Around the League / Regular Season Thread (Upstairs Version)

[onechance87]

Hoping the Pistons can extend their win streak against the Nuggets tonight. Murray’s listed as a GTD, so maybe.

no we want detroit to suck and lose...Help push the bulls into the play in.

[scott]

Gutsy Bulls win against a Giannis-less Bucks squad. Huge W for the CHI pick chances.

[100%duncan]

DFS getting moved for Kennard, 1 other scrub and 1 FRP. What the hell are we doing then? :lol

[scott]

DFS getting moved for Kennard, 1 other scrub and 1 FRP. What the hell are we doing then? :lol

Dang, Nets got more for DFS than I thought (or would have wanted to pay) but it's also a MEM pick (we assume) which would project in the 20s. A Derrick White-like acquisition price, though DFS ain't nearly as good as Derrick.

I thought matching salary + 2 SRPs would be DFS's price... not too far off I guess, but I wouldn't have used any of our FRPs for DFS.

[scott]

1873151179917791323

[timtonymanu]

Dubs get the win over the Suns. Would be super nice if the Spurs can win tomorrow.

[Mr. Body]

DFS getting moved for Kennard, 1 other scrub and 1 FRP. What the hell are we doing then? :lol

For... what. What are you complaining about. What's the problem here.

[lefty]

Dubs get the win over the Suns. Would be super nice if the Spurs can win tomorrow.
Curry’s 2nd quarter buzzer beater…..


WTF

[LeBowen]

https://x.com/shamscharania/status/1873416860160659813

[exstatic]

https://x.com/shamscharania/status/1873416860160659813

Good and bad for LA. They get a pretty solid 3&D guy, but give up one of their very few shot creators.

[Fireball]

great trade for L.A. ... Russell sucks

[Dex]

Good and bad for LA. They get a pretty solid 3&D guy, but give up one of their very few shot creators.

It's fine, 40-year-old LeBron can continue to play 40MPG and do everything, right!?

[itzsoweezee]

https://x.com/shamscharania/status/1873416860160659813

Why would Brooklyn take this over the grizzlies offer? Makes no sensse.

[LeBowen]

Why would Brooklyn take this over the grizzlies offer? Makes no sensse.

Grizzlies FRP was protected and Konchar is on $6M a year up until 2027.
Lakers players are both on expiring deals.

DFS is a nice addition, but this changes nothing in the bigger picture. Lakers are still a treadmill team, second round exit is their best case scenario.
The more assets they use, the worse they'll be when Lebron retires.

[mo7888]

LA trades Russell to Brooklyn for DFS + Milton

LA also sends 3 seconds

[scott]

LAL's draft tradeable asset stockpile is now down to:

2 FRPs
1 SRP

:lol

So DFS goes for 3 SRPS, so I about had his trade value spot on. Nice validation for me at least :lol

[onechance87]

could this mean cp3 gets bought out and joins the lakers to be there pg.

[exstatic]

could this mean cp3 gets bought out and joins the lakers to be there pg.

Spurs would not help a team that is competing with them for a play in/playoff spot.

[lefty]

could this mean cp3 gets bought out and joins the lakers to be there pg.
This isn’t the 80s when Spurs sent Klay’s dad to the Lakers

[lefty]

BRUH

https://x.com/nba/status/1873197750621483407

[onechance87]

Spurs would not help a team that is competing with them for a play in/playoff spot.

Thought i read a article that spurs could have a verbal deal with cp3 if he has a chance to join a contender they would trade
or buy him out to honor the agreement.As well as a guaranteed starting in the starting lineup.Thats the one of the reasons why he signed for a certain amount
with the spurs to help him get bought out.

[Spursfanfromafar]

https://x.com/shamscharania/status/1873416860160659813

Damn I would have loved to see DFS instead of Barnes or Keldon on the Spurs. Multiple position defender and who has been good in 3P shooting this year. Too bad we don't have any expirings except for CP3 and Tre Jones. Would extra SRPs plus Zach Collins have helped? I guess, no.

[scott]

Thought i read a article that spurs could have a verbal deal with cp3 if he has a chance to join a contender they would trade
or buy him out to honor the agreement.As well as a guaranteed starting in the starting lineup.Thats the one of the reasons why he signed for a certain amount
with the spurs to help him get bought out.

I think that was largely speculation and it was dependent on the Spurs being out of the playoff picture. At this juncture, we're as much a contender as the Lakers are... so likely no pressure from CP3. I don't foresee any of the "true" contenders (BOS, OKC, CLE, MEM, HOU, DAL, ORL?, MIL?) looking to add CP3.

[onechance87]

I think that was largely speculation and it was dependent on the Spurs being out of the playoff picture. At this juncture, we're as much a contender as the Lakers are... so likely no pressure from CP3. I don't foresee any of the "true" contenders (BOS, OKC, CLE, MEM, HOU, DAL, ORL?, MIL?) looking to add CP3.

yea true...And im sure he likes being a important piece for us and having the freedom to run this team.Didnt think he had this much
left in the tank.

[Mr. Body]

Damn I would have loved to see DFS instead of Barnes or Keldon on the Spurs. Multiple position defender and who has been good in 3P shooting this year. Too bad we don't have any expirings except for CP3 and Tre Jones. Would extra SRPs plus Zach Collins have helped? I guess, no.

Barnes is better than DFS. Ya'll, DFS ain't that.

[Mr. Body]

Man, that D'Lo team in Brooklyn with Jarrett Allan (I think) and Spencer Dinwiddie and Caris Lavert was down low tons of fun to watch.

[exstatic]

Damn I would have loved to see DFS instead of Barnes or Keldon on the Spurs. Multiple position defender and who has been good in 3P shooting this year. Too bad we don't have any expirings except for CP3 and Tre Jones. Would extra SRPs plus Zach Collins have helped? I guess, no.

Sidy, Mamu, and Bassey are all expiring.

[LeBowen]

Nets could actually pull off another instant contender this summer like they did with KD and Kyrie.

$57M on the books for the next season as of now. Will be $37M if they trade Cam Johnson.
Just Claxton, Clowney, Whitehead, Keon Johnson and Jalen Wilson on the books for the next season.
$25M for Claxton and rookie deals for others.

They have 4 FRPs in this draft.
Own, NYK, MIL and worst of OKC/HOU/PHO.

Down the road they have a couple of PHI picks and they own NYK from Bridges trade.
Prime position to go right back up.

[scott]

Nets could actually pull off another instant contender this summer like they did with KD and Kyrie.

$57M on the books for the next season as of now. Will be $37M if they trade Cam Johnson.
Just Claxton, Clowney, Whitehead, Keon Johnson and Jalen Wilson on the books for the next season.
$25M for Claxton and rookie deals for others.

They have 4 FRPs in this draft.
Own, NYK, MIL and worst of OKC/HOU/PHO.

Down the road they have a couple of PHI picks and they own NYK from Bridges trade.
Prime position to go right back up.

Gotta add in another $42MM for Cam Thomas, Ziaire Williams and Day'Ron Sharpe's RFA numbers, because I doubt they just let those guys walk for nothing.

If I'm BKN, I'm looking to get the most I can for Cam Johnson, even if that includes taking some bad contracts back. Likewise, I think they should be looking to take advantage of Simmons' expiring and rent out the cap space for draft capital. Cam Thomas is a good tank commander, so might be worth keeping him to be their version fo Keldon - but if they could get an FRP for him (I bet they could), I think they should do that as well. I like Thomas in that Collin Sexton-like microwave scorer/no defense 6th man role... but he's gonna expect a bigger role than that and about too cost more than he's worth, so not pursuing for the Spurs.

IMO, BKN should try and get as much capital as they can, taking back long-term salary, hope they land a Top 4 pick, and then see if they land their centerpiece or need to go back to the tanking well in 2025. Of all the teams in the league, they are the one who still has significant tearing down to do before they can start rebuilding. Even WAS and UTA are in better spots right now, IMO.

[LeBowen]

Gotta add in another $42MM for Cam Thomas, Ziaire Williams and Day'Ron Sharpe's RFA numbers, because I doubt they just let those guys walk for nothing.

If I'm BKN, I'm looking to get the most I can for Cam Johnson, even if that includes taking some bad contracts back. Likewise, I think they should be looking to take advantage of Simmons' expiring and rent out the cap space for draft capital. Cam Thomas is a good tank commander, so might be worth keeping him to be their version fo Keldon - but if they could get an FRP for him (I bet they could), I think they should do that as well. I like Thomas in that Collin Sexton-like microwave scorer/no defense 6th man role... but he's gonna expect a bigger role than that and about too cost more than he's worth, so not pursuing for the Spurs.

IMO, BKN should try and get as much capital as they can, taking back long-term salary, hope they land a Top 4 pick, and then see if they land their centerpiece or need to go back to the tanking well in 2025. Of all the teams in the league, they are the one who still has significant tearing down to do before they can start rebuilding. Even WAS and UTA are in better spots right now, IMO.

Why would they have more tearing down to do? They legit have nothing left, a completely clean slate.
Claxton, Thomas, this year's pick are their relevant pieces.
They could get Jimmy, another solid free agent or two and then trade for another good player and they're right back into it in a weak East.

