Woj:"Davis expected to tell teams he only wants LA. Ainge will still make offer"

[Silky]

All I know is with more and more concern that Irving is not going to resign, that objective need to change, and change fast.

Horford is declining, Hayward is currently trash contract.

Davis definately doesnt want to come here because he would have never requested a trade at this point in time knowing that Boston could not trade for him.

And if Davis doesnt come, I cannot see Kyrie staying when he can potentially go to play with Davis in LA and the 2 of them take over after lebron(phone calls have repairs their relationship)


Kyrie for Kanter and the Knicks pick

Hayward for expirings

And we end up back in the toilet again??....no thanks.

I am all for trading Hayward, but I don't believe any rumors suggesting there's "uncertainty" over Kyrie staying or going. Also, Al Horford has played really well since coming back from his injury for a guy who's "declining."

Gotta love the gloom and doom.

If I had assurance that Kyrie wouldn't resign, then I would trade him now

The only assurance that Kyrie won't re-sign is being created by the media to stir s** up.

well that is speculation, unless you have behind closed door knowledge.

Haynes’ reporting is speculation, too.

More meat to his statements than to the opposed

So are we totally disregarding now what Kyrie told STMers back in October?

things could have changed. and I am sure things have changed since then.

I never took what was said then as any sort of a guarantee as it isnt any sort of a guarantee.

But you're the one saying that Haynes has "more meat to his statements".  Based on what?

recent behaviors of Kyrie.

Getting frustrated in the media and in public with team.
Calling people out.
Calling lebron and apologizing and letting people know he did that.
Shouting at players on the court (Hayward)
team at times in disarray

I can see there being truth to these rumors, and since there has been NOTHING other than a statement from Kyrie back before the season even began in front of a bunch of celtic fans.....make me say that there is more meat to Haynes statements

So in other words, just more speculation

Yeah. That was already stated.

The point presented was whay speculation holds more weight.

I feel that hik reconsidering signing long term in boston as being more easily argued than him staying at this point in time.

I dont get why this is really being debated

Its certainly plausible

[wiley]

One thing's for sure, Kyrie already said he's staying in Boston.
If he leaves then he loses credibility.
That means he's not a man of his word.

That's one of those things that players today are less concerned about than they were in the 80's...
Your point is true, but it's easy to make excuses. No one will kill him for changing his mind, especially if he comes up with a brilliant reason.

Not surprised either way, but I do feel that Kyrie would prefer to be on a team with a big 2 or a big 3 at most.  Not a big 5 with Stevens as conductor. 

Ainge is probably trying to create that for Kyrie by rightly going after Davis.  But if it can be verified that Davis would prefer LA, then let him go there and trade Kyrie if not getting Davis makes him a malcontent.  Not sure how Ainge finds out what he needs to before the summer.  So hang on go for the title (just requires a sprained ankle from Curry or Durant at the right moment...not that I would want that...but we wouldn't give the trophy back).

I don't think, as some have said, that Kyrie having great stats in Boston would be one of the things that would make him want to stay in Boston.  It's more about how Brad uses him in the last 5 minutes that's important to Kyrie.  If he wants to take over and be the star and the coach at crunchtime, that could create some conflict...and it may be fine to have that tension.  I think Brad needs to be the top dog though at every moment of the game, as much as possible at least. 

[Roy H.]

For those wondering if Chris Haynes knows Rich Paul at all there’s this thing he did...

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2014/10/rich_paul_lebron_james_agent_e.html

Haynes is no more than a West Coast Brian Windhorst. He takes his info and propaganda straight from LeTurd and Rich Paul. No doubt Paul floated that about the Cs and Kyrie to try to discourage or push them behind the Lakers even more.

I didn’t know he used to write for Cleveland.com. That explains a lot.

[Fierce1]

One thing's for sure, Kyrie already said he's staying in Boston.
If he leaves then he loses credibility.
That means he's not a man of his word.

