2025 Off-Season: The 5 Names That Stand Out - Lauri / Embiid / KD / Giannis / Zion
Moderators: MoneyTalks41890, HartfordWhalers, Texas Chuck, BullyKing, Andre Roberstan, loserX, Trader_Joe, Mamba4Goat, pacers33granger
2025 Off-Season: The 5 Names That Stand Out - Lauri / Embiid / KD / Giannis / Zion
-
- RealGM
- Posts: 14,986
- And1: 2,983
- Joined: Aug 09, 2017
2025 Off-Season: The 5 Names That Stand Out - Lauri / Embiid / KD / Giannis / Zion
In the other thread... I ran through team by team if and tried to assume worst case in the playoffs...
5 Names Stood Out As Possible/Likely To Be Traded (I think these 5 names will control the off-season)...
Lauri Markkanen
Joel Embiid
Kevin Durant
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Zion Williamson
Lesser likely names that are big...
Trae Young
LaMelo Ball
Devin Booker
As for the buyers on these players... I say the Bulls, Mavericks, Nuggets, Pistons, Warriors, Rockets, Heat, Timberwolves, Kings and Spurs are the most likely.
Where do you think they go? What do they get in return?
5 Names Stood Out As Possible/Likely To Be Traded (I think these 5 names will control the off-season)...
Lauri Markkanen
Joel Embiid
Kevin Durant
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Zion Williamson
Lesser likely names that are big...
Trae Young
LaMelo Ball
Devin Booker
As for the buyers on these players... I say the Bulls, Mavericks, Nuggets, Pistons, Warriors, Rockets, Heat, Timberwolves, Kings and Spurs are the most likely.
Where do you think they go? What do they get in return?
Re: 2025 Off-Season: The 5 Names That Stand Out - Lauri / Embiid / KD / Giannis / Zion
-
- RealGM
- Posts: 14,986
- And1: 2,983
- Joined: Aug 09, 2017
Re: 2025 Off-Season: The 5 Names That Stand Out - Lauri / Embiid / KD / Giannis / Zion
With the rescinded Williams trade... can the Lakers land any if these guys?
Re: 2025 Off-Season: The 5 Names That Stand Out - Lauri / Embiid / KD / Giannis / Zion
-
- RealGM
- Posts: 14,258
- And1: 9,743
- Joined: Feb 04, 2005
- Location: San Francisco, CA
-
Re: 2025 Off-Season: The 5 Names That Stand Out - Lauri / Embiid / KD / Giannis / Zion
I don’t know how likely it is any of those guys actually move around, but if you just want speculative info…
The two guys the Pistons should want and might be able to afford are Lauri and Book. We don’t need a PG, don’t seem likely to take a risk on an injury-prone guy, and I just can’t imagine Durant or Giannis coming here.
Booker’s from Michigan, so I think he’d be highly interested if Phoenix made him available (which I seriously doubt, by the way). If we convey our owed 1st this year (odds about 50/50 in my mind), there’s plenty of draft picks available, along with Ivey and one of Ausar or Holland.
Our biggest positional need long term is a 4, thus the interest in Lauri. Same general available stuff, along with Stewart or Duren in that scenario. I assume he’d be cheaper than Booker, but not cheap at all, but also seems far more likely to actually be available.
The two guys the Pistons should want and might be able to afford are Lauri and Book. We don’t need a PG, don’t seem likely to take a risk on an injury-prone guy, and I just can’t imagine Durant or Giannis coming here.
Booker’s from Michigan, so I think he’d be highly interested if Phoenix made him available (which I seriously doubt, by the way). If we convey our owed 1st this year (odds about 50/50 in my mind), there’s plenty of draft picks available, along with Ivey and one of Ausar or Holland.
Our biggest positional need long term is a 4, thus the interest in Lauri. Same general available stuff, along with Stewart or Duren in that scenario. I assume he’d be cheaper than Booker, but not cheap at all, but also seems far more likely to actually be available.
Re: 2025 Off-Season: The 5 Names That Stand Out - Lauri / Embiid / KD / Giannis / Zion
-
- Analyst
- Posts: 3,709
- And1: 2,179
- Joined: Jul 02, 2018
-
Re: 2025 Off-Season: The 5 Names That Stand Out - Lauri / Embiid / KD / Giannis / Zion
I wonder if Luka Doncic is going to request a trade this summer since the Mark Williams trade was rescinded? Even more so if he knows that not too many teams will be able to clear a ton of cap space for the 2026 off season.