Or they have to take bad contracts as you suggested because their own picks won't be enough to rebuild.
Being in NY is an inherent advantage over other tanking teams, it's just about free agency.

[scott]

Why would they have more tearing down to do? They legit have nothing left, a completely clean slate.
Claxton, Thomas, this year's pick are their relevant pieces.
They could get Jimmy, another solid free agent or two and then trade for another good player and they're right back into it in a weak East.

Or they have to take bad contracts as you suggested because their own picks won't be enough to rebuild.
Being in NY is an inherent advantage over other tanking teams, it's just about free agency.

Sorry, I misspoke - didn't mean "tearing down" as much as I meant they have nothing to build on right now. So they have yet to fully hit "rock bottom" and put themselves in position to land that high draft pick (though it looks like this is the year. Getting their picks from HOU was pretty huge for them). At least WAS and UTA have some young pieces, BKN doesn't even have that.

I honestly don't know how much pressure BKN feels to be competitive year-in and year-out being in NYC. Judging by their product right now, maybe not much? Wonder how long they can afford to be terrible in a market like that... they may very well not have the luxury of patience and immediately try to build around a Dylan Harper by overpaying Jimmy. On the bright side, they could actually afford to do that on a 3-year deal without totally killing themselves because of how much space they have and how it would be relatively short-term. I wouldn't if I were them, but I could see it happening. I think that would still be a lotto team though :lol

Edit: but they do need to finish the tear down by getting max value for Cam Johnson before the deadline

[timtonymanu]

great trade for L.A. ... Russell sucks

Except against us for some damn reason :lol

[timtonymanu]

Man, that D'Lo team in Brooklyn with Jarrett Allan (I think) and Spencer Dinwiddie and Caris Lavert was down low tons of fun to watch.

Yep then they went and messed it up by going after 3 stars that bailed on them anyway.

[objective]

Herro did more than anyone I can remember to not get into it during that fracas. He didn't want to be anywhere near that pile after being thrown on his face but was still talking like he had some fight in him for some reason. He even had a chance to get in Thompson's face again but reversed until someone got in to make sure he couldn't.

[mystargtr34]

Yep then they went and messed it up by going after 3 stars that bailed on them anyway.

To be fair the Nets were one Giannis dirty play away from winning a ring in 2021. If Giannis doesn’t step under Kyrie the Nets win that series and then play the Trae Young Hawks in the ECF and the CP3 Suns in the Finals. Nets beat both of those teams.

But alas, the Nets are a garbage franchise.

[Bruno]

The DFS trade paves the way to a bought out Chris Paul to Lakers move just after the trade deadline.

[venitian navigator]

The DFS trade paves the way to a bought out Chris Paul to Lakers move just after the trade deadline.

I Hope not buy It looks like a possible (and maybe pre arranged) thing...that could change in case at the deadline our record Is Better than Lak One...

[scott]

TOR has 59 points with only 6 min to play against BOS. Threatening to not break 70 in the year of our TimGPT 2024 is WIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIILD

[lefty]

TOR has 59 points with only 6 min to play against BOS. Threatening to not break 70 in the year of our TimGPT 2024 is WIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIILD

Old heads fapping hard rn

[spurraider21]

The DFS trade paves the way to a bought out Chris Paul to Lakers move just after the trade deadline.
the spurs fighting for a play-in/play-off spot arent going to waive their starting point guard only to help another WC team

[scott]

Toronto breaks through at the end to finish with 71 points in a nail-biting 54-point loss to BOS :lol

[KingKev]

Toronto breaks through at the end to finish with 71 points in a nail-biting 54-point loss to BOS :lol

Both teams got an extra 15 minutes at the club before the ball drops because of this ass whopping!

[Strategic]

Always good to see the lakers get their asses handed to them

[timtonymanu]

Grizzlies vs Suns right now. Another game to watch out for.

[timtonymanu]

Phoenix loses at home, hopefully they keep slipping in the standings.

[CorrectCrusader]

Memphis played super hard with over half their roster injured.

Side note, if we could ever steal JJJ away from Memphis I would do it in a heart beat. Him and wemby on the floor at the same time would be nasty.

[heyheymymy]

nice night Timberwolves, Suns, and Lakers all lose plus Spurs win

[tbdog]

This Suns team. What's wrong with them?

[LeBowen]

This Suns team. What's wrong with them?

Isn't it obvious?
Beal is the definition of an empty calories player, contributes absolutely nothing to winning and he's on $50M.
Tyus Jones, O'Neale and Allen are their only two solid role players, the team doesn't work whenever KD is out, which is often the case.
If they hadn't picked up Tyus, they would've been even worse.
Nurkic is awful defensively, can't move at all and he for some reason also fell off offensively.

There's just no hope for that roster. They can't even tank since they don't have any picks.
Can't tank unless Booker goes to Houston and they get their picks back, which is the most likely scenario, imo.
We should be all over KD if they blow it up. He's just not slowing down and will surely play up until he's 40.

[Robz4000]

Isn't it obvious?
Beal is the definition of an empty calories player, contributes absolutely nothing to winning and he's on $50M.
Tyus Jones, O'Neale and Allen are their only two solid role players, the team doesn't work whenever KD is out, which is often the case.
If they hadn't picked up Tyus, they would've been even worse.
Nurkic is awful defensively, can't move at all and he for some reason also fell off offensively.

There's just no hope for that roster. They can't even tank since they don't have any picks.
Can't tank unless Booker goes to Houston and they get their picks back, which is the most likely scenario, imo.
We should be all over KD if they blow it up. He's just not slowing down and will surely play up until he's 40.

Wouldn't surprise me if KD retires once his contract is up tbh. He strikes me as a guy who has other things he wants to do other than basketball like Timmy.

[LeBowen]

Wouldn't surprise me if KD retires once his contract is up tbh. He strikes me as a guy who has other things he wants to do other than basketball like Timmy.

Really? KD strikes me as a guy who lives for basketball and will play for as long as he can.

[RC_Drunkford]

Wouldn't surprise me if KD retires once his contract is up tbh. He strikes me as a guy who has other things he wants to do other than basketball like Timmy.

yeah that’s exactly why Tim retired. He had other things to do…

[Strategic]

Damn, Jaden Ivey wheeled off the court on a stretcher. Pistons were finally starting to look competitive.

[Ice009]

yeah that’s exactly why Tim retired. He had other things to do…

Man, it's like he knows nothing about these players. KD to me seems like someone who will play as long as he can. I always thought he loves to play (I could be wrong as I don't follow him at all). Maybe he wants off the team, but I seriously doubt he wants out of the NBA if he can still play and is healthy enough to do so at a good level.

TD, he literally said he'd play until the wheels fell off. Tim, in my opinion was playing great in 2016 until he hurt his good knee, but then didn't finish the season off too well, and then it seems the good knee didn't respond during the off-season so that it why he retired. It really sucks as IMO he really was playing well up to that point. LEGENDARY Player. I love the guy and loved every minute of the ride.

[Em-City]

Uffff that Jaden Ivey injury was sad to see

[DAF86]

Has anybody seen Sam Hauser and Gordon Hayward in the same room at the same time?

[Strategic]

Brown sitting out and Celtics still sleepwalking past the wolves.

[Strategic]

Wolves with all those ballers on the floor and Derek White says “ watch this one right here off the bank”.

[timtonymanu]

I know this is not a hot take but the Twolves were much better with Towns.

[onechance87]

bucks are such trash....How are they losing to the nets at home.Thats worst then the bulls losing
to the wizards yesterday.East is so bad.

[exstatic]

bucks are such trash....How are they losing to the nets at home.Thats worst then the bulls losing
to the wizards yesterday.East is so bad.

Cleveland is 29-4. They lost two games to ATLANTA.

[mystargtr34]

Man the nets tried to blatantly tank the game away at the end with that turnover and Claxton trying to get a delay of game at the free throw line.

And the Bucks still lost 😂

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

The Jimmy Butler situation is certainly popcorn worthy. It'll be very interesting where he'd end up and whether any team would be willing to give him the 2/113 mil extension he wants. I imagine no one will, but there is a shortlist of teams that just might do it (or come close to his desired number on an extension) - GS, Memphis and Spurs.

Not saying I'd want him and his weird pseudo tough guy act, but Spurs are one of the few teams that can match salaries and afford to pay him ~$50 mil next season and eventually for 26-27 as well.

[LeBowen]

The Jimmy Butler situation is certainly popcorn worthy. It'll be very interesting where he'd end up and whether any team would be willing to give him the 2/113 mil extension he wants. I imagine no one will, but there is a shortlist of teams that just might do it - GS, Memphis and Spurs.

Not saying I'd want him and his weird pseudo tough guy act, but Spurs are one of the few teams that can match salaries and afford to pay him ~$50 mil next season and eventually for 26-27 as well.

I think Spurs wouldn't offer Jimmy another two years even if Keldon/Collins/Tre salary match is all it takes for the trade to happen.

We need regular season performers to get to the playoffs.
Jimmy missed exactly 100 regular season games over the past 5 seasons, not including this one.
We can't afford to be paying $50M to someone who misses 20 games every year and isn't at 100% when he plays.
The biggest reason for Miami's pedestrian regular season stats even when they got to the finals is Jimmy half-assing it up until April.
We can't afford that in the West.

