2023 NBA Offseason Thread

[DSafetyGuy]

Starting at about the 14:03 mark, this week's Basketball Illuminati podcast has more on the dealings between NBA scoop guys and agents/teams/front office execs. Episode title (and iTunes link): Source Loyalty Program

[brian]

I’m not necessarily rooting for Wembanyana to fail but I’m also not saying it wouldn’t be kind of hilarious.

[Giff]

The mid-season is an awesome idea after hearing details.

[brian]

The mid-season is an awesome idea after hearing details.

Yeah there’s no real downside. I wish the NFL could do the same thing. An in-season 32 team ko tournament would be awesome.

[brian]

I mean I know none of you give a shit about the WNBA and they do it and it’s awesome.

[L-Jam3]

I like the idea that it’s a cash money tournament for the winners, maybe they can add something else. Like automatic qualifying for the playoffs. It’ll certainly be a reason to watch NBA in November, since I barely follow before Christmas.

[Johnnie]

I’m not necessarily rooting for Wembanyana to fail but I’m also not saying it wouldn’t be kind of hilarious.

After Woj said this 9 months ago:



And then said went way above that sentiment in May:



I'm of the same mindset as you.

Like maybe settle the fuck down on the hyperbole?

[Johnnie]

Holy shit. This is fucking scary.

[mister d]

Its amazing that didn't leak until just now.

[A_B]

60 mil a year for a guy who can't use his left hand seems reasonable.

[DaveInSeattle]

Holy shit. This is fucking scary.

And of course...the anti-vaxx crowd is already saying its because he was vaccinated.

[L-Jam3]

60 mil a year for a guy who can't use his left hand seems reasonable.

Pete Gray was born in the wrong decade.

[L-Jam3]

Holy shit. This is fucking scary.

And of course...the anti-vaxx crowd is already saying its because he was vaccinated.

Ant-vaxxers need to be told to go fuck themselves on a daily basis.

[Johnnie]

Grotesque amount of money for a dude that can't dribble.

[brian]

Imagine getting a paycheck every two weeks for $2.2 million.

[mister d]

Honestly, I'd be fine if it were every two months.

[tennbengal]

I’d make it work once every two years

[HaulCitgo]

Grotesque amount of money for a dude that can't dribble.

Dude just aint that good. You're pretty much required to sign him but I really hope they evaluated every other option. That guy being the highest paid player in the league makes no sense. His greatest strength is a varied scoring chart? Definite ball stopper finds no one. Not elite scoring at any level. Not sure if he's a really good defender cause the teenage coach has no interest and apparently Stevens co signs that bullshit so long as he sticks to black pussy. Walking turnover when he puts it down. 305 million huh?

[DSafetyGuy]

"Highest paid player in the league" is just a function of the NBA having maximum salaries and when a player's contract ends. It's a meaningless descriptor applied because LeBron, Steph, and others have their earning ability suppressed by the CBA.

[EdRomero]

What's the alternative? He and Tatum are entering their primes and they have already come close several times. You figure your two best players are going to get better and Stevens will find the right pieces to surround them. They trade or let go Brown and they would not replace his value right away, which would mean a step back which you can't do when Tatum can choose to leave soon if things get worse.

[Johnnie]

On the one hand you either get to the ECF more often then not or you figure out an elaborate sign and trade and maybe get to the second round every year. Either way, no title. It's not my money, so whatever.

[L-Jam3]

I'm almost always going to be in the player's corner in a dispute against management, especially after the despicable actions the Sixers did over the last decade. But seriously, fuck Harden.

[mister d]

Being annoyed at Harden being disgruntled/aloof is like getting mad at him for not being 7'0" tall.



(And I would love to know what Morey promised him that he's not delivering on. League might too?)

[L-Jam3]

I hate this franchise so damn much. I never experienced my team moving, as I wasn't really old enough to understand the talk of the Eagles moving to Phoenix in the early 80s. But if there was an option where the ownership group and the assets would move to Vegas, and the Sixers would come back and be resurrected with the Sonics the next round of expansion, I'd at least consider it.

[sancarlos]

Being annoyed at Harden being disgruntled/aloof is like getting mad at him for not being 7'0" tall.

(And I would love to know what Morey promised him that he's not delivering on. League might too?)

But, some pro athletes frustrate me by appearing to be incapable of remaining content for even a short period of time.

[/youkidsgetoffamylawn]

[DSafetyGuy]

Being annoyed at Harden being disgruntled/aloof is like getting mad at him for not being 7'0" tall.



(And I would love to know what Morey promised him that he's not delivering on. League might too?)

Well, Harden declined a $47.4 million option with Philly and signed a two-year, $68.64 million deal with them with this upcoming season being the last one. I think it's completely reasonable to wonder if there was a handshake agreement on a long-term extension coming this summer (no more Joe Smith napkins).

[mister d]

Extension or an agreement to facilitate a trade if requested?

[DSafetyGuy]

Extension or an agreement to facilitate a trade if requested?

That's the other option it is reasonable to wonder about.

[Ryan]

I don’t even know if this is anywhere close to unexpected but Cabo Verde just beat Venezuela.

[Ryan]

SGA is the fucking man. Sometime in the next couple years, he's gonna do the Kawhi Leonard thing where you say "hey wait a minute, this guy is like a top 5 player right now"

[Johnnie]

The NBA world getting all up in their feels over that track dude saying that NBA champions aren't world champions is hysterical.

And the rush to redefine "world champion" as "we're the champions in a league with the best players in the world" has been great to watch.

No one said shit after Pop said the same thing in 2010.

[Brontoburglar]

I have no idea what you're talking about and I consume more NBA content and pay attention to it more than 99% of sports fans

[Brontoburglar]

SGA is the fucking man. Sometime in the next couple years, he's gonna do the Kawhi Leonard thing where you say "hey wait a minute, this guy is like a top 5 player right now"

could legitimately be now, or early next year. if Chet is healthy and who people think he could be and SGA continues to be awesome, there's a very plausible scenario where the Thunder are a top four seed in the 2024 postseason

[Johnnie]

I have no idea what you're talking about and I consume more NBA content and pay attention to it more than 99% of sports fans

[Brontoburglar]

time for a congressional investigation

[Johnnie]

[mister d]

“World champions of the United States” is a pretty funny line.

[sancarlos]

I have no idea what you're talking about and I consume more NBA content and pay attention to it more than 99% of sports fans

With all due respect to your prodigious consumption of NBA content, there are a shit ton of tweets/discussion about this subject. Probably just a tempest in a teapot, but NBA players, and all sorts of other athletes and commenters around the world having words about it. Go on x/twitter and search Noah Lyles.

[A_B]

The pont may be that you have to go somewhere and search for it. I heard about it only in passing and haven't seen anything else until this thread.

And it's always been kind of funny that they call them world championships.

[Rex]

Isn’t there an old tale that the World Series was so named because it was sponsored by the New York World newspaper? If true, that goes right up there with German Chocolate Cake as deceptive names go.