2024-25 NBA Thread: OKC - Memphis series moved to Quibi (25 Viewers)

[identikit]

Wow. What a trade.

Bridges to the Knicks for a LOT of picks.

TON of picks - late round 1st rounders + Knicks don’t have much success drafting in the 1st rd anyway.

Hope they keep OG.

Nova Knicks !

The argument that it's ok/smart to trade away draft picks because you're bad at using them always cracks me up

 

[identikit]

Interesting. Nets and Rockets pick swap. Looks like they're going after Durant:

According to ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski, the Rockets are sending the Nets back their 2026 first-round pick in exchange for the Phoenix Suns' 2027 first-round pick. The Rockets also are acquiring a pick swap from the Nets, which allows them to swap their first-round pick for the Suns' first-round pick.

The motive of the deal is to make the Rockets buyers for Kevin Durant in a potential trade.

Just don't see the Suns amenable to moving Durant.

 

[msudaisy26]

So was the Durant to Phoenix trade the best trade ever?

Not for Phoenix, or Durant.

 

[Balco]

Great trade for Knicks.

 

[the moops]

Wow. What a trade.

Bridges to the Knicks for a LOT of picks.

TON of picks - late round 1st rounders + Knicks don’t have much success drafting in the 1st rd anyway.

Hope they keep OG.

Nova Knicks !

OG is now getting whatever the **** he wants. SOOOO much internal leverage with the Knicks.

Read this. Unsure how accurate

the Knicks are hardcapped at $178.6M (1st apron), they're at 132ish with just the players under contract leaving them $45M give or take to re-sign OG/Hartenstein.

Knicks can only offer Hartenstein 18 million and if they hope to keep him
they gotta offer him that so that would only mean 27 million for OG

 

[the moops]

Also I think OG is bette than Mikal and if I was the Knicks and it came down to offering OG a crazy contract or trading away 5 picks for Bridges I would most certainly prefer the former.

 

[Kev4029]

Wow. What a trade.

Bridges to the Knicks for a LOT of picks.

TON of picks - late round 1st rounders + Knicks don’t have much success drafting in the 1st rd anyway.

Hope they keep OG.

Nova Knicks !

OG is now getting whatever the **** he wants. SOOOO much internal leverage with the Knicks.

Read this. Unsure how accurate

the Knicks are hardcapped at $178.6M (1st apron), they're at 132ish with just the players under contract leaving them $45M give or take to re-sign OG/Hartenstein.

Knicks can only offer Hartenstein 18 million and if they hope to keep him
they gotta offer him that so that would only mean 27 million for OG

They'll include somebody else in the trade to make their portion of the trade more salary and then BK will be hard capped not NY.

 

[identikit]

Also I think OG is bette than Mikal and if I was the Knicks and it came down to offering OG a crazy contract or trading away 5 picks for Bridges I would most certainly prefer the former.

Better for how many games a season?

 

[msudaisy26]

If the Knicks can get a big man that can shoot 3's they are going to be a very similar team to the Celtics. That seems like it would lead to a very competitive and fun playoff series.

 

[the moops]

If the Knicks can get a big man that can shoot 3's they are going to be a very similar team to the Celtics. That seems like it would lead to a very competitive and fun playoff series.

Not really seeing the similarities honestly.

 

[Jayrod]

Also I think OG is bette than Mikal and if I was the Knicks and it came down to offering OG a crazy contract or trading away 5 picks for Bridges I would most certainly prefer the former.

OG is not better than Bridges. First, Bridges plays 82 every year while you are lucky to get 50 out of OG.

OG is maybe a better defender and more atheletic, but Bridges is better offensively and the defensive difference is minimal.

 

[Major]

Interesting. Nets and Rockets pick swap. Looks like they're going after Durant:

According to ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski, the Rockets are sending the Nets back their 2026 first-round pick in exchange for the Phoenix Suns' 2027 first-round pick. The Rockets also are acquiring a pick swap from the Nets, which allows them to swap their first-round pick for the Suns' first-round pick.

