'25-26 NBA Thread

[cheebs09]

The Giannis piece in the MJS has a very Buzz's Bunch feel to it to me.

[The Sultan]

Cooper Flagg is the first teenager with 3 consecutive 30+ point games. I'm honestly surprised LeBron never did this.

Probably because Lebron was drafted into nearly the least pacey era in NBA era. Games averaged 10 less shots a game, and a whopping 23 less three point shots a game back then.

[Pakuni]

Probably because Lebron was drafted into nearly the least pacey era in NBA era. Games averaged 10 less shots a game, and a whopping 23 less three point shots a game back then.

While true, rookie LeBron still took more shots per game (18.9 to 15.9) than Flagg and got to the line more often (5.8 attempts per game to 4.6). He shot fewer threes (2.7 to 3.5).
Flagg has been more efficient (.517 eFG/.562 TS%) than LeBron (.438 eFG/.488 TS%).

[The Sultan]

While true, rookie LeBron still took more shots per game (18.9 to 15.9) than Flagg and got to the line more often (5.8 attempts per game to 4.6). He shot fewer threes (2.7 to 3.5).
Flagg has been more efficient (.517 eFG/.562 TS%) than LeBron (.438 eFG/.488 TS%).

Well that's certainly impressive.

[Pakuni]

Well that's certainly impressive.

Not to everyone, it seems.

https://x.com/awfulannouncing/status/2018324180983542115?s=20

[wadesworld]

Not to everyone, it seems.

https://x.com/awfulannouncing/status/2018324180983542115?s=20

Putting him below Koa Peat is nuts.  I think Caleb Wilson could have a higher absolute max ceiling, but I think there's a 98% chance that Flagg has a better career.  I don't see Flagg having a worse career than Boozer, but I think both have incredibly high floors, and still really high ceilings but maybe not as high as Dybantsa, Peterson, and Wilson.

If I'm starting a franchise I'd go 1) Dybantsa 2) Peterson (but either would be great, Peterson's playing half of games is just weird to me) 3) Flagg 4) Wilson (I said a month or so ago I would take him above Flagg, but his lack of perimeter shooting and Flagg having really upped his game a level has changed my mind on that), 5) Boozer and then I wouldn't even put Peat anywhere close to that group.  I'd put Flemings, Ament, Acuff, Haugh, Lendeborg, and Wagler all above Peat personally, and guys like Brown, Mullins, and Cenac about even with Peat.

[Billy Hoyle]

Putting him below Koa Peat is nuts.  I think Caleb Wilson could have a higher absolute max ceiling, but I think there's a 98% chance that Flagg has a better career.  I don't see Flagg having a worse career than Boozer, but I think both have incredibly high floors, and still really high ceilings but maybe not as high as Dybantsa, Peterson, and Wilson.

If I'm starting a franchise I'd go 1) Dybantsa 2) Peterson (but either would be great, Peterson's playing half of games is just weird to me) 3) Flagg 4) Wilson (I said a month or so ago I would take him above Flagg, but his lack of perimeter shooting and Flagg having really upped his game a level has changed my mind on that), 5) Boozer and then I wouldn't even put Peat anywhere close to that group.  I'd put Flemings, Ament, Acuff, Haugh, Lendeborg, and Wagler all above Peat personally, and guys like Brown, Mullins, and Cenac about even with Peat.

I feel like Peat's reputation is living off his first game, where he had 30 and some spectacular dunks.

When Dybansta signed and got the huge NIL I asked an old co-worker who used to be an EYBL director about him and he said Dybansta was "the best HS NBA prospect in at least a decade, better than Flagg." Considering how well Flagg is doing this year with the Mavs that may be a tough bar to exceed.

[JWags85]

While true, rookie LeBron still took more shots per game (18.9 to 15.9) than Flagg and got to the line more often (5.8 attempts per game to 4.6). He shot fewer threes (2.7 to 3.5).
Flagg has been more efficient (.517 eFG/.562 TS%) than LeBron (.438 eFG/.488 TS%).

