Post by Braz on Mar 4, 2023 6:26:41 GMT -8
Since it seems harder and harder to get into the draft I figured I would try a new approach to an article focusing on what directions teams could take or what I think they should do based on current circumstance! Enjoy the read
Atlantic Division
Washington Wizards- The Wiz had a great season with 56 wins and the 2 seed in the east. It seems Eddy's only choice is to keep going for it! Rebuilding at this point would be silly, however, a retool move would not surprise me as salary will start to get tight over the next few years. With Clifford Ray in waiting, fresh off 6MOTY I would expect Debussy to be on the block. Who get's the reward? I think Greg Smith could benefit from it, especially at 25!
Boston Celtics- The Boston Celtics came very close last year to greatness. They broke the regular season win record but sadly fell short of the title and Wilt subsequently retired. All that said they still managed to win nearly 60 games! 56 to be exact. It looks like KAJ has offered to resign so that takes away half of the stress...now what will Oscar do! Long as Oscar is still kicking this team has a shot. Ahsan has limited assets so expect him to buff up really average players, trade his 58 first for an old vet, resign Chet walker and keep it movin!
New York Knicks- Leave it to the Knicks to blow it up and get the top pick after winning a ring! Now I think that rebuild is over given they have a core of 24 year old Bob L, 21 year old Bob M and 24 year old Dino. Do not forget that Buse is only a 22 year old and has stud potential. Oh yeah okay... Chones also is a top 10 pick at 23. Anyways the team is clearly good and won 51 games and has major upside. The biggest off season question for Sargo is who he uses his reward on. Do you give 100 pot to a guy like John Williamson? especially given 2 guard is the only starting 5 with out a young stud? Or will they spread that reward out and add some ACs to all the guys. Either way I assume Sargo is not done trading and not done winning. Maybe he will not be competing for another title in the next season but he will be a feared 50 win team as the youth progresses
New Jersey Nets- The Nets had a hot start to the year and finished with 45 wins. I really like this team construct and Rod Thron has hit peak efficiency. Greeme did an amazing job with the Fred Carter trade given that he was a bit heavier on the wing. The biggest question in NJ is will Dandridge return if maxed. He should have a max offer from everyone with cap so will the Nets super max be enough? If Bob comes back I expect Greeme to send out offers to improve improve Nate Thurmond from a top 10 big to acquiring a top 5 one (this is given his desire for Willis. I feel in most years this team could have been good enough to tough to say where they improve. 100 pot to Chaney could turn him into a franchise player and potentially put them over!
Philadelphia 76ers- Nanz came in excited for a patient rebuild....for like half a season! One of the most impressive story lines was the sixers nearly making the playoffs but securing a reset this year. Nanz traded top pick and mega stud Dr J to the Bulls which really helped them fill out the team. The value was also great. Bing approaching 30 in age is good for 30 a game and Carter looks like a stud. Later Nanz swooped in for HRS to add to the young bigs down low. For Philly the decision is easy! You keep doing what you are doing and go up. I would personally give the 100 pot to Rudy T hoping for the best and shop Chenier + Sixers lotto for BPA to add to the core of Bing, Carter and the bigs. I expect them to be a contender very soon
Orlando Magic- The Magic have felt like they have sucked for a very long time. Really just some dark times since Galo departed. However now with the great DB back in the league and a lot of youth I think it is time Orlando makes some damn trades! They need to decide if Herm or Tiny is the PG of the future and trade the other. We have started to see #FreeHerm campaigns throughout the NBA. Elmore Smith looks great and is really the only one I would refuse to trade. That being said it is a buyers market and not many teams have a younger make up than Orlando. I think using the 100 pot on Elmore is easy, make him into a super study big. Lotto pick should be a trade asset. Get a star or two and make some moves.
Miami Heat- Miami seems like they will be continuing to rebuild but that is hampered by the super stud Elvin Hayes winning 20 games alone for them. Last Season Kobe took Kermit Washington who looks a bit raw but is still 21. With a lotto pick next draft I could see Kobe taking BPA and giving that person the boost since he likely will not be top 3. Other than the pick he got for Brisker there are not too many assets in Miami right now. Kobe is a good GM so could prob put together a team to reset around Elvin but likely will stay put. The most ideal would be to move Elvin for good package and tank harder but unlikely that offer materializes! The clear advantage here which could change a lot of things is Cap. If Miami can steal a stud or two in FA it all changes.
