Jerry West and Steve Kerr vetoed trading for Love

[oarabbus]

Diamond Leung of the Bay Area News Group transcribed a radio interview with Klay Thompson's father, who said that owner Joe Lacob and GM Bob Myer wanted to trade Thompson for then-Minnesota-Timberwolves forward Kevin Love, but front office advisor Jerry West and coach Steve Kerr "took (Thompson) off the table."


Thompson was involved in months of trade talks about being dealt for Love, and initially it looked like the trade was a foregone conclusion. But suddenly word came out that the Warriors were resisting including Thompson for Love, and then it became an absolute that he wouldn't be traded.

That opened the door for the Cavaliers to swoop in with a superior offer of Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett. Thompson is set for a massive extension this fall, and if not, a huge new deal in restricted free agency. After all, how are the Warriors going to manage leverage when they weren't willing to give Thompson up for Kevin Love?

This will go down as one of the bigger non-deals in league history, and how it's remembered will either prove the Warriors to be geniuses or fools, because that's how hindsight works. Meanwhile, it should be noted that according to Thompson's father, West and Kerr apparently have the power to veto, or at least convince management and ownership not to do something. That's got to be a little concerning, and it doesn't really fit with what we know of Lacob, a hands-on owner. How this all shakes out will be interesting to watch.

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/24677548/klay-thompsons-father-says-jerry-west-kerr-prevented-thompson-trade-for-love

[PJR]

Not surprising and makes sense. While Love is an upgrade from David Lee, you're net getting an overall net gain breaking up the Thompson (proven two way talent), Curry backcourt.

[DaSeba5]

Not surprising and makes sense. While Love is an upgrade from David Lee, you're net getting an overall net gain breaking up the Thompson (proven two way talent), Curry backcourt.

Agreed.

[Inferno]

If Klay can really step up his game like he said he will, and if Kerr can utilize him effectively like he says he wants to, then I guess I'm fine with staying put. The team already has a lot of chemistry the way it is. But still, a Curry/Martin/Iggy/Love/Bogut starting 5 was tantalizing...

[Heavincent]

Good decision by the Warriors.

[oarabbus]

If Klay can really step up his game like he said he will, and if Kerr can utilize him effectively like he says he wants to, then I guess I'm fine with staying put. The team already has a lot of chemistry the way it is. But still, a Curry/Martin/Iggy/Love/Bogut starting 5 was tantalizing...


Dude I hate to say it but any lineup with Bogut at the 5 is tantalizing... If only we could see it happen when it matters :(

[Inferno]

Dude I hate to say it but any lineup with Bogut at the 5 is tantalizing... If only we could see it happen when it matters :(

:lol :lol :lol true

he's probably the 2nd most important player if healthy

[poido123]

I blame Bogut's conditioning a lot for his injuries.

If he worked as hard as a Lebron or a Rose in the offseason and got his core strong and did leg work, I think he could stop being injury prone.

I truly believe a lot of the athletes who struggle with the niggling injuries don't put enough work in to prevent them.

I love Bogut, he's an Aussie. But let's be real here, he needs more work done in the offseason.

[navy]

I blame Bogut's conditioning a lot for his injuries.

If he worked as hard as a Lebron or a Rose in the offseason and got his core strong and did leg work, I think he could stop being injury prone.

I truly believe a lot of the athletes who struggle with the niggling injuries don't put enough work in to prevent them.

I love Bogut, he's an Aussie. But let's be real here, he needs more work done in the offseason.

Derrick Rose.

[Meticode]

I totally misread this thread title. I thought it was saying that West and Kerr were vetoing Love going to Cleveland. I was thinking, "Salty bastards." :oldlol:

[poido123]

Derrick Rose.


Derrick Rose.

For the guys who follow him (Bulls fans) will know that this guy works extremely hard on his core, legs and conditioning.

One of the hardest workers in the league.

[poido123]

I totally misread this thread title. I thought it was saying that West and Kerr were vetoing Love going to Cleveland. I was thinking, "Salty bastards." :oldlol:


Yeah I was thinking the same thing. :oldlol:

[oarabbus]

Derrick Rose.

