2024-25 NBA Thread: Game 7!! (103 Viewers)

[Mister CIA]

Have we heard "long plane ride home" yet?

 

[Capella]

Win or lose Sunday, this has to be a pretty cool memory for the Pacers fans.

 

[identikit]

Have we heard "long plane ride home" yet?

I think they're busing these days

Nebraska will be pretty lonely, looking like

 

[identikit]

Win or lose Sunday, this has to be a pretty cool memory for the Pacers fans.

So proud of this team, no matter the outcome

 

[Jayrod]

What an embarrassment. Would be comical to watch OKC choke it away at home game 7. How are you that unprepared or disinterested with a chance to win it all? So soft.

This game isn't over

This is a good point.

Now it's over.

30 pt lead and OKC has nothing going.

 

[Jayrod]

Have we heard "long plane ride home" yet?

I think they're busing these days

Nebraska will be pretty lonely, looking like

You know Nebraska isn't between OKC and Indy, right?

 

[dickey moe]

What an embarrassment. Would be comical to watch OKC choke it away at home game 7. How are you that unprepared or disinterested with a chance to win it all? So soft.

This game isn't over

This is a good point.

Now it's over.

30 pt lead and OKC has nothing going.

Sitting their starters now. Capitulation.

 

[identikit]

Have we heard "long plane ride home" yet?

I think they're busing these days

Nebraska will be pretty lonely, looking like

You know Nebraska isn't between OKC and Indy, right?

Is on my map, chief

 

[identikit]

14 steals for the Pacers

 

[Mister CIA]

Have we heard "long plane ride home" yet?

I think they're busing these days

Nebraska will be pretty lonely, looking like

You know Nebraska isn't between OKC and Indy, right?

Not if you're on a mini-bike

:dumd&dumber:

 

[Mister CIA]

Are the Pacers rolling out a near identical roster next season? Assuming they resign Turner, everybody is returning, right?

Edit: Spotrac answers yes to both.

 

[Jayrod]

GAME 7!!!

 

[Capella]

https://x.com/thehoopcentral/status/1935885699867459986?s=46&t=ICx5zgfs3tFXUezBjAIfQQ

 

[cheese]

Win or lose Sunday, this has to be a pretty cool memory for the Pacers fans.

My 9 year old that goes to some of the games and has been staying up to 11pm for weeks to watch Pacers games will probably be talking about those Haliburton game winners for 50 years. If we win Sunday, make it 60.

 

[Juxtatarot]

I love how less than a week after the Finals we get the draft. Then, like a week later, we get free agency.

 

[Anarchy99]

I love how less than a week after the Finals we get the draft. Then, like a week later, we get free agency.

They pretty much diluted free agency when they added the aprons into the mix. The only team able to sign a fee agent player to a max contract this year is Brooklyn. Sign and trades will also be a lot more difficult.

 

[Juxtatarot]

I love how less than a week after the Finals we get the draft. Then, like a week later, we get free agency.

They pretty much diluted free agency when they added the aprons into the mix. The only team able to sign a fee agent player to a max contract this year is Brooklyn. Sign and trades will also be a lot more difficult.

Yes, but due to that, many think we will see more trades than usual. It’s going to be this awesome free agency/quasi-trade-deadline-like period.

 

[Mister CIA]

I love how less than a week after the Finals we get the draft. Then, like a week later, we get free agency.

I'm ready!

Draft Harper, trade for Durant for about 50 cents on the dollar, and mix in a little Luke Kornet to do some dirty work. There probably won't be a lot of minutes for CP3, but I would not mind him being brought back to help with Harper's development, and maybe get a ring, right?


Starting lineup: Wemby, Durant, Sochan, Castle, Fox
Rotation: Harper, Champaignie, Kornet, Keldon Johnson, and maybe we see Blake Wesley still get some run (I still believe he can carve out a decent role in the NBA).

About mid-season we should start cooking once we've got a guard rotation such that we have 2 out of 3 of Fox, Castle, and Harper on the floor at all times. They should eat up weak benches, and eventually the entire league.

 

[PlayaHata]

Pretty cool stat from game 6 last night. TJ McConnell had:

• More rebounds than anyone for the Thunder - TJ had 9 rebounds vs. 7-footer Holmgren with 6
• Two more assists than anyone on OKC - TJ had 6 assists vs. NBA MVP point guard SGA with 2
• Three more steals than anyone on OKC - TJ had 4 steals vs. OKC all-NBA defenders Dort and Williams combined with 0

He played less minutes than all of those guys too except for Dort.

 

[scoobus]

Chet man, woooooooooof.

 

[msudaisy26]

I love how less than a week after the Finals we get the draft. Then, like a week later, we get free agency.

I'm ready!

Draft Harper, trade for Durant for about 50 cents on the dollar, and mix in a little Luke Kornet to do some dirty work. There probably won't be a lot of minutes for CP3, b
ut I would not mind him being brought back to help with Harper's development, and maybe get a ring, right?


Starting lineup: Wemby, Durant, Sochan, Castle, Fox
Rotation: Harper, Champaignie, Kornet, Keldon Johnson, and maybe we see Blake Wesley still get some run (I still believe he can carve out a decent role in the NBA).

About mid-season we should start cooking once we've got a guard rotation such that we have 2 out of 3 of Fox, Castle, and Harper on the floor at all times. They should eat up weak benches, and eventually the entire league.

That is some wishful thinking. I read a report that the Spurs and Suns had talks and they asked for the 2nd pick and Castle. Hard to imagine they get both, but equally difficult to think they don't get one of them .

 

[mr. furley]

is there a case to be made that not only are these the two best finals teams ever, but the two best head coaches ever in a finals matchup and these two teams are hands down favorites to be back here next year

discuss

 

[ChiefD]

When is game 7? I'm assuming next weekend?

 

[Mister CIA]

I love how less than a week after the Finals we get the draft. Then, like a week later, we get free agency.

I'm ready!

Draft Harper, trade for Durant for about 50 cents on the dollar, and mix in a little Luke Kornet to do some dirty work. There probably won't be a lot of minutes for CP3, b
ut I would not mind him being brought back to help with Harper's development, and maybe get a ring, right?


Starting lineup: Wemby, Durant, Sochan, Castle, Fox
Rotation: Harper, Champaignie, Kornet, Keldon Johnson, and maybe we see Blake Wesley still get some run (I still believe he can carve out a decent role in the NBA).

About mid-season we should start cooking once we've got a guard rotation such that we have 2 out of 3 of Fox, Castle, and Harper on the floor at all times. They should eat up weak benches, and eventually the entire league.

That is some wishful thinking. I read a report that the Spurs and Suns had talks and they asked for the 2nd pick and Castle. Hard to imagine they get both, but equally difficult to think they don't get one of them .

Welcome to the Rockets, KD.

 

[msudaisy26]

When is game 7? I'm assuming next weekend?

Labor day!

 

[msudaisy26]

is there a case to be made that not only are these the two best finals teams ever, but the two best head coaches ever in a finals matchup and these two teams are hands down favorites to be back here next year

discuss

Too much changes year to year and the new apron rules.

Off the top of my head Chuck Daly and Pat Riley is a much better head coach match up in the finals.

I also think the Warriors vs Cavs 2017 was probably the two best teams in the finals. That Cavs team lost in five and would probably have swept these finals.

