Official 2016 Free Agency Thread

This is embarrasing. Whiteside not even giving a meeting to the Lakers. Effin D League level talent who has value because of the dearth in the Center position is giving a big FU to the Lakers.

 

s*** I was expecting him to buy us more time.

 

Great.

 

Don't see anything about that.

 

It was on the ticker while watching LeBatard and Bomani with the old geezer in the middle.

 

he'll probably fall down trying to read it too

 

Low Angeles indeed. I didnt think things could get lower, but looks like there is a chance after tonight.

 

Damn

 

I hope Kobe talks to Westbrook every freakin day of next season. Someone must have balls big enough to try to save this franchise.

 

It's not. I just saw it on the ticker.

 

He's in Los Angeles for God's sake there's no excuse not to meet with him.

 

Maybe, but last year I thought Brandon Bass was a nice pickup who wasn't used by Boron appropriately ... or how 'bout the previous offseasons? I can't think of them all but we made some very good deals (both signings and trades) that improved the team: Ariza, Artest, Nash, CP3 (vetoed by Stern), Howard (yuck), etc.

Did any of us expect to sign Durant or LBJ? We are going to sign solid guys that demonstrate a good b-ball iq and that can teach the young guys what it means to be a professional.

Some of the names thrown out there are frankly guys I would not want. I'm with Savory about Whiteside ... no thanks.

 

Marc Spears article posted today

http://theundefeated.com/features/expect-a-happy-ending-for-okc-in-durants-free-agent-drama/

Don’t stress too hard, Thunder fans. Yes, Durant, 27, is the star of this year’s NBA free agency reality show. But barring an incredible sales job, several friends and business colleagues close to the 2014 NBA MVP expect him to return to Oklahoma City for at least another year.

“His decision is 90 percent made. It would take an amazing sales pitch to change it,” said one of Durant’s longtime friends.

Another Durant colleague said, “It’s going to take some sweet-talking to get him to pass up all the money he can get by staying in OKC.”

The Thunder can show him the most money when he and his Roc Nation Sports agent Rich Kleiman and business manager and friend Charlie Bell meet in Oklahoma City today with Thunder general manager Sam Presti and assistant general manager Troy Weaver. The formulations are complicated, but roughly, he could get $28.4 million annually in an immediate multiyear deal elsewhere versus a projected $30.6 million annually with the Thunder. If he opts for a shorter deal now and a longer one later, he could make from $32.6 million a season elsewhere to as much as $40.7 million a year in Oklahoma City.

But Durant has insisted that his decision will center on winning, and he is expected to be open-minded while listening to pitches in the hamptons from the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers on Friday, the San Antonio Spurs and Boston C Bags on Saturday and the Miami Heat on Sunday, ESPN’s Marc Stein reported. The Thunder are also hoping to meet with Durant again after his whirlwind weekend, according to Stein.

 

I know. I just wasn't expecting the Blazers to pursue him.

 

I think this is the reasonable take away, which is why certain posters, myself included, for years have been calling for Jimmie to resign, and for Jeannie to be known for more than just Phil's fiancé.

If you have employment options in your line of business where the salaries are the same or slightly different, wouldn't you choose the company that is the best fit for you and your family?

That decision has everything to do with how you feel about that company. I believe it applies to the Lakers as well. They can't just keep leveraging their history to attract people. They have to be as competent as their competitors. An image of sibling rivalry, blind incompetence and your leader being best known for dating a competitor who happens to not respect your brother just doesn't cut it. Hell, even Phil hasn't signed a nuptual contract with Jeannie after all these years.