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[av_heading heading=’FEEL THE GAME | New NBA season may see transfers’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BOBBY MOTUS
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Thursday, May 4, 2017
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WE ARE at the start of the second round of the playoffs and teams that failed to advance are evaluating their options.
There could be some personnel moves, some upgrades or just simply staying as is. Some of these teams could be dealing their best player in exchange for two or three serviceable talents which could give them more financial flexibility when trading season opens. One of them unlaced his Nikes for the very last time.
Paul Pierce’s promise to retire at the end of his 18th season came when the LA Clippers were outlasted by Utah in seven games. Things didn’t go as planned during his final year but The Truth left the game as one of the league’s top wing players, respected by both friend and foe alike. Hello, Draymond Green. He spent most of his career with the Boston Celtics (1998-2013) and together with Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo, gave the Celtics their 17th league championship.
Dirk Nowitzki and Vince Carter are the only remnants of the Class of 1998 where Pierce belonged. Nowitzki said that next season could be his last but Carter plans to play for two more years. VC does believe that life begins at 40.
Here are some players we could be seeing in different uniforms when the 2017-2018 NBA season begins in October:
PAUL GEORGE – It is widely known that PG13 wants out of Indiana and what happened to the Pacers in the first round makes him want to change zip codes more than ever. His desire of coming to the LA Lakers is no secret and depending if Indiana moves to surround George with improved talent for the next NBA season, LA has gotten more inviting with Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka running basketball operations. It can be noted that Johnson and Pelinka hinted of adding one or two big-name players to LAL. We just might be seeing the versatile PG13 in purple and gold. Still 26-years old, the 6-9 George could be LA’s next franchise player. Annual salary $19.51 million
PAUL MILLSAP – Rumor has it that Millsap will be using the opt-out clause on the remaining year of his contract and will explore the free agency waters that would allow him to get max deals. Of course, Atlanta could match any offers but at 32-years old and in his prime, the 6-8 power forward and four-time All-Star will be searching for that one last big contract. Annual salary $20 million
RUSSELL WESTBROOK – He could be saying that he will remain with his present team but like the Pacers, OKC needs to have more talent surrounding Westbrook. This lack of personnel was obvious against the well-balanced Houston Rockets. Russell was a one-man show and that’s it. Two years remain of his contract and if they can’t move past the first round again next season or fail to qualify, Westbrook just might be considering a change of scenery. Annual salary $26.5 million
BLAKE GRIFFIN – The 6-10 power forward is headed to free agency and although his numbers are All-Star material, he’s so injury prone that in his 7 years with the NBA, he has never played the full 82-game regular season schedule. The past three seasons, he has only played 157 games missing 89. He has recurring knee and toe issues. Still 28-years old, Griffin submits per game averages of 22 points, almost 10 boards and 4 assists in his seven NBA seasons. The Lakers are rumored to be interested in his services. Annual salary $20.1 million
JOE INGLES – A three-year pro from Down Under, Slow Mo Joe plays the same position as Utah’s resident star Gordon Hayward. He is an offensive threat with his 3-point shooting, a rugged defender and is your definition of an effective and versatile player without the big numbers. Because Utah lacks inside presence, they both play Hayward and Ingles at the same time together with Joe Johnson. The trio gives the team several options not only from long range but dribble drives to the basket. The Jazz badly needs another big to help Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert and Ingles just might be the trade bait plus two other role players. He comes in cheap with an annual salary of $2.1 million.
PLAYOFF TRIVIA – The most number of turnovers committed in playoff history was by Magic Johnson with 696 TOs./PN
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