Around The NBA : 2023-24 Season #3

[HomoSapien]

Bulls finally got their revenge on the Magic for the Vuc trade lol. That Wagner deal is going to be absolutely ridiculous beyond belief.

I wouldn't call it ridiculous beyond belief. He's a very good all-around playoff starter at 22. Wouldn't let 1 bad game take away from that. He's already better than Lavine and Vuc ever were (besides for high-usage scoring), AFAIC. Defense, rebounding, all-around game is glue, and he's more versatile.

I'm more surprised they paid Isaac and KCP the money they did. At least they can be traded (Isaac has some non-guaranteed money after y3), but they might want to get active on the trade-front before Paolo's max kicks in.

I don't have a problem with what they paid Wagner, but I disagree that he's already better than Zach ever was. Zach averaged 27, 5, and 5 on prolific shooting. If Franz did that, this board would be on suicide watch. He hasn't even been an all-star yet, Zach's done it twice.

[League Circles]

Bulls finally got their revenge on the Magic for the Vuc trade lol. That Wagner deal is going to be absolutely ridiculous beyond belief.

I wouldn't call it ridiculous beyond belief. He's a very good all-around playoff starter at 22. Wouldn't let 1 bad game take away from that. He's already better than Lavine and Vuc ever were (besides for high-usage scoring), AFAIC. Defense, rebounding, all-around game is glue, and he's more versatile.

I'm more surprised they paid Isaac and KCP the money they did. At least they can be traded (Isaac has some non-guaranteed money after y3), but they might want to get active on the trade-front before Paolo's max kicks in.

Is he a very good starter? Tbh I haven't watched him much, but he scores at below league average efficiency and his rebounding numbers aren't good. Sounds like they found their next Vuc to me.

[MrSparkle]

Bulls finally got their revenge on the Magic for the Vuc trade lol. That Wagner deal is going to be absolutely ridiculous beyond belief.

I wouldn't call it ridiculous beyond belief. He's a very good all-around playoff starter at 22. Wouldn't let 1 bad game take away from that. He's already better than Lavine and Vuc ever were (besides for high-usage scoring), AFAIC. Defense, rebounding, all-around game is glue, and he's more versatile.

I'm more surprised they paid Isaac and KCP the money they did. At least they can be traded (Isaac has some non-guaranteed money after y3), but they might want to get active on the trade-front before Paolo's max kicks in.

Is he a very good starter? Tbh I haven't watched him much, but he scores at below league average efficiency and his rebounding numbers aren't good. Sounds like they found their next Vuc to me.

Quite the opposite. Strong defensive wing. 25% usage, so he facilitates without hogging shots. Capable of huge scoring nights. Majorly positive +/- numbers. Rebounds just fine on a team with a lot of rebounders. Tough player in general. Leader of a #2 rated defensive team.

His 3P shooting needs to improve, but his FT% marks are very high. And unlike Vuc, he draws fouls.

[drosestruts]

Looking around the league and just some thoughts.

Cleveland extended Donovan Mitchell but have yet to do anything else. Okoro is still a RFA. At the end of the year they seemed like a team that was set to make some changes, lots of rumors about Garland and Allen at the end of the season, so far nothing.


Nuggets lost KCP and added Saric. They're going to be very reliant on young guys stepping up to maintain pace.

Rockets were pretty aggressive last year - so far this year only added AJ Griffin who got buried in Atlanta. I think Grizzlies and Spurs will be better than they were last year, Houston getting to a play-in will be even more difficult and they made no external improvements. I do like the draft of Reed Sheppard.

A LeBron team making no meaningful offseason moves just seems wrong, I guess also highlights how this new CBA is restricting things.

Memphis drafted Eddey and has done nothing else.

OKC, New Orleans, New York and Philly made the biggest moves of the offseason

The Wizards drafted a center, re-signed Richaun Holmes, and signed Jonas Valancunias - lot of moves at one position. Do they want more centers? They can have Vuc.

Miami lost Martin and added Alec Burks - feel like that's a step back.

[jump]

Looking around the league and just some thoughts.

Cleveland extended Donovan Mitchell but have yet to do anything else. Okoro is still a RFA. At the end of the year they seemed like a team that was set to make some changes, lots of rumors about Garland and Allen at the end of the season, so far nothing.


Nuggets lost KCP and added Saric. They're going to be very reliant on young guys stepping up to maintain pace.

