Around The NBA : 2023-24 Season #3

[Michael Jackson]

That looks like a vet min, at min the player chooses the team not vice versa. He can potentially start in NO at least be the 1st backup, in Chicago he's the 3rd center and we've played Vuc up to 40 mpg.

As a center I wouldn't sign in Chicago either. You have to get stats to get a new contract and getting a bunch of DNPs because Billy won't sub out Vuc isn't a situation I'd walk into either.

Also Theis likely wants to compete and the Bulls aren’t going to do that. No reason he would chose Chicago.

[drosestruts]

I think Eddey looked ok out there. Did a good job of recognizing when he had opportunities to run down the court, instances like where his defender fell down or something, he books it.

He also fouled A LOT. Box score says 6 fouls, but I watched all of the 4Q and OT and swear he had 8 at least, with even the announcers joking about how you get 10 in summer league so why not use them.

They also came at some pretty crucial times. Illegal screens to turn it over, fouls on the Jazz to send them to the line. They won because of an Eddey foul on Keyone George.

He was also a bit of mixed bag. Looked good against Filipowki, looked ok against Kessler. Kenny Lofton Jr probably gave him more trouble than anyone else.

Eddey is big, players are gonna take it as a challenge (like they do Gobert). Going to be a lot to deal with night in and night out as a rookie.

True. But I think on the Grizz, his strengths are going to look really good with that roster.

We all have to remember, they already have 2 DPOY on their roster in JJJ and Marcus Smart. Edey wont have to work all that hard. On top of that, all those drives Ja has, Edey will be like Joakim Noah chasing Derrick's misses for easy buckets.

I certainly have my questions about Edey, but I think on the Grizz, its tailormade for his strengths.

Good points. He'll be a putback machine with the effort being paid to Ja on drives.

[Michael Jackson]

I think Eddey looked ok out there. Did a good job of recognizing when he had opportunities to run down the court, instances like where his defender fell down or something, he books it.

He also fouled A LOT. Box score says 6 fouls, but I watched all of the 4Q and OT and swear he had 8 at least, with even the announcers joking about how you get 10 in summer league so why not use them.

They also came at some pretty crucial times. Illegal screens to turn it over, fouls on the Jazz to send them to the line. They won because of an Eddey foul on Keyone George.

He was also a bit of mixed bag. Looked good against Filipowki, looked ok against Kessler. Kenny Lofton Jr probably gave him more trouble than anyone else.

Eddey is big, players are gonna take it as a challenge (like they do Gobert). Going to be a lot to deal with night in and night out as a rookie.

It’s a great fit for Edey and Memphis honestly. He has talents and his specific talents will fit that team build.
True. But I think on the Grizz, his strengths are going to look really good with that roster.

We all have to remember, they already have 2 DPOY on their roster in JJJ and Marcus Smart. Edey wont have to work all that hard. On top of that, all those drives Ja has, Edey will be like Joakim Noah chasing Derrick's misses for easy buckets.

I certainly have my questions about Edey, but I think on the Grizz, its tailormade for his strengths.

Good points. He'll be a putback machine with the effort being paid to Ja on drives.

[MGB8]

Looking around the league and just some thoughts.

Cleveland extended Donovan Mitchell but have yet to do anything else. Okoro is still a RFA. At the end of the year they seemed like a team that was set to make some changes, lots of rumors about Garland and Allen at the end of the season, so far nothing.


Nuggets lost KCP and added Saric. They're going to be very reliant on young guys stepping up to maintain pace.

Rockets were pretty aggressive last year - so far this year only added AJ Griffin who got buried in Atlanta. I think Grizzlies and Spurs will be better than they were last year, Houston getting to a play-in will be even more difficult and they made no external improvements. I do like the draft of Reed Sheppard.

A LeBron team making no meaningful offseason moves just seems wrong, I guess also highlights how this new CBA is restricting things.

Memphis drafted Eddey and has done nothing else.

OKC, New Orleans, New York and Philly made the biggest moves of the offseason

The Wizards drafted a center, re-signed Richaun Holmes, and signed Jonas Valancunias - lot of moves at one position. Do they want more centers? They can have Vuc.

Miami lost Martin and added Alec Burks - feel like that's a step back.

