NBA 2023-24 Part II: Thunderstruck

[KoryMac5]

I thought for sure Indiana would use size to their advantage but Hart and Hartenstein have absolutely abused Indiana on the boards...Doesn't help that Myles Turner is a guard trapped in a big mans body....

On a side note I was able to watch Caitlin Clark make her WNBA debut....first game I have watched of that league and holy physical brand of basketball. Think Knicks and Pistons from back in the day...she got pretty pummeled most of the night. Interested to see if they start to alter the way officials call games to accommodate more offense to increase views.

[Boston Red]

I loved Gobert with the Jazz, but him getting lit up in the playoffs is just an annual rite at this point. I don't think it was his fault last night, but great offense just seems to destroy great defense in the playoffs. At least when it comes to Gobert.

[M2]

I loved Gobert with the Jazz, but him getting lit up in the playoffs is just an annual rite at this point. I don't think it was his fault last night, but great offense just seems to destroy great defense in the playoffs. At least when it comes to Gobert.

Yeah, playoff Rudy ain't great. Some of it is matchups. Jokic is evil. You can tell he's got zero fear of Rudy and that he knows there's no help defense coming when he's got Rudy 1v1. In the 1st round, Phoenix couldn't do anything to mess with Rudy. He could sag off of Nurkic, because that guy isn't going to do anything, and patrol the paint.

[M2]

Al Horford with a 22-15-5 in the clincher. He just moved into a tie for 20th all time for most playoff games (with Dwyane Wade, Rasheed Wallace and Andre Iguodala). Next on that list is some guy named Michael Jordan.

[M2]

All right, time to peer into Cleveland's future. They've got questions. Biggest one is what to do with Donovan Mitchell, who can become a FA after next season. He wasn't on the court as the team got eliminated. Staying healthy is not exactly his strong suit. He only played 55 games this season and hasn't played more than 69 games since 2019. Yet he's 25+ ppg on lock and neither of the two places he supposedly wants to go (Knicks, Heat) are going to have cap space to sign him in 2025. So the Cavs don't have to rush. They can look to get Mitchell to sign an extension and, even if he doesn't, someone's going to have to negotiate with them to get him via a sign-and-trade.

If they're trading Spida, here's some hypothetical targets:

- to the Nets for Mikal Bridges and Dorian Finney-Smith
- to the Thunder for Josh Giddey and a some extras/draft picks (it would be a great basketball situation for Mitchell)
- to the Lakers, either for Austin Reaves + dudes or for LeBron (I mean, why not?)

The next question is what kind of extension do they offer Evan Mobley? He is not worth a max deal that could put him near a $47.5M aav for 5 years (starting in 2025). He'll probably get it, but my take is half of that would be generous for what he does. Honestly, it might make more sense to trade Mobley than Mitchell. Paying through the nose for a guy with pedestrian offensive skills could be a team killer. And I'm close to certain the Cavs aren't going to carry three max guys on the roster.

That brings us to the question of whether they can bank on Darius Garland, who's kind of spun his wheels the past two seasons. If they're going lose Mitchell, they need Garland to take another step. The team was 18th in O Rating and 20th in ppg. They need buckets. One scorer who'd make a ton of sense for them if they're going for it (aka, everybody stays) is DeRo. They could offer up Caris LeVert or Max Strus, plus extras and a pile of 2nd round picks for a sign-and-trade.

Isaac Okoro was pretty good and he needs to be resigned. They've got Bird rights, so it won't be an issue.

Honestly, this could be one of the most changed teams in the league next season or a group that's loaded up for one big swing. Honestly, it would be a shame to see them blow it up after advancing in the playoffs without LeBron involved for the first time since 1993. I'm rooting for them to find a way to build on that momentum.

[goreds2]

Thursday, May 16

Game 6: Timberwolves vs. Nuggets, 8:30 p.m., ESPN

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/2...erence-finals/

[Rojo Rijo]

All right, time to peer into Cleveland's future. They've got questions. Biggest one is what to do with Donovan Mitchell, who can become a FA after next season. He wasn't on the court as the team got eliminated. Staying healthy is not exactly his strong suit. He only played 55 games this season and hasn't played more than 69 games since 2019. Yet he's 25+ ppg on lock and neither of the two places he supposedly wants to go (Knicks, Heat) are going to have cap space to sign him in 2025. So the Cavs don't have to rush. They can look to get Mitchell to sign an extension and, even if he doesn't, someone's going to have to negotiate with them to get him via a sign-and-trade.