Re: 2025 Off-Season: The 5 Names That Stand Out - Lauri / Embiid / KD / Giannis / Zion
-
- Veteran
- Posts: 2,735
- And1: 1,506
- Joined: May 19, 2023
Re: 2025 Off-Season: The 5 Names That Stand Out - Lauri / Embiid / KD / Giannis / Zion
ZERO chance Lauri is traded in the offseason without Zanik and Ainge getting fired beforehand. His trade value is at rock bottom and trading him for nothing would be a humiliation for Ainge.
He's been the 4th best player on a bottom five team in the NBA, he's produced like an MLE guy this year and has four more max years left while dealing with a lot of injuries while being seven feet tall.
He's been the 4th best player on a bottom five team in the NBA, he's produced like an MLE guy this year and has four more max years left while dealing with a lot of injuries while being seven feet tall.
Re: 2025 Off-Season: The 5 Names That Stand Out - Lauri / Embiid / KD / Giannis / Zion
-
- RealGM
- Posts: 14,986
- And1: 2,983
- Joined: Aug 09, 2017
Re: 2025 Off-Season: The 5 Names That Stand Out - Lauri / Embiid / KD / Giannis / Zion
HadAnEffectHere wrote:ZERO chance Lauri is traded in the offseason without Zanik and Ainge getting fired beforehand. His trade value is at rock bottom and trading him for nothing would be a humiliation for Ainge.
He's been the 4th best player on a bottom five team in the NBA, he's produced like an MLE guy this year and has four more max years left while dealing with a lot of injuries while being seven feet tall.
I don't know... Hartenstein, Joe and enough picks to get it done seems like something OKC could consider if they fall short in the playoffs.
Re: 2025 Off-Season: The 5 Names That Stand Out - Lauri / Embiid / KD / Giannis / Zion
-
- RealGM
- Posts: 14,986
- And1: 2,983
- Joined: Aug 09, 2017
Re: 2025 Off-Season: The 5 Names That Stand Out - Lauri / Embiid / KD / Giannis / Zion
Washington, Gafford, Lively, Prosper, Klay and picks for Embiid?
Re: 2025 Off-Season: The 5 Names That Stand Out - Lauri / Embiid / KD / Giannis / Zion
-
- RealGM
- Posts: 14,986
- And1: 2,983
- Joined: Aug 09, 2017
Re: 2025 Off-Season: The 5 Names That Stand Out - Lauri / Embiid / KD / Giannis / Zion
Giannis is probably Houston's if he's available and for Zion, I kind of like Detroit.
Re: 2025 Off-Season: The 5 Names That Stand Out - Lauri / Embiid / KD / Giannis / Zion
-
- RealGM
- Posts: 18,022
- And1: 12,827
- Joined: Jul 15, 2013
- Location: Ogden, UT
-
Re: 2025 Off-Season: The 5 Names That Stand Out - Lauri / Embiid / KD / Giannis / Zion
Yeah seems like those guys will be the center of conversations…at least here:). I think the Celtics will potentially shop Holiday or Porzingis to lower the tax bill.
Jordan Walsh > Lonnie Walker
Re: 2025 Off-Season: The 5 Names That Stand Out - Lauri / Embiid / KD / Giannis / Zion
-
- RealGM
- Posts: 18,022
- And1: 12,827
- Joined: Jul 15, 2013
- Location: Ogden, UT
-
Re: 2025 Off-Season: The 5 Names That Stand Out - Lauri / Embiid / KD / Giannis / Zion
Where is Embiids trade value now?
6ers probably don’t move him unless it’s an overpay, but do they have any incentive to get out from under that contract? If he’s healthy he is MVP level but I do t know if that’s a reality anymore.
6ers probably don’t move him unless it’s an overpay, but do they have any incentive to get out from under that contract? If he’s healthy he is MVP level but I do t know if that’s a reality anymore.
Jordan Walsh > Lonnie Walker
Re: 2025 Off-Season: The 5 Names That Stand Out - Lauri / Embiid / KD / Giannis / Zion
-
- Head Coach
- Posts: 7,456
- And1: 2,074
- Joined: Oct 27, 2001
- Location: Newfoundland
Re: 2025 Off-Season: The 5 Names That Stand Out - Lauri / Embiid / KD / Giannis / Zion
I was looking at a Giannis trade. Does this make sense?
Pelicans can swap Milwaukee's firsts in 2026 and 2027. Presumably Giannis won't go there, though.
