NBA Season 2025-26

[Roy H.]

Hornets are relentlessly targeting Brunson. They post him up, force the help and kick it out for wide open 3s. Charlotte is up 15.

I feel like a broken record saying it, but that's what was frustrating last year in the playoffs. The C's were dying by the 3 and in turn, they basically let Brunson and KAT both off the hook defensively. Both guys are very poor defenders and KAT was even in foul trouble a few of those games but then the C's stopped attacking him in the 2nd half to potentially draw his 5th/6th foul(s).

It's weird because in the 2024 Finals, they actually attacked Kyrie/Luka often and exposed them defensively and won comfortably in 5 games. Kyrie/Luka are poor defenders too and Luka was admittedly a bit heavier in 2024 too (not in a good way)

There is a common denominator between our 2024 team and Charlotte's team this year: Charles Lee.

This is true. Joe taught him well. 

Ha.  In all seriousness, Lee really helped our staff.  I think we saw some backslide in 2025.  (That's not a critique of Joe; coaches need support.  It's similar to Doc with Thibs.)  It surprises me that he didn't land a head coaching before Charlotte.

[slamtheking]

Hornets are relentlessly targeting Brunson. They post him up, force the help and kick it out for wide open 3s. Charlotte is up 15.

I feel like a broken record saying it, but that's what was frustrating last year in the playoffs. The C's were dying by the 3 and in turn, they basically let Brunson and KAT both off the hook defensively. Both guys are very poor defenders and KAT was even in foul trouble a few of those games but then the C's stopped attacking him in the 2nd half to potentially draw his 5th/6th foul(s).

It's weird because in the 2024 Finals, they actually attacked Kyrie/Luka often and exposed them defensively and won comfortably in 5 games. Kyrie/Luka are poor defenders too and Luka was admittedly a bit heavier in 2024 too (not in a good way)

There is a common denominator between our 2024 team and Charlotte's team this year: Charles Lee.

This is true. Joe taught him well. 

ha, probably truer than you can imagine --> taught him what not to do.   

[Phantom255x]

https://x.com/TheDunkCentral/status/2037509273794592885?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

NBA.com?s updated MVP Ladder:

1. Victor Wembanyama
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
3. Nikola Jokić
4. Luka Dončić
5. Jaylen Brown
6. Cade Cunningham
7. Jalen Johnson
8. Kawhi Leonard
9. Donovan Mitchell
10. Anthony Edwards

Kinda crazy Luka actually dropped from 2nd to 4th despite his insane run the past 3 weeks, and also Wemby being ahead of SGA now. I still think SGA will win it, but Wemby has a strong case too if he has a good 3 weeks ahead and especially if SAS surpasses OKC for the 1 seed.

[Goldstar88]

Hornets are relentlessly targeting Brunson. They post him up, force the help and kick it out for wide open 3s. Charlotte is up 15.

I feel like a broken record saying it, but that's what was frustrating last year in the playoffs. The C's were dying by the 3 and in turn, they basically let Brunson and KAT both off the hook defensively. Both guys are very poor defenders and KAT was even in foul trouble a few of those games but then the C's stopped attacking him in the 2nd half to potentially draw his 5th/6th foul(s).

It's weird because in the 2024 Finals, they actually attacked Kyrie/Luka often and exposed them defensively and won comfortably in 5 games. Kyrie/Luka are poor defenders too and Luka was admittedly a bit heavier in 2024 too (not in a good way)

There is a common denominator between our 2024 team and Charlotte's team this year: Charles Lee.

This is true. Joe taught him well. 

Ha.  In all seriousness, Lee really helped our staff.  I think we saw some backslide in 2025.  (That's not a critique of Joe; coaches need support.  It's similar to Doc with Thibs.)  It surprises me that he didn't land a head coaching before Charlotte.

I really like Charles Lee and the Hornets do play like the Celtics as well. Young, talented team.. Fun to watch. They actually shoot more 3s than the Celtics do and it?s made them deadly.

[Goldstar88]

Hornets are relentlessly targeting Brunson. They post him up, force the help and kick it out for wide open 3s. Charlotte is up 15.

I feel like a broken record saying it, but that's what was frustrating last year in the playoffs. The C's were dying by the 3 and in turn, they basically let Brunson and KAT both off the hook defensively. Both guys are very poor defenders and KAT was even in foul trouble a few of those games but then the C's stopped attacking him in the 2nd half to potentially draw his 5th/6th foul(s).

