NBA General Discussion: 2025 Offseason

[76ciology]

Nikola Jokić will be a free agent in the summer of 2027.

The Lakers are preserving cap space for 2027, when the team expects to have space to sign a max-salary free agent. Coincidence?

One reporter says everything the Lakers have done is to land Jokic.

"Jokic and Doncic's friendship is well-established, and allusions to the idea of them one day pairing up are starting to seep through. When viewed through that lens, everything about the Los Angeles Lakers' 2025 offseason movement - or lack of it - starts to make more sense. …It is not for nothing that Denver Nuggets president Josh Kroenke recently gave some voice of his own to the idea that, one day, Jokic might leave the team. Nor is it for nothing that Jokic has declined the Nuggets' offer of a contract extension."

(via Mark Deeks)

[the_process]

Nikola Jokić will be a free agent in the summer of 2027.

The Lakers are preserving cap space for 2027, when the team expects to have space to sign a max-salary free agent. Coincidence?

One reporter says everything the Lakers have done is to land Jokic.

"Jokic and Doncic's friendship is well-established, and allusions to the idea of them one day pairing up are starting to seep through. When viewed through that lens, everything about the Los Angeles Lakers' 2025 offseason movement - or lack of it - starts to make more sense. …It is not for nothing that Denver Nuggets president Josh Kroenke recently gave some voice of his own to the idea that, one day, Jokic might leave the team. Nor is it for nothing that Jokic has declined the Nuggets' offer of a contract extension."

(via Mark Deeks)

Jokic declined his extension because he can make another 80M (or whatever it is exactly) if he waits a year.

However, the Lakers angling for Jokic sounds very Lakers-y.

[the_process]

Lillard back to POR for basically the full MLE.

Is this an acknowledgement Scoot is a bust, or is it a free asset grab they can flip again in 27 at the deadline if he's back and playing at least okay?

Lillard and Holiday as your backcourt next year, both at 36+, is certainly a decision.

[Negrodamus]

I imagine Lillard kept his life in Portland and just wanted to go back.

[Stanford]

Is this an acknowledgement Scoot is a bust, or is it a free asset grab they can flip again in 27 at the deadline if he's back and playing at least okay?

I don't think it is either of these.

[ProcessDoctor]

I have a feeling Jrue is going to be traded back to Milwaukee for Kuzma+

[76ciology]

Hmmm..

[x]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=bJcUtOCSwzTqqyZgysWpbQ[/x]

[the_process]

Marcus Smart apparently has agreed to a buyout with WSH to go join the Lakers.

[the_process]

And the Wizards just waived Blake Wesley. Worth a look?

[Foshan]

Hmmm..

[x]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=bJcUtOCSwzTqqyZgysWpbQ[/x]

This would be so funny (and frustrating for MIL fans) lol

[76ciology]

I get the sense that one-dimensional scorers, guys who can put up points but offer little else, are becoming less valuable. Not saying they’re useless, but there was a time when they were clearly second in the hierarchy behind the alphas, with the old saying “scorers get paid”. Now, with the sheer number of them available, the constraints of the new CBA and the league empowering defenders by allowing more physicality, their value seems to be dropping.

In contrast, “floor raisers”, guys who can dribble, pass, shoot, defend, and generate extra possessions, are becoming more essential. Ideally, a team is built around a legit alpha, a semi-alpha with floor-raising skills, and a strong supporting cast of floor raisers. The true alphas are hyper-efficient and can carry the offense on the ball when needed. The Thunder and Celtics are great examples of this model.

But again, it’s a copy cat league.