2023-24 NBA Thread

[MU82]

Am I mathing right? KD gets flipped for what turns out to be 9 firsts?

I just read that about 20 seconds ago on The Athletic site.

[WhiteTrash]

I just read that about 20 seconds ago on The Athletic site.

And Houston becomes the 6th seed in the West?

[Pakuni]

Bridges is a way better player.

Draft picks aren't as important as they used to be. So much money around that you can add pieces via free agency.

He's better. He's not four first-round picks better.

[Jockey]

He's better. He's not four first-round picks better.

In the old days, no. Not even close.

[Jockey]

Why would someone say that about a player that has only made the playoffs once in his career? 

Lavine = Kevin Love.

Love lucked out and got traded to the Lebronnies. Can Lavine be that lucky?

[wadesworld]

Bridges is a way better player.

Draft picks aren't as important as they used to be. So much money around that you can add pieces via free agency.

Draft picks have become a lot more important with the stingier rules around the first and second apron now.  And there's a lot less money out there for teams to spend now.

[MU82]

Lavine = Kevin Love.

Love lucked out and got traded to the Lebronnies. Can Lavine be that lucky?

Love was starting his evolution into a lower-minute, 3-point specialist by then. Still wasn't "only" a role player, as he's become in his latter years, but was clearly #3 behind LeBron and Kyrie. Played about the same number of minutes as J.R. Smith.

So we'll see how LaVine's game evolves and what role he's willing to accept.

[WhiteTrash]

Love was starting his evolution into a lower-minute, 3-point specialist by then. Still wasn't "only" a role player, as he's become in his latter years, but was clearly #3 behind LeBron and Kyrie. Played about the same number of minutes as J.R. Smith.

So we'll see how LaVine's game evolves and what role he's willing to accept.

I think LaVine is a smart guy and would understand what his game has become. Now that he has his money, he has asked to be traded and might actually want to win before his career is over. He's, at best, a third option on a winning team.

He has become a middle/back of the rotation guy who can eat up innings. Not someone who will make you a winner, but can be useful.

[MU82]

I think LaVine is a smart guy and would understand what his game has become. Now that he has his money, he has asked to be traded and might actually want to win before his career is over. He's, at best, a third option on a winning team.

He has become a middle/back of the rotation guy who can eat up innings. Not someone who will make you a winner, but can be useful.

We'll see if any NBA GMs agree with your assessment, and if any who do agree can work around the $$$ to make a trade.

[Jockey]

Love was starting his evolution into a lower-minute, 3-point specialist by then. Still wasn't "only" a role player, as he's become in his latter years, but was clearly #3 behind LeBron and Kyrie. Played about the same number of minutes as J.R. Smith.

So we'll see how LaVine's game evolves and what role he's willing to accept.

Actually, not according to his career stats. He was actually shooting more and scoring more the year before he went to Cleveland.

But I credit him for changing his role willingly after the trade.

Can Lavine do the same? I think it could happen in Miami where there is a true alpha.

[Jockey]

Draft picks have become a lot more important with the stingier rules around the first and second apron now.  And there's a lot less money out there for teams to spend now.

Obviously as the salary cap rises, teams have less money to spend. 

[wadesworld]

Obviously as the salary cap rises, teams have less money to spend. 

Somebody doesn't know how max salaries work in the NBA and how the first and second aprons work in the NBA.

[MU82]

Actually, not according to his career stats. He was actually shooting more and scoring more the year before he went to Cleveland.

But I credit him for changing his role willingly after the trade.

Can Lavine do the same? I think it could happen in Miami where there is a true alpha.

Yes, I meant that Love played fewer minutes, scored fewer points, and wasn't a top-2 option for his team after going to Cleveland. He willingly took a back seat to LeBron and Kyrie to try to win.

Would LaVine be willing to do similar? Would teams want him if he were willing? TBD on both.

[Uncle Rico]

Knickerbockers are active. 

[Jockey]

Yes, I meant that Love played fewer minutes, scored fewer points, and wasn't a top-2 option for his team after going to Cleveland. He willingly took a back seat to LeBron and Kyrie to try to win.

Would LaVine be willing to do similar? Would teams want him if he were willing? TBD on both.

I think Lavine would be quite valuable if he were willing.

[Jockey]

Somebody doesn't know how max salaries work in the NBA and how the first and second aprons work in the NBA.

Somebody also doesn't understand how teams can get around this.

[JWags85]

There is chatter that the Hawks have considered Sheppard at #1.   Likely won't happen but I'm just baffled.  Lottery talent, sure.  But Top 3 seems like a stretch for him.  Consideration at #1 is just insane, IMO.  I don't ever see him becoming a regular All Star.  Far more likely to have a Redick career than Steph.

[wadesworld]

Somebody also doesn't understand how teams can get around this.

Somebody doesn't realize that teams really cannot get around this.

You claim there's "so much money going around that you can add free agents," but plenty of teams, including the Bucks, can only add vet minimums in free agency, right? Not even tax payer mid levels, just vet minimums.

And that teams like the Bucks can't make a trade that brings in even 1 penny more than what they send out, and they can't aggregate multiple salaries to match what they would bring in.

Like I said, draft picks are going to become a whole lot more important. There are far less ways for a team to add talent when they have even 2 max contracts (which go up when the cap goes up).

[PGsHeroes32]

There is chatter that the Hawks have considered Sheppard at #1.   Likely won't happen but I'm just baffled.  Lottery talent, sure.  But Top 3 seems like a stretch for him.  Consideration at #1 is just insane, IMO.  I don't ever see him becoming a regular All Star.  Far more likely to have a Redick career than Steph.

Going 3, which is crazy high for a player like that

[WhiteTrash]

Back in my day, the US produced the top players.

Now, get off my lawn!

[Uncle Rico]

Back in my day, the US produced the top players.

Now, get off my lawn!

European developmental systems are lapping how we develop talent in America.  We have sheer volume and kids with a lot of potential but don't do a very good job developing it.

Grassroots, AAU, HS and college systems are a mess and poorly coordinated way to develop kids

[MuggsyB]

European developmental systems are lapping how we develop talent in America.  We have sheer volume and kids with a lot of potential but don't do a very good job developing it.

Grassroots, AAU, HS and college systems are a mess and poorly coordinated way to develop kids

100% correct. 

[Pakuni]

Is Reed Sheppard's mom Brenda Warner?

[MuggsyB]

Are Tyko and Oso there???

[PGsHeroes32]

Castle with Wemby is a nice pick by Spurs