NBA Off-Season News

[celticsclay]

Couple interesting points here…

There certainly were a few eyebrows raised this week when Trail Blazers general manager Joe Cronin publicly doubled down on Portland’s desire to build a team around Damian Lillard. Still, there is a belief among rival execs that the Blazers will not be able to do enough in the coming days to satisfy Lillard’s stated desire to play for a winner, and the two sides will eventually decide its best for both to move on.

Don’t expect a quick resolution. Lillard doesn’t want to request a trade, and the Blazers don’t love the optics of trading away their franchise player. But Portland, correctly, pushed ahead with its youth movement when it used the third pick on Scoot Henderson last week. When the dust settles on free agency, they may have to double down on it. Lillard averaged a career-best 32.2 points last season but at 32 and with $216 million left on his contract over the next four seasons, he’s an injury away from his value bottoming out. The risk of not trading Lillard before next season is enormous.

So where will Portland look? While any trade will be a collaborative effort between the team and Lillard, the Blazers will, understandably, want the best possible return [for Damian Lillard]. Portland is lukewarm on Tyler Herro, sources told Sports Illustrated. He is entering the first year of a four-year, $130 million contract.

Brooklyn, armed with a collection of Suns picks that stretch deep into the decade, can offer the most draft capital. And the Blazers could take a flyer on Ben Simmons, whose contract ($77 million over the next two seasons) isn’t as onerous as it used to be. Several other Eastern Conference contenders, including Boston, New York and Philadelphia, could jump into the mix.  – via Sports Illustrated

Lol imagine trading probably your most beloved franchise player in history for Ben Simmons

[RJ87]

Couple interesting points here…

There certainly were a few eyebrows raised this week when Trail Blazers general manager Joe Cronin publicly doubled down on Portland’s desire to build a team around Damian Lillard. Still, there is a belief among rival execs that the Blazers will not be able to do enough in the coming days to satisfy Lillard’s stated desire to play for a winner, and the two sides will eventually decide its best for both to move on.

Don’t expect a quick resolution. Lillard doesn’t want to request a trade, and the Blazers don’t love the optics of trading away their franchise player. But Portland, correctly, pushed ahead with its youth movement when it used the third pick on Scoot Henderson last week. When the dust settles on free agency, they may have to double down on it. Lillard averaged a career-best 32.2 points last season but at 32 and with $216 million left on his contract over the next four seasons, he’s an injury away from his value bottoming out. The risk of not trading Lillard before next season is enormous.

So where will Portland look? While any trade will be a collaborative effort between the team and Lillard, the Blazers will, understandably, want the best possible return [for Damian Lillard]. Portland is lukewarm on Tyler Herro, sources told Sports Illustrated. He is entering the first year of a four-year, $130 million contract.

Brooklyn, armed with a collection of Suns picks that stretch deep into the decade, can offer the most draft capital. And the Blazers could take a flyer on Ben Simmons, whose contract ($77 million over the next two seasons) isn’t as onerous as it used to be. Several other Eastern Conference contenders, including Boston, New York and Philadelphia, could jump into the mix.  – via Sports Illustrated

Lol imagine trading probably your most beloved franchise player in history for Ben Simmons

Simmons is just salary matching at this point. The real value would be the picks the Nets have. Those later Phoenix picks could get interesting.

And hey, maybe Simmons can rehab his value a little.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

Came across this just now; I looked at the photo before reading the text, so I was shocked when I realized that it's David Robinson standing to Wemby's left, looking not so tall next to the young guy.

https://twitter.com/vicw_32/status/1672770721989251075?s=20

[theswitch]

Anil Gogna: Eric Gordon’s $20.9M contract which becomes Fully GTD on June 28 currently has $0 GTD. If the Clippers replaced his contract with a Rookie Minimum contract, they would save $108M in just their projected Luxury Tax bill for next season. – via Twitter AnilGognaNBA

Wow.  So, effectively, Gordon would cost around $128 million to keep?  I'm an "all in" guy, but that's hard to justify.

