***Official 2024-2025 NBA Thread***

[KC_Connection]

Season starts tonight with Knicks and Celtics followed by Lakers and TWolves.

Will history be made early in the 2nd game?

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Why are people acting like a pick swap has ANY value for the Hornets?

I guess the idea is that they could trade the rights to swap to someone that DOESN'T suck. But strictly as an asset to Charlotte - what are the odds that the Hornets are swapping pick spots with the Lakers in 2030? 10%? 5? I mean c'mon - the Hornets ALWAYS suck. The Lakers...don't. Even if Williams is an injury case, he's off the cap for the 2026 FA derby.

There's just no way that is going to mean anything for them. The 2031 pick MIGHT have some shot at being in the mid-teens where they could, if they're lucky, get someone as good as Knecht. And Knecht, who I REALLY like, is still just going to be a very good role player.

So the Lakers gave up what probably amounts to a couple of 6th/7th man types for a 23 year old starting C with genuinely elite physical tools.

And there are folks considering it an overpay? Why? The only real risk is the injury concern and if those come to fruition, you just move on from him. And you've maintained some flexibility should another deal come along today for Rui (who I still think is an awkward fit).

Now they have a playoff starting 5 of

Williams
DFS
Luka
James
Reaves

With Rui as your 6th man and offensive leader off the bench. You still have Vanderbilt and Vincent off the bench as well as matchup specific pieces.

I don't think that's better than the Celtics but now it COULD beat anyone in the West. They'll have to come together quickly and play damn well to get past Oklahoma City, but there's still the "is OKC actually ready to win a championship?" question.

This is a damn good move and makes the Lakers a legit possibility to win a championship, even if you don't quite put them at 'contender' status due to how good Boston and OKC have been to this point.

I also think they'll add another shooter in the buyout market.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

I also think they'll add another shooter in the buyout market.

Yeah -- Torrey Craig is the guy I suggested.

They can't add Schroder because he makes too much for a 1st apron team and I don't think LA can get below that 1st apron.

But as a physical defender and solid outside shooter, Torrey Craig just seems a perfect fit for them.

[BWillie]

Ugh. Cavs got De'andre Hunter.

Really wanted him in a trade.

Very underrated player.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by BWillie

Ugh. Cavs got De'andre Hunter.

Really wanted him in a trade.

Very underrated player.

Tremendous trade for the Cavs. Fills in a lot of blanks for them. Badly needed an additional wing. Mitchell is consistently good but can’t do it on his own. Garland is too streaky and most of their other guards/forwards are shooters or defenders. Levert has just been terribly inconsistent for what they need.

The Cavs are a really good team capable of having just a really bad night. Especially against Boston where if everyone isn’t red hot it meant abusing usage from Mitchell.

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by BWillie

Young teams always choke their first time.

There will be no more choking.

I'd love for them to somehow trade for De'andre Hunter. Not sure if it is possible.

Brian Windhorst says teams aren’t really afraid of the top-seeded teams in the West

"There's not a lot of fear from the teams out there about these teams at the top of the West."

(h/t @clutchfans )

pic.twitter.com/wPK5CJjtmV

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 6, 2025

[Mescalito345]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

I also think they'll add another shooter in the buyout market.

Ten days ago, the Lakers 2025 championship odds were 40:1

Now the odds are 12:1

[Mescalito345]

Originally Posted by BWillie

Won't beat the Thunder.

SGA > Luka

Not even really close.

Healthy Chet and night night Western Conference

So far this season, SGA has been better than Luka, because Luka has missed the last 20 games due to injury. But in a month, they will be about equal in value. Luka led the NBA in scoring last season, and finished third in the MVP race.

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by Mescalito345

Ten days ago, the Lakers 2025 championship odds were 40:1

Now the odds are 12:1

Adding one of the top 3 players in the sport who is a proven playoff performer will do that.

There’s a decent argument that Luka and LeBron is the best duo in the league currently.

[Mescalito345]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Injuries.

Back and feet, no less - literally the LAST two things you wanna see are injured for big men. But that's the risk you take to get a young guy with his ceiling.

The real twist of the knife? Those are the assets that Pelinka talked Harrison off of in the Doncic deal...

His back injury last season was a bone bruise to the lower back. It's completely healed now, so not an issue.

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Yeah -- Torrey Craig is the guy I suggested.

They can't add Schroder because he makes too much for a 1st apron team and I don't think LA can get below that 1st apron.

But as a physical defender and solid outside shooter, Torrey Craig just seems a perfect fit for them.

Perfect fit for the Celtics too, it seems. Can’t blame him, they’re the favorites.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by Mescalito345

His back injury last season was a bone bruise to the lower back. It's completely healed now, so not an issue.

That's what LA said.

But I watched some scouting breakdowns of him from this season and he's noticeably less explosive than he was even as a rookie.

You hope it's an effort thing that comes from playing for a bad team, but if could also be injury related.

I wasn't all that surprised by guys pushing him around - that happens to those high-cut, levery sort of bigs. The 'rim-runners' get shoved around from time to time. You live with that.

But those guys also tend to show really good burst and he just kinda hasn't this year and parts of last. One thing that really stood out to me was that when he collects and tries to jump again, there's just nothing there. That second leap is a good sign of raw athleticism and I haven't really seen it from him since the injuries.

[Mescalito345]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

That's what LA said.

But I watched some scouting breakdowns of him from this season and he's noticeably less explosive than he was even as a rookie.

You hope it's an effort thing that comes from playing for a bad team, but if could also be injury related.

I wasn't all that surprised by guys pushing him around - that happens to those high-cut, levery sort of bigs. The 'rim-runners' get shoved around from time to time. You live with that.

But those guys also tend to show really good burst and he just kinda hasn't this year and parts of last. One thing that really stood out to me was that when he collects and tries to jump again, there's just nothing there. That second leap is a good sign of raw athleticism and I haven't really seen it from him since the injuries.

Right now, Mark Williams is fifth in PER (Player Efficiency Rating). He's behind Jokic, SGA, Giannis, and AD. But ahead of Wemby, KAT, Durant, Curry, and others.

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by Mescalito345

So far this season, SGA has been better than Luka, because Luka has missed the last 20 games due to injury. But in a month, they will be about equal in value. Luka led the NBA in scoring last season, and finished third in the MVP race.

It is impossible for Luka to be of equal value to SGA. For Luka to be of higher value than SGA he would have to average 42 ppg at the same efficiency to make up for his defensive shortcomings, while SGA is one of the best defensive guards in the league.

[KC_Connection]

LeBron is 23-11-5 at half right now. At age 40.

[smithandrew051]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

LeBron is 23-11-5 at half right now. At age 40.

Sounds washed