2022 NBA Off-season

[Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15]

Yeah…there ain’t a snowball’s chance in hell Zion doesn’t sign the extension. Stars rarely do not sign an extension, even if they’re unhappy.

Now, Zion may be unhappy. But he’ll sign. And if the Pelicans start winning, he’ll be happier.

Pelicans are gonna be decent next year. Possibly very good.

[Kdogg]

Well, seeing as New Orleans holds matching rights to him, he can't really sign elsewhere. Now, he could make them miserable and demand a trade, the way AD and other big stars have done when they want to go to a new team. But, at the moment both Zion and the Pels are saying the right things to each other. Most folks expect them to sign him to a max extension this summer, which would be worth approx. $186 million over 5 years (exact number depends on the cap and on whether Zion makes an All-NBA team). The extension would kick in at the end of this coming season and would put Zion under New Orleans' control until summer of 2028, when he would be 28 years old.

He can’t sign anywhere else because he’s not a restricted or free agent. He will be a restricted free agent next year if he doesn’t sign an extension.

[JasonEvans]

He can’t sign anywhere else because he’s not a restricted or free agent. He will be a restricted free agent next year if he doesn’t sign an extension.

Sorry if I was not more clear but that is exactly what I meant when I said, "seeing as New Orleans holds matching rights to him, he can't really sign elsewhere."

Additionally, I don't think Zion wants to be the rookie phenom who bailed on his hometown team after spending 2 of his first 3 seasons mostly injured and useless. It would be a really bad look and could permanently damage his image across the league.

[Phredd3]

Additionally, I don't think Zion wants to be the rookie phenom who bailed on his hometown team after spending 2 of his first 3 seasons mostly injured and useless. It would be a really bad look and could permanently damage his image across the league.

I don't understand this. Zion was born in North Carolina and played middle school through high school ball in South Carolina. New Orleans isn't his home town team as far as I can tell. Further, given the professional nature of the league, I think there is basically zero chance that Zion would take any kind of permanently damaging mage hit trying to get himself into his preferred situation.

I think Zion will sign a max extension because it is the right economic thing to do, and that's pretty much the beginning, middle, and end of the story. Also, I'm not entirely convinced he's unhappy there to begin with.

[budwom]

I don't understand this. Zion was born in North Carolina and played middle school through high school ball in South Carolina. New Orleans isn't his home town team as far as I can tell. Further, given the professional nature of the league, I think there is basically zero chance that Zion would take any kind of permanently damaging mage hit trying to get himself into his preferred situation.

I think Zion will sign a max extension because it is the right economic thing to do, and that's pretty much the beginning, middle, and end of the story. Also, I'm not entirely convinced he's unhappy there to begin with.

But will the Pelicans offer a genuine max extension? From what little I've bothered to read, they have said that they definitely want to sign him to a long term deal, but are wary of a max deal given his health issues. https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/...-easy-decision

as this article states, David Griffin says they'll offer him a "big money" extension but want some kind of protection given the health issue..so this could be interesting.

[bundabergdevil]

I know KI trade speculation is rampant but I will be a little amused if he ends up back on a team with LBJ.

[budwom]

I know KI trade speculation is rampant but I will be a little amused if he ends up back on a team with LBJ.

It does seem implausible. I still root hard for Kyrie (as much as he soiled the sheets in Boston which was painful to watch) but his rep has taken something of a beating and I'm not sure how many teams want to cast their lot with him for megebucks at this point. A short term deal for big money seems very plausible, but a huge long term deal does not. Will he really pass up, what, $37 million for another year in Brooklyn where equally brilliant but also equally testy Durant awaits?

[superdave]

I know KI trade speculation is rampant but I will be a little amused if he ends up back on a team with LBJ.

I think the Kyrie thing has to happen in Brooklyn for a few reasons. First, if Kyrie leaves, Durant likely asks to be traded. Brooklyn cannot risk that.

Second, there's so little cap space out there, and none of it places where Kyrie would opt out and sign as a free agent. I guess the Knicks could get there, but that doesnt make much sense for him to join that roster.

Would Kyrie sign for the mid level? That's the wildcard and the easiest way for him to get to a different team. However, would he turn his back on KD? Is any new team a better spot than Brooklyn?

My guess is Kyrie re-signs with Brooklyn for 3 years with some games played incentives.

[tommy]

I think the Kyrie thing has to happen in Brooklyn for a few reasons. First, if Kyrie leaves, Durant likely asks to be traded. Brooklyn cannot risk that.

Second, there's so little cap space out there, and none of it places where Kyrie would opt out and sign as a free agent. I guess the Knicks could get there, but that doesnt make much sense for him to join that roster.

Would Kyrie sign for the mid level? That's the wildcard and the easiest way for him to get to a different team. However, would he turn his back on KD? Is any new team a better spot than Brooklyn?

My guess is Kyrie re-signs with Brooklyn for 3 years with some games played incentives.

Full-on diva season. Wish there was an Ignore button for the whole thing.

[elvis14]

Well, seeing as New Orleans holds matching rights to him, he can't really sign elsewhere. Now, he could make them miserable and demand a trade, the way AD and other big stars have done when they want to go to a new team. But, at the moment both Zion and the Pels are saying the right things to each other. Most folks expect them to sign him to a max extension this summer, which would be worth approx. $186 million over 5 years (exact number depends on the cap and on whether Zion makes an All-NBA team). The extension would kick in at the end of this coming season and would put Zion under New Orleans' control until summer of 2028, when he would be 28 years old.

Sorry if I was not more clear but that is exactly what I meant when I said, "seeing as New Orleans holds matching rights to him, he can't really sign elsewhere."

