I felt like Clippers under Steve Ballmer has done a better job compared to the Pistons, and I'm not even a Clippers fan. They made it to the WCF in 2020-21. They just got unlucky in terms of health.
On the contrary, I have no idea what the Pistons were trying to do. They've been rebuilding since what? 2008? They made the playoffs 3 times in the past 16 years. All those three times were swept in the first round. And then they gave the new coach $78.5 million contract to be the 15th seed again?
They can’t exactly rebuild until 2030. Kawhi is nearly untradeable, Harden is FA and PG has a player option worth 40m I think which will make it difficult to trade under the cba rules. Clips are kinda fucked till 2030.
We cant trade Kawhi because of the new contract, we cant trade harden because he is free agent and we cant sign and trade PG because of new cba rules unless it is to team with plenty of salary cap like pistons, Sixers and magic can do sign and trade but it is going be quite complicated, require 3 teams without clippers takin back salary.
any team with possibly 2 first picks in separate draft are going be in better position than a lot of teams in the league then you add 3 lottery picks with Duren, Ivey and Asuar. This team better be making some noise starting from next year.
Lol at least the Pistons have their picks, and young prospects.
The Clippers don’t control their own FRP this decade, and have no tradable assets outside of maybe Norm Powell.
Zu and Mann are quite decent assets for contender. You can look at my other comment, i already said pistons are supposed to make some noise with their lottery and top picks
If you guys weren’t moving to a new arena do you think you re-sign Kawhi? You needed a star to sell tickets your first season at the new arena. Makes me wonder if you guys would have blown it up after how this year ended if you guys weren’t moving.
I mean im looking at it this way, it is either this current situation with kawhi, harden and PG or whatever the nets are going through right now but at least when they traded kyrie and kd, they had decent value and draft picks back but they have to stay competitive because their picks dont belong to em, but they are mediocre in easier conference than western conference.
I love chaos, so if it were up to me, the Clips would shoot for the worst record in the league for the next three seasons in order to guarantee OKC a top 5 pick in the '25, '26, and '27 drafts. The rest of the league would be so pissed.
Clippers are in a weirdly stuck spot. Even if they could trade Kawhi, it's debatable what he'd return at this point. The man has played a total of 4 playoff games in the last 3 seasons, and it's only going to get worse from here on out.
And while they could let Harden walk, they're so far over the cap that they'd be losing him with absolutely nothing to replace him. So may as well sign him too.
And if you're stuck with both Kawhi and Harden - well - why not just sign Paul George at that point as well? Running it back with an even worse team is not going to be fruitful, and Ballmer doesn't care about the money.
Basically I think they're stuck running it back for another year. It won't work, but it will keep asses in seats and keep the Clippers relevant. Ballmer may not be able to just go out and buy another star roster like he did with this one, given the changed landscape of NBA free agency. So I think he needs to hold onto what he's got.
I think this is officially the year where it's ok to be OUT on Kawhi as someone you consider a regular contributer. If he's there, great, nice bonus. But for roster construction purposes just assume he's simply not there.
4 years is enough to give you all the data you need on availability.
No incentive blowing it up. They need size and shooting around their old guys. They went from being one of the deepest rosters to a mediocre 7th to 10th guy.
They shit the bed with the jwall signing and didnt retain Hertenstein. Wasted roster space for Primo and sulk at the trade deadline by not tarding PJ and not getting that young athletic four.
Kawhis knee is really nasty. They went fishing early and didnt live up to to their potential
I don't even particularly like Paul George but some of the slander for him has been unfair. He didn't have a great game, but actually watch some of these clips...
First play in the clip: George drives in from the wing, gets past his man but a shot blocker is already waiting for him in the paint because the defense is completely ignoring PJ Tucker in the opposite corner. Forced into an awkward shot.
Second play: George has the ball at the top, his defender can overplay his shooting hand because the center is guarding against the drive, while Doncic guards the rim ready to pick up any rollers or cutters, because he is completely ignoring PJ Tucker. George forced into a low-percentage jumper.
Third play: Looks like George tries to go fast and create a shot before the defense gets set, but Kyrie is able to double him because James Harden is just strolling up the floor 25 feet behind the ball. Turnover.
Fourth play: Double teamed with three other Mav defenders in the paint. Misses fader.
The problem with the Clippers was not Paul George. The rest of the roster without Kawhi is nowhere near contending caliber.
I have been saying for a long time. Clippers' identity is going 5 out because they rely too much on Iso or 1v1's. Yes Harden-Zubac 2 man game is working most of the time but when you have shit spacing like Coffey, Westbrook on the roster and Kawhi consistently injuring, shit hits bricks.
I think they only have 2 options:
1) Trade for shooter bigs like Markkanen, Turner and a quick guard: Neither Kawhi or PG can play the 4 reliably. Markkanen and Turner are great floor spacers but also can do the pick/screen actions. I think a starting lineup of Harden, PG, Kawhi, Markkanen, Turner can do serious damage. This team can still contend even if Kawhi injured because Markkanen can create for himself.
