S63 TOWN HALL #9

[MexicanMamba]

Rules: 1 point if you give a thoughtful answer to the question, which I will award after the timer ends for responses.

QUESTION #9: FREAKY FRIDAY! PICK ANY TEAM, BESIDES YOUR OWN, YOU WANT TO TAKE CONTROL OF. WHAT ARE THE FIRST TWO MOVES YOU'D MAKE TO GET THEM ONTO A CHAMPIONSHIP PATH?

Responses close when Sim 9 is run!




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[MexicanMamba]

The team I am going to take a stab at is the current #1 seed Atlanta Hawks. It has been a magical season for them up to this point, there's no doubt about that. I wouldn't have ever guessed they'd be in this position when the season started. Perhaps I'm letting my preconceived notions blind me but I still don't think this exact team build is sustainable for long-term success. Even if they do hold onto the 1 seed, I'd be anticipating an upset prior to getting to the Finals.

There's a foundation though, and here's how I'd go about capitalizing on it!

Step #1: I'd be looking to flip one of my 3 max salary big men for a guard or wing.

The roster needs more balance and its going to need it quickly. Being under the tax this season is great because they'll get to pocket all of the points earned for a great season. However, bills will start piling up starting next season when Amos gets his RFA contract. As a B/B with proven 15-20 point capabilites, it's likely he'll command a decent contract. So, I'd say it's time to get in position to be better. I'd probably dangle Kalin Lucas whose 100 INS and 100 BLK should get some attention. I'd even be willing to add Benefield, for the right player. Hard to know who will hit the trade block in the off-season but, as an example:

Kalin Lucas/Sanford Benfield ... is that enough to snatch Lenz Durrenberger from Minnesota?

Step #2: Collect my season point earnings and prepare to pump Daniel Johnson up in training.

Johnson is the current starting PG for the team but he's averaging 8 points, 4 assists with a PER of 8. He's NOT ready. I'd probably even be willing to deal him for a win-now component but it should only be for one hell of a player because I think Johnson can be great. Don't think you need to train him to purple (his size will probably prohibit that) but if you can get him ready to play better, faster and you get a more well rounded roster (See : step #1 and free agency), then thr Hawks could be a LEGIT contender very quickly.

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[garbageman]

If I took control of one team to get them on a championship path, I'd want a challenge, so I'd take the Bobcats. The Bobcats are an especially problematic team because of the way James structures contracts and offers long term contracts to guys he could get year in and year out on vet mins. As such, there are no expiring players on his team unless he declines Jordan Poole's option, which would be silly since Poole is one of the few players that other teams might want.

So the Bobcats don't really have much to work with. How do you make them a contender?

1. Get rid of as many long term, bad contracts as I can. I first start by pairing my picks with undesirable contracts (see anyone without blue potential making double digit salary for multiple years). Because this is a long process, I'd probably trade my next season's pick pre-draft so I could trade the 2054 and 2056 picks once the draft rolls over. Hopefully I can get some solid win-now centerpieces to probably re-flip because I don't think I'll be able to get enough firepower to win a championship due to tax ceilings and contract structuring, but it should be enough to make a playoff run.

2. Try to trade my win-now players (Poole, Northup, Blair) and anyone I get from trading my picks later in the season to keep churning, trying to stay balanced as a playoff contender while getting out of any bad contracts and structuring my futures so that I can really start to form a contender.

[pennpanther1]

This is a fun idea. I would take over the Dallas Mavericks.

#1
I'd decline all of the team options for Season 64, including Clarence Martin to save over $100 million on contracts next season. I would try to keep Martin and Graig Howerton on cheaper, long-term deals though because they make a good backcourt but not at their current contracts. Worst case, I would try to sign and trade them away for more assets so it is a win-win for me I think.

#2
I'd try to package my first round pick to get a SG like Trey Murphy III from the New Orleans Pelicans or maybe someone older like Raphael Gordon of the Cleveland Cavaliers. I like TM3 because he fits the Raptors' young nucleus from an age perspective. But on the other hand, to get an older vet player like Raphael Gordon I could shift the offensive focus to be on him by himself while players like Kevon Looney and E.J. Liddell can be secondary options and instead focus more on defense.

[garbageman]

Don't think you need to train him to purple

I think someone might have hacked your account

[MexicanMamba]

Don't think you need to train him to purple

I think someone might have hacked your account

Click bait!

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[K-100]

Utah Jazz

The tank has worked to perfection and the future looks bright in Utah. Sign me up.

First, I'd tally up all my points and see how much we have left. I dont think their tax burden is that daunting but you want full control during free agency so it is time to pay up. After the tax is paid off, draft the next stud and redshirt immediately. Continue tanking next season.

Second, in addition to tanking stay active and acquire as many bad contracts as possible for points. Next year's draft will surely yield another bluechip prospect for the Jazz but there is another surprise for Jazz fans. The 2054 Miami 1 is looking like it will be quite valuable next season as the Heat are in full-panic mode after this season's complete collapse. With 3 future studs on the horizon, load up on quality vets and cash out your 3 rookies for win-now talent and join the contention circle.

[Black Superman]

Give me the warriors.
If I didn't win it this year (good chance warriors can) I would look to package Canfield and points before UFA spending to get Kai. It ensures I stay strong at the big man position next year with Canfield likely dropping further in production. Incentive for the heat is to avoid another year of a high tax. Can get out of the kai last year and then Canfield could get traded at day 60 if they wanted. But at worse, it lowers their bill significantly. Then I would make sure I reupped morelock and dared a team to try and score inside on me next year.

[greepleairport]

I would take over the Miami Heat. Love you MikeLowry.

