2025 General Discussion Thread (NBA news, random thoughts, etc.)

[picc]

If they stay healthy, Atlanta will be in the ECF.

[Ballings7]

So Milwaukee essentially has declined off from their contending core; attempt to rebuild that (since Lillard came); and now, are "all good" because they got Myles Turner (and retained Portis)..

Their core has no top-level offensive player, and Turner/Giannis are the only impact defenders. Kuzma needs to play like his Lakers and early Wizards days, which probably isn't happening much anymore.

I don't expect Giannis to really feel good about the Bucks contending till they make more moves. They ain't even close to contending, even in the East. Be out in R1 again, or play in, at best.

I truly believe that Giannis really likes being in control of an organization. A trade to a "contender" doesn't give him the same cache (especially if that team already has another all-NBA player).

Eh, maybe.. not really in control of anything too credible on his end yet.

[Chuck Everett]

I'm leaning towards these five being the bottom five team in the West next year:

15. Utah
14. Sacramento
13. New Orleans
12. Phoenix
11. Memphis

[UcanUwill]

Probably the most legendary FIBA coach, Sergio Scariolo will step down after this years Eurobasket. He also announced 15 men preliminary squad for Spain. I call dibs on Eurobasket 2025 thread as usual, it is 56 days away, so too soon for a thread, so posting this news here. What do you think about Spanish roster, it is definitely a second tier contender I think, in the same group with SLovenia, Greece and Lithuania IMO, behind tier one contenders in Serbia, France and Germany.

C : Willy Hernangomez (Barcelona) ; Yankuba Sima (Malaga Unicaja)
PF : Santi Aldama (Memphis Grizzlies) ; Joel Parra (Barcelona) : Eli Ndiaye (atlanta Hawks) ; Jaime Pradilla (Valencia),
SF : Juancho Hernangomez (Panathinaikos Athens) ; Alberto Abalde (Real Madrid) ; Xabi Lopez-Arostegui (Valencia), Santi Yusta (Casademont)
SG : Dario Brizuela (Barcelona) ; Josep Puerto (Valencia),
PG : Lorenzo Brown (Panathinaikos Athens) ; Alberto Diaz (Malaga Unicaja) ; Sergio de Larrea (Valencia),

[UcanUwill]

I'm leaning towards these five being the bottom five team in the West next year:

15. Utah
14. Sacramento
13. New Orleans
12. Phoenix
11. Memphis

I agree with bottom 4 probably, but I still think Memphis finishes higher than let say Portland.

I think, compared to overall consensus, I most disagree on Atlanta. Not sure what their over under will be, but I imagine I would bet under for sure, compared how some people see them, I just do not see them as that much of a threat.

[Chuck Everett]

I'm leaning towards these five being the bottom five team in the West next year:

15. Utah
14. Sacramento
13. New Orleans
12. Phoenix
11. Memphis

I agree with bottom 4 probably, but I still think Memphis finishes higher than let say Portland.

I think, compared to overall consensus, I most disagree on Atlanta. Not sure what their over under will be, but I imagine I would bet under for sure, compared how some people see them, I just do not see them as that much of a threat.

Depends on how many months Jaren Jackson is going to miss with his toe injury. Morant is going to miss games no matter what and Edey also is rehabbing all summer. Seems like another lost year in Bluff City to me.

[UcanUwill]

I'm leaning towards these five being the bottom five team in the West next year:

15. Utah
14. Sacramento
13. New Orleans
12. Phoenix
11. Memphis

I agree with bottom 4 probably, but I still think Memphis finishes higher than let say Portland.

I think, compared to overall consensus, I most disagree on Atlanta. Not sure what their over under will be, but I imagine I would bet under for sure, compared how some people see them, I just do not see them as that much of a threat.

Depends on how many months Jaren Jackson is going to miss with his toe injury. Morant is going to miss games no matter what and Edey also is rehabbing all summer. Seems like another lost year in Bluff City to me.

I just assumed JJJ will be fully ready by next season, its a toe, I didn't think it would be that serious. If he misses time, then its bad.

[Chuck Everett]

I just assumed JJJ will be fully ready by next season, its a toe, I didn't think it would be that serious. If he misses time, then its bad.

They're saying he's out for 4-6 months more than likely, which means he can't really run until he's completely healthy before ramping up his conditioning. His type of injury has ended careers in other sports. So basically don't expect to see him before late December 2025/January 2026.

[UcanUwill]

I just assumed JJJ will be fully ready by next season, its a toe, I didn't think it would be that serious. If he misses time, then its bad.

They're saying he's out for 4-6 months more than likely, which means he can't really run until he's completely healthy before ramping up his conditioning. His type of injury has ended careers in other sports. So basically don't expect to see him before late December 2025/January 2026.

In that case, I am written them off.

[bisme37]

End times are coming if Red Panda is falling off of unicycles now

Read on Twitter

[MoneyTalks41890]

Im starting the 25-26 DPOY propaganda early

Read on Twitter

[Bankai]

Im starting to think the new CBA **** Owners but brought more Parity to the NBA. Its not a Stars League anymore. What I mean is, Players are being offered crazy contracts. But the Cap Space is lagging behind. Do you really want your 60%+ of your Cap Space tied up to 2-3 Players and you can only afford to fill the rest of the Roster with Minimum Contracts? Superteams did this in the Past and it kind of worked cause good players were willing to take team friendly deals. Now? No more, even Role Players are asking for over $10 Million per year. This caused the death of stacking teams with Stars. Now teams have to play "money ball" and maybe have 1 Star, but fill out the rest of the Roster on good deals. The Pacers/Thunder Finals shows this. Depth is getting more important. Teams will have to "budget" more better, and I think they are now. Dumping Salary, slow Free Agency..

