Official 2025-26 NBA Offseason Thread

[JustinVerlander07]

Originally Posted by Nomad

The Bucks are not aiming to contend. They are looking to rebuild with Myles doing what he did in Indiana, welcoming new team-centered talent. Why Lillard's $22 million a year stretch doesn't matter.

This is even more delusional than what oshmeehan posts. They are 10000% trying to contend.

[Nomad]

The Bucks may be delusional but Myles plays with legos.

Doesn't matter what the Bucks want, Turner has a lot of say in the organization as of 5 hours ago.

I guess they want what he wants.

(And Giannis, and Brook)

of all the teams in the NBA, Milwaukee understands winning is a process.

[JustinVerlander07]

Originally Posted by oshmeehan

They can still (and will) make a couple more signiciant moves to improve their roster for this upcoming season (getting rid of Kuz and bringing in a more versatile wing as well as another PG), but whatever they do I'm sure yet again won't change anything for you regardless.

Is this your opinion or a sourced fact I haven't seen? Because how are they getting off Kuzma to bring in more talent with no picks/swaps to trade? They're out of bullets unless they choose to get real wreckless and start shopping that 2032 1st (which would have real tangible value as teams trading for that would expect that to become a potential real high lottery pick)

[oshmeehan]

Originally Posted by JustinVerlander07

This is even more delusional than what oshmeehan posts. They are 10000% trying to contend.

What have I said that has been delusional? That the Bucks arent trading Giannis? I mean that has to be even more obvious to you now that they aren't.

[oshmeehan]

Originally Posted by JustinVerlander07

Is this your opinion or a sourced fact I haven't seen? Because how are they getting off Kuzma to bring in more talent with no picks/swaps to trade? They're out of bullets unless they choose to get real wreckless and start shopping that 2032 1st (which would have real tangible value as teams trading for that would expect that to become a potential real high lottery pick)

You can just sit back and wait and see. Just like you will be doing when Giannis is in a Bucks uniform still come November

[Nomad]

I like the Bucks chances 3 years out. I would be a buy on Giannis all day.

[asujbl]

Originally Posted by Nomad

The Bucks are not aiming to contend. They are looking to rebuild with Myles doing what he did in Indiana, welcoming new team-centered talent. Why Lillard's $22 million a year stretch doesn't matter.

This couldn’t be more wrong if you legit tried to be wrong

[ninjacookies]

Originally Posted by yiguiri2002

Yep, and they just got Kelce for him to back Joker up.

They are one wing away from being real contenders.

They definitely got better. Whether that's good enough for a championship is debatable.

OKC now runs into the dilemma of having to gauge whether or not any signing is better than what they currently have.

[21Pittsburgh58]

I'll say this and then butt out of this thread since I don't watch basketball anymore (I'm a box score whore these days):

NBA salaries are out of control!

That's all.

[Chryghst]

Originally Posted by asujbl

"If I'm an Indiana Pacer right now, I'm absolutely disgusted, I am sick to my stomach. If I'm Tyrese Haliburton, I am breaking things right now. If I'm Rick Carlisle, I'm furious... they hate the Bucks." ��

- @WindhorstESPN

(h/t @ClutchPoints )

The rare lose-lose trade. They effectively signed Turner to a 4y/192million deal. Plus another 21 million for the 5th year with no Turner. Does it make the Bucks better next season? Sure—but worse every year after that for a half decade, maybe longer.

Until he won DPOY, Mobley was one of the better contracts in the league. Don’t understand the Mobley hate; even more confused that people think this Bucks team can contend. Incredibly flawed roster that just lost most of its flexibility going forward.

[asujbl]

Larry Nance Jr to the Cavs

Love it

It doesn’t move the needle, relax people, but he was born and raised in Cleveland and he’s a solid backup to Allen and Mobley

And being in the 2nd apron?

Additions are good

[asujbl]

Originally Posted by Chryghst

The rare lose-lose trade. They effectively signed Turner to a 4y/192million deal. Plus another 21 million for the 5th year with no Turner. Does it make the Bucks better next season? Sure—but worse every year after that for a half decade, maybe longer.

Until he won DPOY, Mobley was one of the better contracts in the league. Don’t understand the Mobley hate; even more confused that people think this Bucks team can contend. Incredibly flawed roster that just lost most of its flexibility going forward.

