2025 NBA Season

[Oasisman]

~snip~

I would like to see Durant consider leaving and join the Lakers. How huge would that be for Lebron?

That would be huge, though the league today is surrounded with young talented players, at least Durant-LeBron tandem is much better than Westbrook in LA. However, Durant ain't a free agent this year. Most probably LA would be signing Kyrie while they're looking to trade Westbrook.
LA could've been lucky if the Pacers gave up Brogdon and Heild, but as per rumors the Pacers declined.
A lot of good players in the free agency this year, I'm kinda excited where these players signs next.

[vennali]

Kyrie Irving as it appears is looking to find a new home while Kevin Durant is trying to do the same but has 4 years left in his contract. Irving could opt in for a trade, Opt out and sign as a free agent, a sign in trade. I don't think Irving is going to stay for another season. Durant would like a move as well but its much trickier for him.

[Ziskinberg]

Kyrie Irving as it appears is looking to find a new home while Kevin Durant is trying to do the same but has 4 years left in his contract. Irving could opt in for a trade, Opt out and sign as a free agent, a sign in trade. I don't think Irving is going to stay for another season. Durant would like a move as well but its much trickier for him.

They are not effective playing together, they cannot win a championship so they should look for a team that could give that to them. Right now, the Lakers are the best team to joined with, and it's only possible if Westbrook gets traded as it's unlike that Davis will be traded.

[Harkorede]

There is also this trade involving DeAnthony Melton to Sixers in exchange of lucky charm Danny Green and no. 23 pick.

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2022/06/grizzlies-to-trade-deanthony-melton-to-sixers-for-no-23-pick.html

Not sure if this is a good trade of Memphis though, they already have some good outside shooters, not sure how Danny Green can contribute more. Maybe his experience is needed by Memphis. So let's see who is going to win in this trade. But for now, it looks like this is a bad trade for Memphis.

Probably the experience is what they are looking for in that trade. Danny Green has won a championship already in different teams and has been in the playoffs many times. They won't make that decision if they don't see they'll benefit from that trade, maybe Green's journey with the 76ers is going to be over soon, but the sixers will not forget him as he contributed to the team as well.

By the way, Green's 3 point shooting is not consistent anymore, but he can defend, so that's what make him a versatile player.

I'd say it's a positive trade for both side, as the Grizzlies an experience and player who has the championship even with a young and team like the Raptors, the Grizzlies is probably just as young and in a similar shape like the Raptors were that year.

I think Danny Green 3pt as dropped significantly simply because he was working and more focus on other aspect of game and it's just a matter of time to get his rhythm back if that's what is required of him by his new team.

[Dart18]

Kyrie Irving as it appears is looking to find a new home while Kevin Durant is trying to do the same but has 4 years left in his contract. Irving could opt in for a trade, Opt out and sign as a free agent, a sign in trade. I don't think Irving is going to stay for another season. Durant would like a move as well but its much trickier for him.

They are not effective playing together, they cannot win a championship so they should look for a team that could give that to them. Right now, the Lakers are the best team to joined with, and it's only possible if Westbrook gets traded as it's unlike that Davis will be traded.

I wish it's not true. It's not that they are not effective to play together but there's just no chemistry yet. Both players was injured and then the pandemic came and Kyrie is being stubborn about getting the vaccine.
But look at Wiggins, he was pursued to take it by his team mates and look where he is now.
These two stars of Brooklyn just didn't have enough time to play together but now they can. If I will be in the Nets position I would not let them go and instead rebuild the roleplayers. Griffin is not helpful anymore. Let him go. I'd stick with Kyrie, KD, Ben, Joe Harris, Claxton, and Seth. This is their core and just put more like young guys for their bench.

[arwin100]

Right now NBA Draft Paolo Banchero was the number 1 pick by the Orlando Magic, while Jabari Smith was the 3rd pick by the Houston Rockets, and right now I feel sad because our full-blown Filipino player Kai Sotto was undrafted, but still, I think he can surely train harder and aim for it next season,

Well, he is not on the top list of players that would be drafted so I'm not surprised. Though we are hopeful that he will get drafted, but we have to accept the reality, yes, there's always a next season, all he has to do is to improved himself and try to be a dominant center, he is still young so there's still plenty of opportunity for him.

