NBA 2024-2025: Celtic Pride

[WVRed]

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[M2]

What are people thinking for the draft? Alex Sarr was a consensus #1 a month ago, but then everyone realized #1 this season is like #10 in other drafts and it seems like teams are cycling through names because they don't really like any of them. Sounds like this could be an anything goes draft. Is there anyone you like to become an all-star out of this group?

[RedTeamGo!]

What are people thinking for the draft? Alex Sarr was a consensus #1 a month ago, but then everyone realized #1 this season is like #10 in other drafts and it seems like teams are cycling through names because they don't really like any of them. Sounds like this could be an anything goes draft. Is there anyone you like to become an all-star out of this group?

I think someone is going to get a steal with DaRon Holmes, but I’m a Flyer

[KoryMac5]

Interesting to make the draft 2 nights now...

I don't envy the Hawks...of all the years to get the #1 pick...I did hear the Spurs are trying to move up and could swap out with ATL and get a pick they dealt them back in the process.

[KoryMac5]

Per longtime NBA insider Marc Stein, league insiders “still project” the Cavs to hire James Borrego as the team’s new head coach:



This spring’s coaching carousel has been full of twists, turns and curveballs, so declarations of any sort have been tricky lately, but as of publication time this afternoon most league insiders consulted are still projecting the Lakers to hire JJ Redick and the Cavaliers to hire James Borrego.

If those teams make their hires this week, as expected, Detroit would have the league’s only head coaching vacancy.

Though I did hear today the Pistons like Borrego as well.

[M2]

Any chance Steve Nash (94-67 with the Nets) emerges for one of these jobs?

[WVRed]

Redick officially hired by the Lakers.



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[WVRed]

What are people thinking for the draft? Alex Sarr was a consensus #1 a month ago, but then everyone realized #1 this season is like #10 in other drafts and it seems like teams are cycling through names because they don't really like any of them. Sounds like this could be an anything goes draft. Is there anyone you like to become an all-star out of this group?

If it wasn't for the Oakland game I would have liked to have seen Reed Sheppard taken by the Hawks. Think he could be at best a Steve Nash or at worst a JJ Redick/Kyle Korver. Think he falls to 4 and is paired with Wemby in San Antonio.




Interesting to make the draft 2 nights now...

I don't envy the Hawks...of all the years to get the #1 pick...I did hear the Spurs are trying to move up and could swap out with ATL and get a pick they dealt them back in the process.

You have to think Thursday night is going to be Bronny watch.

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[M2]

ou have to think Thursday night is going to be Bronny watch.

Simmons and Russillo were saying that they're hearing Bronny might be in play in the 1st round, because his dad is pulling the strings. Keep an eye on Philly at #16 and Cleveland with the #20 pick.

[Kingspoint]

The Rockets seem to be offering the #3 pick in the draft, while ATL hasn't determined who they want, yet (or what to do with Murray/Young, which should be a no-brainer from an outsider, but it isn't for them being too close to the situation...truly having a difficult time with self-evaluation).

[Chip R]

Simmons and Russillo were saying that they're hearing Bronny might be in play in the 1st round, because his dad is pulling the strings. Keep an eye on Philly at #16 and Cleveland with the #20 pick.

Bill Simmons suggested that BOS take Bronny at 30 and trade him to LA. :laugh: I remember reading Bill Veeck did something similar to an owner's GM's son in law.

[M2]

If it wasn't for the Oakland game I would have liked to have seen Reed Sheppard taken by the Hawks. Think he could be at best a Steve Nash or at worst a JJ Redick/Kyle Korver. Think he falls to 4 and is paired with Wemby in San Antonio.

He seems like the kind of guy who in the past would have spent four years in college and really benefitted from it (like Redick). I just don't buy he's got enough to offset his lack of size. Doesn't mean he can't play at all, but maybe he's Payton Pritchard. I get that in this draft he'll go fairly high and that he stands to make tens of millions because of it. I don't blame anyone for taking that kind of money. He just seems like a player who needs to be a more finished product.

[M2]

The Rockets seem to be offering the #3 pick in the draft, while ATL hasn't determined who they want, yet (or what to do with Murray/Young, which should be a no-brainer from an outsider, but it isn't for them being too close to the situation...truly having a difficult time with self-evaluation).

Will be interesting to see if anyone wants to move up. Hard to see star potential in any of these guys. For instance, Cody Williams seems like a guy who might bring a lot to the table (size, good passer, great athleticism, high motor), but I'd want him at good value rather than burn assets to get him.

[Revering4Blue]

Bulls trading Caruso to OKC for Giddey.

That came out of nowhere.

——————

My pre draft overall take: With so little projected high-end talent available, if there ever were a time to eschew ceiling for need for teams in win-now mode — I am looking at you, Philly and Milwaukee — this may be the draft to do so.


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[Chip R]

Bill Simmons suggested that BOS take Bronny at 30 and trade him to LA. :laugh: I remember reading Bill Veeck did something similar to an owner's GM's son in law.

OK, I found the reference. Senators owner Clark Griffith hated Veeck. Thought he was a disgrace to the game. When Veeck owned CLE he had tried to get Early Wynn from the Senators for a while but was always rebuffed by Griffith. Griffith's son in law, Joe Haynes pitched for the White Sox. Veeck picked up Haynes cheap because he was going to get an operation on his arm. He was sure that Griffith could not live with the thought that his son in law was working for Veeck and may possibly be participating in some of Veeck's stunts. So Veeck called Griffith and said that he had Haynes and Griffith had Wynn and what did he want to do about it. So Wynn and Mickey Vernon were traded to CLE for Haynes, Eddie Robinson and Ed Klieman. ��

[M2]

Bulls trading Caruso to OKC for Giddey.

That came out of nowhere.

I like that trade for the Bulls. What does Caruso give OKC that Cason Wallace doesn't? I suppose experience, but I'm all in on Giddey + Coby White as the nucleus for something better in Chicago. Also, this is the first trade Karnišovas has made in four years.


My pre draft overall take: With so little projected high-end talent available, if there ever were a time to eschew ceiling for need for teams in win-now mode — I am looking at you, Philly and Milwaukee — this may be the draft to do so.

Absolutely, I feel like Tristan Da Silva to the Sixers is written in the stars.

Also, Kyle Filipowski seems like a guy who can slot in very well on a contender (big, playmaking skills, can defend on the perimeter, pro-skills from 3).

[Kingspoint]

Will be interesting to see if anyone wants to move up. Hard to see star potential in any of these guys. For instance, Cody Williams seems like a guy who might bring a lot to the table (size, good passer, great athleticism, high motor), but I'd want him at good value rather than burn assets to get him.

I think the Blazers' interest is for one of the Frenchmen. If either is there, they could pull the trigger with something like Brogdon and #7. Supposedly, Charlotte and Memphis have been more agressive than Portland about trading for the #3 pick. This is not a good year for players. Risk everywhere. Last year's had 10 guys better than the best player in this draft and next year will have at least half a dozen better than anyone in this draft. Blazers want to swing for upside, and that's one of the two Frenchmen (Sarr or Risacher).

[SteelSD]

Absolutely, I feel like Tristan Da Silva to the Sixers is written in the stars.

If he's there, Philly will draft him. Shortly after, it will be announced that they're dealing Da Silva as part of a trade package for Jimmy Butler and an early second rounder. With the second rounder, they'll draft a guard who can't shoot, who will almost immediately come down with some kind of rare illness, severe allergic reaction to basketball leather, or some other strange inexplicable disorder, rendering the pick moot.

They're the Sixers so something out of that has to come true.

[M2]

I think the Blazers' interest is for one of the Frenchmen. If either is there, they could pull the trigger with something like Brogdon and #7. Supposedly, Charlotte and Memphis have been more agressive than Portland about trading for the #3 pick. This is not a good year for players. Risk everywhere. Last year's had 10 guys better than the best player in this draft and next year will have at least half a dozen better than anyone in this draft. Blazers want to swing for upside, and that's one of the two Frenchmen (Sarr or Risacher).

Any chance Portland will move Grant? Provided he can be convinced to play defense again (call his dad to give him a stern talking to), he could help a contending team. Dallas for sure could have used him.

[M2]

If he's there, Philly will draft him. Shortly after, it will be announced that they're dealing Da Silva as part of a trade package for Jimmy Butler and an early second rounder. With the second rounder, they'll draft a guard who can't shoot, who will almost immediately come down with some kind of rare illness, severe allergic reaction to basketball leather, or some other strange inexplicable disorder, rendering the pick moot.

They're the Sixers so something out of that has to come true.

I've become fascinated by the possibility of an alternate universe where Philly right now is comprised of Embiid, Jaylen Brown (could have drafted him), Jayson Tatum (could have drafted him), Mikal Bridges (did draft him, but immediately traded him) and Jrue Holiday (drafted him and he took them to the playoffs twice and made an All-Star team all by age 22 before they traded him for Nerlens Noel).

[Mutaman]

Veeck As In Wreck is one of the greatest books ever written. Right up there with Huckleberry Finn and Anna Karenina as far as I'm concerned. And The Long Season/Pennant Race.

[SteelSD]

I've become fascinated by the possibility of an alternate universe where Philly right now is comprised of Embiid, Jaylen Brown (could have drafted him), Jayson Tatum (could have drafted him), Mikal Bridges (did draft him, but immediately traded him) and Jrue Holiday (drafted him and he took them to the playoffs twice and made an All-Star team all by age 22 before they traded him for Nerlens Noel).

Is that the same alternate reality where they don't trade Moses Malone for Jeff Rutland, draft Brad Daugherty instead of dealing the #1 pick for Roy Hinson, take Penny Hardaway instead of throwing a #2 overall pick away on Shawn Bradley, don't deal Barkley for crap, listened to Allen Iverson's feedback about play style rather than trade him, and stood up to the NBA brass rather than ruining seasons via the Colangelos?

Sounds like a nice place.

[Chip R]

Veeck As In Wreck is one of the greatest books ever written. Right up there with Huckleberry Finn and Anna Karenina as far as I'm concerned. And The Long Season/Pennant Race.

That's great too but the passage I cited was from The Hustler's Handbook. Covers a lot of ground that Wreck did but it's less biographical.

[M2]

Is that the same alternate reality where they don't trade Moses Malone for Jeff Rutland, draft Brad Daugherty instead of dealing the #1 pick for Roy Hinson, take Penny Hardaway instead of throwing a #2 overall pick away on Shawn Bradley, don't deal Barkley for crap, listened to Allen Iverson's feedback about play style rather than trade him, and stood up to the NBA brass rather than ruining seasons via the Colangelos?

Sounds like a nice place.

That's the exact one. They also let Hersey Hawkins shoot way more threes, Andrew Toney's knees hold up and they upgrade Henry Bibby (which leads to a couple of championships).

[klw]

Is that the same alternate reality where they don't trade Moses Malone for Jeff Rutland, draft Brad Daugherty instead of dealing the #1 pick for Roy Hinson, take Penny Hardaway instead of throwing a #2 overall pick away on Shawn Bradley, don't deal Barkley for crap, listened to Allen Iverson's feedback about play style rather than trade him, and stood up to the NBA brass rather than ruining seasons via the Colangelos?

Sounds like a nice place.

Does Iverson participate with enthusiasm in practice in that universe?

[SteelSD]

Does Iverson participate with enthusiasm in practice in that universe?

Dude, we're talking about practice. Not a game. PRACTICE.

[Revering4Blue]

That's the exact one. They also let Hersey Hawkins shoot way more threes, Andrew Toney's knees hold up and they upgrade Henry Bibby (which leads to a couple of championships).

Doug Collins’ career as a player ending prematurely didn’t help, either.

I don’t believe there has ever been a more obvious pick in NBA history that was passed over than Penny by the Sixers in ‘93. But if they had listened to me in ‘86, the draft outcome would have been worse. I wanted them to take Len Bias.

As for Jrue Holiday, Larry Bird passed on him to select Tyler Hansborogh (sp?). The Pacers would have had no need to trade Kawaii Leonard for George Hill and would have been able to overcome the loss of Danny Granger.


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[Kingspoint]

Any chance Portland will move Grant? Provided he can be convinced to play defense again (call his dad to give him a stern talking to), he could help a contending team. Dallas for sure could have used him.

They'd love to (I would think, but Jody Allen and Bert Kolde are still there, so everything is really directionless for years to come, but that aside...), and supposedly the new TV package coming soon makes Grant's contract less of an issue. Still don't think anyone will take on that contract THIS Summer. Perhaps next Summer. Still believe Simons is available and that's a contract that's doable, and the dude can shoot. That has a market. Fans would love to see Grant moved (fans want to see Billups gone, too, but he's still there). It's an ugly mess. It sucks when your franchise has one day during a year to look forward to and it's draft day,...and it's also Groundhog Day.

Trying to move Robert Williams is on the agenda. Brogdon will definitely get traded (have to in order to get under the cap...a crappy roster AND over the cap). Simons OR Grant needs to be traded. Those two on the floor together equal zero team Defense. Sharpe can't be playing the "3" or coming off the bench. Simons needs to get moved. You can hide one bad Defender (tell that to the Mavs fans), at least in the regular season, but you can't hide two. Love how Udoka is priortizing Defense, Defense, Defense for the Rockets (and OKC is doing the same thing). BOS has the best Defense in the league. They won the title. Not a coincidence. Detroit is pretty stupid. Maybe they'll take Grant back for "Veteran Leadership" and 20 points per game at a Wing position.

[klw]

Dude, we're talking about practice. Not a game. PRACTICE.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPhs0qrFODg

[M2]

Sharpe can't be playing the "3"

That's the thing I don't get. Plenty of guys smaller than Sharpe play the 3. No reason he can't be like Jaylen Brown, being a 2 or 3 (or a 4 sometimes in Brown's case) as the situation dictates. Sharpe's 6'6" with insane hops and a 7-foot wingspan. No reason he shouldn't be able to play as a nominal forward. There should be zero issue playing him alongside two guards.

[Kingspoint]

That's the thing I don't get. Plenty of guys smaller than Sharpe play the 3. No reason he can't be like Jaylen Brown, being a 2 or 3 (or a 4 sometimes in Brown's case) as the situation. Sharpe's 6'6" with insane hops and a 7-foot wingspan. No reason he shouldn't be able to play as a nominal forward. There should be zero issue playing him alongside two guards.

Jaylen Brown is the best player on the Celtics roster and has been for the last four years. He's a great Defender and highly intelligent. He's also not paired with a defensively-challenged Simons (now being the opposite in Jrue Holiday). While Sharpe could become a better Offensive player than Brown, especially at the "2", his ceiling is probably "average" Defender both in isolation and as a team defender, and "average" Rebounder. If the Blazers had Jrue Holiday instead of Simons, I'd have Sharpe at the "3", no problem. Still can't have Grant on the roster, though, because then both Wings would bring the team's total Defense down by a lot, even with Holiday. Anyway, here's a much better explanation of the Blazers' current situation regarding trading any players this Summer:


To duck the luxury tax, the Blazers need to shed at least $7.1M in salary if they keep the #7 and #14 picks. They would have 16 regular contracts (non-2-way), so they also need to reduce the roster by at least one player to get down to the 15 player maximum (they usually like to start seasons with 14 players, the minimum allowed).

The new CBA rules are NOW completely in effect for the first time (since the close of the regular season), and some of the changes are very important to what we can do to duck the tax.

a) The non-taxpayer MLE ($12.9M) can be used for trades. (We don't have to take back any player salary.)

b) Teams that end a trade below the 1st Apron can take back up to $7.5M more salary than they trade out when trading out $7.25M-$29M. They can take back 125% plus $250K when trading out more than $29M, or 200% plus $250K when trading out $7.25M or less.

c) Teams that end a trade above the 1st Apron can not take back more salary than they trade out. (i.e. we can't reduce our team salary in a 2-team trade with them, we'd need a 3rd team to receive at least one player they trade out since they have to trade out more than they receive)

d) Teams that end a trade above the 2nd Apron can not aggregate players in a trade. That makes it more difficult for us to take back multiple players and direct one or more to a 3rd team.

Our Obvious Options:

1) The easiest move would be to waive Banton to get from $7.1M to about $5M over the tax threshold, and down to 15 players. They can cut $2.2M if they waive him by June 29, or keep him all summer and still cut $2.0M if he's waived before the start of the season (Oct 14). I suspect they will do the latter in hopes that he could be traded for a 2nd round pick, or somehow part of a trade.

(Banton could also be waived prior to Jan 10 to cut $1.1M, but then he's taking one of the allowed 15 roster spots.)

My guess - Banton will be part of a trade or waived to get down to 14 or 15 players after using the other options to duck the tax.

2) Brogdon ($22.5M) seems almost certain to be traded. He is an expiring contract and the Blazers won't want to lose him for nothing as a UFA (unrestricted free agent) next summer. He is also taking minutes in a crowed backcourt of Scoot, Sharpe, Simons and possibly a new 1st round draft pick.

