Around The NBA : 2024-25 Season

[step]

The Blazers have agreed to a contract buyout with veteran center Deandre Ayton, reports ESPN’s Shams Charania (via Twitter).

Queue the Lakers rumours stat...

[Muzbar]

Wow.

Did not see Ayton getting bought out...

100% Lakers bound.

[Red8911]

Wow.

Did not see Ayton getting bought out...

100% Lakers bound.

Of course anything to help LeBron

[Infinity2152]

So Portland gets much older by trading Simons for Holiday, then buys out their veteran center to play the rookie and second year guy. Which way are they going?

[boozapalooza]

I figured he’d be a 10-15M per year type of guy. 25M is eyepopping. But I could see it. If hes getting 25M, Giddey’s a lock for 30M.

Well.. $15M is MLE money. Any signs of potential + youth has always garnered more than it.
And too many other scrubs have somewhat managed to negotiate $20/25M+ that the benchmark has been set for now.

That being said... I think teams are going to start looking at their books a lot closer. $20M+ was somewhat expectant of a solid starter etc.
But if you have two max salaries, it's going to be hard to pay the rest of the starting line-up that type of money...

So is PWill at 18M/year not as egregious as we make it out to be? For a guy whos younger, bigger, better defender…

[SirKaiser]

So Portland gets much older by trading Simons for Holiday, then buys out their veteran center to play the rookie and second year guy. Which way are they going?

Sounds like they need the veteran presence of Vuc

[2weekswithpay]

Ayton and Simons aren't terrible players and can be beneficial to have in the right situation. Separation benefits all parties in Portland.

[Dan Z]

The Blazers have agreed to a contract buyout with veteran center Deandre Ayton, reports ESPN’s Shams Charania (via Twitter).

Ayton is in the final year of a four-year, nearly $133MM contract, which was set to pay him $35.5MM this season. The Blazers, who have drafted centers in the first round of the 2024 and 2025 drafts, will use this opportunity to clear rotation minutes for their young big men.

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2025/06/blazers-will-buy-out-deandre-ayton.html

Wow. I was surprised by this move, but it makes sense for Portland. I guess they tried to shop him and nobody was willing to offer anything that interested the Blazers.

I wonder who will sign him? Charlotte could use a center now that they traded Nurkic.

[Dominator83]

Masai is living off his reputation IMO. He's made some awful moves fairly recently, like trading a FRP for Thad Young in 2022. Even the current Raptors team is an expensive mess that doesn't fit together.

Brandon Ingram move was awful as well. BI is pretty much literally the SF Zach Lavine. Plus he's less reliable to play than Zach too. And to top it off, he also gave BI a big $$ extension while injured , before ever even playing a game in a raptors uniform

[jStuNNa]

Ayton and Simons aren't terrible players and can be beneficial to have in the right situation. Separation benefits all parties in Portland.

Ayton's pretty bad.

[Dominator83]

Read on Twitter

Matis Buzentetokounmpo
Giantas Cepelinaintetokounmpo
The Greek Freek Lithuanian Sensation

I guess you can buy some Ayo social media love by going on his podcast. I've been burned by off-season hype too many times to believe anything until I see it on the court next season. But others should feel free to feel good.

Yep. How many off-seasons did we hear about Tyson Chandler bulking up? Or how much improvement Ben Gordon is making ? Tyrus Thomas? Eddy Curry? Us veteran fans don't fall for fluff

[dumbell78]

I would love for the Lakers to sign Ayton and proceed to watch JJ bench his ass, much like he did with Hayes.

[Indomitable]

So Portland gets mupch older by trading Simons for Holiday, then buys out their veteran center to play the rookie and second year guy. Which way are they going?

Holiday is a pro. Ayton is trash

[Indomitable]

Read on Twitter

Matis Buzentetokounmpo
Giantas Cepelinaintetokounmpo
The Greek Freek Lithuanian Sensation

I guess you can buy some Ayo social media love by going on his podcast. I've been burned by off-season hype too many times to believe anything until I see it on the court next season. But others should feel free to feel good.

Yep. How many off-seasons did we hear about Tyson Chandler bulking up? Or how much improvement Ben Gordon is making ? Tyrus Thomas? Eddy Curry? Us veteran fans don't fall for fluff

Tyson did bulk up. Curry only has one season and he did lose 40 pounds. It was the best he ever moved.

[MGB8]

Lebron to the Knicks for Mikal and other salary? He has expressed interest in NY before, and the move would probably help NY for 1 season, but they still need shooting at the 2 (where Mikal and OG did somewhat better at the 3/4).

A return to Miami, built around Wiggins, probably doesn’t fit “Championship aspirations.”

Golden State might, but salaries become an issue. I can’t see LeBron going to Denver or Minny or Milwaukee (for Dame, but why would the Lakers do that). I can’t see Boston sending Jaylen Brown for him. I don’t see the fit in Cleveland - Garland plus Allen for Lebron and Vanderbilt or Kleber?

[Infinity2152]

So Portland gets mupch older by trading Simons for Holiday, then buys out their veteran center to play the rookie and second year guy. Which way are they going?

Holiday is a pro. Ayton is trash

Holiday is 35 with 3 years on his contract. Reportedly the Blazers had deals they were looking at with Ayton, but they didn't want to take back any long term money. Jrue had his worst statistical year last year 11 pts/gm, 35% 3pt shooting. He's not likely to get better. Traded a 26 yr old guard 19 pt/gm and added picks to add this older player.

