2025 NBA Season

[harizen]

I agree with you that Dwight Howard was pretty good during his prime in Orlando. However, his statistics are getting worse and worse every year, and it seems to me the latest rumors about Howard sound like he's really going to end his NBA career in the near future. To be honest, it would be sad because he is only 36 years old, and I think he would be able to play at least 2-3 seasons more.

As the NBA's top overall pick in 2004, Dwight Howard is really expected to be one of the most dominant rookies that season. During that season, having a big man on any team's roster is a big deal. But yes, like any most players that were dominating during their prime, they will show signs of slowing down as they progress. There are players that even in their post-prime already, are still a good asset to a team but not the case with Dwight Howard.

He's not been injury-prone the entire of his career but his dominance slowly faded because of that injuries. And the rest is history, signing with different teams, limited playing time, etc. like Howard is just enjoying his career.

Well, at least he got his first NBA title during the Bubble. A ring is a ring no matter how critics considered bubble season as a joke.

[yahoo62278]

What everyone is missing here is that I said also picks, and I do not mean like a few of them, I meant "overhaul" when I said that, meaning they want to lock the entire future of a team, plus any other picks that they may have from other trades they had earlier.

So, a team giving like 3 picks (one space between) and 3 second round ones on top of that, and maybe like 1-2 first rounds of another team they own, that's the type of deal we are talking about. I am not sure how many teams have that, but not many that Durant would love to go to. This is what they are looking for, it is public information, why they are? Because, they sold their entire future away when they made this team, and now they want it back.

Noone else is willing to deal their teams future though. Landing a mega star such as Durant or Westbrook, or even Kyrie is not gonna be cheap for any team. Durant wants a trade, he's done with Brooklyn. He has no loyalty. He left OKC, he left Golden State, and he will leave Brooklyn.

[wheelz1200]

I was surprised when Kevin Durant asked the Nets to trade him. For this reason, many teams are struggling to add KD to their roster. But it looks like the Nets won't let go of KD easily. If KD leaves Nets it is inevitable that Nets will follow a good player. Contacted Raptors for a swap. The Nets have a strong hand in the KD trade and want rookie of the year Barnes from the Raptors. I think the Nets should send KD and sign Barnes, rookie of the year. This will be very good for their development. Because Barnes is a super player who can go to much better places in the future. It should be approached from a visionary point of view. It will be difficult to convince the Raptors.

Raptors are not letting go of Barnes for durant because the salaries don't match up.  You can't just trade anyone for anyone, it has to match up and they are far off.  Besides why would Raptors let go of the ROY on such a nice rookie deal with control of him for 4 more years.  Gives you room to sign another high priced player to play beside him.  That isn't even on the table.

[Harkorede]

What everyone is missing here is that I said also picks, and I do not mean like a few of them, I meant "overhaul" when I said that, meaning they want to lock the entire future of a team, plus any other picks that they may have from other trades they had earlier.

I got your point but Brooklyn Nets I think are not interested anymore in future picks as a trade package in exchange for Kevin Durant as they already gave up all their future draft picks right to sign Irving and Durant. If they will back on getting future picks in exchange for Kevin Durant, the risk they take when they gambled for Durant and Irving will all be useless.

One thing is for sure, the Nets want a high-profile player too in the same league as Kevin Durant. Just look at a recent example where they demand more when the Celtics show interest in the trade and consider Jaylen Brown to be traded plus a bunch of important 1st round picks. That's a worthy package already for the Nets but they declined it.

Clearly, the Nets want an established superstar already in exchange for Kevin Durant and not a currently rising star in the making.

I think the interest from Celtics was the best the Nets would probably get for Kevin Durant, I mean the Nets know the worth Kevin Durant but just don't want only an already high-profile player, because in my books Jaylen Brown is an high-profile player, and Celtics giving the Nets just with Derrick White and couple of first round picks could seem like they're lowballing his worth, but giving up Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart plus White and some draft picks is asking for too much imo, and that'd be given up part of the Celtics core identity for the past 6-7 years. The Nets would have be the winner such trade, imho.