My guess - they would take (hope for) a lottery-protected 1st round pick and an expiring contract(s) for Brogdon.

3) Trade Thybulle ($11.0M, 2 years left on his contract) or Williams ($12.4M) into someone's $12.9M MLE. The Blazers wouldn't have to take back a player so that solves the tax and roster space problems.

My guess - they could find a team in mid/late July that still has their MLE and could use Thybulle. He has 2 years left on his contract, the last a player option. I doubt they could find a team to take on the often injured RW3, who has 2 years left on his contract.

4) Trading Simons ($25.9M), Grant($29.8M), or Ayton ($34.0M) taking back less salary are the other obvious options.

My 1st guess - None of Simons, Grant, or Ayton are traded this summer unless someone throws a great deal at the Blazers that involves players that Blazers want to keep for the rebuild. I do not believe any of them will be traded for nothing more than future picks and expiring contracts.

My 2nd guess - The most likely of the three, unlikely to be traded is Simons. If the Blazers draft another guard (such as Knecht) then the odds on trading Simons change and go way up.

[KoryMac5]

Jaylen Brown is the best player on the Celtics roster and has been for the last four years. He's a great Defender and highly intelligent. He's also not paired with a defensively-challenged Simons (now being the opposite in Jrue Holiday). While Sharpe could become a better Offensive player than Brown, especially at the "2", his ceiling is probably "average" Defender both in isolation and as a team defender, and "average" Rebounder. If the Blazers had Jrue Holiday instead of Simons, I'd have Sharpe at the "3", no problem. Still can't have Grant on the roster, though, because then both Wings would bring the team's total Defense down by a lot, even with Holiday. Anyway, here's a much better explanation of the Blazers' current situation regarding trading any players this Summer:


To duck the luxury tax, the Blazers need to shed at least $7.1M in salary if they keep the #7 and #14 picks. They would have 16 regular contracts (non-2-way), so they also need to reduce the roster by at least one player to get down to the 15 player maximum (they usually like to start seasons with 14 players, the minimum allowed).

The new CBA rules are NOW completely in effect for the first time (since the close of the regular season), and some of the changes are very important to what we can do to duck the tax.

a) The non-taxpayer MLE ($12.9M) can be used for trades. (We don't have to take back any player salary.)

b) Teams that end a trade below the 1st Apron can take back up to $7.5M more salary than they trade out when trading out $7.25M-$29M. They can take back 125% plus $250K when trading out more than $29M, or 200% plus $250K when trading out $7.25M or less.

c) Teams that end a trade above the 1st Apron can not take back more salary than they trade out. (i.e. we can't reduce our team salary in a 2-team trade with them, we'd need a 3rd team to receive at least one player they trade out since they have to trade out more than they receive)

d) Teams that end a trade above the 2nd Apron can not aggregate players in a trade. That makes it more difficult for us to take back multiple players and direct one or more to a 3rd team.

Our Obvious Options:

1) The easiest move would be to waive Banton to get from $7.1M to about $5M over the tax threshold, and down to 15 players. They can cut $2.2M if they waive him by June 29, or keep him all summer and still cut $2.0M if he's waived before the start of the season (Oct 14). I suspect they will do the latter in hopes that he could be traded for a 2nd round pick, or somehow part of a trade.

(Banton could also be waived prior to Jan 10 to cut $1.1M, but then he's taking one of the allowed 15 roster spots.)

My guess - Banton will be part of a trade or waived to get down to 14 or 15 players after using the other options to duck the tax.

2) Brogdon ($22.5M) seems almost certain to be traded. He is an expiring contract and the Blazers won't want to lose him for nothing as a UFA (unrestricted free agent) next summer. He is also taking minutes in a crowed backcourt of Scoot, Sharpe, Simons and possibly a new 1st round draft pick.

My guess - they would take (hope for) a lottery-protected 1st round pick and an expiring contract(s) for Brogdon.

3) Trade Thybulle ($11.0M, 2 years left on his contract) or Williams ($12.4M) into someone's $12.9M MLE. The Blazers wouldn't have to take back a player so that solves the tax and roster space problems.

My guess - they could find a team in mid/late July that still has their MLE and could use Thybulle. He has 2 years left on his contract, the last a player option. I doubt they could find a team to take on the often injured RW3, who has 2 years left on his contract.

4) Trading Simons ($25.9M), Grant($29.8M), or Ayton ($34.0M) taking back less salary are the other obvious options.

My 1st guess - None of Simons, Grant, or Ayton are traded this summer unless someone throws a great deal at the Blazers that involves players that Blazers want to keep for the rebuild. I do not believe any of them will be traded for nothing more than future picks and expiring contracts.

My 2nd guess - The most likely of the three, unlikely to be traded is Simons. If the Blazers draft another guard (such as Knecht) then the odds on trading Simons change and go way up.

Been hearing that Grant is being heavily shopped this summer all over Twitter/X...so you may get your wish. Not sure what kind of package he will bring though that contract is a bit of a determent to a lot of teams.

[M2]

Malik Monk is staying with the Kings for 4/78 - https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/40398510/malik-monk-stay-kings-4-year-78m-deal. Seems like good news for the Kings.

[Kingspoint]

Been hearing that Grant is being heavily shopped this summer all over Twitter/X...so you may get your wish. Not sure what kind of package he will bring though that contract is a bit of a determent to a lot of teams.

If we can get rid of Grant, I'd want to keep Simons and play Sharpe at the "3". With a "4" who can rebound well and defend well (and not cause Defenses to sag off of him from subpar 3-pt shooting) and, that would work as Sharpe and Simons would get most of the shots (and Ayton if he's still around). What they get with their 1st pick in this draft needs to be someone who will get the minutes that Grant would vacate, while the usage rate Grant has would be split between Sharpe and Ayton. Scoot and Simons already get all the usage rate they need.

[KoryMac5]

Interesting tidbit:

Olivier-Maxence Prosper has grown from 6 ft 7 to 6 ft 11 since he was drafted out of Marquette...

Unreal how young kids continue to grow like that...and yet I am shrinking

[Kingspoint]

I've never understood how Ownerships have allowed G.M.'s to fire Coaches a year or two after hiring them. In any organization, when a person at that level (the things a Coach is responsible for), failure isn't the result of a Coach's decisions, but is the result of the failure of the Coaching Search decision. That group needs to be changed because it's that group that failed (if it's even right to try to measure success/failure on a small sample size of one year or two years, which isn't enough unless it's atrociously obvious that the person is in over his/her head and time for learning/implement of style/decisions won't correct it soon enough).

In the case of Chauncey Billups, he wasn't Joe Cronin's hire, but was Neil Olshey's. Since Billups is still around, it's pretty clear that it wasn't necessarily Olshey's, but that Bert Kolde (paul allen's geeky childhood suck-up) was the responsible party. What a mess. It's remarkable that Joe Cronin has been able to accomplish anything regarding a rebuild handicapped as he is. Publicly, he follows Billups (but he did fire Billups' brother from the Coaching staff a month ago, while Scott Brooks resigned...can you blame him having to watch Billups for three years).

The Portland Trail Blazers are making changes to their coaching staff, according to ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski:

ESPN Sources: Nate Bjorkgren and Chris Fleming are joining Chauncey Billups’ coaching staff with the Trail Blazers, Bjorkgren has been a Raptors assistant and spent season as Pacers’ HC. Fleming had a prominent role under Billy Donovan with Bulls and stops with Nets, Nuggets.

Bjorkgren coached the Indiana Pacers from 2020-21, but he was fired after just one season. Now, he joins the Blazers as one of Billups’ top guys. Bjorkgren, who turned 49 last week, started out as a G League assistant in 2007 and made his way to the NBA with the Phoenix Suns in 2015.

Fleming, 50, has been with the Bulls since 2019, but now joins the Blazers. He coached the German national team from 2014-17 after coaching Brose Baskets from 2008-14 in the Bundesliga, where he won four German Cups and league titles.

This is interesting, though Brogdon is probably gone in 3 days...

"'Don’t shoot a midrange shot,'" Turner said of Bjorkgren's philosophy. "If you shoot a midrange shot, it was death. It would drive him insane. Malcolm Brogdon makes a living off mid-range floaters, mid-range pull-ups or whatnot. He’d have knock-down drag outs with him, saying, ‘Listen, I’ve got to use my midrange, this is my game.' Even personally, I made a career off pick-and-pop midrange in a sense."

Also, as Pacers' fans know... https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2942713-inside-the-turbulent-tenure-of-indiana-pacers-coach-nate-bjorkgren He sounds like a real tool. Can't be good for the players or other staff members. Strange hire.

But, who in their right mind would come to Portland and work under Billups, Jody Allen and Bert Kolde?

[Kingspoint]

Knicks say to the Celtics, "Take your Pride and shove it!!!"

We got another Villanova Guard that balls, Mikal Bridges.

[Kingspoint]

Hollinger dropped his final big board today. Very interesting stuff. Here's the first 10 tiers plus some other noteworthy guys he had super low:

Tier 1: "Best bets in a bad class"
1. Holland
2. Castle
3. Clingan
4. Sheppard

Tier 2: "Promising teenagers"
5. Sarr
6. Topic
7. Buzelis
8. Dillingham

Tier 3: "No-frills college vets"
9. Flipowski
10. Carter

Tier 4: "Talented but I have questions"
11. Furphy
12. Collier
13. Risacher
14. Knecht
15. Williams
16. Salaun
17. Walter
18. McCain

Tier 5: "Sleepers"
19. Oso Ighodaro
20. Trey Alexander

Tier 6: "One super sleeper"
21. Jonathan Mogbo

Tier 7: "Quasi-sleepers"
22. Bub Carrington
23. Tyler Smith
24. Pacome Dadiet

Tier 8: "Some centers"
25. Zach Edey
26. Kel'el Ware
27. DaRon Hoknes II

Tier 9: "Final First Round Grades"
28. Jaylon Tyson
29. Justin Edwards
30. Baylor Scheierman

Tier 10:
31. KJ Simpson
32. Adem Bona
33. Ryan Dunn
34. Yves Missi
35. Harrison Ingram
36. Tyler Kolek
37. Kyshawn George
38. Juan Nunez
39. Jamal Shead

51. Tristan Da Silva (Tier 13: "I do not get it")

54. Ulrich Chomche (Tier 13: "I do not get it")
55. Bobi Klintman (Tier 13: "I do not get it")

[Betterread]

Knicks say to the Celtics, "Take your Pride and shove it!!!"

We got another Villanova Guard that balls, Mikal Bridges.

Nets decided he wasn’t a max contract franchise cornerstone. Kyrie, Harden and KD just destroyed that team, and they have pretty much nothing to show for trading them. A lot of draft picks to use in the upcoming years.
Knicks continue to add talent at guard and wing positions. Will they hold on to Hartenstein and Anunoby?

[M2]

Honestly, somebody ought to conduct an inquest on how the PHILADELPHIA 76ers let the NEW YORK Knicks corner the market on Villanova's national champion guys.

[Betterread]

Honestly, somebody ought to conduct an inquest on how the PHILADELPHIA 76ers let the NEW YORK Knicks corner the market on Villanova's national champion guys.

In the 50s and 60s, which was the 76ers best winning era, guards Paul Arizon and Wali Jones were from Philly, went to Villanova and won NBA CHIPs with Philly. They were the prototypes

[Mitri]

The Nova Knicks Voltron is complete!

[Puffy]

Nets decided he wasn’t a max contract franchise cornerstone. Kyrie, Harden and KD just destroyed that team, and they have pretty much nothing to show for trading them. A lot of draft picks to use in the upcoming years.
Knicks continue to add talent at guard and wing positions. Will they hold on to Hartenstein and Anunoby?

NY papers seem to think that OG is definite priority #1 and Hartenstein is #1b but #1b might not have the available cap space after priority #1. In short, OG comes first and then they hope Hartenstein takes less to stay (but hope means nothing)

[M2]

In the 50s and 60s, which was the 76ers best winning era, guards Paul Arizon and Wali Jones were from Philly, went to Villanova and won NBA CHIPs with Philly. They were the prototypes

Quick edit: that was when the Warriors where Philly's team. The 76ers with the Syracuse Nationals back then.

Tom Gola and Jack George were from Philly too (LaSalle). Guy Rodgers was from Temple. And though Wilt went to Kansas in college, he was a Philly kid. Obviously all of this was easier when there were only 10 teams in the NBA, but the modern Villanova guys play a brand of basketball (smart, hard-nosed, team-oriented) that Philly desperately needs to fill out around Embiid and they've got none of them. And we're seeing in NY what happens when put this band of players together, they really do form Voltron.

They drafted Bridges and then immediately traded him away, which only becomes a more brutal pill to swallow as the years pass. They could have acquired DiVo numerous times. They were part of the four-team deal that sent Josh Hart to the Knicks, but they didn't get Hart.

[15fan]

A lot of local chatter that Sarr never worked out for Hawks. Unclear whether Sarr declined/refused or Hawks never invited him. Or maybe he did and it’s all just a smokescreen to drive up trade leverage if someone after #1 wants to pay up to swap picks.

After signing Kirk Cousins for $80 million billion, then drafting Michael Penix at #8 a few weeks later, local sentiment heading into the NBA draft seems to be…if any organization can out-Falcon the Falcons, it’s the Hawks when they have #1 overall.

[Revering4Blue]

NY papers seem to think that OG is definite priority #1 and Hartenstein is #1b but #1b might not have the available cap space after priority #1. In short, OG comes first and then they hope Hartenstein takes less to stay (but hope means nothing)

To clear cap space, I wouldn’t be shocked to see Mitchell Robinson dealt to OKC for one of their gazillion draft picks. It just makes too much sense for both teams.


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[M2]

A lot of local chatter that Sarr never worked out for Hawks. Unclear whether Sarr declined/refused or Hawks never invited him. Or maybe he did and it’s all just a smokescreen to drive up trade leverage if someone after #1 wants to pay up to swap picks.

After signing Kirk Cousins for $80 million billion, then drafting Michael Penix at #8 a few weeks later, local sentiment heading into the NBA draft seems to be…if any organization can out-Falcon the Falcons, it’s the Hawks when they have #1 overall.

I'm getting the impression that Sarr's nearing maximum skepticism. The knock on him (from the latest Simmons pod) is he's avoided playing at tougher levels and that he's hesitant to drive and finish at the rim. It all adds up to a perceived softness. The Simmons pod was pretty out Risacher too.

Gotta feel for the Hawks getting potentially franchise-altering ping pong ball luck in what profiles as a generationally bad draft. If they could trade Trae and that #1 for someone really good (Devin Booker?), that would be their best move. Trading down to collect future assets (they don't have their own #1 again until 2028) also would make sense. It doesn't look like there's a single good fit for the team, maybe Clingan (if they punt Capella) or Castle (if they move Trae).

[Mitri]

To clear cap space, I wouldn’t be shocked to see Mitchell Robinson dealt to OKC for one of their gazillion draft picks. It just makes too much sense for both teams.

The vibe around here is that Hartenstein is good as gone. If that's true, my guess is they keep Mitchell (obviously), have Achiuwa backup, and draft a big tonight. Edey if he falls or they trade up, Ware, Missi, Holmes are all potential targets.

[klw]

The Nova Knicks Voltron is complete!

Have they signed Ed Pinckney?

[Kingspoint]

The Nova Knicks Voltron is complete!

Need Lowry

[Revering4Blue]

Have they signed Ed Pinckney?

No.

But I do have it on good authority both John Pinone and Stewart Granger both politely spurned offers to suit up for the Knicks. They are still waiting for a response from both Rory Sparrow and Tom Greis.


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[Kingspoint]

I think the Blazers should avoid taking BOTH John Collins and Bam Adebayo and trade up so they can get Zach Collins.

Oh, wait. That was former soap-opera star Neil Olshey's brilliant idea a few years ago.

[Mitri]

Need Lowry

Hearing that actually might happen, I just don't see many minutes for him barring injury.

[Mitri]

Anunoby extended 5/$212. What a day for the Knicks.

[Kingspoint]

Mavs thought 2 days ago they were getting Deni Avdija for Hardaway, but POR swoops in with Brogdon and the #14 pick (and WAS also get a 2029 1st the 2nd most favorable of POR/MIL/BOS), and two 2nd Rounders.

Here's a DAL article on what Avdija would do for them. he will now do that in POR.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/wizards-deni-avdija-perfect-trade-piece-to-complete-mavs/ar-BB1oOXzp

Now, they need to move Grant to open up the minutes for Avdija.

[Kingspoint]

Mavs thought 2 days ago they were getting Deni Avdija for Hardaway, but POR swoops in with Brogdon and the #14 pick (and WAS also get a 2029 1st the 2nd most favorable of POR/MIL/BOS), and two 2nd Rounders.

