2025 NBA Season

[FanEagle]

I would guess that when a player plays a good role for a team that goes to finals, it is quite possible that they will get big offers and it is rare that the team that went to finals could match it since the yare already maxed out with contracts anyway. Heat will need just one more trade, which is sending Lowry away, because no matter how good he is, he is not a championship caliber PG in my book, and get someone that can help them with it.

To be fair not many remember who was the PG at Lakers when they won at 2020, or Giannis won with which PG along with him, we may know because we follow NBA closely but not really common knowledge. So, maybe they can still win with Lowry as well but I feel like someone better could make the difference.

[Pamadar]

But it could be that Phoenix is looking for something that values more. I just checked Ayton's contract and he is paid an average of around $33 million. Jusuf Nurkic has lower but nearly the same output as Ayton and is only paid an average of around $16 million yearly.

So, if the trade were to happen, it should involve Nurkic and a bunch of players in exchange for Ayton, right? Well, that seems fair, but personally, I'm more concerned about Nurkic's health as he seems to be injury-prone already compared to Ayton. Also, I've seen him in the playoffs, like when the Blazers were playing against the Nuggets, and it's evident that he couldn't effectively stop Jokic. So, in terms of defense and maturity in the game, I would lean towards Ayton. But I understand that teams involved in a possible trade look at how valuable the players they acquire will be, and they wouldn't agree to it if they didn't see benefits. At this moment, I would say it's a crucial decision.

It could be the scenario. Overall if I were the Phoenix Suns' management I also want to stick with Ayton. The guy has been with them since day 1 and is mostly familiar with their plays and chemistry already. If they are planning to trade Ayton then they better make it private as much as possible. Ayton may felt unwanted soon if the rumors were true that he's been in the trading block for years already.

But what I know is Portland's priority right now is to get an excellent deal for Damian Lillard. I have begun to wonder if Ayton is enough for Lillard. Phoenix though has Beal already and it might be difficult to put Booker at SF.

Not sure if that is possible and I see over lapses in terms of offense if chances permit that Ayton will be traded for Dame, putting 4 stars who all have the need to hold the ball. I mean more on offensive arsenal.

Suns should stay with Ayton, still young and good as a two-way player, both offense and
defense Ayton can provide if the coach will be able to maximize him when playing together
with the 3 superstars that they've got.

[dwyane36]

At this point, it's everyone's speculation. And again, this situation though might get ugly. If Portland has shut down it's door of a Lillard trade because they felt that Miami is taking advantage of them, like asking too many players + future drafts and Portland doesn't want that, then it won't happen.

Maybe both will be traded soon, but not to the team that they desire. I understand that Harden and Lillard wanted out, but it might be putting too much pressure to their current teams right now. So most likely no trades to the team that they wanted to move.

I think the Blazers wouldn't have any hesitation and would have agreed to a trade with the Heat a long time ago if the Heat front office included either Butler or Adebayo in the deal. Obviously, that's not going to happen, as the Heat want to build a super team by keeping those two guys and getting a player like Lillard by trading only role players for him.

[danherbias07]

I would guess that when a player plays a good role for a team that goes to finals, it is quite possible that they will get big offers and it is rare that the team that went to finals could match it since the yare already maxed out with contracts anyway. Heat will need just one more trade, which is sending Lowry away, because no matter how good he is, he is not a championship caliber PG in my book, and get someone that can help them with it.

To be fair not many remember who was the PG at Lakers when they won at 2020, or Giannis won with which PG along with him, we may know because we follow NBA closely but not really common knowledge. So, maybe they can still win with Lowry as well but I feel like someone better could make the difference.

Lowry actually did great on the last Finals, he is actually the one who is more composed than any other player in the Miami Heat team. Butler is inconsistent, he is shaky, and it's actually normal with him, we've seen that quite a lot of times already. Then their undrafted players, most of them are already traded for someone else.
What they need is for Tyler Herro to be back in a healthy body and Caleb Martin to train harder for his game to step up.
I doubt the Heat actually want to move more and that is why they cannot end a trade with the Portland Trail Blazers for Damian. It will mean destroying the built chemistry that made them reach the Finals again, the only thing they need is a bit of an upgrade.

