Warriors dropped this nice video of Buddy Hield visiting his old neighborhood in the Bahamas, where he’s still very active giving back to the community. Seems like a good guy. And damn, dude’s got tree trunks for legs. I’d love to see him buy in to defense. https://youtu.be/yWmOfFgCitc?si=tjraGDT7tQdFTZ-C
WNBA: DiJonai Carrington and NaLyssa Smith are both free agents. They're also a couple. Would the Valkyries or any team for that matter, sign on two players who are a couple?
Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner are married (or engaged?). They play for Connecticut, are both future HOFers, and have reached multiple WNBA Finals together. And Bonner has kids with Candice Dupree, also a great player, with whom she won a title in Phoenix (on a team that also featured Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor). Courtney Vandersloot and Allie Quigley also won a title together, in Chicago. So it definitely *can* work, though I’m not certain whether in any of those instances the couple was together before joining the team (nor whether they joined at the same time).
I’m pretty sure DiJonai went to Stanford, so there’s that Bay Area connection… Seems like WNBA contracts tend to be pretty short though, so I’m not sure the Valkyries will be able to sign anyone with other options in the first year or two, since the player would be committing their entire contract to a (re)build.
Interesting but they won't be FA at the same time, and both will be RFA with their current teams. Carrington becomes RFA in '25 and Smith in '26 because the Fever picked up their club option on Smith for '25. So this situation might not even arise.
It is an interesting question though. I can't think of another example of a couple playing on the same major sports team. Siblings, multiple times in basketball and baseball (maybe other sports too), and I can think of a couple of examples of father and son, obviously including LeBron and Bronny this coming season. (Has there been a mother and daughter on the same team?)
I guess the team has to consider what happens if, say, one player becomes disenchanted with the team (falls out with the coach, contract dispute, whatever), or if they trade one how does the other respond, and maybe it could be an issue in the locker room if things don't go well. If the couple break up, and it's ugly, that could be bad. It's risky.
It's happened at least a couple of times in the NWSL. Not a major league sport, I know. In general, I think the previous team let the spouse join the one that moved to a new team. The time I'm thinking of is Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris. I think it also came up with Abby Wambach and Sarah Huffman.
Interesting. Seems like letting the spouse also move on, while logical, could be complicated if the player is crucial to team success. The team would have to approach it as a combo deal from the start, which might be doable but still.... But hey, if they made it work, more power to 'em. There would still be the question of what happens if a couple breaks up. I guess if it were the NBA, you trade one to the Wizards. 😉
Both Krieger and Harris were marginal players ... Krieger was at the end of her career and I don't think Harris was any more than a backup goalie.
It would be much harder to do with NBA level contracts, of course (it will probably happen someday). Part of it is that the NWSL has much more player movement than a major league team, because the league is so unstable (right now, in a good way ... it's expanding like mad).
It is. Pels still have a roster problem, though. Their bigs are Zion, Robinson-Earl, and Theis, and only one of them is listed as a center. They've got a logjam in their guard (Murray, McCollum, Alvarado, Hawkins, Javonte Green) and wing positions (Ingram, Jones, Murphy III).
The KAT trade for DDV and Randle was unexpected. I think the trade helps the Knicks out since they get a center who can shoot and space up the floor. Plus, they got rid of Randle, who is a black hole on offense. Losing DDV hurts, though.
As for the Wolves, they're gonna have a tougher time stopping Jokic since they no longer have the twin towers lineup anymore.
The Wolves still have Gobert and Reid to slow down Jokic. Everybody struggles with Joker, and that's as good a defense as most. With DDV added, their perimeter defense is bolstered.
["Krawczynski] Keeping him [KAT] on the roster likely would have meant saying goodbye to [Naz] Reid, who won NBA Sixth Man of the Year last season and is wildly popular in Minnesota, and likely Alexander-Walker as well, team sources said."
Many fond memories from that place, but the huge concrete parking lot was an abomination. How about replacing it with 15k housing units in a mixed-use development with some interspersed green space, all of it right next to BART?
there are plans! or, the beginnings of plans at least; the city recently sold the land to the African American Sports and Entertainment Group (which also bought the A's share of the site)
here's hoping they can build something awesome there
- "Lore could win in court but lose getting into the club, which is why he and Rodriguez have spent the past year trying to shore up support in dozens of meetings with other owners . . ."
