2025 Offseason Season Thread Vol. 2

[MettaWorldPanda]

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GET. IT. DONE.

Almost there. Was just waiting on KD to put that T Wolves fire out. Reminded me about us and the Grizzlies last year and Butler coming out saying he’s not playing there. You can’t phuck with an expiring superstar. League just saw that play out in real time with the Heat and Butler. It’s going to turn out like what we got for Butler. Why should we overpay more? They should have just taken Butler last year. Instead we’ll give them the Butler package and maybe one added sweetener to be nice

[SA37]

I actually do like the center free agent market this summer, there are quite a few solid options for a backup. My only wonder is if they’re going to get any clock, Bam is likely sliding to center any time Ware steps off the court with KD moving to the 4 if we get him

It would likely depend on whether or not Jovic is traded. Even if Jovic is retained, he seems to fall in and out of favor with Spoelstra.

[greg4012]

It really depends on which vets Miami can get on board. Maybe Miami trades for Claxton, J Allen, Mitchell Robinson, Myles Turner, Vucevic, Gafford...etc. Maybe Miami has to settle for Capela. Maybe Miami just decides to play Bam at center and uses Anderson more or Miami brings in Trey Lyles if Anderson is moved.

A lot of people thought getting LeBron and Bosh to pair with Wade was too thirsty. And then Ray Allen and Mike Miller came along. Miami resuscitated Chris Anderson...etc.

In any case, there are paths to creating an awesome team sans Ware and with Durant.

The bolded is where all this hope falls apart. Your gauge for centers is badly misaligned in 2 ways:

(1) ability to acquire players like Claxton, Jarrett Allen, Mitchell Robinson or Myles Turner

Claxton is being talked about as requiring at least 1 quality player and at least 1 FRP to acquire. Jarrett Allen is not available and would cost more. Mitchell Robinson is the only defensive big on the Knicks, they are not shipping him off for anything less than an upgrade. Myles Turner is literally the homegrown anchor on a Pacers team that may win it all this year. He's about to get PAID by Indiana and is not going anywhere.

(2) assessing Center talent

Vucevic cannot play defense and will cost a FRP. It's not a coincidence that he's never made it more than 5 games into the playoffs through his 13 year career. Miami is not going anywhere with Vuc at C.
Capela is pretty washed. He can still do things around the rim, but he can't play in space anymore and would prove to be a big clog on offense while not giving enough on defense. He's a backup center. Gafford is OK, but would cost draft capital and isn't a needle mover.

If adding a good starting center on the cheap was so easy, then everyone would be doing it. There aren't many that exist.

Bam at C should always be a part of what Miami deploys as long as he is in Miami. He is the best switching defensive center in the NBA. BUT, pointing at Miami's prior defensive success with Bam at center without accounting for (1) the fact that the smallball PFs he played alongside (Crowder and Tucker) were far more dynamic defensive players than Jovic or Anderson and (2) Jimmy freakin Butler was a major part of those defenses is pointing at something that is completely different than what you're suggesting.

A lot of people thought getting LeBron and Bosh to pair with Wade was too thirsty. And then Ray Allen and Mike Miller came along. Miami resuscitated Chris Anderson...etc.

This is too silly of a false equivalency to give any more oxygen than this sentence.

You're right. It's impossible for Miami to improve its roster. It's just hopeless. What was I thinking? It's not like Miami's last 25 years isn;t littered with Miami signing vets, making improbable acquisitions, and finding productive vets and undrafted guys

Heaven forbid something be subject to critical analysis! 3 prime Brook Lopez's please! Discounted or I send it back.

[MettaWorldPanda]

Final deal is going to be

Wiggins

Robinson(cap savings)

JJJ or Jovic

Keshad or Larrson

20th pick

Compared to the Butler deal

Wiggins

Anderson

Schroeder(salary savings dump)

20th pick

*Mitchell was a side deal that needed a 2nd rd pick and Tucker’s salary from the Schroeder dump to happen.

[greg4012]

I actually do like the center free agent market this summer, there are quite a few solid options for a backup. My only wonder is if they’re going to get any clock, Bam is likely sliding to center any time Ware steps off the court with KD moving to the 4 if we get him

But, what money will Miami have to work with? There are some center thirsty teams out there--starting with LA in a pretty desperate position.

[ZoStrong]

I guess you could also say the same thing about KD listening to Butler right? KD has respect for Spo and Bam from team USA.