This team has been an indirect project of mine already as I've mentored MikeLowry coming into his own in PBSL. I think he did the best he could with tools available and made some groundshaking deals to acquire Kai Jones, Emoni Bates and Gerald Dixson, but none of it has quite paid off.

But, contrary to the question, this team is in need of a rebuild to get on a championship trajectory, and everything starts with maximizing a return for the Heat's best player, Emoni Bates. He's also the cheapest star contract-wise, so I think, if the market is right, I could get a top 5 draft pick for next year or any of the year's recently (shy of someone ending their rookie contract - we don't want to pay anyone a max anytime next year) plus. Another pick? points? both? Depends on what the market has to offer...

Next up is Kai Jones (shoutout to Black Superman for inspiring me to write about the Heat). Kai never panned out in Miami the way he should have, but that doesn't mean he isn't a top tier center in a league devoid of them. His contract may lessen the return, and if I waited until after next TC when Kai loses his purple, he'll get even less of a return for me. SO, again, start advertising his exit NOW to maximize his return from a team needing a center (looks at DENVER).

Follow same model for Dixson and Cuevas. Tough way for this build to end, because it cost the Heat a lot to make it, but if they get taxes paid they should be okay to keep plodding forward toward their next build.

Runner up: Denver. I want so bad to put a legit center on this team and destroy the competition OKAY IM DONE.

[AngryBanana]

If I’m going to take over another team, I think I would take Cavs.

The answer as to why is pretty simple. I want to prove that I could run the team better than JLM.

FIRST MOVE: trade Gordon and Loos. They are good players, but this build isn’t going to amount to anything. The Cavs gave a few blue players, so focus on that core. Gordon will get a decent return, and Loos is now going to be gone in UFA unless they overpay (probably will). They both would have been gone before trade deadline.

SECOND MOVE: Focus on building around Marotta . Of the three blue rookies. He seems the most poised to be a sure fire. I’d even look at trading one of the other blues with their pick this season to move up in the draft (because they never hit in the lotto.) for training, I would look to PRD and QKN first. Get him to where he will be a great defensive guard. I think that’s where he will make his money. Size and speed will be a good combo for him.


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[MexicanMamba]

Closed

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[IamQuailman]

I would take the Bucks back.

Move 1: move on from Moses Moody. It was not a smart move to resign him but understandable. Do what you can to shed cap hit from his deal. But don’t move him as a salary dump but someone looking to get a player who can still contribute at a high level.

Move 2: reset the cap. Play the RFA game, the mini tank game, the game of looking for young talented greens and build up a solid depth. Then invest in them if you can. Insure 1 or 2 and invest and make them better.

[AngryBanana]

I would take the Bucks back.

Move 1: move on from Moses Moody. It was not a smart move to resign him but understandable. Do what you can to shed cap hit from his deal. But don’t move him as a salary dump but someone looking to get a player who can still contribute at a high level.

Move 2: reset the cap. Play the RFA game, the mini tank game, the game of looking for young talented greens and build up a solid depth. Then invest in them if you can. Insure 1 or 2 and invest and make them better.

CLOSED!


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[cashcab]

The team I am going to take a stab at is the current #1 seed Atlanta Hawks. It has been a magical season for them up to this point, there's no doubt about that. I wouldn't have ever guessed they'd be in this position when the season started. Perhaps I'm letting my preconceived notions blind me but I still don't think this exact team build is sustainable for long-term success. Even if they do hold onto the 1 seed, I'd be anticipating an upset prior to getting to the Finals.

There's a foundation though, and here's how I'd go about capitalizing on it!

Step #1: I'd be looking to flip one of my 3 max salary big men for a guard or wing.

The roster needs more balance and its going to need it quickly. Being under the tax this season is great because they'll get to pocket all of the points earned for a great season. However, bills will start piling up starting next season when Amos gets his RFA contract. As a B/B with proven 15-20 point capabilites, it's likely he'll command a decent contract. So, I'd say it's time to get in position to be better. I'd probably dangle Kalin Lucas whose 100 INS and 100 BLK should get some attention. I'd even be willing to add Benefield, for the right player. Hard to know who will hit the trade block in the off-season but, as an example:

Kalin Lucas/Sanford Benfield ... is that enough to snatch Lenz Durrenberger from Minnesota?

Step #2: Collect my season point earnings and prepare to pump Daniel Johnson up in training.

Johnson is the current starting PG for the team but he's averaging 8 points, 4 assists with a PER of 8. He's NOT ready. I'd probably even be willing to deal him for a win-now component but it should only be for one hell of a player because I think Johnson can be great. Don't think you need to train him to purple (his size will probably prohibit that) but if you can get him ready to play better, faster and you get a more well rounded roster (See : step #1 and free agency), then thr Hawks could be a LEGIT contender very quickly.

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All great advice, thank you for the direction and I intend to follow it as best as I can. I'll do my best to trade for a great SG or find a way to get one. I have some hard choices to make and I hope I make the right ones. A big shout out to this community for the support in helping this team become a completive franchise.

[cashcab]

I would take the Spurs.

#1 I'd trade pee wee for one or two big men along with a draft pick and use those pieces to trade to build around BI.

#2 I'd let most of the players go as their contracts are over next year and I'd rebuild the team around BI.

[MexicanMamba]

Claim 1:

Lakers
Bulls
Raptors
Grizzlies
Suns
Warriors
Celtics
Pistons*
Hawks*

** Doug was typing his response as I was posting the closed message ... so, I'll be lenient this once. Hawks were much, much later and normally I would (and will) decline to issue the point, but, hey, I'm feeling generous in this particular one and I think it was Cashcab's first attempt? Eh. Why not?

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