Official 2025-26 NBA Offseason Thread

[Bosoxfan5990]

Originally Posted by Bosoxfan5990

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

He gone.

[Chryghst]

Originally Posted by yiguiri2002

I think it's a very long shot to think that they both make an All-NBA team.

I wonder what they are gonna do with Chet if he has a slightly better season. Do you wanna pay 40+ a year for a guy who's injury prone and can't make the All-Star game? Look at what happened to Denver.

I think DPOY is more likely for Chet, if Wemby doesn’t hit 65 games.

Denver is a very good comp. That MPJ contract took away all flexibility, and they gave it to him after his 3rd season instead of waiting until after his 4th. MPJ then got injured and required back surgery just a few games after signing the extension (know you know this, but for neutral readers).

I’d do what you said above. Jdub is a no brainer max—all nba, all defense; 2-way player is my personal max criteria. I’d push the Chet decision to next summer, but the championship might complicate that. I’d be willing to trade him for maximum return because I think the big 3 era is over, but again the championship might complicate that. I do think he’ll be better than MPJ and fits this team much better than MPJ did Denver, but for team construction purposes only I think they’ll be better with 65%+stuff than 90%+less stuff, and some team will max him. If Shai had taken a discount, I would have thought maybe all 3 will take less to stay together, but he didn’t.

That said, what I think they’ll do is try to keep it together for a few years because this team won a championship.

[Antman5]

What’s everyone’s projection on Amen Thompson? Is he on the path to becoming a true superstar, or more of a All-NBA 3rd team/ All Defense 1st team caliber player who excels at doing all the little things, but ultimately limited offensively to crack that top-tier, top-10 player conversation?


Focusing on the other end of the ball, I’m still trying to figure him out if he’ll be a late bloomer or he’s near his limitation offensively. His mid-range shot is improving, and he’s capable of bringing the ball up and initiating the offense at times. But he doesn’t possess elite handle, a natural feel for the game to create plays to be a consistent focal point. He seems to thrive in chaos—great at creating scoring opportunities on broken plays and rely on his athleticism.


Are we looking at a modern, ultra-athletic version of Scottie Pippen—or is he shaping up to be more of a taller, more explosive version of Rajon Rondo?

I’m leaning toward the latter: a highly valuable piece on a championship-level team, someone who impacts winning in a big way. But his offensive limitations might ultimately keep him from breaking into that true superstar tier.

[cdub6238]

Bovada...so take it with a grain of salt..

Has a bet up...LeBron's next team; Cleveland +175, GSW +200, Miami +400

[Chryghst]

Originally Posted by Antman5

What’s everyone’s projection on Amen Thompson? Is he on the path to becoming a true superstar, or more of a All-NBA 3rd team/ All Defense 1st team caliber player who excels at doing all the little things, but ultimately limited offensively to crack that top-tier, top-10 player conversation?

More athletic and longer wingspan Jimmy Butler. I think Jimmy Butler was a top 5 player at moments but not consistently enough to be recognized as such.

[asujbl]

Originally Posted by cdub6238

Bovada...so take it with a grain of salt..

Has a bet up...LeBron's next team; Cleveland +175, GSW +200, Miami +400

The Cleveland trade is legit impossible because of the apron. You have to get like 5 teams involved

Cleveland would have to be a buyout situation which seems wild for LeBron

What are the Knicks? That’s where I’d put my hard earned dollars

[cdub6238]

Originally Posted by asujbl

The Cleveland trade is legit impossible because of the apron. You have to get like 5 teams involved

Cleveland would have to be a buyout situation which seems wild for LeBron

What are the Knicks? That’s where I’d put my hard earned dollars

Well to be fair, it was probably just attention baiting spam, as it popped up on my Facebook (yeah yeah I know)

It differs apparently on their actual site, as it specifies...where will he play game 1 of 25/26 IF NOT for the Lakers..

Mavs +150
Cavs/Warriors +350
Knicks +650
Heat +1400
Suns/76ers +1600
Nuggets +2000
Nets +2500

[yiguiri2002]

Originally Posted by JustinVerlander07

Total postseason liability. Overthinking this one brother.

Joke's on you, Bulls are not making the playoffs for the next 5 years

[yiguiri2002]

Originally Posted by Chryghst

I think DPOY is more likely for Chet, if Wemby doesn’t hit 65 games.

Denver is a very good comp. That MPJ contract took away all flexibility, and they gave it to him after his 3rd season instead of waiting until after his 4th. MPJ then got injured and required back surgery just a few games after signing the extension (know you know this, but for neutral readers).

I’d do what you said above. Jdub is a no brainer max—all nba, all defense; 2-way player is my personal max criteria. I’d push the Chet decision to next summer, but the championship might complicate that. I’d be willing to trade him for maximum return because I think the big 3 era is over, but again the championship might complicate that. I do think he’ll be better than MPJ and fits this team much better than MPJ did Denver, but for team construction purposes only I think they’ll be better with 65%+stuff than 90%+less stuff, and some team will max him. If Shai had taken a discount, I would have thought maybe all 3 will take less to stay together, but he didn’t.

That said, what I think they’ll do is try to keep it together for a few years because this team won a championship.

DPOY for Chet is gonna be hard because the team have too many great defenders (AC, Lu, J-Dub, Hartenstein). Hell, SGA and Cason are very good defenders and they can get subbed out in the clutch for defensive purposes.

