Honestly the over-aggressive win now moves is why they are so bad. 3 firsts for Steve Nash? Sheesh.
I can see they felt they owed it to Kobe to go out guns blazing but that's over with now IMHO.

The Lakers' best bet is probably try to trade down a couple spots and add Mudiay or Russell to play with Clarkson. Spend one more year developing guys and land in the lottery again.
Then open up the coffers to add a star duo to come in and carry them to the playoffs. Timing would be there for the Spurs and Mavs to fall off big time and perhaps even the Rockets if Dwight is basically done in 2 years.

The Lakers' issue this year is LeBron is the only truly transformative NBA force. So no one else they adds makes them a playoff team. They could be vastly improved but the West is just too tough to move from the very bottom to the top 8 seeds.

Another tact that might be possible is to simply move Randle and add Okafor. The challenge there is getting much for a guy coming off serious injury.

As to moving up, I just don't see the ammo for such a move. 27th plus 2nd won't get you 1st overall.
They can't trade next year's first.
And there isn't much in the current roster of trade value.

No, I don't think you need to read, much at all into reading how the Lakers feel about 20 game seasons. I think Kupchak is a pretty good GM but he may be screwed, I agree. I never liked the idea of extending Kobe but they did it. I hated the fact that they picked up his option because I felt like Kobe was never going to carry that team after his injuries. He would need a lot of help and probably be a guy who contributed with Offense but was probably a 20 minute a game guy. That was never going to happen with Kobe so I thought LA should have just let him move on but they didn't. I understand, as you say, the idea of trying to sign Dwight but I hated they did to get Nash. He was too risky but I understand why they did it. If they could catch lighting in a Bottle, it might have worked. Unfortunately, that rarely happens. I like Russell, I honestly don't know enough about Mudiay and his development since leaving to play overseas to have an opinion on him but I do trust that the Lakers scouting department will know enough about him if they decide to go that way.

I don't think they have an option with Randle. I agree that they would get no real value for him. Besides, I think Randle is going to be a good player in the NBA. His contract is reasonable so I think they are much better off keeping him. I think they can move up with those two picks if Minnesota thinks they can get the player they like at 2. I don't know what they are thinking so it's hard to say what they will do or who they like, for me. If they like Towns, then I agree. However, if they like Okafor or somebody else, then it might not be a bad move for them, just depending.

I think that a lot depends on what they think might happen with Love. They still like him a lot and if they can bring him in, then I can see them signing him and developing the offense around him. The Lakers have always liked developing offense around a true post player. He doesn't offer much defensively but he can score the basketball. I could see them signing him and using the draft to bring in one of the Guards and then a good Defensive player with 27. Of course, all of that depends on what happens with Love.

Lots of different ways the Lakers can go IMO.

 

[jterrell]

Ty Lawson imminently available. I do think he could end up the Mavs starting PG but only after other shoes drop.

 

[RonSpringsdaman20]

time to bring this back... although the title should be edited...lol

Jeff Green ops in.... Gaol expected back in Memphis..
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/source...ption-to-remain-with-grizzlies-172015333.html

Griz has to improve their wings... I think Jordan Adams, 1st round pick from a year ago, is ready to help.

 

[Biggems]

I know it's all pie in the sky, but Duncan isn't coming off the bench.

Duncan will do whatever is best for the team, and yes, he would come off the bench if it meant the best shot at another ring.

 

[Biggems]

You don't need any spy decoders to realize the Lakers aren't going to be happy winning 20 games a year.

Kupchak may well be in a bad spot because he can either do the stupid thing and try to save his job but hurt the franchise for a decade or he can make smart moves knowing he'll be scapegoated. Honestly the over-aggressive win now moves is why they are so bad. 3 firsts for Steve Nash? Sheesh.
I can see they felt they owed it to Kobe to go out guns blazing but that's over with now IMHO.

