Around the League: The Offseason

[Shabazz]

I'm extremely jealous of the core the Sixers are building.

Also, I think the Celtics are going to flip #3 to Chicago as part of a package for Butler. Taking Jackson seems like a strange fit considering they already have Brown and are supposedly going after Butler and/or George.

[In2ition]

Fultz is a much better shooter and has a more well rounded offensive game. That's why they think he will mesh better with their core or add to it.

[Hermen]

So, #3 + another good pick for Fultz. I'm not sure I like it for Boston. They have a load of picks anyway, my guess hoping to get a super prospect, or to trade for a star (they didn't draft all that well recently). I think Fultz would be more useful in both cases. This should be an interesting trade to look back at in a few years.

[Aztec Sunsfan]

So the opportunity cost for us of the Brandon Knight trade will have been Markelle Fultz. Super.

How is that?

Lakers kept their pick this year, Sixers are trading their own pick, slotted at #3 after winning the lottery.

That Lakers pick, unprotected next year, is supposedly the other piece going to BOS.

If I'm correct, only if the pick falls 1st overall or below 5, or it was the other way around? I read the most likely scenario is a Sacramento pick on '19 also with some protections attached to it.

Anyway, I think that Philly is overpaying. Of course the BK deal has turned out worst by the month, but either the Sixers are repeating our mistake and giving up on that pick under desperation, or that pick is not that valuable. Perhaps Fultz is worth two lottery picks and everybody ends up happy after the Celtics get Butler/George, but if we could undo the BK deal, right now I would rather keep our 4th and gamble for a top 5 pick next year over Fultz. Project it out of the top 10, and maybe I would trade it.

To me, LA keeping their pick this particular year gave me closure. Coming '18, we will see them most likely out of the bottom, and then, it makes more sense to package it with #3. But in such case, it turned out not to be the Holy Grial some liked to make it looks like. Bad deal, yes, leaning to awful, but not franchise altering. Considering this, we could match that offer, if we wanted to, and I guess we didn't, is unlikely the Celtics wouldn't hear offers beside the Sixers'.

[Ring_Wanted]

Very good trade for Philly and a gamble for the Celtics that I believe Ainge had to take as I believe IT4-Fultz doesn't work. 76rs paid a lot, but probably not as much as many would have predicted. Still, that won't be a problem for Boston if they get their guy at #3.

As for that guy, everybody is saying Jackson, but I think Tatum is a very real possibility as they need another perimeter scorer and they have enough role players, which is Jackson's floor. Tatum at #3 would also render what the Lakers do irrelevant.

And on top of that, the Celtics can still make a play for a George, Butler or another veteran star with the #3 and other assets, while keeping terrific future draft stock in '18 and beyond.

I applaud the move for the Celtics, even if Fultz turns out to be the real deal.

[ShelC]

I think Tatum makes more sense for the Cs as well because of his ability to score and play some PF in a smaller lineup. I think they have their hearts set on Jackson because he's more versatile.

[Mori Chu]

I don't get what the Celtics are doing. Who do they like at #3? Jackson? I don't really see it. And they really want to build around giving literally $200m to Isaiah Thomas?

If it were me, I would have drafted Fultz and traded IT. IT had an amazing season but you can't build a championship team around a ball-dominant PG like him, especially one at his height and with his lack of defense.

[Cap]

If it were me, I would have drafted Fultz and traded IT. IT had an amazing season but you can't build a championship team around a ball-dominant PG like him, especially one at his height and with his lack of defense.

It's tough to convince a #1 seed to rebuild.

Though I can't think of another #1 seed with so little chance to win a title.

[O_Gardino]

If it were me, I would have drafted Fultz and traded IT. IT had an amazing season but you can't build a championship team around a ball-dominant PG like him, especially one at his height and with his lack of defense.

It's tough to convince a #1 seed to rebuild.

Though I can't think of another #1 seed with so little chance to win a title.

Agreed. It's a crazy situation for both Boston and Toronto. In the West, IMHO, Boston would have been 7th seed and Toronto would have had to fight Portland for the 8th seed. In the East, one of those teams is going to the conference finals, and they probably feel like they are a Cleveland injury or locker room feud away from the finals.

