2025 NBA Season

[yazher]

Because he said "whatever is left" that's why I expected the management will cut a lot of money from him. He is lucky they are not that greedy. 
I think he will look for a borderline on what will be the fruit of this sacrifice. If they cannot even reach the ECF then he might exit and ask for a trade.
But he had been there, so he may want more. A Finals Championship might be the only one to satisfy him. We will see.

Seeing his desire and his actions, I may bet for the 76ers for the championship if the odds are right. Right after the preseason.

Can't wait for the next season to come since we will gonna see some great improvement from the other team as well and we might not know but Embidd has been practicing Harden's step-back, maybe he already managed to master it perfectly this upcoming season. Nevertheless, the 76ers are one of the promising teams this season along with the Pelicans. I hope they gonna reach their goals and finally get to the NBA finals if injuries won't gonna become a great wall for them this year.

[Japinat]

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/34273332/sources-james-harden-philadelphia-76ers-agree-two-year-686-million-deal

It's official Harden inked for another 2 years restructuring his contract.  He has made his dough and people saying he is sacrificing for the team, didn't he only have 1 year left anyway so now he locks in for 2 more years with the sixers.  I get it he lowered his per year but avoids dealing with free agency and still banking 66 mil over 2 years.  All the while staying in his preferred city.

According to the article, he has a player option in his 2nd year, which was on the 2023-24 season.

What's the possible thing that can happen for him after his 1st year in the Sixers?

- if the Sixers are still a failed team next season, Harden might use his option to become a free agent again and finds another team
- if the Sixers finished decently next season, maybe ECF or NBA Finals, he might stay on the team

He's making sure that he will be free to choose which ever team he wanted just in case the Sixers wouldn't give him what he wanted or won't perform that much next season. But for me, James Harden should also do something to make himself improve because there is really no doubt that Embiid and Maxey are trying to lift the team.

I bet Doc Rivers and the team have some plan in this coming season, they are already a tough team but they still needed some improvement because the other teams in NBA are also trying to do the same thing.

[dwyane36]

Definitely, we all wanted James and Kyrie again, but this time with the Lakers uniform. And as far as what I read, there is no beef between the two, they just have to move on after winning a championship in Cleveland together.

Yeah, if James, Irving, and a healthy Davis played together, the Lakers would have great potential next season. However, as far as I know, discussions about the Irving-Westbrook swap have stalled, and there is a chance Irving won't be traded this offseason because the Nets are focused on the Durant trade now. In addition, the Nets don't want to discuss a deal with the Lakers, which doesn't include a third team willing to take on huge Westbrook's contract.

[Botnake]

Meanwhile in Philadelphia, seems that James Harden is really inclined to have his first ring this coming season because he's really trying to bring all the assets that the team needs to enhance their chances this time.

He said in a statement that he's not the same James Harden anymore, he's completely new and different. There's something with those words and he's really gonna be focusing on taking this season's ring. No offense to him as he's an MVP before but other teams are also strong and have the same goal as him.
Just as they say, "may the best team win".

Yes, the teams in the NBA now are quite packed with talented young athletes which will be also the next face in the NBA in the few years to come when LBJ and other players of the same age will start retiring.

James Harden still has a chance because he's still approaching his mid-30s and he got more edge than the younger teams because he got more experience. He should also improve his performance this coming season and bring into action what he said so that Embiid and Maxey's talent won't be in vain.

If he will not choke he has a chance. Look at their performance against the Heat, 2 MVPs playing on the same team but they cannot beat the Heat. They won't go anywhere if they will not improve their line up, and if Harden will not average close to his average when he was still with the Rockets.

Just let the man prove his worth this upcoming season because we saw that he was clearly struggling and he is not averaging the same figures that he did a few years back but there's a reason for that, as we know, the NBA changed some rules so that Harden cannot have many free throws he wanted because he's using fouls to make free points unguarded.
Anyway, let's see what is the improvement of the 76ers this time.

