2027 NBA Season

[freedomgo]

Miami reportedly tried to trade for Kawhi Leonard but he didn’t want to play there… Odd choices Kawhi makes. He probably could’ve won a few championships on the Lakers and could win a couple more on the Heat but he seems to want to be the man on a bad team for some reason.

Could be a tax thing, noone wants to pay the California taxes. Not sure if Miami taxes are as bad, google search shows they are a little cheaper though. Kawhi is also in a little bit of sanction trouble from the Clippers thing isn't he? Guy is a good player but has always been sorta of a loner, maybe he wanted to make a decision noone else would make?

I don't think it's a tax thing because taxes in Miami could actually be cheaper, but according to Kawhi Leonard himself, he is no longer championship chasing.

He probably just wants to live in Toronto because he already has some connection there and his son was born there. So maybe he is already thinking long term, and that could also mean he might be considering retiring with the team where he won his first championship.

[Dave1]

Miami reportedly tried to trade for Kawhi Leonard but he didn’t want to play there… Odd choices Kawhi makes. He probably could’ve won a few championships on the Lakers and could win a couple more on the Heat but he seems to want to be the man on a bad team for some reason.

Could be a tax thing, noone wants to pay the California taxes. Not sure if Miami taxes are as bad, google search shows they are a little cheaper though. Kawhi is also in a little bit of sanction trouble from the Clippers thing isn't he? Guy is a good player but has always been sorta of a loner, maybe he wanted to make a decision noone else would make?

I don't think it's a tax thing because taxes in Miami could actually be cheaper, but according to Kawhi Leonard himself, he is no longer championship chasing.

He probably just wants to live in Toronto because he already has some connection there and his son was born there. So maybe he is already thinking long term, and that could also mean he might be considering retiring with the team where he won his first championship.

I'm just thinking though, so if he is not championship chasing, then what makes Toronto go after them. For sure the Raptors management wanted another ring with them. But base on the statement of Kawhi, it is somewhat contradictory.

So it doesn't make sense at it looks like the Raptors might have make a huge mistake on getting him again.

I'm expecting a lot of load management then for Leonard and the team in the middle of the pack.

[Mr. Magkaisa]

Miami reportedly tried to trade for Kawhi Leonard but he didn’t want to play there… Odd choices Kawhi makes. He probably could’ve won a few championships on the Lakers and could win a couple more on the Heat but he seems to want to be the man on a bad team for some reason.

I thought the  Miami is much more interested with Kyrie Irving. Dallas Mavericks and Kyrie will break up?  is Kyrie still good to market? he is prone to injury.
But if Kyrie will ball with the heat and make the chemistry with their big players, it is a good run. Kawhi is not much need as they have Giannis. They need someone to fill the role of Tyler left.

[Ziskinberg]

I'm just thinking though, so if he is not championship chasing, then what makes Toronto go after them. For sure the Raptors management wanted another ring with them. But base on the statement of Kawhi, it is somewhat contradictory.

So it doesn't make sense at it looks like the Raptors might have make a huge mistake on getting him again.

As long as he plays at a high level, it's fine. When Kawhi is healthy, he plays like a machine, so words really don't matter much compared to his actual performance. Maybe what he meant is that he is not joining a team that is already guaranteed to win a championship, but of course every player still wants to win one.

Leonard has always been a quiet type of player anyway, he doesn't talk much, he just wants to do his job on the court.

I'm expecting a lot of load management then for Leonard and the team in the middle of the pack.

Different coach, different style. So i don't expect that.

[AHOYBRAUSE]

Miami reportedly tried to trade for Kawhi Leonard but he didn’t want to play there… Odd choices Kawhi makes. He probably could’ve won a few championships on the Lakers and could win a couple more on the Heat but he seems to want to be the man on a bad team for some reason.

I thought the  Miami is much more interested with Kyrie Irving. Dallas Mavericks and Kyrie will break up?  is Kyrie still good to market? he is prone to injury.
But if Kyrie will ball with the heat and make the chemistry with their big players, it is a good run. Kawhi is not much need as they have Giannis. They need someone to fill the role of Tyler left.

They can't afford Kyrie though. He earns 40 million this season and Miami is already over the cap and so on. With already 2 max players on the roster (Bam and Giannis) and several role players that earn above 13 million. So if they would try to get Kyrie on his current contract they would have to trade several kry players to make it happen money wise. For that reason I believe it's absolutely impossible for them to get him.

