AROUND the NBA:

[omahen]

Sochan is looking for a new home as there is not a big enough role in SA rotation for him. Excellent defender and bad shooter. Last season he had quite similar numbers as Naji, actually. A bit less points with similar efficiency, but more blocks and rebounds. I wonder if he is looking for a situation where he could just inflate his numbers for a nice contract in the summer, or is he looking for a bigger role on a contender. I guess SA will let him walk for any reasonable offer, imho less than FRP.

Such a player has two possible paths to get good money. Either he improves his shooting and scoring or he shows he is a game changing defender. Inflating scoring numbers is easier to do on a tanking team. Showing you are a game changing defender (who can still be a factor on offense) is easier to do on a good team. Assuming he will post previous season numbers for rest of the season, I think a MLE level money is his ceiling in the summer.

[Chicagojk]

I didn't understand or like when Denver traded for MPJ this summer.  It looks like I was wrong.  MPJ has been very good.  If the Nets are inclined to move him, they may get two first round picks.  That is a big ask, but I think is play and the lack of difference makers on the market may make that a possibility.  Real first round picks as well.   That would mean Cam Johnson brought back 3 first round picks.  Included an unprotected first round pick in 2031 from Denver.

The 76ers are doing the we have an exciting young core, but we so have two injury prone players with big contracts.  They are making it work.  Not sure how long.  I don't trust Embid and despite him putting up good stats he isn't moving very well.   So there is a route to go down this route for a bit.  Just sayin.   It doesn't have to be all one direction right away.

[omahen]

I didn't understand or like when Denver traded for MPJ this summer.  It looks like I was wrong.  MPJ has been very good.  If the Nets are inclined to move him, they may get two first round picks.  That is a big ask, but I think is play and the lack of difference makers on the market may make that a possibility.  Real first round picks as well.   That would mean Cam Johnson brought back 3 first round picks.  Included an unprotected first round pick in 2031 from Denver.

The 76ers are doing the we have an exciting young core, but we so have two injury prone players with big contracts.  They are making it work.  Not sure how long.  I don't trust Embid and despite him putting up good stats he isn't moving very well.   So there is a route to go down this route for a bit.  Just sayin.   It doesn't have to be all one direction right away.

I think MPJ is a bit of a "fools gold". He has great numbers and great percentage on tough shots. But this also comes with being a number 1 guy on a tanking team. His numbers are basically same as in Denver, the only difference is the number of shots. Teams trading for him will not be trading for a player that will take 20+ shots per game. When you see him as third best player, you are basically looking at his Denver numbers and he "becomes" overpaid for the role. Denver basically paid a pick to reduce their salaries by trading MPJ for a very similar player. I doubt BKN could get 2 FRPs unless they take some really bad salary. 

MPJ would fit great on a team like Detroit as a replacement for Harris. Ivey and Harris for him could make a lot of sense, as Detroit could still have their salary cap under reasonable control next season, even if Duren gets close to max money. If I am Detroit, I could see him as a guy that could put them into serious contention discussion, as their biggest need is some secondary creation and shooting. BKN would get a bunch of expiring salary and a couple of months to take a look at Ivey.

Last thing to consider. BKN doesn't own their picks in 2027 and 2028, so tanking is no longer a priority after this season.

[Chicagojk]

I think MPJ is a bit of a "fools gold". He has great numbers and great percentage on tough shots. But this also comes with being a number 1 guy on a tanking team. His numbers are basically same as in Denver, the only difference is the number of shots. Teams trading for him will not be trading for a player that will take 20+ shots per game. When you see him as third best player, you are basically looking at his Denver numbers and he "becomes" overpaid for the role. Denver basically paid a pick to reduce their salaries by trading MPJ for a very similar player. I doubt BKN could get 2 FRPs unless they take some really bad salary. 

MPJ would fit great on a team like Detroit as a replacement for Harris. Ivey and Harris for him could make a lot of sense, as Detroit could still have their salary cap under reasonable control next season, even if Duren gets close to max money. If I am Detroit, I could see him as a guy that could put them into serious contention discussion, as their biggest need is some secondary creation and shooting. BKN would get a bunch of expiring salary and a couple of months to take a look at Ivey.

Last thing to consider. BKN doesn't own their picks in 2027 and 2028, so tanking is no longer a priority after this season.

That is a good point about the 27 and 28 picks.   Nets are focused on this pick.   Next years draft appears very weak up top per the reports.  We will see about 28.

In that Detroit package, I think they get at least a first added to that as well.    They may be pushing for more.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://bsky.app/profile/shameka23.bsky....ghfnhfes2a


This is too funny...

[HoosierDaddyKid]

I think MPJ is a bit of a "fools gold". He has great numbers and great percentage on tough shots. But this also comes with being a number 1 guy on a tanking team. His numbers are basically same as in Denver, the only difference is the number of shots. Teams trading for him will not be trading for a player that will take 20+ shots per game. When you see him as third best player, you are basically looking at his Denver numbers and he "becomes" overpaid for the role. Denver basically paid a pick to reduce their salaries by trading MPJ for a very similar player. I doubt BKN could get 2 FRPs unless they take some really bad salary. 

MPJ would fit great on a team like Detroit as a replacement for Harris. Ivey and Harris for him could make a lot of sense, as Detroit could still have their salary cap under reasonable control next season, even if Duren gets close to max money. If I am Detroit, I could see him as a guy that could put them into serious contention discussion, as their biggest need is some secondary creation and shooting. BKN would get a bunch of expiring salary and a couple of months to take a look at Ivey.

