Toronto, San Antonio talking Kawhi-DeRozan Swap (UPDATE: Done deal)

There is a big difference that you are ignoring here.

Players don't want to play in Toronto already. I don't think trading Derozan will make it worse, but you did just trade a player that loved being there. When kawhi leaves next year it isn't like they are going to be able to convince the next big free agent to come take his place.

 

The pick is nothing. Either a very low first or 2 seconds. Doesn't impact future trades or rebuilding.
They wanted to take this chance, and if it doesn't work then rebuild.
Anyway Derozan on his own with such contract wouldn't fetch much. A low first perhaps.

 

Says who? I remember watching TMac move pretty well in 2009. One day he just got depressed tho and decided he would not cross the 3pt line, on either side. We call that, “the Toronto game.”

It’s extremely similar. Kawhi will never outlive this as long as he’s in the NBA. Quitter. Heartless.

 

That was in the past. The way I see it, modern players are much different. Not everyone but most.
Paul George resigned in OKC that looks not the most beautiful city.
LMA decided to go to the Spurs that from what the media tells me has only fat people and churros.
Toronto isn't even some village in Alaska.
Meanwhile teams like the Clippers who are in LA and the Knicks and BKN in New York can't attract almost noone good. The Lakers too except this year.

 

If he does that they should kick him out of the league. I'm not saying it would happen but I've never seen a player so desperate to play for the Lakers. His team has him hypnotized with shoe deals and hollywood life.

 

The Spurs are toast now, finally, after all these years, and it feels amazing. Next 2 to leave are Pop and Ginobli and then it's really a wrap. No wonder LMA wanted out, I bet he saw the writing on the wall for a while now. First round bounces for the 3 years at least are all but guaranteed.

 

I think DeMar's game will blow up. Not sure if it'll be alpha tier, but it will be noticable.

Good culture and system. Not enough media glarre for him to deal with his depression and the rigor of NBA life.

He's closer to Beardo, fwiw.

I always count the spurs out, but they didn't do terrible considering the circumstances

Kawhii didn't do bad, but he isn't going to get endorsement money unless Drake puts his name through every car wash chain he owns.

 

He actually said recently that he prefers the Clippers as he doesn't want to play second fiddle to LeBron, wants his own LA team identity, etc.

 

Toronto is a beautiful city, the Raptors have an amazing fanbase, and they've gotta be co-favorites with the Celtics now to get to the Finals. Kawhi is actually pretty fortunate all things considered. Basketball-wise, this is a great situation for him if he can take off his LA blinders for 5 seconds and look at it objectively.

 

Yeah not im not feeling this whole “Demar being hurt” thing.

They traded you from a city that has never been to the finals, to one of the most successful teams in the last 20 years with the best coach in the world.

 

Hey Kawhi, do you love me? Are you riding?
Say you'll never ever leave from beside me.
Cause I want ya and I need ya...

 

Let's see if Kawhi has the gall to pretend to be injured.
In extreme cases the league can send a special appointed doctor who will determine if Kawhi is telling BS or not.

Judging by the fact that Kawhi had to search high and low 8 doctors to find one that will collaborate his story, I don't see how such a league doctor will be persuaded that his injuries are real. In which case there will be serious consequences.

 

I remember the Toronto game vividly.

But T-Mac didn't just pout to go somewhere else, he legit never mattered again in the NBA. If indeed he just wanted out of Houston, he physically ended his career to do so. I'm not saying it was right, but getting career ruining surgery just to spite an organization is next level.

Kawhi is perfectly healthy, he is just refusing to play.

 

Terrible move by the Spurs. They'd have been better off getting some of the Laker's B-listers. Or screwing over Kawhi by keeping him in SA for another year and then watching him flush his career down the toilet by refusing to play. DeRozan is a fake star.

 

yup Toronto is a really nice city. Their fan base is pretty lively and loyal. Plenty to do there. I'm not sure why people just want to overlook what a full year can do especially after what just happened with pg13

 

Disagree. They have all kinds of spacing issues especially now without Green. Demar and Aldridge shooting long 2's all day. Yuck. Pop will somehow make it work though.

 

What kind of consequences?

 

So Adam Silver could conceivably just give Kawhi a slap on the wrist with a measly fine, maybe a badboy timeout of 6 months, before sending him on his merry way to the Lakers. For basketball reasons.

 

Derozan and Aldridge gonna shoot 70 mid range shots a game and combine for 50 points

 

He’ll definitely have to change his game a bit, but I can definitely see him as a protypical Spurs player with his persona.