After reading this, I felt like I went to the land of the Giants.
https://www.nba.com/lakers/news/lakers-2023-24-training-camp-preview-forwards-and-bigs
Lakers 2023-24 Training Camp Preview: Forwards and Bigs
Look at the big-man roster.
Anthony Davis, F/C
Rui Hachimura, F
Jaxson Hayes, C/F
LeBron James, F
Jarred Vanderbilt, F
Christian Wood, F
These guys will not let anyone get near the rim.

[AHOYBRAUSE]

You’re all tripping about Dwight Howard. He was forced out of the league because of his sideline and locker on behavior, not because he stopped being an elite center. He’s getting older sure, but he’s still a top 10 center in the league.

Portland trying to force Damian Lillard to training camp. I’m sure he’ll cooperate, but it’s not a good look. Haven’t heard much about the Harden drama lately.

He is 37 with nearly 20 years of professional miles on him.  Was pointing out he is no way going to change a team one way or another.  He probably will only get 10-15 minutes a game tops and that's depending on the matchup.  Throw him out there 20+ minutes and he will break down.  He is a pounder that's a young man's game.

I think the Warriors for sure has taken that account into consideration when they opted him for a try out. And the same with Howard, he knows that he will be just like a 10-15 minutes player or even less, but still he take that chances, but it wasn't meant for him to be a Warriors a guess.

For the Lillard and Harden drama, I would just wait for the official news though. It seems that every day there is different directions for this two whether to stay on their current teams or they be traded.

Top 10 center in the league he says, haha.
Didn't this guy see him play in Taiwan? I saw him play, live in the arena 3 times. Even in Taiwan he can't dominate in the paint and had problems with some guys, so how would he in the NBA.
Also, at GSW he would also just be the backup center. How would he be a backup as a top 10 center, smh.

[cryptomaniac_xxx]

At this point, it's everyone's speculation. And again, this situation though might get ugly. If Portland has shut down it's door of a Lillard trade because they felt that Miami is taking advantage of them, like asking too many players + future drafts and Portland doesn't want that, then it won't happen.

Maybe both will be traded soon, but not to the team that they desire. I understand that Harden and Lillard wanted out, but it might be putting too much pressure to their current teams right now. So most likely no trades to the team that they wanted to move.

I think the Blazers wouldn't have any hesitation and would have agreed to a trade with the Heat a long time ago if the Heat front office included either Butler or Adebayo in the deal. Obviously, that's not going to happen, as the Heat want to build a super team by keeping those two guys and getting a player like Lillard by trading only role players for him.

As you have said, it's not going to happen, perhaps the best they can offer is Hero and then some future draft picks, which I think the Blazers are not willing to. I'm just thinking if they will get Hero, then they could developed him as their own new franchise player.

Nevertheless it's not going to happen as Portland might be looking for more players to be included and the best they can ask maybe is Bam. But he is part of the center piece of the Heat so it's a no go for Miami.

[Captain Corporate]

Nobody could force Portland to make that trade if they do not want to, Dame was the one who accepted such a huge salary that he deserved but also a very long one. He is signed until 2026 or so I think, which means that when he was signing that deal, he knew that he would not be able to leave, and he had to accept it as a fact that Portland may not trade him at all. I feel like now him wanting out is not fair, they have paid him so much because they agreed on the money but also the term of the deal as well, maybe they would have offered less if he wanted a 1-2 year contract, who knows? Maybe they found it worthy because he agreed a long term deal and they made their decisions based on that? If he wants to leave, that's his right to want to leave, but if they want to keep him, then they have every right to not trade him.

