2025 Offseason Season Thread Vol. 2

[lastb1ckman]

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I’m not sure why anyone listens to this fans suggestions.

Vucevic? So we aint playing no defense at all, huh. He wasn't great at it in his prime, nowadays he's basically a tree. I'd rather roll with Bam at the 5 and KD at 4 than try to lug Vuc around.

[greg4012]

Shams on McAfee said Grizzlies are fully invested in JJJ and Morant. Said they fired the coach to appease Morant. He’s staying put

If JJJ signs an extension with MEM this offseason, I legitimately do not see a single needle mover in 2026 free agency for LA to pair with Luka (with LeBron retiring--if he doesn't retire, then there's no FA anyways and just an extended farewell tour). It would effectively put LA in a trade or bust scenario to acquire star power to (1) go alongside Luka and LBJ and (2) step up once LBJ is gone.

Not the topic du jour, but a pretty big puzzle piece as to how the landscape of free agency may look for the next couple seasons in NBA.

[MettaWorldPanda]

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[3ammy3uck3ts]

Shams on McAfee said Grizzlies are fully invested in JJJ and Morant. Said they fired the coach to appease Morant. He’s staying put

Our sights are already set on Jrue more than likely after we finish this up with KD.

[MettaWorldPanda]

Shams on McAfee said Grizzlies are fully invested in JJJ and Morant. Said they fired the coach to appease Morant. He’s staying put

If JJJ signs an extension with MEM this offseason, I legitimately do not see a single needle mover in 2026 free agency for LA to pair with Luka (with LeBron retiring--if he doesn't retire, then there's no FA anyways and just an extended farewell tour). It would effectively put LA in a trade or bust scenario to acquire star power to (1) go alongside Luka and LBJ and (2) step up once LBJ is gone.

Not the topic du jour, but a pretty big puzzle piece as to how the landscape of free agency may look for the next couple seasons in NBA.

Shams said they are going to resign JJJ and a big part on why they moved off Bane’s long term deal.

[3ammy3uck3ts]

Supermax for Jaren is fuxking disgusting

A big who hovers around 20 PPG, grabs 5 rebounds and fouls a night and doesn’t playmake. Arguably the most overrated player of this current generation

[lastb1ckman]

Did Tyler have any role in making himself look crazy/dumb?

I mean the words came out of his mouth lol. Just another reminder to take what athletes say about non athletic topics with a grain of salt. Hell, some times even being a good nba player doesn't mean you can be a good coach or draft expert. Demarcus Cousins said Ace Bailey should be the number 1 pick, and is the closest thing to Tracy McGrady lol

Nah people are taking what he said too seriously. Dude was shooting sheet with his boys. People have dumb conversations like that all the time.
It's our society today and the media are wired to take innocuous statements and weaponize them.

You mention something, and people make a connection about something else that wasn't part of your point and now you are either racist, sexist or whatever

It's over the top and no wonder everyone is so politicized today.

People need to take some stuff as they are. That's was a dumb convo on a stream. It was a nothing burger. No need to make it about something more serious

I think people are taking it too seriously, but if you say stupid stuff people are gonna think you're stupid. Its not like he got tricked into saying history before 1950 aint real. That ain't even that long ago, you can talk to people who were there right now lol.

[MettaWorldPanda]

Shams on McAfee said Grizzlies are fully invested in JJJ and Morant. Said they fired the coach to appease Morant. He’s staying put

Our sights are already set on Jrue more than likely after we finish this up with KD.

I’m not going to rule it out depending how desperate Boston is willing to throw in the towel this year and reset the books for next year. Rozier and HH is a perfect salary match.

[SA37]

I think he has potential. None of this stuff is certain. But, the effects of him realizing his potential are exponential impact as a force multiplier.

I also place a lot of value and importance on the dynamics that actually impact team building and acquiring rare skillsets. Contract makeups, leveraging value contracts, future planning with trade capital and draft assets, etc.

