Aww, little Trae wants to scrap the play in because he can't beat some .500 or worse teams.

Enzo The Baker said:

---

Landry Fields fired by Atlanta. Might be a bad thing for the Spurs.

---

Maybe Quinn would be ready for a change of scenery

For me it's Jenkins or bust. Quinn hasn't done that hot in Atlanta. Bud and Malone are a bit too old for the team. Need to get younger.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6296394/2025/04/22/anonymous-nba-player-poll-2025-mvp-sga-jokic-analytics/

Some results from players poll

Enzo The Baker said:

---

For me it's Jenkins or bust. Quinn hasn't done that hot in Atlanta. Bud and Malone are a bit too old for the team. Need to get younger.

---

I think Jenkins is top of my list as well. He's 40 and Malone is 53.

But I am happy to let things play out the way they play out. That's one thing I am not sweating, because I have confidence the Spurs want to handle that transition the right way and that it has been discussed for years.

And to think, we almost lost Inside the NBA... pic.twitter.com/Uk1BnPTgLp

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 22, 2025

20 days until the lottery - get your Spurs candles out.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6298051/2025/04/22/hawks-front-office-trae-young-trade/

Quote:

---

In a bizarre release to the media that led by naming the search firm they'd be using for a president of basketball operations and then, by the way, mentioned that they fired their general manager, the Hawks announced on Monday that they'd parted ways with Landry Fields and would be looking for new leadership. Onsi Saleh will take over the front office as GM for now, but the Hawks will hire a new leader above him.

(By the way, Fields conducted all the team's exit interviews and met with the media the day after the season ended before being shown the door. Great process, everyone.)

---

Quote:

---

Following the Murray trade, the Hawks only made two meaningful transactions for nearly two years the trade of five second-round picks for the underwhelming (and then, unfortunately, injured) Saddiq Bey, and the trade of John Collins for Rudy Gay's expiring contract and a lightly chewed candy bar.

---

Quote:

---

This takes us to the most important decision facing the new boss in Atlanta: Young. He has one year left on his deal and then can become a free agent, with a player option for $49 million in 2026-27. He's a valuable player and led the league in assists. Atlanta's offense still turns to dust when he's off the floor (a meager 105.2 offensive rating in the non-Young minutes).

But he's not a top-15 player in the league, so is he good enough to be the centerpiece of a contending team?

Or is he just the kind of player who offers a floor of 36 wins and a ceiling of 42? Young also seemed to lose a step this season, which resulted in him struggling to beat defenders in isolation. Perhaps that can be blamed on Achilles issues that plagued him all season. However, he's a 6-foot-1, speed-dependent guard whom they'd be paying into his late 20s on an extension, and the league legislated away some of his best tricks.

Is that worth going out multiple years on a max extension? Or is it time to cut bait, recoup some value and build around the other young guys in Atlanta, even if the Hawks don't control their picks?

Chatter has picked up that the Hawks might choose the latter course. However, it takes two to tango in any trade. The confounding issue in any Young scenario is that the market for him doesn't seem to be all that hot.

If the Hawks were hoping for a Mikal Bridges or Rudy Gobert-level return for Young, it's probably not happening. It might be more in Brandon Ingram territory. Are they at a point where they're OK with that?

---

Quote:

---

Overall, you can see why another season or seven in the NBA's meh middle seems almost unavoidable for the Hawks. It will be up to the next boss to somehow move them up a few notches in the Eastern Conference's hierarchy, but in many ways, this job is more challenging than taking over an awful team.

---

Too soon?

Always.

Enzo The Baker said:

---

For me it's Jenkins or bust. Quinn hasn't done that hot in Atlanta. Bud and Malone are a bit too old for the team. Need to get younger.

---

Agree with ya. Just feel someone will hire him quickly while SA is still sitting around promising Pop to wait

That was awesome LOL.

flashplayer said:

---

20 days until the lottery - get your Spurs candles out.

---

18 days

Who wants an official Spurs hat commemorating the epic 1998 Finals run?

https://store.nba.com/san-antonio-spurs/mens-san-antonio-spurs-mitchell-and-ness-black-1998-nba-finals-born-to-win-pro-crown-adjustable-hat/

Most valuable defense player without deep vein thrombosis goes to Mobley.

The 2024-25 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year is... Evan Mobley!#NBAAwards | #KiaDPOY | @Kia pic.twitter.com/Xmg1a9Wpk3

— NBA (@NBA) April 24, 2025

Causes problems for the Cavs. He signed a Max deal that hasn't kicked in yet, but this gives him the supermax.

Read an article, 99% likely clickbait, that Giannis may demand a trade this offseason, and the spurs could make it work under the cap. Would require 5 first rounders and Castle, Vassell, and Barnes.

I honestly don't know if I would do that trade even if it were possible. He has not known for his outside shot, and relies on his atheticism, which at 30, would be on the decline. He is a great player, I think the best PF I have seen since Duncan.

But is there anyone worth that kind of trade package.

Earth Rider said:

---

Read an article, 99% likely clickbait, that Giannis may demand a trade this offseason, and the spurs could make it work under the cap. Would require 5 first rounders and Castle, Vassell, and Barnes.

I honestly don't know if I would do that trade even if it were possible. He has not known for his outside shot, and relies on his atheticism, which at 30, would be on the decline. He is a great player, I think the best PF I have seen since Duncan.

But is there anyone worth that kind of trade package.

---

This is how you get into a situation like the Suns. Giannis is amazing and still a top 5 player in the league without question. And I think his fit with Wemby is perfect.

