2025 NBA Season

[inthelongrun]

There is still a long time for the 2022-23 season to start. It is going to be underway on October 18, 2022. Lakers have a long time period ahead to think about the new team composition that they should be building for next season. Their lineup was really inadequate last season and Lebron had to do all the work. This caused them to have a poor season and say goodbye to the playoff round before even it started. Lebron must be waiting for proper trades to be motivated to continue playing for them.

Well, time is gold for the Lakers if they are serious in planning to get key players for the next season. They might lose their targeted players to other teams.

I do believe that it is just hard to trade Westbrick's $47 million salary. And the Lakers do not have a lot to give, probably a lot of future draft picks. But with KD wanting to get traded too, the Nets might consider future draft picks for their rebuilding.

They are now in serious discussion to trade with Kyrie and I think they can make this to happen as they want to pass up what they think a problem on their teams. Although this talks will not get any assurance but I believe they will make this thing to happen as Lakers and Nets is running out of time on their free agency. We don't know if Durant will be happy with this trade because it looks like he will play again and if I'm not wrong they don't have good relationship to each other.

So if Irving will be traded, will it be in exchange for Westbrook? If that will happen, then the old teammates will be playing again, Lebron +Irving, and Durant + Westbrook.  I can't imagine this to happen, I'm thinking maybe the trade is good if Nets will get Davis in exchange of Irving.

The Lakers main priority is to get rid of Westbrook. Although I also read before the possibility of Westbrook + AD for Kyrie + Simmons.

KD already demanded a trade. I expect this already, unless Kyrie and Simmons unloaded from the Nets line up. But pretty sure KD is also not be happy playing with Westbrick.

Earlier, Nets offered KD to Minnesota but in exchange for Towns and Edwards. It was rejected by Minnesota. I think Minnesota is happy with their two towers. Their focus now is to just unload D'Angelo Russell's $30 million contract.

[Japinat]

It is really unfortunate to the Brooklyn Nets because they didn't got what they paid for, their biggest problem last season was Irving when he denied getting vaccinated when in-fact he signed a contract to the Nets that says he must play for the team but he didn't and that was so selfish because the team needs him while Durant was still injured but he didn't bugged in to help.

The fact that Brookly Nets entered the playoffs even with those problems and situations, everything that happened on that season should be forgotten once the playoffs started. All teams are entered in a fresh 0-0 standing when they start at playoffs and if it's about seeding, I don't see that the Nets should have a problem with that as they are quite healthy entering the playoffs, faced the Boston Celtics at the first round and the rest is history.

Boston Celtics just did a great job that's why they were able to sweep the favorite Brooklyn Nets. I don't see any problem honestly with Durant and Irving's performance back then but it's just that the Celtics did great limiting the Nets' offense. Instead of just putting the discussion on why the Nets failed in their playoffs rally, not their overall performance but it's because of the much-improved version of Boston Celtics.

There is no problem with Durant and their performance, it's Irving's absence when he is needed the most. They have been seated at the top seed in ECF for quite some time but Irving hasn't played when the team needs him and obviously Harden can't just keep up. Before the regular season ended, they had fallen into the depths and only managed to climb the #7 seed when Durant came back.

I'm just saying that they could've avoided being swept by the Celtics in the 1st round if they remained in the upper seed and if Irving played along and that will also mean that Harden won't force a trade if Irving had been there with him. That has nothing to do with performance, what's the use of talent if it is not used.

[cryptomaniac_xxx]

There is still a long time for the 2022-23 season to start. It is going to be underway on October 18, 2022. Lakers have a long time period ahead to think about the new team composition that they should be building for next season. Their lineup was really inadequate last season and Lebron had to do all the work. This caused them to have a poor season and say goodbye to the playoff round before even it started. Lebron must be waiting for proper trades to be motivated to continue playing for them.

After trying the "veteran" team, I think they will try a bit "younger" team. 
Damian Jones - 27
Juan Tuscano-Anderson - 29
Thomas Bryant - 24

Will keep possibly. (I have not checked their contracts)
Austin Reaves - 24
THT - 21
Wenyen Gabriel - 25
They may be in a good position with these guys as roleplayers. If they will trade Westbrook for 2 or 3 more then it could get better. But I read their new head coach Darvin Ham is looking forward to seeing him play with the Lakers at the start of the season. The Lakers may have a difficult time looking for a trade.

Yeah, that's what Ham has said initially, he wanted to keep Westbrook, but who knows, even THT's name has come up to be used as trade bait. I mean they chooses to keep him when they got Westbrook, but he didn't perform very well in the new cast. And so I wouldn't be surprised if the Lakers are going to get rid of Westbrook and THT for whatever player they can get. Good catch with JTA though, probably will give them 10-12 a game and good defense if given good minutes.

