2025 Regular/Offseason Season Thread Vol. 10

[MiamiLoyal926]

Just a reminder why you don’t empty the cupboard for players like Dame….

While I feel for Dame, although I really do not because he is about to make nearly $60 million to recover at home… I did want to get in the “I told you so” (and I speak for myself and all the others in here who said Dame would not play up to his contract).

Let this be a reminder this summer as we navigate conversations surrounding players like Durant and what we are willing to give. Also, look at how bad the outlook for the Bucks and Suns currently is… which are teams who emptied their cupboards for players like Dame and Durant.

[3ammy3uck3ts]

I’m still in shock that Bam basically took the whole year off.

Band together!!!

[insfo]

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Yeah, it definitely looked fake, and this makes sense. On the flip side, this could also be his agent getting on him and getting Tyler to try and fix the damage he did lol

But either way, the takeaway should be not to do interviews this late in the season, and just be heads down and compete.

[MettaWorldPanda]

Riley and the front office are not going to give up on Bam and Herro just yet. I think they’ll first try and find the right pieces to surround them with and see how that goes. They’ve been pretty hamstrung the last few years in being able to make moves but with all these expiring’s and a few young carrots they can definitely change the face of this team around them. Let’s start by getting some real PG’s who can lead the team and play some defense.

[VaDe255]

Bam can’t anchor a defense against a team like the Cavs, and the series proved it, he was exposed. He couldn't protect the rim or contain penetration consistently. More importantly, he was physically overmatched by the Cavs' bigs, Allen and Mobley punished him in the paint and on the glass. Bam, undersized for a true center, couldn't hold position or deter vertical threats at the rim. He was ineffective as the last line of defense, unable to erase mistakes or stop interior scoring. Giving up a 136 offensive rating in a playoff series isn't just a team failure it’s a direct reflection of Bam’s inability to anchor the defense.

This is also exactly why you don’t overpay defensive specialists. A player whose value is built almost entirely on defense has to fundamentally change games on that end, especially in the playoffs. Bam didn’t. And because elite defense doesn’t scale in isolation, unlike elite offense, his impact wasn't felt much. He’s not a dominant center, and against real size and physicality, his limitations become obvious.

A frontcourt of Bam and Ware offers a more viable long-term defensive solution because it finally addresses the size and rim protection issues that were exposed so clearly in the Cavs series, the obvious problem is Ware will take at least 2-3 more years to develop and Bam will age.

This nonsense of Bam at the 5 has to stop though, it's not a solution, it's a problem.

Forget all the deep playoff runs Bam anchored elite defenses, this one series proved it!!

Let's also forget the fact that the 2024 NBA champion Celtics had 60% of their playoff center minutes filled by Al Horford (6'9) and Jayson Tatum (6'9)

Let's also forget the fact that the 2022 NBA champion Warriors had 84% of their playoff center minutes filled by Draymond Green (6'6), Kevon Looney (6'9), and Otto Porter Jr (6'8).

Let's also forget the fact that the 2021 NBA champion Bucks had 25% of their playoff center minutes filled by Bobby Portis Jr (6'10 and groundbound)--with another 12% by Giannis (6'11 PF).

Additionally, the 2023 NBA champion Nuggets had 15% of their playoff center minutes filled by 6'8 Aaron Gordon (almost all of the non-Jokic minutes, but 6'8 Jeff Green also made a cameo) and the 2020 NBA champion Lakers had 58% of their playoff center minutes filled by 6'10 Anthony Davis and 6'8 Markief Morris.

2024 Celtics? That team is absolutely stacked. But also, they had KP. He didn’t even need to play much, but his presence changes the equation entirely. He gives them size and offensive gravity, the Heat have no answer with just Bam.

2023 Nuggets? Yeah man, they only have Joker, the best player in the world, who is a true center. He completely torched Bam in the Finals—30/14/7 on 67% TS. Bam was stuck taking middies and the Nuggets didn't care one bit.

2022 Warriors? That’s the one example where a smaller lineup actually worked.

2021 Bucks? Are we just forgetting about Brook Lopez? He anchored their drop coverage all playoffs. Giannis and Portis played minutes at the 5, sure but they weren’t being relied on as full-time centers. Brook was the stabilizing force.

The reality is: small ball can work, but it's always an inherent disadvantage that needs to be offset by elite skill, spacing, and defensive execution. You can survive with it but only if you have the shooting, perimeter defense, and IQ to outplay the size mismatch. Miami doesn't.

Bam at the 5 doesn’t give you spacing (at least this hopefully changes) or rim protection and he doesn’t tilt the matchup offensively. Yes, it's a problem, not a solution.

[3ammy3uck3ts]

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Dats right gang, get em!!!

[MettaWorldPanda]

I could see us going after Marcus Smart next year via trade to try and bolster up the softness of this team. He can play in the backcourt with Herro and brings a tested veteran voice into the locker room. I know it’s not sexy but having Smart on a one year deal seems like a low risk move. I know he’s struggled recently but the change of scenery away from the Wiz could do him some good. I remember once upon a time before we signed PJ Tucker he was considered a waste and washed too.

