NBA Season/Playoffs 2025-26

[Phantom255x]

During the interview on WFAN, Dolan was asked if he wanted to bring back the entire team, which would be one of the favorites to get back to the Finals if intact.

"I don't know if we'll be able to.

"We're willing to stretch, but there's certain things in the NBA that you'd have to be suicidal to do. One of them is the second apron," he told the WFAN.

Dolan said he'll put the personnel decisions in the hands of Knicks president Leon Rose.

"I'll write as big of a check as possible, but I can't write a check into the second apron," Dolan told the WFAN.

For perspective, the Knicks are $16 million from the second apron with only 9 players.  If they follow through with that, they could largely only fill their roster with minimum salary players and maybe a taxpayer MLE.  They would not be able to retain Mitchell Robinson or Landry Shamet, barring one taking a very significant discount, or if one of their top 5 is traded.  Jose Alvarado also has a $4.5 million player option which he is probably 50/50 to pick up.

Yeah Shamet and Robinson are gone. This new CBA is really adding parity to the league and limiting the potential for a dynasty. The Spurs might be the closest team who can crack it with all their youth (Castle, Wemby, Harper), but the previous month showed they still aren't ready and even for them, a lot depends on Wemby's health which is a factor. Otherwise they may have trouble too. OKC felt like it, and they still have a ton of draft picks, but even they'll have a handful of decisions to make in the next year or two with JDub, Dort, Hartenstein, Caruso, etc. Chet's extension will be coming too starting this year.

I could be wrong but KAT will also need an extension after next season, which I assume the Knicks will work out but then that'll require more roster maneuvering and potentially decisions on some others like Bridges and Hart.

[Phantom255x]

No more Perkins on TV!

https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/2068034960276201525

ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins ? 14-year NBA veteran and 2008 champion ? has agreed to become the men's basketball General Manager of HBCU Jackson State, as well as a connection to its broadcast and journalism program, per Perkins: "I'm thankful for this opportunity to impact young lives and pour back into my community."

[Celtics2021]

No more Perkins on TV!

https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/2068034960276201525

ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins ? 14-year NBA veteran and 2008 champion ? has agreed to become the men's basketball General Manager of HBCU Jackson State, as well as a connection to its broadcast and journalism program, per Perkins: "I'm thankful for this opportunity to impact young lives and pour back into my community."

I do not think that job will keep him from TV unless he said so.

[Who]

ESPN

Internally, the Spurs remain committed to Fox as their franchise starting point guard. Sources called De?Aaron Fox a calming presence and the team's closer for most of the season, adding that one rough series essentially playing on one leg doesn't change that. The four-year, $229 million contract extension Fox signed last summer kicks in next season, raising his salary from $37.1 million to $49.8 million.

I think the guy who misses out could be Devin Vassell. Drop him to the bench and start Dylan Harper at SF. He has the size to play the position. He has the defense & rebounding. Allows San Antonio to play all 3 of their star guards.

Keep Champagnie at PF since he is bigger than D Vassell and can provide better defense at that big forward spot. Vassell takes over as the new 6th man.

[No Nickname]

ESPN

Internally, the Spurs remain committed to Fox as their franchise starting point guard. Sources called De?Aaron Fox a calming presence and the team's closer for most of the season, adding that one rough series essentially playing on one leg doesn't change that. The four-year, $229 million contract extension Fox signed last summer kicks in next season, raising his salary from $37.1 million to $49.8 million.

I think the guy who misses out could be Devin Vassell. Drop him to the bench and start Dylan Harper at SF. He has the size to play the position. He has the defense & rebounding. Allows San Antonio to play all 3 of their star guards.

Keep Champagnie at PF since he is bigger than D Vassell and can provide better defense at that big forward spot. Vassell takes over as the new 6th man.

Champagnie Can hit shots, but his defense sucks.

[Goldstar88]

ESPN

Internally, the Spurs remain committed to Fox as their franchise starting point guard. Sources called De?Aaron Fox a calming presence and the team's closer for most of the season, adding that one rough series essentially playing on one leg doesn't change that. The four-year, $229 million contract extension Fox signed last summer kicks in next season, raising his salary from $37.1 million to $49.8 million.

