2020 Offseason Speculation, free agency, summer trades (keep draft prospect talk in draft thread)

[Revived]

Tell me this isn't the most aggravating thing. Especially with how our season started. FOUR TEAMS FROM THE WEST on top of the normal playoff teams and we STILL can't sneak in. New low for how bad our franchise has been.

The NBA is considering a group stage with the resumption of the season as Adam Silver will have the opportunity to potentially test one of his more innovative changes during this unique period. This format would replace the traditional first round and determine the final eight remaining teams.

The 16 current playoff teams would quality for the group state along with the four teams with the next-best records, which include the Portland Trial Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans, Sacramento Kings and San Antonio Spurs. The remaining 10 teams would be done for the season.

The 20 teams would be allocated into five tiers in descending order by record.

Tier 1: Bucks, Lakers, Raptors, Clippers
Tier 2: Celtics, Nuggets, Jazz, Heat
Tier 3: Thunder, Rockets, Pacers, Sixers
Tier 4: Mavericks, Grizzlies, Nets, Magic
Tier 5: Blazers, Pelicans, Kings, Spurs
Groups would then be randomly drawn with one team from each tier. Teams from each group would play opponents within their own group twice, giving each team eight games. The two teams from each group with the best record would move on.

Sources say the NBA has also considered allowing Tier 1 teams to draft their own groups.

Eastern Conference teams have already pushed back at the league for the group stage suggestion, according to sources.

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/258253/NBA-Considering-20-Team-Group-Stage-To-Resume-Season-Instead-Of-Traditional-First-Round

Lmao we would be just 2 games out of it since we’re only 2 games back of the Spurs.

Craziest thing is that Pop & the Spurs would keep their playoff streak.

[Revived]

If their gonna add 3 teams then why not just give every team a chance in the playoffs?

Make it 1-30 and have the first 2 rounds be “best of 3” games and the rest can be traditional best of 7.

Either keep it the same top 16 teams otherwise give every team a shot.

[Jdiddy701]

The league should go right into the playoffs. If they’re going to open it up for a play-in tournament style, this should include all NBA teams that have not been mathematically eliminated. Total BS if they only take the top 20 teams. You know the NBA is going to do anything they can to get Zion in the playoffs. Just expecting us to get F’d in this, like always!


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[starbosa10]

The league should go right into the playoffs. If they’re going to open it up for a play-in tournament style, this should include all NBA teams that have not been mathematically eliminated. Total BS if they only take the top 20 teams. You know the NBA is going to do anything they can to get Zion in the playoffs. Just expecting us to get F’d in this, like always!


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Tbh if we were as close as Pels,spurs, etc were to the Grizz I'd be pissed if we didnt get a chance. We arent getting a chance now because were 2 games back of a whole group

[bwgood77]

Tell me this isn't the most aggravating thing. Especially with how our season started. FOUR TEAMS FROM THE WEST on top of the normal playoff teams and we STILL can't sneak in. New low for how bad our franchise has been.

The NBA is considering a group stage with the resumption of the season as Adam Silver will have the opportunity to potentially test one of his more innovative changes during this unique period. This format would replace the traditional first round and determine the final eight remaining teams.

The 16 current playoff teams would quality for the group state along with the four teams with the next-best records, which include the Portland Trial Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans, Sacramento Kings and San Antonio Spurs. The remaining 10 teams would be done for the season.

The 20 teams would be allocated into five tiers in descending order by record.

Tier 1: Bucks, Lakers, Raptors, Clippers
Tier 2: Celtics, Nuggets, Jazz, Heat
Tier 3: Thunder, Rockets, Pacers, Sixers
Tier 4: Mavericks, Grizzlies, Nets, Magic
Tier 5: Blazers, Pelicans, Kings, Spurs
Groups would then be randomly drawn with one team from each tier. Teams from each group would play opponents within their own group twice, giving each team eight games. The two teams from each group with the best record would move on.

Sources say the NBA has also considered allowing Tier 1 teams to draft their own groups.

Eastern Conference teams have already pushed back at the league for the group stage suggestion, according to sources.

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/258253/NBA-Considering-20-Team-Group-Stage-To-Resume-Season-Instead-Of-Traditional-First-Round

I think that wiretap is incorrect...because it makes no sense 2 teams in each tier get eliminated. There is a thread on the GB with different groups from a Ringer article and I'd trust that.

Of course we still don't get in. We win a couple more games like that SA game we blew or the Portland one, we probably make it, but wouldn't move on....but at least could see at least 8 more games.

Perhaps given we are left out of a 20 team end to the season with 12 WC teams will give the guys a little extra motivation.

[Barkley6]

If their gonna add 3 teams then why not just give every team a chance in the playoffs?

Make it 1-30 and have the first 2 rounds be “best of 3” games and the rest can be traditional best of 7.

Either keep it the same top 16 teams otherwise give every team a shot.

I think there are some major structural issues with only 20 teams returning to play. A few that I can think of:

1. Expenses vs revenue.
Those 20 teams will be forced to spend money to get their teams back up and running, (operating costs, etc.) and without fans in stadiums they will not be making that money back. For the ten teams who essentially stay in 'summer mode' its much cheaper for them.

2. TV money
How do you distribute it equitably if only 2/3rds of the teams are eligible to continue playing? Is it fair that a team sitting at home gets an equal share of the revenue?