This is correct

It’s almost like people don’t understand what the stretch provision is

[asujbl]

Originally Posted by asujbl

Larry Nance Jr to the Cavs

Love it

It doesn’t move the needle, relax people, but he was born and raised in Cleveland and he’s a solid backup to Allen and Mobley

And being in the 2nd apron?

Additions are good

Only Cavs fans will care

✅ Can play with either big (played more small ball 5 in NOLA but shifted to more PF in ATL than in years prior)
✅ Spaces the floor enough (38% 3P on 250+ attempts since leaving CLE; up to 5.9 3PA per 36 last year)
✅ Still a disruptive defender (2% STL%, 2.6 BLK%, 88th percentile in deflections)
✅ Can still clean the glass (would have ranked 3rd on team in DREB% last year)
✅ Offers offensive diversity with ability to facilitate out of high post/off high handoffs/short rolls (career 11.7% AST%)
✅ Still a productive defender, insurance against injury of bigs without significant defensive drop off (posted positive DBPM every year of career)
✅ Allows for a variety of different closing lineups structures

[ninjacookies]

Originally Posted by asujbl

This is correct

It’s almost like people don’t understand what the stretch provision is

Absolutely a boneheaded move. But I can't help but think the Bucks FO feels incredible pressure to make 'big' moves to appease Giannis and give the impression that they do give a damn about wanting to build something.

Unfortunately Turner was the best big available this offseason and they already offloaded Brolo, so the optics if they did nothing or signed Ayton (who is a complete joke) probably wouldn't have been much better especially in the eyes of Giannis.

They're essentially hostages to the Dame signing for the foreseeable future.

[Chryghst]

Originally Posted by asujbl

Only Cavs fans will care

✅ Can play with either big (played more small ball 5 in NOLA but shifted to more PF in ATL than in years prior)
✅ Spaces the floor enough (38% 3P on 250+ attempts since leaving CLE; up to 5.9 3PA per 36 last year)
✅ Still a disruptive defender (2% STL%, 2.6 BLK%, 88th percentile in deflections)
✅ Can still clean the glass (would have ranked 3rd on team in DREB% last year)
✅ Offers offensive diversity with ability to facilitate out of high post/off high handoffs/short rolls (career 11.7% AST%)
✅ Still a productive defender, insurance against injury of bigs without significant defensive drop off (posted positive DBPM every year of career)
✅ Allows for a variety of different closing lineups structures

Also one of the nicest guys in the league.

[ninjacookies]

Dlo to the Mavs was a nice signing, imo.

As a starter, he's haram. But as an insurance plan for Rie's Lieutenant Dan legs, he's awesome. Plus he and AD are bff's so this was also a move to preserve team morale.

They could currently have the best bench in the league.

Dlo
Naji
Caleb
PJ
Lively

Is a legit starting 5 for Brooklyn/Washington.


I think Dallas is truly the biggest questionmark this year. They could either be top 4 contenders out West or a mixed bag disaster waiting to happen.

[Chryghst]

Originally Posted by ninjacookies

Absolutely a boneheaded move. But I can't help but think the Bucks FO feels incredible pressure to make 'big' moves to appease Giannis and give the impression that they do give a damn about wanting to build something.

Unfortunately Turner was the best big available this offseason and they already offloaded Brolo, so the optics if they did nothing or signed Ayton (who is a complete joke) probably wouldn't have been much better especially in the eyes of Giannis.

They're essentially hostages to the Dame signing for the foreseeable future.

Ultimately just incredibly performative though, because it puts the franchise in a worse position than it was. Players make horrible GMs. Their timelines and priorities are different. I don’t like this era of players signing contracts instead of utilizing free agency and then not honoring the contracts. What I like even less is players burning franchise assets to the ground in an attempt to ‘win now’, and then leaving the rubble behind when they demand out to their next destination.

I would respect Giannis for staying; I would understand Giannis for leaving. But if Giannis applies this pressure and then leaves the franchise in disarray, he loses that respect imo. Yes Lebron has won titles, but he has left every franchise completely decimated when he moves on—and he always moved in FA not a trade so the teams couldn’t recoup assets!

[Chryghst]

Originally Posted by ninjacookies

Dlo to the Mavs was a nice signing, imo.

As a starter, he's haram. But as an insurance plan for Rie's Lieutenant Dan legs, he's awesome. Plus he and AD are bff's so this was also a move to preserve team morale.

They could currently have the best bench in the league.

