2024-25 NBA Thread: Thunder starting to question having 140 pound guy playing in post in Finals (103 Viewers)

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Does Portland get an asset for Grant or have to send one out to get off his deal?

Send one or two out.

51st highest paid player in the league. Long term deal that he's grossly overpaid with. Has been terrible this season. Entering his 30s. 3 years beyond this one it.

No thanks. They paid him to be a core piece. He's not that. He's the possible 5th best starter / bench guy on a good team. Denver where he could play off others was a great spot for him.

Classic case of paying for stats on terrible teams. Good for his pockets. Terrible long term move by Portland. Spending $65+m/yr on him and Ayton is comical. Neither of whom should be starting right now on a horrible Portland team. I'm sure Blazers will do everything in their power to rid of Ayton between now and when his contact is up after next season

 

[Juxtatarot]

Speaking of moving players, I’ll be disappointed if the Bulls don’t get something decent for Zach LaVine. He’s been healthy and good. There aren’t many players that best 24 ppg on 51.7%/45% shooting. Those are often difficult shots too.

I’d rather they hang on to him than get crap back.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Speaking of moving players, I’ll be disappointed if the Bulls don’t get something decent for Zach LaVine. He’s been healthy and good. There aren’t many players that best 24 ppg on 51.7%/45% shooting. Those are often difficult shots too.

I’d rather they hang on to him than get crap back.

He's been very good this season. Certainly too good to give away like they tried this past offseason. Still a hard contract to move.

I think the SG trade market is flooded. Probably with players with contracts easier to fit in present and long term (Cam Johnson/McCollum/Simons/Ingram among others).

I think Lavine with the deal is still close to the rear of the SG list right now. Not the rear. That's reserved for Brad Beal now and forever.

I think Vuc and even Ball are more likely to get moved. Ball makes a lot of sense for SA. Whether that happens before deadline who knows

 

[thecatch]

Does Portland get an asset for Grant or have to send one out to get off his deal?

It’s hard to make a case that rebuilding teams should give up assets to clear contracts — especially when they aren’t a popular free agent/trade demand destination.

This is true, for sure, but I’m sure even Portland has aspirations for using $30m/year for the next three years in more productive ways for their rebuild.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Rockets in great game vs. Grizz.

Jalen ties his career high with 42. Was unguardable.

The GOAT Amen 19-13-4-2-5 with his game changing defense. Best perimeter defender in the game. No Wemby and he's that DPOY guy. Wish Jabari [when he's back] or whomever else luck keeping Amen on bench going forward. Amen 17-11-3 as a starter. Rockets are 8-1 in his starts this season. Kid is only scratching the surface. Special talent that athletically is amongst the best that's ever laced them up. He's done a phenomenal job buying into his role at such a young age.

 

[Major]

Rockets in great game vs. Grizz.

Jalen ties his career high with 42. Was unguardable.

The GOAT Amen 19-13-4-2-5 with his game changing defense. Best perimeter defender in the game. No Wemby and he's that DPOY guy. Wish Jabari [when he's back] or whomever else luck keeping Amen on bench going forward. Amen 17-11-3 as a starter. Rockets are 8-1 in his starts this season. Kid is only scratching the surface. Special talent that athletically is amongst the best that's ever laced them up. He's done a phenomenal job buying into his role at such a young age.

I hope Amen and Sengun are together for many many years to come. I'm going to enjoy this Jalen on fire streak but I know soon he'll be back to putting up 9/2/1 on 4/18 shooting. If he was consistent, this Rockets team would be a legit contender. A productive and efficient Green is the missing link. As I see them now, they're still a few years away from challenging OKC. Obviously, a big trade could change that quick.

 

[Ilov80s]

Have the pistons finally turned the corner? Cade was lethal again last night in NY.

 

[identikit]

Love the way the Pacers are playing right now.

A little better D, and a more free-flowing offense

Beat the Cavs in Cleveland!!!!!!!!!

I do NOT like the way the Pacers are playing right now.

Rematch tonight!!!

 

[Capella]

Rockets in great game vs. Grizz.

Jalen ties his career high with 42. Was unguardable.

The GOAT Amen 19-13-4-2-5 with his game changing defense. Best perimeter defender in the game. No Wemby and he's that DPOY guy. Wish Jabari [when he's back] or whomever else luck keeping Amen on bench going forward. Amen 17-11-3 as a starter. Rockets are 8-1 in his starts this season. Kid is only scratching the surface. Special talent that athletically is amongst the best that's ever laced them up. He's done a phenomenal job buying into his role at such a young age.

