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https://theathletic.com/3139321/2022/02/...ed-article

Lebron made a lot of passive aggressive comments against the Lakers this weekend. Further drives home he might ask out at the end of this season. 

1. He called the Lakers’ lackluster campaign a “hell-storm of a season” — a true statement that is reflected in their 27-31 record and the fact that they’re fighting for a spot in the play-in tournament (that he once chided) at this point. He lauded all sorts of out-of-nowhere praise on Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti, a move that came in response to a question about Josh Giddey. It was curious at best and passive-aggressive toward Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka at worst.

2. He raved about Cavs general manager Koby Altman, highlighting all the draft picks and trades that have sparked his old team’s renaissance without him. As anyone who paid attention during his Cleveland exit four years ago, this newfound penchant for promoting Altman’s acumen was most assuredly not part of his politics back then.

3. James tweeted about Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead on Wednesday, celebrating his t-shirt that read “Fuck them picks.” This isn’t Da Vinci Code-level stuff, folks. It’s quite clear that James isn’t thrilled with the way the Lakers’ season has been handled so far.

4. In case anyone forgets, James made it known heading into the Feb. 10 trade deadline that he believed the Lakers’ roster needed some reshuffling. When the Lakers were routed by Milwaukee at home that night, trailing by as many as 24 points in the first half and losing 131-116, he declared that the Lakers weren’t on the defending champions’ level. Yet again, it was an accurate but direct statement that reflected his sober outlook on the Lakers’ state of affairs.


From Amick's article.

After a lot of bad decisions, the Lakers are doing all the right thing.  While he still puts up numbers, LeBron is:  37, has lost his robot/alien status as he is often dinged up and really only plays on one side of the ball.  When the rest of your money is tied up in a superstar who only cares about stats and a generational talent who can't stay on the floor, you can't "fuck them picks" to appease LeBron and even if you did, you'd be doing little more than shuffle the deck chairs on the titanic.  There is little chance of digging out of the hole they created  and transforming that roster to a contender  quickly.  If they want help in the offseason, and if I'm the rival executive, I'm demanding their two future firsts and with no protections.  I don't think the Lakers are dumb enough to do that, so I think James will play elsewhere next season.

p.s.  I know a lot of rightful grief gets thrown around about the Westbrook/Buddy decision (2.0), but I really don't see the team being much, if any, better with Hield.  While they could use more outside shooting, they could use a ****ton more defense and that's not Buddy's calling card.

(02-20-2022, 03:13 PM)cow Wrote: [ -> ]After a lot of bad decisions, the Lakers are doing all the right thing.  While he still puts up numbers, LeBron is:  37, has lost is robot/alien status as he is often dinged up and really only plays on one side of the ball.  When the rest of your money is tied up in a superstar who only cares about stats and a generational talent who can't stay on the floor, you can't "fuck them picks" to appease LeBron and even if you did, you'd be doing little more than shuffle the deck chairs on the titanic.  There is little chance of digging out of the hole they created  and transforming that roster to a contender  quickly.  If they want help in the offseason, and if I'm the rival executive, I'm demanding their two future firsts and with no protections.  I don't think the Lakers are dumb enough to do that, so I think James will play elsewhere next season.

p.s.  I know a lot of rightful grief gets thrown around about the Westbrook/Buddy decision (2.0), but I really don't see the team being much, if any, better with Hield.  While they could use more outside shooting, they could use a ****ton more defense and that's not Buddy's calling card.

The only play for the Lakers this offseason for immediate improvement is trading Anthony Davis. Their path to improvement will start there if they can somehow net something useful out of it which I seriously doubt. 

I was talking to my buddy that actually works for an NBA team and there are rumblings that Lebron may try to figure out a way to get to Phoenix via the Ayton departure to play with his buddy Chris Paul.

(02-20-2022, 03:13 PM)cow Wrote: [ -> ]p.s.  I know a lot of rightful grief gets thrown around about the Westbrook/Buddy decision (2.0), but I really don't see the team being much, if any, better with Hield.  While they could use more outside shooting, they could use a ****ton more defense and that's not Buddy's calling card.

