Official 2025-26 NBA Offseason Thread

[ninjacookies]

Originally Posted by Chryghst

I’ve had Reaves every year in fantasy. I’m a big fan—but he’s the type of player that 2 teams get into a bidding war over and he goes from being one of the best contracts in the league to one of the scarier ones. He was a better team defender this year, but I still remember that FIBA World Cup when he was targeted relentlessly every possession. I just continue to believe that max-type money has to be reserved for 2-way players who can’t get targeted off the court in May/June (Giddey’s shooting or Trae’s defense both qualify), or players who are so unique that they can overcome it. Not sure I’d include Reaves in either of those categories yet.

I actually think David Griffin did a decent job building around Zion, but the fatal flaw in that was the team couldn’t function without him. Then Green tried to build a system without Zion, which pissed Zion off when he was around. But imo not dissimilar to what Indiana has built around Hali collapsing entirely when he goes down. Teams that build with singular purpose have a higher ceiling imo but a far lower floor.

What’s so impressive about OKC is they could play many different ways with many different lineups (Jaylin Williams v. Jokic, Caruso v. Indiana); they could survive extended absences from Chet/Hartenstein because Jdub could play center. They maintained the high ceiling and high floor by basically accumulating players who could fulfill so many different functions rather than just the 1 for which they were cast. It’s easier to build around Shai b/c he’s a 2 way player, but much like Atlanta you could sub out the star and the entire supporting cast still works with someone else. Much, much harder to build around Luka because of the specificity it requires.

Reaves definitely ain't a world beater on defense, but at least he tries. And next to Luka and Lebron, he's far from the issue on that end. The primary concern is that his game isn't predicated on being a catch n' shoot guy. I mean, he can...but he 's a 3 level scorer that needs the ball in his hands operating in space to be effective. Next to those other 2 I just can't see the short term fit until Bron ships or hangs it up.


You're right, the Pels rooted all their decisions on Z being their point forward of the future. But they kind of had to because of his very unique toolset which only operates within 4 feet despite being a good ball handler (for his size) and offensive initiator. Similar to Yannis. Which is why they refuse to entertain offers even after this latest scandal...they're pot committed and going to see the river regardless.

OKC just drafts exceptionally well. And perhaps the greatest draft history of this era. That's ultimately the dream of any owner/franchise to hit it out the park with organically farmed talent, but it's really only the reality for one or two franchises per generation. Scouting outside the top 3 is basically just legalized gambling in 50 states.

[yiguiri2002]

Originally Posted by ninjacookies

There are no combination of moves from current available players that will make LA contenders this season. Not feasible, breh.

Neither Herb nor Missi are scorers, so you'd essentially be offloading a 20ppg dynamic playmaker for a better defender that's an average 3 point shooter and a center that's currently a de-tuned Mark Williams.

Fakers are at minimum 2 years away from contending barring what they can do next year, but realistically this is a long term project in the making and will hinge on LeAARP's employment status.

I think if the Lakers have problems offensively, without Reaves, they are done anyway. That should be one of the goals this offseason.

I think they are clearly below OKC/Houston/Denver/Minny entering the season but they have an outside shot. Reaves should be good enough to get enough player to complement the team and get at least to Minny's level.

[ninjacookies]

Originally Posted by yiguiri2002

I think if the Lakers have problems offensively, without Reaves, they are done anyway. That should be one of the goals this offseason.

I think they are clearly below OKC/Houston/Denver/Minny entering the season but they have an outside shot. Reaves should be good enough to get enough player to complement the team and get at least to Minny's level.

A lot of this will hinge on whether or not Luka can stop cosplaying as a defensive pylon. Bron is pretty much who he is at this point as a 41 year old. But Lulu's capabilities may still be somewhat salvageable.

I mean it kinda works for Atlanta because they have legit ball stoppers 2 through 5. Fakers don't have any of that.

But at the end of the day size and physicality will be a huge deterrent to their success out west. Teams will just bully ball them into submission. Or run them out the gym during second halves. All day ehday.

[Chryghst]

Originally Posted by ninjacookies

Reaves definitely ain't a world beater on defense, but at least he tries. And next to Luka and Lebron, he's far from the issue on that end. The primary concern is that his game isn't predicated on being a catch n' shoot guy. I mean, he can...but he 's a 3 level scorer that needs the ball in his hands operating in space to be effective. Next to those other 2 I just can't see the short term fit until Bron ships or hangs it up.


You're right, the Pels rooted all their decisions on Z being their point forward of the future. But they kind of had to because of his very unique toolset which only operates within 4 feet despite being a good ball handler (for his size) and offensive initiator. Similar to Yannis. Which is why they refuse to entertain offers even after this latest scandal...they're pot committed and going to see the river regardless.