- "The Knicks are expected to twist themselves into an impressive pretzel not to give up any more rotation players, sources said, and somehow get less than $200,000 below the second apron, which they are not permitted to breach, and pay multiple draft picks to grease it."
- "Randle . . . was likely headed toward free agency in 2025 . . ." " Randle knew he would likely be playing a ton of rugged minutes out of position at center in what was shaping up to be a contract year.
There is also this: If there was one player Rose coveted more than Brunson, a de facto member of his family when he was hired as Knicks president in 2020, it might've been Towns. Both with deep Jersey roots, Rose had bonded with Towns when he was a teen and, as his agent, had been there with him from his Kentucky days to being picked No. 1 overall to becoming a max contract player."
DDV is only 5 years older than Ant, so that's the backcourt for a while (they we also able to keep NAW). They were also able to keep McDaniels. Since Naz and Gobert is going to be a great defensive duo, an offensively-minded 3 would be good, hopefully one that can shoot 3's. Ingram wouldn't actually be that bad (he's had multiple 39% seasons in the past), but he's going to want KAT money next season. Jerami Grant maybe (although he's really a 4, but so is Randle)?
(Not your question, but I had no idea that Randle (29, turns 30 in Novermber drafted 2014) is only one year older than KAT (28, turns 29 in Novermber drafted 2015) until I googled it.)
Ingram is eligible for a four-year, $208M max deal, which is indeed close to Towns money (4 years, $220.4M). But just because Ingram is eligible for that deal doesn't mean he'll get it. I have my doubts.
Yep. After looking at it more I can see now that Minnesota did this to retain Reid and have more financial flexibility moving forward even if it can possibly screw their team big time this season
Instead of going out and having fun on a Friday, I’m somehow on the effing godforsaken internet and thinking of playing a DNHQ drinking game.
It’s the ‘If Game’! Rules are: Drink every time someone uses the term ‘if’ to describe a desired but unlikely turn of events that might result in a Dubs glimpse of the post-season. Such as:
If Wiggins returns to form (that ‘form’ being the rare exception of his 2021-2 campaign), and if he can play alongside Kuminga.
If Kuminga develops an outside shot, better handles, situational awareness, team defense, ability to play alongside Wiggins, etc.
If Looney develops a 3pt and/or midrange shooting game.
If TJD develops a 3pt shot to make him playable alongside Draymond, Kuminga and/or Wiggins.
If Anderson develops a 3pt and/or midrange shooting game.
If Pods can actually take on some PG duties and develop a reliable 3pt shot at volume.
If Steph can continue to shoulder the entire offensive burden of a team without a reliable 2nd (or 3rd) scoring option.
If Melton’s back issues are resolved.
If Hield improves on defense and doesn’t give away more points than he makes.
If Draymond doesn’t punch, choke, kick or physically assault another player - or receive enough technical fouls to result in a suspension.
If Draymond can play the 5 with some regularity and make it to the post-season with enough juice to perform.
If Moody gets more minutes to contribute and prove himself.
If Post can make it out of the G League and earn meaningful minutes in the frontcourt.
If the Dubs make a trade for a 2nd option without totally gutting their depth.
If the Warriors can stay relatively healthy, particularly concerning Steph and Draymond as elite but aging players shouldering the entire offensive and defensive burden of the team.
And yes, every team has ‘ifs’, but the Dubs chances and roster are almost entirely ‘ifs’, and this is the team we’re rooting for. So that’s not an actual argument. And yes, the Dubs don’t need all of these ‘ifs’ to bloom, but a lot of em are interrelated.
When JK, Podz, TJD, and MM all take a significant step forward, and when Steph bounces back and returns to form as Steve remembers that he needs his rest, and when Dray chooses not to let his emotions get the better of him, and when Wiggs returns to 2022 form, and when the rest of the role players all play up to expectations, the Dubs gon' be championship.
They both said there no problem there, but I guess what would you expect them to say. I think Thibs issue in Minny may have been more that Jimmy was his dude, and clearly Jimmy and KAT weren't best friends
Gosh, that’s a good trade. I love a good trade. Balances both rosters and makes them both clearly better, IMO.
Knicks - Brunson, Hart, Bridges, OG and Towns is ferocious. It lacks a clear top 10 player but that’s a beautiful starting 5.
T-Wolves - Donte is a huge add for them. Huge. A combo guard who bombs 3’s plays D, and has hustle is a perfect long term fit next to Edwards.
