2025 Offseason Season Thread Vol. 1

[3ammy3uck3ts]

MWP you’ve slept on it, how are you feeling? KD in Miami by a week from today at the latest?

[HeatingUp3]

We don't have the best package for KD, if the Rockets or SA wants him its over.

[MettaWorldPanda]

Anyone have reservations of having KD playing the perimeter SF spot? I guess ideally he plays PF with a switchable defensive wing almost like Wiggins would be the perfect fit lol. I know the immense reservations about adding Ware to the deal but what if Ware is the main prize for the Suns and we get to keep the majority of our assets? Just contemplating different scenarios such as keeping Jovic and just drafting a Center with the 20th pick to replace Ware.

C Bam
PF Durant PF Jovic
SF Wiggins

vs

C Ware
PF Bam
SF Durant

Technically for Spo’s switch defense the above might be more enticing then the latter.

[3ammy3uck3ts]

Read on Twitter

[MettaWorldPanda]

MWP you’ve slept on it, how are you feeling? KD in Miami by a week from today at the latest?

I did sleep on it and started thinking Ware might be headed out cause Pat Riley ain’t taking no for an answer this go around and some in the fan base are going to go ape chit when it happens lol. KD might want Wiggins here over Ware so he can play the 4 spot. Don’t think KD wants to come here and be a primary perimeter defender at his age.

[3ammy3uck3ts]

Anyone have reservations of having KD playing the perimeter SF spot? I guess ideally he plays PF with a switchable defensive wing almost like Wiggins would be the perfect fit lol. I know the immense reservations about adding Ware to the deal but what if Ware is the main prize for the Suns and we get to keep the majority of our assets? Just contemplating different scenarios such as keeping Jovic and just drafting a Center with the 20th pick to replace Ware.

C Bam
PF Durant PF Jovic
SF Wiggins

vs

C Ware
PF Bam
SF Durant

Technically for Spo’s switch defense the above might be more enticing then the latter.

I agree KD is better suited at PF. If you trade Ware though we need to sign someone like Lopez and we need to be all hands on deck with the assets to get another all star. If they get Ware they don’t get picks and we have 3 along with Jaime/Jovic and whatever salary. Similar to the Fox deal.

[3ammy3uck3ts]

MWP you’ve slept on it, how are you feeling? KD in Miami by a week from today at the latest?

I did sleep on it and started thinking Ware might be headed out cause Pat Riley ain’t taking no for an answer this go around and some in the fan base are going to go ape chit when it happens lol. KD might want Wiggins here over Ware so he can play the 4 spot. Don’t think KD wants to come here and be a primary perimeter defender at his age.

We’ll see what happens but you’re correct in the fact that KD likely needs to be the 4 which at the least pushes Ware to a reserve role.

Mitchell
Herro
Wiggins
KD
Bam

Is actually very complementary to each other if Wiggins stops being a bitch

[greg4012]

Anyone have reservations of having KD playing the perimeter SF spot? I guess ideally he plays PF with a switchable defensive wing almost like Wiggins would be the perfect fit lol. I know the immense reservations about adding Ware to the deal but what if Ware is the main prize for the Suns and we get to keep the majority of our assets? Just contemplating different scenarios such as keeping Jovic and just drafting a Center with the 20th pick to replace Ware.

C Bam
PF Durant PF Jovic
SF Wiggins

vs

C Ware
PF Bam
SF Durant

Technically for Spo’s switch defense the above might be more enticing then the latter.

I don't at all.

KD has been a positive defender every season of his career. He has SF movement skills (used to have SG movement skills) with the length of a center. Phoenix defense was bad last season. But, KD was tied with Royce O'Neale for best DWS and second only to Royce in DBPM for Phoenix last season. The rest of the team being liabilities dragged them down majorly.

The bigger thing is Bam can defend the opposition's best offensive threat any night. Bam is the skeleton key that Durant has been missing for his post-GS stretch. He needs to stand on top of a do-it-all dirty work defensive star. Pairing him with ball-dominant offense only players has led to disappointment.

Bam defending a team's best wing/forward >>>> Wiggins doing so

Ware growth on defense should be big.

[MettaWorldPanda]

Anyone have reservations of having KD playing the perimeter SF spot? I guess ideally he plays PF with a switchable defensive wing almost like Wiggins would be the perfect fit lol. I know the immense reservations about adding Ware to the deal but what if Ware is the main prize for the Suns and we get to keep the majority of our assets? Just contemplating different scenarios such as keeping Jovic and just drafting a Center with the 20th pick to replace Ware.

C Bam
PF Durant PF Jovic
SF Wiggins

vs

C Ware
PF Bam
SF Durant

Technically for Spo’s switch defense the above might be more enticing then the latter.

I agree KD is better suited at PF. If you trade Ware though we need to sign someone like Lopez and we need to be all hands on deck with the assets to get another all star. If they get Ware they don’t get picks and we have 3 along with Jaime/Jovic and whatever salary. Similar to the Fox deal.

