2024 NBA Season

[yahoo62278]

For sure Blazers will not let their superstar to leave, unless another offer that will convince Blazers managementto deal with the trade.

Blazers will not surely let go of Damian Lillard but that was their only dedication for the team. They are not doing their best to give Lillard a good set of teammates. I'm really amazed that Lillard didn't force and demand the Blazers management to trade him even he is vocal about his concern with the team.

Lillard is now entering his 10th season at 32 years old. He will surely start showing signs of slowing down from here. Still not to late for the Blazers to act and do their best to give Lillard all the help he needs.

With how the Blazers is right now and with their current roster, I think Lillard will join the likes of Barkley, Stockton, Malone etc. The all-star players who never won a title in his career.

I mean it's too early to tell I think but with how the Blazers' roster is right now, it's easy to tell that they are still at the bottom. The only way for Lillard to win a title right now is if he will go to another team who is capable of winning a title. If he will stay with Portland, the chance of him winning a title is very slim to none. Well, I'm not expecting Lillard to have some superstar teammates or at least the Blazers being a playoff team for the next 2 years.

Noone wants to go to Portland. There's no draw for anyone to consider it. Lillard should seek a trade to a team with a shot at a championship before he really does join the superstars you mentioned.

I don't why but that is really true, Portland Blazers is like a ghost team that no one wants to get traded there or wanted to be drafted in the said team. Anyway, I dig through Lillard's contract, it says here that he cannot be traded until Jul 09, 2023. So, that means that he ain't going anywhere until next season's summer and last July Lillard already signed his two-year extension through 26-27 season worth $225 Million even if he still have 3 years left in his contract. I don't know why Blazers opted much earlier but I guess that means that he will retire in Portland Blazers when his whole contract is finished.

If the guy is happy not being able to compete for a championship, that's his prerogative. At least he is smart enough to make sure he is being paid. Seems that's what most players are worried about these days.

[1715576931]

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[1715576931]

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[tygeade]

Both Carmelo and Westbrook will be in the same path because they failed to maintain their strengths after their prime years is over and actually, that is the biggest challenge for being an player, well except for being an injury prone, because if you can't maintain your style and strengths then surely you will be in free agent in no time just like what happen to Carmelo now.

And soon, Westbrook too because this is the last year of his contract in Lakers and I don't think that the Lakers will give him an extension too because of fact that the team is currently busy to get him traded.

The thing is, if you are a player who realizes that they are losing their grip and starts working on what else you can do, you could still be finding a place in the NBA. Lile Blake Griffin was the type of guy that went bad because he lost his amazing jumping ability but at the end of the day he worked really really hard to be able to shoot at least a decent amount where you couldn't leave him open, which made him better and kept his career going, or that guy would have been gone from NBA by like 30 years old. At the end of the day NBA is a place where ja morant or similar young guns will keep on coming, you have to keep finding a way to stay relatable in skill level, or you will be gone.

[püsür]

Westbrook was healthy last season and yet he doesn't play like a real big 3. If Davis will have a great season, I hope Westbrook will not ruined his moment as his inconsistency is really a big problem to the team, especially during crucial times.

The upcoming season will probably be Westbrook's last chance to prove to everyone that he can still dominate the court and perform impressively like an all-star player. So if Westbrook is able to analyze his poor performance from the previous season and draw appropriate conclusions, he could be useful for the Lakers. Although I honestly don't have much faith in that.

I do not think that Westbrook has anything to show for anymore, he lost his super fast moves and he can't drive anymore and his "act like driving but stop and shoot midrange" act is not getting anything important and he is missing them too. Which means that he is going to just get worse and worse and he would be lucky to find a minimum salary next season. His future is just like Carmelo Anthony's future, dude was one of the best scorers of his era and then he wasn't even wanted, same will happen to Westbrook.

But he can still drive to the basket though, but there were times that he will missed a dunk or easy shots inside and that's why he prepared those middle shot bank. Just remember that when he was in Washington, he was still super athletic and even lead them to the playoffs. Something that just really happen to Westbrook when he plays with the Lakers. Carmelo though is not as athletic as Russ though during his prime, he is just pure scoring machine.

Both Carmelo and Westbrook will be in the same path because they failed to maintain their strengths after their prime years is over and actually, that is the biggest challenge for being an player, well except for being an injury prone, because if you can't maintain your style and strengths then surely you will be in free agent in no time just like what happen to Carmelo now.

And soon, Westbrook too because this is the last year of his contract in Lakers and I don't think that the Lakers will give him an extension too because of fact that the team is currently busy to get him traded.

