Play Sign Or Release With These NBA Stars, And We'll Guess If You'd Be A Good GM
- by W. Aloysius
- – on
- in Sports
With the NBA season in full swing, we are all glued to our televisions in hopes of seeing our team pull down a victory on a nightly basis. While some teams are continuing their reign of terror on the league, others are still finding their footing. Teams will always see ups and downs, but some franchises seem completely cursed. Regardless of where your team stands in the current landscape of the NBA, all of us have thought that we would be the perfect person to manage our favorite team.
Certain trades and signings will have our blood pressure skyrocketing, and others leave us in a state of pure bliss. None of us actually wear the uniform, but that doesn’t stop us from feeling and believing that we are part of the team. It is why seeing our favorite franchise land in a state of disarray is such a maddening experience.
Well, we are here to offer you all a very unique opportunity. Instead of wishing that you were running an NBA team, we are going to let you make your dreams come true. We are going to present you 35 NBA players to either sign or release from your team. Based on your answers, we will tell you if you could manage a real NBA team!
Would You Sign Or Release LeBron James?
Some of you may consider LeBron James the best player of his generation while others are patiently waiting to make their argument for him being the best to ever shoot a basketball. Regardless of where you fall on this spectrum, there is no denying that we are witnessing greatness whenever LeBron James plays.
Would You Sign Or Release Russell Westbrook?
Loyalty may not win you NBA titles, but it will do wonders for your legacy. Instead of bolting for a better opportunity elsewhere, Russell Westbrook decided to stand his ground with the Oklahoma City Thunder in search of bringing the franchise a title. He is one of, if not, the best player in the NBA.
Would You Sign Or Release Anthony Davis?
Since coming into the league as a red-hot prospect, Anthony Davis has shown that he is more than capable of dominating his competition. While he may not have a team that is full of All-Star players like the Golden State Warriors, Davis has done his best to make New Orleans as good as possible.
Would You Sign Or Release Boogie Cousins?
Even with his seemingly terrible attitude and overall disdain for keeping his emotions in check, DeMarcus Cousins is one of the most talented players in the NBA. When everything is clicking for him, Cousins can take over a game in an instant, leaving many wondering why the Sacramento Kings traded him.
Would You Sign Or Release Steph Curry?
Long considered one of the best shooters in the entire league, there is very little that Steph Curry hasn’t already accomplished in his illustrious career. He was largely instrumental in turning one of the biggest laughing stocks in the NBA into one of the most feared teams in recent history.
Would You Sign Or Release Draymond Green?
Drafting is key to building a dynasty, and no one knows this better than the Golden State Warriors. They took a lot of flack for signing Kevin Durant, but the team’s three stars, including Draymond Green, were all drafted. Green is a vocal leader on one of the best team’s in the NBA, though his emotions can get carried away.
Would You Sign Or Release Kevin Durant?
Yes, Kevin Durant went to a stacked team. Yes, he should have just stayed in Oklahoma City and showed some loyalty. But, this doesn’t change the fact that Kevin Durant is one of the best players in the NBA who proved to be invaluable when the Golden State Warriors won yet another NBA Championship.
Would You Sign Or Release Klay Thompson?
While the other members of the Golden State Warriors get far more publicity, Klay Thompson has proven on countless occasions that he is a baller when the ball is in his hands. Once his stroke gets going, you already know that it’s going to be a long night for opposing defenses.
Would You Sign Or Release Gordon Hayward?
What a tragic way to start your tenure with a new team. Expectations were skyrocketing when the Boston Celtics landed Gordon Hayward, though these dreams were soon crushed thanks to his season-ending injury on opening night. When healthy, Gordon Hayward is one of the top players in the league, and the Celtics cannot wait to have him back.
Would You Sign Or Release Kawhi Leonard?
After the insane dynasty that the Spurs had with Tim Duncan at the helm, fans were interested in seeing how Kawhi Leonard would do as the leader of the team. Since taking over, Leonard has been phenomenal, and he has been an MVP candidate. An injury ruined his team’s chances in the playoffs last year.
Would You Sign Or Release James Harden?
It may be hard to believe now, but there was once a point when the Thunder had Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden all on the same roster. Since heading down to Houston to play for the Rockets, Harden has looked completely unstoppable at times, racking up 5 All-Star Game appearances.
Would You Sign Or Release Chris Paul?
Chris Paul should have been a Los Angeles Laker, but we digress. After heading to the other team in Los Angeles to partner with Blake Griffin, Chris Paul traveled to Texas to partner with James Harden and bolster the Houston Rockets. From 2008-2016, Paul was selected as an NBA All-Star.
Would You Sign Or Release Giannis Antetokounmpo?
The NBA is always looking for the latest and greatest young talent to tout as the future of the league, and if the buzz is any indication, Giannis might be the next man up. He exploded in 2017, elevating his game to any entirely new level, and many believe that this man is the future of the NBA.
Would You Sign Or Release Jimmy Butler?
After Jimmy Butler finally came into his own during his time with the Chicago Bulls, the team would eventually trade him away in favor of going through with a rebuild. Butler is now competing up North for the Minnesota Timberwolves on the heels of making 3 consecutive NBA All-Star Games.
Would You Sign Or Release John Wall?
Time and time again, we see players selected with the first pick in the NBA Draft coming nowhere close to realizing their full potential. Washington took a chance on John Wall back in 2010, and since entering the NBA, the man has made 4 All-Star Games and he has become a leader on the team.
Would You Sign Or Release Damian Lillard?
Each year, Damian Lillard sets out to show the world that he is one of the most solid basketball players on the plane, and he never fails to impress. Lillard was drafted in the first round of the 2012 NBA Draft, and he has been a 2-time All-Star Game selection. He was named NBA Rookie of the Year in 2013.
