Offseason 2025 Thread

[LofJ]

It's going to be disappointing when we inevitably end up cutting Connaughton, NSJ, and Jeffries. But I'm still holding out hope that Peterson will pull something off before the end of the summer.

[MasterIchiro]

It's going to be disappointing when we inevitably end up cutting Connaughton, NSJ, and Jeffries. But I'm still holding out hope that Peterson will pull something off before the end of the summer.

Well, he already had to lose Okogie for nothing as of July 15th after delaying the cut. So he came up empty recently, and that's the precedent I'm using as my forecast.

I can't fathom a world where he didn't at least work on consolidation deals, nor line up anything at all since trading Mark the first time, then again the second time only to dump Nurkic.

At best he's spinning his wheels at the position. I don't think he'd choose to downgrade the position unless his options are terrible.

I am very disappointed he didn't follow through on a roster that has 5 really good pieces, plus 2 good rookies. It's half-assed.

[LofJ]

It's going to be disappointing when we inevitably end up cutting Connaughton, NSJ, and Jeffries. But I'm still holding out hope that Peterson will pull something off before the end of the summer.

Well, he already had to lose Okogie for nothing as of July 15th after delaying the cut. So he came up empty recently, and that's the precedent I'm using as my forecast.

I can't fathom a world where he didn't at least work on consolidation deals, nor line up anything at all since trading Mark the first time, then again the second time only to dump Nurkic.

At best he's spinning his wheels at the position. I don't think he'd choose to downgrade the position unless his options are terrible.

I am very disappointed he didn't follow through on a roster that has 5 really good pieces, plus 2 good rookies. It's half-assed.

There's way too much dead salary on the books for a consolidation trade to not happen. We also have the picks to incentivize other teams to make a deal.

The only explanation I can think of is that Peterson has bigger aspirations and is waiting for a higher quality player to become available.

[Braggins]

I would feel so much better about this roster if they didn't do the Mark Williams trade and instead used some future draft capital to get Liam McNeeley. Also if they didn't sign Dinwiddie and kept Okogie.

[MasterIchiro]

It's going to be disappointing when we inevitably end up cutting Connaughton, NSJ, and Jeffries. But I'm still holding out hope that Peterson will pull something off before the end of the summer.

Well, he already had to lose Okogie for nothing as of July 15th after delaying the cut. So he came up empty recently, and that's the precedent I'm using as my forecast.

I can't fathom a world where he didn't at least work on consolidation deals, nor line up anything at all since trading Mark the first time, then again the second time only to dump Nurkic.

At best he's spinning his wheels at the position. I don't think he'd choose to downgrade the position unless his options are terrible.

I am very disappointed he didn't follow through on a roster that has 5 really good pieces, plus 2 good rookies. It's half-assed.

There's way too much dead salary on the books for a consolidation trade to not happen. We also have the picks to incentivize other teams to make a deal.

The only explanation I can think of is that Peterson has bigger aspirations and is waiting for a higher quality player to become available.

I don't think Jeff would wait on a knight in shining armor since the deadline to ride in and save the position.

I think owners across the league are cutting longterm costs and avoiding tax penalties, while hoarding centers and expiring deals. They're unwilling to take on even short multi-year contracts like Josh Green's without incentive. Nets got pick 22 to take on 3 years of Terance Mann who's a much better player. The Hawks paid a first to acquire KP but he's owed a longterm deal, and Atlanta poached him from an ownership group cutting costs. They added KP and NAW while Jeff settled for Plumlee and Dinwiddie. Basically, they ran circles around Peterson.

But we don't know if the owners would even authorize him to take on big longterm money in the first place, so I can't place 100% on the blame on him for the weakest frontcourt in the East, which really dilutes the value of his other moves like adding Sexton.

But again, he's on an expiring deal. There's less longterm money owed on this roster than most payrolls in the NBA. So money may be what's limiting Jeff's options even further. Surely, he must have authorization to dangle a single pick (or 2) like the Hawks did for KP.

[amcoolio]

I would feel so much better about this roster if they didn't do the Mark Williams trade and instead used some future draft capital to get Liam McNeeley. Also if they didn't sign Dinwiddie and kept Okogie.

I'm not losing sleep over Mark Williams, but Porzingis was right there, we had the assets, and now the Hawks are getting contract year Porizingis which is always a very, very good all-star level player and would have fit perfectly with this team.

It just seems the Hornets are always one step behind Atlanta on these transactions. Porzingis....NAW was someone we could have greatly used instead of Mann or Dinwiddie....Dyson Daniels would have been an absolute perfect 2 guard for this team... we just can't ever be as savvy as some of these other teams. Always picking last at the cupboard.

[amcoolio]

The only way this makes sense is if they saw a huge huge offseason improvement out of Diabate and believe they have their guy.

[yosemiteben]

I have zero interest in moving Mark Williams so we can pull in another center who constantly has injury issues. I wouldn't have viewed Zinger as an attractive trade target.

[LofJ]

You know who played in 82 games last season? Jarrett Allen. Someone like that is who I hope Jeff Peterson has his eyes on. The Cavs will need to move salary to get under the 2nd apron before too long. They're definitely a team to watch when it comes to the trade market.

[JustBuzzin]

The hope is we are holding out for the next star that becomes available on the trade market. We have the assets to get a deal done.


It would not shock me if we try to get in on the Giannis sweepstakes if he becomes available.


If we can keep Melo and Miller you have to make that gamble and go for it imo.

[MasterIchiro]

The hope is we are holding out for the next star that becomes available on the trade market. We have the assets to get a deal done.


It would not shock me if we try to get in on the Giannis sweepstakes if he becomes available.


