2024 NBA Season

[cryptomaniac_xxx]

^ Yeah, haters gonna hate, there are even video of DeRozan being lock down by some amateur in that game as well. But it doesn't matter, still you can see that James is still at his peak and maybe really excited to come back next season to play again with Lakers.

Still no need in the KD or Irving, maybe they will remain a Nets at least for the time being. The Nets though are asking too much from the other team that they are not willing to give up.

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[Pamadar]

^ Yeah, haters gonna hate, there are even video of DeRozan being lock down by some amateur in that game as well. But it doesn't matter, still you can see that James is still at his peak and maybe really excited to come back next season to play again with Lakers.

Still no need in the KD or Irving, maybe they will remain a Nets at least for the time being. The Nets though are asking too much from the other team that they are not willing to give up.

They are demanding for good trades knowing that they invest with these two assets and they are not willing to

let it go just by that, though we are not sure if what kind of negotiations are ongoing right now and how they are trying to
maximize any available offer coming from the different teams.

It will be revealed once the process is already on its way, but so far there's none or no available update yet in terms
of any possible team in acquiring these two super stars..

[Jating]

^^ Really hard to digest what really happen to the Lakers last season and how it become toxic. Although it was really evident that in the beginning, something is not right as even in the pre-season with all eyes on them and high expectations there were already signs that it might not work and that what happen. And then Lebron injured himself and so is AD, Russ games didn't flourish, the supporting cast is not performing as expected etc etc. There is no single point of failure, just a culmination of bad timing and maybe bad decisions.

They don't have good supporting cast because they traded the ones that were really a big piece of the success of the Lakers. Now, they realize that they don't really need another superstar, in fact, Lebron and AD is enough because both have already won a championship together with the Lakers.

I think it's a win-win for them when they offload the likes of Kuzma and KCP and Trez base on their performance last season in the playoffs. And it's good that Washington that time accepted it so the Lakers think it's a good trade for them. But we already know what happen next and we only have our own speculation and biases as how it went downhill for the Lakers. Mostly the blame was put to Russ shoulders alone.

[Ziskinberg]

Still no need in the KD or Irving, maybe they will remain a Nets at least for the time being. The Nets though are asking too much from the other team that they are not willing to give up.

I think the Nets are just asking enough but for other teams, it's too much. Both Irving and Durant still has a high value in the market, but since these players are demanding a trade, the liability now is on the Nets since they cannot expect these two will give their best to achieve a championship for the team, they better get rid of them and try to rebuild.

[Baofeng]

LeBron really tore it up in the Drew League today.  Putting up 42 and 16 against the mostly amateur competition.  Pretty amazing that he's still able to dominate like this at his age.  Looking like if he can stay healthy next year will be another big one.

In other news, 



https://twitter.com/RealSkipBayless/status/1548509555033681922

That's Skip, he always looks at the dark side. This is why I don't like reading his content.
Give the 37-year-old superstar a break. I bet Skip cannot even make a layup anymore at that age. 
Anyway, most of the article also focuses on Kyrie not attending the invite but they are optimistic he will come today.

Just finished talking to a friend who is a big fan of Blake Griffin. Told him he is a free agent now.
What team do you think this 2009 number 1 draft pick will end up to?
He is just 33 years old, may not be a strong impact on the offensive end but he may be able to still help defensively.

Perhaps the Chicago Bulls? we all know that Blake is already way past his prime, his best years where with the Clippers with CP3. But when he got injured, no more high flying acts for him, but he did try to evolved and be a good 3 point shooter and a defender just like what he did with the Nets.

And the Bulls needed some veteran and experience players. Especially in close out games and during the playoff as well. If some savvy veteran like Blake can mentor Lavine and him also helping like in defense and rebounds in like 10-15 minutes a game, he will be a big help for the Bulls.

[Japinat]

LeBron really tore it up in the Drew League today.  Putting up 42 and 16 against the mostly amateur competition.  Pretty amazing that he's still able to dominate like this at his age.  Looking like if he can stay healthy next year will be another big one.

In other news, 



https://twitter.com/RealSkipBayless/status/1548509555033681922

That's Skip, he always looks at the dark side. This is why I don't like reading his content.
Give the 37-year-old superstar a break. I bet Skip cannot even make a layup anymore at that age. 
Anyway, most of the article also focuses on Kyrie not attending the invite but they are optimistic he will come today.

Just finished talking to a friend who is a big fan of Blake Griffin. Told him he is a free agent now.
What team do you think this 2009 number 1 draft pick will end up to?
He is just 33 years old, may not be a strong impact on the offensive end but he may be able to still help defensively.