Here's a DAL article on what Avdija would do for them. he will now do that in POR.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/wizards-deni-avdija-perfect-trade-piece-to-complete-mavs/ar-BB1oOXzp

Now, they need to move Grant to open up the minutes for Avdija.

POR gets a Starting Wing (until we add someone better with our 1st pick in the 2025 NBA draft when we once again finish in the bottom-4 in the league in the standings) who is 23 years old coming off of a breakout season who rebounds twice as well as Grant and shoots about as well as he does. That's better than anything they could have gotten from the #14 pick (or the #7 pick, probably, which they still have).

His Defense seems about as bad as Grant's, though. There's at least upside still, and the contract is good at an avg of $14M for the next three years.

[M2]

I think the Blazers should avoid taking BOTH John Collins and Bam Adebayo and trade up so they can get Zach Collins.

Oh, wait. That was former soap-opera star Neil Olshey's brilliant idea a few years ago.

Hold on, now. Are you saying that was a bad idea? Because we went rounds on that subject.

[Kingspoint]

Hold on, now. Are you saying that was a bad idea? Because we went rounds on that subject.

I tried to justify it at the time by saying that POR tried to get the player projected to be the best big man in the draft, but at the time, I had posted here and everywhere else that I wanted the Blazers to draft John Collins AND Adebayo, which was easily doable. Yeah. It was a bad idea. As much talent on the front court POR needed at the time (and still do), they needed to take two swings, not one, for big man talent. I was at the Rose Quarter at the time of the draft and I actually broke the news to the Trailblazers who were running the event. They confirmed it about 2-3 minutes later. I was highly disappointed. I was at the game that Olshey was at (1 block from my house...Gonzaga @ University of Portland) and Collins didn't even start in that game, and when he played there was nothing impressive about it that made me believe he would be better than Adebayo or Collins, and both of those players were NBA-ready.

[Kingspoint]

Everything they gave the Wizards they got in the Dame trade.

[M2]

Mavs thought 2 days ago they were getting Deni Avdija for Hardaway, but POR swoops in with Brogdon and the #14 pick (and WAS also get a 2029 1st the 2nd most favorable of POR/MIL/BOS), and two 2nd Rounders.

Here's a DAL article on what Avdija would do for them. he will now do that in POR.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/wizards-deni-avdija-perfect-trade-piece-to-complete-mavs/ar-BB1oOXzp

Now, they need to move Grant to open up the minutes for Avdija.

I do not get what Washington's doing there at all. I mean, great pickup for the Blazers. Avdija can play, he clearly is a guy who works to make himself better and he's on a great contract. He's a foundational piece for whatever they do next. The #14 pick in a garbage draft and two second rounders is next to nothing to give for him. Unless DC is able to turn Brogdon's expiring into something tasty, that's a disaster of a trade.

[Kingspoint]

I do not get what Washington's doing there at all. I mean, great pickup for the Blazers. Avdija can play, he clearly is a guy who works to make himself better and he's on a great contract. He's a foundational piece for whatever they do next. The #14 pick in a garbage draft and two second rounders is next to nothing to give for him. Unless DC is able to turn Brogdon's expiring into something tasty, that's a disaster of a trade.

Certainly, they'll try to flip Brogdon. Dallas? They could really slow down an NBA game with Brogdon and Luka.

[Kingspoint]

So far, Brooklyn, Washington and Portland with a shot at Cooper Flagg.

[M2]

Certainly, they'll try to flip Brogdon. Dallas? They could really slow down an NBA game with Brogdon and Luka.

But can they flip him for any young guy close to as good as Avdija? Can't imagine anyone's parting with an unprotected 1st rounder for him.

[WVRed]

Ron Holland to Detroit really the only surprise so far.

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[WVRed]

Castle and Dillingham for the Spurs to pair with Wemby.

Nevermind, Dillingham to Minnesota.

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[Mitri]

Castle and Dillingham for the Spurs to pair with Wemby.

Nevermind, Dillingham to Minnesota.

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Dillingham did not seem like the Spurs type.

Edey to Memphis, feels like a reach, but they're a bottom-feeding team trying to get back into win-now mode.

[WVRed]

Ron Holland to Detroit really the only surprise so far.

Sent from my SM-S911U using TapatalkMemphis says Hold My Beer and takes Zach Edey.

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[WVRed]

Dillingham did not seem like the Spurs type.

Edey to Memphis, feels like a reach, but they're a bottom-feeding team trying to get back into win-now mode.He fits more with Minnesota:

Dillingham
Ant
McDaniels
KAT
Gobert

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[M2]

All right, I'm not in love with any of the top three picks. Risacher has got potential scoring issues. Here's Kevin O'Connor's minuses on him:


Struggles to score at the rim in the half court, making only 37.9 percent of those attempts in 2022 and 2023 competitions. This season, he made only 47.1 percent. He just doesn’t get a ton of lift at the basket, and he lacks burst off the dribble.

He’ll need to prove his improved shooting numbers are for real. He made just 29.8 percent over his final 31 games, which better resembled the 32 percent of 3s he made in his previous three seasons overseas. He’s also a subpar free throw shooter, hovering around 70 percent in every season.

As for DC, as I mentioned earlier, Sarr's got motor questions. If he's hanging on the perimeter and not launching himself at the rim, then Washington might have just had one of the worst days in its fairly sordid history.

The Rockets are so loaded, it was probably going to be hard for any draft pick to break into their rotation. Reed Sheppard has shooting skills, but he's small. Hard to imagine he won't get run over on defense. Plus, Houston's got Green, VanVleet and Thompson in its backcourt. The best version of that team in the future is one where Thompson becomes the PG. He is electric. So is Sheppard getting minutes if those three are each playing 30+ minutes? And they're loaded at forward too, so it's not like there's minutes there for Green or Thompson to soak up. Makes me wonder if Sheppard got picked to convey somewhere else. Who's looking to move a stretch 5?

Meanwhile, I love the Stephon Castle pick for the Spurs. They need defense and grit. Also like the upside of Ron Holland to the Pistons. Gives them another defensive menace on the wing and he's got some scoring instincts.

[Kingspoint]

Ron Holland to Detroit really the only surprise so far.

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Thinking Edey is a surpise. Passing on Knecht or Buzelis probably not good.

[Kingspoint]

From Bobby Marks...

Minnesota luxury tax bill increases from $56M to $84M with the selection of Rob Dillingham (and going higher and higher every year).

An aggressive move for a Minnesota team that returns the same starting 5 but was faced with limited options in free agency.

[Kingspoint]

So, WAS replaces Deni with Knecht, I assume.

[Mitri]

He fits more with Minnesota:

Dillingham
Ant
McDaniels
KAT
Gobert

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Hard to see him as anything but a backup, but he'll be free to go wild for 15 minutes a game so that's fun.

[M2]

Dillingham did not seem like the Spurs type.

Edey to Memphis, feels like a reach, but they're a bottom-feeding team trying to get back into win-now mode.

I'm curious what the Spurs are getting in that trade. SloMo? Alexander-Walker? I was under the impression they don't have picks to move.

Edey makes some sense for Memphis as JJJ is way too soft to play the 5.

[Kingspoint]

So, WAS replaces Deni with Knecht, I assume.

OK. They take Carrington.

[Kingspoint]

I'm curious what the Spurs are getting in that trade. SloMo? Alexander-Walker? I was under the impression they don't have picks to move.

Edey makes some sense for Memphis as JJJ is way too soft to play the 5.

2031 unprotected pick (Ant wil be 29 at that time...will he still be in MIN after the Wolves have paid half a billion dollars in luxury tax bills over a 6-year period?).

According to Wojnarowski (via Twitter), San Antonio is receiving Minnesota’s unprotected 2031 first-round pick and a 2030 pick swap in the deal. The ’30 swap will be top-one protected, tweets Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Neither of the Wolves’ 2024 picks (No. 27 and No. 37) are involved in the trade, confirms Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports


Minnesota’s ability to make roster moves this offseason will be extremely limited due to the fact that team salary will be above the second tax apron. That means the Wolves won’t be able to aggregate players in trades, take back more salary than they send out in trades, or sign outside free agents to contracts worth more than the minimum.

However, the second apron doesn’t prohibit them from acquiring a player’s draft rights, which don’t count as incoming salary for trade purposes as long as the player has not yet signed his rookie contract. That means they’ll be able to trade for Dillingham without sending out any players.

[Mitri]

I was kind of hoping Ware would fall to the Knicks, but Miami is another good landing spot for him.

[Kingspoint]

David Aldridge
@davidaldridgedc

The Wizards had Bub Carrington in for a last-minute visit this weekend, as I reported earlier tonight. The Wizards desperately wanted a second first-round pick this year.

[M2]

Other pick thoughts:

#6 - Tidjane Salaun to the Hornets - I never get what they're doing. Also feel bad for the kid, he's not going to a place that maximizes talent.

#7 - Donovan Clingan to the Trail Blazers - The argument for him is he's got an identifiable rim runner/protector profile. What's interesting is does this mean Ayton could be on the move?

#10 - Cody Williams to the Jazz - I was going to like his pick wherever he went, and the potential pairing with Markkanen is tasty. Also, he already knows how to play at altitude.

#11 - Matas Buzelis to the Bulls - Local kid and I'm seeing shades of Franz Wagner and Lamar Odom in his profile. That'll do. Potential steal.

#12 - Nikola Topic to the Thunder - Not a lot of minutes there. I wonder if he'll stay in Europe for a year.

#13 - Devin Carter to the Kings - Love this pick. Real chance for him to get minutes and be an energy guy for a team with aspirations.

#14 - Bub Carrington to the Wizards - Baltimore kid who went through a late growth spurt. Real scoring upside. Could be a bright spot for the Wiz. Wouldn't have traded Avdija for him.

#15 - Kel'el Ware to the Heat - Some focus/motor questions on him. The Heat will either fix that or break him. Pretty dynamic skillset for a big, so could be a steal.

#16 - Jared McCain to the 76ers - Big offensive profile. I question whether he and Maxey have enough size to be an elite backcourt, but Philly's got some phirepower.

#17 - Dalton Knecht to the Lakers - Knecht might have won the draft. He's a scorer who's going to have LeBron James feeding him.

[M2]

2031 unprotected pick (Ant wil be 29 at that time...will he still be in MIN after the Wolves have paid half a billion dollars in luxury tax bills over a 6-year period?).

According to Wojnarowski (via Twitter), San Antonio is receiving Minnesota’s unprotected 2031 first-round pick and a 2030 pick swap in the deal. The ’30 swap will be top-one protected, tweets Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Neither of the Wolves’ 2024 picks (No. 27 and No. 37) are involved in the trade, confirms Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports


Minnesota’s ability to make roster moves this offseason will be extremely limited due to the fact that team salary will be above the second tax apron. That means the Wolves won’t be able to aggregate players in trades, take back more salary than they send out in trades, or sign outside free agents to contracts worth more than the minimum.

However, the second apron doesn’t prohibit them from acquiring a player’s draft rights, which don’t count as incoming salary for trade purposes as long as the player has not yet signed his rookie contract. That means they’ll be able to trade for Dillingham without sending out any players.

Probably a telling statement that a rebuilding team in San Antonio is willing to move this year's #8 pick for a wild card pick in 2031 (and a 2030 draft swap). Will be interesting to see if Dillingham gets moved again.

[M2]

Will the Knicks move one or both of their upcoming draft picks? Got to believe they'd like to move one for a discount big.

[M2]

Hey Milwaukee, how am I supposed to sort out AJ Johnson and A.J. Green? Might as well trade for AJ Griffin.

[M2]

Will the Knicks move one or both of their upcoming draft picks? Got to believe they'd like to move one for a discount big.

And reports are Kyshawn George is headed to Washington.

[Sea Ray]

Tennessee's Dalton Knecht picked by the Lakers in the 1st rd. Interesting

[Betterread]

I'm curious what the Spurs are getting in that trade. SloMo? Alexander-Walker? I was under the impression they don't have picks to move.

Edey makes some sense for Memphis as JJJ is way too soft to play the 5.
SA gets 2031 1st, and a 2030 pick swap. Minn. effectively traded for a $5M player when they would not be able to spend that much on any other player outside of very limited trade options.

[Mutaman]

Bucks fans hate their pick.
Marquette fans hate that Kolek didn't go in first round.
Fitting end to a miserable season.

[M2]

SA gets 2031 1st, and a 2030 pick swap. Minn. effectively traded for a $5M player when they would not be able to spend that much on any other player outside of very limited trade options.

I get it from the Minnesota side, though I question how much he's going to play. What I get less is the Spurs side of it. I suppose that 2031 pick is an asset they can trade down the road when they're vet shopping. Seems like a condemnation of this draft that they grabbed Castle and then got out of the 1st round.

[Kingspoint]

Other pick thoughts:

#6 - Tidjane Salaun to the Hornets - I never get what they're doing.

I'd like to know what the conversation was that POR and CHA were having right before CHA's pick. Was CHA trying to bluff the Blazers saying they were going to take Clingan and POR decided to call their bluff? Did POR want Salaun but CHA was asking for too much? I don't have any insight on what it was, but I'm thinking it was the latter and POR settled on Clingan, preferring Salaun, but the price was too high. POR probably didn't see a lot of separation between the two. Clingan or Ayton shouldn't be their Center of the future, but Clingan could at least give them some insurance against Ayton's belief that he's a max contract player (while POR has done some stupid things, I hope they don't do something that stupid).

The plan is still to get Ayton more usage time (that's easy if Grant is gone) and see how that develops. It's a high priority to get rid of Grant as tank-mode is 100% still on for 2024-25 (otherwise, why keep Chauncey?). Sharpe also needs a lot more usage time as this will be his year-three, where he's got to take a huge step forward. This, too, can't happen if Grant is around. Grant is definitely available. Someone can use a 20-pt per game scorer who hit 40% of his "3's" each of the last 2 years. With the new TV contract coming, his won't be such a burden after next season.

Robert Williams is as good as gone. I think they'd take anything for him.

[Sea Ray]

Did Lebronny get picked?


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[KoryMac5]

Did Lebronny get picked?


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No most folks who follow the draft had him pegged as a second round talent...

[15fan]

What I get less is the Spurs side of it. I suppose that 2031 pick is an asset they can trade down the road when they're vet shopping. Seems like a condemnation of this draft that they grabbed Castle and then got out of the 1st round.

Pop playing the long game. Stockpiling picks for when he’s coaching his 80th season at age 135.

FWIW, high school draft class of 2031 just finished 4th grade. Spurs possibly dealt #8 overall for a kid who is currently 9 or 10 years old.

[Rojo Rijo]

No most folks who follow the draft had him pegged as a second round talent...

yep, and he's barely even that.

[WVRed]

Pop playing the long game. Stockpiling picks for when he’s coaching his 80th season at age 135.

FWIW, high school draft class of 2031 just finished 4th grade. Spurs possibly dealt #8 overall for a kid who is currently 9 or 10 years old.I've never understood why the NBA lets teams trade picks so far out.

San Antonio is catching a lot of flack for this trade but two things stick out:

1. There's a good chance Anthony Edwards will be in NY, LA, or Miami by then which could likely put the pick in the lottery.

2. Without looking, I'd say Utah had the most recent picks from the Rudy Gobert trade.

I think Dillingham could be in the Eric Bledsoe mold. Givony compared him to Kyrie Irving. As a UK fan who watched his games last year I don't see it.

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[M2]

yep, and he's barely even that.

He's not even that. Bronny quite possibly will be the worst player drafted this century. His father has put him in a position to be the object of mockery and derision. I'm sad for the kid. He's absurdly over his head here.

[dubc47834]

Tennessee's Dalton Knecht picked by the Lakers in the 1st rd. Interesting

I think this was a steal for the Lakers. Very lucky he fell that far!

[RedTeamGo!]

He's not even that. Bronny quite possibly will be the worst player drafted this century. His father has put him in a position to be the object of mockery and derision. I'm sad for the kid. He's absurdly over his head here.

Pardon me while I do not feel bad for a kid of a billionaire lol

[Boston Red]

Michael Jordan's boys hit the sweet spot: just good enough to get some (limited) college run but not good enough that some NBA team had to pretend they were talented enough to be drafted.

[M2]

Pardon me while I do not feel bad for a kid of a billionaire lol

Financially, he'll be fine in life. But he's at an age where you're supposed to be developing a sense of self-worth. His level of impostor syndrome has to be off the charts. It actually might be better for his if he's an entitled jerk who thinks it's funny he's getting drafted because his dad says so rather than a kid who earnestly desires to make it on merit.

[RichRed]

I wore my retro Bullets shirt last night so I could get excited to watch my team continue to build for a future that never comes. If ever an NBA team embodied the “Free Beer Tomorrow!” bar sign, it’s the Wiz.

[Betterread]

Financially, he'll be fine in life. But he's at an age where you're supposed to be developing a sense of self-worth. His level of impostor syndrome has to be off the charts. It actually might be better for his if he's an entitled jerk who thinks it's funny he's getting drafted because his dad says so rather than a kid who earnestly desires to make it on merit.