Westbrook is only 33 years old(born in 88). He should not be mentioned like this in these matters. He was a great player and didn't have a big injury. He should have been at his utmost physical level last year, for sure. I mean, ok for some players some of their body parts are worn out so much and we can see a performance drop like a player with knee issues but Westbrook didn't have anything like that. He should be more fit and has to show better performances, physically.

I respect Carmelo a lot for he is still performing solid offensively considering his age.

I think if Anthony Davis was healthy, both of Westbrook's and Carmelo's overall performance will be better. Or we would not need to notice that Lakers sucked.

[jossiel]

Much better to get into Lakers than to stay in Blazers without having that much impact from the teammates. That matters, the chemistry.

And I think that wherever Westbrook lands, that team has been longing to have been. Blazers might not want to release their star player but if they've been offered with a good deal, they might take it and won't decline it.

Maybe if Westbrook goes into that team, we may see him back play at what he used to be.

Maybe he will get the normal stats pre Lakers, but he will not be able to carry that team. He will be dominating the ball again because there are no other stars, and he will be the first choice. So, his stats will go up like before, but he will not be able to carry that team to any significant finish because he will have no help. If dame cannot carry the Blazers to the finals, I do not think Westbrook will. His carrying days are over. Most likely, he will just be padding his stats to fish the next contract. That is, if Blazers will take WB, that I doubt will happen. They will stick to Dame most probably.

That's what he need, a team that can help him also to win the game and not only him to carry the whole team.

We can say that there are players that can bring up a team but that's not going to be enough these days when you're against the whole team with bunch of good players and really can contribute a lot per game.

We may see WB go back onto his shape but you're right, that he might have hard time carrying it.

[OgNasty]

Much better to get into Lakers than to stay in Blazers without having that much impact from the teammates. That matters, the chemistry.

And I think that wherever Westbrook lands, that team has been longing to have been. Blazers might not want to release their star player but if they've been offered with a good deal, they might take it and won't decline it.

Maybe if Westbrook goes into that team, we may see him back play at what he used to be.

Maybe he will get the normal stats pre Lakers, but he will not be able to carry that team. He will be dominating the ball again because there are no other stars, and he will be the first choice. So, his stats will go up like before, but he will not be able to carry that team to any significant finish because he will have no help. If dame cannot carry the Blazers to the finals, I do not think Westbrook will. His carrying days are over. Most likely, he will just be padding his stats to fish the next contract. That is, if Blazers will take WB, that I doubt will happen. They will stick to Dame most probably.

That's what he need, a team that can help him also to win the game and not only him to carry the whole team.

We can say that there are players that can bring up a team but that's not going to be enough these days when you're against the whole team with bunch of good players and really can contribute a lot per game.

We may see WB go back onto his shape but you're right, that he might have hard time carrying it.

I think there's a good chance he ends up in Utah.  They have a pretty weak team now and are in full rebuild mode.  The Lakers will package 1st round picks with Russell Westbrook to get rid of his contract.  The Jazz could use a ball hog scorer like Russ who can carry a team to a few wins by himself while they rebuilt.  I feel like this is going to happen because it's the only trade that makes sense for both sides.  With training camp starting soon, I suspect we'll have some movement on this front.

[jossiel]

That's what he need, a team that can help him also to win the game and not only him to carry the whole team.

We can say that there are players that can bring up a team but that's not going to be enough these days when you're against the whole team with bunch of good players and really can contribute a lot per game.

We may see WB go back onto his shape but you're right, that he might have hard time carrying it.

I think there's a good chance he ends up in Utah.  They have a pretty weak team now and are in full rebuild mode.  The Lakers will package 1st round picks with Russell Westbrook to get rid of his contract.  The Jazz could use a ball hog scorer like Russ who can carry a team to a few wins by himself while they rebuilt.  I feel like this is going to happen because it's the only trade that makes sense for both sides.  With training camp starting soon, I suspect we'll have some movement on this front.

I agree that Utah is sort of weak right now.

And by some new rumors coming out that Clarkson is going to be taken by other teams that might pick him a trade then Utah could really bring WB if they want to.

Well, just a few waits to go and we'll all see on what's with the rumors are going to be correct and who are the players that will be transferred from here and there.

[Baofeng]

Much better to get into Lakers than to stay in Blazers without having that much impact from the teammates. That matters, the chemistry.

And I think that wherever Westbrook lands, that team has been longing to have been. Blazers might not want to release their star player but if they've been offered with a good deal, they might take it and won't decline it.

Maybe if Westbrook goes into that team, we may see him back play at what he used to be.

