2014 NBA Free Agency and Draft

[gkIrish]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Lakers waiving guard Kendall Marshall, but have interest in bringing him back on a new deal if he clears waivers, league sources tell Yahoo.</p>— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/statuses/490191364488167424">July 18, 2014</a></blockquote>
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That's weird....wasn't he playing pretty well for them last year? I'm assuming his salary wouldn't be high either.

 

[irishog77]

$3.25M

Carlos Boozer to join Los Angeles Lakers - ESPN Los Angeles

So Randall, Boozer, and Marshall were the only guys that made sense, financially. Now I guess it will be only Boozer and Randall, as I can't see any way Marshall clears waivers.

In his first opportunity to get playing time, Marshall did well on one of the grossest rosters in the league. Somebody looking for a back up PG, a PG to push their starter, or a team looking for financial value will grab him.

 

[irishfan]

I can't envision any scenario through trade or free agency where Love ends up in Boston.

I agree no shot with free agency. Team isn't strong enough right now to attract a top-10 talent. I think with a trade it could happen easily. They have by far the best to offer short of Wiggins and Thompson and it wont make any sense for the Wolves not to trade him.

If they were to trade for him and have him for a year or half the year, I think they'd have a great shot of retaining him. Athletes tend to like Boston and love playing in front of the fans once they're here. It's just getting them here that is always an issue. Plus he and Rondo would essentially form 2/3 of a Big Three and by all accounts Brad Stevens is supposed to be an amazing coach. Boston has a lot to offer for him.

Love did visit Boston a couple weeks ago and hungout with Rondo, Gronk, and others so I'm sure he doesn't have absolutely 0 interest in the city and the team.

 

[irishog77]

I agree no shot with free agency. Team isn't strong enough right now to attract a top-10 talent. I think with a trade it could happen easily. They have by far the best to offer short of Wiggins and Thompson and it wont make any sense for the Wolves not to trade him.

If they were to trade for him and have him for a year or half the year, I think they'd have a great shot of retaining him. Athletes tend to like Boston and love playing in front of the fans once they're here. It's just getting them here that is always an issue. Plus he and Rondo would essentially form 2/3 of a Big Three and by all accounts Brad Stevens is supposed to be an amazing coach. Boston has a lot to offer for him.

Love did visit Boston a couple weeks ago and hungout with Rondo, Gronk, and others so I'm sure he doesn't have absolutely 0 interest in the city and the team.

I think all that may be true. I just don't think the T-wolves are interested in draft picks in exchange for Love, and I think, have even said so themselves, in so many words.

Could a 3 or 4 team trade emerge where Boston ships out their picks, some players trade teams, and then Love lands on the Celtics? Sure, I guess that's possible. But I think that likelihood is extremely slim.

 

[irishog77]

There's a report now saying the Cavs would trade Bennet and Wiggins for Love. If true, then I think Minnesota should jump all over that.

 

[sparkyND]

There's a report now saying the Cavs would trade Bennet and Wiggins for Love. If true, then I think Minnesota should jump all over that.

That will certainly accelerate the T-Wolves rebuilding project: Pekovic, Deng and Rubio teaming up with Wiggins and Bennett. Not a bad team. Add a key free-agent signing and build a good bench and they should be competitive in the next couple of years.

 

[koonja]

There's a report now saying the Cavs would trade Bennet and Wiggins for Love. If true, then I think Minnesota should jump all over that.

And next years 1st from the Cavs. Not that that'll be a high pick, but yeah I'd be all over that if I were MN.

 

[Grahambo]

There's a report now saying the Cavs would trade Bennet and Wiggins for Love. If true, then I think Minnesota should jump all over that.

Its from Broussard so, believe at your own peril. lol

 

[Buster Bluth]

There's a report now saying the Cavs would trade Bennet and Wiggins for Love.

 

[woolybug25]

As you all know, I like the Wiggins for Love trade.

I think trading Wiggins AND Bennet is a mistake. That's too much. I would hope that Lebron understands from his experience with the Heat, that role players and depth matter.

 

[ResLife Hero]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Yahoo Sources: Kevin Seraphin accepts $3.8M qualifying offer with the Washington Wizards. <a href="http://t.co/xyvBHpi6Hd">http://t.co/xyvBHpi6Hd</a></p>— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/statuses/490280515346255873">July 18, 2014</a></blockquote>
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The Wizards could be a really interesting team to watch.

 

[ResLife Hero]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Source: Lakers sign Wesley Johnson to 1 year, $1 million deal</p>— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) <a href="https://twitter.com/Chris_Broussard/statuses/490298181318877184">July 19, 2014</a></blockquote>
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[ResLife Hero]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Yuki Togashi is 5’7 and 150 pounds, and he’s turning heads at Summer League: <a href="http://t.co/gUjYjgHk22">http://t.co/gUjYjgHk22</a> <a href="http://t.co/jYNNG5GjqU">pic.twitter.com/jYNNG5GjqU</a></p>— SB Nation (@SBNation) <a href="https://twitter.com/SBNation/statuses/490307883654201344">July 19, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Mavs love tiny point guards I guess. Could be like a far-East Barea

 

[IrishSteelhead]

I think trading Wiggins AND Bennet is a mistake.