Yes Indeed, and I really wish this will not going to be an upset for him but could be a Rekindled fire that will ignite to put the effort to be 1st on the list, right now Bronny James is struggling aswell, there is always a next time for both kids, making a big leap in their rankings because I would like to see a full Blown Filipino Playing in the NBA and the Tandem on Lebron and Bronny well kind of curious what can happen but yeah Kai Sotto still has a ceiling he can fill, I think he needs to increase in speed and gained more muscle for the next draft,

I think there are NBA players who are undrafted but made their way to the NBA, and they even get popular.

Some of the players I know are Luka Doncic and Jeremy Lin, they made their name and now actively Luka already has superstar status.
Therefore Kai Sotto should not loss his hope, the time will come for him as long as he continue to pursue his dreams.

This is so true he has a lot of talent no doubt, maybe the NBA scouts still thinks that he is raw and need more development or maybe he will go undrafted after all. It make a big fuss in the Philippines because he was supposed to be the first full blooded Filipino to join. And there are also other Asians if I'm not mistaken, out is South Korean (if my memory serves me right). Nevertheless, he can still pursue his dreams to become an NBA player.

His performance shown on 36ers is not enough to lift up his portfolio, also his private workouts didn't went well so its kinda expected that Kai will became undrafted this season. But actually GSW can draft him for marketing purposes Kai is so hype to the audience and for sure it convert to more sales as well in other type of promotion which can bring $ to their organization. They don't need to rebuild anymore since they are a strong team already and the only thing they need to do is to develop him. But everything is done so better luck next time for this young guy so hopefully he bounce back after this failure.

[stadus]

I admit I'm also getting the same aura with Irving. I mean he's one good player but his ego is much bigger, the man had a signed contract with the Brooklyn Nets which clearly states that he's responsible to play with the team even if there's Covid-19 or not but he choose to neglect that responsibility and left the team in the middle where the team badly needs it because Durant was also injured and Harden was the one playing for the team, luckily he evaded with the team and got shelter with the Sixers.

Harden is just as selfish as Kyrie IMO. Not to mention he's too slow these days. 5 years ago James Harden was a person you wanted, now he's barely a starter. I would like to see Durant consider leaving and join the Lakers. How huge would that be for Lebron?

They are both selfish that's why they didn't have a good time on the Nets as a full team and the established big three turns into a big drama, they've been in a dangerous spot before the season was ended but they managed to get in the play-in and won but only to be swept by the Celtics in the 1st round of playoffs, that was surely tough for them.

Durant with LeBron? If that could happen then I bet they will start strong and finish strong if Durant together with Davis won't be injured. But rumors says that it's Kyrie who will leave the Nets.

[jossiel]

This is a big one, but the question is, is Durant willing to join Lebron?

I think so, if he's aiming for another ring and that's the mindset of Lebron too then it's possible.

Right now NBA Draft Paolo Banchero was the number 1 pick by the Orlando Magic, while Jabari Smith was the 3rd pick by the Houston Rockets, and right now I feel sad because our full-blown Filipino player Kai Sotto was undrafted, but still, I think he can surely train harder and aim for it next season,

That's ok, IIRC, this is the 2nd time that he tried but time will come as the kid is still young. He needs more experience and training and he'll get there soon.

Watching the highlights of those draftees, they're all great but there are still ways of him getting in through free agency but he has to focus what he wants to focus right now and that's through getting more exp and training.

[dwyane36]

Most probably LA would be signing Kyrie while they're looking to trade Westbrook.

The Lakers would have good potential next season if they could sign a contract with Irving. I would even say Irving might be more useful to the Lakers compared to Westbrook, given that Lebron and Irving have good chemistry on the court because they already won a championship together. At the same time, there is one little problem with Irving, he's a scorer, and sometimes he plays like he doesn't care about the team's results.

[OgNasty]

Woj talking like Kyrie is going to take a $30,000,000 pay cut and sign with the Lakers under the mid level exception $6,000,000 contract. That seems incredibly unlikely to me, but Kyrie did give up $17,000,000 in earnings last year because he didn’t want to take the vaccine. LeBron might also help him secure a bigger bag with Nike if he did take the pay cut. That would more than make up the difference in money. Still seems unlikely to me though. I can only imagine what type of deals that would make possible in the future.

[livingfree]

But you know what?

Just like this season and the other past one, there have been super teams that were composed of good players, as in superstar players and we thought that they'll share a ring for those particular seasons.

I think it will still depend on the blend of the roster and the attitude of these great players to team up. Because even they're all superstars, there's a likely that they'll be beaten by a good team that don't have much superstars but has a great chemistry.

