NBA General Discussion: 2025 Offseason

[Arsenal]

This is an outrageous post, if you're being dead serious.

Bane is smaller than Kon and has an actual negative wingspan. He also never reached freshman Kon's heights as a driver, finisher or shooter as a 4 year college player.

Ace Bailey fans unironically rank prospects by triathlon splits.

There's very little chance Kon will be as good as Bane because he's an INFERIOR athlete, period.

The draft is for the NBA, not college.

If this is how you view the game of basketball and this isn't some sort of bit, refrain from quoting me because it's the last time you'll be dignified with a response.

I'll quote you any time I want. I'll also be here to tell you how wrong you were about your boy Kon when he turns out to be a ROLE PLAYER in the NBA.

[stormi]

Oh he's gimmick posting lmao.

Sad, supporters of a particular draft prospect can't have intellectual back and forth dialogue or supplement their opinions without the crutch of buzzword spam.

Have fun chatting in my notifications little buddy!

[KramerDSP]

I think if there was a better deal, then they probably would have done that.

Bane isn’t Paul George. He’s a very good still young player and fits tremendously with that roster. Their biggest weakness was 3pt shooting and Bane solves that. Can’t keep kicking the can down the road forever, they have their two stud wings now it’s time to win. The East is wide open, they are very much in the picture next year IMO. Would you have had Indiana in the Finals for ‘25 this time last year?

I don't have any problem with going after Bane, who I'd take on my team in a second. I have a big problem with the price teams are willing to pay for guys like Bane and Mikal Bridges, another player I've always liked. These are good complimentary players, not huge difference makers, and mortgaging the future for them is just bad business. IMO.

I understand that, but I think times have changed. It’s now $20 for a decent plain pizza nowadays. It sucks, but that’s the price.

$9.50 at Costco for an extra large plain pizza.

[the_process]

Orlando is going to be a powerhouse team in the East.

I think they'll be a good RS team. I don't see it in the postseason with Banchero as the alpha, though.

[Jailblazers7]

Amazing haul, especially for Memphis which is great at talent evaluation.

[the_process]

MEM could go after Durant now.

Or they could trade Ja.

Either way, if this is the new normal on the trade market it's clear that the narrative that PG is the worst contract in NBA history and could not be moved unless you added multiple firsts is patently absurd.

[Murray_17]

Amazing haul, especially for Memphis which is great at talent evaluation.

Unless they're rebuilding i don't think they're gonna draft those picks. They're probably creating a haul to get Durant/Giannis or another big fish

[Iverson Armband]

I don't have any problem with going after Bane, who I'd take on my team in a second. I have a big problem with the price teams are willing to pay for guys like Bane and Mikal Bridges, another player I've always liked. These are good complimentary players, not huge difference makers, and mortgaging the future for them is just bad business. IMO.

I understand that, but I think times have changed. It’s now $20 for a decent plain pizza nowadays. It sucks, but that’s the price.

$9.50 at Costco for an extra large plain pizza.

I said decent..

[M2J]

I like the Magic team. We'll see what they do for their depth. But they have a good collection of 4 #2 or #3 guys and that seems to be working lately. Boston kinda won with some#2 level stars with some high level #3 or#4s sprinkled in. Cleveland had a nice run using that formula, as has Indiana and New York.

Bane should definitely help their shooting issues, while maybe even helping their defense

[Iscull]

I like the Magic team. We'll see what they do for their depth. But they have a good collection of 4 #2 or #3 guys and that seems to be working lately. Boston kinda won with some#2 level stars with some high level #3 or#4s sprinkled in. Cleveland had a nice run using that formula, as has Indiana and New York.

Bane should definitely help their shooting issues, while maybe even helping their defense

I like the Suggs / Bane backcourt. The question is if he’s enough shooting with that starting five. They may still have to trade Carter or Wagner to get a better spot up shooter

[M2J]

I like the Magic team. We'll see what they do for their depth. But they have a good collection of 4 #2 or #3 guys and that seems to be working lately. Boston kinda won with some#2 level stars with some high level #3 or#4s sprinkled in. Cleveland had a nice run using that formula, as has Indiana and New York.

