LeBron: Contraction 'would be great for league'

[EmpireWF]

Cut 4 teams, two from each conference....the Charlotte Bobcats & Milwaukee Bucks from the East, then the Memphis Grizzlies & New Orleans Hornets....plus the Kings relocate to Seattle where they get their new arena

Increase the # of roster spots per team from 12 to 14 (overall, the league gains 4 roster spots)

Not sure how contracts work out, I've read possibilities would include they all go into a draft, or they all become UFAs.

Rework the divisions as such:

EAST
ATL: Boston, Brooklyn, New York, Philly, Toronto
CTL: Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Indiana
SE: Atlanta, Miami, Orlando, Washington

WEST
NW: Denver, Oklahoma City, Portland, Seattle
PAC: Golden State, Clippers, Lakers, Minnesota, Utah
SW: Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Phoenix

[A Tasty Burgerr]

I think the Pacers are in a higher position to get the axe than the Bucks right now, but I would still say we're in the bottom 5-6.

[Juggernaut]

Its strange that in Canada the Raptors remain huge, but outside of Canada the Raptors are seen as a dead franchise. I've always said that if the Raptors are going to build into an elite franchise they'd have to do it with building around the best international players, because most of the American born elite players aren't going to play in Canada.

Dead? They have possibly the loudest fans outside of Lakers/Celtics/Knicks. If they can get 2 great international players, then they'll be a great attractive option. Sucks Hedo didn't work out there.

[Argath]

Cut 4 teams, two from each conference....the Charlotte Bobcats & Milwaukee Bucks from the East, then the Memphis Grizzlies & New Orleans Hornets....plus the Kings relocate to Seattle where they get their new arena

Increase the # of roster spots per team from 12 to 14 (overall, the league gains 4 roster spots)

Not sure how contracts work out, I've read possibilities would include they all go into a draft, or they all become UFAs.

Rework the divisions as such:

EAST
ATL: Boston, Brooklyn, New York, Philly, Toronto
CTL: Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Indiana
SE: Atlanta, Miami, Orlando, Washington

WEST
NW: Denver, Oklahoma City, Portland, Seattle
PAC: Golden State, Clippers, Lakers, Minnesota, Utah
SW: Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Phoenix

Teams already have 15 roster spots per team. Only 12 can be active on gameday, and really, there's no reason to have more than 12 people active on gameday. You rarely see players in roster spots 9-12 actually get into the game unless there's an injury or a blowout.

[FirstTimer]

at people defending the Raptors. A team that no one has really given two shits about since Vince Carter left. The only reason people even cared about the Raptors last year was to see where Bosh might go.

[Warner2BruceTD]

Teams already have 15 roster spots per team. Only 12 can be active on gameday, and really, there's no reason to have more than 12 people active on gameday. You rarely see players in roster spots 9-12 actually get into the game unless there's an injury or a blowout.

Yeah, I was going to post this. 15 roster spots is plenty, because nobody plays 12 guys, and usually 1 or 2 of the reserve guys are there with "injuries" like "back spasms" and "ankle sprain" (wink wink).

[EmpireWF]

Should remember that from 2k. Just to appease the players, if they end up contracting more than one team, they should add at least 1 roster spot.

[NAHSTE]

Should remember that from 2k. Just to appease the players, if they end up contracting more than one team, they should add at least 1 roster spot.

I think a better use of resources would be to supe up the d league a bit and maybe add teams there. Let raw guys actually learn how to play and make that a more viable option for teams and players alike.

[FirstTimer]

I think a better use of resources would be to supe up the d league a bit and maybe add teams there. Let raw guys actually learn how to play and make that a more viable option for teams and players alike.

Isn't this kind of part of the idea behind the rule not letting high schoolers directly enter the draft?

[NAHSTE]

Isn't this kind of part of the idea behind the rule not letting high schoolers directly enter the draft?

Yeah, at least that's what they said, but it will never be seen as a better destination as Europe or college as things currently are. I think if coupled with contraction the d league could actually become a viable option. Another thing that could help is if the NBA let drafted players continue to play in college with their rights staying with the team which picked them. The NHL does it like this and it seems to have mutually beneficial results.

It opens up a whole other can of worms with amateur status but it would help the borderline guys make their decision less costly while not preventing the LeBron or Kobe exceptions from leaving. If your favorite team has a prospect playing for Wake Forest or Georgetown, you'd get to watch them in meaningful games rather than sit on the end of your bench all year. May be too radical but I think it would be awesome for fans and players alike.

[Juggernaut]

Yeah, at least that's what they said, but it will never be seen as a better destination as Europe or college as things currently are. I think if coupled with contraction the d league could actually become a viable option. Another thing that could help is if the NBA let drafted players continue to play in college with their rights staying with the team which picked them. The NHL does it like this and it seems to have mutually beneficial results.

It opens up a whole other can of worms with amateur status but it would help the borderline guys make their decision less costly while not preventing the LeBron or Kobe exceptions from leaving. If your favorite team has a prospect playing for Wake Forest or Georgetown, you'd get to watch them in meaningful games rather than sit on the end of your bench all year. May be too radical but I think it would be awesome for fans and players alike.

That sounds awesome.

[Prodigal Son]

Contraction would be great for any league. Fucking Captain Obvious.

They want to make it something worth while, give the NBA a promotion/relegation type system.

[Argath]

Yeah, at least that's what they said, but it will never be seen as a better destination as Europe or college as things currently are. I think if coupled with contraction the d league could actually become a viable option. Another thing that could help is if the NBA let drafted players continue to play in college with their rights staying with the team which picked them. The NHL does it like this and it seems to have mutually beneficial results.

It opens up a whole other can of worms with amateur status but it would help the borderline guys make their decision less costly while not preventing the LeBron or Kobe exceptions from leaving. If your favorite team has a prospect playing for Wake Forest or Georgetown, you'd get to watch them in meaningful games rather than sit on the end of your bench all year. May be too radical but I think it would be awesome for fans and players alike.

It's not the NBA which prevents this from happening, but the NCAA. In order to enter the draft, you have to get an agent. The moment you sign with an agent, you forfeit your amateur rights.

Not to mention you can't be getting paid while playing in college.

[Warner2BruceTD]

It's not the NBA which prevents this from happening, but the NCAA. In order to enter the draft, you have to get an agent. The moment you sign with an agent, you forfeit your amateur rights.

Not to mention you can't be getting paid while playing in college.

Well, you don't have to hire and agent, but I see your point.