I think the Lakers would be MUCH better if they just did the Hield deal (which supposedly was Kuzma+Harrell) because they wouldn't have had to let Caruso or KCP go.

Caruso/Hield/KCP is 10x better than the old home people they got instead.

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(02-20-2022, 04:44 PM)Omega_Supreme Wrote: [ -> ]I was talking to my buddy that actually works for an NBA team and there are rumblings that Lebron may try to figure out a way to get to Phoenix via the Ayton departure to play with his buddy Chris Paul.

The Lakers getting Ayton for Lebron would be the craziest timeline and I hate it.

(02-20-2022, 04:51 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: [ -> ]I think the Lakers would be MUCH better if they just did the Hield deal (which supposedly was Kuzma+Harrell) because they wouldn't have had to let Caruso or KCP go.

Caruso/Hield/KCP is 10x better than the old home people they got instead.

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The Lakers getting Ayton for Lebron would be the craziest timeline and I hate it.

I still think they let Caruso walk in favor of THT but fair point on KCP.  At any rate, it's a great example of role players mattering for a championship roster.

(02-20-2022, 04:54 PM)cow Wrote: [ -> ]I still think they let Caruso walk in favor of THT but fair point on KCP.  At any rate, it's a great example of role players mattering for a championship roster.

The thing is they would've been able to afford both! Westbrook makes double of what Hield makes. LAL could've given Caruso and THT both of their contracts and then some. 

But I'm very happy they listened to LeGM and shot themselves in the foot. Lakers missing the playoffs would be hilarious.

(02-20-2022, 05:07 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: [ -> ]The thing is they would've been able to afford both! Westbrook makes double of what Hield makes. LAL could've given Caruso and THT both of their contracts and then some. 

But I'm very happy they listened to LeGM and shot themselves in the foot. Lakers missing the playoffs would be hilarious.

Caruso offered them a discount to stay so they could have retained him even with Westbrook.  I just don't think they valued him and thought THT was ready to take a leap.

A leap that hasn't shown any fruition as of now.

(02-20-2022, 08:01 PM)Kammrath Wrote: [ -> ]https://twitter.com/TheSteinLine/status/...3854875648

I don't think this will knock the Suns from the top seed.  Plus, CP3 will be rested for the playoffs.

CP will be missed, but they have more than enough to hang on to the top seed. I mean, I don't see them falling apart and losing 8 games in a row. They have a 6 game cushion over GS.  GS, Memphis, and maybe Denver are their only threats IMO when they're all healthy.

Steph going ham at the AS game with 15 3's and 45 pts.

(02-20-2022, 01:29 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: [ -> ]I think that's a realistic probability. Mostly because we've seen Lebron do this time and again. He orchestrates his way to a perfect situation. Strangleholds said team into spending literally all their assets to get "his" guys to win now. And then orchestrates his exit as soon as the team is bled dry and isn't performing. It's the Lebron Cycle. Sure it might get you a championship, it'll just cost you 5-10 years in rebuilding. 


With that said, I can see Lebron trying to force his way to make another super team. Maybe the Warriors since they have all those young guys.

What perfect situation has he orchestrated himself into?   The Miami thing was all 3 deciding to play together and he was a FA when he joined them and when he left them. Other than the first year he was the best player on that team.  

Cleveland had Kyrie but ir was not like they were a great team. He carried that team as well. 

Lakers had started to get some young talent but we all laughed when Bron went there. AD played well but again Bron was the centerpiece. 

When you are that good, come in shape year after year and always give your team a chance to get a title you will have a lot of clout. However he has not been like Ben Simmons or some other player who has asked to be moved out.  

As for the winning one title and then leaving the team in poor shape, what have the Mavs really done after that title run. Are many teams and GMs building up great talent bases?  In this day and age, most owners and fan bases should be ready to go all in and get a title and be ready to suck than just be mired in a mediocrity treadmill. Sure the best case scenario would be lucky enough to have a dynasty but I will take one championship and 5 years of mediocrity. Heck we have had one championship and a decade of mediocrity. Is there a Bron holding us back?  Mia parted ways because Riley didn’t want Bron to have all that control. While they have managed to put a good team together until they win a title they are no better off than a lower team. Tor went all in for Kawhi. Do you believe they have regrets? 

