Official ‘24-25 Off-season Thread

[NetsWorld]

In reality we should have just signed Kyrie to the extension.

I think he would have calmed down a bit. And we had pieces to make a few more trades.

Do we beat Boston with KD-Kyrie? Maybe not.

But I'd rather wait it out with that duo for a few more years than this mess.

The idea that Kyrie was an irredeemable cancer pushed by many and eventually embraced by me towards the end was clearly wrong.

In 22-23, we could have beaten Boston in the PO with KD healthy and Kyrie. Especially when we started building consistency and went 18-2 in December. Celtics didn't have Holiday/Porzingis. Tsai felt it was more important to have Marks signed to his extension, privately mind you, without anyone knowing or any public announcement than to try and keep the team together.

[Netaman]

In reality we should have just signed Kyrie to the extension.

I think he would have calmed down a bit. And we had pieces to make a few more trades.

Do we beat Boston with KD-Kyrie? Maybe not.

But I'd rather wait it out with that duo for a few more years than this mess.

The idea that Kyrie was an irredeemable cancer pushed by many and eventually embraced by me towards the end was clearly wrong.

Maybe. Does it matter post-Harden though with Simmons basically never being healthy and Kyrie always missing time? Kyrie forcing the Harden trade when he did was the death blow. With Harden they had a shot at a run in 2022 at a minimum.

That Boston series was a preview of the direction KD's game has gone since the knee injury that season post-Harden. They could have and should have won that series. If KD was same guy as 2021 postseason they would have, but he wasn't/isn't.

They could have won it if Kyrie played up to his potential but he never does. This year he only played 58 games.

Cashing them in gave Nets the 5 unprotected future firsts (PHO 25/27/29 + 28 swap, DAL29) plus Bridges/Johnson/Clowney/DFS/Schroder (via Dinwiddie). As of this moment i think there are arguments for either direction.

Here's a question for you, if the Nets with KD/Kyrie went the LAL direction and got knocked out in round 1/2 the last couple seasons, how harmonious do we think things would be even if Kyrie had extended?

[NetsWorld]

In reality we should have just signed Kyrie to the extension.

I think he would have calmed down a bit. And we had pieces to make a few more trades.

Do we beat Boston with KD-Kyrie? Maybe not.

But I'd rather wait it out with that duo for a few more years than this mess.

The idea that Kyrie was an irredeemable cancer pushed by many and eventually embraced by me towards the end was clearly wrong.

Maybe. Does it matter post-Harden though with Simmons basically never being healthy and Kyrie always missing time? Kyrie forcing the Harden trade when he did was the death blow. With Harden they had a shot at a run in 2022 at a minimum.

That Boston series was a preview of the direction KD's game has gone since the knee injury that season post-Harden. They could have and should have won that series. If KD was same guy as 2021 postseason they would have, but he wasn't/isn't.

They could have won it if Kyrie played up to his potential but he never does. This year he only played 58 games.

Cashing them in gave Nets the 5 unprotected future firsts (PHO 25/27/29 + 28 swap, DAL29) plus Bridges/Johnson/Clowney/DFS/Schroder (via Dinwiddie). As of this moment i think there are arguments for either direction.

Here's a question for you, if the Nets with KD/Kyrie went the LAL direction and got knocked out in round 1/2 the last couple seasons, how harmonious do we think things would be even if Kyrie had extended?

Anytime the Nets "field" a competitive team or a team meant to contend, it is better than the awful sub .500 seasons the team endures multiple years at a time before fielding a decent team. The problem with the Nets is the FO and winning culture is absent and can't get the job done. Even now the team is directionless.

[Hello Brooklyn]

In reality we should have just signed Kyrie to the extension.

I think he would have calmed down a bit. And we had pieces to make a few more trades.

Do we beat Boston with KD-Kyrie? Maybe not.

But I'd rather wait it out with that duo for a few more years than this mess.

The idea that Kyrie was an irredeemable cancer pushed by many and eventually embraced by me towards the end was clearly wrong.

In 22-23, we could have beaten Boston in the PO with KD healthy and Kyrie. Especially when we started building consistency and went 18-2 in December. Celtics didn't have Holiday/Porzingis. Tsai felt it was more important to have Marks signed to his extension, privately mind you, without anyone knowing or any public announcement than to try and keep the team together.

I agree. Boston wasn't ready in 23. Miami was just a fluke run.

We were the best team in the East before Kyrie blew things up. And would probably have made a trade to solidify the bench.

In a Finals with Denver who knows?

[Hello Brooklyn]

In reality we should have just signed Kyrie to the extension.

