THE OFFICIAL 2014-2015 NBA THREAD
- Thread starter Rasan
- Start date
There are a lot of players in any sports that care about their own legacies. We see that time and time again with players taking a lil paycut, or a smaller deal to stay on their team in hopes of a championship, or a Superbowl or whatever. Also, we aren't talking about some fringe player that has to worry about getting the best possible deal to feed his family, we are talking about LeBron fucking James who has a shit load of money, endorsement deals, etc. He will be filthy rich for as long as he lives.
I also have no idea wtf you were talking about earlier. I grew up following teams. I didn't follow individual players like I'm playing NBA 14 My Career Mode or some shit lol. After all, NBA is a team sport, this isn't an individual sport. Obviously there were my home teams I followed, and random teams that I just liked (like Sacramento when they had C.Webb, white Chocolate, Vlade, etc). I assume most people are like that as well
I also have no idea wtf you were talking about earlier. I grew up following teams. I didn't follow individual players like I'm playing NBA 14 My Career Mode or some shit lol. After all, NBA is a team sport, this isn't an individual sport. Obviously there were my home teams I followed, and random teams that I just liked (like Sacramento when they had C.Webb, white Chocolate, Vlade, etc). I assume most people are like that as well
I think LeBrons goin back to Cleveland. That's why he opted out before the draft. He didn't have to opt out til the 30th.
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Rasan and Rasan
yup. expect yet another really boring espn 1 hour lebron decision propaganda tv special. at this point u can tell the espn anchors are tired of all this lebron propaganda. its forced enthuiasm whenever lebron is covered on the 6374 daily sportscenter episode
the cavs will tank as usual once again. theyll be installed as either the #1 or #2 pick. the cavs owner is blackmailing the league and they give him either of the top 2 picks to shut up. the nba doesnt want to have the bron steroid use revealed. this black mailing needs to stop and just reveal the truth about steroid use
when the draft lottery process is secret u know theres all sorts of collusion going on. just get rid of the secrecy and hold the entire process on live television. have a non partisan and unbiased agency oversee the process. the draft lottery is just a annual season long tankathon
Dallas Mavericks acquire Tyson Chandler, Raymond Felton from New York Knicks - ESPN
The Mavericks and the New York Knicks have consummated a six-player trade that sends center Tyson Chandler back to Dallas.
The Mavericks, who immediately made reacquiring Chandler one of their priorities after their first-round playoff exit against San Antonio, completed a trade with the Knicks that was clinched by agreeing to take back the contract of New York's out-of-favor guard Raymond Felton as well.
The trade cost Dallas two starters -- point guard Jose Calderon and center Samuel Dalembert -- along with prized young point guard Shane Larkin, reserve guard Wayne Ellington and the 34th and 51st picks in Thursday's draft.
[+] EnlargeTyson Chandler and Raymond Felton
Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty ImagesThe Knicks have agreed to trade Tyson Chandler (left) and Raymond Felton to the Mavericks.
The deal was first reported by ESPN.com's Marc Stein.
Chandler is the player Dallas has missed most since it decided to let go several key contributors in free agency after the team's championship run in 2011.
Chandler, 31, wound up landing a four-year, $60 million deal in free agency with the Knicks that year, a deal that has one season remaining.
The departures of Chandler and Felton are believed to be just the start of a roster overhaul by new Knicks president Phil Jackson, with Jackson pursing as much salary-cap flexibility as he can in the hopes of convincing star free-agent-to-be Carmelo Anthony to stay.
"The journey to build this team for the upcoming season and beyond continues," Jackson said in the announcement. "We have added players with this move that will fit right in to our system while maintaining future flexibility.
"We would like to thank Raymond and Tyson for their time and hard work with the organization over the past few years."
If the Knicks keep all players acquired in the deal they will have saved $3 million in cap space for this summer but forfeited $5.2 million in cap space in the summer of 2015, when they are expected to chase big-name free agents. The Knicks are currently over the salary cap and will only be able to use trade exceptions to lure free agents this summer.