[Yamifoud]

Nobody could force Portland to make that trade if they do not want to, Dame was the one who accepted such a huge salary that he deserved but also a very long one. He is signed until 2026 or so I think, which means that when he was signing that deal, he knew that he would not be able to leave, and he had to accept it as a fact that Portland may not trade him at all. I feel like now him wanting out is not fair, they have paid him so much because they agreed on the money but also the term of the deal as well, maybe they would have offered less if he wanted a 1-2 year contract, who knows? Maybe they found it worthy because he agreed a long term deal and they made their decisions based on that? If he wants to leave, that's his right to want to leave, but if they want to keep him, then they have every right to not trade him.

Exactly. However, are they willing to accept what Lillard would offer knowing he is not 100% happy playing with the team? This is a team game, and Lillard is their superstar. What if his statistics drop? That would affect the future of the team, as they might not make it to the playoffs. So, I guess, although the Blazers might delay the inevitable, eventually they will trade Lillard to a team he desires. Miami will be eagerly waiting, as their current roster is still capable of reaching the Finals again.

[Pamadar]

Nobody could force Portland to make that trade if they do not want to, Dame was the one who accepted such a huge salary that he deserved but also a very long one. He is signed until 2026 or so I think, which means that when he was signing that deal, he knew that he would not be able to leave, and he had to accept it as a fact that Portland may not trade him at all. I feel like now him wanting out is not fair, they have paid him so much because they agreed on the money but also the term of the deal as well, maybe they would have offered less if he wanted a 1-2 year contract, who knows? Maybe they found it worthy because he agreed a long term deal and they made their decisions based on that? If he wants to leave, that's his right to want to leave, but if they want to keep him, then they have every right to not trade him.

Exactly. However, are they willing to accept what Lillard would offer knowing he is not 100% happy playing with the team? This is a team game, and Lillard is their superstar. What if his statistics drop? That would affect the future of the team, as they might not make it to the playoffs. So, I guess, although the Blazers might delay the inevitable, eventually they will trade Lillard to a team he desires. Miami will be eagerly waiting, as their current roster is still capable of reaching the Finals again.

Agree to that, it will affect the overall performances of the team if your main alpha is not playing at his best, along the way maybe Portland will find the suited offer for Dame then trade him to that team who will give them the best offer.

We can't dictate what will happen as there are many factors that may affect the trade and knowing this league
surprises are no longer new. We never know what will be the plan and how it will be executed.

[Distinctin]

Nobody could force Portland to make that trade if they do not want to, Dame was the one who accepted such a huge salary that he deserved but also a very long one. He is signed until 2026 or so I think, which means that when he was signing that deal, he knew that he would not be able to leave, and he had to accept it as a fact that Portland may not trade him at all. I feel like now him wanting out is not fair, they have paid him so much because they agreed on the money but also the term of the deal as well, maybe they would have offered less if he wanted a 1-2 year contract, who knows? Maybe they found it worthy because he agreed a long term deal and they made their decisions based on that? If he wants to leave, that's his right to want to leave, but if they want to keep him, then they have every right to not trade him.

Exactly. However, are they willing to accept what Lillard would offer knowing he is not 100% happy playing with the team? This is a team game, and Lillard is their superstar. What if his statistics drop? That would affect the future of the team, as they might not make it to the playoffs. So, I guess, although the Blazers might delay the inevitable, eventually they will trade Lillard to a team he desires. Miami will be eagerly waiting, as their current roster is still capable of reaching the Finals again.

Agree to that, it will affect the overall performances of the team if your main alpha is not playing at his best, along the way maybe Portland will find the suited offer for Dame then trade him to that team who will give them the best offer.

We can't dictate what will happen as there are many factors that may affect the trade and knowing this league
surprises are no longer new. We never know what will be the plan and how it will be executed.

In this situation, the management is at a disadvantage because if they oblige Lillard to play and he does play, they will have to pay him his salary. However, the question remains: will Lillard still perform at the same level as he did before he demanded to be traded? If not, then the Trail Blazers will risk losing fans, viewership, and revenue. That's the bigger picture I see if they continue to force Lillard to play.

