Early discussion on the 2023 offseason

[vincecarter4pres]

This might be some incoherent rambling but my take ok everything….

I see a lot of nets fans talking about “being good in the east” or a top 4 east team… my question is do y’all want to win a chip in the 2020’s or just be a Philly? Pull up the actual championship winning rosters over the last how many years and I think the only team that can somewhat be labeled as “we traded for / signed all these guys” would be the lakers? And Dame isn’t an arguable GOAT.

I may be wrong but all teams will have either 1) Lebron 2) drafted their best player 3)drafted their supporting core. And, this is a random side peice, I honestly think the outlier of lebron made it seem like you can take this mentally of “throw 2-3 great players together, fill out the roster and then we’re there!” With no consideration to team chemistry that is built up over TIME.

Could scoot be a bust? Absolutely, but I would place the probability that Scoot could be a key cornerstone player higher than I have is winning a Chip with Dame, by a lot too.

Am I so **** tired that we are about to, again, tie our wagon to an aging star? You sign Kyrie and KD 100/100 times, but this is a billy king move all over again.

Mikal? I’m glad he is 100% the opposite of what we just faced, but I’m big on selling high and I’ll be the guy to say if he turns or has turned into Jimmy Butler who cares? Jimmy isn’t a #1 on a championship team (which goes back to me saying actually look at champ rosters…). That said I’ll have no problem just re-tooling around him and being the 6-4 seed for the next so odd years.



Everyone always screams out “**** tanking” but it’s funny considering we have had like maybe ~5 ish lottery pics the last two decades? And the only time we actually made the finals is when on our lottery picks was on the team lmao.

My preferences for next year.

1) if scoot is at 3… drive Mikal to POR on a bike. Fire sale the team and go all in on an youth movement
2) Re-took around Mikal
10000) Trade for Dame

you're post isn't wrong but i think we need to re-calibrate a little bit if we are saying "do we really want to end up like philly?"

embiid just won an mvp (wrongly over nokic, but he still won it) and both he/harden are max players with mvp votes more years than not, so yes i'd be fine being philly from a talent perspective with 1 MVP finalist plus another max or two around him with a bunch of all star appearances. i'd just hope if we get players like that they arent so un-clutch when it matters most.

it is not impossible that embiid could have had the kind of postseason run jokic had with harden/maxey/harris being enough around him to do what denver did. that was well within the realm of possibility. it's arguable that philly is just as talented of a roster. it's arguable that if they didn't stupidly let butler walk they'd be where miami was instead and maybe have a chance of actually winning.

the best way for the nets get an embiid level talent is a totally different question with validity. it quite obviously has to be the main thing on any team's radar since the nba is still a star league. the #3 pick this year could be that best path. or they could be a little less certain on scoot, and could think bridges probability/value of being a strong #2 is too valuable to give up. or maybe instead of big game hunting their preference is to try to create a miami culture of constantly being in the playoffs and getting occasional runs at titles because there are always good players who are attracted to their culture from shaq, to lebron, to jimmy, to now dame.

there is no sure thing path to contending in the nba and i think for me the miami way is most appealing.

the thing about the miami way is that it involves having one of the greatest coaches in league history. They are an anomaly imo and very a difficult formula to replicate (which has also not won a title - the current core).

Along with one of the flatout all time great basketball minds with massive worldwide respect in Pat Riley.

[Marvin Martian]

If Portland offers the #3 overall for Bridges and Henderson is there.... idk how we pass that up.... it will jumpstart our rebuild with a possible franchise player(under a rookie deal)... plus i'm sure we get a little extra from Portland to make the move as well.

I aint even hating on Bridges at all... but definitely open to it.

That is an easy pass considering that we clearly get worse and we don't control our draft picks. So if Henderson is not as good as Bridges (likely because he is future all-star), it would such a catastrophic deal, that Marks will be fired and never be a GM again

This would be worse than the Billy King deal. At least he was trying to win.

Is Henderson being as good or better than Bridges really all that unlikely? This time last year Bridges was just a 3&D role player not viewed as being good enough to be a headliner in a KD trade. I don't think a handful of games takes him from that to being too valuable to trade for a player that could go first in other drafts.

Sure Henderson can bust but he'd also be the best chance at a franchise level player the team would probably have over the next several years.

History and statistics say yes. It is unlikely that Scoot is better than Bridges. Bridges is already a DPOY runner-up and projected to be an all-star next year. This is already a losing bet.

Scoot as a prospect has very serious questions, which is why Miller is likely going ahead of him. This is a guard heavy league and Scoot doesn't do anything at an elite level that will separate him from the pack. He is not a good defender despite his athleticism, he cannot shoot, he can pass but his vision is not transcendent. Sounds like Eric Bledsoe/John Wall; 2 players Bridges is better than.


