S72 Town Hall #6 Duck-Duck-Goose

[Mike Lowry]

Which teams will push their chips in at the trade deadline?
Which teams will fold and embrace the tank?
Pick one team that is not your own and offer some unsolicited advice about how they should proceed.
Who should they pursue, or sell, and for what return?

Rules: 1 point if you give thoughtful answers, which I will award after the timer ends for responses. The timer ends for responses at the moment the corresponding week's Sim is run.

Note: Use approximately 5 sentences as your bare minimum for 1 point. If you write 3 long, complex sentences, you'll still get a point. If you write 5, 3 word sentences, you will not get a point. Don't @ me.

Due: Sim 6 deadline.

[garbageman]

I don't want to say too much because this thread's going to turn into a strategic proxy war, but if I'm the Nets, I could push either way. Drop Cook and get under the apron or pair him with Kolek to get a real banger (though not sure who's really out there for that package). If I'm the Pelicans, I wait. No need to go over the apron when the Pistons still exist and a few teams that could already give the Pistons a run for their money exist.

If I'm one of those teams, I put it all on the line. In fact, I may be one of those teams, and I do have a chip or two to cash in.



Which team should fold and embrace the tank?

I don't know if he'll read this, but Gary should get under the apron while he still has his own pick. Pay someone to take Clauer or pay someone Cummings to take Cummings and then cut any vet mins you can. No reason to be in the tax.

Also, I'll say the Pistons, just because.



If I'm taking control of a team, I'm taking the Trailblazers. It's a tax year and they don't have their pick. I'm putting Keever on the block immediately and looking for either a very significant (multi-year) upgrade to a current starter or pair Keever with some vet mins or contracts like Chavez / Rockwell for a good starter that's an upgrade to Keever.

[greepleairport]

Which teams will push their chips in at the trade deadline?
Especially with the above TH answer and his trade activity thus far, it's the Bulls.

Which teams will fold and embrace the tank?
Not as many as last year, that's for sure. There is a nice competitive atmosphere at the top now that the Pistons are showing a kink in their armor. Though he wasn't a key asset to the team, I think the Grizz trading Dick for points is a clear indicator that, at .500, this team should fold and embrace the tank. Another top team, the Lakers, appear to be tanking very well, too.

Pick one team that is not your own and offer some unsolicited advice about how they should proceed.
Despite all odds, the Hawks have a better record than the team they feed, the Mavericks. If I were the Hawks, I would shop Cooper Flagg for a decent return. They could buy a big contract, too, with the additional cap space.

Fact is, tanking and getting high draft picks has not been working out for cashcab. Tony Simpkins is fine, but too raw to contribute substantively while Herman Campbell is already balling as a top PG in the league. Noel Swanner is...fine, I guess. And John Smith? Woof. That's about as devastating a lack of TC insurance this side of Sue Bird as it gets. Jesus what a lost opportunity to have a star big man paired with a star PG...

At the rate of engagement the Hawks have shown, they'd be much better suited to get a decent team together, then set it and forget it. Setting and forgetting a garbage team has only gotten cashcab a nerfed center and...checks notes... a winning record? LTS, are you taking notes here?

Truthfully, I don't know WHAT the Frye is going on in the ATL, but I DO know that if Campbell had ONE MORE halfway decent scoring option? This team could be a surprise problem for other playoff contenders.

Who should they pursue, or sell, and for what return?
The Grizz just sold a decent piece. Are they selling anyone else? The Wiz are looking to sell. Not sure Amen helps the Hawks, but they could buy Bryon Nelson for a few points, probably, have the cap space to do it, and watch that guy get bucket after bucket, even with only 45 QKN. Really, just scour the trade block and pursue the first guy that scores and gives you even a half a chub.

[LazyTitanSmash]

I want to see Amen Thomas move to a contender. Th wizards need to get something before he expires and isn't worth resigning to a max next year. He is still a difference makers but a true rental. You get 1 really good year out of him. The Warriors seem like the ideal landing spot. their point guard position is their weakest position and they have a few players that would make it worth while for the wizards to move him. The only other team that might want to make a push for him is the Pelicans, but since I think the warriors have one of, if not the best shot at taking down the pistons I want to see him in yellow and blue by the trade deadline.

