2024-25 NBA Thread: for the second time, somebody in Dallas hits low percentage shot that leads to a generation of conspiracy theories (19 Viewers)

[thecatch]

Love what the Nets did last night. Sean Marks hasn't been perfect, but looking at the big picture I think he's done some great work. He built that 18-19 playoff team out of scraps and leveraged that success to construct a 3-headed monster that was dominant in the whole ~18 games they played together. Even though there was always downside risk with that group due to the volatility of personalities involved, the specific reason that team collapsed (covid vax drama) was completely out of his control. Just two seasons after the big 3 disintegrated, the team is back in position to do a hard reset with 15 1st round picks over the next 7 years - only missing one of their own picks after tonight's draft. This will not be a years-long walk in the wilderness like the aftermath of the Pierce/KG trade. Next year, the Nets will get to make their first lottery pick since drafting Derrick Favors in 2010.

The upshot of their deal with Houston is that they are betting they are going to be more terrible in the next two years than the Suns are in 28-29, is that about right? I'm not sure we've seen someone intentionally lean into tanking like they are since the Process Sixers.

Can someone break down why the Rockets trade makes sense? It's obvious BK is tanking so why give them their pick back for a 27 Suns pick? They're supposedly interested in Durant and that was the motive for a trade but wouldn't you rather have a tanking Nets pick? Must be something with salary cap or trade exceptions that I'm not getting.

I think I read somewhere, the Athletic probably, that the Nets wouldn't have done the Bridges trade without also lining up the Houston trade. So they weren't going to commit to a full-scale tank until they had the Rockets trade lined up to get their picks back.

I get why BK would do it but how does that benefit Houston? Suns are obviously a better team. Maybe Houston is betting on the Suns throwing in the towel and trading away Durant. Seems like a big gamble.

I think Houston is betting on Phoenix being worse down the road than Brooklyn would have been this year with Bridges (which would have been the status quo if Houston didn't agree to this).

 

[Yo Mama]

Love what the Nets did last night. Sean Marks hasn't been perfect, but looking at the big picture I think he's done some great work. He built that 18-19 playoff team out of scraps and leveraged that success to construct a 3-headed monster that was dominant in the whole ~18 games they played together. Even though there was always downside risk with that group due to the volatility of personalities involved, the specific reason that team collapsed (covid vax drama) was completely out of his control. Just two seasons after the big 3 disintegrated, the team is back in position to do a hard reset with 15 1st round picks over the next 7 years - only missing one of their own picks after tonight's draft. This will not be a years-long walk in the wilderness like the aftermath of the Pierce/KG trade. Next year, the Nets will get to make their first lottery pick since drafting Derrick Favors in 2010.

The upshot of their deal with Houston is that they are betting they are going to be more terrible in the next two years than the Suns are in 28-29, is that about right? I'm not sure we've seen someone intentionally lean into tanking like they are since the Process Sixers.

Can someone break down why the Rockets trade makes sense? It's obvious BK is tanking so why give them their pick back for a 27 Suns pick? They're supposedly interested in Durant and that was the motive for a trade but wouldn't you rather have a tanking Nets pick? Must be something with salary cap or trade exceptions that I'm not getting.

I think I read somewhere, the Athletic probably, that the Nets wouldn't have done the Bridges trade without also lining up the Houston trade. So they weren't going to commit to a full-scale tank until they had the Rockets trade lined up to get their picks back.

I get why BK would do it but how does that benefit Houston? Suns are obviously a better team. Maybe Houston is betting on the Suns throwing in the towel and trading away Durant. Seems like a big gamble.

Rockets are big game hunting and have identified PHX as a team that's likely to trade one or more superstars in the near future. I think I agree with that assessment. If/when PHX tears things down, a return package that includes their own 1sts will be far more attractive than most - putting HOU in the driver's seat for KD or Booker. And if the Suns try limping along without getting their own picks back, those 2027-29 PHX 1sts will look just as good as Brooklyn's IMO. That trade preserves Houston's overall draft capital while giving them the upper hand in negotiations for one of the next available studs.

Agreed with all this.

Also, Houston doesn’t have space for lots of new young players right now if they’re still trying to move forward with the ones they already have on roster. This move adds additional draft assets (strong ones too) down the road when it fits a better timeline than next year. Those unprotected Suns picks will be valuable, especially to the Suns.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Bronny has the most bets on him to be the #1 overall pick? But oddsmakers have him going to the lakers.

 

[msudaisy26]

It would be hilarious (to me) if Durant were to make his way back to OKC

I think it is the best move for his long-term reputation, particularly if he wins a title.

