2023 Offseason Thread

[dubcity]

Re: 2023 Offseason Thread

Imagine doubling Giannis in the playoffs

And he passes it to Dolla[emoji102][emoji102][emoji102]

That's a scary sight

If they both healthy this year the East is in big trouble wow

True, but it's also a lot of pressure on Milwaukee instantly. Like they better win. For Dame's sake anyway

[roadman]

Re: 2023 Offseason Thread

They still got Middleton too. Like damn.

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And Splash Mtn.

[simbayless]

Re: 2023 Offseason Thread

Dame Torches the West🔥 including my Lakers🤦
Just wait what he does to the East not a guard heavy conference like the West he about to Eat
Giannis&Dolla don't have to shoot a lot
That will help them be more healthy imo

[The Chef]

Re: 2023 Offseason Thread

Jimmy Butler is apparently upset, calling for the league to investigate Milwaukee for tampering after the Lillard trade lmao. So there was no issue with Miami pursuing him but when he doesn't end up in Miami now suddenly it's tampering.

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[King_B_Mack]

Re: 2023 Offseason Thread

Fake *** reporters wrong again. Not one of these frauds had Milwaukee. These trades always come out like this.

[ojandpizza]

Re: 2023 Offseason Thread

Jimmy Butler is apparently upset, calling for the league to investigate Milwaukee for tampering after the Lillard trade lmao. So there was no issue with Miami pursuing him but when he doesn't end up in Miami now suddenly it's tampering.

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I feel like he was joking. Maybe I’m wrong but that’s the vibe I caught watching his reactions. Just like the fake dreads thing last off-season. He’s just that type.

[ojandpizza]

Re: 2023 Offseason Thread

Fake *** reporters wrong again. Not one of these frauds had Milwaukee. These trades always come out like this.

Giannis picking Dame over Jrue in the As game and prioritizing his interior training this off-season (finally) makes some sense now though lol.

[J_Posse]

Re: 2023 Offseason Thread

Giannis picking Dame over Jrue in the As game and prioritizing his interior training this off-season (finally) makes some sense now though lol.

We'll see. Their perimeter defense is gonna be hot garbage, so Giannis, Khris, and Brook are gonna all need to maintain (or return to) their status as plus defenders.

Interesting that they are prioritizing offense when I always thought of Adrian Griffin as a defensive - minded guy. [emoji848]

Oh, and if Jrue isn't re-routed (he likely will be) does he magically find his way back to Milwaukee (through buy-out and re-signing)? How many years does he have left on his existing deal?

Just looked it up......and $35 million would be an insane pill to swallow, so he'll likely be re-routed. [emoji38][emoji38][emoji38]

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[ojandpizza]

Re: 2023 Offseason Thread

I’m sorta torn on if I believe Milwaukee is substantially better or not. Jrue provided tremendous two-way value, a big reason he bounced Dame a few years back, and a big reason Milwaukee has a ring now. Milwaukee has solid defenders, but they all need to be locked in more than ever and Middleton needs to look as healthy as he did 3 or so years ago.

Bucks lost their starting backcourt for Dame, it’s not like it was just Jrue. And even though Allen is a mehh piece he’s a 40% guy from deep who moved well without the ball and defended.. the idea that Giannis will just kick to Dame when doubles come doesn’t seem as simplistic to me, Dame doesn’t move well without the ball and if help comes at Giannis it most likely isn’t going to come from leaving Dame anyways. They could wind up relying heavily on guys like Pat and Portis to be automatic as spot up shooters in playoff games. Those are the guys defenses are going to sacrifice and leave..

As good as Dame is he also has a bit of injury concern, he missed almost 30 games last year, 50+ the year before, and another almost 20 the year before that. He’s also a player that when those shots aren’t dropping his game can look really ugly, his game can be incredibly shallow at times in that sense. Keeping Javon would have helped with some of the defensive concerns, but as stands they got worse defensively and took a step backwards at SG which was already their worst position. Perhaps they just go huge with Giannis-Portis-Lopez, but that has some big limitations as well and kills the back up big man depth.