OKC just drafts exceptionally well. And perhaps the greatest draft history of this era. That's ultimately the dream of any owner/franchise to hit it out the park with organically farmed talent, but it's really only the reality for one or two franchises per generation. Scouting outside the top 3 is basically just legalized gambling in 50 states.

Don’t forget the Pelicans legitimately looked good at multiple different points over the last few seasons. Weren’t they a 1 seed at one point before Zion went down? But yes agree you also have to build a very particular way around Zion. Not so convinced they’re in it for the long haul there—they keep getting players who do not fit with Zion, but that could be GM incompetence also.

Yeah just really impressed with what Presti has done. I’m a big Brad Stevens fan too—and think he’s better for this point in the Celtics cycle, but once they traverse the addition by veteran part of the cycle to build through draft, I’d like them to go get Presti. Apparently he was interested in the job after Danny left, and he’s from the area. He’s a little more hesitant to disrupt things with moves, so get why Boston would prefer Brad for where they’re at now.

[graveyard]

Originally Posted by asujbl

OK

I dont care about this anymore. If the Lakers want to ship Ayton and Knecht to the Cavs for Allen sign me up

This is 5% or the 2025 cap

It doesn’t matter outside of the Lakers did get better. That’s a fact. It cost no assets

If they still suck? They still suck

That would be a terrible trade for the Cavs. You have no idea what you’re talking about.

[ninjacookies]

Originally Posted by Chryghst

Don’t forget the Pelicans legitimately looked good at multiple different points over the last few seasons. Weren’t they a 1 seed at one point before Zion went down? But yes agree you also have to build a very particular way around Zion. Not so convinced they’re in it for the long haul there—they keep getting players who do not fit with Zion, but that could be GM incompetence also.

They were. That trash time windmill by Zion against Phoenix was the inflection point. That boy CP3 be casting a different kind of voodoo.


Yeah in all honesty the moves they've made over the past year and a half kinda sorta signal to me that they're starting to make concessions in the very probable chance this experiment ends abruptly.

At least they have a fairly decent cast on paper...if only they could stop exploiting their Kaiser deductibles.

[drobfan8]

Originally Posted by Chryghst

Man I’d love to see Luka and Mobley on the same team. That would be awesome.

That would be a nice combo for sure.

Originally Posted by ninjacookies

Problem with Reaves is his upside is severely capped by playing alongside 2 extremely ball dominant point-forwards. It's a bad fit. IIRC when Bron went down briefly early in the season he nearly averaged a triple double. Dude can ball. Which leads me to believe he himself knows his time in the sunshine has expired with the Luka trade. Armed with the knowledge the team's quite a ways off from contention and fellow GM's speaking highly of him, and it's an easy decision for him to chase options.



Zion pretty much fostered an environment of toxicity to the point the front office (regardless of gm) now makes conscious roster decisions based on who can miss the most possible time. A sick, twisted game that I'm eternally here for.

Let's be honest, Bron needs to go.

Reeves can play the Manu role like he did for SA.

The Lakers need a legit big and to dump LeBron asap. His drama does not bring championships.

Do I think the Lakers can win a title with LeBron? Only if they can stack it to 2013 Heat levels. Which is a no.

Luka must be pissed still. Have a look how deep his old team is right now.

[asujbl]

Originally Posted by graveyard

That would be a terrible trade for the Cavs. You have no idea what you’re talking about.

Sounds good

[jcardstore]

Originally Posted by graveyard

That would be a terrible trade for the Cavs. You have no idea what you’re talking about.

Account from 2018, 3 total posts in the last 2 weeks with the first one being

Originally Posted by graveyard

Not all PBM’s are bad people.

and a signature that says Griner is a man.

There's a whole lot to unpack here

[asujbl]

Originally Posted by jcardstore

Account from 2018, 3 total posts in the last 2 weeks with the first one being



and a signature that says Griner is a man.

There's a whole lot to unpack here

I’m sure he’s legit

[graveyard]

I get all my knowledge from RealGM, I know what I’m talking about scrubs.

[oldgoldy97]

Originally Posted by graveyard

I get all my knowledge from RealGM, I know what I’m talking about scrubs.

That’s what Jstore uses! You’ve been paying attention!

[jcardstore]

I wish the mods would say which accounts were connected to which PBMs so we would laugh at the attention seeking losers who keep creating new accounts only to get banned again

I mean seriously how pathetic is your life that you have to keep coming back to somewhere you’re banned from

[Bosoxfan5990]

Originally Posted by jcardstore

I wish the mods would say which accounts were connected to which PBMs so we would laugh at the attention seeking losers who keep creating new accounts only to get banned again

I mean seriously how pathetic is your life that you have to keep coming back to somewhere you’re banned from

Having a dormant account since 2018 is some kind of dedication.

