[Luciano Pagliarini]

[Luciano Pagliarini]

Philadelphia is currently in dire need of Lou Williams’s second unit shot creation, but Minnesota, Boston and Oklahoma City have also expressed interest, per sources. A first round pick should get the deal done. But the Clippers are also asking for young prospects to add into their new, two-way inspired, development culture, sources say

[Luciano Pagliarini]

The gap between LeBron James and the Cavaliers is widening. As the losses mount and the team’s uninspired efforts persist, July 1 and the start of free agency hangs over this franchise as a day of reckoning. How did we get here? How did James’ storybook return to Cleveland spoil so quickly? Less than four years ago, James was proclaiming “I’m back!” to a packed football stadium on the University of Akron’s campus as fireworks illuminated the night sky. Now this union is in danger of collapsing again. The root of the problems can be traced back to two key issues: David Griffin’s removal as general manager and Kyrie Irving’s subsequent trade to the Boston Celtics.

For the past seven months, the Cavs have been noticeably pivoting away from James’ recommendations. He was vocal both publicly and privately in wanting Griffin to return as GM. Instead, owner Dan Gilbert replaced him days before the draft with Koby Altman, the inexperienced 35-year-old who is widely regarded as not ready for the mammoth task in front of him.

James recruited Jamal Crawford last summer to come to Cleveland, but instead they ignored him and signed rookie Cedi Osman. James told the Cavs not to trade Irving regardless of how disgruntled he appeared. Irving was under team control for two more years, and James was adamant he had no leverage. “Bring him to camp,” James told the Cavs. He was confident he could repair whatever damage Irving felt was done to their relationship. But Irving made clear to Gilbert and the Cavaliers he wanted out of Cleveland because he did not want to play another minute with James, one source told The Athletic. Given how close Irving and James were to the ends of their contracts, the Cavs chose to move Irving while they believed he still had peak value.

The pivot away from James’ wishes has been noticeable, particularly since this is a franchise that since losing him in 2010 has been willing to do — and spend — whatever was necessary to get him back and keep him happy. James and Gilbert have no relationship. Neither do James and Altman, multiple sources with knowledge of the situation told The Athletic. Whereas Griffin would consult with James and keep him informed of major roster decisions, that is no longer happening. James doesn’t trust this front office, and there is no communication now between management and star player. It perhaps played a role in James yelling and cursing at multiple front office executives during the now-famous team meeting a couple of weeks ago that began with players questioning Kevin Love’s absence from a recent practice. Multiple sources confirmed James cursed toward at least two team executives during the heated meeting.

[jwill]

Situazione parecchio incasinata. La vedo molto poco probabile che Lebron rimanga a Cleveland. Se non avesse un legame affettivo con la città lo escluderei proprio

[Lambohbk]

Di sicuro rimane fino a fine stagione, almeno così ha ribadito lui oggi.

Altra piccola notizia: Belinelli cambierà squadra al 99%, spero in una contender

[jwill]

Con rimanga intendevo a fine anno. Anche perchè adesso non è lui che dedice. Non credo abbia una clausola no-trade nel contratto


No scusa in realtà ho verificato e ha una clausola quindi se decide di rimanere a Cleveland non lo possono scambiare

[Luciano Pagliarini]

The Magic are open for business, and it’s no surprise Knicks general manager and former Orlando executive Scott Perry has checked in on his former lottery pick, point guard Elfrid Payton, The Post has learned.

Quindi Ntilikina?

The Magic aren’t pursuing Hernangomez in a Payton package. According to sources, about a dozen teams have inquired about Hernangomez, including the Nuggets, who already have one Hernangomez in his brother, Juancho.

One scout suggested now might be the best time for the Nets to deal Spencer Dinwiddie, who has become a fan favorite and an absolute revelation. “I think the Nets will trade Dinwiddie at some point. They’ve got [Jeremy] Lin coming back. They feel D’Angelo Russell is part of their future. Dinwiddie’s value is probably the highest because he’s got another year at a low number ($1.656 million, partially guaranteed). And he’s playing real well,” the scout said. “If those guys come back healthy, he won’t play as much and then he’s an unrestricted free agent the following year and his value will be a lot lower.”

Dinwiddie lo prenderei ai Nuggets.

[Luciano Pagliarini]

Lou Williams and the Clippers can negotiate an extension of up to four-years with a total amount of $42M. The extension would reflect 120% of the average player salary and is comparable to Josh Richardson and Norman Powell.

[Luciano Pagliarini]

Mudiay è on the block...non che non si sapesse, ma vorrei spendere un paio di parole per lui...alla fin fine gli voglio bene e per un po' ci ho creduto.

In tre anni ha imparato a palleggiare come un normodotato, ha messo su un tiro credibile dalla lunga e dalla media e un gioco in post con cui può bullizzare gran parte dei pariruolo. Poi ci sono gli aspetti negativi: non sa difendere e soprattutto a livello di letture sembra un bimbo del minibasket, su entrambi i lati.