I hope Amen and Sengun are together for many many years to come. I'm going to enjoy this Jalen on fire streak but I know soon he'll be back to putting up 9/2/1 on 4/18 shooting. If he was consistent, this Rockets team would be a legit contender. A productive and efficient Green is the missing link. As I see them now, they're still a few years away from challenging OKC. Obviously, a big trade could change that quick.

They should find a package that keeps the core together and go get Durant

 

[Kev4029]

Rockets in great game vs. Grizz.

Jalen ties his career high with 42. Was unguardable.

The GOAT Amen 19-13-4-2-5 with his game changing defense. Best perimeter defender in the game. No Wemby and he's that DPOY guy. Wish Jabari [when he's back] or whomever else luck keeping Amen on bench going forward. Amen 17-11-3 as a starter. Rockets are 8-1 in his starts this season. Kid is only scratching the surface. Special talent that athletically is amongst the best that's ever laced them up. He's done a phenomenal job buying into his role at such a young age.

I hope Amen and Sengun are together for many many years to come. I'm going to enjoy this Jalen on fire streak but I know soon he'll be back to putting up 9/2/1 on 4/18 shooting. If he was consistent, this Rockets team would be a legit contender. A productive and efficient Green is the missing link. As I see them now, they're still a few years away from challenging OKC. Obviously, a big trade could change that quick.

They should find a package that keeps the core together and go get Durant

I'm not sure Durant is the solution, I think he is low key on a decent decline. He could play into his 40s and be a good offensive player because he is unbothered by contests in the midrange buuuut I don't feel like he's been a difference maker since he got to Phoenix. If they would do it for their 27 and 29 first rounders back (which is ideal for PHX) + FVV and Landale, I would go for it. If I were Houston, I would be much more willing to trade good players and more picks for Booker but that trade would probably make more sense in the offseason so Houston can include Jalen Green. But something like Green/Shepard/Smith plus those two first rounders would seem like a pretty fair trade for both sides.

 

[the moops]

If they would do it for their 27 and 29 first rounders back (which is ideal for PHX) + FVV and Landale, I would go for it.

You aren't getting anywhere close to getting Kevin Durant for salary filler and two of their own first round picks

 

[Kev4029]

If they would do it for their 27 and 29 first rounders back (which is ideal for PHX) + FVV and Landale, I would go for it.

You aren't getting anywhere close to getting Kevin Durant for salary filler and two of their own first round picks

To be clear, it would be the Suns picks back.

When was the last time that Durant really felt like a top 10 player? I'm not sure it's been since Brooklyn in between all the injuries there. And overall, I think he has been underwhelming in the playoffs since his toe was on the line in '21 against the Bucks. For a player that is 36, has injury concerns, and is clearly somewhere on the downturn of his career, I wouldn't trade for him unless I thought he was the missing piece for a title this year. I think the only team that should really push to trade for him is OKC.

 

[the moops]

When was the last time that Durant really felt like a top 10 player?

Last year when he played in 75 games, averaged 27/7/5, shot 41.3% from three, finished 9th in MVP voting and made 2nd team all NBA

 

[Capella]

When was the last time that Durant really felt like a top 10 player

January of 2025?

 

[thecatch]

When was the last time that Durant really felt like a top 10 player?

Last year when he played in 75 games, averaged 27/7/5, shot 41.3% from three, finished 9th in MVP voting and made 2nd team all NBA

The only major decline in his numbers from the 2021-era is his assist rate, otherwise his offensive numbers are down just a smidge and his defensive metrics are actually up a little bit. Unless I'm missing something (which I certainly wouldn't rule out).

 

[Kev4029]

When was the last time that Durant really felt like a top 10 player?

Last year when he played in 75 games, averaged 27/7/5, shot 41.3% from three, finished 9th in MVP voting and made 2nd team all NBA

He finished 9th with a single 5th place vote (1 point out of the possible 990). I don't think the MVP voting from last year really counts for anything either way other than understanding he isn't a tier 1 player anymore in the eyes of the voters.