Would You Sign Or Release Mike Conley?
When you are the son of an Olympic gold medalist, expectations are going to be ridiculously high for your athletic career. Mike Conley Jr. has spent his entire NBA career with the Memphis Grizzlies, and he has proven himself to be a solid player. Last season, he averaged over 20 points per game.
Would You Sign Or Release Kyle Lowry?
A player doesn’t always come into the NBA and become a force during their rookie campaign. Some players need a few years and a few teams to achieve greatness. After coming to his third team, Kyle Lowry has been a stud. He has been selected to the NBA All-Star Game for three consecutive years.
Would You Sign Or Release Kyrie Irving?
Now that Kyrie Irving is playing for the Boston Celtics, fans cannot wait to see he and LeBron James cross paths in the playoffs. The duo brought home a title to Cleveland, and seemingly out of nowhere, Kyrie demanded that he be traded. It was one of the juicier NBA stories in recent memory.
Would You Sign Or Release Nikola Jokic?
Nikola Jokic is still relatively young in his NBA career, but he has racked up plenty of minutes in international leagues and Olympic competition. He was part of the Serbian basketball squad who took home the silver medal at the 2016 Olympics, and he was selected as an NBA All-Rookie in 2016.
Would You Sign Or Release Blake Griffin?
Coming out of college, there was no question that Blake Griffin was going to be an exceptional player in the NBA. He has been the leader of the Los Angeles Clippers for a number of years, and his career accolades have been impressive. At this point, the only thing that he’s missing is an NBA Championship.
Would You Sign Or Release Kemba Walker?
After reaching the pinnacle of college basketball while playing at Connecticut, Kemba Walker headed to the NBA Draft possessing a wealth of talent. He was taken by Charlotte in the first round, and while you could argue that he was underwhelming in the early stages of his career, Walker made his first NBA All-Star Game in 2017.
Would You Sign Or Release Al Horford?
As part of one of the greatest college basketball teams ever assembled, Al Horford’s college career was among the most impressive we have ever seen. He was a lock to be a top choice in the NBA Draft, and he has put together one heck of an NBA career. He has been selected to the NBA All-Star Game on four occasions.
Would You Sign Or Release Rudy Gobert?
Thanks to basketball’s popularity around the world, the NBA has been steadily plucking the best international players to compete in the league. Rudy Gobert was as stud in his native France before making his way to the NBA. He led the entire NBA in blocks in 2017 which served as his breakout year.
Would You Sign Or Release Eric Bledsoe?
While some would say that Eric Bledsoe has yet to live up to the expectations placed on him when he entered the NBA, others would quickly inform you that he has been a solid role player throughout his career. After several successful years with the Phoenix Suns, Bledsoe currently plays for Milwaukee.
Would You Sign Or Release Goran Dragic?
Since entering the NBA in 2008, point guard Goran Dragic has worked diligently to improve his overall game. In fact, the league recognized this when he was named the NBA's Most Improved Player in 2014. He has found plenty of success in international competition, taking home the gold in EuroBasket play.
Would You Sign Or Release Jae Crowder?
Jae Crowder has never been a dominant player in the NBA, but he has tallied plenty of experience and craftiness throughout his NBA career. He has played for three franchises during his time in the NBA, and he was brought in to bolster the Cleveland Cavaliers roster entering this season.
Would You Sign Or Release Harrison Barnes?
After starting his career with the Golden State Warriors, winning an NBA Championship in 2015, Harrison Barnes has since moved on to play for the Dallas Mavericks. He was selected within the first ten picks of the 2012 NBA Draft, and he has since turned into a solid NBA player.
Would You Sign Or Release Clint Capela?
After rising to prominence in his native France, Swiss basketball player Clint Capela had his sights set on the NBA, and he was selected in the first round of the 2014 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets. Since entering the league, he has spent his entire career with Houston, and he averaged a career-best 12.6 points per game last year.
Would You Sign Or Release J.J. Redick?
J.J. Redick is one of the most decorated players in the history of college basketball, and the shooting specialist has since had his number retired at Duke. He entered the NBA in 2006, and he has played for four teams during his career. He came to Philadelphia prior to the season, showing that he trusts the process.
Would You Sign Or Release Jrue Holiday?
After being named California Mr. Basketball, Jrue Holiday was one of the hottest prospects on the planet when he headed off to play for UCLA. During his one season with the Bruins, he did enough to be selected in the first round of the NBA Draft. In 2013, Jrue Holiday was selected to his lone NBA All-Star Game.
Would You Sign Or Release Ricky Rubio?
Ricky Rubio has never been a dominant scorer, but his overall talent as a point guard has left many wishing that he was on their roster. He has found some success in the NBA, but his international play is where he has truly shined. He has taken home both an Olympic silver and bronze medal.
Would You Sign Or Release Marc Gasol?
After his brother paved the way, Marc Gasol entered the NBA and transformed himself into one of the best players at his position. He has spent his entire career with the Memphis Grizzlies, and he has been an All-Star Game selection on three occasions. He was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2013.
Would You Sign Or Release Kristaps Porzingis?
Any player playing in New York is going to be under constant scrutiny, and many don’t have the will to thrive under the bright lights. Kristaps Porzingis is not your average player, and the New York Knicks feel that he is the future of the franchise. His career trajectory is on an upward path.
Would You Sign Or Release Khris Middleton?
After being selected in the second round of the 2012 NBA Draft, shooting guard Khris Middleton has thrived during his NBA career. Rosters are relatively small in the NBA, and the fact that a second-round pick has done as well as Middleton is a testament to his work ethic and determination.