More from ESPN.com
Who won the Mavs-Knicks trade that sent Tyson Chandler back to Dallas? Kevin Pelton hands out his grades. Story Insider
Bradford Doolittle says Phil Jackson has officially begun the Knicks' makeover by trading Tyson Chandler to the Dallas Mavericks. What does that mean for Carmelo Anthony? Story Insider
Begley: Can deal help Knicks keep Melo?
MacMahon: Mavs not admitting mistake
The Mavericks will have approximately $26.5 million in salary cap space before re-signing Dirk Nowitzki to a hometown discount deal. A source told ESPNDallas.com that the Mavs' front office is optimistic that the addition of Chandler significantly increases the team's odds of successfully recruiting LeBron James or Carmelo Anthony, two superstars available in free agency.
"It makes us real players for LeBron and Carmelo," the source said, adding that pairing one of the perennial All-Star small forwards with Nowitzki and Chandler could give Dallas the NBA's premier frontcourt.
With Chandler entering the final season of his contract, the Mavs then also would be positioned to make a run next summer at another premier free agent, such as Kevin Love, Marc Gasol or Dallas native LaMarcus Aldridge.
"We think Tyson makes our defense better and we still maintain quite a bit of cap flexibility," Mavs owner Mark Cuban told ESPNDallas.com via email.
Chandler was the emotional catalyst for the Nowitzki-led Mavericks when they beat the Miami Heat in six games to win the franchise's first title in 2011.
Cuban made the much-debated decision not to offer him a long-term contract because of concerns over how the new labor deal would keep Dallas from making other moves. Chandler, who had a history of injuries, turned down a one-year deal worth about $20 million for the security of the four-year contract with the Knicks.
Chandler is going into the final season of that deal at $14.5 million, and Felton has one year at $3.8 million with a player option for another season in the same range.
Calderon just finished the first season of a four-year, $28 million contract with the Mavericks, who also signed Monta Ellis to a multiyear deal last summer. It was the first time Dallas had committed to any player beyond one year since Nowitzki signed his most recent extension in 2010.
Nowitzki will join Anthony in free agency, but he is expected to re-sign with the Mavericks.
The Knicks are getting one of the best 3-pointer shooters and a steady hand at the point in Calderon, but he sometimes sat late in close games because he was a defensive liability. He averaged 11.4 points and shot 45 percent from 3-point range last season.
Felton is coming off a trouble-plagued season that included his arrest in February in a felony gun possession case. He was expected to plead guilty in exchange for community service and a $5,000 fine.
Felton, who turns 30 on Thursday, averaged a career-low 9.7 points and saw a significant drop in his shooting percentage last season.
Dalembert had an up-and-down season in the first year of a two-year deal with Dallas, while Larkin and Ellington were used sparingly.
Larkin, the son of Hall of Fame shortstop Barry Larkin and a first-round pick a year ago, saw his playing time drop dramatically when Devin Harris returned from toe surgery at midseason.
Harris is a free agent and wants to return to Dallas, but he would like the three-year contract he and the Mavericks agreed to last year before the toe injury scuttled the deal. He settled for a one-year contract.
Information from ESPN.com's Marc Stein, ESPNDallas.com's Tim MacMahon, ESPNNewYork.com's Ian Begley and The Associated Press was used in this report.
The Mavericks and the New York Knicks have consummated a six-player trade that sends center Tyson Chandler back to Dallas.
The Mavericks, who immediately made reacquiring Chandler one of their priorities after their first-round playoff exit against San Antonio, completed a trade with the Knicks that was clinched by agreeing to take back the contract of New York's out-of-favor guard Raymond Felton as well.
The trade cost Dallas two starters -- point guard Jose Calderon and center Samuel Dalembert -- along with prized young point guard Shane Larkin, reserve guard Wayne Ellington and the 34th and 51st picks in Thursday's draft.
