2025-2026: Around the League

[GelbeWand09]

I'm definitely jealous of Cade because he is really easy to built around, especially when the 3 improves even more. 2nd i'm jealous of their athleticism. It just makes many things much easier. But i dont see them as true contender til they find another allstar like player.

[BadMofoPimp]

Detroit's top five defense seems legit. Duren, Ausar, and Holland are really good defenders. I think you can book them for 50+ wins and a top 4 seed.

I like what they've built. I think Cade is slight 3 point shooting gains away from making them a team that I'm like legitimately scared to play, but he's such a good player and easy to build around. Duren has taken a massive step forward so far, looks like an ALL-NBA player.

Curious as to if they make an all-in "The East is weak let's go for it" trade or stay the course. They're mostly organically built to this point aside from a couple decent vets sprinkled in.

The Duren leap probably changes their calculus along with Ausar looking like one of the best overall defenders in the league.

Duren has played better defensively, but is still weak on the defensive side. If they did trade for Lauri, would be the weakest defensive front court in the league. Duren has the advantage of playing alongside Stewart lately.

As for Cade, he shot 35.6% on 6 3's per game the past 2 seasons. If Bease comes back for them, they will become even more dangerous.

[eyriq]

I like what they've built. I think Cade is slight 3 point shooting gains away from making them a team that I'm like legitimately scared to play, but he's such a good player and easy to build around. Duren has taken a massive step forward so far, looks like an ALL-NBA player.

Curious as to if they make an all-in "The East is weak let's go for it" trade or stay the course. They're mostly organically built to this point aside from a couple decent vets sprinkled in.

IDK what DET's pick stash looks like (or their cap situation) but if they were to find a way to make a Lauri trade...I'm afraid we'd be looking at their tail lights for the immediate future (at least). They seem to have ALL of the elements for success in place and functioning nicely...and Ivey isn't even in the lineup.

It's early in the season and a LOT of changes are being implemented, but if Mose/Prunty et al don't find a way to get all of the ORL core talent in sync and firing on every cylinder, on both ends of the court, we may never know what we have...I'm amazed at the disregard on the general boards for Paolo. I understand that we dissect his inefficiencies and effort (sometimes) but I recognize the difference between Paolo - a guy who can just dominate a game or even a playoff series, under any circumstances, versus secondary guys with similar stats, like Siakim or Lauri. IMO, Paolo is just on another level and, whether he and Franz are optimal together or not, he is potentially an MVP or at least All-NBA candidate, which those two (and Franz, sorry) are not. They are all all-star level, but Paolo just has that "I'm telling you what I'm going to do but you still can't stop me" thing. I think Paolo is THAT unstoppable that if Mose isn't the guy to unlock him as an offensive hub, then...(1.) I am badly overrating PB, or (2.) we need to get someone in who CAN unlock this roster-quickly.

I never liked Carmelo Anthony, but his legacy kind of sucks, despite being one of the all-time offensive producers. Same can be said about McGrady, Iverson and others...I don't want to talk about Paolo like them a decade from now. He's an absolute beast of a scorer but there IS evidence that he can be much more and that should be the primary aim of this coaching staff.

I dont see anyway were Paolo becomes a MVP player to be honest. I have a very hard time imagine him as a Top 15 player with his weaknesses. I still wonder how people can watch players like Luka, Jokic, Giannis, SGA... and think Paolo will ever be on their level.
How should he even close the gap? He is either much less athletic or much less skilled. He is not a good shooter from anywhere, he is not a good finisher either. He isnt good enough as a defender or a playmaker to not be a super super super efficient volume scorer just to enter the Top 10-15 conversation.
"I'm telling you what I'm going to do but you still can't stop me" Nobody needs to stop him. His Low efficiency stops himself. Guys like Luka could score 25ppg over a season on good eff. on trickshots only. Thats how talented and skilled he is. That is the competition we talking about for top 5-6 players.
I dont wanna hate on Paolo but people should be more realistic and watch the top 15 players in the leaque. Check their stats. Check how effortless they score and in many cases they are additionally elite playmakers or elite 2way players.
I would be happy if Paolo becomes a top 25 player impact wise. Thats a loooong way.

Check their age while they are at it amirite

[eyriq]

Thinking about it more and I see Duren getting around $30M AAV with plenty of room for a max player acquisition.

[SOUL]

These western teams aint helping at all lol

[pepe1991]

So Hawks will casually probably have top 5-7 pick ... Potentially 1# overall pick from next draft, AND they will probably get something back for Trae.

[Idiosyncratic]

I just gotta say Jaime Jaquez has been incredible (That Cavs Heat game last night was fun) . I didn't even put him on my list of players we seriously regret not having over picking Jett because he was so awful last year and I just saw Heat fans crapping on him all the time. But man he has been really good. Don't give up on young players.

[Idiosyncratic]

So Hawks will casually probably have top 5-7 pick ... Potentially 1# overall pick from next draft, AND they will probably get something back for Trae.

I harp on this all the time, but I cannot get over the fact that the Pelicans legitimately could have traded away picks 1 & 2. I don't even know how I would cope as a fan. Derik Queen looks good, but man that is still depressing.

[pepe1991]

So Hawks will casually probably have top 5-7 pick ... Potentially 1# overall pick from next draft, AND they will probably get something back for Trae.

I harp on this all the time, but I cannot get over the fact that the Pelicans legitimately could have traded away picks 1 & 2. I don't even know how I would cope as a fan. Derik Queen looks good, but man that is still depressing.

2024-25 and offseason has legit been one of biggest WTFs in nba history.

I still can't get over a fact Dallas traded Luka Dončić for 32 years old, always hurt AD, won lottery, and still lost trade in rather spectacular fashion.

Dallas doesn't own 2027, 2028,2029 nor 2030 picks

Wtf are they going to do? Worst excuse of a trade was " scared of paying Luka mega max" - gets AD who is on mega max

[GelbeWand09]

So Hawks will casually probably have top 5-7 pick ... Potentially 1# overall pick from next draft, AND they will probably get something back for Trae.

I harp on this all the time, but I cannot get over the fact that the Pelicans legitimately could have traded away picks 1 & 2. I don't even know how I would cope as a fan. Derik Queen looks good, but man that is still depressing.

2024-25 and offseason has legit been one of biggest WTFs in nba history.

I still can't get over a fact Dallas traded Luka Dončić for 32 years old, always hurt AD, won lottery, and still lost trade in rather spectacular fashion.

Dallas doesn't own 2027, 2028,2029 nor 2030 picks

Wtf are they going to do? Worst excuse of a trade was " scared of paying Luka mega max" - gets AD who is on mega max

Not sure whats up with Luka's karma that Teams do the weiredest things to not draft him or trade him. First the Kings with a european manager who drafts freaking Bagley instead of him, who's biggest strength i've read pre draft was a quick 2nd jump. Wow. Much better than the 6'7-8 insanely skilled scorer/playmaker who won everything in europe at 19 already. I'm not a professionnal and i have only watched 6-7 games of Luka in europe predraft and could tell he is by far the best player in the draft.
Than Dallas trading him after going to the finals a few months before because he isnt ripped.