Maybe he will get the normal stats pre Lakers, but he will not be able to carry that team. He will be dominating the ball again because there are no other stars, and he will be the first choice. So, his stats will go up like before, but he will not be able to carry that team to any significant finish because he will have no help. If dame cannot carry the Blazers to the finals, I do not think Westbrook will. His carrying days are over. Most likely, he will just be padding his stats to fish the next contract. That is, if Blazers will take WB, that I doubt will happen. They will stick to Dame most probably.

That's what he need, a team that can help him also to win the game and not only him to carry the whole team.

We can say that there are players that can bring up a team but that's not going to be enough these days when you're against the whole team with bunch of good players and really can contribute a lot per game.

We may see WB go back onto his shape but you're right, that he might have hard time carrying it.

I think there's a good chance he ends up in Utah.  They have a pretty weak team now and are in full rebuild mode.  The Lakers will package 1st round picks with Russell Westbrook to get rid of his contract.  The Jazz could use a ball hog scorer like Russ who can carry a team to a few wins by himself while they rebuilt.  I feel like this is going to happen because it's the only trade that makes sense for both sides.  With training camp starting soon, I suspect we'll have some movement on this front.

Utah still has Clarkson, and others as trade bait for Russell if they want to get him. So most likely they the Lakers will just get 1 draft pick. So most likely WB will still be a Lakers this season, although the Lakers is willing to trade him, if they are not going to be satisfied of what they are getting, specially future draft picks, they would rather play with him and so how it goes.

[gagux123]

It's difficult to create strong chemistry if they keep on rotating new players on their roster. It cannot even be compared with the likes of GSW, Phoenix Suns, and Grizzlies. There's a savior though, Lebron James. He had been a leader for a long time and he knew how to create chemistry in a short span of time. I remember him creating events for the Lakers players a lot of times to strengthen that chemistry so it will just depend on them if they want to join.
AD and Lebron won't have a problem and they kept Austin Reaves which I think will be a lot of help to them.

Yes, of that I have no doubt! This is a totally different situation when LeBron James was in Cleveland or Miami for example!

I believe it's not as simple as it sounds, and I also imagine that LJ won't be able to "make miracles" on the Lakers like he did on the other teams.

They are different situations and contexts! Everything is chemistry, and this is clear, if we look at the Lakers or Nets roster for example, it is much better than the Warriors roster in the previous season (I mean with reference to the players)
But the only quality that GSW have that few teams have, is chemistry, and this is a very important factor for us to have a team of champions.

[arwin100]

A variable I've seen discussed here a few times is the AD situation.
Unfortunately he is in a delicate situation and has regrettably spent more time off the court due to his injuries than playing.

But anyway, I believe for the Lakers to be champions in this season, they need to evolve a lot, not specifically improve their roster (this is an important factor), but something more relevant, is the chemistry between the players, which I saw a few times in some games the Lakers played in the previous NBA season.

It's difficult to create strong chemistry if they keep on rotating new players on their roster. It cannot even be compared with the likes of GSW, Phoenix Suns, and Grizzlies. There's a savior though, Lebron James. He had been a leader for a long time and he knew how to create chemistry in a short span of time. I remember him creating events for the Lakers players a lot of times to strengthen that chemistry so it will just depend on them if they want to join.
AD and Lebron won't have a problem and they kept Austin Reaves which I think will be a lot of help to them.

Lakers need to retain what rooster they have if there current rooster are skilled ones its just they really need chemistry so that they can work all things out, but the problem with them maybe LBJ request to overhaul their team is they change their player to new once they get bad run in a season. And I think what LBJ did last time did not work since they end up on bad position last season. So maybe its best for them to have young potential talents and develop them since this could bring good future to LA rather than trying to create a super team surrounded  by ball dominant players since for sure they really get a problem again with that.

[goinmerry]

So maybe its best for them to have young potential talents and develop them since this could bring good future to LA rather than trying to create a super team surrounded  by ball dominant players since for sure they really get a problem again with that.

First of all, they are not a super team. It's just that last season they are composed of big names before but already pass their respective primes.

Second, the Lakers already did that full young talents roster a few years before Kobe Bryant retires. The Lakers put their trust in their young roster and they didn't even reach the playoffs for 6 seasons. Imagine how long is it that the Lakers didn't make it to the playoffs. I think that's enough time for their young guys to improve but nothing happened.

Then Lebron came and the Lakers managed to get a good standing on that season but he got injured and they didn't make it again to the playoffs. The next season, the Lakers signed Anthony Davis and they got the bubble championship.

Conclusion, their roster should be well-balanced and composed of veterans and young players.

[Yogee]

....
Seems that's what most players are worried about these days.

Only a handful of players aren't pushing for a max contract once they become eligible so no doubt about that.