Agreed. He really needs to win a title on his own accord. I really don't count those he got with GS.

What? They don't count? You have to be kidding.

 

[General Malaise]

Bronny has the most bets on him to be the #1 overall pick? But oddsmakers have him going to the lakers.

Odds makers feasting off an ignorant public? When did this start?

 

[General Malaise]

It would be hilarious (to me) if Durant were to make his way back to OKC

I think it is the best move for his long-term reputation, particularly if he wins a title.

Agreed. He really needs to win a title on his own accord. I really don't count those he got with GS.

What? They don't count? You have to be kidding.

I mean.....it's not like he was the Finals' MVP or anything.

Oh, wait.....

 

[Yo Mama]

Bronny has the most bets on him to be the #1 overall pick? But oddsmakers have him going to the lakers.

Hawks need to throw in the 1st pick to offload Trae’s deal to the Lakers. Makes sense.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

But people are actually betting that a team wants lebron so bad that they would draft his son first overall?! That’s insane to me.

 

[msudaisy26]

It would be hilarious (to me) if Durant were to make his way back to OKC

I think it is the best move for his long-term reputation, particularly if he wins a title.

Agreed. He really needs to win a title on his own accord. I really don't count those he got with GS.

What? They don't count? You have to be kidding.

I mean.....it's not like he was the Finals' MVP or anything.

Oh, wait.....

Can't wait until they start going through all the titles and start striping players of titles. Rasheed Wallace, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett. Who know how many more.

 

[General Malaise]

But people are actually betting that a team wants lebron so bad that they would draft his son first overall?! That’s insane to me.

Bronny is 300 to 1 to go first. People are betting on a lottery ticket. Nothing more, nothing less.

 

[General Malaise]

It would be hilarious (to me) if Durant were to make his way back to OKC

I think it is the best move for his long-term reputation, particularly if he wins a title.

Agreed. He really needs to win a title on his own accord. I really don't count those he got with GS.

What? They don't count? You have to be kidding.

I mean.....it's not like he was the Finals' MVP or anything.

Oh, wait.....

Can't wait until they start going through all the titles and start striping players of titles. Rasheed Wallace, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett. Who know how many more.

Don't forget Rockets' great Clyde Drexler!

 

[Major]

It would be hilarious (to me) if Durant were to make his way back to OKC

I think it is the best move for his long-term reputation, particularly if he wins a title.

Agreed. He really needs to win a title on his own accord. I really don't count those he got with GS.

What? They don't count? You have to be kidding.

I mean.....it's not like he was the Finals' MVP or anything.

Oh, wait.....

Can't wait until they start going through all the titles and start striping players of titles. Rasheed Wallace, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett. Who know how many more.

Don't forget Rockets' great Clyde Drexler!

LOL. Apples and oranges. Durant joined a dynasty that didn't need him. Houston was struggling to make the playoffs and needed some life. Clyde gave them that and helped propel them from a 6th seed to repeat champions. As Barkley would say, Durant just rode the bus.

 

[Major]

It would be hilarious (to me) if Durant were to make his way back to OKC

I think it is the best move for his long-term reputation, particularly if he wins a title.

Agreed. He really needs to win a title on his own accord. I really don't count those he got with GS.

What? They don't count? You have to be kidding.

Huge asterisk for me

 

[General Malaise]

It would be hilarious (to me) if Durant were to make his way back to OKC

I think it is the best move for his long-term reputation, particularly if he wins a title.

Agreed. He really needs to win a title on his own accord. I really don't count those he got with GS.

What? They don't count? You have to be kidding.

I mean.....it's not like he was the Finals' MVP or anything.

Oh, wait.....

Can't wait until they start going through all the titles and start striping players of titles. Rasheed Wallace, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett. Who know how many more.

Don't forget Rockets' great Clyde Drexler!

LOL. Apples and oranges. Durant joined a dynasty that didn't need him. Houston was struggling to make the playoffs and needed some life. Clyde gave them that and helped propel them from a 6th seed to repeat champions. As Barkley would say, Durant just rode the bus.

They did need him. He was the Finals' MVP twice. Is this a bit?

 

[msudaisy26]

It would be hilarious (to me) if Durant were to make his way back to OKC

I think it is the best move for his long-term reputation, particularly if he wins a title.

Agreed. He really needs to win a title on his own accord. I really don't count those he got with GS.

What? They don't count? You have to be kidding.

I mean.....it's not like he was the Finals' MVP or anything.

Oh, wait.....

Can't wait until they start going through all the titles and start striping players of titles. Rasheed Wallace, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett. Who know how many more.

