AROUND the NBA:

[F Gump]

Flagg surprised me with his composure rather than his handles. He does not have advance dribble moves for a guard and that would have been problematic in bringing the ball up against pressure.

....

From what I can see of Flagg, once he gets in the paint and stops his dribble, a zealous physical defender makes him off balance and he either attempts a difficult fade or pass to a team mate. The "bump" from a defender also takes away a bit of time for him to make a counter move and that loss time is enough for secondary defender to crowd him even more. .

Let me add some context to your observations (which I think are valid), and then tell me how you evaluate what you see (as noted above).

CF forcing the action, and driving against pressure defense - that is NOT what his game has consisted of previously. He's been a glue guy, playing off of someone else's actions, and then taking advantage of openings. Play in the context of and flow of what everyone else is doing. Make everyone else better. Be a decoy at times. Etc.

However, in G1 SL, the Mavs asked him (instructed him) to attack the defense, every time he got the ball. In some sense "act like Luka" so to speak, force the action, try to create something. And this was literally his first game to play THAT way. Learn by doing. 

Knowing THAT, now how do you assess what you saw from him?

[myconsumerclub]

you only learn by doing and the way he fought off the defense which was severely focused on him you saw it he was strong enough to refuse making a bad pass and creating turnovers. Nembhard would not have been able to get what he got if the other team was zeroing in on him like they did Cooper. End result was we won the game so if that kind of strategy gets you a win with rookies then what does it get you when he is playing with Kyrie Lively AD and PJ? Who does the other team try to double?

[omahen]

they're talking about an article posted today by Ramona and Windhorst, I believe, and apparently we were right about LeBron not being offered his customary 1+1, and there have been some other things he's been left out of recently, too. I don't think this is going to be a very fun year to be a Lakers fan. 

https://youtu.be/EMLFnHtqgck?si=EIuEgeRE05duIz5w

How much fun the season will be, it all depends on ones expectations. Personally, I always looked at this season as a gap year for them. I think it was very clear and logical that they will transition from LeBron to Luka, as otherwise Luka would likely walk sooner than later. He will not waste his prime years waiting for LeBron to retire. Lakers have less and less chance to be good each year LeBron has a max deal. Of course, it will be very difficult for them to replace LeBron and become a contender. But, at least they have a chance this way. I always thought Luka will give them two years to build a contender or he demands a trade. He didn't asked to be on Lakers and they have to deliver.

My expectation for the season for them was to give one last try while preparing for post LeBron years. They are not the best, but they are not bad either. I could see them make some noise, if things go right. If not, I would not be dissapointed. It is about the years after this season and things they will do. 

I can understand LeBron ego is hurt, it is natural. However, it is not clear how much it really is hurt and what he will do because of it. Realistically, he can't expect to be the main cog wherever he goes at this age. No one will give up everything to bet on a 40 year old delivering the title. Important thing - most of the things pointing at Luka being the main guy for Lakers happened before LeBron decided to pick up his option. If he would be so unhappy with the current situation, he could always decline his option and walk wherever he wanted to. It was his decision to stay with a team that is prioritizing another player. Who knows, perhaps a deal materializes that would make everyone happy - Lakers getting at least something while not hurting long term team building, LeBron going to a contender and the contender not giving up half their team to make it work. But, it is a longshot. I still believe LeBron will stay after declaring how good moves Lakers made and how he is looking forward for one last try. Or, he will declare this is his last season and Lakers will give him a farewell tour season.

Btw, I found the article very good. I think they nicely stated the issues from all relevant parties and it is not sensationalistical (I hope the word makes any sense  ) at all. Only the aggregates of this article are.

LeBron James to Luka Doncic - Inside the most delicate superstar transition in NBA history for Los Angeles Lakers - ESPN

[omahen]

To illustrate the main issue LeBron and Lakers have. LeBron would like them to be as good as possible for his perhaps last season. Lakers want to be as good as possible for seasons after this one. Lets say a deal Reaves for Gafford or Rui+2031 FRP pick for Wiggins would be on a table. Both moves could make Lakers better this season, but would put them in a much worse position after this season. That is why Lakers will not make these kind of moves, even if this makes LeBron feel unhappy and unappreciated to a certain extent. They are prepared to live with this and accept the potential consequences.

[Chicagojk]

Bill simmons brought back the atrocisous GM summit because he says they are back. The teams: Phx, Sacramento, New Orleans, Chicago, Brooklyn, Toronto, and Milwaukee. Weird not seeing Washington and Charlotte not invited this year. Most surprising m, not even a mention of Dallas. What a potential life saver they were given. I thought for sure they would get at least a acknowledgement. Ha.