[Captain Corporate]

How about just Smart and White, with some picks? I do not know if that is a salary matched, but I am sure they could get some other player they do not want and make that happen. This way, they keep Brown and Tatum, also Horford, but also add in Durant to this and thats a championship team which we all know. However, Nets wouldn't probably go for that, they would probably want some big bang for him, they would probably want the worlds for him because thats basically what they paid to get him. In the end, Durant will leave, and if he said he wants to be traded, Nets will eventually accept less than what they normally would now.

[agustina2]

The Nets would have be the winner such trade, imho.

But still, they declined. Brooklyn Nets wants more.

They already got some good offers from other teams and still ended up declining those offers. The longer they keep on waiting for a good offer might result in not receiving good offers instead in the next few days, weeks, or months.

But the good thing about this trade drama with Kevin Durant?

Some players now know that they are willing to be given up by their respective teams even how good and loyal they are.

[jakelyson]

How about just Smart and White, with some picks? I do not know if that is a salary matched, but I am sure they could get some other player they do not want and make that happen. This way, they keep Brown and Tatum, also Horford, but also add in Durant to this and thats a championship team which we all know. However, Nets wouldn't probably go for that, they would probably want some big bang for him, they would probably want the worlds for him because thats basically what they paid to get him. In the end, Durant will leave, and if he said he wants to be traded, Nets will eventually accept less than what they normally would now.

The Nets will not bite this. Brown is more valuable than Smart but the Nets rejected that offer. Maybe if it was Tatum that Celtics offered, maybe they will bite. But as we all know, Tatum is untouchable in Boston. They are building their team around him. He is the face of Boston right now.

Draymond Green wants four-year max extension, willing to explore other teams if Warriors won't pay, per report
Draymond Green is cooking something.
...
I admire his hard work and love for the game but there should always be a limit to what you could get. By asking for more money, he is restricting the entry of good roleplayers to be part of their team.

There is no harm in trying anyway. If the warriors bite, then it is all good. And if not, well he can try fishing if another team will bite. And if all fails, he still has player options in 2023-24 season. Luck favors the bold and he is testing it.

But the good thing about this trade drama with Kevin Durant?

Some players now know that they are willing to be given up by their respective teams even how good and loyal they are.

I think they know that from the very beginning since they are all professionals. It is sports but at the end of the day it is business.

[carlisle1]

The Nets would have be the winner such trade, imho.

But still, they declined. Brooklyn Nets wants more.

They already got some good offers from other teams and still ended up declining those offers. The longer they keep on waiting for a good offer might result in not receiving good offers instead in the next few days, weeks, or months.

But the good thing about this trade drama with Kevin Durant?

Some players now know that they are willing to be given up by their respective teams even how good and loyal they are.

Indeed! Even how harder you play alongside with the system, eventually you'll be named as one of the candidate to be traded out,

such annoying reality that there's no sure thing inside this league. Everything is part of the business and as a player you are an asset

that can be traded to get a deal even you don't like being moved away. Nets still asking for more or maybe they are not really willing

to set him free and they are just playing Durant's demand being traded out.

[Dave1]

The chances of Carmelo getting a championship ring is somehow bigger if he will be in the Warriors than he is at the Lakers, I mean, the Lakers roster is decent but not good enough compared to the Warriors who have a big chance to win back-to-back championship this coming season 22-23 because the Lakers are still rebuilding the team after what happened to them recently, you know what I mean.

Lakers have the same roster, so their chance will still be the same last season. Even if Davis will be healthy but if Westbrook will remain struggling, that will not help the Lakers as Westbrook is surely a starter again. Melo getting a ring, that sounds nice, maybe he can retire after that.

We can't compare the Lakers and the Warriors, both could have the same chances last year, specially Lakers wherein there is a high expectations on them. While the Warriors were not among the favorites by suddenly even without Thompson in the first half of the season, they manage to stop on the top 3 in the West. So let's see if Melo can even land to a decent team this season, him, Dwight and others are still free without any offers.

[LogitechMouse]

The Nets would have be the winner such trade, imho.

But still, they declined. Brooklyn Nets wants more.

