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NBA has lots of BIG free agents switching teams
11 Plays1 year ago
Eli talks about his opinion on how each big free agency move so far will affect the team that player goes to. Then, he talks about candidates for both the NBA MVP award and the Heisman Trophy.
November 22, 2020
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Transcript
Episode Introduction
00:00:00
Speaker
Hello, welcome to the 13th episode of Eli Studio Sports.
NBA Free Agency Overview
00:00:05
Speaker
Today we will go over some of the NBA free agents, ah moving teams, and the latest trades. So we're going to talk about some of the bigger ones and some medium ones. so We're going to start off with the latest one. So this one happened not too long ago, the Dallas Mavericks.
00:00:23
Speaker
have agreed to a two-year $8.2 million deal with Willie Cauley Stein for him to return to Dallas. They got him in a trade with Golden State last year in January. He's not gotten too many minutes, but he can help. He's not going to be too big, but he can do a decent amount for you. So if the Mavericks want to use him more,
00:00:50
Speaker
You know, the eight point two million dollars are going to be worth it. But for now, I don't understand why they did it. But I'm I'm actually OK with that. But I don't know if it was the smartest trade. I think the Mavericks could have re-signed with Colley Stein, but I think they should have signed in for less than four point one million a year because he's not been he wasn't worth eight point two million a year last year. He barely played for you.
00:01:20
Speaker
Anyways, so another recent one, restricted free agent Bogdan Bogdanovich. He was almost traded to the Milwaukee Bucks. That trade did not work out. So he signed a four year, $72 million dollars offer sheet with the Atlanta Hawks.
00:01:37
Speaker
So the Kings have 48 hours to match that sheet, otherwise Bogdanovich will join the Hawks. That would be a big help. I think the Hawks are doing a phenomenal job right now getting those free agents. I know Jeff Teague left for the Celtics, but I mean, you got Danilo Galanar. You finally got a second power forward to help John Collins and Dray Young. Now you're getting Bogdan, Bogdanovich. If, um,
00:02:04
Speaker
if ah the Kings cannot match the offer sheet. So um I think the Hawks are doing a good job finding free agents. So ah congrats to them. So anyways, free agent Tori Craig has reached an agreement with the Milwaukee Bot sources told yeah ESPN's Adrian Morjanowski. So Tori Craig, a Denver Nugget, sometimes starter, sometimes bench player, averaged 5.4 points and 3.3 rebounds per game last season. But he is a really underrated player. I think he can definitely help the Bucks out. They're trying to find help for Giannis. I think this could help. ah So I think Tori Craig could be a good help for the Milwaukee Bucks. Anyways, this was one of the bigger ones, but
00:02:59
Speaker
I was kind of expected Utah jazz all-star guard Donovan Mitchell has agreed to a five-year wait for it 195 million dollar rookie max extension oh my goodness like that is a ton of money that he's gonna be getting and it's a five-year 195 million dollars I'm not sure if that's the o I'm not sure if he's worth 195 million, maybe 170 million, but I think you might be overpaying for this. Cause like he may be worth that, but like, I don't think, I mean like you're paying him almost 39 million a year. That is a lot. I'll say that much. So.
00:03:55
Speaker
You have to find a way to figure it out without like the salary cap is going to get way lower because of Covid. You're not going to get too many fans. So like it's it's not going to be easy to pay a guy thirty nine million dollars.
Major NBA Player Signings
00:04:10
Speaker
Anyway, so Serge Ibaka, one of the bigger centers that were free agents, Serge Ibaka, the center is going to the L.A. Clippers, a two year deal for 19 million dollars.
00:04:25
Speaker
and he is going to join his former teammate Kawhi Leonard in Los Angeles those two won the NBA championship with the Raptors in 2019 this is a big help they lost their sixth man of the year with Montrez Harold. So now you're getting Sergi Baka. He can absolutely help you out. He is one of the best three point shooting centers when he's left open. He's not the greatest when he's contested, but he's a very good three point shooting center. Plus he can work it inside and do a great job there. So I think this is a good job by the Clippers. And I mean, he knows some of the players are actually just one, but
00:05:09
Speaker
Heem and Kawhi Leonard can work out, and it has before. So next we got backup of Trey Young, Jeff Teague. He has a one-year deal with the Boston Celtics. Okay, last season he averaged 10.9 points, 5.2 rebounds in 59 games. So Jeff Teague's a, he's a very underrated player. I know he's a backup. He splits in minutes.
