The Penguin wrote:It's not realistic to expect them to blow it up coming into a new building. They'll run the same group back, blame this year on Reggie's injury, we'll get a lot of fluff quotes about guys being more accountable and we'll get another treadmill year, hoping to be just good enough to get the casual fans to come to the new arena.
Gores, SVG and a good portion of the fanbase aren't willing to Hinkie this thing. Stan knows we aren't winning a title with this core but he knows he won't survive bottoming out. Even if we found a Kwahi or Paul George with our draft pick they'll be chained to the bench for 2 years. Some of us just need to admit and accept that building a championship franchise is not the current goal.
You're absolutely correct. SVG may be generous, but he isn't selfless. He knows Gores will probably ax him next summer unless the team makes a significant leap, and I don't mean limping back into the 8th seed again.
So what are SVG's options this summer?
He doesn't have the assets to fleece a team for a major upgrade. His team perpetually under-achieved this year, everyone's value is relatively bottomed out.
He can't take a step back to make two forward- it will likely cost him his job. Screw team longevity, he needs them checks.
So he has KCP as a RFA, the 12th pick in a 10 player draft, and the mid-level exception to work with for the most part.
I think he matches any offer sheet KCP sign, and then shrugs his shoulders when asked why he's paying him the max and explaining that the brilliant Brooklyn Nets, the masters of overpaying players, "set the market value". We can enjoy paying KCP 25% of our total cap for the next four years while he puts up his usual 15PPG on 42% shooting.
I think SVG seriously looks to trade our 12th pick for a veteran player that's probably a rotation guy off our bench, or sixth man at best. It would be short sighted, but he's going into this summer with only the next 12 months as his concern. Plus, do we really trust SVG to make a smart draft pick? Even so, he won't develop them. He let a 15 PPG 10 rebounds in 20 minute monster sit on the bench for 78 games before realizing how effective he can be.
Basically, do not get your hopes up for any big changes. His back if against a wall (that he formed), and he doesn't have the assets to make any big moves that immediately help this team.