2026 NBA Season

[OgNasty]

Speaking of value, I just saw a few hours ago that Cam Thomas, a player who's averaging 24 PPG in Brooklyn signed a 1-year deal worth $6M to stay. I mean a player that offensive only got that amount. I wonder why though. 

Yeah, for real, that’s way too low for a player averaging 24 PPG. Meanwhile, Pat Connaughton is making $9.4M while only averaging 5.3 PPG. Lol. Even if people say he’s putting up numbers because of the team he’s on and wouldn’t score like that on a top team, it’s still too low, and he’s still young, just 23. Other players with lower averages are getting paid more. Honestly, that feels unfair. His agent doesn’t seem great at negotiations. Cooper Flagg is even making more in his first season.

That's the weird part about the NBA. Some players are overpaid, and some are underpaid based on their performance and contribution to the team. Nevertheless, the NBA is a business. I think they're also looking at whether the player can draw a lot of fans/market. Cam Thomas is indeed underrated. This is a challenge to him. He's still young, and he has all the time to improve and show his real worth. If Brooklyn won't see that in the next couple of years, then I don't see him staying with that team.

I already posted this but people continue having bad takes so I’ll post it again. The Nets made him 3 offers and he took the lowest one.

2-years, $30M (team option)
1-year, $9.5M (can be traded)
1-year, $6M qualifying offer (no-trade clause)

He chose to take less money to guarantee that he wouldn’t be traded this year. Maybe he has a girlfriend in Brooklyn or something. He left 9 million this year on the table by not being willing to sign with a team option for next year. Likely because he knew he would be traded and wants to stay where he is.

[LogitechMouse]

---
2-years, $30M (team option)
1-year, $9.5M (can be traded)
1-year, $6M qualifying offer (no-trade clause)

He chose to take less money to guarantee that he wouldn’t be traded this year. Maybe he has a girlfriend in Brooklyn or something. He left 9 million this year on the table by not being willing to sign with a team option for next year. Likely because he knew he would be traded and wants to stay where he is.

Thanks for reminding.

My personal guess as to why he picked the lowest one is that, no other team wants to sign him that's why he went with a guaranteed offer. The first option is the best obviously at least for me. I mean the Nets can trade him mid-season, but the problem is when they trade him, that team that will receive him can just waive or bought him out as well. The 2nd option is the riskiest one. I still can't think of any logical reason as to why he picked the 3rd one, but it is what is.

The best thing for him is to play better this season because he's good offensively already averaging around 24 PPG last season. I guess his defense and playmaking is where he needs to improve.

[Fredomago]

Speaking of value, I just saw a few hours ago that Cam Thomas, a player who's averaging 24 PPG in Brooklyn signed a 1-year deal worth $6M to stay. I mean a player that offensive only got that amount. I wonder why though. 

Yeah, for real, that’s way too low for a player averaging 24 PPG. Meanwhile, Pat Connaughton is making $9.4M while only averaging 5.3 PPG. Lol. Even if people say he’s putting up numbers because of the team he’s on and wouldn’t score like that on a top team, it’s still too low, and he’s still young, just 23. Other players with lower averages are getting paid more. Honestly, that feels unfair. His agent doesn’t seem great at negotiations. Cooper Flagg is even making more in his first season.

That's the weird part about the NBA. Some players are overpaid, and some are underpaid based on their performance and contribution to the team. Nevertheless, the NBA is a business. I think they're also looking at whether the player can draw a lot of fans/market. Cam Thomas is indeed underrated. This is a challenge to him. He's still young, and he has all the time to improve and show his real worth. If Brooklyn won't see that in the next couple of years, then I don't see him staying with that team.

Indeed, still young and still have a lot of time to improve and to showcase his talents, might be possible that he accepts the deal to continue pursuing his career. Though it's too low for such a offensive player but still better than not playing, and similar to what you said if he continue providing those numbers and Nets still not going to offer him decent contract, possible that he may explore and find a new team or if by chance he may seek for other opportunities like playing outside US.

[Shinpako09]

I already posted this but people continue having bad takes so I’ll post it again. The Nets made him 3 offers and he took the lowest one.

