Around the League: Week 15 1/22-1/28

[Ring_Wanted]

Harris is nice, but is only under a legacy contract for one more year. The pick is currently #13. Bradley is expiring. Come on Doc Rivers. And it seems DeAndre and Lou are next. I hear he doesn't want to bottom out. Hahah. How are you going to keep afloat in the West?!

For DET, the only question mark is Griffin's health. Otherwise he is a perennial allstar and fits with Drummond. Their anchor around the neck is actually paying $40M for Jackson, Leuer, Ish and Galloway.

Incredible how cheap the Clippers have sold.

Wether PHX should have outbid this is another story, but I am running out of reasons for us not to pull the trigger at this price.

Provided it wouldn't cost our 2018 pick unprotected (at most give them say top8 protected). Monroe, Warren, Chriss and another asset would have worked under the cap and we have more than enough to lure a third team to give LAC another win now piece if they wanted it.

Booker-Griffin gives you a real project for the next 5 years and if it doesn't work out you still have another shot with Booker entering his prime after showing him you are serious about winning. Griffin even mentioned PHX as a city he likes to play basketball.

I can't help feeling like PHX could have had its cake and eaten it too.

[O_Gardino]

Blake is the first on many to come, where teams find out that $35mill a year is an unmovable contract becoming everyday more and more of an anchor around your neck. Is not a contract to handout to the best player on your team, but for just a handful of players around the league. And that’s why they couldn’t trade him for an upgrade, is not about talent here, is about a contract so big, that the slightest doubt render it untradeable.

Detroit is going to regret it.

I agree - the salary cap may be higher, but 30 million is still 30 million.

Blake has injury history, disappears in big moments in the playoffs, and his team is somehow just as competitive without him as they are with him. That's more than a slight doubt.

[O_Gardino]

The best part about this is that stars are continuing to go very cheaply. It seems like nobody has gotten a good haul for a star except Kyrie. Maybe we can get one cheap.

[Indy]

https://twitter.com/KevinOConnorNBA/status/958115635849977856 I like it for LA, not sure that Jackson/Griffin/Drummond is what I'd go all in on if I'm Detroit. Griffin next to Drummond does make some sense though.

You get your stars first and then build around them, I like their approach but I’m not sure this is going to end up any better than Griffin-Jordan did.

Phoenix take notice. This is how you improve your team. Not taking 5 years to develop players who max out as 8th men.

1) The Pistons & Suns have won the same amount of playoff games the last 10 years (and they are in the East).
2) You really think cashing in your chips for BG is a good move? They guy can't stay on the court, and his teams never win.

[Indy]

Booker-Griffin gives you a real project for the next 5 years and if it doesn't work out you still have another shot with Booker entering his prime after showing him you are serious about winning. Griffin even mentioned PHX as a city he likes to play basketball.

I can't help feeling like PHX could have had its cake and eaten it too.

Blake hasn't been able to stay on the court in 5 years, and he is nearly 29. I hate to think of a 32 year old Blake when Devin will be 24. Will he ever play another full season?

[O_Gardino]

Booker-Griffin gives you a real project for the next 5 years and if it doesn't work out you still have another shot with Booker entering his prime after showing him you are serious about winning. Griffin even mentioned PHX as a city he likes to play basketball.

I can't help feeling like PHX could have had its cake and eaten it too.

Blake hasn't been able to stay on the court in 5 years, and he is nearly 29. I hate to think of a 32 year old Blake when Devin will be 24. Will he ever play another full season?

Thank you.

Plus, he has not been good in the playoffs since '15.

[iLLmatic]

https://twitter.com/KevinOConnorNBA/status/958115635849977856 I like it for LA, not sure that Jackson/Griffin/Drummond is what I'd go all in on if I'm Detroit. Griffin next to Drummond does make some sense though.

You get your stars first and then build around them, I like their approach but I’m not sure this is going to end up any better than Griffin-Jordan did.

Phoenix take notice. This is how you improve your team. Not taking 5 years to develop players who max out as 8th men.

1) The Pistons & Suns have won the same amount of playoff games the last 10 years (and they are in the East).
2) You really think cashing in your chips for BG is a good move? They guy can't stay on the court, and his teams never win.

When's the last time we've been to the second round of the playoffs? Nearing almost a decade.