Rockets were pretty aggressive last year - so far this year only added AJ Griffin who got buried in Atlanta. I think Grizzlies and Spurs will be better than they were last year, Houston getting to a play-in will be even more difficult and they made no external improvements. I do like the draft of Reed Sheppard.

A LeBron team making no meaningful offseason moves just seems wrong, I guess also highlights how this new CBA is restricting things.

Memphis drafted Eddey and has done nothing else.

OKC, New Orleans, New York and Philly made the biggest moves of the offseason

The Wizards drafted a center, re-signed Richaun Holmes, and signed Jonas Valancunias - lot of moves at one position. Do they want more centers? They can have Vuc.

Miami lost Martin and added Alec Burks - feel like that's a step back.

Great summary. Thanks.

[TheSuzerain]

Cole Swider seems like a good end of roster prospect.

[Dan Z]

Looking around the league and just some thoughts.

Cleveland extended Donovan Mitchell but have yet to do anything else. Okoro is still a RFA. At the end of the year they seemed like a team that was set to make some changes, lots of rumors about Garland and Allen at the end of the season, so far nothing.


Nuggets lost KCP and added Saric. They're going to be very reliant on young guys stepping up to maintain pace.

Rockets were pretty aggressive last year - so far this year only added AJ Griffin who got buried in Atlanta. I think Grizzlies and Spurs will be better than they were last year, Houston getting to a play-in will be even more difficult and they made no external improvements. I do like the draft of Reed Sheppard.

A LeBron team making no meaningful offseason moves just seems wrong, I guess also highlights how this new CBA is restricting things.

Memphis drafted Eddey and has done nothing else.

OKC, New Orleans, New York and Philly made the biggest moves of the offseason

The Wizards drafted a center, re-signed Richaun Holmes, and signed Jonas Valancunias - lot of moves at one position. Do they want more centers? They can have Vuc.

Miami lost Martin and added Alec Burks - feel like that's a step back.

I agree with you about Denver. Who will be their starting shooting guard?

Houston also has Steven Adams, who shouid be healthy (I think...?). Adams and Sheppard should improve them a bit (plus improvements by their young players).

I don't think the Lakers will do much next season. Are they a play-in team? Better? Worse?

The Wizards can play Sarr at the PF position. I lke Valancunias, but dont know why they signed him. Vet leadership? Trade him down the road?

Memphis could use a backup center. I'm curious to see how Edey does in the NBA.

I'm also surprised that Cleveland hasnt done anything outside of signing Mitchell. Maybe the talk about Allen and Garland is overblown?

[Dan Z]

"Daniel Theis, Pelicans Agree To One-Year, $3M Deal":

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/276599/Daniel-Theis-Pelicans-Agree-To-One-Year-$3M-Deal

[sco]

"Daniel Theis, Pelicans Agree To One-Year, $3M Deal":

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/276599/Daniel-Theis-Pelicans-Agree-To-One-Year-$3M-Deal

It was too obvious for us...seems crazy not to nab a viable 3rd C if we are trying to dump Vuc.

[Dan Z]

"Daniel Theis, Pelicans Agree To One-Year, $3M Deal":

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/276599/Daniel-Theis-Pelicans-Agree-To-One-Year-$3M-Deal

It was too obvious for us...seems crazy not to nab a viable 3rd C if we are trying to dump Vuc.

3 million was probably too much for ownership to sign off on.

[jnrjr79]

"Daniel Theis, Pelicans Agree To One-Year, $3M Deal":

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/276599/Daniel-Theis-Pelicans-Agree-To-One-Year-$3M-Deal

It was too obvious for us...seems crazy not to nab a viable 3rd C if we are trying to dump Vuc.

3 million was probably too much for ownership to sign off on.

I don't get this. The Bulls are consistently willing to spend right up to the tax line. Assuming they have the room, they could have signed Theis with some of the remaining MLE money. But presumably the Bulls aren't interested in acquiring contributing veteran types at this point - they want young players so they can be bad this year and develop prospects.

[Dan Z]

It was too obvious for us...seems crazy not to nab a viable 3rd C if we are trying to dump Vuc.

3 million was probably too much for ownership to sign off on.

I don't get this. The Bulls are consistently willing to spend right up to the tax line. Assuming they have the room, they could have signed Theis with some of the remaining MLE money. But presumably the Bulls aren't interested in acquiring contributing veteran types at this point - they want young players so they can be bad this year and develop prospects.