Dame is definitely disappointed with what's happening at Portland since the trade of his "partner" to NO but he's still in a good place. His agent must have done a good job telling him to take the money since only a few players will win an NBA championship.

[blockman]

Conclusion, their roster should be well-balanced and composed of veterans and young players.

I agree and not just for the Lakers but also for the other teams. Some teams got 1 superstar and then no helper inside the court and all reliant to it.
In the end, that superstar looks like he's hardly playing with his teammates because there's no balance in the team. I like the idea of well being balanced and composed with young players, superstars, and veterans. It is a good team composed of energetic, athleticism, experience and wisdom in all aspects, ball handling, shooting, under the ring and crucial times.

[ChiBitCTy]

So maybe its best for them to have young potential talents and develop them since this could bring good future to LA rather than trying to create a super team surrounded  by ball dominant players since for sure they really get a problem again with that.

First of all, they are not a super team. It's just that last season they are composed of big names before but already pass their respective primes.

Second, the Lakers already did that full young talents roster a few years before Kobe Bryant retires. The Lakers put their trust in their young roster and they didn't even reach the playoffs for 6 seasons. Imagine how long is it that the Lakers didn't make it to the playoffs. I think that's enough time for their young guys to improve but nothing happened.

Then Lebron came and the Lakers managed to get a good standing on that season but he got injured and they didn't make it again to the playoffs. The next season, the Lakers signed Anthony Davis and they got the bubble championship.

Conclusion, their roster should be well-balanced and composed of veterans and young players.

I'm a Chicago Bulls fan who really analyzes teams deeply when its just my own but I do remember that younger Lakers team you speak of.  Are you referring to the era of like what's his name, Swaggy P?  I used to just be annoyed by those teams and that dude/his nickname.  Not to mention I think he was dating one of the Kardashians so I like him even less lol.

The Lakers will be good if Lebron and Davis stay healthy.  I think it's as simple as that.  They will be very good if that happens and the rest of the players just do their part.

[agustina2]

Getting rid of Davis is not on the Laker's radar for now because as of this moment they are prioritizing Westbrook on a trade to avoid paying his high salary in fear of getting minimum production from him, they just wanted to get rid of him asap while getting a valuable player in exchange. Also, I seriously don't think that the Blazers will trade Lillard for Davis, that's just not true.

I don't think the Lakers are prioritizing on Westbrook trade. If it does, we should see them aggressively talking with other teams.

Trading Westbrook is just open and they are just waiting for good offers. If none satisfies them, then they will just keep Westbrook instead.

We know how the Lakers do business and if they want to trade players, they can easily do it even if there are issues. But since the Lakers just seem relaxed, it's optional for them if Westbrook will be traded or not.

[danherbias07]

So maybe its best for them to have young potential talents and develop them since this could bring good future to LA rather than trying to create a super team surrounded  by ball dominant players since for sure they really get a problem again with that.

First of all, they are not a super team. It's just that last season they are composed of big names before but already pass their respective primes.

Second, the Lakers already did that full young talents roster a few years before Kobe Bryant retires. The Lakers put their trust in their young roster and they didn't even reach the playoffs for 6 seasons. Imagine how long is it that the Lakers didn't make it to the playoffs. I think that's enough time for their young guys to improve but nothing happened.

Then Lebron came and the Lakers managed to get a good standing on that season but he got injured and they didn't make it again to the playoffs. The next season, the Lakers signed Anthony Davis and they got the bubble championship.

Conclusion, their roster should be well-balanced and composed of veterans and young players.

Yeah, the Buss family learned their lesson from recruiting a bunch of young players which are all trying to be a superstar. It doesn't work like that. There must be a leader that will be respected by those budding players.
I agree with the mixed roster, last year was not near that type. Sometimes they will need speed and other times they will be using post-up types of plays. Unpredictable must be intact, unlike last year when every team does know they will be wasting a lot of shot-clock before they can make a play.
At the center of all that will be Lebron James because he can still sprint or make an assist at slow-pace plays.

[Hypnosis00]

Getting rid of Davis is not on the Laker's radar for now because as of this moment they are prioritizing Westbrook on a trade to avoid paying his high salary in fear of getting minimum production from him, they just wanted to get rid of him asap while getting a valuable player in exchange. Also, I seriously don't think that the Blazers will trade Lillard for Davis, that's just not true.

I don't think the Lakers are prioritizing on Westbrook trade. If it does, we should see them aggressively talking with other teams.

Trading Westbrook is just open and they are just waiting for good offers. If none satisfies them, then they will just keep Westbrook instead.

