Re: Roll The Dice - A Las Vegas Dynasty
WINNERS
Las Vegas Dice
Though they didn't make any major splash on the free agent market, re-signing Devin Booker was huge for the franchise. They also drafted Mamadi Diakite and gave SG Josh Okogie (21, 69 overall) a chance. He went undrafted last year, but could still have great potential. He’ll be sent to the G-league to further develop on a 1+1 year (Team Option) deal.
Vegas undoubtedly has one of the most talented young teams in the league, their oldest player being just 26. The foundations for a great future are certainly there.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Jeff Teague - Jimmy Buckets - Andrew Wiggins - Kenneth Faried - Karl-Anthony Towns. That's a pretty rad starting five, right?
The Wolves managed to keep their core together over the summer and should be a play-offs lock. Butler is entering his 30's though and Towns and Wiggins are reaching their primes, so the Wolves should be all in on winning now.
Golden State Warriors
Losing Jordan Bell - he took the big money the Warriors couldn't offer him in Sacramento - for the future was a bitter pill to swallow. But the Warriors are all in now anyways.
Everyone expected (or was hoping for) Klay Thompson to bolt. But why would he? GS just won their third consecutive title after appearing in 5 straight NBA Finals (of which they won 4 in total), and nothing seems to be slowing them down. They've got at least another 3 years of prime Curry, Durant and Klay on the books. Supposing D. Green stays, the Warriors dynasty is here to stay.
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls’ young squad did a lot better than many had expected last season, even making the play-offs. Enough leverage for front office to persuade George Hill to sign and do what he was promised in Sacramento: guide and mentor this young squad to play-off contention.
Bobby Portis also re-upped on a budget friendly deal. The Bulls look to be back in business.
Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee urgently needs to step up their game and shift to win-now mode. The East is there for the taking and Jabari Parker and the Greek Freak are entering their prime years.
Darren Collison and Demarre Carrol are solid pick-ups. Whether or not Collison/Brogdon are the answer at point guard is still a question mark. But the Bucks’ cap situation provides very little flexibility in free agency. Hellooo trade market …?!
Charlotte Hornets
Re-signing Kemba Walker alone puts them on this list. Charlotte took a gamble, letting him become a free agent. But very few teams had the necessary cap space to lure him away + the Hornets are still in play-off contention and Kemba loves Charlotte.
However, they look far from built to win the East. If you’re going to commit 30+ million a year for a superstar point guard in his prime, you have to make some more moves if you want to keep him happy.
San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio bounced back rather well after seeing three legends (P. Gasol, T. Parker & D. Wade) retire all at once. They managed to clear enough cap space to re-sign L. Aldridge, K. Leonard AND persuaded Jahlil Okafor to commit his future to SA for less than 20 million.
The Spurs are one of the few teams that still believe in traditional big men and know how to use them properly. Under Greg Popovich’s wings, former top 3 draft pick Okafor might finally blossom into a star again.
Sacramento Kings
The Kings deem their youth developed enough to let them steer the ship on their own. They let go of veterans George Hill, Zach Randolph and others. Instead, they pulled of one of the better heists of the off-season: they lured Golden State’s young stud away from Oakland to sign a 3 year 35 million dollar offer sheet.
He’ll fit right in with a talented young core of De’Aaron Fox, Michael Porter Jr, Labissiere and Bogdanovic. Marcus Morris is the only veteran joining the team, in pursuit of a play-off berth.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers missed out on past free agency periods, but they made a solid pick-up this summer. In need of a big man, they persuaded Jonas Valenciunas to come play in Hollywood. Re-signing Larry Nance Jr. was phase 2.
Lonzo Ball - just 21 - has already turned into one of the league’s best point guards. Does he have enough talent around him to take the Lakers back to the promised land …?
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavs weren’t expected to be anything more than mediocre after Dirk left. Yet they surprised everyone by storming to the play-offs in the competitive Western Conference, even upsetting OKC and making it to the 2nd round. Until Derrick Rose dislocated his patella and his (and their) season was over.
Rose (still injured) wasn’t re-signed. Instead, G-league revelation, Trey Burke, kicked his NBA career back in full swing and earned himself a nice payday with Dallas for the next 3 seasons. Dallas also managed to clear enough cap space to sign Marcus Morris, UFA Nick Stauskas (took qualifying offer in Philly) and re-sign H. Barnes. Can this team keep up that level of play again?
Miami Heat
The Heat have an interesting situation right now. They have a smooth mix of young and veteran talent. Locking up Mudiay, Vaughn and Winslow for the future is big time since the Heat barely have any picks. Miami made the play-offs last year and looks to compete again with the pieces they have. Should their season go South, Goran Dragic and Tyler Johnson (both in their contract years) look like prime trade candidates who could be shipped elsewhere.
