Welcome to Around the Realm, where we look at the top news stories from around the league. If I missed any notable stories, feel free to discuss in the comments!
Free agency is gonna be quick
The NBA is eyeing December 1st as the date to open training camps in order to have teams ready for a proposed Decemeber 22nd season tipoff.
Dec. 1, I'm told, has emerged as the likely opening day for NBA training camps if the league's plan to set Dec. 22 as opening night of the 2020-21 season is approved by the union
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) October 27, 2020
Some teams, I'm told, are preparing for NBA free agency to begin as early as Nov. 20 or Nov. 21 — 48 to 72 hours after the Nov. 18 NBA Draft — if the plan to start the 2020-21 season Dec. 22 goes ahead. Further clarity is expected by week's end …
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) October 27, 2020
None of these dates are final yet, but we know the draft will be November 18th. If camp opens on December 1st, that means we probably get free agency kicking off in the immediate aftermath of the draft. And although this is all less than a month away, we still don’t know what the salary cap will be. It could all be chaos, but it’ll be fun to watch unfold.
Where will the Raptors play?
As the NBA makes plans to proceed with the new season, one looming concern is where the Toronto Raptors will play. The US/Canada border is closed right now due to the United States’ poor handling of COVID-19, and teams would not be able to travel back and forth. Eric Koreen of The Athletic spelled out the likely candidates, as well as the reasons why the Raptors absolutely won’t be playing in Louisville despite some premature reports suggesting it as a possibility:
NBA players frequently punctuated their press conference with arrest the police officers who murdered Breonna Taylor. Louisville television station WDRB cited three sources that said the Raptors’ players were reluctant to play in Louisville because of Taylor’s killing and the aftermath. Bridgeman said he had not spoken to Raptors’ part-owner and MLSE chairman Larry Tanenbaum until after the Yahoo! report. TSN’s Josh Lewenberg later reported that Louisville was never on the table for the organization.
As for possible locations, Koreen mentions Buffalo, Newark, and Kansas City as top prospects. The article discusses all the pros and cons of each option. My guess is that they’ll play in Newark, NJ.
I still don’t understand why they just don’t do free agency right now. If players are signed and/or traded before the draft it could make draft night all the more entertaining. Just as an example, if Bogi is signed to an offer sheet and the Kings either choose to match or let him walk, it could greatly impact what they decide to do on draft night. I’m sure other teams would adjust their draft night plans as well.
OT: Why haven’t we heard of the Kings doing any interviews or workouts of prospects. From what I understand the Warriors have already worked out Wiseman, Avdija, and Edwards and have shared that with the press.
The Warriors are also trying to drum up trade value for the second pick. Not really a benefit for the Kings to say who they’re meeting with.
Could it also be because of a new tight lipped front office as opposed to the last one that would leak what they had
breakfastdinner?What would it realistically take for the Kings to get the second pick from the Warriors or to move up in the draft?
Buddy or Barnes and Holmes for Wiggins and the #2.
I think the Warriors would say yes, but the Kings should say no. Anyone getting that #2 is most likely gonna have to take the WIggins deal.
The only way I take Wiggins back is if I get MN ’21 pick. They could pick out of any of Buddy/ Barnes/ Bjelly/ #12 pick.
I know this trade has been previously mentioned, and I’m reluctant to make it but feel we would have to do and imo fair value:
GSW-Bagley/#12/Bjelly/Holmes
Kings-#2/Wiggins/MN ’21 pick.
I would probably lean drafting Okoro in this situation.
I too would do it if you the Kings could get Minny’s 2021, but I don’t think the Warriors include that. That pick is why they ate Wiggins deal.
IMO, any trade with the Warriors for the #2 would involve Buddy or Barnes…and Holmes. They aren’t going to want Bagley.
I think Bagley would be a great fit for their team, but that would be the selling point on getting the Minny pick is if they think they can unlock his potential. The guy was a stud as a rookie, although lots of room for improvement.
I feel the Dubs are in a win now mode. They don’t want a project in Bagley. Barnes/Buddy and Holmes are known committees,fit with what they need, and could be the pieces that get them there.
agree with you. I don’t think the Warriors are THAT win now to include both the #2 and the Minny pick, unless they get someone like Beal.
Any idea what effect the abbreviated offseason would have on Restricted Free Agency? It could seriously disincentivize teams from making offers, if their money can be tied up on an offer sheet for half of free agency.
Seems like Buffalo would make sense as a temporary home for the the Raptors. In addition to the close proximity to Toronto (so little change to the players who live in the area), they have a big-league facility which houses the Sabres.
Koreen says the NHL might use Buffalo as one its hub cities for the upcoming season, so the arena wouldn’t have many dates open.
I leaned towards the New Jersey option because, as Koreen explains in his post, it’s an NBA ready arena that’s very close to all the division opponents and has a major airport nearby. Seems most logical to me.
Ya I think Kansas City messes up the travel schedule a bit. But it wouldn’t be any different than what every single West team does every year.
Good on the Raptors explaining why Louisville won’t get to host a contending NBA team for a full season. Make murderers accountable, and maybe you can have a cookie.
Welp, better say goodbye before it’s too late then.
Goodbye, Harry. Love you.
Please don’t punch Harry in the face on his way out of town.
Haha, I specifically found a gif that edited that part out!
I am going fingers crossed for KCMO, How Missouri has 2 NFL and 2 MLB franchises and no Basketball is baffling! I think the league uses this like the OKC for NO thing to test the waters. T mobile center is no shithole either.
KC sounds like a strong possibility.
The more baffling part may be how Missouri has 2 NFL and 2 MLB teams. And the Blues and St. Louis SC.
Oops only one NFL team….
and as an added feature they may allow fans inside in KC they have for football.
OT:
Hahaha. The Sixers pulled a Vivek on Elton Brand and are hiring Morey as President of BBall Ops.
It doesn’t have to be. This could actually help Brand. They could be adding Morey to help him succeed, and possibly mentor him some.
In reality, Philly put Brand in an impossible situation and offered little help. Not that Brand is blameless for some of the moves he made either.
Badge Legend