Around the League: Week 3 11/10-11/16

[INFORMER]

NBA GMs really make each other's jobs harder. I don't know if it is out of a desire to look smarter than the next guy, or if they think handing out a big contract makes it look like they're doing something great in the eyes of their owner or their fan base. Or maybe desperation is to blame. Whatever it is, it's silly. I wish they could all come together and without specifically naming one player, just agree not to give out stupid contracts.

Exhibit A: Look at Dallas. They thought they were so smart giving Parsons that contract, that they were really sticking it to Houston. Well Houston looks better than ever so far this season. And Parsons? Going into tonight's game he was averaging 14 ppg sooting below 40%. Is that what $15 freaking million is suppose to get you these days?! Really?

Exhibit B: Minnesota. Man, that Pekovic contract SUCKS. And they have no one to blame but themselves. Pekovic's free agency played out similar to Bledsoe's. He had no offers. NONE. But he was refusing to sign what Minnesota was offering. So a stalemate dragged on to something like late August, early September. Then all of a sudden, inexplicably, Minnesota caved to the tune of 5 years, $60 million. The annual salary is one thing, but to commit 5 years to a guy that never could stay in the lineup consistently was silly. And now, is lack of athleticism and overall skill is just killing them.

They need to start a show: GMs/Owners Do The Dumbest Things.

[The Bobster]

That of course falls under the definition of collusion, which is why it isn't done.

[INFORMER]

That of course falls under the definition of collusion, which is why it isn't done.

I know. Though, the case would only stick if the got into specifics.

[Mori Chu]

Exhibit A: Look at Dallas. They thought they were so smart giving Parsons that contract, that they were really sticking it to Houston. Well Houston looks better than ever so far this season. And Parsons? Going into tonight's game he was averaging 14 ppg sooting below 40%. Is that what $15 freaking million is suppose to get you these days?! Really?

I was first to board the Parsons-max-contract hater bandwagon. That contract is horrendous and will only get more so over time.

[Phoenix219]

I hope Dirk orders very expensive dinners......



if anyone doesn't get the joke -
http://www.complex.com/sports/2014/10/ ... r-all-year

[SDC]

NBA GMs really make each other's jobs harder. I don't know if it is out of a desire to look smarter than the next guy, or if they think handing out a big contract makes it look like they're doing something great in the eyes of their owner or their fan base. Or maybe desperation is to blame. Whatever it is, it's silly. I wish they could all come together and without specifically naming one player, just agree not to give out stupid contracts.

Exhibit A: Look at Dallas. They thought they were so smart giving Parsons that contract, that they were really sticking it to Houston. Well Houston looks better than ever so far this season. And Parsons? Going into tonight's game he was averaging 14 ppg sooting below 40%. Is that what $15 freaking million is suppose to get you these days?! Really?

Exhibit B: Minnesota. Man, that Pekovic contract SUCKS. And they have no one to blame but themselves. Pekovic's free agency played out similar to Bledsoe's. He had no offers. NONE. But he was refusing to sign what Minnesota was offering. So a stalemate dragged on to something like late August, early September. Then all of a sudden, inexplicably, Minnesota caved to the tune of 5 years, $60 million. The annual salary is one thing, but to commit 5 years to a guy that never could stay in the lineup consistently was silly. And now, is lack of athleticism and overall skill is just killing them.

They need to start a show: GMs/Owners Do The Dumbest Things.

Exhibit C: Mcdo drafting ennis, then signing IT, then resigning bledsoe while the suns still have dragic.

[OE32]

Exhibit C: Mcdo drafting ennis, then signing IT, then resigning bledsoe while the suns still have dragic.

Be patient, I think. Others may disagree, but I think all 3 contracts hold value in this league, and there are some bad teams out there in need of a PG.

[ShelC]

Full disclosure, I'm a parsons' fan. I think there are a lot worse contracts than Parsons' deal. Yea, he's making a lot and the Mavs made the offer in part to hurt the Rockets, which backfired because Ariza's probably a better fit. But they added a very young, talented player they needed who can help facilitate things and let Ellis play off the ball, takes some pressure off Dirk and maybe extends his career a bit. Regardless, he's a not "max player" by definition. He's not a 20+ scorer. At his peak, he's maybe 18-6-4. His shooting numbers are down now early on because he's probably adjusting to a new team/system, but they should adjust and his per 36 numbers are right in line.

Two wrongs don't make a right, but would you rather have Parsons at 15 or Alec Burks at 12? Avery Bradley at 8? Meeks at 9?

And Pekovic...bigs always get paid. Gortat got the same deal and he's 2 years older. The problem is that the Wolves are a bad team so his contract is going to look that much worse.

[INFORMER]

Full disclosure, I'm a parsons' fan.

Thanks for being up front about that. I don't have anything against Parsons. He's a good player. But he's making great player money.

I think there are a lot worse contracts than Parsons' deal.

I don't see any value in that statement. There are always worse contracts. The question is: are you getting your money's worth?

At his peak, he's maybe 18-6-4.

