Official ‘24-25 Off-season Thread

[vincecarter4pres]

that Luka return is mind boggling. I have no idea what the Net offer could or would have been, but i have to think it'd been something like Clax + CamJ + a bunch more unprotected firsts. Obviously no AD, but AD is 31 and unreliable. The odds of him and Kyrie winning a championship with a mediocre supporting cast in one of the next few seasons seem very low.

truly one of the most bizarre super star trades I can ever recall. They must have really soured on Luka. They dealt him like he was Deron Williams in Utah with a bum wrist. Or maybe the VC trade is slightly more comparable.

LOL, Utah got more for Deron Williams tbh.

AD is a great player, but he's at the end of his prime and injury-prone.

Yoooo TRB3 in da building!

[Decipher]

The Mavs GM didn’t test the market apart from the Lakers nor did he discuss a Luka trade with the coach

Very strange

[Karate Diop]

I think Nets were clearly looking at Luka this off season. Especially since its clear they were headed towards a divorce.

Would have cost us a ton though. I still want us to just draft our own star instead so not that upset about it.

We just need an organically built team for once.

Although I agree overall, Luka is one of maybe 6 players I would have been totally fine abandoning the tank for.

Yep, given his age I had him as one of the Top 5 most untouchable players in the league, so much for that

[therealbig3]

Do the Lakers have anything we would want in a potential Claxton trade? If we can get a 1st round pick out of it? They’re definitely looking for a defensive big at this point.

[ecuhus1981]

Do the Lakers have anything we would want in a potential Claxton trade? If we can get a 1st round pick out of it? They’re definitely looking for a defensive big at this point.

Yes, they have their recent 1st round draft pick Dalton Knecht. He's old for a rookie, but he's a very skilled shooter, and IMO has a decent chance of becoming a high level, Michael Redd type of scorer with secondary tools. They also kept their 2031 1st rounder. I would require one or the other in a Claxton deal.

[vincecarter4pres]

Wow that trade for Fox is atrocious for the Kings.

[Netaman]

Wow that trade for Fox is atrocious for the Kings.

That one felt very Billy King.

[ecuhus1981]

Wow that trade for Fox is atrocious for the Kings.

Hmm, how do you think so?

I'm curious for differing opinions, you may be right. I thought the Kings made out like bandits.

So, they trade a fringe All-Star in Fox, a cheap PG in Mclaughlin and a former starter with depressed value in Huerter

for

a resurgent Lavine, a toolsy project in Sissoko, 3 future 1sts and a future 2nd round pick

Lavine might be playing better than Fox right now, and darn sure is a better floor spacer and defender, 2 things that Sacramento has needed improvement. There is a chance that the Kings are better on the court after this trade, since they have Monk and Carter already on their roster to step into Fox's vacated PG role. And anyway, Sabonis is the real primary playmaker there, Zach should work well alongside him.

I'm high on the move for SAC, it sucks that Klutch Kings forced their hand to trade him but I don't think the would have gotten better value return or better fit.

[ecuhus1981]

Correction: the Kings for 3 1sts and 3 2nds in this deal, not 1 2nd, so it's a bit better than I had originally read. This is a Godfather offer for a malcontented star who wasn't taking them anywhere as presently constituted. It's a star league, sure, so downgrading talent is never awesome. But I can't imagine a team doing better in return. I see their lineup like this:

Monk, Lavine, DeRozan, Murray, Sabonis
Carter, Ellis, Edwards, Lyles, Len

You might even promote Devin to the starting role and keep Monk in his 6th man specialist position, so you have one PoA defender in the court at all times between him and Ellis. I lowkey think the Kings will play better after this deal, and for darn sure they're set up better for the future.

[Papi_swav]

Correction: the Kings for 3 1sts and 3 2nds in this deal, not 1 2nd, so it's a bit better than I had originally read. This is a Godfather offer for a malcontented star who wasn't taking them anywhere as presently constituted. It's a star league, sure, so downgrading talent is never awesome. But I can't imagine a team doing better in return. I see their lineup like this:

Monk, Lavine, DeRozan, Murray, Sabonis
Carter, Ellis, Edwards, Lyles, Len

You might even promote Devin to the starting role and keep Monk in his 6th man specialist position, so you have one PoA defender in the court at all times between him and Ellis. I lowkey think the Kings will play better after this deal, and for darn sure they're set up better for the future.

Yea but one of those 1st is the Hornets pick which is 1-14 protected and it wont convey so thats a fake pick. They got the Spurs 2027 pick which will probably be #20-30 because they should be good by that time and the Twolves 2031 pick which we have no idea how that could turn out.

