Around the League: Week 16 2/6 - 2/12

[Gladiator]

I just saw that. There is some question about the legitimacy of the account. We'll likely know soon.

OK, I didn't realise that. I've seen some other stuff about him shaking hands with other players/officials. Very curious to see where he's gone if true.

[TOO]

I sincerely hope it has nothing to do with Eric Bledsoe and he was just resting tonight.

That would be tanktastic.

[Split T]

I sincerely hope it has nothing to do with Eric Bledsoe and he was just resting tonight.

That would be tanktastic.

Only if it includes the Laker pick or Philly's own pick coming back as well.

[TOO]

I sincerely hope it has nothing to do with Eric Bledsoe and he was just resting tonight.

That would be tanktastic.

Only if it includes the Laker pick or Philly's own pick coming back as well.

Word.

[Mori Chu]

At a Buffalo Wild Wings in OKC today. LOL.

[Gladiator]

https://twitter.com/PompeyOnSixers/status/830619787655012352

[Gladiator]

https://twitter.com/PompeyOnSixers/status/830621449928966145

[Superbone]

I could be watching NBA basketball. Instead I'm watching the Suns.

This. Nobody else even remotely matters to me.

+1

[Superbone]

I sincerely hope it has nothing to do with Eric Bledsoe and he was just resting tonight.

Ooh. Good point. I thought it was very strange that they were resting him.

[UglyTruth]

I don't think they can beat Houston without getting Waiters back.

How long is he out?

Day to day I believe.

[carey]

https://twitter.com/AlexKennedyNBA/status/830660298453426176

[Split T]

Nuggets seems weird. Jokic didn't work with Nurkic, why do they think okafor would work?

[carey]

https://twitter.com/WojVerticalNBA/status/830843116517261312

[Hermen]

Looks like a good move for Portland getting a first and avoiding paying Plumlee. Not sure what Denver is doing though. Is Plumlee going to play with Jokic? Is this better than Nurkic/Jokic? Is it worth giving a first rounder in this draft for it?

[Mori Chu]

Wow. Portland got a 1st rounder in that deal? What a heist.

[Split T]

Ya, weird move by Denver, not sure how plumlee plays with jokic if nurkic wasn't able to. If plumlee is just a backup then they gave up an awful lot for a backup C who is about to get paid.

[Split T]

Sources say Portland is determined to move injured center Festus Ezeli before the deadline and is pitching him in particular to teams well below the salary floor that would be willing to take on Ezeli's contract with some level of draft compensation attached. This is the first year of a two-year deal for Ezeli that pays $7.4 million this season but is guaranteed for only $1 million next season. Denver ($7.6 million), Philadelphia ($7.5 million) and Brooklyn ($6.8 million) are the three teams that sit the farthest under the the league's $84.7 million salary floor.

Suns aren't as far under the salary floor, but we've got plenty of cap space and Portland just landed their 3rd 1st round pick in this draft. I'd do Ezeli and the Memphis 1st for a conditional 2nd round pick.

[Ring_Wanted]

I don't see why Denver needed to add a 1stR. Also, Portland avoids paying Plumlee. Mason is a pretty good passer too, so maybe they just want to secure a backup to Jokic without altering their dynamics. Questionable overall for the Nuggets.

[Superbone]

If I'm a Portland basketball fan, I'm not very happy about it. They just got worse. Plumlee played well for them.

[Ring_Wanted]

If I'm a Portland basketball fan, I'm not very happy about it. They just got worse. Plumlee played well for them.

I don't know if they got worse. Maybe just different. If in shape, Nurkic defends and generates gravity in the post for their guards.

And the L-tax was a big concern, even if it wasn't Plumlee's fault. They must be trying to dump Leonard like crazy as well.