Most likely teams that have chemistry will likely win, but if you have a superstar player on your team it is a given bonus if he likely has some chemistry when you play for that team, I think if the Brooklyn Nets aiming to trade Kyrie Irving they likely want solid pacing and defense and with that, they are not aiming at relying on Superstars anymore, I really wish that is their mindset if they trade Irving for the 3 players of the LA Clippers,

Yeah, that's why whenever I see a team that's built with superstars. I'm still optimistic with them but if they tend to choke during near the playoffs then there's a problem with chemistry or is it that just they're the weaker team.

Well, this is the moment we're waiting for.

The drafts were done, next are the trades for the superstars.

[el kaka22]

I believe this year's draft will not bring in any superstars at all. I watched the "highlights" of the top 10, maybe someone out of top 10 could shock the world, but I watched top 10 only, and I can tell you that nothing really stood out for me.

These are highlights, so it supposed to be the videos that shows the best moves by those players, show their strengths, you do not see them missing 5 times in a row there, you see their dunks, their great shots, their blocks etc etc. And even with that, I didn't see any player that looked like it would be great. There is a tiny chance that rockets may have found a guy with jabari smith, but that is not because he looked special, it's because he fits their current core, nothing more.

[chaser15]

I believe this year's draft will not bring in any superstars at all. I watched the "highlights" of the top 10, maybe someone out of top 10 could shock the world, but I watched top 10 only, and I can tell you that nothing really stood out for me.

What kind of basis is that mate. Just watching highlights to speculate if there's a future superstar?

There are lots of rookies who just stood up and rise to popularity after playing for at least 3 years. There is even a draft class that is not a hype but after several seasons now making names like the recent young duos of the Boston Celtics, Jayson Tatum, and Jalen Brown.

Give these young players a break. It's been always every year where draft classes aren't that buzz any more.

[btc_angela]

Woj talking like Kyrie is going to take a $30,000,000 pay cut and sign with the Lakers under the mid level exception $6,000,000 contract. That seems incredibly unlikely to me, but Kyrie did give up $17,000,000 in earnings last year because he didn’t want to take the vaccine. LeBron might also help him secure a bigger bag with Nike if he did take the pay cut. That would more than make up the difference in money. Still seems unlikely to me though. I can only imagine what type of deals that would make possible in the future.

That will not be a smart ass move by Kyrie (but who knows? we have seen his decision making is not good in the past). As for the Nike, not sure about it as well, again Kyrie was not also have a good relationship with Nike. If I'm not mistaken, he went to the public and attack the Nike design on his shoes, the Nike Kyrie 8. For sure this didn't sit well with Nike organization. And could be the last straw and he wouldn't be sign beyond 2022-2023, in my opinion.

[Baofeng]

Kyrie Irving as it appears is looking to find a new home while Kevin Durant is trying to do the same but has 4 years left in his contract. Irving could opt in for a trade, Opt out and sign as a free agent, a sign in trade. I don't think Irving is going to stay for another season. Durant would like a move as well but its much trickier for him.

Again, with his antics last year, the Nets will have to pull off the plug on Irving and most likely trade him or find something to get rid of him. It's really a gamble on the part of the Nets to get him from Celtics and as a whole just to get a ring. But so far that didn't paid off, they've lost James Harden for Ben Simmons. Now it' is Irving. So it's a failure on the front office to surround Durant with good players. And for sure Durant will have a hard time because he is the one instrumental of bringing Irving to the Nets so that they can play along, but I guess that didn't work and maybe we should partly blame Irving for that because of his selfish and bitch move.

[Jating]

Kyrie Irving as it appears is looking to find a new home while Kevin Durant is trying to do the same but has 4 years left in his contract. Irving could opt in for a trade, Opt out and sign as a free agent, a sign in trade. I don't think Irving is going to stay for another season. Durant would like a move as well but its much trickier for him.

They are not effective playing together, they cannot win a championship so they should look for a team that could give that to them. Right now, the Lakers are the best team to joined with, and it's only possible if Westbrook gets traded as it's unlike that Davis will be traded.

I wish it's not true. It's not that they are not effective to play together but there's just no chemistry yet. Both players was injured and then the pandemic came and Kyrie is being stubborn about getting the vaccine.
But look at Wiggins, he was pursued to take it by his team mates and look where he is now.
These two stars of Brooklyn just didn't have enough time to play together but now they can. If I will be in the Nets position I would not let them go and instead rebuild the roleplayers. Griffin is not helpful anymore. Let him go. I'd stick with Kyrie, KD, Ben, Joe Harris, Claxton, and Seth. This is their core and just put more like young guys for their bench.