In terms of this year, I can't buy any argument that he is in the same tier as any of Jokic, SGA, Giannis, Tatum, Doncic, and Wembanyama (I would have Jokic/SGA in tier 1, the next 4 in tier 2). He is in a next year with guys like Curry (plays less, more impactful), Embiid (far better player when he is occasionally on the court), Haliburton (he was bouncing back to his offensive prowess from last year before he got hurt again), Edwards (he looked like a top 5 player in the playoffs last year), KAT (not sure he can sustain and his defense will be exposed in the playoffs, but he's unequivically been an All-NBA player this year), Mobley (2nd best defensive player in the league that is become a very good offensive player), Sabonis (in some people's eyes - he's seems like a top tier mediocre team great stats guy, but they are GREAT stats), Brunson (top 5 player in the playoffs last year, finished 5th in MVP), Lebron and Anthony Davis (Davis was looking in near peak form earlier in the season but has cooled off. Lebron gets my benefit of the doubt until I see he can't do it in the playoffs), and even Booker looked to me like the better player on the Suns the previous two years.

He might still be a top 10 player because he doesn't take anything off the table, but outside of those top 6, I think he is not a top 10 regular season player (where some of the guys with defensive issues like Haliburton/KAT/Brunson don't get exposed) and probably not a top 10 playoff player where guys like Davis or Curry and maaaaybe even 40 year old Lebron can amp it up a bit. Regardless, he is now a guy that needs to be part of a great team, he is no longer a guy that drives great basketball and not a guy who is worth mortgaging a future for.

 

[the moops]

Regardless, he is now a guy that needs to be part of a great team, he is no longer a guy that drives great basketball and not a guy who is worth mortgaging a future for.

Perhaps, but there are only like 4 or 5 guys who can do it on their own. And if HOU was to go all in on him, they would have a great team

 

[Major]

Rockets in great game vs. Grizz.

Jalen ties his career high with 42. Was unguardable.

The GOAT Amen 19-13-4-2-5 with his game changing defense. Best perimeter defender in the game. No Wemby and he's that DPOY guy. Wish Jabari [when he's back] or whomever else luck keeping Amen on bench going forward. Amen 17-11-3 as a starter. Rockets are 8-1 in his starts this season. Kid is only scratching the surface. Special talent that athletically is amongst the best that's ever laced them up. He's done a phenomenal job buying into his role at such a young age.

I hope Amen and Sengun are together for many many years to come. I'm going to enjoy this Jalen on fire streak but I know soon he'll be back to putting up 9/2/1 on 4/18 shooting. If he was consistent, this Rockets team would be a legit contender. A productive and efficient Green is the missing link. As I see them now, they're still a few years away from challenging OKC. Obviously, a big trade could change that quick.

They should find a package that keeps the core together and go get Durant

I'm not sure Durant is the solution, I think he is low key on a decent decline. He could play into his 40s and be a good offensive player because he is unbothered by contests in the midrange buuuut I don't feel like he's been a difference maker since he got to Phoenix. If they would do it for their 27 and 29 first rounders back (which is ideal for PHX) + FVV and Landale, I would go for it. If I were Houston, I would be much more willing to trade good players and more picks for Booker but that trade would probably make more sense in the offseason so Houston can include Jalen Green. But something like Green/Shepard/Smith plus those two first rounders would seem like a pretty fair trade for both sides.

That's close to my feelings on Durant as well. I'd prefer rolling with this squad and making a move for Booker or Fox in the offseason. While I don't think HOU is the 2nd best team in the West, the standings don't lie. I'm even more optimistic seeing what the current squad can do with the recent addition of Amen in the starting lineup. I think they could advance to the Western Conference Finals if they peak at the right time.

 

[Moe.]

I’ve been watching way too many Wemby highlights the last few days. What is the earliest point you think he’ll be considered the best player in the world? Am I crazy if I’m thinking Feb 2025?

Revisiting this post from the summer. Obviously February 2025 was ambitious but we’re getting there. I think he’ll pass SGA before SGA passes Jokic/Giannis if that makes sense. Luka is the only one that gives me pause at this point.

 

[Moe.]

I would love to see Durant back on the Thunder, r/thunder would melt and it would be glorious. What would that even look like in terms of what the Thunder send? Don’t say Jalen.

 

[the moops]

I’ve been watching way too many Wemby highlights the last few days. What is the earliest point you think he’ll be considered the best player in the world? Am I crazy if I’m thinking Feb 2025?

Revisiting this post from the summer. Obviously February 2025 was ambitious but we’re getting there. I think he’ll pass SGA before SGA passes Jokic/Giannis if that makes sense. Luka is the only one that gives me pause at this point.

I think February 2026 is what we are looking at for Wemby.

And minor quibble. SGA has already passed Giannis. And no chance on Doncic.

 

[Moe.]

