Dame to the Bucks!!!

[LPKingsFan]

I don’t know. I already figured the Suns would be tough. Assuming they turn around and trade Holiday for a rebuilding package, Portland with Ayton, Grant, and kids shouldn’t be a major threat for a couple years. The real concern is if someone like the Lakers, Warriors, or Clippers can nab Holiday. Fingers crossed he ends up back east.

 

[Insomniacal Fan]

This seems a little harsh: Cousins has only played for seven teams. The Kings had seventeen different players that played for at least that many teams, just in the time that Cousins was there. IIRC, at least five of them played for ten or more teams.

I have also long been a proponent of the principle of, if you get traded by the team that drafted you (and you didn't ask to be traded), all bets are off.

Seven teams in five active years is a lot. Makes me wonder what the record is

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

Seven teams in five active years is a lot. Makes me wonder what the record is

If you're specifically narrowing the criteria to "who played for the most teams in five 'active' years" as opposed to the more reasonable, "who played for the most teams," I don't know what the record is, but I know that it's not particularly unique: Marcus Thornton, George Hill and Garrett Temple all played for seven teams in a "five active year" span, and all three ended up playing for more teams than Cousins over the course of their respective careers. Isaiah Thomas played for eight teams in a "five active year" span, nine if you count the fact that he played for the gd lakers twice. Dwight Howard also played for seven teams in a "five active year" span, if you count the fact that he, too, played for the lakers twice.

EDIT - Doctor Internet tells me that Chucky Brown played for eight teams in a "five active year" span, as did Anthony Tolliver, and **** Tony Massenburg played for nine teams in a "five active year" span, unless you count the two years he played in Spain against those five "active" years.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

There was that one guy last year that got traded like 4 times during the offseason. Doesn't count as playing for those teams I guess though.

 

[Tetsujin]

I agree. The Suns just landed some of that depth they may have been missing. Now, they're officially deep with role guys. Have to see what Portland does though, good for them to try and really commit to their youth, they have a bright future. Ayton and Grant on the books hurts but maybe Ayton can make a big leap now.

I’m not certain conspicuously stacking short term bench depth level talent at every single position except for one is going to work though. Their whole strategy pretty much revolves around Beal and Booker being healthy enough and solid enough at running the point that they havent even thought about bringing in a point guard. And at the very least Ayton was capable of randomly pulling his head out of his ass and dropping thirty and ten with great defense for random stretches. I’m not sure Nurk is even a viable NBA rotation player any longer.

 

[Insomniacal Fan]

If you're specifically narrowing the criteria to "who played for the most teams in five 'active' years" as opposed to the more reasonable, "who played for the most teams," I don't know what the record is, but I know that it's not particularly unique: Marcus Thornton, George Hill and Garrett Temple all played for seven teams in a "five active year" span, and all three ended up playing for more teams than Cousins over the course of their respective careers. Isaiah Thomas played for eight teams in a "five active year" span, nine if you count the fact that he played for the gd lakers twice. Dwight Howard also played for seven teams in a "five active year" span, if you count the fact that he, too, played for the lakers twice.

EDIT - Doctor Internet tells me that Chucky Brown played for eight teams in a "five active year" span, as did Anthony Tolliver, and **** Tony Massenburg played for nine teams in a "five active year" span, unless you count the two years he played in Spain against those five "active" years.

Thanks for the research! I got to https://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/most_franchises.html and petered out. Maybe someday I'll plug those numbers into a script to figure it out systematically

I'll give you that 5 "active years" is an arbitrary standard, but I think it's the most interesting metric to place Cousins' career in a NBA historical context.

 

[The_Jamal]

I'm not sure how this is a good thing at all for the Suns.

Ayton is a blue-chip talent. I get that he probably got booted out by the stars, but he and Nurk just aren't even close to be the same talent level. Nurk isn't carrying you anywhere close like Ayton did in that playoff run a few years back. Better hope Book/Beal/KD all play 60+ games and get to the playoffs in one piece. They aren't going to have any margin to rest during the regular season now.

Nassir Little? Grayson Allen? Sure, ok enough players, but neither guy is keeping you afloat if any of the 3 stars have to miss time. This just smells like the Suns are the latest team to give personal decisions to the players and predictably, are making poor decisions.