[stadus]

Another rumor, Lakers re-engage with the Pacers, trying to get Hield?

Probably this is a back up plan for them, if they are not going to get Kyrie, at least a good back up point guard?

It could be THT/Nunn or maybe future pick (maybe too much to include this one) for Hield or

Hield/Turner for Westbrook.

What do you think?

I think they've reached the point where their best offer is on the table for Kyrie and the Nets best offer is on the table for Westbrook.  Now it seems like the Lakers are trying to find a backup trade to either make sure they don't get stuck with Westbrook or to put the pressure on the Nets to make a deal to get rid of their Kyrie problem.

As far as the new trade talks...  I think getting Eric Gordon and Buddy Hield for Westbrook would make the Lakers a much better team.  I'd still rather see Kyrie in a Lakers uniform though.

Definitely, we all wanted James and Kyrie again, but this time with the Lakers uniform. And as far as what I read, there is no beef between the two, they just have to move on after winning a championship in Cleveland together.

As for the trade, that is huge, giving up a 1st round draft pick? that far stretch, I think tHT and Nunn will be enough for a trade if Lakers wanted to get Buddy.

That will be indeed good if we can see Lebron and Kyrie wearing the same jersey again but based on what I've read, it seems that Westbrook-Irving trade wasn't maturing and hasn't move even an inch for a week now but that move is still their priority.  But the Lakers is also looking for some players to acquire in the Pacers for their Plan B, specifically Buddy Hield or Gordon of Rockets to make them a part of Nets-Lakers deal to acquire Irving.

[OgNasty]

I can't believe that Harden says he took a pay cut to help the team, and then signed a deal for 34 million per year.  Did he think he was worth more than that?  I mean, maybe he could've gotten a longer deal elsewhere for more money, but he would've been a for sure buyout candidate in a year or two.  When he was going on about taking less money to help the team, I thought he'd sign for 16 million or something per year.  At 30+ million per year he is still overpaid for what he brings to the table, and I doubt he ever gets another deal making anywhere near that much again.

[Reid]

Five underrated NBA free agent signings, including Blazers landing Gary Payton II, T.J. Warren to Nets

Two ex-Warriors in the list.
1. T.J. Warren
2. Goran Dragic
3. Gary Payton II
4. Danuel House Jr.
5. Otto Porter Jr.

I don't know about Dragic being a big impact in Chicago. They got Lonzo Ball there and Coby White as their point. But maybe, if they will try to put Dragic on the shooting guard position and just shoot the ball most of the time than handling it then maybe he can contribute.

We know the Trail Blazers is lacking that force in the defensive end, so GP2 will absolutely have a big role there. I want to see this guy turning to a roleplayer in many years of his career.

[passwordnow]

Meanwhile in Philadelphia, seems that James Harden is really inclined to have his first ring this coming season because he's really trying to bring all the assets that the team needs to enhance their chances this time.

He said in a statement that he's not the same James Harden anymore, he's completely new and different. There's something with those words and he's really gonna be focusing on taking this season's ring. No offense to him as he's an MVP before but other teams are also strong and have the same goal as him.
Just as they say, "may the best team win".

Yes, the teams in the NBA now are quite packed with talented young athletes which will be also the next face in the NBA in the few years to come when LBJ and other players of the same age will start retiring.

James Harden still has a chance because he's still approaching his mid-30s and he got more edge than the younger teams because he got more experience. He should also improve his performance this coming season and bring into action what he said so that Embiid and Maxey's talent won't be in vain.

Yeah, he can still get a ring and he's no doubt really a talented player and one of the best. The other great players have already proven themselves being one or being with the other talents pushing up their teams to the top and even taking a ring. I know that he can do it also and wish him the best because it's one of the achievements of every NBA player, to get a championship title. He's still got more time and really eager to take one of the rings so, those motivations and words is what makes it more exciting because all of them aims for that.

