Quote:

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13. Chris Paul is perfect for the San Antonio Spurs.

How psyched must Victor Wembanyama be after going from Jeremy Sochan to Tre Jones to the freaking Point God? With Paul heading to the Spurs on a one-year, $11 million deal, San Antonio is set to become Lob City South. CP3 will constantly feed Wemby high above the rim, just like he did ages ago on the Clippers, when he played with DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin. Last season, Wemby was on the receiving end of 108 attempted lobs, second in the NBA. A decade ago DJ used to routinely lead the NBA with around 150 per season. It would not be unreasonable to expect Wemby to approach that number with Paul.

Beyond his passing ability, Paul will teach Wembanyama the best angles for setting screens, a lesson that will benefit him for years to come, no matter who his future point guard is. And one of those guards could be rookie Stephon Castle, whom the Spurs drafted fourth in June. We've already seen the effect that Paul can have on a young point guard in a short time after he and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander connected during Paul's lone year in Oklahoma City. And now Castle will reap the same benefits.

14. The Atlanta Hawks might be screwed.

What Atlanta got back for point guard Dejounte Murray is fair: firsts in 2025 and 2027, plus Larry Nance Jr., Dyson Daniels, and E.J. Liddell. But it doesn't come close to the three valuable firsts and one swap the Hawks originally gave up to get Murray from San Antonio. The Hawks' current roster will barely compete for the playoffs in the East, and they don't own the rights to any of their firsts until 2028. If the Spurs called today offering those picks back for Trae Young, the Hawks would happily say yes. But San Antonio is holding them hostage, opting to sign CP3 as a placeholder rather than make a trade for a point guard like Trae. As good as Young is, San Antonio would benefit a lot more from being patient. The Hawks have looked nothing but incompetent in recent years. They'd better hope that Zaccharie Risacher works out, or it'll get ugly fast.

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https://www.theringer.com/nba/2024/7/2/24190616/nba-free-agency-2024-deals-trade-rumors-lauri-markkanen

Lob City South?

Ciudad Lobes is more like it

Orlando Magic F Jonathan Isaac has agreed on a five-year, $84 million contract renegotiation and extension, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/4skp5qS2sp

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2024

Wonder how much is guaranteed

If we get Flagg and Wemby people will say it's rigged lol

Guitarsoup said:

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Orlando Magic F Jonathan Isaac has agreed on a five-year, $84 million contract renegotiation and extension, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/4skp5qS2sp

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2024

Wonder how much is guaranteed

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That's a long contract to offer a guy that's been hurt as much as he has.

Free agent F Kyle Anderson is planning to sign a three-year, $27 million deal with the Golden State Warriors, sources tell ESPN. He’ll land with Warriors on a sign-and-trade with Minnesota. pic.twitter.com/Yen9kINCPv

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2024

LawHall88 said:

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Free agent F Kyle Anderson is planning to sign a three-year, $27 million deal with the Golden State Warriors, sources tell ESPN. He’ll land with Warriors on a sign-and-trade with Minnesota. pic.twitter.com/Yen9kINCPv

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2024

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Good for him.

LawHall88 said:

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Free agent F Kyle Anderson is planning to sign a three-year, $27 million deal with the Golden State Warriors, sources tell ESPN. He’ll land with Warriors on a sign-and-trade with Minnesota. pic.twitter.com/Yen9kINCPv

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2024

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What's this do for their chances in the Markkanen sweepstakes? They were the other team reported in heavy pursuit outside the Spurs

HummingbirdSaltalamacchia said:

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LawHall88 said:

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Free agent F Kyle Anderson is planning to sign a three-year, $27 million deal with the Golden State Warriors, sources tell ESPN. He’ll land with Warriors on a sign-and-trade with Minnesota. pic.twitter.com/Yen9kINCPv

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2024

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What's this do for their chances in the Markkanen sweepstakes? They were the other team reported in heavy pursuit outside the Spurs

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I just don't see the trade for them. They are already short some draft picks, they can't give up more picks, Kuminga, and Podz to try to make one or two more runs with Curry.

