Last year was a new one to me. I was finally past my first build, trading away my core pieces and the guy that started everything in Pistol Pete. So I was somewhat invigorated at what laid ahead in a rebuild. So I decided this year was going to be a year where I can just sign some people, trade them away and then go on cruise control with no hope of making the playoffs. As I said I traded most of my team for younger assets or picks and even traded Clay Waters for a guy who I thought could get me more value in Smallwood. I went further into rebuild with drafting Zargas. Well, everything seemed to fall in place on my side to be a bad team, but then my conference and division had other plans. I was contending for most of the year. So much so, I decided to flip the switch and trade for Ernest Long in an attempt to solidify my playoff chances.... that didn’t happen.
Going into the offseason this year I had loads of cash and not much prospects on the books and a pistons pick that turned into a non lottery pick. I had no idea of how to proceed. With RFA, I decided to throw some money at the big players and try to make some competitive offers, thinking everyone would match. I was able to land Scot Bulter, which was unexpected. This lead me to UFA, where I decided to give Long a less than max deal, based on having Bulter and not wanting to have too much of my cap on a similar player but older, especially when I’m not try to compete. I struck out pretty much across the board except for acquiring John Blakemore, who I think will actually pan out to be a pretty good player. Round two I decided to try to fill my cabinet with a bunch of older players, who I can try to move for assets after 60 days (Y’ALL HIT ME UP!)
Tc went about as even as I expected, where the older guys dropped. I was more interested in my young talents (Smallwood,Zargas,Blakemore, and Bulter) they all developed and I think did well, so that’s a plus. I think this season will be a season where we see the older players at first and the me offering the younger guys chances as the season goes on.
No idea what my starting 5 is yet. Maybe:
Bulter
AC Williams
Clemente Torres
Edmunds
Blakemore
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All the offers I sent were sent with the idea that these players would make my team better. I assumed that most teams would match because of their status as really good players. Bulter was included in that list. I am happy to have him as a part of the Thunder organization.
