is Ainge just stirring the pot

[greece66]

Sometimes, a cigar is just a cigar.

Mike

Sometimes a smoke screen is just that; a smoke screen.

But a pipe is never a pipe.

[ThaPreacher]

No he isn't just stirring the pot.  I believe Ainge is legitimately interested in acquiring Leonard.  He isn't going to go crazy and give up both Tatum and Brown, but I absolutely believe he would trade one of them and other things for a shot at a title next year and convincing Leonard to stay long term (which also might keep Irving in town).

No way Ainge includes Brown or Tatum in any package. I would be shocked unless Kawhi Leonard super duper pinky swore he was going to stay in Boston for more than a year. Even then we're not including Tatum. We're not going to give up a major future piece for a slightly better chance at one title next year.

Brown might be included, but Tatum should be untouchable.  I don't know a player that I would trade Tatum for besides KD or AD, and even then....  2nd Year Contract versus MAX Deal.

[csfansince60s]

Sometimes, a cigar is just a cigar.

Mike

Don’t tell Red that.

To him, lighting his cigar wasn’t just lighting a cigar.

And DA wont trade Brown in a Kawhi trade.

[slamtheking]

No he isn't just stirring the pot.  I believe Ainge is legitimately interested in acquiring Leonard.  He isn't going to go crazy and give up both Tatum and Brown, but I absolutely believe he would trade one of them and other things for a shot at a title next year and convincing Leonard to stay long term (which also might keep Irving in town).

No way Ainge includes Brown or Tatum in any package. I would be shocked unless Kawhi Leonard super duper pinky swore he was going to stay in Boston for more than a year. Even then we're not including Tatum. We're not going to give up a major future piece for a slightly better chance at one title next year.

agreed.  1 shot at a title does not justify including either Brown or Tatum in a deal for Kawhi when those 2 can be the basis for a number of title runs.

[Moranis]

No he isn't just stirring the pot.  I believe Ainge is legitimately interested in acquiring Leonard.  He isn't going to go crazy and give up both Tatum and Brown, but I absolutely believe he would trade one of them and other things for a shot at a title next year and convincing Leonard to stay long term (which also might keep Irving in town).

No way Ainge includes Brown or Tatum in any package. I would be shocked unless Kawhi Leonard super duper pinky swore he was going to stay in Boston for more than a year. Even then we're not including Tatum. We're not going to give up a major future piece for a slightly better chance at one title next year.

agreed.  1 shot at a title does not justify including either Brown or Tatum in a deal for Kawhi when those 2 can be the basis for a number of title runs.

what if Leonard re-signs next summer?  It isn't just about 1 season, it is about 1 season and using that season to have Leonard fall in love with the city and franchise and re-sign.  I mean Paul George might actually re-sign in Oklahoma City, a smaller city without the assets, coach, etc. that Boston has.  It isn't far fetched at all to get Leonard into town and then wow him.  On top of that, the Lakers might not even have cap space to sign Leonard next summer.  If James and George go there, there is no cap space to sign Leonard anyway. 

[slamtheking]

No he isn't just stirring the pot.  I believe Ainge is legitimately interested in acquiring Leonard.  He isn't going to go crazy and give up both Tatum and Brown, but I absolutely believe he would trade one of them and other things for a shot at a title next year and convincing Leonard to stay long term (which also might keep Irving in town).

No way Ainge includes Brown or Tatum in any package. I would be shocked unless Kawhi Leonard super duper pinky swore he was going to stay in Boston for more than a year. Even then we're not including Tatum. We're not going to give up a major future piece for a slightly better chance at one title next year.

agreed.  1 shot at a title does not justify including either Brown or Tatum in a deal for Kawhi when those 2 can be the basis for a number of title runs.

what if Leonard re-signs next summer?  It isn't just about 1 season, it is about 1 season and using that season to have Leonard fall in love with the city and franchise and re-sign.  I mean Paul George might actually re-sign in Oklahoma City, a smaller city without the assets, coach, etc. that Boston has.  It isn't far fetched at all to get Leonard into town and then wow him.  On top of that, the Lakers might not even have cap space to sign Leonard next summer.  If James and George go there, there is no cap space to sign Leonard anyway. 

you're talking IFs.  VERY BIG IFS. 

