The too early "Can we make the playoffs next season" Thread

[Calinks]

It's too early to make a concrete judgment but right now, based on reasonable moves, do you guys think we can make the playoffs next season. I think if healthy we can play .50o ish ball with mostly the same roster. That said again the playoffs look to be a really hard push.

GS probably takes a huge leap next year as they should hopefully have a healthy Klay. They could be top 3 team in the west.

Lakers are probably better with some moves and health.

Denver gets Murray back.

Jazz

Memphis probably takes a step forward

Suns still good

Mavericks probably get better

Pelicans should be better too

I could see Blazers falling apart if they have a bad playoffs but probably still in the game.

Thunder, Rockets are probably tanking still. King will be making a push but it could be another building year for them. Spurs may be in tank mode at that point but could be competing.

I don't think we can crack the top 4 unless some major change in talent happens. We might be able to hang with 5-8. I think we could definitely compete for play in position.

Still seems like a tough call to feel comfortably in the playoff position. What do you think?

[winforlose]

It's too early to make a concrete judgment but right now, based on reasonable moves, do you guys think we can make the playoffs next season. I think if healthy we can play .50o ish ball with mostly the same roster. That said again the playoffs look to be a really hard push.

GS probably takes a huge leap next year as they should hopefully have a healthy Klay. They could be top 3 team in the west.

Lakers are probably better with some moves and health.

Denver gets Murray back.

Jazz

Memphis probably takes a step forward

Suns still good

Mavericks probably get better

Pelicans should be better too

I could see Blazers falling apart if they have a bad playoffs but probably still in the game.

Thunder, Rockets are probably tanking still. King will be making a push but it could be another building year for them. Spurs may be in tank mode at that point but could be competing.

I don't think we can crack the top 4 unless some major change in talent happens. We might be able to hang with 5-8. I think we could definitely compete for play in position.

Still seems like a tough call to feel comfortably in the playoff position. What do you think?

Too many variables and not enough constants. Do we keep our pick? Do we trade for a legit starting big? Does Bolmaro actually come over or does he decide to delay another year? Does Finch actually improve our defense with a proper preseason and bringing in new coaches to work with the defense? Does Ant, V8, JO, Nowell, Reid, ect... take a significant step forward in their development? Do we trade Beasley or Rubio, both, neither? This is a good thought, but I cannot begin to answer until at least after the lottery on June 22, and probably not until after the draft on July 29.

[ClarkeW]

You’re right that it’s definitely too early, but...

One thing to remember is that every “young” team (in this case you could include Timberwolves, Grizzlies, Pelicans, Kings) think they’re going to improve every year, just simply due to internal improvement of their own guys. That isn’t a guarantee. So while we should all be in the playoff or play-in mix at the beginning of next year, I’d say it’s likely that at least one of those four teams completely sucks and is tanking for a top pick in the draft by the end of the season.

We also usually see at least one team jump up higher than expected, sometimes seemingly out of nowhere. This year was Phoenix, who finished hot in the bubble last year but I don’t think anyone predicted a #2 seed for them this year. I wouldn’t be surprised if one of the four teams I mentioned above does that next year as well. Or maybe that is Doncic finally taking the Mavericks over the hump and turning them into one of the top 2-3 teams in the west.

Anyways, all I’m saying is that every year throws us a few surprises in terms of the standings. We just need to hope that next year we’re one of the happy ones.

[Dewey]

The answer is clearly YES ... with alot of buts.

Rosas must identify 2-3 players that can fit here and help us address defense, leadership, toughness (without being offensive liabilities). Those glue guys are out there... they are the ticket to the playoffs.

[Calinks]

You’re right that it’s definitely too early, but...

One thing to remember is that every “young” team (in this case you could include Timberwolves, Grizzlies, Pelicans, Kings) think they’re going to improve every year, just simply due to internal improvement of their own guys. That isn’t a guarantee. So while we should all be in the playoff or play-in mix at the beginning of next year, I’d say it’s likely that at least one of those four teams completely sucks and is tanking for a top pick in the draft by the end of the season.

We also usually see at least one team jump up higher than expected, sometimes seemingly out of nowhere. This year was Phoenix, who finished hot in the bubble last year but I don’t think anyone predicted a #2 seed for them this year. I wouldn’t be surprised if one of the four teams I mentioned above does that next year as well. Or maybe that is Doncic finally taking the Mavericks over the hump and turning them into one of the top 2-3 teams in the west.

Anyways, all I’m saying is that every year throws us a few surprises in terms of the standings. We just need to hope that next year we’re one of the happy ones.

Yep every there is a healthy dose of "didn't see that coming." Wouldn't be crazy if one of the top 6 teams this season fell off completely or something. Like one terrible playoff series could cause a team to decide they don't have enough and blow it up.

[_AIJ_]

i hope so. just be healthy

[Klomp]

Can we? Of course.
Will we? Who knows.

I don't think we're that far off.

[Norseman79]

Not only can we, but we also should, barring injuries of course. However, if we do not next year, I expect to see major changes and trades happening again.

[Calinks]

Not only can we, but we also should, barring injuries of course. However, if we do not next year, I expect to see major changes and trades happening again.

Good point. Assuming we lose our pick or hell, actually even keep it, I could see us blowing it up if we have another bad season, particularly healthy. If healthy we aren't close to the playoffs I could see a firesale for KAT/DLO. Then a shift to a rebuild centered around Edwards, McDaniels, and (this years rookie), or a tank to get a top 5 pick in the next draft. That basically pushes our window to be competitive way down and lets Rosas start fresh with cheap contracts.

Us fans of course will have to suffer another multi-year build but at least we will have Edwards to kick it off with.

[Norseman79]

Not only can we, but we also should, barring injuries of course. However, if we do not next year, I expect to see major changes and trades happening again.

Good point. Assuming we lose our pick or hell, actually even keep it, I could see us blowing it up if we have another bad season, particularly healthy. If healthy we aren't close to the playoffs I could see a firesale for KAT/DLO. Then a shift to a rebuild centered around Edwards, McDaniels, and (this years rookie), or a tank to get a top 5 pick in the next draft. That basically pushes our window to be competitive way down and lets Rosas start fresh with cheap contracts.

Us fans of course will have to suffer another multi-year build but at least we will have Edwards to kick it off with.

Not just Edwards, but McDaniels, and either a top 3 rookie this year, or likely one next year. There is just no excuse with 2 max players, the potential rookie of the year, and several other decent pieces to not be in the playoffs.