News, rumors and buzz around the draft and free agency

[Ron Mexico]

Leonard hasn't even been there for a year yet. Sure, he had a good season and an exceptional offseason. He might see a great long term fit there in Toronto. But I could also see him saying that he's given them a title so he owes them nothing. He hates the weather for most of the year which he has said. LA is home and it has been widely reported that LA attracts him.

Like I said - I think it's 50/50. It wouldn't surprise me either way.

Plus he seems to like to be around family and doesn't get out much. I agree I wouldn't be surprised either way. I would be pretty surprised if it's anywhere but Toronto or the two LA teams though.

It does suck for the Jazz if he goes to either LA team. Sucks even worse if we see both or either Butler and Kemba come to LA as well.

 

[Christian]

LA is too crowded with media, and the West is a more competitive conference. He’s currently the king of Toronto (as well as Drake) and he has an entire country on his back. His first year in Toronto and he’s wins a championship as well as finals MVP. I think he stays in Toronto, especially cause they are so deep and the team compliments his style of play perfectly.

 

[LoPo]

Plus he seems to like to be around family and doesn't get out much. I agree I wouldn't be surprised either way. I would be pretty surprised if it's anywhere but Toronto or the two LA teams though.

It does suck for the Jazz if he goes to either LA team. Sucks even worse if we see both or either Butler and Kemba come to LA as well.

If Kawhi comes to the Clippers but no other huge free agent does, that doesn't scare me. Actually, it takes away one of the league powers in Toronto. With OG Anunoby coming back and maybe Marc Gasol too, Toronto would be absolutely stacked next year.

If Kawhi goes to LA and KD goes to NY, this could be the most unpredictable season in the NBA in a long, long time. I can't remember when I've ever seen a season start when there wasn't at least one overwhelming favorite to make the finals. Going into this season, it will probably be Milwaukee, but there are even questions about that.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

LA is too crowded with media, and the West is a more competitive conference. He’s currently the king of Toronto (as well as Drake) and he has an entire country on his back. His first year in Toronto and he’s wins a championship as well as finals MVP. I think he stays in Toronto, especially cause they are so deep and the team compliments his style of play perfectly.

If he is comfortable with his thigh condition (he has an issue that is like a genetic condition not an injury) he should take a one plus one and then sign a 4 year deal the next year. Will be eligible for the bigger max for 10 year vets. 6-7M higher and he gets to try and defend the title. That group kinda seems perfect for him with regard to personality and on court.

He is super private... this has been good for his “brand” and made him more interesting. It’s really a coin toss in my mind.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

If Kawhi comes to the Clippers but no other huge free agent does, that doesn't scare me. Actually, it takes away one of the league powers in Toronto. With OG Anunoby coming back and maybe Marc Gasol too, Toronto would be absolutely stacked next year.

If Kawhi goes to LA and KD goes to NY, this could be the most unpredictable season in the NBA in a long, long time. I can't remember when I've ever seen a season start when there wasn't at least one overwhelming favorite to make the finals. Going into this season, it will probably be Milwaukee, but there are even questions about that.

That clips team could be tough if healthy and if the young guys take a step... not anything like the juggernaut that was GSW... but Jerry West is the best in the business... no way I want him one piece away. That front office is awesome and Balmer is playing this perfectly... realized that while passionate he shouldn’t meddle... he can spend into infinity when they need to and will because he loves this ****. Ironic that the Lakers could learn a lot by how the Clips operate.

 

[Ron Mexico]

That clips team could be tough if healthy and if the young guys take a step... not anything like the juggernaut that was GSW... but Jerry West is the best in the business... no way I want him one piece away. That front office is awesome and Balmer is playing this perfectly... realized that while passionate he shouldn’t meddle... he can spend into infinity when they need to and will because he loves this ****. Ironic that the Lakers could learn a lot by how the Clips operate.

The more stars that stay East the better. One super star can take a series over as well sometimes. Plus it just makes for harder regular season schedule which means we have to put more effort into making there playoffs and a good seed.

 

[Stoked]

True.

I just don't think a SGA/Shamet, Butler, Kawhi, Green, Harrell team scares me. Good? Yes. Better than Conley, Mitchell, Ingles, Favors, Gobert and O'Neale? No.

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Plus he seems to like to be around family and doesn't get out much. I agree I wouldn't be surprised either way. I would be pretty surprised if it's anywhere but Toronto or the two LA teams though.

It does suck for the Jazz if he goes to either LA team. Sucks even worse if we see both or either Butler and Kemba come to LA as well.

Can you imagine Leonard, Butler and Walker coming west?

The east would be the JV with the exception of maybe Philly.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

The more stars that stay East the better. One super star can take a series over as well sometimes. Plus it just makes for harder regular season schedule which means we have to put more effort into making there playoffs and a good seed.

Exactly... Also... Kahwi and Lebron are the guys we might struggle to guard the most... power wings we have Royce, but Joe/Dante aren't strong enough to guard them... I think Favs can switch out on them but you don't want him as the primary defender.

Keep that guy in Toronto please.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Can you imagine Leonard, Butler and Walker coming west?

The east would be the JV with the exception of maybe Philly.

Milwaukee?

 

[Stoked]

Milwaukee?

I knew there was 1 team I was forgetting.

This of course assumes that Irving and Horford ditch Boston as rumored.

 

[Thee Jazz Fan]

I think its close but the LAC starting 5 is better due to having Kawhi who is much better than anyone on our team right now. Kawhi would be hard for us to stop with shooters around him. Plus Kawhi could smother whoever is playing the best for us and Butler could play really good defense on our next best. Gobert would be a handful for them on the boards though.

So Conley DM and Gobert is what to you? Not to mention Favors and Ingles being really good as well, not to mention the jazz having better team chemistry.

Leonard can’t lock everyone down, but Gobert and Favors certainly can. Ingles makes Gobert and Favors more formidable, my only concern is Jazz bench vs theirs. But... I’ll take our starting 5 over that proposed starting 5 for LA.

 

[SCS]

Agreed. To be fair, he did just win a chip there. Hard to leave that situation.

Plus I get the feeling he's all about finding love and respect. He asked out of SA because he felt disrespected by the organization. He can't get much more respect than he has in Toronto. He's like a god there.