Perhaps the Chicago Bulls? we all know that Blake is already way past his prime, his best years where with the Clippers with CP3. But when he got injured, no more high flying acts for him, but he did try to evolved and be a good 3 point shooter and a defender just like what he did with the Nets.

And the Bulls needed some veteran and experience players. Especially in close out games and during the playoff as well. If some savvy veteran like Blake can mentor Lavine and him also helping like in defense and rebounds in like 10-15 minutes a game, he will be a big help for the Bulls.

Blake still has a career IMO, he can still be useful to any team, and the fact that he is not expensive as he was before, he can easily be added to a roster of a team that needs an experienced big man. How about the Warriors? Maybe that will give him a chance to win a championship since the Warriors are a great team.

[YuginKadoya]

I hope they will remain professional because in the end if Westbrook will not play well, it will still affect the Lakers as a team and Lebron will not be happy with that. What are they going to do with Westbrook then if they don't want him to play with Lebron, are they going to treat him like Simmon of the Nets before?

He should play well, I think this is the last time he will show the Lakers what he is still capable of, and no more showing-off this time, and right now Russell Westbrook's long-time agent Thad Foucher has parted ways with him after their unsettled differences and Foucher have said that Westbrook best option despite the many trades that links to him, is to just stay on the Lakers and get that 5 years maximum deal so maybe will not part ways with the Los Angeles Lakers,

Miami Heat are very determined to trade Kevin Durant now. Durant also seems to be willing to leave Nets at the earliest opportunity now. He has been given the priority for being traded as well. Irving might have to wait for this to happen before he asks for his trade. Losing both of their stars would be too heavy for Nets I'm afraid. As a Durant fan my new favourite team are going to be the one where goes to.    It is likely to be Miami Heat for now seemingly.

Well, they are thinking of ways to get Kevin Durant or Donovan Mitchell or both players to their team, I think either player will do for the Miami Heat, but Donovan Mitchell could be a great pick for Miami Heat, surely a Kevin Durant is more reliable and a source of a ton of money, they surely need to save expenses for the rest of the team, but if they have a certain amount to get both then try to acquire both players,

Too many news about Ayton.

Well, it's getting exciting and going back to KD. Whether GSW gets him or not, I'm sure that when it's close to the due date or deadline for trades there could be some last minute surprises.

Since it's about trades, I've remembered Carmelo Anthony when he was struggling last season and almost no team would like to take him until the last minute took place.

This can surely happen either he will stay for the Brooklyn Nets and have a heavy heart about it, or go to a team that needs and wants him, so much but it is still early, to say the least, anything can happen and Kevin Durant could likely be traded to a new team, until the next season starts, but yeah we surely need to wait patiently about it, and a last-minute trade could be possible,

Still no need in the KD or Irving, maybe they will remain a Nets at least for the time being. The Nets though are asking too much from the other team that they are not willing to give up.

I think the Nets are just asking enough but for other teams, it's too much. Both Irving and Durant still has a high value in the market, but since these players are demanding a trade, the liability now is on the Nets since they cannot expect these two will give their best to achieve a championship for the team, they better get rid of them and try to rebuild.

At the last minute of the trade, the Brooklyn Nets should decide quickly because they could be late for free agent players or players that wanted out of their team players that are superstars, or have potential will be traded by other teams and they can not have a pick any more, or maybe they will be settle down to the new players and hope one could pop out spectacular, I say rebuilding a team is not an easy job in my opinion, there will be money involve a lot of money, and dramas,

[passwordnow]

He's always confident that he can carry the team, he has had that mentality ever since and that's why he's manifesting that mindset into actions and we all saw that.

He thought he really is a great player, his power to demand got bigger when the Lakers won a championship, but actually it was Davis who work hard for that game, without Davis, Lebron would not win a championship. The thing is, the Lakers management sees Lebron as the captain of the ship, so they just give him the freedom to make a decision and that even includes affecting the management decision on who to hire and who to fire.

There's certainly no doubt that he's got help from other key players of the Lakers. But if I'll look at his entire career, he really is something and I'll have no debate with that because, for me, he's really great as an individual. And I think that's why he's giving the space to decide for whom he's going to team up.

If he still thinks he can carry the team alone, he is wrong. He needs not just a superstar with him but a strong set of role players coming from the bench. He cannot carry the Lakers alone anymore. Last season failed horribly because there is no young blood hungry for victory left in the team. They ship them all out.

