Trade & FA 2024-25:

[HoosierDaddyKid]

I would start Allen and play Beal off the bench.  I'm sure Beal won't like that but he would be the favorite for 6th man of the year and Tyus Jones and Allen would provide tremendous spacing.  

The Suns have improved markedly and I think are as talented as every other team in the West except the Thunder.

They're better for sure. I wouldn't say their the most talented behind the Thunder, Wolves, or the Mavs however. The West already has a gauntlet of good teams, and some that will be more improved.

[RGP1981]

I don't see the Pelicans or Kings finishing above the Grizzlies. Memphis could potentially finish anywhere from 1-6. I think you're underestimating them personally.

Fair enough. It's kind of hard to say exactly what the Pelicans and Kings will do because they find a way to do Pelicans and Kings things. TBH, even the Suns could end up lower than I anticipate, and the Grizz could finish above them if things go their way. 

I think the Top 4 are a lock though, i.e., if they're healthy.

[KillerLeft]

The cynical part of my brain is starting to fixate on possible ways the Mavs could end up outside of the top 4.

[Knutsen]

Book is starting over Beal at SG I would think. They could put Beal, Allen, or Book at SF, though Book at SF is unlikely. I still think Allen continues to start at SF, and Beal off the bench whether he likes it or not.

I‘m looking forward to their small lineup with KD at the 5

Jones
Beal
Booker
Allen
Durant

Can’t stop anybody with an interior game but probably can’t be stopped by anybody as well.

[Chicagojk]

I don't expect the Suns to have a Mavericks type run next year, but I do think they are under the radar a bit. I think KD is getting some of what Luka got last offseason. Watching him today in the Olympics you realize how unique and special of a talent he is. I don't think he is quite at the Luka level due to his age, but he is really, really good.

He needs to stay healthy, but if you can just have him focus on scoring and being your second/third best defender then he can still be really special. The issue is he probably needs to be the Suns best defender.

Booker and KD (when healthy) are good enough. The 3-8 is where they fall behind the other really good teams. Jones is probably the best backup point in the league. As a starter, you are probably looking for something better. As a 20-25 minute a guy, not many (if any) are better.

[mvossman]

The flip side to that strategy is that you blow up what little team chemistry those guys have left and you have Beal protest every game he's out there. Too risky especially since even if you wanted to trade Beal, you couldn't do it on your terms. 

I just can't reconcile bringing a guy making 50 mil off the bench in favor for a role player (who on paper shouldn't be better than Beal at all). There are locker room dynamics at play here, cause you're basically admitting to everyone in that room that Beal isn't worth 20 mil a year and you don't really want him there.

I think the more likely and safe scenario is that you take Beal off early in the 1st and just bring him back with the 2nd unit in the 2nd. That way you avoid this whole who starts nonsense anyways. 

Yeah, it could be dicey benching Klay if necessary, can’t imagine the mess if they bench Beal. Your solution (early rotation) is prolly the same we will do in Dallas

[Jym]

The cynical part of my brain is starting to fixate on possible ways the Mavs could end up outside of the top 4.

At least we won't be looking for a way to sneak into the top 4 like the past few years 
if we don't, it'll be because of injuries and/or off-the-court issues

[MarkAguirreWrathofGod]

Suns long time insider just tweeted this:

John Gambadoro (@Gambo987)
I hear there is a real chance at landing Tyus Jones & that would be a HUGE win for the Suns. Could happen very quickly if Jones would be willing to take less money than what he could get with a couple of other teams. Suns culture, playing time and chance to win may convince him.


Which means it sounds like the Suns have a standing offer to Tyus but the hold up is him. I think he really wants some sort of payday. Not sure what place that is. I know ORL still needs a point guard.


John Gambadoro (@Gambo987)
@35sunsfan It could happen today or tomorrow if it goes down so yes of course there have been discussions

“Suns Culture” lol

[SleepingHero]

Evan Sidery (@esidery)
The Jazz are a potential team to monitor for Brandon Ingram, per @cclark_13 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fr...0663433191).

If Utah signs Lauri Markkanen to a new long-term contract in August, they could pivot to a win-now move acquiring Ingram.

[SleepingHero]

Evan Sidery (@esidery)
The Cavaliers and Nets have conducted dialogue around a potential sign-and-trade trade featuring Isaac Okoro for Dorian Finney Smith, per @MikeAScotto (https://hoopshype.com/lists/cavaliers-fr...ing-offer/).

Cleveland has also expressed trade interest in Cam Johnson.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

The Cleveland Cavaliers are believed to have a high asking price for Okoro in sign-and-trade discussions.

