An undeniable vibe of confidence is emanating from Brooklyn as we speak: The Nets sure seem to believe they are getting Kevin Durant's commitment tonight to go with Kyrie Irving"s ... with DeAndre Jordan, Durant's close friend, to follow
Yep. It's going to happen. This should put the Nets in a giving mood that has them doing everything they can to help facilitate a sign-and-trade that brings Russell to Minnesota.
Will the Lakers end up with one of the top unrestricted free agents? Kyrie is going to the Nets with Durant likely to follow. I still see Kawhi staying in Toronto or going to the Clippers. I would also expect Butler to re-sign with the Sixers. The Sixers need to keep him and they can offer 5 years. Jimmy ("it's not about the money") Butler will take the money. And he'll have the added bonus of playing for a top 3 team in the East with a legitimate chance of contending for a title. Keeping Butler would likely mean keeping Harris, especially given how much the Sixers gave up to get him.
If I'm right and if Russell prefers the Wolves over the Lakers, then I think the 4-way deal for Love with the Cavs, Nets and Wolves makes sense.
ESPN reporting Kyrie and Durant to Brooklyn. Wow. That's almost as remarkable as the fact that they also thought it was worth mentioning they're getting Deandre Jordan in the headline.
monsterpile wrote:Sounds like Kemba going to re Celtics. I hate to say it but I'm glad Kemba didn't stay with the Hornets. It was just a matter of time before he was gonna leave anyway unless some young player they had unexpectedly quickly turned into a star.
Also Klay staying with GS.
Woj reporting that Kyrie is going to the Nets. Also Nets are open to a sign and trade to help Russell get to a team of his choice if it works for them. I heard read somewhere they actually may need to move one of their young players to open up more space to accomplish their goals maybe that is what gets a 3rd team involved.
Looks like Rose may be going to Detroit. It will be interesting what kind of money he gets. I wonder if Detroit would be a team that would have interest in Wiggins.
Durant, Kyrie and D. Jordan to the Nets. Kemba goes to Boston in sign-and-trade for Rozier. The dominos are falling. And the list of potential suitors for Teague or Wiggins continues to shrink.
Duke13 wrote:No way the Lakers take on Love's contact, oh wait, Pelinka might not realize he's responsible for the remainder of his deal.
Lol. Anything's possible with Pelinka. Seriously, if the Lakers strike out on all the elite free agents, a result that looks fairly likely at this point, then they will have cap room for a max player but no max players left on the free agent market except perhaps Russell. Clearly, Russell would be the perfect fit for the Lakers given the Lakers need for a PG. However, if Russell is bent on joining the Wolves, then what choices do the Lakers have? They could use their remaining max cap room on two or three lower-level free agents. Otherwise, Kevin Love would actually be a great fit.
Love has played and won a championship with LeBron. The two know each others' games and can hit the ground running two of the Lakers' 5 starters. The contract won't be a concern for the Lakers. They are in total win-now mode with LeBron. Love is still near the top of his game for another couple seasons. He's a 3-point shooter, which LeBron needs around him. I really think the 4-team deal I suggested could happen.
Duke13 wrote:No way the Lakers take on Love's contact, oh wait, Pelinka might not realize he's responsible for the remainder of his deal.
Lol. Anything's possible with Pelinka. Seriously, if the Lakers strike out on all the elite free agents, a result that looks fairly likely at this point, then they will have cap room for a max player but no max players left on the free agent market except perhaps Russell. Clearly, Russell would be the perfect fit for the Lakers given the Lakers need for a PG. However, if Russell is bent on joining the Wolves, then what choices do the Lakers have? They could use their remaining max cap room on two or three lower-level free agents. Otherwise, Kevin Love would actually be a great fit.
Love has played and won a championship with LeBron. The two know each others' games and can hit the ground running two of the Lakers' 5 starters. The contract won't be a concern for the Lakers. They are in total win-now mode with LeBron. Love is still near the top of his game for another couple seasons. He's a 3-point shooter, which LeBron needs around him. I really think the 4-team deal I suggested could happen.
Doesn't make sense they have LeBron AD Kuzma already. No place for love to play
Duke13 wrote:No way the Lakers take on Love's contact, oh wait, Pelinka might not realize he's responsible for the remainder of his deal.
Lol. Anything's possible with Pelinka. Seriously, if the Lakers strike out on all the elite free agents, a result that looks fairly likely at this point, then they will have cap room for a max player but no max players left on the free agent market except perhaps Russell. Clearly, Russell would be the perfect fit for the Lakers given the Lakers need for a PG. However, if Russell is bent on joining the Wolves, then what choices do the Lakers have? They could use their remaining max cap room on two or three lower-level free agents. Otherwise, Kevin Love would actually be a great fit.
Love has played and won a championship with LeBron. The two know each others' games and can hit the ground running two of the Lakers' 5 starters. The contract won't be a concern for the Lakers. They are in total win-now mode with LeBron. Love is still near the top of his game for another couple seasons. He's a 3-point shooter, which LeBron needs around him. I really think the 4-team deal I suggested could happen.
Doesn't make sense they have LeBron AD Kuzma already. No place for love to play
Duke13 wrote:No way the Lakers take on Love's contact, oh wait, Pelinka might not realize he's responsible for the remainder of his deal.
Lol. Anything's possible with Pelinka. Seriously, if the Lakers strike out on all the elite free agents, a result that looks fairly likely at this point, then they will have cap room for a max player but no max players left on the free agent market except perhaps Russell. Clearly, Russell would be the perfect fit for the Lakers given the Lakers need for a PG. However, if Russell is bent on joining the Wolves, then what choices do the Lakers have? They could use their remaining max cap room on two or three lower-level free agents. Otherwise, Kevin Love would actually be a great fit.
Love has played and won a championship with LeBron. The two know each others' games and can hit the ground running two of the Lakers' 5 starters. The contract won't be a concern for the Lakers. They are in total win-now mode with LeBron. Love is still near the top of his game for another couple seasons. He's a 3-point shooter, which LeBron needs around him. I really think the 4-team deal I suggested could happen.
Doesn't make sense they have LeBron AD Kuzma already. No place for love to play
LeBron slots in at SF. AD slots in at Center. Love certainly slots in at PF ahead of Kuzma. Yes, Kuzma has turned out to be a pleasant surprise coming out of college. But he's hardly a allstar caliber player. And Love is a much better 3-point shooter. If we know anything about what LeBron needs, we know he needs 3-point shooters around him.