The motive of the deal is to make the Rockets buyers for Kevin Durant in a potential trade.

Just don't see the Suns amenable to moving Durant.

I don't either but the trade doesn't make a lot of sense to me unless they're shopping for a big name. I'm just glad they didn't trade 3 1sts and Jalen Green for Bridges. That was the supposed asking price for a while. Surprised NYK ante'd up so much.

 

[the moops]

Also I think OG is bette than Mikal and if I was the Knicks and it came down to offering OG a crazy contract or trading away 5 picks for Bridges I would most certainly prefer the former.

OG is not better than Bridges. First, Bridges plays 82 every year while you are lucky to get 50 out of OG.

OG is maybe a better defender and more atheletic, but Bridges is better offensively and the defensive difference is minimal.

The games played thing is definitely a concern but I think the defensive difference is bigger than the offensive production. I just don’t see the Knicks production changing all that much if it is simply a Mikal addition with an OG subtraction. If they manage to keep OG then I absolutely think their ceiling got way higher.

 

[Balco]

Also I think OG is bette than Mikal and if I was the Knicks and it came down to offering OG a crazy contract or trading away 5 picks for Bridges I would most certainly prefer the former.

OG is not better than Bridges. First, Bridges plays 82 every year while you are lucky to get 50 out of OG.

OG is maybe a better defender and more atheletic, but Bridges is better offensively and the defensive difference is minimal.

The games played thing is definitely a concern but I think the defensive difference is bigger than the offensive production. I just don’t see the Knicks production changing all that much if it is simply a Mikal addition with an OG subtraction. If they manage to keep OG then I absolutely think their ceiling got way higher.

I thought it’s a foregone conclusion they are re-signing OG as well?

They act like they want to keep him, but have to wonder if they are shopping Julius Randle hard right now.

 

[thecatch]

Also I think OG is bette than Mikal and if I was the Knicks and it came down to offering OG a crazy contract or trading away 5 picks for Bridges I would most certainly prefer the former.

OG is not better than Bridges. First, Bridges plays 82 every year while you are lucky to get 50 out of OG.

OG is maybe a better defender and more atheletic, but Bridges is better offensively and the defensive difference is minimal.

The games played thing is definitely a concern but I think the defensive difference is bigger than the offensive production. I just don’t see the Knicks production changing all that much if it is simply a Mikal addition with an OG subtraction. If they manage to keep OG then I absolutely think their ceiling got way higher.

There's 0 chance OG is leaving.

 

[Anarchy99]

Also I think OG is bette than Mikal and if I was the Knicks and it came down to offering OG a crazy contract or trading away 5 picks for Bridges I would most certainly prefer the former.

OG is not better than Bridges. First, Bridges plays 82 every year while you are lucky to get 50 out of OG.

OG is maybe a better defender and more atheletic, but Bridges is better offensively and the defensive difference is minimal.

Over their careers . . .

OG
.098 WS/48 (league median for players that qualified last year was .106)
+1 net rating
13.1 PER (league average is 15.0)

Bridges
.113 WS/48 (0.70 last year)
+6 net rating
14.5 PER

A case could be made that both guys statistically don't contribute enough across several categories, and the things they do well don't make up for the things they don't do well. I know the Knicks had some crazy numbers with OG on the court after the trade (20-3 record with a +22-point scoring differential). Clearly, the Knicks would be better off with both of them on the roster and both healthy (vs. the guys that were filling in due to injury).

Randle career numbers:

.101 WS/48 (.105 with the Knicks)
-2 net rating
18.1 PER (18.5 with the Knicks)

Randle is probably more valuable than either OG or Bridges, but who knows if they want to pay and keep all of them. Randle essentially is on an expiring contract (has a player option after this season and would make way more by opting out). New York can offer OG 5 years and $245.3M. Not sure he's worthy nearly $50M a year (and whether the Knicks would go that high). Other teams could offer him 4/$182M.

