2025-2026: Around the League

[basketballRob]

Supports my opinion, that Scottie is a overrated defender (He is good but not elite) especially on the wing. Always say he is slow footed on defense. Bla Bla Blocks & Steals. Both are gamble stats that doesnt really show the defensive impact.

Read on Twitter

The Raptors fans on the GB say Scottie has a huge advantage over Franz and Jalen Johnson because he's a way better defender. I said that every time I see Scottie, he's getting blown by on defense.

The first time i really watched Franz was the NCAA tournament, and he kept blowing by Scottie.

Sent from my SM-G998U1 using RealGM mobile app

[Bensational]

I can see Indy being a dark horse contender for Giannis. They’ll have a high lottery pick at the end of the season, and can probably add a guy like Mathurin and Jarace Walker as prospects. Plus a boatload of other picks.

They’re an established winner with a championship caliber coach. Siakam is a champion. Took OKC to 7 games and only lost because OKC got lucky with the Haliburton injury. If Giannis is happy to give up this season he could join them and have a good shot of getting right back there next year.

[RookieStar]

I can see Indy being a dark horse contender for Giannis. They’ll have a high lottery pick at the end of the season, and can probably add a guy like Mathurin and Jarace Walker as prospects. Plus a boatload of other picks.

They’re an established winner with a championship caliber coach. Siakam is a champion. Took OKC to 7 games and only lost because OKC got lucky with the Haliburton injury. If Giannis is happy to give up this season he could join them and have a good shot of getting right back there next year.

Giannis reportedly wants NY though. So the question is if MIL will want to give what he wants or whats best for the franchise

[BadMofoPimp]

Let all of RealGM erupt with "I want Giannis!" posts!

RealGM Says: Antetokounmpo gave the Bucks a preference to be traded to the New York Knicks and the two teams held clandestine discussions on a deal in August that didn't progress.

[Skybox]

If I'm MIL, I'm sending Giannis somewhere where you don't have to see him 4+ times a year...good news is that some of the top teams in the West might consider it an arms race that they can't afford to lose to their neighbor and rival (HOU, SAS, OKC). All 3 are stacked with young assets and picks they've been waiting to drop a bomb with.

They just can't make it NY...what would be the rebuild-oriented package be? (I don't see Bridges + being attractive enough to talk about).

I'm not promoting it, but if Paolo entered the equation, they'd have to consider it this summer.

[JoshuaPotter]

If I'm MIL, I'm sending Giannis somewhere where you don't have to see him 4+ times a year...good news is that some of the top teams in the West might consider it an arms race that they can't afford to lose to their neighbor and rival (HOU, SAS, OKC). All 3 are stacked with young assets and picks they've been waiting to drop a bomb with.

They just can't make it NY...what would be the rebuild-oriented package be? (I don't see Bridges + being attractive enough to talk about).

I'm not promoting it, but if Paolo entered the equation, they'd have to consider it this summer.

We have assets but not the depth in this case I think. Whenever I entertain trading P or F what enters my thought is building a hierarchical team where there is a 1/2/3 scorer not a 1a 1b 1c 2a that kinda exists now.

That is to say if I trade 1 of our 2 best players I want a legit no 2 option who can shoot the 3 and defend and possibly some picks back.

[Skybox]

Supports my opinion, that Scottie is a overrated defender (He is good but not elite) especially on the wing. Always say he is slow footed on defense. Bla Bla Blocks & Steals. Both are gamble stats that doesnt really show the defensive impact.

Read on Twitter

The Raptors fans on the GB say Scottie has a huge advantage over Franz and Jalen Johnson because he's a way better defender. I said that every time I see Scottie, he's getting blown by on defense.

The first time i really watched Franz was the NCAA tournament, and he kept blowing by Scottie.

Sent from my SM-G998U1 using RealGM mobile app

My personal opinion is that the Barnes v Suggs comparison will be more and more valid each year as Suggs' offense catches up with his D...and there is NO comparison of Scottie with Franz.