 

[mr. furley]

is there a case to be made that not only are these the two best finals teams ever, but the two best head coaches ever in a finals matchup and these two teams are hands down favorites to be back here next year

discuss

Too much changes year to year and the new apron rules.

Off the top of my head Chuck Daly and Pat Riley is a much better head coach match up in the finals.

I also think the Warriors vs Cavs 2017 was probably the two best teams in the finals. That Cavs team lost in five and would probably have swept these finals.

Lebron James cannot be excluded from these discussions but we'll discuss that after we cover breaking news from Jerry Jones and the Cowboys, after the break

 

[Jayrod]

I love how less than a week after the Finals we get the draft. Then, like a week later, we get free agency.

I'm ready!

Draft Harper, trade for Durant for about 50 cents on the dollar, and mix in a little Luke Kornet to do some dirty work. There probably won't be a lot of minutes for CP3, but I would not mind him being brought back to help with Harper's development, and maybe get a ring, right?


Starting lineup: Wemby, Durant, Sochan, Castle, Fox
Rotation: Harper, Champaignie, Kornet, Keldon Johnson, and maybe we see Blake Wesley still get some run (I still believe he can carve out a decent role in the NBA).

About mid-season we should start cooking once we've got a guard rotation such that we have 2 out of 3 of Fox, Castle, and Harper on the floor at all times. They should eat up weak benches, and eventually the entire league.

You can have Kornet when you pry him from Brad Stevens' (and my) cold dead hands.

 

[Kev4029]

I love how less than a week after the Finals we get the draft. Then, like a week later, we get free agency.

I'm ready!

Draft Harper, trade for Durant for about 50 cents on the dollar, and mix in a little Luke Kornet to do some dirty work. There probably won't be a lot of minutes for CP3, but I would not mind him being brought back to help with Harper's development, and maybe get a ring, right?


Starting lineup: Wemby, Durant, Sochan, Castle, Fox
Rotation: Harper, Champaignie, Kornet, Keldon Johnson, and maybe we see Blake Wesley still get some run (I still believe he can carve out a decent role in the NBA).

About mid-season we should start cooking once we've got a guard rotation such that we have 2 out of 3 of Fox, Castle, and Harper on the floor at all times. They should eat up weak benches, and eventually the entire league.

If I were the Spurs, I would be looking to bring in young shooters around Harper and Wemby, preferably those that can defend. They aren't winning the title next season, so I wouldn't waste assets on Durant. The only real exception to this would be Giannis and I think the Spurs could offer a very compelling package including Castle.

If the Griz are looking at making more changes, I would be willing to throw a lot of assets at Jaren Jackson Jr. Keegan Murray should be a better fit with the Spurs so I would poke around there. Deni Avdija and Camara would be interesting from Portland. Trey Murphy would be an amazing fit that I would also probably throw real assets at (Castle + Sohan + pick?). Naz Reid would be a fantastic 6th man that could play half of his time at PF next to Wemby if they could clear space by trading Johnson or something. Jabari Smith seems like he'll eventually be an odd man out in Houston. That would be about my entire list of players I would be looking at really chasing in 2025.

 

[Mister CIA]

I love how less than a week after the Finals we get the draft. Then, like a week later, we get free agency.

I'm ready!

Draft Harper, trade for Durant for about 50 cents on the dollar, and mix in a little Luke Kornet to do some dirty work. There probably won't be a lot of minutes for CP3, but I would not mind him being brought back to help with Harper's development, and maybe get a ring, right?


Starting lineup: Wemby, Durant, Sochan, Castle, Fox
Rotation: Harper, Champaignie, Kornet, Keldon Johnson, and maybe we see Blake Wesley still get some run (I still believe he can carve out a decent role in the NBA).

About mid-season we should start cooking once we've got a guard rotation such that we have 2 out of 3 of Fox, Castle, and Harper on the floor at all times. They should eat up weak benches, and eventually the entire league.

If I were the Spurs, I would be looking to bring in young shooters around Harper and Wemby, preferably those that can defend. They aren't winning the title next season, so I wouldn't waste assets on Durant. The only real exception to this would be Giannis and I think the Spurs could offer a very compelling package including Castle.

If the Griz are looking at making more changes, I would be willing to throw a lot of assets at Jaren Jackson Jr. Keegan Murray should be a better fit with the Spurs so I would poke around there. Deni Avdija and Camara would be interesting from Portland. Trey Murphy would be an amazing fit that I would also probably throw real assets at (Castle + Sohan + pick?). Naz Reid would be a fantastic 6th man that could play half of his time at PF next to Wemby if they could clear space by trading Johnson or something. Jabari Smith seems like he'll eventually be an odd man out in Houston. That would be about my entire list of players I would be looking at really chasing in 2025.

There's no way to acquire Giannis without gutting the depth, a la Denver's roster. I wouldn't do it, and besides, I doubt it happens. As for bringing in young shooters, I'll re-ask a question I saw posed earlier. For the Spurs, would you rather have the next three years of Durant, or say draft a 3&D with the 14 and get 10 years of Danny Green (including development time)? I was generally opposed to the idea of KD at first, timelines and all, but I'm here for it now - at the right price.

I have high expectations for the Spurs this season, but a title is unlikely. The next season? You bet.

 

[Mister CIA]

I love how less than a week after the Finals we get the draft. Then, like a week later, we get free agency.

I'm ready!

Draft Harper, trade for Durant for about 50 cents on the dollar, and mix in a little Luke Kornet to do some dirty work. There probably won't be a lot of minutes for CP3, but I would not mind him being brought back to help with Harper's development, and maybe get a ring, right?


Starting lineup: Wemby, Durant, Sochan, Castle, Fox
Rotation: Harper, Champaignie, Kornet, Keldon Johnson, and maybe we see Blake Wesley still get some run (I still believe he can carve out a decent role in the NBA).

About mid-season we should start cooking once we've got a guard rotation such that we have 2 out of 3 of Fox, Castle, and Harper on the floor at all times. They should eat up weak benches, and eventually the entire league.

You can have Kornet when you pry him from Brad Stevens' (and my) cold dead hands.

If you're dead and grippy for The Green Kornet, and if we don't deal the 14 as part of a package for Durant, then I hope we draft Thomas Sorber, C, from Georgetown with that 14. Couple of 3&Ds around here too (Coward is at the top of that list, for the moment). Further down my list is Collins Murray-Boyle. I wish he had a half-decent shot. Still, gonna hate it when the Thunder draft him.

 

[Kev4029]

I love how less than a week after the Finals we get the draft. Then, like a week later, we get free agency.

I'm ready!

Draft Harper, trade for Durant for about 50 cents on the dollar, and mix in a little Luke Kornet to do some dirty work. There probably won't be a lot of minutes for CP3, but I would not mind him being brought back to help with Harper's development, and maybe get a ring, right?


Starting lineup: Wemby, Durant, Sochan, Castle, Fox
Rotation: Harper, Champaignie, Kornet, Keldon Johnson, and maybe we see Blake Wesley still get some run (I still believe he can carve out a decent role in the NBA).

About mid-season we should start cooking once we've got a guard rotation such that we have 2 out of 3 of Fox, Castle, and Harper on the floor at all times. They should eat up weak benches, and eventually the entire league.