[mirakal]

They can't afford Kyrie though. He earns 40 million this season and Miami is already over the cap and so on. With already 2 max players on the roster (Bam and Giannis) and several role players that earn above 13 million. So if they would try to get Kyrie on his current contract they would have to trade several kry players to make it happen money wise. For that reason I believe it's absolutely impossible for them to get him.

Looking at this payroll, I don't think they can insert another high-paying player anymore. Their available cap space is only around $2 million, so if they badly want Kyrie, they would need to trade one of their high-paying players together with some lower-paid players to match the salary.

The best one they can probably trade is Wiggins because of his contract, then add some lower-paying players if needed.



https://www.basketball-reference.com/contracts/MIA.html

[SatsPH]

Miami reportedly tried to trade for Kawhi Leonard but he didn’t want to play there… Odd choices Kawhi makes. He probably could’ve won a few championships on the Lakers and could win a couple more on the Heat but he seems to want to be the man on a bad team for some reason.

I thought the  Miami is much more interested with Kyrie Irving. Dallas Mavericks and Kyrie will break up?  is Kyrie still good to market? he is prone to injury.
But if Kyrie will ball with the heat and make the chemistry with their big players, it is a good run. Kawhi is not much need as they have Giannis. They need someone to fill the role of Tyler left.

As others said, they can't afford Kyrie for now, unless they have to break their roster again. They already did that when they got Giannis. I think there could still be a few years left for Kyrie to play good basketball.

Although he could be injury prone already and it's hard to gamble with him right now. So there's no trade for him and the Mavs so they will have to stick to him. Base on some videos surfacing, Kyrie could be ready for next season.

[Russlenat]

Miami reportedly tried to trade for Kawhi Leonard but he didn’t want to play there… Odd choices Kawhi makes. He probably could’ve won a few championships on the Lakers and could win a couple more on the Heat but he seems to want to be the man on a bad team for some reason.

I thought the  Miami is much more interested with Kyrie Irving. Dallas Mavericks and Kyrie will break up?  is Kyrie still good to market? he is prone to injury.
But if Kyrie will ball with the heat and make the chemistry with their big players, it is a good run. Kawhi is not much need as they have Giannis. They need someone to fill the role of Tyler left.

As others said, they can't afford Kyrie for now, unless they have to break their roster again. They already did that when they got Giannis. I think there could still be a few years left for Kyrie to play good basketball.

Although he could be injury prone already and it's hard to gamble with him right now. So there's no trade for him and the Mavs so they will have to stick to him. Base on some videos surfacing, Kyrie could be ready for next season.

Getting Kyrie is like gambling on the future of the team. The player is still very good, but injuries have always been a problem for him, so if the price is high, it's hard to take that kind of risk.

I think Miami's roster is already solid. They have shooters and they also have guys who can dominate inside the paint. That's probably their biggest strength, they can be very hard to stop inside, and the role players just need to stay confident with their outside shooting like they usually do.

[danherbias07]

Miami reportedly tried to trade for Kawhi Leonard but he didn’t want to play there… Odd choices Kawhi makes. He probably could’ve won a few championships on the Lakers and could win a couple more on the Heat but he seems to want to be the man on a bad team for some reason.

Could be a tax thing, noone wants to pay the California taxes. Not sure if Miami taxes are as bad, google search shows they are a little cheaper though. Kawhi is also in a little bit of sanction trouble from the Clippers thing isn't he? Guy is a good player but has always been sorta of a loner, maybe he wanted to make a decision noone else would make?

Or maybe he learned his lesson?

Reports say that he will only pick either the Toronto Raptors for an extension or the San Antonio Spurs. The former teams only, and he seems to be adamant about that. It will be a great boost for any team that will acquire him, and I think that is why the Miami Heat is trying hard to get him.
But they will lose a lot in case this happens. That will include Wiggins, Jovic, and probably a large luxury tax. Kawhi Leonard ain't cheap, and if the Heat are trying to make another superstar roster (LBJ, Wade, Allen, Bosh), it will definitely cost them.

[ultrloa]

Miami reportedly tried to trade for Kawhi Leonard but he didn’t want to play there… Odd choices Kawhi makes. He probably could’ve won a few championships on the Lakers and could win a couple more on the Heat but he seems to want to be the man on a bad team for some reason.