[MexicanMamba]

I don't really see many teams that should push ALL their chips in. Bulls, Suns, and Warriors are probably it, though based on a quick glance, only the Bulls seem to have any tangible chips beyond points and then you gotta add salary matching issues. So, we'll see what they come up with.

I do think there's some middle teams who could and maybe should at least explore adding talent, though maybe not to the level of emptying everything out.

Hawks have a pulse for the first time in ages and a chunk of salary cap space. Go get someone useful in there without going above the apron. There's some high salary, solid quality players likely being looked to be salary dumped.

Nets are leading the division and could add something to spice their run up too.

The Cavaliers have been missing their PG, but still, it's been an awful season to be awful without their draft pick so they should probably try to pull something without giving up any future assets, if they can.

I should do something too, since I'm in the same boat as the Cavs. No pick and yet playing awful and unfortunately I'm also way over the apron. But moves are easier said than done.

Mavs need to make something happen, though I don't think it'll be difficult for them to do so by Sim 8. Either Aja has to go for a win now player with years on their contract or Funk has to be salary dumped. Easy decision to make, really.

And if I'm the Heat, I'm also looking to shed some salary while not blowing everything up. It's important to stay competitive for teams in general but can't be that far over without being a bonafide title contender.

Sent from my SM-F711U using Tapatalk

[K-100]

Which teams will push their chips in at the trade deadline?
I think the Bulls have one more round in the chamber before the deadline. The Gradey Dick trade was a cheap way to add scoring and size but now that Booger is down for a handful of sims Dick can also provide some frontcourt depth to cover that gap.

Which teams will fold and embrace the tank?
Dallas Mavericks - the tax bill is too high to continue. I'm not sure if the Aja Wilson trade market exists so if they are keeping her, just do the inevitable and dump Bird/Cottrill on the Hawks, send Funk away, and call it a day.

Pick one team that is not your own and offer some unsolicited advice about how they should proceed. Who should they pursue, or sell, and for what return?
Sacramento Kings - I like their team build this season but I'd tinker with the backcourt just a little bit and try to upgrade Akins and Jones by attaching McCain and Strawser in trade talks. I know they are in talks with some teams right now so hopefully they can come to an agreement soon. I'd be looking for another point guard so Benfield can slide down to his more natural spot at SG and some perimeter defense would also make the team more balanced because their 3-headed frontcourt is definitely holding their own in the paint.

[Jedihero]

We actually have a few contenders this season that may even take a game off the Pisstons. Bulls, Suns, Warriors, Nets could all make moves possibly.

I would like to see a couple teams in the Omega divisions fold and embrace the tank so I can squeeze into the playoffs, but I am also part of that, "maybe I should sell off Jose before the deadline" group.

Magic need to go be aggressive and sell of their 100k in cap space for some points or picks. I'm sure there are a couple big expiring contracts that some teams would love to get rid of to make room for a last minute trade before the deadline.

[pennpanther1]

I'd like to see the San Antonio Spurs try and make a move with some of their salary and buy a contract to make a postseason run. They are playing with house money right now so might as well take a gamble.

I think it is time for the Portland Trailblazers to cut their losses and start selling. The Big 3 of Quick, Dawes, and Johnson did not get it done and they are floundering in a surprisingly tough Silky Johnson Division.

I'd like to give more unsolicited advice to the Orlando Magic. Start selling your cap space. Do not be shy and start hitting up GMs with bad contracts. You can play hardball about points and draft picks once those talks start but there are other experienced GMs with cap space and if they beat you to the punch you are going to let a golden opportunity go to waste.

[Black Superman]

At this point the Mavs are pretty fuc*ed. They lose Funk to the rare but deadly broken leg injury. His stats are still pretty good and I imagine athleticism is what made him go G/G but he's still out for another couple months, so his effectiveness on the game remains to be seen post injury. Even before that, he wasn't helping the Mavs be a dominate team.