[scrabbarista]

Aiyo, I'm looking at my 2K ratings and I suddenly got way more pessimistic about the Rockets' title chances this season.

Kevin Durant:

2018 - 96
2019 - 91
2020 - n/a
2021 - 84
2022 - 81
2023 - 83
2024 - 81
2025 - 77

Now hold on, hold on. I know KD was better than a 77 player last year and will be next year if healthy. But here's my point: my ratings emphasize health and playoff success, and the last time KD had both of those things in the same season will be SEVEN YEARS in the past next season.

Now, maybe he can play 50 games and be healthy in the playoffs, and the Rockets are so deep that that's enough to get them to the Finals. All I'm saying here is that 87 year old KD is not going to be the team's savior. Best case scenario, he's the final puzzle piece to a team that flexes some serious internal growth next season.

[Felixians4]

Probably the most legendary FIBA coach, Sergio Scariolo will step down after this years Eurobasket. He also announced 15 men preliminary squad for Spain. I call dibs on Eurobasket 2025 thread as usual, it is 56 days away, so too soon for a thread, so posting this news here. What do you think about Spanish roster, it is definitely a second tier contender I think, in the same group with SLovenia, Greece and Lithuania IMO, behind tier one contenders in Serbia, France and Germany.

C : Willy Hernangomez (Barcelona) ; Yankuba Sima (Malaga Unicaja)
PF : Santi Aldama (Memphis Grizzlies) ; Joel Parra (Barcelona) : Eli Ndiaye (atlanta Hawks) ; Jaime Pradilla (Valencia),
SF : Juancho Hernangomez (Panathinaikos Athens) ; Alberto Abalde (Real Madrid) ; Xabi Lopez-Arostegui (Valencia), Santi Yusta (Casademont)
SG : Dario Brizuela (Barcelona) ; Josep Puerto (Valencia),
PG : Lorenzo Brown (Panathinaikos Athens) ; Alberto Diaz (Malaga Unicaja) ; Sergio de Larrea (Valencia),

Not in 4 favourites. 2022 similar thing, they won. Scariolo become head coach of Real Madrid!

[UcanUwill]

Probably the most legendary FIBA coach, Sergio Scariolo will step down after this years Eurobasket. He also announced 15 men preliminary squad for Spain. I call dibs on Eurobasket 2025 thread as usual, it is 56 days away, so too soon for a thread, so posting this news here. What do you think about Spanish roster, it is definitely a second tier contender I think, in the same group with SLovenia, Greece and Lithuania IMO, behind tier one contenders in Serbia, France and Germany.

C : Willy Hernangomez (Barcelona) ; Yankuba Sima (Malaga Unicaja)
PF : Santi Aldama (Memphis Grizzlies) ; Joel Parra (Barcelona) : Eli Ndiaye (atlanta Hawks) ; Jaime Pradilla (Valencia),
SF : Juancho Hernangomez (Panathinaikos Athens) ; Alberto Abalde (Real Madrid) ; Xabi Lopez-Arostegui (Valencia), Santi Yusta (Casademont)
SG : Dario Brizuela (Barcelona) ; Josep Puerto (Valencia),
PG : Lorenzo Brown (Panathinaikos Athens) ; Alberto Diaz (Malaga Unicaja) ; Sergio de Larrea (Valencia),

Not in 4 favourites. 2022 similar thing, they won. Scariolo become head coach of Real Madrid!

I was down on this squad until I saw Lithuanian roster, they announced it today. We knew Sabonis is out, but Buzelis is out too. We basically left with Valančiūnas, Jokubaitis and I guess Sedekerskis as players worth a damn, eveyone else is barely EL caliber.

[Chuck Everett]

I have a feeling Andrew Nembhard might have a big year next season with Haliburton out. I'm talking all-star caliber.

[G R E Y]

Why?

Read on Twitter

Why?

[kobyz]

Trade proposal:
Kings get: Austin Reaves, Lebron James
Lakers get: Lamelo Ball, Devin Carter, Malik Monk,
Hornets get: Jonas Valanciunas, Demar Derozan, Dalton Knecht

Who say no?

[JujitsuFlip]

Trade proposal:
Kings get: Austin Reaves, Lebron James
Lakers get: Lamelo Ball, Devin Carter, Malik Monk,
Hornets get: Jonas Valanciunas, Demar Derozan, Dalton Knecht

Who say no?

LeBron, he has a no trade clause lol

[Clav]

Trade proposal:
Kings get: Austin Reaves, Lebron James
Lakers get: Lamelo Ball, Devin Carter, Malik Monk,
Hornets get: Jonas Valanciunas, Demar Derozan, Dalton Knecht

Who say no?

LeBron, he has a no trade clause lol

So Kings trade JV (who is going to Greece) Derozan, Monk, and Knecht but end up with LeBron and Reaves.

Meanwhile Charlotte gives up a their best player on the roster (Lamelo Ball), but receives a player going to Greece, and Derozan and Knecht.

Re-assessment needed.