2025 NBA Offseason Thread

[Maddog]

Yea that contract was for around $11.2M/year. Adjusted for inflation, that would be around $21M/year today. Sill a huge difference. NBA money is just nuts these days.

The Salary Cap in 2000 was $35.5M too, compared to $155M today. Pretty wild.

During the 1965-66 NBA season, Bill Russell became the highest-paid player in the league, earning a salary of $100,001. This made him the first NBA player to surpass the $100,000 mark in a single season.
Adjusted for inflation that's right under a million.
Of course back then the NBA was clearly a distant third among professional sports and money in sports and entertainment was no where near what it is today

[mo7888]

During the 1965-66 NBA season, Bill Russell became the highest-paid player in the league, earning a salary of $100,001. This made him the first NBA player to surpass the $100,000 mark in a single season.
Adjusted for inflation that's right under a million.
Of course back then the NBA was clearly a distant third among professional sports and money in sports and entertainment was no where near what it is today

The NBA is still 3rd in revenue generated, they've improved though and aren't a distant 3rd anymore.

[exstatic]

2027: Thunder go over second apron → their 2034 first-round pick gets frozen (can't trade it)

2028-2031: This is their 4-year window to avoid the worst penalty. They need to stay under the second apron for at least 3 out of these 4 seasons to unfreeze their pick.


If they succeed: Pick becomes tradeable again after the 2031-32 season


If they fail (stay over for 2+ years during 2028-2031): Their 2034 pick automatically becomes the 30th pick in the draft, regardless of how bad they are.


So it's not really about "3 years after" - the pick gets frozen immediately when they go over in 2027. The question is whether they can discipline themselves for 3 out of the next 4 years to avoid losing a potentially valuable lottery pick entirely.


Pretty brutal penalty system when you think about it. The league really doesn't want teams staying in luxury tax long-term.

It’s actually not frozen for a first offense, and can never be unfrozen once it becomes so. Look up the CBA. It’s something like 2 times in 3 years triggers the pick penalty.

[exstatic]

25 years ago. Should be a San Antonio holiday tbh. We'll forever be indebted to Doc Rivers' dumbass for completely blowing his opportunity to steal Timmy away from us in 2000.

People still don’t get it. It was never going to be Hill, Duncan, and TMac. They only had two max slots, and when Tim passed, they pivoted to the then relatively unknown Tracy McGrady.

[Ice009]

I've been told that, but I remember reading back then that they were trying to get McGrady too. They were trying to fit all three in. Again, don't remember what the article said, but I think Hill was in and the Magic were trying to get both TD and Tracey (I think they were going to offer T-Mac less money as the third wheel). Maybe I'm remembering wrong.

[goliath]

I've been told that, but I remember reading back then that they were trying to get McGrady too. They were trying to fit all three in. Again, don't remember what the article said, but I think Hill was in and the Magic were trying to get both TD and Tracey (I think they were going to offer T-Mac less money as the third wheel). Maybe I'm remembering wrong.

If I remember correctly it was the media and leaks from the Magic that were basically saying “we are going after hill and Duncan and who knows maybe they all take less and we sign Tmac too.” I don’t think any of the three said or hinted they would take less and it was all speculation from the media and wishful thinking by the Magic. As others said they only had two max slots and all three would had to have taken pretty significant pay cuts.

[goliath]

If I remember correctly it was the media and leaks from the Magic that were basically saying “we are going after hill and Duncan and who knows maybe they all take less and we sign Tmac too.” I don’t think any of the three said or hinted they would take less and it was all speculation from the media and wishful thinking by the Magic. As others said they only had two max slots and all three would had to have taken pretty significant pay cuts.

And tmac wasn’t part of the recruiting trip Duncan and hill went on, wasn’t on any of the signage or marketing trying to get them to sign and only visited when Duncan said no.

[Ice009]

If I remember correctly it was the media and leaks from the Magic that were basically saying “we are going after hill and Duncan and who knows maybe they all take less and we sign Tmac too.” I don’t think any of the three said or hinted they would take less and it was all speculation from the media and wishful thinking by the Magic. As others said they only had two max slots and all three would had to have taken pretty significant pay cuts.

And tmac wasn’t part of the recruiting trip Duncan and hill went on, wasn’t on any of the signage or marketing trying to get them to sign and only visited when Duncan said no.

You might be 100% right. I think that is what it might have been, as I did read it in an article, so it might have been the media trying to drum it up. Having said that, I'm sure T-Mac mentioned he almost got to play with TD and if Grant Hill was signed first, that would mean it would have been the three of them.

[Dex]

The NBA is still 3rd in revenue generated, they've improved though and aren't a distant 3rd anymore.

I'm a little surprised MLB is still higher, considering most people I talk to complain about how boring watching baseball on TV is (myself included).

Granted, we don't necessarily live in a baseball area.

[scott]

I'm a little surprised MLB is still higher, considering most people I talk to complain about how boring watching baseball on TV is (myself included).

Granted, we don't necessarily live in a baseball area.

According to Wikipedia, NBA has surpassed MLB in revenues, revenue/game, and revenue/team: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...ues_by_revenue

[KobesAchilles]

I love Tmac saying he deserved MVP in 2003 for dragging his team to the 8th seed and a first round exit. There probably wasn’t a bigger Tmac fan than me at the time but when I heard that take I just busted out laughing. He even argued with Shaq saying he deserved MVP over Duncan bc the Spurs had rookie Manu and second year Parker. It’s why I can’t take players seriously when they talk about stuff like that. Too many of them are deluded

[Mr. Body]

According to Wikipedia, NBA has surpassed MLB in revenues, revenue/game, and revenue/team: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...ues_by_revenue

MLB also has a huge number of games per season and they are somewhat narrow casted to fans who see multiple games throughout the year. It's not as niche as hockey but it's a fairly niche sport other than some areas -- like NYC or Boston, where their MLB teams are arguably their most popular.

