2025 Offseason Free Agency Thread

[76ciology]

For me, when a player’s shooting percentage drops, it means one of two things.. either become a better scorer (i.e by adding tools like a midrange game; he’s also not a good to very good finisher around the rim), or reduce your scoring usage. In Maxey’s case, I think it’s more of the latter. He needs to learn how to score more efficiently and pick his spots, rather than forcing the issue. With multiple scoring options on the team now, especially if George and Embiid are healthy, he doesn’t need to carry the same offensive load.

..and that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t improve his scoring like scoring in the midrange.

I think that might be an overreaction to last season. Maxey had a hand injury last season playing with the skeleton of Embiid/PG or without them at all. His shooting % from 5ft or less have typically been solid but better pace would do wonders for his finishing which is what some of the midrange work will help him do. I’d like to see a full season with a springy PnR partner like Bona before I make any strong judgements.

For me, he needs to find ways to punish the defense when they overload on him, mainly by reading the floor better and getting the ball to his open teammates. That would help his efficiency and make both him and the team better.

Right now, he’s averaging 25 PPG with good efficiency, which is star level already. I don’t really see him as a 30 PPG scorer with elite efficiency (i.e Shai, Luka or Jokic), if he gets to 30, his efficiency will probably take a hit and/or I think it would have some empty calories in it. But I think he can stay at or near 25ppg and become more efficient if he improves as a playmaker. That would actually make him and the team better.

[youngcrev]

For me, when a player’s shooting percentage drops, it means one of two things.. either become a better scorer (i.e by adding tools like a midrange game; he’s also not a good to very good finisher around the rim), or reduce your scoring usage. In Maxey’s case, I think it’s more of the latter. He needs to learn how to score more efficiently and pick his spots, rather than forcing the issue. With multiple scoring options on the team now, especially if George and Embiid are healthy, he doesn’t need to carry the same offensive load.

..and that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t improve his scoring like scoring in the midrange.

I think that might be an overreaction to last season. Maxey had a hand injury last season playing with the skeleton of Embiid/PG or without them at all. His shooting % from 5ft or less have typically been solid but better pace would do wonders for his finishing which is what some of the midrange work will help him do. I’d like to see a full season with a springy PnR partner like Bona before I make any strong judgements.

For me, he needs to find ways to punish the defense when they overload on him, mainly by reading the floor better and getting the ball to his open teammates. That would help his efficiency and make both him and the team better.

Right now, he’s averaging 25 PPG with good efficiency, which is star level already. I don’t really see him as a 30 PPG scorer with elite efficiency (i.e Shai, Luka or Jokic), if he gets to 30, his efficiency will probably take a hit and/or I think it would have some empty calories in it. But I think he can stay at or near 25ppg and become more efficient if he improves as a playmaker. That would actually make him and the team better.

Do guys make major leaps as playmakers? Feels more like a processing/court vision thing, which feels a lot harder to work on. I'm sure there's some goofy drills that guys have come up with, but that's far less straight forward than working on your jumper or some specific moves/counters.

[76ciology]

I think that might be an overreaction to last season. Maxey had a hand injury last season playing with the skeleton of Embiid/PG or without them at all. His shooting % from 5ft or less have typically been solid but better pace would do wonders for his finishing which is what some of the midrange work will help him do. I’d like to see a full season with a springy PnR partner like Bona before I make any strong judgements.

For me, he needs to find ways to punish the defense when they overload on him, mainly by reading the floor better and getting the ball to his open teammates. That would help his efficiency and make both him and the team better.

Right now, he’s averaging 25 PPG with good efficiency, which is star level already. I don’t really see him as a 30 PPG scorer with elite efficiency (i.e Shai, Luka or Jokic), if he gets to 30, his efficiency will probably take a hit and/or I think it would have some empty calories in it. But I think he can stay at or near 25ppg and become more efficient if he improves as a playmaker. That would actually make him and the team better.

Do guys make major leaps as playmakers? Feels more like a processing/court vision thing, which feels a lot harder to work on. I'm sure there's some goofy drills that guys have come up with, but that's far less straight forward than working on your jumper or some specific moves/counters.

Maxey already made a significant leap after Harden’s departure, with his AST% jumping from 17% to around 27%. We’ve seen a similar trajectory with Devin Booker, whose AST% rose from 14% to 34% when Phoenix leaned into his development as a playmaker, even at the cost of regular season wins.