I mostly just wholly reject a decisionmaking process that is primarily rooted in limiting analysis to something like "KD good today and Ware not as good today so not trading Ware for KD is not good".

Getting too thirsty for these gambles results in getting the player and not being positioned to do anything with said player.

It's so far from being all about Ware for me, as I've clearly laid out in my posts if you pay attention. Cost of acquisition. Lines in sand.

No, nothing is guaranteed, but you take calculated risks. The goal at all times is to create a championship contender, not to excel at mid-level management. KD makes Miami a legitimate force to make a run to the ECF/Finals like it did during Butler's years in Miami. Ware does not, and he may never be that guy.

How good and impactful Ware will be is key to the analysis of whether it makes sense to include him in a Durant trade or not. If you trade Ware away and he becomes Wemby, Miami will look dumb if Miami never gets close to sniffing the ECF/Finals. If Miami passes on KD only to watch Ware become Tyson Chandler, Miami will look dumb.

If Miami passes on KD for Ware, then we're talking about a fundamentally different direction for Miami. It becomes about long-term team building and not about making Miami a contender now. At the end of the day, this is the decision that Miami has to make.

There's always another shot to take.

It's funny bc I've been one of the people on here making a strong case for KD's impact in Miami. But, you seem to be even higher than me on it (and in parallel lower on Ware's potential than me).

Please make the case for Miami giving up Ware + Wiggins (and draft capital that PHX has seemingly called for) and being the legitimate force to make a run to the ECF/Finals. If Miami is giving all of that up, where's a second move coming? Or do you think a power rotation of Bam, Jovic, and KD puts each in the right position to be maximized for their own impact and to help their teammates (as we all know, the frontcourt NEEDS to do most of the people moving for a decent team)? Where is any additional playmaking or guard rotation help coming from? Is Russell Westbrook or 40-year old Chris Paul the big second move?

Everything else about trying to make this squarely a convo about Ware vs KD is needless distraction.

PS: you're loving the Tyson Chandler comp for Ware lately. Fun fact--Ware scored at a higher rate as a rookie than Tyson Chandler did in any of his 19 seasons in the NBA

Ware could be Chandler, Camby, Whiteside, Porzingis, Brook Lopez, Jarrett Allen. It doesn't matter, really. They're all role players. And I don't think Ware has the talent to be more than that. My opinion is you don't pass on true, perennial all-NBA 1st team players to keep a potential role player given where Miami is and its clear intention over the years to add a top-tier talent.

As for a potential KD trade, I've said a few times I don't think Miami should include both Ware and Wiggins, unless there is a 3rd team sending Miami back other assets or Miami has some wink-wink deals with vets. I think the "line in the sand" is Miami either gives Phoenix (1) salary flexibility and picks/young players or (2)"win-now" players and lesser picks/young players or (3) Wiggins and Ware, but an expanded trade (3rd team) with basically no other assets going out. That basically looks something like:

(1) Rozier, Robinson, Ware, #20, and a top-6 protected 1st for Durant (essentially a 1st and a pick swap this year)

(2) Wiggins, Rozier, Anderson + some combo of Jaquez, Jovic, #20 or top-10 protected 1st for Durant

(3) Wiggins, Rozier, Ware #20 for Durant #29


Not sure all those work cap-wise, but that's the idea

In all cases, Miami is going to have to play go-fish for vets, with the most obvious targets being C Paul, B Lopez, Westbrook, Bruce Brown, Malcolm Brogdon, Gary Trent Jr, Luke Kennard, Dennis Schroder, Kevon Looney, Al Horford, Tyus Jones...etc.

In cases 2 and 3, Miami would still have draft assets and possible a young guy + Robinson's contract to swap for a player. If Anderson isn't dealt, perhaps Miami swaps Robinson, Anderson, and a draft asset for Jrue Holiday?