Last thing to consider. BKN doesn't own their picks in 2027 and 2028, so tanking is no longer a priority after this season.

Harris has been playing well for them. He had 22 pts in the win at Denver (who had 4 starters out) and 25 pts vs Boston in a win a few games back. I could see Trajan Langdon not doing anything major to disrupt the chemistry this team has. They're locked in. The bench is the 2nd-highest scoring in the league, they're 2nd in defensive rating (109.4), 3rd in points allowed (110 ppg), and 2nd in net rating (+7.2). He might just operate around the fringes, as they have a 14 million trade exemption from the Kings' signing Dennis Schroder. It's hard to say if they'll go all in, providing they stay healthy, as they have a path to come out of the East and give up picks and players. It will be fascinating to watch.

[Chicagojk]

tough blow.  May have been one of the most important role players in the league.   Totally impacts Houston style of play.

https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/2016609074888994851

[Nowitzki Way]

tough blow.  May have been one of the most important role players in the league.   Totally impacts Houston style of play.

https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/2016609074888994851

Can we interest them in one Daniel Gafford. Heck what about AD?

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://x.com/therealbeede/status/201665...54509?s=46&t=7jjjOInfMYMx9Oz31QRJeg


Trouble in the Magic Kingdom? I was always suspicious of the Desmond Bane trade; I mean, he's a good player, but not worthy of all that draft capital given up. They gave up KCP, four 1st round picks, and a 2029 pick swap. Orlando has been hovering around .500 all season after being predicted to be a top 4 team in the East after the trade. However, Franz and Mo Wagner have been in and out of the lineup due to injuries. Anthony Black has taken a major leap in place of KCP, however. This trade very well could come back to bite them.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Man that Bane trade was awful

[omahen]

https://x.com/therealbeede/status/201665...54509?s=46&t=7jjjOInfMYMx9Oz31QRJeg


Trouble in the Magic Kingdom?  I was always suspicious of the Desmond Bane trade. They gave up KCP, four 1st round picks, and a 2029 pick swap.  Orlando has been hovering around .500 all season after being predicted to be a top 4 team in the East after the trade. However, Franz Wagner has been in and out of the lineup due to injuries. Anthony Black has taken a major leap in place of KCP, however. This trade very well could come back to bite them.

I am also surprised how bad Orlando is doing. I thought that trade will lift them in the fight for top of the East conference, yet they are not even in top6.

I think their biggest problem is Banchero and more detailed a bad fit between Banchero and Wagner. Both are weak shooters, surrounded by Suggs (career 30 % three point shooter) and WCj (career 32 % three point shooter). A harsh critic would say that Banchero is an inefficient chucker (sub 50 % eFG) and Orlando defense is better with him off the floor (he has worst defensive rating of all of their rotation players). 

I don't think the trade itself was that bad. Sure 4 FRP sounds like a lot, but it has to be considered that Orlando was also sending a really bad salary in KCP and similarly overpaid Anthony, who was later cut and is now playing for vet min. Bane is playing approximately at expected level, although his efficiency is considerably worse than in his previous seasons (is he worse or is this the consequence of him being the only shooter in the line-up?). Still, their offense did improve a lot compared to last season, but their defense took a similar hit. However, numbers don't really suggest that Bane is the sole or main cause for that. The problem was the misjudgement of the team situation, especially the mentioned Banchero dynamic.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Franz is their best player.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

[Charania] Just In: The NBA has suspended Philadelphia 76ers' Paul George for 25 games for violating the league's anti-drug policy.

[Chicagojk]

Stein said Daniss Jenkins turned down a two year minimum deal from the pistons. In one of our games against them, he impressed me. Betting on himself.

My spidey sense has me wondering about Nemby. He has cooled off since his hot start but my outlook for him have not changed. I find it weird his minutes have decreased. I tend to trust Kidd on who plays and who does not. I just wonder if his minutes have decreased until he gets a real router spot and maybe minimum deal this year or next?

[KillerLeft]

[Charania] Just In: The NBA has suspended Philadelphia 76ers' Paul George for 25 games for violating the league's anti-drug policy.

I've kind of lost interest in all the "new media" player podcasts, but it might interesting to see how PG handles talking about this.

[Mavs2021]

[Charania] Just In: The NBA has suspended Philadelphia 76ers' Paul George for 25 games for violating the league's anti-drug policy.

25 games. By NBA standards that means he must be the head of a Mexican cartel.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7011918...t-pistons/


Cade Cunningham's growth has earned respect from the NBA's best defenders.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://www.hoopshype.com/story/sports/n...449055007/


NBA trade intel on the Cavs, Kings, Lakers, Bucks, Mavs, Suns, and Spurs.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://x.com/LeighEllis/status/2017255102415868221


KD was asked if he thought he could catch Kareem for 2nd on the all-time scoring list.

[DanSchwartzgan]

https://www.hoopshype.com/story/sports/n...449055007/


NBA trade intel on the Cavs, Kings, Lakers, Bucks, Mavs, Suns, and Spurs.

"With that in mind, Cam Thomas and D’Angelo Russell are both on Milwaukee’s radar contingent on other deals the Bucks are working on, league sources told HoopsHype."

D'Lo plus the Laker 2029 for Ryan Rollins?

D'Lo plus draft compensation we get from either a Gafford deal or a Naji deal for Rollins?

I think the strategy is to get real NBA players instead of hit-or-miss mid and late first rounders.  That is why I'm drawn to deals for Risacher or Newell or even imperfect players with potential upside like Mathurin and Kuminga.