The NBA is basically a stupid money circus. In the end the fans (or corporations) pick up the tab. The Warriors will bring more congestion to what is already a ****hole city. Besides the NBA is really boring.

concordtom said:

---

bearister said:

---

KD left $56 million on the table.

---

I was just wondering how much it amounted to. Thx

He left money on the table by leaving OKC for GS, and then again by signing short term deals.
It all adds up to a lot of dough, though less so after taxes.

---

KD didn't really leave $56 million on the table. You're comparing a 4 year contract to a 5 year contract only the Warriors could offer. So it will only be $56 million if KD is out of the league and has no value in 4 years - an unlikely scenario. If KD is still worth the max and considering salary cap increases, he could potentially be close to even taking this path. But of course with the injury and aging he might land somewhere in the middle. Point being, I doubt he is giving up all $56 million.

caltagjohnson said:

---

The NBA is basically a stupid money circus. In the end the fans (or corporations) pick up the tab. The Warriors will bring more congestion to what is already a ****hole city. Besides the NBA is really boring.

---

Who pooped in your cereal!

caltagjohnson said:

---

The NBA is basically a stupid money circus. In the end the fans (or corporations) pick up the tab. The Warriors will bring more congestion to what is already a ****hole city. Besides the NBA is really boring.

---

Good grief.

NBA is best basketball, period!

caltagjohnson said:

---

The NBA is basically a stupid money circus. In the end the fans (or corporations) pick up the tab. The Warriors will bring more congestion to what is already a ****hole city. Besides the NBA is really boring.

---

Must be a Knicks fan.

75bear said:

---

Warriors sign D'Angelo Russell and trade Andre Iguodala. Very weird to now have 3 max salary guards - how does that work? I realize Klay is out for the year, but how do you play all 3 when healthy?

---

You play them on the court. Klay is 6-7, can easily qualify as a 3 in the NBA where its all about perimeter shooting.

KD is a generational player... when done, will be in discussion to be on basketball's Mount Rushmore.. but so is Steph.... Steph's ability to shoot the 3 better than any player who has shot a basketball is also a generational player.... and yes, will also be in disussion to be on basketball's Mount Rushmore... sure maybe at base looking up, but again, both have the skills and body of work to be considered.

Even with 2 finals MVP's.. the GSW were Steph's team before, during, and now after KD's departure...
that was a key reason KD decided to move on... he would always be "1B"...

The heated aurgument with Draymond even as the emotions cooled down... it was never forgotton by KD either... in the heat of the moment, the inner feelings are spoken...it is what it is.

I am glad KD signed with GSW and a key reason GSW has 2 rings and 3 finals... Did not want KD to move on... but sign back on to continue this great run... but it was his decision to go... I was a KD fan before he came to GSW, while at GSW, and will continue to be a fan of KD now that he has left.

Thanks for the 3 great years at GSW and deicison to come to GSW.

goGSW
goBears

RedlessWardrobe said:

---

75bear said:

---

Warriors sign D'Angelo Russell and trade Andre Iguodala. Very weird to now have 3 max salary guards - how does that work? I realize Klay is out for the year, but how do you play all 3 when healthy?

---

You play them on the court. Klay is 6-7, can easily qualify as a 3 in the NBA where its all about perimeter shooting.

---

Plus, Klay can defend small forwards well too. Kawhi was the Finals MVP deservedly. But Kawhi especially went off when Klay was hobbled or out and the Warriors had to use a different primary defender on Kawhi (4th Q of game 2, all of game 3, last 14 minutes of game 6).

The Warriors may not be contenders this coming year, but they will be interesting.

giving tier 2 free agent DLO a max contract is definitely an interesting move. GSW is either counting on their system making him look good or him improving with age.

gobears said:

---

KD is a generational player... when done, will be in discussion to be on basketball's Mount Rushmore.. but so is Steph.... Steph's ability to shoot the 3 better than any player who has shot a basketball is also a generational player.... and yes, will also be in disussion to be on basketball's Mount Rushmore... sure maybe at base looking up, but again, both have the skills and body of work to be considered.

Even with 2 finals MVP's.. the GSW were Steph's team before, during, and now after KD's departure...
that was a key reason KD decided to move on... he would always be "1B"...

The heated aurgument with Draymond even as the emotions cooled down... it was never forgotton by KD either... in the heat of the moment, the inner feelings are spoken...it is what it is.