Essentially, I think Miami can field a team:

B Lopez / K Love
Bam / Jovic (?) / Anderson (?)
Durant / Highsmith / Bruce Brown (?)
Herro / Burks / Kennard (?)
Tyus Jones (?) / Westbrook (?) / Mitchell (?) / Jrue Holiday (?)

[eddieheatfan]

We are not a championship team... We are mid-level... kd Will Not magically get us a chip...We would need two kd to even Contend a final

nba Is a young man's game... Being healthy 82 games and a playoff run, is not easy.

Nothing is your in this Life... specially when it comes to others

but I am 69%.Sure we Are very far from a "championship team"... Unless we get very lucky and get into finals Like We did with jb

with all honestly i dont even consider this team a mid tier team we were a play in team that got there and were sweept in the first round. thats not the hallmarks of a mid tier team. at least in my opinion.

[greg4012]

No, nothing is guaranteed, but you take calculated risks. The goal at all times is to create a championship contender, not to excel at mid-level management. KD makes Miami a legitimate force to make a run to the ECF/Finals like it did during Butler's years in Miami. Ware does not, and he may never be that guy.

How good and impactful Ware will be is key to the analysis of whether it makes sense to include him in a Durant trade or not. If you trade Ware away and he becomes Wemby, Miami will look dumb if Miami never gets close to sniffing the ECF/Finals. If Miami passes on KD only to watch Ware become Tyson Chandler, Miami will look dumb.

If Miami passes on KD for Ware, then we're talking about a fundamentally different direction for Miami. It becomes about long-term team building and not about making Miami a contender now. At the end of the day, this is the decision that Miami has to make.

There's always another shot to take.

It's funny bc I've been one of the people on here making a strong case for KD's impact in Miami. But, you seem to be even higher than me on it (and in parallel lower on Ware's potential than me).

Please make the case for Miami giving up Ware + Wiggins (and draft capital that PHX has seemingly called for) and being the legitimate force to make a run to the ECF/Finals. If Miami is giving all of that up, where's a second move coming? Or do you think a power rotation of Bam, Jovic, and KD puts each in the right position to be maximized for their own impact and to help their teammates (as we all know, the frontcourt NEEDS to do most of the people moving for a decent team)? Where is any additional playmaking or guard rotation help coming from? Is Russell Westbrook or 40-year old Chris Paul the big second move?

Everything else about trying to make this squarely a convo about Ware vs KD is needless distraction.

PS: you're loving the Tyson Chandler comp for Ware lately. Fun fact--Ware scored at a higher rate as a rookie than Tyson Chandler did in any of his 19 seasons in the NBA

Ware could be Chandler, Camby, Whiteside, Porzingis, Brook Lopez, Jarrett Allen. It doesn't matter, really. They're all role players. And I don't think Ware has the talent to be more than that. My opinion is you don't pass on true, perennial all-NBA 1st team players to keep a potential role player given where Miami is.

As for a potential KD trade, I've said a few times I don't think Miami should include both Ware and Wiggins, unless there is a 3rd team sending Miami back other assets or Miami has some wink-wink deals with vets. I think the "line in the sand" is Miami either gives Phoenix (1) salary flexibility and picks/young players or (2)"win-now" players and lesser picks/young players or (3) Wiggins and Ware, but an expanded trade (3rd team) with basically no other assets going out. That basically looks something like:

(1) Rozier, Robinson, Ware, #20, and a top-6 protected 1st for Durant (essentially a 1st and a pick swap this year)

(2) Wiggins, Rozier, Anderson + some combo of Jaquez, Jovic, #20 or top-10 protected 1st for Durant

(3) Wiggins, Rozier, Ware #20 for Durant #29


Not sure all those work cap-wise, but that's the idea

In all cases, Miami is going to have to play go-fish for vets, with the most obvious targets being C Paul, B Lopez, Westbrook, Bruce Brown, Malcolm Brogdon, Gary Trent Jr, Luke Kennard, Dennis Schroder, Kevon Looney, Al Horford, Tyus Jones...etc.

