2018 NBA Offseason Thread

[wadesworld]

Disagree, Houston had them on the ropes last year before CP3 went down. It wasn't going to be a foregone conclusion this year (and still might not be if Boogie doesn't heal right or screws with the locker room). Especially with the Celtics getting Kyrie & Hayward back + a year of improvement for the young players, you never know where Kawhi will end up (maybe Philly, would make them an instant contender), etc.

GSW should be the overwhelming favorite now, but there are some serious challengers. The sweep last year was a function of the East being terrible. Houston would have beaten the Cavs in 5 or 6.

If both Iggy and CP3 stay healthy the Warriors win in 6 max, probably 5. The Warriors were already so much better than everyone and then they just added a top 15 player in the NBA at the only position of relative weakness in their roster.

There is no challenger for them. If Boogie is 80% of why he was they go 16-0 in the Playoffs.

[GGGG]

If both Iggy and CP3 stay healthy the Warriors win in 6 max, probably 5. The Warriors were already so much better than everyone and then they just added a top 15 player in the NBA at the only position of relative weakness in their roster.

There is no challenger for them. If Boogie is 80% of why he was they go 16-0 in the Playoffs.

Fo-fo-fo-fo???

[4everwarriors]

Props ta my hommie, aina?


Looney wanted to entertain other more lucrative offers with teams that could offer a larger role. Though he also fielded interest from the Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets, Philadelphia 76ers and Atlanta Hawks, Looney found it more appealing to stay with the Warriors because of his ongoing development and the team's recent championship success. Looney has also set himself up for potentially another breakout season that could yield more offseason interest next summer. – via San Jose Mercury-News

[Pakuni]

Props ta my hommie, aina?


Looney wanted to entertain other more lucrative offers with teams that could offer a larger role. Though he also fielded interest from the Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets, Philadelphia 76ers and Atlanta Hawks, Looney found it more appealing to stay with the Warriors because of his ongoing development and the team's recent championship success. Looney has also set himself up for potentially another breakout season that could yield more offseason interest next summer. – via San Jose Mercury-News

Props to a 22-year-old with a history of injuries signing a 1-year minimum deal IF there were longer/more lucrative deals on the table?
Uh, no. That's very stupid.

[4everwarriors]

Man, is reading comprehension that difficult? Kevon has 2 rings, will compete for a starting role while Cousins rehabs, likes the team chemistry and playing for Kerr. Golden State has said all along he was a priority once his option wasn't picked up. In short, Looney is betting on himself, much like others including Butler, have done. All the while, Golden State retains his Bird rights. We'll see how it works out.

Some on this board just can't be happy and take pleasure in trying to get under a fellow alum's skin. The life they lead is pretty pathetic. As I've said before, I'm just thankful I'm me and not one of them.

Happy 4th of July and let freedom ring.

[MUBurrow]

Depending on what those other offers looked like, this seems pretty safe for Looney with a bunch of upside. Barring injury (he's got a hip issue) he's not going to hurt his stock averaging something like 25 mpg, 6/5/1 on a 65-win Warriors team, and next offseason will be more player friendly than this year.

No way to know what those other deals looked like, but of the Clips, Rockets, 76ers and Hawks, only the Clips and Hawks have any real money to spend, especially after the 76ers dealt for Chandler. Contracts for comparable guys weren't huge - Gerald Green got the vet minimum from the Rockets ($2.4M at his experience level) and this would probably have been Looney's deal if he signed there. Lance Stephenson got $4.5 from the Lakers. Jeff Green signed for the minimum with Washington. If I had to guess, Looney's top offer from either the Clips or Hawks couldn't have been more than $6-7 mil over two years with the second year a player option.

Edit to add that the minimum at Looney's exp level is about $1.5M

[Pakuni]

Man, is reading comprehension that difficult? Kevon has 2 rings, will compete for a starting role while Cousins rehabs, likes the team chemistry and playing for Kerr. Golden State has said all along he was a priority once his option wasn't picked up. In short, Looney is betting on himself, much like others including Butler, have done. All the while, Golden State retains his Bird rights. We'll see how it works out.

Some on this board just can't be happy and take pleasure in trying to get under a fellow alum's skin. The life they lead is pretty pathetic. As I've said before, I'm just thankful I'm me and not one of them.

Happy 4th of July and let freedom ring.

In a stunning development, 4ever makes it about himself. Just because you cleaned the kid's teeth a few times doesn't make you a part of his inner circle.
Walking away from more money and more security for a chance to ride other, better players' coattails to a ring (again) at the league minimum is a bad decision, especially when you have hips issues that could cut your career short. Period.
And don't compare him to Jimmy. When Jimmy bet on himself, he was an established and healthy full-time NBA starter with a clear path to a lead role on his team. Looney is neither established, healthy or a full-time starter.

