Anthony Davis Trade Demand

By the way, Giannis projected super-max deal that he could sign for the Bucks next summer is projected to be 5 years and 247 million. That's 90 more million guaranteed than he can get elsewhere (the most he can get is 4 years and around 160 million). 

I want Giannis to be the Robin Yount/Aaron Rodgers of the Bucks - HOFer that only plays for one team. Aaron Rodgers and Yount are the only other guys in the last 40 years that will fit that category for Wisconsin professional sports teams. 

This sort of thing is what has driven me and many others away from the NBA.  The NBA needs to be careful with having all of their players ending up with the glamour franchises.  It is never good for a sports league to have all of your teams pretty much out of it and only 3-4 have any shot at a title.

The Heckler posted:

This sort of thing is what has driven me and many others away from the NBA.  The NBA needs to be careful with having all of their players ending up with the glamour franchises.  It is never good for a sports league to have all of your teams pretty much out of it and only 3-4 have any shot at a title.

I agree. Although having 3-4 having a shot is better than this year. By adding Cousins to what was already one of the greatest teams in history, if the Warriors stay healthy no one else has a chance. During one of the telecasts last week, the announcers were laughing about the fact that teams have to defend Cousins one on one in the post and he probably hasn't had single coverage since he was in elementary school. He's been one of the top 10 players in the NBA and now if you double him you leave Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, or Kevin Durant wide open. 

It also shows how quickly things can change.  A year ago, the Pelicans were the darlings of the NBA.  They had 48 wins and swept their first round series against the 3 seed Blazers.  

Fast forward to this year and they have been arguably the most disappointing team in the league.   That’s how stuff like “I want to be traded” comments will take shape.

I’m not overly concerned at this point with Giannis because unlike New Orleans the Bucks have a lot to be excited about - a new coach, a new arena, and ownership group committed to winning, etc.   As long as Milwaukee invests the resources to field a competitive team I think they have a real chance to keep Giannis around.  If he changes his mind, well, that would suck but they should be able to secure a Kings ransom in a trade. 

I caught that comment the other night and immediately thought that they can laugh about that but that isn't necessarily a good thing.  Great if you are a Warrior fan I guess.

Tschmack posted:

It also shows how quickly things can change.  A year ago, the Pelicans were the darlings of the NBA.  They had 48 wins and swept their first round series against the 3 seed Blazers.  

Fast forward to this year and they have been arguably the most disappointing team in the league.   That’s how stuff like “I want to be traded” comments will take shape.

I’m not overly concerned at this point with Giannis because unlike New Orleans the Bucks have a lot to be excited about - a new coach, a new arena, and ownership group committed to winning, etc.   As long as Milwaukee invests the resources to field a competitive team I think they have a real chance to keep Giannis around.  If he changes his mind, well, that would suck but they should be able to secure a Kings ransom in a trade. 

 

The thing that changed the Pelicans fortunes was Cousins tearing his Achilles. With Cousins and Davis, they have 2 of the top 12-15 players in the NBA and Jrue Holiday is a very good third guy. That team has a punchers chance of beating anyone. Cousins grew up in the South (Alabama) and went to Kentucky - he was predisposed to like New Orleans and sign an extension. Once the Achilles happened, the Pelicans understandably didn't to shell out 200 million and they essentially lost him for nothing. Without the second star, it was just a matter of time before Davis wanted out. 

New Orleans isn’t a basketball town.  While it may have the French Quarter it’s not exactly an NBA destination nor does it have any kind of heritage or legacy that would appeal to most players. 

Basically, you have a handful of teams that control the free agent market: 

1) Lakers 

2) Heat 

3) Knicks 

4) Warriors 

5) Celtics 

If Chicago gets good again they can be included and maybe Philly and Houston are in that mix as well. Perhaps the Spurs also. 

The common themes?  Those teams are typically in appealing (big) media markets, have decent weather, and/or have won multiple championships. 

That will always be a challenge for a place like Milwaukee. 