I love this from the Bucks perspective and honestly love this from the Blazers perspective too, especially once you factor in whatever they get for Jrue. Ayton is freaking good on both ends and is just heading into his prime; for a team that's heavily invested in Scoot and Sharpe the last 2 drafts, you're now giving them an elite big man to build around as well. I just don't see how you could have flipped Dame into much better of a package with the teams that were vying for his services.

 

[Tetsujin]

https://twitter.com/statuses/1707129928792068515

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

There was that one guy last year that got traded like 4 times during the offseason. Doesn't count as playing for those teams I guess though.

That happened to Like Ridnour, but it wasn't last year.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

I'll give you that 5 "active years" is an arbitrary standard, but I think it's the most interesting metric to place Cousins' career in a NBA historical context.

I might be more inclined to agree if he hadn't spent four of those years playing on one leg. Had he not blown out his Achilles, I feel like that number would have been closer to 2 or 3. With the exception of Thomas, none of the other players who played for as many teams in a similar timeframe had an extensive injury history.

 

[kingsboi]

Bucks trading defense for offense, let's see how he fits with Giannis. This is going to be fun.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

That happened to Like Ridnour, but it wasn't last year.

So I think I may have been thinking of former King Mo Harkless last off-season, but Trevor Ariza got moved 4 times in November of 2020 which was maybe the off-season? I can't recall the COVID timelines.

 

[hrdboild]

I kindof like Portland as this year's Utah Jazz early season surprise team. Ayton was wasted on Phoenix and Scoot seems like the type of rookie who could make a splash right away. Phoenix is even more all-in on the Beal, Booker, KD trio finding lightning in a bottle. I've already said what I had to say about their moves in 2023 but the short version is that I like the team they started last season with more than what they have now.

I especially like this if I'm facing the Bucks in the playoffs next year. Lillard is instant offense but they lost their most important defender and will no longer have the "they've played together longer" advantage. Then again that didn't matter in this year's playoffs. Firing Budenholzer means we won't know anyway if their first round loss was a blip or they're already on their downward slope. I get that there was some desire to shake things up but this has the feel of a patchjob rather than an actual fix to me. I don't think Jrue was a player that they could afford to lose.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

I kindof like Portland as this year's Utah Jazz early season surprise team. Ayton was wasted on Phoenix and Scoot seems like the type of rookie who could make a splash right away. Phoenix is even more all-in on the Beal, Booker, KD trio finding lightning in a bottle. I've already said what I had to say about their moves in 2023 but the short version is that I like the team they started last season with more than what they have now.

I especially like this if I'm facing the Bucks in the playoffs next year. Lillard is instant offense but they lost their most important defender and will no longer have the "they've played together longer" advantage. Then again that didn't matter in this year's playoffs. Firing Budenholzer means we won't know anyway if their first round loss was a blip or they're already on their downward slope. I get that there was some desire to shake things up but this has the feel of a patchjob rather than an actual fix to me. I don't think Jrue was a player that they could afford to lose.

I think Billups will hold them back from being the Jazz but I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re ahead of many of the more blatant tankers of the last three years after a coaching change.

 

[Joshoua]

Then you are severely underrating Jrues defense.

may but jrue is next level bad in the playoffs on offense having Dame closing with Giannis is scary. Both have to be doubles teams were throwing walls at Giannis try that when Dame is there add in Middleton/Lopez being good shooters. Lillard lifts the teams ceiling where Jrue ya he’s amazing at defense but good luck really on him when teams are packing the paint. Also Middleton looked washed last year ya first year back but why risk losing Giannis relying on Middleton who also isn’t really a star to get back to being a number two guy

They have a rookie head coach and like no depth after the trade though. Giannis and Dame is a heck of a two man game but their depth chart should either of those guys miss a game is bleak.

depth can be found during the season superstars can’t

 

[Tetsujin]

https://twitter.com/statuses/1707423017104490763

 

[Pacboy]

https://twitter.com/statuses/1707423017104490763

Masai is starting to become Daryl Morey on his negotiation tactic

 

[Tetsujin]

https://twitter.com/statuses/1707429370342658151

 

[Tetsujin]

https://twitter.com/statuses/1707431517264416908

 

[pdxKingsFan]

https://twitter.com/statuses/1707423017104490763

I won't feel bad if 2 of those guys walk. What a butthead.