I am glad KD signed with GSW and a key reason GSW has 2 rings and 3 finals... Did not want KD to move on... but sign back on to continue this great run... but it was his decision to go... I was a KD fan before he came to GSW, while at GSW, and will continue to be a fan of KD now that he has left.

Thanks for the 3 great years at GSW and deicison to come to GSW.

goGSW
goBears

---

Well put!

I will always wish him the best.

However, reading through all the summaries of players who have not maintained their athleticism after an Achilles tear, his leaving may be a blessing in disguise for the Dubs. I hope not, but ...

One more cannot put the toothpaste back in the tube:



Knowing KD is very sensitive... (leaving OKC, cupcake, etc) not the best comment when trying to make a joke on the parade stage... but again... it is what it is...

Plans to get KD began years before KD was a FA... next focus will be: 2021/Giannis.

goGSW
goBears

I'm replying to myself, but with the help of spotrac, I'm becoming a cap expert overnight...

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/golden-state-warriors/cap/

With Russell, they are at $118.8 million for their top 4 players and have an additional guaranteed $6.23 million (Livinston is included at $2 million dead cap money unless they can trade him).

So that's ~$125 million.

They are also listing the the Russell trade as one involving Durant.

Luxury Tax kicks in at 132.6million and the apron (aka hard cap for the warriors) is $138.6 million.

So that's about the $13.1 million for 6 players that Nate Duncan is referring to.


Veteran min is around $1.6 million, so filling out the roster with basically league min veterans is the only way to go forward.

Unless they trade Russell...

Would be interesting if they could get a couple of low $10 million/salary veterans in a trade, they regain the mid-level exception and sign another veteran at the tune of ~$ 8 million.

If I understand the rules correctly, the warriors technically have a mid level exception IF they are below the apron, but right now they can't spend it and fill out their roster with minimum salary. If they sign 5 at $1.627 million, that would eat up all but $4.97 million of the remaining $13.1million referenced by Duncan. But that's not enough for a full mid level exception. I presume they could sign a player @ a reduced ~ $5 million with that exception.

And they really can't afford to keep Bell or Cook at anything above the min, so they almost certainly gone.

ColoradoBear said:

---

I'm replying to myself, but with the help of spotrac, I'm becoming a cap expert overnight...

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/golden-state-warriors/cap/

With Russell, they are at $118.8 million for their top 4 players and have an additional guaranteed $6.23 million (Livinston is included at $2 million dead cap money unless they can trade him).

So that's ~$125 million.

They are also listing the the Russell trade as one involving Durant.

Luxury Tax kicks in at 132.6million and the apron (aka hard cap for the warriors) is 138.6 million.

Veteran min is around $1.6 million, so filling out the roster with all league min veterans is the only way to go forward.

Unless they trade Russell...

Would be interesting if they could get a couple of low $10 million/salary veterans in a trade, they regain the mid-level exception and sign another veteran at the tune of ~$ 8 million. (If I understand the rules correctly, the warriors technically have a mid level exception IF they are below the apron, but right now they can't spend it and fill out their roster with minumum salary).

---

Russell can't be traded until Dec 15. Those are basically the roster limitations.

philbert said:

---

ColoradoBear said:

---

I'm replying to myself, but with the help of spotrac, I'm becoming a cap expert overnight...

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/golden-state-warriors/cap/

With Russell, they are at $118.8 million for their top 4 players and have an additional guaranteed $6.23 million (Livinston is included at $2 million dead cap money unless they can trade him).

So that's ~$125 million.

They are also listing the the Russell trade as one involving Durant.

Luxury Tax kicks in at 132.6million and the apron (aka hard cap for the warriors) is 138.6 million.

Veteran min is around $1.6 million, so filling out the roster with all league min veterans is the only way to go forward.

Unless they trade Russell...

Would be interesting if they could get a couple of low $10 million/salary veterans in a trade, they regain the mid-level exception and sign another veteran at the tune of ~$ 8 million. (If I understand the rules correctly, the warriors technically have a mid level exception IF they are below the apron, but right now they can't spend it and fill out their roster with minumum salary).

---

Russell can't be traded until Dec 15. Those are basically the roster limitations.

---

Guess they have to trade Curry then! It's an ugly cap situation. Should just pull a Jed York and cash in at the new arena but cheap out and get under the lux tax level. It's too bad they couldn't win one more for the Town, but winning in SF will be tough.

Now if Russell actually plays above the contract value... does anyone foresee that?

Winning doesn't come cheaply ... in a lot of ways.