3. Injury risk/COVID exposure
Those teams that are continuing to work out and play games are at increased risk of injury (and COVID exposure). If there is no plan to move the league schedule back, then you're putting some teams at a serious potential disadvantage on the health front for what may amount to relatively meaningless games. Now, this isn't much different from the typical playoffs, but if you're talking about then 10th seed playing 2-3 games, without fans (meaning no playoff revenues), and then packing it in....it almost doesn't seem worth the injury risk, especially since a lot of players are going to need to work themselves back into game shape. Basically you're playing preseason basketball with playoff pressure. That's a recipe for injuries.

[King4Day]

Lmao we would be just 2 games out of it since we’re only 2 games back of the Spurs.

Craziest thing is that Pop & the Spurs would keep their playoff streak.

The Kings would end their streak too if this is counted as making the playoffs.

[Fo-Real]

Are the players getting full contract money or is the pay prorated due to season cut short? If prorated? I cant see the players union being ok with some playing getting paid and others not playing and not getting paid.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Read on Twitter

?s=19

[Ghost of Kleine]

Read on Twitter

?s=19

[King4Day]

Woj noted the chance they bring back less than 30 but more than 16 teams. Even saying '20-25' teams.

In the event the Suns WERE allowed to play and they advanced in their grouping, there would be the chance it effects lottery standings.

Would you rather see the Suns play, get to group 2 and then lose, moving our lottery seeding from 10 to say 18?
Or would you rather just see the team miss the grouping and remain at 10?

[Jdiddy701]

Woj noted the chance they bring back less than 30 but more than 16 teams. Even saying '20-25' teams.

In the event the Suns WERE allowed to play and they advanced in their grouping, there would be the chance it effects lottery standings.

Would you rather see the Suns play, get to group 2 and then lose, moving our lottery seeding from 10 to say 18?
Or would you rather just see the team miss the grouping and remain at 10?

Tired of draft picks!!!! Suns haven’t played a single game this year with a healthy roster, ZERO. I would love for them to get a chance to play.


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[Blonde]

There should be a playoff including every team that was not mathematically eliminated from the playoffs (everyone except GS). All non eliminated teams currently outside the top 8 in each conference play a single elimination tournament until 2 teams are left.

Seeds are organized 1-16 regardless of conference. Seeds 15 and 16 play the winners of the play-in tournament in a best of 3 wildcard. The winner of these matchups move on to the the full 16 team playoff. First round is best of 5, all other rounds are best of 7.

Teams not participating in the play-in tournament will continue to play games for seeding purposes so there is not an unfair advantage to the wildcard team coming in with more live game practice.

That’s fair to those teams who positioned themselves in the playoff picture already, and fair to those teams who still had a chance to make it. Would be highly entertaining to watch those high stakes matchups.

[WeekapaugGroove]

Sure I'd like to see the suns play again with something at stake but I'm not upset they are being left out because they were in 13th place for **** sake.

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[Desertfox]

Do a 5 game "pre-season" then go full March Madness with all the teams (top 2 teams get bye), first one/two rounds best-of-three.

[Wilber85]

Do a 5 game "pre-season" then go full March Madness with all the teams (top 2 teams get bye), first one/two rounds best-of-three.

That would be awesome if Durant and Kyrie come back, and Steph and Klay for the tournament with everyone and they face each other in finals.

Would be hilarious

[Flying Colors]

I don’t really care about our draft position, we’d waste it regardless. I rather see the team get some post season play

[nevetsov]

They should do the lottery now, and teams selected for a top 4 pick should be removed from postseason play. Can't have 2 bites of the cherry (lottery luck and a shot at a title).

Perhaps draw top 6 picks in the lottery, and have pool play for 4 divisions of 6 teams each (remaining 24 teams).

EDIT: Or let teams nominate if they want to be eligible for the lottery, OR postseason play. The teams that choose lottery get drawn 1-4 then in order. The remaining teams go for postseason.

[Barkley6]

They should do the lottery now, and teams selected for a top 4 pick should be removed from postseason play. Can't have 2 bites of the cherry (lottery luck and a shot at a title).

Perhaps draw top 6 picks in the lottery, and have pool play for 4 divisions of 6 teams each (remaining 24 teams).

EDIT: Or let teams nominate if they want to be eligible for the lottery, OR postseason play. The teams that choose lottery get drawn 1-4 then in order. The remaining teams go for postseason.

That's an excellent point. Any team that plays in any kind of post season should not be included in the lottery. It's totally unfair.

[King4Day]

They should do the lottery now, and teams selected for a top 4 pick should be removed from postseason play. Can't have 2 bites of the cherry (lottery luck and a shot at a title).

Perhaps draw top 6 picks in the lottery, and have pool play for 4 divisions of 6 teams each (remaining 24 teams).

EDIT: Or let teams nominate if they want to be eligible for the lottery, OR postseason play. The teams that choose lottery get drawn 1-4 then in order. The remaining teams go for postseason.

Thinking more about this, I read yesterday that many bottom dwelling teams want to resume play. I think very few teams, if any, would willingly say we don't want a chance at the playoffs as it would set a bad example to its players and fans.
Plus, what if a team that's on the cusp wins the lottery? Now they will miss the playoffs because of the luck of some ping pong balls.

I think all teams should be there just to play 5-10 games (whether they are considered regular season or exhibition) just to get some run in. But teams outside the top 20 can't win it all.