I think OKC will be fine because of their approach. Presti adjusted to what happen with Durant/Westbrook/Harden and it's putting on a masterclass. Just look at Wiggins, Joe, Hartenstein and Jaylin's contract. If he can't sign Chet to an extension he likes, he'll sign and trade him and retool the team - specially since Giannis might be available.

The Nuggets should be the main example on how not to approach the current cap situation after success. It was not only MPJ's contract, it was Murray's too. Even AG. They are banking 100% on Jokic being the best player in the league to have any kind of success now.

[ninjacookies]

In lieu of recent events, all McLemore comps when dissecting Mathurin's game shall henceforth be eliminated from my vernacular.

[Chryghst]

Originally Posted by yiguiri2002

DPOY for Chet is gonna be hard because the team have too many great defenders (AC, Lu, J-Dub, Hartenstein). Hell, SGA and Cason are very good defenders and they can get subbed out in the clutch for defensive purposes.

I think OKC will be fine because of their approach. Presti adjusted to what happen with Durant/Westbrook/Harden and it's putting on a masterclass. Just look at Wiggins, Joe, Hartenstein and Jaylin's contract. If he can't sign Chet to an extension he likes, he'll sign and trade him and retool the team - specially since Giannis might be available.

The Nuggets should be the main example on how not to approach the current cap situation after success. It was not only MPJ's contract, it was Murray's too. Even AG. They are banking 100% on Jokic being the best player in the league to have any kind of success now.

Center on the team with the best defensive rating typically wins DPOY. If Chet had played 65 games last year he would have won it over Mobley imo. Cavs defensive rating was 111.8 (8th) and Thunder’s was 106.6 (1st by a large margin).

I hear what you’re saying—I’m a big Presti fan. But roster construction is cyclical. Presti is clearly very very good at phase 1 of team building. He has crushed it twice. But 2025 was essentially 2010, except he won. Where he failed in the first cycle was transitioning from phase 1 to phase 2 when his core progressed from rookie contracts to 2nd contracts. He has set himself up much better this time, but it’s still a challenge. Because years of service determine % of cap, phase 1 is draft/rookie contracts; phase 2 is 2nd contract (25-30% cap); phase 3 is 10+ years of service (35% cap). They’re all vastly different challenges in team building, and the transition between them is also difficult. So we can say Presti is remarkable at phase 1, but the jury is still out on phase 2 and phase 3. Given the Thunder’s inability to get back to the finals during phase 2 of that Durant/Westbrook/Harden (and later PG) build, we’ll have to see. Brad Stevens has proved himself extremely capable at phase 2, but we haven’t seen him execute phase 1. We’ll see if he can maneuver phase 3 over the next few seasons.

Agreed on Denver, but to be fair a lot of those moves were made before the new CBA went into effect. Not sure how much advanced knowledge ownership and FOs were given of the terms. I guess the Murray and AG extensions were after.

[rhigh2390]

Originally Posted by yiguiri2002

Joke's on you, Bulls are not making the playoffs for the next 5 years

so true

[cdub6238]

Cam Whitmore traded to the Wiz for a bag of basketballs

[kingofsnake]

Originally Posted by cdub6238

Cam Whitmore traded to the Wiz for a bag of basketballs

Bag of balls is right. Seems they did him a solid.

[blackvodka]

With Houston there just wasn't any room for Whitmore. Too bad he got sent to Washington.

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[patchgenie]

Originally Posted by blackvodka

With Houston there just wasn't any room for Whitmore. Too bad he got sent to Washington.

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no, he's going to be MIP next year.

[blackvodka]

Originally Posted by patchgenie

no, he's going to be MIP next year.

I suppose he will get playing time and in two years can sign somewhere else.

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[blackvodka]

Does anyone take a chance in Grimes?

It just doesn't seem like there has been any progress with Philly re-signing him.

Detroit? I just don't see them keeping Malik after his off-the court issues.

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[kipgen]

Originally Posted by blackvodka

Does anyone take a chance in Grimes?

It just doesn't seem like there has been any progress with Philly re-signing him.

Detroit? I just don't see them keeping Malik after his off-the court issues.

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I'd like him in Houston

[ninjacookies]

Kelce pump faking on renegging the Denver trade is something else. Not sure if that speaks more about Colorado's appeal as a FA destination, or how addictive moussaka is in December.

[JustinVerlander07]

Originally Posted by ninjacookies

Kelce pump faking on renegging the Denver trade is something else. Not sure if that speaks more about Colorado's appeal as a FA destination, or how addictive moussaka is in December.

The only thing I could think of is he doesn't want to play only 12-15 minutes a night? But he basically did that for Washington/Sacramento last year so why not on a contenders?

[ninjacookies]

Originally Posted by JustinVerlander07

The only thing I could think of is he doesn't want to play only 12-15 minutes a night? But he basically did that for Washington/Sacramento last year so why not on a contenders?

Also Greece is offering more. I think he's still struggling with the fact he's no longer that dude. Most would probably salivate at the prospect of backing up the best 5 in the game with genuine championship chances, but seems like he's entering his NBA midlife crisis early.

[rhigh2390]

3-Team trade

Heat: Norman Powell
Clippers: John Collins
Jazz: Kevin Love, Kyle Anderson, and Clips 2027 2nd

[yiguiri2002]

How did the Heat get Powell for so little?

[rhigh2390]

Originally Posted by yiguiri2002

How did the Heat get Powell for so little?

I thought the same thing. Also think LA took a hit losing Powell for just Collins.