2025 Offseason Thread Vol.6

[MettaWorldPanda]

It's a cold world Terry button up

Spoiler:

[MettaWorldPanda]

[MartyCONLONNN]

As far as Bucks leverage, it will be interesting to see how far that goes with Giannis. After next season he's effectively an expiring and with the type of return he will command, the trading team has to be 100% sure it's a longterm commitment from Giannis. no1 does rentals when there are prospects & multiple unprotected firsts are on the table. He will have some say, especially if he tells a team he will test '27 free agency which a lot of teams are saving up for.

[Shewasfly]

A mess lol

[HeatIn5]

For me right now I have the following in my ideal team. Mock as you will to try to fill in the blanks with the players I left out* -

Mitchell / _____ / Kasparas / Dru
Herro / Powell** / Pelle
_____ / Highsmith*** / _____
Bam / Jovic**** / _____ / Keshad
Ware / _____ / Goldin

* Wiggins, Rozier, Jaime, Fontecchio are the ideal pieces to trade to get whatever is needed to fill in the blanks. The expirings plus 1 of our young players in Jaime. I like, don't love Jaime. I think he's a solid player and will probably have an above average role player career but if you need to give 1 of the young guys I think he's the odd man out.

** There will presumably be a large chunk of Herro - Powell minutes on the floor together, especially late in games. In some games it will be in a bigger lineup, and in some it will probably be in a 3 guard lineup when Mitchell is needed on the floor.

*** I am not in the Highsmith is untouchable crowd but I would like him to be on the team. I just put him as an explanation because I'm not making him untouchable for a top tier player.

**** Same as above, but I'm holding onto Jovic significantly tighter than any of the players listed above.

[MettaWorldPanda]

As far as Bucks leverage, it will be interesting to see how far that goes with Giannis. After next season he's effectively an expiring and with the type of return he will command, the trading team has to be 100% sure it's a longterm commitment from Giannis. no1 does rentals when there are prospects & multiple unprotected firsts are on the table. He will have some say, especially if he tells a team he will test '27 free agency which a lot of teams are saving up for.

Nobody really test free agency anymore. When was the last time a real high end max type player tested free agency aside from a broken down Paul George who fleeced the 76ers. Nobody wants to play out their final year when they have so much guaranteed money at stake. It's best just to take the money and cry for a trade. Problem with that is we are always behind the 8 ball when it comes to building up the draft asset cupboard. When we make our draft picks they essentially become a car driven off the lot and are not as valued as we think they are via trade. Other teams around the NBA have similar young talent they recently drafted like we do but are also armed with a healthy amount of picks to get things done. When you only have like two or 3 tradeable 1st and and a few seconds our offers will get beat in most cases in any deal that does not involve our most valued player in trade in Bam. We really need for our recently drafted players to step it up.

[MettaWorldPanda]

For me right now I have the following in my ideal team. Mock as you will to try to fill in the blanks with the players I left out* -

Mitchell / _____ / Kasparas / Dru
Herro / Powell** / Pelle
_____ / Highsmith*** / _____
Bam / Jovic**** / _____ / Keshad
Ware / _____ / Goldin

* Wiggins, Rozier, Jaime, Fontecchio are the ideal pieces to trade to get whatever is needed to fill in the blanks. The expirings plus 1 of our young players in Jaime. I like, don't love Jaime. I think he's a solid player and will probably have an above average role player career but if you need to give 1 of the young guys I think he's the odd man out.

** There will presumably be a large chunk of Herro - Powell minutes on the floor together, especially late in games. In some games it will be in a bigger lineup, and in some it will probably be in a 3 guard lineup when Mitchell is needed on the floor.

*** I am not in the Highsmith is untouchable crowd but I would like him to be on the team. I just put him as an explanation because I'm not making him untouchable for a top tier player.

**** Same as above, but I'm holding onto Jovic significantly tighter than any of the players listed above.

Considering what we have seen recently from Larrson I think we really need to put JJJ in play in order to shore up some of the weak spots on the team. Larrson is ready to take over as a SG/SF type swiss army knife off the bench. Having JJJ around will just block him or keep him on the bench not getting any opportunities he's clearly shown that he deserves. I don't see a solid trade right now with Wiggins unless the Lakers want to pony up which they are showing great resistance against doing. I don't see any current fits for Wiggins around the NBA at the moment for the price we are asking for. Honestly he's the right fit at SF for us at this moment. Getting an extra PG and a bigman who can step out and shoot a 3 should be viewed as top priority at the moment.