The system is purposely designed to bring the leaders back to the pack, and once again, it's working as designed. The Warriors are destined for several years on the margins, at the least. After all, there are 30 teams, and in an ideal world from the league's perspective, 28 teams would in titles before the Warriors and Raptors won again..

Presumably a healthy revenue stream and a well-above-average front office can get the Dubs back in the title hunt sooner than the law of averages suggest, but really, expecting another NBA title before 2030 or so is not only greedy, but really improbable.

ColoradoBear said:

---

philbert said:

---

ColoradoBear said:

---

I'm replying to myself, but with the help of spotrac, I'm becoming a cap expert overnight...

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/golden-state-warriors/cap/

With Russell, they are at $118.8 million for their top 4 players and have an additional guaranteed $6.23 million (Livinston is included at $2 million dead cap money unless they can trade him).

So that's ~$125 million.

They are also listing the the Russell trade as one involving Durant.

Luxury Tax kicks in at 132.6million and the apron (aka hard cap for the warriors) is 138.6 million.

Veteran min is around $1.6 million, so filling out the roster with all league min veterans is the only way to go forward.

Unless they trade Russell...

Would be interesting if they could get a couple of low $10 million/salary veterans in a trade, they regain the mid-level exception and sign another veteran at the tune of ~$ 8 million. (If I understand the rules correctly, the warriors technically have a mid level exception IF they are below the apron, but right now they can't spend it and fill out their roster with minumum salary).

---

Russell can't be traded until Dec 15. Those are basically the roster limitations.

---

Guess they have to trade Curry then! It's an ugly cap situation. Should just pull a Jed York and cash in at the new arena but cheap out and get under the lux tax level. It's too bad they couldn't win one more for the Town, but winning in SF will be tough.

Now if Russell actually plays above the contract value... does anyone foresee that?

---

They play Russell until Klay comes back, since they will need Russell to make the playoffs, then they trade him. Russell and Curry don't work together in the playoffs as neither is a good defender, but defense matter sless in the regular season. The trade I would like to see is Russell plus Draymond Green for something big.

In any case, I think getting Russell is great both as a Klay replacement and as a trading chip.

Sluggo

sluggo said:

---

ColoradoBear said:

---

philbert said:

---

ColoradoBear said:

---

I'm replying to myself, but with the help of spotrac, I'm becoming a cap expert overnight...

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/golden-state-warriors/cap/

With Russell, they are at $118.8 million for their top 4 players and have an additional guaranteed $6.23 million (Livinston is included at $2 million dead cap money unless they can trade him).

So that's ~$125 million.

They are also listing the the Russell trade as one involving Durant.

Luxury Tax kicks in at 132.6million and the apron (aka hard cap for the warriors) is 138.6 million.

Veteran min is around $1.6 million, so filling out the roster with all league min veterans is the only way to go forward.

Unless they trade Russell...

Would be interesting if they could get a couple of low $10 million/salary veterans in a trade, they regain the mid-level exception and sign another veteran at the tune of ~$ 8 million. (If I understand the rules correctly, the warriors technically have a mid level exception IF they are below the apron, but right now they can't spend it and fill out their roster with minumum salary).

---

Russell can't be traded until Dec 15. Those are basically the roster limitations.

---

Guess they have to trade Curry then! It's an ugly cap situation. Should just pull a Jed York and cash in at the new arena but cheap out and get under the lux tax level. It's too bad they couldn't win one more for the Town, but winning in SF will be tough.

Now if Russell actually plays above the contract value... does anyone foresee that?

---

They play Russell until Klay comes back, since they will need Russell to make the playoffs, then they trade him. Russell and Curry don't work together in the playoffs as neither is a good defender, but defense matter sless in the regular season. The trade I would like to see is Russell plus Draymond Green for something big.

In any case, I think getting Russell is great both as a Klay replacement and as a trading chip.

Sluggo

---

It's not easy to trade max players because you need the salaries to match. As you approach an expiring max contract, there is often action. But how many max guys have been traded with 3 or more years remaining on their contract? I'm guessing the list isn't very big.

gobears said:

---

One more cannot put the toothpaste back in the tube:



Knowing KD is very sensitive... (leaving OKC, cupcake, etc) not the best comment when trying to make a joke on the parade stage... but again... it is what it is...

Plans to get KD began years before KD was a FA... next focus will be: 2021/Giannis.

goGSW
goBears

---

Yeah, that was the stupidest thing I ever heard a boss say.
Seriously now. He should have taken out a full page apology ad in the newspaper.
Or, Lacob should have simply fired him.

sluggo said:

---

The trade I would like to see is Russell plus Draymond Green for something big.