It's weird because in the 2024 Finals, they actually attacked Kyrie/Luka often and exposed them defensively and won comfortably in 5 games. Kyrie/Luka are poor defenders too and Luka was admittedly a bit heavier in 2024 too (not in a good way)

There is a common denominator between our 2024 team and Charlotte's team this year: Charles Lee.

This is true. Joe taught him well. 

ha, probably truer than you can imagine --> taught him what not to do.   

Lee wasn?t even the lead assistant when they won the championship. It was Sam Cassell. 

Edit: Lee had the title, but it looked like Sam was always Joes right hand.

[Vermont Green]

https://x.com/TheDunkCentral/status/2037509273794592885?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

NBA.com?s updated MVP Ladder:

1. Victor Wembanyama
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
3. Nikola Jokić
4. Luka Dončić
5. Jaylen Brown
6. Cade Cunningham
7. Jalen Johnson
8. Kawhi Leonard
9. Donovan Mitchell
10. Anthony Edwards

Kinda crazy Luka actually dropped from 2nd to 4th despite his insane run the past 3 weeks, and also Wemby being ahead of SGA now. I still think SGA will win it, but Wemby has a strong case too if he has a good 3 weeks ahead and especially if SAS surpasses OKC for the 1 seed.

Wow, Jalen Johnson has really become a force.  Games missed due to injury aside, I think SGA is the MVP again.  Wembanyama is a contender.   Jokic and Doncic are still dominant players.   Cunningham probably should be ahead of Brown.  I don't know how this shakes out if players start to drop out due to games played.

[Vermont Green]

Hornets are relentlessly targeting Brunson. They post him up, force the help and kick it out for wide open 3s. Charlotte is up 15.

I feel like a broken record saying it, but that's what was frustrating last year in the playoffs. The C's were dying by the 3 and in turn, they basically let Brunson and KAT both off the hook defensively. Both guys are very poor defenders and KAT was even in foul trouble a few of those games but then the C's stopped attacking him in the 2nd half to potentially draw his 5th/6th foul(s).

It's weird because in the 2024 Finals, they actually attacked Kyrie/Luka often and exposed them defensively and won comfortably in 5 games. Kyrie/Luka are poor defenders too and Luka was admittedly a bit heavier in 2024 too (not in a good way)

There is a common denominator between our 2024 team and Charlotte's team this year: Charles Lee.

This is true. Joe taught him well. 

ha, probably truer than you can imagine --> taught him what not to do.   

Lee wasn't even the lead assistant when they won the championship. It was Sam Cassell. 

Edit: Lee had the title, but it seemed like Sam was Joes right hand.

Charles Lee is now part of Mazzulla's coaching tree.

It is funny some refuse to give Mazzulla credit, suggesting that we won a title because Lee was an assistant and somehow driving the bus from the back seat. 

Everyone recognized that Lee had head coaching potential.  Glad to see him doing well.  The turn around in CHA is remarkable.  Lee is putting himself in the coach of the year discussion.

[Roy H.]

Hornets are relentlessly targeting Brunson. They post him up, force the help and kick it out for wide open 3s. Charlotte is up 15.

I feel like a broken record saying it, but that's what was frustrating last year in the playoffs. The C's were dying by the 3 and in turn, they basically let Brunson and KAT both off the hook defensively. Both guys are very poor defenders and KAT was even in foul trouble a few of those games but then the C's stopped attacking him in the 2nd half to potentially draw his 5th/6th foul(s).

It's weird because in the 2024 Finals, they actually attacked Kyrie/Luka often and exposed them defensively and won comfortably in 5 games. Kyrie/Luka are poor defenders too and Luka was admittedly a bit heavier in 2024 too (not in a good way)

There is a common denominator between our 2024 team and Charlotte's team this year: Charles Lee.

This is true. Joe taught him well. 

ha, probably truer than you can imagine --> taught him what not to do.   

Lee wasn?t even the lead assistant when they won the championship. It was Sam Cassell. 

Edit: Lee had the title, but it looked like Sam was always Joes right hand.

I'm not sure this is correct.  I think you're misremembering / minimizing Lee's role, or overinflating Sam's.  There's a reason that Lee got a head-coaching gig.  He was extremely well-regarded in Milwaukee, and it was a bit of coup when we got him.

[No Nickname]

I think I am seeing the same thing as Roy and C2021. For 2026-27, we have 12 players signed (if you include Shulga).  It is 13 if you assume the first round pick is signed. Using Roy's value for that rookie deal, that would leave us at $185,285,735 for these 13 with roughly $16M to spare to stay below the tax.  Shugla may get waived and replaced with another contract. 