Guitarsoup said:

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HtownWilly12 said:

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If we get Flagg and Wemby people will say it's rigged lol

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What will they say when we get #1 and #2?

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(Begins foaming at mouth)

HummingbirdSaltalamacchia said:

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LawHall88 said:

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Free agent F Kyle Anderson is planning to sign a three-year, $27 million deal with the Golden State Warriors, sources tell ESPN. He’ll land with Warriors on a sign-and-trade with Minnesota. pic.twitter.com/Yen9kINCPv

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2024

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What's this do for their chances in the Markkanen sweepstakes? They were the other team reported in heavy pursuit outside the Spurs

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I can't imagine Utah would negotiate a trade with the Spurs that doesn't include the Atlanta unprotected picks, and I don't think the Spurs are giving those up.

LawHall88 said:

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HummingbirdSaltalamacchia said:

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LawHall88 said:

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Free agent F Kyle Anderson is planning to sign a three-year, $27 million deal with the Golden State Warriors, sources tell ESPN. He’ll land with Warriors on a sign-and-trade with Minnesota. pic.twitter.com/Yen9kINCPv

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2024

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What's this do for their chances in the Markkanen sweepstakes? They were the other team reported in heavy pursuit outside the Spurs

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I can't imagine Utah would negotiate a trade with the Spurs that doesn't include the Atlanta unprotected picks, and I don't think the Spurs are giving those up.

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Plus Utah doesn't need more picks. I guess if thye just don't value the Cleveland or Minny picks.... but still.

West Texan said:

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This is 31-year-old Kenny Trevino. He will serve as the San Antonio #Spurs summer league head coach.

He started as a Spurs ball boy 11 years ago, and worked his through the organization to become the team’s head video coordinator.

He aspires to one day be a head coach. pic.twitter.com/aHM5u50FB4

— Nate Ryan (@nateryansports) July 2, 2024

Thought this was kinda cool. From ball boy to coaching the summer league team.

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I wonder if he's aware that players express publicly which players they'd like to play with

Chris Paul's D-LEBRON (overall defensive impact) grade compared to other guards

2014: A+
2015: A
2016: A+
2017: A+
2018: A+
2019: A
2020: A+
2021: A+
2022: A+
2023: A+
2024: B+

— BBall Index (@The_BBall_Index) July 3, 2024

Chris Paul can still defend

Well, it appears CP3 is all we get, if the trade of number 8 this year was to save 6.3 million to use on Free Agents, that money is now just sitting on the owner's pocket doing nothing to make the team better.

Guitar will likely come here to explain how we're better positioned cap wise for the 2041 draft and free agent bonanza, but as a passionate fan it's hard to understand the logic of not taking a chance on finding another star with that 8 pick.

Here's to hopefully some giant leap forwards for some of the young guys and continued lottery ball luck.

If you want to watch Wemby play at 2pm CST today, here’s your link:https://t.co/l2X2YZbVv2 pic.twitter.com/cW8WTZxoWE

— SpursReport (@SpursReporter) July 3, 2024

WEMBY WITH THE 360 SPIN PASS TO GOBERT 🤯 pic.twitter.com/bCHnZo0Ryf

— WembyMuse (@Wemby_Muse) July 3, 2024

Turkey's stats in 20 mins with Wemby on the floor:

10 pts
9 tov
1/24 fg (4.2%)
1/10 2p (10%)
0/14 3p (0%)
28.6 ORTG https://t.co/AbvMjsigCZ pic.twitter.com/dJkHbQUJwn

— Automatic (@automaticnba) July 3, 2024

France outscored Turkey 51-7 with Wemby on the court.