Scoot being a bust carries a lot of ramifications because like I said before, you cannot make up for it because HOU has our picks. It would be Billy King all over again where HOU will be building a dynasty off of our picks. But at least Billy sold the farm for former champions, we would be selling the farm for a nobody prospect.

[vincecarter4pres]

That is an easy pass considering that we clearly get worse and we don't control our draft picks. So if Henderson is not as good as Bridges (likely because he is future all-star), it would such a catastrophic deal, that Marks will be fired and never be a GM again

This would be worse than the Billy King deal. At least he was trying to win.

Is Henderson being as good or better than Bridges really all that unlikely? This time last year Bridges was just a 3&D role player not viewed as being good enough to be a headliner in a KD trade. I don't think a handful of games takes him from that to being too valuable to trade for a player that could go first in other drafts.

Sure Henderson can bust but he'd also be the best chance at a franchise level player the team would probably have over the next several years.

History and statistics say yes. It is unlikely that Scoot is better than Bridges. Bridges is already a DPOY runner-up and projected to be an all-star next year. This is already a losing bet.

Scoot as a prospect has very serious questions, which is why Miller is likely going ahead of him. This is a guard heavy league and Scoot doesn't do anything at an elite level that will separate him from the pack. He is not a good defender despite his athleticism, he cannot shoot, he can pass but his vision is not transcendent. Sounds like Eric Bledsoe/John Wall; 2 players Bridges is better than.


Scoot being a bust carries a lot of ramifications because like I said before, you cannot make up for it because HOU has our picks. It would be Billy King all over again where HOU will be building a dynasty off of our picks. But at least Billy sold the farm for former champions, we would be selling the farm for a nobody prospect.

LOL @ Bridges being better than John Wall!

Listen, I've been something of a John Wall hater over the years, but you're reaching harder then Plastic Man.

Could he become better then Wall? Sure. I'm not saying it's that outlandish, but c'mon...

And I think you're underrating Scoot as a prospect and thinking without context about Miller going over him. Scoot is at least the athlete Chris Paul was, but he's 6'2. He isn't really Derrick Rose freaky, or Morant explosive/fast, but he's creeping on Baron Davis, etc., or John Wall, who was a freak athlete.

His feel for the game is unteachable tbh.

And he isn't Amen, or Ben Simmons awful as a shooter. I hate players who can't shoot, but he isn't that bad.

And he has all the tools to be a great defender and is not a bad defender. He's been playing in a man's league, not college, as a kid.

He isn't a nobody prospect as much as people love parroting that. He would have gone top 3 in pretty much any draft since 2003. Whether he busts or not doesn't validate that opinion either.

Not having our own picks isn't any reason to play it safe. Again, I'd bet a lot of money we're a lottery team as is. Even with some small additions. We can set parameters and I'd take any bets up to $1,000 total with someone trusted on here holding the money in escrow for a 5% tip.

No we don't want to gift a top pick to Houston. But we've seen this movie before, and Marks doesn't really care about giving away top picks when they're already spent money, at the expense of improving for the long term. And if we're mediocre instead of bad, it's almost coke for Tsai's we have to be good right now addiction. I could see us being 3 game below .500 at the deadline, having had an easy schedule and no injuries and Tsai gives the orders to Marks to blow all the assets on a then available Lillard, or some other over the hill big name. Is that a better result?

[TheNetsFan]

This might be some incoherent rambling but my take ok everything….

I see a lot of nets fans talking about “being good in the east” or a top 4 east team… my question is do y’all want to win a chip in the 2020’s or just be a Philly? Pull up the actual championship winning rosters over the last how many years and I think the only team that can somewhat be labeled as “we traded for / signed all these guys” would be the lakers? And Dame isn’t an arguable GOAT.

I may be wrong but all teams will have either 1) Lebron 2) drafted their best player 3)drafted their supporting core. And, this is a random side peice, I honestly think the outlier of lebron made it seem like you can take this mentally of “throw 2-3 great players together, fill out the roster and then we’re there!” With no consideration to team chemistry that is built up over TIME.

Could scoot be a bust? Absolutely, but I would place the probability that Scoot could be a key cornerstone player higher than I have is winning a Chip with Dame, by a lot too.

Am I so **** tired that we are about to, again, tie our wagon to an aging star? You sign Kyrie and KD 100/100 times, but this is a billy king move all over again.

Mikal? I’m glad he is 100% the opposite of what we just faced, but I’m big on selling high and I’ll be the guy to say if he turns or has turned into Jimmy Butler who cares? Jimmy isn’t a #1 on a championship team (which goes back to me saying actually look at champ rosters…). That said I’ll have no problem just re-tooling around him and being the 6-4 seed for the next so odd years.



Everyone always screams out “**** tanking” but it’s funny considering we have had like maybe ~5 ish lottery pics the last two decades? And the only time we actually made the finals is when on our lottery picks was on the team lmao.

My preferences for next year.

