Goran reportedly to be traded

[colincb]

More Woj:

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/sources--lakers--knicks--heat-among-goran-dragic-s-preferred-trade-destinations-040017423.html

The Indiana Pacers are also a possible destination for Dragic, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

===

Deng and whatever as Heat try to contend?
Hibbert and whatever as Pacers move in a new direction.
Don't see what  LAL and NYK can trade except picks.

[saltlover]

This is a weird time in the NBA.  Players demanding trades has reached such a point that the league actually changed the rules to make it harder, but it doesn't seem to make a difference.

I see this as the downside of David Stern's emphasis on individual stars over teams.  He promoted guys like their own brands and now that's how even mid-level stars like Dragic and done-nothing youngsters like Monroe are now acting.

Mike

It's what the owners get for limiting contract lengths to shorter deals, as well as the ability to extend them, and limiting the efficacy of sign-and-traded.  Initially this seemed like a win for the owners, but now players have turned it on its head by using the threat of leaving in free agency to force trades to teams they would re-sign with, so they can still get the benefit of Bird rights.  Bet that changes in the next CBA.

[86MaxwellSmart]

Ainge wouldn't be afraid to make a deal for him---even if he decides to leave---C's can do a S&T with him...Let's see if Danny actually wants this guy.

[saltlover]

Ainge wouldn't be afraid to make a deal for him---even if he decides to leave---C's can do a S&T with him...Let's see if Danny actually wants this guy.

That'd be dumb.  If he really wants to go to LA or NY, he'll just sign there with the cap room either team has.  No sign-and-trade will be made.  Now, if Dragic is interested in Boston, that's another thing, but no way Ainge trades for him without that.

It should be noted, Dragic has the same agent as Rondo.  Don't know how much it matters, other than Ainge is very familiar with him.

[colincb]

Duffy is Prince's agent too, so he undoubtedly have been talking to danny about a buyout.

[Endless Paradise]

This is a weird time in the NBA.  Players demanding trades has reached such a point that the league actually changed the rules to make it harder, but it doesn't seem to make a difference.

I see this as the downside of David Stern's emphasis on individual stars over teams.  He promoted guys like their own brands and now that's how even mid-level stars like Dragic and done-nothing youngsters like Monroe are now acting.

Mike

It's what the owners get for limiting contract lengths to shorter deals, as well as the ability to extend them, and limiting the efficacy of sign-and-traded.  Initially this seemed like a win for the owners, but now players have turned it on its head by using the threat of leaving in free agency to force trades to teams they would re-sign with, so they can still get the benefit of Bird rights.  Bet that changes in the next CBA.

Yep, all falls on the owners' heads.  I have zero issue with players leveraging their agency to force trades.

[Rondo9]

One thing for certain, this will probably reinforce the "no one wants to come to Boston" argument.

[obnoxiousmime]

One thing for certain, this will probably reinforce the "no one wants to come to Boston" argument.

There really isn't any reason to come to Boston if the team is no good. Bad weather, smaller city, less attractive women, less exciting nightlife.

Oh well, it was probably destined to play out this way once they gave those two four year deals to Bledsoe and Thomas. Having the security of the long term, reasonably priced deal is important to small market teams because they aren't FA destinations. Sadly, these days Phoenix is even more desirable than Boston due to its proximity to lots of western and southern cities and its warm weather.

[Rondo9]

One thing for certain, this will probably reinforce the "no one wants to come to Boston" argument.

There really isn't any reason to come to Boston if the team is no good. Bad weather, smaller city, less attractive women, less exciting nightlife.

Oh well, it was probably destined to play out this way once they gave those two four year deals to Bledsoe and Thomas. Having the security of the long term, reasonably priced deal is important to small market teams because they aren't FA destinations. Sadly, these days Phoenix is even more desirable than Boston due to its proximity to lots of western and southern cities and its warm weather.

