2025 Regular Season Thread Vol. 8

[DayofMourning]

DIdn't watch the game, but from boxscore it looks like Fears had a good game against Kentucky.

28 points on 10-22 shooting with 5 assist, 4 rebounds, 3 steals. 6-7 FT. 2-11 on 3s though.

6'4 (good size for a PG), athletic, and just turned 18. Probably not a guy who will make an instant impact, but Heat could do worse if they're in the lottery. If he's a legit 6'4 with a decent wingspan he could guard either backcourt player on the opposing team.

Lead guard. Plays both ends. Handles are real nice. Attacks and finishes thru contact. Yes please.

[MettaWorldPanda]

Teams taking on Rozier, Duncan, and Anderson expiring’s with assets attached are going to be essentially tanking teams. Duncan’s ETO has to be guaranteed before traded btw so it’s not like the other team can just drop him for the savings. If anything Duncan’s ETO for the short term cap is a lot more valuable to us whether we exercise it or extend him at the cap friendly ETO guaranteed figure. I have Duncan as the very least likely to be dealt as his contract is the key to getting this team below the tax line and allowed to make some signings or trades that can take back a little bit of money.

Exactly.
I don't think those guys are going to get you anyone close to KD or Trae Young even if you throw in picks. Hawks might be tanking, but what better tank commander than Young?

Hawks aren’t even tanking. They tried selling high on Bogi and Hunter to free up playing time for some of their young players. Also future money to potentially offer Young his contract. Spurs own the Hawks swap next year. They are not trading Young to their division rival when there fighting for the same playoff spot to keep the Spurs from getting anymore lottery picks.

[MettaWorldPanda]

DIdn't watch the game, but from boxscore it looks like Fears had a good game against Kentucky.

28 points on 10-22 shooting with 5 assist, 4 rebounds, 3 steals. 6-7 FT. 2-11 on 3s though.

6'4 (good size for a PG), athletic, and just turned 18. Probably not a guy who will make an instant impact, but Heat could do worse if they're in the lottery. If he's a legit 6'4 with a decent wingspan he could guard either backcourt player on the opposing team.

Lead guard. Plays both ends. Handles are real nice. Attacks and finishes thru contact. Yes please.

Need to keep working to get into that top 10. We need to be playing the G League guys already. First time in years we have not had G league guys developing with the core. Feels like a systematic break down which was our bread and butter

[jbsays]

Teams taking on Rozier, Duncan, and Anderson expiring’s with assets attached are going to be essentially tanking teams. Duncan’s ETO has to be guaranteed before traded btw so it’s not like the other team can just drop him for the savings. If anything Duncan’s ETO for the short term cap is a lot more valuable to us whether we exercise it or extend him at the cap friendly ETO guaranteed figure. I have Duncan as the very least likely to be dealt as his contract is the key to getting this team below the tax line and allowed to make some signings or trades that can take back a little bit of money.

Exactly.
I don't think those guys are going to get you anyone close to KD or Trae Young even if you throw in picks. Hawks might be tanking, but what better tank commander than Young?

Hawks aren’t even tanking. They tried selling high on Bogi and Hunter to free up playing time for some of their young players. Also future money to potentially offer Young his contract. Spurs own the Hawks swap next year. They are not trading Young to their division rival when there fighting for the same playoff spot to keep the Spurs from getting anymore lottery picks.

The division thing is something I've repeatedly brought up. And I didn't even know about the pick swap with the Spurs.

[jbsays]

DIdn't watch the game, but from boxscore it looks like Fears had a good game against Kentucky.

28 points on 10-22 shooting with 5 assist, 4 rebounds, 3 steals. 6-7 FT. 2-11 on 3s though.

6'4 (good size for a PG), athletic, and just turned 18. Probably not a guy who will make an instant impact, but Heat could do worse if they're in the lottery. If he's a legit 6'4 with a decent wingspan he could guard either backcourt player on the opposing team.

Lead guard. Plays both ends. Handles are real nice. Attacks and finishes thru contact. Yes please.

Need to keep working to get into that top 10. We need to be playing the G League guys already. First time in years we have not had G league guys developing with the core. Feels like a systematic break down which was our bread and butter

MAybe there's not as many G league guys because there are actual, young first round picks that are getting playing time? Jovic, Jacquez, and Ware. Dru Smith probably would be getting more minutes if not for his injury, but he's not exactly young.

Edit: I think you could add Mitchell to that Jovic, Jazquez, and Ware group.

[greg4012]

FVV is a big matching contract and the Suns have a massive need for a PG. It’s something that looks logical for them. Houston also has assets to attach.

FVV is scoring 14.6 pp36 on 48% efg with 5.9 ap36 this season vs Tyus Jones at 13.1 pp36 at 56% efg with 7.4 ap36.

