NBA Discussion

[Rudy]

Knicks trade away Porzingus just to be able to go after two Max players and get scared about offering Durant the Max. Now get a bunch of decent players but whiff on any stars.

The Pelicans will be good and interesting next year.
Bucks will be different.
Happy Pistons got Derrick Rose. Will help as another scoring option if he stays healthy. They need their young guys to improve.
Golden State loses Durante, Andre and get Deangelo Russell which surprises me. Klay still likely to miss the majority of the year.
Philly getting Horford and will be different with no Reddick.
Boston loses two but gains Kemba. Should be strong but probably not a true contender.
Lakers and Clippers trying to steal Kawhi. Raptors need him back. Will really hurt both LA teams if they wait and miss out on everyone else.
Miami somehow is getting Butler but the sign and trade needs to work out.
The Nets were huge winners getting Kyrie and Durant although Kyries leadership isn’t good and Durant could miss the whole year.
Suns getting Rubio was a surprise and Indiana shook things up and will be interesting if Oladipo is he’s healthy.
Darren Collison retiring and Muritic going back to Europe changed a few things.

Over 40% of the league were free agents. Probably biggest number ever and the landscape has changed. Not sure who the top teams are after the dust settles. I think Memphis made good moves for the future but will be bad.

[Rudy]

Miami really aggressive. Moving Whiteside for space to sign Butler. Miami has traded away many future picks and still isn’t a contender. This move gets them into the playoffs but I don’t see a great team. It’s always nice to get stars in a star dominated league though.

Still waiting for Kawhi. Not sure about Boogie either.

Lots of roster creators doing major work in 2K. I think Jaiveer1717 for PS4 is good. Can’t remember the spelling.
https://forums.operationsports.com/f...oster-ps4.html

Forbes author wrote about top downloads for both systems.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianma...-xbox-one/amp/

[Rudy]

Can’t believe how much the NBA landscape has changed going into next year. Seems wide open.

[jaymo76]

If true what a slap in the face for Vancouver Grizzlies fans. Word has it that this season Memphis will wear the teal blue Vancouver Grizzlies inaugural jersey. As a person who loved going to games and had our team stolen this feels like another stab in the back from the NBA.

[Rudy]

I remember reading about the Grizzlies and Stern talking about them. Sort of a perfect storm in terms of losing the team. Our dollar was bad so it made operations expensive. And then they just drafted poorly and had a poor team. Was a shame to lose the team. I’m sure Seattle is still upset too.

[Rudy]

The NBA had a record number of free agents this year. Well over 40% of the league was a FA. Many signed 2+ year deals and in two years the 2021 class should be loaded again. But next year's crop looks terrible. Draymond Green signed an extension and Caris Lavert just signed with Brooklyn too. Most of the top FAs are older next year.

PG
Kyle Lowry, Jeff Teague, Goran Dragic and Reggie Jackson are the top guys with only Lowry being a stud and he'll be 34 next year. His understudy in Fred VanVleet had a nice post season but he's small and not sure is a true #1 PG. Can shoot the ball well.

SG
Eric Gordan and DeMar Derozan and both will be 31. There is depth to this list and specialists like Joe Harris but no stars.

SF
Gordon Hayward has a player option but I don't know if he would opt out unless he rebounds in a big way. Otto Porter Jr is an option but last year was his best at 17.5 ppg. Danilo Gallinari is here too.

PF
Anthony Davis is the monster with a player option but most expect him to return to LA.
Old vets in Paul Millsap, Ibaka and Favors (he'll only be 29) are on a solid list. Montrezl Harrell is a younger guy too.

C
Andre Drummond will likely be one of the most sought after players as he has a player option. Elite rebounder, good athlete and can switch out on defense. Led all centers by far in steals. Still does not posses an offensive game outside of offensive rebounding and pick and rolls. Would he get over $30M in a light class?
Hassan Whiteside and an aging Marc Gasol will also hit FA.

So that list is really weak. If you want to improve in the next off season it's going to have to be through the draft, trade or internal development. Very weak FA class. Pistons could use a PG and instead will hope Reggie Jackson stays healthy and maybe they re-sign him for a little cheaper.

There are restricted free agents out there in Jaylen Brown, Buddy Heild, Brandon Ingram and Domantis Sabonis.