2025 NBA Season

[ultrloa]

Saw some article rumor just recently that it's likely that Westbrook will be traded to Spurs while Kyrie to replace him in Lakers.

It seems that you're saying is really possible to happen but until it's official and there's not yet actual statement, it should remain as a rumor. But yeah, it's very likely that he'll be traded if the Lakers decides.

There really is nothing he can do if he'll be traded then.

Looks like he will gonna go somewhere and he should really go because the Lakers fans don't like the guy and if he is still in the Lakers in this upcoming season, it would be the same result for them, they will gonna struggle to sync their play together and with the other teams are drastically improving, they won't a chance to get to the NBA finals or might not get to the NBA playoffs anymore. They really need to fix their roosters while they have the chance because they cannot miss the opportunity they have these days for the upcoming season are hard than the last one because some injured star players are more likely to return.

If he stays in lakers then provably he will get all the blame if the team will be on bad shape so its best for him to go on another team and do more better performance to prove that he's still the mr triple double on NBA. For sure there are other teams showing interest with Westbrook because compare to Irving Westbrook's play more games than Irving.
 

Depending on his performance, if he will have the same performance as last season, then most likely he will take the blame for the failure of the Lakers. However, it's still the management decision that would matter in the end, if they see that Westbrook isn't fit, then they have to move him through a trade.

Even if he do decent numbers still the credit will be on Lebron or Davis so its no used for him to stay at a place where people hate him it will just give him huge pressure and that can affect his gameplay so he really needs to go out on lakers so that he can rebuild his self because if he stay on Lakers for sure nothing will happen to him.

[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.

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.

Exactly why I think he doesn't want to stay with the Lakers. Some people just doesn't see it that way and they're tying to downplay the working environment Russ in in right now as if he hasn't experienced the hostility yet. The guy knows what he wants and the style of basketball that he wants to play.

[wheelz1200]

I think Lebron making a big deal out of drew league is not as much of a thing as we think it is. He probably had a little vacation and didn't want to stay at home and that was about it. I do not think that it was anything more than that. Of course it could be to get in shape, btu he could have done that in a much less competitive way, this dude is not just playing basketball in the nba because he wants to make money, of course he is a genius level business person and he made a ton of money so far, but he doesn't care about that anymore if you ask me, being the best basketball player for a few more years wouldn't be that important. I think he just plays because he loves the game so much, like he could continue to play until he is 50 if the teams still get him, and thats the main reason he is in the drew league as well.

Drew league is like Rucker.  Every baller wants to play there.  It's been a pilgrimage for many nba'ers.  At the heart of it these guys are all ballers, they just want to play.  And making your mark at Drew is something every baller has on theor bucket list.  Don't care if you are in the NBA or not there are just still playground spots that are just as important to basketball just in another way.

[Baofeng]

I think Lebron making a big deal out of drew league is not as much of a thing as we think it is. He probably had a little vacation and didn't want to stay at home and that was about it. I do not think that it was anything more than that. Of course it could be to get in shape, btu he could have done that in a much less competitive way, this dude is not just playing basketball in the nba because he wants to make money, of course he is a genius level business person and he made a ton of money so far, but he doesn't care about that anymore if you ask me, being the best basketball player for a few more years wouldn't be that important. I think he just plays because he loves the game so much, like he could continue to play until he is 50 if the teams still get him, and thats the main reason he is in the drew league as well.

Drew league is like Rucker.  Every baller wants to play there.  It's been a pilgrimage for many nba'ers.  At the heart of it these guys are all ballers, they just want to play.  And making your mark at Drew is something every baller has on theor bucket list.  Don't care if you are in the NBA or not there are just still playground spots that are just as important to basketball just in another way.

Correct, but I will rate Rucker as a bit higher than Drew as it was in Harlem and it has a lot of history as well. And yeah a lot of NBA players wanted to play because they can showcase their talent and you know that New Yorker loves their basketball so it's crazy out there. Lebron, Kobe, Durant and other legendary players at one time in their career has balled on Rucker and it went wild. There are Youtube videos out there for fans who wanted to see the atmosphere and competition in the early 2000s.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jK6OPqHpyWo - Dr J highlights

[harizen]

Even if he do decent numbers still the credit will be on Lebron or Davis so its no used for him to stay at a place where people hate him it will just give him huge pressure and that can affect his gameplay so he really needs to go out on lakers so that he can rebuild his self because if he stay on Lakers for sure nothing will happen to him.