They should of at least try to get their own 2030 pick back that they sent the Spurs to get rid of Barnes instead of that fake Charlotte pick or 1 of the Hawks picks. They should of also got at least Castle, Keldon Johnson, Vassell or even Sochan, they got none of these young guys that has some potential.

So in all they got Lavine who is solid for now but overpaid, Cissoko who is a bench warmer, 2 picks , 1 that might be at the end of the 1st round and the other is too far out to know, along with a bunch of 2nds. Kings got robbed here but they did slightly better than the Mavs. Spurs got to keep their core and sell nothing of true value, they stole Fox.

[Papi_swav]

Do the Lakers have anything we would want in a potential Claxton trade? If we can get a 1st round pick out of it? They’re definitely looking for a defensive big at this point.

Yes, they have their recent 1st round draft pick Dalton Knecht. He's old for a rookie, but he's a very skilled shooter, and IMO has a decent chance of becoming a high level, Michael Redd type of scorer with secondary tools. They also kept their 2031 1st rounder. I would require one or the other in a Claxton deal.

The Lakers are desperate for a big and Claxton fits them perfectly. We need to take advantage of their desperation and squeeze as much value as we can. They can't always get their way now, they been robbing other teams for decades now, it's time for us to come out on top for once. Marks better not give in to their crap, sick of them always getting their way smh

[ecuhus1981]

Let's be honest, Sochan is not that good. He's like discount Brandon Clarke but the hair has everyone convinced he's the next Rodman. He's not the floor spacer, rebounder or defender that they needed him to become. They toyed with him as a jumbo PG, but that hasn't worked either. The Spurs have improved since demoting him from the starting lineup.

Johnson and Vassell are mid, and I'm not a fan of either of their contracts. If I'm Sacramento, I prefer Lavine over either of them. Again, maybe that's why I view the trade differently than y'all.

The legit gripes are that they didn't get their pick back, nor did they get Castle. Sure, but I don't think you can couch this conversation solely on what they DIDN'T get. I didn't think Fox was going to net a return like Stephon from anyone, that kid's a stone cold stud and everyone knows it. What they did get was enough.

[ecuhus1981]

Do the Lakers have anything we would want in a potential Claxton trade? If we can get a 1st round pick out of it? They’re definitely looking for a defensive big at this point.

Yes, they have their recent 1st round draft pick Dalton Knecht. He's old for a rookie, but he's a very skilled shooter, and IMO has a decent chance of becoming a high level, Michael Redd type of scorer with secondary tools. They also kept their 2031 1st rounder. I would require one or the other in a Claxton deal.

The Lakers are desperate for a big and Claxton fits them perfectly. We need to take advantage of their desperation and squeeze as much value as we can. They can't always get their way now, they been robbing other teams for decades now, it's time for us to come out on top for once. Marks better not give in to their crap, sick of them always getting their way smh

I will cackle if we get a better pick package for Claxton from LAL than DAL got for Luka, that would be hilarious! Marks might have saved his reputation.

[vincecarter4pres]

Wow that trade for Fox is atrocious for the Kings.

Hmm, how do you think so?

I'm curious for differing opinions, you may be right. I thought the Kings made out like bandits.

So, they trade a fringe All-Star in Fox, a cheap PG in Mclaughlin and a former starter with depressed value in Huerter

for

a resurgent Lavine, a toolsy project in Sissoko, 3 future 1sts and a future 2nd round pick

Lavine might be playing better than Fox right now, and darn sure is a better floor spacer and defender, 2 things that Sacramento has needed improvement. There is a chance that the Kings are better on the court after this trade, since they have Monk and Carter already on their roster to step into Fox's vacated PG role. And anyway, Sabonis is the real primary playmaker there, Zach should work well alongside him.

I'm high on the move for SAC, it sucks that Klutch Kings forced their hand to trade him but I don't think the would have gotten better value return or better fit.

I did not expect them to get great value, but first and foremost, they only received 2 1sts. That ‘25 Charlotte first is fake. Fugazi. Don’t even exist. Period. It’s two 2nd’s.

2nd and most important, they didn’t recoup their ‘30 swap.

3rd, whatever way they personally felt for Lavine, he is one of the flatout worst contracts in the league. They should have been paid at least a substantial first to take him as the salary filler in addition to the actual on paper return Fox should have garnered, even given all context.

