unfair competition and 'insider trading' in the NBA is a problem

[Neurotic Guy]

Lakers GM; the easiest job in the NBA.

You just sit and pick from a pool of free agents dying to move to LA

No persuasive skills required

Except that they've missed out on a lot of top free agents over the last six or so years.  Lebron is the only one they've gotten so far.

A very brief lull while Lakers tanked for assets and cleared cap space.. The formula isn’t complex and it works in the NBA better than anywhere else due to the impact one or two megastars have on team success.  Lakers have not made it through a basketball generation since their move to LA without securing multiple mega-talents — many franchises go generations without a single top ten player.  The good fortune of equaling or bettering their draft position on lottery day has been an LAL bonus, but not necessary.  Lakers GM is by far the easiest GM position in all of sports — functional or dysfunctional GMs do just fine there.  They survive mistakes and it’s only a matter of time before a top 10 player either signs there or manipulates his way there via trade (or perhaps by refusing to workout elsewhere).  C’s as an example have never had a top 10 player angle specifically to get to Boston, and are more likely to have a player declare his refusal to play there or (as with Kyrie) decide to leave. C’s are a historic franchise and when they are on the upswing can be an attractive place for 2nd tier stars, but the top guns do not chose to come here.

 The fairness issue is far worse for other franchises and in the interest of competition there should be something done about it.  If nothing else, some compensation should be required when a star leaves a franchise for greener (or purple and gold) pastures. 

[ozgod]

Did something happen overnight?

All I see is that Kawhi is meeting with the Lakers (one of a few and this was always expected) and that Lakers think they have a better chance to get him than the clippers if he leaves Toronto.  Did I miss something?  Everyone is acting like it's done.

Typical media frenzy and speculation when the Fakers are linked with anyone.

[libermaniac]

The NBA could easily fix the superteam thing. Hard cap with no player maximum. But they won’t do it because superteams are great for ratings.

[bellerephon]

The NBA could easily fix the superteam thing. Hard cap with no player maximum. But they won’t do it because superteams are great for ratings.

The league actually can't do that, at least not without the agreement of the players. The league cannot simply implement rules, they have a collective bargaining agreement. The players will never agree to a hard cap.

[chiken]

It's actually a good thing that the Agent tells teams what their Clients intend to do...

Imagine how many teams would be crushed giving up their best assets just to watch a dude walk at the end of the year.

Why is this a bad thing?

[Erik]

It’s a fair point in terms of LA free agency or location of team being a problem, but I don’t see the connection to insider trading. You’re acting as if only Lakers players are able to communicate with free agents. If all players can do it, there is nothing unfair in the “market.”

[Kuberski33]

The market also dictates these things.  If the fans push back - by not buying tickets and not watching games - that gets the league's and the players attention more than anything.

People don't seem to mind.  You also have a whole generation of fans who are loyal to the player vs the team - witness all the Curry jerseys you see at the Garden when GS comes to town.

The league tried to address this by implementing the Super Max, but a lot of these guys (Kemba included) apparently don't care because they already make tons of money.  Back in the days of Antoine & Kenny Anderson and his 7 cars when players maybe weren't quite as smart about their money, the Super Max may have had its intended affect - but this generation of players seems to have learned from all that.

There are no easy answers and the only people it really seems to bother are fans like those of us here who are team first and see winning a title as the main objective.

The NFL still has the best system - made possible because the average career is so short and because the impact of a superstar isn't nearly what it is in basketball.

[Roy H.]

The NBA definitely has a tampering problem. Adam Silver has been extremely soft on the issue.

[Green-18]

The market also dictates these things.  If the fans push back - by not buying tickets and not watching games - that gets the league's and the players attention more than anything.

People don't seem to mind.  You also have a whole generation of fans who are loyal to the player vs the team - witness all the Curry jerseys you see at the Garden when GS comes to town.

The league tried to address this by implementing the Super Max, but a lot of these guys (Kemba included) apparently don't care because they already make tons of money.  Back in the days of Antoine & Kenny Anderson and his 7 cars when players maybe weren't quite as smart about their money, the Super Max may have had its intended affect - but this generation of players seems to have learned from all that.

There are no easy answers and the only people it really seems to bother are fans like those of us here who are team first and see winning a title as the main objective.

The NFL still has the best system - made possible because the average career is so short and because the impact of a superstar isn't nearly what it is in basketball.

Exactly right.  Tampering or not, the NBA drama has become a 24/7, 365 news cycle.  It's been great for business.  Until that changes, I'd be surprised to see any real action from the league.

[Ogaju]

It's a problem for the Lakers but not the Celtics who apparently have already locked up Walker.  You can't have it both ways.

I totally understand your point. In another thread I demanded that Danny start to tamper at will because in this league today if you are not  tampering then you are not trying, and it aint tampering unless you get caught. That is paraphrasing Jim Rome.

[Ogaju]

Lakers GM; the easiest job in the NBA.

You just sit and pick from a pool of free agents dying to move to LA

No persuasive skills required

Does this diminish the legend of Jerry West?

[libermaniac]

The NBA could easily fix the superteam thing. Hard cap with no player maximum. But they won’t do it because superteams are great for ratings.

The league actually can't do that, at least not without the agreement of the players. The league cannot simply implement rules, they have a collective bargaining agreement. The players will never agree to a hard cap.

Sure they would. Just depends on how high it is.

[saltlover]

The NBA definitely has a tampering problem. Adam Silver has been extremely soft on the issue.

He’s been stronger than David Stern was.  Stern let it get out of control — Silver at least passes out fines sometimes.  Pandora’s box was opened long ago.

[Kuberski33]

Lakers GM; the easiest job in the NBA.

You just sit and pick from a pool of free agents dying to move to LA

No persuasive skills required

Does this diminish the legend of Jerry West?

I wouldn't count the Clippers out.  Doc and a committed ownership, well run organization now with West involved - you can have that, still have LA and not get the drama you'd get cross town.

I know that Kawhi is his own guy but the Clips have to be an attractive destination.

[Ogaju]

It’s a fair point in terms of LA free agency or location of team being a problem, but I don’t see the connection to insider trading. You’re acting as if only Lakers players are able to communicate with free agents. If all players can do it, there is nothing unfair in the “market.”

Have you read Animal Farm? There is a famous quote in there about equality.