Don't forget Rockets' great Clyde Drexler!

LOL. Apples and oranges. Durant joined a dynasty that didn't need him. Houston was struggling to make the playoffs and needed some life. Clyde gave them that and helped propel them from a 6th seed to repeat champions. As Barkley would say, Durant just rode the bus.

He drove the bus and they just lost the finals the year before. That dynasty doesn't happen without Durant.

There is a very good chance the Warriors never win another title without Durant.

 

[Major]

It would be hilarious (to me) if Durant were to make his way back to OKC

I think it is the best move for his long-term reputation, particularly if he wins a title.

Agreed. He really needs to win a title on his own accord. I really don't count those he got with GS.

What? They don't count? You have to be kidding.

I mean.....it's not like he was the Finals' MVP or anything.

Oh, wait.....

Can't wait until they start going through all the titles and start striping players of titles. Rasheed Wallace, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett. Who know how many more.

Don't forget Rockets' great Clyde Drexler!

LOL. Apples and oranges. Durant joined a dynasty that didn't need him. Houston was struggling to make the playoffs and needed some life. Clyde gave them that and helped propel them from a 6th seed to repeat champions. As Barkley would say, Durant just rode the bus.

They did need him. He was the Finals' MVP twice. Is this a bit?

Not a fan of ring chasers like that. If he went to Boston right now, I wouldn't be impressed.

 

[Desert_Power]

I don't agree with the view that those titles somehow don't count or count less because KD joined the best regular season team of all time. I do think there is a somewhat large group of fans/pundits that think that though. Combined with KD not really having a team or fanbase that really likes him is why I would advise him to go back to OKC. Doesn't hurt that they were the #1 seed (barely) last year.

Likewise, I think Lebron going back to Cleveland was big for his perceived legacy.

 

[Major]

It would be hilarious (to me) if Durant were to make his way back to OKC

I think it is the best move for his long-term reputation, particularly if he wins a title.

Agreed. He really needs to win a title on his own accord. I really don't count those he got with GS.

What? They don't count? You have to be kidding.

I mean.....it's not like he was the Finals' MVP or anything.

Oh, wait.....

Can't wait until they start going through all the titles and start striping players of titles. Rasheed Wallace, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett. Who know how many more.

Don't forget Rockets' great Clyde Drexler!

LOL. Apples and oranges. Durant joined a dynasty that didn't need him. Houston was struggling to make the playoffs and needed some life. Clyde gave them that and helped propel them from a 6th seed to repeat champions. As Barkley would say, Durant just rode the bus.

He drove the bus and they just lost the finals the year before. That dynasty doesn't happen without Durant.

There is a very good chance the Warriors never win another title without Durant.

Fluke loss. They were 73-9 before Durant.

 

[General Malaise]

It would be hilarious (to me) if Durant were to make his way back to OKC

I think it is the best move for his long-term reputation, particularly if he wins a title.

Agreed. He really needs to win a title on his own accord. I really don't count those he got with GS.

What? They don't count? You have to be kidding.

I mean.....it's not like he was the Finals' MVP or anything.

Oh, wait.....

Can't wait until they start going through all the titles and start striping players of titles. Rasheed Wallace, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett. Who know how many more.

Don't forget Rockets' great Clyde Drexler!

LOL. Apples and oranges. Durant joined a dynasty that didn't need him. Houston was struggling to make the playoffs and needed some life. Clyde gave them that and helped propel them from a 6th seed to repeat champions. As Barkley would say, Durant just rode the bus.

They did need him. He was the Finals' MVP twice. Is this a bit?

Not a fan of ring chasers like that. If he went to Boston right now, I wouldn't be impressed.

I see. So not a Justin Verlander fan then?

 

[the moops]

Love what the Nets did last night. Sean Marks hasn't been perfect, but looking at the big picture I think he's done some great work. He built that 18-19 playoff team out of scraps and leveraged that success to construct a 3-headed monster that was dominant in the whole ~18 games they played together. Even though there was always downside risk with that group due to the volatility of personalities involved, the specific reason that team collapsed (covid vax drama) was completely out of his control. Just two seasons after the big 3 disintegrated, the team is back in position to do a hard reset with 15 1st round picks over the next 7 years - only missing one of their own picks after tonight's draft. This will not be a years-long walk in the wilderness like the aftermath of the Pierce/KG trade. Next year, the Nets will get to make their first lottery pick since drafting Derrick Favors in 2010.

The upshot of their deal with Houston is that they are betting they are going to be more terrible in the next two years than the Suns are in 28-29, is that about right? I'm not sure we've seen someone intentionally lean into tanking like they are since the Process Sixers.