[wadesworld]

In a stunning development, 4ever makes it about himself. Just because you cleaned the kid's teeth a few times doesn't make you a part of his inner circle.
Walking away from more money and more security for a chance to ride other, better players' coattails to a ring (again) at the league minimum is a bad decision, especially when you have hips issues that could cut your career short. Period.
And don't compare him to Jimmy. When Jimmy bet on himself, he was an established and healthy full-time NBA starter with a clear path to a lead role on his team. Looney is neither established, healthy or a full-time starter.

The irony of a guy who has (I assume) never said a word to Looney telling another guy who at least cleaned Looney's teeth that he isn't "part of his inner circle" and in the same post determining what is best for Looney is too good.

[4everwarriors]

Solid Fol.

Don't lose sleep over Kevon's hips---past history and he's good. BTW, nice to know that others are so sure of my past or current involvement, hey?

[🏀]

I love when 4ever posts in English, it's guaranteed to be good.

[Pakuni]

Solid Fol.

Don't lose sleep over Kevon's hips---past history and he's good. BTW, nice to know that others are so sure of my past or current involvement, hey?

You know, my response was unkind. My apologies 

[Pakuni]

The irony of a guy who has (I assume) never said a word to Looney telling another guy who at least cleaned Looney's teeth that he isn't "part of his inner circle" and in the same post determining what is best for Looney is too good.

Got it. From now on I'll only give my opinion on the moves of athletes whom I know personally.
I presume you will do the same.

[4everwarriors]

You know, my response was unkind. My apologies

Accepted---no issues, we're good.

[rocket surgeon]

  a hi-geeenist 4ever ain't-that would be like axking superman to open a jar of pickles, eyn'a so?

    maybe drilling and filling a class 2 in tooth #19 before doin a spit shine aheyn'a ey?

[wadesworld]

Got it. From now on I'll only give my opinion on the moves of athletes whom I know personally.
I presume you will do the same.

I'm not the one telling other people they are a fool for thinking a 23 year old millionaire made a good decision to stay in San Francisco and win a 3rd NBA Title because that person "isn't in his inner circle."

It's beyond ironic and if you can't see that, well, sorry!

[4everwarriors]

  a hi-geeenist 4ever ain't-that would be like axking superman to open a jar of pickles, eyn'a so?

    maybe drilling and filling a class 2 in tooth #19 before doin a spit shine aheyn'a ey?

Thanks kin, ya no, eye bin no an ta take out da trash and klean out da chitters in my spare tyme two, hey?

[rocket surgeon]

Thanks kin, ya no, eye bin no an ta take out da trash and klean out da chitters in my spare tyme two, hey?

  you've had to escort a patient or 2 out the back door too?


to bring 'er back home-there's a little "buzz" about thon's bruce lee imitation at the fiba's.  if those were flyin knee kicks, hope he didn't fire his body guard

[WarriorDad]

I predict Lakers wait it out, next year they get Leonard and Lebron will lead them back to the championship in the '19-'20 championship. 

[rocket surgeon]

I predict Lakers wait it out, next year they get Leonard and Lebron will lead them back to the championship in the '19-'20 championship.

luol is a $19 million headache here-wow!  throwing around money like it's growing on palm trees.  he played 1 game for them last year...he's a career 15 ppg dude...really?

[Herman Cain]

Man, is reading comprehension that difficult? Kevon has 2 rings, will compete for a starting role while Cousins rehabs, likes the team chemistry and playing for Kerr. Golden State has said all along he was a priority once his option wasn't picked up. In short, Looney is betting on himself, much like others including Butler, have done. All the while, Golden State retains his Bird rights. We'll see how it works out.

Some on this board just can't be happy and take pleasure in trying to get under a fellow alum's skin. The life they lead is pretty pathetic. As I've said before, I'm just thankful I'm me and not one of them.

Happy 4th of July and let freedom ring.

I agree with this analysis.

[Pakuni]

I'm not the one telling other people they are a fool for thinking a 23 year old millionaire made a good decision to stay in San Francisco and win a 3rd NBA Title because that person "isn't in his inner circle."

It's beyond ironic and if you can't see that, well, sorry!

What? No. I didn't say 4ever was a fool. I said Looney made a stupid decision IF he turned down more lucrative, longer-term deals for a 1-year minimum contract. Read, my friend.

[wadesworld]

What? No. I didn't say 4ever was a fool. I said Looney made a stupid decision IF he turned down more lucrative, longer-term deals for a 1-year minimum contract. Read, my friend.

