SIGN DEPTH: Focus on the bench. A lot of teams have good enough talent to contend. They just need the yellow bodies to absorb punishment and allow them to rest. Even if no one in the pool is a difference maker, they can ultimately make an already-talented team healthy and rested enough to take the next step in the playoffs.
TRADE: Use the pieces on their roster to upgrade or change the direction of their team via trade. Maybe they're one step away, or maybe they should start to focus on the future. Either way, standing pat isn't an option.
STAND PAT: Or the team could just roll the dice with what they have. This category isn't just for contenders; there are some teams that should not make changes because it won't matter what they do, their team is lotto bound any way you slice it.
The crack talent evaluation team of Minnesota has determined the current talent rating of each team, and we're going to analyze each team and make suggestions for what they should do heading into the regular season. Keep in mind this is only one team's opinion and is not meant to manipulate any team in any way. We can be wrong, we have been many times before.
HOUSTON ROCKETS
CURRENT TALENT: GOOD
The Rockets have 4 talented players and decent depth. They could possibly make some trades to have better depth in their backcourt, and their tax situation is a bit ominous, but this team is set pretty well to try and make a run in the Southwest.
RECOMMENDATION: STAND PAT
LA CLIPPERS
CURRENT TALENT: POOR
There's actually two ways i can see this team going. They just made a trade to bring in Vasquez, so it's possible they could use McLemore and Adkins to bring in other solid talent. But when you have Kevin Durant on your team, it's probably an easier method to just stock up on a solid bench and let your OP do OP things.
RECOMMENDATION: SIGN DEPTH
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
CURRENT TALENT: BAD
I think this current talent rating is bogus. There's no way this team with Gordon Hayward and Ish Smith is bad. It must be a result of having super raw Ken-Hen on the team. Regardless, this team can definitely improve before the season by either signing depth or, in our opinion, trying to find an interesting trade to match the promising youth of this team.
RECOMMENDATION: TRADE
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
CURRENT TALENT: GREAT
The Warriors have already done a ton of offseason work. They traded for Gay, re-signed DeAndre, and they just brought in Kyle Lowry to lead the team from the point. They can relax knowing that their team will be ready to rumble opening day.
RECOMMENDATION: STAND PAT
BOSTON CELTICS
CURRENT TALENT: BAD
This team is in trouble. Much like the Sixers, they have bad talent because of raw youngins on their team. Unlike the Sixers, there are four of them. The Celtics only have one real asset, and he's been declared untouchable, so there isn't a real option for Boston other than to wait for the ping pong balls to bounce their way.
RECOMMENDATION: STAND PAT
CHARLOTTE BOBCATS
CURRENT TALENT: BAD
Same story as the last team. The Bobcats have a few good young players who aren't ready yet, and their only real asset will be traded at some point for small value. This team is going to be in the lotto, and there isn't much that will change that outcome.
RECOMMENDATION: STAND PAT
UTAH JAZZ
CURRENT TALENT: GREAT
There are gaps on the roster, sure, but when you have Ryan Anderson, Paul George, and Darren Collison on a team, and you also have a wide array of bench bodies, it's hard to make many changes that will make a difference. I'm not sure they can win the West, but I think they'll have a good chance to be a good playoff team.
RECOMMENDATION: STAND PAT
SAN ANTONIO SPURS
CURRENT TALENT: GOOD
The Spurs are good. We get that. Westbrook and Smith have been a great tandem for a number of years, even winning a championship together. But there comes a time where every dynamic duo has to move on, and the Spurs are approaching that territory. They have decent young players, but no real star to look to the future with. If they decide they are ready to rebuild, those current stars may need to make way for assets.
RECOMMENDATION: TRADE
ORLANDO MAGIC
CURRENT TALENT: AVG
This team is actually interesting because it could go in all three directions. They may want to pick up some players who are more ready to contribute off the bench than their current players (interesting side note: the Magic are probably the only team that has mostly created players). They could also just stand pat and see what this mishmash could get them. But of the three viable options, I think a trade is the best bet, especially since false9 has shown himself eager to trade in the past.
RECOMMENDATION: TRADE
DALLAS MAVERICKS
CURRENT TALENT: BAD
I initially listed the Mavs as standing pat, because there doesn't seem much to do to change their fortunes around. But then I figured why wait? Why wait for DeRozen to expire, for Aldridge to take up space? They can start to make a young team to fit around Bradley Beal now if they act.
RECOMMENDATION: TRADE
CHICAGO BULLS
CURRENT TALENT: GREAT
The GM of the Bulls doesn't seem to be happy with his newfound superteam, mostly because it puts him in a precarious tax position. Now, maybe I'm just saying this because it's not my money, but screw that mentality. This team can make some real noise. And you know the best way to make points? It's not by writing articles or tricking new GMs into paying for 2nd rounders. It's by winning. The. Whole. Damn. Thing.
RECOMMENDATION: STAND PAT
MILWAUKEE BUCKS
CURRENT TALENT: AVG
They have Rubio, they have Kyrie, and they have Kanter. They have tons of depth. And in any other situation, I'd feel secure telling them to roll with what they got. But my recommendation here is based on the GM. I know how he is. I know he's never satisfied. And I expect him to make some trades soon to better his team. So that's what I'll go with.
RECOMMENDATION: TRADE
NEW YORK KNICKS
CURRENT TALENT: GOOD
This team was an injury away from making some noise, and they brought back the whole band and added depth. This is one of the easier decisions for me: let your young guys improve, give it another go, and wreck the Eastern conference.