The Mavs have 1 issue and 1 issue only. It's Casey's stubbornness. He refuses to play the game the way everyone else is playing and wants to do things his way. He started the sim league very bad as a team. And spent so much patience building through the draft. Then he became obsessed with younger players and wings. The Mavericks 4 best players all play the same position. There's nothing different about any of them. There's no balance. It's been said many times, but you can't win without defense. It just doesn't happen, and they've neglected it.

They also think they're the smartest person in the room(probably the least smartest in the league of tenured GMs) in any trade scenarios. They're never willing to trade and match talent. They are obsessed with being the winners in a trade and that's lead them to this very interesting situation/question. How do they salvage the expiring A'ja and Funkhouser? The tax bill is going to be too high to pay, especially with a middle of the road team. aja Wilson should have been a maverick for 1 season tops when scoot was traded away. They reset the tax successfully, and she should have been immediately flipped for a win now player to push. Instead she's been sitting and rotting on a team of 2 superstars(Reese and DJ).

Solution? Well I said it even before the injury to funk. With funk and Aja expiring, the Mavs have to be willing to lose out on a trade. They have to package those 2 to bring in a longer contract. Or a younger contract and maybe reset. I have some genius ideas in mind. Like funk and Aja for blaze. But the Mavs don't understand they have no leverage and will probably just accept losing A'ja for nothing if it means "losing" a trade

[BigDaddyd8720]

Which team should push their chips in?
Celtics and Suns. Suns beat the pistons twice already and the celtics won the first matchup and lost the second by 2 points. Those two seem to have the best shot at taking down the pistons but may need to add someone to help with the other teams along the way.

Which team should fold and tank?
I feel like the Jazz should tank. They've got some good pieces but probably not enough to make the playoffs and not enough to have much of a run either. They should get themselves the best lottery pick they can get and continue down their rebuilding path. They're on their way but still a few seasons away.

[NY_Magic_Garrett]

Again, even if I had advice to give and experiences to share, who would take them. So I am here again to talk to an empty room for a dollar.

Which teams will push their chips in at the trade deadline? You know what, I think its the Heat? I read a very interesting article recently and I like the surprise team. The suggestion was to not risk it, but I think thats exactly why they might. Shock the world Miami, my fellow Florida man, show em how crazy you are.

Which teams will fold and embrace the tank? This article I read which I am taking as complete fact states that this may be the Nets? I need to go take a closer look. Maybe I can help them embrace the suck.

Pick one team that is not your own and offer some unsolicited advice about how they should proceed.
Who should they pursue, or sell, and for what return? Hey Mavs, I think you should proceed with dumping Funk. I think the Magic might just be feeling Funky. We will take care of that leg.

Thanks for not laughing

[Mike Lowry]

Again, Obvious - Pistons, Bulls, Suns are all in.
I don't think the Warriors, Celtics, or Nets have much to push in with, but none of them are avoiding the cap, so I would get creative if I was them.
I fully expect the Mavs to do a blockbuster that sends Dominitrix, and Angel Reese to the Hawks for Noel Swanner and then play from that side of the table.
The Lakers are moving JR Smith and getting under the apron.
And I'm going to pick the Blazers to operate:
I would put GMan to the fire and press him for a great package to acquire Charlie Quick.
He already posted a willingness to send Booger and what is looking like a moderate lottery pick.
Throw in some points and Bulls picks, maybe bring in a third team to the mix, but that would move the needle, and instantly knock off the Three Time Champs!
Be a part of history!

[Eazy P]

I think the Nets will push their chips. They have a opportunity to give the pistons and suns a challenge with one move. I think there are a few players he can look at to put his team in prime position to get back to the finals whether it's this season or next. My team, at least me is trying to embrace the tank but it's not working. I think I may need to bench some players for not fully cooperating with my tank movement.

[Mike Lowry]

GMan
Greeple
LTS
Mamba
K-100
Jedi
Panther
Superman
BigDad
NY_Magic
Lowry
Eazy P

+1