If they're trading Spida, here's some hypothetical targets:

- to the Nets for Mikal Bridges and Dorian Finney-Smith
- to the Thunder for Josh Giddey and a some extras/draft picks (it would be a great basketball situation for Mitchell)
- to the Lakers, either for Austin Reaves + dudes or for LeBron (I mean, why not?)

The next question is what kind of extension do they offer Evan Mobley? He is not worth a max deal that could put him near a $47.5M aav for 5 years (starting in 2025). He'll probably get it, but my take is half of that would be generous for what he does. Honestly, it might make more sense to trade Mobley than Mitchell. Paying through the nose for a guy with pedestrian offensive skills could be a team killer. And I'm close to certain the Cavs aren't going to carry three max guys on the roster.

That brings us to the question of whether they can bank on Darius Garland, who's kind of spun his wheels the past two seasons. If they're going lose Mitchell, they need Garland to take another step. The team was 18th in O Rating and 20th in ppg. They need buckets. One scorer who'd make a ton of sense for them if they're going for it (aka, everybody stays) is DeRo. They could offer up Caris LeVert or Max Strus, plus extras and a pile of 2nd round picks for a sign-and-trade.

Isaac Okoro was pretty good and he needs to be resigned. They've got Bird rights, so it won't be an issue.

Honestly, this could be one of the most changed teams in the league next season or a group that's loaded up for one big swing. Honestly, it would be a shame to see them blow it up after advancing in the playoffs without LeBron involved for the first time since 1993. I'm rooting for them to find a way to build on that momentum.

Reports out that believe if Cleveland re-ups with Mitchell then a Garland trade would be almost assured. If either one of them become available I would hope Orlando would be front of the line negotiating a deal. Right now i'm in favor of trying to sign PG13 away from LA but i'd be much happier giving a max to a 27 year old Mitchell or paying 24 year old Garlands remaining 4/160+ contract than giving a 34 year old PG13 a max deal. Honestly I think i'd prefer Garland over Mitchell too as Garland is more of a true point, younger, and still has work to do if he wants to become a star.

[RedTeamGo!]

All right, time to peer into Cleveland's future. They've got questions. Biggest one is what to do with Donovan Mitchell, who can become a FA after next season. He wasn't on the court as the team got eliminated. Staying healthy is not exactly his strong suit. He only played 55 games this season and hasn't played more than 69 games since 2019. Yet he's 25+ ppg on lock and neither of the two places he supposedly wants to go (Knicks, Heat) are going to have cap space to sign him in 2025. So the Cavs don't have to rush. They can look to get Mitchell to sign an extension and, even if he doesn't, someone's going to have to negotiate with them to get him via a sign-and-trade.

If they're trading Spida, here's some hypothetical targets:

- to the Nets for Mikal Bridges and Dorian Finney-Smith
- to the Thunder for Josh Giddey and a some extras/draft picks (it would be a great basketball situation for Mitchell)
- to the Lakers, either for Austin Reaves + dudes or for LeBron (I mean, why not?)

The next question is what kind of extension do they offer Evan Mobley? He is not worth a max deal that could put him near a $47.5M aav for 5 years (starting in 2025). He'll probably get it, but my take is half of that would be generous for what he does. Honestly, it might make more sense to trade Mobley than Mitchell. Paying through the nose for a guy with pedestrian offensive skills could be a team killer. And I'm close to certain the Cavs aren't going to carry three max guys on the roster.

That brings us to the question of whether they can bank on Darius Garland, who's kind of spun his wheels the past two seasons. If they're going lose Mitchell, they need Garland to take another step. The team was 18th in O Rating and 20th in ppg. They need buckets. One scorer who'd make a ton of sense for them if they're going for it (aka, everybody stays) is DeRo. They could offer up Caris LeVert or Max Strus, plus extras and a pile of 2nd round picks for a sign-and-trade.

Isaac Okoro was pretty good and he needs to be resigned. They've got Bird rights, so it won't be an issue.

