then ask him to extend his contract. Otherwise we could end up like OKC if George leaves and we would have no McCollum (as well as any other assets we could give up) with nothing but a one year rental. Are you okay with that?
Let’s just for arguments sake say we only give up CJ, but receive no assurances from Kawhi that he would stay. Would you do it? I would. That’s an mvp caliber player we’re talking about. Worst case it’s a big salary dump and we set ourselves up for a reboot.
I would have to think long and hard and dig deep into the issues between him and the Spurs and definitely have to make sure his injury is indeed healed as it sounds like it could possibly be a lingering and permanent problem. What if it cost us McCollum and Collins? would you do it? What if it eventually cost us Lillard (by not re-signing a new contract) because he feels he is left on an island with CJ and Collins gone and then Kawhi gone. Lots of scenarios to play out as it's not an easy decision.
It was simply a question and only required a yes or no answer. Do you think that's a possibility (that Kawhi could walk at the end of the year)?
If it included Collins I would want a long term commitment from Kawhi. Otherwise I wouldn’t do it. I realize there are some real questions about Kawhi, but if there weren’t he wouldn’t be available. He’s one of the three best players in the NBA.
If you believe this... Then this shouldn't matter. Collins projects to me as a potential starter level player on a playoff team in the next three years. That kind of player and CJ is still never going to equal the value of a top 3 player, even if it's on a short term contract. Have to take risks. A lot of parallels to what OKC did with PG (an inferior player to Leonard). That was a risk worth taking for Presti even if it's blowing up in his face now. Granted, his subsequent Melo move is what partially drove in that stake. We'd just need to be smart in building around Dame/Kawhi.
We probably disagree in our evaluation of Collins. I think he will be special. But my concern with Kawhi goes beyond just his contract. I mean he pretty much missed the whole year with an injury he suffered the previous season. I’d still take the risk, but I’d have a limit.
There really are. CJ/Collins is very comparable to Oladipo/Sabonis. Here's to hoping the Spurs see it the same way.
Very similar, but Oladipo had a break out year but at the time, McCollum was a more valuable asset as Oladipo had underachieved up till this year. Sabonis and Collins are pretty similar though, but George proved that he was healthy again where as Kawhi hasn't done that yet. Wonder if Presti would do it again if George walks? It's definitely a risk.
Nope. I'm not against trading CJ, but this whole situation is far too messy for me to be comfortable with it. If we're trading CJ I'd rather trade him for someone else. Also: NOBODY EVER WINS TRADES AGAINST THE SPURS.
@yuyuza1 is correct, he wouldn't be eligible for the super max with any team other than the Spurs. If his camp is really plotting to get him to a larger market there is absolutely zero chance he re-signs here. San Antonio is a better run organization with a team that was thought to be contenders and he would be leaving that. Even though he doesn't have a no-trade clause he could still threaten any team with sitting out another year to get what he wants. Basically he'd be gone for sure after one year and we don't know if he'll even be able to play. He's so good that it might be worth the risk but the reality is we'd be fucked a year from now.
His camp has stated New York, Los Angeles and Philly as teams he'd accept a trade to...he wants a large market team.
My concern would be if McCollum and assets are dealt for Kawhi and then he opts out after next season, where does the team stand with Lillard? He would lose his best friend and second best player on the team and now lose Kawhi. Would Lillard still want to be a Blazer and sign another contract with the Blazers? The danger is it could snowball into some real issues and possibly a long time rebuild and lottery and hope we can get back to this position after several years. Not an easy decision. I can only imagine what this place would be like if that happened.
A trade with Portland won't happen ....Pop has stated he'll trade to the eastern conference if it comes down to that....New York Knicks or Philly more than likely
Which brings us to a potentially bigger issue, and that is that the Spurs are said to be concerned that Leonard’s camp is angling to get the 26-year-old traded to a bigger market. Popovich’s constant references to Leonard’s “group” are a manifestation of the tension between the Spurs and Robertson and Frankel that has developed over the past year, according to Spurs sources. Multiple league sources also told ESPN that the Spurs have grown worried that Leonard’s group has an ulterior motive to fray the relationship and get Leonard traded to a larger market like Los Angeles (Leonard’s hometown) or New York or Philadelphia (Robertson lives in New Jersey). One source close to general manager R.C. Buford said the longtime executive admitted to him that he’s constantly losing sleep over how and why the relationship with Leonard has disintegrated.
• It’s one of Popovich’s cardinal rules not to help Western Conference rivals, much less one with the tradition and resources of the Lakers. Popovich almost never says a bad word about another team, but he went bonkers in 2008 when Memphis traded Pau Gasol to the post-Shaquille O’Neal Lakers, setting them up for three consecutive Finals runs and two titles. “What they did in Memphis is beyond comprehension,” Popovich said at the time. “… I just wish I had been on a trade committee that oversees NBA trades. I’d like to elect myself to that committee. I would have voted no to the L.A. trade.”