[freedomgo]

I cannot really say that he's been out of his prime because he is still at the right age to do the same performance, it's just that he's now unable to do what he used to because NBA changed the rules because of the way he plays. For me, it was quite unfair to change it because NBA is not about all talent and sometimes it requires more IQ to outsmart the talented ones.
But yea, the rule has already changed. Harden needs to move on and do all the things he can improve because he is now on a team that could bring him his first ever championship ring that he wanted since then. Let's just give the man a chance before we conclude that he was already out of his prime.

He is one of the guards that was hit hard by the rule change regarding the fouls. Others were Trae and Steph.
He cannot do that hook style anymore for the defender to commit a foul and then other kinds of stuff which are mostly outside shots after a bump.
Yes, he had a hard time adjusting but I do believe he is not yet at the age to be out of his prime, the speed may not be the same but he had the experience to patch it up.
Doc Rivers will make him a playmaker and Maxie will be the runner if they need a fastbreak but most of their offense will surely come from Embiid and who will be best to make the assist, Harden it is.

Indeed, that's why we're not seeing Harden producing the same digits that he used to in the last 2 seasons. Trae, Steph and the others are also affected by it but there is no doubt that Harden was the most affected player among them because he already poured almost his entire career about that play and he's really good at it.
It's just that he needs to move on while he can still have a room for improvement so that he can have at least 1 ring before he retire soon, this time he have a good chance on acquiring it because he had a good team mates who is also leaning the same way.

[sana54210]

Just let the man prove his worth this upcoming season because we saw that he was clearly struggling and he is not averaging the same figures that he did a few years back but there's a reason for that, as we know, the NBA changed some rules so that Harden cannot have many free throws he wanted because he's using fouls to make free points unguarded.
Anyway, let's see what is the improvement of the 76ers this time.

Harden is the type of player that never won and played very well, and there are many like that. The most famous one is Utah Jazz back in the day with Stockton and Malone, they never won a ring, hell even when Malone went to three-peat Lakers just to win a ring, they still ended up losing that year.

All in all, I have to say that the best thing Harden could do is put his head down and keep working hard, if you keep doing that then you would end up winning something, it doesn't require more than that, because all other parts are out of your hands. You can't just hope for the team to get another supterstar all day, it is not up to you, it's based on the teams management and Harden can't do anything about it.

[wheelz1200]

Anyone else annoyed with the whole Donovan Mitchell situation yet lol.  As a knick fan I hope they dont throw tons of youth and picks for him. Spida good but can't mortgage the future for one piece.  Utah is asking for like 6 first round picks and grimes, iq, obi, etc. Crazy

[cryptomaniac_xxx]

Five underrated NBA free agent signings, including Blazers landing Gary Payton II, T.J. Warren to Nets

Two ex-Warriors in the list.
1. T.J. Warren
2. Goran Dragic
3. Gary Payton II
4. Danuel House Jr.
5. Otto Porter Jr.

I don't know about Dragic being a big impact in Chicago. They got Lonzo Ball there and Coby White as their point. But maybe, if they will try to put Dragic on the shooting guard position and just shoot the ball most of the time than handling it then maybe he can contribute.

We know the Trail Blazers is lacking that force in the defensive end, so GP2 will absolutely have a big role there. I want to see this guy turning to a roleplayer in many years of his career.

Dragic is old already and If I'm not mistaken, I've read somewhere that the Bulls get him to somewhat have a veteran presence to help Ball. At least somewhat who can guide him to say the least.

As far as seeing 2 Warriors, yeah, I'm not surprised, both Otto Porter and GPII really help them in winning another ring and it was good to see those two getting the money they deserved.

[Yogee]

I read an interesting post moments ago about none of the active NBA players has ever faced the Sacramento Kings in the playoffs. We always talked about the top teams but never really noticed how long it has been since they reached the top-8. They used to be a powerhouse in the Western Conference and a huge thorn to Lakers' Bryant and O'Neal duo or to Duncan's Spurs.