[+] EnlargeTyson Chandler and Raymond Felton
Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty ImagesThe Knicks have agreed to trade Tyson Chandler (left) and Raymond Felton to the Mavericks.
The deal was first reported by ESPN.com's Marc Stein.
Chandler is the player Dallas has missed most since it decided to let go several key contributors in free agency after the team's championship run in 2011.
Chandler, 31, wound up landing a four-year, $60 million deal in free agency with the Knicks that year, a deal that has one season remaining.
The departures of Chandler and Felton are believed to be just the start of a roster overhaul by new Knicks president Phil Jackson, with Jackson pursing as much salary-cap flexibility as he can in the hopes of convincing star free-agent-to-be Carmelo Anthony to stay.
"The journey to build this team for the upcoming season and beyond continues," Jackson said in the announcement. "We have added players with this move that will fit right in to our system while maintaining future flexibility.
"We would like to thank Raymond and Tyson for their time and hard work with the organization over the past few years."
If the Knicks keep all players acquired in the deal they will have saved $3 million in cap space for this summer but forfeited $5.2 million in cap space in the summer of 2015, when they are expected to chase big-name free agents. The Knicks are currently over the salary cap and will only be able to use trade exceptions to lure free agents this summer.
More from ESPN.com
Who won the Mavs-Knicks trade that sent Tyson Chandler back to Dallas? Kevin Pelton hands out his grades. Story Insider
Bradford Doolittle says Phil Jackson has officially begun the Knicks' makeover by trading Tyson Chandler to the Dallas Mavericks. What does that mean for Carmelo Anthony? Story Insider
Begley: Can deal help Knicks keep Melo?
MacMahon: Mavs not admitting mistake
The Mavericks will have approximately $26.5 million in salary cap space before re-signing Dirk Nowitzki to a hometown discount deal. A source told ESPNDallas.com that the Mavs' front office is optimistic that the addition of Chandler significantly increases the team's odds of successfully recruiting LeBron James or Carmelo Anthony, two superstars available in free agency.
"It makes us real players for LeBron and Carmelo," the source said, adding that pairing one of the perennial All-Star small forwards with Nowitzki and Chandler could give Dallas the NBA's premier frontcourt.
With Chandler entering the final season of his contract, the Mavs then also would be positioned to make a run next summer at another premier free agent, such as Kevin Love, Marc Gasol or Dallas native LaMarcus Aldridge.
"We think Tyson makes our defense better and we still maintain quite a bit of cap flexibility," Mavs owner Mark Cuban told ESPNDallas.com via email.
Chandler was the emotional catalyst for the Nowitzki-led Mavericks when they beat the Miami Heat in six games to win the franchise's first title in 2011.
Cuban made the much-debated decision not to offer him a long-term contract because of concerns over how the new labor deal would keep Dallas from making other moves. Chandler, who had a history of injuries, turned down a one-year deal worth about $20 million for the security of the four-year contract with the Knicks.
Chandler is going into the final season of that deal at $14.5 million, and Felton has one year at $3.8 million with a player option for another season in the same range.
Calderon just finished the first season of a four-year, $28 million contract with the Mavericks, who also signed Monta Ellis to a multiyear deal last summer. It was the first time Dallas had committed to any player beyond one year since Nowitzki signed his most recent extension in 2010.
Nowitzki will join Anthony in free agency, but he is expected to re-sign with the Mavericks.
The Knicks are getting one of the best 3-pointer shooters and a steady hand at the point in Calderon, but he sometimes sat late in close games because he was a defensive liability. He averaged 11.4 points and shot 45 percent from 3-point range last season.
Felton is coming off a trouble-plagued season that included his arrest in February in a felony gun possession case. He was expected to plead guilty in exchange for community service and a $5,000 fine.
Felton, who turns 30 on Thursday, averaged a career-low 9.7 points and saw a significant drop in his shooting percentage last season.