[ChiBitCTy]

You’re all tripping about Dwight Howard. He was forced out of the league because of his sideline and locker on behavior, not because he stopped being an elite center. He’s getting older sure, but he’s still a top 10 center in the league.

Portland trying to force Damian Lillard to training camp. I’m sure he’ll cooperate, but it’s not a good look. Haven’t heard much about the Harden drama lately.

He is 37 with nearly 20 years of professional miles on him.  Was pointing out he is no way going to change a team one way or another.  He probably will only get 10-15 minutes a game tops and that's depending on the matchup.  Throw him out there 20+ minutes and he will break down.  He is a pounder that's a young man's game.

I think the Warriors for sure has taken that account into consideration when they opted him for a try out. And the same with Howard, he knows that he will be just like a 10-15 minutes player or even less, but still he take that chances, but it wasn't meant for him to be a Warriors a guess.

For the Lillard and Harden drama, I would just wait for the official news though. It seems that every day there is different directions for this two whether to stay on their current teams or they be traded.

Top 10 center in the league he says, haha.
Didn't this guy see him play in Taiwan? I saw him play, live in the arena 3 times. Even in Taiwan he can't dominate in the paint and had problems with some guys, so how would he in the NBA.
Also, at GSW he would also just be the backup center. How would he be a backup as a top 10 center, smh.

Wow that's pretty cool you saw him play in Taiwan?  Did you see any other former NBA players when you went to watch? We rarely hear about where x-NBA players go to play after the NBA.  I honestly had no idea that he was playing Taiwan.  Every once in a while I hear about an x-NBA player playing overseas and always suprised about it. 

I bet he wat still fun to watch no?

[wheelz1200]

Nobody could force Portland to make that trade if they do not want to, Dame was the one who accepted such a huge salary that he deserved but also a very long one. He is signed until 2026 or so I think, which means that when he was signing that deal, he knew that he would not be able to leave, and he had to accept it as a fact that Portland may not trade him at all. I feel like now him wanting out is not fair, they have paid him so much because they agreed on the money but also the term of the deal as well, maybe they would have offered less if he wanted a 1-2 year contract, who knows? Maybe they found it worthy because he agreed a long term deal and they made their decisions based on that? If he wants to leave, that's his right to want to leave, but if they want to keep him, then they have every right to not trade him.

Exactly. However, are they willing to accept what Lillard would offer knowing he is not 100% happy playing with the team? This is a team game, and Lillard is their superstar. What if his statistics drop? That would affect the future of the team, as they might not make it to the playoffs. So, I guess, although the Blazers might delay the inevitable, eventually they will trade Lillard to a team he desires. Miami will be eagerly waiting, as their current roster is still capable of reaching the Finals again.

I mean it's at the Blazers expense but letting players dictate what they want and when they want it after signing a deal is a bad precedence.  This only encourages other stars to behave like this when you don't get what you want.  If I was the Blazers I'd play this game of chicken.  The flip side is they can flip Dame into a bunch of young pieces to go with Simmons, Sharpe and scoot and build for the future. 

[Beparanf]

Wow that's pretty cool you saw him play in Taiwan?  Did you see any other former NBA players when you went to watch? We rarely hear about where x-NBA players go to play after the NBA.  I honestly had no idea that he was playing Taiwan.  Every once in a while I hear about an x-NBA player playing overseas and always suprised about it. 

I bet he wat still fun to watch no?

Dwight has a lot of memes on twitter about him playing in Taiwan during the last Playoffs since he is the only one that stop Joker during his time on Lakers before while Nuggets dominates Lakers on the last playoff with no one can guard Jokic.

He is having the best time of his career on Taiwan since he dominates the game there. I think is he the only popular NBA player playing in Taiwanand the rest is on China and other lower asia league.

[livingfree]

You want news everyone about Dwight Howard's development together with the Golde State Warriors? Here's what we've got.

Warriors Will Not Sign Dwight Howard After Two-Day Visit, per Report

Warriors pass on signing Dwight Howard to maintain roster flexibility, per report

Many thought that it's like 99% of him signing on the current roster of the Warriors but then, that little percentage of failing prevailed.

