I've asked a couple times in chat, but then if someone doesn't answer me for a few I'll put my phone away and forget to check what people say. Anyway it's been so nice having JB for the last couple years, and not have to worry about who's gonna be our point guard!
With the year we're having, and just for the fact Tommy has been getting whoever he wants, we're gonna have allot of interest from transfers and high school recruits to play pg, after Bradley leaves! What do y'all think? Who have we been looking at, or should we be looking at?
Hopefully we win the Caleb Holt sweepstakes, but he would likely fill the Burries vacancy. I assume we would need to go all out in the portal for a Top PG to fill the Jaden Bradley vacancy.
It's gonna be a huge spot to replace. Jaden is the best pg we've had since TJ, even better imo as he can get his own shot. Which is what's needed esp in March. Don't have any idea who Lloyd will get (he recruits quietly, almost stealth mode), but after the team he put together this year, I'm not worrying. I would however spend a big chunk of the available NIL funds we have to secure an elite guy at that position. It matters most.
Quote from: |ᴘ|ʀ|ʏ|ᴍ|ᴇ| on January 20, 2026, 09:43:10 AMHopefully we win the Caleb Holt sweepstakes, but he would likely fill the Burries vacancy. I assume we would need to go all out in the portal for a Top PG to fill the Jaden Bradley vacancy.
I like point guards that really attack the rim, and get to the line, giving us extra shoots/points..Is that Caleb Holts games, I'll have to watch some more film on him.
Quote from: Deb on January 20, 2026, 10:07:22 AMIt's gonna be a huge spot to replace. Jaden is the best pg we've had since TJ, even better imo as he can get his own shot. Which is what's needed esp in March. Don't have any idea who Lloyd will get (he recruits quietly, almost stealth mode), but after the team he put together this year, I'm not worrying. I would however spend a big chunk of the available NIL funds we have to secure an elite guy at that position. It matters most.
JB's most diffently has some hard shoes to fill! He got us back to being pointguardU, and I hope that continues with one badass pg after another!!
There's obviously the longshot of Burries not leaving. Perhaps he wants to be the focal point of a top-tier team and improve his draft stock from a late 1st round pick to a top-5...
Assuming he's a OND, Arizona will definitely need to look into the transfer portal for a veteran that can run the point.
We obviously have no idea who else plans to stay, but Arizona could realistically be stacked at the wing position with guys like Aristode, Kharchenkov, James and Cam Holmes slated to play. Even Djopmo could have a minor role as a JR.
It's extremely unlike that Krivas stays, but if he does...watch out. Point Guard will be the ONLY position of need because our two Freshmen Centers will be ready to make contributions in their second season.
Quote from: KansasCityCats on January 21, 2026, 01:11:22 PMThere's obviously the longshot of Burries not leaving. Perhaps he wants to be the focal point of a top-tier team and improve his draft stock from a late 1st round pick to a top-5...
Assuming he's a OND, Arizona will definitely need to look into the transfer portal for a veteran that can run the point.
We obviously have no idea who else plans to stay, but Arizona could realistically be stacked at the wing position with guys like Aristode, Kharchenkov, James and Cam Holmes slated to play. Even Djopmo could have a minor role as a JR.
It's extremely unlike that Krivas stays, but if he does...watch out. Point Guard will be the ONLY position of need because our two Freshmen Centers will be ready to make contributions in their second season.
That would be pretty awesome if Burries stayed! If not it'll all work out in Tomm-E we trust..haha
With the amount of veteran leadership (Awaka/Bradley/Dell'Orso) walking out the door after this season?
I believe Lloyd would hit free agency for a top PG with multiple years of eligibility to try to give himself a longer runway to sign a HS PG since it seems like he might have whiffed on one in this 2027 class since McCoy is the only remaining PG in this class as we know of.
It would not shock me for Lloyd to go across the water to find another hidden gem from the Euro ranks.
In 2025, I did not believe Burries would leave.
His play did not warrant OAD possibilities.
Since January, he has played like the second-best prospect on this team after Bradley.
At this rate, Burries is gone too.
That means you "Way Too Early" starting five would be:
G - EMPTY
G - Holmes
F - Aristode
F - Kharchenkov
C - Krivas
With this lineup, Lloyd would need a starting PG, a backup big, and another wing to come off the bench.
Gueye/James could be ready to contribute in 2026-27, but with such a limited sample size?
It is safe to say that they might get jumped in the depth chart and pushed until 2027-28 for their debuts in the rotation.
BearDown
I am going on record stating that I hate this post.
I am sure Tommy has the foresight to know that X players are leaving.