Interesting theory. I think Bronny is trying to make it on merit. He almost died trying to improve last year. I think he should have stayed in school until he worked in the weaknesses in his game. Based on scouting reports, he has the physical capability to play, he needs to improve his skills. Substantially.

[M2]

#7 - Donovan Clingan to the Trail Blazers - The argument for him is he's got an identifiable rim runner/protector profile. What's interesting is does this mean Ayton could be on the move?

I've been pondering on this one and I think there's a fairly obvious trade that could be coming. De'Andre Ayton makes almost the same amount of money as Brandon Ingram. There's a question of whether Ayton and Zion will get in each other's way, but the Pels do not have a center at the moment (well, just they drafted a kid, but he's not getting starter's minutes). They need a big and Ingram is a guy Portland can make a primary scorer, increasing his trade value in a year or so.

[dubc47834]

Pardon me while I do not feel bad for a kid of a billionaire lol

I get the sentiment, but as parents we aren't supposed to put our kids in tough spots, specially like this. Lebron has done this young man a HUUUUUGE disservice.

[M2]

Interesting theory. I think Bronny is trying to make it on merit. He almost died trying to improve last year. I think he should have stayed in school until he worked in the weaknesses in his game. Based on scouting reports, he has the physical capability to play, he needs to improve his skills. Substantially.

If ever there a kid who needed to go to a mid-major where he can get minutes and shots, it's Bronny. Like, does Pepperdine need a PG? How about San Diego?

[Boston Red]

If ever there a kid who needed to go to a mid-major where he can get minutes and shots, it's Bronny. Like, does Pepperdine need a PG? How about San Diego?

I was sure he would go to Duquesne to play for Dru Joyce. Made too much sense, I guess.

[Betterread]

Robert Williams is as good as gone. I think they'd take anything for him.

Some team will get very lucky. That man plays winning basketball when healthy.

[Betterread]

I really liked Baylor Scheierman and hoped the Twolves would draft him. His game is a lot like Hauser.
Really surprised OKC did not draft a big man, nor trade for one. Must be waiting for the right talent.
Really surprised NOP did not draft a PG, although this draft is not rich with them.

Sheppard and Dillingham were so awful in their last game v Oakland, I can’t get those images out of my head. They both (although Sheppard was absolutely, totally useless - maybe he made one shot? and Dillingham was merely ineffective - looked like he was trying) were brain dead on offense and completely helpless in defense.
I am shocked Sheppard is a #3 pick. And yet,I read that picking a UK guard is a safe, smart draft strategy.

[Mitri]

I feel like Bronny is worthy of a late round 2 pick on genetics alone, but it’s clear he needed another year or two in an elite college program (not USC). But LeBron’s clock is ticking and he thinks the James brand defies time/logic so the Lakers are going to pick him and provide a post-retirement project in his backyard.

[Boston Red]

the Lakers are going to pick him and provide a post-retirement project in his backyard.

I can't imagine Bronny spending an instant on the Lakers roster after dad retires (or otherwise leaves).

[Chip R]

If ever there a kid who needed to go to a mid-major where he can get minutes and shots, it's Bronny. Like, does Pepperdine need a PG? How about San Diego?

I think LeBron doesn't think he has a lot of time left as an active player so he wants to play with Bronny sooner than later. LeBron could destroy his knee or something while Bronny is still in college. For that matter so could Bronny. It's pretty selfish on LeBron's part, IMO.

[Mitri]

I can't imagine Bronny spending an instant on the Lakers roster after dad retires (or otherwise leaves).

Some teams will want Bronny around just for the LeBron aura

[WVRed]

I really liked Baylor Scheierman and hoped the Twolves would draft him. His game is a lot like Hauser.
Really surprised OKC did not draft a big man, nor trade for one. Must be waiting for the right talent.
Really surprised NOP did not draft a PG, although this draft is not rich with them.

Sheppard and Dillingham were so awful in their last game v Oakland, I can’t get those images out of my head. They both (although Sheppard was absolutely, totally useless - maybe he made one shot? and Dillingham was merely ineffective - looked like he was trying) were brain dead on offense and completely helpless in defense.
I am shocked Sheppard is a #3 pick. And yet,I read that picking a UK guard is a safe, smart draft strategy.

That should read Calipari guard now.

Cal has put a lot of guards into the NBA. Dajuan Wagner, Derrick Rose, Tyreke Evans, John Wall, Eric Bledsoe, Brandon Knight, SGA, Devin Booker, Jamal Murray, Tyrese Maxey and Malik Monk among others.

I made the comment before that if Reed Sheppard had DJ Wagners body he would be a generational pick. Don't know how many games you watched outside of the Oakland game but I've never seen someone come through UK with the basketball IQ that Sheppard has. He is undersized but his on court intelligence more than makes up for it.

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[WVRed]

Some teams will want Bronny around just for the LeBron auraI can see a team like the Sixers taking Bronny to muddy up the waters.

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[Betterread]

That should read Calipari guard now.

Cal has put a lot of guards into the NBA. Dajuan Wagner, Derrick Rose, Tyreke Evans, John Wall, Eric Bledsoe, Brandon Knight, SGA, Devin Booker, Jamal Murray, Tyrese Maxey and Malik Monk among others.

I made the comment before that if Reed Sheppard had DJ Wagners body he would be a generational pick. Don't know how many games you watched outside of the Oakland game but I've never seen someone come through UK with the basketball IQ that Sheppard has. He is undersized but his on court intelligence more than makes up for it.

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I saw some early season games, and I know he has great numbers, and I know it’s one game. I hope he succeeds and proves my irrational observation wrong.

[M2]

I made the comment before that if Reed Sheppard had DJ Wagners body he would be a generational pick. Don't know how many games you watched outside of the Oakland game but I've never seen someone come through UK with the basketball IQ that Sheppard has. He is undersized but his on court intelligence more than makes up for it.

That description is why I keep getting Payton Pritchard or TJ McConnell vibes from him. All kinds of moxie, intelligence and dribbling ability along with solid shooting can cover for a lack of size to that extent. Maybe he can even be Tyus Jones. Was somebody tossing around an Eric Bledsoe comparison? Sure, him. Mind you, Bledsoe swiftly became inoperable as the league switched to longer guys who can pace and space.

That's on top of I don't really know where his minutes are coming from in Houston. Are they going to give Sheppard minutes over Amen Thompson, who tilts the floor severely in favor of his own side? Seriously, alien level ability and skills. I've got to believe Thompson eats him alive when they hit the practice floor. And what happens if Sheppard runs into Cason Wallace? I think I know and I don't think it will be pretty. It's just hard for an undersized guy to hang with the rest of what Gen Z is churning off the assembly line.

[Kingspoint]

No most folks who follow the draft had him pegged as a second round talent...

end of 2nd round

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Bobby Marks
@BobbyMarks42
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A reminder that teams in the 2nd apron are not allowed to purchase a pick:

Boston
Golden St.
LA Clippers
Milwaukee
Minnesota
Phoenix

The 2nd apron in 2024-25 is also triggered if a non 2nd apron team sends cash in a trade.

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Pop playing the long game. Stockpiling picks for when he’s coaching his 80th season at age 135.

FWIW, high school draft class of 2031 just finished 4th grade. Spurs possibly dealt #8 overall for a kid who is currently 9 or 10 years old.

...and living in a little town in France.

[Kingspoint]

Financially, he'll be fine in life. But he's at an age where you're supposed to be developing a sense of self-worth. His level of impostor syndrome has to be off the charts. It actually might be better for his if he's an entitled jerk who thinks it's funny he's getting drafted because his dad says so rather than a kid who earnestly desires to make it on merit.

He'll get a true value of himself when he goes and plays overseas.

[Kingspoint]

I've been pondering on this one and I think there's a fairly obvious trade that could be coming. De'Andre Ayton makes almost the same amount of money as Brandon Ingram. There's a question of whether Ayton and Zion will get in each other's way, but the Pels do not have a center at the moment (well, just they drafted a kid, but he's not getting starter's minutes). They need a big and Ingram is a guy Portland can make a primary scorer, increasing his trade value in a year or so.

I'd be on board with that except for one thing. Ingram will reduce their lottery odds for the 2025 draft. Though it may not make any difference as long as Chauncey is still Coach. I do think the Blazers want to give all of next season by increasing Ayton's usage rate in order to get a full value of his potential. They will also know where they are picking in 2025, and can then make a decision regarding the draft and Ayton.

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Some team will get very lucky. That man plays winning basketball when healthy.

Would have liked to have seen him in person. Can't remember if I was at one of his few games (there weren't many minutes).

[Kingspoint]

There's certainly no rush to get the oft-injured Clingan a lot of minutes. His NBA yearly minutes projectory will probably be a 5-year ramp-up. 1000 minutes would be the goal for him this season and 1200-1400 minutes the season after that. I don't know if he'll ever get to the point where he can play 1800 minutes during a season.

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I can't imagine Bronny spending an instant on the Lakers roster after dad retires (or otherwise leaves).

Like when Dame's Cousin had a roster spot on the Blazers' roster for two seasons.

[Kingspoint]

I expect POR to trade the #34 pick as they don't have the roster space this year or next year for two 2nd rounders (they have #40, too).


What I like most about Deni Avdija, was his improved Defensive Ratings as the season went on last year. He continued to get better by the month showing signs that he could at least become a player who could hold his own Defensively and be a part of a good team defense (not under Chauncey's 1st tenure as a Coach, of course). That his usage rate increased by the month and his minutes per game increased by the month combined with improved Defensive Ratings is a real positive. Could not have done better with the assets we gave up (didn't have to pay for a 1st Round #14 salary, either, in addition to giving up 2 roster spots and taking in 1).

[Kingspoint]

That's 1st Round talent UTA just got with Filipowski.

It's a toss-up who is better, Edey or Filipowski. I'd probably rather have Filipowski.

[Kingspoint]

For all of the "experts" talking about Ayton being concerned about losing his job, that's not going to happen for a while. Clingan has so much to prove that Ayton has already proved. Clingan first needs to show that he can play half a season. Ayton is an excellent mid-range shooter, as good as Aldridge was, but he's not the marshmallow Aldridge was. It will be nice to have a Center who can come off of the bench and protect the rim.

[Kingspoint]

I expect POR to trade the #34 pick as they don't have the roster space this year or next year for two 2nd rounders (they have #40, too).



They received 3 future 2nd Rounders from the Knicks (don't know which ones, yet).

And, it's likely that OKC trades for POR's #40 pick.

[M2]

That's 1st Round talent UTA just got with Filipowski.

It's a toss-up who is better, Edey or Filipowski. I'd probably rather have Filipowski.

Filipowski's got passing and shooting skills. I honestly don't get why he didn't go in the 1st round. Bigs who can score behind the arc are becoming a theme on championship teams.

[M2]

For all of the "experts" talking about Ayton being concerned about losing his job, that's not going to happen for a while. Clingan has so much to prove that Ayton has already proved. Clingan first needs to show that he can play half a season. Ayton is an excellent mid-range shooter, as good as Aldridge was, but he's not the marshmallow Aldridge was. It will be nice to have a Center who can come off of the bench and protect the rim.

I doubt anyone thinks Ayton's going to lose his job, but Portland's got depth at his position (if Rob Williams gets healthy) and they're rebuilding. Also, I'm not sure Ayton can do much to increase his trade value outside of start hitting 3s. He's an expensive throwback big who doesn't exactly pop on defense. He's got value to a playoff mix team with a void at center (like the Pelicans or Warriors), but I don't think he's cracking the ranks of elite NBA centers.

[Mitri]

Oh god, for a minute I thought the Knicks traded out of a pick again but they actually moved up to grab Kolek. He was a guy I've heard them linked to for a bit, I think he can run the 2nd team and let McBride play the 2.

They really needed a guy who could give Brunson a breather as floor general. Nice value at 34.

[M2]

Oh god, for a minute I thought the Knicks traded out of a pick again but they actually moved up to grab Kolek. He was a guy I've heard them linked to for a bit, I think he can run the 2nd team and let McBride play the 2.

They really needed a guy who could give Brunson a breather as floor general. Nice value at 34.

If Dadiet gets some minutes, does it leave much for Kolek? Seems like there's going to be 10 guys in front of him on the depth chart. I wonder if he's going to be battling JD Davison in the G League.

This whole draft seems like an advertisement for how the NBA needs to expand.

[Rojo Rijo]

Orlando traded out of the #47, took Antonio Reeves and sent him to New Orleans for pick swaps in 2030 and 2031.

I know the likelihood of Reeves becoming a solid NBA player isnt much but a 6'6 guard who can shoot would seem like something Orlando would covet, but then again that was New Orleans pick. Orlando would've taken some 6'8"+ forward because all we care about is size and athleticism. I mean, smaller guards with the ability to shoot and score? Gross......

[Rojo Rijo]

As expected, Bronny James goes #55 to the Lakers. When is the last time the #55 overall pick in the draft was on the front page of ESPN?

It wouldve been much better to just pick him up as an undrafted FA. Now there's some kid out there who wouldve had his name called in the NBA draft but wont.
It'll only get worse if Bronny is A) With the Lakers instead of developing in the GL and B) If he is actually getting playing time. We thought Thanasis was a joke of a situation, this has the potential to be much worse.

I can't wait until Lebron retires. His ego is so nauseating. Manipulating the league like this, Rich Paul threatening any other team that Bronny will play in Australia....give me a break. What's going to happen the first time he takes a hard foul? Will his Daddy run up and defend him? call Adam Silver?

Lebron James is one of the greatest basketball players of all time but his basketball character is one of the worst ever.

The only thing that can save face in this situation is for Bronny to ball, and I don't think he can. I hear others talk about his development and I can't help but think, there absolutely cannot be another amateur player on this earth with more/better resources than Lebron James kid. If he aint good by now im not buying he'll ever be.

[Kingspoint]

I doubt anyone thinks Ayton's going to lose his job, but Portland's got depth at his position (if Rob Williams gets healthy) and they're rebuilding. Also, I'm not sure Ayton can do much to increase his trade value outside of start hitting 3s. He's an expensive throwback big who doesn't exactly pop on defense. He's got value to a playoff mix team with a void at center (like the Pelicans or Warriors), but I don't think he's cracking the ranks of elite NBA centers.

I just want to be clear that I wasn't referring to you, but to many of the "experts" who were broadcasting live. I can understand not knowing what goes on in Portland (who cares, right?), but to make opinions like they know what's going on is what gets to me. Kind of like Woj calling out Stephan A. Smith an hour ago.

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I doubt anyone thinks Ayton's going to lose his job, but Portland's got depth at his position (if Rob Williams gets healthy) and they're rebuilding. Also, I'm not sure Ayton can do much to increase his trade value outside of start hitting 3s. He's an expensive throwback big who doesn't exactly pop on defense. He's got value to a playoff mix team with a void at center (like the Pelicans or Warriors), but I don't think he's cracking the ranks of elite NBA centers.

I agree with all of that. POR likely doesn't have their Center to try to make a playoff run, but they will spend all of 2024-2025 trying to see if they do before moving on.

[WVRed]

As expected, Bronny James goes #55 to the Lakers. When is the last time the #55 overall pick in the draft was on the front page of ESPN?

It wouldve been much better to just pick him up as an undrafted FA. Now there's some kid out there who wouldve had his name called in the NBA draft but wont.
It'll only get worse if Bronny is A) With the Lakers instead of developing in the GL and B) If he is actually getting playing time. We thought Thanasis was a joke of a situation, this has the potential to be much worse.

I can't wait until Lebron retires. His ego is so nauseating. Manipulating the league like this, Rich Paul threatening any other team that Bronny will play in Australia....give me a break. What's going to happen the first time he takes a hard foul? Will his Daddy run up and defend him? call Adam Silver?

Lebron James is one of the greatest basketball players of all time but his basketball character is one of the worst ever.

The only thing that can save face in this situation is for Bronny to ball, and I don't think he can. I hear others talk about his development and I can't help but think, there absolutely cannot be another amateur player on this earth with more/better resources than Lebron James kid. If he aint good by now im not buying he'll ever be.I just want to say Rich Paul and Klutch are a cancer to the sport of basketball.

Calipari took two Klutch products, Chris Livingston and Aaron Bradshaw. Both seriously underperformed in college. Livingston kept his name in the draft and got drafted on a promise I think by Milwaukee. Bradshaw was damaged goods coming to Kentucky and got lost in the rotation with Onyenso and Ivisic.

So after Livingston went from being mocked in the lottery to falling out of the first round, who did Rich Paul blame? Calipari. Ive been critical of Cal in the past but in regards to Klutch this group is a joke. They (try to) control everything the kids do once you sign with them and then try to manipulate colleges and the draft for their products. Then when the player fails it's not their fault it's everybody else. Zero accountability.

