2018 Free agency talk/rumors

A conversation with Isaiah Thomas

Before finalizing the agreement with Denver, Thomas had reached out to Boston GM Danny Ainge. They talked for 15 to 20 minutes, Thomas says, and he told Ainge: "If the opportunity is there, I would just like to let you know that I'd love to come back."

Ainge says his mind was open to the idea, but the Celtics needed to work through Marcus Smart's restricted-free-agency discussions before they could consider making an offer to Thomas. Ainge was willing to continue the conversation, but Thomas accepted the Nuggets' offer before Boston had reached its new deal with Smart.

"S---, I'd have gone back," Thomas says. "I don't hold grudges."

Interesting read on the whole. If Thomas can stay healthy, he should be in for a bigger payday next year.

What a doormat.

Dirk signs for his 21st season with the same team. That record may never be broken

The way players move around these days, it'll be tough. Some big names who are likely to play that long are already out of the running.

heh, and after all that "he might bail to LA!" when they got him

Forward Kevin Love was "very excited and obviously humbled" after signing a long-term extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday. Terms were not announced, but league sources told ESPN that the four-year, $120 million extension tops out his overall deal at five years, $145 million.

...

He took $8 million less than his full max as general manager Koby Altman worked with Love and agent Jeff Schwartz to keep some salary cap flexibility for the Cavaliers on the back end of the deal, when his maximum annual salary could've been in the $35 million range, league sources said.

https://twitter.com/KingJames/status/10 ... 9438134272

Indeed. The one guy expected to bolt is the one left standing.

Vince to play on another season... with another lottery team:

Vince Carter has agreed to sign a one-year, $2.4 million deal with the Atlanta Hawks.

It's nice to see him offering up his veteran leadership and looking to be a positive influence on young teams that need guidance. He can still play too, so it's a shame the Bulls couldn't get him for a year as they rebuild. At the same time, it's a bit unfortunate to see him bouncing around the league as he enters his 21st(!) season. We saw the same thing happen with Paul Pierce when he left Boston, though admittedly Vince has had longer stops with the Mavericks and Grizzlies in recent years. This is going to be his eighth team though, and third in as many seasons.

That video of LeBron playing with his son on the Lakers in 2k got me thinking. His son is 13 now and by the time his contract is up, junior will be around that age to make the jump to the NBA. If he's a top rated prospect by then, I could see him forgoing college for a chance to play with his dad. LeBron will be a free agent free to sign with whichever team junior gets drafted to

LeBron left the Cavs so the team will have that amount of money to give to Kevin Love.

LeBron always assisting his teammates on and off the court.

At the same time, it's a bit unfortunate to see him bouncing around the league as he enters his 21st(!) season. We saw the same thing happen with Paul Pierce when he left Boston, though admittedly Vince has had longer stops with the Mavericks and Grizzlies in recent years. This is going to be his eighth team though, and third in as many seasons.

At least Pierce was going to playoff instead of lottery teams.

A contender wouldn't throw the same amount at this guy? Maybe he wants zero pressure or something.

A for effort.

At least Pierce was going to playoff instead of lottery teams.

A contender wouldn't throw the same amount at this guy? Maybe he wants zero pressure or something.

Yeah, but if Vince did that, he'd probably get called a ring chaser. Either way, his decision would be criticised. I'm sure there are contenders that would gladly take him on at the money he's signing on for, but he seems more interested in being a mentor on a rebuilding team. I can respect that, though if he did want to play for a contender, I think that would be appropriate too.

The 3 remaining players who had started their NBA careers in the 90s all played on the Mavericks in the calendar year in 2011. Ginobili was also drafted in 1999 but didn't come over immediately.

Cool trivia note. Although he hasn't signed on anywhere yet, last I read Jason Terry plans on playing another year.

At least Pierce was going to playoff instead of lottery teams.

A contender wouldn't throw the same amount at this guy? Maybe he wants zero pressure or something.

Yeah, but if Vince did that, he'd probably get called a ring chaser. Either way, his decision would be criticised. I'm sure there are contenders that would gladly take him on at the money he's signing on for, but he seems more interested in being a mentor on a rebuilding team. I can respect that, though if he did want to play for a contender, I think that would be appropriate too.

Yeah; at his age, it's a God-given right to chase rings.

Hawks are completing their buyout of Melo. He should be signing with the Rockets within the next 48 hours or so.

Not worth a thread really so will put it here. Pelton win projections: http://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_ ... ms-2018-19

East:
1. TOR (55-27), 2. BOS (53-29), 3. PHI (48-34), 4. IND (46-36), 5. MIL (45-37), 6. MIA (45-37), 7. WAS (44-38), 8. DET (39-43)
9. CHA (38-44), 10. BRK (37-45), 11. ORL (34-48), 12. CLE (31-51), 13. NYK (31-51), 14. CHI (28-54), 15. ATL (26-56)

West:
1. GSW (59-23), 2. UTA (53-29), 3. HOU (53-29), 4. DEN (51-31), 5. MIN (50-32), 6. OKC (47-35), 7. NOP (44-38), 8. POR (42-40)
9. LAL (41-41), 10. SAS (39-43), 11. LAC (36-46), 12. MEM (33-49), 13. DAL (32-50), 14. PHO (27-55). 15. SAC (25-57)

Is Wade still available? He was rumored going to China?

I don't think he's decided yet. I believe there's also still mutual interest in remaining with the Heat.

Still think staying with Miami would be good for him, legacy and family-wise. Even with just a bench vet role and the usual vintage wade every 15-20 games. God knows Miami needs leadership.

Since when was Wade a leader? At his best he's still a sidekick.

He took charge in the 2006 Finals.

He took charge in the 2006 Finals.

damn right he did. should have won a fucking oscar for his acting performance

damn right he did. should have won a fucking oscar for his acting performance