Sluggo

---

Good luck with that.
Draymond is in the last year of his contract, and by the time Klay comes back, he'll have another month or two.
Not much of a market. Unless they extend him now.

And it would seem to be 2 separate team trades rather than a combo pack.

And who would you think is going to be available in such a big trade, that makes sense for the warriors?
It's okay, you're dreaming and scheming. Doesn't have to make sense or be complete right now.

75bear said:

---

sluggo said:

---

ColoradoBear said:

---

philbert said:

---

ColoradoBear said:

---

I'm replying to myself, but with the help of spotrac, I'm becoming a cap expert overnight...

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/golden-state-warriors/cap/

With Russell, they are at $118.8 million for their top 4 players and have an additional guaranteed $6.23 million (Livinston is included at $2 million dead cap money unless they can trade him).

So that's ~$125 million.

They are also listing the the Russell trade as one involving Durant.

Luxury Tax kicks in at 132.6million and the apron (aka hard cap for the warriors) is 138.6 million.

Veteran min is around $1.6 million, so filling out the roster with all league min veterans is the only way to go forward.

Unless they trade Russell...

Would be interesting if they could get a couple of low $10 million/salary veterans in a trade, they regain the mid-level exception and sign another veteran at the tune of ~$ 8 million. (If I understand the rules correctly, the warriors technically have a mid level exception IF they are below the apron, but right now they can't spend it and fill out their roster with minumum salary).

---

Russell can't be traded until Dec 15. Those are basically the roster limitations.

---

Guess they have to trade Curry then! It's an ugly cap situation. Should just pull a Jed York and cash in at the new arena but cheap out and get under the lux tax level. It's too bad they couldn't win one more for the Town, but winning in SF will be tough.

Now if Russell actually plays above the contract value... does anyone foresee that?

---

They play Russell until Klay comes back, since they will need Russell to make the playoffs, then they trade him. Russell and Curry don't work together in the playoffs as neither is a good defender, but defense matter sless in the regular season. The trade I would like to see is Russell plus Draymond Green for something big.

In any case, I think getting Russell is great both as a Klay replacement and as a trading chip.

Sluggo

---

It's not easy to trade max players because you need the salaries to match. As you approach an expiring max contract, there is often action. But how many max guys have been traded with 3 or more years remaining on their contract? I'm guessing the list isn't very big.

---

The whole point is a max player for a max player. Kevin Love, Blake Griffith, DeMar Derozan, there are plenty of guys who don't fit in and might be available. Could be a free agent who they can sign-and-trade with in the summer, like the reverse of the Durant-Russell trade. It is all over the internet that Russell is temporary.

Sluggo

Does anyone know if the Ws can extend Draymond's contract in a way that enable them to loosen up room this summer to bring in yet more players (or simply resign kevon Looney, something which has been rumored to be in trouble due to lack of hard cap space)?

concordtom said:

---

Does anyone know if the Ws can extend Draymond's contract in a way that enable them to loosen up room this summer to bring in yet more players (or simply resign kevon Looney, something which has been rumored to be in trouble due to lack of hard cap space)?

---

It doesn't make sense for Draymond to sign this summer. He would take a big pay cut over what he can get at the end of the season.

concordtom said:

---

sluggo said:

---

The trade I would like to see is Russell plus Draymond Green for something big.

Sluggo

---

Good luck with that.
Draymond is in the last year of his contract, and by the time Klay comes back, he'll have another month or two.
Not much of a market. Unless they extend him now.

And it would seem to be 2 separate team trades rather than a combo pack.

And who would you think is going to be available in such a big trade, that makes sense for the warriors?
It's okay, you're dreaming and scheming. Doesn't have to make sense or be complete right now.

---

The guy I want for the Warriors is Ben Simmons. I think he could play the Draymond role better than Draymond and he is younger. And Philly is a bad shooting team where Simmons does not fit in. Plus Philly is trying to win right now and probably does not want to max Simmons. However, the trade does not work in terms of salaries. And maybe Green can't coexist with Horford and Embiid.

Sluggo

oski003 said:

---

If the Lakers retired players' jerseys for winning 2 championships, there'd be no numbers left.

---

Current Lakers retired numbers, and the number of Finals MVPs on a Championship Team they won with the Lakers:

8 (Kobe): Zero
13 (Wilt): One
22 (Baylor): Zero
24 (Kobe, yes, twice): Two
25 (Goodrich): Zero
32 (Magic): Three
33 (Kareem): One
34 (Shaq): Three
42 (Worthy): One
44 (West): Zero
52 (Wilkes): Zero

Lakers fans never change.