They already got some good offers from other teams and still ended up declining those offers. The longer they keep on waiting for a good offer might result in not receiving good offers instead in the next few days, weeks, or months.

But the good thing about this trade drama with Kevin Durant?

Some players now know that they are willing to be given up by their respective teams even how good and loyal they are.

Indeed! Even how harder you play alongside with the system, eventually you'll be named as one of the candidate to be traded out,

such annoying reality that there's no sure thing inside this league. Everything is part of the business and as a player you are an asset

that can be traded to get a deal even you don't like being moved away. Nets still asking for more or maybe they are not really willing

to set him free and they are just playing Durant's demand being traded out.

It's the reality but I believe they knew it already from the start that things like this will happen. I believe that when they first enter the NBA, they know that this will happen and they will be traded if the management wants to. You play harder, your worth will be higher and you might be used to trade with other high profile player.

The Nets are too greedy IMO because they are asking Brown + Smart + rotational picks + draft picks which is too much for only one player that is also prone to injuries. If the Nets will push this trade then it would be better for the Celtics to not make a trade with them. Like many are saying, there is a chance that Durant might stay in the Nets because the management are asking too much players towards other teams.

[Hypnosis00]

The Nets are too greedy IMO because they are asking Brown + Smart + rotational picks + draft picks which is too much for only one player that is also prone to injuries. If the Nets will push this trade then it would be better for the Celtics to not make a trade with them. Like many are saying, there is a chance that Durant might stay in the Nets because the management are asking too much players towards other teams.

They are too greedy because they build a trio that is an MVP caliber, that experiment failed though and now their trade is so ridiculous as it's like destroying a team for a trade to happen. I don't know if Durant will be traded but with that kind of terms, no team would make that deal possible.

[cryptomaniac_xxx]

The Nets are too greedy IMO because they are asking Brown + Smart + rotational picks + draft picks which is too much for only one player that is also prone to injuries. If the Nets will push this trade then it would be better for the Celtics to not make a trade with them. Like many are saying, there is a chance that Durant might stay in the Nets because the management are asking too much players towards other teams.

They are too greedy because they build a trio that is an MVP caliber, that experiment failed though and now their trade is so ridiculous as it's like destroying a team for a trade to happen. I don't know if Durant will be traded but with that kind of terms, no team would make that deal possible.

I think it's more of a strategy, well if Boston or any other team for that matter to exchange with that huge amount of good players and draft picks then why not?

And so as we look at it currently, no one is willing to move an inch regarding the trade. Celtics management might still be thinking right now whether to accept it and take the risk. Time is running out to make a deal for Durant.

[Sanitough]

The chances of Carmelo getting a championship ring is somehow bigger if he will be in the Warriors than he is at the Lakers, I mean, the Lakers roster is decent but not good enough compared to the Warriors who have a big chance to win back-to-back championship this coming season 22-23 because the Lakers are still rebuilding the team after what happened to them recently, you know what I mean.

Lakers have the same roster, so their chance will still be the same last season. Even if Davis will be healthy but if Westbrook will remain struggling, that will not help the Lakers as Westbrook is surely a starter again. Melo getting a ring, that sounds nice, maybe he can retire after that.

We can't compare the Lakers and the Warriors, both could have the same chances last year, specially Lakers wherein there is a high expectations on them. While the Warriors were not among the favorites by suddenly even without Thompson in the first half of the season, they manage to stop on the top 3 in the West. So let's see if Melo can even land to a decent team this season, him, Dwight and others are still free without any offers.

I'm sure these two will get an offer because they will easily fit into the budget of any team due to their low amount of contract. If Melo will and with the Warriors, no doubt he will be a big help as it has not happen the Warriors acquired a player that they did not utilize well.

[Yamifoud]

The chances of Carmelo getting a championship ring is somehow bigger if he will be in the Warriors than he is at the Lakers, I mean, the Lakers roster is decent but not good enough compared to the Warriors who have a big chance to win back-to-back championship this coming season 22-23 because the Lakers are still rebuilding the team after what happened to them recently, you know what I mean.