 

[SLAB]

https://twitter.com/statuses/1707429370342658151

Lol who’s taking that albatross this early?

 

[ockingsfan]

Personally, I'm just happy that Dame went to the EAST and DeAndre Ayton is OFF the Suns. I think it's a WIN-WIN for the Kings!

 

[captain bill]

https://twitter.com/statuses/1707429370342658151

Biggest overpay of the summer and already looking to move him? I suppose it affirms that his deal really was about keeping Dame happy, just sitting on the Scoot pick and not making a swing was too much of a don't-win-now movement for him to stick around

If they get some more picks for him they may come out smelling like roses (get it?). Ayton is a solid piece to get back as a recent #1 overall who could certainly thrive with a change of scenery. And those Bucks picks are due while Giannis is entering his mid 30's and Dame is long retired, which could be great assets for another rebuild if this fails - or, if their new core clicks, great assets to swing for more pieces if they end up in the hunt and on the buyers market as those picks come due

 

[pdxKingsFan]

I thought there were a few moves that were bigger overpays but it was clearly about trying to keep Dame happy. The weird thing was that they announced the deal, Dame made his trade demand public, but Grant didn't officially sign it until later. Now of course all the money was probably dried up then, but we're back in is typical scenario where player signed for the most money and then regrets it (if he does). I have also heard Grant actually wanted to be in Portland back when he was still with Detroit, so who knows if that has changed. Other teams expect he will be made available but I think it really depends what kind of progress the team makes before January.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

https://twitter.com/statuses/1707132726673879273

Just one of many reasons why I got out of the rooting-for-teams business.

 

[SacTownKid]

I’m not certain conspicuously stacking short term bench depth level talent at every single position except for one is going to work though. Their whole strategy pretty much revolves around Beal and Booker being healthy enough and solid enough at running the point that they havent even thought about bringing in a point guard. And at the very least Ayton was capable of randomly pulling his head out of his ass and dropping thirty and ten with great defense for random stretches. I’m not sure Nurk is even a viable NBA rotation player any longer.

Health for any team is paramount. The Kings certainly fit into that as well. The Suns if healthy shouldn't need that extra 30. They messed things up with Ayton for some reason. Whether it's because they're stupid or he's got something wrong with him. We find that out next season in all likelihood. Nurk is a solid pick and roll big but health is his issue. The Suns go where Durant and Booker take them. Period. Good for them for realizing that, now hopefully it blows up in their face! lol. If not, uh oh for the other teams in the NBA.

 

[SacTownKid]

Lol who’s taking that albatross this early?

The first team that realizes perhaps they are outside that top 5 window in the West with no real savior moves elsewhere. Grants contract sure seems like an F U to the Blazers organization by Dame. Their fault for not realizing they have a great youth duo in Scoot and Sharpe to build around though. Now they have a stuffed cap that could have been a final piece kind of thing in a year or two should it not work now.

 

[Sac.Kings]

Health for any team is paramount. The Kings certainly fit into that as well. The Suns if healthy shouldn't need that extra 30. They messed things up with Ayton for some reason. Whether it's because they're stupid or he's got something wrong with him. We find that out next season in all likelihood. Nurk is a solid pick and roll big but health is his issue. The Suns go where Durant and Booker take them. Period. Good for them for realizing that, now hopefully it blows up in their face! lol. If not, uh oh for the other teams in the NBA.

Eh, it’s not like Durant is a prime example of a player who stays healthy during the season. He’s old too. Booker is great offensively, truly gifted on that end, but can he maintain the team if he’s the only healthy star? Suns have better depth now I think, but injuries could definitely affect them more than some other teams.

 

[Kingz19]

They’re probably moving Jrue but If they don’t I actually think Portland looks better on paper than they have for about 3-4 years.

 

[SacTownKid]

Eh, it’s not like Durant is a prime example of a player who stays healthy during the season. He’s old too. Booker is great offensively, truly gifted on that end, but can he maintain the team if he’s the only healthy star? Suns have better depth now I think, but injuries could definitely affect them more than some other teams.

All he's got to do is be healthy when it matters if they build off of what they did last season. If they are going out to try and win 70 then that's a mistake in the first place. I'm sure they'll be planning how to move forward.