 

[Desert_Power]

I like (that) Bridges a lot, but that price is insane.

 

[Desert_Power]

I think Redick came off poorly in his introduction conference. That shtick is going to be great fodder for his prior employer but could be quite the trainwreck on the court.

Like what I saw from Charles Lee yesterday a lot more. Solid decision by the new brain trust in Charlotte.

 

[trader jake]

Also I think OG is bette than Mikal and if I was the Knicks and it came down to offering OG a crazy contract or trading away 5 picks for Bridges I would most certainly prefer the former.

OG is not better than Bridges. First, Bridges plays 82 every year while you are lucky to get 50 out of OG.

OG is maybe a better defender and more atheletic, but Bridges is better offensively and the defensive difference is minimal.

Over their careers . . .

OG
.098 WS/48 (league median for players that qualified last year was .106)
+1 net rating
13.1 PER (league average is 15.0)

Bridges
.113 WS/48 (0.70 last year)
+6 net rating
14.5 PER

A case could be made that both guys statistically don't contribute enough across several categories, and the things they do well don't make up for the things they don't do well. I know the Knicks had some crazy numbers with OG on the court after the trade (20-3 record with a +22-point scoring differential). Clearly, the Knicks would be better off with both of them on the roster and both healthy (vs. the guys that were filling in due to injury).

Randle career numbers:

.101 WS/48 (.105 with the Knicks)
-2 net rating
18.1 PER (18.5 with the Knicks)

Randle is probably more valuable than either OG or Bridges, but who knows if they want to pay and keep all of them. Randle essentially is on an expiring contract (has a player option after this season and would make way more by opting out). New York can offer OG 5 years and $245.3M. Not sure he's worthy nearly $50M a year (and whether the Knicks would go that high). Other teams could offer him 4/$182M.

Hard pass on Randle over Bridges or OG. The Knicks would be wise to move Randle for a winning rotational player that fits the current roster (if they can). He's a ball-stopper that bogs down everything, especially against good defenses. Most of the time he's inefficient on offense, a liability on defense, and his salary just doesn't match the level of player needed to win in the playoffs.

To me, Julius Randle is a floor raiser at best and I'd have almost no interest in him on a serious playoff squad. See also Zach LaVine.

 

[thecatch]

Kings draft thoughts: Bill Simmons stole my favorite Kings draft idea in his podcast yesterday, which is Zach Edey at #13. The Kings have been surprisingly reliant on getting decent backup center minutes from guys like Alex Len and Javale McGee the last couple of years. It seems like the worst case scenario for Edey is that he would come in and be an immediate upgrade in the rotation on those guys. It may seem like you're aiming too low to get a rotational 15 mpg big man in the lottery, but given the fact that the Kings are competitive now and this draft sucks, getting someone at that pick you can be fairly certain is going to play a role for you seems like a good deal.

The Athletic's latest mock has the Kings getting Ron Holland, which seems fine as far as lottery ticket picks on wings go. But he and just about every wing player mocked in the first half of the first round feel like Kevin Knox-types to me.

 

[msudaisy26]

If the Knicks can get a big man that can shoot 3's they are going to be a very similar team to the Celtics. That seems like it would lead to a very competitive and fun playoff series.

Not really seeing the similarities honestly.

Okay

 

[Desert_Power]

Also I think OG is bette than Mikal and if I was the Knicks and it came down to offering OG a crazy contract or trading away 5 picks for Bridges I would most certainly prefer the former.

OG is not better than Bridges. First, Bridges plays 82 every year while you are lucky to get 50 out of OG.

OG is maybe a better defender and more atheletic, but Bridges is better offensively and the defensive difference is minimal.

Over their careers . . .