As for the teams intereted, it's going to be those teams already in cap hell.
Warriors, Suns, Clippers, Nuggets, Lakers, Bucks, maybe the Rockets.

If Rockets aren't interested, Riley will probably be interested in Warriors package.

[Mr. Body]

A team like Denver could use Butler, but not afford him. Otherwise he's 35 years old and will make $50 million on a player option next year. I don't think there are a lot of teams that can manage to get or keep him now.

[LeBowen]

A team like Denver could use Butler, but not afford him. Otherwise he's 35 years old and will make $50 million on a player option next year. I don't think there are a lot of teams that can manage to get or keep him now.

More teams would be interested if it was just this and the next season. But he wants another deal, persumably the same one PG got. Or at least 3 more years. I think he's in for a rude awakening because Riley obviously won't take Beal and no other team is idiotic enough to trade for a 35 year old troublemaker.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

I think Spurs wouldn't offer Jimmy another two years even if Keldon/Collins/Tre salary match is all it takes for the trade to happen.

We need regular season performers to get to the playoffs.
Jimmy missed exactly 100 regular season games over the past 5 seasons, not including this one.
We can't afford to be paying $50M to someone who misses 20 games every year and isn't at 100% when he plays.
The biggest reason for Miami's pedestrian regular season stats even when they got to the finals is Jimmy half-assing it up until April.
We can't afford that in the West.

As for the teams intereted, it's going to be those teams already in cap hell.
Warriors, Suns, Clippers, Nuggets, Lakers, Bucks, maybe the Rockets.

If Rockets aren't interested, Riley will probably be interested in Warriors package.

Yeah, when it comes to the Spurs I meant they could afford to pay him his $52 mil option for next season plus one more season at 50+ mil, but not the whole player option and 2/113 on top. Don't think any team would be willing to get there.

Most interested teams would find it difficult or impossible to get a deal done. Even for Houston it'd be incredibly difficult to find the contracts.

GS would be in pole position if they offer Wiggins and Kuminga (provided Miami actually like Kuminga). They'll be shedding salary for next season and would be able to slot Butler's contract and they're also desperate enough for the possibility of one final run with Curry. Their problem is they're hard capped at the first apron and are just under it, so matching the contracts would be tough.

Memphis have multiple ways to get the deal done but the most likely one would be similar to the Spurs's - offering players on non-expiring contracts like Smart and Clarke and paying for it with picks. Similar to a Keldon, Collins type deal. They could theoretically use a 3rd team like Brooklyn to dump the contracts for picks. Then there's also the Vassell way, but let's not go there.

[spurraider21]

jimmy just turned 35, has missed a third of the games this year, hasnt played more than 64 games in a year since the 18-19 season, and has made a fuss on his way off of a few teams already.

i dont know who is going to want him right now. of those, is miami going to be willing to accept some clunky multiyear contracts to make the numbers work, and what draft capital is a team going to be willing to give up?

beal for jimmy + josh richardson works math-wise. beal has a no trade clause, and miami doesnt want his contract any more than they dont want to extend jimmy. dallas could make a move but it would require moving Kyrie so that doesnt make much sense anyway if they like the roster they've built.

warriors could try to cobble together some contracts in addition to wiggins but the math is very tough to work out there given both teams cap constraints

rockets could make a move with FVV's contract

[baseline bum]

Really? KD strikes me as a guy who lives for basketball and will play for as long as he can.

Plus he wants to win a title where no one can say you just joined a 73 win team

[onechance87]

Devin carter returns from injury today.Probably wont play much,But curious to see how he does and plays in the future.
Rumors that we were interested in drafting him.Well see how he develops in time for the kings.

[Leetonidas]

I know this is not a hot take but the Twolves were much better with Towns.

Yep. Losing KAT, as well as Slowmo, and Conley looking beyond cooked this season has really fucked them. But the KAT trade was just self inflicted and they compounded the issue but trading him for a ball hog that can't space the floor and is terrible on defense :lol wolves front office is trash. That 20131 pick is gonna be top 5 imho

[LeBowen]

Slowmo

Warriors gave him 27/3 contract and he's already out of the rotation.

[Leetonidas]

Warriors gave him 27/3 contract and he's already out of the rotation.

He doesn't really fit with them but he had a nice role on the wolves, they desperately need another ball handler besides Edwards since Conley is a non factor now. He isn't a big reason why they suck compared to last season but just another factor. Losing KAT and replacing him with Randle is obviously their biggest issue. That and Ant has shit for brains and hasn't evolved as a player at all

[LeBowen]

He isn't a big reason why they suck compared to last season but just another factor. Losing KAT and replacing him with Randle is obviously their biggest issue.

Obviously, it was more of a shot at the Warriors front office and yet another horrible move they made. From not wanting to trade their young scrubs for Markkanen, to signing Buddy Hield and getting SlowMo who's obviously just a poor man's Draymond for them and doesn't fit.

[spurraider21]

He doesn't really fit with them but he had a nice role on the wolves, they desperately need another ball handler besides Edwards since Conley is a non factor now. He isn't a big reason why they suck compared to last season but just another factor. Losing KAT and replacing him with Randle is obviously their biggest issue. That and Ant has shit for brains and hasn't evolved as a player at all
Ant has evolved though, out of necessity. with the team's spacing dead after trading KAT for Randle he's had to become the floor spacer himself, as opposed to the beneficiary of spacing provided by KAT

[LeBowen]

Ant has evolved though, out of necessity. with the team's spacing dead after trading KAT for Randle he's had to become the floor spacer himself, as opposed to the beneficiary of spacing provided by KAT

Ant has been garbage as of late.
His 3pt shot is looking way better, but everything else just isn't good enough for a supposed superstar.
He can't deal with double teams at all, his decision making is bad and he thinks his athleticism will bail him out on drives.

He's at 55% at the rim, just awful for someone with his athleticism. League average is 59%.

[Leetonidas]

Ant has evolved though, out of necessity. with the team's spacing dead after trading KAT for Randle he's had to become the floor spacer himself, as opposed to the beneficiary of spacing provided by KAT

He has evolved to chucking threes I guess but he's also getting double teamed a lot more now and he cannot navigate it at all. He basically admitted that he sucks with double teams after his last game. Which is another reason why he chucks threes so much now because he is too slow to react to the defense and hasn't improved a lot there yet. Luckily for them he's been shooting pretty well at least

[spurraider21]

he's adjusting to getting regularly doubled/swarmed. he'll get there

[exstatic]

Yep. Losing KAT, as well as Slowmo, and Conley looking beyond cooked this season has really fucked them. But the KAT trade was just self inflicted and they compounded the issue but trading him for a ball hog that can't space the floor and is terrible on defense :lol wolves front office is trash. That 20131 pick is gonna be top 5 imho

It wasn’t a talent for talent trade. They needed to get off Towns contract before it second aproned them. It wouldn’t surprise me if Randle was bought out. DiVincenzo was a good get.

The bad trade was for Gobert. He’s a one way player with a ton of miles that makes way more than he’s worth. Without him, they could have kept KAT.

[heyheymymy]

That's where Divincenzo is going to be money bc in the absence of KAT defenses can focus/swarm Ant and Donte is a sharpshooter that's going to be left wide open. If Ant can learn to pass out of the double he's going to hit an archer.

But yeah that 2nd apron trade was ass for MIN

[spurraider21]

It wasn’t a talent for talent trade. They needed to get off Towns contract before it second aproned them. It wouldn’t surprise me if Randle was bought out. DiVincenzo was a good get.

The bad trade was for Gobert. He’s a one way player with a ton of miles that makes way more than he’s worth. Without him, they could have kept KAT.
their mistake was choosing Gobert over KAT. yes, gobert is an incredible defensive force but he's older and plays a role where its easier to find a replacement.

[scott]

Sorry if this was already shared, but this tweet from Shams is wiiiiiiiiiiiild and I love it

1875033040466203040

"Anywhere but here" :lol :lol :lol

JIMMY BUTLER YOU ARE A TORONTO RAPTOR would be wild and Riley should take back a single SRP just to make it happen. :lol

Love a good mid-season shakeup.

[scott]

1875323681565765661

Big blow for the Rockets (also, fuck Houston)

[spurraider21]

Jabari has been really disappointing. he's still an NBA player at least, but not a very high impact one

i remember when it was being reported orlando was gonna take him #1 overall

[lefty20]

1875332596101738728

[ace3g]

https://x.com/MarcJSpears/status/1875333181991539098

[ace3g]

https://x.com/MarcJSpears/status/1875332470553637087

[scott]

In response to all of this Jimmy news, here is my trade idea. Jimmy wants "anywhere but Miami" and Pat obliges by sending him to oblivion in return for basically nothing but a bag of middle fingers with which to forward to Mr. Butler. Hope you like Funeral Potatoes, Jimmy! Full disclosure: I have no idea what Funeral Potatoes are, but that's what Google says people in Utah eat.

https://i.ibb.co/R011n9D/spotrac-nba-trade-machine-1735948893953.png

[BatManu20]

1875333050336473244

[mo7888]

What teams do we think will want JB and what kind of offers?

[scott]

What teams do we think will want JB and what kind of offers?

