2025-2026: Around the League

[GelbeWand09]

I'm definitely jealous of Cade because he is really easy to built around, especially when the 3 improves even more. 2nd i'm jealous of their athleticism. It just makes many things much easier. But i dont see them as true contender til they find another allstar like player.

[BadMofoPimp]

Detroit's top five defense seems legit. Duren, Ausar, and Holland are really good defenders. I think you can book them for 50+ wins and a top 4 seed.

I like what they've built. I think Cade is slight 3 point shooting gains away from making them a team that I'm like legitimately scared to play, but he's such a good player and easy to build around. Duren has taken a massive step forward so far, looks like an ALL-NBA player.

Curious as to if they make an all-in "The East is weak let's go for it" trade or stay the course. They're mostly organically built to this point aside from a couple decent vets sprinkled in.

The Duren leap probably changes their calculus along with Ausar looking like one of the best overall defenders in the league.

Duren has played better defensively, but is still weak on the defensive side. If they did trade for Lauri, would be the weakest defensive front court in the league. Duren has the advantage of playing alongside Stewart lately.

As for Cade, he shot 35.6% on 6 3's per game the past 2 seasons. If Bease comes back for them, they will become even more dangerous.

[eyriq]

I like what they've built. I think Cade is slight 3 point shooting gains away from making them a team that I'm like legitimately scared to play, but he's such a good player and easy to build around. Duren has taken a massive step forward so far, looks like an ALL-NBA player.

Curious as to if they make an all-in "The East is weak let's go for it" trade or stay the course. They're mostly organically built to this point aside from a couple decent vets sprinkled in.

IDK what DET's pick stash looks like (or their cap situation) but if they were to find a way to make a Lauri trade...I'm afraid we'd be looking at their tail lights for the immediate future (at least). They seem to have ALL of the elements for success in place and functioning nicely...and Ivey isn't even in the lineup.

It's early in the season and a LOT of changes are being implemented, but if Mose/Prunty et al don't find a way to get all of the ORL core talent in sync and firing on every cylinder, on both ends of the court, we may never know what we have...I'm amazed at the disregard on the general boards for Paolo. I understand that we dissect his inefficiencies and effort (sometimes) but I recognize the difference between Paolo - a guy who can just dominate a game or even a playoff series, under any circumstances, versus secondary guys with similar stats, like Siakim or Lauri. IMO, Paolo is just on another level and, whether he and Franz are optimal together or not, he is potentially an MVP or at least All-NBA candidate, which those two (and Franz, sorry) are not. They are all all-star level, but Paolo just has that "I'm telling you what I'm going to do but you still can't stop me" thing. I think Paolo is THAT unstoppable that if Mose isn't the guy to unlock him as an offensive hub, then...(1.) I am badly overrating PB, or (2.) we need to get someone in who CAN unlock this roster-quickly.

I never liked Carmelo Anthony, but his legacy kind of sucks, despite being one of the all-time offensive producers. Same can be said about McGrady, Iverson and others...I don't want to talk about Paolo like them a decade from now. He's an absolute beast of a scorer but there IS evidence that he can be much more and that should be the primary aim of this coaching staff.

I dont see anyway were Paolo becomes a MVP player to be honest. I have a very hard time imagine him as a Top 15 player with his weaknesses. I still wonder how people can watch players like Luka, Jokic, Giannis, SGA... and think Paolo will ever be on their level.
How should he even close the gap? He is either much less athletic or much less skilled. He is not a good shooter from anywhere, he is not a good finisher either. He isnt good enough as a defender or a playmaker to not be a super super super efficient volume scorer just to enter the Top 10-15 conversation.
"I'm telling you what I'm going to do but you still can't stop me" Nobody needs to stop him. His Low efficiency stops himself. Guys like Luka could score 25ppg over a season on good eff. on trickshots only. Thats how talented and skilled he is. That is the competition we talking about for top 5-6 players.
I dont wanna hate on Paolo but people should be more realistic and watch the top 15 players in the leaque. Check their stats. Check how effortless they score and in many cases they are additionally elite playmakers or elite 2way players.
I would be happy if Paolo becomes a top 25 player impact wise. Thats a loooong way.