1) if scoot is at 3… drive Mikal to POR on a bike. Fire sale the team and go all in on an youth movement
2) Re-took around Mikal
10000) Trade for Dame

I vehemently disagree. Yes many good teams drafted their best player, but look deeper:
2023: Champ: Jokic (41); Runner-Up: Butler (30/trade)
2022: Champ: Curry (7); Runner-Up: Tatum (3)
2021: Champ: Giannis (15); Runner-Up: Booker (13)
2020: Champ: LeBron (1/FA); Runner-Up: Butler (30/trade)
2019: Champ: Leonard (15/trade); Runner-Up: Curry (7)

In the last 5 years, only one champion's or runner-up's best player was drafted in the top 5 (not even with their own pick) & played on that team in the finals. Only 5 of the 10 were lottery picks, and in the case of Curry (x2) and Booker, they were mid to late lottery. Before that there's a whole lot of Durant (FA), LeBron (FA), Curry (7) & Leonard (15).

[vincecarter4pres]

This might be some incoherent rambling but my take ok everything….

I see a lot of nets fans talking about “being good in the east” or a top 4 east team… my question is do y’all want to win a chip in the 2020’s or just be a Philly? Pull up the actual championship winning rosters over the last how many years and I think the only team that can somewhat be labeled as “we traded for / signed all these guys” would be the lakers? And Dame isn’t an arguable GOAT.

I may be wrong but all teams will have either 1) Lebron 2) drafted their best player 3)drafted their supporting core. And, this is a random side peice, I honestly think the outlier of lebron made it seem like you can take this mentally of “throw 2-3 great players together, fill out the roster and then we’re there!” With no consideration to team chemistry that is built up over TIME.

Could scoot be a bust? Absolutely, but I would place the probability that Scoot could be a key cornerstone player higher than I have is winning a Chip with Dame, by a lot too.

Am I so **** tired that we are about to, again, tie our wagon to an aging star? You sign Kyrie and KD 100/100 times, but this is a billy king move all over again.

Mikal? I’m glad he is 100% the opposite of what we just faced, but I’m big on selling high and I’ll be the guy to say if he turns or has turned into Jimmy Butler who cares? Jimmy isn’t a #1 on a championship team (which goes back to me saying actually look at champ rosters…). That said I’ll have no problem just re-tooling around him and being the 6-4 seed for the next so odd years.



Everyone always screams out “**** tanking” but it’s funny considering we have had like maybe ~5 ish lottery pics the last two decades? And the only time we actually made the finals is when on our lottery picks was on the team lmao.

My preferences for next year.

1) if scoot is at 3… drive Mikal to POR on a bike. Fire sale the team and go all in on an youth movement
2) Re-took around Mikal
10000) Trade for Dame

I vehemently disagree. Yes many good teams drafted their best player, but look deeper:
2023: Champ: Jokic (41); Runner-Up: Butler (30/trade)
2022: Champ: Curry (7); Runner-Up: Tatum (3)
2021: Champ: Giannis (15); Runner-Up: Booker (13)
2020: Champ: LeBron (1/FA); Runner-Up: Butler (30/trade)
2019: Champ: Leonard (15/trade); Runner-Up: Curry (7)

In the last 5 years, only one champion's or runner-up's best player was drafted in the top 5 (not even with their own pick) & played on that team in the finals. Only 5 of the 10 were lottery picks, and in the case of Curry (x2) and Booker, they were mid to late lottery. Before that there's a whole lot of Durant (FA), LeBron (FA), Curry (7) & Leonard (15).

I feel like you're validating their point and moving the goal posts a little.

He said that most all champions have at least drafted their supporting core, which this proved. Or had Lebron. Or drafted their best player. The top 5 pick wasn't mentioned, so you're moving the goal posts a bit. And although there are a handful of non-lotto top of the league players, a vast majority of superstars were drafted top 10, through NBA history, let alone recently. Jokic, Kawhi and Giannis are the outliers. Butler is absolutely not a superstar either, as good as he is. Neither is Booker.

[Netaman]

This might be some incoherent rambling but my take ok everything….

I see a lot of nets fans talking about “being good in the east” or a top 4 east team… my question is do y’all want to win a chip in the 2020’s or just be a Philly? Pull up the actual championship winning rosters over the last how many years and I think the only team that can somewhat be labeled as “we traded for / signed all these guys” would be the lakers? And Dame isn’t an arguable GOAT.

I may be wrong but all teams will have either 1) Lebron 2) drafted their best player 3)drafted their supporting core. And, this is a random side peice, I honestly think the outlier of lebron made it seem like you can take this mentally of “throw 2-3 great players together, fill out the roster and then we’re there!” With no consideration to team chemistry that is built up over TIME.

Could scoot be a bust? Absolutely, but I would place the probability that Scoot could be a key cornerstone player higher than I have is winning a Chip with Dame, by a lot too.

Am I so **** tired that we are about to, again, tie our wagon to an aging star? You sign Kyrie and KD 100/100 times, but this is a billy king move all over again.