I feel like I’m most intrigued by the Dame+Lopez duo. Dame is one of the best in the league in the high pick and rolls and Lopez is a massive body as a screener, his pick and pop game has been one of the best in the league the past couple of years.. Giannis as a screener makes sense too, but Dame isn’t really all that great at consistently finding those passing windows. So I’m a bit hesitant on crowning that a cheat code before I see how it looks on the floor.

I do think the Bucks, just in general, needed another offensive hub on the team. I think the best version of Giannis is one where maybe the stats aren’t quite as impressive but the ball is in his hands less forcing him into doing things he’s not that great at. Creating shots off the dribble, making the perfect decision as a passer in crunch time, making passes in tight windows, getting fouled late in games, etc.. Dame gives Giannis the freedom to improve in areas he’s already great at, and I believe he could be much more impactful with a bit more Duncan/KG/AD in his game even if it means he scores 25 a night instead of 30. You want him making defenses bend and help, not standing 8 feet off him because he’s not a threat handling the ball at the top of the key.

Definitely makes them different, and with a new coach and new roster it’s hard to just predict what that looks like. Dame is the type to get so hot in games he basically just wins them for you, they’ll win games they wouldn’t have won before this trade on that alone. But they do take a hit in some other areas. I guess we’ll see how much that matters.

[Majingir]

Re: 2023 Offseason Thread

https://x.com/Major_Passons/status/1707134945238429891?s=20

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: 2023 Offseason Thread

We'll see. Their perimeter defense is gonna be hot garbage, so Giannis, Khris, and Brook are gonna all need to maintain (or return to) their status as plus defenders.

Interesting that they are prioritizing offense when I always thought of Adrian Griffin as a defensive - minded guy. [emoji848]
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You say this as if they’re going from the late 80s Pistons to the mid 00s Suns in one offseason, lol.

[J_Posse]

Re: 2023 Offseason Thread

You say this as if they’re going from the late 80s Pistons to the mid 00s Suns in one offseason, lol.

They are going to have an extremely weak defensive backcourt (Dame and Malik Beasley?), plus a bunch of unknowns playing backup minutes. Yeah, they aren't taking that dramatic of a hit but their defense is gonna have a hard time remaining in the top 5 range (IMO). They could definitely prove me wrong with Giannis, Khris, and Brook (possibly) being able to pick up the slack.

Under coach Bud and with the prior personnel winning with defense was the protocol, but now that dramatically changes with Dame replacing Jrue. Adrian Griffin might be able to make this work, or uses a defensive system that mitigates Dame and Malik's poor defense, but I'm sure a defensive coach like him would prefer a more two - way skilled player.

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[illwill10]

Re: 2023 Offseason Thread

https://sports.yahoo.com/why-damian-lillard-landed-in-milwaukee-and-what-comes-next-234414264.html

I would be all for a Holiday, Norman Powell, Marcus Morris Sr., and Los Angeles firsts in 2028 and 2030 to Philadelphia, Harden to the Clippers, and Harris, Philadelphia firsts in 2029 and 2030 to Portland type of trade. It surely takes them out of the cap space route, but I rather have the players who can help you now

I've seen some mention that Clippers could opt for Holiday instead. I think Harden is still the better fit with the Clippers than Holiday. I think Holiday would be cheaper to acquire since Morey is being unreasonable

[DamnYanks2]

Re: 2023 Offseason Thread

I gotta say I like the trade for every team. Obviously Milwaukee is the big winner. But Suns got a nice bench out of it. And Portland got a nice return too. I'm not big on Ayton but it's still an upgrade.

Great trade all around.

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[ojandpizza]

Re: 2023 Offseason Thread

I gotta say I like the trade for every team. Obviously Milwaukee is the big winner. But Suns got a nice bench out of it. And Portland got a nice return too. I'm not big on Ayton but it's still an upgrade.

Great trade all around.

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I really think all 3 teams might have “won”.. even if Phoenix didn’t get the bench pieces a big like Nurk fits what they need next to those guys much better than Ayton IMO.