I'll take the 2 birds in the hand (Brown, Tatum) over the 1 in the bush (Kawhi).

[Moranis]

No he isn't just stirring the pot.  I believe Ainge is legitimately interested in acquiring Leonard.  He isn't going to go crazy and give up both Tatum and Brown, but I absolutely believe he would trade one of them and other things for a shot at a title next year and convincing Leonard to stay long term (which also might keep Irving in town).

No way Ainge includes Brown or Tatum in any package. I would be shocked unless Kawhi Leonard super duper pinky swore he was going to stay in Boston for more than a year. Even then we're not including Tatum. We're not going to give up a major future piece for a slightly better chance at one title next year.

agreed.  1 shot at a title does not justify including either Brown or Tatum in a deal for Kawhi when those 2 can be the basis for a number of title runs.

what if Leonard re-signs next summer?  It isn't just about 1 season, it is about 1 season and using that season to have Leonard fall in love with the city and franchise and re-sign.  I mean Paul George might actually re-sign in Oklahoma City, a smaller city without the assets, coach, etc. that Boston has.  It isn't far fetched at all to get Leonard into town and then wow him.  On top of that, the Lakers might not even have cap space to sign Leonard next summer.  If James and George go there, there is no cap space to sign Leonard anyway. 

you're talking IFs.  VERY BIG IFS. 

I'll take the 2 birds in the hand (Brown, Tatum) over the 1 in the bush (Kawhi).

the 2 birds in the hand are no where near as good as the 1 in the bush right now though, and they may never get near the 1 in the bushes peak level either. 

[ThaPreacher]

Do you think that Kawhi is really that good?

[mef730]

Sometimes, a cigar is just a cigar.

Mike

Don’t tell Red that.

To him, lighting his cigar wasn’t just lighting a cigar.

Don't forget this: that quote, possibly apocryphal, has been attributed to Sigmund Freud. All in all, better that Red lights the cigar...

Mike

[hwangjini_1]

Sometimes, a cigar is just a cigar.

Mike

Sometimes a smoke screen is just that; a smoke screen.

But a pipe is never a pipe.

or, as the buddhist saying goes...

when you first learn buddhism, a stick is a stick, a tree is a tree, and a mountain is a mountain.

as you learn more, a stick is not a stick, a tree is not a tree, and a mountain is not a mountain.

once you gain lightenment, a stick is a stick, a tree is a tree, and a mountain is a mountain.

 

[hwangjini_1]

Do you think that Kawhi is really that good?

as good as a cigar? depends on how much you like cigars. 

[tonydelk]

I hope he definitely is stirring the pot.  Everyone knows the C's have a ton of talent to offer and if you are going to compete with the C's then you have to come strong.  If a team doesn't think they can compete and The C's offer of Rozier, picks and filler get it done then I'd welcome 1 year of Kawhi to win a championship.  Just no Tatum or Brown.

[Monkhouse]

Sometimes, a cigar is just a cigar.

Mike

Sometimes a smoke screen is just that; a smoke screen.

But a pipe is never a pipe.

Yeah don't say those words to JR Smith. 

[Moranis]

Do you think that Kawhi is really that good?

His last 3 full seasons, Kawhi has finished 10th, 3rd, and 2nd in MVP voting.  So, yes, he is that good.  The Spurs went from the 2nd best team in basketball to barely making the playoffs and the only real roster change was Kawhi not playing.  So, yes, he is that good.

[ThaPreacher]

Do you think that Kawhi is really that good?

His last 3 full seasons, Kawhi has finished 10th, 3rd, and 2nd in MVP voting.  So, yes, he is that good.  The Spurs went from the 2nd best team in basketball to barely making the playoffs and the only real roster change was Kawhi not playing.  So, yes, he is that good.

Okay, what's your trade then Moranis?
What are you willing to give up for Kawhi?