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

My take, great deal for SAS and I give credit to Pop for getting great pieces and not helping out the WC and the LAL. Good deal for TOR based on what I think will happen.

My prediction, TOR will try to convince Kawhi to stay after a deep EC run and if he won't then convince him to a S&T after next season to LAL. TOR doesn't have the qualms dealing with LAL the way Pop and SAS did and they can get some pieces for their one year rental. I think they can convince him by simply saying hey look, give is your all for one year and we'll talk about staying but listen we don't have a problem making deals with LAL or LAC so let's do our thing for one year and see what happens.

 

This reeks of punishment. I love it. Send his ass to Canada! He did say he was concerned about his healthcare in San Antonio...

 

Well, it's in Canada, which roughly translates to 'little villages in snow' in 'Murican.

 

refs? he wasn't getting any benefit from that last i saw

 

I think Harden gets more calls than Lebron.

 

i actually believe he does also

 

Never rooted for the Lakers in my life, but if you want to label me as one because you want to take the easy way out of not debating with me intelligently then that is your prerogative. The Spurs were only perennial contenders when they had a combination of prime Duncan, Ginobili, Parker, Pops, and Kawhi. Now they only have Pops. LMA and DeRozan aren't going to get you back to those heights.

I'm including the Lakers because they are going to have the refs on their side, and Lebron and Rondo make a difference. They aren't going to beat GS either, but they will be closer than the Spurs are going to be trying to pin their star on DeRozan.

 

If you refuse to play out a contract, I feel like you should be banned from the league for a period of time.

 

Does this look right for a depth chart?
Will Gasol start?
Is Manu retiring?

SAS
Dejounte Murray / Patty Mills / Derrick White
Marco Belinelli / Lonnie Walker / Brandon Paul
Demar DeRozan / Rudy Gay
LaMarcus Aldridge / Dante Cunningham
Jaokb Poeltl / Pau Gasol / David Bertans


Solid team, but we're better.

 

Very glad he isn't directly gonna no to the Lakers. One more year for Lebron to get old.

But honestly I'm surprised they didn't want Ingram when he is so full of potential.

 

derozan waited his whole life for lebron to get out the east.

soon as lebron goes to the lakers, derozan gets traded to the spurs.

alexa play "i'm upset" by drake.

 

Spurs really did a fantastic job on this. I am not sure any GMs could of done it better.

My only thing is Philly should of offer fultz for Kawhi as they have the inside medical scoop and a chance to retain Kawhi with two up and coming stars.

Then again maybe Phily knows as something that we done know...

 

I'm not insinuating what happened prior...here. That's a different subject.

I am pointing out that if it is true what you say that Pops traded out of spite for a lessor deal in order to screw Kawhi, that is not something other GMs or Rudy/CD would have done. Other GMs don't screw themselves for vindictive reasons. Hell, CD/Rudy traded #33 to a legit contender situation (Port was a WCF team the year before #33 arrived) where he had a ring in his grasp, until he choked that 4th Q,16-pt lead away. That doesn't "reek of spite" to me. In fact, points more to that was likely our best deal.

If Pops traded Kawhi out of spite

• in a "likely lessor deal"
• in order to "give KL the middle finger", then I don't understand why you'd say
• "Good for Popovich...this isn't how you handle business on the part of Leonard,"

The way you put it, it's not how you handle business on the part of a GM, either.

 

Lebron now that he's a Laker will get some calls, just like the whole team will.

 

Relevant.



On a more serious note, I think both sides accomplished what they needed, although its unclear if the Spurs would have gotten a better package from the Lakers with first round picks since they never shared specific details (cyberx!?).

Spurs: Got rid of the Diva and obtained a very pop-friendly player in Derozan. High IQ, skilled shooter with a great work ethic and focus. He can fit into pop's militarian style of coaching and although hes overpaid and not a superstar, he will at least help make the spurs relevant until they get another star.

Toronto: Essentially they will be clearing up cap space, as KL has every intention of leaving next summer. DG is a great expiring contract, but is also a solid player who is worth keeping at the right price - and this is a chance for them to show how great of a city Toronto is. There are a ton of great FA's coming in the next few summers (especially 2019) so this will allow them to make a play with Derozans contract off the books.

 

Kawhi Leonard about to be exposed as a #1.

He isn't going to lead the Raptors to the Finals against the Celtics without the structure/coaching he had in San Antonio.

 

and i said lebron hasn't been getting much benefit. and at this point doesn't seem likely to change

 

I guess since we are all throwing opinions around the proof will be what happens next year.