Make sure to listen and add the 13 Rules: NBA Random Thoughts podcast to your list! This week Steve shares his thoughts on the NBA Draft 2025 and Finals!
- Congratulations to the Oklahoma City Thunder for winning the NBA championship! The team had to survive two tough seven-game series to get there. This is a team that won 68 games in the regular season and was undoubtedly the best in the league this year. The scary part is, they are still young, not yet at their peak, and have plenty of draft picks to keep their success going. Barring an injury to key players, I doubt this will be their only championship.
- Tyrese Haliburton’s injury in Game 7 was tough to watch. He led a great playoff run for the Pacers. If you’re counting, that’s three stars who have torn their Achilles in the last three months: Damian Lillard and Jayson Tatum are the other two. All three probably will not be back next year, which is bad for the league. The good news is the NBA has decided to begin looking into why these Achilles injuries are happening
- Kevin Durant has been traded… again. You have to wonder why a generational talent like Durant has been traded so often. Is he a guy in the modern era who tries to chase rings, it sure looks like it.
NBA Draft 2025 – Random Thoughts
- Let me join the chorus wondering what New Orleans Pelicans president Joe Dumars is thinking. He traded with the Atlanta Hawks to move up from the 23rd to the 13th pick in order to select Derik Queen. In addition, he gave the Hawks next year’s first-round pick, which will be whichever is lower between the Milwaukee Bucks’ and the Pelicans’ own pick. Just as a reminder, even though they were often injured, the Pelicans won only 21 games last season. If the Bucks trade or lose Giannis Antetokounmpo to injury, they could easily become a lottery team as well. I sure hope Queen is an instant star for Dumars’ sake
- The Boston Celtics pulled off two trades to get under the dreaded second apron. While losing Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis is a big blow, that’s the price teams have to pay in today’s NBA. The fact that they got a pretty good offensive player in Anfernee Simons in return is a credit to Brad Stevens. However, I don’t think the Celtics are done trading—they still need a few bigs. Neemias Queta and recently drafted Amari Williams are their only true big men at the moment. Stevens deserves credit for getting Boston under the second apron, but he may need to clear more money if he hopes to re-sign Luke Kornet and Al Horford.
- The Atlanta Hawks, looking at a weakened Eastern Conference due to injuries to Damian Lillard, Tyrese Haliburton, and Jayson Tatum, decided to go all-in. They acquired Porziņģis and will have Jalen Johnson healthy next year. If Porziņģis can stay on the floor, Atlanta could be a sleeper in the conference—but that’s a big if.
- Ace Bailey is an intriguing prospect. You have to feel for him, as it seems like the people advising him aren’t doing him any favors. While he wants to join a team that needs his scoring and will give him playing time, he’s still a rookie with four years until restricted free agency. There’s plenty of time for Bailey to prove himself, no matter which team he’s on.