Tschmack posted:

New Orleans isn’t a basketball town.  While it may have the French Quarter it’s not exactly an NBA destination nor does it have any kind of heritage or legacy that would appeal to most players. 

Basically, you have a handful of teams that control the free agent market: 

1) Lakers 

2) Heat 

3) Knicks 

4) Warriors 

5) Celtics 

If Chicago gets good again they can be included and maybe Philly and Houston are in that mix as well. Perhaps the Spurs also. 

The common themes?  Those teams are typically in appealing (big) media markets, have decent weather, and/or have won multiple championships. 

That will always be a challenge for a place like Milwaukee. 

I'd add the Clippers and Nets as well. They don't the history that the Lakers and Knicks do, but they are obviously in the same markets.

MichiganPacker2 posted:

Without the second star, it was just a matter of time before Davis wanted out. 

 

The same, or similar,  jeopardy exists with Giannis. Things can change in a hurry as pointed out with the Pelicans.  To think the hope was that Jabari would be that "second star" seems like such a long time ago.  

Its rare in today's NBA to have the success the Bucks are having as a One Star team. Golden State, Toronto, Philly, Oklahoma City, etc...all have several alphas on their teams...unlike the Bucks. Good role players, yes, but Giannis is the only star. 

As for the Pelicans, they better not screw this up or it could be the beginning of the end for them in NO. Seattle is hoping  they do mess it up !!! 

The Bucks were headed to Seattle had the stadium deal not passed.  I’m convinced of it.  

If you are the Pelicans you want 2 things: 

1) value in terms of a draft pick or draft picks 

2) young players that are under team control for a while and/or players that have contracts expiring to free up room to sign good free agents 

This is where trading him to the Lakers makes no sense.   As long as LeBron is there they will probably be a borderline playoff team and if they add Davis that makes them a top 4 seed easily.   As a result, the draft pick or picks will not be in the lottery which dramatically decreases the value of the pick(s).   Getting a replacement player like Davis outside of the lottery is a pipe dream.  

Then there are the assets.  I like Kuzma the best but he’s no star in the making.  Lonzo Ball is totally overrated as is Ingram.  Those are really the only assets worth anything to trade to New Orleans. 

If the Pelicans want to maximize value then clearly its Boston that has the most to offer.  But they also have leverage in that unlike the Lakers or other teams they don’t have to make a trade and are pretty damn good with their current group.  This is problem when players or ADs agent demand a trade.  Unless a team panics (which could happen with LAL) it virtually assures they will not get back equal value in return.  It didn’t happen with Jimmy Butler and it won’t happen here. 

I have seen some interesting perspective on this- one from Matt Velasquez about the Bucks swooping in for Jrue Holiday. If NO deals AD, they need to go into full tank mode- and a salary dump. Holiday has 2 years $26M/yr plus a $27M player option. Holiday will not be interested in staying... this could be had for a lot less. Perhaps Snell + Middleton + picks could be enough. Or maybe add Maker for Mirotic- he would be an interesting fit, if they could match up the money somehow.  

All over Twitter tonight is that the Bucks have or soon will present a package. Their assets on the floor are solid. Draft assets not so much. Just future picks. 

The Lakers can offer Ingram and Kuzma and picks- and maybe Zubac- all are really talented but havn’t quite figured it out yet. 

I know it’s a really really long shot. Brogdon and Middleton and Maker plus picks. To me that’s the deal. And the one thing about Maker that makes his future interesting to me... his actually a pretty charismatic dude. The crowds love him, and he’s love them back. He would get a chance to spread his wings in a place that’s tanking, and that might actually make him good. I know he’s not getting better now on the bench. I still think he could be pretty dynamic on the right team. 

Tschmack posted:

This is problem when players or ADs agent demand a trade.  Unless a team panics (which could happen with LAL) it virtually assures they will not get back equal value in return.  It didn’t happen with Jimmy Butler and it won’t happen here. 

