[ad_1]
Tony Gutierrez / Associated Press
The Western Conference remains in the limelight as the offseason season of the NBA continues.
The Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors made big flashes in the early days of the free agent period, and now the focus remains on the Lakers, as well as the Rockets of Houston, as we await the word where two of the best Western Conference players end up.
Los Angeles is still in the game to complete a contract for Kawhi Leonard, the San Antonio Spurs striker, a process that advances slower than molbades
Over Houston, the waiting surrounds the decision regarding Clint Capela's future. , while the Western Conference Finals runner-up tries to keep most of his team in place to chase the Warriors during the 2018-1919 campaign
Here's a last look at the Leonard trade, the agency free of Capela and news about other free agents available.
Spurs requesting a prize for Leonard is declared high
The main reason Leonard was not traded could be the brutal asking price of San Antonio.
The Spurs would ask for three of the best young players on the Lakers list, plus preliminary considerations, by Larry Coon, wage capping expert, when appearing on Spectrum Sportsnet:
Spectrum SportsNet @ SpectrumSN [19659014] The NBA's pay cap expert @LarryCoon was on tonight's show to break the flexibility of #Lakers ceiling space following the moves of # 39; aujourd & # 39; hui. https://t.co/GTB1fYdQrk
" From what I hear, they ask a lot. My sources say, get ready for this one, they say Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, Kyle Kuzma, two d & First (choice of the round) and two selection exchanges They just say give us everything, "Coon said.
The astronomical price for Leonard would turn any team, even the Lakers, far from a potential deal because of how much the franchise would give up.
Even though another team is involved in business negotiations for Leonard, it's easy to badume that the Spurs will be tough in these negotiations, as well based on the reporting that they want Lakers.
If this continues to be the price demanded by the Spurs, potential contenders, including the Lakers, might be ready to wait until Leonard hits the free agent market in 2019. [19659004] However, there is a scenario in which Spurs use their high demands as a starting point and end up with a return that is traded down while establishing them for long-term success.
No matter what happens, it seems Leonard's situation will not be resolved. time soon.
The Rockets will do everything in their power to keep Capela
With LeBron James, Paul George Chris Paul and DeMarcus Cousins in the free-agent market, Capela is the most recognizable name on the left.
Since he is a restricted free agent, any offer that Capela receives may be matched by the Rockets, and they intend to do so, according to USA Today Sam Amick:
Sam Amick @ Sam_amick
The Rockets are obviously all under contract with the free agent Clint Capela as a man in the middle, with plans to match No matter which sheet comes to meet him. Cousins as a sixth man with all these points of questioning was not attractive.
Houston's strategy to match all offers for Capela is the only one it should consider, especially with the growing number of championship threats in the Western Conference.
Capela is a vital badet of the frontcourt for challenging the Warriors with Cousins in good health, and this also prevents competition from teams like the Lakers who might have an interest in the Swiss striker 24 years old.
Although they may not be able to compete with the high-level talent of the Golden State list, the Rockets will be in the best shape possible if Capela returns and plays next to James Harden and Paul.
Isaiah Thomas Seeking to Conclude a Case in Orlando
Isaiah Thomas pbaded from a much coveted to a free agent languishing on the market in the space of a year.
The 29-year-old man was traded from Boston to Cleveland, then from the Cavaliers to the Lakers, the latter being a trade that helped clear spaces in Los Angeles to bring James.
Thomas, who has played for five teams since entering the NBA in 2011, could head to a sixth free agency destination, Alex Kennedy of HoopsHype announcing the negotiation of a possible deal between Thomas and Orlando Magic :
Alex Kennedy @ AlexKennedyNBA
Isaiah Thomas and Orlando Magic are in the process of negotiating a possible deal, according to league sources. Nothing has been agreed yet, but it seems that both parties want to do it.
The Magic is not the worst franchise they come up with, but they do not have the title of champion of the Celtics and Cavaliers.
Thomas meets a need on an Orlando list full of great men, as D.J. Augustin is the only real leader in the team right now.
Although this may seem like a downgrade from Thomas's point of view, signing with Orlando may not be the worst thing in the world, as he tries to regain his level of play in Boston .
Wayne Ellington watches his return to Miami
At this stage of the free agency, teams are looking to bring veteran players to lower prices in order to complete their lists and remain under salary cap.
Wayne Ellington fits that description perfectly because he carries 10 years of NBA experience on his resume.
Although several teams are interested in Ellington's services, Yahoo's Jordan Schultz reports that most of the league's players were waiting for the 30-year-old to return to Miami Heat: 19659011] Jordan Schultz @ Schultz_Report
#Heat FA Wayne Ellington – 11.2 points and 58.8% of TS last season – has a lot of interested teams, but the thought process within the league is that the 30-year-old will likely stay in Miami. #Lakers need to shoot for #LeBron, but they are out of bounds.
Miami is an intriguing team on the rise in the Eastern Conference because it has some beautiful pieces highlighted by Goran Dragic.
Keeping Ellington on the list, the Heat will make the majority of the team that earned sixth place at the Eastern Conference.
Although Miami is not in the same conversation as Indiana, Boston or Philadelphia when it comes to fighting for a title, it could stand as the best second-tier team in the conference from the East with a full range of veteran players.
Cutters Interested in Returning Showzl Harrell
Another player on the market planned for a potential return to the team that he has played a year ago is Montrezl Harrell.
The front of Louisville was acquired by the Los Angeles Clippers in Paul's trade last summer in part because of his contract expires.
However, Harrell could return to the Clippers, as Broderick Turner of Los Angeles Times noted that the Clippers have interest in re-signing the 24-year-old.
Bringing Harrell back could be difficult for the Clippers because they have 15 players in their lineup. If Harrell returns to Staples Center, a corresponding move, which could be the lifting of a player, must be done at some point.
Harrell began to impose himself as an NBA player a year ago, and it would be wise for the Clippers to take another risk with him on training in transition.
Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90 .
[ad_2]
Source link