I think he would have calmed down a bit. And we had pieces to make a few more trades.

Do we beat Boston with KD-Kyrie? Maybe not.

But I'd rather wait it out with that duo for a few more years than this mess.

The idea that Kyrie was an irredeemable cancer pushed by many and eventually embraced by me towards the end was clearly wrong.

Maybe. Does it matter post-Harden though with Simmons basically never being healthy and Kyrie always missing time? Kyrie forcing the Harden trade when he did was the death blow. With Harden they had a shot at a run in 2022 at a minimum.

That Boston series was a preview of the direction KD's game has gone since the knee injury that season post-Harden. They could have and should have won that series. If KD was same guy as 2021 postseason they would have, but he wasn't/isn't.

They could have won it if Kyrie played up to his potential but he never does. This year he only played 58 games.

Cashing them in gave Nets the 5 unprotected future firsts (PHO 25/27/29 + 28 swap, DAL29) plus Bridges/Johnson/Clowney/DFS/Schroder (via Dinwiddie). As of this moment i think there are arguments for either direction.

Here's a question for you, if the Nets with KD/Kyrie went the LAL direction and got knocked out in round 1/2 the last couple seasons, how harmonious do we think things would be even if Kyrie had extended?

Yeah its probably still a disaster. But East is a lot weaker than the West.

I think we had a solid chance.

[NetsWorld]

In reality we should have just signed Kyrie to the extension.

I think he would have calmed down a bit. And we had pieces to make a few more trades.

Do we beat Boston with KD-Kyrie? Maybe not.

But I'd rather wait it out with that duo for a few more years than this mess.

The idea that Kyrie was an irredeemable cancer pushed by many and eventually embraced by me towards the end was clearly wrong.

In 22-23, we could have beaten Boston in the PO with KD healthy and Kyrie. Especially when we started building consistency and went 18-2 in December. Celtics didn't have Holiday/Porzingis. Tsai felt it was more important to have Marks signed to his extension, privately mind you, without anyone knowing or any public announcement than to try and keep the team together.

I agree. Boston wasn't ready in 23. Miami was just a fluke run.

We were the best team in the East before Kyrie blew things up. And would probably have made a trade to solidify the bench.

In a Finals with Denver who knows?

We would have beaten Denver, the team started building an identity. Nothing after would have mattered.

[Netaman]

Anytime the Nets "field" a competitive team or a team meant to contend, it is better than the awful sub .500 seasons the team endures multiple years at a time before fielding a decent team. The problem with the Nets is the FO and winning culture is absent and can't get the job done. Even now the team is directionless.

They've only had 1 of those seasons. Their "directionless-ness" is TBD this offseason. I don't think they are sitting around without plans, this offseason we will see what direction they choose and go from there.

Last year post-KD, without Simmons as usual, they went .500 and then lost to Philly in 4 games. The Atkinson Nets in the year everyone lionizes basically did the same thing. Had Simmons not again proven to be the most unreliable player on planet earth this season something similar may have happened. Through the first month when he was healthy it looked like better was possible. Then he got hurt, Dinwiddie went in the crapper, and it all fell apart.

Last offseason Simmons was close to unmovable and unless im forgetting something, there was nobody that changed teams who would have moved the needle anyway. This year could/should be different. Simmons is an expiring contract. They have to be past the point of no return in terms of relying upon him for anything. There are names rumored to be out there who could move the needle.

It would be pretty shocking if they dont make a move to add (or remove) a starter level player for the 2nd offseason in a row.

[therealbig3]

In 22-23, we could have beaten Boston in the PO with KD healthy and Kyrie. Especially when we started building consistency and went 18-2 in December. Celtics didn't have Holiday/Porzingis. Tsai felt it was more important to have Marks signed to his extension, privately mind you, without anyone knowing or any public announcement than to try and keep the team together.

I agree. Boston wasn't ready in 23. Miami was just a fluke run.

We were the best team in the East before Kyrie blew things up. And would probably have made a trade to solidify the bench.

In a Finals with Denver who knows?

We would have beaten Denver, the team started building an identity. Nothing after would have mattered.

We would have gotten destroyed by Denver lol. We have absolutely zero answer for Jokic, while they have the perfect set up to defend KD and Kyrie.

Jokic was easily the best player in the league at that point, let's not forget.

Also, am I forgetting something, or did the Celtics not sweep us in embarrassing fashion the year before? Why would we all of a sudden beat them with the same core the following year?

[Hello Brooklyn]

I agree. Boston wasn't ready in 23. Miami was just a fluke run.

We were the best team in the East before Kyrie blew things up. And would probably have made a trade to solidify the bench.