4never said props to Looney for signing a contract worth more than $1M as a 22 year old kid.  You called Looney an idiot.  4never explained that Looney is a 22 year old making over a million dollars and living in San Francisco, which I think 99.99% of 22 year olds in this world would take over whatever their situation is, so Looney probably does deserve the props 4never gave him.  You then got all defensive about it, told 4never he's not in Looney's inner circle, and proclaimed what was best for Kevon Looney, despite (again, I'm assuming here, so could be wrong) never having spoken a word to the guy.

I'm with 4never.  Props to the 22 year old kid from Milwaukee who's a millionaire and soon to be 3 time NBA champion living in San Francisco.

[Silkk the Shaka]

If both Iggy and CP3 stay healthy the Warriors win in 6 max, probably 5. The Warriors were already so much better than everyone and then they just added a top 15 player in the NBA at the only position of relative weakness in their roster.

There is no challenger for them. If Boogie is 80% of why he was they go 16-0 in the Playoffs.

Okay, but Javale McGee was a fairly important piece for them in the finals and he left before they had Cousins. The Celtics are adding back Kyrie and Hayward to a team that went to game 7 of the ECF. That's not nothing. That's pretty big. A lineup of Irving/Hayward/Brown/Tatum/Horford would have given GSW a run for their money without Cousins. May have even been favored. And Jimmy wants to join Kyrie so he might force a trade there. If they can add Jimmy at a reasonable price they could contend even with Cousins at GSW. The Sixers could make a play for Kawhi at a reasonable price since they'd only be getting one year in theory and SAS would get to ship him out East. Assuming Fultz can approach his #1 overall status with a year to heal an work on the J, a Simmons/Fultz/Kawhi/Saric/Embiid lineup (6'10"/6'4"/6'7"/6'10"/7" with shooting at 2-4) is a scary proposition on defense and in the paint.

I just don't think they were untouchable prior to Cousins, and don't necessarily think they're untouchable even with Cousins. All it takes is chemistry to be off, a minor injury, Celtics or Sixers making one personnel move, etc.

They are definitely the favorite. If I had to bet, I would surely bet on them, especially if Cousins can reach even 80% of his prior level like you said. But they can get beat! Looking forward to seeing the challengers.

[Its DJOver]

Okay, but Javale McGee was a fairly important piece for them in the finals and he left before they had Cousins. The Celtics are adding back Kyrie and Hayward to a team that went to game 7 of the ECF. That's not nothing. That's pretty big. A lineup of Irving/Hayward/Brown/Tatum/Horford would have given GSW a run for their money without Cousins. May have even been favored. And Jimmy wants to join Kyrie so he might force a trade there. If they can add Jimmy at a reasonable price they could contend even with Cousins at GSW. The Sixers could make a play for Kawhi at a reasonable price since they'd only be getting one year in theory and SAS would get to ship him out East. Assuming Fultz can approach his #1 overall status with a year to heal an work on the J, a Simmons/Fultz/Kawhi/Saric/Embiid lineup (6'10"/6'4"/6'7"/6'10"/7" with shooting at 2-4) is a scary proposition on defense and in the paint.

I just don't think they were untouchable prior to Cousins, and don't necessarily think they're untouchable even with Cousins. All it takes is chemistry to be off, a minor injury, Celtics or Sixers making one personnel move, etc.

They are definitely the favorite. If I had to bet, I would surely bet on them, especially if Cousins can reach even 80% of his prior level like you said. But they can get beat! Looking forward to seeing the challengers.

A lot of stretches in your post, but I think this is the biggest.  If the Sixers or Celtics were truly one personnel move away from being a serious contender, they would be making that move.  They're probably the two favorites to come out of the East, but I can't see a scenario where either would win more than one game in the Finals.

[JWags85]

I predict Lakers wait it out, next year they get Leonard and Lebron will lead them back to the championship in the '19-'20 championship.

LOL.  And Tiger is gonna get his swing put back together and win the last 2 majors of the year.

Lebron will be 35 with over 1500 games played by that point.  Yes, he's a physical freak, but he can no longer take off chunks of the regular season and/or coast through the first rounds of the playoffs in the West.  Beyond the huge leap that Kawhi actually gets to the Lakers (a move that would likely be especially punitive and sap their young talent and I don't think SAS just lets him walk after next season), thinking an aging Lebron is going to power them past superior teams in Houston and GSW, plus improving C's and Sixers teams in the East is hilarious.  Like I said earlier, I don't rule one more crazy run out, but given the tepid response to other FAs heading to LA this offseason, I think Lebron's ring chasing is more or less over.