OG
.098 WS/48 (league median for players that qualified last year was .106)
+1 net rating
13.1 PER (league average is 15.0)

Bridges
.113 WS/48 (0.70 last year)
+6 net rating
14.5 PER

A case could be made that both guys statistically don't contribute enough across several categories, and the things they do well don't make up for the things they don't do well. I know the Knicks had some crazy numbers with OG on the court after the trade (20-3 record with a +22-point scoring differential). Clearly, the Knicks would be better off with both of them on the roster and both healthy (vs. the guys that were filling in due to injury).

Randle career numbers:

.101 WS/48 (.105 with the Knicks)
-2 net rating
18.1 PER (18.5 with the Knicks)

Randle is probably more valuable than either OG or Bridges, but who knows if they want to pay and keep all of them. Randle essentially is on an expiring contract (has a player option after this season and would make way more by opting out). New York can offer OG 5 years and $245.3M. Not sure he's worthy nearly $50M a year (and whether the Knicks would go that high). Other teams could offer him 4/$182M.

Hard pass on Randle over Bridges or OG. The Knicks would be wise to move Randle for a winning rotational player that fits the current roster (if they can). He's a ball-stopper that bogs down everything, especially against good defenses. Most of the time he's inefficient on offense, a liability on defense, and his salary just doesn't match the level of player needed to win in the playoffs.

To me, Julius Randle is a floor raiser at best and I'd have almost no interest in him on a serious playoff squad. See also Zach LaVine.

They will need to replace Hartenstein too right? He has really grown on me as a player.

 

[mr. furley]

is Tim Bontemps the most bitter individual covering sports today or is he just working a shtick hoping it breaks out a la Stephen A?

 

[caustic]

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.

 

[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.

 

[trader jake]

Also I think OG is bette than Mikal and if I was the Knicks and it came down to offering OG a crazy contract or trading away 5 picks for Bridges I would most certainly prefer the former.

OG is not better than Bridges. First, Bridges plays 82 every year while you are lucky to get 50 out of OG.

OG is maybe a better defender and more atheletic, but Bridges is better offensively and the defensive difference is minimal.

Over their careers . . .

OG
.098 WS/48 (league median for players that qualified last year was .106)
+1 net rating
13.1 PER (league average is 15.0)

Bridges
.113 WS/48 (0.70 last year)
+6 net rating
14.5 PER

A case could be made that both guys statistically don't contribute enough across several categories, and the things they do well don't make up for the things they don't do well. I know the Knicks had some crazy numbers with OG on the court after the trade (20-3 record with a +22-point scoring differential). Clearly, the Knicks would be better off with both of them on the roster and both healthy (vs. the guys that were filling in due to injury).

Randle career numbers:

.101 WS/48 (.105 with the Knicks)
-2 net rating
18.1 PER (18.5 with the Knicks)

Randle is probably more valuable than either OG or Bridges, but who knows if they want to pay and keep all of them. Randle essentially is on an expiring contract (has a player option after this season and would make way more by opting out). New York can offer OG 5 years and $245.3M. Not sure he's worthy nearly $50M a year (and whether the Knicks would go that high). Other teams could offer him 4/$182M.

Hard pass on Randle over Bridges or OG. The Knicks would be wise to move Randle for a winning rotational player that fits the current roster (if they can). He's a ball-stopper that bogs down everything, especially against good defenses. Most of the time he's inefficient on offense, a liability on defense, and his salary just doesn't match the level of player needed to win in the playoffs.

To me, Julius Randle is a floor raiser at best and I'd have almost no interest in him on a serious playoff squad. See also Zach LaVine.

They will need to replace Hartenstein too right? He has really grown on me as a player.

Correct. With the Bridges addition, Hartenstein seems priced out for the Knicks. His rebounding, defensive hustle, screen-setting, ability to pass out of the short set, and his efficient pullups in the lane will be greatly missed. He's been an underrated player for years, but those days appear over with.