Yeah, and that's why he's picking who he is going to stay with. I think he also knows that he's getting help from his teammates and he knows that they're dependable.

[Dart18]

At the last minute of the trade, the Brooklyn Nets should decide quickly because they could be late for free agent players or players that wanted out of their team players that are superstars, or have potential will be traded by other teams and they can not have a pick any more, or maybe they will be settle down to the new players and hope one could pop out spectacular, I say rebuilding a team is not an easy job in my opinion, there will be money involve a lot of money, and dramas,

That's the problem. They cannot rush it. KD is such a gem, you cannot just give him away for anyone. This is like an investment made by the Brooklyn Nets and they know they can exhange him for something fair or more.
It's not their problem if other teams could not equal the proposed exchange that they want.
The amount of money the Nets had spent when Durant was not playing was enormous so it would be best if they could maximized the trade that they want.
2 years, they paid him 2 years without play time.

[darewaller]

Lebron is trying to keep it fresh, if I am not wrong there is one more season after this until Bronny JR could join right? That means at the end of this season he will be going to College, and after that in NBA. So Lebron wants to play for at least 3 more seasons, he would be about 40 years old when that happens.

Not impossible of course, at 37 dude was still a candidate for MVP, you may dislike what Lakers did all year but Lebron played efficiently and scored a ton of baskets, played with 30.3 ppg, and 52% fg, and had his highest 3 points made per game at 2.9 per game with 36% rate, these are all amazing offensive lines. Unless he gets injured, then he will keep playing until 40 easily, maybe not be a superstar by then, but he will be fine.

Actually it could be even 39, because at the start of the season he will eb 39. So I am guessing all these Drew League stuff and all, is his way of keeping in shape and still working out in basketball style instead of just fitness.

[dwyane36]

He should play well, I think this is the last time he will show the Lakers what he is still capable of, and no more showing-off this time, and right now Russell Westbrook's long-time agent Thad Foucher has parted ways with him after their unsettled differences and Foucher have said that Westbrook best option despite the many trades that links to him, is to just stay on the Lakers and get that 5 years maximum deal so maybe will not part ways with the Los Angeles Lakers,

If Westbrook plays like he did last season, there is no chance any team will offer him another maximum 5-year contract. However, Westbrook still has a player option on his current contract, and he will likely use it to earn another $47 million next season. The problem is that if he stays with the Lakers, it will only be the best option for him, but not for the team.

[Yogee]

....
The problem is that if he stays with the Lakers, it will only be the best option for him, but not for the team.

I see an unmotivated Russ so yes it's bad for the team but it's also bad for him. He really wants to be out that's why he fired his agent who suggested he stays. Westbrook is not some no name and newbie anymore. I think he is already at a point where he cares more where he can play happily than the money he gets.

[wheelz1200]

Also just to add, I saw a post on Facebook regarding a proposed trade between the Pelicans and the Nets.
The Nets asked for Ingram, Nance Jr and multiple first round picks for KD. The Pelicans declined on it. Does this show that KD's value in the market really is that low? Any thoughts.

I do not think that this scenario speaks of Durant's value but rather than the capability of the Pelicans to acquire Durant. Pelican is just a small market team, and we all know that they already signed Zion to a maximum rookie extension. And I do not think that giving up their young assets is a good move for them.

Plus, do you think Durant would want to play in a small market team?

It turns out that the Suns matched the Pacer's historic $133M offer sheet for Ayton. Now the Suns will keep Ayton and will prohibit him from trading without the player's consent for a full year.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/34245243/phoenix-suns-match-indiana-pacers-4-year-133-million-offer-sheet-deandre-ayton

The Suns lost McGee which is a huge addition to them defensively and losing Ayton means they might be at the bottom spot next season defensively. I'm not hearing any news regarding Biyombo if they will resign him. I also don't know what will be the future of Ayton with the Suns after what happened with him and Coach Monty against the Mavericks last season.

Finally, Ayton getting the money that he deserves. And the four year deal is fully guaranteed. That speaks volume.

In regards with his relationship with his coach, I think they should patch things up. They are both professionals.

They can trade him by mid January just not to the Pacers.  I think under rules because Pacers sheet'd him the Suns can't trade him to the Pacers for a full year but other tes who didmt offer they can trade to by mid year. 

They can trade him, but Ayton has veto power until July next year. That means he have the last word if he wants to be traded or not.