I think it's about people's standards. Regardless of what team will sign Russell Westbrook next season, there will always be hate on this person. Remember when he was shipped to Washington Wizards? Should now be a peaceful environment, at least, but many people or should I say "haters" still keep an eye on him and even considered him as a hindrance for Bradly Beal to carry the team.

Does Westbrook need to rebuild? At this point of his career? No need for it but just do his thing to help the team "consistently".

Going back to his prime days is not that easy to do. There will be really a time that a player will show signs of slowing down in their post-prime period.

Even if he do decent numbers still the credit will be on Lebron or Davis

If these happened already on the actual game? When?

Is this only speculation? Not make sense.

[niceli]

Westbrook doesn't need to go back to being a triple double guy anymore, but at the very least he could show the team he plays for what he can do. First of all he needs to play with players who are shooters, why? Because Lakers lacked shooters, which meant that everyone was inside (since they can only score inside) and then he had to get inside to score as well to a clogged paint, and had a horrible field goal rating. If he moves to a team with a lot of shooters around him, dude could score inside very easily because paint would be empty. Thats not easy to find. Plus, he had a horrible season and gets a ton of salary, who would wan to give anything at all in return of a player who played badly and gets 40+ million a year?

[agustina2]

There is an interesting article on nba.com about James Harden. I was quite surprised that he is on the verge of making a new deal with his team that instead of getting 46 million dollars next season, he is helping the team and making a deal for two years that will get him 32 million dollars next season, and it includes a player option for the second season. He is really trying to show everyone that his mentality is different and he is focused on a better team and winning. I genuinely tried to remember any player who did this but I can't remember a big player doing such a thing. Good for Harden. There was a huge hype about him in the last season and he played not bad, at least better than how he did in Nets. I like his new attitude.

I like James Harden to stay with the Sixers. He is quite going along well with the team, especially with Joel Embiid. Their duo is even much more effective than the famous Embiid-Simmons duo which turned out to be the worst after several seasons.

Since you have mentioned also that he has the player option for the second year, then it's possible that if the Sixers turned out to be bad next season, James Harden will leave the team and find another one that will suit his needs.

[OgNasty]

There is an interesting article on nba.com about James Harden. I was quite surprised that he is on the verge of making a new deal with his team that instead of getting 46 million dollars next season, he is helping the team and making a deal for two years that will get him 32 million dollars next season, and it includes a player option for the second season. He is really trying to show everyone that his mentality is different and he is focused on a better team and winning. I genuinely tried to remember any player who did this but I can't remember a big player doing such a thing. Good for Harden. There was a huge hype about him in the last season and he played not bad, at least better than how he did in Nets. I like his new attitude.

I like James Harden to stay with the Sixers. He is quite going along well with the team, especially with Joel Embiid. Their duo is even much more effective than the famous Embiid-Simmons duo which turned out to be the worst after several seasons.

Since you have mentioned also that he has the player option for the second year, then it's possible that if the Sixers turned out to be bad next season, James Harden will leave the team and find another one that will suit his needs.

Harden went to Philadelphia because of his personal ties with people in the city.  He wants to spend his time there.  That's why he took less money to be on the team.  He wants to bring a championship to Philly and be the man on the party scene there.  For that reason, I don't see him leaving for basketball related reasons.  I think his deal was a good one for everyone and I hope that it turns out better than his time in Brooklyn with the Nets experiment. 

[Dave1]

There is an interesting article on nba.com about James Harden. I was quite surprised that he is on the verge of making a new deal with his team that instead of getting 46 million dollars next season, he is helping the team and making a deal for two years that will get him 32 million dollars next season, and it includes a player option for the second season. He is really trying to show everyone that his mentality is different and he is focused on a better team and winning. I genuinely tried to remember any player who did this but I can't remember a big player doing such a thing. Good for Harden. There was a huge hype about him in the last season and he played not bad, at least better than how he did in Nets. I like his new attitude.

I like James Harden to stay with the Sixers. He is quite going along well with the team, especially with Joel Embiid. Their duo is even much more effective than the famous Embiid-Simmons duo which turned out to be the worst after several seasons.

