Around the League: Week 18 2/20 - 2/26

[Wally_West]

https://mobile.twitter.com/ZachLowe_NBA/status/834824252473868288

[carey]

If (when) that Dallas pick is blocked by protection, does it roll over to the next year?

Looks like it does not. If it doesn't convey this year it turns into this year's 2nd rounder and next year's 2nd rounder. Good job, BC!

[JCSunsfan]

They did not want to pay Noel, just like Sac did not want to pay Cousins.

[Indy]

Indy, since when do you have access to my ETrade account?

[iLLmatic]

Lakers are smart...going into full development (tank) mode. Suns could learn a thing or two. I guess they're content to be stuck in mediocrity for eternity. #acceleratetheprocess #operationtradethevets

Magic trades Lou Will less than 24 hours after he's in charge and McD's had Knight for 2 years now and still nothing.

There's just different ways teams do things and that's why the Lakers have 16 championships while the Suns have 0.

To be fair, Lou is playing so much better than Knight is, there isn't a real comparison to be made.

Sure, that should change the level of compensation you get in return. The principle and commitment is no different. As long as Knight is on this team, we're half assing our rebuild. For every game we play Tucker more minutes than Warren, we're half assing our rebuild. Same with Chandler over Len and Chriss.

Not only does this team not have a vision on the court, but they have no vision off the court either.

Knight is that stock you sunk a ton of money into, then doubled down on it a few months later, but it dropped 50% since then and you can't bring yourself to sell it.

That's Conoco Phillips for me.

[carey]

https://twitter.com/FlyDre21/status/834847280469508096 Haha. This was in response to reports that Roberson left Presti's office and hugged members of the Thunder's staff.

[Indy]

That is hilarious.

[carey]

https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/834851015295954945 https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/834851401238986755

[carey]

https://twitter.com/WojVerticalNBA/status/834851558072471552

[carey]

https://twitter.com/WojVerticalNBA/status/834852942880632832 https://twitter.com/WojVerticalNBA/status/834853265925951488

[Split T]

Might just be a bunch of minor deals this year. Cousins was the big move.

[Mori Chu]

Wow, I really like that deal for OKC. They seem to be doing well at these little medium-sized deals. I also really liked their Ibaka for Oladipo and Sabonis trade last year.

[Shabazz]

Wow, I really like that deal for OKC. They seem to be doing well at these little medium-sized deals. I also really liked their Ibaka for Oladipo and Sabonis trade last year.

Agreed. They're the big winner for me. I love that trade for them. I like Cam Payne, but he could barely sniff the floor with Westbrook there. I'm surprised Chicago got so little for Taj+McBuckets.

[Mori Chu]

Taj Gibson is a really solid heady veteran; he is averaging 11.6 ppg and 7 rpg. And Doug McDermott is no slouch either; he's averaging over 10 ppg with 37% 3pt shooting.

http://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3986/taj-gibson
http://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/252 ... -mcdermott

[OE32]

https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/834851015295954945 https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/834851401238986755

OKC made the worst deal of the day, IMO. They let their needs dictate, rather than opportunity. Maybe it all has to do with the reticence of teams generally to make deals today.

With FA becoming so expensive, you'd think teams would be more open to making trades to improve their rosters.

[Split T]

https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/834851015295954945 https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/834851401238986755

OKC made the worst deal of the day, IMO. They let their needs dictate, rather than opportunity. Maybe it all has to do with the reticence of teams generally to make deals today.

With FA becoming so expensive, you'd think teams would be more open to making trades to improve their rosters.

Curious why you think it's bad. Okc didn't really give up anything.

[OE32]

https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/834851015295954945 https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/834851401238986755

OKC made the worst deal of the day, IMO. They let their needs dictate, rather than opportunity. Maybe it all has to do with the reticence of teams generally to make deals today.

With FA becoming so expensive, you'd think teams would be more open to making trades to improve their rosters.

Curious why you think it's bad. Okc didn't really give up anything.

I thought Cam Payne was the single valuable asset here. He's looked pretty good, from what I've seen. IDK. Maybe I underestimate McDermott. I also didn't think OKC had any need of Taj Gibson - his skillset overlaps quite a bit with Sabonis (and Adams).

[Split T]

Sabonis has been pretty awful after a decent start. McDermott is an upgrade from Morrow, but he's nothing special. I guess I'm just not too high on Payne. He's averaging 5 points, 2 assists and shooting under 40% from the field.

[Split T]

Mavs waived Deron Williams. Cavs are the front-runners. Jazz also have shown interest. My question, what would stop Utah from claiming d-will? I don't know what his contract is, but Utah is well under the salary floor. They are going to spend the money anyways, might as well help them out.

[carey]

Nothing would stop them. If I were an Eastern playoff team with a roster spot I'd claim him just to keep him from the Cavs.