If I were the Spurs, I would be looking to bring in young shooters around Harper and Wemby, preferably those that can defend. They aren't winning the title next season, so I wouldn't waste assets on Durant. The only real exception to this would be Giannis and I think the Spurs could offer a very compelling package including Castle.

If the Griz are looking at making more changes, I would be willing to throw a lot of assets at Jaren Jackson Jr. Keegan Murray should be a better fit with the Spurs so I would poke around there. Deni Avdija and Camara would be interesting from Portland. Trey Murphy would be an amazing fit that I would also probably throw real assets at (Castle + Sohan + pick?). Naz Reid would be a fantastic 6th man that could play half of his time at PF next to Wemby if they could clear space by trading Johnson or something. Jabari Smith seems like he'll eventually be an odd man out in Houston. That would be about my entire list of players I would be looking at really chasing in 2025.

There's no way to acquire Giannis without gutting the depth, a la Denver's roster. I wouldn't do it, and besides, I doubt it happens. As for bringing in young shooters, I'll re-ask a question I saw posed earlier. For the Spurs, would you rather have the next three years of Durant, or say draft a 3&D with the 14 and get 10 years of Danny Green (including development time)? I was generally opposed to the idea of KD at first, timelines and all, but I'm here for it now - at the right price.

I have high expectations for the Spurs this season, but a title is unlikely. The next season? You bet.

1. Durant makes basically the same as Giannis (Durant makes about 600k more in 25-26 and a few million more in this league year) so there is going to be a sacrifice of current depth to make a Durant trade work as well. To make the trade work THIS league year (i.e. at the draft), the Spurs need to trade ~$40m in salary. I doubt the Suns would take Johnson/Barnes/flotsam (Wesley/Branham) and the 14th pick as the Rockets have offered Green, the 10th pick (and I assume more salary relief) which is a better player/prospect and pick than what SAS would likely offer without trading away more current or future depth.
2. Your question seems to be Durant vs the 14th pick, which regardless of it not being an option as I explained above, my proposition was more to chase younger guys that are far better than a Danny Green type ever was. Those kind of players will be more costly than Durant, probably, but would offer a long term starter that would help grow the core of the Spurs without pushing the timeline ahead (more as it relates to development of Castle/Harper/others).
3. If I had the keys to the organization, I would be looking to trade Castle, Sochan, Fox for players that are better potential fits alongside Harper and Wemby.
   • The problem with Fox is that he isn't good enough to supplant really any guards of the top 12 teams or so in the NBA because he is a mediocre shooter and he is too old to get traded to a rebuilding team. I genuinely can't find an especially good fit for him.... other than Sacramento. Houston could be interesting (Van Vleet + Jabari Smith for Barnes and Fox?) and Houston would also have the ability at that point to still get Durant.
   • Castle + Sochan for Trey Murphy is such a sensible trade for both teams, IMO. NOP gets to reload with younger guys and Castle could hit big, SAS gets a significantly better fit for their needs on a timeline that still fits.
   • A long term lineup of Harper, Vassell (this would need to be a guy like Danny Green long term), Murphy, Smith, Wemby could be awesome and they would still have plenty of ammo to fill out the back half of the roster. For this year, Van Vleet is a step down from Fox but could fill in fine for a year and then potentially resign him next offseason as the 3rd guard that could plan along side either Vassell or Harper.

 

[Mister CIA]

Regarding the Suns, they have very little leverage if Durant does not want to extend with the receiving team. Who knows, but no thanks to FVV.

Can't wait to find out.

 

[msudaisy26]

Regarding the Suns, they have very little leverage if Durant does not want to extend with the receiving team. Who knows, but no thanks to FVV.

Can't wait to find out.

The Suns have more leverage than most people think. Durant isn't 28, is he really going to waste another year? The Suns can hold out and wait for a better offer in season, no one has cap space to just sign Durant next season if the Suns hold him, so going to a contender would still involve a sign a trade.

This is an awful free agent class and everyone knows it. The teams trading stars are going to get good value because of it. Look at what Desmond Bane just went for.

 

[Mister CIA]

Tis the season: https://x.com/Spurs_Latam/status/1936126292245741743

 

[Mister CIA]

Regarding the Suns, they have very little leverage if Durant does not want to extend with the receiving team. Who knows, but no thanks to FVV.

Can't wait to find out.

The Suns have more leverage than most people think. Durant isn't 28, is he really going to waste another year? The Suns can hold out and wait for a better offer in season, no one has cap space to just sign Durant next season if the Suns hold him, so going to a contender would still involve a sign a trade.

This is an awful free agent class and everyone knows it. The teams trading stars are going to get good value because of it. Look at what Desmond Bane just went for.

I can't wait to see how all this trading unfolds. I don't fully grasp all the apron implications, but ready to learn.

 

[Mister CIA]

Well this is interesting. https://x.com/Fullcourtpass/status/1936154902004183347

 

[Major]

Well this is interesting. https://x.com/Fullcourtpass/status/1936154902004183347

The Rockets can easily acquire him but I don't think they're willing to meet the Suns' demands. Pretty sure the Rockets offered Green, Brooks and 2025 1st but PHX wants Jabari as well. Not happening fellas. Minnesota is also in the running with some package involving Rudy and DiVencenzo. Both teams are probably holding out knowing PHX has to make a move and will come down off their ask.

 

[Mister CIA]

Well this is interesting. https://x.com/Fullcourtpass/status/1936154902004183347

The Rockets can easily acquire him but I don't think they're willing to meet the Suns' demands. Pretty sure the Rockets offered Green, Brooks and 2025 1st but PHX wants Jabari as well. Not happening fellas. Minnesota is also in the running with some package involving Rudy and DiVencenzo. Both teams are probably holding out knowing PHX has to make a move and will come down off their ask.

It feels like they are both trying to submit a low bid.

From the Spurs, I kind of expected the 14, Vassell, and Barnes ($19M expiring) to be outgoing.

Not sure what the Rockets might be offering. #9, Reed, and ??

 

[Major]

Well this is interesting. https://x.com/Fullcourtpass/status/1936154902004183347

The Rockets can easily acquire him but I don't think they're willing to meet the Suns' demands. Pretty sure the Rockets offered Green, Brooks and 2025 1st but PHX wants Jabari as well. Not happening fellas. Minnesota is also in the running with some package involving Rudy and DiVencenzo. Both teams are probably holding out knowing PHX has to make a move and will come down off their ask.

It feels like they are both trying to submit a low bid.

From the Spurs, I kind of expected the 14, Vassell, and Barnes ($19M expiring) to be outgoing.

Not sure what the Rockets might be offering. #9, Reed, and ??

did you not read my post? lol

 

[msudaisy26]

Pretty sure the Knicks are in the running for Durant too. Heard the Knicks want Durant and permission to speak with their new head coach. The Suns said the second part was a deal breaker.

 

[thecatch]

I love how less than a week after the Finals we get the draft. Then, like a week later, we get free agency.

I'm ready!

Draft Harper, trade for Durant for about 50 cents on the dollar, and mix in a little Luke Kornet to do some dirty work. There probably won't be a lot of minutes for CP3, but I would not mind him being brought back to help with Harper's development, and maybe get a ring, right?


Starting lineup: Wemby, Durant, Sochan, Castle, Fox
Rotation: Harper, Champaignie, Kornet, Keldon Johnson, and maybe we see Blake Wesley still get some run (I still believe he can carve out a decent role in the NBA).