Can someone break down why the Rockets trade makes sense? It's obvious BK is tanking so why give them their pick back for a 27 Suns pick? They're supposedly interested in Durant and that was the motive for a trade but wouldn't you rather have a tanking Nets pick? Must be something with salary cap or trade exceptions that I'm not getting.

I think I read somewhere, the Athletic probably, that the Nets wouldn't have done the Bridges trade without also lining up the Houston trade. So they weren't going to commit to a full-scale tank until they had the Rockets trade lined up to get their picks back.

I get why BK would do it but how does that benefit Houston? Suns are obviously a better team. Maybe Houston is betting on the Suns throwing in the towel and trading away Durant. Seems like a big gamble.

I think Houston is betting on Phoenix being worse down the road than Brooklyn would have been this year with Bridges (which would have been the status quo if Houston didn't agree to this).

I can’t imagine that this pick swap would have tanked the deal but even if it did I would still prefer Brooklyns pick next year in a great draft. Brooklyn is gonna be terrible even if they kept Mikal

 

[msudaisy26]

It would be hilarious (to me) if Durant were to make his way back to OKC

I think it is the best move for his long-term reputation, particularly if he wins a title.

Agreed. He really needs to win a title on his own accord. I really don't count those he got with GS.

What? They don't count? You have to be kidding.

I mean.....it's not like he was the Finals' MVP or anything.

Oh, wait.....

Can't wait until they start going through all the titles and start striping players of titles. Rasheed Wallace, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett. Who know how many more.

Don't forget Rockets' great Clyde Drexler!

LOL. Apples and oranges. Durant joined a dynasty that didn't need him. Houston was struggling to make the playoffs and needed some life. Clyde gave them that and helped propel them from a 6th seed to repeat champions. As Barkley would say, Durant just rode the bus.

He drove the bus and they just lost the finals the year before. That dynasty doesn't happen without Durant.

There is a very good chance the Warriors never win another title without Durant.

Fluke loss. They were 73-9 before Durant.

Lol, not a chance.

 

[Major]

It would be hilarious (to me) if Durant were to make his way back to OKC

I think it is the best move for his long-term reputation, particularly if he wins a title.

Agreed. He really needs to win a title on his own accord. I really don't count those he got with GS.

What? They don't count? You have to be kidding.

I mean.....it's not like he was the Finals' MVP or anything.

Oh, wait.....

Can't wait until they start going through all the titles and start striping players of titles. Rasheed Wallace, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett. Who know how many more.

Don't forget Rockets' great Clyde Drexler!

LOL. Apples and oranges. Durant joined a dynasty that didn't need him. Houston was struggling to make the playoffs and needed some life. Clyde gave them that and helped propel them from a 6th seed to repeat champions. As Barkley would say, Durant just rode the bus.

They did need him. He was the Finals' MVP twice. Is this a bit?

Not a fan of ring chasers like that. If he went to Boston right now, I wouldn't be impressed.

I see. So not a Justin Verlander fan then?

That's different bro

 

[Major]

Love what the Nets did last night. Sean Marks hasn't been perfect, but looking at the big picture I think he's done some great work. He built that 18-19 playoff team out of scraps and leveraged that success to construct a 3-headed monster that was dominant in the whole ~18 games they played together. Even though there was always downside risk with that group due to the volatility of personalities involved, the specific reason that team collapsed (covid vax drama) was completely out of his control. Just two seasons after the big 3 disintegrated, the team is back in position to do a hard reset with 15 1st round picks over the next 7 years - only missing one of their own picks after tonight's draft. This will not be a years-long walk in the wilderness like the aftermath of the Pierce/KG trade. Next year, the Nets will get to make their first lottery pick since drafting Derrick Favors in 2010.

The upshot of their deal with Houston is that they are betting they are going to be more terrible in the next two years than the Suns are in 28-29, is that about right? I'm not sure we've seen someone intentionally lean into tanking like they are since the Process Sixers.

Can someone break down why the Rockets trade makes sense? It's obvious BK is tanking so why give them their pick back for a 27 Suns pick? They're supposedly interested in Durant and that was the motive for a trade but wouldn't you rather have a tanking Nets pick? Must be something with salary cap or trade exceptions that I'm not getting.

I think I read somewhere, the Athletic probably, that the Nets wouldn't have done the Bridges trade without also lining up the Houston trade. So they weren't going to commit to a full-scale tank until they had the Rockets trade lined up to get their picks back.

I get why BK would do it but how does that benefit Houston? Suns are obviously a better team. Maybe Houston is betting on the Suns throwing in the towel and trading away Durant. Seems like a big gamble.