I think there is a decent chance that Wemby is never considered the best player on the planet. Next few years we have Jokic/Luka/SGA/Tatum/Embiid, then it is Cooper Flag time

Interesting how much your thoughts have changed since July @the moops.

What do you mean by “no chance” on Doncic?

 

[the moops]

I think there is a decent chance that Wemby is never considered the best player on the planet. Next few years we have Jokic/Luka/SGA/Tatum/Embiid, then it is Cooper Flag time

Interesting how much your thoughts have changed since July @the moops.

What do you mean by “no chance” on Doncic?

Yea Wemby has been way better than I thought.

I should have had listed Jokic in his own tier. And I would still have Doncic in that SGA, Tatum tier. I just dont think there is a chance that any of those three are considered the best players on the planet

 

[Jayrod]

In terms of this year, I can't buy any argument that he is in the same tier as any of Jokic, SGA, Giannis, Tatum, Doncic, and Wembanyama (I would have Jokic/SGA in tier 1, the next 4 in tier 2). He is in a next year with guys like Curry (plays less, more impactful), Embiid (far better player when he is occasionally on the court), Haliburton (he was bouncing back to his offensive prowess from last year before he got hurt again), Edwards (he looked like a top 5 player in the playoffs last year), KAT (not sure he can sustain and his defense will be exposed in the playoffs, but he's unequivically been an All-NBA player this year), Mobley (2nd best defensive player in the league that is become a very good offensive player), Sabonis (in some people's eyes - he's seems like a top tier mediocre team great stats guy, but they are GREAT stats), Brunson (top 5 player in the playoffs last year, finished 5th in MVP), Lebron and Anthony Davis (Davis was looking in near peak form earlier in the season but has cooled off. Lebron gets my benefit of the doubt until I see he can't do it in the playoffs), and even Booker looked to me like the better player on the Suns the previous two years.

What? This Summer we were told he was so obviously better than Tatum that the latter deserved zero minutes over him.

 

[identikit]

Love the way the Pacers are playing right now.

A little better D, and a more free-flowing offense

Beat the Cavs in Cleveland!!!!!!!!!

I do NOT like the way the Pacers are playing right now.

Rematch tonight!!!

Good game, Cavs

Best team in the East

We'll get em next time!

 

[Major]

Looking forward to the Rockets in Denver tonight. Should be a good test for the young lads. Must say it did surprise me to see the Rockets open up as a 2.5 point favorite in Denver. The spread is now more reasonable with DEN at -1.5.

 

[Kev4029]

Looking forward to the Rockets in Denver tonight. Should be a good test for the young lads. Must say it did surprise me to see the Rockets open up as a 2.5 point favorite in Denver. The spread is now more reasonable with DEN at -1.5.

Fun stat going into tonight for the Nuggets - they are 8-0 on the second night of a back to back so far this year.

I'm excited for the game as well. Good test for both teams and could be important for the standings later this year. After tonight, the Nuggets could be in the third seed and only 1.5 back from Houston.

 

[Kev4029]

Looking forward to the Rockets in Denver tonight. Should be a good test for the young lads. Must say it did surprise me to see the Rockets open up as a 2.5 point favorite in Denver. The spread is now more reasonable with DEN at -1.5.

Fun stat going into tonight for the Nuggets - they are 8-0 on the second night of a back to back so far this year.

I'm excited for the game as well. Good test for both teams and could be important for the standings later this year. After tonight, the Nuggets could be in the third seed and only 1.5 back from Houston.

Aaaaaand Jokic and Gordon are out. Bummer.

 

[Major]

Looking forward to the Rockets in Denver tonight. Should be a good test for the young lads. Must say it did surprise me to see the Rockets open up as a 2.5 point favorite in Denver. The spread is now more reasonable with DEN at -1.5.

Fun stat going into tonight for the Nuggets - they are 8-0 on the second night of a back to back so far this year.

I'm excited for the game as well. Good test for both teams and could be important for the standings later this year. After tonight, the Nuggets could be in the third seed and only 1.5 back from Houston.

Aaaaaand Jokic and Gordon are out. Bummer.

Yeah just tuning in and fairly disappointed. I read Jokic was injured in warm ups

 

[Mister CIA]

Very funny

x.com

x.com

 

[the moops]

Celtics. Oof

 

[Jayrod]

Celtics. Oof

7-7 over last 14 games.

They aren't terrible but they look very vulnerable right now. Hope they can find some consistency soon.

 

[Yo Mama]

Clippers/Nets tied at 21 after the first quarter.

The score is currently 111-53 Clips in the middle of the fourth.