In the end, players go where they think they will be most successful (financially more so than any other reason. It's a short career) regardless of their close friends. Just look at Fox. The Kentucky buddy of Bam. Never even entertained playing w Bam in Miami.

Spurs were his hometown team. Can’t blame him much for that

Wife plays a bigger role than any of your best buddies, ofc. lol

[3ammy3uck3ts]

I actually do like the center free agent market this summer, there are quite a few solid options for a backup. My only wonder is if they’re going to get any clock, Bam is likely sliding to center any time Ware steps off the court with KD moving to the 4 if we get him

But, what money will Miami have to work with? There are some center thirsty teams out there--starting with LA in a pretty desperate position.

Yea that may put an end to it, LA is definitely getting someone. We’ll have the MLE but they likely goes to Davion or part of it at least. We’d have to hope someone wants to join after KD for the minimum which might be a big ask

[Kobewade11]

And I'll add:

Miami traded for Shaq, and figured it out.

Miami acquired LeBron and Bosh, and figured it out.

Miami traded for Butler (and Dragic), and figured it out.

I have faith Miami can trade for Durant and figure it out.

None of those guys were 37 years old though and we didn't creative a massive need for the team in acquiring any of them. Moving Ware (on top of draft capital) would be extremely short sighted imo, and I'm already seeing people trying to talk themselves into some washed up center prospects because they are feeling pressure from Phx and want to cave in.

Don't make a bad deal. Push comes to shove, a Herro/Ware package with picks might net an Anthony Edwards or someone of that ilk a year from now. And I'm not advocating for trading either, just saying we would be fools to clear the cupboard for KD at his age.

[DayofMourning]

And I'll add:

Miami traded for Shaq, and figured it out.

Miami acquired LeBron and Bosh, and figured it out.

Miami traded for Butler (and Dragic), and figured it out.

I have faith Miami can trade for Durant and figure it out.

None of those guys were 37 years old though and we didn't creative a massive need for the team in acquiring any of them. Moving Ware (on top of draft capital) would be extremely short sighted imo, and I'm already seeing people trying to talk themselves into some washed up center prospects because they are feeling pressure from Phx and want to cave in.

Don't make a bad deal. Push comes to shove, a Herro/Ware package with picks might net an Anthony Edwards or someone of that ilk a year from now. And I'm not advocating for trading either, just saying we would be fools to clear the cupboard for KD at his age.

We dont cave round here!

Kelel is going noware.

[SerialChiller]

Final deal is going to be

Wiggins

Robinson(cap savings)

JJJ or Jovic

Keshad or Larrson

20th pick

Compared to the Butler deal

Wiggins

Anderson

Schroeder(salary savings dump)

20th pick

*Mitchell was a side deal that needed a 2nd rd pick and Tucker’s salary from the Schroeder dump to happen.

It's probably being a bit greedy, but I hope we can keep Larrson haha. I still get the feeling a third team might end up being part of it if this happens as well.

[greg4012]

Final deal is going to be

Wiggins

Robinson(cap savings)

JJJ or Jovic

Keshad or Larrson

20th pick

Compared to the Butler deal

Wiggins

Anderson

Schroeder(salary savings dump)

20th pick

*Mitchell was a side deal that needed a 2nd rd pick and Tucker’s salary from the Schroeder dump to happen.

It's probably being a bit greedy, but I hope we can keep Larrson haha. I still get the feeling a third team might end up being part of it if this happens as well.

Larsson would be tough to see go. Obviously should not be a hold up in getting a deal done, but Larsson's defense and dribble-pass-shoot skillset would prove very useful in a number of rotational lineups. It's no coincidence he showed out in closing lineups as a rookie.

[greg4012]

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Dude really is all-in on no state income tax

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[MettaWorldPanda]

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[3ammy3uck3ts]

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Send it in, both sides just wasting time at this point.

[Lennyzinho]

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Send it in, both sides just wasting time at this point.

I love niko but having to pay him doesnt make sense with adding durant. You pay durant while Herro still makes 30M next two years. I wish we'd trade JJJ instead but not overly realistic if it means keeping ware.
Besides what minutes would jovic realistically get behind durant and bam.

[inhabitMiami]

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Would be highway robbery for us.

[EMC5466]

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?s=61

[DayofMourning]

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Would be highway robbery for us.

More reality than fantasy.

[DayofMourning]

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Every knuckle dragger ready to pile on.

[inhabitMiami]

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Would be highway robbery for us.

More reality than fantasy.

Would be a nice way for Pat to call it a career.