Offseason Thread

[Who]

D Robinson is a loss for Miami. They have a bunch of SFs but few SGs. D Robinson was the one true shooter they had on the wing. Him and T Herro (guard). Their offense now gets even worse.

The lack of quality at SG means T Herro likely has to switch back to SG. He did well for them at PG and was less of a defensive liability there. That is a pity.

G: Davion Mitchell, T Rozier
G: T Herro, Kasparas Jakucionis
F: A Wiggins, H Highsmith, S Fontecchio, P Larsson
F: Bam Adebayo, Kyle Anderson, N Jovic, J Jaquez
C: K Ware, K Love

You can see the hole there at SG. The rookie Jakucionis is the only true SG on the team. So now they will likely have to go with a super-small backcourt trio of D Mitchell, T Rozier and T Herro. We saw over last two years that Rozier & Herro caused more defensive problems than offensive solultions. That will continue. Rozier won't play well with D Mitchell either. They lack alternatives at backup PG. Jakucionis might get a shot but it is asking a lot of a rookie to step up and play major minutes here.

They need to clean up that forward depth. Trade 1-2 of those guys and better balance out their roster.

-------------------

Duncan Robinson never got enough credit for the role he played on the Heat team. And how he gave them superior balance.

[Who]

The Bucks could still trade a future first-round pick in either 2031 or 2032 as they search for a new point guard.

That is a valuable trade chip.

Even if Giannis stays, he is already 31 years old so he would be 36-38 years old by then. Lot of potential in that future draft pick - both if Giannis leaves and even if Giannis stays.

[Who]

Tre Mann and the Charlotte Hornets have agreed to a three-year, $24 million deal.

In 13 games last season due to a back injury, Mann averaged 14.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 24.5 minutes.

It looked like he was breaking out prior to getting hurt. That contract could be a steal if he continues along that line. Have to wait and see.

[Who]

Larry Nance Jr. has agreed to sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Nance spent last season with the Atlanta Hawks as their third center.

In 24 games last season, Nance averaged 8.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.6 assist in 19.3 minutes.

Good signing for Cleveland. Another backup PF. Some big man depth behind Dean Wade.

[Who]

Atlanta have a very strong top 7 but nothing after that

G: Trae Young, NAW
G: Dyson Daniels
F: Z Risacher, L Kennard
F: Jalen Johnson
C: Porzingis, Okongwu

Luke Kennard was a big FA signing but he hasn't helped a team in years. He did nothing in Memphis despite them having a huge need at (1) his position (2) his skill-set. Yet he couldn't help them. I don't trust him at all.

Then it is Garrison Matthews, Krejci, Asa Newell, Drake Powell, Mo Gueye. Nothing you can depend on.

I liked the signing of NAW. He is a great fit next to Trae Young. A stable ball-handler when Trae sits. Can play alongside Trae. Strong defensive guard. Very good shooter. Great fit along with those athletic wings Dyson Daniels, Z Risacher, Jalen Johnson. The type of athletes and quick long defensive talent you want next to Trae. Kennard doesn't fit that mold. They have a good road map. Stick to the road map. Athletes & defenders surrounding Trae.

[Who]

The Los Angeles Clippers are waiving Drew Eubanks, who his planning to sign a one-year deal with the Sacramento Kings.

The Philadelphia 76ers have re-signed veteran guard Eric Gordon after he declined his $3.4 million player option for the 2025-26 season. Gordon returns to Philadelphia on a new one-year contract that reduces the team's cap hit to $2.3 million.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

There's a bit of smoke about the Lakers trading James. I really don't think it would happen, but I was trying to figure out what is the most likely team.

I don't think there is a single team in the east that makes sense. Obviously James may want to go east to have an easier road to the finals, but I don't see a single team that would a) have anything they would be willing to give up b) while keeping what they need to contend and c) the Lakers wanting what they would trade.

One team that made sense was the Rockets. What if they sent out Sengun, Sheppard, and Eason (or Whitmore)? That would allow the Lakers to continue to tool around Luka in his prime, while it would also give the Rockets Durant-James-Adams-FVV-DFS with Smith Jr., Thompson, Whitmore, Holliday off the bench. That's an interesting team.

I think it's far less likely, but there's been smoke about James and Curry playing together for years. The trade would need to be something like Green-Hield-Moody-Podz, or maybe you include Kuminga in a SnT, but that gets complicated. Frankly, if I'm the Lakers, I don't like the Warriors players enough to want that trade.

The only other trade that makes any sense is another one with the Mavs. If the Mavs sent the Lakers Gafford, Washington, Thompson, and future firsts. It'd be pretty funny to watch the Lakers try to take a team to the finals with almost the exact same team as the Mavs over the last couple years.

Does anyone else see a team that would have something the Lakers would want, that would be able to contend if they traded for James, and that James would want to go to?