Bane should definitely help their shooting issues, while maybe even helping their defense

I like the Suggs / Bane backcourt. The question is if he’s enough shooting with that starting five. They may still have to trade Carter or Wagner to get a better spot up shooter

Yeah, they definitely have to do more as well as hope for improvement from the other 3. But they're at least adding a guy that you have to attach a body to, just off name value alone. Should help a lot on it's own

[76ciology]

It’s hard to build around wings, specifically the protoypical 6’7” and taller small forwards. I’m not saying it’s impossible, there are still some wings worth building around, but it’s more difficult than people think.

I came across a chart showing how the league is slowly phasing out 6’1–6’3” guards. There’s a growing trend favoring 6’4–6’6” players, who benefit from the league allowing more physicality, especially when bumping or pushing off bigger defenders. Teams are stacking up on 3&D wings, and bigs are doing everything they can to become more mobile just to stay on the floor.

Because of that, many wings don’t have obvious mismatches to exploit anymore. That’s part of why Orlando’s offense struggles, you have Wagner and Banchero taking a high volume of shots, but most of those come from actions that don’t consistently generate high-quality looks.

So if you look at the top players in the league, most are guards, some bigs and a few 6’7” or taller SFs where a couple of them are near 40s.

[76ciology]

Ja Morant is a really good buy low target. He’s the guy Magic should have aimed for.

[MVP1992]

It’s hard to build around wings, specifically the protoypical 6’7” and taller small forwards. I’m not saying it’s impossible, there are still some wings worth building around, but it’s more difficult than people think.

I came across a chart showing how the league is slowly phasing out 6’1–6’3” guards. There’s a growing trend favoring 6’4–6’6” players, who benefit from the league allowing more physicality, especially when bumping or pushing off bigger defenders. Teams are stacking up on 3&D wings, and bigs are doing everything they can to become more mobile just to stay on the floor.

*not saying this is what you want*
Is building around a player falling into the same trap we have been in with building around Embiid?

When that player goes down, then what?

When a team's success hinges on one player, especially a centre, I'm sceptical.

[76ciology]

It’s hard to build around wings, specifically the protoypical 6’7” and taller small forwards. I’m not saying it’s impossible, there are still some wings worth building around, but it’s more difficult than people think.

I came across a chart showing how the league is slowly phasing out 6’1–6’3” guards. There’s a growing trend favoring 6’4–6’6” players, who benefit from the league allowing more physicality, especially when bumping or pushing off bigger defenders. Teams are stacking up on 3&D wings, and bigs are doing everything they can to become more mobile just to stay on the floor.

*not saying this is what you want*
Is building around a player falling into the same trap we have been in with building around Embiid?

When that player goes down, then what?

When a team's success hinges on one player, especially a centre, I'm sceptical.

I find your response to be not related but I’d like to respond to it.

Building around one player, even a center, is completely fine, as long as that player is a generational talent like Wemby, Jokic, or Embiid. By generational, I mean someone who’s a mismatch against 95–100% of defenders, either a big with all NBA guard skills or someone who scores like Kevin Durant. Those seem to be the two dominant archetypes. With Embiid, we had multiple legitimate shots at a championship. Sometimes, if luck isn’t on your side, that’s still the best you can ask for.

[MVP1992]

It’s hard to build around wings, specifically the protoypical 6’7” and taller small forwards. I’m not saying it’s impossible, there are still some wings worth building around, but it’s more difficult than people think.

I came across a chart showing how the league is slowly phasing out 6’1–6’3” guards. There’s a growing trend favoring 6’4–6’6” players, who benefit from the league allowing more physicality, especially when bumping or pushing off bigger defenders. Teams are stacking up on 3&D wings, and bigs are doing everything they can to become more mobile just to stay on the floor.

*not saying this is what you want*
Is building around a player falling into the same trap we have been in with building around Embiid?

When that player goes down, then what?

When a team's success hinges on one player, especially a centre, I'm sceptical.

I find your response to be not related but I’d like to respond to it.