I think Houston is betting on Phoenix being worse down the road than Brooklyn would have been this year with Bridges (which would have been the status quo if Houston didn't agree to this).

I can’t imagine that this pick swap would have tanked the deal but even if it did I would still prefer Brooklyns pick next year in a great draft. Brooklyn is gonna be terrible even if they kept Mikal

That's my thinking as well. To me it's just another case of Stone (Rockets GM) getting played. He's former legal counsel for Houston who somehow lucked into this position. With all the picks and salary cap they've had I think he leaves a lot to be desired. Hope they move on from him soon.

 

[Kev4029]

OG is signing back with the Knicks for 5/212 or something.

 

[msudaisy26]

Knicks to re-sign forward OG Anunoby to a reported five-year, $212.5 million contract

OG Anunoby staying with Knicks: Star defender set to sign five-year, $212.5 million contract, per reports

The Knicks acquired Anunoby during the season

www.cbssports.com

via cbssportsapp.com

 

[Jayrod]

Knicks to re-sign forward OG Anunoby to a reported five-year, $212.5 million contract

OG Anunoby staying with Knicks: Star defender set to sign five-year, $212.5 million contract, per reports

The Knicks acquired Anunoby during the season

www.cbssports.com

via cbssportsapp.com

Well ****, there goes another easy path to the Finals.
-Celtics fans

 

[Capella]

Durant’s titles count because Durant was a player on a team who won the title. HTH

 

[Capella]

Knicks to re-sign forward OG Anunoby to a reported five-year, $212.5 million contract

OG Anunoby staying with Knicks: Star defender set to sign five-year, $212.5 million contract, per reports

The Knicks acquired Anunoby during the season

www.cbssports.com

via cbssportsapp.com

What the **** man 212M and a ton of draft picks for two guys probably in the 40-60 range. Knicks winning a title with all this mid?

 

[scoobus]

Players I like more than the consensus: Rob Dillingham, Devin Carter, Cody Williams, Kel'el Ware, Nikola Topic, Kyle Filipowski

Players I like less than the consensus: Matas Buzelis, Stephon Castle, Ron Holland, Zach Edey, Tidjane Saluan, Donovan Clingan

 

[msudaisy26]

Knicks to re-sign forward OG Anunoby to a reported five-year, $212.5 million contract

OG Anunoby staying with Knicks: Star defender set to sign five-year, $212.5 million contract, per reports

The Knicks acquired Anunoby during the season

www.cbssports.com

via cbssportsapp.com

What the **** man 212M and a ton ofdraft picks for two guys probably in the 40-60 range. Knicks winning a title with all this mid?

But they have Brunson and I wouldn't call it mid. Remember there is only one basketball.

Brunson isn't as good as Jokic, but put Jokic, Luka, Giannis etc on the Knicks for Brunson and they are the favorites by a lot. Downgrade from MVP candidates to just an all NBA player and they have a chance. Not the favorites, but right now they are probably one of sixish teams that could win it.

 

[Desert_Power]

Knicks to re-sign forward OG Anunoby to a reported five-year, $212.5 million contract

OG Anunoby staying with Knicks: Star defender set to sign five-year, $212.5 million contract, per reports

The Knicks acquired Anunoby during the season

www.cbssports.com

via cbssportsapp.com

What the **** man 212M and a ton ofdraft picks for two guys probably in the 40-60 range. Knicks winning a title with all this mid?

But they have Brunson and I wouldn't call it mid. Remember there is only one basketball.

Brunson isn't as good as Jokic, but put Jokic, Luka, Giannis etc on the Knicks for Brunson and they are the favorites by a lot. Downgrade from MVP candidates to just an all NBA player and they have a chance. Not the favorites, but right now they are probably one of sixish teams that could win it.

Lack of rim protection is a big issue right now though.

 

[Major]

Knicks to re-sign forward OG Anunoby to a reported five-year, $212.5 million contract

OG Anunoby staying with Knicks: Star defender set to sign five-year, $212.5 million contract, per reports

The Knicks acquired Anunoby during the season

www.cbssports.com

via cbssportsapp.com

What the **** man 212M and a ton of draft picks for two guys probably in the 40-60 range. Knicks winning a title with all this mid?

Hey pal, this team was good enough for a championship back in 2018

 

[msudaisy26]

Knicks to re-sign forward OG Anunoby to a reported five-year, $212.5 million contract

OG Anunoby staying with Knicks: Star defender set to sign five-year, $212.5 million contract, per reports

The Knicks acquired Anunoby during the season

www.cbssports.com

via cbssportsapp.com

What the **** man 212M and a ton ofdraft picks for two guys probably in the 40-60 range. Knicks winning a title with all this mid?