Miami also added Kelel Ware, and I think he is going to be a beast for them fairly soon. Rozier being there (and presumably healthy), another year of Jaquez and Jokic developing, and Haywood Highsmith (who played well and a lot for the Heat last year) Josh Richardson and Burks taking Martin’s minutes (and subbing in for Herro and Butler along with Jaquez)… with Richardson and Burks both able to play point in spots… don’t think they have declined. Think they will be improved.

Cleveland is more curious. Didn’t do much to improve, and while I think Okoro comes back, their wing spot is fine with Strus and Levert, and they added Jaylon Tyson in drafts, and they were really injured a lot last season. With Mobley and Allen… but lack depth at 5 and at point. Not sure why they haven’t addressed those spots. A vet min 5 would help; but PG where Garland misses games often, Mitchell not really a point… Porter did show some promise when he was starting, but they need him to elevate.

Eddy will be a very interesting storyline. What happens when facing 5 out offenses - is his significant paint defending impact mitigated. How does he impact opposing defenses? Old school bigs seem like more niche / situational / matchup players than full timers nowadays, but maybe that is less true than believed.

Houston replaced Boban with Steven Adams added 3 point gunner Reed Sheppard - who has some upside to his game. Along with all of their youth being more experience and a year to gel…. Their big issue is, like TO before the,, FVV’s health and load. But unlike TO, they actually have some PG backups with Aaron Holiday and now Sheppard. I thought they would make the play in last season but West was too tough and they faded a bit after Sengun got hurt. Still, they finished with a better record than the Bulls at 41-41, just West was too tough. I expect Houston to take a step forward themselves (and I wouldn’t be shocked if Sacramento ends up falling out, not sold on that team build at all, even less so now with DDR).

[MGB8]

Looking at how strong the West is, with only Utah and Portland as teams that are pretty clearly not going to make the play-in (and in Portland, not even for lack of trying)… am re-assured that Bulls will be among the worst teams in the league.

Spurs added CP3 and Barnes as mentors as the team starts to transition from bad to good with Wemby. They will still be bad, but between the CP3 affect and Wemby’s generational talent (assuming no injury), they should be competing for a play in spot even in the loaded West. Pels getting Murray really fits what they needed, and they still have a lot of talent overall. Memphis should be healthier. Warriors still want to win, and their youth started to develop. Clips with Harden and Kawhi aren’t really worse than pre-Harden Clipps with Kawhi and George (if health holds), with some underrated additions in DJJ, Batum (returning), Dunn as a defensive guard and Bamba as a reserve, plus the talented but troubled Kevin Porter Jr (along with Mann, Powell).

[DASMACKDOWN]

In the West I feel there are not going to be any 53+ win teams.

Basically just like last year where the top seed goes down to the last 5 games. Injuries will probably be the biggest difference maker.

[drosestruts]

Miami also added Kelel Ware, and I think he is going to be a beast for them fairly soon. Rozier being there (and presumably healthy), another year of Jaquez and Jokic developing, and Haywood Highsmith (who played well and a lot for the Heat last year) Josh Richardson and Burks taking Martin’s minutes (and subbing in for Herro and Butler along with Jaquez)… with Richardson and Burks both able to play point in spots… don’t think they have declined. Think they will be improved.

I'm skeptical on Ware having a significant impact, mainly because rookies so rarely do. It's nice that he's playing well against summer league teams, but it doesn't do much for my outlook on him for the season.

Your post also has everything pretty much going right for Miami - everyone is healthy and everyone takes steps forward in their development.

Another example of a "grass is always greener" situation. If we had the season, than offseason Miami just had this board would be furious. Yet this same board has people thinking Miami standing pat was the right move and they'll be better.

[MGB8]

Miami also added Kelel Ware, and I think he is going to be a beast for them fairly soon. Rozier being there (and presumably healthy), another year of Jaquez and Jokic developing, and Haywood Highsmith (who played well and a lot for the Heat last year) Josh Richardson and Burks taking Martin’s minutes (and subbing in for Herro and Butler along with Jaquez)… with Richardson and Burks both able to play point in spots… don’t think they have declined. Think they will be improved.

I'm skeptical on Ware having a significant impact, mainly because rookies so rarely do. It's nice that he's playing well against summer league teams, but it doesn't do much for my outlook on him for the season.

Your post also has everything pretty much going right for Miami - everyone is healthy and everyone takes steps forward in their development.

Another example of a "grass is always greener" situation. If we had the season, than offseason Miami just had this board would be furious. Yet this same board has people thinking Miami standing pat was the right move and they'll be better.