Check their age while they are at it amirite

[eyriq]

Thinking about it more and I see Duren getting around $30M AAV with plenty of room for a max player acquisition.

[SOUL]

These western teams aint helping at all lol

[pepe1991]

So Hawks will casually probably have top 5-7 pick ... Potentially 1# overall pick from next draft, AND they will probably get something back for Trae.

[Idiosyncratic]

I just gotta say Jaime Jaquez has been incredible (That Cavs Heat game last night was fun) . I didn't even put him on my list of players we seriously regret not having over picking Jett because he was so awful last year and I just saw Heat fans crapping on him all the time. But man he has been really good. Don't give up on young players.

[Idiosyncratic]

So Hawks will casually probably have top 5-7 pick ... Potentially 1# overall pick from next draft, AND they will probably get something back for Trae.

I harp on this all the time, but I cannot get over the fact that the Pelicans legitimately could have traded away picks 1 & 2. I don't even know how I would cope as a fan. Derik Queen looks good, but man that is still depressing.

[pepe1991]

So Hawks will casually probably have top 5-7 pick ... Potentially 1# overall pick from next draft, AND they will probably get something back for Trae.

I harp on this all the time, but I cannot get over the fact that the Pelicans legitimately could have traded away picks 1 & 2. I don't even know how I would cope as a fan. Derik Queen looks good, but man that is still depressing.

2024-25 and offseason has legit been one of biggest WTFs in nba history.

I still can't get over a fact Dallas traded Luka Dončić for 32 years old, always hurt AD, won lottery, and still lost trade in rather spectacular fashion.

Dallas doesn't own 2027, 2028,2029 nor 2030 picks

Wtf are they going to do? Worst excuse of a trade was " scared of paying Luka mega max" - gets AD who is on mega max

[GelbeWand09]

So Hawks will casually probably have top 5-7 pick ... Potentially 1# overall pick from next draft, AND they will probably get something back for Trae.

I harp on this all the time, but I cannot get over the fact that the Pelicans legitimately could have traded away picks 1 & 2. I don't even know how I would cope as a fan. Derik Queen looks good, but man that is still depressing.

2024-25 and offseason has legit been one of biggest WTFs in nba history.

I still can't get over a fact Dallas traded Luka Dončić for 32 years old, always hurt AD, won lottery, and still lost trade in rather spectacular fashion.

Dallas doesn't own 2027, 2028,2029 nor 2030 picks

Wtf are they going to do? Worst excuse of a trade was " scared of paying Luka mega max" - gets AD who is on mega max

Not sure whats up with Luka's karma that Teams do the weiredest things to not draft him or trade him. First the Kings with a european manager who drafts freaking Bagley instead of him, who's biggest strength i've read pre draft was a quick 2nd jump. Wow. Much better than the 6'7-8 insanely skilled scorer/playmaker who won everything in europe at 19 already. I'm not a professionnal and i have only watched 6-7 games of Luka in europe predraft and could tell he is by far the best player in the draft.
Than Dallas trading him after going to the finals a few months before because he isnt ripped.

[pepe1991]

I harp on this all the time, but I cannot get over the fact that the Pelicans legitimately could have traded away picks 1 & 2. I don't even know how I would cope as a fan. Derik Queen looks good, but man that is still depressing.

2024-25 and offseason has legit been one of biggest WTFs in nba history.

I still can't get over a fact Dallas traded Luka Dončić for 32 years old, always hurt AD, won lottery, and still lost trade in rather spectacular fashion.

Dallas doesn't own 2027, 2028,2029 nor 2030 picks

Wtf are they going to do? Worst excuse of a trade was " scared of paying Luka mega max" - gets AD who is on mega max

Not sure whats up with Luka's karma that Teams do the weiredest things to not draft him or trade him. First the Kings with a european manager who drafts freaking Bagley instead of him, who's biggest strength i've read pre draft was a quick 2nd jump. Wow. Much better than the 6'7-8 insanely skilled scorer/playmaker who won everything in europe at 19 already. I'm not a professionnal and i have only watched 6-7 games of Luka in europe predraft and could tell he is by far the best player in the draft.
Than Dallas trading him after going to the finals a few months before because he isnt ripped.