This post falls in line with the thinking that we could win the whole thing and the next day I will come here and see the toxic cbox and the forums wondering what players are coming next instead of enjoying the run.
Bradley is the Here. He is the Now.
Let the man have his year. That's all that matters.
Someone else should write up the preview of the revenge match coming up quickly. Padilla destroyed that game last year and it is now the biggest game of the season being @BYU
Quote from: arxpert on January 24, 2026, 05:55:50 PMI am going on record stating that I hate this post.
I am sure Tommy has the foresight to know that X players are leaving.
This post falls in line with the thinking that we could win the whole thing and the next day I will come here and see the toxic cbox and the forums wondering what players are coming next instead of enjoying the run.
Bradley is the Here. He is the Now.
Let the man have his year. That's all that matters.
Someone else should write up the preview of the revenge match coming up quickly. Padilla destroyed that game last year and it is now the biggest game of the season being @BYU
I understand your point here.
I cannot speak for the OP, so I will speak for myself.
As I watch this team, I am enjoying the run they are on.
I also try to look ahead to the season because I am obsessed with roster-building.
There are a lot of holes that are going to be vacated on this team next season.
Three seniors, and little as two underclassmen going pro.
They only reason I do
NOT bring that topic here is that there are too many variables that could happen for Lloyd to capitalize off of this season and rebuild another good team in 2026-27.
- Coaching hiring/firings that lead to LOI opt-outs
- NBA declarations/withdrawals that lead to LOI opt-outs
- Transfer portal free agent signings
- Unknown hidden gem EURO prospect signings
For that, I have learned to take things one day at a time with Lloyd.
This is the best team we have had at Arizona since the 2013-14 team.
I am perfectly fine on punting on this topic until March, or whenever Arizona's season is over.
#BearDown
Quote from: mvpreed2 on January 24, 2026, 06:37:39 PMFor that, I have learned to take things one day at a time with Lloyd.
This is the best team we have had at Arizona since the 2013-14 team.
I am perfectly fine on punting on this topic until March, or whenever Arizona's season is over.
I definitely know that the toll is coming and must be paid. I appreciate your comment.
The premise is just off-putting.
From all I can think is, yes, we are probably in the mix for Holt, but Tommy is going to find his Euro/International guys regardless and depending on how the season turns out... a chance to play with Lebron's son is a big "Sell" for the very Top Transfers.
Shoot.. I still hope that Bryce in Tucson is a big sell for Lebron to want to sign with the Suns for a fair rate to give it 1 last real go since it seems like the Lakers are done with him.
--------->
I actually just saw a reputable Mock Draft that has Koa going #30 to OKC (which is technically owned by the Wizards holy guacamole!).
I can't imagine a universe where Koa Peat is going lower than #7 overall only due to fits. But if he really is getting feedback of going 16-30, then Tommy better just get Humberto to get the checkbook out and just tell Koa to write in the number he wants because there is 0% chance that Koa let alone Burries should consider going pro if they aren't Lottery Picks. Burries maybe 10-12th, but Peat must go Top 7.
And if that is not the case, run it back, they will be #1, 2, 3 next year battling Tyronne Stokes and Holt basically in a very weak draft class currently...
While this 2016 Class is like a Pure Dream Team top to bottom and the Absolute Future of the NBA
Quote from: arxpert on January 24, 2026, 11:38:27 PMShoot.. I still hope that Bryce in Tucson is a big sell for Lebron to want to sign with the Suns for a fair rate to give it 1 last real go since it seems like the Lakers are done with him.
--------->
I actually just saw a reputable Mock Draft that has Koa going #30 to OKC (which is technically owned by the Wizards holy guacamole!).
I can't imagine a universe where Koa Peat is going lower than #7 overall only due to fits. But if he really is getting feedback of going 16-30, then Tommy better just get Humberto to get the checkbook out and just tell Koa to write in the number he wants because there is 0% chance that Koa let alone Burries should consider going pro if they aren't Lottery Picks. Burries maybe 10-12th, but Peat must go Top 7.
And if that is not the case, run it back, they will be #1, 2, 3 next year battling Tyronne Stokes and Holt basically in a very weak draft class currently...
While this 2016 Class is like a Pure Dream Team top to bottom and the Absolute Future of the NBA
It might be the Californian in me, but nothing in me believes Lebron would end up in Phoenix.
It is CLE or retire for me, and I struggle with CLE because I do not believe Lebron would go on a vet-minimum to keep the team together.
He is selfish and force a sign-and-trade to wherever he ends up next season because I do not believe it is LAL.
Peat has dropped since the season has started.
He was once as high as 3rd overall that last I looked.
