The Official 2025 Offseason Thread Part 2

[starbosa10]

We're really going to pick the Mich State guy aren't we?

Read on Twitter

Always were sadly. Ishiba is so predictable

[King4Day]

We're really going to pick the Mich State guy aren't we?

Read on Twitter

Always were sadly. Ishiba is so predictable

In that image, Ott has a face that looks like he doesn't really know what to do. I'm sure he has creds but I just have a really bad feeling about this. Hard to trust this organization anymore

[BobbieL]

Offer No. 3: Mavs pick up Booker and elite big-man depth

Dallas Mavericks get: Devin Booker, 2025 first-rounder (No. 29), 2028 first-rounder (least favorable of own, Knicks and Wizards), 2029 first-round pick swap (least favorable of Cavs, Timberwolves and Jazz)

Phoenix Suns get: 2025 No. 1 pick, Klay Thompson, P.J. Washington, Naji Marshall and Caleb Martin


The premise of this offer -- trading a potential NBA megastar -- is to underscore the Mavericks' need to improve their roster now. The Doncic-for-Davis trade put the Mavericks in win-now mode anyhow, with a timeline tied around Davis, 32, and Irving, 33, so it would behoove them to trade the future for the now. With those guidelines in place, trading for Booker would make a lot of sense.

The Mavericks, as constructed, have elite big-man depth and a perennial All-Star point guard in Irving but could use another dynamic perimeter presence on the wing. Dallas will need an elite playmaker who can lead the team while Irving is out, but play next to him when he returns.

Enter Booker, who was a first team All-NBA shooting guard in 2021-22, and is squarely in his prime at 28 years old. A healthy core of Davis, Irving and Booker would be able to contend for championships immediately, and Booker would remain a centerpiece even as Davis and Irving start to age out of their primes. Add on that Dallas also gets some draft considerations in this deal.

For the Suns, this offseason has the feel of a franchise that's ready to change everything and rebuild. Their attempt to win with a team featuring three pure scorers without enough supporting infrastructure didn't yield dividends, their salary cap situation is untenable and they have already traded away several future draft assets.

It has been widely rumored that Phoenix will trade Kevin Durant this offseason as well, and if the Suns were to do that deal before this one, they might have more assets to sweeten the offer for Flagg. As is, getting Flagg's potential to be their franchise cornerstone for the next generation would be amazing value, even dealing Booker and all of the draft considerations they could move.

In the hypothetical scenario in which Durant is moved before the draft, the Suns being able to include potential assets from such a deal would most likely allow them to make a more competitive offer than what is being suggested here. -- Snellings

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45425353/potential-trades-top-2025-nba-draft-pick-cooper-flagg-dallas-mavericks

Thats a lot of draft picks to give up for Cooper Flagg including Devin Booker. But not adding more draft capital for Flagg

[BobbieL]

We're really going to pick the Mich State guy aren't we?

Read on Twitter

Always were sadly. Ishiba is so predictable

Kid could have been a ball boy at Mich State when he was 7 and was going to be the hire

I would prefer Bryant in this case.

[Rebound Mound]

I admit to being in a different situation than most on this board. But I had been a long time fan of the game before the Spurs made tanking a stroke of genius, or even considered acceptable. I still think it hurts the league by making it much more difficult for the neediest teams to improve with the draft. Even then, though, the Spurs did it right. They did not rid themselves of their best players to gain a draft advantage. They were fortunate enough to be able to hold out two of their best players until the end of the season with earlier injuries, allowing them to luck into a generational talent. That made it unnecessary to waste years, getting back to where they even began, via the draft. Then too, while still good, they actually improved by getting Ginobli with the 57th pick and Parker with the 28th. Contrast that with the Sixers' or even the Suns' efforts.

Based on the history of the team, I have been less critical of Ishbia for trying something different. Although, in an opposite way from Hinkie, he might have also gone too far, giving up good size and two starters in the Durant trade, getting Beal, with the loss of a third starter, and in the subsequent trade of the fourth starter, Ayton, and Toumari, further hurting size. That was too much to quickly overcome for team need/balance. In spite of that, however, I believe the hysteria over perpetual future doom is premature. The beauty of having two huge contracts is if necessary they can be used in trade, or their $110 million contracts, plus an additional amount for lesser expiries, used to substantially speed recovery in free agency. I could be wrong, however.

Good reflection... but, all in all, those two contracts of 110 mill combined are in a 37 YO and a 31 YO with a no trade clause. That makes the difference from being a normal situation to bargain from a point of disadvantage...

[Revived]

So Chris Quinn, the highly respected Heat Spoelstra assistant, is no longer in the running? Same with OKC’s Dave Bliss? Wonder if both backed out after learning more about how much of a s**t show this franchise is.

[BobbieL]

So Chris Quinn, the highly respected Heat Spoelstra assistant, is no longer in the running? Same with OKC’s Dave Bliss? Wonder if both backed out after learning more about how much of a s**t show this franchise is.

