2025 NBA Season

[Japinat]

So far I'm hearing the Miami Heat is on the move targeting either KD or Mitchell. I hope the Heat acquires either one of them.

If the Heat would want their team better, they should sign Durant instead of Mitchell. Although Mitchell is a superstar but he does not have a championship DNA and has not proven anything yet as Jazz under his leadership has not reach the NBA finals yet.

Practically speaking, I'd also want them to pick Durant over Mitchell on the Miami because that will definitely make the Heat a thick fire this coming season that will keep burning, well hopefully there will be no major injury in their line-up. But getting Durant is quite expensive because that could mean trading Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro together. Honestly, I'd choose to trade Lowry instead of Bam Adebayo because Lowry is not that productive anymore.

[freedomgo]

So far I'm hearing the Miami Heat is on the move targeting either KD or Mitchell. I hope the Heat acquires either one of them.

If the Heat would want their team better, they should sign Durant instead of Mitchell. Although Mitchell is a superstar but he does not have a championship DNA and has not proven anything yet as Jazz under his leadership has not reach the NBA finals yet.

The latest word is that Mitchell may be headed to the New York Knicks. Although I can’t imagine the Knicks landing a player like him.

The more time that passes, the more I think we might actually see KD in Brooklyn next year with Kyrie and Ben Simmons. I don’t think the Nets will trade just one without the other, so all eyes are on what the Lakers will do with Russell Westbrook.

That might be the case too, we've been talking these trade rumors even before the NBA Summer League started and until now both Durant and Irving are still on the same position. The Brooklyn Nets are taking priority to trade Durant first but there's no team yet in the league that could match what the Nets wanted in exchange for Durant which is kind of reasonable because Durant can really get a title for team if he will have a good supporting players and a co-alpha in the team.

[OgNasty]

Word on the street is that the Lakers just offered Jamal Crawford a 1-year contract. Crawford is one of the best sixth man to ever play in the NBA and a relentless scorer. I could see him coming off the bench for a few good moments when they need a bucket. He’s old, but many NBA players were surprised he didn’t have a contract last year, as he’s still one of the better players in the league.

[jakelyson]

Westbrook and CP3 are also in the list of valuable players along with Harden who don't have a ring until now, I think these 3 mentioned names are the remaining players in their generation who haven't got a ring that is still playing up to present and the rest had already also retire without it. Now, I'm kind of curious which of these 3 has the most chances to win its first ring before they retire? Mine is CP3.

Those 3 names mentioned above do belong to a heavy teams in the league, the competition has gotten tight and I'm looking forward that at least one of them can grab a title.

I am rooting for CP3 to get a title too. He almost got a title in 2021 but fell short to the Bucks. Hopefully they could do better next season. Among the 3 that you mentioned, CP3's team has gone the farthest lately. And he is the oldest, so I hope he gets a ring before he retires.

That might be the case too, we've been talking these trade rumors even before the NBA Summer League started and until now both Durant and Irving are still on the same position. The Brooklyn Nets are taking priority to trade Durant first but there's no team yet in the league that could match what the Nets wanted in exchange for Durant which is kind of reasonable because Durant can really get a title for team if he will have a good supporting players and a co-alpha in the team.

If there are no biters, are the Nets going to retain these two or they will be forced to trade them with lesser value than they wanted? I think they should retain them, but I do not know if they can be productive since the players requested the trade themselves.

Word on the street is that the Lakers just offered Jamal Crawford a 1-year contract. Crawford is one of the best sixth man to ever play in the NBA and a relentless scorer. I could see him coming off the bench for a few good moments when they need a bucket. He’s old, but many NBA players were surprised he didn’t have a contract last year, as he’s still one of the better players in the league.

I tried to search this, but I do not see any news about it. What is the source of this rumor? And if true, does the lakers want to add another oldies in their roster? They need young blood and fresh legs, not another old guy.

[jostorres]

There's no way they're staying with the Nets as they already showed lack of interest to continue playing with that team. The Nets might be in a huge discussions now on how they can rebuild their team coz this is gonna be a very rare opportunity to demand all they can because they have 2 of the most high valued player in the league. It's gonna be a huge regret if they take the wrong trade.
I am already expecting before the season starts, Kyrie and Durant will both be out of the Nets.