I thought when a team matched they couldn't trade him to anyone for half a year then to the team that signed an offer sheet to him for a full year.  The whole point so they couldn't immediate flip into a trade going the system.  Either way Phoenix is in on ayton and pretty much out of the Durant chase.  Durant to Miami might be the play.

[jakelyson]

Lebron is trying to keep it fresh, if I am not wrong there is one more season after this until Bronny JR could join right? That means at the end of this season he will be going to College, and after that in NBA. So Lebron wants to play for at least 3 more seasons, he would be about 40 years old when that happens.

Not impossible of course, at 37 dude was still a candidate for MVP, you may dislike what Lakers did all year but Lebron played efficiently and scored a ton of baskets, played with 30.3 ppg, and 52% fg, and had his highest 3 points made per game at 2.9 per game with 36% rate, these are all amazing offensive lines. Unless he gets injured, then he will keep playing until 40 easily, maybe not be a superstar by then, but he will be fine.

Actually it could be even 39, because at the start of the season he will eb 39. So I am guessing all these Drew League stuff and all, is his way of keeping in shape and still working out in basketball style instead of just fitness.

With all the money Lebron is spending to keep his body fit and NBA ready, he can play competitively even if he reaches 40. And lately, he is playing only one side of the court. He is more on offense and plays less defensively. Maybe that is one more adjustment to keep him healthy and avoid career ending injuries. And since he announced that he wants to play with Bronny, we know he will do anything to be still in best shape when Bronny enters the league.

If Westbrook plays like he did last season, there is no chance any team will offer him another maximum 5-year contract. However, Westbrook still has a player option on his current contract, and he will likely use it to earn another $47 million next season. The problem is that if he stays with the Lakers, it will only be the best option for him, but not for the team.

Money wise, it is the best option but career wise, it is not. He flourish in a team where he is the dominant ball handler. That will not happen in Lakers because Lebron will play point guard and he will still be second option.

I thought when a team matched they couldn't trade him to anyone for half a year then to the team that signed an offer sheet to him for a full year.  The whole point so they couldn't immediate flip into a trade going the system.  Either way Phoenix is in on ayton and pretty much out of the Durant chase.  Durant to Miami might be the play.

They cannot trade him until January 15, 2023. They can trade him after that period but Ayton has veto power on his contract. So he still have the final say on the trade.

[agustina2]

I see an unmotivated Russ so yes it's bad for the team but it's also bad for him. He really wants to be out that's why he fired his agent who suggested he stays. Westbrook is not some no name and newbie anymore. I think he is already at a point where he cares more where he can play happily than the money he gets.

Russell Westbrook just needs some push. I don't see him as a hindrance to the Lakers' success. Maybe give him several games to work again on his consistency. Westbrook is still one of the most athletic guards in the NBA today. He also understands that he needs to cooperate with LBJ or AD and last season, he didn't show the behavior that he is the main scorer on the team. He just does his usual Westbrook stuff although the problem is, he is not consistent.

[Pamadar]

I see an unmotivated Russ so yes it's bad for the team but it's also bad for him. He really wants to be out that's why he fired his agent who suggested he stays. Westbrook is not some no name and newbie anymore. I think he is already at a point where he cares more where he can play happily than the money he gets.

Russell Westbrook just needs some push. I don't see him as a hindrance to the Lakers' success. Maybe give him several games to work again on his consistency. Westbrook is still one of the most athletic guards in the NBA today. He also understands that he needs to cooperate with LBJ or AD and last season, he didn't show the behavior that he is the main scorer on the team. He just does his usual Westbrook stuff although the problem is, he is not consistent.

Individual stat I will agree that he still can be one of the most athletic guards inside the league.

If he will stay in Lakers for good, he need to work more and adjust to how LeBron and the lakers play the game, the team needs
to work more with their chemistries, but more important is having AD with healthy condition.

The last time run was a failure they need to impress the fans in this upcoming season to regain support.

[carlisle1]

....
The problem is that if he stays with the Lakers, it will only be the best option for him, but not for the team.

I see an unmotivated Russ so yes it's bad for the team but it's also bad for him. He really wants to be out that's why he fired his agent who suggested he stays. Westbrook is not some no name and newbie anymore. I think he is already at a point where he cares more where he can play happily than the money he gets.

He's no longer in his prime, so better to play with the team that he will be more comfortable and happy. With how we see him

playing with Lakers, there's nothing to discuss the result itself can dictate how he and the team lacking of trust with each other.

If in this upcoming season he will be landing to a different team, it's best to see him playing the same old Westbrook that we all know.

Taking charge comfortably and not to hesitate as he's thinking of someone that has the alpha tag with the team.