Randle, Naz Gobert is a great front court. Combos can all play together. It also gives them needed financial flexibility. Randle can be a there for a year guy or be a long term piece.
Feels like we’re due the next installment of #DubNationHQRank…
Great idea. I’ll start things off:
1. Goofus
Sorry, my mistake Goofus, did not mean “rank” as in smelly… my bad.
@DFiB how many hours to go??
36… HOOOOLLLLLDDDDD!!!
Hmmm ... this was posted 12 hours ago ... so.
< whips out pocket calculator, since numbers are bigger than 10 and I have shoes on >
24 hours to gooooooo.
🎵 I wanna be sedated 🎵
Nothin to do, no where to go-o-o
RPN or in-fix?
((I it) know) N
OK, maybe I do.
You are the best at math. The best mather, probably ever.
Warriors dropped this nice video of Buddy Hield visiting his old neighborhood in the Bahamas, where he’s still very active giving back to the community. Seems like a good guy. And damn, dude’s got tree trunks for legs. I’d love to see him buy in to defense. https://youtu.be/yWmOfFgCitc?si=tjraGDT7tQdFTZ-C
Ms Lyla, you da real MVP!
OT: Absolute insanity in 4th quarter of the Alabama-Georgia game.
WNBA: DiJonai Carrington and NaLyssa Smith are both free agents. They're also a couple. Would the Valkyries or any team for that matter, sign on two players who are a couple?
List of WNBA free agents:
https://www.spotrac.com/wnba/free-agents/_/year/2025
Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner are married (or engaged?). They play for Connecticut, are both future HOFers, and have reached multiple WNBA Finals together. And Bonner has kids with Candice Dupree, also a great player, with whom she won a title in Phoenix (on a team that also featured Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor). Courtney Vandersloot and Allie Quigley also won a title together, in Chicago. So it definitely *can* work, though I’m not certain whether in any of those instances the couple was together before joining the team (nor whether they joined at the same time).
I’m pretty sure DiJonai went to Stanford, so there’s that Bay Area connection… Seems like WNBA contracts tend to be pretty short though, so I’m not sure the Valkyries will be able to sign anyone with other options in the first year or two, since the player would be committing their entire contract to a (re)build.
Interesting but they won't be FA at the same time, and both will be RFA with their current teams. Carrington becomes RFA in '25 and Smith in '26 because the Fever picked up their club option on Smith for '25. So this situation might not even arise.
It is an interesting question though. I can't think of another example of a couple playing on the same major sports team. Siblings, multiple times in basketball and baseball (maybe other sports too), and I can think of a couple of examples of father and son, obviously including LeBron and Bronny this coming season. (Has there been a mother and daughter on the same team?)
I guess the team has to consider what happens if, say, one player becomes disenchanted with the team (falls out with the coach, contract dispute, whatever), or if they trade one how does the other respond, and maybe it could be an issue in the locker room if things don't go well. If the couple break up, and it's ugly, that could be bad. It's risky.
It's happened at least a couple of times in the NWSL. Not a major league sport, I know. In general, I think the previous team let the spouse join the one that moved to a new team. The time I'm thinking of is Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris. I think it also came up with Abby Wambach and Sarah Huffman.
Interesting. Seems like letting the spouse also move on, while logical, could be complicated if the player is crucial to team success. The team would have to approach it as a combo deal from the start, which might be doable but still.... But hey, if they made it work, more power to 'em. There would still be the question of what happens if a couple breaks up. I guess if it were the NBA, you trade one to the Wizards. 😉
Both Krieger and Harris were marginal players ... Krieger was at the end of her career and I don't think Harris was any more than a backup goalie.
It would be much harder to do with NBA level contracts, of course (it will probably happen someday). Part of it is that the NWSL has much more player movement than a major league team, because the league is so unstable (right now, in a good way ... it's expanding like mad).
"New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado has agreed to a two-year, $9 million contract extension, with a player option for the 2026-27 season."
https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1840121203547353232
That sounds like a bargain!?
It is. Pels still have a roster problem, though. Their bigs are Zion, Robinson-Earl, and Theis, and only one of them is listed as a center. They've got a logjam in their guard (Murray, McCollum, Alvarado, Hawkins, Javonte Green) and wing positions (Ingram, Jones, Murphy III).
