Category Archives: Beyond Believeland

Suns are “all-in” with latest move

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The Phoenix Suns are going all-in with their recent trade and no excuses will be accepted if they do not win a championship.

It may be the beginning of the offseason, but the Phoenix Suns are out here making moves. After they were rumored to be in on Washington’s Bradey Beal, a deal was agreed to resulting in the Suns landing the former Wizard. Going Washington’s way is Landry Shame and Chris Paul in addition to some second round picks and pick swaps.

Paul is not expected to remain in Washington long as a third team is being sought out as a potential trading partner and landing spot for a player previously set to be waived by Phoenix.

With Beal now in the mix with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, this gives the Suns their best shot at winning a title. Sure, there are concerns about Beal and what he is at this point in his career, but those need to be jotted down as something to monitor and not a reason to sound the alarm just yet.

There is also some speculation that Deandre Ayton may not be long for Phoenix. Perhaps another move is in the works to round out the roster and make it a little less top heavy. However finding a way to keep Ayton and exploring other avenues to improve their depth would be much more ideal. It may be impossible, but it is more ideal for what that is worth.

With how things are being constructed in Phoenix and the top end talent on their roster, there are no more excuses for the Suns to not win a title in 2023-24. This is the Suns year and the expectation is that they come out of the Western Conference to finally make Phoenix the home of the NBA Champions. They have been close before, but this could very well be their best chance to actually accomplish the ultimate team goal in the NBA.

Chris Paul to be waived by Suns

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The Phoenix Suns have informed Chris Paul that he will be waived according to Chris Haynes. Paul will become a free agent free to sign anywhere this offseason.

This move comes as the Suns look to their future and how the team will be altered now that new head coach Frank Vogel is running the show. The team introduce Vogel as the franchise’s next head coach just yesterday.

This brings Chris Paul’s three-year stint in Phoenix to an end. The previous season saw Paul average a career-low 13.9 points per game on 11.3 field goal attempts per game, also a career-low. Considering that Kevin Durant and Devin Booker are the primary options on offense this is hardly a surprise.

The Suns were very close to winning a championship in 2021, losing to Milwaukee in six games. This was the closest that Chris Paul has been to winning a title in his 18-year career. Now 38 and still without a ring, it would not be surprising to see Paul be very selective in choosing his next team as his chances at a title are running out. In fact, 2023-24 may be the last chance he gets for that ever elusive championship.

Pressure is on Heat going into Game 7

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Could the impossible actually happen? Are the Miami Heat going to become the first team in NBA history to blow a 3-0 series lead? Judging by the way the previous three games have gone, all signs point to yes (shoutout David Puddy).

Losing a Game 4 with a 3-0 lead happens. It is usually the last gasp of life left in a team before falling flat and being blown out in Game 5, but that has not been the case. Miami had a superior Boston team with their backs up against the wall fighting for their playoff lives, and they let them back in with little resistance. This is not the type of play that a championship caliber team should be showcasing before advancing The Finals to take on a well rested Nuggets squad.

If Miami blows this and lets the Celtics win it will go down as one of the bigger choke jobs in NBA history. Not quite up to the level of the 73-9 Warriors blowing a 3-1 lead, but maybe Yankees blowing a 3-0 lead to the Red Sox in the 2004 ALCS. While losing this series should not cost Erik Spoelstra his job, it would be one hell of a blemish on his coaching record.

There are conversations that should be had, but that is it, just conversations. Any sort of coaching change down on South Beach would be surprising and should be met with harsh criticism. Additionally, if Spoelstra were to be relieved of his duties and wanted to continue his coaching career he would not have a hard time finding a new job.

The winner of this series is going to be gassed and Denver should be the favorite in The Finals no matter the opponent. The Nuggets just look to be better all around and have not appeared prone to the shortcomings of these Heat and Celtics teams. That being said, that series still has to be played and anything can happen, including an unlikely Heat or Celtics victory.

Celtics stay alive with Game 4 win over Heat

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It was a win or go home scenario for the Boston Celtics and they made sure that their trip to South Beach would not end on a sour note. Boston came away with a 116-99 win over the Miami Heat to extend their season another day, two may be more accurate considering their next game is Thursday.

