2024-25 NBA Thread

[Jockey]

IMHO Durant doesn't have to "lead" Houston to a title for the Rockets to have won this trade. He merely has to help them win a title, which is what I said in my earlier comment.

As for whether he (or Rodgers) has led teams to titles, Rodgers certainly has, and Durant also has depending upon one's definition of "led."

Most people would say that an athlete who averages 32 ppg while winning consecutive Finals MVPs for championship teams has "led" them - or at least has "helped lead" them - but you aren't most people when it comes to opinions on Durant.

I should have said "leads teams to titles" rather than "a title".

[Shaka Shart]

RIP Aubrey McClendon

[MU82]

No-brainer of all no-brainers: Khris Middleton exercises his $33.3 million player option for next season.

[The Sultan]

So Jrue is traded to the Blazers. It was smart for the Celtics to extend him when they did, but it was also smart for them to cut bait when it became clear that next year would be a bit of a rebuild with Tatum's injury. I think Holiday has lost a step too. Gotta admit that I don't really understand this move from the Blazers perspective.

[MuggsyB]

The Holoday trade from Portland's perspective makes no sense at all. 

[cheebs09]

Yup, they didn't get younger or add flexibility. Plus gave up some second rounders. I wonder if they are flipping Jrue like the last time.

I just hope Jrue's wife had an ample heads up a trade was coming.

[The Sultan]

Yup, they didn't get younger or add flexibility. Plus gave up some second rounders. I wonder if they are flipping Jrue like the last time.

I just hope Jrue's wife had an ample heads up a trade was coming.

Yeah, I am guessing he gets flipped at some point. I am wondering if a young team like the Spurs would have some interest.

[JWags85]

So Jrue is traded to the Blazers. It was smart for the Celtics to extend him when they did, but it was also smart for them to cut bait when it became clear that next year would be a bit of a rebuild with Tatum's injury. I think Holiday has lost a step too. Gotta admit that I don't really understand this move from the Blazers perspective.

Brad Stevens got out of $70MM in the last 2 years of that contract, saved another $5MM swapping Jrue's salary for Simons this upcoming year, plus got a pair of 2nds.  Absolute finesse by him.

No clue what the Blazers were thinking.  I mean, they aren't contending yet.  He could be a great mentor/teacher/influence for Scott Henderson, but that's an EXPENSIVE mentor.  Plus throwing in the picks?

[Billy Hoyle]

Brad Stevens got out of $70MM in the last 2 years of that contract, saved another $5MM swapping Jrue's salary for Simons this upcoming year, plus got a pair of 2nds.  Absolute finesse by him.

No clue what the Blazers were thinking.  I mean, they aren't contending yet.  He could be a great mentor/teacher/influence for Scott Henderson, but that's an EXPENSIVE mentor.  Plus throwing in the picks?

It sets up Portland to fight for 9th or 10th in the west. Interesting they'd take on that salary as the team is up for sale. Simons will be a nice fit in Boston in a throwaway year for them.

[cheebs09]

Meanwhile, the Bucks have to attach a future first to get out of Pat C's contract.

[Billy Hoyle]

Seattle handled the OKC title well:

https://x.com/AaronLevine_/status/1937029620924330150?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1937029620924330150%7Ctwgr%5Ed63b33ecec512687143dc1424bf284f892943b8c%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aol.com%2Fsports%2Fbitter-seattle-sports-broadcast-makes-000133122.html

[wadesworld]

We'll see if Jrue really lost a step.  He certainly had a diminished role in Boston.  But he averaged 18.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.5 steals on 59/42/100 shooting percentages in the ECF last year and 14.4 points/7.4 rebounds/3.8 assists on 54/42/100 shooting percentages in the Finals last year.

It's a good trade for the C's because of the financial side of things, but they're a far worse team now than they were yesterday.  And honestly, given what the East is, I'm not sold they wouldn't have still been the best team in the East even without Tatum.  Then again, that's assuming Porzingis can be healthy, which he rarely ever can.

As far as why the Blazers are doing it, they had the 4th best defense in the NBA and just got a lot better there.  They can try to flip one of their three centers for some offensive firepower, but I like the roster they have.  Obviously the West is loaded so it won't matter much, but a lineup of Jrue, Sharpe, Avdija, Grant, and Ayton (or Williams/Clingan if Ayton is moved) is pretty good.  Scoot, Thybull, and the two centers off the bench is decent depth as well.

[MU82]

From The Athletic:

Clearly, a significant number of people decided to watch this series only for its final game. Sports Business Journal's Austin Karp offered an interesting comparison for context: The NBA's Game 7 viewership was roughly in line with the 16.6 million viewers who watched Texas-Georgia in the SEC Football Championship in December.

ESPN said its audience for the entire 2025 NBA Playoffs across ESPN and ABC — 34 games — averaged 6,118,000 viewers, up 10 percent from 2024.

[Billy Hoyle]

From The Athletic:

Clearly, a significant number of people decided to watch this series only for its final game. Sports Business Journal's Austin Karp offered an interesting comparison for context: The NBA's Game 7 viewership was roughly in line with the 16.6 million viewers who watched Texas-Georgia in the SEC Football Championship in December.

ESPN said its audience for the entire 2025 NBA Playoffs across ESPN and ABC — 34 games — averaged 6,118,000 viewers, up 10 percent from 2024.

Game 7 was the most watched NBA game in six years. Not bad for a couple backwater market teams.

[GB Warrior]

Meanwhile, the Bucks have to attach a future first to get out of Pat C's contract.

In no world are the Bucks attaching a future first to get off of $9M. Do they wish he declined his option? Sure - he's worth a 10th of that. But the Bucks have such few assets that I cannot see them attaching the most valuable draft asset in the league in a salary dump

[cheebs09]

In no world are the Bucks attaching a future first to get off of $9M. Do they wish he declined his option? Sure - he's worth a 10th of that. But the Bucks have such few assets that I cannot see them attaching the most valuable draft asset in the league in a salary dump

Oh, I agree. It just seemed at the trade deadline that's what was required. I may just be being dramatic though.

[MuggsyB]

Porzingas dealt to Atlanta. 

[Jockey]

Porzingas dealt to Atlanta. 

Strict money dump, but no surprise at all. Doesn't have a lot of value.

[JWags85]

Strict money dump, but no surprise at all. Doesn't have a lot of value.

Yea, Stevens clearly shuffling money and roster spots with an eye to this being a throw away year.

[MuggsyB]

Will they trade Derrick White?