They might not sign him, but they will still sign a veteran though.

TBH, I'm not surprised that the Warriors didn't gave him a contract. The reason why they didn't sign him is because of how the current playstyle of the Warriors are currently. We've known the Warriors as a fast-paced team, and they're one of the fastest paced teams right now in the league. Howard can't cope up because he will be having a hard time running, and running. Looney is at least faster him IMO. I think that's the reason why. The playstyle isn't fit for him. Now that he will not go to the Warriors, I wonder where he will be landing. Will other teams try to get him, and give him a veteran contract? Or will he go back to Taiwan again, and attract those NBA players to play with him in Taiwan again.

They already signed CP3 so probably that's the veteran that you're saying.

While your analysis is really good and fit that Dwight might not be good to their playstyle. As a reserve player just in case of opponents like Nuggets, they have someone to go man to man with Jokic but not anymore this time.

And for the team where he could fit, we still don't have a news yet about that. But those that still have a place for him as for their roster, hopefully he will make because that's likely the reason why GSW didn't sign him.

[LogitechMouse]

Nobody could force Portland to make that trade if they do not want to, Dame was the one who accepted such a huge salary that he deserved but also a very long one. He is signed until 2026 or so I think, which means that when he was signing that deal, he knew that he would not be able to leave, and he had to accept it as a fact that Portland may not trade him at all.

Kawhi Leonard, Ben Simmons, James Harden, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving.

They're just a few players who have contract, but they still wanted to get traded, and got approved. He knew that he would not be able to leave? Yes he can. Just not play for the whole season, then the team will be forced to trade him especially with that huge contract of his, the Blazers will be forced to trade him because it will be a burden for them paying that huge amount, and yet he wasn't playing for them. Like he said, I think that he only wants to play in Miami uniform, and base on Woj, a few teams are contacting them already for a potential trade. What's good as well is that, the Suns are rumored to be the 3rd team that will get involved into a trade that includes Dame. The question is which team they are contacting with right now.

I feel like now him wanting out is not fair, they have paid him so much because they agreed on the money but also the term of the deal as well, maybe they would have offered less if he wanted a 1-2 year contract, who knows? Maybe they found it worthy because he agreed a long term deal and they made their decisions based on that? If he wants to leave, that's his right to want to leave, but if they want to keep him, then they have every right to not trade him.

He's the main player of the team, so obviously the team will give him a near-supermax contract. He's the main guy on the team. Like I said above, they have the right to keep him, but if you're the GM of the Blazers, will you keep a player who isn't interested in playing with your team, but on the other hand, you are paying him since it's on the contract?

On the other hand, Commissioner Adam Silver must have a solution with this types of situation. It seems like the player has the power on this kind of scenarios where they will just request a trade whenever they feel they need to.

[blockman]

Everybody thought he was already about to sign with the Warriors but it didn't happen. When things were almost happening smoothly, it went south.

The hype was already there, but it's unfortunate to know that this may not materialize. I don't have all the details yet since the article I read doesn't specify. I'm not sure if it's the Warriors not wanting to sign Howard or if Howard chose to play with another team. As of now, there has been no update on which team he will play for.

Yeah, it has made hype for a few days and then was cut off. That was fun hype but didn't last long. Based on the articles that I have seen, it was the decision of Warriors not to sign him. But if there will be another opportunity that will come then he'll definitely grab it since he's up for coming back to the league.

Howard surely isn't aiming for a big salary, as he knows he's worth a veteran contract. But we also know that CP3 and Howard would make a good tandem. Unfortunately, it's been canceled, so let's put an end to the speculation.

Yeah, he just want to get back again and then for sure there will be more opportunities to which team he'll be appreciated and he'll help to achieve a better run.

[wheelz1200]

Wow that's pretty cool you saw him play in Taiwan?  Did you see any other former NBA players when you went to watch? We rarely hear about where x-NBA players go to play after the NBA.  I honestly had no idea that he was playing Taiwan.  Every once in a while I hear about an x-NBA player playing overseas and always suprised about it. 

