Post by Braz on Jan 7, 2024 13:32:31 GMT -8
Now that we are three years into The League it’s time to look at all of the teams that have failed to reset by winning 42 games or making the playoffs so far. We have 10 teams with some big decisions to make going into the season. We will take some time below to examine if these teams should look to improve and try to reset in the year three with a lot of players looking to expire or hold tight and tank one more season, risking it all.
New York Knicks
1998 record-21-61
Analysis- The Knicks ended up worse in their second season vs the first one after coming out of the creation draft trading most of their picks. The bright spot on this team is shooting guard David Wesley and he’s a much better player than the value he carries due to his age so I would expect him to stay. In the past draft they were able to land Antwan Jamison with the fourth pick which is pretty good. Last year, they drafted a sleeper in Ron Mercer and big man Brad Miller. I think they’re still a couple players away, and they need to hope for a good TC from Brad Miller to contend. Altogether here, the biggest thing is lack of point guard. Some work to do still but a bad spot.
Verdict- Tank One more full year, to get another asset
Philadelphia 76ers
1998 record-24-58
Analysis- Philadelphia has been blessed with top picks in the past two draft after coming out of creation draft with no players at all. Even though Tracey McGrady looks raw he still a top asset and prospect in the league, and you can see mouse is not afraid to trade his youth, as he already moved the top selection for Allen Iverson and picks for Antonio McDyse. I like the late add of Keon Clark because his block should improve the roster immediately. Philadelphia managed to improve your over year a center and point guard. Training camp treat them well they can land a trade I think they should have a chance at resetting but if not, I would consider their GM to still look for a chances to improve the roster.
Verdict- Check the trade market after TC and go for it if Tmac looks better.
Charlotte Hornets
1998 record-34-48
Analysis- Like a real life hornet this team has been very aggressive since the start of the league. Sargo traded up in the creation draft, nailed his picks from last season and found a way to trade up this year twice this year after failing to make the playoffs resulting in him pulling the plug. At one point last year, it really look like they would make the playoffs but after trading for Joe Smith, their chemistry fell apart. With a loaded roster of Bobby Jackson, Ricky Davis, O’Neill, and newly drafted Raef LaFentz / Larry Hughes I could see this team going either way, and letting them develop or cashing in assets for vets to make a contender. I do not see Sargo cashing in for traditional players to win 42, but to go for big or go into contract year.
Verdict- Likely wait for more assets unless TC delivers to cash in big next year after FA.
Indiana Pacers
1998 record-25-57
Analysis- The Indiana Pacers have been avoiding the point guard position, and that’s the only thing holding them back from having a really strong young team. They drafted one of the best young players in creation draft with Ray Allen who is a stud scorer and in this past draft ended up with Paul Pierce after jumping in the lottery. Reeves relatively good scoring, big, and Eric Dampier already seems starting level. KVH looks like a perfect candidate to get moved positionally, despite needing to take a level hit at small forward but also could be the perfect candidate for trade. I think the gm acquire a point guard for assets they should certainly compete. But as Royal said “see you at the next draft”, I would not expect the relatively inactive GM to find the perfect trade, but move gracefully into contract year where he thrives the best
Verdict- Tank one more season, unless a perfect trade presents itself
Toronto Raptors
1998 record- 29-53
Analysis- Tim Duncan is in the too good to tank with category as they improved 11 wins yr over yr with just him. Stuck in abilities, made them fall in the lotto, and Matt use it as an opportunity to move back and get more talent. They managed to sign former champion and spur Jeff McInnis a max contract and added, former hornet Dejan to the roster. I don’t think Harrington will be great at age 18, but I still do believe that Duncan is too good. Duncan/Al/Dejan/Parker/McGinnis could be enough to get it done, and I would as hell try. it feels like they are a good power forward and a back up one to three away from a solid team. what is your
Verdict- Try to reset, and make some trades to acquire talent along the way.
Denver Nuggets
1998 record-27-55
Analysis- Denver it certainly ways away, but has some considerable talent with Billups and Camby on the roster. as the GM of this team, I would love to find trades to be able to compete. I just don’t think that they are out there. we have some interesting lineup we can run and just acquire a solid depth big in Luc Longely. For TC will really depend on how far we can go because we need Camby to improve on rebounding, Billups in scoring and Tim Thomas across the board. We have some future picks to make deals but fillers will be hard. Where does the 1 year deal for MAR fit in? It doesn’t but he is more talented then others on the roster so is welcome. A key here could be the nets looking to rebuild! Let’s deal Greene
Verdict- Try to reset then give up and trade assets for vets during cy.
