The lights go out and we're treated to a video package. But it's not the usual basketball highlights video. Instead, it's GM The JNR. And he's...dressed as two-face?
The JNR: People wonder about my erratic decisions. I commit to a rebuild. I trade young pieces away for win now players. I'm seen as impatient. But that isn't the case.
The case is this coin.
The JNR flips the coin.
The JNR: Some people make decisions based on information. On predictions. On stats, on past performance, on raw data. I make decisions based on luck, on fate. On whatever this coin tells me.
So do I keep the rebuild going? Or do I trade my first round pick for a player who is 5 years older than my young potential studs, then scramble and sign a 31 year old to make a playoff push?
He flips the coin and looks down at it, then smiles.
The JNR: Tails.
The video fades and The JNR stands at the podium sheepishly.
The JNR: Don't blame me, I haven't slept in three months.
Now then, we're ready for another fun season in Minnesota. Last year we were the 8th worst record in the league, and we ended up staying in the same position. We were incredibly fortunate that Modestine Degrimonpon fell to us. We see a lot of potential although he is incredibly raw and will likely not play this year. We entered restricted free agency with a lot of cash and we sent some of it to Nassir Little, whose skillset intrigued us. After negotiating with the Sixers management, we sent our pick and the Magic pick we had acquired from the Wiggins trade to bring Little into the fold. We love his versatility, his ability to rebound, and his athleticism. We see him playing three positions for us.
In free agency, we brought in Giannis Antetokounmpo for veteran leadership and to make sure these young guys learn how to play the right way. We rounded out the roster with Kevin Whittaker and Joseph Mercado. Training camp went well; Little and Diallo had monster camps, and everyone besides Giannis had positive results.
We aren't quite sure what our starting lineup will be, but as of right now I'm leaning:
C: Mitch Cohn
PF: Cheick Diallo
SF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
SG: Nassir Little
PG: Beau Augustin
With Whittaker, Sabonis, and Mercado getting valuable minutes off the bench. We don't see ourselves competing for a playoff spot, but we do feel confident that we will see growth in our young players and still have a good lottery pick depending on the Grizzlies' performance this season. Any questions?