2-years, $30M (team option)
1-year, $9.5M (can be traded)
1-year, $6M qualifying offer (no-trade clause)

He chose to take less money to guarantee that he wouldn’t be traded this year. Maybe he has a girlfriend in Brooklyn or something. He left 9 million this year on the table by not being willing to sign with a team option for next year. Likely because he knew he would be traded and wants to stay where he is.

Oh, ok, while others want to get a bigger bag, he chose the smallest offer. I don’t know what he’s thinking, but to me, that seems like a bad decision. He should’ve grabbed a good offer while he’s still young and while there are even better deals available. Just grab it and make a name for yourself so you can negotiate better deals later. For sure, he and his agent already have a plan for accepting the third offer. Maybe he wants to maintain, or even improve, his average points with his current team. That way, he can negotiate a better deal in the future.

[batang_bitcoin]

The intention to keep Kawhi and make sure that he still be with the team, that's something the team owner needs to deal with, and his action is now being exposed, it's how the investigator comes up with their proft and evidences to settle this issue.

It's said that Ballmer is likely to pay for around $50M just for the penalty if proven guilty on this case. Well, he's paid Kawhi with that amount for the fraud that they did just for him to be retained in the Clippers. While this is unethical as per NBA's terms and agreement. This is already a case that they can't win. And if this had happened to Clippers, maybe this can also happen to other teams but they're not exposed. What do you think guys? but if there are teams that plans to do this, they won't pursue it any longer for how it's exposed already.

[btc_angela]

The intention to keep Kawhi and make sure that he still be with the team, that's something the team owner needs to deal with, and his action is now being exposed, it's how the investigator comes up with their proft and evidences to settle this issue.

It's said that Ballmer is likely to pay for around $50M just for the penalty if proven guilty on this case. Well, he's paid Kawhi with that amount for the fraud that they did just for him to be retained in the Clippers. While this is unethical as per NBA's terms and agreement. This is already a case that they can't win. And if this had happened to Clippers, maybe this can also happen to other teams but they're not exposed. What do you think guys? but if there are teams that plans to do this, they won't pursue it any longer for how it's exposed already.

It's been compared to Joe Smith case before,

https://www.talkbasket.net/202301-insider-compares-kawhi-leonard-salary-cap-probe-to-joe-smith-scandal

Wolves pay a hefty fine that time and could be the case for Kawhi here. Also in the Joe Smith case, the Wolves forfeited their picks in the NBA draft. So if that happens to the Clippers, it will obviously that a serious toll on them.

[dwyane36]

It's been compared to Joe Smith case before,

https://www.talkbasket.net/202301-insider-compares-kawhi-leonard-salary-cap-probe-to-joe-smith-scandal

Wolves pay a hefty fine that time and could be the case for Kawhi here. Also in the Joe Smith case, the Wolves forfeited their picks in the NBA draft. So if that happens to the Clippers, it will obviously that a serious toll on them.

Yep, if the Clippers end up in the same situation as the Wolves, it won't be good for them. There is a chance that they could be fined several million dollars and lose their first-round draft picks, although it's worth noting that they have almost none of them until 2030 anyway.
I think the worst-case scenario, although extremely unlikely, would be if the NBA voids Leonard's contract and forces Ballmer to sell the team.

[danherbias07]

NBA News is filled with the Kawhi Leonard name, and I think this could be the biggest investigation regarding contracts/salary caps that the NBA will do.

The funny thing: It's Steve Ballmer who wants the NBA to make an investigation about it.
Is he saying he is not guilty? He might be innocent. Who knows? But he is talking.

He is saying that he just introduced Kawhi Leonard to Aspiration (partner of the Clippers) because they want to meet Kawhi. About the contract they did with Kawhi, he knows nothing about it.

[avp2306]

That's the weird part about the NBA. Some players are overpaid, and some are underpaid based on their performance and contribution to the team. Nevertheless, the NBA is a business. I think they're also looking at whether the player can draw a lot of fans/market. Cam Thomas is indeed underrated. This is a challenge to him. He's still young, and he has all the time to improve and show his real worth. If Brooklyn won't see that in the next couple of years, then I don't see him staying with that team.

