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Dennis
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Around the League

Post by Dennis »

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With the tradedeadline coming closer and closer many teams are seeking for deals. Especially those stuck in the middle and teams that expected way more than achieved so far. We all know that feeling prior to the season, when the hopes are high. But as soon as we are half way through the season, often the dreams already vanished. No matter if it's the hope for a playoff appearance or the already lost fight for a division title. So let's check out which teams are in most need of a trade to become what they were hoping for.

1. Atlanta Hawks (22-21 / 9th in the East)
The Hawks traded away many very talented players and solid picks for win-now material like former Detroit Center Hassan Whiteside or superstar Dante Exum. While you can't deny that a backcourt of Dante Exum and Damian Lillard might be a top 3 backcourt in the league, they are still struggling to win enough games to make the postseason. But what could be the reason? Looking at the teams current depth chart and stats it appears they aren't a strong defensive minded team. Which is suprising given they have Exum defending opponent wings and Whiteside manning the middle. The reason might be, that next to those two, all others are mainly offensively oriented players. Especially the addition of Chriss brought in another scorer while defense might suffer a bit more.

To Do:
+ Improve defense
+ Give up some offense to get more shots for Exum

Potential Targets:
* KJ McDaniels (Washington)
* Dragan Bender (Houston)
* Moe Harkless (Clippers)

2. Toronto Raptoers (25-21 / 8th in the East)
Mussie return to Toronto witha mission: bring the title to the north. After some shake ups during the beginning of the season that included a trade of former star center DeMarcus Cousins for the Timberwolves guard Dion Waiters. However, it looks like those trades didn't pan out as planned. While their defense looks solid with decent defenders all around, they are struggling to score. Especially from thee point land they are dead last in the league. Tell me more about zoning Orlando, it should work even way better against that Raptors team. Also they are missing a real starting center that can rebound and put up some points. So if they don't want to be a candidate for a first round exit, BlackIce definitely still has a lot of work to do.

To Do:
+ Improve Offense
+ Improve 3pt shooting
+ Improve Center position

Potential Targets:
* Julius Randle (Detroit)
* Kevin Knox (Boston)
* Doug McDermott (Cleveland)
* John Henson (Washington)
* Blake Griffin (Cleveland)

3. Brooklyn Nets (26-20 / 5th in the East)
Let's be realistic here, it is already a big improvement to see the Nets in the hunt for a playoff spot. Who would have thought that prior to the season? However, they have such a good core and deep team, they should be aiming for more than just a playoff spot. And let's be honest.. They have all the resources to get a deal done to become a top 4 candidate. There are only two questions, will Adam be willing to pull the trigger and is there any player available that will get them to the next level? Checking out their team, it is more than obvious that they are missing only one piece: a PG that fits their core. But which type of PG fits them? With Hezonja gone they might need a scoring one. Is that the truth though? Looking at their FG% it might be the better choice to open up more shots for efficient players like Turner, Vaughn, Siakam or Richardson. So a pass first or defense first PG could work even better.

To Do:
+ Improve Scoring
+ Improve PG position
+ Improve FG%

Potential Targets:
* Terry Rozier (Detroit)
* Derrick White (Sacramento)
* David Michineau (Boston)

4. Denver Nuggets (23-21 / 6th in the West)
Myles might already be super happy with the performance of his team. Who would have thought they are already this year in the hunt for a postseason spot? I assume not many did - me neither. But it shows how important a good PG is in this engine. John Wall is leading them. However, it is suprising that their defense is what stops them from being even better. Losing DeAndre Jordan just hurt them and their big man rotation doesnt promise defense. Stone and Stokes are great rebounder, but they just can't defend. So if they are able to find a defensive big that can start over Stone or step in when Marjanovic is out again, they should be even better and could make it to the second round or further.

To Do:
+ Don't start Caruso
+ Improve Defense
+ Add a defensive Big

Potential Targets:
* Aaron Gordon (Boston)
* Myles Turner (Brooklyn)
* Walter Tavares (Washington)
* Dragan Bender (Houston)

5. Utah Jazz (14-31 / Nomansland)
What happened to that strong squad? And what happened to Kevin's willingness to fight for a playoff spot? That team does so poorly, there is only one chance left.. hit the restart button.

To Do:
* tank
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Re: Around the League

Post by Rizzo »

Ahh this was the article you referenced. It was obvious we needed a pass-first PG and if Beverley is what we need in the starting lineup then I’ll toss D’Angelo Russell in the 6th man role to lead the bench mob.
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Re: Around the League

Post by Dennis »

Rizzo wrote: Sun Apr 21, 2019 4:59 pm Ahh this was the article you referenced. It was obvious we needed a pass-first PG and if Beverley is what we need in the starting lineup then I’ll toss D’Angelo Russell in the 6th man role to lead the bench mob.
Haha yeah. I just think there are some better suiting options you could afford when giving up a little more than what you just did. :P
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Re: Around the League

Post by Jestor »

The East Coast bias is real in this article.

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Re: Around the League

Post by Dennis »

Jestor wrote: Sun Apr 21, 2019 5:34 pm The East Coast bias is real in this article.
East stronger and more open. West is just not really close.
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Re: Around the League

Post by KW »

Haha, I wish I was in the east

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Re: Around the League

Post by Dennis »

BizGilwalker wrote: Sun Apr 21, 2019 5:50 pm Haha, I wish I was in the east
Why that
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Re: Around the League

Post by Flaming Homer »

Right on point for the Hawks.
We had talks about Harkless at the beginning of the season, it may be the time to contact Dylan again.
Bender is an interesting idea too.