[asujbl]

Originally Posted by Bosoxfan5990

Having a dormant account since 2018 is some kind of dedication.

Long time listener first time caller

Happens all the time on a sports card website that argues about sports

[Bosoxfan5990]

Originally Posted by asujbl

Long time listener first time caller

Happens all the time on a sports card website that argues about sports

If you start with first time, long time, I'm hanging up on you.

[asujbl]

Originally Posted by Bosoxfan5990

If you start with first time, long time, I'm hanging up on you.

Sports fans are generally pretty calm… so having an account for 7 years and just reading is accurate to me

[asujbl]

You guys ready for this? You aren’t ready for this…

LeBron, Mitchell, Mobley

I’m not even proposing a trade. I’m saying it starts with those 3

Who wants to play them in the East in 2025

That’s the question

I know about the cap. I know about trading assets. I know about mortgaging the future. I know about all of that

For a one year run at the title… who wants to play them?

I’ll hang up and listen

[asujbl]

What do people think the Cavs' window is with Donovan Mitchell (who in 2027 will be making $76 million under new extension)?

They will NOT be paying Evan ($54 million) Donovan ($76) and Darius (north of $50 on extension) in 2027.

You have a two year window to win now

[Chryghst]

Originally Posted by asujbl

You guys ready for this? You aren’t ready for this…

LeBron, Mitchell, Mobley

I’m not even proposing a trade. I’m saying it starts with those 3

Who wants to play them in the East in 2025

That’s the question

I know about the cap. I know about trading assets. I know about mortgaging the future. I know about all of that

For a one year run at the title… who wants to play them?

I’ll hang up and listen

I think having 1 guard, 1 wing, 1 big is better than having 2 guards, 2 bigs. I wouldn’t pick Lebron personally, but I don’t know enough about the Cavs cap situation. Last year Griz were in a position they needed to cut a ton of salaries this offseason to extend Jaren (Smart, Laravia, Bane etc), so they were willing to trade those pieces they’d lose anyway for a Jimmy Butler rental. Apparently that trade was close until Jimmy nuked it.

If Cavs can’t retain this team beyond next summer, a Lebron rental might not be a terrible idea. Might give them more flexibility next summer. But personally I’d try to find a wing who can play with Mitchell and Mobley beyond next summer, and I also think Lebron looks washed for 3/4 quarters.

Also, as much as I like Mobley, 60 million is a lot. Still crazy to me that teams are punished for their player’s accomplishments. DPOY is the difference between a contract you can build around and one you can’t really.

[asujbl]

Originally Posted by Chryghst

I think having 1 guard, 1 wing, 1 big is better than having 2 guards, 2 bigs. I wouldn’t pick Lebron personally, but I don’t know enough about the Cavs cap situation. Last year Griz were in a position they needed to cut a ton of salaries this offseason to extend Jaren (Smart, Laravia, Bane etc), so they were willing to trade those pieces they’d lose anyway for a Jimmy Butler rental. Apparently that trade was close until Jimmy nuked it.

If Cavs can’t retain this team beyond next summer, a Lebron rental might not be a terrible idea. Might give them more flexibility next summer. But personally I’d try to find a wing who can play with Mitchell and Mobley beyond next summer, and I also think Lebron looks washed for 3/4 quarters.

Also, as much as I like Mobley, 60 million is a lot. Still crazy to me that teams are punished for their player’s accomplishments. DPOY is the difference between a contract you can build around and one you can’t really.

Mobley is going to max out until the day he retires

[Chryghst]

Originally Posted by asujbl

Mobley is going to max out until the day he retires

Then Cavs championship window is even shorter than we think.

[asujbl]

Originally Posted by Chryghst

Then Cavs championship window is even shorter than we think.

Sounds good

[kipgen]

At what point do we start to see teams trading players at the peak of their values for multiple high picks + young players instead of offering them gigantic amounts of money

Unless you have a generational guy on your team almost seems better to have more eggs in more baskets instead of trying to work your way around a guy getting paid $60m+

[JustinVerlander07]

Originally Posted by kipgen

At what point do we start to see teams trading players at the peak of their values for multiple high picks + young players instead of offering them gigantic amounts of money

Unless you have a generational guy on your team almost seems better to have more eggs in more baskets instead of trying to work your way around a guy getting paid $60m+

It's already happening. Though it's generally sign the guy first, trade him after.