This game definitely seems to have been the energy dump game from a team looking to avoid the sweep. It has been seen countless times before, a team holds a 3-0 lead and the team that has been outplayed the entire series suddenly puts it together for a win in Game 4 before flaming out in Game 5 when they have nothing left to give.

This is not about talent as Boston is a very talented team. In fact, it has nothing really do to with talent. It is about a Heat team that has played better and the Celtics having their back up against the wall. A spoiler win like this should come as no surprise to anyone. Even LeBron and the Lakers looked like they were going to get one win before coming up short and rumors of retirement began to swirl.

There have been three instances of a team evening a series down 0-3 in the NBA Playoffs. Unfortunately for Boston this is where the good news ends. No team has ever come back down three games to none, the most recent chance coming in 2003. The Celtics will certainly have their chance to defy history and make an impressive comeback. But don’t count on anything as the odds are stacked heavily against them.

LeBron James, retirement, and leverage

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The concept of retirement seemed a long way off for LeBron James not too long ago, but apparently that is no longer the case. James is reportedly unsure if he will be with the Lakers when the 2023-24 season begins according to reports.

Considering Lebron is 38 years old, this is something the Lakers need to take seriously. James has put a ton of miles on his body over the course of his illustrious career, but up until the Lakers elimination in the 2023 postseason has retirement even ben mentioned as an imminent possibility. There is something else that could be in play.

Leverage.

LeBron is no stranger to the leverage play, especially a public one. There have been many instances of James using leverage to get something that he desires, there is a reason people have referred to him as “LeGM”, as cringe as that is. The Lakers star has two more years on his current contract with the Lakers, including a player-option worth over $50 million for the 2024-25 season should he continue to play.

If James is going to continue his time in Los Angeles he is going to want to be competitive and have a legitimate chance at another championship. Having the retirement rumor come out upon elimination gives the Lakers more than enough time to formulate a plan, to LeBron’s liking of course, to take the next step they were unable to this year. It is just that well timed extra bit of incentive to be proactive in improving their roster and making it truly championship caliber.

Of course there is the reality that James is truly considering retirement and could call it a career. The official retirement of Carmelo Anthony just yesterday may have resonated with James and made him reflect upon his own career and future. If James does indeed retire he will go down as one of, if not the best to ever play the game.

Aaron Rodgers intends to play for Jets

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The Green Bay Packers cleared up some rumors and state his intentions for next season.

Aaron Rodgers appeared on the lab that is The Pat McAfee Show as many shivered with antici….pation. While there was not the definitive announcement many people were waiting for, such as he is retiring or that or approving a trade on the air, Rodgers did state his intentions and they are to play for the New York Jets.

As mentioned in a tweet from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Green Bay and New York need to work out the details of a trade that would see Rodgers end up in a Jets uniform. Should the trade be finalized it would put the Jets in position to contend in the highly competitive AFC East. New York realized they were in an arms race with the Bills and Dolphins, featuring Josh Allen and Tua Tagoviola respectively, and that Zach Wilson was not the answer they were seeking. Perhaps a fresh start elsewhere could lead to Wilson living up to his status as a high draft pick.

It is ironic that Aaron Rodgers’ saga and the Packers is so similar to Brett Favre’s separation. Rodgers also ending up with the Jets just makes it that much better. Considering where both players are/were in their career when landing in New York it appears that Rodgers has the advantage comparatively. On the surface it should be a better experience for Rodgers with the Jets, but football is not a kind game with a habit of being more cruel to those later in their career. Things were going well for Favre at first with everything unraveling as the season progressed. Rodgers is capable of avoiding a disappointing season in New York, but that is not a guarantee. Now is time for the waiting game as everyone waits for a seemingly inevitable trade.

Darren Waller traded to Giants

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The Las Vegas Raiders have agreed to a trade with the New York Giants.

Darren Waller is the latest player to earn the title of “Former Raider”. Las Vegas has agreed to send the tight end to the New York Giants for a third-round pick (100th overall). It is a compensatory pick that New York received in the trade that sent Kadarius Toney to Kansas City.