And who is AD’s agent? It’s the same as Lebron’s... Paul, who works for Lebron’s owned but not owned ( ) agency... but you know, there’s absolutely no collusion in the NBA. I mean, it’s just a coincidence that the guy who represents both makes the public statement now, before the deadline, because the only team with enough serious leverage to make a deal this season has one of those players, who also happens to own the agency. If the NBA allows this shit to go down, I’m close to being done with the league. 

But maybe they’ll go all David Stern/Chris Paul to the Lakers this shit and put the kabosh on it. AD was already fined $50K for the tampering. Maybe the compromise is letting AD go to the Bucks for the next year plus (like when the Clippers got Paul instead), the Bucks get their shot, then he leaves for LA. Or the Bucks get him, win it all, then leverage him this summer to the highest bidder... say for Jayson Tatum. Then add Beal the next season. 

If you’re creative, there’s all sorts of options coming very soon. 

Meanwhile, the Bucks won last night!

First time they have ever swept the season series against Detroit EVER... 

On pace for 60 wins 

Coach Bud 

Story's out that the AD camp is saying that other teams will get AD through next season only- that he’s going to the Lakers and that’s it. 

This torpedoes any “wait and see” this summer with Boston, who would have plenty to offer. Scares away anyone else, like the Bucks or anyone that could at least offer future picks on the off chance AD pulls a Paul George and stays. 

Its Lakers or bust, now. 

Actually, it doesn’t change much IMO 

The Pelicans hold his rights for this season and next.   They don’t have to trade him to LA.   Their best move is to wait and deal him to Boston even for a 1 year rental.  Either they get a top pick or a good young player like Jaylen Brown. 

By the way, how did that work for Paul George?  And hes from LA!  The arrogance of the Lakers to assume players would just flock to them and they blew it with George. 

For a team like Milwaukee it could be worth dealing him for this years playoff run and next year.  They would have two chances in the postseason.  

For New Orleans, they are best off not dealing him to LA as they probably have the least amount to offer.   Sure he can go there as a free agent in 2 years, but LeBron ain’t getting any younger and it’s not like his surrounding cast is that great. 

Honestly, if I’m AD and want to go to LA it might be the Clippers.  They land Kahwi or another stud and that team is much better off than the Lakers.  Or go to the Knicks and team up with Durant.  

It would be different if King James was 28 but he’s not.  He’s only going to regress as they all do.  Malone, KG, even Duncan.  Father Time is undefeated. The Lakers and their myopic fans don’t get it.  Their window is closing quickly. Unless AD gets there now - it’s going downhill.  And if you are New Orleans why panic especially when you know Boston is sitting there with better options? 

Honestly, the team that should go all in is Houston.  They were willing to deal multiple picks for Butler, and those picks might mean something in 2-3 years when Paul and some others move on.  Could you imagine Harden and AD combo?  Wow.  And their GM is bold enough to make a big offer. 

Agree on Houston going all in. New Orleans could do worse than getting 5 years of Clint Capela and two years of Eric Gordon for Davis at this point. And Houston gets to have Davis, Harden, and Chris Paul for two playoff runs. 

That’s a decent deal for both... might have some legs...

And of course the Lakers are lowballing tbe Pelicans.  God they are so full of themselves.  If you are LAL you are going to have to deal MULTIPLE draft picks like 3 or more.   Kuzma and Ball and one 1st rounder?  Nice try. 

I would love another WC team like Houston swoop in and steal him away from LA.  Contrary to popular belief not everyone wants to play for you just because you are the Lakers.  God they are annoying. Maybe worse than the Yankees and Cowboys. 

It's not often I root for the Lakers but God damn! I wanted them to beat Boston & THEY DID!!

http://www.nba.com/games/20190207/LALBOS#/video

Thank you Rajon!!

So Lasry gets hit with a 25K tampering fine for referencing Anthony Davis in an article someone wrote yet LeBron can comment all he wants with no recourse?   Did David Stern come back as commish?  