Lakers have the same roster, so their chance will still be the same last season. Even if Davis will be healthy but if Westbrook will remain struggling, that will not help the Lakers as Westbrook is surely a starter again. Melo getting a ring, that sounds nice, maybe he can retire after that.

We can't compare the Lakers and the Warriors, both could have the same chances last year, specially Lakers wherein there is a high expectations on them. While the Warriors were not among the favorites by suddenly even without Thompson in the first half of the season, they manage to stop on the top 3 in the West. So let's see if Melo can even land to a decent team this season, him, Dwight and others are still free without any offers.

I'm sure these two will get an offer because they will easily fit into the budget of any team due to their low amount of contract. If Melo will and with the Warriors, no doubt he will be a big help as it has not happen the Warriors acquired a player that they did not utilize well.

Howard might stay with the Lakers, I think they really need him as he is very clever inside, he can stop Jokic if ever the Lakers will face the Nuggets. Melo, of course, can go, there are some players that could fill his position, so the big 3 should be surrounded by good role players and they should stay healthy if they want to be in the Finals.

It's not going to be easy for the Lakers because they need to beat the defending champion if they want to be in the Finals again.

[jakelyson]

Do you think the sixers are guilty in tampering and early contract?

If they are found guilty, they can be fined up to $10 million, forfeiting of draft picks and suspension of executives. The article said that void of contract is virtually non-existent but still, if they get slapped with the fines, it will still sting.

Is it worth it? For me, if they get a ring, it is worth it.

The NBA has opened an investigation into the Philadelphia 76ers for possible tampering and early contact centered on the franchise's summer free agency class of James Harden, P.J. Tucker and Danuel House, sources told ESPN on Friday.

Source: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/34314466/sources-nba-investigating-philadelphia-76ers-possible-tampering-centered-james-harden-pj-tucker-danuel-house-deals

[Jating]

Do you think the sixers are guilty in tampering and early contract?

If they are found guilty, they can be fined up to $10 million, forfeiting of draft picks and suspension of executives. The article said that void of contract is virtually non-existent but still, if they get slapped with the fines, it will still sting.

Is it worth it? For me, if they get a ring, it is worth it.

The NBA has opened an investigation into the Philadelphia 76ers for possible tampering and early contact centered on the franchise's summer free agency class of James Harden, P.J. Tucker and Danuel House, sources told ESPN on Friday.

Source: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/34314466/sources-nba-investigating-philadelphia-76ers-possible-tampering-centered-james-harden-pj-tucker-danuel-house-deals

I know that James Harden name will come up because those two are former Rockets.

And then him willing to a pay cut in order for the Sixers to accommodate more players to help them win the ring. And then these two suddenly goes to Sixers.

Really hard to say at this point, whether it was known all along that the Sixers are going to get the two in exchange of Harden's having a pay cut, or maybe he himself float that to the management itself.

[Sanitough]

The chances of Carmelo getting a championship ring is somehow bigger if he will be in the Warriors than he is at the Lakers, I mean, the Lakers roster is decent but not good enough compared to the Warriors who have a big chance to win back-to-back championship this coming season 22-23 because the Lakers are still rebuilding the team after what happened to them recently, you know what I mean.

Lakers have the same roster, so their chance will still be the same last season. Even if Davis will be healthy but if Westbrook will remain struggling, that will not help the Lakers as Westbrook is surely a starter again. Melo getting a ring, that sounds nice, maybe he can retire after that.

We can't compare the Lakers and the Warriors, both could have the same chances last year, specially Lakers wherein there is a high expectations on them. While the Warriors were not among the favorites by suddenly even without Thompson in the first half of the season, they manage to stop on the top 3 in the West. So let's see if Melo can even land to a decent team this season, him, Dwight and others are still free without any offers.

I'm sure these two will get an offer because they will easily fit into the budget of any team due to their low amount of contract. If Melo will and with the Warriors, no doubt he will be a big help as it has not happen the Warriors acquired a player that they did not utilize well.

Howard might stay with the Lakers, I think they really need him as he is very clever inside, he can stop Jokic if ever the Lakers will face the Nuggets. Melo, of course, can go, there are some players that could fill his position, so the big 3 should be surrounded by good role players and they should stay healthy if they want to be in the Finals.

