For those who might not be able to tune in, I will try to blog as much of it as I can keep up with here.
Could be like the draft when Mannix et al were in their studio while Woj was locked in a bunker with his many phones and laptops
I stopped listening to that shit. The people in the studio were annoying. Woj is a total dork. There's a reason why he's not behind the camera more.
Per Woj: 36% of the NBA is a Free Agent at 9:01....holy crap! OKC is Durant's 'likely' destination but he will still take his scheduled meetings.
Durant - Golden State has the best chance to move him from OKC. The players recruited him all year long and they will continue to be aggressive with him throughout the entire process. The Clippers are still in the mix. Durant likes LA, is close with CP3 and is enamored with Steve Balmer.
Tampering fans: Joakin Noah is talking to Durant about going to NY even though he hasn't signed with the Knicks yet.
Getting the message right is paramount. What San Antonio did last year with Aldridge is a great example. Nobody came in and dropped rings on the table. They didn't make promises. They talked about the future and how LaMarcus would fit in there. What is important to Durant is 'winning'. (they go to Bobby Marks so Woj can check his phone)....back to Woj. Durant has been pursued by Rose, Carmelo and even Joakim Noah to try to persuade him to come to NY. They are a long-shot at this point. He likes visiting NY but isn't sure about living there. The dysfunction has been a problem but they are starting to turn it around. He is not convinced the Knicks are of championship level if he walks in the door.
Al Horford - he sees himself as a 'max' contract player and that would be for around $150 million for 5 years. ATL doesn't think they are for sure to get him back. Boston and Houston have meetings set up with him and that is creating unease in Atlanta. Their recruitment of Dwight Howard is centered around getting Horford back.
Horford is a loyal guy and a big part of the community. He will try to get a deal done but he sees himself as a 'max' player and there are several teams willing to offer that. If ATL would offer him that for 5 years, $150+M, he would probably stay in Atlanta.
(Marks) Miami is currently without any cap space. Wade is at a $30M cap hold and what he gets will determine the rest. The big question is how does Bosh fit in. If Whiteside is off the board, can they get Horford....Howard?
Hassan Whiteside: Woj: He is focused on Miami and Dallas and Dallas has become the front-runner. Miami has lost some traction but it's not a done deal. There is some concern about what will happen if he were to get a 'max' deal. Some other teams share that same concern but Whiteside is the best of what is out there. Dallas is going to be super aggressive in trying to sign him and there could be something agreed to shortly after midnight. Marks: Major concerns as Miami has rehabilitated him on and off the court. The worry is what happens when that carrot is no longer dangling in front of him.
How did we go from "one of three teams with a meeting" to not even mentioned by Woj in just a few hours? No tampering my ass.
Durant: After he meets with the 6 teams, he will stay in the Hampton's and make a decision probably by Monday. The only way it takes longer is if someone really turns his head from what he is thinking now. Presti fears the Miami presentation of Mickey Aronson and Pat Riley. If Whiteside were to stay in Miami, they want Wade to take less. Wade is not thrilled with that if it's Whiteside. If it's Durant, he might be willing to take less but probably not for Whiteside.
Nick DePaula on Durant's shoe contract impact. DePaula is a former Duck and shoe deal aficionado. Nike wants him to be on a team that can contend and get to the Finals. If Durant were to go to GS, it might impact Steph's impact with Under Armour.