But Queta is already accounted for in this at $2,667,944.  Queta's contract is non-guaranteed, but BOS does not need to pay him any more than this amount for 2026-27.  I believe they could extend him for some years beyond 2026-27, but I am not sure they would pay him more in 2026-27.  Am I missing something?

If you assume that Queta's 2026-27 salary does not change, they would have about $16M below the tax to cover the 14th and possibly 15th roster spots.  Even if you assume BOS uses the TPMLE (about $6M) on a vet, that still leaves $10M for Vucevic, which should be more than enough. 

I think the likely transaction is that Shulga does get waived and is replaced by Harper.  Then BOS would still have spots 14 and 15 and something less than $16M due to Harper costing a little more than Shulga.  I suspect that there will be a lot of decent players settling for contracts in the range of the TPMLE ($6M'ish) so BOS should be able to keep Vucevic and add another decent vet if they want.

Thanks to Roy and C2021 for your explanations of how we might be able to keep Vooch and get an impact player in free agency with the MLE (basically if Vooch just wants to win and is willing to take a minimum salary).

VG, thanks to you too for your post here about the TPMLE.

Assuming that there is a mandate from ownership to stay below the tax threshold and reset the repeater tax, could we sign someone to the MLE at a lower salary?  Or is the MLE set in stone?

Separately, is there any way to sign someone with the full MLE, (reluctantly) let Vooch walk, and sign a different player with one of the TPEs who might be an impactful player?  All while being able to reset the repeater tax?

Thanks in advance!



 

[Goldstar88]

Hornets are relentlessly targeting Brunson. They post him up, force the help and kick it out for wide open 3s. Charlotte is up 15.

I feel like a broken record saying it, but that's what was frustrating last year in the playoffs. The C's were dying by the 3 and in turn, they basically let Brunson and KAT both off the hook defensively. Both guys are very poor defenders and KAT was even in foul trouble a few of those games but then the C's stopped attacking him in the 2nd half to potentially draw his 5th/6th foul(s).

It's weird because in the 2024 Finals, they actually attacked Kyrie/Luka often and exposed them defensively and won comfortably in 5 games. Kyrie/Luka are poor defenders too and Luka was admittedly a bit heavier in 2024 too (not in a good way)

There is a common denominator between our 2024 team and Charlotte's team this year: Charles Lee.

This is true. Joe taught him well. 

ha, probably truer than you can imagine --> taught him what not to do.   

Lee wasn?t even the lead assistant when they won the championship. It was Sam Cassell. 

Edit: Lee had the title, but it looked like Sam was always Joes right hand.

I'm not sure this is correct.  I think you're misremembering / minimizing Lee's role, or overinflating Sam's.  There's a reason that Lee got a head-coaching gig.  He was extremely well-regarded in Milwaukee, and it was a bit of coup when we got him.

If I had to choose between keeping Cassell or Lee, I?m taking Sam. I think his championship pedigree means a lot and he won in Boston. The players respect that. Feel like Lee was a better fit for a young rebuilding team like the Hornets, who won only 19 games last year. He?s much younger than Sam.  Below is what Tatum and Joe had to say about Cassell.

Tatum praised Cassell earlier this season, highlighting his wealth of experience, knowledge as a former player, and engaging personality.

"It's been great," Tatum said. "He's a very animated guy. A lot of personality, but he is very funny. A lot of great stories, and he knows a lot. He played 14?15 years in this league. Well-respected. And it's great to have somebody that has been a player, had a lot of success, won championships. Learning a lot, and we love having him around."

"He's been in every seat on the bench in the NBA, so he knows how to communicate with every single player," Mazzulla said on Cassell in May. "The first thing he does when we get on the plane is watch film. Even though he's a former player, he's a guy that wants to study the game. [He is] loyal. Communicates well. He's a good coach. Great coach. Happy to have him."

Cassell's NBA resume is impressive. The 54-year-old spent 15 years in the big leagues, winning a championship three times, including in 2008 with the Boston Celtics.

[MattyIce]

Hornets are relentlessly targeting Brunson. They post him up, force the help and kick it out for wide open 3s. Charlotte is up 15.

I feel like a broken record saying it, but that's what was frustrating last year in the playoffs. The C's were dying by the 3 and in turn, they basically let Brunson and KAT both off the hook defensively. Both guys are very poor defenders and KAT was even in foul trouble a few of those games but then the C's stopped attacking him in the 2nd half to potentially draw his 5th/6th foul(s).