If that's the direction they're in then passing on Theis makes sense. However, my guess is that AK doesn't really think the Bulls are rebuilding and will still try to make the play-in/playoffs.

[kodo]

That looks like a vet min, at min the player chooses the team not vice versa. He can potentially start in NO at least be the 1st backup, in Chicago he's the 3rd center and we've played Vuc up to 40 mpg.

As a center I wouldn't sign in Chicago either. You have to get stats to get a new contract and getting a bunch of DNPs because Billy won't sub out Vuc isn't a situation I'd walk into either.

[dice]

It was too obvious for us...seems crazy not to nab a viable 3rd C if we are trying to dump Vuc.

3 million was probably too much for ownership to sign off on.

I don't get this. The Bulls are consistently willing to spend right up to the tax line. Assuming they have the room, they could have signed Theis with some of the remaining MLE money. But presumably the Bulls aren't interested in acquiring contributing veteran types at this point - they want young players so they can be bad this year and develop prospects.

he would look like a retread too when they're certain to be using a freshness marketing angle (especially if vuc is dumped)

[drosestruts]

i'm definitley overthinking it because it's just summer league, but what's the point of summer league if you're not even going to play your highest draft pick? Cody Williams hasn't played at all in the 4th or in Overtime (also is OT in summer league necessary?)

Collier is getting more minutes than him.

Filipowski too is glued to the bench with Walker Kessler still getting a lot of minutes for a year 3 player who has started 60+ games in the actual NBA.

[HomoSapien]

Watch on YouTube

I thought Edey looked really good and spry out there. Also these camera angles are kind of fun... feels like a video game.

[Hangtime84]

Watch on YouTube

I thought Edey looked really good and spry out there. Also these camera angles are kind of fun... feels like a video game.

Memphis looking like they got a first team rookie.

[DASMACKDOWN]

Watch on YouTube

I thought Edey looked really good and spry out there. Also these camera angles are kind of fun... feels like a video game.

Memphis looking like they got a first team rookie.

I've been saying it for a while, there is going to be no middle ground for Edey. He is either going to be really bad or really good. Most people were scared of him for valid reasons.

But if he hits, everyone will look back and say people thought about it too hard and they thought wrong.

Because when you think about it logically, people were so hung up about what he is going to do defensively against guards, but not take into effect what he will do against anyone else. On both ends.

[drosestruts]

I think Eddey looked ok out there. Did a good job of recognizing when he had opportunities to run down the court, instances like where his defender fell down or something, he books it.

He also fouled A LOT. Box score says 6 fouls, but I watched all of the 4Q and OT and swear he had 8 at least, with even the announcers joking about how you get 10 in summer league so why not use them.

They also came at some pretty crucial times. Illegal screens to turn it over, fouls on the Jazz to send them to the line. They won because of an Eddey foul on Keyone George.

He was also a bit of mixed bag. Looked good against Filipowki, looked ok against Kessler. Kenny Lofton Jr probably gave him more trouble than anyone else.

Eddey is big, players are gonna take it as a challenge (like they do Gobert). Going to be a lot to deal with night in and night out as a rookie.

[DASMACKDOWN]

I think Eddey looked ok out there. Did a good job of recognizing when he had opportunities to run down the court, instances like where his defender fell down or something, he books it.

He also fouled A LOT. Box score says 6 fouls, but I watched all of the 4Q and OT and swear he had 8 at least, with even the announcers joking about how you get 10 in summer league so why not use them.

They also came at some pretty crucial times. Illegal screens to turn it over, fouls on the Jazz to send them to the line. They won because of an Eddey foul on Keyone George.

He was also a bit of mixed bag. Looked good against Filipowki, looked ok against Kessler. Kenny Lofton Jr probably gave him more trouble than anyone else.

Eddey is big, players are gonna take it as a challenge (like they do Gobert). Going to be a lot to deal with night in and night out as a rookie.

True. But I think on the Grizz, his strengths are going to look really good with that roster.

We all have to remember, they already have 2 DPOY on their roster in JJJ and Marcus Smart. Edey wont have to work all that hard. On top of that, all those drives Ja has, Edey will be like Joakim Noah chasing Derrick's misses for easy buckets.

I certainly have my questions about Edey, but I think on the Grizz, its tailormade for his strengths.