It's about draft capital in this comparison and FVV is just 30+ year old window dressing that has declined year over year

He’s still better then Terry Rozier and if the Suns can recoup even just one of their draft picks back and let’s say Cam Whitmore from the Rockets it makes a lot of sense for both teams.

Terry/Duncan are salary filler expirings for any trade. Little more. Hence this back and forth being about Wiggins and FVV in the context of win-now players. Agreed that Houston is stocked with more young talent and draft capital to offer. And despite the buzzy news headline, that is gonna be more compelling in any trade bidding war.

[greg4012]

FVV is a big matching contract and the Suns have a massive need for a PG. It’s something that looks logical for them. Houston also has assets to attach.

FVV is scoring 14.6 pp36 on 48% efg with 5.9 ap36 this season vs Tyus Jones at 13.1 pp36 at 56% efg with 7.4 ap36.

It's about draft capital in this comparison and FVV is just 30+ year old window dressing that has declined year over year

People always underrate FVV for some reason. I guess, he’s not the most athletic or flashy player, and at 6’0”, people underestimate his defensive impact.

He’s an elite perimeter defender, and a high-IQ player who brings stability and winning habits, really hoped Houston would have moved him for Jimmy to the Heat, he would have been a good fit.

No question FVV is a quality defender. Not sure I underrated it. Just noted that the difference between what PHX would be getting with a 31-year old FVV for 1 rental season vs the current production from their PG rotation would not be a needle mover for a post-Durant team.

Or do you think FVV's defense is elite game changer level? That's rarely something that is achieved at the PG position.

[DayofMourning]

Need to keep working to get into that top 10. We need to be playing the G League guys already. First time in years we have not had G league guys developing with the core. Feels like a systematic break down which was our bread and butter

Guess we need to get Bam to 65 games played so he can finish 3rd in DPOY voting.

Id def scale back a bit since we are proving how unworthy we are right now on many levels. Maybe get a guy some more run.

[3ammy3uck3ts]

Read on Twitter

The Suns are in no position to tank and will look to retool in any Durant trade. A Rozier and Duncan matching contracts offer and a few young assets is not going to get anything done for them. They will be looking to swap Durant for the best win now package and picks they can get that also saves them money along the way. Think of a FVV for Durant type of swap.

Is that Andrew Wiggins music playing?

I mean if that’s the suns goal they should’ve accepted Jimmy and JRich right lol?

[MettaWorldPanda]

Exactly.
I don't think those guys are going to get you anyone close to KD or Trae Young even if you throw in picks. Hawks might be tanking, but what better tank commander than Young?

Hawks aren’t even tanking. They tried selling high on Bogi and Hunter to free up playing time for some of their young players. Also future money to potentially offer Young his contract. Spurs own the Hawks swap next year. They are not trading Young to their division rival when there fighting for the same playoff spot to keep the Spurs from getting anymore lottery picks.

The division thing is something I've repeatedly brought up. And I didn't even know about the pick swap with the Spurs.

Yeah that’s why it’s important to do research in order to temper expectations when we start throwing these names out.

[3ammy3uck3ts]

Is that Andrew Wiggins music playing?

If Andrew Wiggins was a deciding factor for them this trade would have been made at the deadline imo.

But not FVV with Houston?

I'm not expecting a trade to happen, but I don't think Phoenix were actually motivated Durant sellers at the trade deadline. They just wanted to see if they can cash out BIG without him meddling.

Read on Twitter

You’re exactly right and that’s actually what I came on to post, the Suns were not actively trying to move KD. That was never their intention going into the deadline, they wanted Jimmy but when they realized it wasn’t happening and people started putting feelers out for KD they swung for the fences asking us for every asset and asking the Wolves for Edwards. This summer they’ll operate in good faith and actually try to get someone done that’s fair on both sides, can’t fault them for trying to swing big on a last second KD deal they never had no intention of making.

[greg4012]

DIdn't watch the game, but from boxscore it looks like Fears had a good game against Kentucky.

28 points on 10-22 shooting with 5 assist, 4 rebounds, 3 steals. 6-7 FT. 2-11 on 3s though.

6'4 (good size for a PG), athletic, and just turned 18. Probably not a guy who will make an instant impact, but Heat could do worse if they're in the lottery. If he's a legit 6'4 with a decent wingspan he could guard either backcourt player on the opposing team.

Lead guard. Plays both ends. Handles are real nice. Attacks and finishes thru contact. Yes please.

Really hope we get to see him in the tourney

[3ammy3uck3ts]

Send the Suns Wiggins or Herro while his value is peaking, doesn’t have to just be Terry and Duncan. Hell I’m sure the Magic would gladly take Herro on and send assets out to the suns to get it done too. Then you pivot and see if we’re able to snag another top 25 player to go with KD and Bam with the assets we have after. Wiggins would actually be a great glue guy with that team as well.