Or maybe Ishbia wants somebody who will also let him be pseudo coach

Spoelstra is the best coach in the NBA ( arguably-- well not really, he is)
Atkinson is good so Bryant or Ott learning under him is a good thing but really wanted Quinn

[Rebound Mound]

Booker for Flagg essentially is a good trade for both teams.
Then XX-Beal-KD-Flagg-Richards is a nice 5.
Then letting KD go in 2026 before he ruins Flagg's career and Beal in 2027 would allow us to go strong in free agency.
The only thing here is that next summer (2026), many teams and agents are going to be free. LBJ will retire, KD would be a FA,

[Djedefre]

All this charade with crapload of "candidates" and multiple rounds of interviews just to mask the hire of his MSU connection. Does he think basketball fans all around the league are complete idiots?

[King4Day]

If this is true, that's alarming. It could mean he didn't like all these rounds of interviews (if you don't already know you want me then you don't want me).
Or maybe he recognizes how poorly run the circus is and wants no part of it.

Read on Twitter

[BobbieL]

Booker for Flagg essentially is a good trade for both teams.
Then XX-Beal-KD-Flagg-Richards is a nice 5.
Then letting KD go in 2026 before he ruins Flagg's career and Beal in 2027 would allow us to go strong in free agency.
The only thing here is that next summer (2026), many teams and agents are going to be free. LBJ will retire, KD would be a FA,

I would still trade Durant in the above scenario. If you are rebuilding, rebuild.

I doubt Ishbia would do it. Granted, if you are hiring a young coach in Ott and Bryant and are about player development, why wouldn't you make moves this year to build the roster. So the trade would make sense

[Saberestar]

Johnny Bryant or Jordan Ott.

Both have 10+ years of experience as NBA assistants.

Ott has the Michigan roots on his side and Bryant has the lead assistant role on Cleveland as his advantage over Ott.

I know just a few about things about them. I know that Bryant was a good player on college.
He was huge for Donovan Mitchell as a coach.

Ott was on the Lakers and Nets and had good relationships with stars.
And he will help the Latvian national team in EuroBasket as an assistant.

[BobbieL]

If this is true, that's alarming. It could mean he didn't like all these rounds of interviews (if you don't already know you want me then you don't want me).
Or maybe he recognizes how poorly run the circus is and wants no part of it.

Read on Twitter

Interesting.... so maybe, just spitballing, he didn't want to deal with Mat Dipshitbia

[Saberestar]

Shams:

Both Bryant and Ott will meet with Suns owner Mat Ishbia, CEO Josh Bartelstein and general manager Brian Gregory in Michigan later this week, sources said.

Suns franchise cornerstone Devin Booker has been involved in the search process over the past seven to 10 days, sources said.

Bryant and Ott joined the Cavaliers last summer as Coach of the Year Kenny Atkinson's first hires, and both assistants are rooted in principles of toughness, grit and player development.

Ott has also been on staffs for the Atlanta Hawks (2013-16), Brooklyn Nets (2016-22) and Los Angeles Lakers (2022-24), while Bryant has also served as an assistant for the Utah Jazz (2012-20) and New York Knicks (2020-24).

Bryant played in college at Utah from 2005 to 2008, while Ott was a video coordinator with Michigan State men's basketball program under Tom Izzo from 2008 to 2013.

[Calvin Klein]

safe to say Booker won't be traded if he is that involved in this.

Although it's all probablu a moot point. Michigan guy will be the one, no doubt.

[ChuckS]

I admit to being in a different situation than most on this board. But I had been a long time fan of the game before the Spurs made tanking a stroke of genius, or even considered acceptable. I still think it hurts the league by making it much more difficult for the neediest teams to improve with the draft. Even then, though, the Spurs did it right. They did not rid themselves of their best players to gain a draft advantage. They were fortunate enough to be able to hold out two of their best players until the end of the season with earlier injuries, allowing them to luck into a generational talent. That made it unnecessary to waste years, getting back to where they even began, via the draft. Then too, while still good, they actually improved by getting Ginobli with the 57th pick and Parker with the 28th. Contrast that with the Sixers' or even the Suns' efforts.

Based on the history of the team, I have been less critical of Ishbia for trying something different. Although, in an opposite way from Hinkie, he might have also gone too far, giving up good size and two starters in the Durant trade, getting Beal, with the loss of a third starter, and in the subsequent trade of the fourth starter, Ayton, and Toumari, further hurting size. That was too much to quickly overcome for team need/balance. In spite of that, however, I believe the hysteria over perpetual future doom is premature. The beauty of having two huge contracts is if necessary they can be used in trade, or their $110 million contracts, plus an additional amount for lesser expiries, used to substantially speed recovery in free agency. I could be wrong, however.