Not to mention Lebron's usage that first season was still almost 30%, more towards the end of the season.  Flagg's is only 24%.  Lebron was fantastic as a rookie obviously, but he only averaged 21 and only had, if I remember last time I looked for a discussion with a buddy, like 10 or 11 30 pt games that first year.

What Flagg is doing is absolutely insane.

Not to everyone, it seems.

https://x.com/awfulannouncing/status/2018324180983542115?s=20

This is gonna have a hard time not finishing in the top 3 worst CBB takes of 2026, even with 11 months of the year remaining.  Its just so stupid on all levels.  I'm not trying to scream RAYCESS or say that white ballers can't get breaks, but there is a weird bias against some of the top young prospects that are white dudes, especially if they aren't the traditional pure shooter mold, especially by former players turned mediocre analysts.  We saw it with Luka excessively.  If Cooper Flagg from Maine by way of Duke was actually Chris Fleming from Maryland by way of UNC, I bet Mashburn wouldn't be spouting such nonsense (the Duke piece is also probably valid too cause Mashburn absolutely has some simmering old UK-Duke resentment).

I think its even more ridiculous cause if you say you'd still take Dybantsa or Peterson over him at this point, I could understand.  Dybantsa is doing what Flagg did in college, similar players, but he's clearly more athletic (which isn't a knock on the very athletic Flagg).  Peterson's shot making as a freshman at the college level is unlike anything Ive seen in a long time, I think he's clearly way ahead of a guy like Jamal Murray at this point in their careers.  I don't rate Boozer's pro potential as much, but its not like he's doing anything Flagg wasn't last year.

But adding Caleb Wilson and Koa Peat is just ridiculous and makes Mashburn look like a complete doofus.  Peat isn't even the best player on his team, much less the country.  But sure, he's better than the clear leader for ROY who just scored 49.

[MU82]

Peterson is strange to watch. The cramps and injuries have been one thing. He also does a LOT of standing around - and not even waiting for passes to take catch-and-shoot 3s. Just standing and watching as others make moves with the ball.

He's obviously insanely talented, and he has shown he can take over a game late.

[JWags85]

Peterson is strange to watch. The cramps and injuries have been one thing. He also does a LOT of standing around - and not even waiting for passes to take catch-and-shoot 3s. Just standing and watching as others make moves with the ball.

He's obviously insanely talented, and he has shown he can take over a game late.

It is quite bizarre.  But honestly, I attribute a non-insignificant amount of it to coaching.  While he's obviously had a HOF career and done more than enough to get benefit of the doubt, I've actually been tremendously unimpressed with Self and his coaching since that 21-22 Championship team.  Looks like just going through the motions with tremendously talented rosters.

[StillAWarrior]

I don't understand anyone wanting James Harden in the year of someone's lord 2026 so it goes without saying this makes no sense to me

As a Cavs fan, I'm not super happy with this trade (and my daughter, who hates Hardin is really pissed). I'll try to be optimistic, but I do really wonder how Hardin will fit in here. It's a fun team and I just never get the feeling that Hardin is much fun to have as a teammate. Hopefully he'll prove me wrong. And, as always, winning is fun. If they win with Hardin, that will solve some problems. I'm not really excited to root for Hardin. I'm sure the local strippers are thrilled.

I really like Garland - he seems like a great kid. That said, I'm not overly surprised or disappointed he was traded. He's been injured quite a bit the last couple seasons and I have often felt that he was inconsistent (some of the advanced stats people can probably let me know that my impressions are wrong). I just don't really like that he was traded for Hardin.

[CreightonWarrior]

Not to mention Lebron's usage that first season was still almost 30%, more towards the end of the season.  Flagg's is only 24%.  Lebron was fantastic as a rookie obviously, but he only averaged 21 and only had, if I remember last time I looked for a discussion with a buddy, like 10 or 11 30 pt games that first year.