Milwaukee - Zion, GSW 2025 1st (MIA), unprotected 2029MIA, MIA Swap in 2030, unprotected 2031MIA, Swap rights in 2026 + 2027 for NOP ended, Jovic, Jaquez, Kyle Anderson
New Orleans - Adebayo
Miami - Giannis
MIA:
Ware-Giannis-Wiggins-Robinson-Herro
Highsmith-Rozier
and Miami can probably scrounge up another a cheap big and a cheap perimeter guy, as is their wont. It's kind of a similar team to Milwaukee (Ware/Lopez, Herro/Lillard, Wiggins/Kuzma, Robinson/Trent-Green) but it's younger apart from Wiggins and Kuzma being the same age, and fun new big warm weather city, better coaching, should be back to a top 7 or 8 semi-contender team instead of the current situation, with the Bucks probably being like the 13th-15th best team and getting old fast.
NOP:
Adebayo-HerbJones-Murphy-McCollum-Murray
Missi-Olynyk-Pels1st-Hawkins-Alvarado
Pels get a reliable big man who is locked into a long-term contract. Add any of Flagg, Harper (trade Dejounte in this case), Bailey, Edgecombe, the Pacers 2026 1st as a bench guy and you've got a nice team going forward.
MIL:
Bucks get to tank immediately and the GSW pick joins immediately, probably move Lillard (Van Vleet and a couple of 1sts?) for more draft capital, have Zion to sell some tickets and he gets a fresh start, Bucks build the next team around Zion with whatever they get for Lillard, the 3 new firsts and their high picks in 2026 + 2027 as they tank. If the Zion thing doesn't work, they can move an expiring Zion in 2027 and picks for talent to go with GSW 2025, MIL 2026, MIL 2027, whatever they get for Van Vleet, Jaquez and Jovic.
Pelicans can swap Milwaukee's firsts in 2026 and 2027. Presumably Giannis won't go there, though.
Milwaukee - Zion, GSW 2025 1st (MIA), unprotected 2029MIA, MIA Swap in 2030, unprotected 2031MIA, Swap rights in 2026 + 2027 for NOP ended, Jovic, Jaquez, Kyle Anderson
New Orleans - Adebayo
Miami - Giannis
MIA:
Ware-Giannis-Wiggins-Robinson-Herro
Highsmith-Rozier
and Miami can probably scrounge up another a cheap big and a cheap perimeter guy, as is their wont. It's kind of a similar team to Milwaukee (Ware/Lopez, Herro/Lillard, Wiggins/Kuzma, Robinson/Trent-Green) but it's younger apart from Wiggins and Kuzma being the same age, and fun new big warm weather city, better coaching, should be back to a top 7 or 8 semi-contender team instead of the current situation, with the Bucks probably being like the 13th-15th best team and getting old fast.
NOP:
Adebayo-HerbJones-Murphy-McCollum-Murray
Missi-Olynyk-Pels1st-Hawkins-Alvarado
Pels get a reliable big man who is locked into a long-term contract. Add any of Flagg, Harper (trade Dejounte in this case), Bailey, Edgecombe, the Pacers 2026 1st as a bench guy and you've got a nice team going forward.
MIL:
Bucks get to tank immediately and the GSW pick joins immediately, probably move Lillard (Van Vleet and a couple of 1sts?) for more draft capital, have Zion to sell some tickets and he gets a fresh start, Bucks build the next team around Zion with whatever they get for Lillard, the 3 new firsts and their high picks in 2026 + 2027 as they tank. If the Zion thing doesn't work, they can move an expiring Zion in 2027 and picks for talent to go with GSW 2025, MIL 2026, MIL 2027, whatever they get for Van Vleet, Jaquez and Jovic.
Where's the D?
Re: 2025 Off-Season: The 5 Names That Stand Out - Lauri / Embiid / KD / Giannis / Zion
-
- Starter
- Posts: 2,394
- And1: 907
- Joined: May 02, 2020
-
Re: 2025 Off-Season: The 5 Names That Stand Out - Lauri / Embiid / KD / Giannis / Zion
NYG wrote:HadAnEffectHere wrote:ZERO chance Lauri is traded in the offseason without Zanik and Ainge getting fired beforehand. His trade value is at rock bottom and trading him for nothing would be a humiliation for Ainge.
He's been the 4th best player on a bottom five team in the NBA, he's produced like an MLE guy this year and has four more max years left while dealing with a lot of injuries while being seven feet tall.
I don't know... Hartenstein, Joe and enough picks to get it done seems like something OKC could consider if they fall short in the playoffs.