Good reflection... but, all in all, those two contracts of 110 mill combined are in a 37 YO and a 31 YO with a no trade clause. That makes the difference from being a normal situation to bargain from a point of disadvantage...

I actually agree. That is why if the trades are less desirable I would keep good players and if we cannot otherwise become competitive, allow them to expire if we believe we could better use the funds in free agency. It seems potentially not ideal, but at least that much "cash", in theory, could even allow us to get players we more prefer or need.

[BobbieL]

I admit to being in a different situation than most on this board. But I had been a long time fan of the game before the Spurs made tanking a stroke of genius, or even considered acceptable. I still think it hurts the league by making it much more difficult for the neediest teams to improve with the draft. Even then, though, the Spurs did it right. They did not rid themselves of their best players to gain a draft advantage. They were fortunate enough to be able to hold out two of their best players until the end of the season with earlier injuries, allowing them to luck into a generational talent. That made it unnecessary to waste years, getting back to where they even began, via the draft. Then too, while still good, they actually improved by getting Ginobli with the 57th pick and Parker with the 28th. Contrast that with the Sixers' or even the Suns' efforts.

Based on the history of the team, I have been less critical of Ishbia for trying something different. Although, in an opposite way from Hinkie, he might have also gone too far, giving up good size and two starters in the Durant trade, getting Beal, with the loss of a third starter, and in the subsequent trade of the fourth starter, Ayton, and Toumari, further hurting size. That was too much to quickly overcome for team need/balance. In spite of that, however, I believe the hysteria over perpetual future doom is premature. The beauty of having two huge contracts is if necessary they can be used in trade, or their $110 million contracts, plus an additional amount for lesser expiries, used to substantially speed recovery in free agency. I could be wrong, however.

Good reflection... but, all in all, those two contracts of 110 mill combined are in a 37 YO and a 31 YO with a no trade clause. That makes the difference from being a normal situation to bargain from a point of disadvantage...

I actually agree. That is why if the trades are less desirable I would keep good players and if we cannot otherwise become competitive, allow them to expire if we believe we could better use the funds in free agency. It seems potentially not ideal, but at least that much "cash", in theory, could even allow us to get players we more prefer or need.

In all likelihood, a Durant trade will net at least $30m of expiring contracts so the Suns will still have a chance, combined with Beal to have decent amount of cap space in the summer of 2027. Especially if they can move O'Neale and Allen for expirings by 2027.

Plus with Durant you will net draft picks and probably one good quality young rotational player for the future

[ChuckS]

I admit to being in a different situation than most on this board. But I had been a long time fan of the game before the Spurs made tanking a stroke of genius, or even considered acceptable. I still think it hurts the league by making it much more difficult for the neediest teams to improve with the draft. Even then, though, the Spurs did it right. They did not rid themselves of their best players to gain a draft advantage. They were fortunate enough to be able to hold out two of their best players until the end of the season with earlier injuries, allowing them to luck into a generational talent. That made it unnecessary to waste years, getting back to where they even began, via the draft. Then too, while still good, they actually improved by getting Ginobli with the 57th pick and Parker with the 28th. Contrast that with the Sixers' or even the Suns' efforts.

Based on the history of the team, I have been less critical of Ishbia for trying something different. Although, in an opposite way from Hinkie, he might have also gone too far, giving up good size and two starters in the Durant trade, getting Beal, with the loss of a third starter, and in the subsequent trade of the fourth starter, Ayton, and Toumari, further hurting size. That was too much to quickly overcome for team need/balance. In spite of that, however, I believe the hysteria over perpetual future doom is premature. The beauty of having two huge contracts is if necessary they can be used in trade, or their $110 million contracts, plus an additional amount for lesser expiries, used to substantially speed recovery in free agency. I could be wrong, however.

Excellent post.

The caveat is, can we trust Ishbia to make the right decision when it comes to the coaching hire (picking the right coach and not using his ties to Michigan State to sway his decision?)
Can we trust that he won't meddle in decisions that lead to overpaying anymore.
And can we trust that, if it makes sense for the franchise, that trading Booker could be the right, and necessary, move some day.

Thanks for the props.

I wish I knew the answers to those questions. I personally believe a billlionaire, who played on a championship college team, and more importantly is probably surrounded by the best advisors money can buy, is unlikely to be as stupid as has been alleged. I have, however, been known to change my mind.

But perhaps influenced by my own history of fallibility, I'm temporarily reserving judgement.

[TeamTragic]

Anyone else feel like the NBA is involved in the KD trade and we are promised a number 1 pick in the near future?

Silver loves rewarding teams that help push his agenda.

[BobbieL]

Anyone else feel like the NBA is involved in the KD trade and we are promised a number 1 pick in the near future?

Silver loves rewarding teams that help push his agenda.

Suns really won't have any picks to be rewarded with unless they trade KD to Houston and get their picks back as it doesn't seem like Booker is on the market to be traded