But they have Brunson and I wouldn't call it mid. Remember there is only one basketball.

Brunson isn't as good as Jokic, but put Jokic, Luka, Giannis etc on the Knicks for Brunson and they are the favorites by a lot. Downgrade from MVP candidates to just an all NBA player and they have a chance. Not the favorites, but right now they are probably one of sixish teams that could win it.

Lack of rim protection is a big issue right now though.

It is, but the offseason just started.

 

[Yo Mama]

@General Malaise

Blazers trade Brogdon, pick #14 tonight and maybe a 2009 pick (not sure)

For

Deni Advija

Congrats?

 

[Yo Mama]

@General Malaise

Blazers trade Brogdon, pick #14 tonight and maybe a 2009 pick (not sure)

For

Deni Advija

Congrats?

Thought they had bigger ideas for Brogdon

 

[scoobus]

@General Malaise

Blazers trade Brogdon, pick #14 tonight and maybe a 2009 pick (not sure)

For

Deni Advija

Congrats?

Ewwwwww

 

[Yo Mama]

Per Woj:

The Blazers are sending the second most favorable of their 2029 first-round picks and two second-round picks in the deal for Avdija, sources tell ESPN.

 

[scoobus]

The top of the draft is historically weak (probably the weakest since the Anthony Bennett draft), but the middle is filled with a bunch of intriguing players. Seems crazy to forego a swing at one of those guys for Deni Avdija, let alone basically getting nothing for Brogdon. I guess the Blazers must really like him, and think his 3pt improvement is for real.

 

[Capella]

Why would the Wizards want Brogdon

 

[Juxtatarot]

Why would the Wizards want Brogdon

They likely don’t. Just getting back an expiring contract.

 

[msudaisy26]

Why would the Wizards want Brogdon

Bad teams do bad things.

 

[Brunell4MVP]

Why would the Wizards want Brogdon

Probably had to take him to make $s work.

I don't like the Wiz giving up on Avdila. Much like everyone else leaving DC (Gafford, KCP, Porzingis ... all in the finals over the past 2 years), he was saddled by Bradley Beal's selfishness. It's all in the name of rebuild. Get a pick tonight and some future draft picks. To me Avdila could have been part of that rebuild. I wish him well.

 

[Jayrod]

I feel sorry for Brogdon a bit with these crappy teams he's getting passed around to. He's a good role player, but there were rumors that he was not content to be the 6th man in Boston so it may be a bit of his own doing.

He may be one of those guys playing just for the money at this point.

 

[thecatch]

Love what the Nets did last night. Sean Marks hasn't been perfect, but looking at the big picture I think he's done some great work. He built that 18-19 playoff team out of scraps and leveraged that success to construct a 3-headed monster that was dominant in the whole ~18 games they played together. Even though there was always downside risk with that group due to the volatility of personalities involved, the specific reason that team collapsed (covid vax drama) was completely out of his control. Just two seasons after the big 3 disintegrated, the team is back in position to do a hard reset with 15 1st round picks over the next 7 years - only missing one of their own picks after tonight's draft. This will not be a years-long walk in the wilderness like the aftermath of the Pierce/KG trade. Next year, the Nets will get to make their first lottery pick since drafting Derrick Favors in 2010.

The upshot of their deal with Houston is that they are betting they are going to be more terrible in the next two years than the Suns are in 28-29, is that about right? I'm not sure we've seen someone intentionally lean into tanking like they are since the Process Sixers.

Can someone break down why the Rockets trade makes sense? It's obvious BK is tanking so why give them their pick back for a 27 Suns pick? They're supposedly interested in Durant and that was the motive for a trade but wouldn't you rather have a tanking Nets pick? Must be something with salary cap or trade exceptions that I'm not getting.

I think I read somewhere, the Athletic probably, that the Nets wouldn't have done the Bridges trade without also lining up the Houston trade. So they weren't going to commit to a full-scale tank until they had the Rockets trade lined up to get their picks back.

I get why BK would do it but how does that benefit Houston? Suns are obviously a better team. Maybe Houston is betting on the Suns throwing in the towel and trading away Durant. Seems like a big gamble.

I think Houston is betting on Phoenix being worse down the road than Brooklyn would have been this year with Bridges (which would have been the status quo if Houston didn't agree to this).

