Bear Down Wildcats

Wow, $5 million less. STOP IT!!!

Carmelo Anthony's new five-year contract with the New York Knicks is worth $124 million, $5 million less than the maximum, according to ESPN New York sources.

Anthony's contract also includes a rare no-trade clause and has an early termination option after the fourth year, according to league sources.

Anthony was eligible to sign a contract for a maximum of $129 million but agreed to a deal worth $5 million less to give the Knicks more financial flexibility to pursue free agents in future summers.

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_ ... ork-knicks

Very generous by Anthony to allow all that cap room. See, he's about winning not money!

Coop Cat wrote:Wow, $5 million less. STOP IT!!!

Carmelo Anthony's new five-year contract with the New York Knicks is worth $124 million, $5 million less than the maximum, according to ESPN New York sources.

Anthony's contract also includes a rare no-trade clause and has an early termination option after the fourth year, according to league sources.

Anthony was eligible to sign a contract for a maximum of $129 million but agreed to a deal worth $5 million less to give the Knicks more financial flexibility to pursue free agents in future summers.

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_ ... ork-knicks

That averages out to a $1 savings on every possession over the next five years where Carmelo will bring his team's ball movement to a screeching halt. I like the early termination option after four years too. I'm sure someone will be ready to shell out more than 20 mil a year for a 34 year old ball hog who plays no D.

I'm taking a summer school course called NBA Science, giving me credit toward a degree in NBA General Management. So far I've learned that you don't build team rosters by acquiring good players. Instead, you're supposed to trade your current players for players that have expiring contracts, or for players that can be traded for other players with expiring contracts. That way, your roster will suddenly vanish when all of the contracts expire, giving you the cap space to sign free agents, who will use up all of your cap space and require you to trade them for players with expiring contracts.

2nd longest tenured Laker after Kobe:

Officially ends talks of Hill in Bledsoe deal.

JMarkJohns wrote:Officially ends talks of Hill in Bledsoe deal.

Doesn't necessarily end the Bledsoe deal, though, right? Too bad the Suns can't get Hill and then trade him for an expiring contract.

Correct. Heard about Randle/Nash/1sts

JMarkJohns wrote:Correct. Heard about Randle/Nash/1sts

I'd definitely be on board with that. Nash can come home, be a spot backup, and slowly be eased into a front office role in addition to a rookie with and bright future and draft picks...sign me up.

Looking like it will be Byron:

The Los Angeles Lakers have offered their head coaching job to Byron Scott, according to league sources.

The two sides are now in negotiations on a contract.

The Lakers made Scott a verbal offer on Thursday after Scott spoke with owner Jim Buss. Scott and his representatives are now in the process of reviewing the Lakers' offer.

http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/stor ... ng-sources

Love just cut his trade value in half. Can't trade Wiggins for that now...

Looks like Love to Cleveland is a done deal. I think Cleveland gets the better of the deal. I know Wiggins is a great talent but who knows how he will do in the NBA. Love is an All-Star and you play to win now. The Cavs and Bulls should be the top-2 teams in the east with the Heat #3.

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-bas ... ade-demand

I don't know. I'd be surprised if anybody other than Cleveland comes out of the E.C.

So is Cleveland the odds on favorite for 2015?

Cleveland has no defense beyond James, and the tired legs of Varajeo and Marion. It's outside shooters are old (Miller, Allen), or better with ball in hands (Irving). It's head coach is a rookie.

I'm not sure they make it out of the east. I like Chicago, and think both Miami if healthy and Washington as the sleeper can beat them in a series.

Count me skeptical as well. Defense will be a major issue, see Kyrie the matador.

The story, though, is fascinating to me. Can't wait for the season to start.

JMarkJohns wrote:Cleveland has no defense beyond James, and the tired legs of Varajeo and Marion. It's outside shooters are old (Miller, Allen), or better with ball in hands (Irving). It's head coach is a rookie.

I'm not sure they make it out of the east. I like Chicago, and think both Miami if healthy and Washington as the sleeper can beat them in a series.

Cleveland has to be the favorite to make it out of the East. Rose is too fragile to believe in until the playoffs actually start.

You're right on about D, though. Kyrie needs to bring it, and Varejao being able to defend and rebound matters a ton because Love doesn't defend much. I would think LeBron and the promise of a ring whips Kyrie into shape.

Blatt is an underrated coach. He has a great resume, and can actually coach, instead of just riding talent.

Nice gunner for Kerr:

He is a Cali Guy you know.

My per diem in the U.S. is still $32.

Another Channing bet won! Ridnour this time:

http://websta.me/p/823083346676250477_21707908

Also appears Channing hurt his knee at practice yesterday. Sprained left MCL. No structural damage or tears. No timetable for a return

Thats nearly 3x the previous annual average. Salary cap could be moving into the $88 mil range in a few years ($63 right now).

File this under the "Who Cares Department":

This really sucks for Steve. Oh well.

Pack it in Nash, just pack it in!!