[cryptomaniac_xxx]

I see an unmotivated Russ so yes it's bad for the team but it's also bad for him. He really wants to be out that's why he fired his agent who suggested he stays. Westbrook is not some no name and newbie anymore. I think he is already at a point where he cares more where he can play happily than the money he gets.

Russell Westbrook just needs some push. I don't see him as a hindrance to the Lakers' success. Maybe give him several games to work again on his consistency. Westbrook is still one of the most athletic guards in the NBA today. He also understands that he needs to cooperate with LBJ or AD and last season, he didn't show the behavior that he is the main scorer on the team. He just does his usual Westbrook stuff although the problem is, he is not consistent.

The Lakers have given him one season to improved already and be consistent. But his statistics goes down in the first year and for sure fans will agree that it was a disappointment seeing his performance like that with the Lakers. But in any case that we won't be traded, then obviously, he need to show something, Lebron game is still very high as recently we have seen him in the Drew league and still the same Lebron. So it's time for AD and WB to come up big this season.

[wheelz1200]

Lebron is trying to keep it fresh, if I am not wrong there is one more season after this until Bronny JR could join right? That means at the end of this season he will be going to College, and after that in NBA. So Lebron wants to play for at least 3 more seasons, he would be about 40 years old when that happens.

Not impossible of course, at 37 dude was still a candidate for MVP, you may dislike what Lakers did all year but Lebron played efficiently and scored a ton of baskets, played with 30.3 ppg, and 52% fg, and had his highest 3 points made per game at 2.9 per game with 36% rate, these are all amazing offensive lines. Unless he gets injured, then he will keep playing until 40 easily, maybe not be a superstar by then, but he will be fine.

Actually it could be even 39, because at the start of the season he will eb 39. So I am guessing all these Drew League stuff and all, is his way of keeping in shape and still working out in basketball style instead of just fitness.

With all the money Lebron is spending to keep his body fit and NBA ready, he can play competitively even if he reaches 40. And lately, he is playing only one side of the court. He is more on offense and plays less defensively. Maybe that is one more adjustment to keep him healthy and avoid career ending injuries. And since he announced that he wants to play with Bronny, we know he will do anything to be still in best shape when Bronny enters the league.

If Westbrook plays like he did last season, there is no chance any team will offer him another maximum 5-year contract. However, Westbrook still has a player option on his current contract, and he will likely use it to earn another $47 million next season. The problem is that if he stays with the Lakers, it will only be the best option for him, but not for the team.

Money wise, it is the best option but career wise, it is not. He flourish in a team where he is the dominant ball handler. That will not happen in Lakers because Lebron will play point guard and he will still be second option.

I thought when a team matched they couldn't trade him to anyone for half a year then to the team that signed an offer sheet to him for a full year.  The whole point so they couldn't immediate flip into a trade going the system.  Either way Phoenix is in on ayton and pretty much out of the Durant chase.  Durant to Miami might be the play.

They cannot trade him until January 15, 2023. They can trade him after that period but Ayton has veto power on his contract. So he still have the final say on the trade.

Agreed but to the Pacers it's different it's for a whole year so even if ayton wouldn't veto it Suns can't trade him there.  That was the point with the Suns knee deep in co tracts and the key piece to a possible trade Durant looks like he is off the board for the Suns at least at this point in time.  Still think he lands on the heat at some point

[Ziskinberg]

I see an unmotivated Russ so yes it's bad for the team but it's also bad for him. He really wants to be out that's why he fired his agent who suggested he stays. Westbrook is not some no name and newbie anymore. I think he is already at a point where he cares more where he can play happily than the money he gets.

Russell Westbrook just needs some push. I don't see him as a hindrance to the Lakers' success. Maybe give him several games to work again on his consistency. Westbrook is still one of the most athletic guards in the NBA today. He also understands that he needs to cooperate with LBJ or AD and last season, he didn't show the behavior that he is the main scorer on the team. He just does his usual Westbrook stuff although the problem is, he is not consistent.

The Lakers have given him one season to improved already and be consistent. But his statistics goes down in the first year and for sure fans will agree that it was a disappointment seeing his performance like that with the Lakers. But in any case that we won't be traded, then obviously, he need to show something, Lebron game is still very high as recently we have seen him in the Drew league and still the same Lebron. So it's time for AD and WB to come up big this season.

They really need too, but the problem is not Davis because when he is healthy, he provides the best production he can give to the team, compared to Westbrook who are consistent in showing his inconsistency on the court.