To me they should have gotten the ‘27 Spurs 1st and ‘31 Minnesota first they did, in addition to their ‘30 swap smoldered, and an additional first of worth because of taking on Lavine, maybe the worst of the ‘25 San An and ATL 1sts, with top 3 protection, if not conveyed, it becomes a top 3 protected future 1st of some sort.

[ecuhus1981]

Ok, all fair points. Despite all they didn't receive in the trade, I still think that what the Kings DID get sets up the future for them, and keeps them competitive in the present (for whatever that matters). It's not everything, but it's something, and honestly I don't know whether any team in the league would have paid more for him.

ATL - no, they have Trae
BOS - no, they like their defensive PG duo
CLE - no, they like their offensive PG duo
CHI - no, they're in teardown mode, and Fox didn't express an interest in re-signing there
CHA - no, they have Lamelo
DAL - no, they have Kyrie
DEN - no, they have Jamal
IND - no, they have Tyrese
HOU - no, they have the assets but claim they aren't star hunting at all this season
LAC - no they don't have the assets
LAL - no they don't have the assets
MEM - no, they have Temetrius
MIN - maybe, Dillingham might intrigue the Kings, but IDK if Ant wants to share the rock and they don't
MIA - maybe, a Jaquez/Jovic package seems a lil light, and they don't have picks
NOP - maybe, weird fit and timing, but they have the assets
NYK - no, they have Brunson
ORL - maybe, if they wanted they could have outbid SAS, but they seem more set on the cheaper option / Orlando native Simons
OKC - no
POR - no
PHI - no
PHX - no
TOR - no, they wanted him and would have outbid but his camp floated that he would not re-sign there
WAS - just no

[vincecarter4pres]

Ok, all fair points. Despite all they didn't receive in the trade, I still think that what the Kings DID get sets up the future for them, and keeps them competitive in the present (for whatever that matters). It's not everything, but it's something, and honestly I don't know whether any team in the league would have paid more for him.

ATL - no, they have Trae
BOS - no, they like their defensive PG duo
CLE - no, they like their offensive PG duo
CHI - no, they're in teardown mode, and Fox didn't express an interest in re-signing there
CHA - no, they have Lamelo
DAL - no, they have Kyrie
DEN - no, they have Jamal
IND - no, they have Tyrese
HOU - no, they have the assets but claim they aren't star hunting at all this season
LAC - no they don't have the assets
LAL - no they don't have the assets
MEM - no, they have Temetrius
MIN - maybe, Dillingham might intrigue the Kings, but IDK if Ant wants to share the rock and they don't
MIA - maybe, a Jaquez/Jovic package seems a lil light, and they don't have picks
NOP - maybe, weird fit and timing, but they have the assets
NYK - no, they have Brunson
ORL - maybe, if they wanted they could have outbid SAS, but they seem more set on the cheaper option / Orlando native Simons
OKC - no
POR - no
PHI - no
PHX - no
TOR - no, they wanted him and would have outbid but his camp floated that he would not re-sign there
WAS - just no

Well honestly all very fair points.

Still would have told them to kick rocks if they wouldn’t have added the ‘30 swap.

[Netaman]

Fox wanted SAS. He's from NO and Spurs have just as much volume. Could Brooklyn have topped the actual offer? Sure. But they still probably match unless Nets offered really good pick(s).

If Fox really wanted SAS he could have maneuvered his way there, and with Wemby it's the smart move.

Nets only chance getting into the bidding was if SAS didnt want him or dragged it to the offseason. He wasn't coming here to tank and/or hope for ping pong balls.

[vincecarter4pres]

Fox wanted SAS. He's from NO and Spurs have just as much volume. Could Brooklyn have topped the actual offer? Sure. But they still probably match unless Nets offered really good pick(s).

If Fox really wanted SAS he could have maneuvered his way there, and with Wemby it's the smart move.

Nets only chance getting into the bidding was if SAS didnt want him or dragged it to the offseason. He wasn't coming here to tank and/or hope for ping pong balls.

Yeah I had no desire to see Fox here now, or maybe ever, personally.

I think with this collusive, WWE scripted style trade of Luka to LA; I want Marks and co. to stay the course till the summer of ‘26 more than ever.

The only players I’d be fine with them abandoning the tank for are as follows:

Luka
SGA
Jokic
Banchero(wouldn’t include the ‘25 pick)
Tatum
Edwards
Wemby(obviously never happening)

[Decipher]

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[vincecarter4pres]

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Doesn’t even get mentioned that he was signed flatout as well. So it’s not like we had to pay assets to acquire him initially, nor was he a homegrown drafted guy with attachments who was here for years.