Around the League / Regular Season Thread (Upstairs Version)

[exstatic]

If Presti brings a le 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 le, 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 bull , but they let you hang the banner and keep the trophy forever... who ing 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

Timberwolves

[Em-City]

Timberwolves currently down double digits against the Pistons

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 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? 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? 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 ing babies.

[NASpurs]

Man, you guys are a bunch of ing babies.

Better than being an insufferable got.

[Brazil]

Better than being an insufferable got.