Mikal? I’m glad he is 100% the opposite of what we just faced, but I’m big on selling high and I’ll be the guy to say if he turns or has turned into Jimmy Butler who cares? Jimmy isn’t a #1 on a championship team (which goes back to me saying actually look at champ rosters…). That said I’ll have no problem just re-tooling around him and being the 6-4 seed for the next so odd years.



Everyone always screams out “**** tanking” but it’s funny considering we have had like maybe ~5 ish lottery pics the last two decades? And the only time we actually made the finals is when on our lottery picks was on the team lmao.

My preferences for next year.

1) if scoot is at 3… drive Mikal to POR on a bike. Fire sale the team and go all in on an youth movement
2) Re-took around Mikal
10000) Trade for Dame

you're post isn't wrong but i think we need to re-calibrate a little bit if we are saying "do we really want to end up like philly?"

embiid just won an mvp (wrongly over nokic, but he still won it) and both he/harden are max players with mvp votes more years than not, so yes i'd be fine being philly from a talent perspective with 1 MVP finalist plus another max or two around him with a bunch of all star appearances. i'd just hope if we get players like that they arent so un-clutch when it matters most.

it is not impossible that embiid could have had the kind of postseason run jokic had with harden/maxey/harris being enough around him to do what denver did. that was well within the realm of possibility. it's arguable that philly is just as talented of a roster. it's arguable that if they didn't stupidly let butler walk they'd be where miami was instead and maybe have a chance of actually winning.

the best way for the nets get an embiid level talent is a totally different question with validity. it quite obviously has to be the main thing on any team's radar since the nba is still a star league. the #3 pick this year could be that best path. or they could be a little less certain on scoot, and could think bridges probability/value of being a strong #2 is too valuable to give up. or maybe instead of big game hunting their preference is to try to create a miami culture of constantly being in the playoffs and getting occasional runs at titles because there are always good players who are attracted to their culture from shaq, to lebron, to jimmy, to now dame.

there is no sure thing path to contending in the nba and i think for me the miami way is most appealing.

the thing about the miami way is that it involves having one of the greatest coaches in league history. They are an anomaly imo and very a difficult formula to replicate (which has also not won a title - the current core).

spo is only getting his due credit now. very good coach, yes, but lebron tried to get him fired just like he did with mike brown who is also clearly a very good coach.

vcp's point about riley is a good one, he's the stable force of that organization that empowered spo and laid the foundation. the guy is a hof'er so that guy isn't walking through the door. but if you had to choose going forward from today, are taking riley or stevens or masai? you are probably taking one of the younger guys. I dont think it's crazy that marks gets to that class. this offseason and next season is his and jv's chance to take a big step forward in a lot of eyes if they can lay a foundation that's a better than .500 group.

[Cstarski]

This might be some incoherent rambling but my take ok everything….

I see a lot of nets fans talking about “being good in the east” or a top 4 east team… my question is do y’all want to win a chip in the 2020’s or just be a Philly? Pull up the actual championship winning rosters over the last how many years and I think the only team that can somewhat be labeled as “we traded for / signed all these guys” would be the lakers? And Dame isn’t an arguable GOAT.

I may be wrong but all teams will have either 1) Lebron 2) drafted their best player 3)drafted their supporting core. And, this is a random side peice, I honestly think the outlier of lebron made it seem like you can take this mentally of “throw 2-3 great players together, fill out the roster and then we’re there!” With no consideration to team chemistry that is built up over TIME.

Could scoot be a bust? Absolutely, but I would place the probability that Scoot could be a key cornerstone player higher than I have is winning a Chip with Dame, by a lot too.

Am I so **** tired that we are about to, again, tie our wagon to an aging star? You sign Kyrie and KD 100/100 times, but this is a billy king move all over again.

Mikal? I’m glad he is 100% the opposite of what we just faced, but I’m big on selling high and I’ll be the guy to say if he turns or has turned into Jimmy Butler who cares? Jimmy isn’t a #1 on a championship team (which goes back to me saying actually look at champ rosters…). That said I’ll have no problem just re-tooling around him and being the 6-4 seed for the next so odd years.



Everyone always screams out “**** tanking” but it’s funny considering we have had like maybe ~5 ish lottery pics the last two decades? And the only time we actually made the finals is when on our lottery picks was on the team lmao.

My preferences for next year.

1) if scoot is at 3… drive Mikal to POR on a bike. Fire sale the team and go all in on an youth movement
2) Re-took around Mikal
10000) Trade for Dame

I vehemently disagree. Yes many good teams drafted their best player, but look deeper:
2023: Champ: Jokic (41); Runner-Up: Butler (30/trade)
2022: Champ: Curry (7); Runner-Up: Tatum (3)
2021: Champ: Giannis (15); Runner-Up: Booker (13)
2020: Champ: LeBron (1/FA); Runner-Up: Butler (30/trade)
2019: Champ: Leonard (15/trade); Runner-Up: Curry (7)

In the last 5 years, only one champion's or runner-up's best player was drafted in the top 5 (not even with their own pick) & played on that team in the finals. Only 5 of the 10 were lottery picks, and in the case of Curry (x2) and Booker, they were mid to late lottery. Before that there's a whole lot of Durant (FA), LeBron (FA), Curry (7) & Leonard (15).