I wanted to see someone draft Bronny just to see the fallout. Instead we get the Griffey storyline at some point this season.

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[Betterread]

Twolves just signed Jesse Edwards as an UDFA two way contract. He was a Seven foot plus West Virginia Mountaineer. He is originally from the Netherlands and played for four years for Syracuse before coming to WVU.

Weird news. The Twolves traded out of the second round without receiving a returning pick. Connelly lives for finding second round gems. There must be an ownership cap on guaranteed salaries for second rounders.

[M2]

Teams whose drafts I liked:

San Antonio - I think they got the one potential star out of this draft class in Stephon Castle. He's kind of got Jaylen Brown vibes. He's my pick to be the guy who keeps getting better.

Philadelphia - Jared McCain and Adem Bona are going to get real minutes with this team. Gotta be a lot of high phives going around after this one.

Utah - Cody Williams and Kyle Filipowski both can be quality connective pieces (with size) moving forward, and they hustle on defense.

[M2]

Instead we get the Griffey storyline at some point this season.

The Griffey storyline only was compelling because The Kid was the real deal. It was heartwarming for his dad to be there at the kickoff of his HOF career. The James family storyline is going to be soooooo nepo.

[WVRed]

The more I think about it, had this been any other player and any other team, Adam Silver would have thrown the book at them for tampering and probably fined them into oblivion and took away draft picks.

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[UKFlounder]

Filipowski's got passing and shooting skills. I honestly don't get why he didn't go in the 1st round. Bigs who can score behind the arc are becoming a theme on championship teams.


Does thus explain it?

https://awfulannouncing.com/nba/espn-jonathan-givony-draft-pick-kyle-filipowski-family-situation.html

[Mitri]

If Dadiet gets some minutes, does it leave much for Kolek? Seems like there's going to be 10 guys in front of him on the depth chart. I wonder if he's going to be battling JD Davison in the G League.

This whole draft seems like an advertisement for how the NBA needs to expand.

I think Dadiet will be the developmental guy and Kolek gets the chance at a rotation spot. They did not like the way Deuce handled the point and Divencenzo/Hart shouldn’t be handling it either. It was a real problem vs the Pacers press.

I haven’t processed the Dadiet pick but my first blush is he’s our Randle replacement if things go well.

The big question is whether Thibs will expand the rotation to 10 or even 11 guys? He should, probably won’t.

The good news is I’m hopeful that these picks signal that Hartenstein is potentially coming back.

[M2]

Does thus explain it?

https://awfulannouncing.com/nba/espn-jonathan-givony-draft-pick-kyle-filipowski-family-situation.html

It sounds shady, though I'll note:

A) A seven-year age difference isn't cause for alarm.

B) Being a Mormon doesn't prevent you from being a good basketball player.

[Kingspoint]

The Griffey storyline only was compelling because The Kid was the real deal. It was heartwarming for his dad to be there at the kickoff of his HOF career. The James family storyline is going to be soooooo nepo.

And, Dad could still play. Being one who actually watched every one of Junior's games his first five years, the year with his Dad was so very special and every bit of it earned by both.

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It sounds shady, though I'll note:

A) A seven-year age difference isn't cause for alarm.

B) Being a Mormon doesn't prevent you from being a good basketball player.

It is when the boy is 17 and the woman is 24. There's about a 15-year gap in maturity.

[M2]

It is when the boy is 17 and the woman is 24. There's about a 15-year gap in maturity.

It's illegal, though when I was 17 me and pretty much all of my peers would have signed up for that. He's 20 now, so he gets to sleep with whomever he wishes. Not my concern. That said, I can understand why a club that's on the fence about his talent might look at him estranging his family as extra drama it doesn't need. Given that he went in the 2nd round and being a Mormon in Utah will create zero waves, I'm still thinking the Jazz got a bit of a steal with him.

[GAC]

As expected, Bronny James goes #55 to the Lakers. When is the last time the #55 overall pick in the draft was on the front page of ESPN?

It wouldve been much better to just pick him up as an undrafted FA. Now there's some kid out there who wouldve had his name called in the NBA draft but wont.
It'll only get worse if Bronny is A) With the Lakers instead of developing in the GL and B) If he is actually getting playing time. We thought Thanasis was a joke of a situation, this has the potential to be much worse.

I can't wait until Lebron retires. His ego is so nauseating. Manipulating the league like this, Rich Paul threatening any other team that Bronny will play in Australia....give me a break. What's going to happen the first time he takes a hard foul? Will his Daddy run up and defend him? call Adam Silver?

Lebron James is one of the greatest basketball players of all time but his basketball character is one of the worst ever.

The only thing that can save face in this situation is for Bronny to ball, and I don't think he can. I hear others talk about his development and I can't help but think, there absolutely cannot be another amateur player on this earth with more/better resources than Lebron James kid. If he aint good by now im not buying he'll ever be.

I quit watching the NBA after the careers of Bird, Magic, and of course Micheal Jordan, ended. But we all know why LA did it. His Dad, who wants to play with his son, is a pending FA.

[Rojo Rijo]

I quit watching the NBA after the careers of Bird, Magic, and of course Micheal Jordan, ended. But we all know why LA did it. His Dad, who wants to play with his son, is a pending FA.

Of course. But this was orchestrated by both sides. Lebron had no intentions of leaving the Lakers, so his group threatens the other 29 teams that Bronny would not play for them. I just hate that they drafted him when he couldve just signed as an undrafted FA. That's where the ego comes in. Can't imagine how many more deserving players watched Bronny take a spot he didnt earn. Now we'll see if they develop him in the GL or he takes up a roster spot he doesnt deserve.

[Mitri]

That Flip story is crazy - especially after considering how much juicier it gets with him going to Utah.

[Betterread]

Will Bronny shine or stumble in this year’s Las Vegas summer league? What if the Lakers hold him out of it completely?
whatever happens, Bronny will get so much more scrutiny and attention than other Lakers players. The team better manage that perfectly or it will affect performance and wins and losses eventually. They risk becoming a joke of a team (kind of like the Bucks, post CHIP).

[Mitri]

Reading about the Knicks tax hell makes me worried that they won't be able to sign Hartenstein. Especially after seeing them sign a few rotation-ready guys late in the 2nd round. It also makes sense considering their moves in the first round - trading off of one pick and then taking a project in Dadiet, who they'll sign-n-stash for a year. Knicks are trying to avoid the 2nd apron, for good reason, and it looks like Hartenstein won't be realistic. Which brings a few questions:

- Who will play backup center for the Knicks? They Hukporti, but he looks to me like more of a Mitch Robinson-insurance/3rd Center type. There's also Precious Achiuwa, who compliments Robinson as a guy who can guard stretch bigs and has a little offensive game too.

- Who will sign Hartenstein? He'd fit perfectly on the Thunder, that's my guess, but just about any team with cap space could use a C like him.

[Puffy]

Reading about the Knicks tax hell makes me worried that they won't be able to sign Hartenstein. Especially after seeing them sign a few rotation-ready guys late in the 2nd round. It also makes sense considering their moves in the first round - trading off of one pick and then taking a project in Dadiet, who they'll sign-n-stash for a year. Knicks are trying to avoid the 2nd apron, for good reason, and it looks like Hartenstein won't be realistic. Which brings a few questions:

- Who will play backup center for the Knicks? They Hukporti, but he looks to me like more of a Mitch Robinson-insurance/3rd Center type. There's also Precious Achiuwa, who compliments Robinson as a guy who can guard stretch bigs and has a little offensive game too.

- Who will sign Hartenstein? He'd fit perfectly on the Thunder, that's my guess, but just about any team with cap space could use a C like him.

We should start to know more soon. If they trade Mitchell then we know they have a handshake deal with Hartenstein in place. When the Bridges trade gets completed we will know more as well. They need to find a third team and shed more salary in that trade to, at the least, offer IHart 72 mill. I think they'd know he'd take (again, handshake deal) discount because he loves playing in NY. If the Bridges trade gets completed without third team and more salary going out then we know IHart is gone.

[Betterread]

I count 12 players for the Knicks who played decent minutes at some point in the year. Not counting Toppin, Jeffries, Diakite. So where do four draft picks fit in? Dadiet says he is not going back to Europe. Do you think Kolek will even beat out Shake?

Achiuwa
Anunoby
Bridges
Brunson
Burks
Divincenzo
Hart
McBride
Milton
Randle
Robinson
Sims

[Boston Red]

It's illegal

She's Mormon. Pretty good chance they weren't doing anything that would have been illegal.

[Mitri]

I count 12 players for the Knicks who played decent minutes at some point in the year. Not counting Toppin, Jeffries, Diakite. So where do four draft picks fit in? Dadiet says he is not going back to Europe. Do you think Kolek will even beat out Shake?

Achiuwa
Anunoby
Bridges
Brunson
Burks
Divincenzo
Hart
McBride
Milton
Randle
Robinson
Sims

Sims only played with Robinson out. Milton only played garbage minutes. Burks was cut from the rotation until that injuries forced Thibs hand, I doubt he’s back. Guessing Sims is gone too.

Dadiet will probably stick in Europe for a year. I think Kolek will get a shot to play backup PG, which probably only means 8 mins/game. McCullar and Hukporti are potential end of bench guys this season.

[Kingspoint]

It's illegal, though when I was 17 me and pretty much all of my peers would have signed up for that. He's 20 now, so he gets to sleep with whomever he wishes. Not my concern. That said, I can understand why a club that's on the fence about his talent might look at him estranging his family as extra drama it doesn't need. Given that he went in the 2nd round and being a Mormon in Utah will create zero waves, I'm still thinking the Jazz got a bit of a steal with him.

What two adults do is their own business. I could care less about any details (unless someone is abusing a position of power), married, 30-year age difference, whatever they are "into", it's their lives and nobody else's business, including employers. Besides a girlfriend that I went out with for 3 years in H. S. (she ended up a Rose Festival Princess, and we both went out with others during those 3 years with only her closest friends knowing of our relationship) I never spent more than 2-1/2 months with any girl/woman until the age of 22 when I found someone who was 32. We stayed together for 2 years. My S. O. today is 12 years younger than me and we've been together for 15 years and were friends for 7 years before that. Age is irrelevant other than what you're willing to put up with (I always found that the beauty of a woman began at the age of 27 when their confidence finally bloomed and that, to me, is very sexy and compatible conversationally.)

When you're handing out 10's of millions of dollars to immature young me, it's due diligence to do whatever you can to understand whatever you can about the character of the person. But, since most NBA teams don't seem to care too much about this (repeatedly ignoring propensity for violence and associating with others who have a propensity for violence), I think they're being too judgemental when it comes to the case of Fillipowski.

Danny Ainge is a good judge of NBA talent and how that talent effects a team/organization. If he signed off on this, everything else said by others means nothing to me. If other NBA teams let him fall in the draft because of this (though it seems the dishonesty in the interview process was #1 for them, though organizations aren't honest in return about their plans for a player, so whatever), then it's their loss and UTA's gain. Edey had no business being taken higher than the last 6 picks of the 1st Round, possibly not even the 1st Round. Fillipowski should have went where Edey went instead.

[M2]

Dejounte Murray headed to the Pelicans for Larry Nance Jr., Dyson Daniels and two of their excess 1st round picks. Pretty good pickup for Nola - https://sports.yahoo.com/hawks-trade-all-star-dejounte-murray-to-pelicans-report-224433345.html. They've got a real PG now. Seems like Atlanta is sticking with Trae, which I think is a horrible plan, though maybe they'll blow it all up. I do think Daniels has untapped upside.

[Betterread]

Dejounte Murray headed to the Pelicans for Larry Nance Jr., Dyson Daniels and two of their excess 1st round picks. Pretty good pickup for Nola - https://sports.yahoo.com/hawks-trade-all-star-dejounte-murray-to-pelicans-report-224433345.html. They've got a real PG now. Seems like Atlanta is sticking with Trae, which I think is a horrible plan, though maybe they'll blow it all up. I do think Daniels has untapped upside.
Dejounte Murray is not a PG. If NO sees him that way and moves CJ to SG, where he will be guarded by Ant, Lou Dort, etc. it will be beautiful for the rest of the conference. NO a needs a real PG (a talent who gets to difficult spots on the floor and moves the ball efficiently) to move forward.

[M2]

Dejounte Murray is not a PG. If NO sees him that way and moves CJ to SG, where he will be guarded by Ant, Lou Dort, etc. it will be beautiful for the rest of the conference. NO a needs a real PG (a talent who gets to difficult spots on the floor and moves the ball efficiently) to move forward.

4th in the NBA in assists in 2021-22 (9.2 apg). He played PG for years with the Spurs and was a secondary PG with Trae. Honestly, the mistake there was letting Trae play PG when Murray has less than half the TOV rate. Murray definitely moves the ball efficiently. He's also got size enough to pair with CJ. And Nola will have enough scoring/shooting to attack whomever Ant or Dort isn't guarding.

Anyway, I think Murray's going to be a good fit there, though the team still needs to sort out its center situation.

[Betterread]

4th in the NBA in assists in 2021-22 (9.2 apg). He played PG for years with the Spurs and was a secondary PG with Trae. Honestly, the mistake there was letting Trae play PG when Murray has less than half the TOV rate. Murray definitely moves the ball efficiently. He's also got size enough to pair with CJ. And Nola will have enough scoring/shooting to attack whomever Ant or Dort isn't guarding.

Anyway, I think Murray's going to be a good fit there, though the team still needs to sort out its center situation.

Better PG than Trae? The Hawks beat Celtics when Trae was out and Murray was PG. So that means Murray was better. Sure.
Look what Atlanta got in trade for him. They didn’t even get Ingram, who NO is trying to move, or herb Jones, who NO is trying to keep. Phoenix, LAL, LAC , Minn need PGs and they passed on him. Twolves could have done Towns for him, but didn’t even consider it.

[Kingspoint]

Dejounte Murray headed to the Pelicans for Larry Nance Jr., Dyson Daniels and two of their excess 1st round picks. Pretty good pickup for Nola - https://sports.yahoo.com/hawks-trade-all-star-dejounte-murray-to-pelicans-report-224433345.html. They've got a real PG now. Seems like Atlanta is sticking with Trae, which I think is a horrible plan, though maybe they'll blow it all up. I do think Daniels has untapped upside.

The Hawks traded away their own 2025 unprotected 1st Round pick to get Murray. They also traded away an unprotected swap of 2026 1st Round picks. How is ATL even going to make the playoffs? San Antonio is going to reap rewards from that fleecing. The Hawks get in return the Lakers' 2025 1st Round pick (don't know about any protections) and a 2027 1st Round pick, but it's the least favorable of the Pelicans or Bucks.

Murray and C. J. is a much better backcourt than what the Pelicans were operating with before. C. J. is not a PG. He can pretend to be one, but there's no natural instincts there. Letting C. J. play a pure "2" and letting Murray make the Offensive decisions helps everyone on that Offense. New Orleans' Defense got instantly better with Murray guarding point. I feel bad for Atlanta's Coach.

The Spurs just got so much better with another lottery pick, this time in the 2025 draft. They themselves will likely make the playoffs this year, so their own pick won't be in the lottery in 2025.

Murray is going to make all the difference in close games (Pelicans were a disastrous 2-14 last year) and in the playoffs, though Nance will be missed in the playoffs, always providing great play and inspiration during the playoffs.

[Kingspoint]

Better PG than Trae? The Hawks beat Celtics when Trae was out and Murray was PG. So that means Murray was better. Sure.
Look what Atlanta got in trade for him. They didn’t even get Ingram, who NO is trying to move, or herb Jones, who NO is trying to keep. Phoenix, LAL, LAC , Minn need PGs and they passed on him. Twolves could have done Towns for him, but didn’t even consider it.

Trae Young is a loser. He's the worst Defender in the NBA. He refuses to play it. He got McMillan fired because Nate wanted him to play it. Young is the reason for all of Atlanta's problems and Atlanta's too dumb to see it. They needed to trade Young as soon as they got Murray. Atlanta is going to be a lottery team for the next five years.

ATL won't even get the benefit of their own 1st Round picks which will be in the lottery the next two years. SAS gets them both.

[M2]

Better PG than Trae? The Hawks beat Celtics when Trae was out and Murray was PG. So that means Murray was better. Sure.
Look what Atlanta got in trade for him. They didn’t even get Ingram, who NO is trying to move, or herb Jones, who NO is trying to keep. Phoenix, LAL, LAC , Minn need PGs and they passed on him. Twolves could have done Towns for him, but didn’t even consider it.

Trae's a TOV machine (1, 2 or 3 in the league in turnovers his first five seasons, only 10th last year because he was banged up) who pounds the ball into the court for most of a possession while hunting bad shots for himself. He does not make good decisions and there's been a lot of chatter his teammates do not like playing with him.