[Dart18]

There is no problem with Durant and their performance, it's Irving's absence when he is needed the most. They have been seated at the top seed in ECF for quite some time but Irving hasn't played when the team needs him and obviously Harden can't just keep up. Before the regular season ended, they had fallen into the depths and only managed to climb the #7 seed when Durant came back.

I'm just saying that they could've avoided being swept by the Celtics in the 1st round if they remained in the upper seed and if Irving played along and that will also mean that Harden won't force a trade if Irving had been there with him. That has nothing to do with performance, what's the use of talent if it is not used.

That's true, but soon they will face Celtics too, Finals or semis even if they dodged a bullet in the first round.
They lack something and it's obvious, teamwork. There was one time Dragic was open for a win but Durant forced the shot. The same with Kyrie, he is like a blackhole that absorbs the defense and yet he cannot find the open man after penetrating.
Chemistry is bad, no teamwork, it's better if they will go separate ways than continue the same type of game. It will never win against opponents like Celtics or Heat in a series.

[jakelyson]

The Lakers main priority is to get rid of Westbrook. Although I also read before the possibility of Westbrook + AD for Kyrie + Simmons.

Are you serious? Why would the Lakers take Kyrie and Simmons? It is like taking a rock to smash your own head. These two, though extremely talented are severe headaches to teams they recently have been. I do not think that will change this season. Lakers are better off with AD and Westbrook, if they can keep them healthy maybe they could jam better this season.

[freedomgo]

There is a rumor that Pacers are interested on the services of DeAndre Ayton. They are negotiating a sign and trade centered on Miles Turner.

However, we have heard that Phoenix is also interested on KD. If they push this one, they might be erasing their chances to land the KD sweepstakes. Or it might take more players from them, maybe they will have to include Booker now or Crowder and Bridges.

Now, speaking of KD, I've seen a proposed trade on Facebook (NBA Buzz) between the Timberwolves and the Nets.

The Nets wanted KAT, Edwards and 4 first round picks in exchange for Durant. Well, the Timberwolves declined on it and I think it is a good choice knowing that KAT and Edwards are still young and talented as well. The Wolves' management don't want to give these young players to KD.

With regard to KD going to Phoenix, I don't know what will the Nets try to get in exchange for him but just basing on what the Nets asked with the Timberwolves, there is a chance that they might try to get Booker and/or Ayton and some first round picks in exchange for KD.

That is already somehow expected, I don't really think that the Timberwolves would try and think about that offer because it's quite unfair already. Karl Anthony-Towns and Anthony Edwards have a long way to go and too precious for the team to just let them go in-exchange for KD and other bunch of first round picks.

That also goes the same with the Phoenix Suns, they surely wouldn't want to trade Booker for that and one other all-star caliber. Besides, I just bumped into an article recently, it shows that nobody would want to be traded and play with Simmons on the Nets.

[Oasisman]

Are you guys happen to stumble upon a post that's circulating around the social media today that a Laker fan yelled at Kyrie when he'll be joining the Lakers during the LA Sparks game. Kyrie responded "really, really soon!" I can't find any sports article about these speculations, but I know it's the social media there were a lot of trolls and fake reports, but who knows it was true.

[stadus]

There is still a long time for the 2022-23 season to start. It is going to be underway on October 18, 2022. Lakers have a long time period ahead to think about the new team composition that they should be building for next season. Their lineup was really inadequate last season and Lebron had to do all the work. This caused them to have a poor season and say goodbye to the playoff round before even it started. Lebron must be waiting for proper trades to be motivated to continue playing for them.

The LA Lakers should just stop from trying to build a super team again, it is already proven that it won't really matter these days because what can you do with a bunch of aging superstars if they cannot even do what the younger teams can do and they aren't the same anymore unlike what they can do when they are still in their respective primes.

They should just invest in younger stars that could be a potential asset to the team in the few years to come while LeBron James is there to teach the younger generations because 2 to 3 years from now, LBJ will eventually retire and leave the team.

[carlisle1]

Yeah, that's what Ham has said initially, he wanted to keep Westbrook, but who knows, even THT's name has come up to be used as trade bait. I mean they chooses to keep him when they got Westbrook, but he didn't perform very well in the new cast. And so I wouldn't be surprised if the Lakers are going to get rid of Westbrook and THT for whatever player they can get. Good catch with JTA though, probably will give them 10-12 a game and good defense if given good minutes.

Everything is possible now, if both THT and WB will continue not to perform the trade talk will proceed and Lakers will

push this up and see if how they can get rid of these two players. They are both good individual players who need to

step up and adjust with the system Lakers have, we will see what is going to happen this coming October when the league

Finally open. Still have enough time to continue practicing and try to establish chemistries among players who needed to

adopt how this new coach will lead them this upcoming season.

