New Album & The Beginning of Basketball Season

[Steve Williams]

Lakers reportedly want D'Angelo Russell back, and he may be interested


https://www.spin.ph/basketball/nba/la-lakers-want-d-angelo-russell-back-a1931-20190623

That would be interesting IF Kyrie signs with the Nets. D-Lo goes back to Lakers, that is if James allows him to stay there for long.

It just occurred to me that the Lakers had 3 consecutive No, 2 picks - 2015 D-Lo, 2016 Brandon Ingram, and 2017 Lonzo Ball, all of whom have been traded away. Mighty fast too, I would say.

For me this is good news. I always liked D'Angelo and I thought he was a good player who excelled with the Nets

 

[Steve Williams]

Around $44m for the next 5 years for a total of $221m, Warriors can offer KD the super max. So $40m for Steph, $18.50m for Green, $17m for Iggy, $120m without Klay, so how did they create the cap space for KD and Klay if ever they re sign when the salary cap is $109m?

They don't care and just pay the penalty for being over the cap

 

[jadis]

They don't care and just pay the penalty for being over the cap

Wow.

 

[Steve Williams]

IMO "IF" the Lakers are going to make an impact this year it has to start with a PG who can deal with the egos of the King and the Brow.

Its going to be an exciting week next week to see where all this lands


I think if Kawhi gets other offers which he will, it will turn into a bidding war for his services. I'm not so sure Leonard wants to be locked into a long term contract north of the border

 

[jadis]

I hope Kawhi sticks with he Raps a couple more years at least, would be a shame to see a championship team fall apart so fast.

Hope too the Nets don’t sign Kyrie —.unlike the Knicks, they’re a well-managed (Built a competitor with no first rounders for years), well-coached (overachieving), unselfish team that Kyrie would likely destroy the chemistry of.

Some reports are predicting Kawhi stays with the Champions to give it one more run. Ujiri will have to wield his magic wand when the clock strikes 12:01 of June 30, to have Danny Green and Marc Gasol sign in as well on their player options. And he would be Merlin if the 3 all opt out and re sign long term deals, or at least a 2+1 deal.

Agree about Kyrie. All he has proven is he needs a batman. And if KD is really going to be his batman, his first year will be a repeat of him as a Celtics, where he is called upon to lead the young Nets as KD will have to sit out the first year. It would be interesting if Nets or Knicks do not sign Kyrie after June 30, who's he gonna call?

 

[Steve Williams]

IMO here is the main reason why being an American athlete playing in Toronto is like "double dipping" with their salaries

American Athletes Pay More in Toronto
It's no longer a myth.
Adam Scherer, Jeffrey Steinberg

It’s summer in Toronto! This means it's the season for outdoor patios, wearing shorts and for us sports fans, trips to the dome to see our beloved Blue Jays play ball.

But for hockey or basketball fans, we are in the heart of the off-season. It’s the time of year when we exchange dreams of wearing the uniform of our cherished Maple Leafs or Raptors, to dreams of wearing a suit and making big financial and personnel decisions for the teams. If you're like me, you have read all the rumours and speculate who we will trade for and who we might sign as free agents. Summer small talk shifts from analyzing last night’s big play to debating roster construction, free agency, luxury taxes, hard caps, soft caps and traded player exceptions.

In today’s free agency landscape, the athlete holds a lot of the cards. Teams put on presentations and pull out all the stops to woo a player to come, or stay, in their city. It’s no different here in Toronto. There are a lot of positive attributes both the Maple Leafs and Raptors can focus on: competitive clubs, a lively, safe and clean city, cosmopolitan atmosphere, fine restaurants and nightlife. Athletes here are also playing for some of the most rabid fan bases on the continent. As far as basketball is concerned, players not only represent a city, but an entire country! However, it’s inevitable that at some point, somewhere, someone, will bring up “taxes” as a reason not to come here. As a fan and a tax professional that argument always raises my blood pressure. I’ve written numerous times on the subject, including this multi-scenario analysis reviewing the options that the Raptors point guard faced in the off-season in 2015. The timing is right to review again, since he faced the very same decisions this off-season.

It’s now 2017, have things changed? For starters, the Prime Minister of Canada has wielded his tax sword and raised rates in Canada by 4%. At the same time, there is a new Commander-in-Chief running the United States, and while cuts to Medicare and personal tax rates seem to be his personal goal, it has yet to be seen what will result.

We will again assume that our basketball star will remain a resident of the United States for tax purposes. Most players will leave significant ties back home in the United States and will be able to be considered a resident of the United States for income tax purposes as they return home during the off-season.

For 2017, we analyze the possibility of signing a $24M contract with the Raptors, Spurs (Texas), 76ers (Pennsylvania) and Warriors/Lakers (California), using the tax rate landscape as we know it today.