Since you have mentioned also that he has the player option for the second year, then it's possible that if the Sixers turned out to be bad next season, James Harden will leave the team and find another one that will suit his needs.

Harden went to Philadelphia because of his personal ties with people in the city.  He wants to spend his time there.  That's why he took less money to be on the team.  He wants to bring a championship to Philly and be the man on the party scene there.  For that reason, I don't see him leaving for basketball related reasons.  I think his deal was a good one for everyone and I hope that it turns out better than his time in Brooklyn with the Nets experiment. 

This could be his last chance to win a ring, wth the Sixers. Still build around Joel, but Harden could be the missing pieces that they needed. They just feel short last playoff, but you can't blame Harden totally. Now that we will be healthy (hopefully, no hamstring injuries), then we will see how he really wanted to win and push himself and be the number 2 guy in this team.

[LogitechMouse]

There is an interesting article on nba.com about James Harden. I was quite surprised that he is on the verge of making a new deal with his team that instead of getting 46 million dollars next season, he is helping the team and making a deal for two years that will get him 32 million dollars next season, and it includes a player option for the second season. He is really trying to show everyone that his mentality is different and he is focused on a better team and winning. I genuinely tried to remember any player who did this but I can't remember a big player doing such a thing. Good for Harden. There was a huge hype about him in the last season and he played not bad, at least better than how he did in Nets. I like his new attitude.

I like James Harden to stay with the Sixers. He is quite going along well with the team, especially with Joel Embiid. Their duo is even much more effective than the famous Embiid-Simmons duo which turned out to be the worst after several seasons.

Since you have mentioned also that he has the player option for the second year, then it's possible that if the Sixers turned out to be bad next season, James Harden will leave the team and find another one that will suit his needs.

Harden went to Philadelphia because of his personal ties with people in the city.  He wants to spend his time there.  That's why he took less money to be on the team.  He wants to bring a championship to Philly and be the man on the party scene there.  For that reason, I don't see him leaving for basketball related reasons.  I think his deal was a good one for everyone and I hope that it turns out better than his time in Brooklyn with the Nets experiment. 

This could be his last chance to win a ring, wth the Sixers. Still build around Joel, but Harden could be the missing pieces that they needed. They just feel short last playoff, but you can't blame Harden totally. Now that we will be healthy (hopefully, no hamstring injuries), then we will see how he really wanted to win and push himself and be the number 2 guy in this team.

Harden will be 33 this August and after 2 years, he might be leaving his prime and his body will start to deteriorate and will be slower. If Harden is that desperate to win a title, he must do it in the upcoming season or next season or his chances to win will decrease. Harden's performance in the Sixers last season isn't the same as he is in Houston or even in Brooklyn. I hope that him and Embiid will be a good duo now that they have more time playing together and I hope both of them will not get any injuries because both of them are injury-prone.

The addition of Tucker is good actually because he is a good defensive player and a decent three-point shooter.

[YuginKadoya]

A common issue to some basketball players that relied only on their speed and strength. That is why more and more players really want to practice their shooting, big man or not, it helps to prolong their careers. Imagine Giannis 10 years from now if he cannot develop his shooting. Although the guy is developing and is somehow smart. Maybe he can play basic simple basketball like Tim Duncan when his body is past its prime. I think Westbrook's ego is also a problem. That would be hard to teach. Even during his younger years with KD and Harden, I think most of the time he's got more attempts than KD and others. 

I really think that Giannis Antetokounmpo can develop his shooting in his younger years, he is only 27 and like Michael Jordan back then that can not shoot in the 3-point lane, but he practices and practices to the GOAT that he becomes now, for Giannis Antetokounmpo I think he has seen it on the way Stephen Curry  plays how valuable that he can become very versatile as a player and for your teammate as well, he needs to play all around, he can either become their guard, Power Forward, Center and even Shooting guard, I think other teams have seen it this season on the way the Golden State Warriors win their title, they got very versatile players that can Score inside the outside the paint, and a strong defense that could ruin the playing momentum of their opponent,

Yeah I read they were redoing his contract.  Haven't seen too much of the details but yes less per year so they can open up space for more talent.  My guess is he isn't losing money in the deal though in that some sort of signing bonus or some other snaking way to game the system its done all the time to clear cap space.  Wonder what the NBA would look like if they had a system like mlb 😵

WOW! I'd never expected that from James Harden, Cutting his salary just to make a team Roster that has potential I think other teams in the NBA are desperate aswell, seeing Golden State Warriors make a comeback really threat all of the teams and I think Harden is already feeling it on his system that he can not last anymore, he is now 32 years old and I think this kind of move in cutting his salary will surely make the Philadelphia 76ers even more thankful to him,

Even if he do decent numbers still the credit will be on Lebron or Davis so its no used for him to stay at a place where people hate him it will just give him huge pressure and that can affect his gameplay so he really needs to go out on lakers so that he can rebuild his self because if he stay on Lakers for sure nothing will happen to him.

