NBA 2025-26 NBA Thread

[timtonymanu]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1978144846951956753

when did we get this guy, lol

That's Spurs legend, Kevin Tran.

 

[heyheymymy]

Just your reminder that when the Spurs picked Nunez in the 24 draft 2nd round, Ajay Mitchell and Jaylen Wells were both available still

 

[Ariel]

Just your reminder that when the Spurs picked Nunez in the 24 draft 2nd round, Ajay Mitchell and Jaylen Wells were both available still

Spoiler: Oh Ajay where art thou....

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Yup, that's my issue as well. I've read people crediting him as a very good playmaker, yet none of his clips lead me to believe that is the case, you don't see many high level reads, he doesn't seem to create much for others, he's explosive and gets to the rim at will and finishes well (even though contact), but other than that there's not a lot of areas where he wows you. Any Luka comparisons are exclusively racially based, they're nothing alike as players

As for 2nd round candidates, how about Ajay Mitchell? 6'4" combo guard, super crafty and resourceful, efficient finisher. Current stats: 19.6 points, 4 assists, 3.9 rebounds, 36% from 3, 85% from the line.
[video=youtube;8u89nDVYdQ4]

I might actually like him better than Topic l

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Ah, sorry, missed it. May be outside the projected early 2nd range now, I just took a look at Tankathon but it isn't the most reliable source in this sense. But regardless, if the Spurs like Ajay (or someone, ANYONE) they should make it happen. They have plenty of draft capital, they can trade up, down, in, out... no reason not to get their target. OKC realized this and when they feel confident about some prospect they don't take chance: traded 3 firsts to get an extra pick in the '22 draft where they took Jalen Williams, moved from 12 to 10 to make sure no one leapfrogged them for Cason Wallace, etc. Same thing with Houston going after Sengun, Dallas after Luka, etc. If you feel confident, no need to take a chance and wait for your guy to fall into your lap.

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I'd throw in Ajay Mitchell (my personal favorite at #33) or KJ Simpson in there too.

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I don't think Buzelis will be there at 8, but if he is, taking him makes a lot of sense even if I do like Dillingham. There are many different ways the Spurs can go about finding a PG and that's besides Trae Young. I mean, give up 2/3 seconds for Brogdon, for God sakes, sign Tyus Jones... next year go for Donovan Mitchell or Derrick White. There's plenty of talent at the position, this current scarcity on the Spurs' roster was by design (traded away Dejounte & White, didn't sign anyone) but we shouldn't lose perspective. Also there are interesting PGs / combo guards at the 2nd pick (Kolek, Ajay Mitchell, KJ Simpson, etc).

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Good list. Still hoping for Ajay Mitchell though.

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Dang, really interesting. He's projected to be available where we pick in the 2nd round, really looks like a smart, crafty, well rounded offensive player. Someone who plays at his own pace, can hit the 3, pass, score inside. One of the more interesting 2nd round prospects for the Spurs.

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Or Chicago/Charlotte want to move up from 11/6 you could renegotiate the protections on their respective 25 picks. As long as there's not an obvious prospect the Spurs pass up on, I'm cool with that, I like several prospects available later on (Devin Carter, Jared McCain, Jaylon Tyson, Ajay Mitchell) enough that I might do this if the assets attached are good enough.

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Of course. Ajay Mitchell to OKC. Fuck, fuck, fuck.

PS: I know I wasn't the only one who liked Ajay, scott I remember clearly also liked him, there may be others.

 

[DAF86]

I want infinite OTs and both teams gassed for the reminder of the season.

 

[sKiN20]

Sengun in monster mode tonight. He might be a legit mvp candidate

 

[Ariel]

Sengun in monster mode tonight. He might be a legit mvp candidate

Another obvious pick that should have been a Spur... Ahh, never mind...

 

[heyheymymy]

Hope okc loses

 

[heyheymymy]

Sga FTs sigh

 

[NASpurs]

KD was the MVP for OKC tonight for sure. Too bad it's not 2014.

 

[NASpurs]

Shit I posted in the wrong thread. Oh well.

 

[DAF86]

I could see the Rockets' season spiriling downwards after this, tbh.

 

[Ariel]

It's just one game. But yeah, they've been overrated, may not be able to replicate last year's success (at least it terms of seed).

 

[bozhemoi]

Okogie, Capela, Eason, Sheppard as their bench is pretty nasty. Eason's not terrible and Sheppard can hit spot-ups, but yikes.

 

[STAT88]

Jimmy Butler is disgusting to watch. Free throw merchant. Worse than prime Wade, Harden, SGA at foul bating bullshit free throws.

 

[Mugen]

Man, Reed Sheppard was horrible tonight. Cason had him in hell.

 

[Itzsoweezee]

Reed Shepard trying to play defense is quite the sight. I understand now why he didn’t get any playing time last year.

 

[scott]

Spoiler: Oh Ajay where art thou....

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PS: I know I wasn't the only one who liked Ajay, scott I remember clearly also liked him, there may be others.

I don't claim to be a second round guru or anything... but you and I were definitely on top of Ajay early

 

[Ariel]

I don't claim to be a second round guru or anything... but you and I were definitely on top of Ajay early

As bad as I was in the 2022 draft (was ok with Sochan, Branham and Wesley, though I did like others like Dyson Daniels and Tari Eason), I was much better in 2024 (had Castle, Risacher and Buzelis as my top 3 options at pick #4, was lower on Sheppard than most, liked McCain as a trade down candidate, liked Ajay Mitchell in the 2nd round, etc). Not bad for an armchair scout going by a few games and youtube clips

 

[scott]

Yeah, likewise I feel like 2024 was a class judged pretty accurately. Liked Castle, liked Matas, did not like Sheppard or Sarr. Didn't like Topic either, but we'll see about him. I did like Holland though, so we'll see if that pans out. Aside from Ajay in Rd 2 I did like Tyler Smith, who just got cut by MIL, and so I certainly wasn't perfect with the old crystal ball.

 

[KobesAchilles]

Man I was wrong about Sheppard. Thought the kid could get his shot off at an efficient clip in the NBA. Nope.

Also that Jabari Smith jr contract is going to look horrible by years end

 

[bozhemoi]

Reed is just too small and slow. It's compounded by poor handles and no real point guard skills. He has excellent hands but no ability to stay in front of players. He could be a TJ McConnell type if he was crafty but he's not. I do think his handles have improved but there's just a limit to what he can do.

 

[DAF86]

It's just one game. But yeah, they've been overrated, may not be able to replicate last year's success (at least it terms of seed).

Yeah, I obviously don't think their season is over because of one game. I don't think they win as many games as last season.

 

[Quentin_Compson]

Lakers really don't look good. As a basketball fan, it's quite infuriating how incredibly soft Ayton plays.

 

[KobesAchilles]

Lakers really don't look good. As a basketball fan, it's quite infuriating how incredibly soft Ayton plays.

I’m pretty sure every team he has played on has said he doesn’t really care about basketball. There’s no reason for him to be this bad a player other than the fact that he got paid his millions and just checked out.

 

[brazil]

West is going to be a bloodbath tbh... Dat Rockets team is fucking scary.. Sengun is on the Euro wave and looks like a mvp