I bet he wat still fun to watch no?

Dwight has a lot of memes on twitter about him playing in Taiwan during the last Playoffs since he is the only one that stop Joker during his time on Lakers before while Nuggets dominates Lakers on the last playoff with no one can guard Jokic.

He is having the best time of his career on Taiwan since he dominates the game there. I think is he the only popular NBA player playing in Taiwanand the rest is on China and other lower asia league.

I think you are right I'm not sure if there is any other big time players playing over there right now.  Honestly I haven't even been watching, what was his stats while he was over there?  I can't see him not dominating the paint in that league.  I don't have hate against the guy it's just he is a 37 year old big man who bangs down low.  His carrier is pretty much done at this point.

[harizen]

In this situation, the management is at a disadvantage because if they oblige Lillard to play and he does play, they will have to pay him his salary. However, the question remains: will Lillard still perform at the same level as he did before he demanded to be traded?

In the first place, who's the one to blame at the start? It's not new that Lillard always hoped that the team would try to improve every next season and he's vocal about that every time especially when the Blazers are being eliminated in the playoffs. The Blazers failed to surround Lillard a good role player and in fact, they aren't even making some effort to land a big fish either on trade or in the free agency.

If not, then the Trail Blazers will risk losing fans, viewership, and revenue. That's the bigger picture I see if they continue to force Lillard to play.

Generally, the home crowd is not just watching the home team literally why they paid for their tickets. If the home team is up against a top team with popular NBA players on board, expect that these people will pay for a ticket. However, expect that most games of the home team will have noticeably less audience if their record is at worst.

[yazher]

I mean it's at the Blazers expense but letting players dictate what they want and when they want it after signing a deal is a bad precedence.  This only encourages other stars to behave like this when you don't get what you want.  If I was the Blazers I'd play this game of chicken.  The flip side is they can flip Dame into a bunch of young pieces to go with Simmons, Sharpe and scoot and build for the future. 

This is what they've got letting those star players do what they want when they are popular and become stars in the team, it's become a norm now because they are afraid to lose the money they paid when they don't agree with their star players as long as it makes sense what they are doing. but the problem is, that they are being taken advantage of due to the fact that they can't really do anything about those players. there should be a lifetime ban concerning these types of acts in order for players not to cause the same problems again.

[danherbias07]

In this situation, the management is at a disadvantage because if they oblige Lillard to play and he does play, they will have to pay him his salary. However, the question remains: will Lillard still perform at the same level as he did before he demanded to be traded?

In the first place, who's the one to blame at the start? It's not new that Lillard always hoped that the team would try to improve every next season and he's vocal about that every time especially when the Blazers are being eliminated in the playoffs. The Blazers failed to surround Lillard a good role player and in fact, they aren't even making some effort to land a big fish either on trade or in the free agency.

100% true.
It's the Trail Blazers management that should be blamed here in the first place. Damian got old without even having a good team. When I say team, someone he could trust if he cannot score the ball. CJ McCollum was there, but who's next? It became easier for other teams to defend the Trail Blazers and there's just one defensive play, stop Damian Lillard. Now that he is asking for a trade, I think they should make something happen because that guy will not play like he has a goal anymore if he is just being forced to play for them.

If not, then the Trail Blazers will risk losing fans, viewership, and revenue. That's the bigger picture I see if they continue to force Lillard to play.

Generally, the home crowd is not just watching the home team literally why they paid for their tickets. If the home team is up against a top team with popular NBA players on board, expect that these people will pay for a ticket. However, expect that most games of the home team will have noticeably less audience if their record is at worst.

Yeah. I'd agree with that. That's why their management should come up with something to release him or make another move. Maybe he will still change his mind if they recruit one more good player to back him up. But the big question is who? I don't think there's anyone available out there anymore. It's too late. I don't think they will take James Harden too. Damn, their team will be filled with guards and less big men.