I can’t imagine that this pick swap would have tanked the deal but even if it did I would still prefer Brooklyns pick next year in a great draft. Brooklyn is gonna be terrible even if they kept Mikal

That's my thinking as well. To me it's just another case of Stone (Rockets GM) getting played. He's former legal counsel for Houston who somehow lucked into this position. With all the picks and salary cap they've had I think he leaves a lot to be desired. Hope they move on from him soon.

Here's what Hollinger says about this, FWIW:

On the other side of the ledger, Brooklyn couldn’t possibly move forward with the Bridges deal without the other half of it: swapping future picks owed by the Suns to Brooklyn for those owed by the Nets to Houston. Yes, they traded draft picks so they could tank. The NBA is amazing.

This actually came at a considerable cost. People’s brains are spinning right now trying to process all this, but the Nets had two unprotected firsts from Dallas and Phoenix in 2029 that now are essentially controlled by the Rockets — Houston gets the better of the two automatically, and can swap for the other one with its own pick. Given the odds of Phoenix being awful by then, that’s a sweet haul.

The benefit for Brooklyn is that a 2025 pick swap given to Houston in the James Harden trade was removed, allowing the Nets to freely tank this season and have it benefit themselves rather than the Rockets. The Nets also got their own unprotected 2026 first back, again a key condition for bottoming out. Houston’s reward, in addition to that 2029 bounty, was an unprotected first from Phoenix in 2027 and a complicated pick swap in 2025 that can turn either their own pick or the Thunder’s into Phoenix’s pick if it benefits them.

So the Nets gave up two unprotected picks (2029, 2027) for one unprotected pick in return (2026), and gave up two swaps (2029, 2025) for one admittedly more valuable swap (2025). It was understandable business for the Nets because it gets them out of mediocre, chase-the-play-in limbo and sets them in a new direction; they’re in a much better place now than they were 24 hours ago.

Finally, just to be clear: Remember that there was no scenario where the Nets were making the Bridges trade without doing the Houston deal. That 2025 pick swap was never going to be as valuable to the Rockets as it now is to the Nets.

 

[Juxtatarot]

It’s an interesting win soon trade for Portland. I didn’t think they were that far in their rebuilding.

 

[Yo Mama]

It’s an interesting win soon trade for Portland. I didn’t think they were that far in their rebuilding.

Gets them under both the first apron and the luxury tax (Avdija’s got a very reasonable contract) and he’s younger than a bunch of guys in the draft tonight. Gives them some more flexibility to be able to take more salary back in trades I believe.

 

[Desert_Power]

It’s an interesting win soon trade for Portland. I didn’t think they were that far in their rebuilding.

They're not.

 

[msudaisy26]

Claxton resigns with the Nets 4 years for 100 million.

 

[Major]

Love what the Nets did last night. Sean Marks hasn't been perfect, but looking at the big picture I think he's done some great work. He built that 18-19 playoff team out of scraps and leveraged that success to construct a 3-headed monster that was dominant in the whole ~18 games they played together. Even though there was always downside risk with that group due to the volatility of personalities involved, the specific reason that team collapsed (covid vax drama) was completely out of his control. Just two seasons after the big 3 disintegrated, the team is back in position to do a hard reset with 15 1st round picks over the next 7 years - only missing one of their own picks after tonight's draft. This will not be a years-long walk in the wilderness like the aftermath of the Pierce/KG trade. Next year, the Nets will get to make their first lottery pick since drafting Derrick Favors in 2010.

The upshot of their deal with Houston is that they are betting they are going to be more terrible in the next two years than the Suns are in 28-29, is that about right? I'm not sure we've seen someone intentionally lean into tanking like they are since the Process Sixers.

Can someone break down why the Rockets trade makes sense? It's obvious BK is tanking so why give them their pick back for a 27 Suns pick? They're supposedly interested in Durant and that was the motive for a trade but wouldn't you rather have a tanking Nets pick? Must be something with salary cap or trade exceptions that I'm not getting.

I think I read somewhere, the Athletic probably, that the Nets wouldn't have done the Bridges trade without also lining up the Houston trade. So they weren't going to commit to a full-scale tank until they had the Rockets trade lined up to get their picks back.

I get why BK would do it but how does that benefit Houston? Suns are obviously a better team. Maybe Houston is betting on the Suns throwing in the towel and trading away Durant. Seems like a big gamble.

I think Houston is betting on Phoenix being worse down the road than Brooklyn would have been this year with Bridges (which would have been the status quo if Houston didn't agree to this).

I can’t imagine that this pick swap would have tanked the deal but even if it did I would still prefer Brooklyns pick next year in a great draft. Brooklyn is gonna be terrible even if they kept Mikal

That's my thinking as well. To me it's just another case of Stone (Rockets GM) getting played. He's former legal counsel for Houston who somehow lucked into this position. With all the picks and salary cap they've had I think he leaves a lot to be desired. Hope they move on from him soon.