[MartyCONLONNN]

As far as Bucks leverage, it will be interesting to see how far that goes with Giannis. After next season he's effectively an expiring and with the type of return he will command, the trading team has to be 100% sure it's a longterm commitment from Giannis. no1 does rentals when there are prospects & multiple unprotected firsts are on the table. He will have some say, especially if he tells a team he will test '27 free agency which a lot of teams are saving up for.

Nobody really test free agency anymore. When was the last time a real high end max type player tested free agency aside from a broken down Paul George who fleeced the 76ers. Nobody wants to play out their final year when they have so much guaranteed money at stake. It's best just to take the money and cry for a trade. Problem with that is we are always behind the 8 ball when it comes to building up the draft asset cupboard. When we make our draft picks they essentially become a car driven off the lot and are not as valued as we think they are via trade. Other teams around the NBA have similar young talent they recently drafted like we do but are also armed with a healthy amount of picks to get things done. When you only have like two or 3 tradeable 1st and and a few seconds our offers will get beat in most cases in any deal that does not involve our most valued player in trade in Bam. We really need for our recently drafted players to step it up.

I guess? Not sure why youre not accounting for the threat and threat of Free Agency… Jimmy & his agent literally just used it on us. its the main reason Fox got moved for peanuts to his desired team, it’s the reason why Durant got where he wanted and not Minny - because they did not sign an extension and could’ve walked for nothing. Jokic didnt sign an extension and may leverage his 27 free agency if the Nuggets arent where he wants to be. this is the big question with Luka rn as well. so although big FA signings arent a thing anymore it’s still being used as a leverage tool when a select few all stars/reps want out and can create a destination list.

[MettaWorldPanda]

As far as Bucks leverage, it will be interesting to see how far that goes with Giannis. After next season he's effectively an expiring and with the type of return he will command, the trading team has to be 100% sure it's a longterm commitment from Giannis. no1 does rentals when there are prospects & multiple unprotected firsts are on the table. He will have some say, especially if he tells a team he will test '27 free agency which a lot of teams are saving up for.

Nobody really test free agency anymore. When was the last time a real high end max type player tested free agency aside from a broken down Paul George who fleeced the 76ers. Nobody wants to play out their final year when they have so much guaranteed money at stake. It's best just to take the money and cry for a trade. Problem with that is we are always behind the 8 ball when it comes to building up the draft asset cupboard. When we make our draft picks they essentially become a car driven off the lot and are not as valued as we think they are via trade. Other teams around the NBA have similar young talent they recently drafted like we do but are also armed with a healthy amount of picks to get things done. When you only have like two or 3 tradeable 1st and and a few seconds our offers will get beat in most cases in any deal that does not involve our most valued player in trade in Bam. We really need for our recently drafted players to step it up.

I guess? Not sure why youre not accounting for the threat and threat of Free Agency… Jimmy & his agent literally just used it on us. its the main reason Fox got moved for peanuts to his desired team, it’s the reason why Durant got where he wanted and not Minny - because they did not sign an extension and could’ve walked for nothing. Jokic didnt sign an extension and may leverage his 27 free agency if the Nuggets arent where he wants to be. this is the big question with Luka rn as well. so although big FA signings arent a thing anymore it’s still being used as a leverage tool when a select few all stars/reps want out and can create a destination list.

Butler free agency was a major bluff that was never going to happen. He had that player option in his back pocket and only BK had cap space. Yes players are using it as leverage to form a destination list via trade but not really hitting free agency. If we get put on player desired destination we will still have plenty of competition trying to outbid us in the trade market. Some in here are hoping that Luka is going to play his final year out and walk via free agency. I find that hard to believe unless he’s about to break a strong precedent since the new cap rules came into place. As for Jokic….By waiting until the 2026 offseason to work on an extension, the Nuggets star is able to add a fourth year at an additional $77 million, according to Marks.