1st - I’m not sure why you are making it seem I said players drafted need to be in the top 5? Notice I simply said drafted. With that said, higher the better but great talent can always be found, specifically in < 15 (Jokic is the anomaly, yes). If you want to play that game please go back decades and you’ll see overwhelming majority of the best players are lottery….

2nd - Once again being disingenuous showing only best players considering my point was 1) Drafted their best player 2) drafted their supporting cast 3) lebron.

Also lol at Jimmy being on there that proves something, he isn’t a #1 on a championship winning team. Jokic is an anomaly.


Have you found precedence on a team winning with the three best players on the team being signed / traded for? If we go the Dame route is what will happen unless you think Clax is a #3


^ I can only make the case for LA but once again… an arguable GOAT.

[TheNetsFan]

This might be some incoherent rambling but my take ok everything….

I see a lot of nets fans talking about “being good in the east” or a top 4 east team… my question is do y’all want to win a chip in the 2020’s or just be a Philly? Pull up the actual championship winning rosters over the last how many years and I think the only team that can somewhat be labeled as “we traded for / signed all these guys” would be the lakers? And Dame isn’t an arguable GOAT.

I may be wrong but all teams will have either 1) Lebron 2) drafted their best player 3)drafted their supporting core. And, this is a random side peice, I honestly think the outlier of lebron made it seem like you can take this mentally of “throw 2-3 great players together, fill out the roster and then we’re there!” With no consideration to team chemistry that is built up over TIME.

Could scoot be a bust? Absolutely, but I would place the probability that Scoot could be a key cornerstone player higher than I have is winning a Chip with Dame, by a lot too.

Am I so **** tired that we are about to, again, tie our wagon to an aging star? You sign Kyrie and KD 100/100 times, but this is a billy king move all over again.

Mikal? I’m glad he is 100% the opposite of what we just faced, but I’m big on selling high and I’ll be the guy to say if he turns or has turned into Jimmy Butler who cares? Jimmy isn’t a #1 on a championship team (which goes back to me saying actually look at champ rosters…). That said I’ll have no problem just re-tooling around him and being the 6-4 seed for the next so odd years.



Everyone always screams out “**** tanking” but it’s funny considering we have had like maybe ~5 ish lottery pics the last two decades? And the only time we actually made the finals is when on our lottery picks was on the team lmao.

My preferences for next year.

1) if scoot is at 3… drive Mikal to POR on a bike. Fire sale the team and go all in on an youth movement
2) Re-took around Mikal
10000) Trade for Dame

I vehemently disagree. Yes many good teams drafted their best player, but look deeper:
2023: Champ: Jokic (41); Runner-Up: Butler (30/trade)
2022: Champ: Curry (7); Runner-Up: Tatum (3)
2021: Champ: Giannis (15); Runner-Up: Booker (13)
2020: Champ: LeBron (1/FA); Runner-Up: Butler (30/trade)
2019: Champ: Leonard (15/trade); Runner-Up: Curry (7)

In the last 5 years, only one champion's or runner-up's best player was drafted in the top 5 (not even with their own pick) & played on that team in the finals. Only 5 of the 10 were lottery picks, and in the case of Curry (x2) and Booker, they were mid to late lottery. Before that there's a whole lot of Durant (FA), LeBron (FA), Curry (7) & Leonard (15).

I feel like you're validating their point and moving the goal posts a little.

He said that most all champions have at least drafted their supporting core, which this proved. Or had Lebron. Or drafted their best player. The top 5 pick wasn't mentioned, so you're moving the goal posts a bit. And although there are a handful of non-lotto top of the league players, a vast majority of superstars were drafted top 10, through NBA history, let alone recently. Jokic, Kawhi and Giannis are the outliers. Butler is absolutely not a superstar either, as good as he is. Neither is Booker.

I might be misinterpreting his intent, but when I see Scoot mentioned, it sounds like a proponent of tearing down for high draft picks. We can stay put and draft our "supporting core" with guys like Claxton & Sharpe already on the roster, and 2 firsts this year. I don't think that's his intent though.

