im okay with harden winning MVP, but lebron definitely wins both eye test and intangibles.

My point exactly! Harden over James in regards to the “eye test?” No way is that true. Harden is a phenomenal player and is having a great year. However, what LeBron is doing this year is absolutely incredible. Forget about this being his 15th season; I’m taking specifically about how he’s kept his team relevant despite all of the injuries, turnover, and drama they’ve experienced throughout the entire season. He’s unbelievable and people take him for granted. Have them switch teams and check the results. Better yet, take each away from their teams and the Rockets would still be competitive. Cleveland….not so much. LeBron is the MVP.

Right, Steve Nash set the precedent(s) for winning the MVP award running essentially the same offense for consecutive years.

I get what you’re saying, but aside from a slight disparity in VORP Harden dominates in most of the other statistical areas. In particular, James’ d-rating has been atrocious this season.

That’s an important point Craig – clearing cap space for 2018 doesn’t mean you strike out of if you don’t land PG13. There is also a chance to get Russ or DMC or LeBron.

On the one hand, you want to secure Paul George so you have a shot at LeBron, but if you give up too many assets, then you decrease the chances of LeBron coming to L.A.

In addition, if you trade for George, there is not a guarantee you sign in 2018. So many things can happen before July of 2018 – injuries or he doesn’t get along with his teammates or coaches etc –
Thus, unless he is willing to sign an extension (which is unlikely b/c he’d have to leave a lot of money on the table) there is a still plenty of risk in trading assets for what may end up as only a year rental.

Personally, it would all come down to the price tag. If it was a reasonable asking price, I’d want the sure thing and trade the assets required. If not, I hold on and wait for July of 2018

****

Thanks so much for stopping by everybody. Have a great week and enjoy the craziness of this NBA offseason!!

Thanks,
T

I’d say less than a 10% chance Butler gets dealt.
I’ll go with 60% chance that PG13 gets traded

I think the Lakers get Ball, but don’t think they end up with PG13

I’m sure the Kings are hoping that Fox is there at 5
I’ll make a HOT TAKE prediction right now… If the Kings draft Fox at #5, he’ll average nearly 30 minutes per game and win the 2018 Rookie of the Year.

Assuming they get Fox at 5, I think they take a big man at 10. Zach Collins out of Gonzaga would be a good fit

I think the Lakers will save up their assets to make a run at Paul George.
I think when the Pacers get close to a deal, the Lakers will get nervous about waiting a year for PG to sign via free agency and made a solid offer centered around D’Angelo Russell and picks

getting both Anthony Davis and Butler???
c’mon bro

Pels won’t trade Davis.

Yeah, I think the two side finally break up in July.
It’s best for both Melo and the Knicks at this point…

I think Randle has let to live up to his potential, but his upside is definitely promising. If the Lakers were willing to move him, plenty of teams would be willing to trade for him.

Clarkson contract is a bit onerous, but the kid cn play. His counting stats took a bit of dip last season, but that’s b/c his playing time dropped and he was bounced all around fro bench to starter to playing with different rotations. However, he still posted the highest eFG% of his career (.503) and averaged a career-high 18.1 points per-36 minutes.

The Lakers may have to trade one of those two in order to find a team willing to absorb the terrible contracts of Deng or Mozgov.
I could see one of the teams with cap space (such as Nets) taking on one of those bad contracts, if the Lakers were willing to attach a pick or player like Randle

Re: Fox, as I wrote earlier, he’s one of my favorite players in the entire draft

Hey Tyler,

My sense is that the Celtics will choose between Jackson and Jayson Tatum. I think taking Issac at #3 would be a reach.
Many ppl have pegged Jackson as a lock, but I think Tatum is has a good chance to go at 3.

Phil has definitely been exploring options, but trading into the first round is difficult.
One rumored option is trading Courtney Lee to the Pistons for their pick (#12 overall). Hard to see Stan Van Gundy signing off on that, as he has the security of a long-term deal as both coach and GM. He’s not facing “win now” pressure.

If the Knicks got #12 – Donovon Mitchell would likely be the target.

If I had to guess right now, I’d say that Ntilikina is the odds-on favorite to go to New York at No. 8.
Either way, Frank’s floor is #9, as the Mavs are in love with him.
But assuming the boards shakes out as we expect in #1 thru #6 (some order of Fultz, Ball, Jackson, Fox, Tatum, Issac). The Wolves at 7 is a wildcard, but they don’t need a guard. If they go Lauri MARKKANEN at 7, then the Knicks will have to choose between Monk, Frank and Dennis Smith Jr.

I think Frank would be the pick. He’s a big guard, which you know Phil loves as a Triangle Fit. And with a 7’0″ wingspan, he projects as a plus defender.

As far as Rose, I assume they would consider bringing him back on a one-year deal at the right. However, the only way I think he stays in NY if he gets no interest elsewhere.