Trading Ware is extremely polarizing i get it but also is Riley’s major trump card here. Durant ain’t going to sweat Ware getting traded if he knows Wiggins who he probably trust a lot more with his playoff experience will be here playing the wing spot. Then you put together a veteran laden team ready to make a run in the next two years. I think Ware allows you to keep the majority of our assets. Especially Jovic. They can’t have both but they probably want Ware over Jovic and settle for JJJ as the secondary.

[greg4012]

MWP you’ve slept on it, how are you feeling? KD in Miami by a week from today at the latest?

I did sleep on it and started thinking Ware might be headed out cause Pat Riley ain’t taking no for an answer this go around and some in the fan base are going to go ape chit when it happens lol. KD might want Wiggins here over Ware so he can play the 4 spot. Don’t think KD wants to come here and be a primary perimeter defender at his age.

Miami gets worse on defense if Wiggins is the primary wing/forward defender rather than Bam

[MettaWorldPanda]

Anyone have reservations of having KD playing the perimeter SF spot? I guess ideally he plays PF with a switchable defensive wing almost like Wiggins would be the perfect fit lol. I know the immense reservations about adding Ware to the deal but what if Ware is the main prize for the Suns and we get to keep the majority of our assets? Just contemplating different scenarios such as keeping Jovic and just drafting a Center with the 20th pick to replace Ware.

C Bam
PF Durant PF Jovic
SF Wiggins

vs

C Ware
PF Bam
SF Durant

Technically for Spo’s switch defense the above might be more enticing then the latter.

I don't at all.

KD has been a positive defender every season of his career. He has SF movement skills (used to have SG movement skills) with the length of a center. Phoenix defense was bad last season. But, KD was tied with Royce O'Neale for best DWS and second only to Royce in DBPM for Phoenix last season. The rest of the team being liabilities dragged them down majorly.

The bigger thing is Bam can defend the opposition's best offensive threat any night. Bam is the skeleton key that Durant has been missing for his post-GS stretch. He needs to stand on top of a do-it-all dirty work defensive star. Pairing him with ball-dominant offense only players has led to disappointment.

Bam defending a team's best wing/forward >>>> Wiggins doing so

Ware growth on defense should be big.

Depends of what KD wants. All the other teams in play for him are probably going to slot him in the 4 spot. We are the only team right now assuming he’s going to play the SF spot due to reservations in trading Ware.

[3ammy3uck3ts]

Bruce Brown
Gary Trent
Brook Lopez
Tim Hardaway
Brogdon
Tyus Jones
Levert
Schroder
Adams
CP0
Horford
Lonnie Walker
Dennis Smith

These are all guys we should be looking at to fill out the roster this summer. Preferably the 2 way guys, majority if these guys add something on both ends. A lot of them are scrappy players in which we’ve seen the importance of in these playoffs.

[greg4012]

Just looking at the East best teams' wings

Pacers: Siakam (PF)
Knicks: Anunoby (PF/SF) and Bridges (SF)
Cavs: Strus/Hunter
Celtics: Tatum (achilles) (PF/SF) and Brown (SF)
Bucks: Giannis (PF)
Magic: Banchero (SF/PF) and Wagner (PF/SF)

I contend issues start to arise if Miami doesn't have a center like Ware able to bump with the big guy and allow Bam to take the best of each of these groups (except Cleveland, where Bam would be on Mobley).

No concern about Durant spending time defending the likes of Nesmith, Anunoby/Bridges, Strus/Hunter, Kuzma, and Wagner.

[greg4012]

Anyone have reservations of having KD playing the perimeter SF spot? I guess ideally he plays PF with a switchable defensive wing almost like Wiggins would be the perfect fit lol. I know the immense reservations about adding Ware to the deal but what if Ware is the main prize for the Suns and we get to keep the majority of our assets? Just contemplating different scenarios such as keeping Jovic and just drafting a Center with the 20th pick to replace Ware.

C Bam
PF Durant PF Jovic
SF Wiggins

vs

C Ware
PF Bam
SF Durant

Technically for Spo’s switch defense the above might be more enticing then the latter.

I don't at all.

KD has been a positive defender every season of his career. He has SF movement skills (used to have SG movement skills) with the length of a center. Phoenix defense was bad last season. But, KD was tied with Royce O'Neale for best DWS and second only to Royce in DBPM for Phoenix last season. The rest of the team being liabilities dragged them down majorly.

The bigger thing is Bam can defend the opposition's best offensive threat any night. Bam is the skeleton key that Durant has been missing for his post-GS stretch. He needs to stand on top of a do-it-all dirty work defensive star. Pairing him with ball-dominant offense only players has led to disappointment.

Bam defending a team's best wing/forward >>>> Wiggins doing so

Ware growth on defense should be big.

Depends of what KD wants. All the other teams in play for him are probably going to slot him in the 4 spot. We are the only team right now assuming he’s going to play the SF spot due to reservations in trading Ware.

You're talking about what position a player defends. Miami would be slotting Durant next to the most versatile defender in the NBA.