[goinmerry]

I read an interesting post moments ago about none of the active NBA players has ever faced the Sacramento Kings in the playoffs. We always talked about the top teams but never really noticed how long it has been since they reached the top-8.

16 years without playoffs appearance, no seriousness on this team. I didn't even hear them joining the free agency hunting or looking for a big fish.

What they are doing is just allowing their current roster to develop on their own. But with that strategy, look at them now.

Yes, they are a powerhouse team before but that is just history now.

[Dave1]

I read an interesting post moments ago about none of the active NBA players has ever faced the Sacramento Kings in the playoffs. We always talked about the top teams but never really noticed how long it has been since they reached the top-8. They used to be a powerhouse in the Western Conference and a huge thorn to Lakers' Bryant and O'Neal duo or to Duncan's Spurs.

Yeah, still remember that, early 2000's if I'm not mistaken. Prime CWebb and then Divac to hound Shaq, Doug Christie matching against Kobe in defense, Peja and Hedo, their perimeter shooter, Mike Bibby one of the best point guard during that time. So yeah they are really a powerhouse back then, unfortunately, the Lakers and Spurs are also in their prime with great team. Unfortunately, that was the last time that we have seen Sacramento that great and probably will take another decade to built a competitive team in the West. (Opps, accidentally exposing my age, )

[TravelMug]

I read an interesting post moments ago about none of the active NBA players has ever faced the Sacramento Kings in the playoffs. We always talked about the top teams but never really noticed how long it has been since they reached the top-8. They used to be a powerhouse in the Western Conference and a huge thorn to Lakers' Bryant and O'Neal duo or to Duncan's Spurs.

Yes, they have a great battle that time, one advantage of the Lakers is that they have that killer mentality with Kobe and Shaq, while Chris Webb I would say today choke on big games or at least Sacramento. The Lakers and San Antonio are still above that era, including great coaches, Phil Jackson and coach Pop.

[wheelz1200]

I read an interesting post moments ago about none of the active NBA players has ever faced the Sacramento Kings in the playoffs. We always talked about the top teams but never really noticed how long it has been since they reached the top-8. They used to be a powerhouse in the Western Conference and a huge thorn to Lakers' Bryant and O'Neal duo or to Duncan's Spurs.

Yeah, still remember that, early 2000's if I'm not mistaken. Prime CWebb and then Divac to hound Shaq, Doug Christie matching against Kobe in defense, Peja and Hedo, their perimeter shooter, Mike Bibby one of the best point guard during that time. So yeah they are really a powerhouse back then, unfortunately, the Lakers and Spurs are also in their prime with great team. Unfortunately, that was the last time that we have seen Sacramento that great and probably will take another decade to built a competitive team in the West. (Opps, accidentally exposing my age, )

You missed the one player that everyone watched the kings for, white chocolate!  Seriously for anyone who has never seen Jason Williams ball, please do yourself a favor and youtube jwill highlights.  Knick fan but when knicks weren't involved I couldn't help but watch and root for the kings.  Loved watching this kid bring street ball to the nba.

[Hypnosis00]

I read an interesting post moments ago about none of the active NBA players has ever faced the Sacramento Kings in the playoffs. We always talked about the top teams but never really noticed how long it has been since they reached the top-8. They used to be a powerhouse in the Western Conference and a huge thorn to Lakers' Bryant and O'Neal duo or to Duncan's Spurs.