I think the guy who misses out could be Devin Vassell. Drop him to the bench and start Dylan Harper at SF. He has the size to play the position. He has the defense & rebounding. Allows San Antonio to play all 3 of their star guards.

Keep Champagnie at PF since he is bigger than D Vassell and can provide better defense at that big forward spot. Vassell takes over as the new 6th man.

Wouldn?t you start Castle at SF? He is bigger at 6?6/215lbs and a better defender.

Stating 5: Fox, Harper, Castle, Champagnie, Wemby
Bench: Vassell, Carter, Johnson, Kornet

[tenn_smoothie]

No more Perkins on TV!

https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/2068034960276201525

ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins ? 14-year NBA veteran and 2008 champion ? has agreed to become the men's basketball General Manager of HBCU Jackson State, as well as a connection to its broadcast and journalism program, per Perkins: "I'm thankful for this opportunity to impact young lives and pour back into my community."

I do not think that job will keep him from TV unless he said so.

Already been announced that he will continue his espn tv gig.

I loved Perk as a player and still believe that Danny cost us a title when he traded him to OKC in 2011.
But I don't think he contributes much as a studio analyst, though he is hardly alone in that category.

[Phantom255x]

No more Perkins on TV!

https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/2068034960276201525

ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins ? 14-year NBA veteran and 2008 champion ? has agreed to become the men's basketball General Manager of HBCU Jackson State, as well as a connection to its broadcast and journalism program, per Perkins: "I'm thankful for this opportunity to impact young lives and pour back into my community."

I do not think that job will keep him from TV unless he said so.

Already been announced that he will continue his espn tv gig.

I loved Perk as a player and still believe that Danny cost us a title when he traded him to OKC in 2011.
But I don't think he contributes much as a studio analyst, though he is hardly alone in that category.

[Goldstar88]

Kevin Garnett on Victor Wembanyama: One thing I want to speak on is just Wemby's development. If I'm him, I?m working on core strength because when Paul will tell you, I'm not the biggest guy, right? But he'll tell you when I sit down and post up, can you move me? Paul Pierce: No, he's strong. Garnett: I'm probably one of the strongest people you could ever run up on and look like how I look, but when it came down there to setting up on that block and then pitching and getting it off down there, yeah, I was the best at that.

 I would love to work with Big Fella, but this generation has a preference on how they want to work out. And I have to respect that. But yeah, I'm open to all? Listen, I'm looking for big years from not just Wemby. I'm looking for big years from Chet Holmgren. I'm looking for a big summer from Zion Williamson. I'm looking for a big summer from Kyrie Irving. I'm looking for Jayson Tatum to have a big summer.
YouTube

[Goldstar88]

The Washington Wizards currently plan to draft former BYU forward AJ Dybantsa with the No. 1 overall pick, sources told Dallas Hoops Journal, with the franchise centered on him as the 2026 NBA Draft opens Tuesday.

[Phantom255x]

The Washington Wizards currently plan to draft former BYU forward AJ Dybantsa with the No. 1 overall pick, sources told Dallas Hoops Journal, with the franchise centered on him as the 2026 NBA Draft opens Tuesday.

The right move

[Roy H.]

Kevin Garnett on Victor Wembanyama: One thing I want to speak on is just Wemby's development. If I'm him, I?m working on core strength because when Paul will tell you, I'm not the biggest guy, right? But he'll tell you when I sit down and post up, can you move me? Paul Pierce: No, he's strong. Garnett: I'm probably one of the strongest people you could ever run up on and look like how I look, but when it came down there to setting up on that block and then pitching and getting it off down there, yeah, I was the best at that.

 I would love to work with Big Fella, but this generation has a preference on how they want to work out. And I have to respect that. But yeah, I'm open to all? Listen, I'm looking for big years from not just Wemby. I'm looking for big years from Chet Holmgren. I'm looking for a big summer from Zion Williamson. I'm looking for a big summer from Kyrie Irving. I'm looking for Jayson Tatum to have a big summer.
YouTube

It's sort of strange to hear that coming from KG, who spent more time outside than posting up. 