[snively]

Atlanta have a very strong top 7 but nothing after that

G: Trae Young, NAW
G: Dyson Daniels
F: Z Risacher, L Kennard
F: Jalen Johnson
C: Porzingis, Okongwu

Luke Kennard was a big FA signing but he hasn't helped a team in years. He did nothing in Memphis despite them having a huge need at (1) his position (2) his skill-set. Yet he couldn't help them. I don't trust him at all.

Then it is Garrison Matthews, Krejci, Asa Newell, Drake Powell, Mo Gueye. Nothing you can depend on.

I liked the signing of NAW. He is a great fit next to Trae Young. A stable ball-handler when Trae sits. Can play alongside Trae. Strong defensive guard. Very good shooter. Great fit along with those athletic wings Dyson Daniels, Z Risacher, Jalen Johnson. The type of athletes and quick long defensive talent you want next to Trae. Kennard doesn't fit that mold. They have a good road map. Stick to the road map. Athletes & defenders surrounding Trae.

They should try to bring Horford back for a farewell tour. Shore up that big man rotation.

[Who]

Atlanta have a very strong top 7 but nothing after that

G: Trae Young, NAW
G: Dyson Daniels
F: Z Risacher, L Kennard
F: Jalen Johnson
C: Porzingis, Okongwu

Luke Kennard was a big FA signing but he hasn't helped a team in years. He did nothing in Memphis despite them having a huge need at (1) his position (2) his skill-set. Yet he couldn't help them. I don't trust him at all.

Then it is Garrison Matthews, Krejci, Asa Newell, Drake Powell, Mo Gueye. Nothing you can depend on.

I liked the signing of NAW. He is a great fit next to Trae Young. A stable ball-handler when Trae sits. Can play alongside Trae. Strong defensive guard. Very good shooter. Great fit along with those athletic wings Dyson Daniels, Z Risacher, Jalen Johnson. The type of athletes and quick long defensive talent you want next to Trae. Kennard doesn't fit that mold. They have a good road map. Stick to the road map. Athletes & defenders surrounding Trae.

They should try to bring Horford back for a farewell tour. Shore up that big man rotation.

I love that idea. That would be awesome.

[Goldstar88]

Only time he saw. 

Sirius XM NBA Radio: ?There was a trade ? I?m talking a long time ago ? Khris Middleton for Jimmy Butler swap, Giannis was like nah we?re not doing that. that was only time I ever saw him stand up and say something @Johnhenson31 gives insight to @worldwidewob & @adaniels33 about Giannis and the team?s front office.  via x.com

[DefenseWinsChamps]

There's a bit of smoke about the Lakers trading James. I really don't think it would happen, but I was trying to figure out what is the most likely team.

I don't think there is a single team in the east that makes sense. Obviously James may want to go east to have an easier road to the finals, but I don't see a single team that would a) have anything they would be willing to give up b) while keeping what they need to contend and c) the Lakers wanting what they would trade.

One team that made sense was the Rockets. What if they sent out Sengun, Sheppard, and Eason (or Whitmore)? That would allow the Lakers to continue to tool around Luka in his prime, while it would also give the Rockets Durant-James-Adams-FVV-DFS with Smith Jr., Thompson, Whitmore, Holliday off the bench. That's an interesting team.

I think it's far less likely, but there's been smoke about James and Curry playing together for years. The trade would need to be something like Green-Hield-Moody-Podz, or maybe you include Kuminga in a SnT, but that gets complicated. Frankly, if I'm the Lakers, I don't like the Warriors players enough to want that trade.

The only other trade that makes any sense is another one with the Mavs. If the Mavs sent the Lakers Gafford, Washington, Thompson, and future firsts. It'd be pretty funny to watch the Lakers try to take a team to the finals with almost the exact same team as the Mavs over the last couple years.

Does anyone else see a team that would have something the Lakers would want, that would be able to contend if they traded for James, and that James would want to go to?

I guess if the Cavs put Garland and Allen on the table, the Lakers would probably like that trade and you can see the narrative for Lebron going home one more time.

[Who]

Lakers Roster

G: A Reaves
G: L Doncic
F: LeBron
F: Hachimura
C: (Ayton?)

Bench Guards - Gabe Vincent, Bronny, Jordan Goodwin.
Bench Forwards - Jake LaRavia, D Knecht, J Vanderbilt
Bench Bigs - (Jaxson Hayes?), Maxi Kleber

Interesting mix.

All their backup guards are small guards. Not super small but combo guards. No true SGs. No guys 6-5 / 6-6. All defensive minded guards who have basic handle and are asked to hit open jump-shots.