Lauri has a salary that is too high and a contract that is too long to fit him in OKC, they structured the IH contract with that in mind...(It doesn't fit OKC's style of energy and defense either.)
I don't see much of a market for Markkanen earning more than 40 million (in addition to the assets that Angie would ask for).. Maybe some team that wants to take a step takes a risk, the Pistons...or the HORNETS although I think these are going in another direction, but who knows
Old Mike Lorenzo
Re: 2025 Off-Season: The 5 Names That Stand Out - Lauri / Embiid / KD / Giannis / Zion
-
- Starter
- Posts: 2,394
- And1: 907
- Joined: May 02, 2020
-
Re: 2025 Off-Season: The 5 Names That Stand Out - Lauri / Embiid / KD / Giannis / Zion
NYG wrote:Washington, Gafford, Lively, Prosper, Klay and picks for Embiid?
I think (and hope) not... pairing AD/Embiid is a guaranteed recipe for disaster and a fairly short-sighted fit... however another attempt at KD or someone like Jrue? I think chasing another veteran star, but it should be a guard or a wing... no bigger
Old Mike Lorenzo
Re: 2025 Off-Season: The 5 Names That Stand Out - Lauri / Embiid / KD / Giannis / Zion
-
- Starter
- Posts: 2,394
- And1: 907
- Joined: May 02, 2020
-
Re: 2025 Off-Season: The 5 Names That Stand Out - Lauri / Embiid / KD / Giannis / Zion
NYG wrote:Giannis is probably Houston's if he's available and for Zion, I kind of like Detroit.
I think the Pistons, unless they keep Cade and change the rest of their prospects, need shooters and Zion doesn't fit that profile for me... he fits me in the Bulls (although I think they should tank for at least 1 year) in the Nets, the Hornets... no contender should go that route in my opinion
Old Mike Lorenzo
Re: 2025 Off-Season: The 5 Names That Stand Out - Lauri / Embiid / KD / Giannis / Zion
-
- Starter
- Posts: 2,394
- And1: 907
- Joined: May 02, 2020
-
Re: 2025 Off-Season: The 5 Names That Stand Out - Lauri / Embiid / KD / Giannis / Zion
KD for D.Robinson/Rozier/Ware..
Trade 2
D.Booker for JSmith/J.Green/Sheppard + return picks
Trade 3
Beal +FRP27 (Jazz/Cle/Min)+ 29(Jazz/Cle/Min) para Middleton/Holmes + cancellation of selection changes..
(Suns eliminate Holmes who is not guaranteed). They fix their finances in the short and long term, they recover their selections (except for the one they sent to the Jazz) and they form a nucleus of young boys with a great future... with a couple of selections in the lottery they could be back in contention..
Ware/Richards/Oso
J.Smith/Royce
Dunn/D.Robinson
J.Green/Allen
Sheppard /T.Rozier
a couple of solid veterans that can sell at Royce/Allen/Robinson...
Trade 2
D.Booker for JSmith/J.Green/Sheppard + return picks
Trade 3
Beal +FRP27 (Jazz/Cle/Min)+ 29(Jazz/Cle/Min) para Middleton/Holmes + cancellation of selection changes..
(Suns eliminate Holmes who is not guaranteed). They fix their finances in the short and long term, they recover their selections (except for the one they sent to the Jazz) and they form a nucleus of young boys with a great future... with a couple of selections in the lottery they could be back in contention..
Ware/Richards/Oso
J.Smith/Royce
Dunn/D.Robinson
J.Green/Allen
Sheppard /T.Rozier
a couple of solid veterans that can sell at Royce/Allen/Robinson...
Old Mike Lorenzo
Re: 2025 Off-Season: The 5 Names That Stand Out - Lauri / Embiid / KD / Giannis / Zion
-
- Starter
- Posts: 2,394
- And1: 907
- Joined: May 02, 2020
-
Re: 2025 Off-Season: The 5 Names That Stand Out - Lauri / Embiid / KD / Giannis / Zion
good thread, I suggest you add KP/Jrue to the list.... some ideas...
KP to the PISTONS??for I.Stewart+SRP?? KP gives Cade a co-star...
BOSTON gets a younger player/Cheap and durable?..
Jrue to the MAVS..? the Mavs add another elite defensive guard..
Gafford/PJ to BOSTON...
Boston again becomes younger and improves depth/Flexibility by getting 2 for 1
KP to the PISTONS??for I.Stewart+SRP?? KP gives Cade a co-star...
BOSTON gets a younger player/Cheap and durable?..