I already posted this but people continue having bad takes so I’ll post it again. The Nets made him 3 offers and he took the lowest one.

2-years, $30M (team option)
1-year, $9.5M (can be traded)
1-year, $6M qualifying offer (no-trade clause)

He chose to take less money to guarantee that he wouldn’t be traded this year. Maybe he has a girlfriend in Brooklyn or something. He left 9 million this year on the table by not being willing to sign with a team option for next year. Likely because he knew he would be traded and wants to stay where he is.

I think its not about having other things that's why he want to stay on Brooklyn.

Since if it happens that he take that $30m for 2 years he won't have power to negotiate and will always follow what Brooklyn wants.

if he agree to that 1 year $9.5m he had a chance to be traded to other teams which he might don't want to play and he's career is at risk in this option.

Also if he take that $6m in 1 year no trade clause he could have total control of his career and he could possibly get more bigger contracts to other team especially if he performs well this season. Its like he bet on his self for taking that $6m. So hopefully he could perform well and would able to get what he want for next season. He's taking risky path for taking this option.

[Sanitough]

I think the purpose of a qualifying offer is to let a player get evaluated based on his performance, and from there he can aim for a maximum contract - that’s the main point IMO. For Thomas, he probably knows his own value is high because of his performance, so he’s confident the team might offer him a better deal.

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2020/11/all-star-brandon-ingram-others-receive-qualifying-offers.html

after that he received a max contract.

[batang_bitcoin]

The intention to keep Kawhi and make sure that he still be with the team, that's something the team owner needs to deal with, and his action is now being exposed, it's how the investigator comes up with their proft and evidences to settle this issue.

It's said that Ballmer is likely to pay for around $50M just for the penalty if proven guilty on this case. Well, he's paid Kawhi with that amount for the fraud that they did just for him to be retained in the Clippers. While this is unethical as per NBA's terms and agreement. This is already a case that they can't win. And if this had happened to Clippers, maybe this can also happen to other teams but they're not exposed. What do you think guys? but if there are teams that plans to do this, they won't pursue it any longer for how it's exposed already.

It's been compared to Joe Smith case before,

https://www.talkbasket.net/202301-insider-compares-kawhi-leonard-salary-cap-probe-to-joe-smith-scandal

Wolves pay a hefty fine that time and could be the case for Kawhi here. Also in the Joe Smith case, the Wolves forfeited their picks in the NBA draft. So if that happens to the Clippers, it will obviously that a serious toll on them.

That's what I've read in some threads and articles too. There will be voidance of the early drafts done by Clippers and the trades that it has made prior to this case. It's interesting how things are going to happen for this case with Steve Ballmer, Kawhi Leonard and for the entire team of the Los Angeles Clippers.

NBA News is filled with the Kawhi Leonard name, and I think this could be the biggest investigation regarding contracts/salary caps that the NBA will do.

The funny thing: It's Steve Ballmer who wants the NBA to make an investigation about it.
Is he saying he is not guilty? He might be innocent. Who knows? But he is talking.

He is saying that he just introduced Kawhi Leonard to Aspiration (partner of the Clippers) because they want to meet Kawhi. About the contract they did with Kawhi, he knows nothing about it.

Well, maybe he's applying the number #1: Never admit what you've done. 

[livingfree]

So him and Ballmer went under the table so to speak and goes on some scheme so that he can pay Kawhi more because they are over the salary cap. But as what we said, they are not yet guilty so let's see the investigation of the NBA.

I still don't understand this case. So does this means that Ballmer paid more than the cap in the NBA and did an under the table just for them to keep Kawhi on their team?

No they remain on the cap and they made that malicious endorsement deal so that they can pay and retain Kawhi on Clippers.

This is subject of their investigation and Balmer and Kawhi will be in huge trouble with this issue since its clear that they violate the rules of NBA for having this deal.

If they just do some little works to justify all of those actions they have done maybe the NBA or someone investigating their issue would gonna notice those possible illegal transaction they made. But it seems that they rush it all and spend lots of money just to get the service of Kawhi in Clippers.