It's weird because in the 2024 Finals, they actually attacked Kyrie/Luka often and exposed them defensively and won comfortably in 5 games. Kyrie/Luka are poor defenders too and Luka was admittedly a bit heavier in 2024 too (not in a good way)

There is a common denominator between our 2024 team and Charlotte's team this year: Charles Lee.

This is true. Joe taught him well. 

ha, probably truer than you can imagine --> taught him what not to do.   

Lee wasn?t even the lead assistant when they won the championship. It was Sam Cassell. 

Edit: Lee had the title, but it looked like Sam was always Joes right hand.

I'm not sure this is correct.  I think you're misremembering / minimizing Lee's role, or overinflating Sam's.  There's a reason that Lee got a head-coaching gig.  He was extremely well-regarded in Milwaukee, and it was a bit of coup when we got him.

correct, not disparaging Sam but Lee was Joe's right hand 

[Vermont Green]

I think I am seeing the same thing as Roy and C2021. For 2026-27, we have 12 players signed (if you include Shulga).  It is 13 if you assume the first round pick is signed. Using Roy's value for that rookie deal, that would leave us at $185,285,735 for these 13 with roughly $16M to spare to stay below the tax.  Shugla may get waived and replaced with another contract. 

But Queta is already accounted for in this at $2,667,944.  Queta's contract is non-guaranteed, but BOS does not need to pay him any more than this amount for 2026-27.  I believe they could extend him for some years beyond 2026-27, but I am not sure they would pay him more in 2026-27.  Am I missing something?

If you assume that Queta's 2026-27 salary does not change, they would have about $16M below the tax to cover the 14th and possibly 15th roster spots.  Even if you assume BOS uses the TPMLE (about $6M) on a vet, that still leaves $10M for Vucevic, which should be more than enough. 

I think the likely transaction is that Shulga does get waived and is replaced by Harper.  Then BOS would still have spots 14 and 15 and something less than $16M due to Harper costing a little more than Shulga.  I suspect that there will be a lot of decent players settling for contracts in the range of the TPMLE ($6M'ish) so BOS should be able to keep Vucevic and add another decent vet if they want.

Thanks to Roy and C2021 for your explanations of how we might be able to keep Vooch and get an impact player in free agency with the MLE (basically if Vooch just wants to win and is willing to take a minimum salary).

VG, thanks to you too for your post here about the TPMLE.

Assuming that there is a mandate from ownership to stay below the tax threshold and reset the repeater tax, could we sign someone to the MLE at a lower salary?  Or is the MLE set in stone?

Separately, is there any way to sign someone with the full MLE, (reluctantly) let Vooch walk, and sign a different player with one of the TPEs who might be an impactful player?  All while being able to reset the repeater tax?

Thanks in advance!

We can use the MLE but that would result in a hard cap at the tax line.  Using a TPE generated this season (such as the one for Simons) in the following season would hard cap BOS at the first apron.  The hard caps are the problem with using these.  If they stay with the TPMLE, there is no hard cap at the tax line, they can go up to the First Apron if they want.

[Who]

I haven't paid much attention to Charlotte's winning streak. It felt like their early run was just due to them getting healthy (finally) while many other teams started to pick up injuries. That it would ease out over time ... but it hasn't.

I was shocked to see Charlotte have a +.500 record now. 39 wins against 34 losses.

On Jan 12, Charlotte had 14 wins and 26 losses. So since then they have gone on a win streak of 25 wins vs 8 losses. That is a huge run. 33 games. Nearing half a season of winning at a 62 win pace.

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

I am watching this Hornets vs Knicks game from the other night that people were talking about. I have heard a lot about CHA's 3 point shooting but it is their defense that is impressing me the most. They are causing the Knicks problems with their activity and length.

That guy Diabate is active. Great energy for a big man. Lots of multiple effort plays. Great quickness and agility. Lots of help and recovery plays. Strong enough to battle Towns. Then the 4 6-7 guys with their length jumping passing lanes and shrinking the floor. They are forcing mistakes. Forcing tough shots. Impressive.

I was expecting an all-offense / no-defense team. That is a two-way team.

[Roy H.]

I think I am seeing the same thing as Roy and C2021. For 2026-27, we have 12 players signed (if you include Shulga).  It is 13 if you assume the first round pick is signed. Using Roy's value for that rookie deal, that would leave us at $185,285,735 for these 13 with roughly $16M to spare to stay below the tax.  Shugla may get waived and replaced with another contract. 