Toronto Raptors
Looks like Marc Gasol will be riding out his career in Canada after getting a taste of last year's NBA Finals. The Raptors return with the same core, albeit some minor tweaks to the roster. Can they return to a 3rd straight finals appearance and overcome Golden State ...?
LOSERS
Philadelphia 76ers
The Sixers had 20+ million in cap space to spend this summer. The pieces that really fit their future just weren’t there. Not that they really needed it though. Philly is already starting to dominate in the East, and they are still extremely young (and talented).
Moving off one small/mid level contract will be enough to clear cap space necessary should they want to pursue an elite free agent in next year’s FA class.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland’s situation is pretty worrysome right now. Their payroll leaves them zero cap flexibility. And while they are still a team to be reckoned with, they no longer dominate the East. LeBron (34) is still the best player in the world and he still wants to win. Wesley Matthews and Wesley Johnson were solid pick-ups, but the Cavs likely have to make some more moves if they want to give LeBron another title before he retires. But are there any takers for aging All Stars like Kevin Love right now ...?
OKC Thunder
The Thunder really did nothing meaningful this summer outside of re-signing Amir Johnson and getting some youth in Josh Hart and Ron Baker. Their payroll simply didn't allow them to.
The Thunder have been solid in past regular seasons, but a first round exit (vs Dallas!!) last year was utterly disappointing. OKC might be a team to watch on the trade market coming season.
Detroit Pistons
The Pistons have been horrible the past 3 seasons. And if you look at their roster, they shouldn't be this bad. Jackson, Drummond and Harris are nearing 30. If things don't work out this season, it might be time for Detroit to rethink their future and rebuild around R.J. Barret ...?
LA Clippers
What are the Clippers doing?? Like ... really?!
Their payroll is stacked with bad contracts right now.
On paper this may be a play-off squad, but arguably nothing more than that.
Competition in the West is though. It may be time for LAC management to come to terms with themselves and embrace the rebuild.
Notable coaching changes
Luke Walton becomes HC of Portland Trail Blazers
David Fizdale re-signs w/ Lakers
Wolves re-sign T. Thibodeau
Pelicans hire Logan White as HC
Knicks re-sign J. Hornacek
Bulls re-sign Fred Hoiberg
Grizzlies hire Nate Bamberger to start rebuild
P.s.: Welcome back everyone! Thanks for following along and happy holidays to you!
2019 FREE AGENCY RECAP
An overview of the biggest winners and losers of the off-season:
WINNERS
Las Vegas Dice
Though they didn't make any major splash on the free agent market, re-signing Devin Booker was huge for the franchise. They also drafted Mamadi Diakite and gave SG Josh Okogie (21, 69 overall) a chance. He went undrafted last year, but could still have great potential. He’ll be sent to the G-league to further develop on a 1+1 year (Team Option) deal.
Vegas undoubtedly has one of the most talented young teams in the league, their oldest player being just 26. The foundations for a great future are certainly there.
Spoiler
Minnesota Timberwolves
Jeff Teague - Jimmy Buckets - Andrew Wiggins - Kenneth Faried - Karl-Anthony Towns. That's a pretty rad starting five, right?
The Wolves managed to keep their core together over the summer and should be a play-offs lock. Butler is entering his 30's though and Towns and Wiggins are reaching their primes, so the Wolves should be all in on winning now.
Spoiler
Golden State Warriors
Losing Jordan Bell - he took the big money the Warriors couldn't offer him in Sacramento - for the future was a bitter pill to swallow. But the Warriors are all in now anyways.
Everyone expected (or was hoping for) Klay Thompson to bolt. But why would he? GS just won their third consecutive title after appearing in 5 straight NBA Finals (of which they won 4 in total), and nothing seems to be slowing them down. They've got at least another 3 years of prime Curry, Durant and Klay on the books. Supposing D. Green stays, the Warriors dynasty is here to stay.
Spoiler
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls’ young squad did a lot better than many had expected last season, even making the play-offs. Enough leverage for front office to persuade George Hill to sign and do what he was promised in Sacramento: guide and mentor this young squad to play-off contention.
Bobby Portis also re-upped on a budget friendly deal. The Bulls look to be back in business.
Spoiler
Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee urgently needs to step up their game and shift to win-now mode. The East is there for the taking and Jabari Parker and the Greek Freak are entering their prime years.
Darren Collison and Demarre Carrol are solid pick-ups. Whether or not Collison/Brogdon are the answer at point guard is still a question mark. But the Bucks’ cap situation provides very little flexibility in free agency. Hellooo trade market …?!
Spoiler
Charlotte Hornets
Re-signing Kemba Walker alone puts them on this list. Charlotte took a gamble, letting him become a free agent. But very few teams had the necessary cap space to lure him away + the Hornets are still in play-off contention and Kemba loves Charlotte.
However, they look far from built to win the East. If you’re going to commit 30+ million a year for a superstar point guard in his prime, you have to make some more moves if you want to keep him happy.