Honestly, this could be one of the most changed teams in the league next season or a group that's loaded up for one big swing. Honestly, it would be a shame to see them blow it up after advancing in the playoffs without LeBron involved for the first time since 1993. I'm rooting for them to find a way to build on that momentum.

They weren't going anywhere this postseason the moment Allen was sidelined. He is very important for the success of this team, he is what Mobley is supposed to be. I would look to trade Mobley and Garland, and do anything possible to extend Mitchell. I agree he gets hurt a lot, but he is the best player the Cavs have ever had outside of LeBron. To me, I would look to build around Mitchell and Allen. Hold onto Okoro, hes fine. However, you are absolutely right - they need another scorer, they need more off the bendh, and they need a true PG.

[M2]

Reports out that believe if Cleveland re-ups with Mitchell then a Garland trade would be almost assured. If either one of them become available I would hope Orlando would be front of the line negotiating a deal. Right now i'm in favor of trying to sign PG13 away from LA but i'd be much happier giving a max to a 27 year old Mitchell or paying 24 year old Garlands remaining 4/160+ contract than giving a 34 year old PG13 a max deal. Honestly I think i'd prefer Garland over Mitchell too as Garland is more of a true point, younger, and still has work to do if he wants to become a star.

I like Garland's fit with the Magic, though I assume he costs them Franz or Suggs. I can't imagine Cleveland would part with him for anything less. That's kind of the tricky part for Orlando. How do they land a guard who can trigger their offense while keeping their core intact? It would be pretty wild for two teams that went 7 games in the playoffs to make a big deal like that.

[Rojo Rijo]

I like Garland's fit with the Magic, though I assume he costs them Franz or Suggs. I can't imagine Cleveland would part with him for anything less. That's kind of the tricky part for Orlando. How do they land a guard who can trigger their offense while keeping their core intact? It would be pretty wild for two teams that went 7 games in the playoffs to make a big deal like that.

I'd assume it would be Suggs and that might be enough for Orlando to balk. I can't see them giving up Franz. Only other pieces would be Cole, AB, Jett, Houstan, and picks. Maybe if Cleveland feels like they have to rid themselves of Garland and choose Mitchell it could bring down the price a bit, especially with the size of Garlands contract? Thats probably wishful thinking but I can't see anyway we're going to find a true lead guard who can shoot on the open market this summer, at least not one that is worth the deal.

[M2]

I'd assume it would be Suggs and that might be enough for Orlando to balk. I can't see them giving up Franz. Only other pieces would be Cole, AB, Jett, Houstan, and picks. Maybe if Cleveland feels like they have to rid themselves of Garland and choose Mitchell it could bring down the price a bit, especially with the size of Garlands contract? Thats probably wishful thinking but I can't see anyway we're going to find a true lead guard who can shoot on the open market this summer, at least not one that is worth the deal.

This is not an exciting suggestion by any means, but Anfernee Simons probably could be had for a couple of draft picks. Though it might make sense going the sandpaper route with a guy like Marcus Smart. Not the offense they want, but maybe they can get it from the aggregate of improvements from Paolo, Franz and Suggs.

Another possibility would be Zach LaVine. The Bulls probably want cap space and draft picks.

[Rojo Rijo]

This is not an exciting suggestion by any means, but Anfernee Simons probably could be had for a couple of draft picks. Though it might make sense going the sandpaper route with a guy like Marcus Smart. Not the offense they want, but maybe they can get it from the aggregate of improvements from Paolo, Franz and Suggs.

Another possibility would be Zach LaVine. The Bulls probably want cap space and draft picks.

That's a name I havent thought about since pre-deadline with the injury and all. He's only 28, that could work out very well. Injury history is concerning but he'd give us a lead guard and shooting. A Lavine/Suggs/Franz/Paolo/WCJ lineup definitely feels like a step in the right direction.

[Boston Red]

I had Minnesota -2.5 tonight, but I didn't think they'd win by 50!

[M2]

I had Minnesota -2.5 tonight, but I didn't think they'd win by 50!

Denver punted big time tonight. I'm always wary of tossing away a chance to win a series. Seems like the kind of thing that might haunt you if you're going to the wire in game 7.

[goreds2]

Friday, May 17

Game 6: Pacers vs. Knicks, 8:30 p.m., ESPN

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/2...-force-game-7/