Building around one player, even a center, is completely fine, as long as that player is a generational talent like Wemby, Jokic, or Embiid. By generational, I mean someone who’s a mismatch against 95–100% of defenders, either a big with all NBA guard skills or someone who scores like Kevin Durant. Those seem to be the two dominant archetypes. With Embiid, we had multiple legitimate shots at a championship. Sometimes, if luck isn’t on your side, that’s still the best you can ask for.

I'll try and tie it back into what you were saying.

Yes, I'd like to see more 6'4" - 6'7" wings on this team.


Let's say a team isn't 'built around' one player.
A balanced team with a high end guard, a high end 3&D wing, a solid big man.

Then plug in solid role players in between and decent back ups at those positions...

(I'm dreaming in an ideal world)

Then let's say you luck into a superstar at any position. I'll go with a 6'6" - 6'9" (in shoes) that can do it all. Run the court (point forward), shoot the 3, rebound, defend, is athletic. Good attitude and not selfish.

Is it better to build around that superstar, or to let that superstar compliment your team using their star talent, in any situation. Since they're the best player, can't they lift the rest of the team? Be your 'just go get a bucket' and take over the game player?

I just find building around a star to be high risk albeit, yes possibly high reward.

I see the Sixers over the next 4 years having a chance to build out a team leading up to the inevitable day we have no PG or Embiid.

That team being a bit more organic and developing chemistry by keeping our youth together.

We'll have the chance either when PG goes in 3 years, or if Embiid med retires within 4 years to go Max out a superstar free agent, with any luck.

Having 10+ players turned over each year is the opposite of what I'd like to see.

Maxey, McCain, Edwards, Grimes, Bona and this year's #3 pick. Play them.

By the time McCain, Edwards, Bona cost more, PG will be gone (55m freed up?)

I'm rambling.

Would just be nice to see a young core grow together and then plug in the star power.

Instead of investing in 3 Max players and trying to fill out the roster with league leftovers on vet min salaries.

[76ciology]

*not saying this is what you want*
Is building around a player falling into the same trap we have been in with building around Embiid?

When that player goes down, then what?

When a team's success hinges on one player, especially a centre, I'm sceptical.

I find your response to be not related but I’d like to respond to it.

Building around one player, even a center, is completely fine, as long as that player is a generational talent like Wemby, Jokic, or Embiid. By generational, I mean someone who’s a mismatch against 95–100% of defenders, either a big with all NBA guard skills or someone who scores like Kevin Durant. Those seem to be the two dominant archetypes. With Embiid, we had multiple legitimate shots at a championship. Sometimes, if luck isn’t on your side, that’s still the best you can ask for.

I'll try and tie it back into what you were saying.

Yes, I'd like to see more 6'4" - 6'7" wings on this team.


Let's say a team isn't 'built around' one player.
A balanced team with a high end guard, a high end 3&D wing, a solid big man.

Then plug in solid role players in between and decent back ups at those positions...

(I'm dreaming in an ideal world)

Then let's say you luck into a superstar at any position. I'll go with a 6'6" - 6'9" (in shoes) that can do it all. Run the court (point forward), shoot the 3, rebound, defend, is athletic. Good attitude and not selfish.

Is it better to build around that superstar, or to let that superstar compliment your team using their star talent, in any situation. Since they're the best player, can't they lift the rest of the team? Be your 'just go get a bucket' and take over the game player?

I just find building around a star to be high risk albeit, yes possibly high reward.

I see the Sixers over the next 4 years having a chance to build out a team leading up to the inevitable day we have no PG or Embiid.

That team being a bit more organic and developing chemistry by keeping our youth together.

We'll have the chance either when PG goes in 3 years, or if Embiid med retires within 4 years to go Max out a superstar free agent, with any luck.

Having 10+ players turned over each year is the opposite of what I'd like to see.

Maxey, McCain, Edwards, Grimes, Bona and this year's #3 pick. Play them.

By the time McCain, Edwards, Bona cost more, PG will be gone (55m freed up?)

I'm rambling.

Would just be nice to see a young core grow together and then plug in the star power.

