2022/3 season thread

Supposedly they dont want another young guard beside LaMelo so they'll take Miller. Thats the only theory really.

But as we both said it leaves Portland in a very weird spot as the #3 pick being Scoot will have a far bigger trade/star value than it being Miller.

And thus its an incredibly weird stand-off as until Charlotte actually make their pick Portland (and anyone wanting to deal with them for #3) are stuck in Limbo.

He should be delighted with that. They went relatively easy on him. Really is his last chance now.

Keeps them viable for the playoffs next year too. They need to have a long hard think about their culture and how they are controlling the lockerroom and how expectations on behaviour are internally influenced.

Lots of work to do, and it will be thin, but the challenge to Denver begins.

I thought Beal to Miami was the move in progress.

Didn't expect that!

Apparently Washington are now trying to flip Paul to one of the LA teams for a better return.

They had to give Beal away because of that insane clause and NOW they are trying to get some sort of return.

Beal will score for you all day long but he won't help your defense.

Suns will surely trade Ayton now, they need bodies.

Bill Simmons saying his "sources" tell him Zion won't be a New Orleans player come Thursday night. If a trade is to happen I'd imagine it's Charlotte, Portland, or Houston with the 2, 3, or 4 picks.

Have you forgotten Booker exists?

Put simply here. The immediate opportunity cost is next to zero. Sure, this will suck in 2026 but you already did the Durant trade.

Was always going to happen, media making it a bit sensational but he is just looking for a longer term deal, it seems like he wants it warriors but I guess the Warriors are in a hard spot as the tax implications will be quite significant.

There is such a thing as having too many offensive weapons. It can create disharmony in a team too.

There's also the proven model which is defense wins championships.

Miami were held under 100 points in their four losses.

The Celtics were held under 100 points in the Warriors four wins the year before.

You'll have the odd year where teams both score high in the finals but it's normally great defense that wins championships.

The Sun's should break the bank to get an elite defender instead of another offensive player.

Denver didn't play anyone in this playoff run who forced them to drop guys from their rotation. MPJ not starting is about as hairy as it got.

Their toughest series was against Phoenix, and Beal would absolutely help them if you reran that contest. Denver would have to make rotational sacrifices because you have that 3rd elite offensive player; but also Durant could potentially be freed up from offensive load to focus more defensively. And he's a very good defender when he can focus on it.

If you look at their series specifically against Denver, they got better. Whether they got as much improvement? Different question. But the opportunity cost here is very low. That's the mistake in analysis.

Finally, Beal makes the regular season easier. Having a 3rd high usage guy smooths out sitting, injuries, etc.