I understand Bron is a polarizing figure but there are a lot of poor owners and GMs.  If you are a transcendent talent and you are bringing your A game every season then I don’t have a problem with him dictating a lot of things. Don’t forget the clown show that the Lakers front office and ownership was a after Jerry Buss’s demise and when Kobe was fading away.

(02-20-2022, 10:51 PM)hakeemfaan Wrote: [ -> ]What perfect situation has he orchestrated himself into?   The Miami thing was all 3 deciding to play together and he was a FA when he joined them and when he left them. Other than the first year he was the best player on that team.  

I mean Lebron and Wade decided to team up. The plan was to get Carmelo originally but he signed his full max extension. Bosh followed Wade and Lebron's suit of doing only a 3+1 deal. I would say teaming up with 2 other all-stars in their prime in an unprecedented fashion is orchestrating a perfect situation. Miami was by far the favorites to win that year and were the villains for a reason. As for the Lakers, he orchestrated the AD trade. It wasn't a secret that Lebron wanted him. I mean look at the Game of Zones parody episodes of Lebron and AD "tampering". 

(02-20-2022, 10:51 PM)hakeemfaan Wrote: [ -> ]Cleveland had Kyrie but ir was not like they were a great team. He carried that team as well. 

Lakers had started to get some young talent but we all laughed when Bron went there. AD played well but again Bron was the centerpiece.

My problem with Lebron isn't that he carries the team. He of course is going to carry the team. He's been a top 3 player in this league the last 15 years. My issue is that he creates the easiest situations for himself to win. He tailor makes the team he signs with. He forced CLE to trade their 1st pick in Wiggins for Kevin Love before he arrived. He made CLE trade for Shumpert+JR Smith. He made them give Thompson a max extension. He wanted the front office trade all of their picks to fix their depleted roster in 2018 (that he created for) one last run. They declined because he wouldn't commit to resigning. Ring familiar? Because it's literally exactly what's happening for the Lakers. 

My problem with Lebron is that the guy is talented enough to win without these crutches but he refuses to do so because he always wants to take the easiest path. That's why I have no respect for Lebron and what my main point was in bringing up the "Lebron Cycle"

Sure winning a championship is always worth the cost of the Lebron Cycle. But I wasn't critiquing the teams bending to Lebron's will. I was critiquing Lebron for having to create the easiest situation for him to win in. Something literally NO other star in the history of the NBA has ever done. Literally none. It makes him unique among the NBA greats. He ushered in this player merry-go-round era where the best stars switch teams every 3 years as soon as the going gets tough. 

I don't find it a surprise that as soon as Lebron doesn't have the absolute perfect team they lose in spectacular fashion and/or miss the playoffs entirely. That's why I have no respect for Lebron and his "Lebron Cycle"

@"SleepingHero". We just disagree totally that Bron creates the easiest situations for himself to win and that’s why I gave specific examples of his journey.  He didn’t go to a 70 win team after they beat his team. He made that Lakers and  Cavs team into champions.  

As I wrote you can criticize him for pulling strings and then leaving the team later.  However that is up to the mgmt also. Riley stood firm.  If you ask Cleveland every fan would take that championship even if it meant a decade of mediocrity.  However even Cleveland is back to being pretty good again.  It is not as if Bron put them in a hole they could not get out of.    If you told the Lakers fans that you would get one title out of the Bron years but you would have to lose Kuzma, Ingram, and Lonzo they would have taken it given how that franchise was floundering 

There are a lot of poor owners and GMs.  Many teams are going through years of ineptitude and there is no easy scapegoat like Bron to point to and say that he caused us to crater.  If you ask me as a Mavs fan that Luka can call all the shots and we can win one title but that Luka might leave and the team will suck for years, I will take it.  Given our mgmt the last two can happen anyway. So why not at least have a title to show for it?