Jrue to the MAVS..? the Mavs add another elite defensive guard..
Gafford/PJ to BOSTON...
Boston again becomes younger and improves depth/Flexibility by getting 2 for 1
Old Mike Lorenzo
Re: 2025 Off-Season: The 5 Names That Stand Out - Lauri / Embiid / KD / Giannis / Zion
-
- Sixth Man
- Posts: 1,582
- And1: 757
- Joined: Jan 12, 2018
-
Re: 2025 Off-Season: The 5 Names That Stand Out - Lauri / Embiid / KD / Giannis / Zion
HadAnEffectHere wrote:ZERO chance Lauri is traded in the offseason without Zanik and Ainge getting fired beforehand. His trade value is at rock bottom and trading him for nothing would be a humiliation for Ainge.
He's been the 4th best player on a bottom five team in the NBA, he's produced like an MLE guy this year and has four more max years left while dealing with a lot of injuries while being seven feet tall.
“Injuries”. It’ll be amazing how healthy he becomes when the Jazz aren’t tanking. Other teams are smart they understand the context.
Re: 2025 Off-Season: The 5 Names That Stand Out - Lauri / Embiid / KD / Giannis / Zion
-
- Veteran
- Posts: 2,735
- And1: 1,506
- Joined: May 19, 2023
Re: 2025 Off-Season: The 5 Names That Stand Out - Lauri / Embiid / KD / Giannis / Zion
bkohler wrote:HadAnEffectHere wrote:ZERO chance Lauri is traded in the offseason without Zanik and Ainge getting fired beforehand. His trade value is at rock bottom and trading him for nothing would be a humiliation for Ainge.
He's been the 4th best player on a bottom five team in the NBA, he's produced like an MLE guy this year and has four more max years left while dealing with a lot of injuries while being seven feet tall.
“Injuries”. It’ll be amazing how healthy he becomes when the Jazz aren’t tanking. Other teams are smart they understand the context.
I don't know if you want to risk that this offseason with a seven foot tall guy with questionable mobility and an enormous contract actually.
The idea that Lauri is intentionally playing bad and missing a ton of games to help his team intentionally throw games also doesn't really give a good image of him as a playoff contributor either, lol.
Re: 2025 Off-Season: The 5 Names That Stand Out - Lauri / Embiid / KD / Giannis / Zion
-
- Forum Mod
- Posts: 6,982
- And1: 8,444
- Joined: Feb 29, 2004
- Location: A retirement village near you
-
Re: 2025 Off-Season: The 5 Names That Stand Out - Lauri / Embiid / KD / Giannis / Zion
Astaluego wrote:NYG wrote:Giannis is probably Houston's if he's available and for Zion, I kind of like Detroit.
I think the Pistons, unless they keep Cade and change the rest of their prospects, need shooters and Zion doesn't fit that profile for me... he fits me in the Bulls (although I think they should tank for at least 1 year) in the Nets, the Hornets... no contender should go that route in my opinion
I don't see Zion as a good investment for DET given our current roster and timeline. The first things I'd look for in a PF for DET are defence and shooting, plus I'd be cautious of taking on a max player with injury concerns because we don't have enough depth to survive that if it goes badly
In a no-win argument, the first poster to Let It Go will at least retain some peace of mind
Re: 2025 Off-Season: The 5 Names That Stand Out - Lauri / Embiid / KD / Giannis / Zion
-
- RealGM
- Posts: 15,244
- And1: 3,904
- Joined: Jan 18, 2013
-
Re: 2025 Off-Season: The 5 Names That Stand Out - Lauri / Embiid / KD / Giannis / Zion
HadAnEffectHere wrote:bkohler wrote:HadAnEffectHere wrote:ZERO chance Lauri is traded in the offseason without Zanik and Ainge getting fired beforehand. His trade value is at rock bottom and trading him for nothing would be a humiliation for Ainge.
He's been the 4th best player on a bottom five team in the NBA, he's produced like an MLE guy this year and has four more max years left while dealing with a lot of injuries while being seven feet tall.
“Injuries”. It’ll be amazing how healthy he becomes when the Jazz aren’t tanking. Other teams are smart they understand the context.
I don't know if you want to risk that this offseason with a seven foot tall guy with questionable mobility and an enormous contract actually.
The idea that Lauri is intentionally playing bad and missing a ton of games to help his team intentionally throw games also doesn't really give a good image of him as a playoff contributor either, lol.
Utah is not trading Lauri and he hasn’t played with a true PG all season…
Return to Trades and Transactions