AROUND the NBA:

[Nowitzki Way]

Yes, SA has a scary future if Wemby stays healthy.

Houston is really good and have the ammo to make some big trades in the future, but I am less high on them.   Maybe KD plays at this level for the next 3-4 years, but we will see.   I also wonder how long that coach stays there.  He has been great but he is balls to the wall 100% of the time.   That may be draining.   This year, I think they are good but they feel like they are missing something.    They would be the team I would want to play between OKC, Denver and SA.    They are a pain to play against though.

If we're adding Denver in the mix, i'd rather play them. OKC, SA, Houston look tough.  I'm thinking Houston adds before the deadline and i think it will be scary.

[Chicagojk]

Cavs were 23-4 last year and to me looked like one of the best 3 teams in the league.  Then they went out quietly in the playoffs to the Pacers.   Now they are 15-13.  They have had some injuries but still.  Did this team miss their window?  In the east there is always a chance to play yourself back into the best in the league, but so far they have been very average.

Mavs played them twice. A blowout ight after the Luka trade and another one earlier in the year when Luka was out, I believe. I thought the Mavs had no chance. They were really good.

[Nowitzki Way]

Cavs were 23-4 last year and to me looked like one of the best 3 teams in the league.  Then they went out quietly in the playoffs to the Pacers.   Now they are 15-13.  They have had some injuries but still.  Did this team miss their window?  In the east there is always a chance to play yourself back into the best in the league, but so far they have been very average.

Mavs played them twice.  A blowout ight after the Luka trade and another one earlier in the year when Luka was out, I believe.  I thought the Mavs had no chance.  They were really good.

They've had some injuries but they definitely don't look as good as last year. Their bench is absolute crap. 

 I wonder how long they role with the Mobley/Allen pairing.  Lots of rumors around Darius Garland too. I could see some changes with that roster soon.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

They've had some injuries but they definitely don't look as good as last year. Their bench is absolute crap. 

 I wonder how long they role with the Mobley/Allen pairing.  Lots of rumors around Darius Garland too. I could see some changes with that roster soon.

That's Donovan Mitchell's team. Word has it that he was the one who had J.B. Bickerstaff fired, who has turned around a young Detroit team. Mitchell wanted more control, and he got it when they hired Kenny Atkinson. He takes the majority of shots for them. Mobley had a breakout year last season but has regressed some this year. And Allen has been injured along with Garland and Max Strus. They traded Isaac Okoro for Lonzo Ball, who's their 3rd guard. They should turn things around once their injured players return. Too talented not to. The player they really seem to miss is Ty Jerome, who finished 3rd in the 24-25 6MOY award behind Payton Pritchard and Malik Beasley.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Stupid Darius Garland rumors in the summer got me excited.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://x.com/DNVR_Nuggets/status/2001848043860299804

If this guy isn't a top 5 center all-time, I don't know what to tell you.

[KillerLeft]

https://x.com/DNVR_Nuggets/status/2001848043860299804

If this guy isn't a top 5 center all-time, I don't know what to tell you.

He obviously is. If he wins another title, it might be time to start asking if he's a top 5 PLAYER of all time, imho.

[Chicagojk]

Cavs lost back to back games to the Bulls.   It reminds me of the first year post Jalen when the Mavs lost back to back to the Hornets down the stretch.

[KillerLeft]

Cavs lost back to back games to the Bulls.   It reminds me of the first year post Jalen when the Mavs lost back to back to the Hornets down the stretch.

The Cavs are quickly rising to the top of my "take advantage of them" list. 

I wonder if they'll shake things up at the deadline.

[Mavs2021]

The Cavs are quickly rising to the top of my "take advantage of them" list. 

I wonder if they'll shake things up at the deadline.

Mine, too. Unfortunately I forgot they are over the 2nd apron, which means trades with them are as easy to find as 350 pound North Koreans.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

The Cavs are quickly rising to the top of my "take advantage of them" list. 

I wonder if they'll shake things up at the deadline.

https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/comments/1p...ncredibly/

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

I think they'll move someone that isn't Mitchell or Mobley.

Unfortunately, we dont seem to be in the market for a PG or C. (Garland or Allen)

[KillerLeft]

I think they'll move someone that isn't Mitchell or Mobley.

Unfortunately, we dont seem to be in the market for a PG or C.  (Garland or Allen)

What gives you that idea? 

If I'm the Mavs, PG is the #1 thing I'm looking at right now, whether my aim is to improve the team now, next year, or down the road. Getting Flagg his ball-handling running mate is priority numero uno in any possible direction, I'd think. 

And, with Lively shelved and the Davis market being checked, I'd say there's a less than zero chance of them bringing in a center as a fringe move, though Allen doesn't really excite me. 

You disagree?

[mvossman]

He obviously is. If he wins another title, it might be time to start asking if he's a top 5 PLAYER of all time, imho.

Yeah, he is almost as good as Jrue Holiday.

[Jmaciscool]

Yeah, he is almost as good as Jrue Holiday.

Well played sir, well played!

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

What gives you that idea? 

If I'm the Mavs, PG is the #1 thing I'm looking at right now, whether my aim is to improve the team now, next year, or down the road. Getting Flagg his ball-handling running mate is priority numero uno in any possible direction, I'd think. 

And, with Lively shelved and the Davis market being checked, I'd say there's a less than zero chance of them bringing in a center as a fringe move, though Allen doesn't really excite me. 

You disagree?

It seems like they're somewhat committed to Kyrie Irving.  I don't really know that for a fact.  I've seen AD rumors, Klay rumors, even PJ possibilities.  Nothing about, if the Mavs rebuild, Kyrie would appreciate being moved to a contender.  It seems like Kyrie is happy here and the Mavs are happy to have his leadership here. 

I'm not really sure how it all shakes out but if Kyrie is on this roster next year, a guy like Garland is not going to fit.

Just too many unknowns with this team. Seemed like they wanted to move AD. But then got no decent offers. Then Lively went out for the year. Now they're playing pretty well. What is the current thought process?

[Winter]

Luka leaves game with left leg contusion

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2025/12/luka...usion.html

[FireNicoHarrison]

Luka leaves game with left leg contusion

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2025/12/luka...usion.html

Not a bad news for sure.

[Winter]

The Doncic injury is interesting.

He was limping at halftime, told Reddick he couldn't go, and left the building without talking to anyone.

Not sure what that says exactly... just sounded kind of pissy or annoyed. Not sure which.

[Mavs2021]

The Doncic injury is interesting.

He was limping at halftime, told Reddick he couldn't go, and left the building without talking to anyone.

Not sure what that says exactly... just sounded kind of pissy or annoyed. Not sure which.

I think him and Bron is not vibing at all. They can forget this season already. If this was the Savannah, Luka would have already killed the old lion and taken his pack. They better bin off LeBron in the summer. If LeBron plays another season for the Lakers, Mavs need to hire Luka´s dad for mission #2028.