Several teams have expressed interest in executing a sign-and-trade with Cleveland for Okoro, which could potentially land him above the non-taxpayer mid-level exception annually, HoopsHype has learned.

The Nets are among the teams considered a sign-and-trade possibility for Okoro, though nothing is considered imminent with Brooklyn, sources said. As previously reported by HoopsHype, Nets forward Dorian Finney-Smith has drawn trade interest from Cleveland and has come up in discussions for Okoro, sources said. Cleveland is also intrigued by Cam Johnson, according to reports.

[RGP1981]

Evan Sidery (@esidery)
The Jazz are a potential team to monitor for Brandon Ingram, per @cclark_13 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fr...0663433191).

If Utah signs Lauri Markkanen to a new long-term contract in August, they could pivot to a win-now move acquiring Ingram.

Jeez, I hope not. The Jazz gotta tank like never before. Keep their eyes on the prize, i.e., Coop.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Evan Sidery (@esidery)
The Cavaliers and Nets have conducted dialogue around a potential sign-and-trade trade featuring Isaac Okoro for Dorian Finney Smith, per @MikeAScotto (https://hoopshype.com/lists/cavaliers-fr...ing-offer/).

Cleveland has also expressed trade interest in Cam Johnson.

Sorry, didn't see you posted this already. 

[MarkAguirreWrathofGod]

Jeez, I hope not. The Jazz gotta tank like never before. Keep their eyes on the prize, i.e., Coop.

This sounds like Ainge bargaining through the media to me. Best case for “win-now” for them would be an 8th seed, even if they keep Markannnen and trade for someone like Ingram. Fully expect a trade and tank.

[Chicagojk]

This sounds like Ainge bargaining through the media to me. Best case for “win-now” for them would be an 8th seed, even if they keep Markannnen and trade for someone like Ingram. Fully expect a trade and tank.

I was listening to the latest Lowe post (I think with Tim Mc).   They were discussing the Jazz.   Lowe did bring up the Brandon Ingram thing and I am guessing where that rumor came from.  It was built that the Pelicans are near August and don't have a starting center and have too many similar guys on the perimeter (need the ball).   Lowe said someone told him that maybe the Pelicans had something lined up.  Said with the down market with Ingram that the Jazz wouldn't need to give up a lot of their premium draft assets.  Lowe also said that the Jazz were surprisingly very aggressive on Mikal Bridges and may have had the better offer.   

I think both thought this wasn't something that would not happen though with Ingram.   They sort of came to a conclusion that they would sign Lauri after the august date where he could not be traded next year.   The Jazz have 6 guys who were first round picks (one early second round)  in the past two drafts,  plus a guy like Kessler who is also a young player.   They thought the most likely path was to trade Collins and Sexton, keep Lauri and play the young guys.   They could reevaluate next offseason.  The thinking even with Lauri, they will probably be the second worst team in the West if they did these things.

[Chicagojk]

Evan Sidery (@esidery)
The Cavaliers and Nets have conducted dialogue around a potential sign-and-trade trade featuring Isaac Okoro for Dorian Finney Smith, per @MikeAScotto (https://hoopshype.com/lists/cavaliers-fr...ing-offer/).

Cleveland has also expressed trade interest in Cam Johnson.

It feels like DFS is too rich for Okoro.   DFS is probably the better player for a good team now, but it is close imo.   I would probably prefer Okoro if you could sign him for MLE money.   Cam Johnson would be a different story.   Maybe that is the hold up.   Nets will move at least one before the season imo.    Cavs are in a tricky spot with the cap as well.   I believe the may need to move Levert and/or Niang if they added any money.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_...king-moves


NBA offseason moves, the best, the worst
the most shocking. The Mavs didn't make
any list FWIW.

[SleepingHero]

https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_...king-moves


NBA offseason moves, the best, the worst
the most shocking. The Mavs didn't make
any list FWIW.

Tim Bontemps is the same dude who called the Kyrie trade a D and said the Gafford+PJ trades were awful.

He's a certified hater.

[SleepingHero]

Evan Sidery (@esidery)
The Trail Blazers’ goal is to trade Jerami Grant or Anfernee Simons before the season begins, per @AaronJFentress (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6uaforS0n88).

The Lakers are one known team with interest in Grant, and plenty of teams would be intrigued by Simons.

[KillerLeft]

Tim Bontemps is the same dude who called the Kyrie trade a D and said the Gafford+PJ trades were awful.

He's a certified hater.

I like Tim, but he’s also the guy who thinks Golden State has a chance to finish in the top four. Not a huge fan of all of his takes.