Exploring possible destinations for some of the top remaining free agents, Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report suggests that many people around the league think that P.J. Washington – the only standard restricted free agent still on the board – will eventually accept his qualifying offer from the Hornets. Pincus also confirms that the Lakers have conveyed interest in big man Christian Wood.
In considering a potential landing spot for Kelly Oubre, who averaged more than 20 points per game last season, Pincus notes that Memphis makes some sense. While it’s not clear if the Grizzlies have actually expressed interest in Oubre, Pincus points out that they haven’t really replaced Dillon Brooks at forward and have some young players – such as Ziaire Williams or Josh Christopher – who might appeal to the Hornets in a sign-and-trade scenario.
Here are a few more odds and ends from the league:
- Seth Partnow of The Athletic has published the first two installments of his player tier rankings for the 2023/24 season. Breaking down the top 125 players of the league into five tiers, Partnow lists 45 players in tier five – including Warriors sharpshooter Klay Thompson and Raptors forward Scottie Barnes – and 41 more in tier four, such as Kings center Domantas Sabonis, Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram, and Timberwolves big man Karl-Anthony Towns. Partnow’s top three tiers will consist of 39 players and will presumably be posted later this week.
- Now that hoarding cap room into the regular season is no longer a viable strategy, Rob Mahoney of The Ringer wonders how the new Collective Bargaining Agreement will change the way that rebuilding teams approach future offseasons.
- With no sign that the Damian Lillard or James Harden situations will be resolved anytime soon, John Hollinger of The Athletic questions whether the NBA’s player empowerment era has reached its ceiling. During the last several years, stars who ask for trades have sought increasingly specific destinations despite having less and less leverage, Hollinger observes, adding that the outcomes for Lillard and Harden could create new benchmarks for future star trade requests.
Teams can still hoard cap space even with the new cba. The opposite is true-teams can go into the super tax.
The penalties for the super tax are harsh and the penalty for being under the min cap is no luxury tax cash for your team.
So there is a cash penalty but that doesn’t mean you can’t do it. Teams may want to do it because they could take advantage of team building opportunities.
With so many teams willing to be taxed that they will need to off load players and stars like Dame or Jarden.
Also have future stars that want to get paid.
For example reaves. A team could make an aggressive offer. The spurs a most did that. They will likely regret not picking him up even at 100mm vs the 52m the lakers paid.
Snatching up restricted free agents.
Just remember that it comes at a cash cost to owners to be under the min cap. That luxury tax money that is split up is a very large number to small market teams.
But but but….a team owner could use the excessive cap to their advantage too so I wouldn’t rule it out as a strategy.
Oubre would be a massive upgrade for the Grizz…
Washington is a player every team could find a role for… Really shouldn’t be without an offer sheet, but was the odd one out…
Oubre would be terrific for the Grizzlies who need to replace Brooks. Maybe use Luke Kennard and a young player or two as bait…
Raptors should pick up Oubre. really
Wood isn’t this great talent. And considering he hasn’t gotten paid. Seems the word is out on him. But we all know !!!!!!!
Whichever contender picks him up. He will make them deeper and better. So he’s a player that can swing momentum here.
He goes to Heat, with Dame. It’s done
Goes to Sixers. Now they are threat to at least East Finals. Knicks can also threaten East Finals. He’s not taking Lakers to West Finals. Warriors can always use a big. Imagine if Dra teaches him to play right big.! !!!!! Clippers can use him too. If he’s going for minimum. Might as well go for a ring too. I can see him in Miami …..
Knicks could use Oubre too but Scarlett666 about Oubre to Memphis