About mid-season we should start cooking once we've got a guard rotation such that we have 2 out of 3 of Fox, Castle, and Harper on the floor at all times. They should eat up weak benches, and eventually the entire league.

If I were the Spurs, I would be looking to bring in young shooters around Harper and Wemby, preferably those that can defend. They aren't winning the title next season, so I wouldn't waste assets on Durant. The only real exception to this would be Giannis and I think the Spurs could offer a very compelling package including Castle.

If the Griz are looking at making more changes, I would be willing to throw a lot of assets at Jaren Jackson Jr. Keegan Murray should be a better fit with the Spurs so I would poke around there. Deni Avdija and Camara would be interesting from Portland. Trey Murphy would be an amazing fit that I would also probably throw real assets at (Castle + Sohan + pick?). Naz Reid would be a fantastic 6th man that could play half of his time at PF next to Wemby if they could clear space by trading Johnson or something. Jabari Smith seems like he'll eventually be an odd man out in Houston. That would be about my entire list of players I would be looking at really chasing in 2025.

There's no way to acquire Giannis without gutting the depth, a la Denver's roster. I wouldn't do it, and besides, I doubt it happens. As for bringing in young shooters, I'll re-ask a question I saw posed earlier. For the Spurs, would you rather have the next three years of Durant, or say draft a 3&D with the 14 and get 10 years of Danny Green (including development time)? I was generally opposed to the idea of KD at first, timelines and all, but I'm here for it now - at the right price.

I have high expectations for the Spurs this season, but a title is unlikely. The next season? You bet.

1. Durant makes basically the same as Giannis (Durant makes about 600k more in 25-26 and a few million more in this league year) so there is going to be a sacrifice of current depth to make a Durant trade work as well. To make the trade work THIS league year (i.e. at the draft), the Spurs need to trade ~$40m in salary. I doubt the Suns would take Johnson/Barnes/flotsam (Wesley/Branham) and the 14th pick as the Rockets have offered Green, the 10th pick (and I assume more salary relief) which is a better player/prospect and pick than what SAS would likely offer without trading away more current or future depth.
2. Your question seems to be Durant vs the 14th pick, which regardless of it not being an option as I explained above, my proposition was more to chase younger guys that are far better than a Danny Green type ever was. Those kind of players will be more costly than Durant, probably, but would offer a long term starter that would help grow the core of the Spurs without pushing the timeline ahead (more as it relates to development of Castle/Harper/others).
3. If I had the keys to the organization, I would be looking to trade Castle, Sochan, Fox for players that are better potential fits alongside Harper and Wemby.
   • The problem with Fox is that he isn't good enough to supplant really any guards of the top 12 teams or so in the NBA because he is a mediocre shooter and he is too old to get traded to a rebuilding team. I genuinely can't find an especially good fit for him.... other than Sacramento. Houston could be interesting (Van Vleet + Jabari Smith for Barnes and Fox?) and Houston would also have the ability at that point to still get Durant.
   • Castle + Sochan for Trey Murphy is such a sensible trade for both teams, IMO. NOP gets to reload with younger guys and Castle could hit big, SAS gets a significantly better fit for their needs on a timeline that still fits.
   • A long term lineup of Harper, Vassell (this would need to be a guy like Danny Green long term), Murphy, Smith, Wemby could be awesome and they would still have plenty of ammo to fill out the back half of the roster. For this year, Van Vleet is a step down from Fox but could fill in fine for a year and then potentially resign him next offseason as the 3rd guard that could plan along side either Vassell or Harper.

If the Bucks aren't going to benefit from tanking b/c they don't have their own pick, Fox would make sense as a part of the Giannis return.

San Antonio is going to be super disappointed if they hold onto Fox and then surround him with non-shooting ballhandlers in the backcourt. He's a terrible fit for what it looks like they are doing there.

 

[msudaisy26]

I love how less than a week after the Finals we get the draft. Then, like a week later, we get free agency.

I'm ready!

Draft Harper, trade for Durant for about 50 cents on the dollar, and mix in a little Luke Kornet to do some dirty work. There probably won't be a lot of minutes for CP3, but I would not mind him being brought back to help with Harper's development, and maybe get a ring, right?


Starting lineup: Wemby, Durant, Sochan, Castle, Fox
Rotation: Harper, Champaignie, Kornet, Keldon Johnson, and maybe we see Blake Wesley still get some run (I still believe he can carve out a decent role in the NBA).

About mid-season we should start cooking once we've got a guard rotation such that we have 2 out of 3 of Fox, Castle, and Harper on the floor at all times. They should eat up weak benches, and eventually the entire league.

If I were the Spurs, I would be looking to bring in young shooters around Harper and Wemby, preferably those that can defend. They aren't winning the title next season, so I wouldn't waste assets on Durant. The only real exception to this would be Giannis and I think the Spurs could offer a very compelling package including Castle.

If the Griz are looking at making more changes, I would be willing to throw a lot of assets at Jaren Jackson Jr. Keegan Murray should be a better fit with the Spurs so I would poke around there. Deni Avdija and Camara would be interesting from Portland. Trey Murphy would be an amazing fit that I would also probably throw real assets at (Castle + Sohan + pick?). Naz Reid would be a fantastic 6th man that could play half of his time at PF next to Wemby if they could clear space by trading Johnson or something. Jabari Smith seems like he'll eventually be an odd man out in Houston. That would be about my entire list of players I would be looking at really chasing in 2025.

There's no way to acquire Giannis without gutting the depth, a la Denver's roster. I wouldn't do it, and besides, I doubt it happens. As for bringing in young shooters, I'll re-ask a question I saw posed earlier. For the Spurs, would you rather have the next three years of Durant, or say draft a 3&D with the 14 and get 10 years of Danny Green (including development time)? I was generally opposed to the idea of KD at first, timelines and all, but I'm here for it now - at the right price.

I have high expectations for the Spurs this season, but a title is unlikely. The next season? You bet.

1. Durant makes basically the same as Giannis (Durant makes about 600k more in 25-26 and a few million more in this league year) so there is going to be a sacrifice of current depth to make a Durant trade work as well. To make the trade work THIS league year (i.e. at the draft), the Spurs need to trade ~$40m in salary. I doubt the Suns would take Johnson/Barnes/flotsam (Wesley/Branham) and the 14th pick as the Rockets have offered Green, the 10th pick (and I assume more salary relief) which is a better player/prospect and pick than what SAS would likely offer without trading away more current or future depth.
2. Your question seems to be Durant vs the 14th pick, which regardless of it not being an option as I explained above, my proposition was more to chase younger guys that are far better than a Danny Green type ever was. Those kind of players will be more costly than Durant, probably, but would offer a long term starter that would help grow the core of the Spurs without pushing the timeline ahead (more as it relates to development of Castle/Harper/others).
3. If I had the keys to the organization, I would be looking to trade Castle, Sochan, Fox for players that are better potential fits alongside Harper and Wemby.
   • The problem with Fox is that he isn't good enough to supplant really any guards of the top 12 teams or so in the NBA because he is a mediocre shooter and he is too old to get traded to a rebuilding team. I genuinely can't find an especially good fit for him.... other than Sacramento. Houston could be interesting (Van Vleet + Jabari Smith for Barnes and Fox?) and Houston would also have the ability at that point to still get Durant.
   • Castle + Sochan for Trey Murphy is such a sensible trade for both teams, IMO. NOP gets to reload with younger guys and Castle could hit big, SAS gets a significantly better fit for their needs on a timeline that still fits.
   • A long term lineup of Harper, Vassell (this would need to be a guy like Danny Green long term), Murphy, Smith, Wemby could be awesome and they would still have plenty of ammo to fill out the back half of the roster. For this year, Van Vleet is a step down from Fox but could fill in fine for a year and then potentially resign him next offseason as the 3rd guard that could plan along side either Vassell or Harper.