Financially, you can do Devin, Castle, Sochan, Champagnie and keep Barnes and Keldon. Who do you start at 2? Malachi Branham?

You have given away all your picks in this trade. You have no cap space. Team is Victor, Fox, Giannis, Keldon, Barnes, Branham, Wesley and a bunch of min free agents.

The other thing is Giannis has been hurt a decent amount. He missed the playoffs last year. Next year he should cross the 1000 game mark. His game is 100% about his insane athleticism/size/strength... what happens as that athleticism starts to go due to age/injuries? His shooting won't cover for it. How long do you think he has until he slows down a bit? Guys like Bron, Durant, etc have more abilities that don't rely on athleticism.

I'm not a fan of the Durant or Giannis ideas. Team just doesn't have enough trade chips to do it. I could see OKC do it, and that is insanely scary. Same with Houston.

At this point it would be best to wait for a FA unless the trade does not include Fox, Castle, Wemby

AA said:

---

At this point it would be best to wait for a FA unless the trade does not include Fox, Castle, Wemby

---

Yeah, I think this is an off-season that is pretty simple.

BPA with the draft picks. Most likely outcome is either Kon or Tre Johnson at 8 and either Carter Bryant, Noa Essengue, Nique Clifford, Rasheer Fleming, Collin Murray-Boyles or Thomas Sorber at 14. If Tre and Kon are gone, consider getting picks or swaps to move down a bit and still get solid prospects.

Give Chris Paul a 1y12.5M contract if he is content coming off the bench for 15mpg for 82 games to learn under Pop. If he doesn't want it, he can try to get more playing time for less money in Dallas, Miami, or Orlando, or same playing time for less money back home in LA.

Use MLE on a big guy like Luke Kornet.

Use BAE on best available player. Maybe Yabusele, maybe Tre Jones, maybe Steven Adams.

Bring in a healthy roster and give them training camp and preseason to learn from each other and develop chemistry.

I personally think Castle has superstar potential.

Ag Natural said:

---

I personally think Castle has superstar potential.

---

Yeah, I think he can go as high as his shot will let him. He definitely has the right mindset, attitude, and confidence. I see no reason he can't be at Jimmy Butler level. From 2015-2023, Butler averaged 21/6/5 on 47/32/85 shooting and took 7.7 FT/game. Also 1.8spg with All-Defense selections and DPOY votes. I was all on board for a bigger Jrue Holiday comp prior to the draft, but I think sane Jimmy Buckets is the better comp.

And remember that 2015 was Jimmy's age 25 season. He spent 3 years at Marquette and 3 years in the NBA prior to that breakout season.

Butler's 2014 stats were 13/5/3 on .397/.283 shooting in 38.9 minutes. That was Butler's 3rd season, age 24 years. Castle's season this year was significantly better.

Man. I really like the Jimmy comp.

Enzo The Baker said:

---

Man. I really like the Jimmy comp.

---

Makes a lot of sense, doesn't it?

Butler vs Castle at Combine
6'6" barefoot 6'5.5"
222lbs weight 210lbs
6'7.5" wingspan 6'9"
8'5.5" standing reach 8'6"
39" Max Vert 37"
32" standing vert 28.5"
11.15s lane agility 10.93s
3.15s Three-Quarter Sprint 3.19s

Jimmy has a little more bounce, but Castle showed in the dunk competition he has plenty.

12lb difference, but Jimmy was two years older with two more years in Buzz Williams' S&C program

Castle just needs to develop a little middy and some respectable outside shots.

That's why I don't really care if we get Kon or VJ Edgecomb or whatever. Start Castle at SF just like Jimmy.

Guitarsoup said:

---

Enzo The Baker said:

---

Man. I really like the Jimmy comp.

---

Makes a lot of sense, doesn't it?

Butler vs Castle at Combine
6'6" barefoot 6'5.5"
222lbs weight 210lbs
6'7.5" wingspan 6'9"
8'5.5" standing reach 8'6"
39" Max Vert 37"
32" standing vert 28.5"
11.15s lane agility 10.93s
3.15s Three-Quarter Sprint 3.19s

Jimmy has a little more bounce, but Castle showed in the dunk competition he has plenty.

12lb difference, but Jimmy was two years older with two more years in Buzz Williams' S&C program

Castle just needs to develop a little middy and some respectable outside shots.

That's why I don't really care if we get Kon or VJ Edgecomb or whatever. Start Castle at SF just like Jimmy.

---

I might be crazy but Castle looked more and more athletic throughout his first season. I bet he'd test even better today. He has some dunks on his reel where way up over the defenders trying to slow him down.

Getting closer

Red Rocket

With Milwaukee likely being forced to blow it up now with that Dame injury, what do yall think about chasing Brook Lopez with the MLE? We were reported to have interest the last time he hit FA, and is still a solid player despite his age. His 3&D Center archetype is exactly what we need from the backup big spot.

TheNotoriousP.I.P. said:

---

With Milwaukee likely being forced to blow it up now with that Dame injury, what do yall think about chasing Brook Lopez with the MLE? We were reported to have interest the last time he hit FA, and is still a solid player despite his age. His 3&D Center archetype is exactly what we need from the backup big spot.

---

I still prefer Luke Kornet, but Lopez is top 3 choices.

Lopez is 37 years old.

Dame's injury is exactly why I thought it was dumb to trade for him with how much mileage he has on the tires and his massive contract

Kornet, Capela, Lopez, Looney in some order

2 weeks until lotto ball time.

Gary

ROTY announced tomorrow evening.