Offseason Thread

[slightly biased bias fan]

Golden State's main issue will be whether they can get a 3rd scorer alongside them. Podz wasn't consistent enough in the playoffs last season. He was late in the regular season. He wasn't early in the regular season. Kuminga is another option. Or via trade. They need that 3rd option to help them.

Then they will need only 2/3 of Steph / Jimmy / 3rd scorer to play well to give them a great chance of winning. Right now they get vulnerable if only one of Jimmy / Steph play well. If both play well, they are dynamite.

If I was the Warriors, I would try and flip Kuminga (plus Moody & Hield) for Porter Jr (plus salary filler).

Obviously you would have to wait until January & you may have to throw in a draft pick, but I think it would turn them into true contender.

Curry
Butler
Porter Jr
Green
Horford

Podziemski, Payton II, Jackson-Davis, Post, Melton, Curry

You have a higher view of MPJ than I do. But I do like where your head is at.

I know what you mean but MPJ would fit seamlessly into the Steve Kerr system. He would essentially be a poor man version of Durant when he was on the Warriors.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Golden State's main issue will be whether they can get a 3rd scorer alongside them. Podz wasn't consistent enough in the playoffs last season. He was late in the regular season. He wasn't early in the regular season. Kuminga is another option. Or via trade. They need that 3rd option to help them.

Then they will need only 2/3 of Steph / Jimmy / 3rd scorer to play well to give them a great chance of winning. Right now they get vulnerable if only one of Jimmy / Steph play well. If both play well, they are dynamite.

If I was the Warriors, I would try and flip Kuminga (plus Moody & Hield) for Porter Jr (plus salary filler).

Obviously you would have to wait until January & you may have to throw in a draft pick, but I think it would turn them into true contender.

Curry
Butler
Porter Jr
Green
Horford

Podziemski, Payton II, Jackson-Davis, Post, Melton, Curry

You have a higher view of MPJ than I do. But I do like where your head is at.

I know what you mean but MPJ would fit seamlessly into the Steve Kerr system. He would essentially be a poor man version of Durant when he was on the Warriors.

That's my problem with MPJ. Most people think that because of his height and shooting.

In reality, he's not a shot creator like Durant. He's an accessory piece that can work off of other scorers. He's not a distributor like Durant - in fact, he's one of the worst for a player of his minutes and scoring in the NBA. He's not a versatile defender like Durant, or anywhere close.

He's the forward version of Klay Thompson, but not as good of a shooter or defender. Plus, he's a big health risk.

[Who]

I think Houston are out of the title mix until they replace VanVleet.

He is too big a loss for them to overcome that with the present options on their roster. Their roster is too flawed. Too limited in ball-handling, passing, outside shooting. They cannot cover the absence of VanVleet with their current options.

[Who]

I'd probably go ...

(1) OKC
(2) Denver
(3) Golden State

* I have Houston out of the title mix until they acquire a replacement for VanVleet.
* I have GSW above Minnesota. They did not fix their issues in the backcourt this off-season. I see Minny as a bigger question mark than GSW.
* LAC have a legit shot but they are even more of a risk than GSW given their reliance on Kawhi's health. They made a lot of roster changes too. Some chemistry risks there. I'm in a wait and see mode with them. I have GSW above LAC for now.
* LAL had a disappointing off-season. They played it safe and kept their assets for future team building instead of going all-in on this LeBron & Luka duo. I do think they could lead a team to a title together but I am not sure they have the help. Ayton needs to have a major impact for them to have a chance. So I have LAL below GSW for now.

(4) LAL
(5) Minnesota
(6) LAC

Any of those top 6 could conceivably win a title.

(7) Houston
[8] San Antonio
(9) Portland
(10) Memphis

[Birdman]

I'd probably go ...

(1) OKC
(2) Denver
(3) Golden State

* I have Houston out of the title mix until they acquire a replacement for VanVleet.
* I have GSW above Minnesota. They did not fix their issues in the backcourt this off-season. I see Minny as a bigger question mark than GSW.
* LAC have a legit shot but they are even more of a risk than GSW given their reliance on Kawhi's health. They made a lot of roster changes too. Some chemistry risks there. I'm in a wait and see mode with them. I have GSW above LAC for now.
* LAL had a disappointing off-season. They played it safe and kept their assets for future team building instead of going all-in on this LeBron & Luka duo. I do think they could lead a team to a title together but I am not sure they have the help. Ayton needs to have a major impact for them to have a chance. So I have LAL below GSW for now.

(4) LAL
(5) Minnesota
(6) LAC

Any of those top 6 could conceivably win a title.

(7) Houston
[8] San Antonio
(9) Portland
(10) Memphis

Where?s Dallas?