The thing that makes me optimistic that Ware is going to be helpful to the Heat fairly quickly is that his skillset really fits there needs, even if his role is fairly limited. To mix sports, I think of Randy Moss as a rookie. He was very raw and had a very limited route tree… and yet by keeping things simple for him, tailored to his natural strengths, he made a huge impact.

I think Ware has a lot of talent (would not have minded him at 11, at all) and I think Miami is maybe the best org for him to go to in terms of leadership and development around him. But more than that, getting a guy who adds rim protection from the 4 and is a plus shooter and lob threat…. And we saw Lively make a big impact year 1 in a similar role (minus the shooting).

Oh, and unlike the Bulls (whose guys are inconsistent, and whose coaching is mid)… Spo and that crew…

Meanwhile, look at Highsmith’s stats from last year. He looks like a guy who can come in and fill Martin’s role. Then you have real promise shown by Jaquez last year, and Jokic looked much improved in year 2 (we wish we could say the same for Pat or Terry showing that kind of positive growth).

Burks and Richardson are proven rotation guys; Burks, turning 33, is 2 years younger than DDR and can still shoot and handle; Richardson will be 31. They’ll have a full season with Rozier… Sure, injuries could happen, but, at least on paper, this should be a better team than their 46-36 team from last season that had half a year with a toast Lowry (who still shot well from 3) and saw serious missed time by Herro and to a lesser extent Jimmy. Now, if Jimmy falls off a lot (or worse injury issues)… could be worse. But most of their players are either entering prime, on upswing, in prime pre serious downswing (with possible exception of Jimmy, maybe Burks, and post downswing but still playable Kevin Love). The loss of a middling 3 and D guy where they have a similarly aged but “newer” 3&D in Highsmith, plus adding Burks…

[sco]

https://www.si.com/nba/jazz/news/kings-remain-aggressive-lauri-markkanen-trade-talks

[DASMACKDOWN]

Im still trying to think, what does Sactown have in equity that they could pull off in a Lauri trade?

[jnrjr79]

Im still trying to think, what does Sactown have in equity that they could pull off in a Lauri trade?

EDIT - misread post

[DASMACKDOWN]

Im still trying to think, what does Sactown have in equity that they could pull off in a Lauri trade?

They basically can't unless they're putting Sabonis or Fox in the deal, which they aren't. Otherwise, they'd need to be combining 4 or more salaries.

Also knowing Ainge, he is going to want the sun and the moon. The funny thing is, he has no clue what to do after he gets the sun and moon.

[jnrjr79]

Im still trying to think, what does Sactown have in equity that they could pull off in a Lauri trade?

They basically can't unless they're putting Sabonis or Fox in the deal, which they aren't. Otherwise, they'd need to be combining 4 or more salaries.

Also knowing Ainge, he is going to want the sun and the moon. The funny thing is, he has no clue what to do after he gets the sun and moon.

I misread and thought the post was about Zach. Salary-wise, the Kings can swap Huerter for Lauri, plus whatever draft assets are necessary.

[DuckIII]

The West is going to have Pacific Rim matchups multiple times a month. Edey, Clingan, Gobert, Jokic, Wemby, Chet.

Kaiju showdown.

[ChiefILL53]

The West is going to have Pacific Rim matchups multiple times a month. Edey, Clingan, Gobert, Jokic, Wemby, Chet.

Kaiju showdown.

That scene from The Suicide Squad popped in my head reading this. "It's a f@&*ng KAIJU in this B&#ch!!!"

[HomoSapien]

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[MGB8]

Come on… no politics!

[dumbell78]

Karl is like that old man that just says whatever is on his mind with no damn filter. He loves trolling too if you read his tweets.

Im lost with Kawhi, I dont get whats going on with that dude. Why show up in the first place? I guess he thought he was ready but then quickly realized he's not 100%? Strange sequence.

[GoBlue72391]

Bronny is as bad as they say, maybe worse. Dude's getting cooked by Alondes Williams.

Other than that he's just floating around on the perimeter, not doing much of anything. Cardio.

[DASMACKDOWN]

Even thought its only been 2 games with Bronny, I have no idea what they are even shaping him to be.

To his credit, he looks like he could potentially be a really solid defender. He has good instincts. But that doesn't mean much. He would have to be exceptional at it. But if you cant do much if any on offense, you just wont make it.

Shaq Harrison is actually an amazing defender. But the reason he cant stick on a team is because he cant shoot.