Haha, that is ridiculous.

And they have Norman Powell who already does much the same thing as Eric Gordon. And a wonderful backup SG/SF in T Mann who is bigger, more athletic, better defender and doesn't get enough playing time.

Gotta waive Eric Gordon.


Actually, Eric would be pretty interesting for us (if / when waived).

A small SG but strong and sturdy. Keeps that small backcourt option alive but provides a different skill-set in terms of a more off ball scoring option. Major shooting threat. Explosive scorer.

G - D White, Brogdon
G - Jaylen, E Gordon

That is a darn fine backcourt. Highly talented and physically imposing backcourt. Can all play in different combos. Jaylen can even slide to SF where desired.

Add Tatum at SF and you have a strong 5 man perimeter rotation with Jaylen providing the backup SF minutes.

Back to this -- Gordon is a pretty awful defender at this point but he's so impressively consistent offensively. It's really remarkable. He has been in the league for 15 seasons and he has averaged double-digit points every single year. I mean, wow! It's not like he's a superstar. Last year, 12.4. Before that, 13.4. Then a string of 17.8, 14.4, 16.2, 18.0, 16.2, 15.2, 13.4, 15.4, 17.0. He's been clocking in the same exact season more or less for a decade. And that's with pretty consistent shooting percentages and the like.

I'm not sure he's defensively worth it unless I'm not right on his quality there compared to Hauser, but man that is impressive consistency.

[goCeltics]

Taurean Prince had his option declined, Would be a suitable Grant replacement at either the TMLE level($5 million) or the Vet Min (~$2.5 million). I am skeptical they would get him at the vet min, I imagine the Celtics would be behind teams like the Suns, Lakers, etc.

[gouki88]

Came across this just now; I looked at the photo before reading the text, so I was shocked when I realized that it's David Robinson standing to Wemby's left, looking not so tall next to the young guy.

https://twitter.com/vicw_32/status/1672770721989251075?s=20

Makes a 6’6” Manu look tiny. Think Wemby is now, officially 7’3.5” barefoot - so around 7’5” in shoes.

[Goldstar88]

Taurean Prince had his option declined, Would be a suitable Grant replacement at either the TMLE level($5 million) or the Vet Min (~$2.5 million). I am skeptical they would get him at the vet min, I imagine the Celtics would be behind teams like the Suns, Lakers, etc.

That would be a solid addition.

[radiohead]

Taurean Prince had his option declined, Would be a suitable Grant replacement at either the TMLE level($5 million) or the Vet Min (~$2.5 million). I am skeptical they would get him at the vet min, I imagine the Celtics would be behind teams like the Suns, Lakers, etc.

That would be a solid addition.

I agree. He fills a role as a 3 and D guy.

[cman88]

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2023/06/pacers-considering-48mm-offer-for-max-strus.html

Pacers Considering Three-Year, $48M Offer To Max Strus
JUN 28, 2023 9:40 PM


The Indiana Pacers are considering a three-year, $48 million offer for Max Strus, sources tell Marc Stein of Substack.

The Pacers have more than $30 million in cap space this offseason.

Strus is likely to leave the Miami Heat this offseason due to the strong interest he's expected to receive at a figure of at least the $12.4 million midlevel exception. The Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic have also been linked with Strus.

“The amount of Max Strus buzz right now is ridiculous,” ESPN’s Zach Lowe said on a recent podcast. “Max Strus is getting the midlevel exception … All those teams are scared that someone with cap room is gonna beat that offer.” 

The Heat are considered more likely to re-sign Gabe Vincent than Strus.

this is pretty crazy....

[Roy H.]