I think they keep the squads together and hope for a shot like Dallas in 2011 or Detroit in 2004. Not every title goes to a perennial powerhouse.

[bajanguy008]

[quote="Marty [Mori Chu]"]I don't get what the Celtics are doing. Who do they like at #3? Jackson? I don't really see it. And they really want to build around giving literally $200m to Isaiah Thomas?

I still think we have to wait and see what else the Celtics do because they still have cards on the table and IT contract discussion would be next summer I believe.

[bajanguy008]

https://sports.yahoo.com/sources-paul-g ... 20531.html

George says he going to Lakers next yr

[Split T]

I don't get what the Celtics are doing. Who do they like at #3? Jackson? I don't really see it. And they really want to build around giving literally $200m to Isaiah Thomas?

If it were me, I would have drafted Fultz and traded IT. IT had an amazing season but you can't build a championship team around a ball-dominant PG like him, especially one at his height and with his lack of defense.

The Cavs won a title with Kyrie who is about the most similar player there is to Isaiah Thomas. Of course the Cavs also had LeBron, but I think Boston will get IT some help this off-season.

I think IT was so ball dominant this last year because Boston didn't really have a single other player who could create offense. IT had to do it all. Get them a butler or Hayward or Griffin and that changes. If I'm Boston I'd trade for butler and sign Griffin. An IT-Bradley-Butler-Griffin-Horford lineup has a legitimate title shot.

[Split T]

I don't get why Philly is giving up *three* 1st-round picks, all of which will likely be high, for just one in Fultz. Why not just pick Fox/whomever at #3 and keep the other two picks to further expand their roster? This trade makes no sense to me. Why does everybody make dumb lopsided trades with Boston? Urgggh.

It ended up only be 2 as it's either the laker pick or the Kings pick, but not both. Even with both, I though it was worth it. It's a ton to give up, but we're taking about combining the best prospect from 3 of the last 4 drafts and they happen to be perfect fits.

Simmons is a point forward and needed a PG that could play off the ball. Fultz happens to not only be the best player in the draft, but he's the most suited to play off the ball and he also provides secondary play making skills. Embiid is one of maybe two or three legit superstar center prospects who is a defensive monster and can stretch the floor on offense. If they can hold onto Fultz/Simmons/Embiid and they stay healthy, they could be the next warriors. The only comparable situation would be OKC drafting Durant/Westbrook/harden in consecutive drafts and I think these Philly guys are a more natural fit.

[carey]

https://twitter.com/WojVerticalNBA/status/876568119451541505

[bajanguy008]

https://twitter.com/daldridgetnt/status/876602720987340800 Good luck with that Pacers.....

[carey]

https://twitter.com/daldridgetnt/status/876602720987340800 Good luck with that Pacers.....

Yeah, that ain't happening and is a little delusional.

[Split T]

I'll give them two top 20 protected 1sts and Knight

[Flagrant Fowl]

https://sports.yahoo.com/sources-paul-g ... 20531.html

George says he going to Lakers next yr

Letting this get out into the open is a total dick move by Paul George if him or his people are the ones who leaked it. I can't imagine the Pacers would've willingly put out this info.

[Superbone]

https://sports.yahoo.com/sources-paul-g ... 20531.html

George says he going to Lakers next yr

Letting this get out into the open is a total dick move by Paul George if him or his people are the ones who leaked it. I can't imagine the Pacers would've willingly put out this info.

Yeah, it kind of hurts their bargaining power for a one year rental.

[jonh]

https://sports.yahoo.com/sources-paul-g ... 20531.html

George says he going to Lakers next yr

Letting this get out into the open is a total dick move by Paul George if him or his people are the ones who leaked it. I can't imagine the Pacers would've willingly put out this info.

Something I am curious about is why he was willing to leak it. It would be like telling your spouse and her family that you are probably going to leave her for her best friend in 6 months, knowing that you (and your wife) are still spending Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Valentines day with her family. Whats the play here? Is he trying to push the Pacers into making a trade with LA? Outside of that scenario, there is nothing good for him or for Indiana that comes out of informing them you are going to leave in a year.