[slightly biased bias fan]

Kevin Garnett on Victor Wembanyama: One thing I want to speak on is just Wemby's development. If I'm him, I?m working on core strength because when Paul will tell you, I'm not the biggest guy, right? But he'll tell you when I sit down and post up, can you move me? Paul Pierce: No, he's strong. Garnett: I'm probably one of the strongest people you could ever run up on and look like how I look, but when it came down there to setting up on that block and then pitching and getting it off down there, yeah, I was the best at that.

 I would love to work with Big Fella, but this generation has a preference on how they want to work out. And I have to respect that. But yeah, I'm open to all? Listen, I'm looking for big years from not just Wemby. I'm looking for big years from Chet Holmgren. I'm looking for a big summer from Zion Williamson. I'm looking for a big summer from Kyrie Irving. I'm looking for Jayson Tatum to have a big summer.
YouTube

It's sort of strange to hear that coming from KG, who spent more time outside than posting up.

I think Garnett has seen issues with how Wemby establishes himself in the post. To me it sounds like KG is saying that like Wemby, he too was not the most muscular guy, but when he did post up, defenders could not move him.

Obviously Wemby is going to be the best defensive player in the league for years to come, but what the Knicks exposed is that he has some work to do on the offensive end. He does not have the size to bully people in the post, nor can his 7-7 frame take too much muscle. The only way Wemby becomes an elite scorer is playing more like Durant, and less like a center.

[Who]

Kevin Garnett on Victor Wembanyama: One thing I want to speak on is just Wemby's development. If I'm him, I?m working on core strength because when Paul will tell you, I'm not the biggest guy, right? But he'll tell you when I sit down and post up, can you move me? Paul Pierce: No, he's strong. Garnett: I'm probably one of the strongest people you could ever run up on and look like how I look, but when it came down there to setting up on that block and then pitching and getting it off down there, yeah, I was the best at that.

 I would love to work with Big Fella, but this generation has a preference on how they want to work out. And I have to respect that. But yeah, I'm open to all? Listen, I'm looking for big years from not just Wemby. I'm looking for big years from Chet Holmgren. I'm looking for a big summer from Zion Williamson. I'm looking for a big summer from Kyrie Irving. I'm looking for Jayson Tatum to have a big summer.
YouTube

It's sort of strange to hear that coming from KG, who spent more time outside than posting up.

I think Garnett has seen issues with how Wemby establishes himself in the post. To me it sounds like KG is saying that like Wemby, he too was not the most muscular guy, but when he did post up, defenders could not move him.

Obviously Wemby is going to be the best defensive player in the league for years to come, but what the Knicks exposed is that he has some work to do on the offensive end. He does not have the size to bully people in the post, nor can his 7-7 frame take too much muscle. The only way Wemby becomes an elite scorer is playing more like Durant, and less like a center.

Kareem was the same when he first came to the NBA and he was an elite scorer. Oscar Robertson said the key to Kareem being effective was getting him the ball on the move. Kareem was less effective when the defense could setup against him and muscle him out of his favoured areas (which Nate Thurmond and Wilt succeeded in doing) and Kareem also struggled in the PnR game due to his slender frame which made him poor at setting screens. So for Oscar it was all about getting Kareem the ball off of movement. Off of cuts. Quick actions.

Cross screens in the post and screens from guards would work well for Wemby inside. Like Utah ran with Stockton and Malone. San Antonio did it as well with D-Rob when D-Rob was younger and wasn't as good at holding post position. They also set screens sorta like pin-downs for D-Rob but did it much closer to the hoop (around 10-14 feet from basket) and had D-Rob curl around screens for short jump-shots / midrange shots / or to attack the basket off the dribble. He'd often get the ball around the foul line / elbow or one step inside the foul line.

Just make it harder to push Wemby out. If he is stagnant, it is easier to push him. If he is moving, it is harder to do especially since he is a triple threat whenever he catches the ball and can shoot over the top of anyone. Even PnR and diving to the hoop. Quick post up out of that movement. That works well.