His max is extremely low. It's only 22m I believe. Compare this to what Conley is going to get...which could get to around 35m. I think the Magic got a steal. Especially considering Mozgov is getting around 16mpy next year.
It happens though. Still feel like Middleton got robbed on his contract. Starting to look like highway robbery right now lol. I thought Middleton was a max player.
It happens though. Still feel like Middleton got robbed on his contract. Starting to look like highway robbery right now lol. I thought Middleton was a max player.
Parsons is not a top tier player. He is a mid tier player getting paid like a top tier player. But that is the market. If Rudy Gay hit free agency today, he would be getting paid a max level contract because he's a 20 ppg player who has shown in his career that he is a good starting SF. That is not to say he is worth a max, likewise Parsons getting paid a max doesn't mean he's worth it, that is simply the market they are in. If the Grizzlies didn't pay him, someone else will.
What other choice did they have?
They are built to "win now". Now I'm sure we would agree that it is unlikely they will win a championship, but they are built to compete, and their existing roster structure dictates they have to go after veterans to help maintain this level of competitiveness. Otherwise, they need to blow it all up and trade Randolph and Gasol, not re-sign Conley, and not bring in Parsons. At that point they need to tank. Unfortunately, their 2017 first round pick is owed to Denver (top five protected), same protection goes to their 2018 first round pick, and then it becomes unprotected in 2019. After which, they owe another first round pick to Boston which can be traded as early as 2019 (top 8 protected) or 2020 (top 6 protected), or 2021 (unprotected). So in a best case scenario they keep their 2017 and 2018 draft picks, trade their 2019 draft pick, and then potentially lose their 2020 pick. It is not really the best situation to be in for a rebuild, unless of course they can go into asset acquisition mode like the Celtics.
As for their players. Ok, Tony Allen and Zac Randolph are 34 years old and near the end of their careers. But both guys are potentially replaceable by players they have taken in this year's draft: Wade Baldwin (combo guard) and Deyonta Davis (PF/C). Both players have a ton of upside and could feasibly slot into their starting SG and PF slots in the near future. Conley and Parsons are entering their prime years. And while Gasol is 31 years old, his style of play should allow him to remain a very effective player for quite some time because his game is not built around top tier athleticism like Whiteside, it is built more on touch, finesse and smart defensive ability. He should age well as long as he comes back from his injury. Also, building this way they may lose that 2017 draft pick if they qualify for the play offs, and their 2019 may head to Boston if they qualify for the play offs, but they would have 2018 and 2020 onwards to use to bring youth in. Likewise, they have an extra second round pick next year; one more in 2018, and two more in 2019; all of which can be used to get more youth.
At the end of the day - Conley / Allen / Parsons / Randolph / Gasol - should keep them competitive for a season or two. Then they can swap in Baldwin and Davis when needed, or as the cap continues to go up, look for other free agents to come join them, and they'll get more cap space because Randolph is out of contract next year. So they have a good competitive veteran line up, some talented youth, and enough space and assets to continue to keep themselves competitive for the foreseeable future.
What other choice did they have?
They are built to "win now". Now I'm sure we would agree that it is unlikely they will win a championship, but they are built to compete, and their existing roster structure dictates they have to go after veterans to help maintain this level of competitiveness. Otherwise, they need to blow it all up and trade Randolph and Gasol, not re-sign Conley, and not bring in Parsons. At that point they need to tank. Unfortunately, their 2017 first round pick is owed to Denver (top five protected), same protection goes to their 2018 first round pick, and then it becomes unprotected in 2019. After which, they owe another first round pick to Boston which can be traded as early as 2019 (top 8 protected) or 2020 (top 6 protected), or 2021 (unprotected). So in a best case scenario they keep their 2017 and 2018 draft picks, trade their 2019 draft pick, and then potentially lose their 2020 pick. It is not really the best situation to be in for a rebuild, unless of course they can go into asset acquisition mode like the Celtics.
As for their players. Ok, Tony Allen and Zac Randolph are 34 years old and near the end of their careers. But both guys are potentially replaceable by players they have taken in this year's draft: Wade Baldwin (combo guard) and Deyonta Davis (PF/C). Both players have a ton of upside and could feasibly slot into their starting SG and PF slots in the near future. Conley and Parsons are entering their prime years. And while Gasol is 31 years old, his style of play should allow him to remain a very effective player for quite some time because his game is not built around top tier athleticism like Whiteside, it is built more on touch, finesse and smart defensive ability. He should age well as long as he comes back from his injury. Also, building this way they may lose that 2017 draft pick if they qualify for the play offs, and their 2019 may head to Boston if they qualify for the play offs, but they would have 2018 and 2020 onwards to use to bring youth in. Likewise, they have an extra second round pick next year; one more in 2018, and two more in 2019; all of which can be used to get more youth.