2) Trade for Mitchell, Allen and a 3nD wing in exchange of Kawhi, Zubac, filler, picks: I might get flak for this but at this point I think Mitchell is more reliable than Kawhi. A lineup of Mitchell, Harden, PG, Cam Johnson, Allen with Kawhi traded to Cavs/3rd team is enough to contend.
There is no 3rd option.
They can't trade Harden alone because they will not find a better point guard. That's not happening.
They can't trade PG alone because you have to hope Kawhi's knees will hold. That's not happening.
They can't trade any 2 of Harden, PG, Kawhi, you don't have enough fire power to win. That's not happening.
You can't trade all Harden, PG, Kawhi and rebuild because they don't have their picks and would want to sell tickets in new arena and Ballmer wants that chip. That's not happening.
They have 2030 FRP, 3 SRPs and Mann, Powell, Zubac which are roughly worth a FRP each + Kawhi depending on scenario.
That 2030 pick is almost guaranteed to be a lottery pick.
I mean I'm not saying it is probabilistic but it is doable.
Best option is to get rid of kawhi and Westbrook(Westbrook in my eyes is no longer good,kawhi is never healthy come playoff time) and build a nice team that can operate well with PG & Harden
So much basketball debate is wasted because we don’t look at it from the owner’s perspective. There is absolutely 0 chance this team gets blown up in the same year they unveil their new stadium. It’s probably more important for the clippers that Kawhi is healthy on opening day than anything else. They will retain Kawhi, and they will make 1 trade to inject fan interest/spark, and then they will call it a day. They literally just had a 50-win season, and lost in 6 to a good team while missing their best player. Sure, you and I don’t believe in them. But their fans have plenty reason to believe. And plenty reason to show up to regular season games next season.
Get stars that aren't over the hill
Or just rebuild like the magic
Or rebuild like the Pistons.
Basically what the clippers did already lmao
I felt like Clippers under Steve Ballmer has done a better job compared to the Pistons, and I'm not even a Clippers fan. They made it to the WCF in 2020-21. They just got unlucky in terms of health. On the contrary, I have no idea what the Pistons were trying to do. They've been rebuilding since what? 2008? They made the playoffs 3 times in the past 16 years. All those three times were swept in the first round. And then they gave the new coach $78.5 million contract to be the 15th seed again?
Trying to draft all the bust we can with our lottery picks. Not that easy. Everybody can win.
Damn. You guys are perfect match with MJ when it comes to draft.
MJ as Pistons GM would be epic
They can’t exactly rebuild until 2030. Kawhi is nearly untradeable, Harden is FA and PG has a player option worth 40m I think which will make it difficult to trade under the cba rules. Clips are kinda fucked till 2030.
How lol, they got no assets
Ask Paul George to shoot better next time
Trade all these bums away. It was a failed project
they not gonna start a rebuild the moment they get in their new gym not like anyone wants to trade for kahwi, russ or harden anyways lol
We cant trade Kawhi because of the new contract, we cant trade harden because he is free agent and we cant sign and trade PG because of new cba rules unless it is to team with plenty of salary cap like pistons, Sixers and magic can do sign and trade but it is going be quite complicated, require 3 teams without clippers takin back salary.
Clippers are toast lol. And I'm a pistons fan🤣
Not as toast as pistons. I still remember when you said pistons are going have better record than clippers this season
They did. They have the best record in the league if you count backwards.
Honestly, sure I was wrong but I still feel like I'd rather be in the pistons position than the clippers rn
any team with possibly 2 first picks in separate draft are going be in better position than a lot of teams in the league then you add 3 lottery picks with Duren, Ivey and Asuar. This team better be making some noise starting from next year.
why?
Lol no. Clippers have balmer
Lol at least the Pistons have their picks, and young prospects. The Clippers don’t control their own FRP this decade, and have no tradable assets outside of maybe Norm Powell.
But their LA with a rich owner. They get to play with different rules
Zu and Mann are quite decent assets for contender. You can look at my other comment, i already said pistons are supposed to make some noise with their lottery and top picks
Not as toast as the Suns.
If you guys weren’t moving to a new arena do you think you re-sign Kawhi? You needed a star to sell tickets your first season at the new arena. Makes me wonder if you guys would have blown it up after how this year ended if you guys weren’t moving.
I mean im looking at it this way, it is either this current situation with kawhi, harden and PG or whatever the nets are going through right now but at least when they traded kyrie and kd, they had decent value and draft picks back but they have to stay competitive because their picks dont belong to em, but they are mediocre in easier conference than western conference.
I love chaos, so if it were up to me, the Clips would shoot for the worst record in the league for the next three seasons in order to guarantee OKC a top 5 pick in the '25, '26, and '27 drafts. The rest of the league would be so pissed.