Yeah, still remember that, early 2000's if I'm not mistaken. Prime CWebb and then Divac to hound Shaq, Doug Christie matching against Kobe in defense, Peja and Hedo, their perimeter shooter, Mike Bibby one of the best point guard during that time. So yeah they are really a powerhouse back then, unfortunately, the Lakers and Spurs are also in their prime with great team. Unfortunately, that was the last time that we have seen Sacramento that great and probably will take another decade to built a competitive team in the West. (Opps, accidentally exposing my age, )

You missed the one player that everyone watched the kings for, white chocolate!  Seriously for anyone who has never seen Jason Williams ball, please do yourself a favor and youtube jwill highlights.  Knick fan but when knicks weren't involved I couldn't help but watch and root for the kings.  Loved watching this kid bring street ball to the nba.

I have seen his highlights and he is an amazing passer, I'm not sure if he is in the hall of fame but watching his videos really amazes me, actually, IMO, there's no active player in the NBA now that is close to him in terms of passing skills. And aside from that, his skill is too different from others as it can't be copied by other players.

[Dave1]

I read an interesting post moments ago about none of the active NBA players has ever faced the Sacramento Kings in the playoffs. We always talked about the top teams but never really noticed how long it has been since they reached the top-8. They used to be a powerhouse in the Western Conference and a huge thorn to Lakers' Bryant and O'Neal duo or to Duncan's Spurs.

Yeah, still remember that, early 2000's if I'm not mistaken. Prime CWebb and then Divac to hound Shaq, Doug Christie matching against Kobe in defense, Peja and Hedo, their perimeter shooter, Mike Bibby one of the best point guard during that time. So yeah they are really a powerhouse back then, unfortunately, the Lakers and Spurs are also in their prime with great team. Unfortunately, that was the last time that we have seen Sacramento that great and probably will take another decade to built a competitive team in the West. (Opps, accidentally exposing my age, )

You missed the one player that everyone watched the kings for, white chocolate!  Seriously for anyone who has never seen Jason Williams ball, please do yourself a favor and youtube jwill highlights.  Knick fan but when knicks weren't involved I couldn't help but watch and root for the kings.  Loved watching this kid bring street ball to the nba.

No, I didn't forget him, but he left Sacramento in 2001. And it was Mike Bibby who took over as the point guard in 2002 wherein they battle Lakers up to game 7, an epic playoff series, went into OT in the Kings homecourt. One of those era's wherein it was still very physical, lots of trash talking everyone went very hard and the rivalry.

[LogitechMouse]

I read an interesting post moments ago about none of the active NBA players has ever faced the Sacramento Kings in the playoffs. We always talked about the top teams but never really noticed how long it has been since they reached the top-8. They used to be a powerhouse in the Western Conference and a huge thorn to Lakers' Bryant and O'Neal duo or to Duncan's Spurs.

Yeah, still remember that, early 2000's if I'm not mistaken. Prime CWebb and then Divac to hound Shaq, Doug Christie matching against Kobe in defense, Peja and Hedo, their perimeter shooter, Mike Bibby one of the best point guard during that time. So yeah they are really a powerhouse back then, unfortunately, the Lakers and Spurs are also in their prime with great team. Unfortunately, that was the last time that we have seen Sacramento that great and probably will take another decade to built a competitive team in the West. (Opps, accidentally exposing my age, )

You missed the one player that everyone watched the kings for, white chocolate!  Seriously for anyone who has never seen Jason Williams ball, please do yourself a favor and youtube jwill highlights.  Knick fan but when knicks weren't involved I couldn't help but watch and root for the kings.  Loved watching this kid bring street ball to the nba.

I don't know the exact times I watched Jason Williams' highlights on both Facebook on Youtube but I know it's more than a hundred times already. That's how good he is when he is in Sacramento.

Those flashy passes, fake passes and the elbow pass (which TBH I tried to do it in an actual game but the one who received it isn't ready for it and it wasn't successful ). Even now, he can still do the elbow pass but to kids since he is helping some young kids to be a basketball player. Right now, the Kings have been very silent this off-season with no updates with their players which is kinda bad if you will ask me and others. I hope there will be a change in their management and make some improvements so that they can reach the playoffs after a long time.