In a Finals with Denver who knows?

We would have beaten Denver, the team started building an identity. Nothing after would have mattered.

We would have gotten destroyed by Denver lol. We have absolutely zero answer for Jokic, while they have the perfect set up to defend KD and Kyrie.

Jokic was easily the best player in the league at that point, let's not forget.

Also, am I forgetting something, or did the Celtics not sweep us in embarrassing fashion the year before? Why would we all of a sudden beat them with the same core the following year?

Eh not so convinced. They absolutely do not have the guys to guard KD and Kyrie lol. And are not a good defensive team.

Jokic may be the best player but Durant was not far off. And Kyrie is just better than Murray.

'22 Nets were a chemistry embarrassment. The next year they were way better and playing like it.

[therealbig3]

We would have beaten Denver, the team started building an identity. Nothing after would have mattered.

We would have gotten destroyed by Denver lol. We have absolutely zero answer for Jokic, while they have the perfect set up to defend KD and Kyrie.

Jokic was easily the best player in the league at that point, let's not forget.

Also, am I forgetting something, or did the Celtics not sweep us in embarrassing fashion the year before? Why would we all of a sudden beat them with the same core the following year?

Eh not so convinced. They absolutely do not have the guys to guard KD and Kyrie lol. And are not a good defensive team.

Jokic may be the best player but Durant was not far off. And Kyrie is just better than Murray.

'22 Nets were a chemistry embarrassment. The next year they were way better and playing like it.

Gordon and KCP were excellent perimeter defenders. And I don't think Kyrie is better than Murray in the playoffs, especially that year.

[TheNetsFan]

Read on Twitter

I don't think this is legit. If it is, I assume Marks would ask for a pick back, and said pick would have to be in the future because NOLA cannot legally talk to Claxton about a S&T yet.

[Netaman]

In 22-23, we could have beaten Boston in the PO with KD healthy and Kyrie. Especially when we started building consistency and went 18-2 in December. Celtics didn't have Holiday/Porzingis. Tsai felt it was more important to have Marks signed to his extension, privately mind you, without anyone knowing or any public announcement than to try and keep the team together.

I agree. Boston wasn't ready in 23. Miami was just a fluke run.

We were the best team in the East before Kyrie blew things up. And would probably have made a trade to solidify the bench.

In a Finals with Denver who knows?

We would have beaten Denver, the team started building an identity. Nothing after would have mattered.

No chance Nets beat Denver last year. KD got hurt on 1/8 and traded on 2/9.

from 1/9-2/9 they were 5-8 without him.

KD didn't return until 3/1 and only played 8 more regular season games.

in the playoffs, KD's suns lost 4-2 against Denver. lost game 5 by 16 points, game 6 by 25 points. KD averaged almost as many turnovers against DEN as he had against boston as a Net the year before.

kyrie, claxton, royce, joe harris (lol), seth were not giving KD a better shot at beating denver than booker, ayton, cp3, etc. if they were even able to keep their health together and get through the East.

Once Harden left the primary ballhandling to KD (and simmons turned into a total lemon) the Nets window was effectively barring an extreme run of good luck. Which left the building when KD got rolled up on and Kyrie failed to overcome, as usual.

[Hello Brooklyn]

We would have gotten destroyed by Denver lol. We have absolutely zero answer for Jokic, while they have the perfect set up to defend KD and Kyrie.

Jokic was easily the best player in the league at that point, let's not forget.

Also, am I forgetting something, or did the Celtics not sweep us in embarrassing fashion the year before? Why would we all of a sudden beat them with the same core the following year?

Eh not so convinced. They absolutely do not have the guys to guard KD and Kyrie lol. And are not a good defensive team.

Jokic may be the best player but Durant was not far off. And Kyrie is just better than Murray.

'22 Nets were a chemistry embarrassment. The next year they were way better and playing like it.

Gordon and KCP were excellent perimeter defenders. And I don't think Kyrie is better than Murray in the playoffs, especially that year.

KCP is a good defensive player. Excellent is quite a stretch. Hes no Jrue Holiday. And hes not stopping Kyrie.

Gordon absolutely doesn't have the lateral quickness to do it either.

This year he definitely was.

[Hello Brooklyn]

I agree. Boston wasn't ready in 23. Miami was just a fluke run.

We were the best team in the East before Kyrie blew things up. And would probably have made a trade to solidify the bench.

In a Finals with Denver who knows?

We would have beaten Denver, the team started building an identity. Nothing after would have mattered.

No chance Nets beat Denver last year. KD got hurt on 1/8 and traded on 2/9.

from 1/9-2/9 they were 5-8 without him.