Dalembert had an up-and-down season in the first year of a two-year deal with Dallas, while Larkin and Ellington were used sparingly.
Larkin, the son of Hall of Fame shortstop Barry Larkin and a first-round pick a year ago, saw his playing time drop dramatically when Devin Harris returned from toe surgery at midseason.
Harris is a free agent and wants to return to Dallas, but he would like the three-year contract he and the Mavericks agreed to last year before the toe injury scuttled the deal. He settled for a one-year contract.
Information from ESPN.com's Marc Stein, ESPNDallas.com's Tim MacMahon, ESPNNewYork.com's Ian Begley and The Associated Press was used in this report.
Houston Rockets agree to trade Omer Asik to New Orleans Pelicans, according to sources - ESPN
The Houston Rockets have agreed to trade defensive specialist center Omer Asik to the New Orleans Pelicans in a deal aimed at clearing salary-cap space to chase LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony in free agency, sources told ESPN.com.
More from ESPN.com
Who won the Rockets-Pelicans trade that sent Omer Asik to the Big Easy? Kevin Pelton hands out his grades. Story Insider
In exchange for Asik, the Rockets will receive the Pelicans' 2015 first-round draft pick. The Rockets also will include $1.5 million in cash as part of the deal.
This maneuver by the Rockets also sets up the team to trade point guard Jeremy Lin, which would open up enough cap space for the Rockets to make a run at James and Anthony.
Asik is going into the last year of a three-year contract where he will earn $15 million as part of a balloon salary Houston gave him in a complex deal in 2011.
Asik averaged 5.8 points and 7.9 rebounds last season when he became a backup after Houston signed Dwight Howard. Asik asked for a trade last summer and was on the market during the season but the Rockets couldn't find a deal they liked.
The Pelicans have been on the lookout for a center to play alongside young star Anthony Davis since last season.
The draft pick included in the deal has protections. It will go to the Rockets if it falls between picks 4-19, sources said.
The trade cannot be finalized until after Thursday's draft because of league rules.
Information from ESPN.com's Jeff Goodman was used in this report.
The Houston Rockets have agreed to trade defensive specialist center Omer Asik to the New Orleans Pelicans in a deal aimed at clearing salary-cap space to chase LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony in free agency, sources told ESPN.com.
More from ESPN.com
Who won the Rockets-Pelicans trade that sent Omer Asik to the Big Easy? Kevin Pelton hands out his grades. Story Insider
In exchange for Asik, the Rockets will receive the Pelicans' 2015 first-round draft pick. The Rockets also will include $1.5 million in cash as part of the deal.
This maneuver by the Rockets also sets up the team to trade point guard Jeremy Lin, which would open up enough cap space for the Rockets to make a run at James and Anthony.
Asik is going into the last year of a three-year contract where he will earn $15 million as part of a balloon salary Houston gave him in a complex deal in 2011.
Asik averaged 5.8 points and 7.9 rebounds last season when he became a backup after Houston signed Dwight Howard. Asik asked for a trade last summer and was on the market during the season but the Rockets couldn't find a deal they liked.
The Pelicans have been on the lookout for a center to play alongside young star Anthony Davis since last season.
The draft pick included in the deal has protections. It will go to the Rockets if it falls between picks 4-19, sources said.
The trade cannot be finalized until after Thursday's draft because of league rules.
Information from ESPN.com's Jeff Goodman was used in this report.
I wonder if the Celtics will trade Rajon Rondo to the Kings now as was rumored since they just drafted Marcus Smart.
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Rasan and Rasan
the nba draft lottery is rigged really bad. if it wasnt rigged when the player gets drafted he would go up to the podium to get his team hat. the players fake all this enthuiasm when they get drafted. that whole ceremony is just a scheme to keep the fans thinkin the nba does everything by the book smh
The sixers will be good in 2/3 years when those injured players get healthy
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Rossibreath and Rossibreath