[MasterGMer]

If I'm MIL, I'm sending Giannis somewhere where you don't have to see him 4+ times a year...good news is that some of the top teams in the West might consider it an arms race that they can't afford to lose to their neighbor and rival (HOU, SAS, OKC). All 3 are stacked with young assets and picks they've been waiting to drop a bomb with.

They just can't make it NY...what would be the rebuild-oriented package be? (I don't see Bridges + being attractive enough to talk about).

I'm not promoting it, but if Paolo entered the equation, they'd have to consider it this summer.

Do we really have to trade Paolo? No, in my opinion. We can put up a great package even without Paolo and Franz. But first of all, Giannis needs to ask out. And second of all, he will be open to Orlando. None of those two happened yet. So we are staying with Paolo

[SOUL]

Supports my opinion, that Scottie is a overrated defender (He is good but not elite) especially on the wing. Always say he is slow footed on defense. Bla Bla Blocks & Steals. Both are gamble stats that doesnt really show the defensive impact.

Read on Twitter

The Raptors fans on the GB say Scottie has a huge advantage over Franz and Jalen Johnson because he's a way better defender. I said that every time I see Scottie, he's getting blown by on defense.

The first time i really watched Franz was the NCAA tournament, and he kept blowing by Scottie.

Sent from my SM-G998U1 using RealGM mobile app

My personal opinion is that the Barnes v Suggs comparison will be more and more valid each year as Suggs' offense catches up with his D...and there is NO comparison of Scottie with Franz.

Scottie is averaging 20/8/5 on 51/41/85. Him and Franz are definitely comparable.

[pepe1991]

Second buzzerbeater block in a row. This time Maxey to beat Warriors.

[thelead]

I remember when people thought I was crazy for wanting to throw a huge deal at Austin Reaves many years ago... I guess it doesn't matter much though because he does seem to only want to be in LA. Still, I would have at least tried.

[JoshuaPotter]

I remember when people thought I was crazy for wanting to throw a huge deal at Austin Reaves many years ago... I guess it doesn't matter much though because he does seem to only want to be in LA. Still, I would have at least tried.

Id have told you that you were crazy then and possibly now too.

Do you think its because of whom he plays with? or has his talent spiked that hard?

[pepe1991]

I remember when people thought I was crazy for wanting to throw a huge deal at Austin Reaves many years ago... I guess it doesn't matter much though because he does seem to only want to be in LA. Still, I would have at least tried.

Id have told you that you were crazy then and possibly now too.

Do you think its because of whom he plays with? or has his talent spiked that hard?

On offense he has all the tools. Shooting, passing, foul baiting, positioning, on ball efficiency, off ball efficiency, understanding of a game. I mean, guy averages near 30 ppg on 69% TS while being excellent playmaker
Dare I say it, he is pocket Luka?


On defense he leaves A LOT to be desired, he is fairly limited. I don't think it's that important who he plays with. I have Lakers vs Raptors tuned in right now, Luka wasn't there, Lebron looks like corpses of former self, and Reaves was best player on the floor.

Basically, he is now second best Lakers player. I don't know what Lebron is now. Maybe he can be in better shape? Can he? He is 40. Who knows.

But back to Reaves for last thing to say. If you look at his stats, he got better each and every year he has been in nba. And Lakers are winning. Even without Luka. They are 4-1. Mostly tnx to Reaves playing like apsolute star.

Him, Maxey, Avdija , Jalen Johnson ( i guess, imo he was already breaking out last year) ,Duren . Those guys made huge leap to reach all star levels.

[Idiosyncratic]

I remember when people thought I was crazy for wanting to throw a huge deal at Austin Reaves many years ago... I guess it doesn't matter much though because he does seem to only want to be in LA. Still, I would have at least tried.

Id have told you that you were crazy then and possibly now too.

Do you think its because of whom he plays with? or has his talent spiked that hard?