[darewaller]

Look, I know it makes no sense to give the whole future for Durant. Why would Wolves give Edwards, KAT would make sense for a little time, because they already got Gobert now, but they probably didn't want to lose KAT at all.

This is why I believe that there is a chance that Durant may not even leave for what Nets believe he should. They could get some picks for him for sure, but that dude is not a 25 year old kid anymore, he is aging, and even though he is still awesome, you need to be a team ready to win right now if you want to get him.

Mavs looked great because of this, they could give anyone outside of Luka, and in return would have a team filled with Luka and Durant and whoever around, which could fight for a title.

[livingfree]

Are you guys happen to stumble upon a post that's circulating around the social media today that a Laker fan yelled at Kyrie when he'll be joining the Lakers during the LA Sparks game. Kyrie responded "really, really soon!" I can't find any sports article about these speculations, but I know it's the social media there were a lot of trolls and fake reports, but who knows it was true.

I haven't seen that video.

But, do not be quick to believe those videos because die-hard fans really can make videos like that and edit it seems to be like actual ones.

Much better to wait for the official news from the team or Kyrie alone. It's for sure that the LA will have it published first before the player so, just wait.

There are so much drama for Kyrie and if he's going to bring that to LA, did Lebron said that he wants to play with him or any clue that he does?

[chaser15]

They should just invest in younger stars that could be a potential asset to the team in the few years to come while LeBron James is there to teach the younger generations because 2 to 3 years from now, LBJ will eventually retire and leave the team.

They already did. Count the seasons where they surround Kobe with young stars until retirement. They let these young guys control the Lakers after Kobe's retirement and still what happened? Totally a failed investment and guess what, they only made the playoffs when Lebron James came to them.

Because that's what happened, the Lakers shift strategy by involving big names on their roster as the young lineup didn't work for several seasons.

The Lakers are not building a super team but if those big names show interest in playing with the team, why should they hesitate to work on that?

[OgNasty]

Funny that the Nets demanded basically the entire Dever Nuggets roster for KD.  They politely declined.  I think they would have declined the trade even without one of the big names being included...

It's fun to have drama in the NBA, but I'm starting to grow tired of all the Durant talk.  Maybe just because I want to see him play live in Phoenix next year (I've never seen Durant in person) but also because I'm sick of reading about it.  Just get KD to the Suns and Kyrie to the Lakers so we can move on to talking about what a failed experiment Brooklyn was.  Durant tried to prove he would win without Curry and failed, while Curry's team won it all.  Kyrie tried to prove he was better than the Celtics and the Celtics made it to the Finals without him.  Now we're going to change the narrative to KD not being able to win a ring without joining a stacked team and Kyrie can't win without LeBron.  Shocked that either would take these routes and further degrade their legacy, but winning must be a hell of a drug.

[wheelz1200]

There is a rumor that Pacers are interested on the services of DeAndre Ayton. They are negotiating a sign and trade centered on Miles Turner.

However, we have heard that Phoenix is also interested on KD. If they push this one, they might be erasing their chances to land the KD sweepstakes. Or it might take more players from them, maybe they will have to include Booker now or Crowder and Bridges.

That would be a terrible move for Phoenix. Turner is decent but not on the level of Ayton.  If Durant is on the table then yep aytun should be on the move but I'd be highly surprised if Phoenix would ever make this move.

[OgNasty]

There is a rumor that Pacers are interested on the services of DeAndre Ayton. They are negotiating a sign and trade centered on Miles Turner.

However, we have heard that Phoenix is also interested on KD. If they push this one, they might be erasing their chances to land the KD sweepstakes. Or it might take more players from them, maybe they will have to include Booker now or Crowder and Bridges.

That would be a terrible move for Phoenix. Turner is decent but not on the level of Ayton.  If Durant is on the table then yep aytun should be on the move but I'd be highly surprised if Phoenix would ever make this move.

Don't put anything past the horrible management of the Suns.  It's clear that Ayton ruffled some feathers with management and they don't feel like they can resolve their differences.  Either Ayton goes, or they find a new head coach.  They seem to be choosing to let Ayton, maybe their best prospect ever, leave them for whatever they can get.  I'm sure they'll regret this move eventually, even if they do get Durant.  Sad.  If it were me, I'd be saying goodbye to Monty Williams and begging Ayton to stick around.  That's with no knowledge of what Ayton is like in the locker room, but it seemed to me like Booker was a bit jealous of Ayton and holding him back a bit.  Will be interesting to see how Durant destroys the team chemistry next year as he forces Booker out of the limelight.

