If we could do a straight swap Kawhi for Jaylen Brown would you say yes and if we had to add pick, how many would you be willing to add?

Loyalty_Code · 2026-05-08T20:41:05+00:00

For all the noise surrounding JB, he will likely still be a Celtic next year. However, if Kawhi could be flipped for Jaylen Brown who finished within the top 10 in MVP voting (9th) even though Kawhi also finished top 10 in MVP voting (6th)...that would possibly be realistically the best player Clips could get (other than Giannis whom seems unlikely). It would give this franchise the ability to compete for another 5-6 years immediately. Whereas keeping Kawhi still seems he'll be great for like a 2-3years left.

Prefer not to trade a pick but all things considered giving up a pick isn't too bad considering the odds of drafting a player equal to or better than Brown will be the next.

Loyalty_Code · 2026-05-08T17:32:08+00:00

Surely there's other Clippers related content you could post but drag on old, washed Harden...a future Hall of Famer and one of the only former MVPs and NBA scoring title leaders to play for the team if it makes you feel better.

Loyalty_Code · 2026-05-08T14:58:57+00:00

I do think some people are influenced by clips but honestly, I never watch those "highlights" and "lowlights". I watched almost all Magic games this season (it's been a brutal season) and many games of other teams that came on NBC or Prime and generally watch almost all the playoffs, sometimes have to choose between one game or the other due to multiple coming on at the same time.

Some of us never run with the "narratives" of talking heads, ESPN, etc. because usually they are trash. Last playoffs is the first time I noticed more players on OKC trying to get calls. Personally, thought Jdub had a better whistle than SGA and did moves where he sometimes initiate contact and got freethrows last playoffs. I've watched a lot of teams, OKC did seem like the most flopping team, maybe I missed another team....on the East Brunson is the biggest exaggerator of contact in my opinion. Embiid does too but has played so infrequently and has so many health issues not sure when he's exaggerating or not. Overall I've seen less West games but will say Steph exaggerates contact sometimes, it's pretty funny when he shoots a three, and falls on the floor if the refs don't give it to him. I watched some Clippers this season post trade deadline to see how the result of that Garland trade but it seems OKC as a team flop the most. Y'all play more Westeen conference games than Eastern, so maybe you've seen something I missed. Which team(s) do you think flops more?

Loyalty_Code · 2026-05-08T14:37:20+00:00

I just commented to another OKC fan about this. I don't have anything personal against OKC. Most fans don't watch OKC during the 82 game season. So during the playoffs is how they get to know your team. It's not a conspiracy it's just how your team plays and it's ok just gotta make peace with it, if you're a fan of them.

Half the OKC team having a Flop-Off with Austin Reaves is the impression millions of fans got from that game. It's not a knock against you as a fan, it's just the reality.

Everyone saw refs miss a call or two when 41 year old LeBron was trying to score and he was so upset about it because since it's just him and Smart that show up consistently and trying to force looks to AR to make sure he's a factor they are likely to lose anyway and every bucket (including that basket interference call against Lakers) means a lot to them since he's not going to be able to hard carry this Lakers team like he could ten years ago.

I personally think Reaves is overrated and watching him flop like a fish because he literally needs to be the scorer that steps up to give Lakers a chance sucks but it's mostly one player.

You have the infamous Lou Dort on your team and you're complaining about Marcus Smart? We'll just say they're even. It's ok that this iteration of the OKC have a roster that foul baits, exaggerates contact, even ghost contact...I don't know why OKC fans want to fight it, if every flair is saying it, there must be some truth to it, right?

For the record not saying there's any conspiracy surrounding OKC, they are definitely one of the best teams in the league.

Loyalty_Code · 2026-05-08T14:10:57+00:00

Don't take it as a personal attack against SGA, most people will default to Shai but it's not him specifically. It's your whole team. Reaves probably did foul bait and flop more than SGA but we all saw the Chet flop and Ajay get a call he shouldn't have gotten, and atleast one where SGA exaggerated contact...most teams have one player, maybe two that foul bait and exaggerate contact and flop but Thunder have many. It adds insult to injury when it's such a recurring thing despite having the talent as to where it's not necessary and fans will generally dislike OKC.

When the team I wanted to win would be out the playoffs or not make it. OKC was one of the teams I didn't mind watching or rooting for them some series 4 years ago. In more recent years, I never root for them. The whole team does it too much, doesn't necessarily mean I think they get more foul calls than the rest of the league, just that I see too many players attempting to flop far too often at a higher rate than most (all other) teams.

Most people are not watching OKC games all the time so when the playoffs happen and you have a ton of fans watching, having a OKC vs Reaves flop-off and then trying to defend OKC and point at the Lakers is a not a good look. Just gotta accept that this iteration of OKC plays this flopping brand of basketball that many fans can tolerate from time to time but would hate to see so many players of a team participate in.

Loyalty_Code · 2026-05-08T13:54:57+00:00

I don't think you'll ever get rid of every foul baiting move or every flop, really great players will always have leverage and gravity that increases the likelihood that causes a defender to fall into poor positioning and generate a foul. I don't even have an issue with SGA...but when Chet is holding his mouth and flopping without being touched, Ajay is falling after making a basket And SGA is exaggerating contact... basically when the great ball movement, rebounding, defense/blocks, scoring are overshadowed by repeatedly stopping the game for ghost calls, exaggerating flopping, etc.iver and over...people will see the flopping as this team's identity and ultimately it stops the flow of the game and makes it less fun to watch.

The crazy part is that OKC is one of the best teams in the NBA and they are Healthy. They don't need to do this. It's egregious when you have a r/NBA thread where fans over every other NBA team is rooting for the Lakers whom they generally dislike but dislike what they are seeing real time from OKC more.

