Around the NBA: 2024-25 Edition

Wizop · Post #41 » by **Wizop** » Mon Jan 13, 2025 12:00 am

Cleveland is also last year's team with a new coach. 30&4.

Pacers Forever · Post #42 » by **Pacers Forever** » Mon Jan 13, 2025 2:54 am

Oscar Tshiebwe getting some run tonight for the Jazz with 12 minutes played so far.

I also saw that Kendall Brown was on the team tonight that the Mad Ants beat and had 27 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists on 11-15 shooting. He’s definitely comfortable in the G league.

Post #43 » by **Scoot McGroot** » Mon Jan 13, 2025 2:03 pm

Pacers Forever wrote:Oscar Tshiebwe getting some run tonight for the Jazz with 12 minutes played so far.

I also saw that Kendall Brown was on the team tonight that the Mad Ants beat and had 27 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists on 11-15 shooting. He’s definitely comfortable in the G league.

Yup. Trending toward a classic "4A player"? Too good for the minors, but not really good enough for the pros?

Post #44 » by **Scoot McGroot** » Tue Jan 14, 2025 2:10 am

If somehow Ryan Dunn shakes free as part of any trades involving Phoenix, I would be ready to trade a 1st round pick for him (with some reasonable protections...at least top 4, hopefully top 10?). Add in the development of Jarace Walker, and I just think that Dunn could be that "bigger Nesmith" that we've hoped for at the 3/4? Maybe that means that Obi Toppin is moved, too, I don't know. Just think that long-term rookie contract (and a cheap rookie contract, at that) before restricted free agency after 3 more years of cheap play, and he could be really useful. He's proven he can defend immediately, and his shot isn't broken anymore.

Wizop · Post #45 » by **Wizop** » Tue Jan 14, 2025 2:39 am

Scoot McGroot wrote:If somehow Ryan Dunn shakes free as part of any trades involving Phoenix, I would be ready to trade a 1st round pick for him

Would you trade Nesmith or Mathurin for him?

Post #46 » by **Scoot McGroot** » Tue Jan 14, 2025 3:43 am

Wizop wrote:
Scoot McGroot wrote:If somehow Ryan Dunn shakes free as part of any trades involving Phoenix, I would be ready to trade a 1st round pick for him

Would you trade Nesmith or Mathurin for him?

Maybe Nesmith. Or Obi. Salary matching is tough, though, as Dunn only makes around $2.5m.

Ideally, I’d deal Obi, as Jarace is really growing. I’d also love to see some closing lineups with Nembhard, Nesmith, Dunn, Jarace, and Turner.

Wizop · Post #47 » by **Wizop** » Tue Jan 14, 2025 3:55 am

Scoot McGroot wrote:
Wizop wrote:
Scoot McGroot wrote:If somehow Ryan Dunn shakes free as part of any trades involving Phoenix, I would be ready to trade a 1st round pick for him

Would you trade Nesmith or Mathurin for him?

Maybe Nesmith. Or Obi. Salary matching is tough, though, as Dunn only makes around $2.5m.

Ideally, I’d deal Obi, as Jarace is really growing. I’d also love to see some closing lineups with Nembhard, Nesmith, Dunn, Jarace, and Turner.

I see Jarace growing into a 3 - but you've been more willing to move Obi than I have for a long time.

Pacers Forever · Post #48 » by **Pacers Forever** » Tue Jan 14, 2025 4:49 am

Wizop wrote:
Scoot McGroot wrote:If somehow Ryan Dunn shakes free as part of any trades involving Phoenix, I would be ready to trade a 1st round pick for him

Would you trade Nesmith or Mathurin for him?

If he was available I’m trading Nesmith. Then Dunn would be the defensive 3 and Walker the offensive 3. I really want to keep Obi as TJ’s sidekick on the second team along with Sheppard and Bryant.

JMaster5K · Post #49 » by **JMaster5K** » Tue Jan 14, 2025 12:00 pm

Wizop wrote:
Scoot McGroot wrote:
Wizop wrote:
Would you trade Nesmith or Mathurin for him?

Maybe Nesmith. Or Obi. Salary matching is tough, though, as Dunn only makes around $2.5m.

Ideally, I’d deal Obi, as Jarace is really growing. I’d also love to see some closing lineups with Nembhard, Nesmith, Dunn, Jarace, and Turner.

I see Jarace growing into a 3 - but you've been more willing to move Obi than I have for a long time.

Yeah,.. I'm with ya,... as much I love Nesmith's heart, and OB1's fit/work ethic,.. I'd be willing to trade either for Dunn. Would even go so far as to pencil him in with Tyrese, Drew, Pascal, & Myles. He could give us the defensive versatility we've lacked even on the starting unit. though, the defense has been much improved as late,... He could elevate that side of the ball even further without sacrificing the spacing on offense.

Wizop · Post #50 » by **Wizop** » Sat Jan 18, 2025 2:02 am

Boston up big on Orlando. We should be 5th later tonight.

Wizop · Post #51 » by **Wizop** » Sun Feb 2, 2025 12:54 am

We are now 4th and I like that spot. I'd rather be in the playoff bracket with Bucks and Cavs rather than Celts and Knicks.

ReggiesKnicks · Post #52 » by **ReggiesKnicks** » Sun Feb 2, 2025 12:56 am

Wizop wrote:We are now 4th and I like that spot. I'd rather be in the playoff bracket with Bucks and Cavs rather than Celts and Knicks.