OaktownBear said:

---

concordtom said:

---

Does anyone know if the Ws can extend Draymond's contract in a way that enable them to loosen up room this summer to bring in yet more players (or simply resign kevon Looney, something which has been rumored to be in trouble due to lack of hard cap space)?

---

It doesn't make sense for Draymond to sign this summer. He would take a big pay cut over what he can get at the end of the season.

---

I could see him wanting to sign after seeing Durant and Thompson go down in consecutive games. While they were not hurt contractually, he would be. But whatever they signed him for would be a raise and thus would make the salary situation even worse (if that is possible).

Sluggo

ClayK said:

---

Winning doesn't come cheaply ... in a lot of ways.

The system is purposely designed to bring the leaders back to the pack, and once again, it's working as designed. The Warriors are destined for several years on the margins, at the least. After all, there are 30 teams, and in an ideal world from the league's perspective, 28 teams would in titles before the Warriors and Raptors won again..

Presumably a healthy revenue stream and a well-above-average front office can get the Dubs back in the title hunt sooner than the law of averages suggest, but really, expecting another NBA title before 2030 or so is not only greedy, but really improbable.

---

1. Yes the Warriors are in a bind on the cap, but they are doing everything they can to free up money to keep Looney. People are making a lot of assumptions about what they can and can't do.

2. I have felt all along that the Warriors fans are spoiled by the super team phenomenon. They will have a really good team next year. If they find a way to keep Looney and if Klay is healthy by playoff time, they will challenge for a title next year. The difference is they will be one of 6 or so teams to challenge instead of being the clear favorite. I think there is an overreaction that comes from comparing them with what they were. They are still in good shape. My opinion is they are going to see if the line up works with Russell and if so, he is here long term. If not, they trade him next offseason. Personally, I like the lineup. Kerr needs to get to work.

3. Once I saw the slow motion replay of Durant's injury, I was hoping for a sign and trade. That isn't a tear. That is a complete rupture. He will come back a very good player, but he will not be what he was. His skill will remain, but his mobility won't. Investing in him for 5 years at supermax is a bad investment. I would have hated this move before the injury (or more specifically the necessity of the move) but after the injury, I think the Warriors are much better off than if Durant stayed.

Maybe Lacob can get several thousand cardboard celebrities to fill the empties in Chase next season.

Well, at least you have Rick Barry and Andre Iguodala to retire as well. Apparently, you believe Klay and Curry don't deserve to have their numbers retired because you have now declared that finals MVP on a winning team (nice addition to slight Jerry West) is the thing that matters. KD was a good rental, and Klay and Curry will never win finals MVP because they are fading into mediocrity (as the Giants did). Hopefully, they don't become as bad as the Giants are. Go Sharks?

Arguments for retiring KD: 1) 2 finals MVP 2) Great Player 3) Took less money to help GSW 4) suffered catostrophic injury in first quarter after being declared okay to play by team doctors

Arguments against retiring KD: 1) He just left GSW in free agency to play for another team 2) He only played for GSW for 2 seasons 3) He is actively playing in the NBA


Hey, if you have the wall space, do it! You won't get too many more opportunites.

I have read that Russell is a much better defender than generally is believed.

Last year he improved tremendously offensively and probably somewhat defensively. My guess is that he will continue to improve all around.

If he does, the Dubs should keep him. He is a talented player and young (23).

I think the defense with Steph and Russell on the court would not be half bad. Ditto for the offense.

OaktownBear said:

---

ClayK said:

---

Winning doesn't come cheaply ... in a lot of ways.

The system is purposely designed to bring the leaders back to the pack, and once again, it's working as designed. The Warriors are destined for several years on the margins, at the least. After all, there are 30 teams, and in an ideal world from the league's perspective, 28 teams would in titles before the Warriors and Raptors won again..

Presumably a healthy revenue stream and a well-above-average front office can get the Dubs back in the title hunt sooner than the law of averages suggest, but really, expecting another NBA title before 2030 or so is not only greedy, but really improbable.

---

1. Yes the Warriors are in a bind on the cap, but they are doing everything they can to free up money to keep Looney. People are making a lot of assumptions about what they can and can't do.

