2025-2026: Around the League

[thelead]

Was thinking the same thing. He has 8 assists in 17 minutes...

Let's be honest, it wouldn't be happening here with our shooting woes... which then makes me side-eye Weltman

I hope the change in scenery is excellent and what he needs to turn it around. Let's wait and see. It's a long season but I am happy to see him doing a-ok stat wise thus far.

tbh, he was okay. He went 2-7 after being efficient last game. He had 9 assists because he created good looks and his teammates can actually shoot... but he was also hunted on defense. He's not 'better' but this is a better opportunity for him with a much more experienced roster around him.

[RookieStar]

Don't doubt the Wizards ability to tank this year. They have their chance and they can swap with the Suns if that fails. They will get their franchise player this year, the NBA can no longer deny them that

Who is even a franchise level player next draft? Dybantsa? They probably try to keep on winning until there is an undisputed alpha for this batch

I think all of Dybantsa, Peterson and Boozer are going to look like they are valid #1 picks most years by seasons end. A lot can change once games start obviously, but that's what I think right now. I personally have liked Peterson the most, but watching Boozer in the exhibition games is making me rethink. His game is not flashy, but I just think it's going to work and lead to a boatload of wins.

Boozer is like prime Klove level of talent. He is gonna get you 20-20. He can shoot from 3 and battle downlow despite being knly 6'9 in shoes.

However, he isnt the kind of talent you give the ball to in the perimeter and say, give us a bucket pls.

[Idiosyncratic]

Who is even a franchise level player next draft? Dybantsa? They probably try to keep on winning until there is an undisputed alpha for this batch

I think all of Dybantsa, Peterson and Boozer are going to look like they are valid #1 picks most years by seasons end. A lot can change once games start obviously, but that's what I think right now. I personally have liked Peterson the most, but watching Boozer in the exhibition games is making me rethink. His game is not flashy, but I just think it's going to work and lead to a boatload of wins.

Boozer is like prime Klove level of talent. He is gonna get you 20-20. He can shoot from 3 and battle downlow despite being knly 6'9 in shoes.

However, he isnt the kind of talent you give the ball to in the perimeter and say, give us a bucket pls.

Agree completely. But that kind of player with defense to me is still going to be a projected perennial all-star franchise level player that you are very excited about getting top 3. Also reality is even guys who look like clear top pick types fail or don't meet expectations all the time. We shouldn't be surprised if one of these guys fails, but to me Boozer just seems like he will be really safe. And even really safe can fail, but I digress I do think Boozers standing reach and wingspan measurements could be make or break for him as far as being in the conversation for #1 if it really does look like a toss up between the 3.

Either way really excited to watch these 3 guys pretty soon here. I know we can't get one, but just as a fan of hoops, hope they live up to it and bring some more talent to the league. Also never know who else could emerge.

And for the Wizards I think Sarr and Kyshawn are starting to look really promising. Tre Johnson looks like he will be a scorer. I think any of the big 3 prospects will fit well with them and they will have 4 really really strong prospects at that point. I'm not totally down on Coulibaly either. I think they are due for lotto luck and will have two chances, but who knows in this day and age. I guess their lotto luck isn't even that bad historically, just feels like they can't ever get that true game changer. Two #1s a couple #2s in the last couple of decades. Kwame Brown!

[RookieStar]

I think all of Dybantsa, Peterson and Boozer are going to look like they are valid #1 picks most years by seasons end. A lot can change once games start obviously, but that's what I think right now. I personally have liked Peterson the most, but watching Boozer in the exhibition games is making me rethink. His game is not flashy, but I just think it's going to work and lead to a boatload of wins.

Boozer is like prime Klove level of talent. He is gonna get you 20-20. He can shoot from 3 and battle downlow despite being knly 6'9 in shoes.

However, he isnt the kind of talent you give the ball to in the perimeter and say, give us a bucket pls.

Agree completely. But that kind of player with defense to me is still going to be a projected perennial all-star franchise level player that you are very excited about getting top 3. Also reality is even guys who look like clear top pick types fail or don't meet expectations all the time. We shouldn't be surprised if one of these guys fails, but to me Boozer just seems like he will be really safe. And even really safe can fail, but I digress I do think Boozers standing reach and wingspan measurements could be make or break for him as far as being in the conversation for #1 if it really does look like a toss up between the 3.

Either way really excited to watch these 3 guys pretty soon here. I know we can't get one, but just as a fan of hoops, hope they live up to it and bring some more talent to the league. Also never know who else could emerge.

And for the Wizards I think Sarr and Kyshawn are starting to look really promising. Tre Johnson looks like he will be a scorer. I think any of the big 3 prospects will fit well with them and they will have 4 really really strong prospects at that point. I'm not totally down on Coulibaly either. I think they are due for lotto luck and will have two chances, but who knows in this day and age. I guess their lotto luck isn't even that bad historically, just feels like they can't ever get that true game changer. Two #1s a couple #2s in the last couple of decades. Kwame Brown!

Draft combine is gonna make or break him. Watching him play doesnt scream high hops athleticism. He really is like his dad or klove. You wonder how he got 30-30 stat despite being undersized and not that athletic. He is a top pick but doesnt scream no.1 to me.

[RookieStar]

Oh and when Middleton and CJ are finished mentoring Carrington and Tre... then they might decide the dont need to tank afyer all

[drsd]

The Heat and the Spurs are the league's two best teams by point differential. They play each other next. Who knew this would be a must-see game?

I love all the randomness of the season. Example: The Utah Jazz is the current 3-seed in the west, behind Markkanen's MVP-level stats.
WOW

[pepe1991]

Pelicans are so damn screwed.

Hawks struck some true gold there.