Be careful. Your judging him by his Houston production. Houston runs a very liberal offense conducive to putting up good offensive numbers.

Two wrongs don't make a right, but would you rather have Parsons at 15 or Alec Burks at 12? Avery Bradley at 8? Meeks at 9?

Honestly, regardless of what any of those players are making, I wouldn't choose to have any of them on my team, save for maybe Avery Bradley. The other problem with that question, besides Meeks's salary being wrong, is that let's say any one of those players' teams decided to trade them today. Practically no one would line up to acquire them.

And Pekovic...bigs always get paid. Gortat got the same deal and he's 2 years older. The problem is that the Wolves are a bad team so his contract is going to look that much worse.

Well first, Gortat had a more established track record than Pekovic. Secondly, Pekovic was restricted, so the competition for his services wasn't near what it could have been for Gortat.

And Pekovic is part of what is making Minnesota so bad.

[Indy]

Exhibit C: Mcdo drafting ennis, then signing IT, then resigning bledsoe while the suns still have dragic.

Be patient, I think. Others may disagree, but I think all 3 contracts hold value in this league, and there are some bad teams out there in need of a PG.

Agreed.

[Mori Chu]

Well said, INF.

[INFORMER]

and there are some bad teams out there in need of a PG.

I'm not sure what NBA you're watching, but point guard is the deepest position in the league and the easiest to fill. That's going to constrict the market for Bledsoe.

I have hope that Utah may be interested in Bledsoe, but that requires them not being willing to wait for Trey Burke and/or Dante Exum and Ryan pulling his head out of his butt. Indiana would take him. I'd move the Morris Twins and Bledsoe for George Hill, David West, and a 1st rounder. Ryan probably wouldn't. Detroit would be interested in Bledsoe, but that would involve the Suns taking Josh Smith or Brandon Jennings. That's a non-starter. Then you have the Lakers. They could offer Jeremy Lin (would Sarver want to pay the remaining portion of his $15 million salary this season?) or Steve Nash's contract along with Ed Davis. I doubt that would be anywhere near enough to entice Ryan to pull the trigger.

[INFORMER]

Rudy Gay has reached agreement on a three-year, $40 million contract extension with the Sacramento Kings, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/sources--r ... 06965.html

Bravo, Sacramento. That's very good value.

[INFORMER]

The Minnesota Timberwolves, fresh off heavy back-to-back losses in New Orleans and Dallas and in the latest indication of their growing focus on the future, are in active trade discussions with multiple contending teams pursuing veteran swingman Corey Brewer, according to league sources.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/11887 ... rey-brewer

[INFORMER]

An unwelcome pattern has emerged for the Orlando Magic already this season: Key players have missed extended periods of time because of injuries.

And, now, the team must endure an injury to rookie forward Aaron Gordon.

Gordon, the fourth pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, was diagnosed with a fractured fifth metatarsal in his left foot after Saturday night’s loss to the Washington Wizards, and he will be out indefinitely, team officials said.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/o ... story.html

That sucks.

[ShelC]

Utah won't want Bledsoe. You're right that most teams have a PG they're happy with. The Lakers could want Bledsoe, but what would they give up. Sacramento? Would Malone want him? Miami?

[INFORMER]

The Lakers could want Bledsoe, but what would they give up.

It's more of a question of "could" than "would." Their cupboard is so bare. Ultimately they could only offer some combo of Jeremy Lin, Steve Nash, Ed Davis, or Jordan Hill.

Sacramento? Would Malone want him?

Probably not. It would be a waste of resources for them. Collison is sufficient; they'd be better served trying to bring in more perimeter shooting and a legit power forward.

Miami?

I forgot to mention them. Yes, I believe they would be interested. But I think (hope) it would be a 3-team deal. I've looked at scenarios involving Phoenix, Miami, and Brooklyn or Charlotte.

[OE32]

I think Milwaukee would be interested, too. Can't forget Houston (though I'd hate to trade any of our PG's there). Dallas, too. I think Indiana and Milwaukee make the most sense.

[OE32]

One other question, for the end of the week. Does anyone think we ought to consider changing our style? Maybe not this year or even next, but with Tyler and Warren I'd think we could put together an excellent half-court offense. I'd think Alex would be well-suited to a half-court style. And then you look at our current roster and wonder, why do we run? The two point guards thing? Or are we running away from bigger players because we're small at the 2, 4 and 5 spots?

[INFORMER]

Brandon Knight is playing better than Eric Bledsoe right now. He was averaging 18/6/6 and had a PER over 20. Tonight he put in 20/5/4 on over 50% shooting. So not only do they have a point guard playing better (and cheaper) they also have two franchise cornerstones in Parker and Antetokounmpo. They'll stay away from adding anymore big contracts while they want to get out of Ilyasova's and Mayo's deals. But they would probably move those deals for Bledsoe. You're interested in a deal where OJ Mayo is the best player we're getting back?

Dallas may be interested, but again, what are you getting back? Monta Ellis? Chandler Parsons?

Houston doesn't have the salaries to facilitate a trade for Bledsoe.