Post by mouse on Jan 25, 2024 17:20:37 GMT -8
After 3 straight seasons as the Eastern Conference Champions, the Boston Celtics are in a bit of a retooling phase as they are in the process of building a new looked roster for the upcoming season. C David Robinson was already under contract for the upcoming year, and they were also able to bring back PG Damon Stoudamire on a 7 year max contract. They unfortunately lost their star wing Scottie Pippen in free agency, but have been able to bring in some solid veterans like Rick Fox and Glen Rice on team friendly contracts. It'll be interesting to see how the final roster comes together, and what moves DBW will make, but for now the Celtics are definitely a team to keep an eye on because for the first time the Eastern Conference might be represented by a different team this year.
The Indiana Pacers were a team many people were excited about after the acquisition and extension of PF Antonio McDyess. They were also able to resign C Erick Dampier and PG Mahmoud Abdul Rauf so this will be the first time the entire line up will be together for the entire season. Rauf, Allen, Pierce, McDyess, and Dampier is a very impressive starting five but now it's all about filling out the roster with the necessary pieces to get this team where they want to go.
The Toronto Raptors received a lot of criticism for the 7 year max extension of Dejan Bodiroga. With how stacked this free agency was, they arguably could have been able to get him back on a substantially lower contract. However, he's a guy who averaged over 20 points per game last season and could only get better as he gets older. The concern for this team will be how they manage the cap when it's time to extend C Tim Duncan. But for now, this Raptor team should be a 50 win team in the East, with Bodiroga hopefully taking a leap in the scoring department.
A move that many GMs complimented was the 3 year contract given to PG Nick Van Exel by the Cleveland Cavaliers. He's a player with a ton of room for development, but has never had much opportunity for substantial minutes. If he gets 30-35 minutes per game, there is strong belief around the league that he could be a 20 point per game player. With all the maxes that were thrown around, it's always nice to see the contracts that some GMs can sneak in that are team friendly and low risk high reward.
Speaking of managing the cap, the Atlanta Hawks are probably the franchise closest to the hard cap but they really like what they have assembled and believe they have something special brewing in Atlanta. Vlade, Shawn Kemp, Walt Williams, and Steve Smith is an impressive foursome but it's all about what rookie point guard Jason Jet Terry can contribute to the lineup right away. This is a fun team to watch on the court, as well as in the future because tough decisions are going to have to be made so let's see what Chipper will do with some of these guys in the long run.
Scottie Pippen who we mentioned in the beginning of the article decided to sign with the NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks which was a shocker to everyone around the league. Pippen and Hill become arguably the most dangerous duo in the league, while Rik Smits and Derrick Coleman mend the front court. This team clearly has a need at PG which their GM has vocalized in the trade market. They definitely have a couple moves needed to be made and if they can find an elite PG to add to this team, then they could be right back in the finals yet again.
The Minnesota Timberwolves received a ton of criticism for the trade they made to move up a draft spot to select PF Elton Brand. Brand isn't your prototypical FBB big that the majority of GMs drool over (stocks), but if all goes well he will still become a 20/10 guy and if Tyga felt like it was the right move then you gotta respect the aggressiveness to get his guy. Mike Bibby, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, Elton Brand, and Lorenzen Wright is a hell of a starting five and young nucleus under 24 years old. With camping and development, the Wolves are destined for years of dominance in the West.
The Houston Rockets made a huge splash in free agency stealing PG Terrell Brandon from the Miami Heat on a 6 year max. It seems as though Brandon doesn't have many fans around the league, but I believe the intention is to potentially play him at the shooting guard position moving forward. He averaged 23 points and 9 assists last season, although 4 turnovers as well... hence the idea to move to shooting guard. But regardless Brandon, Richmond, Webber, and Sabonis is a nice veteran core to build around. Add some solid pieces around them and the Rockets have a nice thing going.
Shaquille O'Neal is a top 3 if not best player on the file, who was made available by the Sacramento Kings prior to free agency and the draft. We haven't seen much movement on a trade there which seems to have maybe hindered the off season for the Kings. They've been very quiet in free agency despite nearly $30 million in cap space, and aside from drafting PG Andre Miller this team still needs a ton of roster moves. I still believe that ultimately Shaq will be dealt but it's truly a question as to what team pulls the trigger on the blockbuster move.
