Offseason Thread

[boscel33]

Well, that sucks.

Shams Charania
@ShamsCharania
?
10m
Just in: Houston Rockets' Fred VanVleet has suffered a torn ACL, sources tell ESPN. A devastating, potentially season-ending loss for the Rockets with their starting point guard and leader.

Jeez. Their only legit ball-handler. Their only passer / playmaker in the backcourt. One of the few high volume outside shooters they have.

That could end Houston's title chances. Their guard depth is so weak that they may not be able to work around the loss of VanVleet. At least not with their current roster. It may require a trade to replace him.

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

I wonder if they will try to play Amen Thompson at PG in a big lineup. That was their plan when they drafted him. It hasn't worked out thus far but maybe they go back to it and try it again.

Reed Sheppard is another option. Still has a lot to prove.

Aaron Holiday is their most proven option. He can do a decent stand-in option at PG. I am always surprised he doesn't play more for Houston because he usually plays well when he gets the chance. Not as much upside as Reed or Amen but more dependable than either.

Watch JD Davison become the next coming of Isiah Thomas!

[Moranis]

Not sure how the Rockets would acquire Simons.  He makes a lot.

I think it would be VanVleet. He signed a new deal in the summer so he can't be traded until mid December. Then you need the sweetner / the reason for Boston to make the deal so ..

VanVleet + Tari Eason for Anfernee Simons.

VanVleet makes 25 million the following year and will be coming off injury.  I just don't see why Boston would take on that sort of salary even for Eason who is going to be a restricted free agent next summer and require a huge contract to retain.  If Boston was willing to pay that kind of money in salary, they should have just kept Zinger or Holiday. 

[perks-a-beast]

I was really high on Reed Sheppard during the 2024 draft - I still think he can step up and fill in nicely during VanVleets absence.

[Who]

ESPN has a video segment "previewing Year 7 for Zion". Year 7? Already?

It feels like he has barely been in the league. Probably because he has played so little. Maybe 4 years I would have guessed. Zion has 214 games played. The equivalent of 3 seasons games.

* 214 games over 6 seasons.
* An average of 36 games per season.
* One season missed completely with injury
* 3 seasons where he played 24 gms, 29 gms, 36gms
* 2 seasons with 61 and 70 games played

So only 2 seasons where Zion has played most of the campaign out of 6 seasons. And he was injured for the playoffs in one of those two seasons. Missed the playoffs in the other season.

Zion has yet to play a single playoff game.

[Who]

Cavs signed Thomas Bryant.

Nice late off-season pickup. Good 3rd stringer. Gave Indy some useful minutes in the playoffs last season.

[Roy H.]

Cavs signed Thomas Bryant.

Nice late off-season pickup. Good 3rd stringer. Gave Indy some useful minutes in the playoffs last season.

They also signed Killian Hayes, who doesn't have one ounce of potential.  One of the worst lottery picks in recent memory.

[snively]

Zion looks like he lost a ton of weight.

[Roy H.]

Free agent center/forward Precious Achiuwa has agreed to a one-year deal with the Miami Heat, sources told ESPN.

This serves as a reunion for the Heat's No. 20 pick in the 2020 NBA draft after Achiuwa's productive stints in New York and Toronto over the past four seasons. The Heat have searched for size in the frontcourt to support star center Bam Adebayo this season.

[moiso]

Zion looks like he lost a ton of weight.

We hear this every year, but I just saw his new pics and he finally looks like a basketball player.  To me it's shocking that it took until year seven.  He didn't look around and see that he was a fat guy among ripped guys until now?  Crazy.  You can see his facial structure now.

[Goldstar88]

Zion looks like he lost a ton of weight.

We hear this every year, but I just saw his new pics and he finally looks like a basketball player.  To me it's shocking that it took until year seven.  He didn't look around and see that he was a fat guy among ripped guys until now?  Crazy.  You can see his facial structure now.

Zion turned 25 a few months ago, so maybe he?s going to finally start taking his career seriously. He seems like a smart kid and has a great personality. Hopefully Joe Dumars can get the best out of him. Zion is one of the most exciting players in the league.

[Who]

* Monte Morris signs with Indiana.
* Terrence Davis signs camp deal with Sacramento.
* KJ Martin waived by Utah.
* Philly sign Emoni Bates, Kennedy Chandler

[Who]

They've had plenty of what [Zion] Williamson calls "man-to-man" conversations.

"I like Joe," Williamson said at Tuesday's media day for the Pelicans. "What you see is what you get. He's going to hold me accountable. As he holds me accountable, he's going to give me a lot of responsibility as well. I'm excited for it and I look forward to it."

He [Zion] looks to be in the best shape of his NBA career. And he feels that way, too.

He credits Daniel Bove, the director of performance and sports science for the Pelicans, for that. They've come up with a workout plan that includes everything from boxing to working out on the football field. He's also worked out with former Pelicans assistant coach Teresa Weatherspoon, who is like a big sister to him.

"It feels good to feel good," Williamson said. "I haven't felt like this since high school or college."

[Vermont Green]

Not sure how the Rockets would acquire Simons.  He makes a lot.

I think it would be VanVleet. He signed a new deal in the summer so he can't be traded until mid December. Then you need the sweetner / the reason for Boston to make the deal so ..

VanVleet + Tari Eason for Anfernee Simons.

VanVleet makes 25 million the following year and will be coming off injury.  I just don't see why Boston would take on that sort of salary even for Eason who is going to be a restricted free agent next summer and require a huge contract to retain.  If Boston was willing to pay that kind of money in salary, they should have just kept Zinger or Holiday.

I don't either (know why BOS would want VanVleet).  But how about HOU going after Jrue Holiday?  Not sure how they match up salaries but Holiday would be perfect for HOU, now that they have Durant.  Holiday would be perfect to play with Durant.


VanVleet + Sheppard for Holiday works (after Oct 6).  There are potential deals here.

[Vermont Green]

They've had plenty of what [Zion] Williamson calls "man-to-man" conversations.

"I like Joe," Williamson said at Tuesday's media day for the Pelicans. "What you see is what you get. He's going to hold me accountable. As he holds me accountable, he's going to give me a lot of responsibility as well. I'm excited for it and I look forward to it."

He [Zion] looks to be in the best shape of his NBA career. And he feels that way, too.

He credits Daniel Bove, the director of performance and sports science for the Pelicans, for that. They've come up with a workout plan that includes everything from boxing to working out on the football field. He's also worked out with former Pelicans assistant coach Teresa Weatherspoon, who is like a big sister to him.

"It feels good to feel good," Williamson said. "I haven't felt like this since high school or college."

Plenty of time to turn his career around.  He has shown what kind of player he could be, albeit only in flashes so far.  7 seasons of not doing it casts a lot of doubt on whether he can turn things around.  I hope he does.