NBA: ***Official NBA Draft and Offseason Thread***

[bringmagicback]

In other potential news, the Clippers are slowly beginning to shop DeAndre Jordan, PHX is rumored to be involved. With Chris Paul likely staying (won't get near as much $$$ anywhere else), one would think he might be more on the keep and rework side where as Blake Griffin seemed to be all but gone if and when they consider pieces to build around LeBron should he leave Cleveland after next season. The George/LeBron steam around the Lakers for 2018 now seems more realistic as Bron's L.A. team of choice should they move Jordan. IMO only.

I just dont see Bron with the clips. I feel bad for them honestly they put together a good team but everyone was just better. Fun team to watch, clippers were must see tv for a bit. I feel like those clipper players are feeling like my whole career is all for not .I hope they latch on somewhere useful. They all wish they were wearing the other uniform.

 

[NewClone09]

In the biggest news yet.. KAWHI CUT HIS BRAIDS!!!

 

[NewClone09]

I just dont see Bron with the clips. I feel bad for them honestly they put together a good team but everyone was just better. Fun team to watch, clippers were must see tv for a bit. I feel like those clipper players are feeling like my whole career is all for not .I hope they latch on somewhere useful. They all wish they were wearing the other uniform.

You're right, I'd agree the Lakers are more likely and I meant more that this could ensure that fact. Though I have seen rumblings that James does not want to deal with the unavoidable and ill-conceived comparisons to Kobe.

It was frustrating watching the Clips, so good but could never stay healthy enough to give themselves a chance to get over the hump. The Spurs also didn't help them out.

 

[Rural]

You're right, I'd agree the Lakers are more likely and I meant more that this could ensure that fact. Though I have seen rumblings that James does not want to deal with the unavoidable and ill-conceived comparisons to Kobe.

It was frustrating watching the Clips, so good but could never stay healthy enough to give themselves a chance to get over the hump. The Spurs also didn't help them out.

Best in the league to watch when they had it rolling just missing a real closer type player.

That sounds like Bron now that I think about it.

 

[NewClone09]

Best in the league to watch when they had it rolling just missing a real closer type player.

That sounds like Bron now that I think about it.

The more important and tangible aspect is that the Clippers are adding Jerry West as a consultant. That is MASSIVE in the LeBron sweepstakes once it begins. He built the Lakers and then helped morph the Warriors into the juggernaut they have become.

 

[Rural]

They happen a couple times every decade but this draft is going to have a player or two drafted late that are stars in the league.

Just has that feel to it.

 

[rholtgraves]

Lebron is not going to LA.

 

[rholtgraves]

I don't know how I feel about the Lakers trading away Russell for really a one year rental and the 28th pick. he hasn't been great but he is still young and has a lot of talent. It was good to get Mozgov off the books though.

 

[NewClone09]

I don't know how I feel about the Lakers trading away Russell for really a one year rental and the 28th pick. he hasn't been great but he is still young and has a lot of talent. It was good to get Mozgov off the books though.

They got the best player out of the trade on a 1 year deal and, as you noted, freed up cap space

 

[Rural]

They got the best player out of the trade on a 1 year deal and, as you noted, freed up cap space

He's OK but has also been an injury waiting to happen.

 

[rholtgraves]

They got the best player out of the trade on a 1 year deal and, as you noted, freed up cap space

Yeah a one year deal. But one year of him on a crappy team. Doesn't do them much good for the future except for the cap space. I have no problem with them unloading Mozgov for whatever they could get but you could keep Russelll and see if him and Ball could play together first. He was their #2 pick just a couple years ago.

 

[NetflixAndClone]

They happen a couple times every decade but this draft is going to have a player or two drafted late that are stars in the league.

Just has that feel to it.

Like Burton? Half joking but It could happen.

 

[rholtgraves]

I saw the Bulls are looking to get the #3 from the Celts and more for Butler. And there is talk about Celts getting Butler and then going after Hayward. If they had Thomas, Butler, Hayward I think they could at least give the Cavs a run for their money.

Also saw the Bulls are the leaders to sign the #1 player overseas. Milos Teodosic PG who is considered maybe the best passer in the world. Can also hit from 3 and doesn't play defense.

 

[Rural]

Like Burton? Half joking but It could happen.

I was more thinking second half of first round but you never know.

 

[CyJack13]

I don't know how I feel about the Lakers trading away Russell for really a one year rental and the 28th pick. he hasn't been great but he is still young and has a lot of talent. It was good to get Mozgov off the books though.

It seemed a little rushed to me. I think they would have been able to find a deal like that at pretty much anytime during the season too. I would have waited and see if Russell's value would go up during the year.

 

[NewClone09]

Yeah a one year deal. But one year of him on a crappy team. Doesn't do them much good for the future except for the cap space. I have no problem with them unloading Mozgov for whatever they could get but you could keep Russelll and see if him and Ball could play together first. He was their #2 pick just a couple years ago.

I'm saying he will be serviceable for a year and then will likely be offloaded.

 

[Rural]

I saw the Bulls are looking to get the #3 from the Celts and more for Butler. And there is talk about Celts getting Butler and then going after Hayward. If they had Thomas, Butler, Hayward I think they could at least give the Cavs a run for their money.

Also saw the Bulls are the leaders to sign the #1 player overseas. Milos Teodosic PG who is considered maybe the best passer in the world. Can also hit from 3 and doesn't play defense.

Even Jimmy Butler can't cover for Thomas defensively.

 

[rholtgraves]

Butler told the Cavs he doesn't want to play there.

 

[jbindm]

I wouldn't have done that trade. I would have however done the trade they did. I feel they are going to trade their two first round later picks, not the number two, and Clarkson for PG. The reason I wouldn't trade a lot for PG is because we are going to get him anyway. Mozgov 54 mil off books, Lakers seem to think Russell is immature. It does suck because I really like Clarkson . I think they will stick deng contract on the PG trade hopefully

Yeah, I think for now the best offer the Pacers will get from LA is Clarkson and the 27th and 28th picks tomorrow night. They're not going to pry away that #2 pick unless another team paracutes in between now and tomorrow night with a big offer. And that's the right play for the Lakers. No reason to give up anything more than spare parts and late first rounders if there aren't any other serious bidders at the moment.

And if that's it, then I think Pritchard is going to wait until the Cavs get their new GM in place in the hopes that they'll be able to revive talks and get a third team involved to reroute Kevin Love. He doesn't have the leverage to do anything else.

You can't understate just how badly PG screwed Indy by telling them that he won't re-sign and then leaking the news. It absolutely destroyed his trade value. I get that it's partly on them for not putting a better supporting cast around him. But his camp knew exactly what they were doing by making it known that not only was PG not going to re-sign in Indy, but that he was only interested in going to LA. So **** that guy. I hope the Lakers suck for another decade.

 

[WalkingCY]

Cool feature from ESPN on the statistically best players of all time at their draft spot. Especially interesting from a local perspective that Hornacek, Hoiberg and Korver all rank as the best from their pick #. Hornacek by quite a bit.

http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/19657372/the-best-picks-every-nba-draft-slot

Nice to have 2 Cyclones repping in that.