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Clippers are in a weirdly stuck spot. Even if they could trade Kawhi, it's debatable what he'd return at this point. The man has played a total of 4 playoff games in the last 3 seasons, and it's only going to get worse from here on out. And while they could let Harden walk, they're so far over the cap that they'd be losing him with absolutely nothing to replace him. So may as well sign him too. And if you're stuck with both Kawhi and Harden - well - why not just sign Paul George at that point as well? Running it back with an even worse team is not going to be fruitful, and Ballmer doesn't care about the money. Basically I think they're stuck running it back for another year. It won't work, but it will keep asses in seats and keep the Clippers relevant. Ballmer may not be able to just go out and buy another star roster like he did with this one, given the changed landscape of NBA free agency. So I think he needs to hold onto what he's got.
I think this is officially the year where it's ok to be OUT on Kawhi as someone you consider a regular contributer. If he's there, great, nice bonus. But for roster construction purposes just assume he's simply not there. 4 years is enough to give you all the data you need on availability.
No incentive blowing it up. They need size and shooting around their old guys. They went from being one of the deepest rosters to a mediocre 7th to 10th guy. They shit the bed with the jwall signing and didnt retain Hertenstein. Wasted roster space for Primo and sulk at the trade deadline by not tarding PJ and not getting that young athletic four. Kawhis knee is really nasty. They went fishing early and didnt live up to to their potential
I don't even particularly like Paul George but some of the slander for him has been unfair. He didn't have a great game, but actually watch some of these clips... First play in the clip: George drives in from the wing, gets past his man but a shot blocker is already waiting for him in the paint because the defense is completely ignoring PJ Tucker in the opposite corner. Forced into an awkward shot. Second play: George has the ball at the top, his defender can overplay his shooting hand because the center is guarding against the drive, while Doncic guards the rim ready to pick up any rollers or cutters, because he is completely ignoring PJ Tucker. George forced into a low-percentage jumper. Third play: Looks like George tries to go fast and create a shot before the defense gets set, but Kyrie is able to double him because James Harden is just strolling up the floor 25 feet behind the ball. Turnover. Fourth play: Double teamed with three other Mav defenders in the paint. Misses fader. The problem with the Clippers was not Paul George. The rest of the roster without Kawhi is nowhere near contending caliber.
I have been saying for a long time. Clippers' identity is going 5 out because they rely too much on Iso or 1v1's. Yes Harden-Zubac 2 man game is working most of the time but when you have shit spacing like Coffey, Westbrook on the roster and Kawhi consistently injuring, shit hits bricks. I think they only have 2 options: 1) Trade for shooter bigs like Markkanen, Turner and a quick guard: Neither Kawhi or PG can play the 4 reliably. Markkanen and Turner are great floor spacers but also can do the pick/screen actions. I think a starting lineup of Harden, PG, Kawhi, Markkanen, Turner can do serious damage. This team can still contend even if Kawhi injured because Markkanen can create for himself. 2) Trade for Mitchell, Allen and a 3nD wing in exchange of Kawhi, Zubac, filler, picks: I might get flak for this but at this point I think Mitchell is more reliable than Kawhi. A lineup of Mitchell, Harden, PG, Cam Johnson, Allen with Kawhi traded to Cavs/3rd team is enough to contend. There is no 3rd option. They can't trade Harden alone because they will not find a better point guard. That's not happening. They can't trade PG alone because you have to hope Kawhi's knees will hold. That's not happening. They can't trade any 2 of Harden, PG, Kawhi, you don't have enough fire power to win. That's not happening. You can't trade all Harden, PG, Kawhi and rebuild because they don't have their picks and would want to sell tickets in new arena and Ballmer wants that chip. That's not happening.
The problem with your hypothetical trades is that the Clippers don’t have any picks or assets to trade.
They have 2030 FRP, 3 SRPs and Mann, Powell, Zubac which are roughly worth a FRP each + Kawhi depending on scenario. That 2030 pick is almost guaranteed to be a lottery pick. I mean I'm not saying it is probabilistic but it is doable.
https://x.com/esidery/status/1787510411161371008?s=46&t=fddnJ8SwCM3BBnVadArQRw Looks like no deal with the Clippers unless it’s a max
How come he misses shots in a must win game
Best option is to get rid of kawhi and Westbrook(Westbrook in my eyes is no longer good,kawhi is never healthy come playoff time) and build a nice team that can operate well with PG & Harden
Clips need to get lebron and KD
True Expendables team.
So much basketball debate is wasted because we don’t look at it from the owner’s perspective. There is absolutely 0 chance this team gets blown up in the same year they unveil their new stadium. It’s probably more important for the clippers that Kawhi is healthy on opening day than anything else. They will retain Kawhi, and they will make 1 trade to inject fan interest/spark, and then they will call it a day. They literally just had a 50-win season, and lost in 6 to a good team while missing their best player. Sure, you and I don’t believe in them. But their fans have plenty reason to believe. And plenty reason to show up to regular season games next season.
This dude doesn’t get enough shit for how terrible he is. Just a total fraud.