00:05:39
Speaker
last season but it's because he's behind a lot of very good players trade young um a couple seasons ago jimmy butlers a little bit with deangelo russell so he's very good to still average 11 points five rebounds be As a backup is impressive, I know he wasn't on very good teams. um They were two of the bottom five teams in the NBA, but I think that's a good job by Boston since they lost Brad Wanamaker, which we could talk about a little later. But I think it's a good job by Jeff Teague finally going to a place where he can win and a great job by Boston finding a guy that probably is better than Brad Wanamaker and that could help you out.
00:06:26
Speaker
so Um, next we got Nerlin's Noel, a very underrated player. He has agreed to a one year deal with the Knicks. He's a very good center. He averaged, um, seven points per game and five rebounds last year, but he can block shots for real. He is a very good shot blocker. I like what the Knicks are trying to do, trying to get some good players. So KCP, Contavious Caldwell Pope, very good player in the playoffs.
00:06:58
Speaker
is re-signing with the Lakers three year, $40 million. So I'm not sure about this one. ah I mean, I know he played very well in the playoffs, but like, I'm not sure if he's worth that much, you know? I'm not sure if he's gonna be worth 13 million a year, 13.3 million a year. so I sort of like this, but I don't at the same time. um As we already said, Brad Wanamaker has agreed to play with the Golden State Warriors. I like this because, you know, you need help as soon as Chloe Thompson gets injured. Anyway, so Senator Tristan Thompson, who did he get a deal with? It's the Boston Celtics worth 19 million.
00:07:50
Speaker
I like this because the Celtics need a center and you know he's a decently tall center. He averaged 12 points in 10 rebounds last season with the Cavaliers. One thing is telling you that he cannot score too much because only averaging 12 points per game as a starter with the Cavaliers doesn't tell you that too much but the 10.1 rebounds with Andre Drummond on your side is very good so I think that this could help the Celtics but you know I think that the Celtics could have tried to get a better player ah instead of wasting some money on Tristan Thompson they still might have a little cash to try to get a decent bench player but
00:08:37
Speaker
Um, a good job to find a guy that can get rebounds. So, I mean, he can help. He could. Anyways, Melo Carmelo Anthony has agreed to a one year deal with the Blazers to stay there. He played very well in the playoffs last season and overall. So that's a very good job by Portland to re resign him. Plus he probably will not cost too much since Um, he's aging up. So, uh, sorry, forward, Paul Millsap has agreed with a one year, $10 million deal to return to the nuggets. Uh, so yeah, you know, Paul Millsap has been a great help for the nuggets. I don't know if it's going to make too much of a difference, but he's going to join part of a big three with Jamal Murray, Nicola Jokic and. Hisself. So I think it's a great job by the nuggets to try to resign in because
00:09:35
Speaker
You know, it's just tough to do things without a good veteran and to do it, to have a guy that's as good as Paul Milsak can definitely help. So Rajon Rondo says goodbye to the Los Angeles Lakers. He will join the Atlanta Hawks as expected. He declined his player option and he became an unrestricted free agent.
00:10:03
Speaker
um Jeff Green is gone and he will be on the Brooklyn Nets. Now he was on the Houston Rockets, probably got a little frustrated after a very good team, um did not go too much farther in the playoffs. They had to play the number one seed who went on to win the and NBA Finals. Daniel House got um kicked out of the bubble, which may have made a pretty big difference.
00:10:33
Speaker
Anyways, so forward Jake Crowder a very good three-point shooter who split the last season with the Grizzlies in the heat is agreeing to a three-year 30 million dollar deal with who the Phoenix Suns The Phoenix Suns did great in the bubble going 8-0 just missed the playoffs. Here you go. They're doing much better Here you go. So you got in your most likely starting lineup. You got uh point guard chris paul shooting guard devin booker that's a great big two and here you go adding jay crowder a big how you build a championship roster and maybe you're not going to win the finals but that is almost guaranteed to make the playoffs great job by um the sons
00:11:29
Speaker
I love it. you know it's It's a great job by the Suns. And you have Aaron Baines or Dario Sarge if you want me to complete this starting lineup. Because they're going to have a decent six man in Dario Sarge or Aaron Baines, whoever they choose to leave out of the lineup. That's a good team. And then you have Michael Bridges coming off the bench. So you know i like this I like what they're doing with that. So Avery Bradley is now to the heat on a two-year $11.6 million dollars deal.