Of course, the Nets will find a way to trade them but they will also get the value they wanted in a trade, if not, they will allow Durant and Irving to play because that is their job, and if they will not play hard, well, you know what the organization would say and they might have a problem with the team. I believe the management could suspend them and will not pay them on the games they don't play.

They will trade them for picks mainly if you ask me. I mean everyone is asking if they could get some good players in return but I do not think that there are that many good players to replace them with, which means that is not going to be that easy. So, just assume that it is going to be something that is mainly picks.

If you offer Nets like 3 good first round picks, and then like some salary fillers, they would probably take it. That means they would have a good future and could start rebuilding. Times that with 2, then you get 6 good picks, if you have 6 good picks all on different years, you could get six good players that would be a good players in the future for you.

[Yogee]

The Knicks have the best package for him but Danny ainge is trying to fleece them.  The Knicks have like 12 firs round picks in the next 7 or so years.  Ainge wants like 6 or 7 first round picks PLUS our youth in grimes, iq and obi.  I hope new york hung up on him immediately.  As a knick fan I'd love donovan but we'd have an incredibly small backcourt in mitchell and brunson, and losing all that capital, nah.  I'd run the squad as is and keep building.  Ainge is off his rocker.

wow, that is just way too much. Are they overestimating the value of Donovan Mitchell? Knicks will be trading away their future if they give in to that.

On the one hand, I agree that the Heat should improve the roster, and Kevin Durant would still be a priority target for their management. On the other hand, the Heat have already had good results in the playoffs over the past few seasons, and it means that the Heat management would obviously be making a big mistake if they decided to trade a lot of role players just for Durant.

They have good results, but it is just not enough though. They need one more star to push them into a Championship or at least to the finals. The East is a tough competition right now with Celtics stars at their peak and Bucks still a force to reckon. But you are right, it just does not feel right to throw away your built chemistry and role players for Durant. And Nets will not let go of Durant without getting the value they want.

I don't know much about the situation on DM but this KD trade talks looks like a ploy by Nets to make it appear they are actually willing to let go of him. They know that no team would be foolish to agree to their insane demands for one player other than the Wolves as what we've seen on the Gobert trade. Too bad for KD and DM that someone less valuable actually got traded like that before them hehe.

[cryptomaniac_xxx]

Word on the street is that the Lakers just offered Jamal Crawford a 1-year contract. Crawford is one of the best sixth man to ever play in the NBA and a relentless scorer. I could see him coming off the bench for a few good moments when they need a bucket. He’s old, but many NBA players were surprised he didn’t have a contract last year, as he’s still one of the better players in the league.

Hmm, not sure about this though, is the Lakers not learned from last year's debacle? I mean getting old and veterans players? and it didn't click right?

No doubt that Crawford can play and one of the best cross over during his prime, but I'm not sure if they still need a guy like him and to be a scorer? He is not a good defender as well so honestly, I will be baffled if they get him.

[Jating]

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.

Westbrook and CP3 are also in the list of valuable players along with Harden who don't have a ring until now, I think these 3 mentioned names are the remaining players in their generation who haven't got a ring that is still playing up to present and the rest had already also retire without it. Now, I'm kind of curious which of these 3 has the most chances to win its first ring before they retire? Mine is CP3.

Those 3 names mentioned above do belong to a heavy teams in the league, the competition has gotten tight and I'm looking forward that at least one of them can grab a title.

Well CP3 was close with the Suns against the Bucks 2 season ago and I will agree that yeah, amongst the 3 he still has a good chance. (1) his games has not yet deteriorated as compare to Westbrook and Harden (2) still a good team with Phoenix, (3) mentality to chase that ring.

So if he remains healthy, and then Booker and Ayton had a break out season and bring the Suns to another 60+ games record, chances are they might push it all the way again with CP3 doing his thing.