Noi comunque giochiamo una pallacanestro che con lui non c'entra proprio nulla...cioè quasi tutte le franchigie NBA ormai lo fanno, visto che il P&R è alla base di qualsiasi playbook al giorno d'oggi, ma a Denver il problema è oltremodo accentuato.

Sostanzialmente il nostro gioco si basa sull'handoff dei lunghi e sull'high screen&roll (più qualche post-up di Jokic), il tutto atto a sfruttare la rapidità con cui Murray, Harris e Barton riescono a entrare in area e ad andare al ferro. Mudiay non ha il motore degli altri tre, è troppo lento ad andare dentro e quando ci prova sai già che qualcosa di brutto accadrà.

Da noi, ormai, al netto di qualche bella prestazione qua e là, è un giocatore perso, ma in un altro contesto potrebbe anche riscoprirsi utile alla causa, mi piacerebbe vederlo.

Certo non ai terribili Nets che lo farebbero tirare da tre da otto metri un'azione sì e l'altra anche.

Avrebbe bisogno di una squadra che gli conceda di andare spesso in ISO in post e che gli metta attorno tiratori da mettere in ritmo.

[Luciano Pagliarini]

Non che agli Hornet con Howard e Zeller ci sia spazio per lui.

Chissà che non smontino.

[Luciano Pagliarini]

Steve Kyler: For what it’s worth, seems the Phoenix Suns are looking at deals involving Marquese Chriss. Several teams seem to be involved, with the Lakers being considered the Favorites

It’s been reported that Jazz guard Joe Johnson will be bought out if he’s not traded before the deadline, and two front-office sources have cited the Thunder as a leader for Johnson.

Louis Williams has agreed to a three-year contract extension with the Los Angeles Clippers, league sources told Yahoo Sports. Williams — one of the top trade candidates on the market — had been in discussions for over a month on an extension with the Clippers. Williams‘ agent, Wallace Prather, worked with Clippers officials over the past week to finalize terms to keep the 31-year-old guard in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles will now shift its focus toward fielding interest for center DeAndre Jordan and Avery Bradley. Louis Williams held tremendous interest on the market, but he had outpriced himself out of potential offers of a late first-round pick or second-round selection.

Presti’s options are limited, which makes it more probable that they’ll settle for something like Marco Belinelli and Dewayne Dedmon (or Ersan Ilyasova) from Atlanta. The Hawks haven’t had an easy time finding traction in deals for their many available players, according to league sources; the Thunder and the Pacers are two of the few intrigued teams.

[Luciano Pagliarini]

Adrian Wojnarowski: One team that could play immense part in dictating final hours of trade deadline: Denver. They’re active on several fronts, including trying to acquire Tyreke Evans, move Emmanuel Mudiay and Wilson Chandler, and use pick to incentivize a team to take on Kenneth Faried’s contract.

Ma magari...anche se mi dispiacerebbe per Chandler.

Chris Mannix: On DeAndre Jordan, Clippers have told inquiring teams: Make the offer a good one. Message has been there won’t be a Jordan auction before 3 pm. LA willing to hold onto him, evaluate options this summer.


Adrian Wojnarowski: The Clippers and Cavaliers continue to discuss the possibility of a trade centered on DeAndre Jordan, including conversations with potential third teams to help create a pathway to a deal, league sources tell ESPN.


Gli Spurs pare abbiano offerto Green e una prima per Bradley.

[Luciano Pagliarini]

Vai Jameerone.

[Paruzzo]

Thomas+Frye+1a (protetta non so quanto) ai Lakers e Nance+Clarkson ai Cavs

[jwill]

I lakers prendono una scelta che sarà attorno alla 25 e si liberano del contratto di clarkson per i prossimi due anni.
I Cleveland prende due giocatori decenti per la panchina con un contratto complessivi da 15 milioni all'anno per i prossimi due anni, ma per quest'anno riduce le già basse possibilità di vincere

[Luciano Pagliarini]

Hanno preso pure Hood i Cavs.


Urca pure George Hill e Joe Johnson.

Joe Johnson subito girato ai Kings insieme a Shumper per Hill appunto.

Mentre Utah si è presa Crowder e Rose.

[Paruzzo]

I Cavs stanno facendo un casino incredibile: Crowder e Rose a Utah, Wade a Miami

[Luciano Pagliarini]

Wade scambiato per una seconda straprotetta.

[Luciano Pagliarini]

La trade della serata: Caboclo ai Kings per Malachi Richardson.

[Hiko]

Non mi dispiace quello che hanno fatto a Cleveland. Non so se basterà, quello sì (sotto tutti i punti di vista, soprattutto quello di convincere LBJ).

IT spiace ma per me era inadeguato per quello che vogliono ambire i Cavs. Da ignorante in materia non conosco Hill, ma è già sicuramente un upgrade notevole in difesa.

L'unica nota che stona secondo me è D-Wade, dato per un tozzo di pane e che come sesto uomo nei PO l'avrei tenuto. Ma mi hanno spiegato che voleva andar via e allora c'è poco da dire...