[Izulde]

I start exploring possible trades and come close to pulling the trigger on a deal for Steven Adams, but I just can't get across the line. What we really need is a 3 point gunner wing who won't cost us a ton in assets. And then I find one, but it requires a second move to get under the payroll budget.

Charlotte Hornets send
Malik Monk
Dwayne Bacon

Brooklyn Nets send
Joe Harris

Charlotte Hornets send
Bismack Biyombo
Minnesota Timberwolves 2020 2nd round pick
Minnesota Timberwolves 2021 2nd round pick

Denver Nuggets send
Mason Plumlee

Analysis for Nets
Monk has regressed this season, but he's still just 21, and Brooklyn will use the rest of his rookie deal to see if they can help him become what he's capable of. Bacon's ball-secure, but is just here to make the finances work. They'll each see time in the rotation, though neither one is special.

Analysis for Nuggets
Second trade between Denver and Charlotte. The first one has worked out exceptionally well for the Hornets - Monte Morris and Gary Harris are both starters for the East's most surprisingly respectable team. The Nuggets have been a disappointment at 14-22, and they're essentially banking on clearing cap and accumulating picks assets to have money to burn in the offseason, where they'll try and lure the right talent to put next to Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.

Analysis for Hornets
None of the players dealt were key pieces for Charlotte. Yes, Monk saw considerable minutes, but was inconsistent and just not a very good player. Harris brings a 3 point boomstick that will help open up the game much more. He's not shabby on the defensive end, either. He'll take over as the starting SG from the Nicolas Batum/Gary Harris duo, with both players getting plentiful minutes on the wings. Plumlee is 34, but still brings ferocious defense and quality shooting inside. He'll take over all the backup 5 minutes and ease some of the pressure on Nerlens Noel.

Between Cody Zeller, Mason Plumlee, and Nerlens Noel, all of whom rate as 74 or 75 on a 100 point scale on defense by our scouts in the paint, and Nicolas Batum, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, and Gary Harris (74, 74, 81 out of 100 on defense on the perimeter), the already nasty defensive team we built has just gotten that much tougher. Kadeem Allen now also gets all the backup PG minutes to himself, though we could use a third-stringer.

David Stockton is signed from the D-League to provide just that cover, making us literally $100k away from our player budget limit.

We lose to the Kings and Lakers on the road, which isn't a surprise. 1-a lot of losses on that West road trip. Homecoming is a nice celebration as we knock off the Mavericks 99-88. Cody Zeller leads the charge with 21 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, a block, and a steal. Nerlens Noel got banged up during the West journey and comes back with mission-minded - 14 points, 10 rebounds, a block off the bench. Monte Morris scored 22 himself.

Monte Morris and Mason Plumlee must have had some beef while they were in Denver, because they get into a nasty shoving match over a game of Madden. It's like uh, okay, sure guys. You do you as long as we win. Your $14 million contract is going out the door anyway this summer, Mason.

That win against the Mavs was damn costly. Kenneth Faried broke his wrist and is out over a month. ...Yeah. That's our team heart and soul - our leading scorer and rebounder who just got put on ice. In his wake, Nerlens Noel takes over at PF and Caleb Martin, who I still really like, is going to be the backup. The better of the UNR (ugh) Bros has been playing a hybrid forward role for us anyway.

As if this wasn't enough, we're hosting two genuinely good West teams on back-to-back nights - the Jazz and the Thunder. We don't even break 78 points in either loss. F.

Gary Harris and Caleb Martin both get knocked out with injuries, but we rediscover our offense in a 108-94 road win over the Pistons. Joe Harris scores 25 with 6 rebounds and a steal, Cody Zeller hangs 18 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks, Nicolas Batum returns to the lineup for 20 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds, and Monte Morris produces 18 points with 7 boards. Weird flex for a PG, but sure, I'll take it.

With Bradley Beal playing bench minutes due to an injury, it's no surprise we treat the Wizards to a good old-fashioned 111-83 beatdown. Cody Zeller scores 21 with 13 rebounds, a steal, and 2 blocks, Nerlens Noel just misses the double-double with 19 and 8, Monte Morris scores 20, and Mason Plumlee is his own DD-near miss with 9 points, 9 boards, and a block to lead our second team.

Weird 102-85 home win over the Heat. Kadeem Allen mauls Miami from the bench for 23 points, 4 assists, and a steal to win PotG honors. Caleb Martin scores 11 with 2 steals and a block to be another great reserve. Monte Morris was our high scoring starter with 19. Andrew Wiggins was everywhere with 12 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, and a block.

Kings crush us, just when we were starting to get back in sniffing distance of .500. But then 20 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and a steal gets Andrew Wiggins Player of the Game nod in a tight 109-100 win over the post-AD Pelicans. Joe Harris scores 17 from the bench and Kadeem Allen is right behind him with 16 points and 5 rebounds and assists each.

I hate back-to-backs. On the front end, it's 97-76 laugher over Atlanta as Joe Harris is 7 of 8 from 3 point range for 23 points and Player of the Game. 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals on ugly shooting off the bench for Gary Harris, while Caleb Martin has the same ugly 5 for 15 for 14 points, 1 steal, and 2 blocks. Good guy bench shooting is David Stockton for 13. The back end was in Miami. Cody Zeller held out as a Coaches' DNP with injury, but Monte Morris takes over with 16 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds and a steal, Andrew Wiggins our lead scorer with 17 points and a block as we escape with a thrilling, nail-destroying 97-95 win to get to .500!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our joy at equality is short-lived, because Andrew Wiggins goes down with a toe injury and the Pacers handle us neatly in Indiana. And Atlanta dumps us right back where we started the month, 88-97. Hard to win when Wiggins, Zeller, and Faried are all out at the same damn time.

On the bright side, we had a .500 month despite all the injuries, and we've a 4 game lead in the Southeast. If the playoff seeding was open (rather than #4 with HC disadvantage), we're tied for the 7th seed, literally .001 away from the 6th seed. Yeah, the bottom of the East is trash. But we're a scrappy outfit even if our total talent is far less than a lot of other teams. And as long as we get to the playoffs, Air Mike should be happy, right?

...Right? I mean, it's been 2016 since they made it!