Additionally, I don't think Zion wants to be the rookie phenom who bailed on his hometown team after spending 2 of his first 3 seasons mostly injured and useless. It would be a really bad look and could permanently damage his image across the league.

Thanks for the correction Jason, I was under the false impression that he was a UFA. My main point, however was that the so called 'fans' of the Pelicans are not good to Zion online.

I think Zion has done what he can and both sides do seem to be saying all the right things (despite the 'fans' constant cheeseburger references).

For me, I'm a Zion fan and really hope to get to see him play a lot next season. I think the Pelicans have some good guys there...especially CJ McCollum and hope that adding Zion will make for a team that is fun to watch and successful. Too bad they are not in the east a GSW/Pelicans final would be great!

[Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15]

Thanks for the correction Jason, I was under the false impression that he was a UFA. My main point, however was that the so called 'fans' of the Pelicans are not good to Zion online.

I think Zion has done what he can and both sides do seem to be saying all the right things (despite the 'fans' constant cheeseburger references).

For me, I'm a Zion fan and really hope to get to see him play a lot next season. I think the Pelicans have some good guys there...especially CJ McCollum and hope that adding Zion will make for a team that is fun to watch and successful. Too bad they are not in the east a GSW/Pelicans final would be great!

I disagree. I think that Zion seems to recently be making all the right moves. But his stark silence through most of last season allowed both fans and detractors to fill in their own narratives. I'm extremely pleased that he seems to be back on top of his message now through social media, interviews, etc.

I hope he has learned a valuable lesson about dealing with the public. It isn't as important as getting healthy and staying fit, but as someone in the public eye, it's somewhere on that list.

[cato]

Would Kyrie sign for the mid level? That's the wildcard and the easiest way for him to get to a different team. However, would he turn his back on KD? Is any new team a better spot than Brooklyn?

This is my hope. I would like to see Kyrie in a Lakers uniform, back with LBJ. As much as I’d like to see what the Nets could do with a full year of KD, Kyrie and Simmons, I don’t think the Nets are going to offer Irving a long term deal to his liking. KD will understand if Kyrie decides to decline his option for business reasons. The question is whether Kyrie will sign for the mid level for next year, betting on landing a contract that he prefers the following year, or whether he will come around to whatever the Nets are willing to offer.

[Kdogg]

I know KI trade speculation is rampant but I will be a little amused if he ends up back on a team with LBJ.

But it’s coming from talking heads and fans. The Lakers are the only team with an offer to the Nets. I think teams are keeping quiet and wanting for the big prize: Durant. If Kryie goes then it’s open season on Durant and he will bring a king’s ransom.

[Kdogg]

The can is getting kicked down the road or at least next year or the trade deadline.

Kyrie opting in to the final year with the Nets.
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/...-brooklyn-nets

[Bluedog]

The can is getting kicked down the road or at least next year or the trade deadline.

Kyrie opting in to the final year with the Nets.
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/...-brooklyn-nets

"Normal people keep the world going, but those who dare to be different lead us into tomorrow," Irving told The Athletic.

???

[bundabergdevil]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=m8YE_LnPtCg

"Normal people keep the world going, but those who dare to be different lead us into tomorrow," Irving told The Athletic.

???

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=m8YE_LnPtCg

[MartyClark]

"Normal people keep the world going, but those who dare to be different lead us into tomorrow," Irving told The Athletic.

???

As applied to Kyrie, this is fanciful nonsense.

[Steven43]

But it’s coming from talking heads and fans. The Lakers are the only team with an offer to the Nets. I think teams are keeping quiet and wanting for the big prize: Durant. If Kryie goes then it’s open season on Durant and he will bring a king’s ransom.

Should Durant bring a king’s ransom, though? He missed 552 days after tearing his Achilles in 2019. What is the history of elite athletes tearing their Achilles at an advanced age and recovering to be at or very near to the level they were prior to the injury, and how long were they able to sustain that recovered level? I’m honestly asking because I don’t know the answer.

Also, the following injury happened AFTER the Achilles injury:

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/...ed-knee-injury

So what’s next for KD? He’s about to turn 34, and to these admittedly amateur eyes he looks like an old 34. Should this guy still be considered to be on the same level as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Steph Curry at this point in his career? Should a team really give up a bunch of prime assets in order to trade for him? Of course, I’m not professing to know the answer to that; I’m just looking for opinions. Just color me a tad skeptical.

[bundabergdevil]

Should Durant bring a king’s ransom, though? He missed 552 days after tearing his Achilles in 2019. What is the history of elite athletes tearing their Achilles at an advanced age and recovering to be at or very near to the level they were prior to the injury, and how long were they able to sustain that recovered level? I’m honestly asking because I don’t know the answer.

Also, the following injury happened AFTER the Achilles injury:

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/...ed-knee-injury

So what’s next for KD? He’s about to turn 34, and to these admittedly amateur eyes he looks like an old 34. Should this guy still be considered to be on the same level as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Steph Curry at this point in his career? Should a team really give up a bunch of prime assets in order to trade for him? Of course, I’m not professing to know the answer to that; I’m just looking for opinions. Just color me a tad skeptical.

Uninformed internet opinion: KD doesn’t look like someone who will age well, athletically speaking.

[sagegrouse]

As applied to Kyrie, this is fanciful nonsense.

I prefer to rise above the Kyrie fray by believing that, except for the toe injury, he may have turned out to be a totally different character. It would have been amazing what an undefeated 2011 season would have done for KI. As a national hero, widely celebrated for his year at Duke, there would be no need for other distractions.