Maxey is currently averaging 26 PPG and 6 APG on 57 TS%. He’s already right there. My point is.. if he takes 1-2 fewer shot and converts it into an assist or two (7-8 apg?), while pushing his TS% closer to the 60% range he had during the Harden years. He could become even more efficient and impactful. The current roster gives him that opportunity. With skilled secondary ball handlers and scorers like Grimes, VJ and maybe play alongside McCain (aside from PG and Embiid), he has more outlets for assists and less pressure to dominate the ball, which should help both his playmaking and scoring efficiency.

[youngcrev]

For me, he needs to find ways to punish the defense when they overload on him, mainly by reading the floor better and getting the ball to his open teammates. That would help his efficiency and make both him and the team better.

Right now, he’s averaging 25 PPG with good efficiency, which is star level already. I don’t really see him as a 30 PPG scorer with elite efficiency (i.e Shai, Luka or Jokic), if he gets to 30, his efficiency will probably take a hit and/or I think it would have some empty calories in it. But I think he can stay at or near 25ppg and become more efficient if he improves as a playmaker. That would actually make him and the team better.

Do guys make major leaps as playmakers? Feels more like a processing/court vision thing, which feels a lot harder to work on. I'm sure there's some goofy drills that guys have come up with, but that's far less straight forward than working on your jumper or some specific moves/counters.

Maxey already made a significant leap after Harden’s departure, with his AST% jumping from 17% to around 27%. We’ve seen a similar trajectory with Devin Booker, whose AST% rose from 14% to 34% when Phoenix leaned into his development as a playmaker, even at the cost of regular season wins.

Maxey is currently averaging 26 PPG and 6 APG on 57 TS%. He’s already right there. My point is.. if he takes 1-2 fewer shot and converts it into an assist or two (7-8 apg?), while pushing his TS% closer to the 60% range he had during the Harden years. He could become even more efficient and impactful. The current roster gives him that opportunity. With skilled secondary ball handlers and scorers like Grimes, VJ and maybe play alongside McCain (aside from PG and Embiid), he has more outlets for assists and less pressure to dominate the ball, which should help both his playmaking and scoring efficiency.

He made a statistical leap, but I'd say that was more due to change in role rather than skill improvement. Maxey impressed with his ability to take care of the ball in the role, but he also makes pretty simple passes and doesn't have great vision or feel for setting up teammates.

Same for Booker, who went from playing SG to PG.

I think both are scorers masquerading as PGs. Both teams haven't exactly thrived.

I actually am more intrigued with McCain as a playmaker. I think his feel and passing ability are far better. If that's the backcourt, I'd probably lean more into Maxey as an off ball threat, although I assume they'd share PG duties.

[Foshan]

these are the dog days of summer... waiting for the last few things to iron out. /sigh

[ProcessDoctor]

Really hope we're making a secret push for Kuminga.

[76ciology]

Really hope we're making a secret push for Kuminga.

I seriously doubt it, doesn’t fit our style (won’t improve the team offense and won’t generate extra possessions). Also wants a big role we can’t offer. We already have 3–4 PFs (Oubre, Watford, Walker, Broome).

Still, never say never.

On a related note, Im disappointed that we didn’t add Boucher. He signed for a $3M contract similar to Lowry. But hey, Mo Bamba and Bol Bol are still UFAs.

[ProcessDoctor]

Really hope we're making a secret push for Kuminga.

I seriously doubt it, doesn’t fit our style (won’t improve the team offense and won’t generate extra possessions). Also wants a big role we can’t offer. We already have 3–4 PFs (Oubre, Watford, Walker, Broome).

Still, never say never.

On a related note, Im disappointed that we didn’t add Boucher. He signed for a $3M contract similar to Lowry. But hey, Mo Bamba and Bol Bol are still UFAs.

Can't say I would pass up on him because of any of these players. One is clearly a 2/3, another is on a 2-way contract, and another is a slow-footed center.

The dream would be to turn Embiid into him + another contract (even if it's a bad one).

[eyeatoma]

https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/joel-embiids-future-very-much-185911572.html?guccounter=1

Surprised no one has brought this up, or maybe it was, and people are numb to it.

This could be it? Is his career done?

[Stanford]

His source is "rival teams." I don't think Daryl is going around telling other executives Embiid's current medical prognosis. They're speculating. Chances are, they're correct. But I don't think the Pelicans front office knows any more than we do regarding Embiid's knee.

[eyeatoma]

His source is "rival teams." I don't think Daryl is going around telling other executives Embiid's current medical prognosis. They're speculating. Chances are, they're correct. But I don't think the Pelicans front office knows any more than we do regarding Embiid's knee.

Gotcha

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[Negrodamus]

Read on Twitter

?s=46

You know Morey was watching this live with the same amount of anxiety as Obama watching the Bin Laden raid. I was waiting for him to slice both hands open.