[Cstarski]

I vehemently disagree. Yes many good teams drafted their best player, but look deeper:
2023: Champ: Jokic (41); Runner-Up: Butler (30/trade)
2022: Champ: Curry (7); Runner-Up: Tatum (3)
2021: Champ: Giannis (15); Runner-Up: Booker (13)
2020: Champ: LeBron (1/FA); Runner-Up: Butler (30/trade)
2019: Champ: Leonard (15/trade); Runner-Up: Curry (7)

In the last 5 years, only one champion's or runner-up's best player was drafted in the top 5 (not even with their own pick) & played on that team in the finals. Only 5 of the 10 were lottery picks, and in the case of Curry (x2) and Booker, they were mid to late lottery. Before that there's a whole lot of Durant (FA), LeBron (FA), Curry (7) & Leonard (15).

I feel like you're validating their point and moving the goal posts a little.

He said that most all champions have at least drafted their supporting core, which this proved. Or had Lebron. Or drafted their best player. The top 5 pick wasn't mentioned, so you're moving the goal posts a bit. And although there are a handful of non-lotto top of the league players, a vast majority of superstars were drafted top 10, through NBA history, let alone recently. Jokic, Kawhi and Giannis are the outliers. Butler is absolutely not a superstar either, as good as he is. Neither is Booker.

I might be misinterpreting his intent, but when I see Scoot mentioned, it sounds like a proponent of tearing down for high draft picks. We can stay put and draft our "supporting core" with guys like Claxton & Sharpe already on the roster, and 2 firsts this year. I don't think that's his intent though.

That is 100% my intent. My preference is 100% a youth movement at this point, grab scoot flip all other players for young talent and/or picks in the next few years. Work Ben up and maybe even grab something for him at deadline or next off season.

If you want to take my analysis a step further, you will notice REPEAT championship winners either have lebron OR the best player on their team drafted.

My second option would be so what you are saying, building the core via draft aka re-tooling Mikal. Making plays for lottery picks along the way.

[Marvin Martian]

Is Henderson being as good or better than Bridges really all that unlikely? This time last year Bridges was just a 3&D role player not viewed as being good enough to be a headliner in a KD trade. I don't think a handful of games takes him from that to being too valuable to trade for a player that could go first in other drafts.

Sure Henderson can bust but he'd also be the best chance at a franchise level player the team would probably have over the next several years.

History and statistics say yes. It is unlikely that Scoot is better than Bridges. Bridges is already a DPOY runner-up and projected to be an all-star next year. This is already a losing bet.

Scoot as a prospect has very serious questions, which is why Miller is likely going ahead of him. This is a guard heavy league and Scoot doesn't do anything at an elite level that will separate him from the pack. He is not a good defender despite his athleticism, he cannot shoot, he can pass but his vision is not transcendent. Sounds like Eric Bledsoe/John Wall; 2 players Bridges is better than.


Scoot being a bust carries a lot of ramifications because like I said before, you cannot make up for it because HOU has our picks. It would be Billy King all over again where HOU will be building a dynasty off of our picks. But at least Billy sold the farm for former champions, we would be selling the farm for a nobody prospect.

LOL @ Bridges being better than John Wall!

Listen, I've been something of a John Wall hater over the years, but you're reaching harder then Plastic Man.

Could he become better then Wall? Sure. I'm not saying it's that outlandish, but c'mon...

And I think you're underrating Scoot as a prospect and thinking without context about Miller going over him. Scoot is at least the athlete Chris Paul was, but he's 6'2. He isn't really Derrick Rose freaky, or Morant explosive/fast, but he's creeping on Baron Davis, etc., or John Wall, who was a freak athlete.

His feel for the game is unteachable tbh.

And he isn't Amen, or Ben Simmons awful as a shooter. I hate players who can't shoot, but he isn't that bad.

And he has all the tools to be a great defender and is not a bad defender. He's been playing in a man's league, not college, as a kid.

He isn't a nobody prospect as much as people love parroting that. He would have gone top 3 in pretty much any draft since 2003. Whether he busts or not doesn't validate that opinion either.

Not having our own picks isn't any reason to play it safe. Again, I'd bet a lot of money we're a lottery team as is. Even with some small additions. We can set parameters and I'd take any bets up to $1,000 total with someone trusted on here holding the money in escrow for a 5% tip.

No we don't want to gift a top pick to Houston. But we've seen this movie before, and Marks doesn't really care about giving away top picks when they're already spent money, at the expense of improving for the long term. And if we're mediocre instead of bad, it's almost coke for Tsai's we have to be good right now addiction. I could see us being 3 game below .500 at the deadline, having had an easy schedule and no injuries and Tsai gives the orders to Marks to blow all the assets on a then available Lillard, or some other over the hill big name. Is that a better result?

Wall was middling guard who was nothing better than a 3rd option at his peak. Bridges is a better defender than him and a way more efficient scorer.

Again, in a guard heavy league, Scoot is really nothing special. In today's NBA, the bar for PGs is way higher. Scoot simply does not have the defensive motor to be a DPOY candidate. He cannot shoot. He is 6'2. How can he go top 3 in every draft since 2003? That is crazy. He may not even go top 3 in this draft.