A few other folks have commented previously, it's going to be really difficult for anyone to make Jimmy work. GSW can finagle it (but just barely) and might be one of the more likely destination. If they can get Kuminga, Pods and Wiggins back - that might be the best case scenario (with no additional draft compensation either direction).

Seeing lots of ideas involving DET, but not sure why the Pistons would want to do this.

I'm sure Heat fans thinks that picks are coming their way, but I don't know why anyone would do that unless they have truly nothing else to offer.

This is a move I hope we steer very clear of, unless it's to facilitate somehow by including someone like Keldon or Collins and taking back a little bit of excess salary to help the other teams avoid some kind of threshold? I haven't played around with it to see what those scenarios might be... but that's the only way I'd want us to even be anywhere near this mess.

[spurraider21]

i think warriors will try. they tried to S&T for george, tried to trade for Lauri, and they're struggling right now. but the salary matching will be really challenging.

houston maybe, but they already have a good thing going. why add a character like Butler to a cohesive young group

i wonder if Beal would prefer miami to phoenix. no trade clause but Beal for Jimmy + Richardson works on its own. they just dont have draft capital to attach

[mo7888]

A few other folks have commented previously, it's going to be really difficult for anyone to make Jimmy work. GSW can finagle it (but just barely) and might be one of the more likely destination. If they can get Kuminga, Pods and Wiggins back - that might be the best case scenario (with no additional draft compensation either direction).

Seeing lots of ideas involving DET, but not sure why the Pistons would want to do this.

I'm sure Heat fans thinks that picks are coming their way, but I don't know why anyone would do that unless they have truly nothing else to offer.

This is a move I hope we steer very clear of, unless it's to facilitate somehow by including someone like Keldon or Collins and taking back a little bit of excess salary to help the other teams avoid some kind of threshold? I haven't played around with it to see what those scenarios might be... but that's the only way I'd want us to even be anywhere near this mess.

I'd much rather come in as a 3rd team to get an asset. Personally (and I know many here would hate it) I'd rather wait and hope I could get KD if Phx blows it up. Still, the JB stuff is going to be interesting and could get the ball rolling on other trades because so many GM's are going to be talking about different scenarios around it.

[exstatic]

i think warriors will try. they tried to S&T for george, tried to trade for Lauri, and they're struggling right now. but the salary matching will be really challenging.

houston maybe, but they already have a good thing going. why add a character like Butler to a cohesive young group

i wonder if Beal would prefer miami to phoenix. no trade clause but Beal for Jimmy + Richardson works on its own. they just dont have draft capital to attach

Van Vleet and Brooks have entered the chat.

[John B]

I still think Butler (among others) will be knocking on Spurs door after this season. It’s the Wemby effect. And on his 3rd year, I think Spurs will be re-tooling crazy.

[Mr. Body]

Butler on the Warriors doesn't seem like a fit at all, but I suppose they might be desperate.

[exstatic]

Butler on the Warriors doesn't seem like a fit at all, but I suppose they might be desperate.

They traded for Schröder, and he’s a pretty terrible fit, so…

[exstatic]

I still think Butler (among others) will be knocking on Spurs door after this season. It’s the Wemby effect. And on his 3rd year, I think Spurs will be re-tooling crazy.

Spurs look through the peep hole, and put the chain lock on.

[The Truth #6]

Butler just wants a big contract it sounds like. His age combined with his eagerness to confrontation, seems like a no go for most sane teams with non-moronic owners. But some team will want a quick fix. My only hope is that the Butler trade that happens softens the trade market to the advantage of the Spurs for Fox or whoever else comes next that we could be in the conversation for, but we'll see.

[Mr. Body]

They traded for Schröder, and he’s a pretty terrible fit, so…

Schroeder makes $13 million and is an expiring and can play off the bench. Butler makes $48/$52 million and is a drama queen who needs some building around.

[Mr. Body]

Butler just wants a big contract it sounds like. His age combined with his eagerness to confrontation, seems like a no go for most sane teams with non-moronic owners. But some team will want a quick fix. My only hope is that the Butler trade that happens softens the trade market to the advantage of the Spurs for Fox or whoever else comes next that we could be in the conversation for, but we'll see.

I think a lot of this is Butler wanting an extension and Miami wanting him to decline that gargantuan player option to go elsewhere. I think you're right.

[KingKev]

Butler already said this summer he knows he isn’t getting near that extension elsewhere. I’d trade Vassell, Tre Jones and a couple of FRPs (ours 2025, 2027) if he was to commit to 2yrs/80mm. I still think there is a slight chance someone will give him 2yrs 90-100m.

Get Butler and make a move for Lavine if they just want off him - Keldon, Zollins, Branham CHI 2025 FRP. Suddenly we are a deep playoff team if healthy.

[KingKev]

I’d rather have 85mm tied up in LavineButler for a few years than Zollins/Vassell/Keldon/Branham/Barnes

[RC_Drunkford]

Butler makes 0 sense here. I just hope Miami gets a good enough return to stay in front of the Hawks

[LeBowen]

Butler situation is near-impossible to figure out because Heat obviously doesn't want any bad contracts that aren't expiring and whoever gets Butler doesn't want to trade 3 rotation players for him.
Not to mention that he isn't certain to stay wherever he goes, noone is going to offer FRPs for a 35 year old.

[KingKev]

Butler situation is near-impossible to figure out because Heat obviously doesn't want any bad contracts that aren't expiring and whoever gets Butler doesn't want to trade 3 rotation players for him.
Not to mention that he isn't certain to stay wherever he goes, noone is going to offer FRPs for a 35 year old.

I think they will, they just won’t be that good - projected late FRPs or protected. The complication is that the Heat aren’t tanking while the buyer is also looking to win now.

[LeBowen]

I think they will, they just won’t be that good. The complication is that the Heat aren’t tanking while the buyer is also looking to win now.

Heat are at $191M for the next season with Jimmy's contract. Assuming they get the same salary back, it's not worth it for them unless they get legit players.
Cap will be at $155M and they'd rather be $15M under it without Jimmy's contract to keep their flexibility.

[rankingtear]

Butler already said this summer he knows he isn’t getting near that extension elsewhere. I’d trade Vassell, Tre Jones and a couple of FRPs (ours 2025, 2027) if he was to commit to 2yrs/80mm. I still think there is a slight chance someone will give him 2yrs 90-100m.

Get Butler and make a move for Lavine if they just want off him - Keldon, Zollins, Branham CHI 2025 FRP. Suddenly we are a deep playoff team if healthy.

CP3, Lavine and Butler won't even last the first round before tearing a ligament.

[KingKev]

CP3, Lavine and Butler won't even last the first round before tearing a ligament.

It is a risk and their injury history is reflected in the price. Vassell isn’t exactly an ironman himself.

[spurraider21]

Van Vleet and Brooks have entered the chat.
What’s wrong with vanvleet

[BatManu20]

Don't see PATFO giving up assets for 35 yo Jimmy Butler tbh. Think they're much more inclined to go all-in on Fox if the Kings don't turn it around this season, or even give up those assets for KD after the Suns inevitably miss the Playoffs or lose in the 1st Round and decide to blow it up.

[Seventyniner]

Jimmy to the Spurs is interesting to think about because he tends to be really good early on with a new team. But it likely isn't worth the high salary demands and potential locker room headaches.

[lefty20]

A 35 yr old Butler with 50 mill on the books next year aint worth a single premium asset.

I think most teams are thinking along the same lines. So the Heat are gonna have to settle for a fuck ton of 2nd rd picks, scrubs with expiring and a heavily protected 1st rd pick tossed in.

[BatManu20]

OKC ain’t fuckin’ around. Already the 1-seed and heavy favorites to come out of the West. And they have ungodly amounts of draft capital to make it happen.

1875618600750608824

[LeBowen]

OKC ain’t fuckin’ around. Already the 1-seed and heavy favorites to come out of the West. And they have ungodly amounts of draft capital to make it happen.

1875618600750608824

Presti learned from his own mistakes, sitting on those assets for too long will backfire.
They're a top3 team in the league, they can win it all this year and he wants to maximize their chances before those max extensions kick in.

Cam Johnson out for next 3 games, he's probably gone.
It's probably going to be Isaiah Joe, Ousmane Dieng and 2 FRPs for Cam.

[heyheymymy]

No Jimmy please

[Kevin]

I’d rather have 85mm tied up in LavineButler for a few years than Zollins/Vassell/Keldon/Branham/Barnes

Sochan will fall into the Zollin/Dev/KJ catagory of player once he get paid 18-20M a season. That's why I would shop him next summer with his trade value peaking and maybe draft a PF and hit the reset button at that spot.

If Fox doesnt hit the market I'd love to offer Sochan and Dev plus picks for Zion.

[LeBowen]

If Fox doesnt hit the market I'd love to offer Sochan and Dev plus picks for Zion.

Wait, what????
If you offered just Devin alone for Zion they'd accept before you have the time to hang up.

Zion is worthless and useless.

[exstatic]

Presti learned from his own mistakes, sitting on those assets for too long will backfire.
They're a top3 team in the league, they can win it all this year and he wants to maximize their chances before those max extensions kick in.

Cam Johnson out for next 3 games, he's probably gone.
It's probably going to be Isaiah Joe, Ousmane Dieng and 2 FRPs for Cam.

