Free agent talk

[Crow]

There really isn't a realistic way for Chris Paul to improve his title chances by moving. He takes the most money and stays.

Lowry probably moves. Ibaka fairly likely too.

Darren Collison will get a lot of interest. Who wins his services? Does he insist on starting?

What do the Nets try first, second and third and what works?

I don't have a feel how likely it is Blake Griffin moves but it will be real interesting if he does.

Greg Monroe is worth considering.

A good number of free agents #20-#50 will get less than they expect but there will be almost as many overpays.

[shadow]

Woj thought Spurs would pursue Chris Paul before the season started. With Parker facing a long rehab process, it seems even more likely they'll make a play for him. Obviously Clippers can offer him more money, but he may care more about winning at this point in his career. Spurs are in much better position to beat Golden State than the Clippers.

[Crow]

I haven't thought about that much. My initial reaction is that I just don't see it happening. A sign n trade or multiple prior Spurs trades might make it interesting but I am having trouble thinking of Pop and RC moving mountains to get, live with and ride him.

[jgoldstein34]

Most of the reporting I've seen on the Spurs says they'll go after CP, but if/when they don't get him they'll go after George Hill.

I think Lowry stays if he gets the max or close to it, lot of money to pass up even if winning a chip is top priority. I agree that Ibaka is probably gone, think he just gets too expensive relative to what the Raptors think he's worth.

I don't see Blake leaving, seems to really enjoy LA. I think the Clippers could be wise to let one of CP or Blake leave and gear the team around whoever they keep. Both have always been better when the other isn't playing and it could help free up some space to get real role players on their bench.

That being said, I'm really interested to see what Redick gets. I can see a team badly overpaying for him. I've seen a lot of reports that the timberwolves might be interested, but I think he's certainly gone from LAC.

What do people think the Hawks should do? I'd say blow it up and try and rebuilding around Dennis Schroder, though that seems pretty doomed too. They're not really in a good spot.

[Crow]

They should probably change almost everything. Let Milsap and Schroder go. They probably should have traded them, not signed Howard or Bazemore, etc. I'd have to look further to form a full plan. It comes down to going for a title shot for real vs. looking respectable / good. If they want a title, burn it down and work for 5-7 years.

[Rd11490]

They should probably change almost everything. Let Milsap and Schroder go. They probably should have traded them, not signed Howard or Bazemore, etc. I'd have to look further to form a full plan. It comes down to going for a title shot for real vs. looking respectable / good. If they want a title, burn it down and work for 5-7 years.

This is all true, but it will never happen. The hawks are like the 4th or 5th most popular team in the Atlanta market, the majority of the fanbase would abandon ship after a single season of tanking, hell the local media barely covered them this year as a 5th seed. This is a team that will happily ride on the treadmill of mediocrity.

[jgoldstein34]

This is a team that will happily ride on the treadmill of mediocrity.

My question would be, are they even riding the treadmill of mediocrity if they bring everyone back? Without Schroder getting a lot better, they are only going to get worse from here. Being locked in to Milsap for the next few years while he declines and having a lot of money on Howard while he declines may not be a playoff team going forward. If they tried to make trades to jump start a rebuild, would they really be able to get any good assets for anyone? I really don't see them having a future either way the next few years, so may as well start the rebuild now even if it will cause the fans to flee. If they can build a good team the fans will come back, plus rebuilding now probably positions them to better be ready when LeBron is gone.

[Crow]

Reasons CP to San Antonio doesn't seem likely to me:

1. It is supposed to be Kawhi's team
2. Pop & CP equals too many generals?
3. If Aldridge couldn't handle Lillard, how is he going to react to Paul?
4. Spurs going to give him $175 million at his age on top of other old guys? Pay tax and eventually repeater tax?
5. Why would CP want to go there with that age and then watch the bench drift away for non-payment?
6. Is he going to get a title there? I doubt it. What place in Spurs history is he going to get? 6th? 7th?
7. Disrupt the family and marketing ties now and future?
8. Spurs going to go from unselfish, quick, broadly distributed passing to a super ball control PG?

[jgoldstein34]

I would agree with your CP to SAS take. It would be a really cool fit to see and I know Pop and CP respect each other a ton, but it seems like it would limit Kawhi a bit. I think George Hill is a much better fit because he's less ball dominant, but can run the team when needed.