Can't believe the Lakers might get Bruce Brown for $12.4m and we're probably going to get Dillon f*cking Brooks for $15m+ per season. Ridiculous.
•The closer free agency draws, the louder rumblings become that James Harden will re-sign with the Philadelphia 76ers. There’s been a recent belief that Harden could command an average annual salary of $40-45 million per year on a short-term deal from the Sixers after previously taking a discount with the Sixers to help the team land PJ Tucker. •Fred VanVleet, 29, is poised to draw significant interest from the Houston Rockets, who are more unlikely to land James Harden in free agency as the days pass. With Houston prioritizing short-term deals for elevated salaries, there’s been a strong belief VanVleet could garner a two-year, $80-plus million deal, as Marc Stein recently noted. The Raptors would prefer to do a three-year deal with VanVleet closer to the $90-100 million range, league sources told HoopsHype. •Jakob Poeltl is expected to receive strong interest from the Raptors, Spurs and Rockets in free agency, league sources told HoopsHype. There’s a belief around the league that Poeltl could command around $20 million annually and could end free agency with a deal in the ballpark of three years, $20 million, according to NBA executives who spoke with HoopsHype. •For Houston, Brook Lopez has been a primary target on a short-term deal for an elevated salary, but his preference has always been to remain with Milwaukee should the offers be comparable in the high teens to $20 million average annual salary range. Poeltl would be a younger option who would fit the timeline of the team’s young core and provide the defensive presence Houston is seeking at center. It’s also worth noting VanVleet and Poeltl worked effectively together as a pick-and-roll tandem in Toronto. With both players linked to the Raptors and Rockets, playing together could appeal to them going forward. Winning is also expected to be an important factor in Poeltl’s decision. •Donte DiVincenzo could land a new contract worth somewhere around the non-taxpayer mid-level exception and is drawing significant interest around the league from several teams, including the New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons, New Orleans Pelicans, Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic, and Chicago Bulls, league sources told HoopsHype.
I remember Bruce Bowen with the Nets and we is a average player who plays with a lot of effort. He plays as a wing but he is only 6’5. He had a awesome postseason, but he is not a great player. Gabe Vincent had a great postseason but people think he can be Kyrie Irving with more opportunities….
Poetl is an excellent rim protector and decent finisher. I don't mind a him on a 2-3 year deal. Our defence would exponentially increase just having him back there
I want Lopez, Poeltl does not have a 3 point shot. If we take Poeltl and FVV from Toronto they are going to be pissed! Toronto Raptors management on Friday evening.
All right! Way to go Jalen! Now can you PLEASE go back online and talk some major trash about Dillon Brooks?
This may be the most tinder, er, tender moment I have seen on a basketball court, and I was around for magic and Isiah.
Woj Christmas Day: Harden could go back to Houston Iko: He’s strongly considering coming back! He’s coming back! 70% he’s coming back! Personally I think he’s coming back! Iko last 2 days: Houston was never offering him the contract he wanted Harden was never coming back for a discount Harden was “offended” by Jalen Green
There's the 2 years vs 4 years thing (although Brown should be tradeable on a MLE), there's the likely aspect that you have to overpay to lure him here over the Lakers And then there's the potentially biggest aspect in that Brown is 6'3 200 pounds, while Brooks is 6'5 220. With FVV, Jalen, TyTy and KPJ being around 6'4 and under, being all around 200 or fewer pounds, the Rockets likely want a bigger player who can match up against heavy wings. Brooks apparently really bothers the Lukas and Tatums, according to Grizz fans. Brown isn't taking those matchups Also, free agency hasn't begun
In other news lead free agent James Harden turns his back on the City of Houston for a second time due to the words of a 21 year old. When we return, we will discuss the potential for 130 degree days in Houston by 2027 due to the bad actions of the Rockets front office.