There is a difference between playing it safe, and just being stupid. No GM is going risk his job and his career selling Bridges for Scoot, when Scoot is not a generational prospect and he has no draft capital to make up for his mistake if Scoot is a bust.

[Eatgreenz]

I think some are really underrating badly Mikal for the unknown in Scoot. Ppl say Scoot would go number 1 in alot of drafts are we sure of that. If we redo 2018 Mikals draft he goes 6th at worst with shai, luka, JJJ, Brunson, trae. Are we sure Scoot will be better than any of them.

[Eatgreenz]

History and statistics say yes. It is unlikely that Scoot is better than Bridges. Bridges is already a DPOY runner-up and projected to be an all-star next year. This is already a losing bet.

Scoot as a prospect has very serious questions, which is why Miller is likely going ahead of him. This is a guard heavy league and Scoot doesn't do anything at an elite level that will separate him from the pack. He is not a good defender despite his athleticism, he cannot shoot, he can pass but his vision is not transcendent. Sounds like Eric Bledsoe/John Wall; 2 players Bridges is better than.


Scoot being a bust carries a lot of ramifications because like I said before, you cannot make up for it because HOU has our picks. It would be Billy King all over again where HOU will be building a dynasty off of our picks. But at least Billy sold the farm for former champions, we would be selling the farm for a nobody prospect.

LOL @ Bridges being better than John Wall!

Listen, I've been something of a John Wall hater over the years, but you're reaching harder then Plastic Man.

Could he become better then Wall? Sure. I'm not saying it's that outlandish, but c'mon...

And I think you're underrating Scoot as a prospect and thinking without context about Miller going over him. Scoot is at least the athlete Chris Paul was, but he's 6'2. He isn't really Derrick Rose freaky, or Morant explosive/fast, but he's creeping on Baron Davis, etc., or John Wall, who was a freak athlete.

His feel for the game is unteachable tbh.

And he isn't Amen, or Ben Simmons awful as a shooter. I hate players who can't shoot, but he isn't that bad.

And he has all the tools to be a great defender and is not a bad defender. He's been playing in a man's league, not college, as a kid.

He isn't a nobody prospect as much as people love parroting that. He would have gone top 3 in pretty much any draft since 2003. Whether he busts or not doesn't validate that opinion either.

Not having our own picks isn't any reason to play it safe. Again, I'd bet a lot of money we're a lottery team as is. Even with some small additions. We can set parameters and I'd take any bets up to $1,000 total with someone trusted on here holding the money in escrow for a 5% tip.

No we don't want to gift a top pick to Houston. But we've seen this movie before, and Marks doesn't really care about giving away top picks when they're already spent money, at the expense of improving for the long term. And if we're mediocre instead of bad, it's almost coke for Tsai's we have to be good right now addiction. I could see us being 3 game below .500 at the deadline, having had an easy schedule and no injuries and Tsai gives the orders to Marks to blow all the assets on a then available Lillard, or some other over the hill big name. Is that a better result?

Wall was middling guard who was nothing better than a 3rd option at his peak. Bridges is a better defender than him and a way more efficient scorer.

Again, in a guard heavy league, Scoot is really nothing special. In today's NBA, the bar for PGs is way higher. Scoot simply does not have the defensive motor to be a DPOY candidate. He cannot shoot. He is 6'2. How can he go top 3 in every draft since 2003? That is crazy. He may not even go top 3 in this draft.

There is a difference between playing it safe, and just being stupid. No GM is going risk his job and his career selling Bridges for Scoot, when Scoot is not a generational prospect and he has no draft capital to make up for his mistake if Scoot is a bust.

Exactly you can not make this move and not own your picks. A 2 way wing with all star capabilities is worth more than a 6'2 one way guard. Unless it is guaranteed Scoot will be a all nba player, which nobody knows. Heck there is a good chance Scoot wont even be the 2nd best player in this draft.

[Tha King]

unsurprising that some 'stars' on massive contracts like LaVine, Beal, etc. might be available this offseason. Their contracts are ugly but if that means you can get them for relatively minimal, then I think it makes sense. They can keep the team semi-competitive while the picks are owed to the Rockets, while also not having to part with much (if any) of the good picks.

[vincecarter4pres]

I think some are really underrating badly Mikal for the unknown in Scoot. Ppl say Scoot would go number 1 in alot of drafts are we sure of that. If we redo 2018 Mikals draft he goes 6th at worst with shai, luka, JJJ, Brunson, trae. Are we sure Scoot will be better than any of them.

#1 without the ability of hindsight.

Like if current Scoot was in those drafts he would have been top 3 for like 2 decades, he’s that complete a prospect.

We aren’t sure Scoot will be better than any of them, but to me, and many, many others, he has a crazy high floor with a franchise player ceiling.

[vincecarter4pres]

History and statistics say yes. It is unlikely that Scoot is better than Bridges. Bridges is already a DPOY runner-up and projected to be an all-star next year. This is already a losing bet.

