12-22-2020, 08:17 AM
Hollinger's prediction piece today has Luka as MVP, Carlisle as coach of the year and he's previously predicted Dallas to finish the regular season second in the West (he doesn't think the Lakers will push that hard during the regular season). He thinks there will be a very active trade market between now and the TDL with so many 2021 FA's already off the board (including Holiday who can extend after 2/29):
What do Giannis pursuers do now?
Dallas, Toronto and Miami all kept their 2021 cap clear for a potential run at Giannis Antetokounmpo; and the Knicks lower-key did basically the same thing, although they had fewer 2020 options. It’s crazy, in retrospect, that three teams with legitimate hopes for 2020 decided to play the waiting game, and now they’re looking at a market where not only Giannis, but also Rudy Gobert and Paul George, are off the board. One suspects Jrue Holiday will be too, once Milwaukee can legally extend his deal in February.
However, this could create ideal conditions for a frothy trade market. Dallas, Toronto and Miami are sitting on multiple quality players and a plethora of expiring contracts, the necessary grease for some heavy-duty wheeling and dealing. While free agency still has some big names out there (could Toronto reunite with Kawhi?), one presumes these teams are shifting their thinking toward Plan B. Expect each to get pretty aggressive as a result.
What do Giannis pursuers do now?
Dallas, Toronto and Miami all kept their 2021 cap clear for a potential run at Giannis Antetokounmpo; and the Knicks lower-key did basically the same thing, although they had fewer 2020 options. It’s crazy, in retrospect, that three teams with legitimate hopes for 2020 decided to play the waiting game, and now they’re looking at a market where not only Giannis, but also Rudy Gobert and Paul George, are off the board. One suspects Jrue Holiday will be too, once Milwaukee can legally extend his deal in February.
However, this could create ideal conditions for a frothy trade market. Dallas, Toronto and Miami are sitting on multiple quality players and a plethora of expiring contracts, the necessary grease for some heavy-duty wheeling and dealing. While free agency still has some big names out there (could Toronto reunite with Kawhi?), one presumes these teams are shifting their thinking toward Plan B. Expect each to get pretty aggressive as a result.