On offense he has all the tools. Shooting, passing, foul baiting, positioning, on ball efficiency, off ball efficiency, understanding of a game. I mean, guy averages near 30 ppg on 69% TS while being excellent playmaker:lol:
Dare I say it, he is pocked Luka?

On defense he leaves A LOT to be desired, he is fairly limited. I don't think it's that important who he plays with. I have Lakers vs Raptors tuned in right now, Luka wasn't there, Lebron looks like corpses of former self, and Reaves was best player on the floor.

Basically, he is now second best Lakers player. I don't know what Lebron is now. Distraction? Ever since he returned, he is two way- black hole.

Reaves might be good enough to be a whole offensive engine now. At worst he might be the best 2nd option in the league.

Lebron can still get some value with his passing, but my god he finally looks old and it is kind of hard for my brain to grasp that. I know his impact stats weren't great last year, but just the way he moves this year is finally different. Amazing how the switch can just flip at any time. You see it happen to some guys at 30, for Lebron it was at 40, but it has finally happened. He still will probably have some throwback big games I'm sure, but the end is definitely finally near.

[thelead]

I remember when people thought I was crazy for wanting to throw a huge deal at Austin Reaves many years ago... I guess it doesn't matter much though because he does seem to only want to be in LA. Still, I would have at least tried.

Id have told you that you were crazy then and possibly now too.

Do you think its because of whom he plays with? or has his talent spiked that hard?

He scores 50 without Luka or Lebron playing with a subpar group next to him... mind you, that would be an excuse around here for our stars with the 'how can he be efficient when his teammates suck'. Reaves's shot, handle, and vision are top-notch.

[BadMofoPimp]

I remember when people thought I was crazy for wanting to throw a huge deal at Austin Reaves many years ago... I guess it doesn't matter much though because he does seem to only want to be in LA. Still, I would have at least tried.

Id have told you that you were crazy then and possibly now too.

Do you think its because of whom he plays with? or has his talent spiked that hard?

Austin was killing it before Lebron and Luka came back early in the season.

[RookieStar]

I remember when people thought I was crazy for wanting to throw a huge deal at Austin Reaves many years ago... I guess it doesn't matter much though because he does seem to only want to be in LA. Still, I would have at least tried.

Id have told you that you were crazy then and possibly now too.

Do you think its because of whom he plays with? or has his talent spiked that hard?

Austin was killing it before Lebron and Luka came back early in the season.

Do you think he will get those foul calls if he wasnt playing with the lakers?

You have to admit, those calls are the ones you expect on guys like sga,harden,brunson gets.

[BadMofoPimp]

Id have told you that you were crazy then and possibly now too.

Do you think its because of whom he plays with? or has his talent spiked that hard?

Austin was killing it before Lebron and Luka came back early in the season.

Do you think he will get those foul calls if he wasnt playing with the lakers?

You have to admit, those calls are the ones you expect on guys like sga,harden,brunson gets.

If SGA can in Oklahoma, then Austin would in a place like New Orleans. If your good, your good.

[eyriq]

Bam with the MVP, Bane with the LVP is funny to me. Countered by Franz winning the Hero and Ware the Culpable awards.

[Last Guardian]

If I'm MIL, I'm sending Giannis somewhere where you don't have to see him 4+ times a year...good news is that some of the top teams in the West might consider it an arms race that they can't afford to lose to their neighbor and rival (HOU, SAS, OKC). All 3 are stacked with young assets and picks they've been waiting to drop a bomb with.

They just can't make it NY...what would be the rebuild-oriented package be? (I don't see Bridges + being attractive enough to talk about).

I'm not promoting it, but if Paolo entered the equation, they'd have to consider it this summer.

Do we really have to trade Paolo? No, in my opinion. We can put up a great package even without Paolo and Franz. But first of all, Giannis needs to ask out. And second of all, he will be open to Orlando. None of those two happened yet. So we are staying with Paolo

There is no way we are getting Giannis without parting with one of them. It would be a serious consideration if possible because with Giannis replacing either one we are easy winning the east, and perhaps a threat to OKC.