[MiamiLoyal926]

Nobody really test free agency anymore. When was the last time a real high end max type player tested free agency aside from a broken down Paul George who fleeced the 76ers. Nobody wants to play out their final year when they have so much guaranteed money at stake. It's best just to take the money and cry for a trade. Problem with that is we are always behind the 8 ball when it comes to building up the draft asset cupboard. When we make our draft picks they essentially become a car driven off the lot and are not as valued as we think they are via trade. Other teams around the NBA have similar young talent they recently drafted like we do but are also armed with a healthy amount of picks to get things done. When you only have like two or 3 tradeable 1st and and a few seconds our offers will get beat in most cases in any deal that does not involve our most valued player in trade in Bam. We really need for our recently drafted players to step it up.

I guess? Not sure why youre not accounting for the threat and threat of Free Agency… Jimmy & his agent literally just used it on us. its the main reason Fox got moved for peanuts to his desired team, it’s the reason why Durant got where he wanted and not Minny - because they did not sign an extension and could’ve walked for nothing. Jokic didnt sign an extension and may leverage his 27 free agency if the Nuggets arent where he wants to be. this is the big question with Luka rn as well. so although big FA signings arent a thing anymore it’s still being used as a leverage tool when a select few all stars/reps want out and can create a destination list.

Butler free agency was a major bluff that was never going to happen. He had that player option in his back pocket and only BK had cap space. Yes players are using it as leverage to form a destination list via trade but not really hitting free agency. If we get put on player desired destination we will still have plenty of competition trying to outbid us in the trade market. Some in here are hoping that Luka is going to play his final year out and walk via free agency. I find that hard to believe unless he’s about to break a strong precedent since the new cap rules came into place. As for Jokic….By waiting until the 2026 offseason to work on an extension, the Nuggets star is able to add a fourth year at an additional $77 million, according to Marks.

Luka does not have any additional incentive to extend from my understanding. Especially since he wants a shorter deal to set him up for the 10 year veteran max in a few years. As such, extending with the Lakers, or testing free agency and getting the max in a few years Miami is not that much of a difference compared to if he was still a Mavs getting the super max offer from them. Just saying, Luka is a unicorn in his situation compared to others, and may not like how Lakers and Mavs just sprung this trade on him.

I would not be surprised if he chooses to have some control in the situation and see what other teams in FA have to offer him in opportunity, not just money. At the end of the day, he may get to FA just to throw his weight and leverage the Lakers to give him some incentives like a NTC, or promises to build the squad to his liking. Idk, all speculation, but at the end of the day, his unexpected trade this year made him and his situation into a unicorn of scenarios in today’s cba.

[MartyConlonJr]

Yes, I doubt Luka holds Lakers and Pelinka that accountable, compared to Nico and the Mavs, but at the end of the day, they were complicit in this behind closed doors manoeuvring that cost him 100 million ultimately. Lakers could have allowed supermax sign and trade with more difficulty and likely more visibility by other competing teams, but chose this option to advantage themselves and disadvantage him.

I'd love if he was bitter about it to the Lakers. I'm allowed my own fan fic.

But if I am Luka and I am taking a 100 mill paycut, I want it to be for my team to be using that money to win championships. Lakers, post LeBron, are further back in competing than Miami, and Miami does have the low taxes to recoup a little bit of that money.

Anyway, I am moving into my next fantasy clearly, just keep lining em up and I will be able to rationalise them. No problem

[Vertical Limit]

Im almost 1000% sure that a condition to wherever Luka signs, that team will have to give him a no trade clause.

[eddieheatfan]

A mess lol

the guy in the picture is going to get sued by the soon to be ex to kingdom come what an idiot

[3ammy3uck3ts]

Im almost 1000% sure that a condition to wherever Luka signs, that team will have to give him a no trade clause.

Gladly.

[3ammy3uck3ts]

Read on Twitter

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Firing up the grill.

[greg4012]

I guess? Not sure why youre not accounting for the threat and threat of Free Agency… Jimmy & his agent literally just used it on us. its the main reason Fox got moved for peanuts to his desired team, it’s the reason why Durant got where he wanted and not Minny - because they did not sign an extension and could’ve walked for nothing. Jokic didnt sign an extension and may leverage his 27 free agency if the Nuggets arent where he wants to be. this is the big question with Luka rn as well. so although big FA signings arent a thing anymore it’s still being used as a leverage tool when a select few all stars/reps want out and can create a destination list.