I disagree. "A bird in the hand is better than two in the bush." The Cavs are poised to "win now," and Love is the guy that gives them that opportunity. I'd take established talent (Love) over potential talent (Wiggins/Bennett) in this case. Wiggins has a ton of upside, but Bennett IMO has already proven his ceiling is not much more than that of a serviceable role player, which are a dime a dozen in the NBA.

*I liken this to the whole "to RS or not to RS" for college programs. It's necessary, but when you are constantly building for the future, it kind of defeats the purpose. Obviously basketball is different too. One player is all a team needs for that push over the edge (think Pau in LA).

 

[woolybug25]

I disagree. "A bird in the hand is better than two in the bush." The Cavs are poised to "win now," and Love is the guy that gives them that opportunity. I'd take established talent (Love) over potential talent (Wiggins/Bennett) in this case. Wiggins has a ton of upside, but Bennett IMO has already proven his ceiling is not much more than that of a serviceable role player, which are a dime a dozen in the NBA.

*I liken this to the whole "to RS or not to RS" for college programs. It's necessary, but when you are constantly building for the future, it kind of defeats the purpose. Obviously basketball is different too. One player is all a team needs for that push over the edge (think Pau in LA).

Bennett had looked great in summer league and dropped some pounds. I don't think he's hit his ceiling at all. Also, I'm not sure they are "set to win now" just because they pick up Love. Lebron knows first hand what injuries can do to a team built for a couple players to carry the load. Depth still rules in the NBA, imo.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Depth is great and all, but there have really only been two teams in the last 25 years (94 Rockets/2004 Pistons) that won a title without a one-two punch of 2 HOF players.

 

[Grahambo]

Bennett had looked great in summer league and dropped some pounds. I don't think he's hit his ceiling at all. Also, I'm not sure they are "set to win now" just because they pick up Love. Lebron knows first hand what injuries can do to a team built for a couple players to carry the load. Depth still rules in the NBA, imo.

Yeah..but summer league.


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[woolybug25]

Yeah..but summer league.


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Yeah, but the fact that he got to summer league in better shape and looks better illustrates that his ceiling hasn't been met.

 

[Grahambo]

Yeah, but the fact that he got to summer league in better shape and looks better illustrates that his ceiling hasn't been met.

I agree on the ceiling part. Coming back in better shape is a positive and he did start to turn it on to an acceptable level late last year. Too soon for the ceiling talk. I was more referring to people who mention summer league as progress.

Sure, you want guys to dominate against same level competition but most guys on summer league teams are D-League, bench guys and rookies.


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[DillonHall]

Depth is great and all, but there have really only been two teams in the last 25 years (94 Rockets/2004 Pistons) that won a title without a one-two punch of 2 HOF players.

You could add this past year's Spurs team to the list, but you're definitely right. The NBA has always been about stars, not depth.

 

[woolybug25]

Depth is great and all, but there have really only been two teams in the last 25 years (94 Rockets/2004 Pistons) that won a title without a one-two punch of 2 HOF players.

It's not like the Cavs would be the only team with a 1-2 punch. Half the NBA teams arguably have that. What sets the Cavs apart is a) they have the best player in the league and b) they have three all star caliber players. Those two things can carry them to a title, but as Lebron found out in Miami, if one of those two things start to falter (poor play by one of the "big 3" or injury) you are going to have to depend on the depth to fill that void. This years Heat team learned that the hard way when a deep team came out and ran them.

While you can say that damn near every title team had a 1-2, you could also say the majority of them also happened to be deep with rotational role players. If you gut your team of skilled depth for the sake of a "big 3", then you better hope those three players show up with their best game every playoff series, because behind them, you'll have have a bad team just along for the ride.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

I see your point and agree Wooly, but if I'm Lebron (or a Cav fan), I wanna hit the ground running with Love and compete for a title THIS year.

Sure they would compete for a title without Love in 2015, but I don't see them beating whoever the West serves up without him.

The trade would essentially be a 2 for 1, it's not like they are gutting their team for Love. Sure Love's salary would create a depth issue down the road, but who's to say Wiggins and Bennett don't play themselves into a big money/max role? Isn't that what you are banking on if you wanna keep them anyways?

 

[zelezo vlk]

Well K Love gets a max salary next year as opposed to 4 and 5 years away for Bennett and Wiggins.

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[irishog77]

I see your point and agree Wooly, but if I'm Lebron (or a Cav fan), I wanna hit the ground running with Love and compete for a title THIS year.

Sure they would compete for a title without Love in 2015, but I don't see them beating whoever the West serves up without him.

