Review/Preview: where is your team at, as of Dec 31?

[loserX]

Yes, I know it's not December 31 as of this writing. Soon enough...

In past years, we've done threads like "quarter pole reviews", etc. and we haven't had much chance to do that. (But please *do* check out Hartford's "where are your predictions now" threads, they're a great read!)

So, year-end is a great opportunity to look back at how your offseason went, and look ahead to where your team needs to go by deadline day.

REVIEW

With the benefit of hindsight, how do you feel about your team's draft?

How have your FA signings panned out so far?

Any offseason/in-season trades to evaluate?

Most teams had offseason goals, whether it was contention, making the playoffs, or developing (or some combination thereof). What was your team's plan? Has it changed?

PREVIEW

Given where your team is now, what is your outlook for 2017-18?

What are your team's greatest needs? List positions, skillsets, etc. Being as specific as possible (even including specific names) will help the board create better trade proposals!

What are your assets on offer? Where are you deepest?

Feel free to answer for your team...and if some other fan has done your team already, feel free to agree or post your own!

[loserX]

(Using this post as a short list for buying/selling!)

Atlanta Hawks: needs more picks, ideally 1st rounders; move Bazemore, Plumlee offering future cap, expiring vets (Ilyasova, Belinelli, maybe Dedmon)
Boston Celtics: needs elite big, either rim protector or shooter; bench shooter/shot creator offering picks, depending on quality of player returned (possible 1sts for the big, likely 2nds for the bench shooter)
Brooklyn Nets: needs talent/assets; stretch PF offering bit parts; maybe Harris/Dinwiddie, possibly Carroll
Charlotte Hornets: needs offering
Chicago Bulls: needs offering
Cleveland Cavaliers: needs someone who can help against GSW offering Unless real help becomes available: T. Thompson, filler, own pick
Dallas Mavericks: needs youth, esp. wings offering capspace
Denver Nuggets: needs backup PG (G. Hill?); backup SF offering young players; W. Chandler/Faried; maybe pick?
Detroit Pistons: needs starting SF; backup C; fill-in PG offering picks; Ellenson; bad contract for bad contract?
Golden State Warriors: needs offering
Houston Rockets: needs offering
Indiana Pacers: needs legit 3, preferably who can shoot; defence offering 2017-18 cap; not much else of interest
Los Angeles Clippers: needs offering
Los Angeles Lakers: needs offering
Memphis Grizzlies: needs more NBA talent offering depends on FO; either bit parts or blow it up
Miami Heat: needs consolidation; an all-star offering Hassan Whiteside; depth SGs
Milwaukee Bucks: needs offering
Minnesota Timberwolves: needs exp. or cheap backup swingman; move Dieng? offering future cap, 2nds, maybe OKC 1st
New Orleans Pelicans: needs offering
New York Knicks: needs offering
Oklahoma City Thunder: needs bench 2/3/4 offering Grant/Huestis/Abrines
Orlando Magic: needs SF; starting PG; rebounders; foul drawers offering no one off the table
Philadelphia 76ers: needs shooting, 3&D if cheap; defensive big offering 2nd rounders, Luwawu/J. Anderson
Phoenix Suns: needs starting PG; upgrade at C; shooting offering picks or veterans (Dudley, Monroe)
Portland Trailblazers: needs wings with range; ducking the luxury tax offering expirings
Sacramento Kings: needs offering
San Antonio Spurs: needs better bench big, possible extra perimeter player offering K. Anderson, possibly Forbes or Bertans
Toronto Raptors: needs rim-protecting C; all-star calibre SF offering extra PGs, extra Cs
Utah Jazz: needs young stretch/point PF offering useful expiring vets at most positions...but check back later
Washington Wizards: needs offering

[Texas Chuck]

Your Dallas Mavericks

REVIEW

Draft: about like I did -- okayish. I was lower than most on Smith and nothing I've seen changes that. He's a decent prospect but with a long way to go

FA signings: You were allowed to do that? Withey is already gone and no loss, Kleber looks like a bit of a find as an older rookie on a min deal out of Europe

Trade: McRoberts deal. Didn't expect him to play and he hasn't. We can look at the other thing we got in 2023 when we get it...

I think the plan has mostly gone the way the team thought with the glaring exception of Noel. Smith is starting, some other young players are getting some minutes, but they continue to play Rick's vets and they continue to be on track for a good pick, and Dirk is talking about one more year.

Preview:

I expect us to be a bottom 10 team and possibly a bottom 5 team. We aren't trying to lose, but we simply aren't good enough to win very much.

Needs: Young talent and assets. Right now you could say Smith and maybe Barnes are building blocks. That's it. Noel should have been one and we can hope on Yogi or Finney-Smith(if he gets healthy).

Assets on offer: Mainly cap space for this season or next. If anyone wants any of our vets I'd think we'd listen (outside Dirk obv). None of them hold much value, but we could trade them for some bad money to get a minor asset. We are deep at center and PG and have no wings.

[loserX]

One take on the

Utah Jazz

REVIEW

With the benefit of hindsight, how do you feel about your team's draft?

We ended up trading our first pick plus Trey Lyles for Donovan Mitchell. While I think the hype train is a wee bit out of control, even from other fans, we are obviously very pleased as to how this has turned out. Even if he isn't an all-time great, he has added some much-needed ability and EXCITEMENT to this team.

We also traded our second pick plus a second rounder for Tony Bradley. While this trade seemed unnecessary at the time (and now), Bradley at least fits our profile. Needs a lot of work and time before he can be evaluated thoroughly.

How have your FA signings panned out so far?

FA wasn't so much about who we signed as who we didn't. Losing Hill and Hayward was devastating, and signing journeymen Ekpe Udoh, Thabo Sefolosha and Jonas Jerebko did nothing to change that. These three guys are at least smart vets who know their roles, but they'll probably end up moving other team's needles more than ours.

Any offseason/in-season trades to evaluate?

Apart from the afore-mentioned draft trades, our biggest move was acquiring Ricky Rubio for OKC's 2018 pick and capspace. With George Hill not in the cards, we threw a Hail Mary to try to get Gordon Hayward to sign. That didn't work either, so we wound up with a reasonably talented awkward non-fit. Hard to say what future Rubio has with this team...if any.

Most teams had offseason goals, whether it was contention, making the playoffs, or developing (or some combination thereof). What was your team's plan? Has it changed?

Once Hill and Hayward were off to other places, there really weren't many illusions about our season. We were going to play hard, defend/defend/defend, and hope to win some ugly games...and struggle to make the playoffs in a slaughterhouse Western Conference. That's pretty much where we are, though repeated injuries to our best player have made it hard to get a clear picture.

PREVIEW

Given where your team is now, what is your outlook for 2017-18?

Quin Snyder has done pretty impressive work with a very ungainly roster, and Utah is just finishing up the toughest month ANY team will play all season based on SRS. Still, unless Rubio and Gobert magically coalesce over the next couple of months, making the playoffs is a real longshot.

What are your team's greatest needs? List positions, skillsets, etc. Being as specific as possible (even including specific names) will help the board create better trade proposals!

Our greatest need is actually to make decisions. We have a number of players expiring; which of them (if any) do we want back next year?

Positionally, our biggest need is probably a 3/4 who can pass and shoot. Are Paul Millsap and a fountain of youth available?

What are your assets on offer? Where are you deepest?

We have a number of veterans who are the kinds of pieces that playoff teams crave off the bench: Joe Johnson, Thabo, Jerebko. Johnson is expiring, and Thabo and Jonas have unguaranteed deals next year.

We also have Favors and possibly Hood, but again the Jazz braintrust needs to decide what our commitment to these guys might be next year.

Fellow Jazz fans, agree/disagree with any/all of this?

[babyjax13]

Utah Jazz

With the benefit of hindsight, how do you feel about your team's draft?
It really couldn't have gone better. Mitchell is a star in the making and I've liked what I've seen from Bradley (although imagine if we had drafted Kuzma). I'll give us an A- with hindsight only to recognize that we could have probably moved up one or two more picks to get Kuzma (who I think we were interested in).

How have your FA signings panned out so far?
Very well. Like all of Thabo/Jerebko/Udoh and all could be moved for talent.

Any offseason/in-season trades to evaluate?
I wasn't a huge fan of the Rubio trade, but I didn't hate it. Now I think we lost in the value proposition but in terms of trying to keep Hayward I don't fault us.

Most teams had offseason goals, whether it was contention, making the playoffs, or developing (or some combination thereof). What was your team's plan? Has it changed?
I think our plan was to see if we were capable of making the playoffs without Hayward. Gobert's injuries upset that, I think we could.

PREVIEW

Given where your team is now, what is your outlook for 2017-18?
I expect us to be in the tail end of the playoffs.

What are your team's greatest needs? List positions, skillsets, etc. Being as specific as possible (even including specific names) will help the board create better trade proposals!
Small forward, stretch 4, adding highish draft picks if possible. Hood, Favors, Burks, Johnson, Thabo, Udoh, Jerebko, Rubio all available.

What are your assets on offer? Where are you deepest?
Deepest at shooting guard and center.

Available:
Hood
Favors
Rubio
Burks
Johnson
Sefelosha
Jerebko
Udoh
Neto
future cap space (but not too much)

Having a rookie scale star for 3.5 more years gives us flexibility to take on salary.

[shrink]

Timberwolves Review:

1. Patton at #16 is an incomplete, since he's been out with a foot injury

2. Teague has been fine - better deal than all free agent PG alternatives at the time.
Jamal Crawford has been great some nights, bad other nights. We're happy with him as a cheaper addition
Taj Gibson has been far better than advertised. He always does the smart play, on offense or defense.

3. No trades, unless you want to talk Jimmy Butler. He is team leader, clutch, and second best wolf of all-time.

4. Goal was to finally make the playoffs, and firmly on the way.

MIN's biggest need is a defensive back up swingman, who won't hurt lux taxes next year. Temporary need for an expiring back up PG. They'd like to shed Dieng with few minutes for him. Greatest need is time and growth from Towns and Wiggins.

MIN's deep with bigs. Their trade assets are 2016-17 cap relief (like Aldrich at $7.3 for a $12.3 mil contract), Gorgui Dieng (not really an asset), OKC 1st (trying to keep that though), MIA 2nd, MIN 2nds, a preview or vet min Shabazz, cash.

[bondom34]

OKC Thunder

REVIEW

With the benefit of hindsight, how do you feel about your team's draft?
Mostly the same as I did then. Hated the Ferguson pick and wanted basically anyone else on the board. Right now he's incredibly raw and I haven't seen anything to tell me he's ever going to be any good. He was dreadful in Australia and is really thin for an NBA player to add to a general lack of skill.

How have your FA signings panned out so far?
Patterson has been injured it seems as he had a knee procedure preseason and has been pretty meh. Felton's not a showstopper but has been Westbrook's best backup since Jackson was around, so that's a plus. Other than that I guess Roberson's RFA counts and that was definitely a win, he's been outstanding and so far a huge part of the defensive uptick.

Any offseason/in-season trades to evaluate?
Well, the PG trade went about as expected (though I didn't think Vic was quite this good, I knew he was really really good). Sabonis is finally playing his proper position and PG has been able to focus more on defense and his shooting has picked way up of late. The Melo deal I'm still torn on but he's starting to play a bit better. I know Kanter was unplayable postseason anyway so I guess that's just going to be it there. Plus Melo's about the first guy I've ever seen look off Russ and Russ is OK with it so there seems some mutual respect there that's good to have on the team. Don't totally love it due to fit but he's done his best.

Most teams had offseason goals, whether it was contention, making the playoffs, or developing (or some combination thereof). What was your team's plan? Has it changed?
Still as planned, run this year through and see what happens. I'd still doubt PG stays but hey you never know and before the trade there was a 0 percent chance. It's at least better than that.

PREVIEW

Given where your team is now, what is your outlook for 2017-18?
About where I figured, maybe lower. 4th seed is still attainable and where I predicted. Might be lower but I feel like now they should hopefully be in the playoffs.

What are your team's greatest needs? List positions, skillsets, etc. Being as specific as possible (even including specific names) will help the board create better trade proposals!
Backup big and anything off the bench other than a PG. Adams has no backup and the wings are not good. Patterson I still think will turn around when he's feeling totally better but the 2/3 off the bench and a center would be great.

What are your assets on offer? Where are you deepest?
Eeehhhhh....Abrines/Huestis/Grant and a bunch of 2nds with Ferguson if its a good enough deal. The pick situation the next few years makes me uncomfortable trading him even as low as I am on him.

[jayu70]

ATLANTA HAWKS
REVIEW

With the benefit of hindsight, how do you feel about your team's draft?
Love the Collins pick, steal at #19. Coach Bud is still bringing him along slowly off the bench. Pick #41 Tyler Dorsey spend most of his time in the GLeague. Hawks know he's a shooter but needs him to develop the rest of his game - ball handling and running the offense. He's doing well there.

How have your FA signings panned out so far?
Good overall.
Dewayne Dedmon - Hawks fan love his play. Awesome PnR defender, midrange shot and he has added a 3 point shot to his arsenal - he is shooting 48% from 3 on 29 attempts. He has missed the last 11 games with a stress reaction in leg but he his back doing on court stuff. I think the Hawks really like him and his skillset and would bring him back if he wants to.
Ersan Illyasova - started the season injured, missed about 10 games early in the season - took him awhile to get back in rhythm. He is shooting 48% from 3 in December on 56 attempts.
Mike Muscala - meh. He has played 9 games this season - out with an ankle injury. He is currently on injury rehab with our GLeague team.
Luke Babbit - injuries to our starters forced him into a starting role for a few games and he played well. I thought he was strictly just a spot up shooter from 3 (ala Kyle Korver) but he is a decent enough ball handler. Back injury has slowed his 3 point percentage.
Isaiah Taylor - He is the back-up PG, took Malcolm Delaney's spot. Jitterbug PG.

Any offseason/in-season trades to evaluate?
Jamaal Crawford for Houston's FRP - thumbs up.
Most Hawks fans are still happy with the Dwight trade, he just mucked up Bud's free flowing offense. We like Belinelli (the forgotten guy in the trade) - another capable ball handler and shooter off the bench. Plumlee is finally injury free and has played in 15 games, started 12 because of injuries, nothing to write home about but he is not dead yet . Most of his points are lobs and dunks off the PnR action. Also had a couple high light blocks.

Most teams had offseason goals, whether it was contention, making the playoffs, or developing (or some combination thereof). What was your team's plan? Has it changed?
Per the GM - to draft a franchise player. Nothing has changed. We are also developing our young players in Schroder, Prince, Bembry and Collins.

PREVIEW

Given where your team is now, what is your outlook for 2017-18?
Top 3 draft position.

What are your team's greatest needs? List positions, skillsets, etc. Being as specific as possible (even including specific names) will help the board create better trade proposals!
More picks now and future.

What are your assets on offer? Where are you deepest?
2018 off season cap space for rent - preferably FRPs.
Vets definitely on the block: Ersan Illyasova (FA), Marco Belinelli(FA) , Mike Muscala (PO of $5 mil), Luke Babbit (FA), Malcolm Delaney (FA)
Vet maybe on the block: Dewayne Dedmon (PO of $6 mil) - for the right incentive only.
Vets we would like to move: Kent Bazemore and Miles Plumlee

[pacers33granger]

INDIANA PACERS REVIEW

With the benefit of hindsight, how do you feel about your team's draft?
Leaf has shown some very minor flashes and could be a rotation player at some point if he puts on muscle and learns defense. Ike and Sumner are 2nd round gambles so no issues there. OG or Kuzma would have been much better than Leaf though, as would Collins or Allen.

How have your FA signings panned out so far?
Pretty well. Collison and Bogdanovic have been worth their contracts and it allowed us to retain a bunch of cap space next summer. Wilkins may be a good vet, but he's useless on the court and still was a waste of a spot imo.

Any offseason/in-season trades to evaluate?
I think we've all evaluated the PG trade to death. It's worked out well for OKC and tremendously well for us given the circumstances. The Joseph trade was great for us as well since we gave up nothing and got a great backup PG on a fair contract.

Most teams had offseason goals, whether it was contention, making the playoffs, or developing (or some combination thereof). What was your team's plan? Has it changed?
It has always been making the playoffs. Now it's probably being a hard first round out for one of the top 4 teams (much like last year).

PREVIEW

Given where your team is now, what is your outlook for 2017-18?
We seem to have a really good chance to make it to the playoffs. As above, I expect us to be a hard first round out, but ultimately unable to win a series this year.

What are your team's greatest needs? List positions, skillsets, etc. Being as specific as possible (even including specific names) will help the board create better trade proposals!
A good SF, preferably a shooter. We've got Myles/Thad/Sabonis on a 3 man rotation up front and Dipo/Lance/Joseph/Collison can all play interchangeably in the backcourt. Bogdanovic has been streaky and we have Lance playing the backup 3. GRIII should come back at some point, but we could still use another guy that's big enough to be a real 3.

What are your assets on offer? Where are you deepest?
Honestly, probably not much that anyone would want. We shouldn't be offering picks or young talent at this point. Collison and Bogdanovic have some value with their contracts, but I'm not sure it's that much and we'd create another hole if we didn't get a PG or SF back.

[Statlanta]

REVIEW

With the benefit of hindsight, how do you feel about your team's draft?
We did OK. Traded 2 2nd rounders which were questionable to say the least given the team's state. Drafted a 2 projects who look to add to the defensive potential of the team.

How have your FA signings panned out so far?
Not too well. Got rejected by Jingles. Signed solid bench pieces from mostly contenders and the bench is still not producing well.

Any offseason/in-season trades to evaluate?
None. The season cannot be salvaged due to the talent of the roster and the injury to our best player. Making a trade hinders the goal of evaluating the players on the current roster.

Most teams had offseason goals, whether it was contention, making the playoffs, or developing (or some combination thereof). What was your team's plan? Has it changed?
The goal was to evaluate the roster after a management transition while pushing to make the playoffs. We are failing to do both due to the slew of injuries that have affected the roster. Now out of playoff contention we will look to evaluate the keeper players as while the most of the players produce uniquely in their own way they do not fit as a cohesive group. Looking to bring Jonathan Isaac along slowly for the rest of the season as he also has been hit with the injury bug.
PREVIEW

Given where your team is now, what is your outlook for 2017-18?
The outlook is a projected top 10 lottery pick. We are projecting to miss the playoffs for the 6th consecutive season.

What are your team's greatest needs? List positions, skillsets, etc. Being as specific as possible (even including specific names) will help the board create better trade proposals!
We need a good SF who can defend his position. We also are looking for a PG who can run an offense and shoot. In need of solid rebounders and foul drawers(go-to option/star).

What are your assets on offer? Where are you deepest?
Nobody is off the table. Hezonja is the most likely asset to be moved. Locked in at the PF position.

[Baller1234a]

Boston Celtics
REVIEW

Draft: Tatum looks really good so far. Crazy efficient and pretty good defense. Ojeyele is fine on defense needs to drive more on offense and hopefully rediscover his 3Point stroke

FA signings: Gordon Hayward got injured but the other signings paid off in Baynes Larkin and Theis. Theis and Baynes give us what we have been lacking from a big man and Larkin has played really well off the bench.

Trade: Tatum trade looks great right now with Fultz out. Kyrie trade also looks pretty good as well with Crowder being bad IT injured BRK pick looks worse and Zizic can’t get PT.

Preview:

I expect us to be a top 5 team in the NBA and make the ECF.

Needs: A big that can be an elite rim protector rebound extremely well and shoot 3s on offense (rare type of players 2/3 things is fine)

Assets on offer: If elite big LAL pick Brown MEM pick are all in play if above average to average starter/depth pickup maybe BOS pick and LAC pick.

[VCfor3]

Memphis Grizzlies

REVIEW

With the benefit of hindsight, how do you feel about your team's draft?
Brooks is actually able to contribute regularly which is something we haven't had in a while from a draft pick. Rabb is looking decent in the G League but we will see what happens. Davis wasn't drafted this draft but has looked decent in some spot minutes with Wright out. Not amazing but there is potential. I see him developing into a solid bench 5 or low end starter.

How have your FA signings panned out so far?
Not resigning Z Bo is hurting. We could use someone who can score fairly consistently other than Evans, Marc, and Mike. Evans has been a brilliant signing. Ben has been disappointing thus far. We also signed and cut our draft and stash 2nd round pick Rade. I liked the Chalmers signing but he is struggling this year and may get cut soon for our 2 way contract Kobi Simmons. So other than Evans, it wasn't great.

Any offseason/in-season trades to evaluate?
Probably will before the season ends.

Most teams had offseason goals, whether it was contention, making the playoffs, or developing (or some combination thereof). What was your team's plan? Has it changed?
Plan is to make the playoffs and it hasn't changed yet but certainly could the way we are playing. Will wait till Mike comes back and plays a few games to reevaluate the team and decide on whether or not to rebuild (maybe a mini 1 year one).

PREVIEW

Given where your team is now, what is your outlook for 2017-18?
No bueno. We have one of the worst records in the NBA currently, our FO is questionable at best, there is no telling who will own the team at the end of the year, and our players don't feel the need to give full effort night in and night out.

What are your team's greatest needs? List positions, skillsets, etc. Being as specific as possible (even including specific names) will help the board create better trade proposals!
NBA caliber players

What are your assets on offer? Where are you deepest?
This totally depends on what the FO wants to do. If we are pushing for a playoff spot then we don't have much to offer. Probably Martin, Harrison, and Chalmers though I can't see a team being even mildly attracted to any of those players. If we go full rebuild then half our team is on the table (mainly Evans, Wright, and maybe Ennis). Marc is a wild card. They may try to keep him if they are only doing a one year rebuild but he also may ask for a trade out. If they go for the full fledged rebuild then he's gone. Mike won't get traded with his value so low due to injury.

[Chinook]

Las Espuelas:

REVIEW

With the benefit of hindsight, how do you feel about your team's draft?

-It's gonna take a lot of good play out of Derrick White to make passing on Bell for him seem reasonable. Jordan was a perfect mix of need and talent. Derrick might be a rotation player in a year or three, but it's a tough pill to swallow when the team is stuck with Joffy Ls as a semi-rotation player.

How have your FA signings panned out so far?

-Gay has been a pleasant surprise, though the new achilles injury hangs as a dark cloud. He gives the team another look against GS, and his ability to score one-on-one will be needed at some point this year. For the money, the team couldn't ask for more.

-Brandon wasn't the Paul the team wanted, but he filled in good minutes when guys were injured. He's slowed down recently to the point where he seems to be the guy most likely to be released for a buyout candidate. Dude has talent though.

-Lauvergne is fine for the min, but the the role he's playing was too important to give to him without competition. The Spurs play big despite the roster being constructed to play small. Queerest thing about the team right now.

Any offseason/in-season trades to evaluate?

-Not yet.

Most teams had offseason goals, whether it was contention, making the playoffs, or developing (or some combination thereof). What was your team's plan? Has it changed?

-The Spurs are a contender despite what some folks think, and they've managed to not jeopardize that despite their injuries. It's not clear what Pop's ultimate plan for the roster was, since the team will go at least the pre-season and first half of the regular season with just one game with a healthy roster. How Pop uses a Leonard/LMA/Gasol/Gay/Anderson front court is going to be huge for their future prospects.

PREVIEW

Given where your team is now, what is your outlook for 2017-18?

-They'll be there when the time comes. A healthy Spurs team is the second-best in the league. Because they've been able to tread water for so long, they should be in prime position to go on a run in two months to push for HCA through the semis. Of course, they need to get and stay healthy.

What are your team's greatest needs? List positions, skillsets, etc. Being as specific as possible (even including specific names) will help the board create better trade proposals!

-The team needs a big better than Joffrey Lauvergne. It's not a real role, so it doesn't need to be anyone fancy. In a trade scenario, the team would likely want someone under contract for at least another year. I consider the buyout market to be much, much more likely though.

-If the Spurs ever commit to playing small, getting a wing/guard to fit in between Manu and Patty would be ideal.

What are your assets on offer? Where are you deepest?

-Kyle Anderson is the best player who could possibly be moved. I think the team knows by now if they project him in their long-term plans. I think he's easily their most important free agent, but if they won't keep him, he's on the table for a core upgrade.

-Bryn Forbes and Davis Bertans both have positive value to the team and one of them would probably stick around past this year. I don't think the team has any issues with keeping those guys, but they're the eggs in the proverbial omelet.

-Paul and Joff are fillers, though I think the former would be a useful player to a rebuilding team.

[RaptorsLife]

REVIEW Raptors

With the benefit of hindsight, how do you feel about your team's draft?

Amazing. Got a top 10 talent in OG anuogby at 22

How have your FA signings panned out so far?

CJ miles been decent. worth his contract

ny offseason/in-season trades to evaluate?

good too see Carroll find sucess. don't regret trade at all tho
Most teams had offseason goals, whether it was contention, making the playoffs, or developing (or some combination thereof). What was your team's plan? Has it changed?

went from wanting a top 4 seed and being happy with it. Too wanting the first seed in east

PREVIEW

Given where your team is now, what is your outlook for 2017-18?

fantastic. Obviously don't think raptors can beat cavs but Ecf is possible. seeing OG, poeltl, Siakam develop is awesome. Way above my expectations

What are your team's greatest needs? List positions, skillsets, etc. Being as specific as possible (even including specific names) will help the board create better trade proposals!

rim protecting centre or all star 3

What are your assets on offer? Where are you deepest?

PGs and centres

[jbk1234]

With the benefit of hindsight, how do you feel about your team's draft?

Cedi was drafted two years ago. He's raw but shows flashes of being a really good role player. We had no picks in this year's draft.

How have your FA signings panned out so far?

For the vet minimums, which is all we had to offer, I've been pleasantly surprised. J. Green and D. Wade have huge for us off the bench. Calderon has been match up dependent. I actually thought D. Rose was decent when healthy. He is, sadly, our best defender at that position.

Any offseason/in-season trades to evaluate?

The Kyrie trade is still kind of what it was when it was made. It's incomplete and highly dependent on IT's health/fit and how the Brooklyn pick pans out.

Most teams had offseason goals, whether it was contention, making the playoffs, or developing (or some combination thereof). What was your team's plan? Has it changed?

Still trying to contend and still underdogs against the Warriors. Obviously, the Cavs have to worry about what comes after this season and can't completely sell out to win now anymore.

PREVIEW

Given where your team is now, what is your outlook for 2017-18?

Pretty much the same. I happen to think the Celtics are a bigger threat this year than most people on Realgm.

What are your team's greatest needs? List positions, skillsets, etc. Being as specific as possible (even including specific names) will help the board create better trade proposals!

One of a handful of players who can move the needle against the Warriors. None of whom will likely be made available. Possibly Noel if he can be had for cheep at the deadline.

What are your assets on offer? Where are you deepest?

Absent the availability of one the aforementioned players, I'm very reluctant to trade anyone other than TT, filler, and our pick. If LBJ leaves this summer, or even if he stays, I like the idea of having $25 million in expiring contracts to trade next season. Especially with cap space as tight as it is league wide.

[daoneandonly]

REVIEW

With the benefit of hindsight, how do you feel about your team's draft?

Dallas' biggest need was a PG, and they got the best one that was available. I know many will argue Mitchell is better, but all indications were that he is more of a SG, and Dallas has suffered through years of undersized 2's in Terry, Monta, and now Curry, so I was okay with DSJ over him

How have your FA signings panned out so far?

None really to speak of. Withey has already been release. They signed a Dirk protege in Maxi Kleiber who has shown glimpses that he can be a rotational piece, but other than that, this is more of an N/A

Any offseason/in-season trades to evaluate?

COuld be more of a TBD depending on if McROberts gets traded and for what, but knowing Carlisle, he's old so he may just get a good amount of PT if/when he's healthy

Most teams had offseason goals, whether it was contention, making the playoffs, or developing (or some combination thereof). What was your team's plan? Has it changed?

SHould be to tank for a top 3 pick, but they just won 3 straight so who knows. Carlisle plays vets like Matthews and Barea way too many minutes and that really should change, though Matthews tends to help the tank more than hurt it, Barea hurts it more often than not.

PREVIEW

Given where your team is now, what is your outlook for 2017-18?

They don't have good enough players to be in the playoff hunt, so hopefully they can give the young bucks more time to learn, hone their skills, and lose so we can get a better pick

What are your team's greatest needs? List positions, skillsets, etc. Being as specific as possible (even including specific names) will help the board create better trade proposals!

Definitely wings over 6'4'', we have a glut at PG and SG, and need to balance this out a little better.

What are your assets on offer? Where are you deepest?

JJ Barea would serve well off of a contending team's bench, as he is a spit fire who can run the PnR and has championship experience. Matthew would be better suited on a team that has two ball handlers/facilitators so he can just catch, shoot, and defend. Clearly the Noel situation is beyond repair, so if he agrees, he can be traded and possibly help a team right away

[HartfordWhalers]

REVIEW

With the benefit of hindsight, how do you feel about your team's draft?
We did OK. Traded 2 2nd rounders which were questionable to say the least given the team's state.

Are you referring to the 25th pick in the first round as a 2nd rounder?

[winter_mute_13]

INDIANA PACERS REVIEW

Good summary, as usual. I just want to add a few comments.

Regarding the draft, missing out on OG really hurts because the Pacers already knew that they needed a new SF and they had a highly rated one with local ties fall in their laps... Got to think they're more familiar with OG than most teams, so the front office really has to be kicking themselves for not making the obvious pick. That said, I have nothing against Leaf, and still hope he'll turn out to be a rotation player or better.

What are your team's greatest needs? List positions, skillsets, etc. Being as specific as possible (even including specific names) will help the board create better trade proposals!
A good SF, preferably a shooter. We've got Myles/Thad/Sabonis on a 3 man rotation up front and Dipo/Lance/Joseph/Collison can all play interchangeably in the backcourt. Bogdanovic has been streaky and we have Lance playing the backup 3. GRIII should come back at some point, but we could still use another guy that's big enough to be a real 3.

I agree that SF is the need, but I think a good defender is what we should target above all. Like, elite level defense, because that might be what it would take to make a Turner/Sabonis frontcourt work. (Again, this is where not drafting Anunoby potentially hurts.)

A somewhat achievable trade target IMO is Moe Harkless. A more ambitious one is MKG, though MKG has other issues as well (bad shooter, injuries). Covington or Otto Porter would be really nice, but probably not available for trade.

What are your assets on offer? Where are you deepest?
Honestly, probably not much that anyone would want. We shouldn't be offering picks or young talent at this point. Collison and Bogdanovic have some value with their contracts, but I'm not sure it's that much and we'd create another hole if we didn't get a PG or SF back.

Cap space! Pacers are one of the few teams that still have cap space this season, meaning we should be one of the ports of call for teams desperate to get under the tax NOW. We have capacity to take on future salary as well, but the payoff would have to be worthwhile.

[Qwigglez]

Phoenix Suns

With the benefit of hindsight, how do you feel about your team's draft?
Most Suns fans really wanted Josh Jackson before the draft and were very happy that he was refusing workouts with the Celtics because he had a promise from another team (most definitely the Suns) that he would get ample playing time. At the time, I could see why he wouldn't want to go to the Celtics because of scarce playing time which could affect his growth and maybe even his next contract.
I however, did not want Josh Jackson because while I felt the Suns defense was bad, it would likely get better if we also had good offense. I really wanted Jayson Tatum because he had a smoothness to his game that reminded me of Devin Booker and I thought the pairing would compliment each other well. Obviously now looking back, I can gloat and say how right I would have been.

Unfortunately that doesn't do much help for the Suns now, so I just have to accept that the Suns took Josh Jackson with the 4th pick in the draft. While he has definitely struggled with his shot, he has been showing flashes on both sides of the court of what his potential can be, such as grabbing rebounds and taking the ball up the court to find a teammate cutting to the basket (vs Kings made alley-oop pass to Chriss from about half court), playing stellar defense on all-stars (stole the ball from Harden). He is very wild driving to the basket and almost has no control, his ball-handling is loose, but I believe these can be taken care of over the off-season while gaining some strength. His real big issues is his lack of mechanics on his shooting form, if the Suns can take care of this issue, he can be a real threat on both sides of the court. The problem is, throughout history it is very rare for a poor FT% to be able to breakthrough and make significant changes to his shot to improve his form. I'm not confident at all, but I'm hopeful.

In the 2nd round the Suns took Davon Reed and I'm actually excited to see what he is capable of. In SL he was very impressive, having been a leader and a knockdown shooter from deep with excellent form. He can definitely be a 3 and D guy in this league, and I'm just waiting to see how he performs once he gets the chance. He's been injured since before the season started but is now playing in the Suns G-League team.

Suns also took another shooter in Alec Peters who is doing a fantastic job in the G-League. He's an undersized PF but is automatic from 3, and I want to see if he is capable of playing in the NBA. I doubt it, but we'll see.

How have your FA signings panned out so far?
Suns kept Alan Williams which is a feel-good story. He played in High School in the Phoenix area (my brother actually went to the same HS), and his mom is the captain of the Phoenix Police Department, or something like that. This is great so if any players get caught drinking out in town, just tell the cop to call the captain and she'll let em off the hook. Really smart move by signing her son! But no really, Alan Williams was a great hustle player last year and was a motivator off the bench. It's too bad he's out for the year.

Alex Len was signed to the qualifying offer and has been playing great this season despite still only playing a low amount of minutes. Suns fans are still wary as am I about whether or not he only looks good because he's playing for a contract. He has simplified his game this season which shows in his productivity, such as not shooting mid-range jumpers anymore, just rebounding, guarding the paint. Hopefully the Suns are able to keep him around.

Mike James was awful. Just the way he carried himself on the court it just appeared he wanted everyone to know that he belongs in the league, when he clearly didn't. He had several decent games but I think it was only because of the lack of scouting by the opposing team. Glad the Suns cut him.

Any offseason/in-season trades to evaluate?

Troy Daniels was a great under the radar type move. The Suns traded a conditional 2nd round pick (protected 31-55) for Troy Daniels and a 2nd round pick, I believe the Grizzlies made the move simply for cap space as the Suns outgoing pick will likely not be conveyed. Daniels has been great as a three point specialist, making 81 3's total for the year, which is actually 1/4 of all the three made by the Suns.

Bledsoe trade sucked. Supposedly there was an offer by the Nuggets on draft day to trade Eric Bledsoe for Mudiay and the 13th pick. That would have been great value looking back, however I believe the Suns didn't make the deal because they were also considering trading Bledsoe and the 4th pick for Kyrie, which would be an immediate all-star/superstar next to Booker. Now looking back (again), I would have even preferred the Nuggets trade because of who was selected at 13, though obviously the Suns may not have taken Mitchell. Still though, a pairing of Booker/Mitchell would have been very very fun.
Moving on to the actual trade, I guess the Suns got okay value given the situation. Monroe's expiring could be used to trade for a star by the trade deadline, or just simply let him expire and it gives the Suns enough cap space to go after a top tier free agent. We will see if the Suns utilize either option or if they just continue sitting on their hands and hope another draft pick pans out.

Isaiah Canaan was signed during the season and has been doing a good enough job as PG to stay with the Suns the rest of the year. He looks a lot better than Mike James controlling the tempo of the offense and just doing all the things PG's need to be doing.

Most teams had offseason goals, whether it was contention, making the playoffs, or developing (or some combination thereof). What was your team's plan? Has it changed?

Suns plan was to stay bad and develop the youth and hopefully get another top 3-5 pick. Though the Suns owner, Robert Sarver mentioned a day before the season started he wanted us to be competitive and fight for a playoff spot. The Suns plan hasn't changed, though with Booker's rapid development and being very efficient this year, I believe the Suns should question whether or not we should expedite this movement and maybe make some plays to get us into the playoffs in the next season. Suns GM Ryan McDonough, has been better at grabbing quality players in the mid-range picks taking TJ Warren with the 14th pick in the 2014 draft, and taking Devin Booker with the 13th pick in the 2015 draft. As opposed to taking Dragan Bender with the 4th pick and Chriss with the 8th pick in the 2016 draft, and Josh Jackson with the 4th pick in the latest draft.

PREVIEW

Given where your team is now, what is your outlook for 2017-18?
Suns fired Earl Watson three games into the season. He should have been fired a long long long time ago. He was never very good at making plays, and I didn't see any improvement from our youth with him and I actually think he stalled Dragan Bender's development last year, though Bender wasn't really ready anyway. After promoting Jay Triano as interim head coach for the rest of the season, you can actually see some improvements in all of our players. He holds them accountable for their actions such as immediately pulling Josh Jackson for missing a defensive assignment, or pulling Chriss from the game due to complaining too much. I don't think JT is the best coach out there, but given the circumstances he is doing a fantastic job with the team.

As for my outlook for the rest of the season, I just want to see the young Suns play some basketball while improving their game. Lately I have seen Bender gain confidence, Chriss is in better shape, Warren is playing at a high-level, and Booker would be an all-star if the team's record was better. If the Suns finish with the 8th-10th pick in the draft, that's fine with me as I'm not an avid tank enthusiast. Some fans believe we will still end up with a top 3-5 worst record in the league, but I think Devin Booker will make sure that doesn't happen. I hope we can hover around 40% win rate the rest of the season which would give the Suns around 32 wins for the season.