[Captain Corporate]

It makes sense for NBA to change some rules, if one player was taking advantage of it too much. Harden is not the type of guy that "needs" fouls to dominate, of course he is good even without them, but he was abusing them for some reason. I remember many many videos where it looks like he just trolled the world, like seriously weird stuff, not even smart or good stuff just weird stuff he did for absolutely no reason. This way, he is playing very well, he is still a superstar if you ask me, and could still score 30+ points per game if he gets used to the team, and that is what I think should be the most important aspect of the situation.

[yahoo62278]

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.

Westbrook and CP3 are also in the list of valuable players along with Harden who don't have a ring until now, I think these 3 mentioned names are the remaining players in their generation who haven't got a ring that is still playing up to present and the rest had already also retire without it. Now, I'm kind of curious which of these 3 has the most chances to win its first ring before they retire? Mine is CP3.

Those 3 names mentioned above do belong to a heavy teams in the league, the competition has gotten tight and I'm looking forward that at least one of them can grab a title.

I think CP3 will end up retired with 0 rings. Even though I love the Suns, they fizzle out in the playoffs. It's really disappointing too because their roster is loaded.

[agustina2]

Those 3 names mentioned above do belong to a heavy teams in the league, the competition has gotten tight and I'm looking forward that at least one of them can grab a title.

Chris Paul almost has it but the Bucks prevent him from happening on it.

He is also on a decent team and chances of getting to the Finals again are always possible.

But the problem is, CP3 always choked on the playoffs. He is very good in early games in the playoffs but when pressure comes, he is slowing down.

[goinmerry]

It makes sense for NBA to change some rules, if one player was taking advantage of it too much. Harden is not the type of guy that "needs" fouls to dominate, of course he is good even without them, but he was abusing them for some reason.

Abusing? Who's the one that controls the officiating? Who's the one to blame that players leads on taking advantage of it?

His move was clean and since that was effective, then he will keep on doing it. The same goes for other players. That wasn't new in the first place.

Anyways, what is the rule related to that recently changed? Can you share it here?

[Yogee]

.....
Anyways, what is the rule related to that recently changed? Can you share it here?

NBA calls them "non-basketball moves" now. One example is when a shooter launches himself towards a defender just to create contact. They consider that as foul hunting since they can simply take a normal straight up jump or a fadeaway. Another is when the offensive player over extends parts of their body or use off-arm to initiate contact from a defender. It's basically any moves that's abnormal.

[LogitechMouse]

There's no way they're staying with the Nets as they already showed lack of interest to continue playing with that team. The Nets might be in a huge discussions now on how they can rebuild their team coz this is gonna be a very rare opportunity to demand all they can because they have 2 of the most high valued player in the league. It's gonna be a huge regret if they take the wrong trade.
I am already expecting before the season starts, Kyrie and Durant will both be out of the Nets.

Both Kyrie and Kevin don't want to stay with the Nets but at the same time, other teams aren't interested on them as well.
Or maybe let's just say that the Nets management are asking too much with the other teams to get these 2 all-star players and that might be the reason why until now, they aren't being traded to another team.

As for me, I'm not expecting too much from them or where they will be traded because I'm still rooting to the fact that both of them might stay with the Nets though I will not be surprised if other teams will get either one of them.

Word on the street is that the Lakers just offered Jamal Crawford a 1-year contract. Crawford is one of the best sixth man to ever play in the NBA and a relentless scorer. I could see him coming off the bench for a few good moments when they need a bucket. He’s old, but many NBA players were surprised he didn’t have a contract last year, as he’s still one of the better players in the league.

He can still ball even though he is 42 years old and he will be joining Haslem as the oldest active player in NBA if this rumor turns out to be true but there are no articles showing this one but it is still a rumor so let's wait for some days. Well, he can still contribute to the team off the bench and can share his experience to other young players.

[chaser15]

.....
Anyways, what is the rule related to that recently changed? Can you share it here?

NBA calls them "non-basketball moves" now. One example is when a shooter launches himself towards a defender just to create contact. They consider that as foul hunting since they can simply take a normal straight up jump or a fadeaway. Another is when the offensive player over extends parts of their body or use off-arm to initiate contact from a defender. It's basically any moves that's abnormal.

I think that move was commonly seen in Stephen Curry. As a player that has expertise in the 3-point area, it's really an effective strategy to get fouls. However, if only referees don't usually call that a defensive foul, that won't become a usual move. We should blame the referees for that why it was commonly used.

