For nearly a decade, the debate surrounding the Greatest NBA Player of All Time (GOAT) has been an endless quarrel of two parties. Apart from the occasional out-of-touch old head pushing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as a third option, LeBron James and Michael Jordan are considered the only two reasonable players to be named the GOAT. However, my GOAT pick is: none of the above. Each of the three groups I have mentioned does not consider the accomplishments of one key candidate. Wilt Chamberlain was the indisputable greatest basketball player of all time, with unmatched talent and legacy, on and off the NBA court.

Wilt Chamberlain is arguably best known for his 100-point game. In March of 1962 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, he dropped the record total in a game whose film has been lost to time. Some believe he did not score one hundred that night. So, let’s discard that from this debate. Chamberlain’s scoring dominance is far from limited to that game. If one is to remove that game from Chamberla…

Hello everyone,

My tenure on this site is nearing its end. I’m not as active as I used to be on here, and I don’t get to watch as much basketball as I used to either. Life has gotten busy. It’s junior year and this site takes up more of my time than I should let it, considering everything I could be doing to improve my life, and the other ventures I want to start working on.

But I have another reason for leaving soon: I want my next post to be my last. It’s the Wilt article you all have been waiting for. It’s a banger and I don’t think I could ever write anything so good on Fanspo again, even if I tried. I’m targeting a release date of December 26th, so be ready to change your mind on the GOAT debate, because I will leave you with little choice.

I’ll stick around on this account to talk about the article with you all, but after that, you won’t be hearing much from me. I plan to keep my alt account (currently undisclosed) if I’m ever bored and feel like making a trade or two, but any…

The Nuggets fell short last season, and if this season ends the same way, could it be time to explore a rebuild? This series explores that possibility.

Why the Heat do this:

Miami’s been looking for that star point guard for years. After striking out on Donovan Mitchell and Damian Lillard, Jamal Murray could be the next star guard on the market. This is a very reasonable price for a perfect costar for Jimmy Butler. This Heat team would be the best “playoffs only” team of all time, more than they already are.

Why the Nuggets do this:

It’s a low sell on Jamal Murray, but Denver may need to rebuild soon. They get a highly valuable future Heat pick along with younger guys in Ware, Jovic, and Highsmith who could be key roleplayers long-term in the Mile-High City. Rozier could also increase his trade value in a bigger role with a rebuilding Nuggets squad.

What do you think of this deal? Who accepts, who passes, and why? Let me know your thoughts in the comments,…

The Sixers are off to an awful start to the season and rookie Jared McCain is looking like the best player on the so-called super team. The Sixers should learn from the mistakes of the LA Clippers and Phoenix Suns and not continue to try and go all-in with a roster construction that isn’t working. If Philly elects to blow it up sooner than later, this is what their season could look like in terms of roster moves.

Why the Magic do this:

Paul George is the Michael Jordan of Kentavious Caldwell-Popes. He’s a significantly upgraded version of the Magic offseason signing who has not panned out so far. They only give up one first-round pick and some players who aren’t looking like long-term starters for Orlando in exchange for a player that could vault them into contention with the Celtics, Cavs, and Knicks.

Why the Lakers do this:

The Lakers won the championship in 2020 and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was one of the key roleplayers involved in winning that ring. The two-time champion will …

NOTE: This trade was created as a part of the AussieWarrior trade challenge. The swap is in favor of Atlanta.

Why the Nuggets do this:

Dyson’s recent surge makes him a perfect-fitting costar for Jokic, Murray, and MPJ.

Why the Hawks do this:

Watson is a better fit next to Trae than Dyson Daniels ever was, and they get a load of additional assets as well….