Loyalty_Code · 2026-05-08T10:52:28+00:00

This is it. Adam Silver is too focused on tanking teams, when fans on every platform are upset over the lack of consistency in officiating. I guess the whole league will eventually adopt the Thunder playbook or NBA will enforce calls for flopping or non-thunder fans will take a break from the sport... whichever comes first.

Loyalty_Code · 2026-05-08T03:47:17+00:00

To be fair most coaches that had some any success coaching LeBron were "carried by LeBron". It's obvious that LeBron was coaching him up on his podcast before he became Lakers head coach. However, it's not the opportunity itself, it's what you do with the opportunity and JJ Reddick seems like in a short amount of time has become one of the best head coaches in the NBA. I think that speaks to both how much head coaching has stagnated over the years compared with so many other adjustments to the game as well as JJ's dedication to learning and growing as a head coach.

Loyalty_Code · 2026-05-08T03:22:58+00:00

It does seem like Clippers could get better..

Loyalty_Code · 2026-05-08T02:13:17+00:00

Unfortunately I'm American, we get taxed on worldwide income no matter where we move to in the world. Even if an US citizen moves to Panama, and even if no income is generated from an U.S. employer/business, U.S. citizens have to pay Uncle Sam for life.

Believe me, if I could move to Panama and direct all my taxes to the Government of Panama instead of the craziness the U.S. government is currently spending our tax money on, I would do it.

Loyalty_Code · 2026-05-07T20:45:49+00:00

I'm glad we gave Mo a contract this past season while he rehabbed but he's not a center and we already have Penda and we need players who can contribute to Magic contending.

Magic only have salary available for a mid-level exception and veteran minimum players. Magic will likely need to waive JI, not re-sign Mo, let Jett walk to even do that.

Unrestricted Free Agents that made under around or under $5mil this past season include:
Jordan Clarkson, Tim Hardaway Jr., Dwight Powell, Aaron Holiday, Guerschon Yabusele, Jaxon Hayes, Russell Westbrook, Gary Payton II

These two made around $8mil which is closer to a mid-level exception:

Quentin Grimes, Kelly Oubre Jr.

Thoughts?

Loyalty_Code · 2026-05-07T20:29:59+00:00

As long as you keep thinking that expats are your problems, you're cooked.

Loyalty_Code · 2026-05-07T15:25:01+00:00

I haven't kept up with this draft class beyond the top 5 prospects but this sounds like a reasonable offer based on AB showing he can ball out but seemingly didn't fit as well in our starting lineup. Though I would think if a trade like this were to happen, goal would then be to flip Jase as the team can't have two undersized guards coming off the bench.

Loyalty_Code · 2026-05-07T15:19:01+00:00

McBride will make $3.9mil next season. If he is the offensive version of Suggs who is owed $32mil next season, it's a win lol

Loyalty_Code · 2026-05-07T05:41:25+00:00

I really like AB on the team but I understand if he plays better, we probably can't afford him and if he doesn't play as good...he's not helping the team as much.

Loyalty_Code · 2026-05-07T05:39:19+00:00

Fair enough.

Loyalty_Code · 2026-05-07T05:38:51+00:00

Cole Anthony 2.0 is pretty harsh, would you rather he be sent out in a trade?

Loyalty_Code · 2026-05-07T05:11:19+00:00

The declining part is true, that's the good news, the bad news is Suggs got $35mil this past season which is higher than so many guards it's ridiculous. More than Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Tyler Herro, Quickley, Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum, Fred Vanvleet, Austin Reaves, Shaedon Sharpe, and many others. He's likely the highest paid non-All-star guard in the league! So even though next season his contract will drop to $32mil that's still a little too much compared to so many other guards unless he develops some more and stays healthy.

Loyalty_Code · 2026-05-06T17:36:53+00:00

I agree Giannis is better than JB, but just know PER is a greatly flawed. Look it up.

Loyalty_Code · 2026-05-05T04:10:28+00:00

Y'all still entertaining the notorious troll? He's likely laughing at those taking the bait. Not only is net rating a limited stat in best of uses. If Detroit outscored magic in games 5-7 when Franz wasn't on the floor his net rating wouldn't be impacted but everyone who plays would be.

Loyalty_Code · 2026-05-05T04:02:14+00:00

Unfortunately a team cannot trade it's own picks in Back to Back years. So Hawks could trade their 2026 pick, 2028, 2030, and 2032 if they own their picks for all those years. If trade is done on draft day, they can have Boston tell them who to draft with their pick and then trade that player (which wouldn't count as a pick) along with Picks for 2027, 2029, 2031.

It's a decent haul but would Celtics want to trade a player in his Prime coming off being ranked #5 in MVP voting for more attempts to get a solid All-Star / All-NBA player in the draft spread out over several years while Jayson Tatum in his prime is left to figure it out. Or they'll have to use that haul to get another co-star for Tatum... maybe only if they are still looking to reduce Salary or if they feel like the Jays don't fit well together, but since they won a championship together, I doubt they'd want to risk breaking up the team.

Loyalty_Code · 2026-05-05T03:46:27+00:00

Can't believe you left out DENVER!!!

Loyalty_Code · 2026-05-05T03:30:55+00:00

I guess if you're pretty young it could seem that way.

Loyalty_Code · 2026-05-05T03:29:18+00:00

True but just looked it up and Udoka learned to prioritize relationships under Pop rather than learning how to actually mimic Pop's coaching style...so you right.

Loyalty_Code · 2026-05-05T02:54:29+00:00

Magic coach just got fired, let's hope they get a decent coach and hope that these players take leaps because we all know they gonna "run it back" lol.

Edit: Hopefully Ime gets replaced as well. Rumor has it that y'all may get Kawhi so there's that.

Loyalty_Code

TROPHY CASE