[eyeatoma]

Read on Twitter

?s=46

You know Morey was watching this live with the same amount of anxiety as Obama watching the Bin Laden raid. I was waiting for him to slice both hands open.

When he brought out that knife I was certain he was about to slice off a finger.

[sixers hoops]

Read on Twitter

?s=46

You know Morey was watching this live with the same amount of anxiety as Obama watching the Bin Laden raid. I was waiting for him to slice both hands open.

Lol. They are probably confusing if you never used one before.

[sixers hoops]

https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/joel-embiids-future-very-much-185911572.html?guccounter=1

Surprised no one has brought this up, or maybe it was, and people are numb to it.

This could be it? Is his career done?

Since his meniscus surgery 18 months ago, he has not been on the court without being hobbled. And the most recent procedure was to trim out more of the meniscus. After that early 2024 surgery, he returned for the playoffs and looked limited. In my opinion, he looked limited in the Olympics, and was clearly hobbled when he played last season. He will eventually return with more meniscus missing and he already has an arthritic knee condition, so his knees are prob always inflamed from the lack of cartilage.

Other than pursuing meniscus transplant and artificial knee cartilage surgery, Jo is likely never going to play consistently without significant pain. To his credit, he will still come back and drop 40 point games, but the pain will limit his ability to consistently produce.

Joel’s contract, with player option, was set to expire in the summer of 2027. Yet, in the summer of 2024, Morey extended him through 2029 by voiding the PO year and adding three new years. It says rival GMs think the Sixers regret the extension. It pretty safe to say that they regret giving a guy with a historic injury history an extension years in advance, despite him coming off of a surgery when they offered the contract and him needing another surgery the following season. Jo has played ~65 games over the last two seasons and is currently rehabbing from another surgery.

Historically, he comes back after meniscus surgery and returns to All-star form. The fact that he didn’t respond to the most recent surgery may tell us that his knees are shot. Without cushion, you can only perform through so much pain when your knees are bone-on-bone. And the icing on the cake is that his three-year extension kicks in next summer.

He will return at some point next season and attempt to play, but the key will be if he can play effectively for 20-30 games without missing significant time. Maybe they cleaned out the piece of meniscus that was causing him discomfort and he returns to his old self. Either way, with an arthritic knee condition, he will always have inflammation and be at risk for further knee injuries.

[76ciology]

Daryl Morey is salivating. He fits team needs, and specially the age requirement

[x]

Read on Twitter

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

[the_process]

Daryl Morey is salivating. He fits team needs, and specially the age requirement

[x]

Read on Twitter

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

He was a pretty good rebounder IIRC.

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

Fried is 35 years old and hasn't played in the league since 2019. I always liked him and never understood why he didn't stick around. Either way...35 years old is perfect for Morey. His last stint was with Houston so the ex Rocket/old vet connection is strong with Morey and I fully expect him to leap at the opportunity to add this maniacal animal to the lineup. His 6'8 240 pound frame will be maximized on this team and will fully allow Maxey to punish opposing defenses. Faried seems to have improved his three point jump shot as well which make him a deadly, lethal option from deep all game long! I fully expect all this to happen followed by a Luis Scola signing as well. God knows we need more veterans on this roster. Might even look into Ronny Seikaly as well.

[76ciology]

Fried is 35 years old and hasn't played in the league since 2019. I always liked him and never understood why he didn't stick around. Either way...35 years old is perfect for Morey. His last stint was with Houston so the ex Rocket/old vet connection is strong with Morey and I fully expect him to leap at the opportunity to add this maniacal animal to the lineup. His 6'8 240 pound frame will be maximized on this team and will fully allow Maxey to punish opposing defenses. Faried seems to have improved his three point jump shot as well which make him a deadly, lethal option from deep all game long! I fully expect all this to happen followed by a Luis Scola signing as well. God knows we need more veterans on this roster. Might even look into Ronny Seikaly as well.

35 is the new 25 for Morey

[the_process]

Fried is 35 years old and hasn't played in the league since 2019. I always liked him and never understood why he didn't stick around. Either way...35 years old is perfect for Morey. His last stint was with Houston so the ex Rocket/old vet connection is strong with Morey and I fully expect him to leap at the opportunity to add this maniacal animal to the lineup. His 6'8 240 pound frame will be maximized on this team and will fully allow Maxey to punish opposing defenses. Faried seems to have improved his three point jump shot as well which make him a deadly, lethal option from deep all game long! I fully expect all this to happen followed by a Luis Scola signing as well. God knows we need more veterans on this roster. Might even look into Ronny Seikaly as well.

Rony Seikaly. Now that's a blast from the past. Wasn't he Miami's first ever draft pick?