Dlo
Naji
Caleb
PJ
Lively

Is a legit starting 5 for Brooklyn/Washington.


I think Dallas is truly the biggest questionmark this year. They could either be top 4 contenders out West or a mixed bag disaster waiting to happen.

I like Christie, he should be in there. Still think Jrue would have fit perfectly. I think they’ll be alright next year, and much better the following year when Kyrie is fully fit and Cooper isn’t a rookie. The analytics on rookie guards are always awful, even the ones who become very good later.

[graveyard]

Tim Hardaway is a good signing for the Nugs, nothing flashy but is a solid second unit contributor.

It’s tough being a Blazers fan, they aren’t going to seriously contend in the West until 2055

[ninjacookies]

Originally Posted by Chryghst

I would respect Giannis for staying; I would understand Giannis for leaving. But if Giannis applies this pressure and then leaves the franchise in disarray, he loses that respect imo. Yes Lebron has won titles, but he has left every franchise completely decimated when he moves on—and he always moved in FA not a trade so the teams couldn’t recoup assets!

This is where I'm at. Players playing GM more often than not leads to toxic locker room environments as a result of transactions made with lack of consideration for post- franchise player timeframes.

I think Yannis is a good guy and very likeable. But the fact he basically forced them to digest his cheerleader brother as a package deal now going on half a decade tells me he's probably more akin to Lebron than he is Brunson.

[ninjacookies]

Originally Posted by Chryghst

I like Christie, he should be in there.

Damn. I really forgot my fave post-Faker. He's def in there over Caleb/Naji.

It all hinges on health. Their big 3 are now entering their twilight years and their game logs aren't trending in the right direction. But (and that's a big butt) if they can keep it together in time for April, they could be very dangerous.

Again, the thing I like most about the Coop fit is he's branded as a defensive stalwart, and perhaps even moreso as a 3. He's going to bring great value even if his offensive development is slowed. But based on their existent talent, they won't have to rely on him to carry. Real hyped to see what he does year one.

[ninjacookies]

Looks like Connaughton's next in the line of Good Hair gigachades whose careers went to perish in charlotte.




My thoughts and prayers are with you.

[Chryghst]

Originally Posted by ninjacookies

This is where I'm at. Players playing GM more often than not leads to toxic locker room environments as a result of transactions made with lack of consideration for post- franchise player timeframes.

I think Yannis is a good guy and very likeable. But the fact he basically forced them to digest his cheerleader brother as a package deal now going on half a decade tells me he's probably more akin to Lebron than he is Brunson.

I just have so much respect for Brunson. Gah why the foul-baiters gotta be so likeable?

The crazy thing about this zero-sum salary cap game is Turner looks Chad Buchanan in the eye and says ‘na, you trade Mathurin and Obi or I’m gone’ and then expects to walk back into that locker room. It makes me understand (but not excuse) the Draymond/Poole stuff a bit more. Like they gotta be cool with each other but ultimately are going to screw each other over. Brunson basically said na I’ll take less, let’s build together—great for salary cap maneuvering but has to be even greater for the locker room. He walks into that training camp in September and everyone knows he left bread for them, rather than worrying they have to look for what’s next.

[Nomad]

Not to pull it back to Nesmith, but that 3-year $11 million deal he took that enabled Siakam acquisition and Nembhard retention was akin to Curry taking same just prior to championship run, due to foot injury issues. Created the necessary cap space.

Pacers did apparently offer Myles $95 mil four year, FWIW [edit: $25 mil a year. Myles got $26.5 from Bucks, but the extra year probably crucial. Funds to build that lego island.]

With Myles gone, they preserve the locker room wa you could say.

[ninjacookies]

Originally Posted by Chryghst

The crazy thing about this zero-sum salary cap game is Turner looks Chad Buchanan in the eye and says ‘na, you trade Mathurin and Obi or I’m gone’ and then expects to walk back into that locker room. It makes me understand (but not excuse) the Draymond/Poole stuff a bit more. Like they gotta be cool with each other but ultimately are going to screw each other over. Brunson basically said na I’ll take less, let’s build together—great for salary cap maneuvering but has to be even greater for the locker room. He walks into that training camp in September and everyone knows he left bread for them, rather than worrying they have to look for what’s next.

> tfw when you realize the contract restructuring 'brotherhood' is nothing more than glorified street gang/oval office politics. Everyone wants to play Good Samaritan, but ain't nobody really built for that Gandhi life once its time to put ink to paper.