Yikes.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

Had a good time at the Warriors-Wolves game tonight in Minny. No idea how the Wolves let an under-manned Warriors team win that game…..

 

[Jayrod]

Had a good time at the Warriors-Wolves game tonight in Minny. No idea how the Wolves let an under-manned Warriors team win that game…..

As long as they have Curry, they aren't under-manned. Looks like they shot 50% from 3. Hard to beat a team doing that.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

Had a good time at the Warriors-Wolves game tonight in Minny. No idea how the Wolves let an under-manned Warriors team win that game…..

As long as they have Curry, they aren't under-manned. Looks like they shot 50% from 3. Hard to beat a team doing that.

For sure, but the Wolves shot 46% on threes also. It was a weird game — Warriors were up 34-12 at end of Q1. My buddy was losing his mind (Wolves fan) but of course the NBA is a game of runs…..

 

[Frostillicus]

Had a good time at the Warriors-Wolves game tonight in Minny. No idea how the Wolves let an under-manned Warriors team win that game…..

It’s what they do.

 

[Anarchy99]

Celtics. Oof

7-7 over last 14 games.

They aren't terrible but they look very vulnerable right now. Hope they can find some consistency soon.

Boston has a net rating of +7 in their last 15 games, which is third best over that stretch. They just seem to have a really lackluster game every 2-3 games. Their defense in the paint lately has been nonexistent. As I mentioned the other day, the threes aren’t falling, so JT and JB have gone back to playing iso / hero ball. Holiday’s 3P% is down 10% this year. They get could looks, but they aren’t making them.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

Had a good time at the Warriors-Wolves game tonight in Minny. No idea how the Wolves let an under-manned Warriors team win that game…..

It’s what they do.

Man, Julius Randle is so tough to watch. The whole offense stops when he touches the ball.

I told my buddy in the 3rd quarter “the only player in the NBA who can hold Ant below 30 pts is…….Julius Randle.” Sure enough…..28 for Ant

 

[Frostillicus]

Had a good time at the Warriors-Wolves game tonight in Minny. No idea how the Wolves let an under-manned Warriors team win that game…..

It’s what they do.

Man, Julius Randle is so tough to watch. The whole offense stops when he touches the ball.

I told my buddy in the 3rd quarter “the only player in the NBA who can hold Ant below 30 pts is…….Julius Randle.” Sure enough…..28 for Ant

Yeah he doesn't fit at all. He's a talented player for sure, but we already have our ball stopper in Ant. Can't have two.

 

[Capella]

Few days late on this but the Cavs look unreal. Still hard to imagine them beating the Celtics in the playoffs but maybe I’m just remembering how dominant the Celtics were last year.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Sixers are so terrible with just unreliable players other than Maxey. Ugh.

 

[SWC]

Celtics. Oof

7-7 over last 14 games.

They aren't terrible but they look very vulnerable right now. Hope they can find some consistency soon.

replace tatum with durant and they are 14 and 0 take that to the bank brohans

ps this is a joke jayhan you know we good

 

[NewlyRetired]

Before the season started, the betting line for the Pistons Over/Under for wins was ~22. They are already at 21 wins. Quietly one of the most surprising teams this year.

 

[General Malaise]

Before the season started, the betting line for the Pistons Over/Under for wins was ~22. They are already at 21 wins. Quietly one of the most surprising teams this year.

And they're doing it without Ivey, who was having a pretty good year. I think the NBA is better when Detroit is good. IMO.

 

[Moe.]

Hartenstein (and obviously Chet) are out tonight at home against the Cavs and yet the Thunder are favored by 2.5. Jalen Williams is in for a rough night. Don’t bet on my advice, now that I’m posting about it OKC will cover easily, but I don’t get that one.

 

[MAC_32]

Few days late on this but the Cavs look unreal. Still hard to imagine them beating the Celtics in the playoffs but maybe I’m just remembering how dominant the Celtics were last year.

Cavs need a 3 & D wing

 

[Encyclopedia Brown]

Hartenstein (and obviously Chet) are out tonight at home against the Cavs and yet the Thunder are favored by 2.5

Branden Carlson!!

 

[Orange&Blue]

OKC might be good.

 

[Desert_Power]

Hartenstein (and obviously Chet) are out tonight at home against the Cavs and yet the Thunder are favored by 2.5. Jalen Williams is in for a rough night. Don’t bet on my advice, now that I’m posting about it OKC will cover easily, but I don’t get that one.

Reverse jinx looking good so far.