We know how the Lakers do business and if they want to trade players, they can easily do it even if there are issues. But since the Lakers just seem relaxed, it's optional for them if Westbrook will be traded or not.

It's safe to think that Westbrook was given another opportunity to prove himself, for a superstar like him, he should show up and reach the stats that he used to achieve in the past, and also, improvement is very important, if he has the same stats like last season, no way the Lakers will still hold him.

[Natalim]

Getting rid of Davis is not on the Laker's radar for now because as of this moment they are prioritizing Westbrook on a trade to avoid paying his high salary in fear of getting minimum production from him, they just wanted to get rid of him asap while getting a valuable player in exchange. Also, I seriously don't think that the Blazers will trade Lillard for Davis, that's just not true.

I don't think the Lakers are prioritizing on Westbrook trade. If it does, we should see them aggressively talking with other teams.

Trading Westbrook is just open and they are just waiting for good offers. If none satisfies them, then they will just keep Westbrook instead.

We know how the Lakers do business and if they want to trade players, they can easily do it even if there are issues. But since the Lakers just seem relaxed, it's optional for them if Westbrook will be traded or not.

It's safe to think that Westbrook was given another opportunity to prove himself, for a superstar like him, he should show up and reach the stats that he used to achieve in the past, and also, improvement is very important, if he has the same stats like last season, no way the Lakers will still hold him.

We cannot never be too sure though, maybe one day we will be surprised about Westbrook being traded already. If he is not having a good season, I don't think the Lakers will still finish the whole season before trading him. Westbrook IMO does not belong to the Lakers, his style does not blend with other superstars like Lebron and Davis.

[inthelongrun]

Hot topics are still about the Lakers, Lebron, AD, and Russ.

1 more month to go and the new season starts. I honestly would like to see Russ traded so the Lakers will have a strong line-up with no excuses if they can't compete on top. But I agree with the odds, the Boston Celtics are the real favorites next season with even more additional acquisitions for this season. My main focus will be on the 76ers and T'wolves though. I am just super curious about how the new twin towers perform when the league is currently going smaller.

Any NBA ESPN or Yahoo Fantasy player here?

[yazher]

Hot topics are still about the Lakers, Lebron, AD, and Russ.

1 more month to go and the new season starts. I honestly would like to see Russ traded so the Lakers will have a strong line-up with no excuses if they can't compete on top. But I agree with the odds, the Boston Celtics are the real favorites next season with even more additional acquisitions for this season. My main focus will be on the 76ers and T'wolves though. I am just super curious about how the new twin towers perform when the league is currently going smaller.

Any NBA ESPN or Yahoo Fantasy player here?

I'm also curious on how will be the chemistry of the new twin towers, Man! if they gonna click well, they can be one of the great teams we will ever have this year. Hope that injuries will never touch them and with Gobert finally out from the Jazz, he can start testing his skills and add some new with the help of his new teammates. As for Karl-Anthony Towns, I don't know what he's saying about The NBA hasn't seen something like this, I mean they need to make it sure first to have a great play and once that happened, then he can talk all he wants. Talking too much before the season would only make things worse when the reality is not like how he expected.

[CryptoBuds]

Hot topics are still about the Lakers, Lebron, AD, and Russ.

1 more month to go and the new season starts. I honestly would like to see Russ traded so the Lakers will have a strong line-up with no excuses if they can't compete on top. But I agree with the odds, the Boston Celtics are the real favorites next season with even more additional acquisitions for this season. My main focus will be on the 76ers and T'wolves though. I am just super curious about how the new twin towers perform when the league is currently going smaller.

Any NBA ESPN or Yahoo Fantasy player here?

I'm also curious on how will be the chemistry of the new twin towers, Man! if they gonna click well, they can be one of the great teams we will ever have this year. Hope that injuries will never touch them and with Gobert finally out from the Jazz, he can start testing his skills and add some new with the help of his new teammates. As for Karl-Anthony Towns, I don't know what he's saying about The NBA hasn't seen something like this, I mean they need to make it sure first to have a great play and once that happened, then he can talk all he wants. Talking too much before the season would only make things worse when the reality is not like how he expected.

^ I also hope that injuries are not going to be a problem going into the next season. However, at the same time, I think that it is unlikely that they will be able to play the entire season without injuries. We have seen how injuries have affected the teams and spread out like a plague. It is, therefore, safe to say that at the moment, nothing is certain.

Karl-Anthony Towns should also keep his voice down for a specific period of time, and I think he should keep it low for a little while. In order to earn his trust, he should first prove to himself that he is worth it. The NBA fans are not going to be pleased if he can't live up to the expectations that he sets for himself, so there is not going to be a good reaction from them either.