The trade would essentially be a 2 for 1, it's not like they are gutting their team for Love. Sure Love's salary would create a depth issue down the road, but who's to say Wiggins and Bennett don't play themselves into a big money/max role? Isn't that what you are banking on if you wanna keep them anyways?

I guess the difference would be, theoretically, that the Cavs could sign Bennett, Wiggins, Waiters, etc. all to max contracts and go over the cap, since they're their own players.

That's obviously not going to happen, but I think teams would rather exert more control over the situation than be at the mercy of the annual free agent class.

 

[DillonHall]

In sports, you win whenever you can. The window of opportunity is often smaller than it appears.

 

[NDPhilly]

I say do the trade. Lebron is 30 he's not gonna be "lebron" for to many more years. I say get him and win 1,2,3 titles now

 

[IrishSteelhead]

This should put the trade talks over the hump and secure Love to Cavs:

http://www.sportspickle.com/2014/07...-willing-include-lebron-james-deal-kevin-love

 

[Irish#1]

It's not like the Cavs would be the only team with a 1-2 punch. Half the NBA teams arguably have that. What sets the Cavs apart is a) they have the best player in the league and b) they have three all star caliber players. Those two things can carry them to a title, but as Lebron found out in Miami, if one of those two things start to falter (poor play by one of the "big 3" or injury) you are going to have to depend on the depth to fill that void. This years Heat team learned that the hard way when a deep team came out and ran them.

While you can say that damn near every title team had a 1-2, you could also say the majority of them also happened to be deep with rotational role players. If you gut your team of skilled depth for the sake of a "big 3", then you better hope those three players show up with their best game every playoff series, because behind them, you'll have have a bad team just along for the ride.

Agree...........You have to have depth. If you play your starters too much during the season, they run out of gas during the playoffs and are more prone to injury.

 

[TheTurningPoint]

Cavs are in a tough position at the moment

Timberwolves are driving the price up for Love during the summer. Great business move and now the Cavs and Warriors are hurting each other by putting Wiggins and Thompson on the market. Neither team wants to part with those players, but they feel the pressure from each other.

From a Cavs perspective, yes do it, win now. Love, Bron, Kyrie, immediately gives you a chance to play in the ECF in 2014-2015, and if the right moves are made and chemistry is there, 2015-2016 should be a legitimate title contending year.

In past moves with LeBron, the Cavs didnt get their top targets in trades/FA/etc. They settled on moves just to make moves. Now, I think that some of the moves improved the team overall, but at the sametime, I think LeBron lost confidence that they werent going to get him a counterpart.

Put this perspective, LeBron went to 4 straight titles with Bosh and Wade. LeBron went to 1 finals and 3-4 ECF series with no other help. I guess Mo Williams was an All-Star one year, but now he has Kyrie, and give him a rebounding/3pt shooting/consistent shooter and that team is extremely tough to guard. Bosh was good, but Bosh also wasnt near as consistent as you would like to see him be.

I have no problems if the Cavs gave up Wiggins and Bennett. Sure, it looks bad giving up 2 #1 draft picks in the last 2 years, but Bennett there are more questions than answers, and with Wiggins, you have to give up something to get something back (unless your the Lakers of a few years ago). You can find a player that can produce Bennett numbers. Cavs know they are getting a top 10 player in the NBA back for someone who hasnt played a NBA game. That is more than ok with me.

 

[Grahambo]

Cavs are in a tough position at the moment

Timberwolves are driving the price up for Love during the summer. Great business move and now the Cavs and Warriors are hurting each other by putting Wiggins and Thompson on the market. Neither team wants to part with those players, but they feel the pressure from each other.

From a Cavs perspective, yes do it, win now. Love, Bron, Kyrie, immediately gives you a chance to play in the ECF in 2014-2015, and if the right moves are made and chemistry is there, 2015-2016 should be a legitimate title contending year.

In past moves with LeBron, the Cavs didnt get their top targets in trades/FA/etc. They settled on moves just to make moves. Now, I think that some of the moves improved the team overall, but at the sametime, I think LeBron lost confidence that they werent going to get him a counterpart.

Put this perspective, LeBron went to 4 straight titles with Bosh and Wade. LeBron went to 1 finals and 3-4 ECF series with no other help. I guess Mo Williams was an All-Star one year, but now he has Kyrie, and give him a rebounding/3pt shooting/consistent shooter and that team is extremely tough to guard. Bosh was good, but Bosh also wasnt near as consistent as you would like to see him be.

I have no problems if the Cavs gave up Wiggins and Bennett. Sure, it looks bad giving up 2 #1 draft picks in the last 2 years, but Bennett there are more questions than answers, and with Wiggins, you have to give up something to get something back (unless your the Lakers of a few years ago). You can find a player that can produce Bennett numbers. Cavs know they are getting a top 10 player in the NBA back for someone who hasnt played a NBA game. That is more than ok with me.

I agree with the whole post.

The question is, what should the Wolves do?


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