Spoiler
San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio bounced back rather well after seeing three legends (P. Gasol, T. Parker & D. Wade) retire all at once. They managed to clear enough cap space to re-sign L. Aldridge, K. Leonard AND persuaded Jahlil Okafor to commit his future to SA for less than 20 million.
The Spurs are one of the few teams that still believe in traditional big men and know how to use them properly. Under Greg Popovich’s wings, former top 3 draft pick Okafor might finally blossom into a star again.
Spoiler
Sacramento Kings
The Kings deem their youth developed enough to let them steer the ship on their own. They let go of veterans George Hill, Zach Randolph and others. Instead, they pulled of one of the better heists of the off-season: they lured Golden State’s young stud away from Oakland to sign a 3 year 35 million dollar offer sheet.
He’ll fit right in with a talented young core of De’Aaron Fox, Michael Porter Jr, Labissiere and Bogdanovic. Marcus Morris is the only veteran joining the team, in pursuit of a play-off berth.
Spoiler
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers missed out on past free agency periods, but they made a solid pick-up this summer. In need of a big man, they persuaded Jonas Valenciunas to come play in Hollywood. Re-signing Larry Nance Jr. was phase 2.
Lonzo Ball - just 21 - has already turned into one of the league’s best point guards. Does he have enough talent around him to take the Lakers back to the promised land …?
Spoiler
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavs weren’t expected to be anything more than mediocre after Dirk left. Yet they surprised everyone by storming to the play-offs in the competitive Western Conference, even upsetting OKC and making it to the 2nd round. Until Derrick Rose dislocated his patella and his (and their) season was over.
Rose (still injured) wasn’t re-signed. Instead, G-league revelation, Trey Burke, kicked his NBA career back in full swing and earned himself a nice payday with Dallas for the next 3 seasons. Dallas also managed to clear enough cap space to sign Marcus Morris, UFA Nick Stauskas (took qualifying offer in Philly) and re-sign H. Barnes. Can this team keep up that level of play again?
Spoiler
Miami Heat
The Heat have an interesting situation right now. They have a smooth mix of young and veteran talent. Locking up Mudiay, Vaughn and Winslow for the future is big time since the Heat barely have any picks. Miami made the play-offs last year and looks to compete again with the pieces they have. Should their season go South, Goran Dragic and Tyler Johnson (both in their contract years) look like prime trade candidates who could be shipped elsewhere.
Spoiler
Toronto Raptors
Looks like Marc Gasol will be riding out his career in Canada after getting a taste of last year's NBA Finals. The Raptors return with the same core, albeit some minor tweaks to the roster. Can they return to a 3rd straight finals appearance and overcome Golden State ...?
Spoiler
LOSERS
Philadelphia 76ers
The Sixers had 20+ million in cap space to spend this summer. The pieces that really fit their future just weren’t there. Not that they really needed it though. Philly is already starting to dominate in the East, and they are still extremely young (and talented).
Moving off one small/mid level contract will be enough to clear cap space necessary should they want to pursue an elite free agent in next year’s FA class.
Spoiler
Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland’s situation is pretty worrysome right now. Their payroll leaves them zero cap flexibility. And while they are still a team to be reckoned with, they no longer dominate the East. LeBron (34) is still the best player in the world and he still wants to win. Wesley Matthews and Wesley Johnson were solid pick-ups, but the Cavs likely have to make some more moves if they want to give LeBron another title before he retires. But are there any takers for aging All Stars like Kevin Love right now ...?
Spoiler
OKC Thunder
The Thunder really did nothing meaningful this summer outside of re-signing Amir Johnson and getting some youth in Josh Hart and Ron Baker. Their payroll simply didn't allow them to.
The Thunder have been solid in past regular seasons, but a first round exit (vs Dallas!!) last year was utterly disappointing. OKC might be a team to watch on the trade market coming season.
Spoiler
Detroit Pistons
The Pistons have been horrible the past 3 seasons. And if you look at their roster, they shouldn't be this bad. Jackson, Drummond and Harris are nearing 30. If things don't work out this season, it might be time for Detroit to rethink their future and rebuild around R.J. Barret ...?
Spoiler
LA Clippers
What are the Clippers doing?? Like ... really?!
Their payroll is stacked with bad contracts right now.
On paper this may be a play-off squad, but arguably nothing more than that.
Competition in the West is though. It may be time for LAC management to come to terms with themselves and embrace the rebuild.
Spoiler
Notable coaching changes
Luke Walton becomes HC of Portland Trail Blazers
David Fizdale re-signs w/ Lakers
Wolves re-sign T. Thibodeau
Pelicans hire Logan White as HC
Knicks re-sign J. Hornacek
Bulls re-sign Fred Hoiberg
Grizzlies hire Nate Bamberger to start rebuild
P.s.: Welcome back everyone! Thanks for following along and happy holidays to you!
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