First Divac didn't draft him because he didn't like him, than Harrison traded him because he thought he doesn't have work ethic.

Karma time. Divac drafts Bagley, who has BBQ Chicken instead of BBiIQ and Harrison trades for AD, who in summer gains 30 pounds of pure fat.

That year Euroleague was much watch TV because of him, he manipulated defenses at such high level that only idiot would pass on him at 1#.

Oh... and Suns draft Ayton. Another guy who's only skill was being taller than others. With no interest in sport whatsoever. And Magic do the same. Bama didn't even defend notion that he isn't interested in basketball, he said, and i remember it so damn well, that he has many other interests.

Good for him. Now since his career is over, he can explore them

[pepe1991]

btw, there simply is no way that any current nba team can beat healthy OKC. They are 11-1 without J Will while Dort, Caruso and Holmgren all missed some games.

And why is Cam Johnson so damn terrible on Nuggets?

[drsd]

Just realised that Adam Silver himself will be selecting All stars this year not based on skill but rather "nationality". After the fan and media vote. after the coaches add reserves. After injury replacements are added ....., well then ......

... The East+West will have at least 16 Americans and 8 international players.

Year	American	International
2022	17	7
2023	16	8
2024	18	6

In 2022 Silver selected LaMelo Ball & Dejounte Murray and in 2024 Trae Young & Scottie Barnes (all Americans). I guess this means that less talent and more passport considerations will be used in 2025 over all past years.


I guess it would have been choices from these:

Year	Player	Nationality	PPG	RPG	APG
2022	Domantas Sabonis	Lithuania	18.9	12.1	5.2
2022	Pascal Siakam	Cameroon	22.8	8.5	5.3
2022	Jonas Valančiūnas	Lithuania	17.8	11.4	2.6

and

Year	Player	Nationality	PPG	RPG	APG
2024	Domantas Sabonis	Lithuania	19.9	13.0	8.0
2024	Lauri Markkanen	Finland	23.2	8.2	2.0
2024	Alperen Şengün	Turkey	21.1	9.3	5.0

I guess I am OK with that over 2022 LaMelo Ball & Dejounte Murray and 2024 Trae Young & Scottie Barnes.

[eyriq]

11 teams in the East have positive point differentials compared to 9 in the West.

[basketballRob]

11 teams in the East have positive point differentials compared to 9 in the West.

The east is much tougher than people thought it would be. Miami, Philadelphia, Detroit, and Chicago all look like they could be in the mix to be a top 4 seed in the east.

Sent from my SM-G998U1 using RealGM mobile app

[pepe1991]

11 teams in the East have positive point differentials compared to 9 in the West.

The east is much tougher than people thought it would be. Miami, Philadelphia, Detroit, and Chicago all look like they could be in the mix to be a top 4 seed in the east.

Sent from my SM-G998U1 using RealGM mobile app

Nah.
They just have luxury of playing 52 games against each other, and 3 of worst teams have cumulative record of 3-30, where bottom 3 of West have 8-24.
And early in schedules, you often don't play much against other conference.

Cavs and Bucks are only teams on East with winning record vs +.500 teams.
And even them are just barley positive. Cavs 5-3, Bucks 4-3.

West has 5 such teams.

It is very clear that 4 out of 5 worst teams this year will be from East. Basically any nba team from East with desire to make playin, will only have to beat 1 team in order to make it. It's laughable.

How silly East is is best viewed through Hornets. 3-7 record. Not bad? Well... they beat Wizards (1-10 & Nets 1-10) and Nets, who, btw only beat Indiana (1-10). So it's closed circle of sucking and only winning when they meet up.



Pistons are only team that jumps out as team that made major leap. Bulls will fizzle out, 76ers might be good, if Embiid and George can recover , but that's big if ( i took them as my dark horse for East biggest surprise ), i don't have strong opinion about Heat. To me they look like Raptors. Some mid 40s win team with low ceiling. Just better coached.

But when you watch OKC and compare it to whatever Knicks, Heat, Pistons, Cavs, Magic are playing ,it's like watching different sport. They are 3 levels over everybody.

[eyriq]

11 teams in the East have positive point differentials compared to 9 in the West.