Butler free agency was a major bluff that was never going to happen. He had that player option in his back pocket and only BK had cap space. Yes players are using it as leverage to form a destination list via trade but not really hitting free agency. If we get put on player desired destination we will still have plenty of competition trying to outbid us in the trade market. Some in here are hoping that Luka is going to play his final year out and walk via free agency. I find that hard to believe unless he’s about to break a strong precedent since the new cap rules came into place. As for Jokic….By waiting until the 2026 offseason to work on an extension, the Nuggets star is able to add a fourth year at an additional $77 million, according to Marks.

Luka does not have any additional incentive to extend from my understanding. Especially since he wants a shorter deal to set him up for the 10 year veteran max in a few years. As such, extending with the Lakers, or testing free agency and getting the max in a few years Miami is not that much of a difference compared to if he was still a Mavs getting the super max offer from them. Just saying, Luka is a unicorn in his situation compared to others, and may not like how Lakers and Mavs just sprung this trade on him.

I would not be surprised if he chooses to have some control in the situation and see what other teams in FA have to offer him in opportunity, not just money. At the end of the day, he may get to FA just to throw his weight and leverage the Lakers to give him some incentives like a NTC, or promises to build the squad to his liking. Idk, all speculation, but at the end of the day, his unexpected trade this year made him and his situation into a unicorn of scenarios in today’s cba.

The counter to this is hedging against risk of injury. But, I dont put much stock into that bc Luka can tear his leg in any which way and still get max offers. We literally saw it happen with Kevin Durant not too long ago.

The risk of injury is more of a thing I'd put stock into for players in their 30s or fringe stars.

[MiamiLoyal926]

Butler free agency was a major bluff that was never going to happen. He had that player option in his back pocket and only BK had cap space. Yes players are using it as leverage to form a destination list via trade but not really hitting free agency. If we get put on player desired destination we will still have plenty of competition trying to outbid us in the trade market. Some in here are hoping that Luka is going to play his final year out and walk via free agency. I find that hard to believe unless he’s about to break a strong precedent since the new cap rules came into place. As for Jokic….By waiting until the 2026 offseason to work on an extension, the Nuggets star is able to add a fourth year at an additional $77 million, according to Marks.

Luka does not have any additional incentive to extend from my understanding. Especially since he wants a shorter deal to set him up for the 10 year veteran max in a few years. As such, extending with the Lakers, or testing free agency and getting the max in a few years Miami is not that much of a difference compared to if he was still a Mavs getting the super max offer from them. Just saying, Luka is a unicorn in his situation compared to others, and may not like how Lakers and Mavs just sprung this trade on him.

I would not be surprised if he chooses to have some control in the situation and see what other teams in FA have to offer him in opportunity, not just money. At the end of the day, he may get to FA just to throw his weight and leverage the Lakers to give him some incentives like a NTC, or promises to build the squad to his liking. Idk, all speculation, but at the end of the day, his unexpected trade this year made him and his situation into a unicorn of scenarios in today’s cba.

The counter to this is hedging against risk of injury. But, I dont put much stock into that bc Luka can tear his leg in any which way and still get max offers. We literally saw it happen with Kevin Durant not too long ago.

The risk of injury is more of a thing I'd put stock into for players in their 30s or fringe stars.

I agree and have considered this as a factor I am sure he is weighing… Demarcus Cousins is a perfect example of how things could go wrong and it’s worth extending for financial security purposes.

[Vertical Limit]

How i think its going to go down… luka and jokic have their remaining years lined up together.. luka can opt in his final year in 26-27, jokic can opt out of 27-28, theyll be free agents together in 2027 and find a market they can play together in

[al bondiga]

Im almost 1000% sure that a condition to wherever Luka signs, that team will have to give him a no trade clause.

Gladly.

luka Is the best asset If you are a depleted team... He showed you that with the mavericks... almost Every year they had nothing but him and they were a good team... But I don't know How Will he fare in LALA land the people there are to fake, even more than in Dallas.

[HeatFan_NC]

A mess lol

the guy in the picture is going to get sued by the soon to be ex to kingdom come what an idiot

The soon-to-be ex should hire Dame's or Duncan Robinson's agent to represent her. She will definitely cash in!!!