But Queta is already accounted for in this at $2,667,944.  Queta's contract is non-guaranteed, but BOS does not need to pay him any more than this amount for 2026-27.  I believe they could extend him for some years beyond 2026-27, but I am not sure they would pay him more in 2026-27.  Am I missing something?

If you assume that Queta's 2026-27 salary does not change, they would have about $16M below the tax to cover the 14th and possibly 15th roster spots.  Even if you assume BOS uses the TPMLE (about $6M) on a vet, that still leaves $10M for Vucevic, which should be more than enough. 

I think the likely transaction is that Shulga does get waived and is replaced by Harper.  Then BOS would still have spots 14 and 15 and something less than $16M due to Harper costing a little more than Shulga.  I suspect that there will be a lot of decent players settling for contracts in the range of the TPMLE ($6M'ish) so BOS should be able to keep Vucevic and add another decent vet if they want.

Thanks to Roy and C2021 for your explanations of how we might be able to keep Vooch and get an impact player in free agency with the MLE (basically if Vooch just wants to win and is willing to take a minimum salary).

VG, thanks to you too for your post here about the TPMLE.

Assuming that there is a mandate from ownership to stay below the tax threshold and reset the repeater tax, could we sign someone to the MLE at a lower salary?  Or is the MLE set in stone?

Separately, is there any way to sign someone with the full MLE, (reluctantly) let Vooch walk, and sign a different player with one of the TPEs who might be an impactful player?  All while being able to reset the repeater tax?

Thanks in advance!

We can use the MLE but that would result in a hard cap at the tax line.  Using a TPE generated this season (such as the one for Simons) in the following season would hard cap BOS at the first apron.  The hard caps are the problem with using these.  If they stay with the TPMLE, there is no hard cap at the tax line, they can go up to the First Apron if they want.

I thought using the MLE hard-capped teams at the first apron, rather than the tax line? 

I could be wrong, though.  Somebody needs to take over the Larry Coon FAQ.

[Celtics2021]

I think I am seeing the same thing as Roy and C2021. For 2026-27, we have 12 players signed (if you include Shulga).  It is 13 if you assume the first round pick is signed. Using Roy's value for that rookie deal, that would leave us at $185,285,735 for these 13 with roughly $16M to spare to stay below the tax.  Shugla may get waived and replaced with another contract. 

But Queta is already accounted for in this at $2,667,944.  Queta's contract is non-guaranteed, but BOS does not need to pay him any more than this amount for 2026-27.  I believe they could extend him for some years beyond 2026-27, but I am not sure they would pay him more in 2026-27.  Am I missing something?

If you assume that Queta's 2026-27 salary does not change, they would have about $16M below the tax to cover the 14th and possibly 15th roster spots.  Even if you assume BOS uses the TPMLE (about $6M) on a vet, that still leaves $10M for Vucevic, which should be more than enough. 

I think the likely transaction is that Shulga does get waived and is replaced by Harper.  Then BOS would still have spots 14 and 15 and something less than $16M due to Harper costing a little more than Shulga.  I suspect that there will be a lot of decent players settling for contracts in the range of the TPMLE ($6M'ish) so BOS should be able to keep Vucevic and add another decent vet if they want.

Thanks to Roy and C2021 for your explanations of how we might be able to keep Vooch and get an impact player in free agency with the MLE (basically if Vooch just wants to win and is willing to take a minimum salary).

VG, thanks to you too for your post here about the TPMLE.

Assuming that there is a mandate from ownership to stay below the tax threshold and reset the repeater tax, could we sign someone to the MLE at a lower salary?  Or is the MLE set in stone?

Separately, is there any way to sign someone with the full MLE, (reluctantly) let Vooch walk, and sign a different player with one of the TPEs who might be an impactful player?  All while being able to reset the repeater tax?

Thanks in advance!

We can use the MLE but that would result in a hard cap at the tax line.  Using a TPE generated this season (such as the one for Simons) in the following season would hard cap BOS at the first apron.  The hard caps are the problem with using these.  If they stay with the TPMLE, there is no hard cap at the tax line, they can go up to the First Apron if they want.

I thought using the MLE hard-capped teams at the first apron, rather than the tax line? 

I could be wrong, though.  Somebody needs to take over the Larry Coon FAQ.

It is at the first apron.  Its been called the non-tax MLE, but in practice you can be about $8 million over because of the apron.