I really want to play the Knicks (as you can tell by my username lol)

Wizop · Post #53 » by **Wizop** » Sun Feb 2, 2025 1:02 am

ReggiesKnicks wrote:
Wizop wrote:We are now 4th and I like that spot. I'd rather be in the playoff bracket with Bucks and Cavs rather than Celts and Knicks.

I really want to play the Knicks (as you can tell by my username lol)

We can play them in the ECF. Hicks and Knicks.

Post #54 » by **Scoot McGroot** » Sun Feb 2, 2025 3:58 pm

Waking up to that Luka to the Lakers news was certainly mind blowing!

Post #55 » by **Scoot McGroot** » Sun Feb 2, 2025 5:16 pm

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Dallas even got under the tax with this move, so one more team taking a share.

Pacers Forever · Post #56 » by **Pacers Forever** » Mon Feb 3, 2025 1:04 am

Scoot McGroot wrote:Waking up to that Luka to the Lakers news was certainly mind blowing!

Changing direction from your 25 year old superstar is ballsy.
Odd they were interested more in Anthony Davis than trying to possibly get a better offer for Luka.
They say they want to win now. Excuse ?
It now appears it’s more than Luka’s conditioning.
Dallas’s 2 stars are now 31 and 32 years old.
AD hasn’t been the most durable guy either.
Mavericks probably didn’t want to pay Luka the super max contract.
Dallas gets under luxury tax line.
Dallas roster goes back to dominant scorer from forward position like when Nowitzki was there. Kyrie and AD spreads court scoring better than 2 guards.
Dallas roster has more depth than Lakers so for the near future less obvious needs.

While the Lakers can’t be blamed for taking Luka they still have a center deficiency and weak roster depth.
If Luka stays healthy he takes LeBron’s spot as the face of the franchise.
Feels like the Lakers need to make more moves.
Not sure if Reaves needs to go or not ?
I still think neither team can get to the Western Conference finals this season.

I don’t see a clear winner in this trade.
Pacers beat the Mavericks early season in Dallas.
Pacers play Lakers this road trip. Hopefully we win against the Lakers. Pacers are better imho.

Pacers Forever · Post #57 » by **Pacers Forever** » Mon Feb 3, 2025 3:24 am

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JMaster5K · Post #58 » by **JMaster5K** » Mon Feb 3, 2025 9:12 am

Pacers Forever wrote:

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We talk about OB1 as if he has reached his ceiling as a contributor in total. IMHO, I don't think that's true. Yes,... he is at best a 'try hard', team defense defender who often can't hold his own against legit NBA, better than just rotation level starters. On offense, he is a real threat. In transition, in a cutting & motion offense (like the Cavs this year) - where he would most often be going to the basket, and as a 3-point shooter from the PF wing.

He may have reached his ceiling with the Pacers. He seems like he's been a great teammate, that will happily fill his role (after really having none in NY). However,... there are a number of teams out there where, again IMHO, he could be a key starter (not a star, but a complimentary player) because of his offense (Orlando - If Paolo were to start at the 5 - as they discussed last year; Philly; Miami; Minn) where the existing defense could generally keep him out of those 1v1 on an island match-ups, and his offense would be a real value to the team.

His contract,.. if I go to Spotrac & look at the AAV for forwards,... he is surrounded by Kelly Olynyk; Grant Williams, Dorian Finney-Smith; Jonathan Isaac; PJ Washington; Lauri Markkanen. Markkanen being the big outlier here with a big extension starting next season. But OB1 at least to me doesn't look like his contract is a negative, nor that it isn't good value for what he brings to a team. He is definitely more 'electric' in helping a teams energy that the other guys around him.

I guess I am putting this out there, after the post about him potentially going to Dallas, because I think he does have real value to certain teams, more value than he has to the Pacers (who do seem to value him highly), and that his contract isn't an overpay for what he brings to us today. Will we have to make some changes to re-sign Myles next year,... Yeah. Moving OB1 is very likely to be one of those changes, but I still have a belief, that if we do move him,.. it can be a win-win situation for both the teams involved and the player?

JMaster5K · Post #59 » by **JMaster5K** » Mon Feb 3, 2025 9:27 am

Pacers Forever wrote:
Scoot McGroot wrote:Waking up to that Luka to the Lakers news was certainly mind blowing!

I don’t see a clear winner in this trade.

I'm with ya. I don't see a clear winner in this trade. Just a gut,... but it feels like the Mavs are making an attempt to be more competitive by being more balanced this year & next,... then,.. who knows? Feels like the Lakers are beginning their re-build for post LeBron life, now.

Yes,.. Luka should have been worth WAY more than the Mav's got for him (this part is at least mind-blowing), but even if they had,... this is still a full reset of team (style, teamwork, skills), from being built around Luka,.. to not. For the Lakers,... Luka & LeBron have so much overlap in their games,... who is going to fit in & how? Feels like the LAL went out & got (for significant value in comparisons to other trades this year) the closest thing to LeBron, that could allow them to keep winning when he calls it quits. Until then,... this has the potential to end up in some ugly basketball? It could work,... both players are able to make their games 'fit in', but it doesn't look like it's 'win now' basketball?

Post #60 » by **Scoot McGroot** » Tue Feb 4, 2025 12:35 am

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