In College (2014-15 season - their only seasons):
Player A:
151-321 FG (47%) 22-53 3PT (41.5%)
REB AST BLK STL
331 51 32 46
Player B:
145-256 FG (56.6%) 2-8 3PT (25%)
REB AST BLK STL
261 44 88 18
[Hint: Player A 62.6% FT, Player B 81.3% FT]
Wild what a decade in the NBA with the accompanying injuries and usage differenced might do.
The KAT trade for DDV and Randle was unexpected. I think the trade helps the Knicks out since they get a center who can shoot and space up the floor. Plus, they got rid of Randle, who is a black hole on offense. Losing DDV hurts, though.
As for the Wolves, they're gonna have a tougher time stopping Jokic since they no longer have the twin towers lineup anymore.
The Wolves still have Gobert and Reid to slow down Jokic. Everybody struggles with Joker, and that's as good a defense as most. With DDV added, their perimeter defense is bolstered.
And they get serious Mike Conley insurance since he's 36 years old. Not to mention, hot take but I think his defense suffered last year.
Second apron woes.
r/nba
orl-1
5 hr. ago
EarthWarping
emoji:nba-1:
NBA
["Krawczynski] Keeping him [KAT] on the roster likely would have meant saying goodbye to [Naz] Reid, who won NBA Sixth Man of the Year last season and is wildly popular in Minnesota, and likely Alexander-Walker as well, team sources said."
2nd apron strikes again.
Random but...Oakland has now lost 4 pro sports teams (MLB, NFL, NBA and NHL). And they all played at the same location.
Many fond memories from that place, but the huge concrete parking lot was an abomination. How about replacing it with 15k housing units in a mixed-use development with some interspersed green space, all of it right next to BART?
there are plans! or, the beginnings of plans at least; the city recently sold the land to the African American Sports and Entertainment Group (which also bought the A's share of the site)
here's hoping they can build something awesome there
https://oaklandside.org/2024/09/03/oakland-sells-coliseum-aaseg-ray-bobbitt/
Concepts of plans?
Con Plans?
more like 150k. Would be nice if there was room for parks and markets but this is Oakland after all.
Good article by Windy explaining some of the potential reasoning behind the trade: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/41492663/how-knicks-timberwolves-unique-problems-led-unlikely-karl-anthony-towns-julius-randle-trade , including:
- "Lore could win in court but lose getting into the club, which is why he and Rodriguez have spent the past year trying to shore up support in dozens of meetings with other owners . . ."
- "The Knicks are expected to twist themselves into an impressive pretzel not to give up any more rotation players, sources said, and somehow get less than $200,000 below the second apron, which they are not permitted to breach, and pay multiple draft picks to grease it."
- "Randle . . . was likely headed toward free agency in 2025 . . ." " Randle knew he would likely be playing a ton of rugged minutes out of position at center in what was shaping up to be a contract year.
There is also this: If there was one player Rose coveted more than Brunson, a de facto member of his family when he was hired as Knicks president in 2020, it might've been Towns. Both with deep Jersey roots, Rose had bonded with Towns when he was a teen and, as his agent, had been there with him from his Kentucky days to being picked No. 1 overall to becoming a max contract player."
People hate on Windhorst, but everything I've seen from him indicates he's a quite solid journalist.
He's always been such a LeBron fluffer that I have a hard time taking him seriously
ESPN needs to hold onto all their remaining basketball minds if they want to put any kind of quality NBA analysts on their network.
If Minny wants to make a further trade to move Randle for whatever, are there any limits on how soon they could do that?
Just wondering re: fit of Randle if Minny might be planning on a future trade to address that.
DDV is only 5 years older than Ant, so that's the backcourt for a while (they we also able to keep NAW). They were also able to keep McDaniels. Since Naz and Gobert is going to be a great defensive duo, an offensively-minded 3 would be good, hopefully one that can shoot 3's. Ingram wouldn't actually be that bad (he's had multiple 39% seasons in the past), but he's going to want KAT money next season. Jerami Grant maybe (although he's really a 4, but so is Randle)?
(Not your question, but I had no idea that Randle (29, turns 30 in Novermber drafted 2014) is only one year older than KAT (28, turns 29 in Novermber drafted 2015) until I googled it.)
Ingram is eligible for a four-year, $208M max deal, which is indeed close to Towns money (4 years, $220.4M). But just because Ingram is eligible for that deal doesn't mean he'll get it. I have my doubts.