KD didn't return until 3/1 and only played 8 more regular season games.

in the playoffs, KD's suns lost 4-2 against Denver. lost game 5 by 16 points, game 6 by 25 points. KD averaged almost as many turnovers against DEN as he had against boston as a Net the year before.

kyrie, claxton, royce, joe harris (lol), seth were not giving KD a better shot at beating denver than booker, ayton, cp3, etc. if they were even able to keep their health together and get through the East.

Once Harden left the primary ballhandling to KD (and simmons turned into a total lemon) the Nets window was effectively barring an extreme run of good luck. Which left the building when KD got rolled up on and Kyrie failed to overcome, as usual.

I love how losing to Denver is some massive failure

Even if we did lose to Denver. At least we'd be in the Finals for the first time in 20 years!

Who cares lol.

[vincecarter4pres]

Read on Twitter

I don't think this is legit. If it is, I assume Marks would ask for a pick back, and said pick would have to be in the future because NOLA cannot legally talk to Claxton about a S&T yet.

This would be kinda gross tbh.

[vincecarter4pres]

Trae trade and a PG S&T while keeping 2 of the Phoenix picks and re-signing Clax would be an interesting offseason.

[Netaman]

We would have beaten Denver, the team started building an identity. Nothing after would have mattered.

No chance Nets beat Denver last year. KD got hurt on 1/8 and traded on 2/9.

from 1/9-2/9 they were 5-8 without him.

KD didn't return until 3/1 and only played 8 more regular season games.

in the playoffs, KD's suns lost 4-2 against Denver. lost game 5 by 16 points, game 6 by 25 points. KD averaged almost as many turnovers against DEN as he had against boston as a Net the year before.

kyrie, claxton, royce, joe harris (lol), seth were not giving KD a better shot at beating denver than booker, ayton, cp3, etc. if they were even able to keep their health together and get through the East.

Once Harden left the primary ballhandling to KD (and simmons turned into a total lemon) the Nets window was effectively barring an extreme run of good luck. Which left the building when KD got rolled up on and Kyrie failed to overcome, as usual.

I love how losing to Denver is some massive failure

Even if we did lose to Denver. At least we'd be in the Finals for the first time in 20 years!

Who cares lol.

yeah if they would have gotten there id have no issue with losing to denver and that wouldnt have been a huge failure. i kind of doubt they'd have gotten there but that's a different thing.

the 2 big things that changed from 2021 when they were a contender and 2022/2023 when they probably wouldn't have been was KD was no longer contending for best player on the planet and they got nothing out of Harden trade.

it is very hard for me to envision the nets having been a much more competitive roster than PHO has been with KD. Kyrie and Booker aren't much different. I'd probably take Booker, but like everyone else on the planet i hate Kyrie with the fire of 1000 suns so im not partial there.

[NetsJets]

How do you guys feel about Paul George?

[NetsWorld]

How do you guys feel about Paul George?

Getting George would depend on the direction the Nets take; George is not coming here without a second all star alongside him either. I think he is going to Orlando after talking highly of Bonchero, but I could be wrong. I think the Nets need to focus on keeping Claxton and Cam Thomas as they are home grown talent in the event the Nets decide to star chase again. Those two should be kept regardless. For the record, I am no longer in the campaign of star chasing and would much prefer the Nets get a good lottery pick in 2025.

[NetsWorld]

We would have beaten Denver, the team started building an identity. Nothing after would have mattered.

No chance Nets beat Denver last year. KD got hurt on 1/8 and traded on 2/9.

from 1/9-2/9 they were 5-8 without him.

KD didn't return until 3/1 and only played 8 more regular season games.

in the playoffs, KD's suns lost 4-2 against Denver. lost game 5 by 16 points, game 6 by 25 points. KD averaged almost as many turnovers against DEN as he had against boston as a Net the year before.

kyrie, claxton, royce, joe harris (lol), seth were not giving KD a better shot at beating denver than booker, ayton, cp3, etc. if they were even able to keep their health together and get through the East.

Once Harden left the primary ballhandling to KD (and simmons turned into a total lemon) the Nets window was effectively barring an extreme run of good luck. Which left the building when KD got rolled up on and Kyrie failed to overcome, as usual.

I love how losing to Denver is some massive failure

Even if we did lose to Denver. At least we'd be in the Finals for the first time in 20 years!

Who cares lol.

My disagreement with Netaman is he doesn't realize the Nets actually had continuity and chemistry building prior to his injury so I don't think his return from the injury would have impacted us negatively whereas with Phoenix, he had to learn a new system plus recover from injury. So I do believe we could have ousted Denver if KD returned healthy.