Okay I wouldn't go that far. It's clear the Dragic wants the money, and New York and L.A are the teams who are willing to give him it. We've seen nothing from Anige that indicates that he's willing to do the same. However the Celtics have more assets than New York or the Lakers and if they get Dragic, they have his bird rights and can offer him more money and years to him. So it comes down if he really wants to go to L.A or NYK, If he wants to go badly.

[saltlover]

Duffy is Prince's agent too, so he undoubtedly have been talking to danny about a buyout.

Between these Goran "leaks" and the Prince "leaks", it's pretty apparent where a lot of the Rondo rumors came from over the years.  I'd frankly prefer no Duffy clients for a while.  He seems to create drama.

[Rakulp]

Anybody who wants to be a Laker doesn't deserve to wear Celtic green...

...period.

Rak

[LooseCannon]

Duffy is Prince's agent too, so he undoubtedly have been talking to danny about a buyout.

Between these Goran "leaks" and the Prince "leaks", it's pretty apparent where a lot of the Rondo rumors came from over the years.  I'd frankly prefer no Duffy clients for a while.  He seems to create drama.

Here is a list of Duffy clients.

[hpantazo]

He reportedly wants a max deal and a place where he will be the primary ball handler and run the show, yet he lists the Lakers at the top. Is he assuming Kobe will retire after this season?

My guess is, the Knicks will trade for him, and then sign Monroe this summer.

[JBcat]

This is a weird time in the NBA.  Players demanding trades has reached such a point that the league actually changed the rules to make it harder, but it doesn't seem to make a difference.

I see this as the downside of David Stern's emphasis on individual stars over teams.  He promoted guys like their own brands and now that's how even mid-level stars like Dragic and done-nothing youngsters like Monroe are now acting.

Mike

It's what the owners get for limiting contract lengths to shorter deals, as well as the ability to extend them, and limiting the efficacy of sign-and-traded.  Initially this seemed like a win for the owners, but now players have turned it on its head by using the threat of leaving in free agency to force trades to teams they would re-sign with, so they can still get the benefit of Bird rights.  Bet that changes in the next CBA.

Yep, all falls on the owners' heads.  I have zero issue with players leveraging their agency to force trades.

Maybe one way to leverage this for the teams is having the baseball rule where you can offer your own free agent the 1 year qualifying offer(which I think is at least league average pay), and if the free agent leaves his former team gets the receiving team's first round draft pick.  That way if the team rolls the dice in free agency hoping to keep the player, they will at least get something in return if he leaves.

[obnoxiousmime]

One thing for certain, this will probably reinforce the "no one wants to come to Boston" argument.

There really isn't any reason to come to Boston if the team is no good. Bad weather, smaller city, less attractive women, less exciting nightlife.

Oh well, it was probably destined to play out this way once they gave those two four year deals to Bledsoe and Thomas. Having the security of the long term, reasonably priced deal is important to small market teams because they aren't FA destinations. Sadly, these days Phoenix is even more desirable than Boston due to its proximity to lots of western and southern cities and its warm weather.

Okay I wouldn't go that far. It's clear the Dragic wants the money, and New York and L.A are the teams who are willing to give him it. We've seen nothing from Anige that indicates that he's willing to do the same. However the Celtics have more assets than New York or the Lakers and if they get Dragic, they have his bird rights and can offer him more money and years to him. So it comes down if he really wants to go to L.A or NYK, If he wants to go badly.

But Dragic might as well be a free agent due to his contract expiring this year. Nobody is going to give up anything of value for him unless they feel they have a realistic shot at keeping him. That's why his trade list of approved teams matters more than the fact that Boston can outbid everyone. Maybe Ainge can convince him to be open to a re-sign but even if he did, it's a major risk. I think Ainge was willing to take a chance on Love since it was a whole season, but Dragic would only be here for a couple months. Also, he plays the same position as Smart. Dragic has already stated he wants to be the primary PG on his next team.