So, a net of 5 FRPs for Cam, since they spent 3 on Dieng already. Yeah, Presti really sits on those picks.

[LeBowen]

So, a net of 5 FRPs for Cam, since they spent 3 on Dieng already. Yeah, Presti really sits on those picks.

Why do you always have to be that guy?
He used to sit on picks and realized he had a hoarding problem. Now he's using them at will.

And since you always have to be a smartass, here are the picks OKC gave up for Dieng.


2023 picks that were sent to New York from OKC are protected:
Washington- top 14
Denver- top 14
Detroit-top 18

Denver's pick conveyed in 2023, was #27 selection. Ended up with the Hornets and they picked Nick Smith Jr.
Knicks still haven't had those other two convey, DET is top13 protected and WAS is top10 protected this year.

Meaning OKC effectively traded two picks that won't convey and 2023 #27 for 2022 #11.
So much for your need to always be a smartass.

Presti obviously failed with that pick, but it's not like he gave up anything valuable to take a swing on a player he liked.

[Mr. Body]

Thunder in a spot where their roster is about to get really expensive. Their needs are so specific that using draft picks won't solve what they need. One of their big issues right now is that they're not really a great shooting team and Cam Johnson might help, if it translates. Their biggest advantage is the West is wide open.

[spurraider21]

Cam Johnson feels much more like the finishing touch to a team that an integral part of a core. Makes more sense for OKC than us, especially if the ask really is 2 FRP

Okc is going to be very expensive very soon… not sure what the play is with Cam. Keep him thru his contract and hope for S&T? I wouldn’t imagine him being re-signed

[LeBowen]

Thunder in a spot where their roster is about to get really expensive. Their needs are so specific that using draft picks won't solve what they need. One of their big issues right now is that they're not really a great shooting team and Cam Johnson might help, if it translates. Their biggest advantage is the West is wide open.

Hot take, but I think that they could trade Chet if they make the finals or win it all this year.

They can't pay both him and Williams, they're 18-1 with Hartenstein and Chet is still very valuable.
Offering a max to a 23 year old who missed 2 of his 3 seasons with injuries caused by his fragile frame would be a big risk.

[scott]

If Presti brings a title to OKC, I don't think he's going to be losing any sleep over whether he gave up too many picks for Osmane Dieng.

It's the fallacy of being so concerned about winning every trade. At the end of the day, the goal (for most franchises) is to win on the court, not to win trades. For example, if the Spurs only got one FRP for Dejounte instead of 3 (one being the CHA) plus a swap, it still would have been a massive W because it facilitated the main goal, which was landing Wemby.

If Presti wins a title, he'll have accomplished the goal. I'm sure some fans of the Kings or Hornets or Jazz or any other loser franchise will sit around and contemplate how Masi couldn't keep Kawhi or some bullshit, but they let you hang the banner and keep the trophy forever... who fucking cares if you missed out on picking another Malaki Branham as a result.

[exstatic]

Why do you always have to be that guy?
He used to sit on picks and realized he had a hoarding problem. Now he's using them at will.

And since you always have to be a smartass, here are the picks OKC gave up for Dieng.



Denver's pick conveyed in 2023, was #27 selection. Ended up with the Hornets and they picked Nick Smith Jr.
Knicks still haven't had those other two convey, DET is top13 protected and WAS is top10 protected this year.

Meaning OKC effectively traded two picks that won't convey and 2023 #27 for 2022 #11.
So much for your need to always be a smartass.

Presti obviously failed with that pick, but it's not like he gave up anything valuable to take a swing on a player he liked.

Detroit is at #12 now and falling. That pick may well convey this year, late lottery. WSH protection drops to 1-8 next year.

[exstatic]

If Presti brings a title to OKC, I don't think he's going to be losing any sleep over whether he gave up too many picks for Osmane Dieng.

It's the fallacy of being so concerned about winning every trade. At the end of the day, the goal (for most franchises) is to win on the court, not to win trades. For example, if the Spurs only got one FRP for Dejounte instead of 3 (one being the CHA) plus a swap, it still would have been a massive W because it facilitated the main goal, which was landing Wemby.

If Presti wins a title, he'll have accomplished the goal. I'm sure some fans of the Kings or Hornets or Jazz or any other loser franchise will sit around and contemplate how Masi couldn't keep Kawhi or some bullshit, but they let you hang the banner and keep the trophy forever... who fucking cares if you missed out on picking another Malaki Branham as a result.

What I was responding to was LeBowen’s assertion that Presti had sat on his picks, and I think I refuted that quite effectively.

[scott]

Hot take, but I think that they could trade Chet if they make the finals or win it all this year.

They can't pay both him and Williams, they're 18-1 with Hartenstein and Chet is still very valuable.
Offering a max to a 23 year old who missed 2 of his 3 seasons with injuries caused by his fragile frame would be a big risk.

I'll have a keen eye on Chet's extension this summer, if he even signs one. I don't think he gets the max because of the exact injury situation you mentioned. Chet may want to hold his rookie extension off a year (which may ultimately help OKC because of the way cap holds work - his RFA tender cap hold is only 20% of the cap, they could take care of business and then use bird rights to over that similar to what we did with Nephew).

OKC Cap situation is much ado about nothing. Even if they got Cam and lost none of the players below in a trade in the process, this would be their cap outlook in 2026-27

Shai - 24%
JWill - assume at 25%
Joe - 6.7%
Wiggins - 5.2%
Caruso - 11.5%
Wallace - 4.4%
Topic - 3.2%
Dillon Jones - 1.7%
Cam Johnson - 13.2%

Total = 99.1% of the cap, and then they can go over to resign Chet to a 25% max. They'd lose Hartenstein and Dort along the way, and backfill with whoever they draft between now and then. They'd be be a first apron team after filling the rest of the roster.

The following season, Cam would roll off, Shai's new (probably SuperMax) deal would kick in, and they might have to deal with losing Wallace.

They'll be fine.

[scott]

What I was responding to was LeBowen’s assertion that Presti had sat on his picks, and I think I refuted that quite effectively.

I got no stake in y'all's debate. My comment was a general one and not directed towards you.

[timtonymanu]

Timberwolves currently down double digits against the Pistons

:lol Timberwolves

[Em-City]

Timberwolves currently down double digits against the Pistons

:lol Timberwolves

Pistons aren't that bad though

[onechance87]

suns about to give rockets a lottery pick....Surely they blow they it up soon?

[mystargtr34]

Spurs fans should be rooting for a Suns implosion. Increases chances of Booker and Durant being moved (Booker to Rockets and Durant to the highest bidder).

Also would push another team below the Bulls.

Same reason to root for a kings implosion.

[baseline bum]

suns about to give rockets a lottery pick....Surely they blow they it up soon?

God that franchise is so boned and the Rockets ain't gonna bail them out by trading them their picks back for Durant. It's either give them Booker this trade deadline or the Sons can just give Houston their 2025, 2027, and 2029 lotto picks.

[exstatic]

God that franchise is so boned and the Rockets ain't gonna bail them out by trading them their picks back for Durant. It's either give them Booker this trade deadline or the Sons can just give Houston their 2025, 2027, and 2029 lotto picks.
I hate new owners. They’re always so stupid. This isn’t fantasy basketball, but they treat it like it is.

[LeBowen]

I hate new owners. They’re always so stupid. This isn’t fantasy basketball, but they treat it like it is.

It's really difficult to find good owners in sports, especially in the NBA where investments are limited and cheap owners can easily profit.
You either have owners not interested in the sport at all, who just see the team as a business and a way to generate revenue. Never ends well. Bulls being the prime example. As long as the arena is sold out, they can keep treadmilling and ownership won't care.
Or you have those way too rich idiots who want to use the team for dick measuring and think that spending more money always equals more success in a league heavily restricted by salary cap.

[Bruno]

Heat are a huge mess right now. They didn't react well at all to the Butler drama and got blown out by Utah at home yesterday. Aside of Butler, they have a lot of issues:
Adebayo is having a down year, the Rozier trade was a disaster and Jaquez is regressing.

On another subject, there should have some moves in the next couple of days with two ways players. January 7 is the deadline to waive them before their contracts become guaranteed for the year. Tristen Newton (pick #49 of the previous draft) has already been waived by Pacers and claimed by Wolves. We will see what Spurs will do with their 3 two way players.

[LeBowen]

Heat are a huge mess right now. They didn't react well at all to the Butler drama and got blown out by Utah at home yesterday. Aside of Butler, they have a lot of issues:
Adebayo is having a down year, the Rozier trade was a disaster and Jaquez is regressing.

On another subject, there should have some moves in the next couple of days with two ways players. January 7 is the deadline to waive them before their contracts become guaranteed for the year. Tristen Newton (pick #49 of the previous draft) has already been waived by Pacers and claimed by Wolves. We will see what Spurs will do with their 3 two way players.

Adebayo is actually their #1 issue right now. Jimmy will be gone sooner or later, but Adebayo's max just started and he's been horrible.
45% FG as a non-shooting big, just 51% in the paint. Disappears every other game, had 0-6 FG against the Jazz of all teams.

Jaquez's regression was to be expected, he was an old rookie. Usual stuff.
Rozier is just a tank commander, idk what were they thinking.