For the guys who follow him (Bulls fans) will know that this guy works extremely hard on his core, legs and conditioning.

One of the hardest workers in the league.


That was his point. That maybe some guys are just injury prone, even the ones who spend crazy amounts of time getting in shape. No doubt Rose is a hard worker.

[poido123]

That was his point. That maybe some guys are just injury prone, even the ones who spend crazy amounts of time getting in shape. No doubt Rose is a hard worker.


There are exceptions, but my point was that a lot of basketball athletes get the niggling injuries from lack of proper conditioning.

If they truly worked on their core and stability etc, focus on looking after their body 100% I'd say a lot of the athletes could prevent a lot of the injuries they get.

[Lebronxrings]

If Klay can really step up his game like he said he will, and if Kerr can utilize him effectively like he says he wants to, then I guess I'm fine with staying put. The team already has a lot of chemistry the way it is. But still, a Curry/Martin/Iggy/Love/Bogut starting 5 was tantalizing...
brb imagining that defense

[Cali Syndicate]

Good move.

[gts]

Meanwhile, it should be noted that according to Thompson's father, West and Kerr apparently have the power to veto, or at least convince management and ownership not to do something. That's got to be a little concerning,

?? Two great basketball minds, one possibly one of the greatest gms ever having veto power over a non basketball guy is a "little concerning" to me that would be reasurring, what the fu*k is the author smoking

[poido123]

Meanwhile, it should be noted that according to Thompson's father, West and Kerr apparently have the power to veto, or at least convince management and ownership not to do something. That's got to be a little concerning,

?? Two great basketball minds, one possibly one of the greatest gms ever having veto power over a non basketball guy is a "little concerning" to me that would be reasurring, what the fu*k is the author smoking


I know right. Who would have thought?

Two former players, one an all time great and the other one of the best 3pt shooters of all time and extensive experience in many areas of the NBA, could possibly have a strong hand in any basketball decision? :oldlol:

[bdreason]

Thompson is the best 2-way SG in the NBA now that Wade is always injured.

[MJ(Mean John)]

Derrick Rose.

For the guys who follow him (Bulls fans) will know that this guy works extremely hard on his core, legs and conditioning.

One of the hardest workers in the league.


I always wonder when ppl say this. Out of all the 30 teams, you aren't there when other teams/players work out.


And they say it about soooo many players that it's hard to tell who the really hard workers are (sans KB+ Ray Allen)

Similar to how when someone dies, everyone usually says the same generic nice things about that. (With all due respect)

[ZHAKIDD532]

That team would have a really tough time without Klay on defense. Not sure how much better they'd be.

[Inferno]

Thompson is the best 2-way SG in the NBA now that Wade is always injured.
:applause:

[DJ Leon Smith]

I blame Bogut's conditioning a lot for his injuries.

If he worked as hard as a Lebron or a Rose in the offseason and got his core strong and did leg work, I think he could stop being injury prone.

I truly believe a lot of the athletes who struggle with the niggling injuries don't put enough work in to prevent them.

I love Bogut, he's an Aussie. But let's be real here, he needs more work done in the offseason.

No, you're wrong. He worked hard and practically eliminated the only niggling injury early in his career (his back) and his injuries since then have been freak accidents - the elbow, ankle and broken rib.

If you know how to prepare to not break a rib when you get elbowed, not damage your ankle when landing on another player's foot or annihilate your arm by falling on it, then by all means step up and become the highest paid doctor in world sports history.

[DMAVS41]

Not surprising and makes sense. While Love is an upgrade from David Lee, you're net getting an overall net gain breaking up the Thompson (proven two way talent), Curry backcourt.

Nah...Love is way better than Thompson...and with Thompson's deal looming at 16 million plus a season at least...the Warriors made a huge mistake.

Shedding the Lee contract is also a big win.

All about value. Thompson is not anywhere near as valuable as Love on the court...and with the salary structured the way it is in the NBA...you won't get great return on a Klay Thompson max contract for him.

While Love is actually worth more than the max on the court.

Big mistake by the Warriors.

