Thank Nation 2(Clippers edition) + Tank Watch 2016: Kings(Cousins), Hawks(Millsap) Magic(Ibaka)

[CoachJReturns]

Last year I made the Thank Nation thread which provided us with some additional entertainment. While our additional first rounder from the Clippers this year(courtesy of the Vazquez trade which already netted us Norm) is not as valuable given it's likelihood of being in the 20s range, it is still an asset to keep an eye on.

This year I think our best chance of taking a step forward would be for Masai to acquire a star player from a team that is struggling. Specifically I'm referring to Cousins in Sacramento, Millsap in Atlanta and Ibaka in Orlando. I think that's also the order in which they're most desirable to the team. And so I'm going to keep updates on how each team is performing this year. The worse they play, the better the odds of a shakeup, though nothing is guaranteed of course.

[CoachJReturns]

First up: October 26

Miami @ Orlando
Sacramento @ Phoenix
Houston @ Lakers

Tough first night with all 3 teams having winnable games. Hopefully at least one comes away with a loss.(Come on Sacramento!)

[SpiderMunn]

You got Millsap already shipped somewhere else in your title.

[Splinter]

I made a thank nation 2 thread earlier in the off season but it died off so maybe someone will bump it or create a new one!

As for this thread, I vote Millsap. I don't see Orlando trading Ibaka even if they're crappy, and I think Sacramento is too stubborn to trade Boogie until the deadline next season. That leaves Atl, as I see them as the most likely to underperfor and dump their star for futures that more align with Schroder's development curve. combine that with the fact that Masai has already chased Millsap, and I think he's the most likely...

[HeartDonor]

Millsap would be an ideal fit. Cousins would be a dream come true. A dream that could very well spill into a nightmare, I'm afraid.

[AkelaLoneWolf]

Ibaka's still the best shot. Being he's in his last year and won't contribute as much offensively, he costs the least and fits the best.

[CoachJReturns]

Ibaka's still the best shot. Being he's in his last year and won't contribute as much offensively, he costs the least and fits the best.

If he plays like he did in the playoffs he might be pricey as well. He shot the lights out in the post season and I think he continued to shoot well from beyond the arc in the pre-season.

[CoachJReturns]

I made a thank nation 2 thread earlier in the off season but it died off so maybe someone will bump it or create a new one!

As for this thread, I vote Millsap. I don't see Orlando trading Ibaka even if they're crappy, and I think Sacramento is too stubborn to trade Boogie until the deadline next season. That leaves Atl, as I see them as the most likely to underperfor and dump their star for futures that more align with Schroder's development curve. combine that with the fact that Masai has already chased Millsap, and I think he's the most likely...

Maybe I can incorporate Thank Nation 2 into this thread since it will not be as big a topic this year with the lesser pick.

[AkelaLoneWolf]

Ibaka's still the best shot. Being he's in his last year and won't contribute as much offensively, he costs the least and fits the best.

If he plays like he did in the playoffs he might be pricey as well. He shot the lights out in the post season and I think he continued to shoot well from beyond the arc in the pre-season.

depends how he does in orlando i think...his stock will fall fast when durant and westbrook aren't there to provide him with the spacing he needs to get his shot off....also look for biyombo to be on the trading block as well.

[Splinter]

I made a thank nation 2 thread earlier in the off season but it died off so maybe someone will bump it or create a new one!

As for this thread, I vote Millsap. I don't see Orlando trading Ibaka even if they're crappy, and I think Sacramento is too stubborn to trade Boogie until the deadline next season. That leaves Atl, as I see them as the most likely to underperfor and dump their star for futures that more align with Schroder's development curve. combine that with the fact that Masai has already chased Millsap, and I think he's the most likely...

Maybe I can incorporate Thank Nation 2 into this thread since it will not be as big a topic this year with the lesser pick.

You bet.

This'll be my most watched thread of the year haha

[Northface82]

Cousins would be the more riskier trade, and also would require more assets.
Just does not seem Masai-like. I would say Millsap would be his guy.

But then again...