[R. DeMurre]

Butler's absolute insistence on being a #1 option probably cost him a few rings. If he'd been willing to share the spotlight a little and not be a major bridge-burner, I think he easily grabs at least one championship.

[spursistan]

God that franchise is so boned and the Rockets ain't gonna bail them out by trading them their picks back for Durant. It's either give them Booker this trade deadline or the Sons can just give Houston their 2025, 2027, and 2029 lotto picks.
Not sure what led BRENT Barry to think it was a good idea to jump from the Wemby era Spurs (VP of BB operations) to that dumpster fire of an organization/basketball situation so he can start a coaching career? :lol I get the Bud connection, but couldn't he join the coaching staff here like Sean Marks did one time here? Was he not renewed? Otherwise this feels like a dumb career move...

[tonight...you]

Not sure what led BRENT Barry to think it was a good idea to jump from the Wemby era Spurs (VP of BB operations) to that dumpster fire of an organization/basketball situation so he can start a coaching career? :lol I get the Bud connection, but couldn't he join the coaching staff here like Sean Marks did one time here? Was he not renewed? Otherwise this feels like a dumb career move...
This is just from amateur observations of Barry and his career, but I think he has the potential to be a very good coach in the NBA.

[KingKev]

Most of ya’ll probably locked in on football but Celts/OKC should be fun to watch.

[LeBowen]

Most of ya’ll probably locked in on football but Celts/OKC should be fun to watch.

Idk which commentary crew is more insufferable, hopeless homers. Top3 alongside Warriors broadcast.

[mo7888]

Heat are a huge mess right now. They didn't react well at all to the Butler drama and got blown out by Utah at home yesterday. Aside of Butler, they have a lot of issues:
Adebayo is having a down year, the Rozier trade was a disaster and Jaquez is regressing.

On another subject, there should have some moves in the next couple of days with two ways players. January 7 is the deadline to waive them before their contracts become guaranteed for the year. Tristen Newton (pick #49 of the previous draft) has already been waived by Pacers and claimed by Wolves. We will see what Spurs will do with their 3 two way players.

I haven't really followed them this year until the Butler drama surfaced. Maybe they'll blow it up? I doubt it as it goes against their sophisticated, but if they did we should explore Herro.

[LeBowen]

Anyone who thinks Spurs supporting cast is good enough should watch this game and be in for a rude awakening.
I'm not talking about top players, but 4th-8th best player on the roster. Noone except Champagnie fits the type of basketball these teams play.

[scott]

Most of ya’ll probably locked in on football but Celts/OKC should be fun to watch.

Thunder absolutely clowning the Celtics in the 4th

[scott]

Anyone who thinks Spurs supporting cast is good enough should watch this game and be in for a rude awakening.
I'm not talking about top players, but 4th-8th best player on the roster. Noone except Champagnie fits the type of basketball these teams play.

Our fanbase is full of people who think Keldon Johnson is a useful, positive asset

[KingKev]

Thunder absolutely clowning the Celtics in the 4th

That Hartenstein flush on White was filthy. Not so subtle reminder how far we are from competing.

[Mr. Body]

Man, you guys are a bunch of fucking babies.

[NASpurs]

Man, you guys are a bunch of fucking babies.

Better than being an insufferable faggot.

[Brazil]

Better than being an insufferable faggot.

:lol

[KingKev]

Better than being an insufferable faggot.

LOL

[Strategic]

Kings lay a 75 burger on warriors in the 1st half.lol

[heyheymymy]

Yeah seriously, how do you release a statement like "since Jimmy gave up on us anyone want him"

It seems more unprofessional than MIA usually is maybe? Why not just say "Thanks for everything Jimmy, we are starting a new direction" and "The Heat have made Jimmy available for fair trade discussions"

[spurs1990]

Cavs 31-4 and okrefs 30-5 reminiscent of 2016 GS and Spurs record runs. Spurs went 40-1 at home that year. Cleveland may match that record.

[Gandalf]

It seems more unprofessional than MIA usually is maybe? Why not just say "Thanks for everything Jimmy, we are starting a new direction" and "The Heat have made Jimmy available for fair trade discussions"

I don’t want Butler for what it would cost - but if there’s trouble in paradise, any chance Erik Spoelstra might like a change of scenery and the chance to coach the future GOAT to several championships? If I could pick any NBA coach, it might be him.

[Strategic]

Don’t look now, but if the Spurs win against the Bulls and Dallas loses at Memphis tomorrow, Spurs will be only one game behind the Mavs.

[onechance87]

Don’t look now, but if the Spurs win against the Bulls and Dallas loses at Memphis tomorrow, Spurs will be only one game behind the Mavs.

some big games tommrow

[lefty]

A fully healthy OKC team is scary AF

[Ice009]

A fully healthy OKC team is scary AF

Yeah, I haven't watched them, but they look like they're playing great. Have you watched their games? Are all their players back? Is Chet playing, or is he still out? Coincidentally, was their last loss against the Spurs over a month ago?

[RC_Drunkford]

OKC is a juggernaut and they neither healthy nor done upgrading. Spurs better up the ante quickly

[mudyez]

OKC is a juggernaut and they neither healthy nor done upgrading. Spurs better up the ante quickly

The fear is us "upping the ante" and running into a prime time OKC before the aprons catch up to them. I'm team "rather take some more time and have a prolonged window that starts when SGA isn't the hottest shit in town anymore."

I'm ok with enhancing the roster...but not if it means, putting all the assets into a basket just to get some 30something year old star. Having eg the Minny stuff give us opportunities a team like the Bucks are lacking at the moment. Wemby won't leave because we didn't ring, but if there is a situation, that is stuck in the mud.

[Brazil]

OKC is scary tbh and w/o Chet... but POs are a different animal

[spursistan]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GglRT1_WwAInh6f?format=jpg&name=large

[spursistan]

^^ We need to stop lingering around this endless '.500 ball' and make a real push while our direct competitors (Suns, Minny, Dubs) are struggling or in complete disarray. Mavs (without Luka for a while) are probably dropping in the play-in zone making that 6th seed attainable. The opportunity to make the playoffs is out there; we just need to grab it. A small winning streak is all it takes.

[RC_Drunkford]

The fear is us "upping the ante" and running into a prime time OKC before the aprons catch up to them. I'm team "rather take some more time and have a prolonged window that starts when SGA isn't the hottest shit in town anymore."

I'm ok with enhancing the roster...but not if it means, putting all the assets into a basket just to get some 30something year old star. Having eg the Minny stuff give us opportunities a team like the Bucks are lacking at the moment. Wemby won't leave because we didn't ring, but if there is a situation, that is stuck in the mud.

nobody here advocated to add 30 year over the hill players by sending out all our assets. The consensus here is to use SOME of our assets for players 27 and under.

[szkorhetz]

The fear is us "upping the ante" and running into a prime time OKC before the aprons catch up to them. I'm team "rather take some more time and have a prolonged window that starts when SGA isn't the hottest shit in town anymore."

I'm ok with enhancing the roster...but not if it means, putting all the assets into a basket just to get some 30something year old star. Having eg the Minny stuff give us opportunities a team like the Bucks are lacking at the moment. Wemby won't leave because we didn't ring, but if there is a situation, that is stuck in the mud.
Yeah, OKC's windows starts this year and if they can stay healthy, I expect them to win 4-5 rings in the next 10 years. They are already loaded, still young and have a ton of picks.

[LeBowen]

Suns are about to implode.
Beal and Nurkic removed from the starting lineup.
Idk what are they even trying to accomplish, pressuring beal into waiving his NTC doesn't help because noone wants that contract even if he agrees to leave.
Nurkic and Plumlee are both garbage, won't change a thing.

Rockets getting another top10 pick would be annoying.

[objective]

Yeah, OKC's windows starts this year and if they can stay healthy, I expect them to win 4-5 rings in the next 10 years. They are already loaded, still young and have a ton of picks.

Ton of picks and on the whole compared to most teams they draft really well and develop players well. And on top of that they haven't been giving out wildly overpaid contracts to bums like Zollins and telling themselves it's okay because they can just add picks and dump him. They evaluate talent AND contracts well.

[scott]

Suns are about to implode.
Beal and Nurkic removed from the starting lineup.
Idk what are they even trying to accomplish, pressuring beal into waiving his NTC doesn't help because noone wants that contract even if he agrees to leave.
Nurkic and Plumlee are both garbage, won't change a thing.

Rockets getting another top10 pick would be annoying.

It's super annoying seeing the Suns and 76ers picks convey to good lotto picks while our Hawks picks fades into a late teens picks... but maybe that bodes well for our BOS, DAL, MIN swaps.

[exstatic]

It's super annoying seeing the Suns and 76ers picks convey to good lotto picks while our Hawks picks fades into a late teens picks... but maybe that bodes well for our BOS, DAL, MIN swaps.

OTOH, Utah’s Cleveland pick this year is probably worse than a second rounder, same talent range, but lacking contract flexibility. At least our CHA pick will convey as two seconds, and dumpster fire that they are, they’ll probably be in the 30-40 range.

[scott]

OTOH, Utah’s Cleveland pick this year is probably worse than a second rounder, same talent range, but lacking contract flexibility. At least our CHA pick will convey as two seconds, and dumpster fire that they are, they’ll probably be in the 30-40 range.