That's one of those things that players today are less concerned about than they were in the 80's...
Your point is true, but it's easy to make excuses. No one will kill him for changing his mind, especially if he comes up with a brilliant reason.

Not surprised either way, but I do feel that Kyrie would prefer to be on a team with a big 2 or a big 3 at most.  Not a big 5 with Stevens as conductor. 

Ainge is probably trying to create that for Kyrie by rightly going after Davis.  But if it can be verified that Davis would prefer LA, then let him go there and trade Kyrie if not getting Davis makes him a malcontent.  Not sure how Ainge finds out what he needs to before the summer.  So hang on go for the title (just requires a sprained ankle from Curry or Durant at the right moment...not that I would want that...but we wouldn't give the trophy back).

I don't think, as some have said, that Kyrie having great stats in Boston would be one of the things that would make him want to stay in Boston.  It's more about how Brad uses him in the last 5 minutes that's important to Kyrie.  If he wants to take over and be the star and the coach at crunchtime, that could create some conflict...and it may be fine to have that tension.  I think Brad needs to be the top dog though at every moment of the game, as much as possible at least.

I think the only way Kyrie leaves if something drastic happens, like Celts getting eliminated in the 1st round of the playoffs.

There's just no scenario I can think off that is better than what Boston what has to offer for Kyrie.
Kyrie can go to NY, but obviously he will not win a championship there.
Joining Lebron in LA is laughable because Lebron will be 35 years old next season.

[fairweatherfan]

I remember when KG said he had no interest in joining the Celtics and wanted to go to L.A. It was cute, really.

I mean, does everyone here have memory problems and forget that we went through this literally this exact same scenario in the last 18 months with Paul George?! Lol

I don’t get how people are not seeing right through this. It’s the classic LA machine tactics.

Did George actually have his reps say he only wanted to go to LA and wouldn't resign anywhere else? I mean it was heavily rumored he wanted LA but I don't remember this strong of a statement.

I think that I remember reading that.

At the very, very least, he for sure requested a trade to the Lakers and made it very public where he wanted to be.  I’m not sure whether his agent actually *publicly* came out and *directly* said he will not re-sign with anyone else, but that was clearly what was being intimated by him and his group.

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/report-paul-george-plans-to-leave-pacers-could-join-lakers-via-free-agency-in-2018/

It’s still a highly analogous situation and indicative that nothing that comes out in these reports should be taken without a grain of salt.

Agreed, it seems like a bluff, but a bluff that genuinely reflects what Davis is currently wanting. I don't think George was bluffing either, I just think OKC changed his mind because he liked it there and they could offer him 4 dumptrucks full of money instead of only 3.

With Davis it's a stronger bluff because it's phrased more definitively and the stakes are higher - he's a better player, but he'd also be leaving more money on the table to skip town than George did. Publicizing it so soon before the trade deadline is a transparent attempt to force a rushed deal too. I wonder if it'll backfire and NO will look to trade him anywhere but LA or demand a substantial premium from them. They've gotta be absolutely fuming.

[More Banners]

I remember when KG said he had no interest in joining the Celtics and wanted to go to L.A. It was cute, really.

I mean, does everyone here have memory problems and forget that we went through this literally this exact same scenario in the last 18 months with Paul George?! Lol

I don’t get how people are not seeing right through this. It’s the classic LA machine tactics.

Did George actually have his reps say he only wanted to go to LA and wouldn't resign anywhere else? I mean it was heavily rumored he wanted LA but I don't remember this strong of a statement.

I think that I remember reading that.

At the very, very least, he for sure requested a trade to the Lakers and made it very public where he wanted to be.  I’m not sure whether his agent actually *publicly* came out and *directly* said he will not re-sign with anyone else, but that was clearly what was being intimated by him and his group.

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/report-paul-george-plans-to-leave-pacers-could-join-lakers-via-free-agency-in-2018/

It’s still a highly analogous situation and indicative that nothing that comes out in these reports should be taken without a grain of salt.

