j_n wrote:thelead wrote:RookieStar wrote:
The only way i see us winning 30 games next year is because a lot of teams saw what we did last season and wanna get on the WebTank early.
We were injured a ton. Suggs should play better, Fultz will hopefully play a full season, Franz should improve, JI will hopefully be back and we’re adding the #1 pick. It’s not outrageous to think we’ll see an 8 game improvement if we’re not actively tanking next year.
30 games show be our floor if we don't tank, this team should improve significantly just from having Fultz starting and from trying to win games.
Any combination of internal improvement, a good rookie year for our #1, JI comeback and a good FA signing could make next season very interesting.
I agree...I'm aiming realistically for higher than 30...If not, I'd say it's a total tank job and we'll be seeing a lot of Cole running the offense. I'm shooting for a solid 40, with the growth coming largely from our existing young core, playing the right way and receiving support from vets that want to win, not fighting for their NBA break.
I really hope not - my opinion is not only due to the #1 overall pick.
-We had a LOT of missed games by pivotal starters (Fultz, Isaac), each of them, if healthy, potentially change the nature of our team on each end of the court. Basically, Isaac replacing Bamba in the front court takes us quite a bit further up the defensive rankings.
-We have a LOT of cap space (when few other teams do). If we just hang onto it for next summer, it's a crowded pool. If we focus our FA spending and roster filling on winners rather than G-league tryouts (which made sense last year), expect a boost.
-I'm not betting that Suggs becomes a knock-down shooter, but he is a great defender and a fierce competitor...I think he makes a leap just by learning. His injuries may have been an issue, but I think the game slows down for him next year and his efficiency jumps and turnovers lessen. His problems really look like rookie type uncertainty/adjustment stuff. I see Marcus Smart, so we need a scoring PG if it's to work at a high level. I think Fultz can score 18ppg if our front court and bench shooting improves (Jabari, Harris, vet FA's).
-Cole's no dummy...he'll fight for his minutes and, if the message is efficiency or sit, I think he can improve. His nature is still hero ball but I think he can be better at it, especially as a sixth man. If the Coach and FO are aligned in their vision, and willing to sit ANYBODY who slips in their priorities, we can make progress.
...it largely depends on the FO's goals, I really hope they try to win. Not an all-in short-sighted move like Lavine, but supporting our young guys' growth with solid, heady, 2-way vets who've "been there". I really don't want to hear about next year's draft for a long while.