KAT surprisingly did a pretty good job against Joker last year too. Now that he’s gone… who’s guarding him for Minnesota? Naz Reid? Gobert?
Donte
On the KAT trade, they said dynasties are dead, but I see a long run here of the Second Apron being undefeated in taking down the top teams
Yep. After looking at it more I can see now that Minnesota did this to retain Reid and have more financial flexibility moving forward even if it can possibly screw their team big time this season
CBS Sports has a good article about how they could have been worried about getting stuck with him like the Pels are stuck with Ingram…
The apron strikes again
"Yes the new CBA screws the entire league, but on the plus side we screwed the Warriors"
Instead of going out and having fun on a Friday, I’m somehow on the effing godforsaken internet and thinking of playing a DNHQ drinking game.
It’s the ‘If Game’! Rules are: Drink every time someone uses the term ‘if’ to describe a desired but unlikely turn of events that might result in a Dubs glimpse of the post-season. Such as:
If Wiggins returns to form (that ‘form’ being the rare exception of his 2021-2 campaign), and if he can play alongside Kuminga.
If Kuminga develops an outside shot, better handles, situational awareness, team defense, ability to play alongside Wiggins, etc.
If Looney develops a 3pt and/or midrange shooting game.
If TJD develops a 3pt shot to make him playable alongside Draymond, Kuminga and/or Wiggins.
If Anderson develops a 3pt and/or midrange shooting game.
If Pods can actually take on some PG duties and develop a reliable 3pt shot at volume.
If Steph can continue to shoulder the entire offensive burden of a team without a reliable 2nd (or 3rd) scoring option.
If Melton’s back issues are resolved.
If Hield improves on defense and doesn’t give away more points than he makes.
If Draymond doesn’t punch, choke, kick or physically assault another player - or receive enough technical fouls to result in a suspension.
If Draymond can play the 5 with some regularity and make it to the post-season with enough juice to perform.
If Moody gets more minutes to contribute and prove himself.
If Post can make it out of the G League and earn meaningful minutes in the frontcourt.
If the Dubs make a trade for a 2nd option without totally gutting their depth.
If the Warriors can stay relatively healthy, particularly concerning Steph and Draymond as elite but aging players shouldering the entire offensive and defensive burden of the team.
And yes, every team has ‘ifs’, but the Dubs chances and roster are almost entirely ‘ifs’, and this is the team we’re rooting for. So that’s not an actual argument. And yes, the Dubs don’t need all of these ‘ifs’ to bloom, but a lot of em are interrelated.
Anyway, prayers up for my liver, Dub Nation!!!
When JK, Podz, TJD, and MM all take a significant step forward, and when Steph bounces back and returns to form as Steve remembers that he needs his rest, and when Dray chooses not to let his emotions get the better of him, and when Wiggs returns to 2022 form, and when the rest of the role players all play up to expectations, the Dubs gon' be championship.
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
. . . Wait, what are we talking about again?
This is giving
LOL.
Hey, IF all of that happens, we gonna be championship!
If half of those things happen WGBC, if they all happen we gonna be 90-8
As I was walking the dogs were pet sitting this morning, I was thinking that John Lennon’s “Imagine” could be re-worked with a similar list.
The good news is that, aside from Curry needing to be Curry, not all of these things need to happen for the Warriors to contend.
The If game is almost all we have just before training camp and the preseason get going.
Don’t worry… any positive signs through preseason will continue to be derided on this blog by the less optimistic among us.
Nice weather in HI? That just means they are going to struggle when they have to travel to Toronto in January!
Thibideu used to coach the Twolves. And he was reportedly not a fan of KAT. This should be interesting.
They both said there no problem there, but I guess what would you expect them to say. I think Thibs issue in Minny may have been more that Jimmy was his dude, and clearly Jimmy and KAT weren't best friends
Gosh, that’s a good trade. I love a good trade. Balances both rosters and makes them both clearly better, IMO.
Knicks - Brunson, Hart, Bridges, OG and Towns is ferocious. It lacks a clear top 10 player but that’s a beautiful starting 5.
T-Wolves - Donte is a huge add for them. Huge. A combo guard who bombs 3’s plays D, and has hustle is a perfect long term fit next to Edwards.
Randle, Naz Gobert is a great front court. Combos can all play together. It also gives them needed financial flexibility. Randle can be a there for a year guy or be a long term piece.