In cases 2 and 3, Miami would still have draft assets and possible a young guy + Robinson's contract to swap for a player. If Anderson isn't dealt, perhaps Miami swaps Robinson, Anderson, and a draft asset for Jrue Holiday?

Essentially, I think Miami can field a team:

B Lopez / K Love
Bam / Jovic (?) / Anderson (?)
Durant / Highsmith / Bruce Brown (?)
Herro / Burks / Kennard (?)
Tyus Jones (?) / Westbrook (?) / Mitchell (?) / Jrue Holiday (?)

Too thirsty for me.

Brook Lopez is gonna surprise you when he goes for WAY more than vet min (just look at what Steven Adams signed and note all the teams desperate for better C play in the NBA). Without that magic acquisition, where does that leave things?

1-2 years of KD then facing a depleted warchest and full blow up tank job where Miami has already shipped out half their picks in the season's in which Miami will be in tank mode?

It just doesnt work for me if it's not very measured in approach.

[CrossOver]

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[3ammy3uck3ts]

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KDs pushing them away, it’s time to get this done.

[MettaWorldPanda]

Boston trading Holliday to the Heat would feel like the Bruins trading Marchand to the Panthers lol.

[MettaWorldPanda]

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KDs pushing them away, it’s time to get this done.

HAHAHHAHAHAHHA PHUCKING LOVE IT!!! Just like i said a few hours ago. Suns were trying to flex and just needed Durant to pour water on that. For the love of the game my ass. This is about getting to his destination and getting that extension like Jimmy did.

[EMC5466]

Matt Ishbia is an idiot. Could’ve had Jimmy Butler at the trade deadline.

[3ammy3uck3ts]

Boston trading Holliday to the Heat would feel like the Bruins trading Marchand to the Panthers lol.

Stay tuned. If they get KD it’s time to win; Holiday is one of those rare cases like KD where we can get a high level guy (I have faith in him regaining his ways here) without giving up too much. They LOVE Holiday

[MettaWorldPanda]

Boston trading Holliday to the Heat would feel like the Bruins trading Marchand to the Panthers lol.

Stay tuned. If they get KD it’s time to win; Holiday is one of those rare cases like KD where we can get a high level guy (I have faith in him regaining his ways here) without giving up too much. They LOVE Holiday

It’s going to cost us a protected first but at this point we might as well go in. Maybe if lucky just a couple of 2nds

[SA37]

Spoiler:

There's always another shot to take.

It's funny bc I've been one of the people on here making a strong case for KD's impact in Miami. But, you seem to be even higher than me on it (and in parallel lower on Ware's potential than me).

Please make the case for Miami giving up Ware + Wiggins (and draft capital that PHX has seemingly called for) and being the legitimate force to make a run to the ECF/Finals. If Miami is giving all of that up, where's a second move coming? Or do you think a power rotation of Bam, Jovic, and KD puts each in the right position to be maximized for their own impact and to help their teammates (as we all know, the frontcourt NEEDS to do most of the people moving for a decent team)? Where is any additional playmaking or guard rotation help coming from? Is Russell Westbrook or 40-year old Chris Paul the big second move?

Everything else about trying to make this squarely a convo about Ware vs KD is needless distraction.

PS: you're loving the Tyson Chandler comp for Ware lately. Fun fact--Ware scored at a higher rate as a rookie than Tyson Chandler did in any of his 19 seasons in the NBA

Ware could be Chandler, Camby, Whiteside, Porzingis, Brook Lopez, Jarrett Allen. It doesn't matter, really. They're all role players. And I don't think Ware has the talent to be more than that. My opinion is you don't pass on true, perennial all-NBA 1st team players to keep a potential role player given where Miami is.