00:11:59
Speaker
He did not play in the bubble, so he's off sometime, but ah he still will be with the Heat. He played very well during the regular season. Lakers he sometimes started, sometimes was on the bench, but a very good season by Bradley. I think the Heat are trying to come back from that um almost championship season. If Jake Crowder decided to stay,
00:12:24
Speaker
And you and you still get Avery Bradley. That's that's big anyways, so a couple a few days ago at so here you go Gordon Hayward declines is thirty four point two million dollar player option with the Boston Celtics So who's gonna sign him not too many teams have salary cap space ah Probably not very good team is gonna sign him That is exactly what happened. Gordon Hayward has agreed to a four-year, $120 million deal with the Hornets. I can't believe Michael Jordan agreed to this. I mean, you don't need to pay him $120 million. The one time, he only has one All-Star appearance in his career. And that was like a few years ago. and
00:13:19
Speaker
He's averaged 15.3 points for games throughout his career. And last season, he only averaged 17 and a half. That is not a guy that is worth $30 million dollars a year. He's worth like $10 million dollars a year. Almost all of the free agents I've mentioned before him are better than him. And you literally need to pay him $120 million. dollars That is a Very bad deal because they can go get anyone they can go get other players um lamet Like they just got the mellow ball. They have Javante Graham So you can go get a guy that he's not gonna waste all the salary cap and it's not only gonna average 15 points per game instead they like overpaying way too much and
00:14:11
Speaker
Uh Fred Van Vliet resigns that's gonna be big because he can shoot and the um so then we got DJ Augustine and Bobby Portis the Bucks have been desperately trying to get help for Giannis they got true holiday and now they're gonna get DJ Augustine a very good A 12-year veteran point guard has agreed to a three-year, $21 million deal. And then a decent forward in Bobby Portis has agreed to a two-year, $7.5 million deal with the Milwaukee Bucks and with Pat Coniston resigning. This is a very good Bucks team. I think this year they might, might win the title. They've been expected to for the past couple years, haven't lived up to the expectation. I expect them to this year, though.
00:15:05
Speaker
Um, so, you know, it's a very interesting free agent Mark this year, um, Derek Jones Jr. Also, he is also going to go to the Portland Trailblazers, a very good um player, a very good dunker, former dunk contest champion. Um, so yeah.
NBA MVP Candidates Discussion
00:15:30
Speaker
Now we're gonna quickly go over the top 10 NBA MVP Candidates then we're gonna go over the Heisman Trophy top candidates. So and then um We will wrap it up. So number one, I'm going with Luca Doncic. This year he was an all NBA first team player. Luca is carrying the Dallas Mavericks. Since KP's injured a lot, he's carrying them. And I think that Luca has the best chance to win MVP. I think since they just got Josh Richardson,
00:16:05
Speaker
Um, they are, they have James Johnson who could make a difference. They are favorites to get Zach Levine. They could get Victor Oladipo. That team's going to go far into the playoffs. And then usually a team that goes far into the playoffs, you can look at their rest player and Luca Doncic will be on that list. Next up, we got Giannis at number two. Why this high? He's His teams have not gone too far in the playoffs. First of all, he's gone back to back MVP, so that makes him a definite favorite to win the next year. But anyways, like Giannis, they're getting him so much out, and a team that goes far into the playoffs, their star player goes into the MVP race. You've seen that with Steph Curry, LeBron James back then, Michael Jordan, all the good players, they won MVP because their teams went far into the playoffs.
00:16:58
Speaker
Anyways, number three, Kawhi Leonard. I know this saint seems a little high, but I think that, um, you know, he's been playing very well. The Clippers are trying to get help. I know that, um, Mattress Harrell left. They got Serge Ibaka. They got Mo Harkless. They're doing a little bit better. I think, um, he, they could go far into the playoffs, which could get Kawhi high into the MVP race.