[Who]

I'd probably go ...

(1) OKC
(2) Denver
(3) Golden State

* I have Houston out of the title mix until they acquire a replacement for VanVleet.
* I have GSW above Minnesota. They did not fix their issues in the backcourt this off-season. I see Minny as a bigger question mark than GSW.
* LAC have a legit shot but they are even more of a risk than GSW given their reliance on Kawhi's health. They made a lot of roster changes too. Some chemistry risks there. I'm in a wait and see mode with them. I have GSW above LAC for now.
* LAL had a disappointing off-season. They played it safe and kept their assets for future team building instead of going all-in on this LeBron & Luka duo. I do think they could lead a team to a title together but I am not sure they have the help. Ayton needs to have a major impact for them to have a chance. So I have LAL below GSW for now.

(4) LAL
(5) Minnesota
(6) LAC

Any of those top 6 could conceivably win a title.

(7) Houston
[8] San Antonio
(9) Portland
(10) Memphis

Where?s Dallas?

Forgot Dallas.

Hmm ... well, they would be in that middle tier alongside LAL, LAC and Minnesota. I am not sure exactly but within that tier. Below the top tier. Above the 3rd tier.

I still have a lot of distrust towards Kyrie & AD as being the #1 option on a title contender. That they can actually lead a team. Two Robins. No Batman. Great team D. Great depth.

Cooper Flagg is a question mark too. More so a question mark because of the double big lineup that will play him at SF and squeeze spacing. Put more pressure on his jump-shot and give him less space to use his athleticism to drive.

Hmm ... behind LAL and Minnesota. Either ahead of LAC or behind LAC.

[Moranis]

I thought the Lakers did ok in adding Ayton and Smart while keeping almost everyone of note from a 50 win team. Ayton in particular fills a big need for them.  And they still have Luka and LeBron.  If they get a reasonable amount of games from those 2, I'd expect 55 wins or so, which will probably get the 2 seed. 

[Goldstar88]

I thought the Lakers did ok in adding Ayton and Smart while keeping almost everyone of note from a 50 win team. Ayron in particluar fills a big need for them.  And they still have Luka and LeBron.  If they get a reasonable amount of games from those 2, I'd expect 55 wins or so, which will probably get the 2 seed.

Reaves as well. He averaged 20pts/5rebs/6ast on 46/38/88 shooting splits. He?s a good player. Really solid 3rd option.

[Who]

I've been told that the Blazers' initial extension to Shaedon Sharpe landed in the four-year, $90 million ballpark.

- Marc Stein

Says the deal is likely to increase to around $100mil / 4 years.

[Donoghus]

Ouch.  Also, this kid can't seem to catch a break.

Michael Scotto
@MikeAScotto
?
1h
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Nikola Topić had a testicular procedure today. He will be re-evaluated in approximately four to six weeks.

[Who]

Zion and the Pelicans played a pre-season game in Australia. The NBA put up a short video highlights. 3 minutes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xExyITPNKPc

First glimpse of Zion's new-look body in in-gam action. They were playing guys who clearly are not NBA caliber athletes in terms of quickness or strength. So Zion is manhandling these guys easily.

Thoughts? He is in good shape. Still a big bodied guy. Not that different from past Zion. Still a chunky dude. He is more chiseled but not sure there is any athletic / quickness gains. Cosmetic differences. Not sure it will change much on the court performance wise.

It will be interesting to see him against NBA level opponents. Also to see if his new look physique allows him to play more minutes or better avoid injuries. That looks to be the main hope.

[SparzWizard]

Get your popcorns ready folks, for LeBron's "The Decision 2" will be aired tomorrow at 12 EST! 

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/lebron-james-second-decision-three-announcements-lakers-star-could-conceivably-make-after-big-tease/

[slightly biased bias fan]

Get your popcorns ready folks, for LeBron's "The Decision 2" will be aired tomorrow at 12 EST! 

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/lebron-james-second-decision-three-announcements-lakers-star-could-conceivably-make-after-big-tease/

Yep, princess LeBron wants his Kobe-esque last dance celebration.

I have so much more respect for Tim Duncan. He just said I am done after his season ended and then disappeared into the ether.

[Who]

Highlights of Cooper Flagg preseason debut

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_mcH874jDI

Some impressive passes. 2 in traffic. 3rd one to a cutter. A good block from the weakside to start off the highlights.

Only 90secs of highlights. 1 minute of interview.

[Who]

Marc Spears on an ESPN segment questioning why the NBA isn't promoting Cooper Flagg.

It is strange how little attention he is getting compared to past #1 picks entering their rookie season like Zion Williamson.