[El Gato Negro]

its really to bad the wolves didnt just draft curry to begin with.

[Hamtaro CP3KDKG]

This is gonna come back to bite them in the ass mark my words
Jerry West is an amazing GM but he dun goofed

[Hamtaro CP3KDKG]

Thompson is the best 2-way SG in the NBA now that Wade is always injured.
How is he better 2way than Manu or Lance? All he does on offense is shoot 3s from what Steph creates for him and post up occasionally

even Butler is better 2way. Way better defender and can do more stuff on offense even if he isnt as efficient

[SwishSquared]

I didn't know this but apparently GSW had an opportunity to send Barnes to Orlando to get back Affalo (I'm not sure if Kevin Martin was still part of such a deal) in a Klay/Lee for Love trade. A healthy line-up of:

Curry-Affalo-Iggy-Love-Bogut is insanely good imo.

[Eric Cartman]

How is he better 2way than Manu or Lance? All he does on offense is shoot 3s from what Steph creates for him and post up occasionally

even Butler is better 2way. Way better defender and can do more stuff on offense even if he isnt as efficient

:facepalm

[pegasus]

I didn't know this but apparently GSW had an opportunity to send Barnes to Orlando to get back Affalo (I'm not sure if Kevin Martin was still part of such a deal) in a Klay/Lee for Love trade. A healthy line-up of:

Curry-Affalo-Iggy-Love-Bogut is insanely good imo.

:eek: :eek: :eek:

Sucks for their fans if they really missed out on THAT.

[SwishSquared]

:eek: :eek: :eek:

Sucks for their fans if they really missed out on THAT.
I found this info from a couple sources but here's a snippet from http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2170691-warriors-pursuit-of-kevin-love-leaves-scars-with-klay-thompson-david-lee

League sources also say they could've dealt Harrison Barnes to Orlando for Arron Afflalo in conjunction with the Minnesota deal, which would've given them a reasonable substitute for Thompson.

For what it's worth, I probably would have done that deal, if it's true that it was on the table. Although Klay is a nice 2-way player and teammate, he's bound to demand a max extension and realistically could get a max offer as a RFA next summer. I think long-term it would be cheaper to re-sign Affalo or make other moves than give a guy the max who probably doesn't deserve it.

I then may have gone Daryl Morey and put Bogut on the block. I wonder what it would have taken for them to get a Sanders/Asik/Hibbert type rim protector. Or even Tyson Chandler for 1 season playing for a contract.

I'm pretty sure that sort of team would have attracted some FAs, including Marion/Mike Miller/VC types looking to be on a competitive team.

It wouldn't have been easy to replace all that Klay does this off-season if they traded him for Love, but I think they probably would have been stronger contenders giving up Klay/Lee/Barnes to get Affalo/Love.

[FireDavidKahn]

GS will regret this. Love is so underrated here it is criminal. So far Klay Thompson hasn't shown anything close to being a great SG. He is basically a Danny Green who has been giving the green light to shoot as much as he wants.

[scm5]

Wow.

That's ridiculous because I know I wouldn't think twice about taking a deal like that.

You kind of have to give Jerry West the benefit of the doubt though and it'll be interesting to see if he's right.

[Inferno]

Let's be real though. Wolves would have taken Cleveland's offer over ours regardless...

[SwishSquared]

Let's be real though. Wolves would have taken Cleveland's offer over ours regardless...
That's true, although it seemed if GSW had offered Klay, then the deal would have been completed before Cleveland offered Wiggins, Bennett, and a pick. It could be argued though that had GSW offered that, then Cleveland would have upped its offer to the point of beating the GSW deal. I also think LeBron's call(s) to Love sealed the deal. I didn't hear anything about Curry lobbying Love to only go to GSW. I mean Love insisting he go the Warriors would have killed a deal with Cleveland.

Idk man. It's not a lock that the Cavs will win titles and the Warriors won't, but I think consummating that deal would have upgraded the team big time. At least this iteration of the Warriors is super fun to watch and when they start dropping 3s, it gets insane. Best wishes to your team this year! :cheers: