RealGM

In the Sixers forum, we're doing a mock draft where each person is given two teams and basically handles "draft night" for the team.

Right now I'm doing what any good GM would do before he makes moves (real or virtual), evaluating. I was wondering if you guys could give me a hand.

Not making demands, but it would be helpful if you could:

First- Describe your overall opinion of the team.
Second- Honest opinion of each player.
Third- Please clarify the contract situations on all the players (I tried to do this myself, but the closest I got to answers was hoopshype, and according to them, 10 players are UFA.)
Fourth- Tell me what direction you think the Clippers need to go in, and how to go about it.
Fifth- Who the Clippers should draft.

Your help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

1. The team just needs a healthy season together after losing 320 player games last season to injury.

2. Brand is automatic as it gets. He looked pretty good at the end of the season despite missing 74 games and playing out of position. He'll be back in form for '08-'09.

Kaman really stepped up his performance last year. The guy probably had 3 easy baskets all year long; the game should be easier for hims with Brand back and a possible upgrade at the point . The true testament to his increased production was the neurofeedback training that he underwent last offseason. His numbers will probably dip a little next season but the stat that really matters (wins) will go up.

Maggette had the opportunity to showcase and prove himself in a contract season and he did just that. The biggest improvement was his 3-point shooting. He had a nice stretch where he was above 40%, and I think he finished around 38%. If he continues to improve his shot then that makes him all the more valuable to a team offensively since he already gets to the line like a superstar.

Thornton was really the only bright spot besides Kaman. When he finally got the opportunity, he performed. 16 & 6 for the 2nd half of the season. There were a handful of games where he was either forced to be the main option or just took the game into his own hands. I remember Iverson saying that he was a monster. There are some areas he needs to improve in but I love what we got in him at the 14th spot.

Cat is a player that I really like. He's a warrior imo, he plays through the pain (which was pretty much the whole season). The abductor injury along with the elbow bursitis hindered him a bit, but he wasn't able to rest because the team was already depleted. He is getting older and hopefully will not need to be as depended upon as he was last season.

Thomas shot absolutely horrible last season. He was much better driving into the post than shooting from long range. I expect him to bounce back somewhat next season in his shooting, but I'll be happy that we won't have to rely on him as much as this past season.

Davis was just starting to look decent out there before he went down. He does have a nice 18-footer and gives us some size behind Kaman. I really hoped that he would have had the opportunity to play this season to really see what he could possibly bring.

Powell was a player that I personally didn't expect a lot from as he didn't play much early on and when he did play he left a lot to be desired. The more and more that he played, the more consistent he became and he actually was looking like he would be a nice backup to Brand as the season progressed. He has a nice shooting touch to about 15 out but I'd like to see him become a stronger finisher.

Knight/Dickau are backup/3rd string type guys but they had to run the show for us. Knight can be efficient in A/T. I think he had period in the season where he had 40 something assists to 1 turnover. The weakness in his game has been and will be his shooting. Dickau had his moments but if those 2 could some combine to form 1 point guard, you might have something.

Ross' offensive liabilities were even more visible this season without our go-to players. He has worked on his 3 ball and made 42% of them. The problem is you have to make more than just 9. Defensively speaking, he's the guy that is going to guard the other team's best wing. I'd like to see the team keep him if the price is right.

3. Check out Shamsports.com. Kaman, Cat, Thomas, Al & BK are the only players guaranteed for next season. EB & Maggette obviously have ETOs and Powell has a partially guaranteed contract through 2010 (very likely that the team keeps him). Livingston will need to be evaluated before the Clips decide what they want to do with him in regards to a deal. There's a team option for Davis but he'll be coming back from an injury himself.

4. They need to improve the back court to compliment Brand, Kaman & Thornton. The main uncertainties are: we don't know who will fall to us in the draft and Livingston's reliability. A healthy Livingston would balance out any size disadvantage that a small 2 guard (possibly EJ) would bring. Maggette will likely be involved in a S&T for help at the point.

5. Mayo, Bayless/Gordon, Westbrook

Ok, thanks a lot. It's a lot easier to make decisions when you have other opinions in the mix.

Improving the back court is exactly what I was thinking.

And can Magette really be traded?

Maggette can be traded, we'll wait and see what really happens.

Personally, I don't want to see Maggz traded but if it means upgrading at the 1 spot then I'm all for it.

Yea. I think my priorities are to acquire a young SG, PG, and a backup big man. I think Mehmet Okur can be had for a fair price.

Sandalf42 wrote:And can Magette really be traded?

Maggette can be moved in a sign and trade, but it would have to take place after he opts out on July 1. He can't be traded before then, since he has an ETO on his contract.

It's a no-brainer if the team can't pull off any deals.

1st Round: SG - Eric Gordon
2nd Round: PF/C - Joey Dorsey

I'll be perfectly happy if that's our draft this year.