Could be a tax thing, noone wants to pay the California taxes. Not sure if Miami taxes are as bad, google search shows they are a little cheaper though. Kawhi is also in a little bit of sanction trouble from the Clippers thing isn't he? Guy is a good player but has always been sorta of a loner, maybe he wanted to make a decision noone else would make?

I think no, because Giannis itself will not go on state or team which takes out huge tax from their salary.

Also as what I read Florida which the state on which Miami belongs, offer no state income tax. With that they are actually appealing for players want to get more money.

Look at this https://takehomedollar.com/giannis-antetokounmpo-heat-trade-after-taxes Giannis takes more bigger cuts in Miami. Compare if he decide to stay in Bucks.

It seems that Kawhi have other priority before, that's why he didn't choose Miami.

[Natalim]

It seems that Kawhi have other priority before, that's why he didn't choose Miami.

But did Miami Heat offer Kawhi a contract?

His contract now is $50 million, so how can the Miami Heat afford him if they already have Giannis and Bam?

And I think Kawhi now is unreliable, he could easily get injured and that could ruin the momentum of the team.

[Botnake]

It seems that Kawhi have other priority before, that's why he didn't choose Miami.

But did Miami Heat offer Kawhi a contract?

Miami Heat were interested in him but only as Plan B if they failed to get Giannis.
But since they got Giannis, they are no longer interested in him.

His contract now is $50 million, so how can the Miami Heat afford him if they already have Giannis and Bam?

And I think Kawhi now is unreliable, he could easily get injured and that could ruin the momentum of the team.

He would have been acquired through a trade if they pushed through with it, but they didn't. I don't really like it when a team is full of superstars, so I think it's good that he returned to Toronto because that team will really have a good chance in the playoffs.

[tech30338]

It seems that Kawhi have other priority before, that's why he didn't choose Miami.

But did Miami Heat offer Kawhi a contract?

Miami Heat were interested in him but only as Plan B if they failed to get Giannis.
But since they got Giannis, they are no longer interested in him.

His contract now is $50 million, so how can the Miami Heat afford him if they already have Giannis and Bam?

And I think Kawhi now is unreliable, he could easily get injured and that could ruin the momentum of the team.

He would have been acquired through a trade if they pushed through with it, but they didn't. I don't really like it when a team is full of superstars, so I think it's good that he returned to Toronto because that team will really have a good chance in the playoffs.

Maybe the reason why the heat did not push through is because they know the issue with the clippers management, they don't want to be held hostage if ever Leonard have been penalized with a suspension, for sure they know it, Giannis on the other hand is available so they push with him.
Raptors have a young talents i just think they need a decent center to be able to compete better, if ever they are in the playoffs they can't let just Leonard carry them in the playoffs besides Leonard has history of missing few games before playoffs or in the playoffs.

[OgNasty]

Nicolas Batum is retiring from NBA basketball after 18 seasons. Honestly, I thought he had already retired but congratulations to him nonetheless. He had a great career and for a while he was one of the top guys in the league. I don’t recall him ever getting into trouble, so it seems like he was a success story.

[rbynxx]

Nicolas Batum is retiring from NBA basketball after 18 seasons. Honestly, I thought he had already retired but congratulations to him nonetheless. He had a great career and for a while he was one of the top guys in the league. I don’t recall him ever getting into trouble, so it seems like he was a success story.

He's been passed around from the league though, but the guy sure is reliable as a role player and probably a good guy yeah.

It seems that Kawhi have other priority before, that's why he didn't choose Miami.

But did Miami Heat offer Kawhi a contract?

His contract now is $50 million, so how can the Miami Heat afford him if they already have Giannis and Bam?

And I think Kawhi now is unreliable, he could easily get injured and that could ruin the momentum of the team.

I think last season he's still himself or probably improves, I've never seen Kawhi doing lot of those 3pt FG. If you look at his 3PM last season it exceeded the Spurs days, but I don't think the Miami still want his service, that would just mess the roles. I don't think he's unreliable playing 65 games averaging almost 28PPG, that's not some sign of unreliability, they did the unthinkable that they still made the play-in.