RECOMMENDATION: STAND PAT
PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS
CURRENT RATING: GOOD
I really like this team's offseason. They kept Rose and put together some interesting role players to surround him with, as well as defensive stalwart Tyson Chandler. But there is one glaring hole at the shooting guard position, and I'm not sure the current players in free agency can help that hole. They may need to cobble up what they can to find a shooting guard worthy of playing next to Rose.
RECOMMENDATION: TRADE
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
CURRENT RATING: POOR
I actually like what they've done with their roster, and I don't think making trades is the answer. Of course, if they decide they want to completely rebuild, it's certainly an option. But right now with this roster, the best bet is to fill it out a little more and see what happens.
RECOMMENDATION: SIGN DEPTH
VANCOUVER GRIZZLIES
CURRENT RATING: GOOD
They made some decent signings in free agency, and it changes how I feel about this team. Kawhi and Butler will do well again next to Rondo, and there is enough depth to keep them fresh all season. I expect a Grizzlies turnaround and don't see much more effort required.
RECOMMENDATION: STAND PAT
MIAMI HEAT
CURRENT TALENT: AVG
They did it! After seemingly a lifetime in the tax, the Heat are back in the land of the black. They still have three talented players, and they can probably make a decent run if they want to on LeBron's back alone. The important thing to remember here is that they sign enough decent depth without going over the cap.
RECOMMENDATION: SIGN DEPTH
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
CURRENT TALENT: POOR
This team actually has talent across the board. While I don't like the CJ McCollum trade for them in general, getting Vuc allowed them to create possibly a more balanced team. The only thing they need to do now is sign enough players to let their talent rest for a bit during games.
RECOMMENDATION: SIGN DEPTH
PHOENIX SUNS
CURRENT TALENT: POOR
Two things here. One: there is enough talent here to surround Kevin Love that a few more bodies should still make this a great team. Two: the talent is old, so training camp may change this decision. But until then, I don't think the Suns should make any trades (mostly because they can't until day 60). But the fun part is that the Suns will have NO ONE on their roster next year, and that's where the fun begins.
RECOMMENDATION: SIGN DEPTH
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS
CURRENT TALENT: AVG
The champs are in a pretty good boat here as well. They won with pretty much who they have now minus Ron Artest. There's no real pressure to do much else here. They can just sign some bodies and feel content to make another run. The fans in New Orleans have been drunk since the championship anyway, they'll barely notice.
RECOMMENDATION: SIGN DEPTH
SACRAMENTO KINGS
CURRENT TALENT: POOR
This is actually a pretty well balanced team, mixing offense and defense pretty well. The depth isn't an issue either. So even though the team doesn't jump off the page talent wise, the Kings should be content to do what they're doing with Jeff Duren and not do anything at all.
RECOMMENDATION: STAND PAT
INDIANA PACERS
CURRENT TALENT: GREAT
This team was a half away from winning a championship and even though age approaches, they should still be good enough to make another run. They might want to consider adding a body or two, but even if they don't, D-Will should be all they need.
RECOMMENDATION: STAND PAT
BROOKLYN NETS
CURRENT TALENT: POOR
This is another team I like better than the talent rating does. Especially after acquiring Gallinari, the Nets as a decently talented team with depth and room to improve on the roster. I am not sure that they are quite ready for the playoffs, but I do think that disrupting the current lineup would be a mistake.
RECOMMENDATION: STAND PAT
TORONTO RAPTORS
CURRENT TALENT: AVG
I know that this GM is eager to move on from his current lineup, and trades of Bosh and Lowry are indicative of that. But I like the result so far, a mix of age and talent that can still be a good playoff team. I was leaning trade just because of what he's done already, but I want to see what this team can do.
RECOMMENDATION: STAND PAT
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
CURRENT TALENT: GOOD
After this last round of free agency, the team appears to be as good as it can get. Maybe some frontcourt depth is needed, and I'm not saying I won't make any trades. But this team feels like it's at its peak for the moment, so I'm going to roll with it.
RECOMMENDATION TO MYSELF: STAND PAT
DENVER NUGGETS
CURRENT TALENT: GOOD
This team looks great and poised for another division crown. The only thing needed to solidify that is some extra depth and a more positive attitude from the GM, who has lost his smile lately. (FEEL BETTER RYAN, WE LOVE YOU)
RECOMMENDATION: SIGN DEPTH
LA LAKERS
CURRENT TALENT: POOR
Listen, I get that you spent all your money already, but the team is still incomplete. Rolling with only 8 players is something a rec league does, not a professional team. Get a few more bodies and your team should be a playoff team because they won't get injured as much.
RECOMMENDATION: SIGN DEPTH
ATLANTA HAWKS
CURRENT TALENT: GREAT
"For my next magic trick, I will continue my reign of dominance with minimal effort!" The Hawks barely have to try. They keep their players, spend very little on talent, and experience gains in training camp that even make Eazy blush. Except Jae Crowder to go green in TC and the Hawks to continue to do well.
RECOMMENDATION: STAND PAT
DETROIT PISTONS
CURRENT TALENT: GOOD
This "GOOD" seems artificially raised by up and coming OP Anthony Davis. There is a lot of depth here, but nothing that makes me think they can make a run at the playoffs. But with TJ Warren and a bunch of decent older players, they may be able to turn their fortunes around via a trade.
RECOMMENDATION: TRADE
WASHINGTON WIZARDS
CURRENT TALENT: AVG
I wasn't sure why Tyreke Evans was traded, but the current team makeup makes me think maybe Xist knew what he was doing. He's very flexible right now: he can hope his young talent improves in TC and allows him to make a run, or he can use that talent to collect assets and start a rebuild. Looking at what he has, I choose the latter.
RECOMMENDATION: TRADE
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Let me know if you agree or disagree with my recommendations!
