Bankingitbig

I especially loved CViv getting the first question of the presser and asking the "how does this feel" type question right after Andre already asked them that before opening it up to Q&A.

My stream on my phone was cutting in and out, so was hard to follow. Wasn't much substantial information. Schlenk noted that Collins could play some 5 and emphasized Dorsey's ability to be a secondary ball-hander. Collins referred to himself as a forward and said that Paul Millsap is the player that most influences his game. He said he didn't shoot threes in college because it wasn't his role and that he was supposed to dominant the paint. That said, he is confident in his three point shot and has no problem shooting them if that's what Coach Bud wants.

When has Dennis ever dictated personnel decisions? What tantrums are you talking about? Are you referring to when he was benched for getting on to Dwight Howard for making a ridiculous outlet pass and turning the ball over instead of doing the smart thing and giving it to the PG that was right next to him? That is literally the only "tantrum" that Schröder has had that I can think of. Let's not forget this was against the best team in the league and Schröder was playing out of his mind trying to win with his best shooting in a game ever. 23 points in the first half with 4-7 from three. So yea I think I will let it slide... I'd be pissed too if I was playing out of my mind trying to beat the Champions and my Center who doesn't know how to pass throws an awful outlet pass instead of just handing it to me (the PG). Schröder was benched and learned his lesson. Hasn't happened again, move on...

I disagree. If you're a new GM trying to establish a culture and you see a player such as Dwight not fitting that culture, then it might be best for the long-term development of your younger players to get rid of him. There is no way you would be able to establish the culture you want with a player like Dwight riding the bench. He still thinks he is superstar caliber and the media frenzy of Dwight being benched would be insane. You don't want that negativity in the locker room.

It is normal for teams to just have their GM introduce the draft picks. That said, in 2013 Bud was on stage with Ferry (man has Bud put on a lot of weight since then). But I wouldn't read too much into this. I think it is probably best for Bud to distance himself from the GM role right now because he likely has talked with Millsap prior to Schlenk coming and told Millsap that he wants him back. Now Schlenk comes and Millsap being resigned doesn't look as certain.

From my understanding it is not typical for the coach to introduce the draft picks. It is usually the GM. That said, Bud did not look good when the cameras cut to him. His eyes were redder than normal (which is saying something) and he was not clean shaven at all. I don't expect anything to happen to Bud though for the near-term.

I actually think we should hold onto Bellineli. Put him in our system that has a tendency to make wings look better than their actual value. Then try and trade him at the deadline to a contender that is desperate to add wing depth. Similar to last year with the Korver trade. Korver's value was not a top-10 protected first round pick, but because the Cavs were desperate it gives us leverage.

For those wondering about Bud.

Stretch provision is taking the remaining contract and dividing it over 2x the number of years + 1 year. So in the case of Miles Plumlee, he has 3 years remaining on his $37.5m deal. If you stretch it, then it would stretch over a 7 year time (2 x 3 + 1 = 7) and would count as only $5.36m against the salary cap ($37.5m / 7 = $5.36m), In my opinion, there really is no reason for the Hawks to do this given our current roster/competitiveness. Rather just take the salary hit now since we won't be contending and try to trade him later when his contract is closer to expiring. Once you use the stretch provision, then you are stuck with that salary cap hit, whereas you could always potentially trade him.

Excited by Collins' offense and think he can extend his range to be a somewhat average 3pt shooter. He needs to increase his defensive BBIQ I think. He has the athletic ability to guard 3-5 I think, but just needs to be smarter on defensive and not always ball watching.

Believe they already got Pekovic medically retired three days ago.

Not entirely sure of the technicality of teams being able to freely negotiate with players that were on their roster prior to free agency. I know they aren't allowed to begin negotiations with other free agents until the Moratorium period begins. That said, I believe most teams work around it in ways and communicate with player agents. For example, Mozgov basically agreed to his deal last year after only like 5mins into the Moratorium period, so obviously they would have had negotiated previously. Actually, his deadline on the Player Option is today. I believe he has already officially opted out back on May 22.

Is there such thing as a backup to Butler on a Thibs' coached team?

As far as I am aware, we can't offer an extension to Paul Millsap until the second anniversary of his contract signing, which would be sometime during this coming free agency (not exactly sure of the date). Plus, he would have to opt into his player option to be eligible for an extension. He has already opted out to become a free agent, which means he is untradeable until he signs a new contract.

Sap SnT can't be discussed until July 1. Teams aren't allowed to negotiate with players until then. On Baze, it could also be that teams are just waiting for the Moratorium period and for the new 2017-2018 salary cap. That said, I don't expect a Baze trade.

There are a couple of teams that still have cap space to absorb salaries from Portland if they want. Current it's mostly UTA, DEN, MIN, BKN and PHX with somewhat significant space. I think really only BKN should be willing to take on salary in order to gain a pick. They could take Leonard's contract on for a first round pick from POR.

Doubt Dennis is worth the #5 pick to other teams. Why in the world would Denver want Baze and to lose five spots in the draft?

Baze will live on the block for the next three years no matter where he goes.

This is true if we renounce the TPE's. Currently we are at $101,241,635, which includes four TPEs of $10,024,776 (Howard, Scott, Williams and Splitter). Those would need to be renounced for us to be operating under the $94,143,000 cap. We would then have $2,926,141 of space if all were renounced, but not entirely sure the value of those TPEs going forward or how Schlenk could use them really.

I thought it didn't because we would be trading Dunleavy's 2016-2017 salary which is $4,837,500. So could only take back $7,356,250 ($4,837,500 * 150% +$100,000). Whereas Ezeli's salary is $7,400,00. Plus I thought our #41 pick would need to be included to make it worthwhile for them, but I honestly don't know how much they value shedding salary.

This article alludes to something I have been thinking about regarding Dunleavy and Portland. It is obvious Portland wants to shed some salary to lessen their tax burden. They also happen to have three first round picks this year. Wonder if they would take Dunleavy, Kelly and the #41 pick for Ezeli and #26 pick. Portland could then waive Dunleavy and Kelly since they are non-guaranteed contracts.

I actually really enjoy seeing the young guys play and develop. So I am all for rooting on Prince, Bembry and whoever we draft, along with Schröder.

I don't think moving $20m is that easy considering what just happened with Dwight Howard. I would want a decent amount to take on that contract. More than just a late first.

This guy doesn't know what he is talking about if he considered Howard to be a backup plan for the Hawks when losing Horford... Considering Howard was signed prior to us knowing that we would lose Horford. Anyways.. I think his D+ grade is a very short sighted grade without looking at the longer-term implications. I would grade the trade as a C+/B- with upside if we can get an asset for Belinelli at the deadline.

Not sure what Dennis has to do with this. Dwight not necessarily being perceived as a well liked player around the league is not the rationale for trading him. Don't get it mistaken. If a known acquaintance of mine, who I thought was a diva and has burned a lot of bridges at past companies, was fired after one year at a new company, would this have any impact in terms of how I viewed that new company? No..... especially when you factor that new company having a change of management from the ones who hired the diva.