Jake LaRavia has taken over as their main backup forward. I am surprised LAL got him so cheap. I had expected him to get closer to the Full MLE after his breakout year last season. I would have loved him in Boston at that price. He would have been a great stand-in for Tatum at PF for the year and then slide back to backup PF/SF once Tatum returns. Sort of a James Posey-ish type glue guy. Then you got that all offense / no defense SF in Knecht and the all defense / no offense in Vanderbilt depending on the situation.

If they bring back Jaxson Hayes they got an athletic rim roller and a then a stretch big in Maxi Kleber.

It is not that bad a bench. I like the versatility in terms of having different matchup options depending on the game / opponent. That gives it higher punching value than it's individuals. Sum of its parts are greater than the individual parts I mean.

Ayton is going to be a big swing factor for them. I don't know if Horford is on the table there or not. I would have thought GSW would offer him a larger role and would be the frontrunner. If they could get the two of them, that would be huge for LAL.

It is a surprisingly good team ... despite a quiet and disappointing off-season thus far.

[Goldstar88]

There's a bit of smoke about the Lakers trading James. I really don't think it would happen, but I was trying to figure out what is the most likely team.

I don't think there is a single team in the east that makes sense. Obviously James may want to go east to have an easier road to the finals, but I don't see a single team that would a) have anything they would be willing to give up b) while keeping what they need to contend and c) the Lakers wanting what they would trade.

One team that made sense was the Rockets. What if they sent out Sengun, Sheppard, and Eason (or Whitmore)? That would allow the Lakers to continue to tool around Luka in his prime, while it would also give the Rockets Durant-James-Adams-FVV-DFS with Smith Jr., Thompson, Whitmore, Holliday off the bench. That's an interesting team.

I think it's far less likely, but there's been smoke about James and Curry playing together for years. The trade would need to be something like Green-Hield-Moody-Podz, or maybe you include Kuminga in a SnT, but that gets complicated. Frankly, if I'm the Lakers, I don't like the Warriors players enough to want that trade.

The only other trade that makes any sense is another one with the Mavs. If the Mavs sent the Lakers Gafford, Washington, Thompson, and future firsts. It'd be pretty funny to watch the Lakers try to take a team to the finals with almost the exact same team as the Mavs over the last couple years.

Does anyone else see a team that would have something the Lakers would want, that would be able to contend if they traded for James, and that James would want to go to?

I guess if the Cavs put Garland and Allen on the table, the Lakers would probably like that trade and you can see the narrative for Lebron going home one more time.

That would be wild. It does make sense for both teams, too.

Cavs: Lonzo, Mitchell, Hunter, LeBron, Mobley with Strus, Merrill, Wade, Nance Jr off the bench. That?s a championship caliber team.

Lakers: Garland, Reeves, Doncic, Hachimura, Allen is a very solid starting 5.

[keevsnick]

There's a bit of smoke about the Lakers trading James. I really don't think it would happen, but I was trying to figure out what is the most likely team.

I don't think there is a single team in the east that makes sense. Obviously James may want to go east to have an easier road to the finals, but I don't see a single team that would a) have anything they would be willing to give up b) while keeping what they need to contend and c) the Lakers wanting what they would trade.

One team that made sense was the Rockets. What if they sent out Sengun, Sheppard, and Eason (or Whitmore)? That would allow the Lakers to continue to tool around Luka in his prime, while it would also give the Rockets Durant-James-Adams-FVV-DFS with Smith Jr., Thompson, Whitmore, Holliday off the bench. That's an interesting team.

I think it's far less likely, but there's been smoke about James and Curry playing together for years. The trade would need to be something like Green-Hield-Moody-Podz, or maybe you include Kuminga in a SnT, but that gets complicated. Frankly, if I'm the Lakers, I don't like the Warriors players enough to want that trade.

The only other trade that makes any sense is another one with the Mavs. If the Mavs sent the Lakers Gafford, Washington, Thompson, and future firsts. It'd be pretty funny to watch the Lakers try to take a team to the finals with almost the exact same team as the Mavs over the last couple years.

Does anyone else see a team that would have something the Lakers would want, that would be able to contend if they traded for James, and that James would want to go to?

I guess if the Cavs put Garland and Allen on the table, the Lakers would probably like that trade and you can see the narrative for Lebron going home one more time.

That would be wild. It does make sense for both teams, too.

Cavs: Lonzo, Mitchell, Hunter, LeBron, Mobley with Strus, Merrill, Wade, Nance Jr off the bench. That?s a championship caliber team.

Lakers: Garland, Reeves, Doncic, Hachimura, Allen is a very solid starting 5.

if I'm the Cav I don't think I'm giving up Garland and Allen for one year of Lebron.

[keevsnick]

With the Ayton signing seems Horford is down to GSW, return to Celtics, or retire.

The Warriors will be better than the C's next year, back in a stacked west they are probably no better than 5th (OKC, HOU, DEN, MIN).