Around the NBA - July 2017 Edition

We would've had to match salaries.

 

I have a feeling that Parker might be on his way out. His injury was not simple and does not bode well for a player his age with his mileage.

 

We couldnt have absorbed his salary. Maybe coulda traded ezeli but thats not very valuable to Minny as straight cap relief + pick

 

Spurs would have to jettison Green for cap space and get Gasol to return for not much money. The LaMarcus contract is really dragging them down. Heh

 

Let's hope UTA loses Hayward. Rubio REALLY needs to play next to someone who can shoot - and handle the ball. I actually think he would have been OK in MIN next to Butler. The problem with Rubio has always been you can't have the ball in his hands late in the game, but he's useless on offense if he doesn't have the ball in his hands. With Butler, you can run the offense through him in late game situations, but leave Rubio in for defensive purposes.

Obviously, MIN had their eyes on a bigger prize. It would be weird if they picked up Rondo, now that he's been bought out. MIN would become CHI north.

BNM

 

I have a bad feeling Thibs wants Rose as the PG for the Wolves. Good for the Blazers thought if he makes that mistake.

 

At this point, Rose would be a good back up PG, but as a starter, no thanks.

I'd love to see Thibs fuck this up, but unfortunately, he's no David Kahn and MIN's ownership seems to be behind him.

I hate to see MIN get better, as a division rival, but on the bright side, UTA is probably going to get worse, after their one, brief season in the sun.

BNM

 

I don't get why Minny hate Rubio so much. He plays great defense, he played really well the second half of the season, and they have a ton of shooters (even more now with Jimmy Butler) that need the ball. Rubio can hit the open 3, too, so he can be like Mavs Jason Kidd.

 

So they replace Ricky Rubio who's an amazing passer and great defender but poor shooter with...Rajon Rondo?

 

I never expect much when it comes to the Blazers anymore unless it's something to do with the draft and youth.

 

We have a nice opportunity to jump Utah and the Clippers in the standings now. I still think Minny is worse if they don't get a good point guard upgrade like Hill or Lowry.

 

Does this sound like a good fit for a Terry Stotts offense?:

"Rubio is a selfless guard who looks to get his teammates involved. Unfortunately, his inability to shoot from the perimeter lends itself to defenders sagging and eventually helping on others. As a result, Rubio becomes a rare offensive liability at times, despite his passing wizardry."

https://www.sbnation.com/2017/6/30/...-timberwolves-kyle-lowry-nba-free-agency-2017

 

They say Teague is a heavy favorite to replace Rubio. Hill would be a much better fit in my opinion. Teague is not really an upgrade over Rubio in my opinion.

 

It would be nice to pass them by being better rather than doing so because their best players leave. Oh well, guess it is something. I'm almost positive T-Wolves have a PG lined up if they traded away Rubio.

 

Well obviously Thibs was not impressed with Rubio or he would still be in Minnesota. My guess is he does not see Butler as a shooter, but more as a scorer who needs the ball in his hands. Not a good fit next to a PG who can not shoot. Lowry would be a good get for the TWolves

 

So does that mean they expect George Hill to leave or that they don't want to pay him?

Utah needs more shooting... Rubio doesn't make much sense from a fit standpoint unless he's backing up Hill.

Timberwolves create cap space... I predicted that Teague would go there and it certainly looks possible.

 

We wouldn't have been able to get Rubio because the whole point was Minnesota reducing salary.

Are they going after Hill or Teague now?

 

Aren't there some KO'Q fans around here?

 

Please please please please please please please give me Kyle O'Quinn.

I'd be offering Crabbe and Leonard for Lee and O'Quinn.

 

San Antonio