If we can keep Melo and Miller you have to make that gamble and go for it imo.

I don't buy that. Reports were the Bucks were working with Giannis on preferred destinations, just as the Suns did for Durant.

There is a gulf between Plumlee, and even someone like KP.

Seems like holding out for a huge star also conflicts with front office statements about not going all-in for a player. So instead they don't go in at all, and abandon the center position entirely?

I think Peterson got skunked.

It happens.

The risk we run with a weak frontcourt is that we further justify a teardown, which would start over the whole clock, and prolong restrictions on longterm spending, buying the owners more time to service their debts for the investors.

[JustBuzzin]

The hope is we are holding out for the next star that becomes available on the trade market. We have the assets to get a deal done.


It would not shock me if we try to get in on the Giannis sweepstakes if he becomes available.


If we can keep Melo and Miller you have to make that gamble and go for it imo.

I don't buy that. Reports were the Bucks were working with Giannis on preferred destinations, just as the Suns did for Durant.

There is a gulf between Plumlee, and even someone like KP.

Seems like holding out for a huge star also conflicts with front office statements about not going all-in for a player. So instead they don't go in at all, and abandon the center position entirely?

I think Peterson got skunked.

It happens.

The risk we run with a weak frontcourt is that we further justify a teardown, which would start over the whole clock, and prolong restrictions on longterm spending, buying the owners more time to service their debts for the investors.

Im just using Giannis as an example. But if what you said is true about him having a list I guess we can cross him off the list.

Bam would be my ideal target. It just depends on who becomes available.

[MasterIchiro]

The hope is we are holding out for the next star that becomes available on the trade market. We have the assets to get a deal done.


It would not shock me if we try to get in on the Giannis sweepstakes if he becomes available.


If we can keep Melo and Miller you have to make that gamble and go for it imo.

I don't buy that. Reports were the Bucks were working with Giannis on preferred destinations, just as the Suns did for Durant.

There is a gulf between Plumlee, and even someone like KP.

Seems like holding out for a huge star also conflicts with front office statements about not going all-in for a player. So instead they don't go in at all, and abandon the center position entirely?

I think Peterson got skunked.

It happens.

The risk we run with a weak frontcourt is that we further justify a teardown, which would start over the whole clock, and prolong restrictions on longterm spending, buying the owners more time to service their debts for the investors.

Im just using Giannis as an example. But if what you said is true about him having a list I guess we can cross him off the list.

Bam would be my ideal target. It just depends on who becomes available.

I was hoping Bam as well, because they have Ware, but then they turn around and add Norm Powell which keeps them competitive. I can see them exploring Giannis deals before we do (or even can). So I went ahead and scratched Bam off my list.

The more time that goes on, and the closer we get to Plumlee playing meaningful minutes, the more pissed off I feel about the new regime. And they got off on the wrong foot with me with Salaün and Josh Green.

So help me God if they tank the season and dump their one bright spot Sexton at the deadline.

Do something! Doesn't mean I'm desperate. But for God sakes, you bums are sitting on 20 picks, most of which were already there before you got here.

[Diop]

I think I'd prefer Simmons at backup centre over Plumlee

[fatlever]

I think I'd prefer Simmons at backup centre over Plumlee

thats not the right guy for the lockerroom right now

[Diop]

I think I'd prefer Simmons at backup centre over Plumlee

thats not the right guy for the lockerroom right now

i think he needs a good locker room more than anyone, but i get it

[fatlever]

Anyone keeping up with the fan base feud between the Wizards and the Hornets on Twitter? Hilarious stuff. We need more rivalries.

[fatlever]

I think I'd prefer Simmons at backup centre over Plumlee

thats not the right guy for the lockerroom right now

i think he needs a good locker room more than anyone, but i get it

I don't really know much about the dude personally other than he has terrible taste in women. but, I think the last guy I want around the "injury prone" Guys on the team is Simmons, The one who will basically sit out for any reason possible. I want less guys who are worried about their brand and their image and more guys that just wanna **** win basketball games.

[JMAC3]

On frontcourt depth: “I get why you are asking. But we think we’ve got guys who can play. Mason (Plumlee) will help with his experience and his passing ability. We’ll have Grant (Williams) back and he’s a great connector. We love Moussa (Diabate). He plays with such great energy and he’s awesome on the glass. And Ryan (Kalkbrenner) has been awesome out here (Summer League). We think he’ll shoot it eventually too,” a Hornets coach said.

Too funny.

Interesting Plumlee is the first name spoken about here, kind of makes it seem like they view him as the starter to me. Which makes some sense since he has a lot more starting experience than Diabate. Maybe they are planning on getting the 18 mins as a Starter from Plumlee and letting Diabate and Grant fill in the rest.

[mg]

Just my gut feeling after SL...

Maybe I'm being too optimistic but do think they may be waiting to see how this current group gels. They might want to see if the good vibes from the summer carry over to the RS. Hopefully Melo stays healthy, Brandon takes a leap, and a few of these rooks show real promise. If I squint I can see similarities between this group and the Pacers of a few years ago. If that's the case maybe they make a splash by bringing in a big at the deadline similar to how the Pacers brought in Siakam prior to the '24 deadline. That will depend too on who is available. There could be a few surprising teams that decide to tank by Februray. In the meantime Plumlee is just the placeholder.

If it's the same old injury story with Lamelo and Brandon doesn't make a leap then I suppose there's always the promise of the '26 draft.

I'm impatient for them to make a move now for a center. However, having such a weak frontcourt, not to mention a fairly healthy warchest of picks, does give them options of which path to take at the deadline..