Tick-tock for the start of the new NBA season. It won’t be long before NBA fans are happy again. September was the last month without games of the best basketball in the world and if you missed what happened during the month, Terra will tell you. The 2024/25 NBA season officially returns on October 22nd. With less than 30 days until the start of the next season, franchises continue to move and make the final adjustments before the debut.
Silver in Paris from Casa Nova
Halfway through the inter-season, the Olympic Games in Paris are still having an impact. Finalist and silver medalist for the French team, winger Evan Fournier sealed his departure from the NBA after 12 seasons and signed with Olympiacos, Greece. Fournier played for the New York Knicks last season without much protagonism. After just a few minutes on the court, the Frenchman was traded to the Detroit Pistons.
The Michigan franchise, however, decided not to exercise the player’s contract renewal option. Thus, the Frenchman returns to European basketball, after more than a decade in the NBA. Fournier was selected in the first round of the 2012 Draft by the Denver Nuggets, and had spells with the Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics, before his final seasons in New York and Detroit.
Foto: Getty Images
Curry Boss and Alternative Olympic LeBron
We are indeed experiencing a generational change in the NBA. Names that we are used to seeing on the court are leaving the scene of the best basketball in the world. It goes without saying that stars like LeBron James and Steph Curry, protagonists of the Olympic gold in Paris, are experiencing their last acts on the NBA courts. Curry, in fact, is already thinking about his next steps when he retires.
The Golden State Warriors star revealed he wants to follow in Michael Jordan’s footsteps and acquire an NBA franchise in the future. Curry avoids talking about retirement, but knows the cycle is coming to an end. The point guard has a contract until the 2026/27 season and until then, fans can expect the player to shine on the court. In the future, Curry hopes to join the ranks of former franchise players such as Grant Hill (Atlanta Hawks); Shaquille O’Neal (Sacramento Kings); Dwyane Wade (Utah Jazz); and Magic Johnson (Los Angeles Lakers) – all have minority shares in different franchises.
LeBron James is another who sees new possibilities when it’s time to stop. Still in the wake of the Olympics, the King believes he could win Olympic medals in the high jump and long jump. According to the Lakers star, a few months of preparation would be necessary, but he understands that he would have the physical and athletic capacity to take other medals under his belt. What wouldn’t this man be able to do?
Hack-a-Shaq
But returning to basketball, Shaquille O’Neal was once again highlighted in the news for his controversial speeches in September. Shaq criticized Frenchman Rudy Gobert and stated that the pivot is the worst player of all time. According to the former center and Hall of Famer, Gobert should deliver on the court what his $250 million contract indicates.
And it didn’t stop there.
Shaq also said that he doesn’t see Victor Wembanyama having a future of dominance in the NBA. Even though the Frenchman is 2.25 m tall, the Lakers idol would like to see more presence in the paint than Wemby showed last season.
I liked Shaq better at the free throw line. Just kidding…
Transfers Window
Controversies aside, the league still saw important changes with the renewal of some players. Winger Jamal Murray has agreed to remain with the Denver Nuggets for another four seasons – a deal that will earn the Canadian more than US$200 million over the period. The Cleveland Cavaliers brought JT Thor, after success with the South Sudan team at the Paris 2024 Games.
Olympic medalist, center Joel Embiid also sealed his stay in Philadelphia and signed a three-season contract extension worth US$192 million.
However, the deal that caught the most attention in September was the trade for center Karl-Anthony Towns, carried out by the New York Knicks. The Big Apple franchise gave Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to the Minnesota Timberwolves, in addition to draft picks for the four-time All Star player.
Towns was a fundamental part of the squad that reached the Western Conference finals last season, falling to the Dallas Mavericks after eliminating the then-current NBA champion, Denver Nuggets, forming a prolific duo in the paint with Frenchman Rudy Gobert. He had an average of 21.8 points; 8.3 rebounds and 41.6% triple ball success.
On the other hand, Randle spent much of 2023-24 out due to injuries. The pivot played just 46 games. Even so, he was also selected for the All-Star Game, but ended up not playing.
DiVincenzo will be a missed loss for Knicks fans. One of the most beloved players by fans, he was part of the legion of athletes on the squad who were two-time national champions (2016 and 2018) for Villanova University in the NCAA, alongside Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and, more recently, Mikal Bridges.
There was still a leader regretting past decisions. Vlade Divac, former general manager of the Sacramento Kings, had the chance but let Luka Doncic pass. In the 2018 NBA Draft, the California franchise chose to select Marvin Bagley III. Divac justified his decision and stated that he had already selected De’Aaron Fox the previous year, and that he would compete for the same position as Doncic on the team. Today, the former director revealed some regret over his choice, but said he still trusts Fox as a “franchise player”.
Who will have their shirt retired at the end of their career is something that only the future can say [rs].
Eternal Carter
Concrete reality for Vince Carter, Toronto Raptors idol. The fact is so big for Carter that he will be the first in franchise history to have the jersey retired. The number 15 will never be worn by any other player on the Canadian team.
Carter was drafted by the Raptors in 1998 and spent just over six seasons with the team, bringing plenty of spotlight to the Toronto franchise. In addition to being Rookie of the Year, Carter was an All-Star on six occasions while playing in Canada and led the Raptors to the first playoffs in their short career so far.
Champion of the dunk tournament in 2000 and known for his acrobatics in the air, Carter had a long career in the league, with twenty-two seasons played, having influenced the NBA and especially the city of Toronto, which changed its own relationship with basketball.
Coach Carter – Dunks for life…
The sad end of an era
September said goodbye to a legend of the courts. Point guard Derrick Rose announced his retirement after 15 seasons. Rose was the youngest athlete in history to win the MVP award, but his career was hampered by numerous injuries. The best moment was certainly wearing the colors of the Chicago Bulls. Afterwards, the player also played for the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons and Memphis Grizzlies.
Rose lived up to all expectations after being selected with the first overall pick in the 2008 Draft by the Bulls. He stayed there for eight seasons, with notable individual awards such as Rookie of the Year in 2009 and regular season MVP in 2011, at just 22 years old.
The repeated injuries interrupted the player’s longevity, who was compared to Allen Inverson at some point. Rose says goodbye to the NBA at 35 years of age. That was nice to see…