Minnesota Timberwolves
1998 record-21-61
Analysis- Minnesota has been one of the worst teams in the league over the past two seasons, and have fallen twice in the lotto. However, this year that wasn’t that big of a problem since they got Vince Carter. I don’t really see the path for this team, competing and for sure think that they are praying for a good training camp. I like the foundations with Marbs, Jackson and Carter but now they need to find bigs, and hopefully hit big and free agency.
Verdict- Bottom out for one more year
Los Angeles Clippers
1998 record-36-46
Analysis- We know, this is Steve Nash’s team because of that, they failed the tank properly the past couple seasons. The Clippers need big men pretty bad, and their players need camps. They are on a dangerous track after drafting Maurice Taylor with the 10th pick last year and the back up point guard who should have some value this year with pick 11. Would look for game to try to trade for some big men, but more than likely he will tank for a middling pic again, and have to trade his soul to try to reset. at this point, I can’t see the clippers tanking lower than they were last year so I guess that means they should go for it but I don’t think it will work.
Verdict- Trade for bigs and pray for ac40 win playoff birth.
Los Angeles Lakers
1998 record-24-58
Analysis- Despite signing the best free agent of our first offseason and having the best player of any tanking team in Kobe Bryant the Lakers managed to find themselves out tanking their first year. After moving nine overall pick Tim Thomas to the Nuggets for their picks back. They recently drafted Shard Lewis who looks pretty fun but still need to fill in some big men to be a viable team. With the right DC and a few trades I’m sure the team can reset but given that confidence, I can see this team, cruising into next year with another draft asset and going for CY.
Verdict- Tank again
Portland Trailblazers
1998 record-28-54
Analysis- Portland has a fun young team But have most of their talent expiring at the end of the season, which poses a risk. GM Broph that risk, and will try hard to reset. He moved his past draft pick for Joe Smith and Rockets first. Can see him looking for more trades after training camp and trying his hardest to reset. Dame actually pretty good and I think with it nice TC Cato and Peja can improve as well. I am excited to see a fully Camp Joe Smith
Verdict- Give it all for reset so there isn’t so much pressure on free agency
New York Knicks
1998 record-21-61
Analysis- The Knicks ended up worse in their second season vs the first one after coming out of the creation draft trading most of their picks. The bright spot on this team is shooting guard David Wesley and he’s a much better player than the value he carries due to his age so I would expect him to stay. In the past draft they were able to land Antwan Jamison with the fourth pick which is pretty good. Last year, they drafted a sleeper in Ron Mercer and big man Brad Miller. I think they’re still a couple players away, and they need to hope for a good TC from Brad Miller to contend. Altogether here, the biggest thing is lack of point guard. Some work to do still but a bad spot.
Verdict- Tank One more full year, to get another asset
Philadelphia 76ers
1998 record-24-58
Analysis- Philadelphia has been blessed with top picks in the past two draft after coming out of creation draft with no players at all. Even though Tracey McGrady looks raw he still a top asset and prospect in the league, and you can see mouse is not afraid to trade his youth, as he already moved the top selection for Allen Iverson and picks for Antonio McDyse. I like the late add of Keon Clark because his block should improve the roster immediately. Philadelphia managed to improve your over year a center and point guard. Training camp treat them well they can land a trade I think they should have a chance at resetting but if not, I would consider their GM to still look for a chances to improve the roster.
Verdict- Check the trade market after TC and go for it if Tmac looks better.
Charlotte Hornets
1998 record-34-48
Analysis- Like a real life hornet this team has been very aggressive since the start of the league. Sargo traded up in the creation draft, nailed his picks from last season and found a way to trade up this year twice this year after failing to make the playoffs resulting in him pulling the plug. At one point last year, it really look like they would make the playoffs but after trading for Joe Smith, their chemistry fell apart. With a loaded roster of Bobby Jackson, Ricky Davis, O’Neill, and newly drafted Raef LaFentz / Larry Hughes I could see this team going either way, and letting them develop or cashing in assets for vets to make a contender. I do not see Sargo cashing in for traditional players to win 42, but to go for big or go into contract year.