Scoot as a prospect has very serious questions, which is why Miller is likely going ahead of him. This is a guard heavy league and Scoot doesn't do anything at an elite level that will separate him from the pack. He is not a good defender despite his athleticism, he cannot shoot, he can pass but his vision is not transcendent. Sounds like Eric Bledsoe/John Wall; 2 players Bridges is better than.


Scoot being a bust carries a lot of ramifications because like I said before, you cannot make up for it because HOU has our picks. It would be Billy King all over again where HOU will be building a dynasty off of our picks. But at least Billy sold the farm for former champions, we would be selling the farm for a nobody prospect.

LOL @ Bridges being better than John Wall!

Listen, I've been something of a John Wall hater over the years, but you're reaching harder then Plastic Man.

Could he become better then Wall? Sure. I'm not saying it's that outlandish, but c'mon...

And I think you're underrating Scoot as a prospect and thinking without context about Miller going over him. Scoot is at least the athlete Chris Paul was, but he's 6'2. He isn't really Derrick Rose freaky, or Morant explosive/fast, but he's creeping on Baron Davis, etc., or John Wall, who was a freak athlete.

His feel for the game is unteachable tbh.

And he isn't Amen, or Ben Simmons awful as a shooter. I hate players who can't shoot, but he isn't that bad.

And he has all the tools to be a great defender and is not a bad defender. He's been playing in a man's league, not college, as a kid.

He isn't a nobody prospect as much as people love parroting that. He would have gone top 3 in pretty much any draft since 2003. Whether he busts or not doesn't validate that opinion either.

Not having our own picks isn't any reason to play it safe. Again, I'd bet a lot of money we're a lottery team as is. Even with some small additions. We can set parameters and I'd take any bets up to $1,000 total with someone trusted on here holding the money in escrow for a 5% tip.

No we don't want to gift a top pick to Houston. But we've seen this movie before, and Marks doesn't really care about giving away top picks when they're already spent money, at the expense of improving for the long term. And if we're mediocre instead of bad, it's almost coke for Tsai's we have to be good right now addiction. I could see us being 3 game below .500 at the deadline, having had an easy schedule and no injuries and Tsai gives the orders to Marks to blow all the assets on a then available Lillard, or some other over the hill big name. Is that a better result?

Wall was middling guard who was nothing better than a 3rd option at his peak. Bridges is a better defender than him and a way more efficient scorer.

Again, in a guard heavy league, Scoot is really nothing special. In today's NBA, the bar for PGs is way higher. Scoot simply does not have the defensive motor to be a DPOY candidate. He cannot shoot. He is 6'2. How can he go top 3 in every draft since 2003? That is crazy. He may not even go top 3 in this draft.

There is a difference between playing it safe, and just being stupid. No GM is going risk his job and his career selling Bridges for Scoot, when Scoot is not a generational prospect and he has no draft capital to make up for his mistake if Scoot is a bust.

Stop it, just stop lol.

Again, I’m no Wall fan, but he was a 5 time All Star, All Defensive 2nd Team, All NBA 3rd team, All Rookie 1st, double digit assists multiple years, etc.

Not an all time great or anything, but I’m surprised I’m even entertaining this debate. A third option, middling guard? No. That’s a guy like Ty Lawson.

[GTR11]

Well things starting to pick up heat

Read on Twitter

?s=20

[Netaman]

Well things starting to pick up heat

Read on Twitter

?s=20

fascinating development in a few ways:

does this mean that the heat dont think they have enough to get Lillard?
or that they are trying to get both?
or that Portland isn't engaged on trading Lillard and they don't want to risk him not getting to the market?

i think we should be rooting pretty hard for miami here. after LBJ/Bosh i would never put anything past riley but that seems pretty hard because you would think at least 1 of those teams will hold out for more than miami can offer. at minimum as long as they give up 1 first it makes things that much easier for the nets to have a better offer for portland.

[GTR11]

Well things starting to pick up heat

Read on Twitter

?s=20

fascinating development in a few ways:

does this mean that the heat dont think they have enough to get Lillard?
or that they are trying to get both?
or that Portland isn't engaged on trading Lillard and they don't want to risk him not getting to the market?

i think we should be rooting pretty hard for miami here. after LBJ/Bosh i would never put anything past riley but that seems pretty hard because you would think at least 1 of those teams will hold out for more than miami can offer. at minimum as long as they give up 1 first it makes things that much easier for the nets to have a better offer for portland.

I'm not a big fan trading with Portland for Dame but, yes it directly affecting us in different ways. 1st we hold PHX picks and than Miami is one of Dame's preferred teams.

[Papi_swav]

What the heck does the Suns have left to offer in Wizards? I guess they really like Ayton

[vincecarter4pres]

What the heck does the Suns have left to offer in Wizards? I guess they really like Ayton

Good chance Beal brings back next to nothing, he might have the worst contract league-wide.