Like if there is a team that will tolerate his ego for sure he would leave the Los Angeles Lakers, I guess the teams that want to trade Westbrook is Tepid at the moment and there is only one team that legitly wants Russell Westbrook and that is the Charlotte Hornets, only the Charlotte Hornets, but a source have said that but I have read a news ARTICLE Saying that Westbrook has never requested a trade from the Lakers and that the big 3 of the Lakers have committed that they will make it work in the next season, I don't know what of the fans of the Lakers will have to say on this because they are blaming Russell Westbrook for teams shortcomings,

[Oasisman]

This could be his last chance to win a ring, wth the Sixers. Still build around Joel, but Harden could be the missing pieces that they needed. They just feel short last playoff, but you can't blame Harden totally. Now that we will be healthy (hopefully, no hamstring injuries), then we will see how he really wanted to win and push himself and be the number 2 guy in this team.

I'm not sure, but If the Sixers won't make it this upcoming season I doubt if they could ever really make it. I mean they actually have a pretty good roster. They have Harris and 3 young talents Maxey, Thybulle, and Melton.
This team should be on the ECF or even the Finals. They fell short last playoffs and it is a must for them to bounce back this season. They've got Tucker which would be a good addition for their defense with Thybulle.

[Reid]

I'm not sure, but If the Sixers won't make it this upcoming season I doubt if they could ever really make it. I mean they actually have a pretty good roster. They have Harris and 3 young talents Maxey, Thybulle, and Melton.
This team should be on the ECF or even the Finals. They fell short last playoffs and it is a must for them to bounce back this season. They've got Tucker which would be a good addition for their defense with Thybulle.

Yeah, Thybulle is growing fast at the defensive end and he should focus on that because that will be his strength in the long span of his career. Like PJ who made his career being a great defender of different known players and it had always been appreciated.
I don't doubt the 76ers' will to win the championship especially Embiid, hell, he even went forward to invite Ben Simmons back because it would be easier with them playing together to achieve their goal, but it's just Ben who had so many issues.
Now here's Harden giving way to strengthen their roster thru cutting his salary. It will be a great boosts to their chemistry because now Embiid knows they are on the same page.

[carlisle1]

This could be his last chance to win a ring, wth the Sixers. Still build around Joel, but Harden could be the missing pieces that they needed. They just feel short last playoff, but you can't blame Harden totally. Now that we will be healthy (hopefully, no hamstring injuries), then we will see how he really wanted to win and push himself and be the number 2 guy in this team.

Yes, they already have a good run. Even Harden just played for a short time. The chemistry between the two is already developing.

with good role players that will blend with them, Sixers can stay as good competitor from the East side, we never know if how the players

are preparing for this upcoming season but with those interviews with Harden he's really trying to adjust and willing to cut his paychecks

to get good reinforcements.

[danherbias07]

“Deandre is a force on both ends of the floor, who has elevated his game every year and will continue to do so,” said General Manager James Jones. “DA is so important to what we do and without him we could not have reached our recent levels of success. We are excited to keep Deandre at home in the Valley where he belongs.”

https://www.nba.com/news/suns-re-sign-deandre-ayton
Why am I having trouble believing this statement?

“I’m happy to put free agency behind me and ready to work and compete for a championship with my teammates,” said Ayton.

Well, I am glad Ayton is happy, and how I wish it was sooner.
Why should it come to a phase where the Indiana Pacers tried to offer better before they will re-sign him?
If only the extension was given last season, probably they could've ended up battling with the Warriors in the Finals and who knows what change will happen.
He was unhappy last year and that affected his performance.