As for a potential KD trade, I've said a few times I don't think Miami should include both Ware and Wiggins, unless there is a 3rd team sending Miami back other assets or Miami has some wink-wink deals with vets. I think the "line in the sand" is Miami either gives Phoenix (1) salary flexibility and picks/young players or (2)"win-now" players and lesser picks/young players or (3) Wiggins and Ware, but an expanded trade (3rd team) with basically no other assets going out. That basically looks something like:

(1) Rozier, Robinson, Ware, #20, and a top-6 protected 1st for Durant (essentially a 1st and a pick swap this year)

(2) Wiggins, Rozier, Anderson + some combo of Jaquez, Jovic, #20 or top-10 protected 1st for Durant

(3) Wiggins, Rozier, Ware #20 for Durant #29


Not sure all those work cap-wise, but that's the idea

In all cases, Miami is going to have to play go-fish for vets, with the most obvious targets being C Paul, B Lopez, Westbrook, Bruce Brown, Malcolm Brogdon, Gary Trent Jr, Luke Kennard, Dennis Schroder, Kevon Looney, Al Horford, Tyus Jones...etc.

In cases 2 and 3, Miami would still have draft assets and possible a young guy + Robinson's contract to swap for a player. If Anderson isn't dealt, perhaps Miami swaps Robinson, Anderson, and a draft asset for Jrue Holiday?

Essentially, I think Miami can field a team:

B Lopez / K Love
Bam / Jovic (?) / Anderson (?)
Durant / Highsmith / Bruce Brown (?)
Herro / Burks / Kennard (?)
Tyus Jones (?) / Westbrook (?) / Mitchell (?) / Jrue Holiday (?)

Too thirsty for me.

Brook Lopez is gonna surprise you when he goes for WAY more than vet min (just look at what Steven Adams signed and note all the teams desperate for better C play in the NBA). Without that magic acquisition, where does that leave things?

1-2 years of KD then facing a depleted warchest and full blow up tank job where Miami has already shipped out half their picks in the season's in which Miami will be in tank mode?

It just doesnt work for me if it's not very measured in approach.

It really depends on which vets Miami can get on board. Maybe Miami trades for Claxton, J Allen, Mitchell Robinson, Myles Turner, Vucevic, Gafford...etc. Maybe Miami has to settle for Capela. Maybe Miami just decides to play Bam at center and uses Anderson more or Miami brings in Trey Lyles if Anderson is moved.

A lot of people thought getting LeBron and Bosh to pair with Wade was too thirsty. And then Ray Allen and Mike Miller came along. Miami resuscitated Chris Anderson...etc.

In any case, there are paths to creating an awesome team sans Ware and with Durant.

[batterybro42]

I’m cracking up about how clueless everyone is about Bane as a player but how sure you all are of yourself as you speak on him

I watch ball man, Desmond Bane is just CJ Mcculum with a strong future in body building should he choose to pursue it. He’s the Ronnie Coleman of CJ Mcculums.

I don’t know why you have to hate Tyler Herro just because you love Bam. Tyler Herro is a real hooper and a potential offensive engine. I get not thinking he will reach that, completely fair, but to try to pretend like Desmond Bane can hoop with Tyler is a pretty clear way to me to demonstrate either extreme bias or expose yourself as a non ball knower/basketball reference watcher of the game.

I’m not knocking the Magic’s reasoning for getting Bane they have their A1 in Paulo locked up those picks they gave away will likely all be out of lottery, but still nobody in the NBA is losing sleep over how they are going to guard and defend the likes of Desmond Bane. Banes offensive ceiling amounts to what Herro can be if he’s relegated to such a role, and he eventually deemed incapable of carrying a nightly scoring load on a winning ball club.

If you want to talk playoffs I’ll point you to game 2 this year, game two last year where Herro was forced to be our entire offense and Herros healthy post season runs early in his career as being more impressive than anything Bane has ever done on the basketball floor. Those examples would point me to see a young player still figuring out how to take the jump from accessory scorer to THE GUY. Not many get to ever be THE GUY and to even be in the discussion for it means you are crazy skilled as an NBA level talent.