Indeed. That is why after an immediate time frame (2 years max) I think one should view all FRPs as subject to random variance. No one in their right mind would have forecasted the ATL25 pick to be worse than PHX25 or PHI25, but it is trending that way (though I actually expect PHI to end up ahead of ATL in the standings, and PHX still can turn things around). It's one of the beefs I had with the TOR24 trade for MIN31. If you believe in random variance 7 years out (which I'd argue is the only objectively proper way to view it), there's only around a 25% chance that pick ends up better than the one we gave up.

Or as baseline bum recently stated:

"A boat is a boat, but the mystery box could be anything! It could even be a boat!"

[KingKev]

Article on lack of liquidity in NBA trade market:

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10149877-nba-rumors-trade-market-stiff-due-to-salary-cap-cba-rules-and-draft-picks

[LeBowen]

Hot take but PG's contract is as bad Beal's, he's completely washed and it's got an extra year.
50 million a year for 16/5/4 on 42/33/81 player who's a big injury risk.

Suns are losing to Embiid-less Sixers, what a joke of a franchise.

[scott]

Hot take but PG's contract is as bad Beal's, he's completely washed and it's got an extra year.
50 million a year for 16/5/4 on 42/33/81 player who's a big injury risk.

Suns are losing to Embiid-less Sixers, what a joke of a franchise.

It's like having a 10-year older Devin Vassell on a max. Disgusting to even think about.

[LeBowen]

It's like having a 10-year older Devin Vassell on a max. Disgusting to even think about.

Just wait until Devin gets his Gatorade commercial.
No OT tonight.

[TheBallsbreakers]

Yeah, OKC's windows starts this year and if they can stay healthy, I expect them to win 4-5 rings in the next 10 years. They are already loaded, still young and have a ton of picks.
4-5 rings in the next 10 years? I don't know how you follow the NBA and still say stuff like that. There is much parity in the league compared to previous years and even the most stacked teams of yester-years were never guaranteed to win multiple rings.

[exstatic]

Indeed. That is why after an immediate time frame (2 years max) I think one should view all FRPs as subject to random variance. No one in their right mind would have forecasted the ATL25 pick to be worse than PHX25 or PHI25, but it is trending that way (though I actually expect PHI to end up ahead of ATL in the standings, and PHX still can turn things around). It's one of the beefs I had with the TOR24 trade for MIN31. If you believe in random variance 7 years out (which I'd argue is the only objectively proper way to view it), there's only around a 25% chance that pick ends up better than the one we gave up.

Or as baseline bum recently stated:

"A boat is a boat, but the mystery box could be anything! It could even be a boat!"

In a vacuum, I agree, but life isn’t a vacuum, and Minny has been bad Waaaay more than they’ve been good. It’s also Minny 31 and a Minny 2-30 swap in 30.

[Mr. Body]

4-5 rings in the next 10 years? I don't know how you follow the NBA and still say stuff like that. There is much parity in the league compared to previous years and even the most stacked teams of yester-years were never guaranteed to win multiple rings.

I'll never get over Spurs fans going ga-ga head over heels in love with the OKC Thunder. It's pathetic and shameful.

[LeBowen]

Hot take but PG's contract is as bad Beal's, he's completely washed and it's got an extra year.
50 million a year for 16/5/4 on 42/33/81 player who's a big injury risk.

5/18 tonight. :lmao

[szkorhetz]

4-5 rings in the next 10 years? I don't know how you follow the NBA and still say stuff like that. There is much parity in the league compared to previous years and even the most stacked teams of yester-years were never guaranteed to win multiple rings.
Remind me in 10 years! :)

[Ice009]

5/18 tonight. :lmao

No offense to Paul George as I like/liked the guy, but Kawhi is still a superior player which is why they gave Kawhi that contract and they didn't want to give PG the same/similar contact initially. Kawhi's problem is that he can't get on the court and/or stay on the court consistently.
From what I've heard through various podcasts, Kawhi still works his ass off and tries his hardest to get his body right and get back on the court. When he's on the court, he usually also performs if he's physically OK and not being held back by anything. I'm not sure if PG has the same mentality or if he works as hard?
I don't want to go defending Kawhi too much here after he screwed the Spurs, but just throwing my two cents in on why I think the Clippers were OK paying Kawhi and didn't want to give PG a similar contract until he pushed for it and started threatening to leave.

[spurraider21]

:lmao

1876735502532989256

[Seventyniner]

I can't imagine someone with an ego the size of Ishbia's blowing things up. He's going to go all in as much as he can until the second apron rears its ugly head.

[ace3g]

From Bucks' beat writer

https://x.com/GeryWoelfel/status/1876738021652877747

[Mugen]

:lol Suns

[mystargtr34]

Is a Jimmy to Bucks trade possible under the cap laws?

[KingKev]

Is a Jimmy to Bucks trade possible under the cap laws?

would have to include Kris Middleton and Bobby Portia but from what I have read with some slick moves they could just avoid the 2nd apron and take on Jimmy

[scott]

Isn't MIL on Jimmy's long list of places he doesn't want to play?

[scott]

CHA trying their best to blow a 15 point 4Q lead, but PHX isn't even good enough to take advantage of it :lol

[scott]

Hornets gonna hold on to this one, Phoenix loses again. Booker with 39/10/6, but this is what happens when you have a Big 3, one of whom doesn't perform, and nothing else.

[spursistan]

Suns really lost to the Hornets :lmao

Let's be honest, Spurs missing out on the play-in this season would be a travesty. The West is not as good as advertised.

[scott]

Damn, Zion actually looking good (and fit)

[spursistan]

Damn, Zion actually looking good (and fit)
Hopefully they beat the Wolves to cancel out our choke to the Bulls.

[djohn2oo8]

:lol Suns
Rockets really getting another top 10 pick

[mystargtr34]

Rockets really getting another top 10 pick

You think the Rockets are gearing up for a run at Booker with those phoenix picks?

They could prob get durant and Booker if you give those picks back and throw in Jalen Green, Jabari Smith, Reed and some extra picks.

Stacked tbh.

[scott]

Can't stand Joel Meyers, glad he isn't doing Spurs games anymore... but I do like Antonio Daniels as a color guy

[djohn2oo8]

You think the Rockets are gearing up for a run at Booker with those phoenix picks?

They could prob get durant and Booker if you give those picks back and throw in Jalen Green, Jabari Smith, Reed and some extra picks.

Stacked tbh.
I think they do make a run at Booker. Absolutely. Not sure about Durant.

[exstatic]

lol Lakers,losing to a severely undermanned Mavs squad

[LeBowen]

lol Lakers,losing to a severely undermanned Mavs squad

I'll be really upset if we don't win at least one of the two upcoming games against them.

Reaves is a worse defender than Branham, they attacked hm every single possession.

[Sugus]

I'd love to see the Rockettes blow their load on Booker, tbh. Few other star players I'd like less on my team in the playoffs.

[spurraider21]

if beal refuses to be moved and the suns just want to deconstruct to rebuild around booker... we'd be among the teams with the salary and picks to make a move for KD. he's still playing at an all-nba level

[djohn2oo8]

I'd love to see the Rockettes blow their load on Booker, tbh. Few other star players I'd like less on my team in the playoffs.
Ime has the whole team playing defense. All he is missing is a perimeter scorer. That’s also what you do need in the playoffs.

[djohn2oo8]

if beal refuses to be moved and the suns just want to deconstruct to rebuild around booker... we'd be among the teams with the salary and picks to make a move for KD. he's still playing at an all-nba level
If they trade KD they are probably trading Booker too to get some of their picks back.

[spurraider21]

If they trade KD they are probably trading Booker too to get some of their picks back.
i think they try to get something back for KD to try to build around booker again. book just turned 28 and is their franchise guy for a decade. i think moving booker is their absolute last gasp, and they wont be there yet

if booker asks out because he doesnt want to go through a retool/rebuild during his prime, that would be a different story. if so, rox would be heavy favorites for obvious reasons

[Strategic]

Thunder and Cavs with ESPN pre game show tonight. Might find out if the Cavs really have any fight.

[Mugen]

lol Lakers,losing to a severely undermanned Mavs squad

Not to defend the Flakers but half of LA is on fire right now, including probably a bunch of the players' homes.

I wouldn't give a shit about defending Spencer Dinwiddie with that on my mind either tbh.

[spurraider21]

Not to defend the Flakers but half of LA is on fire right now, including probably a bunch of the players' homes.

I wouldn't give a shit about defending Spencer Dinwiddie with that on my mind either tbh.
i wonder what ducks thinks about the fires

[Strategic]

Early bs foul called on Allen. Thunder refs starting early

[Obstructed_View]

This is absolutely terrible basketball from the two best teams in the league.

[timtonymanu]

Suns really lost to the Hornets :lmao

Let's be honest, Spurs missing out on the play-in this season would be a travesty. The West is not as good as advertised.

Also would be a good reason to finally offload some of the losers on the team. A lot of their current rotation has to go.