At some point, if the shooter charges toward the defender at the 3-point line to get a foul, there should be a rule that it can also be called an offensive foul. Simple as that to avoid any attempts on doing that.

Saying it was a non-basketball move now is somehow not appropriate for me based on my own view.

[carlisle1]

.....
Anyways, what is the rule related to that recently changed? Can you share it here?

NBA calls them "non-basketball moves" now. One example is when a shooter launches himself towards a defender just to create contact. They consider that as foul hunting since they can simply take a normal straight up jump or a fadeaway. Another is when the offensive player over extends parts of their body or use off-arm to initiate contact from a defender. It's basically any moves that's abnormal.

When I first saw this kind of non-call from the ref, I was under the impression that it was an obvious manipulated call. It was with Curry. If I recall it

right, as even coach Kerr can't believe that the shot Curry made that supposedly fish a foul didn't get what they expected, then I realize the

changes that were made, just like what you mentioned. A player now will not receive any call if he initiates the contact ref will no longer take it

as foul, but instead they will just let it go and play will continue.

[TravelMug]

It makes sense for NBA to change some rules, if one player was taking advantage of it too much. Harden is not the type of guy that "needs" fouls to dominate, of course he is good even without them, but he was abusing them for some reason.

Abusing? Who's the one that controls the officiating? Who's the one to blame that players leads on taking advantage of it?

His move was clean and since that was effective, then he will keep on doing it. The same goes for other players. That wasn't new in the first place.

Anyways, what is the rule related to that recently changed? Can you share it here?

Maybe he was referring to this rule change by the NBA



https://twitter.com/NBAOfficial/status/1424437967494471692

We all know how good Harden is, initiating a non basketball contact and then the defensive player getting the foul. And since then, Harden and others like Paul George and Chris Paul to some extend uses this tactci to get fouls and get into the free throw line. Last season, they were all affected by this rule change.

[Pamadar]

Maybe he was referring to this rule change by the NBA



https://twitter.com/NBAOfficial/status/1424437967494471692

We all know how good Harden is, initiating a non basketball contact and then the defensive player getting the foul. And since then, Harden and others like Paul George and Chris Paul to some extend uses this tactci to get fouls and get into the free throw line. Last season, they were all affected by this rule change.

There are lots of stars who got a surprise even Tare young can't no longer use that same Harden's tactics.

They needed to get used to it since the new upcoming season is almost arriving and all the adjustments needs to work out.
A good player always finds ways to continue standing forward from the rest of the players all around the court, simply means
that whatever the rules and with or without the call, they will show dominance.

[danherbias07]

Westbrook and CP3 are also in the list of valuable players along with Harden who don't have a ring until now, I think these 3 mentioned names are the remaining players in their generation who haven't got a ring that is still playing up to present and the rest had already also retire without it. Now, I'm kind of curious which of these 3 has the most chances to win its first ring before they retire? Mine is CP3.

Those 3 names mentioned above do belong to a heavy teams in the league, the competition has gotten tight and I'm looking forward that at least one of them can grab a title.

I am rooting for CP3 to get a title too. He almost got a title in 2021 but fell short to the Bucks. Hopefully they could do better next season. Among the 3 that you mentioned, CP3's team has gone the farthest lately. And he is the oldest, so I hope he gets a ring before he retires.

Hopefully, this is the time. If there's one who needs to step up his game to the highest level it's supposed to be Booker because CP3 is doing a lot for them already but Booker had those inconsistent moments especially when it's playoffs time.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bookede01/gamelog/2022
He's their offense guy and most of the time the play will end to him for a good shot or an isolation play. That 20+ points in every game should be preserved and then the turnovers must also be minimized. 
He is young, in his prime, he should use that.

[Yaunfitda]

^^ I guess it's just a question of Booker's mentality though, I rated him above Tatum couple of years ago, but right now, it seems that Tatum is more clutch than him specially with the way their series with Dallas turns out.

So let's see if he can go back next season with a lot of pride and prove something in return. He is still in his prime, can average 25 ppg++ and be on the top of the scoring list. He just need to be consistent and have that Black Mamba mentality.