Murray takes care of the ball and gets other guys involved. And he's not going to be a co-PG in New Orleans. He went 25.3/5.6/8.3 in 7 games without Trae in 2022-23 and 25.1/5.8/9.1 in 28 games without Trae in 2023-24. So, yes, I think that's a very good PG. And I think other teams are going to regret that the Pels snagged him.

[Kingspoint]

Trae's a TOV machine (1, 2 or 3 in the league in turnovers his first five seasons, only 10th last year because he was banged up) who pounds the ball into the court for most of a possession while hunting bad shots for himself. He does not make good decisions and there's been a lot of chatter his teammates do not like playing with him.

Murray takes care of the ball and gets other guys involved. And he's not going to be a co-PG in New Orleans. He went 25.3/5.6/8.3 in 7 games without Trae in 2022-23 and 25.1/5.8/9.1 in 28 games without Trae in 2023-24. So, yes, I think that's a very good PG. And I think other teams are going to regret that the Pels snagged him.

I know the Lakers regret it.

[Kingspoint]

Better PG than Trae? The Hawks beat Celtics when Trae was out and Murray was PG. So that means Murray was better. Sure.
Look what Atlanta got in trade for him. They didn’t even get Ingram, who NO is trying to move, or herb Jones, who NO is trying to keep. Phoenix, LAL, LAC , Minn need PGs and they passed on him. Twolves could have done Towns for him, but didn’t even consider it.

Much better PG than Trae Young. The purest definition of a true PG is that he makes his teammates better. Murray does that. Young does not.

Need more proof?

In a SportsCenter appearance (video link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKXuJm3xUl4)), ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said there was “more of a market” to trade Dejounte Murray than fellow Hawks guard Trae Young.

[Mitri]

So the Hawks are sticking with Trae because he sucks more? That tracks. Hawks are a mess.

[Rojo Rijo]

Shocked Chris Paul chose San Antonio just because you’d expect he’d pick a contender.

[Rojo Rijo]

Orlando picks up KCP (3/66). Very good pickup. Gives us an elite defender and improves our 3P shooting.

[Betterread]

Sounds like Eric Gordon and Paul George are switching coasts and going to Philly. I’d call that a big upgrade from Nic Batum and Tobias Harris.

[Betterread]

Orlando picks up KCP (3/66). Very good pickup. Gives us an elite defender and improves our 3P shooting.

That is a good signing. With him and Suggs, you potentially have an elite perimeter defending duo. Now are you going to trade Anthony or Fultz?

[SteelSD]

Sounds like Eric Gordon and Paul George are switching coasts and going to Philly. I’d call that a big upgrade from Nic Batum and Tobias Harris.

George isn't a done deal, but the Clippers have issued a statement acknowledging that he won't be back. Orlando was listed as a suitor for George, but not sure they have the cap room after signing Caldwell-Pope (which was a good move IMHO).

So far, the Sixers have reportedly signed Eric Gordon, as you mentioned, and are bringing in Andre Drummond to reprise his role as "Best backup Embiid has ever had". I still have a hard time believing Drummond is only 30 years old; seems like he's been around forever. I don't like losing Batum, though. Good glue guy.

[M2]

That is a good signing. With him and Suggs, you potentially have an elite perimeter defending duo. Now are you going to trade Anthony or Fultz?

Fultz is a FA.

[M2]

George isn't a done deal, but the Clippers have issued a statement acknowledging that he won't be back. Orlando was listed as a suitor for George, but not sure they have the cap room after signing Caldwell-Pope (which was a good move IMHO).

So far, the Sixers have reportedly signed Eric Gordon, as you mentioned, and are bringing in Andre Drummond to reprise his role as "Best backup Embiid has ever had". I still have a hard time believing Drummond is only 30 years old; seems like he's been around forever. I don't like losing Batum, though. Good glue guy.

Is George the de facto PG if he goes to Philly? One of the things they've missed since the days when Ben Simmons was good is a tall guy who can fire an entry pass over the top to Embiid.

[SteelSD]

Is George the de facto PG if he goes to Philly? One of the things they've missed since the days when Ben Simmons was good is a tall guy who can fire an entry pass over the top to Embiid.

Not sure. Philly still has a cashe of picks (and a ton of roster slots left) they can move for a reasonable contract before needing to get ink from Maxey on a new deal. I was disappointed that they didn't make a move for Dejounte Murray, who would have been a perfect fit.

[dubc47834]

I can't imagine Bronny spending an instant on the Lakers roster after dad retires (or otherwise leaves).

If he doesn't get better, he won't. I understand the Lakers taking him tho. It almost assures them that Lebron comes back, and Bronny is a cash cow just from jersey sales alone. The Lakers love attention, they will get a ton of that next season.

[Chip R]

Of course. But this was orchestrated by both sides. Lebron had no intentions of leaving the Lakers, so his group threatens the other 29 teams that Bronny would not play for them. I just hate that they drafted him when he couldve just signed as an undrafted FA. That's where the ego comes in. Can't imagine how many more deserving players watched Bronny take a spot he didnt earn. Now we'll see if they develop him in the GL or he takes up a roster spot he doesnt deserve.

If they had signed him as a free agent, the poor sap they did draft would have got cut anyway so it's not a huge deal. I heard that Bronny has a brother a couple of years younger than him that is much better than his older brother. What if he's legit and good enough to get drafted in the top half of the draft? Is LeBron going to pull the same crap he pulled with Bronny and threaten to have the kid play overseas if someone besides the Lakers draft him?

[Rojo Rijo]

That is a good signing. With him and Suggs, you potentially have an elite perimeter defending duo. Now are you going to trade Anthony or Fultz?

Don't think they'll move Cole yet, his scoring ability will still be needed for the second unit, at least until some of the recent picks are ready to contribute.

I think this is where it stands currently:
Suggs
KCP
Franz
Paolo
WCJ3

Cole
AB
De Silva
Isaac
MoWag (on a new deal)

Jett
Houstan

[Mitri]

Not sure. Philly still has a cashe of picks (and a ton of roster slots left) they can move for a reasonable contract before needing to get ink from Maxey on a new deal. I was disappointed that they didn't make a move for Dejounte Murray, who would have been a perfect fit.

No need to get greedy. Steel. That roster is already looking very dangerous.

Between the Celts, Sixers, Knicks, Magic, Cavs and Pacers, the East is going to be a beast next season.

[Betterread]

One thing people should remember is that Bridges and Murray were mediocre defenders last year. That is a big reason they were traded.
Before last year, they used to be plus defenders but something bad happened to their defensive skills in 23-24. It could physical, it could be psychological, I don’t know. But they are now on different teams, with high playoff expectations, and they need to regain those skills and that is not a given, though it seems easier than “developing” the skills completely.

[Betterread]

Kudos to Daryl Morey for filling the Harden salary cap space with a top 25 nba wing. The 2023 Harden trade was not a good one for Philly, who were forced to act by Harden’s behavior. This FA signing is essentially what they could have received in a legitimate 2023 Harden trade.

[Mitri]

Hartenstein to OKC, 3/$87MM

[klw]

Given George's age and recent injury issues and Embid's injury issues, I wonder if this George contract will age well.

[M2]

Hartenstein to OKC, 3/$87MM

That's a lot of money. Don't blame him for taking it, but I doubt he can make a $29M per year sort of contribution.

[SteelSD]

No need to get greedy. Steel. That roster is already looking very dangerous.

Between the Celts, Sixers, Knicks, Magic, Cavs and Pacers, the East is going to be a beast next season.

Well, given what the Knicks did, Philly has to up their game. Yeah, the east is going to be stacked.

[M2]

Other deals:

Paul George 4/212 to Philly
Tyrese Maxey 5/204 to stay in Philly
Kelly Oubre 2/16.3 to stay in Philly
Tobias Harris 2/52 with the Pistons
Naji Marshall 3/27 with the Mavs
Jalen Smith 3/27 with the Bulls (like this move a lot)
Drew Eubanks 2/10 to the Jazz
"My name is" Jonas Valanciunas 3/30 to the Wizards
Max Christie 4/32 to stay with the Lakers
Luke Kornet 1-year deal to stay in Boston
Mason Plumlee 1-year deal with the Suns
Obi Toppin 4/60 to stay in Indiana
Royce O'Neal 4/44 to stay in Phoenix

[M2]

Orlando picks up KCP (3/66). Very good pickup. Gives us an elite defender and improves our 3P shooting.

Does KCP have enough offense? The Magic are going to play fierce defense, but they were 22nd in the league in O Rtg last season.

[M2]

Are the Raptors really going to pay Immanuel Quickley 5/175? If so, that contract is sprinting to the top tier of the worst contracts list.

[SteelSD]

Are the Raptors really going to pay Immanuel Quickley 5/175? If so, that contract is sprinting to the top tier of the worst contracts list.

Tobias Harris went from the top of that list to only mid-tier bad contract (only two years saves him). It's pretty dang funny that he signed with the Pistons. That destination for him has been a long-running joke among Sixers.

Seems like a nice guy, but I won't miss him one bit.

[Mitri]

Tobias Harris went from the top of that list to only mid-tier bad contract (only two years saves him). It's pretty dang funny that he signed with the Pistons. That destination for him has been a long-running joke among Sixers.

Seems like a nice guy, but I won't miss him one bit.

Pretty sure you called that one lol

I agree with M2 that the Quickley contract is a massive overpay.

I really hate the PG deal (and the fact that Oubre takes a team-friendly deal to stay with a contender) because it probably bumps the Sixers into the 2nd best team in the world, on paper at least. Those guys have to stay healthy for it to work.

[Chip R]

Big news out of Boston: The majority ownership group is going to put the team up for sale. They bought it in 2002 for $360M. It could be sold for over $4B. :eek:

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/40474833/boston-celtics-ownership-group-plans-sell-majority-stake

[Rojo Rijo]

Does KCP have enough offense? The Magic are going to play fierce defense, but they were 22nd in the league in O Rtg last season.

He's never been one to score heavily and this leads me to believe the goal moving forward is for Paolo and Franz to be the primary scoring options with the rest acting in secondary roles.

I think the big wait and see this year will be with Anthony Black and Jett Howard. Can Black force his way into consistent heavy rotation minutes and can Jett force himself into the rotation with the second team? If these guys can take a big step it eases my concerns about the guard rotation going forward but it's hard not to wish we'd obtained something elite to pair with Suggs.

[Revering4Blue]

No need to get greedy. Steel. That roster is already looking very dangerous.

Between the Celts, Sixers, Knicks, Magic, Cavs and Pacers, the East is going to be a beast next season.

The Bucks - IF they are healthy - should also be a factor. There’s no telling where they would be were it not for panic moves following a fluke ‘23 First Round Loss in which they were, once again, not close to being healthy.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[M2]

I really hate the PG deal (and the fact that Oubre takes a team-friendly deal to stay with a contender) because it probably bumps the Sixers into the 2nd best team in the world, on paper at least. Those guys have to stay healthy for it to work.

The Sixers still need to add a pile of depth in order to keep Embiid and PG fresh. That's going to matter.

[M2]

Derick White signs a 4/126 extension with Boston (kicks in for the 2025-26 season).

Klay goes to Dallas for 3/50 as part of a multi-team trade that has Josh Green heading to Charlotte. Don't know what the Warriors are getting yet. While Klay is a big name, I'm not sure he's going to be any better than Tim Hardaway Jr. However, Green getting a run as a starter for the Hornets could be interesting.

[M2]

He's never been one to score heavily and this leads me to believe the goal moving forward is for Paolo and Franz to be the primary scoring options with the rest acting in secondary roles.

I think the big wait and see this year will be with Anthony Black and Jett Howard. Can Black force his way into consistent heavy rotation minutes and can Jett force himself into the rotation with the second team? If these guys can take a big step it eases my concerns about the guard rotation going forward but it's hard not to wish we'd obtained something elite to pair with Suggs.

I like Black a lot and think he can definitely handle bigger minutes. Howard? Ehhhhhhh. He smells like a bust. Though I'm still not seeing how the math adds up on offense. Paolo and Franz already carry the scoring. There's room for improvement, but a guard who can feed them in good spots would have been a very way to unlock that. They're near the top of Dejounte Murray Regrets List. A guard who can create for others is still a pressing need for that team. Can they get Tyus Jones?

[M2]

Two teams I expect will be making big moves are the Cavs and the Heat. And I'll be mildly stunned if the Pelicans don't move Brandon Ingram.

[M2]

Big news out of Boston: The majority ownership group is going to put the team up for sale. They bought it in 2002 for $360M. It could be sold for over $4B. :eek:

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/40474833/boston-celtics-ownership-group-plans-sell-majority-stake

Can't help but note the 2028 timing coincides with right where Boston will need to retool the current core.

[Betterread]

Knicks better not be done making moves. Looks like Achiuwa is not returning, so right nnow Randle and Robinson are the only PF/C to cover Giannis, Valanciunas, Embiid, Adebayo, Wagner, Banchero, etc.
and I know Anunoby is good but don’t tell me he is going to guard those names for 30 minutes a game, 80 games a year.
Hartenstein was a big loss, and Speedy Clayton resigned with Brooklyn.
sixers snapped up Drummond. Will Wiseman become a Knick?
I think Saric or Kyle Anderson could help. They really need more two more over 6’9” bruisers.

[Mitri]

Knicks better not be done making moves. Looks like Achiuwa is not returning, so right nnow Randle and Robinson are the only PF/C to cover Giannis, Valanciunas, Embiid, Adebayo, Wagner, Banchero, etc.
and I know Anunoby is good but don’t tell me he is going to guard those names for 30 minutes a game, 80 games a year.
Hartenstein was a big loss, and Speedy Clayton resigned with Brooklyn.
sixers snapped up Drummond. Will Wiseman become a Knick?
I think Saric or Kyle Anderson could help. They really need more two more over 6’9” bruisers.

I think they'd like to sign Bitadze if possible, they are still working out the Bridges deal so that they will have a bit more pay flex beyond the first apron. They could also re-sign Achiuwa or swing a trade.

I like the idea of them going small ball for spurts with Brunson, Bridges, Divencenzo, Randle, Anunoby. But yes, they certainly need a backup C behind Robinson. Bitadze would be my preference.

[klw]

Big news out of Boston: The majority ownership group is going to put the team up for sale. They bought it in 2002 for $360M. It could be sold for over $4B. :eek:

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/40474833/boston-celtics-ownership-group-plans-sell-majority-stake

Should we try to get a proposal together to buy it on behalf of Redszone? I don't think I could pull it off by myself, certainly not without running it by my wife first.

[Mitri]

The Bucks - IF they are healthy - should also be a factor. There’s no telling where they would be were it not for panic moves following a fluke ‘23 First Round Loss in which they were, once again, not close to being healthy.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I didn't purposefully exclude the Bucks, but it means something that I forgot about them completely.

[M2]

I didn't purposefully exclude the Bucks, but it means something that I forgot about them completely.

That team needs about four more guys and, no, I don't think Delon Wright counts.

[Kingspoint]

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2024/07/cavs-president-believes-mitchell-will-sign-extension.html

Cavs President Believes Mitchell Will Sign Extension

July 1st, 2024 at 4:18pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Cavaliers president of basketball operations Koby Altman expressed optimism that the club will reach an extension agreement with star guard Donovan Mitchell this offseason, Chris Fedor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. Altman and new head coach Kenny Atkinson visited Mitchell this past weekend in Los Angeles when the guard hosted a summer camp.

“We feel good about Donovan,” Altman said. “He’s in a great space mentally. He’s healthy. He was out there with those young high school players, hooping in a really good space. Really enjoyed the fact that him and Kenny could sit down and talk about the future, talk about the team. He is still under contract right now, so I think we can talk about him as a Cavalier. He’s invested. He’s really invested in what we’re doing, and hopefully soon we’ll have more of a decisive answer on [a contract extension] for you. But he’s been great. He’s been super involved and super collaborative and very, very much pro-Cleveland.” Mitchell is eligible to sign a four-year, $200MM+ extension as early as Saturday (July 6), when the league’s moratorium ends. A new deal would see the see the 27-year-old decline his $37.1MM player option for 2025/26. He’ll make $35.41MM in ’24/25.

Mitchell’s involvement with the franchise this offseason included his input during the Cavs’ coaching search. He had a conversation with Atkinson and at least one other candidate during the search, according to Fedor. Mitchell endorsed the hiring of the former Warriors assistant. Atkinson said they connected on a personal level. That’s a key, since Mitchell reportedly was unhappy with former coach J.B. Bickerstaff last season over a number of issues. “We had a great sitdown,” Atkinson said. “We also have a little bit of East Coast, similar backgrounds. We didn’t grow up far from each other really, if you think about it.” If Mitchell decides not to sign an extension, Cleveland would look into potential trades, Fedor writes. However, he says all the momentum is headed in the other direction.

[Kingspoint]

Derick White signs a 4/126 extension with Boston (kicks in for the 2025-26 season).