It could be argued we have the best training staff in the league. Perhaps time with Aaron Nelson would work wonders for BG. Only thing I'd be hesitant of is that contract.

[Indy]

https://twitter.com/KevinOConnorNBA/status/958115635849977856 I like it for LA, not sure that Jackson/Griffin/Drummond is what I'd go all in on if I'm Detroit. Griffin next to Drummond does make some sense though.

You get your stars first and then build around them, I like their approach but I’m not sure this is going to end up any better than Griffin-Jordan did.

Phoenix take notice. This is how you improve your team. Not taking 5 years to develop players who max out as 8th men.

1) The Pistons & Suns have won the same amount of playoff games the last 10 years (and they are in the East).
2) You really think cashing in your chips for BG is a good move? They guy can't stay on the court, and his teams never win.

When's the last time we've been to the second round of the playoffs? Nearing almost a decade.

It could be argued we have the best training staff in the league. Perhaps time with Aaron Nelson would work wonders for BG. Only thing I'd be hesitant of is that contract.

Blake has never made it past the 2nd round, and as OG said, he's only had 1 good year in the post season.

[iLLmatic]

He's a double/double every night, perennial all-star. We have to start putting players around Booker.

[Ring_Wanted]

Booker-Griffin gives you a real project for the next 5 years and if it doesn't work out you still have another shot with Booker entering his prime after showing him you are serious about winning. Griffin even mentioned PHX as a city he likes to play basketball.

I can't help feeling like PHX could have had its cake and eaten it too.

Blake hasn't been able to stay on the court in 5 years, and he is nearly 29. I hate to think of a 32 year old Blake when Devin will be 24. Will he ever play another full season?

Griffin played basically full seasons from 2010 to 2014. These past two years he's had well known injury problems but considering his talent and the position he plays, I would have been willing to gamble for the price he went.

[Split T]

Griffin is definitely the best player in the deal. I don't think it's a bad deal for Detroit. I just like it better for LA. Looks like they're pivoting towards a rebuild. Probably see Jordan and Lou Williams be on the block as well.

Its and absolutely horrible deal for the Clippers. They traded an all star forward for a protected first round pick and change.

1. Former all star forward
2. Harris and Bradley aren't just change. Harris is averaging 20 points a game and shooting 41% from 3. He's 24 and on a great contract. They probably don't keep Bradley, but he's a solid player as well. If they keep Lou and DeAndre, I think they might be better post trade.
3. They won't have to pay Blake 39 million dollars to play 45 games in 2021

[Split T]

He's a double/double every night, perennial all-star. We have to start putting players around Booker.

1. Hasn't been an all star since 2014
2. He averages 7.9 rebounds a game. Hasn't been a daily double/double threat since his 2nd season.

[iLLmatic]

He's a double/double every night, perennial all-star. We have to start putting players around Booker.

1. Hasn't been an all star since 2014
2. He averages 7.9 rebounds a game. Hasn't been a daily double/double threat since his 2nd season.

This team is completely absent of talent. Booker is going to get tired of losing, so who do you recommend?

[Split T]

He's a double/double every night, perennial all-star. We have to start putting players around Booker.

1. Hasn't been an all star since 2014
2. He averages 7.9 rebounds a game. Hasn't been a daily double/double threat since his 2nd season.

This team is completely absent of talent. Booker is going to get tired of losing, so who do you recommend?

1. I don't think it's completely absent of talent. Warren is good and I think Jackson will be good. Don't feel great about Bender and Chriss though.
2. While I think we need to add talent to start winning, I'm not in a rush for a quick fix. Adding Griffin would have capped our team and made it hard to add anymore. Is Booker/Griffin enough?
3.This trade deadline is the wrong time to make a move. We're going to get a very nice pick and adding a player now doesn't get us to the playoffs and just makes our pick worse.
4. If the right stars become available this summer, I'd pursue. Obvious yes candidates that are not likely to be available (AD, Kawhi, Lillard) I'd consider Kemba for the right price.
5. My plan would be to target either Jabari or Aaron Gordon and see if we could steal them away. If not, which is probably likely, I'd look at Tyreke Evans or Will Barton and see if we can sign them to a team friendly contract.
6. I don't think we need a star yet. I'd target solid players on friendly contracts and plan for 2019
7. 2019 free agency is the one to be prepared for (Butler, Kawhi, Kyrie, Kemba, Klay)

[iLLmatic]

He's a double/double every night, perennial all-star. We have to start putting players around Booker.