Instead of investing in 3 Max players and trying to fill out the roster with league leftovers on vet min salaries.

Yes, I believe thats the better approach. Which is to build around a group of high-impact supporting players, then hope to luck into an alpha. That way, you’re not fully dependent on landing a generational talent. It’s similar to what the Celtics did or have been doing, Tatum wasn’t considered a generational player, and some might still argue he’s not a true superstar. It’s also lowkey impressive how they were able to build around was Isaiah Thomas. And in Tatum’s case, the strength of the team around him has really been the driving force behind their success.

The way I see it, you keep stacking players with strong archetypes.. high feel, skill, and positional size. Over time, they either develop into a high-level supporting cast or become valuable assets you can package in a trade for a superstar.

Unpopular opinion, but I think the Magic should’ve drafted Chet over Paolo. Chet offers more two-way impact, and instead of forcing Paolo into an alpha role, they could’ve used their draft capital to trade for someone like Ja Morant, an underrated true alpha in my view. Other options are Devin Booker, Garland, Trae Young and maybe Anfernee Simmons, Herro or Lavine.

Ja Morant
Jalen Suggs
Franz Wagner
Chet Holmgren
WCS

They could also go small with Chet and Isaac as the 4–5 pairing.

[MVP1992]

I think we just need Danny Ainge, Sam Presti, Brad Stevens and Morey to all team up on the Sixers.

Josh Harris, dust off your wallet.

[76ciology]

I think we just need Danny Ainge, Sam Presti, Brad Stevens and Morey to all team up on the Sixers.

Josh Harris, dust off your wallet.

Start now with drafting VJ or Harper with our #3.

[mjkvol]

*not saying this is what you want*
Is building around a player falling into the same trap we have been in with building around Embiid?

When that player goes down, then what?

When a team's success hinges on one player, especially a centre, I'm sceptical.

I find your response to be not related but I’d like to respond to it.

Building around one player, even a center, is completely fine, as long as that player is a generational talent like Wemby, Jokic, or Embiid. By generational, I mean someone who’s a mismatch against 95–100% of defenders, either a big with all NBA guard skills or someone who scores like Kevin Durant. Those seem to be the two dominant archetypes. With Embiid, we had multiple legitimate shots at a championship. Sometimes, if luck isn’t on your side, that’s still the best you can ask for.

I'll try and tie it back into what you were saying.

Yes, I'd like to see more 6'4" - 6'7" wings on this team.


Let's say a team isn't 'built around' one player.
A balanced team with a high end guard, a high end 3&D wing, a solid big man.

Then plug in solid role players in between and decent back ups at those positions...

(I'm dreaming in an ideal world)

Then let's say you luck into a superstar at any position. I'll go with a 6'6" - 6'9" (in shoes) that can do it all. Run the court (point forward), shoot the 3, rebound, defend, is athletic. Good attitude and not selfish.

Is it better to build around that superstar, or to let that superstar compliment your team using their star talent, in any situation. Since they're the best player, can't they lift the rest of the team? Be your 'just go get a bucket' and take over the game player?

I just find building around a star to be high risk albeit, yes possibly high reward.

I see the Sixers over the next 4 years having a chance to build out a team leading up to the inevitable day we have no PG or Embiid.

That team being a bit more organic and developing chemistry by keeping our youth together.

We'll have the chance either when PG goes in 3 years, or if Embiid med retires within 4 years to go Max out a superstar free agent, with any luck.

Having 10+ players turned over each year is the opposite of what I'd like to see.

Maxey, McCain, Edwards, Grimes, Bona and this year's #3 pick. Play them.

By the time McCain, Edwards, Bona cost more, PG will be gone (55m freed up?)

I'm rambling.

Would just be nice to see a young core grow together and then plug in the star power.

Instead of investing in 3 Max players and trying to fill out the roster with league leftovers on vet min salaries.

You mean kind of like the two teams in the Finals. This is the exact approach I've been wanting to see for the last 3-4 years, but until PHX finally signaled the death knell to the "three stars" approach, people were still stuck believing that was the way. I believe a lot of people still think that way.