Well, I now understand and it's all about making Kawhi stay for the LA Clippers with that deal.

But they have to do it through some bogus tree planting whatnot? I guess that the both will still be able to escape it, it's only about the penalties that they have to pay.

[LogitechMouse]

I thinking, what will be the consequences though if they are found guilty? Kawhi ban from playing or suspended for games? And Ballmer fined for millions? Might be peanut for him if that will be the case.

And for Kawhi, maybe a whole season might not be big for him as well even if they suspend his pay for a year. Although this shouldn't be let pass by the NBA as this could set precedence or this could be happening already and other team owners are doing under the table pays for their star player.

I watched a video on YouTube regarding this scandal, and I'll share the link here as well. LINK
Well based on that video, the worst thing that the Clippers as a whole may face is their future draft picks being void. The worst that Kawhi can face is a termination of his current contract, and the least sanction that the management can get is a fine that Ballmer can just pay immediately without any worries at all because... he's just the richest owner in sports right now.

I don't see any suspension for Kawhi for year because that's not in the CBA rules. I hope that Adam Silver though will punish those that are needed to be punished, and don't take this scandal lightly.

[TravelMug]

That's the weird part about the NBA. Some players are overpaid, and some are underpaid based on their performance and contribution to the team. Nevertheless, the NBA is a business. I think they're also looking at whether the player can draw a lot of fans/market. Cam Thomas is indeed underrated. This is a challenge to him. He's still young, and he has all the time to improve and show his real worth. If Brooklyn won't see that in the next couple of years, then I don't see him staying with that team.

I already posted this but people continue having bad takes so I’ll post it again. The Nets made him 3 offers and he took the lowest one.

2-years, $30M (team option)
1-year, $9.5M (can be traded)
1-year, $6M qualifying offer (no-trade clause)

He chose to take less money to guarantee that he wouldn’t be traded this year. Maybe he has a girlfriend in Brooklyn or something. He left 9 million this year on the table by not being willing to sign with a team option for next year. Likely because he knew he would be traded and wants to stay where he is.

I think its not about having other things that's why he want to stay on Brooklyn.

Since if it happens that he take that $30m for 2 years he won't have power to negotiate and will always follow what Brooklyn wants.

if he agree to that 1 year $9.5m he had a chance to be traded to other teams which he might don't want to play and he's career is at risk in this option.

Also if he take that $6m in 1 year no trade clause he could have total control of his career and he could possibly get more bigger contracts to other team especially if he performs well this season. Its like he bet on his self for taking that $6m. So hopefully he could perform well and would able to get what he want for next season. He's taking risky path for taking this option.

Yes, I saw this earlier is some Facebook post



I do agree, it's all about control of his career, maybe he still wants to play for the Nets and but he still wanted to test the free agency next season. So for that, a good 1 year is the best option for him right now.

Less risky and then he can play what and how he wanted. He could be their franchise player next season and then maybe next year the Nets will really find value on his and offer him a bigger contract that what is previously stated here. Win-win for him.

[dwyane36]

He is saying that he just introduced Kawhi Leonard to Aspiration (partner of the Clippers) because they want to meet Kawhi. About the contract they did with Kawhi, he knows nothing about it.

Well, it won’t be good for Leonard if Ballmer takes the position that he supposedly knows nothing.
As I suggested earlier, there’s a possibility Leonard could be made a scapegoat in this situation, and Ballmer’s comments only increase that possibility.

[TravelMug]

How about the 2025 HOF inductee:

Carmelo Anthony
Dwight Howard
Sue Bird.
Maya Moore
Sylvia Fowles. ...
2008 U.S. Men's National Team
Billy Donovan

https://www.nba.com/news/carmelo-anthony-hall-of-fame-emotion-inspiration-moment

So finally we have Carmelo and Dwight Howard being inducted to the HOF class of 2025.

I thought that Howard is a borderline case, but perhaps the NBA can't deny a prime Howard in Orlando Magic. Too bad that they fell short against Kobe during their championship run with Howard and Jameer Nelson.

For Carmelo, yeah, he is bound to be in that list.