If the Bucks aren't going to benefit from tanking b/c they don't have their own pick, Fox would make sense as a part of the Giannis return.

San Antonio is going to be super disappointed if they hold onto Fox and then surround him with non-shooting ballhandlers in the backcourt. He's a terrible fit for what it looks like they are doing there.

Not tanking or rebuilding because you don't own your picks is dumb. That is a sunk cost.

Instead of trading Giannis and getting young players and picks, they should take mediocre players and just be the Hawks until they have picks and start their rebuilding in three to five years?

 

[thecatch]

I love how less than a week after the Finals we get the draft. Then, like a week later, we get free agency.

I'm ready!

Draft Harper, trade for Durant for about 50 cents on the dollar, and mix in a little Luke Kornet to do some dirty work. There probably won't be a lot of minutes for CP3, but I would not mind him being brought back to help with Harper's development, and maybe get a ring, right?


Starting lineup: Wemby, Durant, Sochan, Castle, Fox
Rotation: Harper, Champaignie, Kornet, Keldon Johnson, and maybe we see Blake Wesley still get some run (I still believe he can carve out a decent role in the NBA).

About mid-season we should start cooking once we've got a guard rotation such that we have 2 out of 3 of Fox, Castle, and Harper on the floor at all times. They should eat up weak benches, and eventually the entire league.

If I were the Spurs, I would be looking to bring in young shooters around Harper and Wemby, preferably those that can defend. They aren't winning the title next season, so I wouldn't waste assets on Durant. The only real exception to this would be Giannis and I think the Spurs could offer a very compelling package including Castle.

If the Griz are looking at making more changes, I would be willing to throw a lot of assets at Jaren Jackson Jr. Keegan Murray should be a better fit with the Spurs so I would poke around there. Deni Avdija and Camara would be interesting from Portland. Trey Murphy would be an amazing fit that I would also probably throw real assets at (Castle + Sohan + pick?). Naz Reid would be a fantastic 6th man that could play half of his time at PF next to Wemby if they could clear space by trading Johnson or something. Jabari Smith seems like he'll eventually be an odd man out in Houston. That would be about my entire list of players I would be looking at really chasing in 2025.

There's no way to acquire Giannis without gutting the depth, a la Denver's roster. I wouldn't do it, and besides, I doubt it happens. As for bringing in young shooters, I'll re-ask a question I saw posed earlier. For the Spurs, would you rather have the next three years of Durant, or say draft a 3&D with the 14 and get 10 years of Danny Green (including development time)? I was generally opposed to the idea of KD at first, timelines and all, but I'm here for it now - at the right price.

I have high expectations for the Spurs this season, but a title is unlikely. The next season? You bet.

1. Durant makes basically the same as Giannis (Durant makes about 600k more in 25-26 and a few million more in this league year) so there is going to be a sacrifice of current depth to make a Durant trade work as well. To make the trade work THIS league year (i.e. at the draft), the Spurs need to trade ~$40m in salary. I doubt the Suns would take Johnson/Barnes/flotsam (Wesley/Branham) and the 14th pick as the Rockets have offered Green, the 10th pick (and I assume more salary relief) which is a better player/prospect and pick than what SAS would likely offer without trading away more current or future depth.
2. Your question seems to be Durant vs the 14th pick, which regardless of it not being an option as I explained above, my proposition was more to chase younger guys that are far better than a Danny Green type ever was. Those kind of players will be more costly than Durant, probably, but would offer a long term starter that would help grow the core of the Spurs without pushing the timeline ahead (more as it relates to development of Castle/Harper/others).
3. If I had the keys to the organization, I would be looking to trade Castle, Sochan, Fox for players that are better potential fits alongside Harper and Wemby.
   • The problem with Fox is that he isn't good enough to supplant really any guards of the top 12 teams or so in the NBA because he is a mediocre shooter and he is too old to get traded to a rebuilding team. I genuinely can't find an especially good fit for him.... other than Sacramento. Houston could be interesting (Van Vleet + Jabari Smith for Barnes and Fox?) and Houston would also have the ability at that point to still get Durant.
   • Castle + Sochan for Trey Murphy is such a sensible trade for both teams, IMO. NOP gets to reload with younger guys and Castle could hit big, SAS gets a significantly better fit for their needs on a timeline that still fits.
   • A long term lineup of Harper, Vassell (this would need to be a guy like Danny Green long term), Murphy, Smith, Wemby could be awesome and they would still have plenty of ammo to fill out the back half of the roster. For this year, Van Vleet is a step down from Fox but could fill in fine for a year and then potentially resign him next offseason as the 3rd guard that could plan along side either Vassell or Harper.

If the Bucks aren't going to benefit from tanking b/c they don't have their own pick, Fox would make sense as a part of the Giannis return.

San Antonio is going to be super disappointed if they hold onto Fox and then surround him with non-shooting ballhandlers in the backcourt. He's a terrible fit for what it looks like they are doing there.

Not tanking or rebuilding because you don't own your picks is dumb. That is a sunk cost.

Instead of trading Giannis and getting young players and picks, they should take mediocre players and just be the Hawks until they have picks and start their rebuilding in three to five years?

(1) Strip mining your roster also doesn't benefit you when you don't have picks; (2) Fox isn't mediocre.

Milwaukee could do something like Giannis for Fox, Sochan, and a ton of draft equity. Fox provides most of the incoming salary they need for matching purposes. He's better now than someone like Castle will ever be, in my view, and Fox can either help them put an entertaining product on the court for the next year or two or they can flip him for more assets down the road.

 

[msudaisy26]

I love how less than a week after the Finals we get the draft. Then, like a week later, we get free agency.

I'm ready!

Draft Harper, trade for Durant for about 50 cents on the dollar, and mix in a little Luke Kornet to do some dirty work. There probably won't be a lot of minutes for CP3, but I would not mind him being brought back to help with Harper's development, and maybe get a ring, right?


Starting lineup: Wemby, Durant, Sochan, Castle, Fox
Rotation: Harper, Champaignie, Kornet, Keldon Johnson, and maybe we see Blake Wesley still get some run (I still believe he can carve out a decent role in the NBA).

About mid-season we should start cooking once we've got a guard rotation such that we have 2 out of 3 of Fox, Castle, and Harper on the floor at all times. They should eat up weak benches, and eventually the entire league.

If I were the Spurs, I would be looking to bring in young shooters around Harper and Wemby, preferably those that can defend. They aren't winning the title next season, so I wouldn't waste assets on Durant. The only real exception to this would be Giannis and I think the Spurs could offer a very compelling package including Castle.