[eddieheatfan]

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[3ammy3uck3ts]

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[Shewasfly]

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That seems really weird to me. From a PR perspective, the purpose of a burner (which is what I think they mean by dump account) is to NOT let people know you're the public figure you're defending. This does the opposite of that.

[contract]

Riley and the front office are not going to give up on Bam and Herro just yet. I think they’ll first try and find the right pieces to surround them with and see how that goes. They’ve been pretty hamstrung the last few years in being able to make moves but with all these expiring’s and a few young carrots they can definitely change the face of this team around them. Let’s start by getting some real PG’s who can lead the team and play some defense.

There's no surrounding Bam and Herro because those two are not a core. They are guys you (maybe) put around a core.

Pat's legend dictates that a total collapse like we just witnessed calls for a purge. I won't hold my breath. Not because I don't think he wants to gut the roster, but because as salary cap rules become more complex and restrictive, we seem to have a harder time navigating them. We've been behind the 8 ball for a long time now because we can't manage our cap responsibly.

We couldn't even work our way out of the tax for this garbage team.*

* = unless there's some kind of Jimmy relief coming that I'm not aware of. Do those suspensions cut our tax bill?

[3ammy3uck3ts]

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[eddieheatfan]

spo sounds like they are running this trash back woe is us

[3ammy3uck3ts]

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[contract]

spo sounds like they are running this trash back woe is us

Then Pat no longer serves a purpose. We can do bad all by ourselves.

[oreon]

Riley and the front office are not going to give up on Bam and Herro just yet. I think they’ll first try and find the right pieces to surround them with and see how that goes. They’ve been pretty hamstrung the last few years in being able to make moves but with all these expiring’s and a few young carrots they can definitely change the face of this team around them. Let’s start by getting some real PG’s who can lead the team and play some defense.

I would only be okay with this if they went all in one the young guys for next season and kept their books clean for 2026. And if you strike in 2026 then go full rebuild.

But this would make sense if we focused on the youngs and development. And focused on getting back future assets. Move Wiggins for multiple 2nd rounders and an expiring. Draft a pg with the 20th. Buy a pick in the 2nd round and get a young wing or a young shooter. Play the kids see how much they develop. We own our pick next year, so if they suck then go full tank. Over a Davion a huge one year deal. One year 20 -22 mil. Its an overpay but he would need to waive the NTC if a trade was presented. If you give a year dealm the player has to agree to a trade in that year.

What I wouldn't do it, is sign anyone past 2026. Or go after aging vets. Go young and see if you can find a diamond in the rough. Thats the only scenario where running it back makes sense. If its to punt for 2026 and use next season for development.

[3ammy3uck3ts]

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[Flash4thewin]

Riley and the front office are not going to give up on Bam and Herro just yet. I think they’ll first try and find the right pieces to surround them with and see how that goes. They’ve been pretty hamstrung the last few years in being able to make moves but with all these expiring’s and a few young carrots they can definitely change the face of this team around them. Let’s start by getting some real PG’s who can lead the team and play some defense.

A low risk high reward PG might be Lonzo Ball. Health issues are what have him attainable, but if he is healthy with that transplant, he provides the defense we need at the PG position and the passing we are desperate for. That would make Bam life easier with a few bunnies thrown his way. Another low risk high reward move would be Chris Paul. He did wonders for Castle and he has a history of helping wing players become better. We might need to outbid the Spurs assuming he wants to come here but thats another underrated move that can payoff dividends.

[MettaWorldPanda]

Riley and the front office are not going to give up on Bam and Herro just yet. I think they’ll first try and find the right pieces to surround them with and see how that goes. They’ve been pretty hamstrung the last few years in being able to make moves but with all these expiring’s and a few young carrots they can definitely change the face of this team around them. Let’s start by getting some real PG’s who can lead the team and play some defense.

A low risk high reward PG might be Lonzo Ball. Health issues are what have him attainable, but if he is healthy with that transplant, he provides the defense we need at the PG position and the passing we are desperate for. That would make Bam life easier with a few bunnies thrown his way. Another low risk high reward move would be Chris Paul. He did wonders for Castle and he has a history of helping wing players become better. We might need to outbid the Spurs assuming he wants to come here but thats another underrated move that can payoff dividends.

Lonzo just signed an extension with the Bulls so i don’t see him as a option like he was when he was an impending free agent.

[Kobewade11]

I could see us going after Marcus Smart next year via trade to try and bolster up the softness of this team. He can play in the backcourt with Herro and brings a tested veteran voice into the locker room. I know it’s not sexy but having Smart on a one year deal seems like a low risk move. I know he’s struggled recently but the change of scenery away from the Wiz could do him some good. I remember once upon a time before we signed PJ Tucker he was considered a waste and washed too.

I've been asking for him since he went to Memphis. This team desperately needs some toughness and someone who isn't afraid to be vocal.