2022-23 NBA Thread

[Uncle Rico]

Agreed, Giannis playing under coach Spo would get him to the next level.

Trade him for Tyler Herro and Tyler can finally play at Fiserv where he belongs and may have played if not for the Hauser boys

[Skatastrophy]

Trade him for Tyler Herro and Tyler can finally play at Fiserv where he belongs and may have played if not for the Hauser boys

I'm not sure the Bucks would go for just Tyler. Maybe throw Strus in there to get all those DePaul fans up to Milwaukee for games.

[Uncle Rico]

I'm not sure the Bucks would go for just Tyler. Maybe throw Strus in there to get all those DePaul fans up to Milwaukee for games.

Probably get the folks from Waukesha in the city as well

[The Sultan]

Agreed, Giannis playing under coach Spo would get him to the next level.

I don't even know what that means.

[MuggsyB]

What is your current 9 man rotation with the trifecta and today's rules?   I'm thinking:

Curry
Jordan
Jokic
Olajuwon
Lebron
Antetokounmpo
Bird
Magic
Durant

[PGsHeroes32]

Heat need to win the Dame sweepstakes imo. Not sure what it would take but I think adding a guard like Dame to Jimmy and Bam would make them the east favorites.

[MuggsyB]

Heat need to win the Dame sweepstakes imo. Not sure what it would take but I think adding a guard like Dame to Jimmy and Bam would make them the east favorites.

They probably don't have enough to get Lillard but I think they'll go after Beal. 

[WhiteTrash]

What is your current 9 man rotation with the trifecta and today's rules?   I'm thinking:

Curry
Jordan
Jokic
Olajuwon
Lebron
Antetokounmpo
Bird
Magic
Durant

No Wade?

[forgetful]

What is your current 9 man rotation with the trifecta and today's rules?   I'm thinking:

Curry
Jordan
Jokic
Olajuwon
Lebron
Antetokounmpo
Bird
Magic
Durant

Assuming the goal is to put together the best 9-man lineup, and not the 9-best players.

I would swap out Lebron for Pippen. Not because I think Pippen is better, or because I dislike Lebron, but rather to get another elite defender in the lineup that would know their role.

Or keep Lebron, and swap Pippen for Durant.

Might also consider going with Dirk at the 4 to spread the court more. Can bring some elite shooting from the 4 position.

That would allow an offense heavy lineup.

Curry
Jordan
Bird
Nowitzki
Jokic

Run the ball through Jordan/Curry/Jokic, allow Bird and Nowitzki to spread the floor.

When you need more defense swap in Hakeem/Pippen.

I'd also consider swapping out Magic for Oscar Robertson, but can't go wrong with Magic at all. 

[MuggsyB]

Assuming the goal is to put together the best 9-man lineup, and not the 9-best players.

I would swap out Lebron for Pippen. Not because I think Pippen is better, or because I dislike Lebron, but rather to get another elite defender in the lineup that would know their role.

Or keep Lebron, and swap Pippen for Durant.

Might also consider going with Dirk at the 4 to spread the court more. Can bring some elite shooting from the 4 position.

That would allow an offense heavy lineup.

Curry
Jordan
Bird
Nowitzki
Jokic

Run the ball through Jordan/Curry/Jokic, allow Bird and Nowitzki to spread the floor.

When you need more defense swap in Hakeem/Pippen.

I'd also consider swapping out Magic for Oscar Robertson, but can't go wrong with Magic at all.

Fair points.  I think things would be okay with both scenarios? I'm confident they could get the job done. Imagine that bench? 

[rocket surgeon]

They probably don't have enough to get Lillard but I think they'll go after Beal.

excellent thoughts, but i don't believe they are "available" and/or are their respective teams willing to part with them and at what cost? 

of the available free agent shooting guards-

    austin reeves-i really like this kid.  plays like he always has something to prove.  tough as balls with a better than average shot.  will drive and dish or go head to head with a mission

   jordan clarkson- lanky, proven scorer.  hybrid between point & shooting guard.  draws necessary attention but can pass well

   gary trent-tough mofo can score when you need him to.  may fit well with heat, but i think they need more

   bruce brown-could they lure him over from the "enemy"?  money is money man...again, is he what miami needs? 

  donte divincenzo-loved this guy as a buck, but played 3rd fiddle at g.s.  he is one of the most scrappy players who can defend and hit the 3.  they could probably snag donte for a decent price and get their money's worth.  the city and the state for that matter is a mess; i would in a new york second for miami or anywhere else for that matter except L.A. or portland

[The Sultan]

If those are the best free agent shooting guards, the market's terrible. None of those guys are taking Miami to the "next level."

And I doubt Donte has any issues with living and working in San Francisco.

[Uncle Rico]

If those are the best free agent shooting guards, the market's terrible. None of those guys are taking Miami to the "next level."

And I doubt Donte has any issues with living and working in San Francisco.

Well, he's a scrappy white guy.

[rocket surgeon]

If those are the best free agent shooting guards, the market's terrible. None of those guys are taking Miami to the "next level."

