Official: [Shams] Poeltl Extends 4/$104M

[gswhoops]

If forced to bet, I’d pick Philly and Boston, actually, assuming Boston has their own pick (just checked, they do).

Embiid is toast, and PG13 will probably whine incessantly if they start to suck. Can’t win with just guards.
Boston is known to game the system. Slow roll Brown, get White a fake injury, cash in and rebound hard next season. Simons can tank commander well.

Atlanta has enough depth now to deal with KP absences. I actually like them as a shot at a HCA team.

Boston has no reason to try, but might be too talented (and prideful) to accept missing even a play-in spot. Philly entirely depends on Embiid's (and to a lesser extent PG's) health.

Chicago also hasn't done much to try and improve and drafted a very raw prospect with their 1st. If I were them, I'd cash out on Coby White (and any value I could wring out of Ayo, Vuc, etc.) and embrace the tank.

[tmorgan]

I don’t know about Chicago. I know they aren’t ready to be stars, but I really like Buzelis and Essengue for the future.

Giddey played well. Coby is still there for now. Could easily be top 10 again… or not.

[WhatsaTDot]

The contract itself is fine but I can’t really get behind locking yourself into a play in caliber roster, which is exactly where Toronto is sitting with IQ/RJ/Ingram/Barnes/Poeltl all getting top of market deals

Its a 2 year experiment only and they are well positioned to rebuild/pivot if they are not playing well. IQs contract will look much better by then and poeltl should still be tradable.

This would be a terrible idea in the west but i dont hate it in the east as lightthebeam said..

I don’t really get what the “experiment” is here, these guys are all known quantities and unless Gradey Dick turns into Kobe overnight it’s not going to be enough

You mean we're not going from 7th worst in the league to winning the chip? Darn.

[Tripod]

Yeah, what’s the experiment?

They are a solid team for more than solid money that has almost zero avenues to true contention, even in the East. They won’t suck and they won’t get past the second round (and are no guarantee to make the first round, altho top 10 and a playoff game seems extremely likely).

Is this just satisfaction with treadmilling? Masai is gone, so this isn’t irrational job-saving activity. It’s just contentment with 38 to 46 wins and a beating by teams with actual playoff rosters. I don’t understand.

Indiana just went from 25 to 35 to 46 to 50 win season and went to the finals.

The Raps will be pushing that 45 win season next year. And of course they have avenues to true contention. Their ages for 1. BI is their 2nd oldest guy behind Yak and is 27 years old. They can also consolidate. They also have all their picks.

Anyone predict 2 years ago that Indy would be in the finals in game 7? Of course not.

[tmorgan]

Yeah, what’s the experiment?

They are a solid team for more than solid money that has almost zero avenues to true contention, even in the East. They won’t suck and they won’t get past the second round (and are no guarantee to make the first round, altho top 10 and a playoff game seems extremely likely).

Is this just satisfaction with treadmilling? Masai is gone, so this isn’t irrational job-saving activity. It’s just contentment with 38 to 46 wins and a beating by teams with actual playoff rosters. I don’t understand.

Indiana just went from 25 to 35 to 46 to 50 win season and went to the finals.

The Raps will be pushing that 45 win season next year. And of course they have avenues to true contention. Their ages for 1. BI is their 2nd oldest guy behind Yak and is 27 years old. They can also consolidate. They also have all their picks.

Anyone predict 2 years ago that Indy would be in the finals in game 7? Of course not.

I’m not going to deny anyone their optimism. Hope it works out.

[doogie_hauser]

I wonder if they should have drafted Maluach and then traded Poeltl for future picks/trade assets