2019/20 Players' Transactions: Breaking News , Trades, Free Agents, And Rumors

I understand that, but I'm still not worried about the Clippers. They're not going to be a legitimate threat to us in FA as long as the kids we have look good.

 

I really want to see the Rockets get Carmelo. I want to see D'Antoni work his COY magic with three ball dominant players on the court at the same time.

 

That's a big "if" to put on 3 20 year olds and maybe Randle if he's still here.

 

Of course it is. But would you rather be the guy who leads the kids back with the Lakers or play for the Clippers? For your brand? As a competitor? I'm not sure I see a single way that the Clippers have an advantage in FA. Is DeAndre Jordan that interesting to play with?

 

I didn't say the Clippers have an advantage in free agency, I said now we will be competing with them, on even ground, because they have Jerry West. This isn't the Sterling Clippers, it's Balmer, with a respected coach in Rivers, and now Jerry West. They aren't some garbage franchise in players' eyes anymore or they wouldn't have been able to get players like Speights to leave a championship team to join them to try to be part of winning there.

That's all I'm saying, the Clippers are going to be as big of a player in free agency as we are. We have to hope that Ingram, Ball and Zu turn really good really quick, and while I have a lot of faith in them, it's no guarantee. Jordan isn't amazing, but he's a bigger name than anything we have at the moment. My hope is Ball changes that immediately this year, but again, it's a lot of pressure on these kids on what will be a not very good roster. Ball can't find shooters if we don't have any for example, we have some work to do still to put him in a position to succeed.

 

I'll be honest, I just don't agree that we're on even ground. In FA? Without Paul? Right now their best player is DeAndre Jordan... I agree Ball needs to really show something, I think that's true no matter what, but I don't think there's any way that the Clippers are equal to us with or without Jerry West with the way that roster looks.

 

To me Boston is the only true, true threat here. I think Houston is a threat, but not a giant one. I think Cleveland would seriously risk losing both of them to LA and I think that's dead serious. As in a greater than 50% chance.

Boston though would mean LeBron possibly on his way out, a good roster, and repeated Finals appearances... Tough to pass that up.

 

Now that's an interesting one... What does Houston have to offer? Does Carmelo still even want out with Phil now fired?

Ryan Anderson/Clint Capela/Trevor Ariza works financially... Or does Carmelo still ask for a buy-out and head over there by himself?

 

Carmelo refused to be traded and refused a "reasonable" buy-out as well is my understanding... Could be wrong though. It's all very fresh.