The draft is wrapped up, trade season is here, and Free Agency tips off tomorrow.
Offseason? What offseason?
Today’s Lineup
🐝 Busy Bees
Charlotte makes its second major trade of the week.
🤯 LeBron and AD reunion… in Golden State?
The Dubs reportedly have interest in the former championship teammates.
📃 Survey Says…
Revisiting the results of the Enjoy preseason survey.
🎉 Happy birthday Kawhi Leonard, Michael Porter Jr., Joe Johnson, Julian Champagnie, and Justin Champagnie! 🎉
Offseason Activities
Hornets continue retool, deal Bridges to Phoenix for O’Neale, Allen
Charlotte receives: Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale, 2033 first-round pick
Phoenix receives: Miles Bridges, 2029 first-round pick, 2027 second-round pick
Why Charlotte said yes: The Hornets are clearly in the midst of deconstructing their core after dealing LaMelo Ball to Minnesota late last week. With new addition Naz Reid set to dominate minutes at Power Forward, Charlotte dealt Bridges and brought in two solid role-players. Allen is a career 40% three-point shooter, while O’Neale has been a blessing as a three-and-D option. That said, the unprotected pick is the real prize for the Hornets here, who are quickly becoming one of the league’s most well-stocked teams in terms of future draft capital.
Why Phoenix said yes: The Suns overperformed expectations last season, earning a playoff berth. Swapping Allen and O’Neale for Bridges is a slight cost-cutting move, though it comes at the expense of a first-round pick— the Suns have already traded their picks for 2027, 2029, and 2031, and have given away swap rights for 2028 and 2030. The Suns hope Bridges’ addition helps them take another step forward.
🏀 🏀 🏀
Pistons add shooting in the form of Isaiah Joe, sending two picks to OKC
Detroit receives: Isaiah Joe
OKC receives: Two second-round picks (2030, 2031)
Why Detroit said yes: Anyone who watched the Pistons this postseason knew that offense, specifically three-point shooting, was a major area of need. The front office knew it too. Joe will be a major help in that department— he’s shot 40% or better from three in each of the last four seasons and cashed 2.5+ threes per game in both of the last two. Get ready for rain in the Motor City.
Why OKC said yes: The Thunder’s quest to reduce their luxury tax bill continues with Joe’s departure. By shedding Joe, Aaron Wiggins, and Kenrich Williams’s salaries, OKC will save themselves $189 million in tax payments and $216 million overall. That’s all while gaining picks in the process and keeping their core intact. Sam Presti, take a bow.
🏀 🏀 🏀
Alvarado, Hartenstein return, plus a rumored LeBron/AD reunion… in Golden State?
Finally, let’s run through some players resigning with recent champions, as well as some seismic rumors surrounding league legends.
Isaiah Hartenstein is returning to OKC on a three-year, $75 million deal, locking down a key member of the Thunder’s starting lineup. Hartenstein’s 7’2” frame, effectiveness on the offensive glass, and physical defense have proved invaluable since he joined the Thunder in the summer of 2024.
When you win a championship with your hometown team, it only makes sense to re-up. That’s exactly what Jose Alvarado did, resigning with the Knicks on a three-year, $14 deal. Alvarado’s most memorable performance came in the Knicks’ stunning 29-point comeback win in Game 4 of the Finals, when he notched 8 PTS, 3 AST, and 2 REB in under 16 minutes. New York or Nowhere!
The Warriors are attempting to pull off one of the most stunning offseason maneuvers we’ve seen in recent years. Per Yahoo’s Kevin O’Connor, the Dubs are reportedly aiming to trade for Anthony Davis and subsequently sign LeBron James, assembling a group of aging superstars unlike any in NBA history. Jimmy Butler is reportedly on the block as potential compensation for Washington. Could we finally get to see a LeBron/Steph duo? Only time will tell…
🧠 Daily Trivia 🧠
Survey Says…
In October, we asked you, the Enjoyers, for your predictions on the 2025-2026 NBA season. So, with the dust settled on the year that was, let’s look back on the results.
Who will win the MVP?
Enjoyers’ most common prediction: Nikola Jokic (49.4%)
Result: Shai-Gilgeous Alexander (predicted by 5.9%)
Who will win the DPOY?
Enjoyers’ prediction: Victor Wembanyama (84.4%)
Result: Wembanyama
Who will win 6MOY?
Enjoyers’ prediction: Naz Reid (15.3%)
Result: Keldon Johnson (0%)
Who will win ROY?
Enjoyers’ prediction: Cooper Flagg (70.6%)
Result: Flagg
Who will win MIP?
Enjoyers’ prediction: Amen Thompson (16.8%)
Result: Nickeil Alexander-Walker (0%, though NAW did get a few votes for 6MOY.)
Who will win COY?
Enjoyers’ prediction: Jamahl Mosley (18.8%)
Result: Joe Mazulla (3.5%)
Who will be the #1 seed in the West?
Enjoyers’ prediction: OKC Thunder (74%)
Result: Thunder
Who will be the #1 seed in the East?
Enjoyers’ prediction: Cleveland Cavaliers (44.7%)
Result: Detroit Pistons (0%)
Who will WIN the West?
Enjoyers’ prediction: Thunder (42.4%)
Result: San Antonio Spurs (0%)
Who will WIN the East?
Enjoyers’ prediction: New York Knicks (36.5%)
Result: Knicks
Who will win the NBA championship?
Enjoyers’ prediction: Thunder (34.2%)
Result: Knicks (8.2%)
Apart from the standard questions, we also asked for some of your own boldest predictions. Here are some of the long shots that came true, along with the Enjoyers who wrote them:
“Cade Cunningham is an MVP candidate.” — Justin DiVirgilio
“Spurs surprise” (various wins, seeding, playoff round predictions) — Niklas Juhnke, Ben Stark, Anthony Bowser, Drew Christmann, Tyler Jessen, Griffin
“Raptors will be a top five seed.” — Preston Griffis and William
“Hornets make the Play-In.” — Preston Griffis
“Grizzlies blow it up.” — Matt Wallach
“Trae Young leaves Atlanta.” — Jake Brokaw and Jules
“Trail Blazers make the playoffs.” — Christian Berger and Peter Rossini
Thank you all for sharing your ball knowledge with us. Can’t wait to do it again next year! 🏀💪
Three in the Key
💪 JB with Authority
The former FMVP knows his worth.
😎 “Always Having Joy.”
Ryan Conwell: Enjoyer.
👀 2027? Already?
Check out our Way-Too-Early mock draft for next season.
What We’re Enjoying
While the superteam era may be over, no team gets to the top of the mountain without a great top dog… or two. Our guys over at Numbers on the Board blindly ranked some of the league’s best duos, including some recently-formed star tandems. Give it a watch!
Signing Off
And we out! Thanks for spending a portion of your day with us. This week, try to dole out small acts of kindness to those around you. Whether it’s a smile, a held door, or a simple “How are you?” little things can go alone way toward uplifting someone’s day. See you soon!
Walker Carnathan