The Lakers' best bet is probably try to trade down a couple spots and add Mudiay or Russell to play with Clarkson. Spend one more year developing guys and land in the lottery again.
Then open up the coffers to add a star duo to come in and carry them to the playoffs. Timing would be there for the Spurs and Mavs to fall off big time and perhaps even the Rockets if Dwight is basically done in 2 years.

The Lakers' issue this year is LeBron is the only truly transformative NBA force. So no one else they adds makes them a playoff team. They could be vastly improved but the West is just too tough to move from the very bottom to the top 8 seeds.

Another tact that might be possible is to simply move Randle and add Okafor. The challenge there is getting much for a guy coming off serious injury.

As to moving up, I just don't see the ammo for such a move. 27th plus 2nd won't get you 1st overall.
They can't trade next year's first.
And there isn't much in the current roster of trade value.

you cant trade down a few spots, its not like the NFL draft. basically what you do is draft a player for another team, and then they draft for you and you trade the players once they are both drafted. it is weird, but that is the way it works.

 

[Biggems]

The Spurs have 2 picks............but there are 5 players I really like. They are all graded out as 2nd rounders

C Nikola Milutinovic
C Guillermo Hernangomez
PF Jonathan Holmes
SF Anthony Brown
SG Pat Connaughton

I wonder if we could trade our 1st and a future 2nd for 3 second round picks from the Sixers. Then, maybe we can trade another future 2nd for another teams' second.

Since, we will in all likelihood lose Danny Green, I really want Holmes, Brown, and Connaughton from a defensive standpoint. I feel they would make us an over the top defensive squad. The one guy I want most from a defensive standpoint is Hollis-Jefferson, but he will be gone well before the 26th pic.

Now a real coup would be to come out of the draft with SF Hollis-Jefferson and PF Holmes. Coach Chip could work with them on their shooting. The idea of having Leonard, Holmes, and Hollis-Jefferson on the floor together gives me thoughts of Pippen, Jordan, and Harper from a defensive standpoint.

 

[RonSpringsdaman20]

I wonder if we could trade our 1st and a future 2nd for 3 second round picks from the Sixers.

No

Welcome back..lol

 

[Biggems]

No

Welcome back..lol

why do you need 6 picks this year and then the several next year? You don't have enough roster space for all of those players.

our 1st this year and a future 2nd is well worth three or four of your seconds from this draft, especially considering all the picks you are looking to have next season.

 

[RonSpringsdaman20]

why do you need 6 picks this year and then the several next year? You don't have enough roster space for all of those players.

our 1st this year and a future 2nd is well worth three or four of your seconds from this draft, especially considering all the picks you are looking to have next season.

It was a joke...
again.. welcome back

 

[Biggems]

It was a joke...
again.. welcome back

so, with your 6 picks, who are you hoping to add?

Also, do you agree with me that Russell should be your pick if Towns and Okafor go 1-2?

 

[RonSpringsdaman20]

so, with your 6 picks, who are you hoping to add?

Also, do you agree with me that Russell should be your pick if Towns and Okafor go 1-2?

lol, you're still harping on that like i think they are going to add 6 players... jokes man.... jokes....

I would like to see russell in a sixers uniform... i've mentioned it in some prior posts... but I acknowledge Mudiay, Herzonja, and Porzingis as talents that would help.
sixers have a list of scenarios that would help.

I do however think the sixers will trade into the late half of the first because they are one of the few teams willing to take on a player who they would have to commit 4 years of salary to that late.

 

[Biggems]

lol, you're still harping on that like i think they are going to add 6 players... jokes man.... jokes....

I would like to see russell in a sixers uniform... i've mentioned it in some prior posts... but I acknowledge Mudiay, Herzonja, and Porzingis as talents that would help.
sixers have a list of scenarios that would help.

I do however think the sixers will trade into the late half of the first because they are one of the few teams willing to take on a player who they would have to commit 4 years of salary to that late.

If they were able to get a player in the late 1st, who would you want them to target