(02-20-2022, 01:40 PM)omahen Wrote: [ -> ]This of course brings the inevitable question. Would you pay (lets say) two FRP for one year of LeBron? Is he good enough to bring Dallas over the top?

Pros:
- As long as Luka doesn't seriously injure himself, Dallas has a team set that could allow LeBron to more or less rest through regular season. There is enough depth even if THJ and SD are outgoing as matching salary
- LeBron is LeGM - good players will sign for vet minimun when he is around
- huge marketing boost
- could resign after the season and he might have a couple of more good seasons left

Cons:
- short term gamble. If it doesn't work, Mavs are further away
- could leave after first season

It is tricky.    Even a 15% less version of the current lebron is interesting.   Wouldn't he be exactly what we were missing?  I know...no joke idiot....he is probably first/second team NBA.   It could be very exciting.  Have him as the PF type we have all been talking about. 

Although there is a lot of questions.  He is going to cost a lot...picks and salaries.    What happens when he is no longer a top 25 player.   There is always drama.   Will he ever take a secondary role?  

I think with Kidd and Luka, Dallas would be somewhere near the top of the list.    

It isn't going to happen, but got me thinking at least.  I don't think it will be Cleveland...I don't think.  I could totally see this being a Pat Riley move where we look in 6 months and they have Lebron.

Injuries are inevitable, the question is only with whom will they happen. I am very unhappy with luka minutes, as they practically shout for injuries. And after him we have Brunson, who is ok and Dinwiddie, who is not ok yet. And thats it, our most nevralgic point. I think gm should find another pg, be it dragic or whomever. JUst in case. And it will not hurt.

New Danny Leroux article out looking at Summer 22 cap room.  Dallas is one of 10 teams (1/3 of the league) that is into the tax and can only spend the TP MLE of $6.3mm.  Doing so is VERY expensive for most of these teams, none of which is close to the tax line that a small move would get them under it.

Cap Space Teams include:

DET:  $30-$35mm depending on pick and TO's on Diallo and F. Jackson.  He mentions "elite RFA's like Miles Bridges" as a target

ORL:  Up to $30mm in space depending on what they do with Mo Bamba.  His Cap Hold is probably more than he's worth.

SA/POR:  Both can get to $35mm if they say goodbye to talented contributors like Nurkic, Hart and Walker IV.  More likely they spend modestly.

IND:  New to the game after Sabonis deal.  Can get to $20-$24mm if they let TJ Warren Walk.  More likely to stay over the cap and us the MLE.

MEM:  $16-$18mm if they move on from K. Anderson and Tyus Jones.  The only solid playoff team with room.

He projects 8 teams to be over the cap, but have enough wiggle room under the tax to offer the full $10.3mm MLE including ATL, HOU, MIN, NYK, OKC, SAC, TOR and WAS.  It isn't a great year to be a FA.

Probably the most interesting note had to do with OKC:


"The Thunder technically have until July 1 to use $31 million in salary-cap space for signing players or making trades before the league year turns over, including draft night.  As my colleague John Hollinger detailed, Sam Presti still has the ability to take on a huge contract like Tobias Harris — or even Russell Westbrook — in an imbalanced trade, presumably for a massive return. That said, a move like that probably pushes the Thunder temporarily into the 2022-23 luxury tax, though Presti would have the time and resources to get under it before that actually matters."



Dallas could take this approach with THJ and our 22 pick after the draft but before 7/1.  They could also do this after 7/1 with Detroit or Orlando or any team with $19.6mm in cap room.  Too bad that last year isn't a TO.  Removing THJ and the pick from the roster leaves Dallas at 14 players and $1.98mm under the tax (enough room for a Vet Min and still be under the tax).  I say that mainly to illustrate the numbers.  Such a move does generate a TPE, but it would be VERY expensive to use.  

Given the tight finances around the league, I suspect a lot of player movement will be by trade.  My hope, given that other teams had interest in THJ for four years last summer, is that he's still an asset for three years at $19.6mm, $17.9mm and $16.2mm.  Adding a pick to an asset should yield a better asset.   

https://theathletic.com/3136578/2022/02/...offseason/