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Players that almost ended up on your favorite teams

Posted on 6/3/15 at 11:48 am
Posted by Keys Open Doors
In hiding with Tupac & XXXTentacion
Member since Dec 2008
31913 posts
Posted on 6/3/15 at 11:48 am
We all like to think about what could have been, from time to time. Which players almost ended up playing for your favorite teams? Could be through trades, free agency, recruiting, injury, etc.

I'll start with my favorite team.

Duke has landed tons of great players but they've also missed out on a few who could have been real difference makers. Coach K has said the two most painful losses were Chris Mullin and Jared Jeffries. Mullin was the first huge fish he went after and he finished second to St. John's. Jeffries was a very good college player but apparently Coach K thought he would be a superstar.

Other big misses: Alan Henderson/Chris Webber in 1991 (apparently Henderson was closer to coming than Webber), Adonal Foyle, Baron Davis, and to a lesser extent David Lee. Then you have the more recent guys like Greg Monroe, Brandan Wright, Harrison Barnes, and Shabazz Muhammad.
Posted by usc6158
Member since Feb 2008
35362 posts
Posted on 6/3/15 at 11:50 am to
Michael Jordan, Kevin Durant

:(
Posted by Keys Open Doors
In hiding with Tupac & XXXTentacion
Member since Dec 2008
31913 posts
Posted on 6/3/15 at 11:52 am to
Yeah, the Blazers had it really rough. I know they wanted a power forward in 1984, but you know they could have picked? Charles Barkley.
Posted by yellowhammer2098
New Orleans, LA
Member since Mar 2013
3850 posts
Posted on 6/3/15 at 11:54 am to
Charles Barkley (Lakers). I'm sure there are better examples for us.
Posted by goldenbadger08
Sorting Out MSB BS Since 2011
Member since Oct 2011
37900 posts
Posted on 6/3/15 at 11:55 am to
The Bills were in talks with the Packers when they wanted to unload Marshawn Lynch..
Posted by Wayne Campbell
Aurora, IL
Member since Oct 2011
6374 posts
Posted on 6/3/15 at 11:55 am to
ARod - Red Sox. I generally get the feeling that the Red Sox would not have won a World Series if it had gone through, though.
Posted by TN Bhoy
San Antonio, TX
Member since Apr 2010
60589 posts
Posted on 6/3/15 at 11:56 am to
Darijo Srna - Celtic
Posted by REG861
Ocelot, Iowa
Member since Oct 2011
36423 posts
Posted on 6/3/15 at 12:03 pm to
quote:

ARod - Red Sox. I generally get the feeling that the Red Sox would not have won a World Series if it had gone through, though.


I remember when it seemed like a sure thing the sox we're going to sign teixeira and then the Yankees swooped in
Posted by Backinthe615
Member since Nov 2011
6871 posts
Posted on 6/3/15 at 12:04 pm to
TN, eternally in need of a bigtime receiver, missed Boldin (2003 ROY) by two picks and took Tyrone Calico - who had potential until Roy Williams Roy Williamed him.
Posted by wildtigercat93
Member since Jul 2011
112338 posts
Posted on 6/3/15 at 12:06 pm to
Apparently the Pats were close to trading for Brandon Marshall before last season
Posted by SwaggerCopter
H TINE HOL IT DINE
Member since Dec 2012
27231 posts
Posted on 6/3/15 at 12:09 pm to
In 1984, Portland offered Houston Clyde Drexler and the #3 pick for Ralph Sampson. Simmons even wrote about this in his book. If Houston accepts the trade, they have:

Hakeem Olajuwon
Michael Jordan
Clyde Drexler

I can't even imagine how many championships the Rockets would have. At least 10.

But the crazy part is how much it could have affected legacies. All three of those guys spent the majority of their careers as the man.
This post was edited on 6/3/15 at 12:17 pm
Posted by RTR America
Memphis, TN
Member since Aug 2012
39600 posts
Posted on 6/3/15 at 12:11 pm to
Grizzlies:

In the famous 2003 draft (LeBron) the Grizzlies had a top 1 protected pick. They jumped up 4 places in the lottery to 2nd and had to give their pick to Detroit. At least they took Darko, so it isn't as frustrating.

They had the best odds in the 07 draft (Durant) and fell to 4th. They took Conley, so that at least worked out.

The Thabeet draft is a killer. Harden and Curry were taken after him. Harden on a team with Conley, Zbo, and Gasol would be ridiculous.

In 2012 a lot of people around the city wanted the Grizz to take Draymond and they took Tony Wroten.

The Grizzlies had a trade in place with Indiana that would send OJ Mayo to Indiana for McRoberts and a 1st round pick. They sent the fax in too late to the league office, so the trade never happened. That pick ended up going to San Antonio, who then drafted Kawhi Leonard.

Drafted Kevin Love and traded him for OJ Mayo.

They had Hassan Whiteside in summer league and the preseason this year.
Posted by Keys Open Doors
In hiding with Tupac & XXXTentacion
Member since Dec 2008
31913 posts
Posted on 6/3/15 at 12:13 pm to
I didn't know about it, but looking up Moses Malone's bio, it seems like he was on the Sixers by 1983
Posted by SwaggerCopter
H TINE HOL IT DINE
Member since Dec 2012
27231 posts
Posted on 6/3/15 at 12:17 pm to
Edited. Brain fart. Ralph Sampson, not Moses.
Posted by PurpGold 14-0
Member since Nov 2012
3801 posts
Posted on 6/3/15 at 12:19 pm to
quote:

Michael Jordan, Kevin Durant

Blazers fan
/thread
Posted by KillerNut9
Pearl Jam
Member since Dec 2007
33508 posts
Posted on 6/3/15 at 12:19 pm to
I always chuckle about the thought of the Cavs winning the 2012 lottery and getting AD. A LeBron, Kyrie, and AD trio would be so fun to watch.

Eta. Good thing they got the 4th pick and got Dion Waiters instead.
This post was edited on 6/3/15 at 12:20 pm
Posted by wildtigercat93
Member since Jul 2011
112338 posts
Posted on 6/3/15 at 12:22 pm to
quote:

I always chuckle about the thought of the Cavs winning the 2012 lottery and getting AD. A LeBron, Kyrie, and AD trio would be so fun to watch. Eta. Good thing they got the 4th pick and got Dion Waiters instead.


As much talk as their was about NBAs lotteries being rigged during that time, y'all had zero chance of winning it (which is ironic). If y'all would've won a 3rd one, people would've lost their shite
Posted by bigpetedatiga
Alexandria, LA
Member since Aug 2009
8627 posts
Posted on 6/3/15 at 12:22 pm to
As an Orlando Magic fan I remember the summer we almost pulled off Tracy McGrady, Grant Hill, and Tim Duncan.

I have to think we pull at least one championship off with Duncan and McGrady. Of course Hill was hurt and never could round back into shape with us.

I know there was also some smoke about Chris Paul joining Howard in Orlando for a while when he was trying to force his way out of New Orleans.

Posted by GreatLakesTiger24
One State Solution
Member since May 2012
55675 posts
Posted on 6/3/15 at 12:22 pm to
Kobe Brant --> Pistons
D Wade --> Pistons
Posted by RTR America
Memphis, TN
Member since Aug 2012
39600 posts
Posted on 6/3/15 at 12:23 pm to
They did win a 3rd one though.

Kyrie, Anthony Bennett, and Wiggins
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