Agreed, it seems like a bluff, but a bluff that genuinely reflects what Davis is currently wanting. I don't think George was bluffing either, I just think OKC changed his mind because he liked it there and they could offer him 4 dumptrucks full of money instead of only 3.

With Davis it's a stronger bluff because it's phrased more definitively and the stakes are higher - he's a better player, but he'd also be leaving more money on the table to skip town than George did. Publicizing it so soon before the trade deadline is a transparent attempt to force a rushed deal too. I wonder if it'll backfire and NO will look to trade him anywhere but LA or demand a substantial premium from them. They've gotta be absolutely fuming.

True.

So I can't help but wonder if that might make them want to deal with us. Screw the Lakers a bit.

[jpotter33]

I remember when KG said he had no interest in joining the Celtics and wanted to go to L.A. It was cute, really.

I mean, does everyone here have memory problems and forget that we went through this literally this exact same scenario in the last 18 months with Paul George?! Lol

I don’t get how people are not seeing right through this. It’s the classic LA machine tactics.

Did George actually have his reps say he only wanted to go to LA and wouldn't resign anywhere else? I mean it was heavily rumored he wanted LA but I don't remember this strong of a statement.

I think that I remember reading that.

At the very, very least, he for sure requested a trade to the Lakers and made it very public where he wanted to be.  I’m not sure whether his agent actually *publicly* came out and *directly* said he will not re-sign with anyone else, but that was clearly what was being intimated by him and his group.

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/report-paul-george-plans-to-leave-pacers-could-join-lakers-via-free-agency-in-2018/

It’s still a highly analogous situation and indicative that nothing that comes out in these reports should be taken without a grain of salt.

Agreed, it seems like a bluff, but a bluff that genuinely reflects what Davis is currently wanting. I don't think George was bluffing either, I just think OKC changed his mind because he liked it there and they could offer him 4 dumptrucks full of money instead of only 3.

With Davis it's a stronger bluff because it's phrased more definitively and the stakes are higher - he's a better player, but he'd also be leaving more money on the table to skip town than George did. Publicizing it so soon before the trade deadline is a transparent attempt to force a rushed deal too. I wonder if it'll backfire and NO will look to trade him anywhere but LA or demand a substantial premium from them. They've gotta be absolutely fuming.

True.

So I can't help but wonder if that might make them want to deal with us. Screw the Lakers a bit.

I mean, that seems to be the prevailing opinion about Pritchard in Indy, as he was resisting trading PG to LA, too.

And NOLA has even more reason to not deal with LA - contempt for Paul/Lebron, in the West with them, much better packages elsewhere.

I just don’t see why they would rush a trade before the deadline given all of these factors. Would be a colossally short-sighted decision.

[smokeablount]

It's also incredibly frustrating that Davis's agent seemingly isn't even working on Davis's behalf, he's working on Lebron's.  So we have a guy who's gonna get a guaranteed $200m who apparently can't even think for himself IE hire representation that represents HIM.  Sorry, but morons shouldn't make $200m.

This take is very far from reality. Anthony Davis hired the guy he believes will do the best for him. And, that guy has steered him pretty well so far IMO. He's likely either gonna end up in LA, Boston, or NYK next to another superstar making so much money....how is he a moron? We're just mad Danny Ainge can't manipulate New Orleans into a corner now where we get to have our cake and eat it too.

I'm definitely mad, guilty as charged.

But what exactly has Rich Paul accomplished for AD?  Manipulating reports and flooding the news has actually achieved what so far, exactly?

And if forcing your way out of a small market and into a big market with another superstar is so difficult that Rich Paul's services are needed, why has nearly every superstar since the Heat were formed accomplished this, with or without Rich Paul?

[ozgod]

I can see there being truth to these rumors, and since there has been NOTHING other than a statement from Kyrie back before the season even began in front of a bunch of celtic fans.....make me say that there is more meat to Haynes statements

Just the flip side to this. It's possible Kyrie expects to be taken at his word. He didn't have to go out and address the crowd and tell them he wanted to stay. Why should he have to repeat things over and over because some random rumors keep getting spread?