If the Griz are looking at making more changes, I would be willing to throw a lot of assets at Jaren Jackson Jr. Keegan Murray should be a better fit with the Spurs so I would poke around there. Deni Avdija and Camara would be interesting from Portland. Trey Murphy would be an amazing fit that I would also probably throw real assets at (Castle + Sohan + pick?). Naz Reid would be a fantastic 6th man that could play half of his time at PF next to Wemby if they could clear space by trading Johnson or something. Jabari Smith seems like he'll eventually be an odd man out in Houston. That would be about my entire list of players I would be looking at really chasing in 2025.

There's no way to acquire Giannis without gutting the depth, a la Denver's roster. I wouldn't do it, and besides, I doubt it happens. As for bringing in young shooters, I'll re-ask a question I saw posed earlier. For the Spurs, would you rather have the next three years of Durant, or say draft a 3&D with the 14 and get 10 years of Danny Green (including development time)? I was generally opposed to the idea of KD at first, timelines and all, but I'm here for it now - at the right price.

I have high expectations for the Spurs this season, but a title is unlikely. The next season? You bet.

1. Durant makes basically the same as Giannis (Durant makes about 600k more in 25-26 and a few million more in this league year) so there is going to be a sacrifice of current depth to make a Durant trade work as well. To make the trade work THIS league year (i.e. at the draft), the Spurs need to trade ~$40m in salary. I doubt the Suns would take Johnson/Barnes/flotsam (Wesley/Branham) and the 14th pick as the Rockets have offered Green, the 10th pick (and I assume more salary relief) which is a better player/prospect and pick than what SAS would likely offer without trading away more current or future depth.
2. Your question seems to be Durant vs the 14th pick, which regardless of it not being an option as I explained above, my proposition was more to chase younger guys that are far better than a Danny Green type ever was. Those kind of players will be more costly than Durant, probably, but would offer a long term starter that would help grow the core of the Spurs without pushing the timeline ahead (more as it relates to development of Castle/Harper/others).
3. If I had the keys to the organization, I would be looking to trade Castle, Sochan, Fox for players that are better potential fits alongside Harper and Wemby.
   • The problem with Fox is that he isn't good enough to supplant really any guards of the top 12 teams or so in the NBA because he is a mediocre shooter and he is too old to get traded to a rebuilding team. I genuinely can't find an especially good fit for him.... other than Sacramento. Houston could be interesting (Van Vleet + Jabari Smith for Barnes and Fox?) and Houston would also have the ability at that point to still get Durant.
   • Castle + Sochan for Trey Murphy is such a sensible trade for both teams, IMO. NOP gets to reload with younger guys and Castle could hit big, SAS gets a significantly better fit for their needs on a timeline that still fits.
   • A long term lineup of Harper, Vassell (this would need to be a guy like Danny Green long term), Murphy, Smith, Wemby could be awesome and they would still have plenty of ammo to fill out the back half of the roster. For this year, Van Vleet is a step down from Fox but could fill in fine for a year and then potentially resign him next offseason as the 3rd guard that could plan along side either Vassell or Harper.

If the Bucks aren't going to benefit from tanking b/c they don't have their own pick, Fox would make sense as a part of the Giannis return.

San Antonio is going to be super disappointed if they hold onto Fox and then surround him with non-shooting ballhandlers in the backcourt. He's a terrible fit for what it looks like they are doing there.

Not tanking or rebuilding because you don't own your picks is dumb. That is a sunk cost.

Instead of trading Giannis and getting young players and picks, they should take mediocre players and just be the Hawks until they have picks and start their rebuilding in three to five years?

(1) Strip mining your roster also doesn't benefit you when you don't have picks; (2) Fox isn't mediocre.

Milwaukee could do something like Giannis for Fox, Sochan, and a ton of draft equity. Fox provides most of the incoming salary they need for matching purposes. He's better now than someone like Castle will ever be, in my view, and Fox can either help them put an entertaining product on the court for the next year or two or they can flip him for more assets down the road.

What I mean by mediocre is he isn't a top 2 guy on a championship team. He might be a 3rd or 4th.

Giving Fox any value isn't good for the Bucks. Their timeline to rebuild, get to the playoffs, and then contend wouldn't match up with Fox's age and timeline. The only way you take Fox is if you did what Portland did a couple of years ago with Jrue Holiday. Get him to flip him.

 

[thecatch]

I love how less than a week after the Finals we get the draft. Then, like a week later, we get free agency.

I'm ready!

Draft Harper, trade for Durant for about 50 cents on the dollar, and mix in a little Luke Kornet to do some dirty work. There probably won't be a lot of minutes for CP3, but I would not mind him being brought back to help with Harper's development, and maybe get a ring, right?


Starting lineup: Wemby, Durant, Sochan, Castle, Fox
Rotation: Harper, Champaignie, Kornet, Keldon Johnson, and maybe we see Blake Wesley still get some run (I still believe he can carve out a decent role in the NBA).

About mid-season we should start cooking once we've got a guard rotation such that we have 2 out of 3 of Fox, Castle, and Harper on the floor at all times. They should eat up weak benches, and eventually the entire league.

If I were the Spurs, I would be looking to bring in young shooters around Harper and Wemby, preferably those that can defend. They aren't winning the title next season, so I wouldn't waste assets on Durant. The only real exception to this would be Giannis and I think the Spurs could offer a very compelling package including Castle.

If the Griz are looking at making more changes, I would be willing to throw a lot of assets at Jaren Jackson Jr. Keegan Murray should be a better fit with the Spurs so I would poke around there. Deni Avdija and Camara would be interesting from Portland. Trey Murphy would be an amazing fit that I would also probably throw real assets at (Castle + Sohan + pick?). Naz Reid would be a fantastic 6th man that could play half of his time at PF next to Wemby if they could clear space by trading Johnson or something. Jabari Smith seems like he'll eventually be an odd man out in Houston. That would be about my entire list of players I would be looking at really chasing in 2025.

There's no way to acquire Giannis without gutting the depth, a la Denver's roster. I wouldn't do it, and besides, I doubt it happens. As for bringing in young shooters, I'll re-ask a question I saw posed earlier. For the Spurs, would you rather have the next three years of Durant, or say draft a 3&D with the 14 and get 10 years of Danny Green (including development time)? I was generally opposed to the idea of KD at first, timelines and all, but I'm here for it now - at the right price.

I have high expectations for the Spurs this season, but a title is unlikely. The next season? You bet.

1. Durant makes basically the same as Giannis (Durant makes about 600k more in 25-26 and a few million more in this league year) so there is going to be a sacrifice of current depth to make a Durant trade work as well. To make the trade work THIS league year (i.e. at the draft), the Spurs need to trade ~$40m in salary. I doubt the Suns would take Johnson/Barnes/flotsam (Wesley/Branham) and the 14th pick as the Rockets have offered Green, the 10th pick (and I assume more salary relief) which is a better player/prospect and pick than what SAS would likely offer without trading away more current or future depth.
2. Your question seems to be Durant vs the 14th pick, which regardless of it not being an option as I explained above, my proposition was more to chase younger guys that are far better than a Danny Green type ever was. Those kind of players will be more costly than Durant, probably, but would offer a long term starter that would help grow the core of the Spurs without pushing the timeline ahead (more as it relates to development of Castle/Harper/others).
3. If I had the keys to the organization, I would be looking to trade Castle, Sochan, Fox for players that are better potential fits alongside Harper and Wemby.
   • The problem with Fox is that he isn't good enough to supplant really any guards of the top 12 teams or so in the NBA because he is a mediocre shooter and he is too old to get traded to a rebuilding team. I genuinely can't find an especially good fit for him.... other than Sacramento. Houston could be interesting (Van Vleet + Jabari Smith for Barnes and Fox?) and Houston would also have the ability at that point to still get Durant.
   • Castle + Sochan for Trey Murphy is such a sensible trade for both teams, IMO. NOP gets to reload with younger guys and Castle could hit big, SAS gets a significantly better fit for their needs on a timeline that still fits.
   • A long term lineup of Harper, Vassell (this would need to be a guy like Danny Green long term), Murphy, Smith, Wemby could be awesome and they would still have plenty of ammo to fill out the back half of the roster. For this year, Van Vleet is a step down from Fox but could fill in fine for a year and then potentially resign him next offseason as the 3rd guard that could plan along side either Vassell or Harper.