LeBum!

[wadesworld]

https://x.com/tony_pesta/status/2018888122428223796?s=42

[Its DJOver]

Mavs got more for AD than they did for Luca.

[WhiteTrash]

Mavs got more for AD than they did for Luca.

It is just very interesting how the Lakers always come out on top of the worst trades ever. Just dumb luck, I'm sure.

I keep looking for the announcement the Bucks sent Giannis to the Lakers for 2030 1st and 2nd round picks.

[JWags85]

The Mavs have a young budding superstar to build around, plus another few years of Kyrie, so you can't feel too bad for them, but...

https://x.com/yossigozlan/status/2019121410749415547?s=46

YEEEEESSSSHHHHH

[The Sultan]

It is just very interesting how the Lakers always come out on top of the worst trades ever. Just dumb luck, I'm sure.

I keep looking for the announcement the Bucks sent Giannis to the Lakers for 2030 1st and 2nd round picks.

In the long run, I think the SGA trade is going to look way worse than the Luka trade.

[wadesworld]

Mavs got more for AD than they did for Luca.

Did they?  The corps of Middleton, a Jon Horst draft pick, and two meaningless other players plus what will be the last pick of this year's first round, a top 20 protected 2030 pick, and 3 seconds isn't very good.  At least last year AD had SOME value.  A no doubt horrendous trade, but AD at that time was worth more than what this returned.

[cheebs09]

The Mavs have a young budding superstar to build around, plus another few years of Kyrie, so you can't feel too bad for them, but...

https://x.com/yossigozlan/status/2019121410749415547?s=46

YEEEEESSSSHHHHH

The Khris Middleton and AJ Johnson disrespect.

[JWags85]

In the long run, I think the SGA trade is going to look way worse than the Luka trade.

If you look at the net result, sure.  But the snapshot at the time it wasn't nearly as terrible.  SGA was a rookie who had just finished the year averaging 10/3/3.  Solid for sure, but he wasn't even 1st team all rookie. 

Meanwhile, despite how disappointing he's been since, I don't think anyone expect that to be PG's peak.  He was barely 29, just came off a year averaging 28/8/4 shooting 40% from 3 and was 1st team in both All-NBA and All-Defense. Pairing him with Kawhi gave you two top 10 players in the league.  It was expensive but made total sense.  People were high on SGA's potential, but not MVP high.

Compare that to trading Luka, a 26 year old with 5 straight 1st team All NBA picks, for a brittle AD who had played more than 50% of games once in 5 years, Max Christie and his 8PPG, and a late first.  Oh wait, Dallas ALSO had to send two other players.

SGA is one of those 20/20 hindsight buy low for huge returns trade, but that happens. Luka was one of the worst and most lopsided trades in sports history at the time, not even looking back after results from performance players moved

[WhiteTrash]

In the long run, I think the SGA trade is going to look way worse than the Luka trade.

I suppose so, but Luka felt like better known commodity when delt, whereas SGA was not the great player he is now. But I could be wrong.

[The Sultan]

I suppose so, but Luka felt like better known commodity when delt, whereas SGA was not the great player he is now. But I could be wrong.

Right. That's why I said in the long run. No one knew the mistake the Charlotte Hornets were making when they traded Kobe either.

[WhiteTrash]

Right. That's why I said in the long run. No one knew the mistake the Charlotte Hornets were making when they traded Kobe either.

Fair, but I meant to point out that at the time of trade, it was obviously in LA's favor by a mile. Same with the Gasol trade.

But I would never think that the NBA is involved. 

[WhiteTrash]

I think the Bulls have traded for 4 or 5 guards and a dozen second round picks this week.

Donovan will have fun with 4 guard lineups in the NBA. Yikes.

(maybe they are going to commit to tank finally? fingers crossed)

[Pakuni]

Best suspension ever?

https://x.com/BleacherReport/status/2019149628021576080?s=20