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Brian WindhorstBrian Windhorst

Kawhi Leonard is currently playing like a machine

I watched Kawhi go through some pre-game shooting routines where he was as impressive... all Kawhi does is look like a machine. I remember watching him make like 96 out of a hundred 17-footers. That's what Kawhi looks like right now.

Subjective scout-style observation.

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Apr 18, 2025
#12165
Big CatBig Cat

Paying Josh Giddey $35 million a year would be a massive mistake for the Bulls

They also have a guy named Josh Giddey who they're gonna probably pay $35 million to, which would be a very big mistake... Josh Giddey is just good enough to get you in the play-in game and not the playoffs.

The Bulls signed Giddey to a 4-year, $100M extension ($25M/year), less than the $35M predicted. Whether it's a mistake depends on Giddey's future performance, but the contract was more modest than feared.
Void
Apr 18, 2025
#12164
Big CatBig Cat

The Chicago Bulls are a joke of an organization with no path forward

This franchise [the Bulls] is a joke and it should be called out as a joke and stop pretending that March and April basketball means something and actually pick a lane and go for it. They do not know how to tank. They do not know how to win.

The Bulls' performance over the last decade supports the claim of mediocrity, though 'joke' is subjective.
Void
Apr 18, 2025
#12166
Big CatBig Cat

A 71-47 score is the largest possible 24-point deficit in basketball

The halftime lead for the Heat was 71-47 and that is pretty much the largest 24-point deficit you can have... It feels like 30. If you can jump over multiple digits of 10, that's when it appears so much larger.

This is a subjective observation on the 'feel' of a deficit.

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Brian WindhorstBrian Windhorst

The Thunder, Timberwolves, and Nuggets title windows will stay open through the end of the decade

Shea is like 26. Jalen Williams is the third season, Chet, this is technically his third season, but he's only played two seasons. I could see these three guys, us talking about these three guys in playoff games like this for the rest of the decade.

This prediction covers a five-year window and is testable by 2030.
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Brian WindhorstBrian Windhorst

The Timberwolves will likely be forced to break up their core roster next season due to the salary cap

I don't think they can keep this team together. The core, the big piece is they can, but, so Julius Randall's a free agent, Nick Alexander-Walker is a free agent, and Naz Reed is a free agent. He has an opt out, which I'm sure he is gonna take. I would be surprised if they were able to re-sign all three guys.

The Timberwolves re-signed Julius Randle (3yr/$100M) and Naz Reid (5yr/$125M), keeping their core mostly intact. However, they did lose Nickeil Alexander-Walker to the Hawks. They largely kept the core together, not fully breaking up.
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Brian WindhorstBrian Windhorst

LeBron James will not take a pay cut on his next contract with the Lakers

I do not think it's in the cards that he's taking less money. It's not that necessarily he wants every dime, although he does want every dime. I don't think he believes that free agency is got anybody in it where if he takes less money that the Lakers could go use their mid-level and like have a transformational player. The intention is for him to continue to make all of the max which he has earned.

LeBron James opted into his $52.6 million player option with the Lakers for the 2025-26 season, not taking a pay cut. He took the full amount.