Recent content by karl malone

That's a good point. I'd probably have to agree depending on how the rest of the roster develops over the course of the season. I do question if we will be in a position to draft one of those guys if we retain Lauri without blatantly sitting him &/or trading Sexton/Kessler. I also believe that...

I should have said ideal fit. A productive player fits any timeline regardless of age when the goal is to win. But it seems pretty clear that that's not our current goal for at least the next season or two. So even if Lauri does have another 6 years of prime production left, how does it make...

Yes he def could. But that doesn't mean that Ainge views him as a fit with the current timeline of the rest of our roster. Do you think a 27 year old 2nd star in need of a max contract brings more value to a team still in search of their superstar, still in need of at least another year or 2 of...

Buzelis vs Williams is going to be interesting to follow. I kept flip flopping between the two. If you need a potential star, I think you go with Buzelis. But if you still intend to acquire that potential star, which I believe we do, I think you go with Williams. Better defense, better shooter...

Lauri has a say on when the extension happens tho so I'm not sure it's necessarily reflective of the FO's preference as much as it is Lauri's. Even if we do extend him, regardless of the date it occurs, I believe it will be done with the intent of still eventually trading him for the type of...

I agree. They aren't completely comparable situations & rebuilding around Lauri is clearly an option when it really wasn't with Mitchell. But even if it had been, do you think they would have preferred that vs flipping him for assets? I don't. It wouldn't have made sense. We didn't have the...

I believe they preferred trading Mitchell vs building around him, regardless of his preference. Similar to how I believe they prefer to trade Lauri vs building around him, regardless of his preference. Maybe not tho. Maybe they had no choice but to trade Mitchell. But it certainly seems like...

I understand the difference. I believe we are pursuing offers. Similar to how we did with Mitchell & NYK. We're just attempting to appear as if we aren't in order to maintain leverage.

It does if you pursue those offers tho. Doesn't mean you're not happy if you stay at that job but it does mean that plan A is to see if there is a better option for yourself/your family (or your NBA franchise). If plan A was to keep that job, you wouldn't pursue offers. Especially if doing so...

Very possible. Not trying to be tho. Just trying to say that trading Lauri for a haul vs tanking with Lauri are two separate routes & that I believe the FO prefers the route of trading him for a haul. I don't think they would risk upsetting Lauri if he was part of plan A just to see if they get...

Doesn't that mean that plan A is to see if they can trade him for a haul tho? I agree he shouldn't be upset. It's business.

Then why allow these rumors to persist? Why not say we're not trading him? Because imo plan A is to see if someone will meet their demands. Why else risk upsetting him if he's part of plan A? Doesn't mean they're not good with Plan B, which probably is to tank with Lauri. But I think these...

That sounds like a plan to me. Be opportunistic in accumulating picks, talent, & flippable assets while still retaining long-term salary cap flexibility. It only appears non-committal because of the strong starts (a testament to our coaching staff & roster talent at the time) followed by the...

I agree that Lauri would prefer to stay & that it is definitely going to take an overpay for another team to acquire him but it seems pretty clear that our FO is actively looking to generate an acceptable offer for him. Otherwise why would they allow these rumors to persist, potentially...

Ainge has played this nearly perfectly imo. Couple of missteps/missed opportunities here & there maybe but we are now loaded with young talent, draft picks, & trade chips. He cleaned up the roster & soft tanked for 2 years in order to preserve the patience of the fan base, as well as the...