???
???
Wiggins
KD
Bam

[Lennyzinho]

The path to relevance is trading Wiggins + Duncan + JJJ/draft capital for a real plus player. Be it Durant or whoever else. And we will need to trade Rozier on his expiring for someone that has more years left and who's market is devalued. Think John Collins a couple years ago when his finger was jacked and no one wanted him and now the dude is playing well and decent value.

The heat don't have two things.
Plus value contracts.
- Celtics had derrick white super cheap for years and now Pritchard on a great deal. Timberwolves have had naz Reid a stud dirt cheap for years. Lakers have Reaves making 14M, that's nuts.

We used to always have a Gabe Vincent or caleb Martin or strus type guy that was good and cheap and could spark a game. Now we have... haywood?

2nd thing is Star power.
- I love Bam but the dude isn't and will never be a 1. Herro is too limited to be a 1 on offense either. I agree with what Oreon said earlier, if you don't have a top 10 dude, forget it. There's way too much depth and talent in the league now. This team ain't it.

Need to repackage or trade etc most/all the money tied up with Kyle anderson rozier wiggins duncan, and keep davion, get a star (somehow lol), get a good draft pick hopefully in this draft with our pick hopefully top 10 and see growth from jovic pelle ware.

Doubtful we do all that or even most of it. But not impossible. We are definitely in a weird treadmill zone. If this doesnt work in the next year or two we truly need to blow it up and tank and rebuild via draft.

[3ammy3uck3ts]

Read on Twitter

Sorry MWP, Utah championship run soon

[MettaWorldPanda]

The path to relevance is trading Wiggins + Duncan + JJJ/draft capital for a real plus player. Be it Durant or whoever else. And we will need to trade Rozier on his expiring for someone that has more years left and who's market is devalued. Think John Collins a couple years ago when his finger was jacked and no one wanted him and now the dude is playing well and decent value.

The heat don't have two things.
Plus value contracts.
- Celtics had derrick white super cheap for years and now Pritchard on a great deal. Timberwolves have had naz Reid a stud dirt cheap for years. Lakers have Reaves making 14M, that's nuts.

We used to always have a Gabe Vincent or caleb Martin or strus type guy that was good and cheap and could spark a game. Now we have... haywood?

2nd thing is Star power.
- I love Bam but the dude isn't and will never be a 1. Herro is too limited to be a 1 on offense either. I agree with what Oreon said earlier, if you don't have a top 10 dude, forget it. There's way too much depth and talent in the league now. This team ain't it.

Need to repackage or trade etc most/all the money tied up with Kyle anderson rozier wiggins duncan, and keep davion, get a star (somehow lol), get a good draft pick hopefully in this draft with our pick hopefully top 10 and see growth from jovic pelle ware.

Doubtful we do all that or even most of it. But not impossible. We are definitely in a weird treadmill zone. If this doesnt work in the next year or two we truly need to blow it up and tank and rebuild via draft.

Duncan’s contract is an interesting case. We look at it like a trade piece but with being pressed into the tax it’s actually a life line. They exercise the ETO and let him walk they eat 9 million on the cap this year but get 10 million under the tax line. They negotiate an extension and we keep him and still get the savings. I would say Rozier, Anderson, and Love are the expiring pieces with Wiggins and his extra year as the trade pieces with JJJ.

[MettaWorldPanda]

Read on Twitter

Sorry MWP, Utah championship run soon

If they can’t keep their promise then it’s in the best interest they trade him. He’s going to be 28 and that team isn’t anywhere close.

Markkanen was ineligible to be traded this season due to the date of his contract extension, but he becomes trade eligible again in the offseason. Markkanen turns 28 in May and is signed through 28-29 with no options for either player or team.

[DayofMourning]

DIdn't watch the game, but from boxscore it looks like Fears had a good game against Kentucky.

28 points on 10-22 shooting with 5 assist, 4 rebounds, 3 steals. 6-7 FT. 2-11 on 3s though.

6'4 (good size for a PG), athletic, and just turned 18. Probably not a guy who will make an instant impact, but Heat could do worse if they're in the lottery. If he's a legit 6'4 with a decent wingspan he could guard either backcourt player on the opposing team.

Lead guard. Plays both ends. Handles are real nice. Attacks and finishes thru contact. Yes please.

Really hope we get to see him in the tourney

An extended tourney could really boost his stock.

[3ammy3uck3ts]

Read on Twitter

Sorry MWP, Utah championship run soon

If they can’t keep their promise then it’s in the best interest they trade him. He’s going to be 28 and that team isn’t anywhere close.

Markkanen was ineligible to be traded this season due to the date of his contract extension, but he becomes trade eligible again in the offseason. Markkanen turns 28 in May and is signed through 28-29 with no options for either player or team.

If Herros gone I’ll reluctantly entertain it but you can’t have $80M in offense only players, $50M on Lauri who has majority of his baskets (by a lot ) scored off an assist when we don’t have even an above average playmaker at the guard position.

[MettaWorldPanda]

Read on Twitter

Paying the 100k for the Flagg sweepstakes lol