Links

Main mock page: https://fanspo.com/nba/s/general/p/NlXVmTP0CgGfR9/the-history-mock

Team Plan

Building a winning team around Hakeem

Starters

PG: Immanuel Quickley

SG: Vince Carter

SF: Scottie Barnes

PF: Chris Bosh

C: Hakeem Olajuwon

Roster

Starters are italicized

Guards: Immanuel Quickley, Jose Calderon, Lou Williams, Bruce Brown, Damon Stoudemire, Goran Dragic, Davion Mitchell, Muggsy Bogues

Wings: Vince Carter, Scottie Barnes, Doug Christie, RJ Barrett, Gradey Dick, Dell Curry, Rudy Gay, Terrence Ross

Bigs: Hakeem Olajuwon, Chris Bosh, Jakob Poeltl, Serge Ibaka, Kevin Willis…

Hello! Last year I did not get to do the analysis I wanted to but this year I want to do at least as much as I did with the 2023 class and build educated opinions on the prospects. This year I want to rely more on full game film (aka, watching live) when possible. In 2023 my analysis was very highlight-based, leading to overhyping some players such as Brice Sensabaugh. The current board (0.0.1) only has analysis on Flagg. The guys who do not have analysis are ranked purely on media, and are subject to drastic change. Mock drafts will likely begin around Christmastime as the standings shape up.

UPDATE LOG:

0.0 (21 Nov 2024): Initial thoughts before watching any prospects, no individual analysis. Super uneducated on the class right now

0.0.1 (25 Nov 2024): Added some preliminary analysis on Flagg….

I’ve been thinking D’Angelo Russell ought to return to Brooklyn. It’s the last place he truly thrives and they could easily bring back his value. How would he be the number one option again though? It’s simple, remove Cam Thomas from the equation. This is the simplest way to do so.

Why the Nets do this:

The Nets get rid of Simmons and acquire more tradeable contracts such as Russell, Hood-Schifino, Vincent, and Hachimura. They also acquire a highly valuable unprotected 2029 first round pick from the Lakers. They give up Cam Thomas and DayRon Sharpe but end up with probably a better team overall, plus picks.

Why the Lakers do this:

After this deal, the Lakers starting group looks like LeBron/Reaves/Knecht/AD/Sharpe. That feels better than the current lineup, especially when one considers that the bench unit is being led by Cam Thomas, the best pure bucket in the league right now. Simmons is a project but between LeBron (his old draft comparison) and JJ Redick (one of the better shoo…

Making this a trade so I can change the title if necessary

Bluesky is a new social media that has been blowing up after the election, like a million new users a day. However, a lot of the legacy sports media isn’t over there yet, and the ones who are remain relatively small in following. If any of our Fanspo folks post sports content on that site, I’d like to follow you all and help you grow. Please comment your link and I will add it to this list.

Kawntent: kawntentsports.bsky.social…

The Warriors are very good this season, and the question has been posed: if Stephen Curry wins the 2025 NBA Championship, how does it affect his legacy? If he wins, I see no good reason to rank him below LeBron James or Michael Jordan. Let’s dive into Curry’s case (with another ring and, I assume, a Finals MVP) against each of these GOAT candidates.

Steph’s easier case is against LeBron James. Both are currently tied at four championships apiece. James has more Finals MVPs, but Curry has been the main piece on every championship team he’s been on, and that would be no different in 2025. Sure, he’s had help (Kevin Durant), but so has LeBron (Dwyane Wade). Combine Curry’s newfound lead in the championship race with his near-unmatched impact on the game (the entire three point revolution) and his likely potential to contribute on an NBA team well past LeBron’s retirement (at this rate, 2040 Curry will be equal in contribution to someone like a prime JJ Redick) and the choice becomes clea…

Links

Main mock page: https://fanspo.com/nba/s/general/p/8JrjsgFAYqGK0E/the-last-team-standing-mock-by-totems

Rosters: https://fanspo.com/nba/s/general/p/2eUUAemx4bZaHl/roster-post-for-lts-mock

Trade negotiations page: https://fanspo.com/nba/s/general/p/IJCJFtw0_fsBVW/trade-negotiations-for-lts-mock

Trade confirmation page: https://fanspo.com/nba/s/general/p/NC7pIsx6HziFiI/trade-confirmations-for-lts-mock

Team Plan

I NEED A NUMBER ONE OPTION! Please send me stars, I have loads of young guys to send you. Looking to contend/BUY. Get assets and flip ‘em. Not worried about fit for now. Not interested in trading for or trading away picks.