 

[caustic]

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.

Pretty much. Maybe the bottom falls out in Phoenix and those 28-29 picks are great, but the Rockets trade allows them to take a direction NOW instead of treading water as an 11 seed while hoping the Suns are bad in 4 years. The Nets are going to be absolutely terrible these next two seasons and it will be glorious.

 

[trader jake]

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.

The Jazz made a similar decision a few seasons ago. After being a really good team that couldn't get over the hump in the West they moved on from Donovan Mitchell & Rudy Gobert.

Overall, this seems like an admission by the Nets that adding another above average starter next to Bridges (if they could have done so) wasn't going to materially change their forecast over the next few seasons. When that's the case, anything less than moving the few win now pieces a team has for win later doesn't make much sense.

Which is why what the Bulls have done the last few years is a real head scratcher.

 

[Capella]

Also I think OG is bette than Mikal and if I was the Knicks and it came down to offering OG a crazy contract or trading away 5 picks for Bridges I would most certainly prefer the former.

OG is not better than Bridges. First, Bridges plays 82 every year while you are lucky to get 50 out of OG.

OG is maybe a better defender and more atheletic, but Bridges is better offensively and the defensive difference is minimal.

Over their careers . . .

OG
.098 WS/48 (league median for players that qualified last year was .106)
+1 net rating
13.1 PER (league average is 15.0)

Bridges
.113 WS/48 (0.70 last year)
+6 net rating
14.5 PER

A case could be made that both guys statistically don't contribute enough across several categories, and the things they do well don't make up for the things they don't do well. I know the Knicks had some crazy numbers with OG on the court after the trade (20-3 record with a +22-point scoring differential). Clearly, the Knicks would be better off with both of them on the roster and both healthy (vs. the guys that were filling in due to injury).

Randle career numbers:

.101 WS/48 (.105 with the Knicks)
-2 net rating
18.1 PER (18.5 with the Knicks)

Randle is probably more valuable than either OG or Bridges, but who knows if they want to pay and keep all of them. Randle essentially is on an expiring contract (has a player option after this season and would make way more by opting out). New York can offer OG 5 years and $245.3M. Not sure he's worthy nearly $50M a year (and whether the Knicks would go that high). Other teams could offer him 4/$182M.

Hard pass on Randle over Bridges or OG. The Knicks would be wise to move Randle for a winning rotational player that fits the current roster (if they can). He's a ball-stopper that bogs down everything, especially against good defenses. Most of the time he's inefficient on offense, a liability on defense, and his salary just doesn't match the level of player needed to win in the playoffs.

To me, Julius Randle is a floor raiser at best and I'd have almost no interest in him on a serious playoff squad. See also Zach LaVine.

They will need to replace Hartenstein too right? He has really grown on me as a player.

Correct. With the Bridges addition, Hartenstein seems priced out for the Knicks. His rebounding, defensive hustle, screen-setting, ability to pass out of the short set, and his efficient pullups in the lane will be greatly missed. He's been an underrated player for years, but those days appear over with.

Lot of noise about him to the Magic. If that happens I hope they move Wendell Carter for a shooter.

 

[mr. furley]

Pistons renouncing their rights to Wiseman

 

[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.

The Jazz made a similar decision a few seasons ago. After being a really good team that couldn't get over the hump in the West they moved on from Donovan Mitchell & Rudy Gobert.

Overall, this seems like an admission by the Nets that adding another above average starter next to Bridges (if they could have done so) wasn't going to materially change their forecast over the next few seasons. When that's the case, anything less than moving the few win now pieces a team has for win later doesn't make much sense.

Which is why what the Bulls have done the last few years is a real head scratcher.

Yeah, they leaned in at the management level in a similar way. But they inadvertently landed a top player in Markkanen that has kept them relatively competitive over the last couple years. I don't think the Nets have a guy with that kind of upside but I guess we'll see.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

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.