Days 4 and 5 of free agency are still going to be crucial for many teams out there that need to fill out their roster. Championship caliber teams are desperately looking for the right pieces, while the young teams out there are praying for the training camp needed for their young guys to take the leap and become significant contributors. It's been an exciting off season, but should be an even better regular season in year 4 of BBS7.
The Indiana Pacers were a team many people were excited about after the acquisition and extension of PF Antonio McDyess. They were also able to resign C Erick Dampier and PG Mahmoud Abdul Rauf so this will be the first time the entire line up will be together for the entire season. Rauf, Allen, Pierce, McDyess, and Dampier is a very impressive starting five but now it's all about filling out the roster with the necessary pieces to get this team where they want to go.
The Toronto Raptors received a lot of criticism for the 7 year max extension of Dejan Bodiroga. With how stacked this free agency was, they arguably could have been able to get him back on a substantially lower contract. However, he's a guy who averaged over 20 points per game last season and could only get better as he gets older. The concern for this team will be how they manage the cap when it's time to extend C Tim Duncan. But for now, this Raptor team should be a 50 win team in the East, with Bodiroga hopefully taking a leap in the scoring department.
A move that many GMs complimented was the 3 year contract given to PG Nick Van Exel by the Cleveland Cavaliers. He's a player with a ton of room for development, but has never had much opportunity for substantial minutes. If he gets 30-35 minutes per game, there is strong belief around the league that he could be a 20 point per game player. With all the maxes that were thrown around, it's always nice to see the contracts that some GMs can sneak in that are team friendly and low risk high reward.
Speaking of managing the cap, the Atlanta Hawks are probably the franchise closest to the hard cap but they really like what they have assembled and believe they have something special brewing in Atlanta. Vlade, Shawn Kemp, Walt Williams, and Steve Smith is an impressive foursome but it's all about what rookie point guard Jason Jet Terry can contribute to the lineup right away. This is a fun team to watch on the court, as well as in the future because tough decisions are going to have to be made so let's see what Chipper will do with some of these guys in the long run.
Scottie Pippen who we mentioned in the beginning of the article decided to sign with the NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks which was a shocker to everyone around the league. Pippen and Hill become arguably the most dangerous duo in the league, while Rik Smits and Derrick Coleman mend the front court. This team clearly has a need at PG which their GM has vocalized in the trade market. They definitely have a couple moves needed to be made and if they can find an elite PG to add to this team, then they could be right back in the finals yet again.
The Minnesota Timberwolves received a ton of criticism for the trade they made to move up a draft spot to select PF Elton Brand. Brand isn't your prototypical FBB big that the majority of GMs drool over (stocks), but if all goes well he will still become a 20/10 guy and if Tyga felt like it was the right move then you gotta respect the aggressiveness to get his guy. Mike Bibby, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, Elton Brand, and Lorenzen Wright is a hell of a starting five and young nucleus under 24 years old. With camping and development, the Wolves are destined for years of dominance in the West.
The Houston Rockets made a huge splash in free agency stealing PG Terrell Brandon from the Miami Heat on a 6 year max. It seems as though Brandon doesn't have many fans around the league, but I believe the intention is to potentially play him at the shooting guard position moving forward. He averaged 23 points and 9 assists last season, although 4 turnovers as well... hence the idea to move to shooting guard. But regardless Brandon, Richmond, Webber, and Sabonis is a nice veteran core to build around. Add some solid pieces around them and the Rockets have a nice thing going.
Shaquille O'Neal is a top 3 if not best player on the file, who was made available by the Sacramento Kings prior to free agency and the draft. We haven't seen much movement on a trade there which seems to have maybe hindered the off season for the Kings. They've been very quiet in free agency despite nearly $30 million in cap space, and aside from drafting PG Andre Miller this team still needs a ton of roster moves. I still believe that ultimately Shaq will be dealt but it's truly a question as to what team pulls the trigger on the blockbuster move.
Days 4 and 5 of free agency are still going to be crucial for many teams out there that need to fill out their roster. Championship caliber teams are desperately looking for the right pieces, while the young teams out there are praying for the training camp needed for their young guys to take the leap and become significant contributors. It's been an exciting off season, but should be an even better regular season in year 4 of BBS7.