2. I have felt all along that the Warriors fans are spoiled by the super team phenomenon. They will have a really good team next year. If they find a way to keep Looney and if Klay is healthy by playoff time, they will challenge for a title next year. The difference is they will be one of 6 or so teams to challenge instead of being the clear favorite. I think there is an overreaction that comes from comparing them with what they were. They are still in good shape. My opinion is they are going to see if the line up works with Russell and if so, he is here long term. If not, they trade him next offseason. Personally, I like the lineup. Kerr needs to get to work.

3. Once I saw the slow motion replay of Durant's injury, I was hoping for a sign and trade. That isn't a tear. That is a complete rupture. He will come back a very good player, but he will not be what he was. His skill will remain, but his mobility won't. Investing in him for 5 years at supermax is a bad investment. I would have hated this move before the injury (or more specifically the necessity of the move) but after the injury, I think the Warriors are much better off than if Durant stayed.

---

Re 2: Before this trade, I wasn't sure if the Warriors had a playoff team next year, let alone a very good team like you argue. On paper, a playoff team, certainly. But, and I say this as a big Curry fan, I was concerned about the load the Klay injury would put on him for 82 games. He's tough, but he is small and he does get tired. And now he needs to carry a team to the playoffs with what other offensive firepower? It would have been bleak. So, I love the Russell move because it allows Curry to give some of that offensive burden to another star.

Edit to add: And mannnn, the bench is thin. Assuming Livingston retires, and if they sign Looney, that leaves G: Steph, Russell, F: Looney/Dray, C: Damian Jones. Bench: Jacob Evans and the three draft picks? Is that really all?

Re 3: This is tough to predict. As I read elsewhere today, his game will age nicely, injury or not, and will resemble Dirk at 30+ years old. Now, I wouldn't want to pay a guy the super-max when 2 of the 4 or 5 years are missed to injury or, as many seem to agree, not nearly 100%. But I do think he'll still be a great player in 2 years. Very risky, though.

oski003 said:

---

If the Lakers retired players' jerseys for winning 2 championships, there'd be no numbers left.

---

Are there any lakers who have won 2 nba finals mvps and haven't had their jersey retired?

OaktownBear said:

---

ClayK said:

---

Winning doesn't come cheaply ... in a lot of ways.

The system is purposely designed to bring the leaders back to the pack, and once again, it's working as designed. The Warriors are destined for several years on the margins, at the least. After all, there are 30 teams, and in an ideal world from the league's perspective, 28 teams would in titles before the Warriors and Raptors won again..

Presumably a healthy revenue stream and a well-above-average front office can get the Dubs back in the title hunt sooner than the law of averages suggest, but really, expecting another NBA title before 2030 or so is not only greedy, but really improbable.

---

1. Yes the Warriors are in a bind on the cap, but they are doing everything they can to free up money to keep Looney. People are making a lot of assumptions about what they can and can't do.

2. I have felt all along that the Warriors fans are spoiled by the super team phenomenon. They will have a really good team next year. If they find a way to keep Looney and if Klay is healthy by playoff time, they will challenge for a title next year. The difference is they will be one of 6 or so teams to challenge instead of being the clear favorite. I think there is an overreaction that comes from comparing them with what they were. They are still in good shape. My opinion is they are going to see if the line up works with Russell and if so, he is here long term. If not, they trade him next offseason. Personally, I like the lineup. Kerr needs to get to work.

3. Once I saw the slow motion replay of Durant's injury, I was hoping for a sign and trade. That isn't a tear. That is a complete rupture. He will come back a very good player, but he will not be what he was. His skill will remain, but his mobility won't. Investing in him for 5 years at supermax is a bad investment. I would have hated this move before the injury (or more specifically the necessity of the move) but after the injury, I think the Warriors are much better off than if Durant stayed.

---

That's exactly right. Getting Russell is just about accumulating as many valuable assets as possible.

It's not like the warriors can just sign a free agent with the money saved from Durant since they're already over the cap (trade exception was an alternative - but not as ideal)

So it's either sign Russell or nothing. Russell was literally the only valuable asset available to the warriors once kd decided to leave.

With Russell, they can get thru the first half of the season until klay gets back and also see how he plays with steph. If it doesn't work out, Russell is still a valuable trade asset that many teams wanted with his new contract. If during the off-season, they can get Covington (for example) that would be huge and allow the dubs to keep competing for titles.

The hard cap is a problem. But I have faith the warriors front office can be creative. I'm actually pretty shocked the warriors found a way to be competitive next year (and possibly be even title contenders again in 2021 - with the right trade or if Russell happens to flourish).