[Strategic]

Spurs drafted Sochan ahead of Duren. I guess

[scott]

Cavs look legit. They had a pretty clear gameplan in how they wanted to surround their "core" (Mitchell/Garland/Mobley/Allen) with dudes who can shoot. LaVert, Strus, Wade, Okoro, Niang, Merrill, Jerome... most of those guys are all pretty good shooters. Strus probably the worst of them.

[Mugen]

Cavs/Thunder chock full of two way players on good/great contracts.

Meanwhile the Spurs are overpaying for no way players like Keldon and Zollins tbh :lol

[scott]

Cavs/Thunder chock full of two way players on good/great contracts.

Meanwhile the Spurs are overpaying for no way players like Keldon and Zollins tbh :lol

I'm told Zollins is having an objectively good season, and Keldon is worth a FRP

[Mugen]

I bet Commissioner Nosferatu is just jonesin' for a Cleveland/Oklahoma City Finals tbh. 2007 redux.

[baseline bum]

Ime has the whole team playing defense. All he is missing is a perimeter scorer. That’s also what you do need in the playoffs.

You won't get any defense out of Book but damn he'd be a deadly scorer for you fuckers.

[scott]

This game also a reminder of how important offense is in today's NBA. The top defensive team in the NBA (OKC) and the #8 defensive team (CLE), and it's 103-102 after 3Q.

Can't just hang your hat on defense these days.

[baseline bum]

i think they try to get something back for KD to try to build around booker again. book just turned 28 and is their franchise guy for a decade. i think moving booker is their absolute last gasp, and they wont be there yet

if booker asks out because he doesnt want to go through a retool/rebuild during his prime, that would be a different story. if so, rox would be heavy favorites for obvious reasons

Booker is not a guy I'd want to build around. I mean they have to say they don't want to trade him to try to extract the max they can out of Houston but they'd be morons to not dump him so they can rebuild. Though they're clearly morons seeing they traded for Beal.

[spurraider21]

Booker is not a guy I'd want to build around. I mean they have to say they don't want to trade him to try to extract the max they can out of Houston but they'd be morons to not dump him so they can rebuild. Though they're clearly morons seeing they traded for Beal.
its not a question of what i think they should do, its what im expecting them to do. i dont see them moving book unless its a godfather type deal. i think houston would have to give them Amen + Green and some picks or something like that.

in any event, i dont think its the first move phoenix will try to make to salvage this shitshow

[ambchang]

This game also a reminder of how important offense is in today's NBA. The top defensive team in the NBA (OKC) and the #8 defensive team (CLE), and it's 103-102 after 3Q.

Can't just hang your hat on defense these days.

Most of the best teams have to be top 10 in both offence and defence. Even those boring spurs of the early/mid 2000s were always top 10 in o-rating (except 2004 for some reason).

I get your point about the score but teams have to be able to score if need be. People were shocked the spurs were able to hang with the suns in 05 and 07, reality is that the spurs had a decent offence, they just play at a glacial pace.

[100%duncan]

They outmeated Shai again :lol

[objective]

I think it's worth noting and ultimately Spurs related that Detroit could make the playoffs in the East.

How does that affect SA?

Minnesota has Detroit's pick via the Knicks and the Towns trade that's protected 1-13 in 25, 1-11 in 26, and 1-9 in 27. If that conveys, then they have a tradeable asset or at least a decent first in the mid-teens. They can't trade any other firsts of their own because of the outright picks and swaps they owe to Utah and San Antonio covering every actionable year going forward.

They might be able to adjust their roster enough to dodge total disaster.

[RC_Drunkford]

:lmao he played 1 game

1877083216244252723

[djohn2oo8]

You won't get any defense out of Book but damn he'd be a deadly scorer for you fuckers.
Haha yep.

[djohn2oo8]

its not a question of what i think they should do, its what im expecting them to do. i dont see them moving book unless its a godfather type deal. i think houston would have to give them Amen + Green and some picks or something like that.

in any event, i dont think its the first move phoenix will try to make to salvage this shitshow
If they ask for Amen I’d tell them to kiss my ass :lol
Rox have the leverage by saying we can go elsewhere for a trade and still keep your likely lotto picks. KD is guaranteed to ask out and Booker too probably. While they can get picks for them, they won’t have their own picks for 2-3 years ish.

[baseline bum]

:lmao he played 1 game

1877083216244252723

Normally I'm all for dunking on Kawhi but he 99.9% lost his house.

[Pauleta14]

The usual moron drunkford making fun of a man taking care of his family that lost everything... smh

[exstatic]

Normally I'm all for dunking on Kawhi but he 99.9% lost his house.

Doesn’t he commute from SD?

[LeBowen]

Wouldn't surprise me if Lakers home games are postopned and we could use it to get our shit together.

[baseline bum]

Doesn’t he commute from SD?

That's ridiculous. Have you ever driven the 405 or the 5? They make I-35 in Austin and I-10 in Katy look like nothing. Even west side LA to Anaheim is a 3 hour drive in commuting hours. His house was in Pacific Palisades. Would be pretty shocking if it's still there this morning.

[BatManu20]

Yea these Palisades fires are nuts. Even the Hollywood Hills were burning last night. These types of fires were basically an annual occurrence back when I lived out there pre-covid, but not typically this bad. 27,000 Acres burned down and counting, thousands of houses and businesses completely lost, over 100,000 people evacuated, countless wildlife killed, and 5 people confirmed dead so far. Crazy.

[RC_Drunkford]

The usual moron drunkford making fun of a man taking care of his family that lost everything... smh

eat a dick Karen

[scott]

Lost in the shuffle, Zion made his return on Tuesday... and was already ruled out Wednesday with a hamstring :lol

[Pauleta14]

eat a dick Karen

Too late hon, you exposed yourself as a low life dickhead

We already knew you were dumb but wow what a package! :lol

[scott]

CP3s family is all in LA... I'm sure the fires are weighing pretty heavily on him as well.

[spurraider21]

:lmao he played 1 game
shutup hoe

[exstatic]

Lost in the shuffle, Zion made his return on Tuesday... and was already ruled out Wednesday with a hamstring :lol

Wasn’t that the long term issue that kept him out until now? Sheesh.

[scott]

Wasn’t that the long term issue that kept him out until now? Sheesh.

My only thought is that maybe they are keeping him out of B2Bs for now and this was planned.

[Mugen]

Wouldn't be surprised if the Laker game on Saturday is postponed.

I think the worst is behind us but still pretty bad in LA right now, the air quality is shit.

JJ Redick's house burned down in the Palisades, I'm sure a few other Laker players too tbh. Would imagine that's a factor in scheduling.

[Splits]

Wouldn't be surprised if the Laker game on Saturday is postponed.

I think the worst is behind us but still pretty bad in LA right now, the air quality is shit.

JJ Redick's house burned down in the Palisades, I'm sure a few other Laker players too tbh. Would imagine that's a factor in scheduling.

Tonight's game against the whorenets is postponed. Doubt they will postpone Saturday, forecast says fires should be slowing down tomorrow

[spurraider21]

Wouldn't be surprised if the Laker game on Saturday is postponed.

I think the worst is behind us but still pretty bad in LA right now, the air quality is shit.

JJ Redick's house burned down in the Palisades, I'm sure a few other Laker players too tbh. Would imagine that's a factor in scheduling.
fires out west now. west hills/calabasas area. just insanity

[Mugen]

fires out west now. west hills/calabasas area. just insanity

Altadena and the Palisades are gone. It's surreal tbh.

[widowmaker]

Normally I'm all for dunking on Kawhi but he 99.9% lost his house.


Good fuck that bitch

[Ni-G]

It's just a home,it can be rebuilt or purchased another one. Surly insured. Anyway,he's not broke and poor FFS.

[Brazil]

OKC losing with Mitchel going 3 on 16 attempts :lol

[LeBowen]

OKC losing with Mitchel going 3 on 16 attempts :lol

As I said this summer, OKC is a perfect regular season machinery for grinding out regular season wins, but it still feels like they lack another creator for the playoffs.
Williams has made great progress, but he wasn't good enough of a second option last year. We'll see how it goes in these playoffs.
Opposition strategy will still be to shut down SGA and let others beat them, we'll see how it goes.

[Strategic]

OKC losing with Mitchel going 3 on 16 attempts :lolCavs looking pretty well constructed, even though it’s just coming to mid season. Wouldn’t mind seeing the Cavs win the east especially since James said goodbye.

[Brazil]

Cavs looking pretty well constructed, even though it’s just coming to mid season. Wouldn’t mind seeing the Cavs win the east especially since James said goodbye.

I'm all for Cavs winning the east and winning it all tbh, that would be pretty cool but looking at Celtics they seem to cruise a bit during RS. After their title last year, they don't have anymore that chip on their shoulder but at the end, imho, they are still the team to beat in the POs

[LeBowen]

Cavs looking pretty well constructed, even though it’s just coming to mid season. Wouldn’t mind seeing the Cavs win the east especially since James said goodbye.

Cavs looking pretty well coached, I'd say.
Remember last summer when it was all about Mitchell and Garland being incompatible? The same was said for Mobley and Allen.
Atkinson is an amazing coach, karma caught up with KD for kicking him out of Brooklyn in favor of Nash.

[Bruno]

https://x.com/lifer_305/status/1877705114326094051

The Butler saga is fun to follow. Pat "Bully" Riley will have a hard time getting the last word with someone like Butler.