What are your team's greatest needs? List positions, skillsets, etc. Being as specific as possible (even including specific names) will help the board create better trade proposals!
Suns need a PG badly. This is something the Suns could potentially get in the draft, or maybe by trade. I'd prefer trading for Dennis Schroder as he's on a good contract and he's still young enough to fit into the Suns "timeline", other fans would say to wait in the draft and hope for Trae Young. Kemba Walker has popped up a couple of times on the Suns board, though even though I have even mentioned a couple of trades for him I don't think he really improves the team enough to make us a top 4-5 team in the West. I would trade Brandon Knight and several 1st round picks to for Kemba as that doesn't hurt the Suns cap space this summer and could potentially sign a top tier free agent. The problem with this though, is we are basically playing with fire. Hoping a backcourt duo of Kemba/Booker would be able to net an all-star in free agency, while also knowing that Kemba would expire in 2019 and demand a huge raise. If the Suns didn't net a solid free agent and Kemba walked in 2019, the Suns are left with nothing. It's a gamble, and I'm not sure I would make it for Kemba.

Suns could also use an upgrade at Center. There are several high quality centers in free agency such as Boogie Cousins or DeAndre Jordan. Not sure if they would join such a young team though, and I'm not entirely sure DJ would improve the team enough either by himself. The draft could also be a good spot to look depending where the Suns draft and what is on the board.

Suns could use more 3 point shooters. Suns have been struggling to shoot from 3 and get floor spacers out there. Besides Booker, Daniels, and Bender, no one else can shoot those reliably.

What are your assets on offer? Where are you deepest?
For picks, the 2018 Miami pick, the 2021 Miami pick, the 2020 Bucks pick. I say 2020 Bucks pick as it doesn't seem likely to convey in 2018 or 2019, Also, the 2018 2nd round pick from the Hornets (most likely scenario), and the 2018 2nd round pick from the Raptors.

For players, likely our best asset is Greg Monroe as he is an expiring contract this summer, but I think Jared Dudley would also be a trade-able asset as he expires next season but could also be serviceable to the right playoff team. For Dudley his value would likely only net the Suns a 2nd round pick if traded alone and depending on the player the Suns get back. I would trade any of the above for an all-star that fits within a certain range (27-28 being the oldest).

I don't believe the Suns would trade any young players on the roster as their value wouldn't net much by themselves. Though if they were to be traded, I believe Chriss would be the first out of the young guys to be on the chopping block, followed by Jackson since Warren has been playing very well, Bender would be next, and obviously Booker is untouchable. Everyone else on the roster is up for grabs though, so if I didn't list them it's because they aren't really a necessary part of the future for now (Suns future basically Booker/Bender/Warren/Jackson/Chriss).

[vege]

Detroit Pistons

Draft: A lot of people are crying we didn't draft Mitchell, but I am happy with Kennard. He is a very smart player and the surprise is, on both sides of the floor, not only on offense. He will be a rotation NBA player and that was SVG only good pick as our Coach/GM.

FA Signings:

- Anthony Tolliver has been amazing on and off the court for us, his leadership is helping Detroit a lot and he has been a lockdown defender.

- Reggie Bullock started cold, playing poorly, however with time got some confidence and now is our starter SF, playing some great defense and hitting most of his wide open shots and doing a great job on the cuts and getting passes by Andre. He's been averaging 11.6 pts, shooting 59% FG and 47% 3FG, at 29 mins since starting and Detroit is 12/4 with him as Starter IIRC.

- Langston Galloway started the season great, playing great defense and with a lot of energy and hitting his 3's at an insane rate. Has greatly regressed since and right now is not worth his deal. He was supposed to be Reggies insurance at PG, and he has proven he can't run the Point, at all.

- Eric Moreland He is a fighter, high energy, good rebounder, good shot blocker, offensivelly challenged player. He's improving a little bit on offense but is still a long way of not becaming a liability on that side of the floor. Was supposed to be the 3rd stringer and is doing fine as Drummond's backup so far.

Trade

- Avery Bradley brings energy every single minute he plays, and that's something this team was lacking. His leadership along with Tolliver has done wonders to the team. His production has been somehow disappointing though, Offensivelly most people expected him to grow, since Detroit would need it a lot more than Boston did, but he has been the same player he was. He has some really bad offensive games, however like I said before, he brings energy and defense every game.

Detroit expexted to make the playoffs, and they're currently sitting at #4 in the East, fighting for HCA. Reggie's injury might make things difficult and Detroit might even miss the playoffs again, however the team is doing better than anticipated.

Needs: They need a SF, Stanley Johnson did not meet the expectations and the team is better without him. Reggie Bullock is a 2-3 and Tobias been playing much better at the 4, we lack a real 3.

Jon Leuer was supposed to be our backup center and he was being awful before his injury, Detroit needs an upgrade at backup C as well.

Reggie Jackson might be done for the season again, and SVG backup plan has already proven to be a fail, Langston Galloway is not a PG, Ish Smith is fine starting, Detroit won't feel any impact there, the problem is our bench will, we need a PG capable of playing 20 minutes per game BADLY.

Assets on offer:

- Young players we failed to develop (Henry Ellenson and Stanley Johnson)
- Bad contracts for bad contracts? (Jon Leuer/Boban Marjanovic/Langston Galloway)
- Our picks. We are clearly in win or bust mode, SVG does not have a lot of patience with young players and he wants to make the playoffs badly.