Ok, lets do round two since its a school night.
76ers:
Last Year’s Record: 32-50
Key Changes: PF Cassius Winston (Out), Obi Toppin (Out)m, Akok Akok (In)
Lets start this out by stating that the 76ers last year had no business being anywhere near the playoffs or above 10 wins. A lot of that can be thanks to Delmar Lopez who no one wants because of his salary but very much is still a positive influence on a team, especially one that intentionally has little talent. The sixers are firmly in their tax hell that they have created, but are still active getting involved in trades and helping to facilitate moves for everyone at a low price of some points. They have the last year of Delmar’s deal and Geronimo, who is averaging 3 mins of pine time a game. Having the #9 pick this season was rough, but the sixers will for sure make something of this season. Last Year’s Record: 32-50
Key Changes: PF Cassius Winston (Out), Obi Toppin (Out)m, Akok Akok (In)
The biggest move I think for the sixers, other than brining Winston back to be his starting Center, would be to keep running the trade market moving vet mins he signs or taking on bad contracts for points. One thing I wouldn’t do is to continue Geronimo’s marathon man strategy. Geronimo has been benefiting from playing so many mins and stat padding, but if he gets injured, their goes all the points that K100 could get from him and loose him on the open market for going above what the sixers can offer.
Jazz:
Last Year’s Record: 24-58
Key Changes: Zaire Wade (In), Talen Horton-Tucker (In), Chadwick Dangerfield (Out), Kofi Cockburn (Out)
The Jazz made a move for Les Kim and Chadwick Dangerifield to get some added help for Angelo Romero. He then in the offseason added even more talent by getting three time DPOY Zaire Wade and middle of his prime THT. If Romero makes a jump in TC and Gary can add either a PG or a SF to this roster, and Schiff takes a quality step forward, I think this team will be a real problem for everyone even if Gary checks out again. It will be a similar situation to the Knicks first season where the team was so good, anyone could back their way into a conference championship. Last Year’s Record: 24-58
Key Changes: Zaire Wade (In), Talen Horton-Tucker (In), Chadwick Dangerfield (Out), Kofi Cockburn (Out)
Like I previously mentioned, the Jazz need a PG or a SF to complete their starting five. They also do not have cap space and only have MLE, bring players back, or Vet mins to offer. While they can and should do the MLE route, I think offering a contract to Dangerfield or Cockburn, who both have bird rights, can be a smart route too. The biggest mistake that the Jazz could do is to have trade talks with the Bucks again. Seriously though, the Jazz need to make sure they keep track of their points, maybe they write and article again this season to set up for the tax. If they get into a situation where they have a bill and no points to pay it off, then teams will be feasting at the idea of Angelo’s RFA prospects.
Timberwolves:
Last Year’s Record: 33-49
Key Changes: Daniel Jauregui (In), Justin Patton (Out)
The Timberwolves are in the midst of a rebuild. They have a few good players in Lyman Bradley, Moses Moody, and Mattise Thybulle. They also have another player in Lenz Durrenberger who could also turn into a quality SG. All four players are also on good deals that are team friendly. If two of these players make a jump in training then they could be prove to be players to build around. They currently have a lot of cap space and the players available to make some moves. If they manage to make a few signings or turn two or three of their players into one higher end player, that could be what they need to get reinvigorated.Last Year’s Record: 33-49
Key Changes: Daniel Jauregui (In), Justin Patton (Out)
With most of the big moves already taking place, I think the Wolves should play the free market game. If they sign maybe two older blue current players to team friendly deals, they could have a quality team on their hands and maybe find more time for their other ventures. This team could very well improve their record by 10 wins if they get the right signings. If I was the Wolves I would make sure I take time to decide who the three players I am going to insure before TC. Choosing the wrong player of the four could not go well.
Heat:
Last Year’s Record: 29-53
Key Changes: Kevon Looney (In), George Schott (Out), William Pearman (Out),
The Heat’s GM is still pretty green in time on. He has only been around for two seasons and the team is in the early stages of a rebuild. Their only blue players are on the wrong side of 30 and are not the types of players to last into their mid 30s as quality players. They added Kevon Looney in the draft who can develop into a great player at only 19. They also have Rex Milne who can also eventually turn into a quality player. All in all, this team is going to allow the Heat to continue to learn how to develop players and gameplans hopefully. Last Year’s Record: 29-53
Key Changes: Kevon Looney (In), George Schott (Out), William Pearman (Out),
I would be doing anything I can to move Connell and BBJ. Give me points and/or first round picks. The only problem is that they make a lot of money. So the other option is to round out the roster with depth players and just try to stat pad the offensive side of the court to get some points hopefully or attract suitors for his players. If I am the heat, I make sure that any trade offer that comes in to me I am conferring with whoever brought me into the league. Older GMs love poaching talent from newer GMs. We have all done it before, and it will be done again.
Raptors:
Last Year’s Record: 24-58
Key Changes: Fang Shou (In), Marcel Mcalister (Out), Markus Ridenhour (Out)
The Raptors are taking the bulls by the horn in their third season. They traded for Fanh Shou in an effort to become competitive. Pairing him with Evan Mobley, and Jerald Honeycutt should provide to be good for the new GM. The team already have increased their talent for this year even before RFA where they are hopefully going to resign Markus Ridenhour to pass the ball for the Raptors for the next five seasons. Last Year’s Record: 24-58
Key Changes: Fang Shou (In), Marcel Mcalister (Out), Markus Ridenhour (Out)
I already mentioned it but I would offer a supermax to Ridenhour without a second doubt. He is going to get a max offer by someone in RFA, so you might as well offer your max to get him for the extra year. On the other side of the coin, as a newer GM still learning the game, you better start getting to point producing. Not doing any memes or articles will cause you to get into a hole when the tax man calls. That would not be a good thing to happen right after making such a big move.
Hawks:
Last Year’s Record: 8-74
Key Changes: I don’t think anything
Nope… not doing it. I am not going to give advice to the Hawks. They know what they are doing, or maybe they just don’t care what they are doing. They will probably coast all the way through the season and leave all of their messages on unread like last season.Last Year’s Record: 8-74
Key Changes: I don’t think anything