Spoiler:

Sacramento is a joke organization. Poelti, Bruno and Bebe just might do it

[pbj]

I expect the Hawks to do very well - your standard Motivated Howard + 4 shooters comp with good ball movement tends to win a lot of games.

[CoachJReturns]

Cousins would be the more riskier trade, and also would require more assets.
Just does not seem Masai-like. I would say Millsap would be his guy.

But then...

Spoiler:

Sacramento is a joke organization. Bruno, Bebe, 1st should get it done

You're right that Masai has never been one to give up a lot of assets, but given his average drafting and the log jam of prospects and role players currently on the roster, I think it's the time to consolidate. Particularly, with Cousins being only 26 years old. It's a long term addition to the talent pool instead of a band aid.

[Dalek]

I expect the Hawks to do very well - your standard Motivated Howard + 4 shooters comp with good ball movement tends to win a lot of games.

I can't believe in Dwight Howard. He has had so many back issues and was such a drain on Houston. Maybe he will paly decently for a quarter season but he is such a difficult personality and his body is breaking down.

[CoachJReturns]

I expect the Hawks to do very well - your standard Motivated Howard + 4 shooters comp with good ball movement tends to win a lot of games.

I can't believe in Dwight Howard. He has had so many back issues and was such a drain on Houston. Maybe he will paly decently for a quarter season but he is such a difficult personality and his body is breaking down.

Agreed. He was one of the most athletic bigs in NBA history, but that part of his career is finished. He doesn't have enough finesse to his game to be the same force without his explosiveness.

[Northface82]

Cousins would be the more riskier trade, and also would require more assets.
Just does not seem Masai-like. I would say Millsap would be his guy.

But then...

Spoiler:

Sacramento is a joke organization. Bruno, Bebe, 1st should get it done

You're right that Masai has never been one to give up a lot of assets, but given his average drafting and the log jam of prospects and role players currently on the roster, I think it's the time to consolidate. Particularly, with Cousins being only 26 years old. It's a long term addition to the talent pool instead of a band aid.

I agree with your point about Demarcus being the superior talent, no doubt.
But I feel the way Masai "evaluates" the situation.. acquiring Cousins comes with alot of risk.
You are basically breaking apart the foundation of success for the last 2-3 years to create a new system around him.
That is quite a dramatic change from an ECF team. Selling that point to MLSE and owners might be difficult.

Millsap is probably not as talented as Cousins, but the fit would be perfect and the reward > risk.
Slot him in and continue the current path. He'd bring us one step closer to LBJ.

That being said, if Cousins is available for our many assets, Masai needs to pull the trigger.

[dTox]

I expect the Hawks to do very well - your standard Motivated Howard + 4 shooters comp with good ball movement tends to win a lot of games.

Likewise, I wouldn't be shocked if they won close to 60 games this year.

[pbj]

I expect the Hawks to do very well - your standard Motivated Howard + 4 shooters comp with good ball movement tends to win a lot of games.

I can't believe in Dwight Howard. He has had so many back issues and was such a drain on Houston. Maybe he will paly decently for a quarter season but he is such a difficult personality and his body is breaking down.

Agreed. He was one of the most athletic bigs in NBA history, but that part of his career is finished. He doesn't have enough finesse to his game to be the same force without his explosiveness.

Well he was making jumpshots in preseason and just dominating in general.. I think he may surprise you this season. He seems revitalized from what I could see.

[CoachJReturns]

I can't believe in Dwight Howard. He has had so many back issues and was such a drain on Houston. Maybe he will paly decently for a quarter season but he is such a difficult personality and his body is breaking down.

Agreed. He was one of the most athletic bigs in NBA history, but that part of his career is finished. He doesn't have enough finesse to his game to be the same force without his explosiveness.

Well he was making jumpshots in preseason and just dominating in general.. I think he may surprise you this season. He seems revitalized from what I could see.

I expect him to play well, but miss a lot of action. Hawks will still be better than Kings and Magic in all likelihood though. I will be hoping for a Cousins trade all year.

[anj]

It's worth noting that the Clippers pick is top-14 protected - so even if CP, Blake and Jordan get hurt, or if Donald Sterling finds a way to buy back the team, we won't get the pick. Here's hoping the Clips limp into the 8 seed.