Boston has a bit of a problem that no one likes to talk about. With 11 players under contract and god knows how many picks in this upcoming draft, there is such a thing as too many assets. When it comes to trading star players, there is no such thing as equal value, so the team trading the star always gets the short end of the stick. Other teams can only offer so many assets for star players. With Boston, however, they have an unusually large amount of assets, which means the team dangling the star is justified in asking for a very large return. Boston is competing against the clock. They pretty much HAVE to trade 4 or so of their picks just to meet roster limits, and thats not even including if they want to add free agents. If no players are on the market, they might be put into a very uncomfortable position and have to make some very tough decisions.
Yep, he offered six picks and he got rejected. This should tell you something. Not all the teams are that high on picks, you can offer 8 first picks to the Kings for Cousins today and they'll still laugh at you cause they want to win, proven players or at least young guys with star potential, not picks...and Ainge just doesn't have these kind of assets. He has a lot of picks and a couple of interesting young ROLE players with good contracts. And i'm not saying the Sixers are in play for Durant, but if they trade for the only great player available via trade, they basically screw Ainge, that's the point. I think this is possible cause they sacked Hinkie and hired Colangelo cause they're tired of picks, lottery after lottery...Colangelo will not lose the chance to trade for a big name if available, that will automatically make him look better than Hinkie. And yeah, one between Okafor and Noel is going to leave as sooner or later, it is known at this point but it's also logical since they have also Embiid. Anyway, i agree with the fact that the Celtics are in play, i'm the first convinced about this, but you said it best "the right circumstances could make Boston a frontrunner".
They can make 2-for-1 moves to move up in the draft, dangle picks to upgrade individual spots, and use some of their 2nd rounders to stash international guys. So I think their flexibility is limited but not zero. But on the whole you're right. They can't stand pat. And they've made ridiculous offers for players like Justise Winslow, so players like Butler are going to command more picks than usual. Still can't believe they offered 6 picks for Winslow.
I count 8 players with guaranteed contracts next year. I count 3 first round picks.... all of which could be used on euro's if they so chose. They're not going to be in a bind because of a lack of roster spots, lol. They'd be in a bind because they need to get better fast, not slow... If I'm not mistaken he got rejected by MJ and the Hornets, who took Frank the Tank Kaminsky with that slot... so that should tell you something as well, lol
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/jasonterry31">@jasonterry31</a> said San Antonio is the 'perfect fit' for Kevin Durant. So much for that recruiting pitch to join Harden two minutes earlier.</p>— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jonathan_Feigen/status/738147497340637186">June 1, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I said our chances are approximately the same. Obviously, Houston's only link to KD is through Harden and them being good buds. Seriously? They are completely different players, Harden and Westbrook. You should actually look at how they produce. Harden is a better fit next to Westbrook because Harden is the better playmaker, facilitator, and shooter. You understand the WB average 0.4 less turnovers this season with KD to pass to? How would WB be an awesome SG who can't shoot? Remind me of the awesome 2nd and 3rd scoring options Harden has had to pass to as a Rocket? There's no question that Harden is the better facilitator and distributor than WB. WB can't shoot the ball from anywhere accept at the rim and turns it over nearly as much as Harden does playing next to KD.
So two duos over 25-30 years eh? They would absolutely work because Steph is an historically good shooter. My point is that Lowry/Conley and Harden backcourt wouldn't work. More efficient how exactly? Why can't Lowry or Conley change their style? I get it, you are down on Harden.
Probably if the cap goes up yet again next summer which many are expecting. But you'd have no money left to sign anyone else. I wish people would drop the Durant fantasy though. Unless he and Horford are plotting behind the scenes to come here as a tandem the way LeBron and Bosh did in Miami, it ain't happening.
There's always a way, but I don't think you'd want to do that. If we are daydreaming... I'd ask for KD this year, and Blake next year. Harden can play PG/SG/SF Durant can play SF/PF Griffin can play PF/C Lots of versatility. Probably as unstoppable an offense as GSW with MDA as coach. Still would be concerned about defensive focus. But that's the pipedream, lol
maybe i'm missing something, but how the hell does KD fit there? leonard and durant are both made for the 3 spot, and you really don't want them having to chase quick guards. aldridge has already refused to play the 5 in portland, so a smallball starting lineup won't work either.
Simple. Put Kawhi at the 2. He can easily guard players at that position. And when they wanna go small, just have Kawhi at the 3 and Durant at the 4. Aldridge will agree to it for part of the game.
Sorry if already posted: <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">On <a href="https://twitter.com/SiriusXMNBA">@SiriusXMNBA</a> James Harden said the Rockets want to get Kevin Durant. He doesn't think KD fits in San Antonio.</p>— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) <a href="https://twitter.com/calvinwatkins/status/738181723075137537">June 2, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
kawhi's a top defender no doubt and can stay in front of guards very effectively for stretches. but anyone who's played knows what a pain it is to check smaller quicker players, and to have to do it for 82games. kawhi would have an advantage in the post quite often, but i think he'd also get worn down by february chasing 2's around nonstop
I didn't listen to the broadcast but I feel like harden wasn't so much questioning fit, as much as he was saying that they already have Leonard at KDs position. Watkins making it seem like something different.