[blockman]

It's fun to have drama in the NBA, but I'm starting to grow tired of all the Durant talk.  Maybe just because I want to see him play live in Phoenix next year (I've never seen Durant in person) but also because I'm sick of reading about it.  Just get KD to the Suns and Kyrie to the Lakers so we can move on to talking about what a failed experiment Brooklyn was.  Durant tried to prove he would win without Curry and failed, while Curry's team won it all.  Kyrie tried to prove he was better than the Celtics and the Celtics made it to the Finals without him.  Now we're going to change the narrative to KD not being able to win a ring without joining a stacked team and Kyrie can't win without LeBron.  Shocked that either would take these routes and further degrade their legacy, but winning must be a hell of a drug.

It's actually fun and always basketball pages and news articles are all over him. But there's no team that wants to take the deal for him. I don't know if it's a meme already that they're posting but certainly, it's really fun to watch. The most recent post that I've read is what you've mentioned about Phoenix.
They should really just give it and the Nets are really eager for his request since it's like that he's just brought mess to the team with entire stay.

[goinmerry]

That would be a terrible move for Phoenix. Turner is decent but not on the level of Ayton.  If Durant is on the table then yep aytun should be on the move but I'd be highly surprised if Phoenix would ever make this move.

Not a terrible move for me as it's clear that there's an ongoing "concern" between Phoenix Suns and DeAndre Ayton.

If Durant signing on the Suns isn't possible or can't work around, they can release Ayton on other teams as long as it is a fair trade. Suns can also use some extra cap to acquire other players if that Pacers trade will happen. I'm sure Ayton will be in a different jersey next season. The Suns' fans might get disappointed but that was a good move by both Ayton and the Phoenix Suns.

Even the KD signing is much more hyped, their fans should not expect that.

[jossiel]

Well, a former GSW player, Payton II is no longer going to be part of his champ team. He'll be out of the team and will play for Portland Blazers. This is like a week old news but I've just seen it.

I thought that most of them will be retained by the management but it seems only those that had really contributed a lot. Thus, this is part of the business, letting go is a must and happens most of the time.

It's a sad separation but this is all for them. Now, they will have better salary in different teams and all they have to do is keep up what they are doing in their newly found family. JTA and Otto Porter Jr. also signed in a different team.
It will happen eventually and I have seen the Warriors team discover new talents in their roster, I bet they will do it again. Some name who is not a known will shine again whenever they need it.

I also saw the news about Otto.

And that's part of their growth to have a better salary and they can't be retained by the management.

It's sad but also happy that they'll get a better contract although with a new team and stack of the roster.

They'll be forever grateful that they've been part of the Dub nation that have honed them and also they've helped to reach its goal last season.

[Baofeng]

There is a rumor that Pacers are interested on the services of DeAndre Ayton. They are negotiating a sign and trade centered on Miles Turner.

However, we have heard that Phoenix is also interested on KD. If they push this one, they might be erasing their chances to land the KD sweepstakes. Or it might take more players from them, maybe they will have to include Booker now or Crowder and Bridges.

That would be a terrible move for Phoenix. Turner is decent but not on the level of Ayton.  If Durant is on the table then yep aytun should be on the move but I'd be highly surprised if Phoenix would ever make this move.

Don't put anything past the horrible management of the Suns.  It's clear that Ayton ruffled some feathers with management and they don't feel like they can resolve their differences.  Either Ayton goes, or they find a new head coach.  They seem to be choosing to let Ayton, maybe their best prospect ever, leave them for whatever they can get.  I'm sure they'll regret this move eventually, even if they do get Durant.  Sad.  If it were me, I'd be saying goodbye to Monty Williams and begging Ayton to stick around.  That's with no knowledge of what Ayton is like in the locker room, but it seemed to me like Booker was a bit jealous of Ayton and holding him back a bit.  Will be interesting to see how Durant destroys the team chemistry next year as he forces Booker out of the limelight.

It will not be a replacement that's for sure, Ayton is more agile, but I guess it was more on the mental side of basketball for Ayton. I know @OgNasty is a big fan of Phoenix and Ayton, but at least he knows that it is time for his boy to let go of the management.

It might not be exactly Turner, but for sure the Suns are shopping him and will trade Ayton in a heartbelt. I don't think that it's Monty Williams fault, but we can see in their series against Dallas that he has to pep talk Ayton and you can see Ayton's body language.

[niceli]

It is a huge shock to whole world that Suns went as further as they did with such management. I mean they are literally fighting for the worst ownership right up there with Knicks. Glad that at least players are not affected by it while playing, they try to forget that they have a horrible owner, and just go out there and play. Ayton will be much better off if he keeps going that way, this will allow him to play for a team that actually means something, and that is why I am not shocked about him not wanting to go back anyway. Booker will be gone eventually too, would be hard to leave that much money on the table, but he will surely leave eventually.