He now floats around 7th-9th, but Burries is the one that should be raising and I am not seeing/hearing about yet.
My gut tells me that one of them are going to be back.
The one thing that could cement all of this is for the both of them to have a good/great Big-12 and NCAA tourney run.
That would lock both of them into the 1st round, and Lloyd would be looking for another secondary guard and versatile wing/big.
Branch III could be that, but I would prefer to have him exclusively on the wing.
There are going to be a ****-ton of wings on this roster next season!
Lloyd is going to have to figure something out.
Aristode/Holmes/Kharchenkov and that is not including James who I thought would have played some this season.
He will be on ice until next season, but I expect him to step into that Dell'Orso role with less minutes for 2026-27.
#BearDown
Quote from: mvpreed2 on January 25, 2026, 04:12:38 AMIt might be the Californian in me, but nothing in me believes Lebron would end up in Phoenix.
I just think he missed his window to go to the East while it is wide open. Next year will be different. He can run there, but basically everyone will be "back". It would only make sense for him to go to the Wizards for a Legacy play to bring them past the 2nd round for the first time in 48 years or so (seriously) which is something MJ almost was able to do, but his knee gave out.
Quote from: arxpert on January 26, 2026, 03:23:57 PMI just think he missed his window to go to the East while it is wide open. Next year will be different. He can run there, but basically everyone will be "back". It would only make sense for him to go to the Wizards for a Legacy play to bring them past the 2nd round for the first time in 48 years or so (seriously) which is something MJ almost was able to do, but his knee gave out.
In a perfect world, Lebron would retire at the end of this season.
Nothing in me believes that he is the type to walk off without his retirement tour.
I am more interested in seeing how LAL is going to use the roughly $50-$55M in cap space that they are going to get without James?
#BearDown
Quote from: mvpreed2 on January 26, 2026, 04:11:52 PMQuote from: arxpert on January 26, 2026, 03:23:57 PMI just think he missed his window to go to the East while it is wide open. Next year will be different. He can run there, but basically everyone will be "back". It would only make sense for him to go to the Wizards for a Legacy play to bring them past the 2nd round for the first time in 48 years or so (seriously) which is something MJ almost was able to do, but his knee gave out.
In a perfect world, Lebron would retire at the end of this season.
Nothing in me believes that he is the type to walk off without his retirement tour.
I am more interested in seeing how LAL is going to use the roughly $50-$55M in cap space that they are going to get without James?
#BearDown
Yeah, no chance he won't do the full "John Cena" Retirement Tour hitting up every arena 1 last time cash grab, merch, jerseys, shirts, etc.
I admit I am not a Lakers fan, but I can't wait for Lebron to be gone. The amount of players that had to leave or be kicked out for Lebron to be there makes me sick. Lakers may have had multiple organic championships. (No I do not respect the Bubble as a true championship sorry).
Lakers will probably look to sign a running mate for Luka.
Now, it may not be what you want to hear, but I can imagine a universe with a healthy Kyrie Irving wanting to go play with Luka. They had it going in Dallas... That is 1 solution.
They could try to make a trade for some role players, but it will just waste years of "Luka". So I doubt they just bolster a few token "Rui Hachimuras" to the mix.
Otherwise there are some All Stars that pair well.
1 being a super mega insane trade for Giannis which would set LAL back forever, but it would still be Luka + Giannis all in.
Currently, Portland is trying hard to get Giannis. So is OKC and SAS. Similar to Luka, Giannis has no real say in the matter. The Lakers could send over Austin Reaves in a sign+trade type thing with whatever picks they may have left. Not horrible.
If I had a say - I would try to make this roster happen (all healthy)
Kyrie Irving
Luka Doncic
Lou Dort (or Caruso)
Giannis
Isaiah Hartenstein
...and don't say "glad you don't have a say"... lol. That would be a darn good roster if the Lake-Show actually wanted to contend and it could happen.
Bench... well that is another story. They let Lebron basically kill their developmental program. So if they can retain Rui Hachimura somehow and get a couple of vets to come on board cheap.. it could be enough since optimally if everyone is healthy, then you don't need more than 8 players in a Playoff run.
Rui, Ayton i believe are under contract next year. Maybe take Middleton for the absolute minimum. You only really need 8 players in the playoffs. Add a token Jaden Bradley undrafted to backup the Guards.. That's a squad.
This is about as much thought as I would really care to put into the Lakers, but if it won't be the Suns trying to do it, then I want to see someone else try because SAS, HOU, OKC are not the only teams that should get a fighting chance.
Denver, PHX, Lakers, MIN should get to fight for it too. I leave out the Warriors because they simply do not want to get with the program of what the New Era is like.