Central Division
Detroit Pistons - The Pistons are coming off a 61 win season and have a deal lined up for a top 5 player. They should be getting even better but who knows if Habes stays the course. Habes sold his 100 pot for Willis Reed and now is offering Reed, Connie and Clyde up on the block. The unpredictability of Habes matched with his charm could lead to 100 different directions here but I will focus on what he should do! With a line up of Reed, Clyde and Connie its really just about having solid guys around them. Habes has Rambo locked in cheap and will likely be able to resign Vic bartolome. Can they get Gene back on another MLE type deal? Who will be the back up 1/2. These are the small questions Detroit P will be sorting out if they do not blow it up.
Clevland Cavaliers- They say the best motivation is revenge. After not being able to get his first back from Stool, Svedda figured it would be best to win 51 games so he did that. Few years post Wilt the team is in pretty good shape. Artis Gilmore is a stud as you would expect across the board and Spencer Haywood actually looks pretty nice. The Cavs are set at the 1 and 2 with solid players in Hondo and Leroy but need to focus on getting Sam Smith to return. Smith is a great example of a player Steve was able to get the most out of. Clevland does not have their picks so I expect they keep the foot on the gas and try to find a few improvement trades that do not cost much, like getting Horace last year.
Indiana Pacers- This dude was a few trade offers away from winning a title with his recent core and it seems they are looking to blow it up. Is he active enough to get a proper haul for Bob Love and Billy? I am not sure but would hope the offers are there. I got a response on a pm 7 days later when he asked for expiring for Mullins so that is my basis here lol. Personally if I was the Pacers GM I would look at this 100 boost as an amazing asset and keep it moving. Either add 100 pot to Taylor and see if he becomes a stud or trade him for one. Taylor +100 + expiring filler for stud PG who says no? I already put Earl on his block!
Toronto Raptors- We took this team as far as we could and now the wheels are truly falling off. Barley won 45 games with a top 5 player on the roster was a signal to rebuild. Now that I agreed to deal Willis, one of my all time fav players, for Marv Roberts all we can do is look forward to a suck. This coming year I will need to find homes for Earl, Combs, Phil Jackson and Stu Lantz. Hopefully in that process I will find someone to give 100 pot to myself and bottom out for a top 3 pick. I hope to just not get bored lol.
New Orleans Hornets- Jah what is going on my man! Jah has been quiet even for Jah lately and the Hornets are feeling the pain. Middling in the 30-40 win mark with out resets i think the Hornets could really take advantage of the current market if Jah is active and that goes either way. He should be able to either get value for Rule, Powell, Carter or be able to use his lotto pick and or pot boost to bring in some true talent on the roster. Carter jumped to 25 ppg and there were not enough posts about him this year. Market your guys and make some damn moves!
Chicago Bulls- The Bulls are in full rebuild mode but there is some question around the league on how long that will last for. Play likes to win games and I could see him cashing in chips not named Dr J to put together a good team. For now the bulls have a former top pick, a top pick going into this draft a few good prospects in Kunnert, Nater and Hammond but most importantly they have a lot of cap. Play is one of the best on using cap. So if his bids are inputted and players like the windy city they could be looking for the playoffs once again.
Atlanta Hawks- Atlanta's rebuild is in really good shape and it should be a fun offseason to watch. Last draft they took Larry Kenon and Darryl Minnifield, both of whom I would say are out performing expectations. DBW moved Mccoy for another lotto from Portland and a future. Maybe not the best haul but ideal to go into this draft with two picks. Add my pick to that which has more value than most years and DBW has leverage to trade up, move down or even out of the draft if he wants to get real funky. This team also should have cap so I expect them to take it slow and accumulate as many assets as possible.
Milwaukee Bucks- The Bucks managed to reset a few seasons ago and have been in pure rebuild mode the last two seasons. They managed to catch a falling Paul Westphal to be their franchise player and saw major improvements from Steve Mix this last year. Mix offering to resign cheap as hell is huge for the Bucks who are looking to continue to accumulate young talent. The Bucks have only one pick this year but it is a lotto and next year hold Denvers pick and knowing Royal they could blow it up after a reset. If I were Andy I would focus on the draft first but see what is avail for the 3 picks he holds next year. With Paul and Mix making such little $ the Bucks can use assets to get real creative while bringing in major talent.