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Re: Around the League

Post by Dylan »

Flaming Homer wrote: Sun Apr 21, 2019 8:51 pm Right on point for the Hawks.
We had talks about Harkless at the beginning of the season, it may be the time to contact Dylan again.
Bender is an interesting idea too.
;)

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Re: Around the League

Post by KW »

Dennis wrote: Sun Apr 21, 2019 6:34 pm
BizGilwalker wrote: Sun Apr 21, 2019 5:50 pm Haha, I wish I was in the east
Why that
West has the top two teams in the league, and a deeper more competitive middle tier in my opinion

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Re: Around the League

Post by Andrewu91 »

BizGilwalker wrote: Sun Apr 21, 2019 11:22 pm
Dennis wrote: Sun Apr 21, 2019 6:34 pm
BizGilwalker wrote: Sun Apr 21, 2019 5:50 pm Haha, I wish I was in the east
Why that
West has the top two teams in the league, and a deeper more competitive middle tier in my opinion
I mean I did bench my guys for 2-4 games which resulted in a 5 game losing streak. I think the West is three deep but the East is definitely wide open.
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Re: Around the League

Post by Ocons »

I've always said I can't figure this game out. Our struggle makes no sense and some teams that are trash on paper have the best records in the league.

We're not tanking, clearly, but I haven't had time for the league lately. Very open to trades but only receiving mediocre offers at best.

Also fave two heralded GMs full reign to give our roster a shot but they couldn't do any better.

Very strange.
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Re: Around the League

Post by Dennis »

Ocons wrote: Mon Apr 22, 2019 1:43 am I've always said I can't figure this game out. Our struggle makes no sense and some teams that are trash on paper have the best records in the league.

We're not tanking, clearly, but I haven't had time for the league lately. Very open to trades but only receiving mediocre offers at best.

Also fave two heralded GMs full reign to give our roster a shot but they couldn't do any better.

Very strange.
Haha i just wanted to add a 5th team and it yours was the easiest one. It's really shocking that you somehow became a mediocre team. No idea why.
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Re: Around the League

Post by KW »

Replacing both Bogdanovic's and Giannis with Jalen Jones and Fuquan Edwin has a lot to do with it. Didn't like how Utah handled free agency at all.

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Re: Around the League

Post by Ocons »

BizGilwalker wrote: Mon Apr 22, 2019 11:14 am Replacing both Bogdanovic's and Giannis with Jalen Jones and Fuquan Edwin has a lot to do with it. Didn't like how Utah handled free agency at all.
Bojan barely played and Giannis was so inefficient. We did more than just that. Bogdan hurt but we were good with this team before he arrived last year anyway.
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Re: Around the League

Post by Marcos_Beck »

It's a really strange case indeed. But at 14-31, season is pretty much lost already.
Strange because last year's core is pretty much this year's one except for Curry's loss of handle and defense. I mean, 4/5 of the starting group is exactly the same with Cotton, Curry, Dieng and KP. Bamba also came back, and Jones was supposed to gel incredibly well with the starters but it didn't happen somehow, he's a non-factor right now. Basically players Utah really misses are Mudiay and Bogdan, but there's an argument for whether they were able to acquire solid depth to replace them. Seems like Curry dropped too much indeed, and a little bit of defense could be of great use for that team as well. Not much else to say, maybe someone who can defend and shoot to keep defenses honest at SG while keeping the ball at Cotton's hands, IDK, letting KP do his job and a better shooter / scorer at SF as well to complement Cotton and Dieng as starters, plus a potent 6th man scorer, that could be a good foundation for next year. Having 3 1st rounders help, and with yours you can hit on that scoring SF, so get the rest via trade, IDK. This is such a strange case I don't even know what to say of, but quite honestly this year is lost.

EDIT
Something like:

Cotton / backup PG (via draft?) or Treavon Jackson (helps with shooting!)
3&D low usage SG (via draft or trade!) / scoring 6th man
Two-way SF who can shoot (via draft as well) / Jalen Jones
Dieng / Papa
KP / Bamba

Cotton and Dieng would be 31 but as specialists they would still have 2-3 seasons left as top playmaker / defender respectively, so that's nothing to worry about. Also you have 3 1st rounders, assuming Boston is around #30, you still have a lotto first for the SF and a mid teen one for the backup PG (as I'm no Jackson huge fan as a PG). That works, there's enough depth, talent, improved defense, offense, and should give you a good window to replace Cotton and Dieng as they age.
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Re: Around the League

Post by emplep7 »

Great article. I think this could be done for every team to grab a final piece here or there, but I like the focused approach. A lot of teams are scared to make the big splash moves to shake up their roster, which is understandable but I can't see anyone giving up the fair price to make that splash and make a true run. Maybe some small minor moves to potentially grab 1 more win here or there, but not enough to take advantage of the wide open playoffs.
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Re: Around the League

Post by hardenwithnod »

This is an excellent read man, and I agree with most of the sentiments here. However the market is pretty dry, and everyone seems to be pretty content/too afraid to make a drastic move this season. Hopefully we can see a few deals before the trade deadline passes.
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Re: Around the League

Post by bt »

Hawks have talent but as mentioned, defense is lacking. We had a look at Whiteside but beyond being a shot blocker, he's a poor defender and even then, most shot blockers PA/SF is good, great if they're a great shot blocker but Whiteside still allows a point per shot. That's bad and he doesn't really contribute much else.

Lillard isn't ideal but offensively he's good. Need more fit.

The Jazz have enough talent to swing this around in a trade a two. Whether that's now or the off season though, who knows.
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Re: Around the League

Post by blackice »

Very good read Dennis and I'd tend to agree though Crabbe is a decent spacer and Dion Waiters is a one man zone breaker (7.6 3PA on 36 3P%) but you're right the supporting cast outside of them lack the capacity to really space. It's tough, but I think you're underrating our defensive capabilities...we'll see. The East is tougher then it's ever been but I'll take our chances.
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