The Mavericks’ updated young core after trading for 2024 No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher:
Cooper Flagg
Morez Johnson Jr.
Dereck Lively
Risacher
Max Christie
Sergio de Lerrea
Dallas does not control another 1st-round pick again until 2031.
Inspired by 82-0, we have put together this game we have called 73-9.
You have $100 million to spend on players to try to beat the 2015-16 Warriors.
It's a long shot, especially because you are constrained by money.
Shoot your shot, though!
Link: https://t.co/yiZlju26vg
My key takeaways from Summer League:
- We have four worthy number 1 picks in this draft in Dybantsa, Peterson, Boozer and Wilson. All have been as good or better than advertised.
- Darius Acuff lacks defensive engagement and overall proficiency in that area. This isn’t saying he can’t be a reasonable defender one day, but if it stands out at Summer League it’s going to be glaring in the league. He does however, have that star makeup on the offensive end. He will make big shots. He will make tough shots. Either way he will be box office and sell tickets in Sacramento. The buzz is already starting to show. He also has that late game gene which can open up his ceiling in the league as a go-to guy at the end of games.
- Cameron Carr is a steal in this draft
- Yaxel Lendeborg can play rotation minutes for the Warriors tomorrow and be fine
- Aday Mara has mobility concerns at the next level. He’s talented and will no doubt have an impact, but it will always be there. You can’t teach size though and he’s going to be effective in the right lineups.
- Morez Johnson Jr has been great, but I still think the Mavs may end up regretting not taking Brayden Burries ahead of him who’s been super impactful in every appearance.
- Keaton Wagler is the type of prospect I feel will always need a strong complimentary back court partner next to him in order to maximize his own gifts.
- Outside of Darryn Peterson, Mikel Brown Jr has every chance to be the best guard in this draft. Motor, decision-making, IQ, playmaking, athleticism, communication. He’s shown it all.
- I have questions around Kingston Flemings’ rim pressure and overall shooting, but his ball security is a plus, his defensive aggression is always there and his ability to operate in a heavy pick-and-roll offense translates to the league
- Tyler Nickel may be the best pure shooter in the draft
- Christian Anderson will struggle with physically at the pro level
- Jury is still out on Nate Ament
- Offensive rebounding needs to be Hannes Steinbach’s calling card to get minutes in the league, because he’s still very much learning the game
- I expect Liam McNeeley to be featured more for the Hornets this upcoming season
- Cody Williams has no noticeable signs of growth in his game
- Bennett Stirtz will help the Thunder. I have no doubts when he gets in that system that he’ll be productive. The processing is impressive.
- Egor Demin will take a leap next season
- Hugo Gonzalez is ready for a bigger role with the Celtics
- Khaman Maluach is still such a high upside prospect. Has everything you want in an energy defensive big who plays above the rim. Needs NBA reps.
- Noah Penda can have a bigger role in the Magic’s second unit next season
- Adou Thiero is one of the best young athletes in the league. Period. Needs to learn how to slow down but if he can give consistent defensive production and be viable on offense, he might see a few minutes in the Lakers’ rotation.
- Ben Saraf has a long way to go, as does Drake Powell
- Labaron Philon Jr should never have fallen as far as he did
- Meleek Thomas is a lottery worthy talent
- I remain a huge fan of Will Riley
- Lester Quinones has my attention
- Sergio De Larrea is a rare pure point guard with genuine floor general skills. I hope he sees minutes in Dallas.
New look Miami Heat 🔥
PG: Davion Mitchell
SG: Tim Hardaway Jr.
SF: Andrew Wiggins
PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
C: Bam Adebayo
vs
New look Philadelphia 76ers 😤
PG: Tyrese Maxey
SG: V.J. Edgecombe
SF: Jaylen Brown
PF: Dean Wade
C: Joel Embiid
Who you got in a 7-game series? 🤔
Egor cut into Mikel’s interview to ask a question:
“Going back to your first bucket with the Nets, can you talk us through that beautiful pass that came to you?”
Mikel:
“Beautiful pass by yay. He said he was gonna find me there… Great player.”
Egor:
“Good answer.”
😂😂😂😂
Sean Marks took a big risk on June 25, 2024: the Bridges trade with Knicks … AND the exchange of picks with Rockets which led to Demin in 2025 and Brown in 2026. IF these two work out as fans hope, the rest of what they got that night is gravy.
The Nuggets are still all-in on their championship core 😤
It's normal for teams who win a title to run it back.
But after a year or two, the championship core usually gets broken up.
It's usually because of age or trying to duck the luxury tax.
The Celtics only have one player left from their starting 5 when they won a title in 2024.
The OKC Thunder already traded 2 players from their core this offseason.
There've been a lot of rumors the past few seasons that the Nuggets we're willing to trade everyone but Nikola Jokic.
But the Nuggets have stayed the course.
They re-acquired Bruce Brown after he left in the offseason to get a bag.
The only players from their core that are no longer on the team are Michael Porter Jr. and KCP.
A lot has changed in the NBA the past 3 years, but the Nuggets keep finding ways to bring the band back together 🔥