re: Lakers Clapped Again

OKC goes back2back?

OKC clinched conf title last night and home court throughout playoffs.

This might help Denver who is fighting to finish above Lakers for 3rd place. OKC plays at Denver Fri night and its possible they either rest some starters or give them light work.

If we let Denver win it could come down to last game Dev vs Spurs. But Spurs can’t improve or drop in standings so they might rest their starters too.

Everything is lined up for Denver to get 3 seed if they do their part.

I think Spurs still win, but Denver getting the 3 seed was huge for OKC.

Potentially having to go through Denver and SAS back to back would not be fun at all.

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Really hoping for a big offseason

Lakers will have
Luka
Reaves - will opt out, but due to his current salary only has a $20 mil cap hold.
Laravia
Knecht
Thiero
Vanderbilt

Player options
Ayton - probably opts out
Smart - 50/50 on what he does. A month ago I would have said opt out, but being the 4th guard is where his body is at this point. I think he stays.

Then they can trade up to three 1st round draft picks and have about $50 mil in cap space.

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OKC is so stacked with talent they will have to start unloading some great bench role players. They drafted Sorber in 1st round last year and he’s been out since pre season so thats like another extra pick. Then they have like 2 or 3 picks this year.

What this means is teams will be on the phone with Presti to make a trade to secure certain players. We will likely have to let a big man go. That might be IHart, I don’t know. And I really like him he’s always helping in the community too.

Teams on the cusp might find some good value when OKC does their fire sale. To draft you need to make room on roster. Teams like Dallas or LAL or many others will be calling or will take Prestis call. Presti drives a hard bargain and will likely only take future picks but will have to make some tough decisions due to too much talent on one team up and down roster.

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As a side note Pels seem to be on track for the future. Fears is the youngest player to ever score 40 points. He’s had to learn a lot this year and seems primed for a great future.

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We certainly aren't. Fears is on track to be a solid player but the future for the Pels is extremely bleak. Bad roster, no first round pick coming up, bad contracts, Jordan Poole is on the team and Joe Dumars is the GM and seemingly wants to run it back.

Legit the bleakest outlook the franchise has ever had, which is saying something because we've had some pretty bleak times. much less seeming to be on track for the future.

The grizzlies are in the same boat. This is the worst position the franchise has been in in quite some time.

Denver should be locked in Fri night. Thunder throwing them a bone

Thunder injury report for tomorrow's game against the Nuggets:

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (oblique injury management) is out

Chet Holmgren (back spasms) is out

Jalen Williams (hamstring injury management) is out

Isaiah Hartenstein (soleus injury management) is out

Cason Wallace (toe soreness) is out

Ajay Mitchell (ankle injury management) is out

Alex Caruso (rest) is out

Isaiah Joe (knee soreness) is out

Jaylin Williams (Achilles tendinitis) is out

Thomas Sorber (torn ACL) is out