And I doubt Donte has any issues with living and working in San Francisco.

those are the only "free agents" i could come up with.  otherwise, miami would have to swing a trade.  who would they be willing to give up to get a lillard or a beal??  i doubt a bunch of draft picks(probably high ones) would do it.

  disclaimer-these were just opinions...never said donte has an issue living/working in san francisco


side note-as i was goggling lillard, maybe it was discussed here, but i haven't heard it otherwise, but rumors of the bucks getting damien lillard??  wow!!  love it!  but depends on who they would have to give up as well.  could be a sports writer dreaming?

https://wisportsheroics.com/milwaukee-bucks-damian-lillard-trade-rumor/?expand_article=1

[The Sultan]

those are the only "free agents" i could come up with.  otherwise, miami would have to swing a trade.  who would they be willing to give up to get a lillard or a beal??  i doubt a bunch of draft picks(probably high ones) would do it.

Just looking at contract figures and not knowing the details of any no-trade clauses, etc., they would have to give up something like the expiring contracts of Kyle Lowery and Caleb Martin, plus a guy like Nicola Jovic, to get Lillard.  They also have a '24 first round pick.

But this is what teams have to do to get multiple star players - trade their depth.

[lawdog77]

Just looking at contract figures and not knowing the details of any no-trade clauses, etc., they would have to give up something like the expiring contracts of Kyle Lowery and Caleb Martin, plus a guy like Nicola Jovic, to get Lillard.  They also have a '24 first round pick.

But this is what teams have to do to get multiple star players - trade their depth.

Here's one site's proposal:
Heat-Blazers Damian Lillard trade
Miami Heat Receive: Damian Lillard

Portland Trail Blazers Receive: Tyler Herro, Caleb Martin, Nikola Jovic, Victor Oladipo, No. 18 pick in 2023, 2027 first-round pick, 2029 first-round pick

[The Sultan]

I think teams are going to steer clear of Herro's contract. He's just starting the first of a four year, $120M deal.  But then again, who knows?

[Uncle Rico]

I think teams are going to steer clear of Herro's contract. He's just starting the first of a four year, $120M deal.  But then again, who knows?

Those teams don't know ball, aina?

[lawdog77]

I think teams are going to steer clear of Herro's contract. He's just starting the first of a four year, $120M deal.  But then again, who knows?

Well, he's no Gabe Vincent.

[MuggsyB]

I think teams are going to steer clear of Herro's contract. He's just starting the first of a four year, $120M deal.  But then again, who knows?

I think Washington would definitely consider unloading Beal for Herro and his contact along with Robinson and multiple 1st rd picks.  Beal's contract I believe is also for another 3yrs.  When the guy is healthy he can score and not just with the triple. 

[MUBurrow]

Here's one site's proposal:
Heat-Blazers Damian Lillard trade
Miami Heat Receive: Damian Lillard

Portland Trail Blazers Receive: Tyler Herro, Caleb Martin, Nikola Jovic, Victor Oladipo, No. 18 pick in 2023, 2027 first-round pick, 2029 first-round pick

I'm not trying to go all withoutbias here, but can Jimmy co-exist with another top 20 player?  I love the guy, but that crashed and burned in Minnesota and Philadelphia.  Both those circumstances have a lotta ins, a lotta outs, a lotta what have yous, but my impression from Jimmy is that he thrives in the try-hard, underdog role.  After being the guy in Miami for a bunch of years, I'm not sure he would adjust well to bringing Dame in.

[tower912]

If he has another star with the same all in, team mentality.

[The Sultan]

I'm not trying to go all withoutbias here, but can Jimmy co-exist with another top 20 player?  I love the guy, but that crashed and burned in Minnesota and Philadelphia.  Both those circumstances have a lotta ins, a lotta outs, a lotta what have yous, but my impression from Jimmy is that he thrives in the try-hard, underdog role.  After being the guy in Miami for a bunch of years, I'm not sure he would adjust well to bringing Dame in.

I don't think he crashed and burned in Philly at all. By all reports he got along with Embiid just fine.

[MUBurrow]

If he has another star with the same all in, team mentality.

I guess this is where my suspicion comes in.  Does Jimmy have the same "all in, team mentality" if there is another leader or if he has to share or even give up the mantle of the "hardest working, grittiest guy on the team"?  I think Jimmy and Buzz share a lot of the same core traits, especially in the primacy they have to have in a team's success.  Part of me thinks that Jimmy is happiest to be a "Hall of Very Good" type player that would ultimately rather will an underdog team to overachieve as the undisputed leader vs hunt for a championship as the 1A to Dame or Embiid's 1.

I don't think he crashed and burned in Philly at all. By all reports he got along with Embiid just fine.

You may be right and I am probably misremembering how that went/ended.

[JWags85]

I guess this is where my suspicion comes in.  Does Jimmy have the same "all in, team mentality" if there is another leader or if he has to share or even give up the mantle of the "hardest working, grittiest guy on the team"?  I think Jimmy and Buzz share a lot of the same core traits, especially in the primacy they have to have in a team's success.  Part of me thinks that Jimmy is happiest to be a "Hall of Very Good" type player that would ultimately rather will an underdog team to overachieve as the undisputed leader vs hunt for a championship as the 1A to Dame or Embiid's 1.

I'm not so sure Jimmy would be 1A to Dame.  The Heat is unquestionably Jimmy's team and if Dame is leaving Portland at this point, it's to chase a 'ship, not go somewhere else to be the man.   I think those two would coexist just fine.  Honestly I think a Jimmy/Dame fit makes more sense than a Jimmy/Beal fit