Welp, that didn’t take long. Two days after his initial trade request and just hours after the announcement of his preferred destination, Trae Young was traded to the Washington Wizards in exchange for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. For such a star-studded deal, there isn’t a lot of shock factor here. After all, Young didContinue reading “Thoughts on the Trae Young Trade”
Author Archives: finleyk24
Is This the End for Tyler Smith?
Tyler Smith, the 33rd pick in the 2024 NBA draft, was waived from his two-way contract with the Houston Rockets yesterday. This is the second time Smith has been cut this season; the Bucks, the team who drafted him, let him go in the process of trimming their roster after training camp. The young forwardContinue reading “Is This the End for Tyler Smith?”
5 G League Winter Showcase Standouts Who Deserve an NBA Opportunity
The G League’s annual Winter Showcase just wrapped up, with the Salt Lake City Stars winning the tournament championship (shoutout John Tonje, Steven Crowl and Max Klesmit). In the Showcase, players have the opportunity to display their talents in front of scouts and front office personnel from all 30 NBA teams. Several showcase standouts alreadyContinue reading “5 G League Winter Showcase Standouts Who Deserve an NBA Opportunity”
Maxime Raynaud and the Fight Against Aesthetic Bias
If you’re a basketball analyst, or just watch the sport in general, you’ve judged a player off their aesthetics before. Maybe you assumed a dude with a funky jumper couldn’t shoot before watching him drain five threes against your team, or maybe you figured a fat 6’11” European dude would be unskilled and uncoordinated whenContinue reading “Maxime Raynaud and the Fight Against Aesthetic Bias”
The Warriors Just Found Their Baby Draymond Green
The Golden State Warriors have built their ethos on smarts, versatility and dynamism. Their ideal lineups are connected units that move as one. The organization has managed to maintain this identity across eras by identifying and developing players who can mold right into the system. They just added a new initiate into the fold, aContinue reading “The Warriors Just Found Their Baby Draymond Green”
How a Scrap-Heap Backcourt Duo Is Changing Everything for the Suns
The Suns have been one of the NBA’s biggest pleasant surprises so far this season. They’ve stayed steadily competitive in the Western Conference gauntlet, maintaining a winning record despite being significantly less talented than many of their opponents. First-time head coach Jordan Ott has turned Devin Booker and his band of role players into aContinue reading “How a Scrap-Heap Backcourt Duo Is Changing Everything for the Suns”
Two-Way Talents: Moussa Cisse
NBA teams overlook centers in the draft year after year. Traditional big men who can contribute to winning fall through the cracks because they don’t have the same scoring/creation appeal as other positions. The teams that do take chances on these guys end up being rewarded more often than not, and that’s exactly what’s happeningContinue reading “Two-Way Talents: Moussa Cisse”
Bobby Portis, Your Time Has Come
Bobby Portis has been a fan favorite in Milwaukee for well over half a decade now. He, alongside Giannis, is the heart and soul of the Bucks. Bobby has helped this team accomplish so much, and he’s had so many awesome moments in a green-and-cream jersey. That’s why it’s painful to say it’s time forContinue reading “Bobby Portis, Your Time Has Come”
Predicting the Top 100 NBA Players of the 2026 Season
NBA day is finally upon us! In celebration of what should be a national holiday, I’m delivering the prelude to my favorite annual tradition: my top 100 players list. This is a prediction of what my rankings will look like at the end of the 2025-26 season. I’m projecting the upcoming season alone, assuming healthContinue reading “Predicting the Top 100 NBA Players of the 2026 Season”
2026 NBA Power Rankings
The NBA is so stacked. The vast majority of teams either have playoff-level rosters or enticing young cores. Determining which squads will top the standings in 2025-26 is a tough task, but I gave it a try anyway. Here’s my preseason power ranking of all 30 teams, with placements based on a combination of projectedContinue reading “2026 NBA Power Rankings”
The Bench Mob Blog 