Simons expires next year, like Ayton. They took on an almost 10 yr older player with more years left on his contract for Simons. Gave up picks to do it. That's a win now move. Then pay your vet center off, lose him for nothing so your young guys can play. That's a rebuilding move. What do they gain dumping Ayton, other than a roster spot? They have to pay him anyway and injuries happen. He's better than any center they have other than Clingan right now and expiring. So are they trying to win now, or tank? Or just ride the middle? How did either of these trades improve the Blazers long term?

It's extreme to buy out a $35 mill expiring guy because you don't want to take on longer contracts. When you just took on a longer $35 mill contract of a declining 35 yr old for a smaller expiring.

[Rose2Boozer]

Ayton would be a good signing for the Celtics if he's willing to accept a cheap one year deal.

[boozapalooza]

This summer might really get crazy if Lebron forces his way to Cleveland. Its the perfect move for him and maybe for the Lakers too. Lebron could have an incredibly easy path to the Finals in the East vs having almost no shot in the West. Cavs have the ammo to pull it off.

Deal centered around Garland/Allen for Lebron. Cavs go all in on this season and are the unquestioned favorites in the East with Lebron/Mitchell/Mobley. Would be the best way for Lebron to go out in his last 1-2 years. Lakers build around Luka with a great backcourt scorer and legit big man. Luka/Garland/Allen/Reaves is a great young core.

The smoke around this is starting today. Worth monitoring.

I see no reason why the Cavs would trade for LeBron. It would be beyond stupid.

They have a young core that had the best record in the East last year. Trading for what would probably be 1 year of 41 year old Lebron would decimate their future.

It won't happen.

They have serious salary concerns with their current roster. Trading for Lebron actually saves them long term money and allows cap flexibility when Bron leaves to slot in another star next to Mitchell/Mobley. Not to mention, the ridiculous amount of revenue and eyeballs Lebron would bring Cleveland. From a business standpoint it would be a massive W for Cleveland in the short term. And basketball is a business for the owners. A rare opportunity to save money and bring back the hometown hero for a last dance (or two) to round out a championship-ready roster. If any time is right for the Cavs to go all in on a 1-2 year window, its now.

Also, aside from the business/strategic reasons I mentioned, don’t tell me trading Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen for Lebron is beyond stupid. I hate Lebron and am willing to admit that move makes Cleveland a lot better heading into next year. The current Cavs team won in the reg season but got embarrassed come playoff time.

[sco]

This summer might really get crazy if Lebron forces his way to Cleveland. Its the perfect move for him and maybe for the Lakers too. Lebron could have an incredibly easy path to the Finals in the East vs having almost no shot in the West. Cavs have the ammo to pull it off.

Deal centered around Garland/Allen for Lebron. Cavs go all in on this season and are the unquestioned favorites in the East with Lebron/Mitchell/Mobley. Would be the best way for Lebron to go out in his last 1-2 years. Lakers build around Luka with a great backcourt scorer and legit big man. Luka/Garland/Allen/Reaves is a great young core.

The smoke around this is starting today. Worth monitoring.

I see no reason why the Cavs would trade for LeBron. It would be beyond stupid.

They have a young core that had the best record in the East last year. Trading for what would probably be 1 year of 41 year old Lebron would decimate their future.

It won't happen.

They have serious salary concerns with their current roster. Trading for Lebron actually saves them long term money and allows cap flexibility when Bron leaves to slot in another star next to Mitchell/Mobley. Not to mention, the ridiculous amount of revenue and eyeballs Lebron would bring Cleveland. From a business standpoint it would be a massive W for Cleveland in the short term. And basketball is a business for the owners. A rare opportunity to save money and bring back the hometown hero for a last dance (or two) to round out a championship-ready roster. If any time is right for the Cavs to go all in on a 1-2 year window, its now.

Also, aside from the business/strategic reasons I mentioned, don’t tell me trading Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen for Lebron is beyond stupid. I hate Lebron and am willing to admit that move makes Cleveland a lot better heading into next year. The current Cavs team won in the reg season but got embarrassed come playoff time.

I'd be happy if that LBJ deal happened. He's still great, but IMO, it will hurt CLE's window meaningfully. That said, if CLE could nab a title with that deal, even for just 1 season, they'd be justified.

[2weekswithpay]

So Portland gets mupch older by trading Simons for Holiday, then buys out their veteran center to play the rookie and second year guy. Which way are they going?

Holiday is a pro. Ayton is trash

Holiday is 35 with 3 years on his contract. Reportedly the Blazers had deals they were looking at with Ayton, but they didn't want to take back any long term money. Jrue had his worst statistical year last year 11 pts/gm, 35% 3pt shooting. He's not likely to get better. Traded a 26 yr old guard 19 pt/gm and added picks to add this older player.

Simons expires next year, like Ayton. They took on an almost 10 yr older player with more years left on his contract for Simons. Gave up picks to do it. That's a win now move. Then pay your vet center off, lose him for nothing so your young guys can play. That's a rebuilding move. What do they gain dumping Ayton, other than a roster spot? They have to pay him anyway and injuries happen. He's better than any center they have other than Clingan right now and expiring. So are they trying to win now, or tank? Or just ride the middle? How did either of these trades improve the Blazers long term?

It's extreme to buy out a $35 mill expiring guy because you don't want to take on longer contracts. When you just took on a longer $35 mill contract of a declining 35 yr old for a smaller expiring.

Ayton had the worst on/off splits of anyone in the Blazers rotation. All the winning the Blazers accomplished last season was largely because of their young players. Ayton and Simons don't fit the current direction of the team and were moved. If the Blazers save so money in buying out Ayton, they might have the MLE for trades or going after free agents.