[AHOYBRAUSE]

How about the 2025 HOF inductee:

Carmelo Anthony
Dwight Howard
Sue Bird.
Maya Moore
Sylvia Fowles. ...
2008 U.S. Men's National Team
Billy Donovan

https://www.nba.com/news/carmelo-anthony-hall-of-fame-emotion-inspiration-moment

So finally we have Carmelo and Dwight Howard being inducted to the HOF class of 2025.

I thought that Howard is a borderline case, but perhaps the NBA can't deny a prime Howard in Orlando Magic. Too bad that they fell short against Kobe during their championship run with Howard and Jameer Nelson.

For Carmelo, yeah, he is bound to be in that list.

I was actually surprised to see Dwight Howard inducted this fast, same for Carmelo. Especially Howard is strange, I always thought you have to be retired for 5 years to be eligible to be inducted. His last game was in the 21/22 season so it's definitely not 5 years. Maybe they changed the rules though.

[btc_angela]

How about the 2025 HOF inductee:

Carmelo Anthony
Dwight Howard
Sue Bird.
Maya Moore
Sylvia Fowles. ...
2008 U.S. Men's National Team
Billy Donovan

https://www.nba.com/news/carmelo-anthony-hall-of-fame-emotion-inspiration-moment

So finally we have Carmelo and Dwight Howard being inducted to the HOF class of 2025.

I thought that Howard is a borderline case, but perhaps the NBA can't deny a prime Howard in Orlando Magic. Too bad that they fell short against Kobe during their championship run with Howard and Jameer Nelson.

For Carmelo, yeah, he is bound to be in that list.

I was actually surprised to see Dwight Howard inducted this fast, same for Carmelo. Especially Howard is strange, I always thought you have to be retired for 5 years to be eligible to be inducted. His last game was in the 21/22 season so it's definitely not 5 years. Maybe they changed the rules though.

So it means that Dwight can't go play anymore in the NBA? He seems to be betting on his game that there could be teams that wanted him to make a comeback. But it seems that he is done already.

Like you I was surprised him being in the Hall of Fame very quick. And it seems that this class is one of the weakest in the last couple of years. Perhaps the NBA has run out of players to be inducted and so they don't have a choice but to put Dwight Howard and Carmelo Anthony this early.

[Fredomago]

The intention to keep Kawhi and make sure that he still be with the team, that's something the team owner needs to deal with, and his action is now being exposed, it's how the investigator comes up with their proft and evidences to settle this issue.

It's said that Ballmer is likely to pay for around $50M just for the penalty if proven guilty on this case. Well, he's paid Kawhi with that amount for the fraud that they did just for him to be retained in the Clippers. While this is unethical as per NBA's terms and agreement. This is already a case that they can't win. And if this had happened to Clippers, maybe this can also happen to other teams but they're not exposed. What do you think guys? but if there are teams that plans to do this, they won't pursue it any longer for how it's exposed already.

It's been compared to Joe Smith case before,

https://www.talkbasket.net/202301-insider-compares-kawhi-leonard-salary-cap-probe-to-joe-smith-scandal

Wolves pay a hefty fine that time and could be the case for Kawhi here. Also in the Joe Smith case, the Wolves forfeited their picks in the NBA draft. So if that happens to the Clippers, it will obviously that a serious toll on them.

That's something that other team may think twice before following that same track just to keep their star player, though knowing that there are franchise owners who are willing to gamble just to keep their main star, but still that's something that will hurt the business financially and also the capabilities of your team as for now, still waiting for the findings and what might be the possible sanctions.

[Cointxz]

That's something that other team may think twice before following that same track just to keep their star player, though knowing that there are franchise owners who are willing to gamble just to keep their main star, but still that's something that will hurt the business financially and also the capabilities of your team as for now, still waiting for the findings and what might be the possible sanctions.

This is too bad for Clippers if proven guilty since they have the best chance to get better positioning to playoffs due to their current roster and with Kawhi playing more games.

Clippers owner is willing to risk it all just to push this roster in tact while they can.

Story like this should be backed by evidence before release to the public though because it can affect to the franchise during the investigation.