[Chicagojk]

A lot of joking online about this. People joking it was a hostage video. Ha

https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/s/6zRVYBzccU

[omahen]

A lot of joking online about this.  People joking it was a hostage video.  Ha

https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/s/6zRVYBzccU

Luka is a good guy, doing solid to a fan who contacted him. Wouldn't need to do this

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

pretty funny

https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/comments/1l...e_deandre/

[KillerLeft]

pretty funny

https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/comments/1l...e_deandre/

This makes some of the comments LeBron made about Carlisle recently make more sense.

[SleepingHero]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6489459...er-league/

League sources tell The Athletic that Embiid still hasn’t returned to on-court basketball activities. That said, Morey and the front office remain optimistic that Embiid will be on the floor for the season opener...


It’s been almost a year and a half since the knee injury he suffered at Golden State derailed him for most of the 2024-25 season, and Morey says Embiid is “on track” to be healthy for training camp, the start of the preseason and the start of the regular season. League sources tell The Athletic that Embiid still hasn’t returned to on-court basketball activities. That said, Morey and the front office remain optimistic that Embiid will be on the floor for the season opener.

Philadelphia won’t be able to compete at a championship level if Embiid’s level of health rivals that of last year. He’s truly one of the great centers of this era, and one of the great offensive basketball players of this era, regardless of position. That being said, this might be the one Philadelphia roster that can absorb a prolonged Embiid absence during the regular season, should the big man continue to miss chunks of games.

A Tyrese Maxey-led backcourt could be one of the deepest and most dynamic position groups in the league, if it reaches its ceiling. We are assuming, as Morey has repeatedly said, that the Sixers eventually find a way to come to terms with restricted free agent Quentin Grimes. If Morey is right, Philadelphia will have a backcourt that can rapidly create offense even without Embiid.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

People are sleeping on Philly, but health is their only concern. If they can stay upright, and re-sign Grimes, they have just as good of a shot as anyone in the unpredictable East.

[khaled1987]

This makes some of the comments LeBron made about Carlisle recently make more sense.

I must have missed that, what did he say?

[KillerLeft]

I must have missed that, what did he say?

In one of the recent "mind the game" podcasts, the guest was KD. They spent a long time talking about Indiana, how they played the right way, and how great of a coach Carlisle is. LeBron emphasized how even keel Carlisle is on the sideline, never getting emotional, neither too high or too low, and suggested that was likely a key factor in how many crazy comeback wins the Pacers were able to achieve. 

Knowing LeBron as we do, I almost wonder if it was a passive-aggressive shot at JJ Redick.

[Smitty]

@DraftExpress
Wrote about the increasing concern NBA executives are expressing about the lack of star power being observed in the 2027 NBA draft. This could shift front office strategies already this summer with trade conversations around future picks and positioning for the 2026 NBA draft.

   


The PJ Washington trade get better and better every day.

[DanSchwartzgan]

@DraftExpress
Wrote about the increasing concern NBA executives are expressing about the lack of star power being observed in the 2027 NBA draft. This could shift front office strategies already this summer with trade conversations around future picks and positioning for the 2026 NBA draft.




The PJ Washington trade get better and better every day.

If teams start throwing away firsts in 2027, Dallas should try to get one.  Even if it is the worst pick from among multiple teams and highly likely to be late 20's.  As long as Dallas is guaranteed to pick in 2027, they would then be able to access the entire available inventory as they would have a future pick in every year...not all of them premium picks obviously:

2026 - Own
2027 - Assumed to be acquired
2028 - OKC has swap rights
2029 - LAL Unprotected
2030 - SAS has swap rights
2031 - Own
2032 - Own

[omahen]

Investing 2026 FRP already paying off for NO...

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2025/07/deri...weeks.html

[omahen]

If LeBron wants a farewell tour, it could also become interesting. I think a farewell season brings so much outside noise, that competing becomes impossible. Even of secondary importance. This could make for some interesting drama. Three teams it would make some sense for LeBron to have a farewell tour with: Lakers, Cleveland and Miami.

I could see Lakers giving him that this season, but not next one. They can't just waste another season in Luka prime. Unless they win a title this season.

Cleveland is also in total win now mode, so I am also not sure they would be willing to punt a season on that.

This leaves Miami. It would require LeBron to move there next season for whatever money.