00:17:27
Speaker
um number four Anthony Davis I Just think Anthony Davis is so good. You know, he's Like he probably won't be on the Lakers which means he'll be on a team. That's probably not as good and that's telling you like he's probably gonna sign with a team that's not so good, but Though if he pushes them to the playoffs like that shows you he's the most valuable player because he's Pushing that team to the playoffs now if you've resounded the Lakers which is expected Well, then it could be LeBron, but I think that Anthony Davis I think it's pretty clear that right now Anthony Davis is better probably because of LeBron's age and Last season he obviously did more. I don't think there's a question about that Anyways number five Steph Curry so the reason why Steph Curry I think is number five is because on his team is Clay Thompson and
00:18:26
Speaker
will not be playing this year. Kevin Durant is no longer a member of the Golden State Warriors. Those are the two main reasons. I know they got Kelly Oubre. I know they got Brad Wanamaker. None of that stuff is gonna help. Steph Curry's gonna carry them into the playoffs. Kelly Oubre and Brad Wanamaker are gonna do their job. Raymond Green is gonna play the def defense he plays. Obviously he doesn't play good offense, as everyone sees, but like,
00:18:57
Speaker
He's the only offensive player on that team that's like constantly average constantly making the three Constantly averaging 25 plus points per game. I think Steph Curry is their guy and I think he is a chance at winning MVP anyways, number six dame dollars Damien Lillard at number six because He is dominant on the floor. He's three, I think he's a better shooter than Steph Curry. I know he's not gonna be better in the all-time list. I know Steph Curry's the best shooter of all time, but right now, Damien Lillard is a better shooter. Damien Lillard can't shoot from farther. and I mean, when it's half court, he used Steph Curry's probably a little bit better, but when it's like, actually using your, like your real motion and doing, and like actually doing the thing,
00:19:52
Speaker
um And like doing it from beyond the hash mark, I think and like I think it's definitely Damien lowered I think he can carry Portland far into the playoffs I think he has a chance at MVP because like it was show master this Like when he got injured in playoffs they were done. They had no chance Anyways, number seven, we got KD, Kevin Durant. I put him this low because he's been injured for a long time. I know he's a former MVP, and he' he's a former NBA champion, but he has not played in over a year, and it's going to make him a little bit rusty, but in the end, he'll be a little bit better. He also has a lot around him, his Kyrie Irving, and he might get James Harden too. Number eight, Jason Tatum.
00:20:44
Speaker
Uh, it's because he had just a phenomenal year last year. No one expected him to be that good. They said, Oh, 17 points for games. Kind of like Gordon. He did all of that. He shot more freeze. He was more explosive. He played better defense. He got more rebounds. He got more assists. He was everything the Celtics wanted is war and And he was an all-star. I love what he's been doing.
00:21:11
Speaker
He's bringing the Celtics more. If it weren't for him, if he was not on that team or if he had one point per game, I don't think they would have made the playoffs. Jason Tatum makes a big impact on the team, kind of like Hemba. Hemba could be on this list, but I think Jason Tatum is a phenomenal player. He's gotten better at everything. And he's just getting better. He's just getting started. He's like Luca. They're just getting started. Kind of like Giannis too. He's also for now. They are just getting started.
00:21:41
Speaker
Anyways, number 9, James Harden. Why is he this low on the list, some of you might be asking, because he's going to have more around him. Either Russell Westbrook or Kevin Oran and Kyrie Irving, and possibly Joe LMB'd if he goes to um Philadelphia. He could go anywhere, he could go nowhere besides Philadelphia, Houston, and Brooklyn, most likely Brooklyn.
00:22:07
Speaker
and He's going to have so much around anywhere. Unless if Russell Westbrook gets traded from Houston, then he'll be a one man show over there. But right now, I think that it's clear that he's going to have a lot around it. Anyways, number 10, Nikola Jokic. He's he's got everything in this game. He is a decent shooter. That's the only thing he could work on. He's a decent shooter.
00:22:38
Speaker
And he can pass. And then, you look at him. And he can rebound. And he can block shots. Anyways, two quick honorable mentions before we go to the Heisman Candidates. LeBron James and Kemba Water. Anyways, so now we go to the Heisman top
Heisman Trophy Candidates Overview
00:22:56
Speaker
candidates. Number one is Mack Jones. Why? Because, like, he's... It's almost un... Like, his team's gonna make the Oshawa play.
00:23:06
Speaker
And he's been doing very well, although he did not do too great against Kentucky. I know he didn't play the whole game, but he didn't do too great. Anyways, number two, Kyle Trask. I'm just going to point out, he was a backup in high school. Whoever coached there, I think I'm actually, let me rephrase that. I know they should have started him. And their coach even admitted it that they should have started him.
