NBA 2020 Offseason Thread

Cavs have a real winner:

Cleveland Cavaliers’ Kevin Porter accused of punching woman in downtown Cleveland, police reports say

 

Alt take: Between that and Bogdan, the Bucks ought to be able to prove once and for all that Giannis is overrated.

 

It's odd that people are clamoring to get out even after the coach and GM both walked.... but this seems very, very unlikely to me.

 

Current NBA subplot that I don't begin to understand:

Gordon Hayward asked for, and was granted, a two day extension to decide whether to take up his option in his Celtics contract. The deadline was today and is now Thursday afternoon. The player option is for $34 million dollars for the 2020-2021 season. He is rumored to have some interest in going to Atlanta.

If I am Gordon Hayward this is not a consideration. $34 million? Are you insane? Is there a team in the league dumb enough to give him half of that? I mean, even Atlanta can't be that dumb.

 

“We’d still take Trae over Luka” is a position the Hawks seem like they’d still take, in 2020.

So, maybe?

 

He's not worth $34M, with his injury history. But, some team might be stupid enough to give him like, $60M for three years, or $20M/per. I also think it isn't anyone's "fault," but his fit in Boston is no longer as clear as when he first signed. Brown and Tatum should be getting almost all of the touches and minutes on the wing. I imagine for both sides, there is an incentive to see if they can do a sign-and-trade of some sort with his next team, vs. him opting in and being almost untradeable at $34M.

ETA: Regarding what Hayward could get yearly if he opted out, it's a good question. Here are the 2019 FA and where they ended up. I can't remember who first said it, but with FA, I believe the saying is, "All is takes is one asshole." Harrison Barnes got $20M/year. Kelly Oubre, Danny Green, Bobby Portis and Trevor Ariza were in the $13M to $16M range.

 

Everything you say about Hayward and the Celtics is correct and it's too damn bad. There were moments when he, Brown and Tatum were clicking together and those were beautiful to watch. Unhappily, there were many more moments where they clogged each other up for sequences that usually ended in hilariously optimistic three-point attempts.

 

There were still people paying for tickets in 2019.

 

I think that 29 teams would prefer to watch Hayward prove he can consistently contribute and stay healthy from afar and on Boston's dime, especially with revenue visibility being what it is for this year. Can't blame him if he wants out, though. Even if things were just ducky with his teammates and coaches, that fella just needs to start fresh elsewhere.

 

Again, all it takes is one asshole. Not every owner is Tilman Fertitta.

 

Morey shaping the roster already, trading Horford to OKC