NBADiscussi0ns

When discussing the Eastern Conference, teams have spent this offseason constructing their rosters to take down the defending champion Boston Celtics. Whether it's the Philadelphia 76ers signing Paul George, the New York Knicks trading for Mikal Bridges, or the Cleveland Cavaliers extending Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley, they are the target this upcoming season, and rightfully so. The East is not as loaded as the West, which can leave some teams an opportunity to make a leap and shock the rest of the league. A good team candidate to create such a surprise is the Charlotte Hornets.  The Hornets have not been a well-respected franchise in the league but given some of their recent changes in the front office and moves they made this offseason, this upcoming season may be the start of a new era. Hiring Charles Lee as the new head coach, re-signing Miles Bridges, acquiring Josh Green, drafting Tidjane Salaun, and signing Taj Gibson who will bring great and tough veteran leadership to

The Phoenix Suns had high expectations last season, especially after acquiring All-Star guard Bradley Beal. Adding him alongside Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, this new big three in the desert looked dangerous offensively. However, despite the amount of talent on the roster, there was still one issue, no true point guard. Throughout the season the Suns' ball handling was tasked by committee and it was a clear issue with the team's offense, especially in the postseason. They would get swept in the first round against the Minnesota Timberwolves.  There were a lot of rumors and speculation surrounding the team this offseason. However, the franchise remains dedicated to the current core but made some new additions. They hired Mike Budenholzer as their new head coach after just one season under Frank Vogel. They signed Mason Plumlee to a one-year veteran minimum deal in free agency and he can be a solid backup to Jusuf Nurkic. They also re-signed Damion Lee, Royce O'Neale, Josh

The New York Knicks have an excellent team heading into the upcoming season but there are still some questions about their center depth. Mitchell Robinson is obviously the starting center, but after losing Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency, the projected backup is Jericho Sims. He is only 25 years old but has only played 50 games or more once in his young career. Sims is entering the final year of his deal so this could be a huge opportunity for him but the Knicks are still looking for another big man.  It was recently mentioned by NBA reporter Ian Begley from SportsNet New York that the Knicks have checked in on Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela. There is no certainty about how far talks between the two teams have gone but it's an option. The Hawks have made Capela available in trade talks as they could be looking towards a rebuild. The Knicks still have plenty of their own draft picks that they could trade and Miles McBride could be included in a potential deal after the team dra

Mikal Bridges joining the New York Knicks is quite the headline but there is still some business that needs to be addressed. He was traded from the Brooklyn Nets earlier this month and reunited with his Villanova teammates. However, Bridges is eligible for a contract extension, with just one more year after this upcoming season left on his current deal. After seeing how Knicks star Jalen Brunson handled his recent negotiations, there are some early indications that he will follow in the same steps.  Brunson signed a four-year, $156.5 million extension just a few days ago. While it's still good money, this is not the max or nearly what he's worth given everything he's done since arriving in New York a couple years ago. Had he waited until next summer, he could have signed a five-year, $269.1 million deal. However, Brunson put team success over himself, and by taking a $113 million pay cut, the Knicks are below the second apron and maintain flexibility to continue to seek imp

          The New York Knicks are coming off their first 50-win season in over a decade but after losing Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency they need to look for another big. They only have two centers on the roster, Mitchell Robinson and Jericho Sims. Having Robinson go back into the starting lineup isn't much of an issue, besides some health concerns, but Sims as the backup is still a question. He has yet to be a consistent rotation player in his young career. Matter of fact, in his three seasons in the league he has only played in over 50 games once.            There aren't any free-agent centers that can be seen as reliable backups for the Knicks. The team still has seven of their own first-round picks that they could trade to find the big man they need. According to an X account, "BigKnicksEnergy," a league source reported that the Knicks are interested in Charlotte Hornets center Nick Richards and are willing to move Miles McBride in a potential deal. Also mentio

          DeMar DeRozan's offseason was filled with rumors, such as a second attempt at signing with the Los Angeles Lakers to a potential reunion with the San Antonio Spurs. DeRozan was patient to make sure he got a big contract and it was reported by NBA insider Chris Haynes that he wasn't interested in settling for a mid-level exception deal. DeRozan would need to go through a sign-and-trade to join a team on a deal he is willing to accept. DeRozan's waiting paid off as he heads back to the West Coast, joining the Sacramento Kings.            It was reported by Adrian Wojnarowski that the Sacramento Kings have agreed on a sign-and-trade that will land DeRozan on a three-year deal. Included in the deal, Harrison Barnes and a pick-swap will head to the San Antonio Spurs and Chris Duarte goes to the Chicago Bulls along with two second-round picks. DeRozan's new contract is worth up to $74 million, so he played the patient game very well and got his money. The Kings need

After 13 years, Klay Thompson says goodbye to the only franchise he is closely familiar with. He's been such a huge piece to the Warriors' dynasty. Six NBA Finals appearances and winning four in eight years, 2015-2022. Thompson is second in Warriors all-time three-pointers made with 2,481 and sixth in all-time points with 15,531. He's had an excellent run but now begins a new chapter in his career.  Thompson is heading to the Dallas Mavericks after completing a sign-and-trade, the Warriors get two second-round picks (2025 and 2031), and the deal also sends Josh Green to the Charlotte Hornets. He met up with other teams, like the Los Angeles Lakers, but ultimately decided to join forces with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving who are coming off a finals appearance. Thompson will sign a new three-year, $50 million deal. The Lakers were willing to offer a four-year, $80 million deal but the decision was mainly based on where would be best to still compete for a championship.  Never

          The Oklahoma City Thunder finished number one in the Western Conference this past season and could remain on top given what they've done this summer. First, they acquired two-time All-Defensive guard Alex Caruso from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Josh Giddey, no picks involved. Next, they signed center Isaiah Hartenstein from free agency. Finally, they re-signed Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe on long-term deals that could be seen as team-friendly soon.       Alex Caruso is a highly respect role player around the entire league. To acquire someone like that without giving up a pick is only the kind of work Thunder General Manager Sam Presti could pull off. Unlike Giddey, Caruso does not need the ball to make an impact on the court, he shot 40.6% on catch-and-shoot threes. He is entering the final year of his current contract and will be eligible for a four-year, $80 million extension exactly six months from the date he got traded, which was June 20. The Thunder are ready