Around the NBA: 2026 Postseason Edition

[TOO]

Can we work something for Ace Bailey? He doesn't seem long for Utah.

[Shabazz]

A lot of smoke about Utah taking Boozer. If they do are they really going to keep JJJ, Lauri and Kessler? Can we get in on Lauri?

I suspect they’d just try and flip Kessler.

[Ring_Wanted]

I think Kessler is gone regardless. Keep in mind that last year Kessler allegedly rejected 5/140M (which was a gross overpay already). Now the Jazz have much more frontcourt talent and they can add to it with a player with ties to Utah. But yeah, if I were the Jazz and could not trade up for Dybantsa, I'd just draft Boozer and try to make the best out of Kessler RFA status via sign and trade. Under the current CBA, losing a guy for nothing beats adding a 30M+ bad contract to the books.

[Superbone]

A lot of smoke about Utah taking Booker. If they do are they really going to keep JJJ, Lauri and Kessler? Can we get in on Lauri?

I suspect they’d just try and flip Kessler.

Freudian slip?

[Superbone]

How many others were watching this Finals game when this happened on this day in 1994?

[Mori Chu]

10 teams have never won it all. 5 of those have never been to the Finals. At least we have three appearances.

Question to all: Can you name all 5 teams that have never been to the NBA Finals? I haven't looked it up, but this is my guess:

Spoiler: show/hide

LA Clippers
Memphis Grizzlies
Minnesota Timberwolves
New Orleans Pelicans
Sacramento Kings

[Mori Chu]

A lot of smoke about Utah taking Booker. If they do are they really going to keep JJJ, Lauri and Kessler? Can we get in on Lauri?

Jalen Green ($33m) + Royce O'Neale ($10m) combine to make nearly the same annual salary as Markkanen ($46m). Lauri has 4 years left on his contract while Green and O'Neale each have 3.

I would definitely do that trade. Not sure Utah would want those guys, though.

[rhylek]

10 teams have never won it all. 5 of those have never been to the Finals. At least we have three appearances.

Question to all: Can you name all 5 teams that have never been to the NBA Finals? I haven't looked it up, but this is my guess:

Spoiler: show/hide

LA Clippers
Memphis Grizzlies
Minnesota Timberwolves
New Orleans Pelicans
Sacramento Kings

Almost got them but look at the graphics, one of your 5 teams has won a 'ship. The last one is

Spoiler: show/hide

the Hornets

[Shabazz]

A lot of smoke about Utah taking Boozer. If they do are they really going to keep JJJ, Lauri and Kessler? Can we get in on Lauri?

I suspect they’d just try and flip Kessler.

Freudian slip?

Whoops. Fixed.

[SunsRIt]

A lot of smoke about Utah taking Booker. If they do are they really going to keep JJJ, Lauri and Kessler? Can we get in on Lauri?

Jalen Green ($33m) + Royce O'Neale ($10m) combine to make nearly the same annual salary as Markkanen ($46m). Lauri has 4 years left on his contract while Green and O'Neale each have 3.

I would definitely do that trade. Not sure Utah would want those guys, though.

Royce used to play in Utah and I believe he was pretty well liked by the fans.

[O_Gardino]

Utah is an interesting trade partner, but I just don't see them trading Markkanen. He's the face of the franchise, the white star in Utah, and fans seem to think that this is the year the Jazz get back to playing to win.

The Jazz do have more good bigs than guards, but all of their bigs are super injury prone. They won't sweat it. They'll just draft Peterson, who will fit in great with George in the backcourt. IINM, they also have room for one good free agent acquisition. That takes them into the season with 5-6 good young players and some vets who can play.

If they do want to bring in Royce or Grayson, I'd take Kochner and a future 1st.

[Superbone]

Utah is an interesting trade partner, but I just don't see them trading Markkanen. He's the face of the franchise, the white star in Utah, and fans seem to think that this is the year the Jazz get back to playing to win.

The Jazz do have more good bigs than guards, but all of their bigs are super injury prone. They won't sweat it. They'll just draft Peterson, who will fit in great with George in the backcourt. IINM, they also have room for one good free agent acquisition. That takes them into the season with 5-6 good young players and some vets who can play.

If they do want to bring in Royce or Grayson, I'd take Kochner and a future 1st.

Seems like a good trading partner since they have the bigs and we have the smalls.

[Split T]

If Utah trades a big, it’s Kessler…maybe you can get like Filipowski, but not Lauri or JJJ

[Aztec Sunsfan]

If Utah trades a big, it’s Kessler…maybe you can get like Filipowski, but not Lauri or JJJ

They are trying to resign him, but there are reports that negotiations are far between the parts, so a sign and trade is possible for any team willing to massively overpay him, let’s hope it’s not us.

[Shabazz]

He’s got some weird stuff in his background, but I’d take Filipowski.