Klay goes to Dallas for 3/50 as part of a multi-team trade that has Josh Green heading to Charlotte. Don't know what the Warriors are getting yet. While Klay is a big name, I'm not sure he's going to be any better than Tim Hardaway Jr. However, Green getting a run as a starter for the Hornets could be interesting.

Golden State still hasn't signed off on it.

[M2]

Golden State still hasn't signed off on it.

I assume that's because what they're getting hasn't been settled yet. Would Nick Richards from the Hornets do it?

[Kingspoint]

I assume that's because what they're getting hasn't been settled yet. Would Nick Richards from the Hornets do it?

Warriors were trying to make sure they weren't taking back contract.

It's completed now, though.

July 1st, 2024 at 6:41pm CST by Luke Adams
6:41pm: The Warriors will receive a pair of second-round picks from Dallas to complete the Thompson sign-and-trade, according to reports from Shams Charania of The Athletic and Wojnarowski (Twitter links).

One of those picks will be the Mavs’ own 2031 second-rounder, Woj adds (via Twitter). The other will be the least favorable of the Sixers’ and Nuggets’ 2025 second-rounders, tweets Anthony Slater of The Athletic. That 2025 pick belonged to the Hornets, so it appears one of the second-rounders Charlotte is sending to Dallas is immediately being rerouted to Golden State.

1:34pm: After spending his first 13 NBA seasons with the Warriors, Klay Thompson is reportedly headed to Dallas. Thompson intends to sign a three-year, $50MM contract with the Mavericks, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter links).

As Wojnarowski outlines, the plan is for the Mavs to acquire Thompson from Golden State in a three-team sign-and-trade, with swingman Josh Green heading from Dallas to the Hornets in the deal.

The Warriors and Mavericks are still working through the sign-and-trade details, according to reports from Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report and Anthony Slater of The Athletic (Twitter links), who both say that the deal isn’t considered done from Golden State’s perspective.

[Rojo Rijo]

I like Black a lot and think he can definitely handle bigger minutes. Howard? Ehhhhhhh. He smells like a bust. Though I'm still not seeing how the math adds up on offense. Paolo and Franz already carry the scoring. There's room for improvement, but a guard who can feed them in good spots would have been a very way to unlock that. They're near the top of Dejounte Murray Regrets List. A guard who can create for others is still a pressing need for that team. Can they get Tyus Jones?

Jones would’ve been a tremendous fit for this team. Now that they’ve re-signed Gary Harris I’m not sure they’ll do anything else significant.

[Betterread]

Jones would’ve been a tremendous fit for this team. Now that they’ve re-signed Gary Harris I’m not sure they’ll do anything else significant.

Tyus is like Levingstone and Satoransky. He is ahead of the curve and teams are uncomfortable with giving them them more minutes and more responsibility.
Jah Morant and SGA are also like that, but more with more scoring. Their teams will be in the mix for league best in 24-25.

[SteelSD]

The Sixers still need to add a pile of depth in order to keep Embiid and PG fresh. That's going to matter.

You're not wrong. As of today, the Sixers aren't close to a full roster and their starters would project to be Embiid, George, Maxey, Oubre, and Gordon. That's not optimal from size and ballhandling perspectives. I don't think it's going to shake out that way, but they have precariously little space under the first apron.

[Rojo Rijo]

Donovan Mitchell extended in Cleveland through 2028.

Will be interesting to see how this plays out. How does this impact Garland going forward?

[M2]

You're not wrong. As of today, the Sixers aren't close to a full roster and their starters would project to be Embiid, George, Maxey, Oubre, and Gordon. That's not optimal from size and ballhandling perspectives. I don't think it's going to shake out that way, but they have precariously little space under the first apron.

They can't start Gordon. He can help off the bench, but no way he can absorb starter's minutes. Gary Trent and Talen Horton-Tucker are still out there. Maybe Buddy can come back. Saddiq Bey might be a good fit (Oubre can be the nominal #2 guard).

[M2]

Donovan Mitchell extended in Cleveland through 2028.

Will be interesting to see how this plays out. How does this impact Garland going forward?

Got to believe Garland's getting traded. Heat? Lakers? Spurs? Nets? The Magic and Pelicans would have been on the list, but recent moves have taken them off the board.

[SteelSD]

They can't start Gordon. He can help off the bench, but no way he can absorb starter's minutes. Gary Trent and Talen Horton-Tucker are still out there. Maybe Buddy can come back. Saddiq Bey might be a good fit (Oubre can be the nominal #2 guard).

Oh, I know RE: Gordon starting. It's just that right now, they have like six or seven guys on their roster who aren't rookie draft picks. Trent is someone I would hope the team would be interested in and I've read that he might have trouble getting a full MLE out of a team, but he doesn't play the point. Counting McClain's cap hold, the Sixers look to have less than 10M available below the first apron right now (more if they move Paul Reed, but still), and desperately need ballhandling and length/rebounding/hopefully spacing at the four slot. Tough row to hoe.

[M2]

Oh, I know RE: Gordon starting. It's just that right now, they have like six or seven guys on their roster who aren't rookie draft picks. Trent is someone I would hope the team would be interested in and I've read that he might have trouble getting a full MLE out of a team, but he doesn't play the point. Counting McClain's cap hold, the Sixers look to have less than 10M available below the first apron right now (more if they move Paul Reed, but still), and desperately need ballhandling and length/rebounding/hopefully spacing at the four slot. Tough row to hoe.

That's why I'm thinking Paul George becomes the de facto PG. He already brings the ball up a lot and does a solid job of initiating/directing an offensive sequence. They can get a 2nd unit PG on the cheap, but they need some shooting/length with that MLE. I also suspect that's his optimal usage on a team where he's the #3 scoring option. I think he can do all that good stuff Ben Simmons did plus shooting and minus a rolling existential crisis.

[SteelSD]

That's why I'm thinking Paul George becomes the de facto PG. He already brings the ball up a lot and does a solid job of initiating/directing an offensive sequence. They can get a 2nd unit PG on the cheap, but they need some shooting/length with that MLE. I also suspect that's his optimal usage on a team where he's the #3 scoring option. I think he can do all that good stuff Ben Simmons did plus shooting and minus a rolling existential crisis.

I still want one drive and kick guy. Well, more than that but at least one. It's why I really wanted Murray.

[M2]

I still want one drive and kick guy. Well, more than that but at least one. It's why I really wanted Murray.

PG, Maxey and Embiid all can execute drive and kick. Probably McCain too. George did it a lot with the Clippers, which have featured some fairly dead-eye 3P shooting in the 2020s. I think Philly might be leaning into a Celtics model on that, where a lot of guys can initiate via drive-and-kick rather than a single PG.

I agree that it would have been nice to have someone with Murray's whole package, but if they're not getting that, I'd recommend leaning toward size and shooting rather than court generalship. I think PG is going to be running their offense.

[Rojo Rijo]

Orlando renegotiates and extends Isaac - 5/84
Kyle Anderson to Golden State via S&T - 3/27 (for future 2nd and cash).
Lebron agrees with Lakers - 2/104. 2nd year PO + NTC. James and RP discussing accepting 1 million or so below his max in order for the Lakers to operate slightly below the second tax apron for some additional roster building flexibility.

Golden State also pursuing Buddy Hield via S&T.

[M2]

Golden State also pursuing Buddy Hield via S&T.

This is kind of fascinating. First, they'd be replacing the #6 all-time 3-point shooter in NBA history with #22 (but three years younger). So it would still be bombs away for the Dubs.

Second, what's Buddy getting paid? Because the Warriors will need to trade someone (or a combination of someones) who fit that salary slot to the Sixers. And you can tell me any number from $5M to #30M for Buddy and I'll believe you. If he's expensive, does that mean Andrew Wiggins goes to Philly? I'm hard-pressed to think of a guy less suited to performing in front of a super-intense Philly crowd than Wiggins. Though you know who costs the same basic amount of money and would be an instant hero in Philly? Draymond. I find it hard to believe GS would do that, but Daryl Morey's surely angling for the guy who might be a perfect fit.

If Hield costs less, then are we looking Young Glove (Payton II) and/or Moses Moody? I assume GS is keeping Kuminga, who is now their #2 scoring option. Anyway, the S&T aspect of this has got all kinds of palace intrigue floating around it.

[SteelSD]

Hield represents only a cap hold for Philly. He's not actually signed for 2024-25, so there's no way that the Sixers can take back anything resembling Wiggins in a sign and trade deal.

[M2]

Hield represents only a cap hold for Philly. He's not actually signed for 2024-25, so there's no way that the Sixers can take back anything resembling Wiggins in a sign and trade deal.

Buddy's cap hold is $28.9M (according to Spotrac). They've got Bird rights on him, so that's probably why it's a high number (they can blast past the cap to sign him). If they S&T, it would have to match something coming back from the Warriors. Given Philly's slim roster (currently 10 guys), a 2-for-1 might make sense, though the signal about what might be in play really would revolve around Hield's salary number.

Just for selfish reasons, because I want the East to be as insane as possible, I'm rooting for it to be Draymond. Embiid-Dray-PG-Tsunami Papi-Maxey vs. The Unicorn-JT-JB-Jrue-White? Let's go!

[Kingspoint]

This is kind of fascinating. First, they'd be replacing the #6 all-time 3-point shooter in NBA history with #22 (but three years younger). So it would still be bombs away for the Dubs.

Second, what's Buddy getting paid? Because the Warriors will need to trade someone (or a combination of someones) who fit that salary slot to the Sixers. And you can tell me any number from $5M to #30M for Buddy and I'll believe you. If he's expensive, does that mean Andrew Wiggins goes to Philly? I'm hard-pressed to think of a guy less suited to performing in front of a super-intense Philly crowd than Wiggins. Though you know who costs the same basic amount of money and would be an instant hero in Philly? Draymond. I find it hard to believe GS would do that, but Daryl Morey's surely angling for the guy who might be a perfect fit.

If Hield costs less, then are we looking Young Glove (Payton II) and/or Moses Moody? I assume GS is keeping Kuminga, who is now their #2 scoring option. Anyway, the S&T aspect of this has got all kinds of palace intrigue floating around it.

They added Stotts as their lead assistant, and he's all about Offense, so...could be that they are changing philosophy to fit their personnel with the loss of Klay.

[SteelSD]

Buddy's cap hold is $28.9M (according to Spotrac). They've got Bird rights on him, so that's probably why it's a high number (they can blast past the cap to sign him). If they S&T, it would have to match something coming back from the Warriors. Given Philly's slim roster (currently 10 guys), a 2-for-1 might make sense, though the signal about what might be in play really would revolve around Hield's salary number.

Just for selfish reasons, because I want the East to be as insane as possible, I'm rooting for it to be Draymond. Embiid-Dray-PG-Tsunami Papi-Maxey vs. The Unicorn-JT-JB-Jrue-White? Let's go!

A Hield sign-and-trade doesn't require a matching salary coming back, and frankly, Philly can't absorb it and stay under the first apron. It is a bit complicated though due to the Warriors current salary cap position:

https://sports.yahoo.com/comes-next-sixers-warriors-sign-140417806.html#:~:text=The%20Athletic's%20Jon%20Ho llinger%20broke,tax%20apron%20for%20Buddy%20Hield

The Athletic’s Jon Hollinger broke it down like this:

If the Golden State Warriors send Gui Santos to Philadelphia and sign second-round pick Quinten Post to a rookie minimum deal, that leaves them about $14 million under the tax apron for Buddy Hield. But the only way I can see to import him at that salary is to incorporate Hield and Kyle Anderson into the same sign-and-trade that sent Klay Thompson outbound, turning it into a five-team mega trade between Charlotte, Dallas, Minnesota, Golden State and Philadelphia.

If Philly can't find an acceptable deal for Hield, they'll just renounce. All they're trying to do now is extract a bit of value from a team (Golden State) that's interested in Hield, but that <currently> can't sign him if he becomes a UFA.

[M2]

A Hield sign-and-trade doesn't require a matching salary coming back, and frankly, Philly can't absorb it and stay under the first apron. It is a bit complicated though due to the Warriors current salary cap position:

https://sports.yahoo.com/comes-next-sixers-warriors-sign-140417806.html#:~:text=The%20Athletic's%20Jon%20Ho llinger%20broke,tax%20apron%20for%20Buddy%20Hield

If Philly can't find an acceptable deal for Hield, they'll just renounce. All they're trying to do now is extract a bit of value from a team (Golden State) that's interested in Hield, but that <currently> can't sign him if he becomes a UFA.

Rolling Buddy into the Klay deal makes sense, though I have a hard time believing Daryl Morey is inclined to do everyone else a favor without getting something in return. I picture him on the Zoom call saying, "OK, but what do I get?"

[SteelSD]

Rolling Buddy into the Klay deal makes sense, though I have a hard time believing Daryl Morey is inclined to do everyone else a favor without getting something in return. I picture him on the Zoom call saying, "OK, but what do I get?"

Oh, no favors will be done. But it won't be anything to break a team. A second rounder and/or a player whose salary can be quickly aggregated with Reed's to send somewhere for something better. Fine with me.

[M2]

Oh, no favors will be done. But it won't be anything to break a team. A second rounder and/or a player whose salary can be quickly aggregated with Reed's to send somewhere for something better. Fine with me.

I would not rule out Moody. If SloMo and Buddy are coming in, Moody's job isn't clear. He'd look good in Philly.

[SteelSD]

I would not rule out Moody. If SloMo and Buddy are coming in, Moody's job isn't clear. He'd look good in Philly.

Deal done. Philly receives a 2nd round pick. Hield's deal is for three years, 21M total with the first two averaging 9M per season.

[Kingspoint]

According to Lowe, the trade market for Hawks point guard Trae Young “is as chilly as it has ever been.” Sources tell Lowe that the Spurs and Lakers — two teams linked to Young — haven’t expressed much recent interest in the three-time All-Star. Lowe says San Antonio appears unmotivated to help Atlanta regain control of its own first-round picks in a deal for Young.

[M2]

Sounds like Lauri Markkanen is up for sale, with the Warriors and possibly the Spurs leading the race to get him.

[Kingspoint]

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2024/07/2024-25-nba-two-way-contract-tracker.html

2024/25 NBA Two-Way Contract Tracker

July 5th, 2024 at 6:00pm CST by Luke Adams

Two-way contracts allow NBA teams to carry three extra players in addition to the 15 on their regular season roster. These players generally bounce back and forth between the NBA and G League, but remain under team control and can’t be poached by rival franchises. First introduced in 2017, two-way deals have undergone some rule changes in recent years, and the NBA’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement has updated them further. Here are some key points to remember:

Teams can now carry three players on two-way contracts, rather than two.
Two-way players are eligible to be active for up to 50 of their team’s 82 regular season games. If a team isn’t carrying a full 15-man standard roster, its two-way players can only be active for a combined 90 games.
Players on two-way contracts will earn $578,577 in 2024/25, half of the rookie minimum.
Two-way contracts can’t be signed after March 4.
You can check out our glossary entry to learn more about two-way contracts. NBA teams have begun to fill in their two-way slots for the 2024/25 league year, so we’ll track all those deals in the space below. Some two-way players from 2023/24 inked two-year contracts and remain under contract for this season, while others have been newly signed.

If a two-way signing has been reported by a trusted source but isn’t yet official, we’ll list it in italics and link to the report, updating the info as necessary. Players who are in the first year of two-way contracts that cover two years (the maximum length), will be noted with an asterisk (*) once that info is confirmed. This tracker will continue to be updated throughout the 2024/25 league year, and can be found anytime in the “Hoops Rumors Features” menu on the right-hand sidebar of our desktop site, or in the “Features” menu on our mobile site.

Here are 2024/25’s two-way players:

Updated 7-5-24

Atlanta Hawks
Empty
Empty
Empty
Note: The Hawks have two-way qualifying offers on the table for Seth Lundy and Vit Krejci.

Boston Celtics
Drew Peterson, F
Empty
Empty

Brooklyn Nets
Jaylen Martin, G/F
Empty
Empty

Charlotte Hornets
Leaky Black, F
Empty
Empty

Chicago Bulls
Andrew Funk, G
Adama Sanogo, F (reported)
Empty

Cleveland Cavaliers
Empty
Empty
Empty
Note: The Cavaliers have a two-way qualifying offer on the table for Emoni Bates.

Dallas Mavericks
Alex Fudge, F
Empty
Empty
Note: The Mavericks have a two-way qualifying offer on the table for Brandon Williams.

Denver Nuggets
Trey Alexander, G
PJ Hall, F/C (reported)
Empty

Detroit Pistons
Tosan Evbuomwan, F
Daniss Jenkins, G (reported)
Empty

Golden State Warriors
Pat Spencer, G
Reece Beekman, G
Empty

Houston Rockets
Jeenathan Williams, G/F
N’Faly Dante, C (reported)
Empty

Indiana Pacers
Empty
Empty
Empty
Note: The Pacers have two-way qualifying offers on the table for Oscar Tshiebwe and Quenton Jackson.