[btc_angela]

“Deandre is a force on both ends of the floor, who has elevated his game every year and will continue to do so,” said General Manager James Jones. “DA is so important to what we do and without him we could not have reached our recent levels of success. We are excited to keep Deandre at home in the Valley where he belongs.”

https://www.nba.com/news/suns-re-sign-deandre-ayton
Why am I having trouble believing this statement?

“I’m happy to put free agency behind me and ready to work and compete for a championship with my teammates,” said Ayton.

Well, I am glad Ayton is happy, and how I wish it was sooner.
Why should it come to a phase where the Indiana Pacers tried to offer better before they will re-sign him?
If only the extension was given last season, probably they could've ended up battling with the Warriors in the Finals and who knows what change will happen.
He was unhappy last year and that affected his performance.

Good question, but I guess the Suns management still value Ayton as part of their core, and he is the 3rd option behind Booker and CP3. And probably we will see Ayton improving in the next 2 years. Last season was a break out year. for them, winning 60+ games or more, the only team that did it and the last time the Suns goes on to win that much, it was in the Charles Barkley era. Not enough push though in the playoffs. But since everything has settled down, I expect the Suns to be in the top of the West again.

[jakelyson]

Now here's Harden giving way to strengthen their roster thru cutting his salary. It will be a great boosts to their chemistry because now Embiid knows they are on the same page.

Getting a pay cut to improve the roster is already a big boost to the morale of your teammates. They now know that Harden will give everything to have a championship ring on his fingers. Hopefully, Embiid and Harden can stay healthy to be able to realize their dreams. They are both great players and I would love to see them get a championship.

“Deandre is a force on both ends of the floor, who has elevated his game every year and will continue to do so,” said General Manager James Jones. “DA is so important to what we do and without him we could not have reached our recent levels of success. We are excited to keep Deandre at home in the Valley where he belongs.”

https://www.nba.com/news/suns-re-sign-deandre-ayton
Why am I having trouble believing this statement?

Maybe because of all that talk about him being a trade piece for Durant? Spin or not, that is what they need to say to make Ayton happy and feel valuable.

[yazher]

Getting a pay cut to improve the roster is already a big boost to the morale of your teammates. They now know that Harden will give everything to have a championship ring on his fingers. Hopefully, Embiid and Harden can stay healthy to be able to realize their dreams. They are both great players and I would love to see them get a championship.

Looks like this time he really meant to win a championship because he thinks he finally land on a good team where he can actualize his effective gameplay. no competition whatsoever because only him and the big man Embiid. The guy has a chance if he can really manage to fit in the team but most of the time their chemistry is the problem. Now that he found a perfect team for his criteria, only destiny can stop him reaching his dream to be an NBA champion.

[dwyane36]

Harden will be 33 this August and after 2 years, he might be leaving his prime and his body will start to deteriorate and will be slower. If Harden is that desperate to win a title, he must do it in the upcoming season or next season or his chances to win will decrease. Harden's performance in the Sixers last season isn't the same as he is in Houston or even in Brooklyn. I hope that him and Embiid will be a good duo now that they have more time playing together and I hope both of them will not get any injuries because both of them are injury-prone.

The addition of Tucker is good actually because he is a good defensive player and a decent three-point shooter.

Harden has already been out of his prime for at least two seasons. In addition, his performance in the past playoffs was one of the worst in his career. By the way, it seemed to me Embiid was also disappointed in Harden, given that Joel said that Harden is no longer the same as he was in the Rockets. Anyway, it will still be interesting to see if Harden is able to improve his performance and win the first title next season or not.

[Reid]

Now here's Harden giving way to strengthen their roster thru cutting his salary. It will be a great boosts to their chemistry because now Embiid knows they are on the same page.

Getting a pay cut to improve the roster is already a big boost to the morale of your teammates. They now know that Harden will give everything to have a championship ring on his fingers. Hopefully, Embiid and Harden can stay healthy to be able to realize their dreams. They are both great players and I would love to see them get a championship.

That's like nature. We will never know if it will happen or not. I guess we will just have to cross our fingers for the injuries to stay away from them. 
It's Embiid that I am worried mostly. Last time was the finger/palm (something to do with his hand) problem and we can see how he is like a laboring new mother trying to play the game even if it's at the worst condition.
Most big guys aches their lower part so I think he just need to keep that healthy and he can still play the game regardless where the injury will be at his upper part. He will definitely force it if he can, that's a winning player, imo.