NBA 2013-2014

[MartyFunkhouser]

I think that speaks well for LeBron that he's able to get past that, show thick skin and go play where he wants, taking less money, to play for the city, his teammates and the fans, in spite of the knucklehead owner.

I hate to say good things about Bron Bron, but this is spot on.

[smokymountainrain]

Wiggins for Love? In a heartbeat. Love is a proven commodity and is ready to win now. Wiggins hasn't played a second in the league and hasn't played an 82 game season in his life. Who knows how he will turn out. Win now.

Definitely. They have to move Love and getting a #1 overall pick, another good young talent and perhaps a future #1 might be about as good an offer as they will receive.

[TripletDaddy]

If SAS signs Pow they will repeat for the first time ever.

[TripletDaddy]

So now that Lebron is done, Im guessing:
1. Bosh to HOU
2. Melo stays in NYC
3. Wade goes back to MIA and gets a suspiciously max deal for someone of his poor health, declining skills, and advancing age.
4. Pow goes to SAS
5. LAL hires Byron Scott to coach another roster of one year deals

[smokymountainrain]

So now that Lebron is done, Im guessing:
1. Bosh to HOU
2. Melo stays in NYC
3. Wade goes back to MIA and gets a suspiciously max deal for someone of his poor health, declining skills, and advancing age.
4. Pow goes to SAS
5. LAL hires Byron Scott to coach another roster of one year deals

I agree with every one of those, but #4. I just don't see Gasol playing in SA. If that happens, even if Cleveland does get Love, SAS has to be the heavy favorite to win it all.

Also, I give Pat Riley about 2 more years, max. I just don't see him going through another rebuild and being in the basement for the next 4-6 years.

[The_Douger]

Wasn't Gasol pretty hot and heavy with the Thunder? I haven't heard anything about htat for a bit.

[TripletDaddy]

hot and heavy. lol. that was a great episode.

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

Sounds like the Lakers are getting Jeremy Lin. Maybe they can get Ariza back.

[Jacob]

Sounds like the Lakers are getting Jeremy Lin. Maybe they can get Ariza back.

Just looking at their salaries. That Lakers have 4 players under contract. How is it they didn't get more than a whiff from all the marquee free agents? I thought they could get anyone they wanted. Well, if Kobe is out again, at least Lin will put up big numbers. With Kobe...less likely. Guess they should have taken a shot at Hayward.

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

Just looking at their salaries. That Lakers have 4 players under contract. How is it they didn't get more than a whiff from all the marquee free agents? I thought they could get anyone they wanted. Well, if Kobe is out again, at least Lin will put up big numbers. With Kobe...less likely. Guess they should have taken a shot at Hayward.

Do they throw money at Greg Monroe and Bledsoe? Or give second tier guys massive money on 1 year deals (I. Thomas, Deng) to try to make the back end of the playoffs, while still being able to be the biggest free agent landing (again) next year?

[TripletDaddy]

This years Xmas Day game between the Lakers and the Heat is going to be epic!

[smokymountainrain]

This years Xmas Day game between the Lakers and the Heat is going to be epic!

[MartyFunkhouser]

The Chicago Bulls are gauging interest with free agent Dwyane Wade, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 11, 2014

I guess Riley's challenge to the Heat players wasn't received that well.

[TripletDaddy]

Sweet. Wade and D-Rose....the all-Knee Brace team. Which one is going to get injured first?

[Jacob]

I didn't realize that the salary cap had been pretty flat since 2009. Now there was a big jump of over 7% this year, or $3.5 million. This results in every team under the cap having an additional $3.5 million to spend. And, since most teams spend it all every year, you'd expect salaries to rise. In the case of teams like the Hornets or the bobcats, they decided to use the entire extra $3.5 million on a single player. Thus, Gordon Hayward and Chandler Parsons get paid approximately $3.5 million per year more than they would have received had they been on the market last year. Probably. This is the simplest explanation I can come up with, besides the fact that teams always seem to offer more than fans think players are worth.

Assuming the cap continues to rise, a max contract signed this year will be a smaller and smaller burden on the team paying it. But, next year's max will be higher than this year's max, etc.