Los Angeles Clippers
Jordan Miller, F
Empty
Empty

Los Angeles Lakers
Armel Traore, F/C
Blake Hinson, F *
Empty
Note: The Lakers have a two-way qualifying offer on the table for Colin Castleton.

Memphis Grizzlies
Scotty Pippen Jr., G
Trey Jemison, C
Empty

Miami Heat
Zyon Pullin, G
Dru Smith, G
Keshad Johnson, F
Note: The Heat have two-way qualifying offers on the table for Cole Swider and Alondes Williams.

Milwaukee Bucks
Ryan Rollins, G
Jaylin Galloway, G/F
Stanley Umude, G (reported)

Minnesota Timberwolves
Jaylen Clark, G
Empty
Empty

New Orleans Pelicans
Malcolm Hill, G/F
Empty
Empty

New York Knicks
Empty
Empty
Empty
Note: The Knicks have a two-way qualifying offer on the table for Jacob Toppin.

Oklahoma City Thunder
Adam Flagler, G
Alex Ducas, G (reported)
Empty

Orlando Magic
Trevelin Queen, G
Empty
Empty

Philadelphia 76ers
Justin Edwards, G/F
David Jones, F (reported)
Empty

Phoenix Suns
Collin Gillespie, G
Jalen Bridges, G/F
Empty

Portland Trail Blazers
Justin Minaya, F
Empty
Empty

Sacramento Kings
Mason Jones, G
Isaac Jones, F/C
Isaiah Crawford, G/F

San Antonio Spurs
Jamaree Bouyea, G
RaiQuan Gray, F/C
Empty
Note: The Spurs have a two-way qualifying offer on the table for David Duke.

Toronto Raptors
D.J. Carton, G *
Branden Carlson, C
Empty

Utah Jazz
Jason Preston, G
Taevion Kinsey, G/F
Empty

Washington Wizards
Justin Champagnie, G/F
Tristan Vukcevic, C
Empty

[SteelSD]

Reports are that the Sixers are signing former Heat forward Caleb Martin to a four-year 32 million dollar deal (fourth year is a player option). That's a big discount over the 15-18M Martin was reportedly after. Philly is waiving Paul Reed. I'd expect that Martin will slot in at forward in a starting five that includes him, Maxey, Oubre, George, and Embiid.

[M2]

Reports are that the Sixers are signing former Heat forward Caleb Martin to a four-year 32 million dollar deal (fourth year is a player option). That's a big discount over the 15-18M Martin was reportedly after. Philly is waiving Paul Reed. I'd expect that Martin will slot in at forward in a starting five that includes him, Maxey, Oubre, George, and Embiid.

Supposedly he took about half of what he could have gotten from the Heat because he'll get a starting role with the Sixers. He gives Philly the length/shooting I thought they might be seeking to round out that unit, and I think it's safe to say the PG is the PG (at least in terms of being the primary ballhandler and distributor). This is the best starting 5 Embiid's had around him. That's a serious team with distributed scoring and switchable defense. If they can stay healthy, they can give the Celtics a serious challenge.

[SteelSD]

Supposedly he took about half of what he could have gotten from the Heat because he'll get a starting role with the Sixers. He gives Philly the length/shooting I thought they might be seeking to round out that unit, and I think it's safe to say the PG is the PG (at least in terms of being the primary ballhandler and distributor). This is the best starting 5 Embiid's had around him. That's a serious team with distributed scoring and switchable defense. If they can stay healthy, they can give the Celtics a serious challenge.

Agree on all. I still think the Sixers need more ball handlers, so that might be a focus of the vet min pool they'll be diving into for the rest of the offseason.

Speculation is that One of Philly's next moves will be to exploit KJ Martin's low cap hold and Bird rights and sign him to a contract that'll overpay him for this season, with the intention of leveraging his contract as a salary match for a potential mid-season trade. That being said, at this point, working with the NBA cap rules is akin to gymnastics in a war zone, so who knows how that might work.

Oh, and the "PG13" nickname is no more, at least while Paul George is in a Sixers uniform. He'll wear #8, because Wilt.

[Kingspoint]

Supposedly he took about half of what he could have gotten from the Heat because he'll get a starting role with the Sixers. He gives Philly the length/shooting I thought they might be seeking to round out that unit, and I think it's safe to say the PG is the PG (at least in terms of being the primary ballhandler and distributor). This is the best starting 5 Embiid's had around him. That's a serious team with distributed scoring and switchable defense. If they can stay healthy, they can give the Celtics a serious challenge.

And, not overuse Embiid before the playoffs begin.

[M2]

DeRo goes to the Kings, who send Chris Duarte and two 2nd round picks to the Bulls and Harrison Barnes (along with a 2031 pick swap) to the Spurs. DeRo will be on a 3/74 contract. This doesn't push the Kings into the top tier of the West, but they're gonna score.

[Mitri]

And, not overuse Embiid before the playoffs begin.

He played 5 games in the 2 months leading up to the playoffs.

[M2]

He played 5 games in the 2 months leading up to the playoffs.

I think the bigger issue is his mpg. They'd probably like to cut him back to about 30 mpg (currently plays about 34). Combine that with lower usage (he was up to 39.6% last year) and he probably plays more games and heads into the playoffs with less wear. Basically, the deeper team around him theoretically should prevent him from missing two months right before the playoffs (though you can't do a lot about a guy elbow dropping your leg). Maybe Embiid can Globetrotter his way through the season.

[Mitri]

I think the bigger issue is his mpg. They'd probably like to cut him back to about 30 mpg (currently plays about 34). Combine that with lower usage (he was up to 39.6% last year) and he probably plays more games and heads into the playoffs with less wear. Basically, the deeper team around him theoretically should prevent him from missing two months right before the playoffs (though you can't do a lot about a guy elbow dropping your leg). Maybe Embiid can Globetrotter his way through the season.

Yes, agree. I am just pointing out that he was fully rested entering these playoffs. Obviously not healthy, but rested.

PG will help. I could see them subbing out Joel first and not missing a beat with a lineup of Maxey-PG-Martin.

[SteelSD]

Yes, agree. I am just pointing out that he was fully rested entering these playoffs. Obviously not healthy, but rested.

PG will help. I could see them subbing out Joel first and not missing a beat with a lineup of Maxey-PG-Martin.

Not really rested in the way we think about how rest helps the body recover from high impact workload, though. The two months off had Embiid significantly out of playing shape. That's not something rest cures.

But to your point, I don't see Embiid's lack of rest as an issue. In fact, the vast majority of his issues going into the playoffs were the result of freak injuries rather than wearing down over a long season. There's no "rest" technique that'll prevent someone randomly taking out an orbital (twice) or someone falling flush on his knee. He already gets DNPs to recover and has for a long time, often making it near (or in) the playoffs while playing out of his mind, then BAM! But M2 makes a good point that his usage last season resulted in a high rate of in-game wear and tear too.

[Betterread]

Meme going around showing USA basketball team trying to spin a ball on their finger. All but three can do it (Halilburton barely did it for one second - Bam Adebayo summed up his attempt: “Gen Z”) - only Embiid (Durant said “that’s sickening”), LBJ and Steph Curry could not “get it up”.
JRue, Ant and KD showed easy spin all day. Jrue said AD probably coundn’t spin it, but AD showed he had that skill.

[M2]

LBJ

But he can lift a beagle by its ears.

[RedTeamGo!]

Meme going around showing USA basketball team trying to spin a ball on their finger. All but three can do it (Halilburton barely did it for one second - Bam Adebayo summed up his attempt: “Gen Z”) - only Embiid (Durant said “that’s sickening”), LBJ and Steph Curry could not “get it up”.
JRue, Ant and KD showed easy spin all day. Jrue said AD probably coundn’t spin it, but AD showed he had that skill.

I thought I saw Lebron do it in that video?

Either way its a really funny video. You could tell Curry was legit embarrassed he can't do it.

[M2]

Most notable guys not traded so far:

Lauri Markkanen - He prevents Utah from being bad enough to land near the top of the draft, but Danny Ainge sometimes doesn't pull the trigger. If Markkanen signs an extension to his current deal he probably isn't getting moved until next year at the earliest, at which point he's expensive and much harder to trade.

Darius Garland - It was sort of assumed the Cavs were only keeping one of Garland and Spida, and Spida signed an extension. Yet there's been nothing but crickets on the Garland trade front. Does no one want him? Kind of shocked the Nets didn't target him.

Brandon Ingram - Supposedly the Pelicans were over him, but he's still there. Meanwhile the team doesn't have a center. Sending him to Cleveland for Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert fits in terms of salaries. But Ingram's on an expiring and perhaps no one wants to pay his extension cost.

Jimmy Butler - He had a falling out with Pat Riley at the end of the season, but perhaps they've patched it up. Still seems like the perfect guy to put some team over the top and Miami probably needs to hit the reset button.

Zack LaVine - Probably too injured and expensive to have a trade market. Has a chance turn heads with a somewhat sneaky good mix of players around him. In a weird way, if LaVine does what he needs to in order to draw trade suitors, the Bulls might want to keep him.

Jerami Grant - I suppose this is a testament to his lack of interest in playing defense (he can, but he doesn't) and him wanting to be a #1 option. Theoretically, Grant would be a fantastic 3rd wheel.

[M2]

Detroit's signed Cade Cunningham to a max extension, which is how it works these days. He's not close to be worth it. The evidence we have so far is if you hand your team to Cade and let him be ball dominant, he doesn't make anyone around him better and you finish last in the league. There's other young guys who move the needle for their teams, even teams with shaky rosters (e.g. Luka Doncic throughout his time in Dallas and Paolo Banchero in Orlando). Cade, not so much.

[SteelSD]

Ok, maybe I just haven't noticed teams playing 3rd year 20+ minute/game rotation players in Summer League, but what in the world is Walker Kessler doing playing for Utah in said Summer League right now?

[Kingspoint]

Because MIA is messed up regarding their cap space and roster flexibility, they've had to let go of several players they probably would have liked to retain, but financially, just couldn't make it work. After the Sixers got the best of them in Caleb Martin, HOU just added another and is taking a look at him in their Summer League.

Former Heat big man Orlando Robinson is on the Rockets’ Summer League roster, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel tweets. Robinson was waived on July 7 before his $2.1MM contract became guaranteed. He cleared waivers on Tuesday. Robinson appeared in 36 contests for Miami in 2023/24, averaging 2.8 points on a .500/.533/.760 shooting line. Robinson also chipped in 2.3 rebounds and 0.9 assists per night.

- - - Updated - - -

The Sixers have G.M. of the Year locked in right now. The way they used their cap space was brilliant.

[Kingspoint]

A couple of other MIA releases today, opportunities for other teams to add or change their 2-way players with one of these two former Heat members.

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2024/07/heat-withdraw-two-way-qualifying-offers-to-swider-williams.html

Heat Withdraw Two-Way Qualifying Offers To Swider, Williams

July 11th, 2024 at 12:48pm CST by Rory Maher

The Heat have withdrawn their two-way qualifying offers to Cole Swider and Alondes Williams, tweets Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press. Both players are now unrestricted free agents instead of restricted.
Swider and Williams finished the 2023/24 season on two-way contracts with Miami before they were tendered qualifying offers. Those QOs were for two-way deals covering one year. However, all three of the Heat’s two-way slots are currently occupied (by Keshad Johnson, Zyon Pullin and Dru Smith), and the team can’t sign another player to a standard contract without going over the second tax apron, notes Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald (via Twitter). Both Swider and Williams are playing for Miami’s summer league squad.

Swider, a 6’9″ forward, and Williams, a 6’4″ guard, went undrafted in 2022 out of Syracuse and Wake Forest, respectively. While neither player made much of an impact for the Heat in ’23/24, combining for a total of just 103 NBA minutes, both excelled playing for Miami’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce. Williams was named the NBAGL’s Most Improved Player and was runner-up for the MVP award while earning a spot on the All-NBA G League First Team. Swider impressed with his long-distance marksmanship, averaging 24.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists on .485/.471/.846 shooting in 21 Showcase Cup and regular season contests for the Skyforce (38.3 MPG).

It’s possible that Swider or Williams — or even both — could eventually re-sign with Miami on two-way deals if the team decides to make changes to those roster spots. Two-way contracts don’t count against the salary cap or luxury tax and players can be swapped in and out until late in the regular season. Both players are 25 years old.

[Mitri]

Ok, maybe I just haven't noticed teams playing 3rd year 20+ minute/game rotation players in Summer League, but what in the world is Walker Kessler doing playing for Utah in said Summer League right now?

Kevin Knox is playing too, pretty sure it's his 7th summer league :(

[M2]

Kevin Knox is playing too, pretty sure it's his 7th summer league :(

Maybe someday he'll be inducted into the Summer League HOF.

- - - Updated - - -


A couple of other MIA releases today, opportunities for other teams to add or change their 2-way players with one of these two former Heat members.

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2024/07/heat-withdraw-two-way-qualifying-offers-to-swider-williams.html

Heat Withdraw Two-Way Qualifying Offers To Swider, Williams

July 11th, 2024 at 12:48pm CST by Rory Maher

The Heat have withdrawn their two-way qualifying offers to Cole Swider and Alondes Williams, tweets Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press. Both players are now unrestricted free agents instead of restricted.
Swider and Williams finished the 2023/24 season on two-way contracts with Miami before they were tendered qualifying offers. Those QOs were for two-way deals covering one year. However, all three of the Heat’s two-way slots are currently occupied (by Keshad Johnson, Zyon Pullin and Dru Smith), and the team can’t sign another player to a standard contract without going over the second tax apron, notes Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald (via Twitter). Both Swider and Williams are playing for Miami’s summer league squad.

Swider, a 6’9″ forward, and Williams, a 6’4″ guard, went undrafted in 2022 out of Syracuse and Wake Forest, respectively. While neither player made much of an impact for the Heat in ’23/24, combining for a total of just 103 NBA minutes, both excelled playing for Miami’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce. Williams was named the NBAGL’s Most Improved Player and was runner-up for the MVP award while earning a spot on the All-NBA G League First Team. Swider impressed with his long-distance marksmanship, averaging 24.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists on .485/.471/.846 shooting in 21 Showcase Cup and regular season contests for the Skyforce (38.3 MPG).

It’s possible that Swider or Williams — or even both — could eventually re-sign with Miami on two-way deals if the team decides to make changes to those roster spots. Two-way contracts don’t count against the salary cap or luxury tax and players can be swapped in and out until late in the regular season. Both players are 25 years old.

Williams just devoured Bronny like he was a vitamin gummy. I assume other teams will be hot to sign him.

[RedTeamGo!]

Maybe someday he'll be inducted into the Summer League HOF.

- - - Updated - - -



Williams just devoured Bronny like he was a vitamin gummy. I assume other teams will be hot to sign him.

To be fair, so did players from like Fresno Tech and UC Obispo

[KoryMac5]

Ok, maybe I just haven't noticed teams playing 3rd year 20+ minute/game rotation players in Summer League, but what in the world is Walker Kessler doing playing for Utah in said Summer League right now?

I had heard rumors the other day that Utah was shopping him, so its even odder unless they are showcasing him.

[Mitri]

I had heard rumors the other day that Utah was shopping him, so its even odder unless they are showcasing him.

They are showcasing him (thought that is sort of backfiring), or possibly trying to light a fire under him, maybe a little of both.

[M2]

They are showcasing him (thought that is sort of backfiring), or possibly trying to light a fire under him, maybe a little of both.

They might be trying to develop some sort of rapport between him and Keyonte George. Sort of a learn to feed and work the post situation.

Though New Orleans surely would give them good value for Kessler since it's got a gaping hole at center.

[Mitri]

As if he weren’t already on his way, Brunson become a NY legend today by inking his 4-year extension early.

Knicks have traded for Mikal Bridges, extended OG Anunoby, extended JB. Had a nice draft. Stayed under the 2nd apron.

And yet it feels like an underrated and overlooked offseason.

[Kingspoint]

Orlando's #11 pick from the 2023 1st Round, Jett Howard, looked really good today in Day 1 of the Summer League. Probably why Markelle Fultz is still a Free Agent. He'll get Fultz' minutes from last season.

[Kingspoint]

Reed Sheppard looking the real deal in his 1st Summer League game. Helps to have Cam Whitmore, the steal of last year's draft, as a teammate in Summer League.

[M2]

Reed Sheppard looking the real deal in his 1st Summer League game.

My general recommendation is not to get overly pumped about anyone in Summer League. Keyonte George tore it up last summer and then was all kinds of meh during the NBA season. Also, Sheppard got to play against Bronny. It's the easiest matchup he's ever going to see.

[Mitri]

Can we at least draw conclusions about Bronny from his summer league performance? Because man, he looks like one of the worst players in recent memory and it's really enjoyable to watch the Lakers move goalposts each and every game.