#SLOE: People's Basketball Sim League

The confetti falls. The game is finally over. McHale is human, and Magic finally proved it.
After MVP after MVP, none of that mattered anymore. It stopped mattering years ago. The only thing that mattered was winning this championship.
And it was all worth it.
Shipping the future by sending out McCray? Worth it.
Renting Lister and benching our starting center, Easton? Worth it.
Putting the load squarely on Donaldson and Magic? Absolutely worked.
Donaldson played the game of his life to bring home the ship. We moved Dantley to SF for the final game—something we hadn’t done all season. He had struggled at SG during the series, and shifting the pieces around made us unpredictable and completely messed with the Bucks’ ability to match up. Dantley had been shut down most of the series.

This season, though, things haven’t gone according to plan.

First, we moved Lister to lower the tax bill, get younger, and move off having three centers. Not a terrible decision, but it did feel a little like a step backward. The upside was opening cap room, with the plan to bring in a SF.

The problem? I didn’t love anyone in free agency. I didn’t want to hand out a super expensive contract just for the sake of it. I made some solid offers, but no one wanted to join the champs—probably worried about playing time.

So now I’ve lost Lister, added almost no one in free agency… but I do have two first-round picks and a ton of cap space.
If you know of any solid old SFs on expiring contracts and want a pick or two plus 15 points, send me an offer. I get a lot of shit from Greeple for my trade offers, but look at the last deal we made.

If you hate my offers, send me one.

Starting three point guards is about to get really interesting.
Hey, we did it with three centers last year…

Starting lineup
Whatley – PG
Pressley – SG
Magic – SF
Donaldson – PF
Eaton – C

6th man
Dantley

Steve Duin, the Oregonian:

What was it about Ennis Whatley that made you pursue him so doggedly in the off-season?

What player do you have an eye from another team that you would like to trade for?

First off, Congratulations on winning your first title!!!
It was a long time coming, and I respect how you manage your builds when you have top talent.
Speaking of talent, is Magic going to retire a Laker?
What will you do to give him another crack at winning it all?

After all is said and done - are you still a top contender? Favorite? What does success look like this year?

Congrats again on your first ‘ship, and beating me to it in the new PBSL

In what world do you move on from magic? If you continue to have a losing record this year, would you consider it, or is the start to this season a red herring that will course correct with time?


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WigNosy wrote: Mon Jan 26, 2026 3:35 pm Steve Duin, the Oregonian:

What was it about Ennis Whatley that made you pursue him so doggedly in the off-season?

I think he will be a solid point guard in the future (I thought the future might be this upcoming season). I thought he'd be ready to play this season but its looking like he's still green.

Eazy P wrote: Mon Jan 26, 2026 3:47 pm What player do you have an eye from another team that you would like to trade for?

I have list of most of the player in the league. And I always send out offers. If you looking to trade for someone outside of Magic send me an offer I can't refuse. The Spurs have a bunch of guys on my list.

Mike Lowry wrote: Tue Jan 27, 2026 1:28 am First off, Congratulations on winning your first title!!!
It was a long time coming, and I respect how you manage your builds when you have top talent.
Speaking of talent, is Magic going to retire a Laker?
What will you do to give him another crack at winning it all?

Thanks!!!! I don't think Magic will retire a Laker. I'm planning this season and next season with him. But I could move on from him if the package is right. We are in win know for the next two seasons.

TheSyndicate wrote: Tue Jan 27, 2026 12:49 pm After all is said and done - are you still a top contender? Favorite? What does success look like this year?

I am a mid level contender as of now. Got some work to do on the deal front. Success is going to require quite alot of work this season. I think I can see a strategy for it. Look for more Splashes from LTS.

P.S. I love'd your moves in the off season.