As speculated:

Adrian Wojnarowski: The Clippers aren’t guaranteeing guard Eric Gordon’s $21 million contract and he’ll become a free agent, sources tell ESPN. Gordon has averaged 16 points on 37 percent three-point shooting in his 15-year career. – via Twitter wojespn

[boscel33]

Taurean Prince had his option declined, Would be a suitable Grant replacement at either the TMLE level($5 million) or the Vet Min (~$2.5 million). I am skeptical they would get him at the vet min, I imagine the Celtics would be behind teams like the Suns, Lakers, etc.

That would be a solid addition.

I agree.  Age fits in with the team as well.

[CFAN38]

Anil Gogna: Eric Gordon’s $20.9M contract which becomes Fully GTD on June 28 currently has $0 GTD. If the Clippers replaced his contract with a Rookie Minimum contract, they would save $108M in just their projected Luxury Tax bill for next season. – via Twitter AnilGognaNBA

Wow.  So, effectively, Gordon would cost around $128 million to keep?  I'm an "all in" guy, but that's hard to justify.

Haha, that is ridiculous.

And they have Norman Powell who already does much the same thing as Eric Gordon. And a wonderful backup SG/SF in T Mann who is bigger, more athletic, better defender and doesn't get enough playing time.

Gotta waive Eric Gordon.


Actually, Eric would be pretty interesting for us (if / when waived).

A small SG but strong and sturdy. Keeps that small backcourt option alive but provides a different skill-set in terms of a more off ball scoring option. Major shooting threat. Explosive scorer.

G - D White, Brogdon
G - Jaylen, E Gordon

That is a darn fine backcourt. Highly talented and physically imposing backcourt. Can all play in different combos. Jaylen can even slide to SF where desired.

Add Tatum at SF and you have a strong 5 man perimeter rotation with Jaylen providing the backup SF minutes.

Back to this -- Gordon is a pretty awful defender at this point but he's so impressively consistent offensively. It's really remarkable. He has been in the league for 15 seasons and he has averaged double-digit points every single year. I mean, wow! It's not like he's a superstar. Last year, 12.4. Before that, 13.4. Then a string of 17.8, 14.4, 16.2, 18.0, 16.2, 15.2, 13.4, 15.4, 17.0. He's been clocking in the same exact season more or less for a decade. And that's with pretty consistent shooting percentages and the like.

I'm not sure he's defensively worth it unless I'm not right on his quality there compared to Hauser, but man that is impressive consistency.

He would be an interesting addition, I prefer a better defensive player but his offense coming off the bench with Brogdon and AL could take significant scoring load off of the Jays and KP.

[Csfan1984]

Hoping Grant resigns for 3 years salary of 12 million per. The last year a player opt. That gives him control for new TV contract $ and he will be under 30 years old.

[Who]

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2023/06/pacers-considering-48mm-offer-for-max-strus.html

Pacers Considering Three-Year, $48M Offer To Max Strus
JUN 28, 2023 9:40 PM


The Indiana Pacers are considering a three-year, $48 million offer for Max Strus, sources tell Marc Stein of Substack.

The Pacers have more than $30 million in cap space this offseason.

Strus is likely to leave the Miami Heat this offseason due to the strong interest he's expected to receive at a figure of at least the $12.4 million midlevel exception. The Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic have also been linked with Strus.

“The amount of Max Strus buzz right now is ridiculous,” ESPN’s Zach Lowe said on a recent podcast. “Max Strus is getting the midlevel exception … All those teams are scared that someone with cap room is gonna beat that offer.” 

The Heat are considered more likely to re-sign Gabe Vincent than Strus.

this is pretty crazy....

Mediocre talent. Waste of money.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

Came across this just now; I looked at the photo before reading the text, so I was shocked when I realized that it's David Robinson standing to Wemby's left, looking not so tall next to the young guy.

https://twitter.com/vicw_32/status/1672770721989251075?s=20

Makes a 6’6” Manu look tiny. Think Wemby is now, officially 7’3.5” barefoot - so around 7’5” in shoes.

You're correct about Wemby, making him the second-tallest current player—just behind Boban and just ahead of Kristaps.