Starters

PG: Dyson Daniels

SG: Bradley Beal

SF: Zaccharie Risacher

PF: DeAndre Hunter

C: Jakob Poeltl

Roster

Starters are italicized

Guards: Dyson Daniels, Bradley Beal, Keyonte George, Collin Sexton, Malik Beasley, Kobe Bufkin, Isaiah Collier, Patty Mills

Wings: Zaccharie Risacher, DeAndre Hunter, Max Strus, Kenrich Williams, Peyton Watson…

With an injured Porzingis and an aging Al Horford, the Celtics may look to add a young center to this group. Thanks to dubitably for inspiring this trade.

Why the Celtics do this:

The Celtics only weakness right now is very short and very long term depth at the Center position. Porzingis injury is the only thing stopping this team from breaking the wins record this year, and Horford aging is the only thing stopping them from beating it next year. Walker Kessler is a simple, cheap fix to both of those problems. If completed today, this move would secure a three-peat for the Celtics in the next three years.

Why the Jazz do this:

A first, a swap, and three second rounders is EXCELLENT compensation for a player like Walker Kessler. The Jazz won’t get a better offer and, if they do, the Celtics will add onto this and match it. Utah can easily pivot into a rebuild after this deal with picks from the Celtics and another team (Golden State?) acquired in exchange for Lauri Markkanen, with a…

The Lakers and Nuggets have developed one of the greatest rivalries of the 2020s so far, facing off in three playoff series, with a championship to each of their names. But what if they decided to set this aside for the betterment of both teams

NOTE: Lakers 2029 pick is top 5 protected. Lakers 2031 pick is inprotected.

Why the Lakers do this:

The Lakers are coming off of four straight disappointing seasons under LeBron James since the 2020 championship. However, the team has managed to build some solid depth, with such players as D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Dalton Knecht, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Max Christie headlining the supporting cast behind LeBron and Anthony Davis. These players can’t all be on the court at once and some ought to be exchanged for some top-level talent should the Lakers have a chance at contending in 2025.

In this deal, the Lakers manage to acquire two of the best role playing wings in the league in Cam Johnson and Michael Porter Jr. This se…

Pretty self-explanatory here, not gonna do a big intro, let’s get into some quick justifications. Feel free to replace the second rounder with a swap in favor of Brooklyn.

Why the Nets do this:

Getting value out of DFS is nice, and Kris Dunn could be a nice backcourt fit next to Cam Thomas short-term and maybe even long-term. PJ could be a nice veteran mentor for some of the young guys (Noh Clowney, etc.)

Why the Clippers do this:

Clippers get significantly better in the cap slot used for Tucker, offloading his contract for a better one and saving a few bucks. The second or swap won’t severely alter their long-term flexibility but it has the potential to be a significant improvement for the next two years.

Lmk thoughts in the comments…

Just started playing Retro Bowl College this week and I am super addicted. Immediately after losing by 30 in high school football I hopped on the game just to lose another game with Boston College. If you haven’t played it don’t, stay focused on school work….

I know this is an unorthodox idea, but I’m not sure why I haven’t seen it yet. Let’s get right into why this makes sense for both teams.

NOTE: Feel free to throw in some distant swaps in favor of Indiana. This trade is more of an idea than an attempt at a hyper-accurate valuation.

Why the Pacers do this:

The Pacers have a logjam at the forward positions but no one player that is going to be a real second option on the championship team they’re trying to build around Halliburton. Jimmy Butler enters a situation where he can coast the regular season next to a dominant scoring backcourt and can then turn it up in the playoffs. It’s strange to think of Butler on a small market team, but this could make sense. Minutes are also opened up for both Jarace Walker and Obi Toppin, both of whom are breakout candidates in a bigger role.

Why the Heat do this:

Miami attempts to build a young-ish team around Herro, Siakam, and Adebayo that can really go in any direction. This team could go for a …