Here's what Hollinger says about this, FWIW:

On the other side of the ledger, Brooklyn couldn’t possibly move forward with the Bridges deal without the other half of it: swapping future picks owed by the Suns to Brooklyn for those owed by the Nets to Houston. Yes, they traded draft picks so they could tank. The NBA is amazing.

This actually came at a considerable cost. People’s brains are spinning right now trying to process all this, but the Nets had two unprotected firsts from Dallas and Phoenix in 2029 that now are essentially controlled by the Rockets — Houston gets the better of the two automatically, and can swap for the other one with its own pick. Given the odds of Phoenix being awful by then, that’s a sweet haul.

The benefit for Brooklyn is that a 2025 pick swap given to Houston in the James Harden trade was removed, allowing the Nets to freely tank this season and have it benefit themselves rather than the Rockets. The Nets also got their own unprotected 2026 first back, again a key condition for bottoming out. Houston’s reward, in addition to that 2029 bounty, was an unprotected first from Phoenix in 2027 and a complicated pick swap in 2025 that can turn either their own pick or the Thunder’s into Phoenix’s pick if it benefits them.

So the Nets gave up two unprotected picks (2029, 2027) for one unprotected pick in return (2026), and gave up two swaps (2029, 2025) for one admittedly more valuable swap (2025). It was understandable business for the Nets because it gets them out of mediocre, chase-the-play-in limbo and sets them in a new direction; they’re in a much better place now than they were 24 hours ago.

Finally, just to be clear: Remember that there was no scenario where the Nets were making the Bridges trade without doing the Houston deal. That 2025 pick swap was never going to be as valuable to the Rockets as it now is to the Nets.

Appreciate that. I've just been reading about these additional pick swaps which makes the trade make more sense. Udoka doesn't seem keen on developing more youth and wants vets to win now.

 

[Long Ball Larry]

Love what the Nets did last night. Sean Marks hasn't been perfect, but looking at the big picture I think he's done some great work. He built that 18-19 playoff team out of scraps and leveraged that success to construct a 3-headed monster that was dominant in the whole ~18 games they played together. Even though there was always downside risk with that group due to the volatility of personalities involved, the specific reason that team collapsed (covid vax drama) was completely out of his control. Just two seasons after the big 3 disintegrated, the team is back in position to do a hard reset with 15 1st round picks over the next 7 years - only missing one of their own picks after tonight's draft. This will not be a years-long walk in the wilderness like the aftermath of the Pierce/KG trade. Next year, the Nets will get to make their first lottery pick since drafting Derrick Favors in 2010.

The upshot of their deal with Houston is that they are betting they are going to be more terrible in the next two years than the Suns are in 28-29, is that about right? I'm not sure we've seen someone intentionally lean into tanking like they are since the Process Sixers.

Can someone break down why the Rockets trade makes sense? It's obvious BK is tanking so why give them their pick back for a 27 Suns pick? They're supposedly interested in Durant and that was the motive for a trade but wouldn't you rather have a tanking Nets pick? Must be something with salary cap or trade exceptions that I'm not getting.

I think I read somewhere, the Athletic probably, that the Nets wouldn't have done the Bridges trade without also lining up the Houston trade. So they weren't going to commit to a full-scale tank until they had the Rockets trade lined up to get their picks back.

I get why BK would do it but how does that benefit Houston? Suns are obviously a better team. Maybe Houston is betting on the Suns throwing in the towel and trading away Durant. Seems like a big gamble.

I think Houston is betting on Phoenix being worse down the road than Brooklyn would have been this year with Bridges (which would have been the status quo if Houston didn't agree to this).

I can’t imagine that this pick swap would have tanked the deal but even if it did I would still prefer Brooklyns pick next year in a great draft. Brooklyn is gonna be terrible even if they kept Mikal

That's my thinking as well. To me it's just another case of Stone (Rockets GM) getting played. He's former legal counsel for Houston who somehow lucked into this position. With all the picks and salary cap they've had I think he leaves a lot to be desired. Hope they move on from him soon.

I think it’s an interesting debate and perhaps one of the harder things to know as a fan, because it is surely tied into some other strategic moves (which may or may not work of course) but where the weight of different factors on Stone’s side is really unknowable. If he believes doing this will add leverage to whatever else he wants to do, then it’s probably a good move, because there are pros and cons on both sides. Just think this is a particularly hard thing to evaluate from the outside