At the end of the day - Conley / Allen / Parsons / Randolph / Gasol - should keep them competitive for a season or two. Then they can swap in Baldwin and Davis when needed, or as the cap continues to go up, look for other free agents to come join them, and they'll get more cap space because Randolph is out of contract next year. So they have a good competitive veteran line up, some talented youth, and enough space and assets to continue to keep themselves competitive for the foreseeable future.
Confirming Matthew Dellavedova four-year, $38.4M deal with Bucks, per source
Confirming Matthew Dellavedova four-year, $38.4M deal with Bucks, per source
Confirming Matthew Dellavedova four-year, $38.4M deal with Bucks, per source
I'm thinking they want to push MCW to 6th man or straight up deal him. Have Delly act primarily as a 3&D PG, similar to Beverly in Houston. Let Delly bring the ball up, but run the entire offense through Giannis. He'd be great for the floor spacing. He has 0 offense around the rim, so he's a guy that'll just be floating around the 3pt line.
I understand that is the market and they didn't really have much of a choice, but if they get Conley too at 30 million (or more) as a season, that is at minimum, 50% of the 107 million cap for NEXT year already spoken for. 50% for 2 players, one being a high end role-player (if playing) and the other a "maybe" star. Their bench is horrendous also.
I was unaware of their picks as I don't follow any other team besides the Kings, but that explains their actions even more so. Next year the cap goes up again and they can't afford another max contract at all. A pair of rookies stepping in to help is not a winning strategy either for such a veteran ball club, especially when one is the PG spot (the most difficult position) and a big man spot (some big men take years to develop). They have to stay injury free (a tougher task for an older team) and have their rookies really produce this season, not to mention they have a new coach with a new system. They may not be as good as they look on paper. If even 1 major player goes down, they are done for.
I was unaware of their picks as I don't follow any other team besides the Kings, but that explains their actions even more so. Next year the cap goes up again and they can't afford another max contract at all. A pair of rookies stepping in to help is not a winning strategy either for such a veteran ball club, especially when one is the PG spot (the most difficult position) and a big man spot (some big men take years to develop). They have to stay injury free (a tougher task for an older team) and have their rookies really produce this season, not to mention they have a new coach with a new system. They may not be as good as they look on paper. If even 1 major player goes down, they are done for.
Marc Stein @ESPNSteinLine
ESPN sources say that New Orleans has a verbal agreement to sign Salomon Hill
New Orleans sure has a knack for taking the players I want.
ESPN sources say that New Orleans has a verbal agreement to sign Salomon Hill
New Orleans sure has a knack for taking the players I want.
Adrian Wojnarowski @WojVerticalNBA
Free agent forward Solomon Hill has agreed to a four-year, $52M deal with New Orleans, league source tells @TheVertical.
Free agent forward Solomon Hill has agreed to a four-year, $52M deal with New Orleans, league source tells @TheVertical.
I still don't understand why in the world they traded Brandon Knight for MCW. That goes on my list of dumb moves. Let's look at the type of PG the Bucks really need....
Great shooter who can space the floor. A PG who can bring the ball up, and facilitate an offense, but at the same, be able to play off the ball. Someone who's at least a decent defender.
I can't see how that doesn't describe Brandon Knight... Before he was traded, he was putting up 17.8pts 5.4asts 4.3rebs 1.6stls 3.2tos on 43.5% FG 40.9% 3PT and 88.1% FT.
It's absolutely mind blowing to me. It's not even like MCW is younger..because he's not.
Great shooter who can space the floor. A PG who can bring the ball up, and facilitate an offense, but at the same, be able to play off the ball. Someone who's at least a decent defender.
I can't see how that doesn't describe Brandon Knight... Before he was traded, he was putting up 17.8pts 5.4asts 4.3rebs 1.6stls 3.2tos on 43.5% FG 40.9% 3PT and 88.1% FT.
It's absolutely mind blowing to me. It's not even like MCW is younger..because he's not.
This is for you doubters who thought Dion Waiters to the Kings was just fabrication made up by his agent.... exciting news 
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Dion Waiters will meet with the #SacramentoKings this weekend. The #Sixers want to have a face-to-face meeting with the shooting guard.
Dion Waiters will meet with the #SacramentoKings this weekend. The #Sixers want to have a face-to-face meeting with the shooting guard.
Please can we sign free agents and be good... please!!
Its amazing how for so long we all wanted Rondo to sign for us, he was the man. Now nobody wants him back. Funny how sport works!
Its amazing how for so long we all wanted Rondo to sign for us, he was the man. Now nobody wants him back. Funny how sport works!
This is for you doubters who thought Dion Waiters to the Kings was just fabrication made up by his agent.... exciting news
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Dion Waiters will meet with the #SacramentoKings this weekend. The #Sixers want to have a face-to-face meeting with the shooting guard.
Dion Waiters will meet with the #SacramentoKings this weekend. The #Sixers want to have a face-to-face meeting with the shooting guard.