A few reminders on how U.S. resident athletes are taxed in Canada:

Players are only taxed in Canada on their employment income in Canada. For the Raptors, this means that only their home games are subject to the Canadian tax regime. Therefore, any difference in tax rates (i.e., Canada’s top rate of tax of 53.5% versus 39.6% Federal, plus state) is limited to only the days spent employed in Canada. Last season, the Raptors spent roughly 67% of their service time in Canada. Therefore, the remaining 33% of games would be taxed similarly regardless of the team the player played on.
Canada still does not allow most deductions from employment expenses (i.e., agent fees and training costs that are allowable deductions in the United States) further exacerbating the tax gap.
A player will sign for their maximum bonus under the collective bargaining agreement (“CBA”). Based on the tax treaty between Canada and the United States, Canada can only tax signing bonuses at a maximum rate of 15%. Therefore, to the extent any income is subject to a maximum of 15% tax in Canada, a player will receive a full credit against their U.S. taxes for this income thus placing them in no worse off position by playing in Canada.
We have not examined the impact of other cost savings possibilities like retirement compensation arrangements (“RCAs”). The National Hockey League and Major League Baseball currently allow players to take advantage of these arrangements. However, the National Basketball Association (“NBA”) currently prohibits the use of these retirement vehicles.
Using all these factors we came to the following conclusions:

From a tax perspective, states with no income tax (i.e., Texas) will yield the lowest overall tax result (approx. $10.5M)
Playing in Ontario is now the worst ($11.5M), followed closely by California ($11.25M) and then Pennsylvania ($10.8M)
So, there you have it. In 2015 when we last examined the numbers, a player would be virtually indifferent playing in New York or California versus Toronto. From an income tax perspective, Toronto is now the worst place to play in the NBA, with a gap of approximately 4% between teams with home games in cities with no state or city tax. Further, if the Republicans are successful in lowering personal and Medicare taxes in the United States, that gap may grow significantly higher.

Therefore, it is important that teams in Canada use whatever tax saving vehicles may be available to their players to ensure their tax bills remain as low as possible. This includes planning to ensure they retain United States residency and the maximization of signing bonuses. From an NBA perspective, the Raptors still hold an advantage in retaining their own players since the CBA allows retaining teams to pay their players larger amounts for longer terms. However in an open field competition for free agents, the Raptors are at a tax disadvantage. So, when Jalen Rose of ESPN argues that players won’t want to play in Canada because, “They have to pay Uncle Sam AND the Queen,” sadly, the numbers now support his argument.

 

[jadis]

IMO "IF" the Lakers are going to make an impact this year it has to start with a PG who can deal with the egos of the King and the Brow.

Its going to be an exciting week next week to see where all this lands


I think if Kawhi gets other offers which he will, it will turn into a bidding war for his services. I'm not so sure Leonard wants to be locked into a long term contract north of the border

My thought's exactly, Steve. That PG has to kowtow to James, specially, as James will take over the PG chores most of the game, specially when the game is on the line, he will weave outside and collect his credit as a possible game-winning assist, or why did you miss the shot I fed you?

Agree too on Kawhi, hard for me to see him with a 5 year max deal in Toronto. I heard from my sister who lives there, it's freezing there for 3/4s of the year. CA weather is nicer, or LA weather.

 

[Steve Williams]

personally I would like to see Leonard sign with the Clipps and then see them build a team around him where the intra city rivalry would be extraordinary and then see the Clipps sock it to the Lakers

It might make me become a Clipps fan as I am getting so tired of all the dysfunction that the Lakers bring

The guy I feel most sorry for is Coach Vogel

 

[jadis]

The guy I feel most sorry for is Coach Vogel

Yes, poor Vogel. I cannot imagine how James would like Vogel more than Luke. But I can imagine him liking Kidd as much as he liked Lue.

 

[rblnr]

I gather the consensus on Kawhi is that he'd sign for only two years w/Toronto.

And yeah, last guy I'd want to be is Vogel, caught between LeBron and Kidd.

 

[Steve Williams]

Yes, poor Vogel. I cannot imagine how James would like Vogel more than Luke. But I can imagine him liking Kidd as much as he liked Lue.

I gather the consensus on Kawhi is that he'd sign for only two years w/Toronto.

And yeah, last guy I'd want to be is Vogel, caught between LeBron and Kidd.

FWIW the Lakers have had 6 different HC's since 2011

 

[rblnr]

FWIW the Lakers have had 6 different HC's since 2011

Tells you that the HC isn't the problem.