My prediction is, this will be LeBrons last season and Lakers will give him all the honors.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2522...retirement

[ThisIStheYear]

Random thoughts after pouring through a range of NBA stats (mostly “advanced”):

1. Milwaukee is fucked. I can’t stress enough how bad their off-season moves have been.
2. Cam Thomas is a terrible player with an eye popping scoring average. I wouldn’t even pay him an MLE.
The Nets should find a way out of that contract situation. On 2nd thought, I wouldn’t want him on my roster for the league minimum
3. It pains me to say that SGA is the best player in the NBA.
4. LeBron’s career achievements are even more ridiculous than I thought, especially his performance at
age 40.
5. Jimmy Butler is underrated.
6. GPII is the best remaining “value” free agent, though Grimes is the best actual free agent. The Grimes
trade was epically horrible.
7. Signing Klay to that contract was idiotic. I didn’t mind it so much at the time, but it is what it is. He’s old. He sucked
last year. His contract probably cost us Grimes, an actual two way player, and we’re still stuck with it. The best thing the Mavs could do would be to find a way out of the Klay contract.
8. The Luka trade was idiotic.

These are all just statistically based observations with no personal bias.

[Smitty]

Random thoughts after pouring through a range of NBA stats (mostly “advanced”):

1.  Milwaukee is fucked. I can’t stress enough how bad their off-season moves have been.
2.  Cam Thomas is a terrible player with an eye popping scoring average. I wouldn’t even pay him an MLE.
    The Nets should find a way out of that contract situation. On 2nd thought, I wouldn’t want him on my roster for the league minimum
3.  It pains me to say that SGA is the best player in the NBA.
4.  LeBron’s career achievements are even more ridiculous than I thought, especially his performance at     
    age 40.
5.  Jimmy Butler is underrated.
6.  GPII is the best remaining “value” free agent, though Grimes is the best actual free agent. The Grimes
    trade was epically horrible.
7.  Signing Klay to that contract was idiotic. I didn’t mind it so much at the time, but it is what it is. He’s old. He sucked
last year. His contract probably cost us Grimes, an actual two way player, and we’re still stuck with it. The best thing the Mavs could do would be to find a way out of the Klay contract.
8.  The Luka trade was idiotic.

These are all just statistically based observations with no personal bias.

I agree with pretty much everything here except for #7. Klay did not suck and his contract is not terrible. He is exactly who the Mavs wanted him to be. A high volume - high percentage 3-point shooter, that isn’t a turnstile on defense. He played a career low in mpg (~27) and scored 14 ppg. He shot ~8 threes a game at 39% (good) and 4 twos a game at 45% (bad). His role is needed even more so this season since Kyrie, another high volume - high percentage 3-point shooter will be out. I do expect his minutes to decrease again this season, and I’d want his 2PA to decrease even more.

I’m not against moving Klay in a deal that makes sense, but in no way am I in the same boat as you to say he sucked and his contract is idiotic. He is who he is and I think his contract (16.6M, 17.4M) is in line with skill set and impact.

[DanSchwartzgan]

Random thoughts after pouring through a range of NBA stats (mostly “advanced”):

 
6.  GPII is the best remaining “value” free agent, though Grimes is the best actual free agent. The Grimes
    trade was epically horrible.
7.  Signing Klay to that contract was idiotic. I didn’t mind it so much at the time, but it is what it is. He’s old. He sucked
last year. His contract probably cost us Grimes, an actual two way player, and we’re still stuck with it. The best thing the Mavs could do would be to find a way out of the Klay contract.
 

There has to be something not quite right about Grimes.  Besides the fact that he gets traded a lot, the teams that move on from him don't get much for him.  

He was highly touted in NY once upon a time.  Then they paid two seconds to send expirings Flynn, Fournier and Arcidiacono to Detroit for expiring Alec Burks and expiring old man Bogdanovic.  No one played for the team they were traded to the next season.  If you take out the supposed benefit of the short term rentals, NY basically paid Detroit 2 seconds to take Grimes.

A few months later Detroit traded him for THJ and two seconds.  Note that THJ didn't stick with Detroit once his contract was up.  Again, a rental, but Detroit got paid the seconds...mainly because of the difference in salary the trade created.

A few months later Dallas was willing to pay a second to swap expiring Grimes for 3 years of Caleb Martin.  

Despite fairly good numbers at times, no one seems to want to pay Grimes and the assets it takes to get him when he's traded are less than impressive.  At the time it all happened, it made sense to move from Green to Grimes and from THJ to Klay.  Green finally got to start and saw his usage actually go down on a bad team.  And, as mentioned, THJ was a rental and is now a Vet Min.  But, Klay and Martin don't seem to be the answer either...especially at guard.  Because of his status around the league, you can't just ship Thompson off to some cellar dweller.   Meanwhile, Martin looks like someone who is going to really be costly from a tax standpoint if he's indeed the 12th man or so on the depth chart.