Maybe the bottom falls out in Phoenix .

Bottom's already out IMO

Put together a "Big 3" and got career seasons out of Nurkic and Grayson Allen. End result was still was a playoff sweeping. They don't have any cap space to an avenue of getting better.

Not pulling the plug now would be current Bulls' regime level of stupid. And do it before one or both of them ask out. I'd be pretty stunned if at least Durant were not moved. Wouldn't be shocked if Booker were too. Then left with Beal and other crap. Staring at Wizards West. The Rockets are absolutely loaded. They'd be my first and second calls if either Durant/Booker are on the block.

 

[Moe.]

Just a hunch but I don’t think Lu Dort will be on the Thunder at the start of the season

 

[Mister CIA]

Seeing rumors that the Rockets have multiple offers for the 3 pick. I assume it would be OKC or Memphis moving up to select Clingan. This would sweeten the prospects available to the Spurs at 4 and 8. I would probably favor Sheppard over Castle at 4, but it's close. Devin Carter and Dalton Knect are still my top two choices at 8, but there are a lot of rumblings about the Spurs taking Saluan here. Hopefully Portland takes him at 7 and saves the day.

 

[General Malaise]

Seeing rumors that the Rockets have multiple offers for the 3 pick. I assume it would be OKC or Memphis moving up to select Clingan. This would sweeten the prospects available to the Spurs at 4 and 8. I would probably favor Sheppard over Castle at 4, but it's close. Devin Carter and Dalton Knect are still my top two choices at 8, but there are a lot of rumblings about the Spurs taking Saluan here. Hopefully Portland takes him at 7 and saves the day.

Not sure how much I buy this, but heard the Rockets had some interest in Robert Williams, who makes zero sense for a rebuilding Blazers' team. Brogdon, Grant, Simons, Williams....all should be on new teams by the start to the season.

 

[Desert_Power]

Seeing rumors that the Rockets have multiple offers for the 3 pick. I assume it would be OKC or Memphis moving up to select Clingan. This would sweeten the prospects available to the Spurs at 4 and 8. I would probably favor Sheppard over Castle at 4, but it's close. Devin Carter and Dalton Knect are still my top two choices at 8, but there are a lot of rumblings about the Spurs taking Saluan here. Hopefully Portland takes him at 7 and saves the day.

Heard Charlotte may be one of the teams in play.

 

[General Malaise]

Pistons renouncing their rights to Wiseman

Is this like declaring bankruptcy?

"I DECLARE BANKRUPTCY!"

 

[mr. furley]

Pistons renouncing their rights to Wiseman

Is this like declaring bankruptcy?

"I DECLARE BANKRUPTCY!"

i don't know what either one means

 

[Boston]

Seeing rumors that the Rockets have multiple offers for the 3 pick. I assume it would be OKC or Memphis moving up to select Clingan. This would sweeten the prospects available to the Spurs at 4 and 8. I would probably favor Sheppard over Castle at 4, but it's close. Devin Carter and Dalton Knect are still my top two choices at 8, but there are a lot of rumblings about the Spurs taking Saluan here. Hopefully Portland takes him at 7 and saves the day.

Not sure how much I buy this, but heard the Rockets had some interest in Robert Williams, who makes zero sense for a rebuilding Blazers' team. Brogdon, Grant, Simons, Williams....all should be on new teams by the start to the season.

No clue if this matters but Udoke did have him in Boston.

 

[Moe.]

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

 

[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.

 

[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.

 

[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.

 

[msudaisy26]

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

I think it would be even better if Westbrook signed with the Suns.

 

[Desert_Power]

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.

 

[caustic]

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.

 

[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.

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.

At this point his best move is to stick it out in Phoenix.

 

[Moe.]

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.

Legacy points added for sure

 

[Moe.]

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.

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.

At this point his best move is to stick it out in Phoenix.

Kevin Durant? Stick it out?

 

[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.