Next Season, Playoff or Bust

[Shakril]

The pressure to compete and succeed was already high at the end of the regular season. But with the developments of the last few days, it became mandatory to reach the Playoffs and probably win a round.

- Tatum injured, probably out next year the way it looked
- Giannis possibly traded to the west
- Cooper Flagg in the west
- Raptors finally play BI

Celtics, Cavs, Pacers and Knicks are the only Locks next year.
76ers, Pistons, Magic will be our direct competition.
The rest will be either bad or complete trash.
And as our Roster is more or less set, we at least should show be able to make the Playoffs (not play-in) and maybe win the 1st round..

IF, we dont manage that. Blow it up and start again, but this time with a clean slate.

[TheGeneral99]

I mean I don't see no reason why we shouldn't make the playoffs:

Quickley - 25 years old (missed most of last season)
Barrett - 24 years old
Barnes - 23 years old
Ingram - 27 years old
Poeltl - 29 years old

While we don't have a bonafide superstar in the starting line-up, we are very good at every position and hopefully our guys will continue to improve given how young they are.

Bench: Dick, Walters, Ochai, Mogbo, Shead, the #9 pick, and maybe a solid free agent?

Should be a pretty balanced team with some depth finally.

To put in perspective:

2013-2014:
Lowry - 27 years old
Demar - 24 years old
Ross - 22 years old
Amir - 26 years old
Valanciunas - 21 years old
Patterson - 24 years old

[Duffman100]

I mean I don't see no reason why we shouldn't make the playoffs:

Quickley - 25 years old (missed most of last season)
Barrett - 24 years old
Barnes - 23 years old
Ingram - 27 years old
Poeltl - 29 years old

While we don't have a bonafide superstar in the starting line-up, we are very good at every position.

Bench: Dick, Walters, Ochai, Mogbo, Shead, the #9 pick, and maybe a solid free agent?

Should be a pretty balanced team with some depth finally.

That's the hope obviously. Health will be the ultimate factor. Ideally Quickley can be healthy, Ingram is load managed a it. Ideally we make the playoffs and I hope we do, but can't really count on it yet.

Battle, Lawson and Rhoden add a bit more depth as well that can help as end of the bench guys.

[Tor_Raps]

If this team doesn't contend for the 6th seed and have a competitive 1st Round series AT WORST then I'll be extremely disappointed. That shouldn't be too much to expect tbh.

[LoveMyRaps]

I'm expecting a top 6 seed next season.

[MiamiSPX]

The East is so bad that half the battle will be just showing up. Meaning....if we can remain healthy, I don't see how we miss the playoffs.

[Godaddycurse]

Celtics isn't a lock. Tatum is out for the year and they will likely get rid of 1 or both of KP/Holiday to save money. They should do a 1 year tank and retool for when/if tatum is healthy

[binjumper]

The pressure to compete and succeed was already high at the end of the regular season. But with the developments of the last few days, it became mandatory to reach the Playoffs and probably win a round.

- Tatum injured, probably out next year the way it looked
- Giannis possibly traded to the west
- Cooper Flagg in the west
- Raptors finally play BI

Celtics, Cavs, Pacers and Knicks are the only Locks next year.
76ers, Pistons, Magic will be our direct competition.
The rest will be either bad or complete trash.
And as our Roster is more or less set, we at least should show be able to make the Playoffs (not play-in) and maybe win the 1st round..

IF, we dont manage that. Blow it up and start again, but this time with a clean slate.

I'd say magic are the tier above and not our competition. They have a really solid team built for playoffs

[TheGeneral99]

Celtics isn't a lock. Tatum is out for the year and they will likely get rid of 1 or both of KP/Holiday to save money. They should do a 1 year tank and retool for when/if tatum is healthy

Horford also old as ****.

[Duffman100]

The pressure to compete and succeed was already high at the end of the regular season. But with the developments of the last few days, it became mandatory to reach the Playoffs and probably win a round.

- Tatum injured, probably out next year the way it looked
- Giannis possibly traded to the west
- Cooper Flagg in the west
- Raptors finally play BI

Celtics, Cavs, Pacers and Knicks are the only Locks next year.
76ers, Pistons, Magic will be our direct competition.
The rest will be either bad or complete trash.
And as our Roster is more or less set, we at least should show be able to make the Playoffs (not play-in) and maybe win the 1st round..

IF, we dont manage that. Blow it up and start again, but this time with a clean slate.

I'd say magic are the tier above and not our competition. They have a really solid team built for playoffs

Magic are weird. You'd think so, but they didn't bounce back after those injuries.

They need guard and shooting depth badly. Someone like Jace Richardson would be a great get for them.

[TheGeneral99]

It is crazy how the West got the top 2 picks, lol.

[OakleyDokely]

Raps are winning 45 games next season if they're even remotely healthy and they challenge for the 6th seed.

The Raps had massive injuries in the 1st half and tried to lose games on purpose in the 2nd half and still won 30 games in the pathetic east.

[Morris_Shatford]

Yeah,
We don't really have another play at this point.

This team was largely "injured" for large parts of the season, you get in theory BI for next season, and you are adding a draft pick from a deep draft that should provide something.

I think healthy sixth should be your floor;
Otherwise you have way bigger issues.

[SFour]

making it into the playoffs in the East is a low bar...so yes it would be a big failure if that's the goal and they don't make it.

[PushDaRock]

making it into the playoffs in the East is a low bar...so yes it would be a big failure if that's the goal and they don't make it.

6th place Pistons still won 44 wins this year, likely will need more than that next season. I think we will be right there but far from a lock.

[Raps in 4]

The top-3 seeds next season are locked in with Cleveland, Indy, and NYK. Philly might join them if Embiid decides to play.

Milwaukee will be rebuilding so they're out of the playoff picture. Boston will be a low seed without Tatum.

That'll leave us, Detroit, Orlando, Atlanta, and Boston to fight it out for the remaining spots.

We're a lock for the play-in with top-6 a strong possibility.

[bluerap23]

Gunning for homecourt with the young guns

[Morris_Shatford]

It is crazy how the West got the top 2 picks, lol.

Its crazy how Texas got the top two picks.

[mtcan]

Boston likely drops a bit in the standings unless they decide just to tank for a lottery picks.

There will be an opportunity for the playoffs.

[djsunyc]

will come down to chemistry and luck. vibes will play a big part.