2023-24 Team Developments: Trades / Free Agents / News / Rumors / Ideas

Agreed. Besides Gordon, a guy who can pretty much only shoot at this point in his career, they picked up low level talent. Let the media celebrate and pump up the Suns all they want- fans who know basketball know what’s up.

 

I, for one, haven’t felt this good about a team in many seasons.

 

I always feel a bit doubtful until we win 60 games in the regular season or a ring.

 

Uh oh Morey

 

He's the next huge name to change teams IMO. They'll either have a disgruntled and declining Harden next season or a bunch of role players and cap space in 2024. Neither sounds awesome considering next year's free agent class is about as strong as this year's class. If Embiid ever decides to force his way out he probably ends up on the Knicks tbh. Better them than us; I like Embiid, but I have serious doubts about him playing at an elite level past the next season or two.

 

Yeah, the Knicks have been linked to him for nearly 3 years now. It's hasn't been loud, but the message has been the same from a lot of various places: if Embiid ever wants out, watch out for NY.

I'd love for Morey to be left in a pick hoarding rebuild over there without any stars.

 

interestingly, that's how morey made his name. everyone was fawning over him getting the rockets to be an 8th place team prior to the harden trade. i think the funnier thing is watching him have to deal with stars wanting out when he's always been on the opposite side of that table.

btw, if i were philly, i'd sell high on embiid. i'm not buying his newfound health (though note he still only played 66 games). and i bet you can get a MAJOR haul for him right now. i'd also want to wash the stink of "the process" off my franchise for good. thought that was morey's protege's brainchild.

 

Yeah, anything to make him squirm. So I guess I'm hoping for both. Drawn out disgruntled star season with him ultimately having to cave in to the star's demand and not get exactly what he wants this time... like he did when he got Harden for Simmons. I think that process that made him famous is tougher now though with pick retention being emphasized will be more difficult. Sure he'll get a haul for Embiid, but it won't be as easy to flip those acquired lesser pieces for additional picks.

If there's another "process" those fans might riot. Both stars there aren't happy and there's not a clear path to get better than Bucks, Boston, or even Miami. You can't hope you'll be healthier than them; you're just as likely to get stung by the injury bug.



In other news...



Said he asked around to multiple people and answer was a resounding "no." That under no circumstance will Vando get moved for Wood.

He did share his (sourced?) opinion that Wood will end up signing with us.

 

Not sure if I’m more disappointed in Quinn for not making this clearer in his initial tweet, or with the fanbase for running wild with such an innocuous tweet and acting like Vando for Wood was a real thing being considered. Feel bad for Vando because this fake trade news was all that was being discussed on Laker Twitter yesterday, hope he realizes there was no legitimate smoke there.

Some fans even ran with that tweet so far that they took it as “See this is why we shouldn’t get Wood, he’s a primadonna and trying to force the Lakers to give up Vando for him so he can make more money!”

For what it’s worth, I’ve been hearing some buzz from Cleveland fans about them being interested in Wood. And they do apparently have ~$3.6M in MLE remaining. Their front court is more crowded, but they may be the most realistic candidate to offer him more than the minimum

With Summer League over, I’ve at least come to the conclusion that while Castleton is very intriguing and I think he’ll have a successful career, he’s not close to being ready for our 14th roster spot yet. Hoping we get some closure on Biyombo or Wood this week. I get that it may need to wait for Dame trade to play out, I just hope not because I can see that dragging out for months

 

Wood is being dumb here: he's going to get very little playing time in Cleveland. Cleveland if anything needs to play smaller not bigger. Him and his agent frankly are acting like a player who doesn't want to bet on himself.

Look at how Schroeder and MOnk used the Lakers (in a good way - two way street as the Lakers got tremendous value in both) - his only competition is Jackson Hayes right now with the Lakers to get at a minimum 20 mpg as the backup C/PF. Lakers must have also noted that he would have time with AD on the court as well. Not only Schroeder and Monk but look at Bruce Brown, a good player who earns his minutes on a really good team will make bank.

 

Yeah …. I’m still on the Castleton train for look the hell out by November. Of course not “yet” and of course not “right now”. That’s 4 months of work with our physical trainers and with Chris Jent and Phil Handy away to be ready to contribute something. In the case of Woods the mere fact that Ham has shown over and over if he has ANY choice he hates playing guys that suck on defense and ALL they do is play one side of the ball.

 

He played the hell out of D'Angelo, and Lebron of course.

 

To my original point on that comment… this is just online speculation from other fans on plausible destinations based on remaining spending power lol. This is in no way an indication that Wood is actually interested in Cleveland (or that they’re actually interested in him). Not sure this is anything to call him dumb over lol

But to your point, it definitely is a different feel than the Malik Monk situation. Sure Malik likely could have waited around longer to see if he’d get offers bigger than the minimum, and he very well could have. But he quickly jumped on our offer because he wanted to be here, and was confident betting on himself that he could capitalize on the opportunity we’d provide.

 

DLO is a 1x all star and even he was on the bench when the chips were down, Dennis was playing.

With regards to Bron, please let me know when Wood is in the conversation for GOAT. I'll wait. Thanks.

 

Yeah that’s a good point. Reaves initially wasn’t signed to a two-way contract until August 23rd, and then wasn’t upgraded to a standard contract until September 27th.

Castleton very well may end up impressing enough to make the standard roster, but that’ll be dependent on him putting in the work over the next few months and impressing the veterans come training camp.

If I recall, that was what sold the FO on signing Reaves to a standard contract; once it became apparent that he wasn’t just balling against summer league guys, but continuing to hold his own against the veterans in training camp

 

So what? Dennis was playing because D'Angelo couldn't buy a bucket.
Lebron probably won't ever fall off on offense, but that has nothing to do with Wood.

I have no idea who we get, but if he can't score, he won't play much period. If Thomas Bryant silly a**, would have kept his flap shut, and just waited his turn, he could have made a difference in that Denver series. We just needed someone else, that could get some buckets. Those type of guys are always useful.

Your welcome.

 

D'Angelo after Brick was a HUGE upgrade for down the stretch after the deadline and had great chemistry with Reaves. He also helped win two of the playoff series .... Memphis and the Warriors, with some big games. When it wasn't working as well because of the problems he had against Denver shooting AND his defense the minutes got cut. He has NO choice with LeBron and Wood ain't LeBron.

 

Man D'Angelo wasn't the only guy, that stepped up against Memphis and Golden State. He did his job, he just didn’t do his damn job against Denver. It is what it is, he doesn't deserve any special flowers for that. Monk had great chemistry with Austin too.

My point remains the same, Darvin is going to play whoever can get buckets. It would be great if they could score and defend, but if you can't score, you won't play much. Especially in the playoffs.

 

We have lots of guys that can get buckets this year when LeBron is out or AD is out. Sure as **** won't HAVE to rely on Wood. If Wood can't play any D Ham's not going to want to play him if he has any other option. Of course if he's here he will get some minutes until Ham thinks the plusses don't outweigh his minuses.