 

[Steve Williams]

2019 NBA Awards: Categories & Nominees
Third annual NBA Awards show airs tonight on TNT

The NBA has announced the finalists for six awards that honor top performers from the 2018-19 regular season: Kia NBA Most Valuable Player, Kia NBA Rookie of the Year, Kia NBA Sixth Man Award, Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Kia NBA Most Improved Player and NBA Coach of the Year.

The winners of these awards will be revealed at the 2019 NBA Awards presented by Kia on Monday, June 24 at 9 p.m. ET on TNT. The third annual NBA Awards will take place at Barker Hangar in Los Angeles.

The finalists for the six annual awards, based on voting results from a global panel of sportswriters and broadcasters, are below:


Featured Awards Finalists

Kia NBA Most Valuable Player
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Paul George, Oklahoma City Thunder
James Harden, Houston Rockets

Kia NBA Rookie of the Year
Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns
Luka Don?i?, Dallas Mavericks
Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks

Kia NBA Sixth Man Award
Montrezl Harrell, LA Clippers
Domantas Sabonis, Indiana Pacers
Lou Williams, LA Clippers

Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Paul George, Oklahoma City Thunder
Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz

Kia NBA Most Improved Player
De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings
D’Angelo Russell, Brooklyn Nets
Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors

NBA Coach of the Year
Mike Budenholzer, Milwaukee Bucks
Michael Malone, Denver Nuggets
Doc Rivers, LA Clippers

NBA Cares Community Assist Award
Jarrett Allen, Brooklyn Nets
Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards
Mike Conley, Memphis Grizzlies
Tobias Harris, Philadelphia 76ers
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks
Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz
Dwight Powell, Dallas Mavericks
Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors

Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award
Steven Adams, Oklahoma City Thunder
Mike Conley, Memphis Grizzlies
Jared Dudley, Brooklyn Nets
Channing Frye, Cleveland Cavaliers
Rudy Gay, San Antonio Spurs
Udonis Haslem, Miami Heat
Andre Iguodala, Golden State Warriors
Kyle Korver, Utah Jazz
Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks
JJ Redick, Philadelphia 76ers
Garrett Temple, LA Clippers
Thaddeus Young, Indiana Pacers

NBA Sportsmanship Award
Steven Adams, Oklahoma City Thunder
Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings
Mike Conley, Memphis Grizzlies
Al Horford, Boston Celtics
Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks
Kemba Walker, Charlotte Hornets

Lifetime Achievement Award
Larry Bird
Magic Johnson

Sager Strong Award
Robin Roberts

NBA Hustle Award
TBD

NBA Basketball Executive of the Year
TBD

* * *

Fan Vote

House of Highlights Moment of the Year
Nominated plays and fan voting

* * *

All-NBA Teams

All-NBA First Team
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
James Harden, Houston Rockets
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Paul George, Oklahoma City Thunder
Nikola Joki?, Denver Nuggets
Official release & voting totals

NBA All-Rookie Team
Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns
Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies
Marvin Bagley III, Sacramento Kings
Official release & voting totals

NBA All-Defensive Team
Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
Paul George, Oklahoma City Thunder
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics
Eric Bledsoe, Milwaukee Bucks

 

[Steve Williams]

I love that Bird and Magic are getting Lifetime Achievement awards in the same year

 

[Steve Williams]

Tells you that the HC isn't the problem.

It all starts in the Front Office

 

[jadis]

I love that Bird and Magic are getting Lifetime Achievement awards in the same year

Steve, one for you and one for me.

 

[Steve Williams]

Not to remind Jeannie yet another time but I'm sitting watching the NBA Awards and Lou Williams, another Lakers cast off just won the Sixth Man Award

 

[Steve Williams]

Oh and one more Jeannie

He didn't win but ever since the Lakers traded him, D'Angelo Russell has become a much improved player

You need a PG , one with ability, affability and availability.

I believe he's be good for the King and the Brow, so please bring him back to the Lakers

And to think you traded Russell the 2nd choice in the first round for Ball, the 2nd choice in the first round only to trade your entire future for the Brow.

If you don't produce Jeannie, who is going to fire you

 

[jadis]

Oh and one more Jeannie

He didn't win but ever since the Lakers traded him, D'Angelo Russell has become a much improved player

You need a PG , one with ability, affability and availability.

I believe he's be good for the King and the Brow, so please bring him back to the Lakers

And to think you traded Russell the 2nd choice in the first round for Ball, the 2nd choice in the first round only to trade your entire future for the Brow.

If you don't produce Jeannie, who is going to fire you

So one has to wonder, who is worst in the job, Jeannie or his brother?

 

[jadis]

Siakam wins Most Improved Player. Rightly so.

Luca wins ROTY.

NBA Globalization will be complete with the Greek Freak winning the MVP.