Wemby finished 24/6/4/3 on 10/14 shooting in 20 minuntes

Guitarsoup said:

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Turkey's stats in 20 mins with Wemby on the floor:

10 pts
9 tov
1/24 fg (4.2%)
1/10 2p (10%)
0/14 3p (0%)
28.6 ORTG https://t.co/AbvMjsigCZ pic.twitter.com/dJkHbQUJwn

— Automatic (@automaticnba) July 3, 2024

France outscored Turkey 51-7 with Wemby on the court.

Wemby finished 24/6/4/3 on 10/14 shooting in 20 minuntes

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I watched the first half and everything for France runs through Wemby. When he's on the floor with Gobert they did a really good job of short rolling flashing Wemby to the nail and letting him be the playmaker. When he was the only big on the floor it was a lot of pick and roll/pop and if he didn't get it off that action he would dive and post.

The Kings, Spurs and Warriors all have significant trade offers on the table to the Jazz for Lauri Markkanen, per @Tjonesonthenba on @Sactown1140.

Utah is mulling over these packages as they decide whether they will ultimately move Markkanen or not. pic.twitter.com/LFOyW1NBxY

— Evan Sidery (@esidery) July 4, 2024

Enzo The Baker said:

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The Kings, Spurs and Warriors all have significant trade offers on the table to the Jazz for Lauri Markkanen, per @Tjonesonthenba on @Sactown1140.

Utah is mulling over these packages as they decide whether they will ultimately move Markkanen or not. pic.twitter.com/LFOyW1NBxY

— Evan Sidery (@esidery) July 4, 2024

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I don't believe it.

Local Jazz beat writer:

I wouldn't categorize the Lauri situation as the Jazz "shopping" him. There are interested teams that are gauging what it would take to get Markkanen away from Utah.
I stand by the idea that the Jazz don't WANT to trade Lauri, but if they get a godfather offer, it's possible.

— Sarah Todd (@NBASarah) July 3, 2024

I think this is Ainge shaking the tree.

Spurs have said since Wemby was drafted, they are going to build around him on their own time and they are building for the next 15 years, not the next 3.

You have to have cap space to renegotiate Lauri's contract when it is available to be done so in August, and only the Spurs, Jazz, and Pistons have that. Kings and Warriors cannot have that. So they would have to trade for a guy that will 100% become a free agent. The max extension he can get without a renegotiation is a 4y100M contract, which he obviously wouldn't take.

With the Spurs saying they are building for the long term, and their moves this year have been to trade #8 for two future firsts, signing Chris Paul to a 1y deal and refusing to sign anyone to a multi-year deal - why would anyone think the Spurs are going to cash in their chips now? And especially for Lauri, who is a great off-ball scorer, but doesn't create his own shot, doesn't create for others, and is below average on defense.

Lauri would be our #2 player and keep us from having a great pick in the 2025 draft. Would you trade him straight up for Chet? What about Jalen Williams? Yeah, I would rather have both those guys than Lauri. That means we would be locked into our 2nd best player being the 4th best player on the Thunder. I don't think that is where we want to be for long term team building.

Further, I think that there may be a half dozen or more players in the 25 draft that are better than Lauri, plus they would be almost a decade younger than him and not on a max contract.

Plus look at Lauri's games per season. 4 years with 55 or fewer games. Zero years with 70+ games. Just two of seven years with 65+ games.

If we are going to get it in, I want to get it in for a fringe All-NBA or better, not a fringe All-Star at best.

Guitarsoup said:

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Enzo The Baker said:

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The Kings, Spurs and Warriors all have significant trade offers on the table to the Jazz for Lauri Markkanen, per @Tjonesonthenba on @Sactown1140.

Utah is mulling over these packages as they decide whether they will ultimately move Markkanen or not. pic.twitter.com/LFOyW1NBxY

— Evan Sidery (@esidery) July 4, 2024

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I don't believe it.

Local Jazz beat writer:

I wouldn't categorize the Lauri situation as the Jazz "shopping" him. There are interested teams that are gauging what it would take to get Markkanen away from Utah.
I stand by the idea that the Jazz don't WANT to trade Lauri, but if they get a godfather offer, it's possible.