[Ice009]

I've never really watched a baseball game or hockey game. Is either worth watching?

[tonight...you]

I've never really watched a baseball game or hockey game. Is either worth watching?

I only watch baseball because my apartment complex overlooks the Durham Bulls stadium with a perfect view facing home base with complete visibility and the complex runs an open bar many games for us tenants to get together and enjoy.
It's fine in that kind of environment. I always thought of baseball as a social event as it's so slow so there's lots of talking between each other.
I've been to a few pro hockey games and it can be super fun live. The fans are rabid, even in El Paso and even more-so in NC.
On TV though... Never tried it.

I always liked watching rugby though. Now that's a niche sport for Americans.
Cricket made my eyes go crossed.
Futbol was cool when I was with my Mexican fam as they would be so into it. I enjoyed that.

[KobesAchilles]

I've never really watched a baseball game or hockey game. Is either worth watching?

Gotta go to live games for both. The experience is way better live. It’s not really made for TV tbh.

[mo7888]

According to Wikipedia, NBA has surpassed MLB in revenues, revenue/game, and revenue/team: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...ues_by_revenue

This is what my AI said:

The top 3 sports leagues by revenue in the USA are:
* National Football League (NFL): Consistently the highest-grossing sports league in the US and globally, with revenues exceeding $18 billion annually.
* Major League Baseball (MLB): Generates significant revenue, typically around $11.5 - $12 billion annually.
* National Basketball Association (NBA): Showing rapid growth and strong international appeal, with annual revenues around $10.5 - $11.3 billion.

[scott]

For those asking about baseball and whether it worth watch... 60 Minutes recently did a great story on the Savannah Bananas that is easily found online.

Basically a young guy acquired the team and wanted to completely change the fan experience because most people (including him, while managing another team) found it boring. Really a great watch (and a great example of a customer-centric business model)

[ace3g]

Shams Charania ShamsCharania
·
39s
Cole Anthony has agreed to a contract buyout with the Memphis Grizzlies and plans to sign with the Milwaukee Bucks after he clears waivers, sources tell ESPN. Grizzlies finalized the buyout with Jeff Schwartz and Javon Phillips of Excel Sports for Anthony's new opportunity.

[mo7888]

For those asking about baseball and whether it worth watch... 60 Minutes recently did a great story on the Savannah Bananas that is easily found online.

Basically a young guy acquired the team and wanted to completely change the fan experience because most people (including him, while managing another team) found it boring. Really a great watch (and a great example of a customer-centric business model)

Love the Savannah Bananas!

[tonight...you]

For those asking about baseball and whether it worth watch... 60 Minutes recently did a great story on the Savannah Bananas that is easily found online.

Basically a young guy acquired the team and wanted to completely change the fan experience because most people (including him, while managing another team) found it boring. Really a great watch (and a great example of a customer-centric business model)

They stay at my hotel every year when they come play at the Bulls stadium.
Great guys, for the most part.

[scott]

Love the Savannah Bananas!

They stay at my hotel every year when they come play at the Bulls stadium.
Great guys, for the most part.

It was a really good story, and I've seen some other clips from extended portions of the interview that didn't make the final cut that were really insightful. The owner and his partner have such a refreshing approach to how they manage the team and the fan experience. It might not be the most profitable approach, but it's definitely great for fans and it is resonating, as shown by the sell out crowds all over the country. I've never watched a Bananas game, but I want to now.

[tonight...you]

It was a really good story, and I've seen some other clips from extended portions of the interview that didn't make the final cut that were really insightful. The owner and his partner have such a refreshing approach to how they manage the team and the fan experience. It might not be the most profitable approach, but it's definitely great for fans and it is resonating, as shown by the sell out crowds all over the country. I've never watched a Bananas game, but I want to now.

They're pretty awesome. Like a more entertaining Harlem Globetrotters of baseball.
They really get the crowd into it.
I made a few friends from the team. I know the owners as they stay too. We have a great relationship.

[mo7888]

It was a really good story, and I've seen some other clips from extended portions of the interview that didn't make the final cut that were really insightful. The owner and his partner have such a refreshing approach to how they manage the team and the fan experience. It might not be the most profitable approach, but it's definitely great for fans and it is resonating, as shown by the sell out crowds all over the country. I've never watched a Bananas game, but I want to now.

I've watched them on TV with my son (10 year old baseball player) and we love it. It's almost impossible to get tickets. Not only is it just a fun games it's quicker than MLB as well. Of course, college baseball (which I like better than MLB as well) goes at a quicker pace and that makes it more entertaining for me too.

[mystargtr34]

Not to overreact but after watching Queen for 5 minutes I think he’s going to be the worst defensive player in the league by far.

[SpursGenius]

First Team

Fox 1st round pick 5
Castle 1st round Pick 4
Vassell 1st round pick 11
Sochan 1st round pick 9
Wemby 1st round pick 1

2nd team

Harper First round pick 2
Champ
Bryant first round pick 14
Barnes first round pick 7
Kornet

Third team

Mcloughlin
Garcia
Keldon first round pick 29
Bassey
Olynyk first round pick 13

two way

Ingram
Dennis
Minix