This trade provides the Raiders some cap relief as they save over $11 million while only absorbing a small amount of dead money ($660,000). Waller signed a three-year $51 million extension with the Raiders prior to last season with an opt out after 2023.

Finding ways to save money is very important for the Raiders as they are not the most financially stable team. Cash flow issues and overall lack of cash on hand can be directly attributed to some of the decisions made by the franchise in recent years.

Darren Waller caught on with the Raiders after two relatively uninspiring seasons in Baltimore. After it looked like history was about to repeat itself, Waller burst on the scene with a 90 catch 1,145 yard, four touchdown season. Waller would add 162 receptions, 1,1861 yards, and 11 touchdowns over the next 27 games. Landing in New York after an injury shortened seasons should provide the 31-year old a fresh start to regain his former form.

Austin Ekeler allowed to seek trade

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The Los Angeles Chargers running back has been given permission to seek a trade.

It appears that Austin Ekeler has played his last down in a Los Angeles Chargers uniform. The club has granted Ekeler the ability to look for a trade with a new team. This comes after requesting permission from the Chargers Monday. A big factor in Ekeler’s request is not being able to come to terms on a new contract according to reports.

Austin Ekeler has been an integral part of the Chargers offense with 43 starts over the last three seasons. During that span Ekeler has 757 touches and 4,128 total yards with 41 touchdowns, which is quite a heavy workload for a smaller back. Prospective teams may be scared off at the prospect of acquiring and signing Ekeler to an extension considering his size (5’8 200 lbs), usage, and age. Ekeler will be 28 rather soon and that is a noted drop-off point for running backs.

When and if the Chargers do find a trading partner for Austin Ekeler they will have some pretty big shoes to fill. Hoping to strike gold again with another undrafted running back like Ekeler is not a sound strategy. Los Angeles may have to take a two-pronged approach to make up for Ekeler’s absence. Drafting in addition to signing a running back in free agency seems to be their best foot forward. How Los Angeles addresses this position will be something to pay attention to in the coming days.

Jimmy Garoppolo to sign with Las Vegas

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The Las Vegas Raiders are signing the former San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots quarterback.

Jimmy Garoppolo has a new home, Las Vegas. Garoppolo will be signing with the Raiders once free agency officially begins with the two sides agreeing to terms on the first day of the legal tampering period.

It is a three-year deal for Garoppolo worth just over $67 million, 34 of which is guaranteed. The deal will be official Wednesday when the new league year begins.

This was a very predictable series of events as the obvious connection between Jimmy Garoppolo and Raiders coach Josh McDaniels could not be ignored. For McDaniels it gives him a quarterback who can come right in and operate, even winning right away. The latter is crucial for McDaniels in year two as his head coaching return has received plenty of criticism. Garoppolo gets a multi-year deal with an offense that features plenty of weapons, setting himself up for success. Additionally Garoppolo can help garner support for McDaniels in the locker room for what is a crucial juncture for the future of the Raiders.

Looking ahead this still gives Las Vegas the flexibility to draft a quarterback without having to start him right away. The Raiders can now take a chance on a quarterback in the draft who may need some refinement. If that is the path they decide to take they have properly executed step one of this process.

Daron Payne signs four-year extension

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The defensive tackle has agreed to a four-year contract extension.

It was just a few weeks ago that the Washington Commanders placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on defensive tackle Daron Payne. Now the Commanders have signed Payne to a massive contract to keep him in Washington. It is a four-year $90 million deal with $60 million guaranteed for Payne according to reports.

Payne’s deal with Washington only trails Aaron Donald’s deal for highest paid defensive tackles of all time. The almost 26-year old registered a career-high 11.5 sacks in 2022, third-most among defensive tackles and 12th overall.

There were some questions to whether or not Washington would complete an extension with Daron Payne as things appeared to be heading down a familiar path. The Commanders recently had a very similar experience with Brandon Scherff. Scherff would receive the franchise tag in back-to-back years before eventually signing a multi-year deal with Jacksonville. Getting things done this time around with Payne is a massive win for Washington.