This is a non-issue. Me thinks this is just an exercise to come to terms with the idea of giving up Ware. Can't say I'm a fan.

[MettaWorldPanda]

Read on Twitter

Looks like i’m not the only one who woke up thinking the same thing lol

[3ammy3uck3ts]

Just looking at the East best teams' wings

Pacers: Siakam (PF)
Knicks: Anunoby (PF/SF) and Bridges (SF)
Cavs: Strus/Hunter
Celtics: Tatum (achilles) (PF/SF) and Brown (SF)
Bucks: Giannis (PF)
Magic: Banchero (SF/PF) and Wagner (PF/SF)

I contend issues start to arise if Miami doesn't have a center like Ware able to bump with the big guy and allow Bam to take the best of each of these groups (except Cleveland, where Bam would be on Mobley).

No concern about Durant spending time defending the likes of Nesmith, Anunoby/Bridges, Strus/Hunter, Kuzma, and Wagner.

Good research and I agree after you’ve laid it all out there. Looking out west as well the Thunder, Wolves, Warriors, and Nuggets don’t really seem to have the type of builds that should worry us either. Having a defender like Davion for the guards really helps out here

[MettaWorldPanda]

I don't at all.

KD has been a positive defender every season of his career. He has SF movement skills (used to have SG movement skills) with the length of a center. Phoenix defense was bad last season. But, KD was tied with Royce O'Neale for best DWS and second only to Royce in DBPM for Phoenix last season. The rest of the team being liabilities dragged them down majorly.

The bigger thing is Bam can defend the opposition's best offensive threat any night. Bam is the skeleton key that Durant has been missing for his post-GS stretch. He needs to stand on top of a do-it-all dirty work defensive star. Pairing him with ball-dominant offense only players has led to disappointment.

Bam defending a team's best wing/forward >>>> Wiggins doing so

Ware growth on defense should be big.

Depends of what KD wants. All the other teams in play for him are probably going to slot him in the 4 spot. We are the only team right now assuming he’s going to play the SF spot due to reservations in trading Ware.

You're talking about what position a player defends. Miami would be slotting Durant next to the most versatile defender in the NBA.

This is a non-issue. Me thinks this is just an exercise to come to terms with the idea of giving up Ware. Can't say I'm a fan.

Heat’s best constructs with Bam had always involved switchable 4’s and wings. List to include Tucker, Crowder, Iguodala, Butler, DJJ, Strus, and maybe some others i might have missed but that’s not to say Ware can’t be the exception cause he can but still in question. The other construct has more data and two finals appearances behind it.

[carnageta]

Call me a homer but a core of DMitchell, Herro, KD, Bam, and Ware is a top 4 team in the East.


If the KD trade does go through, I really hope we can keep Larrsson and Highsmigth. We need 3&d wing defenders around Herro and KD.

[3ammy3uck3ts]

Read on Twitter

Swap SGA with Wade and it’s Thunder in 4. Don’t ever compare that non defense playing free throw merchant to my goat again!!!!!

[greg4012]

Depends of what KD wants. All the other teams in play for him are probably going to slot him in the 4 spot. We are the only team right now assuming he’s going to play the SF spot due to reservations in trading Ware.

You're talking about what position a player defends. Miami would be slotting Durant next to the most versatile defender in the NBA.

This is a non-issue. Me thinks this is just an exercise to come to terms with the idea of giving up Ware. Can't say I'm a fan.

Heat’s best constructs with Bam had always involved switchable 4’s and wings. List to include Tucker, Crowder, Iguodala, Butler, DJJ, Strus, and maybe some others i might have missed but that’s not to say Ware can’t be the exception cause he can but still in question. The other construct has more data and two finals appearances behind it.

LOL at Strus mention.

Nothing about that is apples to apples. The "best constructs" all included Jimmy Butler--one of the best defensive playmakers in the modern NBA--on the court, as well. PLUS super high level defenders in Tucker and Crowder (both with strength to defend frontcourt) PLUS stints of size alongside Bam with Kelly O and Leonard. Wiggins is unequivocally NOT Jimmy Butler or PJ Tucker or Jae Crowder as a defender today. Maybe he has a lot more to offer than what we saw in his Miami stretch, but he didn't show it.

It's not about Ware being an exception. It's not like Miami had the option of pairing Bam with a fleet-footed 7-footer that can shoot 3s during that time. All you're doing is highlighting Bam's defensive versatility.

Miami's defense was improved THIS PAST SEASON with Ware paired with Bam compared to before Ware was in the mix. And that was as a rookie that didn't know what he was doing.

I've been one of the main advocates on this board at highlighting the importance of keeping Bam in rotation between PF and C minutes bc he provides so much advantage and versatility to Miami's defensive approach. That doesn't mean that the unicorn fit with Ware isnt very valuable in itself.

Acting like trading Ware to keep Wiggins is a benefit to Miami's defense and Durant's experience defending in Miami is wholly unfounded. It's an exercise in coming to terms with something that would make the whole Durant experience less worthwhile. Still worthwhile? TBD.