This is kind of like an insecure man asking his girl if she loves him...she says yes, but he keeps asking and the more he asks the more annoyed she gets because nothing she says will satisfy him. 

[Celtics4ever]

I think Ainge knows we can win him over if we get a chance, our fans are special, LA fans leave games once they are behind a lot.

[cltc5]

I think Ainge knows we can win him over if we get a chance, our fans are special, LA fans leave games once they are behind a lot.

Yea that’ll do it

[gouki88]

I think Ainge knows we can win him over if we get a chance, our fans are special, LA fans leave games once they are behind a lot.

Yea that’ll do it

Considering NOLA fans seem to regularly not even show up the standards aren’t high

[cltc5]

I remember when KG said he had no interest in joining the Celtics and wanted to go to L.A. It was cute, really.

I mean, does everyone here have memory problems and forget that we went through this literally this exact same scenario in the last 18 months with Paul George?! Lol

I don’t get how people are not seeing right through this. It’s the classic LA machine tactics.

Did George actually have his reps say he only wanted to go to LA and wouldn't resign anywhere else? I mean it was heavily rumored he wanted LA but I don't remember this strong of a statement.

I think that I remember reading that.

At the very, very least, he for sure requested a trade to the Lakers and made it very public where he wanted to be.  I’m not sure whether his agent actually *publicly* came out and *directly* said he will not re-sign with anyone else, but that was clearly what was being intimated by him and his group.

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/report-paul-george-plans-to-leave-pacers-could-join-lakers-via-free-agency-in-2018/

It’s still a highly analogous situation and indicative that nothing that comes out in these reports should be taken without a grain of salt.

Agreed, it seems like a bluff, but a bluff that genuinely reflects what Davis is currently wanting. I don't think George was bluffing either, I just think OKC changed his mind because he liked it there and they could offer him 4 dumptrucks full of money instead of only 3.

With Davis it's a stronger bluff because it's phrased more definitively and the stakes are higher - he's a better player, but he'd also be leaving more money on the table to skip town than George did. Publicizing it so soon before the trade deadline is a transparent attempt to force a rushed deal too. I wonder if it'll backfire and NO will look to trade him anywhere but LA or demand a substantial premium from them. They've gotta be absolutely fuming.

True.

So I can't help but wonder if that might make them want to deal with us. Screw the Lakers a bit.

I mean, that seems to be the prevailing opinion about Pritchard in Indy, as he was resisting trading PG to LA, too.

And NOLA has even more reason to not deal with LA - contempt for Paul/Lebron, in the West with them, much better packages elsewhere.

I just don’t see why they would rush a trade before the deadline given all of these factors. Would be a colossally short-sighted decision.

. Brian windhorst said lebron had steak for dinner tonite

[CelticsElite]

Woj just said on ESPN that Boston will talk to Nola soon regarding a trade, if they haven't in last hour.

Celtics will let Pels know: "We are going to be aggressive. We're going to be able to give you everything you want for Anthony Davis. Hold off before the trade deadline."

[Phantom255x]

Woj just said on ESPN that Boston will talk to Nola soon regarding a trade, if they haven't in last hour.

Celtics will let Pels know: "We are going to be aggressive. We're going to be able to give you everything you want for Anthony Davis. Hold off before the trade deadline."

Notice how the C's have barely said anything in the past 24-48 hours about this while there are reports and rumors coming from Lebron, Lakers, and the LA media folks (Lebron-lovers too)? If you look carefully, most of these reporters/media members have some tie to Lebron, Rich Paul and/or the Lakers. This is why I'm taking a lot of things with a grain of salt, and trusting the likes of Jackie, Amick and Woj (he hasn't pushed the Lakers narrative and has said Boston is the Pelicans' best bet - he's just tweeting what Rich Paul is telling him directly).