But the damage has been done though, Irving being stubborn not to get the vaccine really affected their season this year. And no player is above the management so it leave a bad taste in the mouth on the Nets that they are willing to let go of Irving now and get a fresh player that can help Durant. Maybe they still banking on Ben to play very well with Durant. I would admit that their core is still solid with the players they got from the Sixers, Seth and Drummond, Griffin can just play coming from the bench.

[Yogee]

Kyrie Irving as it appears is looking to find a new home while Kevin Durant is trying to do the same but has 4 years left in his contract. Irving could opt in for a trade, Opt out and sign as a free agent, a sign in trade. I don't think Irving is going to stay for another season. Durant would like a move as well but its much trickier for him.

I think it would be wrong for Durrant to leave at this stage. There are probably too many pieces moving right now and he doesn't need to join. He also doesn't need to rush since he's already won championships and has a lucrative contract.

Woj talking like Kyrie is going to take a $30,000,000 pay cut and sign with the Lakers under the mid level exception $6,000,000 contract. That seems incredibly unlikely to me, but Kyrie did give up $17,000,000 in earnings last year because he didn’t want to take the vaccine. LeBron might also help him secure a bigger bag with Nike if he did take the pay cut. That would more than make up the difference in money. Still seems unlikely to me though. I can only imagine what type of deals that would make possible in the future.

Players chasing that big payday while they are still capable to play only to agree to a huge pay cut while they are still at a top level? That doesn't sound logical at all. I would understand if he's already at the twilight of his career due to age or serious injuries.

[goinmerry]

Brooklyn Nets don't just have to think about Kyrie Irving.

There's another DIVA there that is always in a dramatic scene too like Irving and that's Ben Simmons.

They should find a way to utilize this player next season and not just allow him to just sit whenever he wants. Ben Simmons didn't play yet for the Nets after the trade and even don't have an ass to play in front of the Sixers crowd. Nets should do something about their DIVAS and try to surround their main guy, Kevin Durant, with good role players.

Seems Kyrie will be in a different jersey next season that's why Simmons should now back to his usual.

[TravelMug]

There is also this trade involving DeAnthony Melton to Sixers in exchange of lucky charm Danny Green and no. 23 pick.

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2022/06/grizzlies-to-trade-deanthony-melton-to-sixers-for-no-23-pick.html

Not sure if this is a good trade of Memphis though, they already have some good outside shooters, not sure how Danny Green can contribute more. Maybe his experience is needed by Memphis. So let's see who is going to win in this trade. But for now, it looks like this is a bad trade for Memphis.

Probably the experience is what they are looking for in that trade. Danny Green has won a championship already in different teams and has been in the playoffs many times. They won't make that decision if they don't see they'll benefit from that trade, maybe Green's journey with the 76ers is going to be over soon, but the sixers will not forget him as he contributed to the team as well.

By the way, Green's 3 point shooting is not consistent anymore, but he can defend, so that's what make him a versatile player.

I'd say it's a positive trade for both side, as the Grizzlies an experience and player who has the championship even with a young and team like the Raptors, the Grizzlies is probably just as young and in a similar shape like the Raptors were that year.

I think Danny Green 3pt as dropped significantly simply because he was working and more focus on other aspect of game and it's just a matter of time to get his rhythm back if that's what is required of him by his new team.

We will have to see what Danny Green can offer to the Memphis, and yeah probably the experienced.

But as far as other aspects? like defense, at his age he might have difficulty guarding the young guys at his position. So maybe they will still look for him to shoot that 3 and open the space for them. Sixers thought doesn't have that outside shooting, Green and Curry are already gone.

[danherbias07]

Wow! I thought Mike D'Antoni will make it as the new head coach of the Charlotte Hornets after the news about their final meeting. But in the end, it was Steve Clifford who got the position.
Steve Clifford agrees to return as Charlotte Hornets coach
Well then, let's just see if he can put them back on the map like how he did it before.

Brooklyn Nets don't just have to think about Kyrie Irving.

There's another DIVA there that is always in a dramatic scene too like Irving and that's Ben Simmons.

LOL! Hilarious. Because it's true.
How will they even make chemistry with these two? I see sparks in their eyes but that is not because of "love" but competition in a negative way and it will not be good for their chemistry. There will always be issues when those names are discussed.