— Sarah Todd (@NBASarah) July 3, 2024

I think this is Ainge shaking the tree.

Spurs have said since Wemby was drafted, they are going to build around him on their own time and they are building for the next 15 years, not the next 3.

You have to have cap space to renegotiate Lauri's contract when it is available to be done so in August, and only the Spurs, Jazz, and Pistons have that. Kings and Warriors cannot have that. So they would have to trade for a guy that will 100% become a free agent. The max extension he can get without a renegotiation is a 4y100M contract, which he obviously wouldn't take.

With the Spurs saying they are building for the long term, and their moves this year have been to trade #8 for two future firsts, signing Chris Paul to a 1y deal and refusing to sign anyone to a multi-year deal - why would anyone think the Spurs are going to cash in their chips now? And especially for Lauri, who is a great off-ball scorer, but doesn't create his own shot, doesn't create for others, and is below average on defense.

Lauri would be our #2 player and keep us from having a great pick in the 2025 draft. Would you trade him straight up for Chet? What about Jalen Williams? Yeah, I would rather have both those guys than Lauri. That means we would be locked into our 2nd best player being the 4th best player on the Thunder. I don't think that is where we want to be for long term team building.

Further, I think that there may be a half dozen or more players in the 25 draft that are better than Lauri, plus they would be almost a decade younger than him and not on a max contract.

Plus look at Lauri's games per season. 4 years with 55 or fewer games. Zero years with 70+ games. Just two of seven years with 65+ games.

If we are going to get it in, I want to get it in for a fringe All-NBA or better, not a fringe All-Star at best.

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It all depends on the price. I think Vassell is better so Lauri is your #3. If they take a Derek White level deal then you do it. All indicators seem to say the price won't be that low. But you never know.

Sure, if they wanted to do the Chicago Pick, Charlotte Pick, Keldon and the 2031 Spurs pick, you probably pull the trigger. But I don't think Ainge does that. I think he extends Lauri and tries to use Lauri+picks to move up in the draft next year. A big white all star has more value to the jazz than that package.

Guitarsoup said:

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Sure, if they wanted to do the Chicago Pick, Charlotte Pick, Keldon and the 2031 Spurs pick, you probably pull the trigger. But I don't think Ainge does that. I think he extends Lauri and tries to use Lauri+picks to move up in the draft next year. A big white all star has more value to the jazz than that package.

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Stop trying to trade Keldon!

Ainge won't extend him because he can't give him a big enough raise to reach market value. Markanens team has to hold out and make free agency.

Ag Natural said:

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Guitarsoup said:

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Sure, if they wanted to do the Chicago Pick, Charlotte Pick, Keldon and the 2031 Spurs pick, you probably pull the trigger. But I don't think Ainge does that. I think he extends Lauri and tries to use Lauri+picks to move up in the draft next year. A big white all star has more value to the jazz than that package.

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Stop trying to trade Keldon!

Ainge won't extend him because he can't give him a big enough raise to reach market value. Markanens team has to hold out and make free agency.

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Ainge can apparently renegotiate his contact this year using cap room then extend him. But the Kings and Warriors can't do that if they trade for him because they don't have the cap room.

If Ainge renegotiates the context, Lauri can't be traded until after the season.

Deebo part 2?

Kings have talked to Bulls about DeRozan sign and trade, per source. Spurs also now another possibility. Despite DeRozan interest in Miami, Heat not in position to give him what he's seeking at this time... Heat will hope opportunity on some player it wants arises this summer.

— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) July 4, 2024

How do you KNOW there were no stars to be had? The draft is a crapshoot, and sometimes you get lucky with a Manu or Jokic that turn into much more than their draft position. Giannis was a mid 1st round pick, as was Kawhi, no one thought they'd be stars on draft night, but they are.

You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.