He is part of the success of the Lakers when they won a championship, he was sent to other team after they won but they got him back after a season because they realize they needed him, now, I don't know, only the official announcement would prove if he will stay or leave the Lakers.

It's not going to be easy for the Lakers because they need to beat the defending champion if they want to be in the Finals again.

The journey going to the championship is never easy, except for the Warriors before when they have Durant, now, it's very unpredictable, and even if the Warriors won a championship last season, it still does not guarantee they'll win again in the coming season.

according to the NBA Futures odds - https://www.vegasinsider.com/nba/odds/futures/

Celtics is the heavy favorite to win, followed by the Warriors.

[danherbias07]

Draymond Green wants four-year max extension, willing to explore other teams if Warriors won't pay, per report
Draymond Green is cooking something.
...
I admire his hard work and love for the game but there should always be a limit to what you could get. By asking for more money, he is restricting the entry of good roleplayers to be part of their team.

There is no harm in trying anyway. If the warriors bite, then it is all good. And if not, well he can try fishing if another team will bite. And if all fails, he still has player options in 2023-24 season. Luck favors the bold and he is testing it.

I wish that's the case, trying to secure good pay so that if ever no team will pick him up he got lots of money in his pocket already.
That had been the case in the past few years, always about the money being secured, they all want it max and free for an option to be traded.
As I checked different NBA-related pages on Facebook, most of the discussions were about the loyalty of players. Dirk, Kobe, Steph, and other players.
But some have their opinions like "fuck loyalty", it's a different era now and money will always win.
Dirk was offered $92M by the Lakers and Rockets but stayed with the Mavs for a 3-year contract of just $25M way back 2014.

[Oasisman]

The Nets are too greedy IMO because they are asking Brown + Smart + rotational picks + draft picks which is too much for only one player that is also prone to injuries. If the Nets will push this trade then it would be better for the Celtics to not make a trade with them. Like many are saying, there is a chance that Durant might stay in the Nets because the management are asking too much players towards other teams.

They are too greedy because they build a trio that is an MVP caliber, that experiment failed though and now their trade is so ridiculous as it's like destroying a team for a trade to happen. I don't know if Durant will be traded but with that kind of terms, no team would make that deal possible.

I don't think that they're greedy, they only think Durant and Kyrie had that high market value, but in reality they're not what most people think. Durant and Kyrie is not a team player, both of them is a one man show. They don't usually play with the team to win, instead the team adjust to their kind of play.
Yes, Durant or Kyrie is a great addition to any team, but they cannot carry a team even in the conference finals. So, it's a no no if they ask for too much young talents.

[btc_angela]

Draymond Green wants four-year max extension, willing to explore other teams if Warriors won't pay, per report
Draymond Green is cooking something.
...
I admire his hard work and love for the game but there should always be a limit to what you could get. By asking for more money, he is restricting the entry of good roleplayers to be part of their team.

There is no harm in trying anyway. If the warriors bite, then it is all good. And if not, well he can try fishing if another team will bite. And if all fails, he still has player options in 2023-24 season. Luck favors the bold and he is testing it.

I wish that's the case, trying to secure good pay so that if ever no team will pick him up he got lots of money in his pocket already.
That had been the case in the past few years, always about the money being secured, they all want it max and free for an option to be traded.
As I checked different NBA-related pages on Facebook, most of the discussions were about the loyalty of players. Dirk, Kobe, Steph, and other players.
But some have their opinions like "fuck loyalty", it's a different era now and money will always win.
Dirk was offered $92M by the Lakers and Rockets but stayed with the Mavs for a 3-year contract of just $25M way back 2014.

I agree though, even Kobe doesn't want to stay with the Lakers because he is totally disappointed on how the management is surrounding him. So eventually Kobe decided to be a Laker forever, until he retires and it's a good decision.

But now, seems to be different, there are players that talk loyalty, but at the back of their mind, they wanted huge pay and that's why players like Draymond might have that mindset. Loyalty will not bring them money and so be if. Look for teams that will offer them the money they want.