1. The Norman Powell Trade (Lose-Lose for Everyone)
Let’s look at each team’s side from this trade:
Clippers: The Clippers lost practically their only true two-guard on the team. They signed Brook Lopez, have Ivica Zubac, and are in desperate need of another 3 & D wing. I agree Norman Powell wasn’t the perfect fit but they absolutely did not need another big. Not even close. They could genuinely be considered contenders if everyone stays healthy. The only thing they were missing was a wing. Norman Powell, even if he wasn’t the guy they needed, clearly had value and they should’ve gone out and got a guard.
Jazz: The Jazz have repeatedly given away value for nothing this offseason. They lost a 20 PPG scorer and honestly, their best player. Yes, they want to rebuild, but John Collins is worth at least two draft picks. Instead, they got a future first and two contracts (Love and Anderson). At that point, just keep Collins. You can’t rebuild with no talent.
Heat: Yes, yes, I know, the Heat practically gave up nothing. However, Powell’s contract is expiring in one year. He’s making $20 million, adds no defense to a backcourt with Herro, and is another ball-dominant, iso-heavy player. A team with him, Herro, and Wiggins makes no sense. I get that it was an “opportunity they couldn’t pass up,” but Powell is streaky and inconsistent. The Heat were the 10 seed last year before the play-in. This didn’t fix any of their real needs. All they did was take on a large expiring contract. I wouldn’t call it a bad trade for them just an irrelevant one.
2. The Thunder's Contract Extensions
First off, Chet is in no world worth almost $50 million a year. He showed no statistical improvement from his rookie season, only played 32 games this year, and was extremely inefficient in the playoffs. Defensively, outside of blocks, he didn’t look that great either.
I’m not going to say J-Dub doesn’t deserve his deal, but with these two extensions combined with Shai’s monstrosity of a contract the Thunder are going to be deep into the luxury tax for years. They’ll have to constantly rotate out role players. Luckily, they have all those picks.
Chet is not a dynasty player. He’s over-glorified by the media and shouldn't even be considered a star at this point. By 2027, the Thunder will have almost no money to spend on other players. A huge part of why they won this year was their depth guys like Lu Dort and Alex Caruso literally saved series for them. They might not have even gotten out of the second round if those two hadn’t guarded Jokic the way they did.
Bottom line: if the choice was paying that much for all three or cutting one, it sounds crazy but you cut Chet.
3. The Bulls Franchise
The Bulls have not been solid since Derrick Rose. It’s been over 10 years. Every year, they draft “high potential” guys, like Noa Essengue, whose weaknesses shown on scouting reports turn out to be practically every aspect of high-level basketball.
Tyler Herro, in an elimination game against the Bulls, put up 40 points on 80% true shooting. And what’s the craziest part? They ran a box-and-one on him the entire game. Have you ever seen a box-and-one in the NBA? Not even for guys like Jokic. And it’s Tyler Herro!
Their biggest weaknesses as a team include:
- Literally no real defenders (not a single one)
- Inconsistent scoring
- No star
- No quality big man
- No bench depth
They have endless needs, have been in hundreds of trade talks, and what do they do? Oh right, trade Lonzo. They’ve been taking players like Essengue for years. This is a sorry franchise, and they need to change it up. Honestly, if nothing changes, they should be removed from the league. This team will never escape NBA purgatory if things keep going this way.
4. Shams’ Pre-Offseason Hype
Shams said before the offseason that this could be the craziest offseason ever. Instead, it’s been one of the most boring in recent memory. Nothing crazy has happened, and the “craziest” thing yet has been those ridiculous Thunder contracts. This offseason has been filled with more head-scratching moments than hype-worthy ones.
5. The Pelicans’ Draft
The Pelicans had two lottery picks in the 2025 draft and walked away with Jeremiah Fears at No. 7 and Derik Queen at No. 13, after trading up and giving away a 2026 unprotected first-round pick, along with the draft rights to Asa Newell.
That 2026 pick might be incredibly valuable, and it’s wild they gave it up. What’s even crazier is that they also gave up Asa Newell, who was taken at 23, the pick they traded for Queen. For this team, Asa is a way better fit than Queen. Judging based on this team's needs; This trade is the equivalent of me offering you my $5 for your $1… and then giving you another $10 on top.
On paper, Fears sounds like a win. But look closer, it’s a confusing move for a team with no clear timeline. Fears is a talented shot-creator, but he’s a 6’1” combo guard who needs the ball to develop. And their backcourt is already crowded. He’s basically a shorter Jordan Poole, who is already on the team.
Who knows if Zion stays healthy, and a frontcourt of 6’6” Zion and 6' 9” (bad defender) Derik Queen only makes that 2026 pick look even more valuable. The problem? They don’t have it anymore. If they were going to trade up, they should’ve done it with the Rockets at 10 to get Maluach, a much better fit for what this team actually needs.