If the Bucks aren't going to benefit from tanking b/c they don't have their own pick, Fox would make sense as a part of the Giannis return.

San Antonio is going to be super disappointed if they hold onto Fox and then surround him with non-shooting ballhandlers in the backcourt. He's a terrible fit for what it looks like they are doing there.

Not tanking or rebuilding because you don't own your picks is dumb. That is a sunk cost.

Instead of trading Giannis and getting young players and picks, they should take mediocre players and just be the Hawks until they have picks and start their rebuilding in three to five years?

(1) Strip mining your roster also doesn't benefit you when you don't have picks; (2) Fox isn't mediocre.

Milwaukee could do something like Giannis for Fox, Sochan, and a ton of draft equity. Fox provides most of the incoming salary they need for matching purposes. He's better now than someone like Castle will ever be, in my view, and Fox can either help them put an entertaining product on the court for the next year or two or they can flip him for more assets down the road.

What I mean by mediocre is he isn't a top 2 guy on a championship team. He might be a 3rd or 4th.

Giving Fox any value isn't good for the Bucks. Their timeline to rebuild, get to the playoffs, and then contend wouldn't match up with Fox's age and timeline. The only way you take Fox is if you did what Portland did a couple of years ago with Jrue Holiday. Get him to flip him.

If someone is offering you a young superstar in the making, sure, don't grab Fox in lieu of that player. Otherwise, there's value in having a really good player who people will buy tickets to see play while you are rebuilding.

 

[Mister CIA]

Well this is interesting. https://x.com/Fullcourtpass/status/1936154902004183347

The Rockets can easily acquire him but I don't think they're willing to meet the Suns' demands. Pretty sure the Rockets offered Green, Brooks and 2025 1st but PHX wants Jabari as well. Not happening fellas. Minnesota is also in the running with some package involving Rudy and DiVencenzo. Both teams are probably holding out knowing PHX has to make a move and will come down off their ask.

It feels like they are both trying to submit a low bid.

From the Spurs, I kind of expected the 14, Vassell, and Barnes ($19M expiring) to be outgoing.

Not sure what the Rockets might be offering. #9, Reed, and ??

did you not read my post? lol

Never tried this emoji, but feels appropriate. Coming off a week filled to brim with distractions. Staycation commences now.

 

[msudaisy26]

I love how less than a week after the Finals we get the draft. Then, like a week later, we get free agency.

I'm ready!

Draft Harper, trade for Durant for about 50 cents on the dollar, and mix in a little Luke Kornet to do some dirty work. There probably won't be a lot of minutes for CP3, but I would not mind him being brought back to help with Harper's development, and maybe get a ring, right?


Starting lineup: Wemby, Durant, Sochan, Castle, Fox
Rotation: Harper, Champaignie, Kornet, Keldon Johnson, and maybe we see Blake Wesley still get some run (I still believe he can carve out a decent role in the NBA).

About mid-season we should start cooking once we've got a guard rotation such that we have 2 out of 3 of Fox, Castle, and Harper on the floor at all times. They should eat up weak benches, and eventually the entire league.

If I were the Spurs, I would be looking to bring in young shooters around Harper and Wemby, preferably those that can defend. They aren't winning the title next season, so I wouldn't waste assets on Durant. The only real exception to this would be Giannis and I think the Spurs could offer a very compelling package including Castle.

If the Griz are looking at making more changes, I would be willing to throw a lot of assets at Jaren Jackson Jr. Keegan Murray should be a better fit with the Spurs so I would poke around there. Deni Avdija and Camara would be interesting from Portland. Trey Murphy would be an amazing fit that I would also probably throw real assets at (Castle + Sohan + pick?). Naz Reid would be a fantastic 6th man that could play half of his time at PF next to Wemby if they could clear space by trading Johnson or something. Jabari Smith seems like he'll eventually be an odd man out in Houston. That would be about my entire list of players I would be looking at really chasing in 2025.

There's no way to acquire Giannis without gutting the depth, a la Denver's roster. I wouldn't do it, and besides, I doubt it happens. As for bringing in young shooters, I'll re-ask a question I saw posed earlier. For the Spurs, would you rather have the next three years of Durant, or say draft a 3&D with the 14 and get 10 years of Danny Green (including development time)? I was generally opposed to the idea of KD at first, timelines and all, but I'm here for it now - at the right price.

I have high expectations for the Spurs this season, but a title is unlikely. The next season? You bet.

1. Durant makes basically the same as Giannis (Durant makes about 600k more in 25-26 and a few million more in this league year) so there is going to be a sacrifice of current depth to make a Durant trade work as well. To make the trade work THIS league year (i.e. at the draft), the Spurs need to trade ~$40m in salary. I doubt the Suns would take Johnson/Barnes/flotsam (Wesley/Branham) and the 14th pick as the Rockets have offered Green, the 10th pick (and I assume more salary relief) which is a better player/prospect and pick than what SAS would likely offer without trading away more current or future depth.
2. Your question seems to be Durant vs the 14th pick, which regardless of it not being an option as I explained above, my proposition was more to chase younger guys that are far better than a Danny Green type ever was. Those kind of players will be more costly than Durant, probably, but would offer a long term starter that would help grow the core of the Spurs without pushing the timeline ahead (more as it relates to development of Castle/Harper/others).
3. If I had the keys to the organization, I would be looking to trade Castle, Sochan, Fox for players that are better potential fits alongside Harper and Wemby.
   • The problem with Fox is that he isn't good enough to supplant really any guards of the top 12 teams or so in the NBA because he is a mediocre shooter and he is too old to get traded to a rebuilding team. I genuinely can't find an especially good fit for him.... other than Sacramento. Houston could be interesting (Van Vleet + Jabari Smith for Barnes and Fox?) and Houston would also have the ability at that point to still get Durant.
   • Castle + Sochan for Trey Murphy is such a sensible trade for both teams, IMO. NOP gets to reload with younger guys and Castle could hit big, SAS gets a significantly better fit for their needs on a timeline that still fits.
   • A long term lineup of Harper, Vassell (this would need to be a guy like Danny Green long term), Murphy, Smith, Wemby could be awesome and they would still have plenty of ammo to fill out the back half of the roster. For this year, Van Vleet is a step down from Fox but could fill in fine for a year and then potentially resign him next offseason as the 3rd guard that could plan along side either Vassell or Harper.

If the Bucks aren't going to benefit from tanking b/c they don't have their own pick, Fox would make sense as a part of the Giannis return.