Verdict- Likely wait for more assets unless TC delivers to cash in big next year after FA.
Indiana Pacers
1998 record-25-57
Analysis- The Indiana Pacers have been avoiding the point guard position, and that’s the only thing holding them back from having a really strong young team. They drafted one of the best young players in creation draft with Ray Allen who is a stud scorer and in this past draft ended up with Paul Pierce after jumping in the lottery. Reeves relatively good scoring, big, and Eric Dampier already seems starting level. KVH looks like a perfect candidate to get moved positionally, despite needing to take a level hit at small forward but also could be the perfect candidate for trade. I think the gm acquire a point guard for assets they should certainly compete. But as Royal said “see you at the next draft”, I would not expect the relatively inactive GM to find the perfect trade, but move gracefully into contract year where he thrives the best
Verdict- Tank one more season, unless a perfect trade presents itself
Toronto Raptors
1998 record- 29-53
Analysis- Tim Duncan is in the too good to tank with category as they improved 11 wins yr over yr with just him. Stuck in abilities, made them fall in the lotto, and Matt use it as an opportunity to move back and get more talent. They managed to sign former champion and spur Jeff McInnis a max contract and added, former hornet Dejan to the roster. I don’t think Harrington will be great at age 18, but I still do believe that Duncan is too good. Duncan/Al/Dejan/Parker/McGinnis could be enough to get it done, and I would as hell try. it feels like they are a good power forward and a back up one to three away from a solid team. what is your
Verdict- Try to reset, and make some trades to acquire talent along the way.
Denver Nuggets
1998 record-27-55
Analysis- Denver it certainly ways away, but has some considerable talent with Billups and Camby on the roster. as the GM of this team, I would love to find trades to be able to compete. I just don’t think that they are out there. we have some interesting lineup we can run and just acquire a solid depth big in Luc Longely. For TC will really depend on how far we can go because we need Camby to improve on rebounding, Billups in scoring and Tim Thomas across the board. We have some future picks to make deals but fillers will be hard. Where does the 1 year deal for MAR fit in? It doesn’t but he is more talented then others on the roster so is welcome. A key here could be the nets looking to rebuild! Let’s deal Greene
Verdict- Try to reset then give up and trade assets for vets during cy.
Minnesota Timberwolves
1998 record-21-61
Analysis- Minnesota has been one of the worst teams in the league over the past two seasons, and have fallen twice in the lotto. However, this year that wasn’t that big of a problem since they got Vince Carter. I don’t really see the path for this team, competing and for sure think that they are praying for a good training camp. I like the foundations with Marbs, Jackson and Carter but now they need to find bigs, and hopefully hit big and free agency.
Verdict- Bottom out for one more year
Los Angeles Clippers
1998 record-36-46
Analysis- We know, this is Steve Nash’s team because of that, they failed the tank properly the past couple seasons. The Clippers need big men pretty bad, and their players need camps. They are on a dangerous track after drafting Maurice Taylor with the 10th pick last year and the back up point guard who should have some value this year with pick 11. Would look for game to try to trade for some big men, but more than likely he will tank for a middling pic again, and have to trade his soul to try to reset. at this point, I can’t see the clippers tanking lower than they were last year so I guess that means they should go for it but I don’t think it will work.
Verdict- Trade for bigs and pray for ac40 win playoff birth.
Los Angeles Lakers
1998 record-24-58
Analysis- Despite signing the best free agent of our first offseason and having the best player of any tanking team in Kobe Bryant the Lakers managed to find themselves out tanking their first year. After moving nine overall pick Tim Thomas to the Nuggets for their picks back. They recently drafted Shard Lewis who looks pretty fun but still need to fill in some big men to be a viable team. With the right DC and a few trades I’m sure the team can reset but given that confidence, I can see this team, cruising into next year with another draft asset and going for CY.
Verdict- Tank again
Portland Trailblazers
1998 record-28-54
Analysis- Portland has a fun young team But have most of their talent expiring at the end of the season, which poses a risk. GM Broph that risk, and will try hard to reset. He moved his past draft pick for Joe Smith and Rockets first. Can see him looking for more trades after training camp and trying his hardest to reset. Dame actually pretty good and I think with it nice TC Cato and Peja can improve as well. I am excited to see a fully Camp Joe Smith
Verdict- Give it all for reset so there isn’t so much pressure on free agency