00:23:35
Speaker
but that that doesn't matter right now because he has been the best quarterback in college football. He has 31 pass touchdowns through the first seven games. That is the first player in SEC history to do that. Not even Tua or Joe Burrow did that. That's why I think he should be the Heisman trophy. That's why I think he should be number one, but a lot of people think it's Mack Jones, including the committee people. They're putting him at number one,
00:24:04
Speaker
You know, um well, now Ohio State wasn't, but even though there are some teams that could compete, but they're saying it's not even close. Anyways, number three, Justin Fields. I was having him at number two, then he threw three interceptions against Indiana. So I was ah i knew I had to bring him down there. So Justin Fields.
00:24:26
Speaker
Coming into the Indiana game, he had 11 passing touchdowns and 11 incompletions. He had just as much. That is crazy. And and to think that he was a backup out of Jake from. Before coming to Ohio State. And actually, the funny thing is that these first actually the first four quarterbacks were all backups to start with. And and actually, um.
00:24:56
Speaker
Two of them, the Trask and Lawrence will be number four. they They just got lucky because of an injury. Like Felipe Franks would be in Florida, like doing his thing. And this will be Trevor Lawrence's first year as a starter. So that would be fun. But nah. So anyways, Trevor Lawrence at number four actually have not seen too much of him this year. He's not played in I think four weeks. The Florida State game got postponed.
00:25:24
Speaker
right at the last second, right at last minute. So um next we got Zach Wilson, QBFIU. You can just tell by the record, I was going actually, I was really considering putting him ahead of Trevor Lawrence, but I really looked at the strength of schedule and what they've done. And I really had to put Trevor Lawrence ahead, but Zach Wilson has done a phenomenal job.
00:25:47
Speaker
Next, we got number six, Devontae Smith. I mean, he's done great. You know, I know he is Mack Jones at quarterback, but I think the real reason why number Mack Jones is number one is because he has Devontae Smith. Earlier, he had Jalen Watto, but, you know, he hasn't done as much without Jalen Watto, but Devontae Smith has helped them win games. When they play the better defenses,
00:26:10
Speaker
Mack Jones and Devontae Smith are the reason why they win the ballgame. It's not because of the defense. It's because of Devontae Smith and Mack Jones. And Najee Harris, obviously, too. And number seven is, in fact, Najee Harris, one of the best running backs in the game, in my opinion, the best. um He's one of the best, if not the best running backs in college football.
00:26:35
Speaker
and Based on the numbers a lot of people would say he's a top five Alabama running back of all time. I Want to say that but it really is not true. You have Mark Ingram and I Forgot his name, but you know, they they have they're so stacked Alabama they have like the best teams in history probably anyways um Najee Harris has done a great job. He's been getting a lot of yards on per rush. Just like number eight, who's Travis Etienne running back out of Clemson? I mean, going one in one and playing Boston College and Notre Dame without Trevor Lawrence isn't bad. DJ Uyagalile played fine. Like it's not like Uyagalile or I think it's Uyagalile. I don't know how to pronounce that, but, um,
00:27:34
Speaker
It's not like he did anything wrong. It's like he did fine. I think he did really good. So, um, but but he, but Travis Etienne carried them. Um, even with a Mari Rogers, we, I wasn't able to win against Notre Dame, but Travis Etienne forced double overtime. It was because of him. Anyways, we got number nine. One of my, I think is the best non quarterback player in all of college football.
00:28:04
Speaker
Titan, Florida, number 84, Kyle Pitts. My goodness has anyone seen the numbers he's been putting up Kyle's rask and Kyle Pitts might be the met the best quarterback tight end duo in Like him they might be a top five or ten ah Quarterback tight end duo in college football history. I'm serious Kyle Trask has done great and Kyle Pitts has been receiving those passes like crazy and
00:28:35
Speaker
I mean that receiving room is so underrated. You're looking at Kodarius, Tony, Kyle Pitts, Trayvon Grimes, Justin Shorter, Kamori Gamble, and I didn't even mention all the guys that are dangerous. That team is a very dangerous team. Anyways, we got number two's quarterback, Ian Book has done a great job, probably his best season. It took him a while to get warmed up, but um ah the Clemson game and beyond. He did great. He played very well against Clemson and Boston College. So thank you so much for listening to this episode of ELI Studio Sports. See you in the next one.