San Antonio is going to be super disappointed if they hold onto Fox and then surround him with non-shooting ballhandlers in the backcourt. He's a terrible fit for what it looks like they are doing there.

Not tanking or rebuilding because you don't own your picks is dumb. That is a sunk cost.

Instead of trading Giannis and getting young players and picks, they should take mediocre players and just be the Hawks until they have picks and start their rebuilding in three to five years?

(1) Strip mining your roster also doesn't benefit you when you don't have picks; (2) Fox isn't mediocre.

Milwaukee could do something like Giannis for Fox, Sochan, and a ton of draft equity. Fox provides most of the incoming salary they need for matching purposes. He's better now than someone like Castle will ever be, in my view, and Fox can either help them put an entertaining product on the court for the next year or two or they can flip him for more assets down the road.

What I mean by mediocre is he isn't a top 2 guy on a championship team. He might be a 3rd or 4th.

Giving Fox any value isn't good for the Bucks. Their timeline to rebuild, get to the playoffs, and then contend wouldn't match up with Fox's age and timeline. The only way you take Fox is if you did what Portland did a couple of years ago with Jrue Holiday. Get him to flip him.

If someone is offering you a young superstar in the making, sure, don't grab Fox in lieu of that player. Otherwise, there's value in having a really good player who people will buy tickets to see play while you are rebuilding.

Then just keep Giannis if you want too sell tickets and have a great mentor to young guys.

 

[Major]

I love how less than a week after the Finals we get the draft. Then, like a week later, we get free agency.

I'm ready!

Draft Harper, trade for Durant for about 50 cents on the dollar, and mix in a little Luke Kornet to do some dirty work. There probably won't be a lot of minutes for CP3, but I would not mind him being brought back to help with Harper's development, and maybe get a ring, right?


Starting lineup: Wemby, Durant, Sochan, Castle, Fox
Rotation: Harper, Champaignie, Kornet, Keldon Johnson, and maybe we see Blake Wesley still get some run (I still believe he can carve out a decent role in the NBA).

About mid-season we should start cooking once we've got a guard rotation such that we have 2 out of 3 of Fox, Castle, and Harper on the floor at all times. They should eat up weak benches, and eventually the entire league.

If I were the Spurs, I would be looking to bring in young shooters around Harper and Wemby, preferably those that can defend. They aren't winning the title next season, so I wouldn't waste assets on Durant. The only real exception to this would be Giannis and I think the Spurs could offer a very compelling package including Castle.

If the Griz are looking at making more changes, I would be willing to throw a lot of assets at Jaren Jackson Jr. Keegan Murray should be a better fit with the Spurs so I would poke around there. Deni Avdija and Camara would be interesting from Portland. Trey Murphy would be an amazing fit that I would also probably throw real assets at (Castle + Sohan + pick?). Naz Reid would be a fantastic 6th man that could play half of his time at PF next to Wemby if they could clear space by trading Johnson or something. Jabari Smith seems like he'll eventually be an odd man out in Houston. That would be about my entire list of players I would be looking at really chasing in 2025.

There's no way to acquire Giannis without gutting the depth, a la Denver's roster. I wouldn't do it, and besides, I doubt it happens. As for bringing in young shooters, I'll re-ask a question I saw posed earlier. For the Spurs, would you rather have the next three years of Durant, or say draft a 3&D with the 14 and get 10 years of Danny Green (including development time)? I was generally opposed to the idea of KD at first, timelines and all, but I'm here for it now - at the right price.

I have high expectations for the Spurs this season, but a title is unlikely. The next season? You bet.

1. Durant makes basically the same as Giannis (Durant makes about 600k more in 25-26 and a few million more in this league year) so there is going to be a sacrifice of current depth to make a Durant trade work as well. To make the trade work THIS league year (i.e. at the draft), the Spurs need to trade ~$40m in salary. I doubt the Suns would take Johnson/Barnes/flotsam (Wesley/Branham) and the 14th pick as the Rockets have offered Green, the 10th pick (and I assume more salary relief) which is a better player/prospect and pick than what SAS would likely offer without trading away more current or future depth.
2. Your question seems to be Durant vs the 14th pick, which regardless of it not being an option as I explained above, my proposition was more to chase younger guys that are far better than a Danny Green type ever was. Those kind of players will be more costly than Durant, probably, but would offer a long term starter that would help grow the core of the Spurs without pushing the timeline ahead (more as it relates to development of Castle/Harper/others).
3. If I had the keys to the organization, I would be looking to trade Castle, Sochan, Fox for players that are better potential fits alongside Harper and Wemby.
   • The problem with Fox is that he isn't good enough to supplant really any guards of the top 12 teams or so in the NBA because he is a mediocre shooter and he is too old to get traded to a rebuilding team. I genuinely can't find an especially good fit for him.... other than Sacramento. Houston could be interesting (Van Vleet + Jabari Smith for Barnes and Fox?) and Houston would also have the ability at that point to still get Durant.
   • Castle + Sochan for Trey Murphy is such a sensible trade for both teams, IMO. NOP gets to reload with younger guys and Castle could hit big, SAS gets a significantly better fit for their needs on a timeline that still fits.
   • A long term lineup of Harper, Vassell (this would need to be a guy like Danny Green long term), Murphy, Smith, Wemby could be awesome and they would still have plenty of ammo to fill out the back half of the roster. For this year, Van Vleet is a step down from Fox but could fill in fine for a year and then potentially resign him next offseason as the 3rd guard that could plan along side either Vassell or Harper.

If the Bucks aren't going to benefit from tanking b/c they don't have their own pick, Fox would make sense as a part of the Giannis return.

San Antonio is going to be super disappointed if they hold onto Fox and then surround him with non-shooting ballhandlers in the backcourt. He's a terrible fit for what it looks like they are doing there.

Not tanking or rebuilding because you don't own your picks is dumb. That is a sunk cost.

Instead of trading Giannis and getting young players and picks, they should take mediocre players and just be the Hawks until they have picks and start their rebuilding in three to five years?

(1) Strip mining your roster also doesn't benefit you when you don't have picks; (2) Fox isn't mediocre.

Milwaukee could do something like Giannis for Fox, Sochan, and a ton of draft equity. Fox provides most of the incoming salary they need for matching purposes. He's better now than someone like Castle will ever be, in my view, and Fox can either help them put an entertaining product on the court for the next year or two or they can flip him for more assets down the road.

What I mean by mediocre is he isn't a top 2 guy on a championship team. He might be a 3rd or 4th.

Giving Fox any value isn't good for the Bucks. Their timeline to rebuild, get to the playoffs, and then contend wouldn't match up with Fox's age and timeline. The only way you take Fox is if you did what Portland did a couple of years ago with Jrue Holiday. Get him to flip him.

If someone is offering you a young superstar in the making, sure, don't grab Fox in lieu of that player. Otherwise, there's value in having a really good player who people will buy tickets to see play while you are rebuilding.

Then just keep Giannis if you want too sell tickets and have a great mentor to young guys.

I don't think Giannis is going anywhere this off season. With an even weaker East, they probably have a chance. Could be a mid season trade if things aren't working out.

 

[Capella]

Jabari kinda sucks. He’s the reason Houston isn’t going to add one of the best players ever? Give me a break. Do these teams want to win or just hoard assets forever.