1. Hasn't been an all star since 2014
2. He averages 7.9 rebounds a game. Hasn't been a daily double/double threat since his 2nd season.

This team is completely absent of talent. Booker is going to get tired of losing, so who do you recommend?

1. I don't think it's completely absent of talent. Warren is good and I think Jackson will be good. Don't feel great about Bender and Chriss though.
2. While I think we need to add talent to start winning, I'm not in a rush for a quick fix. Adding Griffin would have capped our team and made it hard to add anymore. Is Booker/Griffin enough?
3.This trade deadline is the wrong time to make a move. We're going to get a very nice pick and adding a player now doesn't get us to the playoffs and just makes our pick worse.
4. If the right stars become available this summer, I'd pursue. Obvious yes candidates that are not likely to be available (AD, Kawhi, Lillard) I'd consider Kemba for the right price.
5. My plan would be to target either Jabari or Aaron Gordon and see if we could steal them away. If not, which is probably likely, I'd look at Tyreke Evans or Will Barton and see if we can sign them to a team friendly contract.
6. I don't think we need a star yet. I'd target solid players on friendly contracts and plan for 2019
7. 2019 free agency is the one to be prepared for (Butler, Kawhi, Kyrie, Kemba, Klay)

Enough for what? I think Booker, Griffin, TJ, possibly Jackson if he continues to improve, and our picks this year could be enough to push for a playoff spot next year or the year after that. Nobody wants to play for Phoenix and the owner so good luck luring any of the premier FA's away in 2019. This team will need to be built from the draft and trading for another star to pair up with Booker when the opportunity presents itself.

[Split T]

You're right, that could get us to the playoffs, but by the time the rest of our team is ready to contend Griffin would be 31-33 and making 35-39 million a year to play 45 games a year and completely kill our chances of adding any pieces to the team. Griffin is a nice player. But that contract is a hard pass for me.

[iLLmatic]

You're right, that could get us to the playoffs, but by the time the rest of our team is ready to contend Griffin would be 31-33 and making 35-39 million a year to play 45 games a year and completely kill our chances of adding any pieces to the team. Griffin is a nice player. But that contract is a hard pass for me.

That's the problem though. This team will never contend with Robert Sarver as the owner, at best we can hope for a playoff berth. We are sitting at 8 years and counting as an FYI. I agree that the contract is a tough pill to swallow and that's the only thing that would give me pause when considering Blake. However, we have 3 bums who are taking up 40 million dollars of salary cap space right now and aren't doing a damn thing so what's the difference? I'm resigned to the fact that we won't make it much further than the playoffs so I'd like to enjoy watching my team win again instead of this BS we've been subjected to. That's where I'm at as a fan at this point.

[Split T]

Fair enough. I haven't given up hope that we could be a contender again.

[O_Gardino]

He's a double/double every night, perennial all-star. We have to start putting players around Booker.

1. Hasn't been an all star since 2014
2. He averages 7.9 rebounds a game. Hasn't been a daily double/double threat since his 2nd season.

This team is completely absent of talent. Booker is going to get tired of losing, so who do you recommend?

I'm anti-Blake, but I completely understand the urgency to make a move. I hope that the Suns front office is more measured and reasonable than us fans and that they get good players on good deals. We don't necessarily need big name a much as we need smart solid basketball players.

[O_Gardino]

You're right, that could get us to the playoffs, but by the time the rest of our team is ready to contend Griffin would be 31-33 and making 35-39 million a year to play 45 games a year and completely kill our chances of adding any pieces to the team. Griffin is a nice player. But that contract is a hard pass for me.

That's the problem though. This team will never contend with Robert Sarver as the owner, at best we can hope for a playoff berth. We are sitting at 8 years and counting as an FYI. I agree that the contract is a tough pill to swallow and that's the only thing that would give me pause when considering Blake. However, we have 3 bums who are taking up 40 million dollars of salary cap space right now and aren't doing a damn thing so what's the difference? I'm resigned to the fact that we won't make it much further than the playoffs so I'd like to enjoy watching my team win again instead of this BS we've been subjected to. That's where I'm at as a fan at this point.

That's a fair take.