The east is much tougher than people thought it would be. Miami, Philadelphia, Detroit, and Chicago all look like they could be in the mix to be a top 4 seed in the east.

Sent from my SM-G998U1 using RealGM mobile app

Nah.
They just have luxury of playing 52 games against each other, and 3 of worst teams have cumulative record of 3-30, where bottom 3 of West have 8-24.
And early in schedules, you often don't play much against other conference.

Cavs and Bucks are only teams on East with winning record vs +.500 teams.
And even them are just barley positive. Cavs 5-3, Bucks 4-3.

West has 5 such teams.

It is very clear that 4 out of 5 worst teams this year will be from East. Basically any nba team from East with desire to make playin, will only have to beat 1 team in order to make it. It's laughable.

How silly East is is best viewed through Hornets. 3-7 record. Not bad? Well... they beat Wizards (1-10 & Nets 1-10) and Nets, who, btw only beat Indiana (1-10). So it's closed circle of sucking and only winning when they meet up.



Pistons are only team that jumps out as team that made major leap. Bulls will fizzle out, 76ers might be good, if Embiid and George can recover , but that's big if ( i took them as my dark horse for East biggest surprise ), i don't have strong opinion about Heat. To me they look like Raptors. Some mid 40s win team with low ceiling. Just better coached.

But when you watch OKC and compare it to whatever Knicks, Heat, Pistons, Cavs, Magic are playing ,it's like watching different sport. They are 3 levels over everybody.

I'm selling the Bulls. Giddey is a nice story but he's a quality starter not an all-star.

I'm buying Detroit. Cade and Duren look like an all-star pairing and their defense looks legit.

I'm selling the Sixers. Maxey isn't good enough to lead a top 4 team, even in the weaker East, and I don't trust George and Joel. I'm buying top 6 though.

I'm selling Miami. New system is doing wonders but eventually the league will catch up.

I've got the top 4 as Knicks, Cavs, Magic, Pistons with the Bucks knocking on the door.

[Knightro]

I'm selling the Sixers. Maxey isn't good enough to lead a top 4 team, even in the weaker East, and I don't trust George and Joel. I'm buying top 6 though.

Maybe it won't last, but right now Maxey is 32.1 PPG, 8.3 APG on a .610 TS%

[Idiosyncratic]

btw, there simply is no way that any current nba team can beat healthy OKC. They are 11-1 without J Will while Dort, Caruso and Holmgren all missed some games.

And why is Cam Johnson so damn terrible on Nuggets?

Only loss was a 2 point road back to back loss without Chet (and J Dub obviously). Thought the playoffs maybe showed them as beatable, but my take not looking very good

On Cam Johnson, still feels like it could be a shooting slump. That being said he is almost 30 with an injury history (averages 57 games a season), falling off wouldn't be the craziest thing. Not to THIS point, but some drop off wouldn't be crazy. Still too early to say.

[Idiosyncratic]

11 teams in the East have positive point differentials compared to 9 in the West.

I will say the West is definitely weaker than normal because the Mavs, Kings, Clippers and Grizzlies who were decent teams look like they are going to be fighting for the lottery. I also don't think the Blazers or Suns are good. Warriors are OK, but old.

I don't think the East actually got stronger though, I think fully healthy Cavs are the only near elite team, with the Knicks and Pistons looking very good, but not title level to me (maybe underrating Knicks, but all wins are home wins so IDK). I think we can get in that very good tier if it clicks. I think the Sixers and Heat are actually a bit above average teams, Sixers have more upside to move up if Paul George and Embiid somehow randomly can play real minutes at some point. Not buying Bucks, Bulls and Raptors as much more than average.

West has OKC, Denver emerging as clear title favorites by a MILE. And then you could argue Houston, San Antonio and Minnesota all in that near elite fully healthy Cavs tier. Lakers are OK, but may need to be gifted a star midseason. Then there is a huge drop off, which is abnormal for the West.

You gotta remember with the East there are 3 teams that you get to DESTROY every time you face them to boost net rating. Wiz, Nets and Pacers. I would personally throw the Hornets right in that mix as their 3 wins are.... Wiz, Nets and Jazz lol.