[LogitechMouse]

I thought the  Miami is much more interested with Kyrie Irving. Dallas Mavericks and Kyrie will break up?  is Kyrie still good to market? he is prone to injury.
But if Kyrie will ball with the heat and make the chemistry with their big players, it is a good run. Kawhi is not much need as they have Giannis. They need someone to fill the role of Tyler left.

They can't afford Kyrie though. He earns 40 million this season and Miami is already over the cap and so on. With already 2 max players on the roster (Bam and Giannis) and several role players that earn above 13 million. So if they would try to get Kyrie on his current contract they would have to trade several kry players to make it happen money wise. For that reason I believe it's absolutely impossible for them to get him.

If they really want to pursue Kyrie, the best thing that they can do is to trade some of their role players to Dallas. It also depends on when they will try and get Kyrie if it's during the mid-season, or during the next off-season. I did try to simulate the trade, and here's what I think could happen assuming that this trade will happen.

- If Miami will get Kyrie during the mid-season, they need to trade Wiggins + Jovic/Mitchell or maybe some draft picks.
- If Miami will get Kyrie during the next off-season, they need to trade Wiggins + Jovic/Larsson/Mitchell and some draft picks or no picks.

Whatever the trade is, Wiggins will surely be involved in this trade. The other one that I'm thinking is if the Heat decides to trade Bam for Kyrie plus some role players, but that's the one that I don't think will happen. It's impossible to get Kyrie thru free agency since he still have a contract, but he has a player option in his final year of contract which will be on the 2027-2028 season so that adds risk to the Heat assuming that they'll pursue him during the mid-season of the upcoming season.

[coinrifft]

Nicolas Batum is retiring from NBA basketball after 18 seasons. Honestly, I thought he had already retired but congratulations to him nonetheless. He had a great career and for a while he was one of the top guys in the league. I don’t recall him ever getting into trouble, so it seems like he was a success story.

Yes, prior to seeing this news, I'm seeing a old game between Portland's Aldridge and then Houston's Dwight Howard playing against each other. Both have a good game, but if I'm not mistaken, I've seen Batum in uniform playing with Portland. I can't recall him playing with them, but the point is that LaMarcus and Dwight has since retired of the NBA already for many years specially Aldridge.

Probably he will get some position in the French Basketball team as a assistant or something in the head office because of his vast experienced and obviously playing with their national team.

[OgNasty]

Zach Randolph claims he spoke with Russell Westbrook's brother and he said that Russell isn't done yet and may come back to join the Miami Heat and try for a title.  I do think Russ has a little bit left in the tank and I don't mind seeing him chase championships.  I do think he's in a little bit of a Kawhi situation, where his averages are his claim to fame, so having a few bad seasons at the end of their careers could really hurt their legacy.  I don't think Russ cares, but I do think Kawhi does.

[Oasisman]

Zach Randolph claims he spoke with Russell Westbrook's brother and he said that Russell isn't done yet and may come back to join the Miami Heat and try for a title.  I do think Russ has a little bit left in the tank and I don't mind seeing him chase championships.  I do think he's in a little bit of a Kawhi situation, where his averages are his claim to fame, so having a few bad seasons at the end of their careers could really hurt their legacy.  I don't think Russ cares, but I do think Kawhi does.

I love seeing Russ winning at least 1 before completely retiring. I think he has already built his legacy as one of the best PG, and he cares less of what's left from his career at this point. The most important thing in his mind right now is winning one.
I think he can still contribute coming off the bench and lead the 2nd unit. He's still explosive for his age, which I think he can still play until he's 40.

[Dave1]

Zach Randolph claims he spoke with Russell Westbrook's brother and he said that Russell isn't done yet and may come back to join the Miami Heat and try for a title.  I do think Russ has a little bit left in the tank and I don't mind seeing him chase championships.  I do think he's in a little bit of a Kawhi situation, where his averages are his claim to fame, so having a few bad seasons at the end of their careers could really hurt their legacy.  I don't think Russ cares, but I do think Kawhi does.

Yes, I think Russ still has a lot from him, it's that a team that will pick him up should give him some playing time. Maybe not a starting five position, but coming from the bench with at least 20 minutes of time is still going to be good for Russ.

He still has the legacy though, MVP, triple doubles during his prime years and those highlight dunks every night. So it's good to hear that at least there is still a chance, even small that he can make a comeback to the NBA before finally retiring.