The Rich Paul - Klutch Sports Group is the key to the LeBron tampering stuff. Rich Paul - a buddy of LeBron's since 2002 started it a couple of years back. The NBA investigated whether LeBron was a part-owner and found no evidence for that a couple of years ago, but it's likely LeBron plays a big role in it. As soon as a guy signs with Klutch, the odds that LeBron is playing a role go up astronomically. For now, the only Bucks player that is a client is Eric Bledsoe. If Giannis ever signs with them, we know he's on his way out of Milwaukee. Anthony Davis and Ben Simmons are both clients. 

Nothing to see here.....

https://bleacherreport.com/art...thony-davis-comments

Boris posted:

Nothing to see here.....

https://bleacherreport.com/art...thony-davis-comments

If they fine Lasry for saying this (from the article Boris linked):

So we hope it would be players like Anthony Davis and others who want to come to Milwaukee."

Then then also need to fine Mark Cuban for drafting Giannis' brother and then activating him only for the two games they played the Bucks (he was ill and didn't end up active last week). Magic Johnson should have run up about 10 million in fines right now. Seriously, Lasry gets fined for saying he hopes good players want to come to Milwaukee? Would they rather have him say that he doesn't want too many good players to come to Milwaukee because he doesn't want to deal with the luxury tax?

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/...s-regard-ben-simmons

No tampering here!!

Magic Johnson has been running his mouth since he got his gig in the front office. How he hasn’t gotten fined for tampering I have no idea. 

Because he's Magic Johnson - Hey, how about this from the Knicks....Nawwww.....no tampering here!! Just a coincidence Durant is in this photo along with Mitchell Robinson (who!??!) Complete coincidence!! It's since been taken down from the Knicks website but not from the internet!!

Knicks are asking season ticket holders for renewals by Feb 28 and using this image to get them to opt in. @IanBegley @SBondyNYDN @Schmeelk @TommyBeer pic.twitter.com/Rz3oPZnZMW

— Paul (@Paul_HQ) February 10, 2019

Just for clarity - here's some equal time for the Knicks.

NYK statement on deleted Kevin Durant photo: ‘Game action photos are used all the time for marketing purposes but given everything going on, we took the precaution of taking the photo down. To be clear, it was one of several rotating photos on the website’ https://t.co/5pmOVxw0pm

— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) February 11, 2019

Yes I'm certain the photos were "rotating"

Nothing to see here....no tampering whatsoever. Surprised they didn't show a pic from Cleveland/Warriors Finals with Kyrie AND Durant in it with Mitchell Robinson sitting courtside.

Boris posted:

Just for clarity - here's some equal time for the Knicks.

NYK statement on deleted Kevin Durant photo: ‘Game action photos are used all the time for marketing purposes but given everything going on, we took the precaution of taking the photo down. To be clear, it was one of several rotating photos on the website’ https://t.co/5pmOVxw0pm

— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) February 11, 2019

Yes I'm certain the photos were "rotating"

Nothing to see here....no tampering whatsoever. Surprised they didn't show a pic from Cleveland/Warriors Finals with Kyrie AND Durant in it with Mitchell Robinson sitting courtside.

I'm surprised they didn't use the Mitchell Robinson/Durant picture and then superimpose a big screen in the background showing Zion Williamson dunking (or that insane block from earlier this week).

Here’s why I don’t think Giannis will ever consider joining LeBron... Kobe Bryant. 

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Giannis worked out with a retired Kobe and not a playing LeBron. When he turned down Lebron, he mentioned that he doesn’t want to work out with someone he’s competing with. Who else was like that? Kobe. And I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that Kobe has been in Giannis’ ear all this time, saying “**** Lebron, do it on your own.” 

Kobe loves that he has 5 rings and Lebron only 3. Kobe loves that head to head, he usually got the best of Lebron. And now, he doesn’t want Lebron to add to his legacy by roping in another superstar. I think that’s all totally plausible. 

Giannis has been influenced by a guy who bucked the NBAAU buddy system of star collaborations and now I’ll bet dollars to doughnuts Kobe is trying to influence and keep Giannis away from Team Lebron. Can Giannis then influence Davis or other stars and play Lebron the way Kobe did?