February 19, 201016 yr So as I was driving home from work today listening to the radio, they were talking about the NBA trade deadline and the impact of some of the trades on next season's free agency, and it got me thinking... Is this a do or die year for Kobe and the Lakers? Think about this, 6 of the games best superstars have a chance at free agency: Dirk Nowitzki Chris Bosh Amare Stoudamire LeBron James Dwayne Wade Joe Johnson With the kind of cap space some of these teams are going to have, think about what could happen... LeBron and Bosh go to New York with David Lee DWade and Amare team up with Rose in Chicago Dirk and Joe Johnson decide to team up somewhere (possibly New Jersey or Miami??) How would an aging Lakers team (or any other team for that matter) be able to compete with these stacked super-teams that these 6 could have control of? Has there ever been an off-season where the players are going to have so much control and power?
February 19, 201016 yr Without taking a huge paycut the Knicks couldn't keep David Lee and get two big guys, unless they could move Eddy Curry (unlikely IMO). Without moving Curry, the Knicks will be able to have Curry, two Max guys, Wilson Chandler, Danilio Gallinari, Toney Douglas, Billy Walker and 6 minimum pay guys. I don't see LeBron or DWade opting to be on a team like that. I don't see the Bulls being able to get two max guys either without moving Deng, which could be possible but I don't see the Bulls or Heat wanting him. Now the Raptors would take a sign and trade for him I believe. Without a sign a trade with Deng they could only get one max contract guy according to the number.
February 19, 201016 yr But if the Lakers don't win it all I think they will try the sign and trade for Bosh. I don't think it's now or never because having Kobe with some legit post players always makes them a threat. Jordan won titles into his mid to late 30's so I wouldn't say Kobe's window is close to closed. At the end of the season I expect... Bosh to Chicago Wade and Stoudemire to team up in Miami Dirk and LeBron to stay home And guys like Joe Johnson and David Lee to collect the big checks and move to new teams.
February 19, 201016 yr Without taking a huge paycut the Knicks couldn't keep David Lee and get two big guys, unless they could move Eddy Curry (unlikely IMO). Without moving Curry, the Knicks will be able to have Curry, two Max guys, Wilson Chandler, Danilio Gallinari, Toney Douglas, Billy Walker and 6 minimum pay guys. I don't see LeBron or DWade opting to be on a team like that. I don't see the Bulls being able to get two max guys either without moving Deng, which could be possible but I don't see the Bulls or Heat wanting him. Now the Raptors would take a sign and trade for him I believe. Without a sign a trade with Deng they could only get one max contract guy according to the number. Pretty sure they can. As of today they said they have shed enough payroll for next year that they can add 2 max contract players.
February 19, 201016 yr Author Pretty sure they can. As of today they said they have shed enough payroll for next year that they can add 2 max contract players. :thumb: The radio was talking about those 3 teams specifically having the cap space to add 2 max guys... My whole point about the Lakers though was if something like this were to happen, there's no way anyone could compete with those 3 teams IMO.
February 19, 201016 yr Pretty sure they can. As of today they said they have shed enough payroll for next year that they can add 2 max contract players. But they cannot keep Lee to do it. However, New York gave up a lot of assets in order to make this deal work. The Knicks sent out two young pieces: their 2012 first-round pick (top-5 protected) and young forward Jordan Hill. With no 2010 first-rounder, whomever they entice to take their money will be playing with Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, Toney Douglas, Eddy Curry, Bill Walker and six guys making the minimum. (No, not David Lee -- he's an unrestricted free agent). http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insider/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=TradeGrades-100218
February 19, 201016 yr But they cannot keep Lee to do it. http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insider/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=TradeGrades-100218 They will keep Lee. They could have traded him today if they did not think they could resign him or something. But I do see where you're coming from.
February 19, 201016 yr I'm not sure on the bird year rules in that situation... But I think they could sign Lee if he signs after any other FAs they pick up. They'd just be well into luxury tax territory.
February 19, 201016 yr I'm not sure on the bird year rules in that situation... But I think they could sign Lee if he signs after any other FAs they pick up. They'd just be well into luxury tax territory. League rules do not allow that any more.
February 19, 201016 yr They will keep Lee. They could have traded him today if they did not think they could resign him or something. But I do see where you're coming from. They can't keep him if they want two max guys at a Max price. The would have to move Curry. You used to be able to sign guys that you had "Bird Rights" to after you signed other FA's but that isn't allowed any more. Now if they could find some one to take Curry off there hands.....
February 19, 201016 yr I do think that Lee could be used in a sign and trade with their current cap numbers for next season though but I may be wrong about that.
February 19, 201016 yr :thumb: The radio was talking about those 3 teams specifically having the cap space to add 2 max guys... My whole point about the Lakers though was if something like this were to happen, there's no way anyone could compete with those 3 teams IMO. David Lee can possibly get a max contract from someone else. No way they get 2 max guys and Lee.
February 19, 201016 yr Author David Lee can possibly get a max contract from someone else. True, but would you pass up the chance to play with Giant Tool and Bosh? I sure wouldn't...(Of course, then I'd have to find a new nickname for him)
February 19, 201016 yr True, but would you pass up the chance to play with Giant Tool and Bosh? I sure wouldn't...(Of course, then I'd have to find a new nickname for him) If it's the difference between MLE and a max contract I am probably going somewhere else. Winning doesn't matter to a lot of these guy like we think it does. Take Amare for example.
February 19, 201016 yr Author If it's the difference between MLE and a max contract I am probably going somewhere else. Winning doesn't matter to a lot of these guy like we think it does. Take Amare for example. It most likely wouldn't be either or though would it?
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