Mid-to-Late Season Report
Feb 18, 2020 23:54:33 GMT 2
Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, and 7 more like this
Post by Portland TrailBlazers on Feb 18, 2020 23:54:33 GMT 2
Rankings based on current standings and title odds are given only for playoffs contenders.
Golden State Warriors:
Please don’t wake me up, I’m punting the season! Warriors is a sleeping giant or a charming queen? Next season will say for sure as the core of KD, Klay, Kristaps, Nance and Collins is solid, yet the roster has some holes bigger than Collin Sexton’s game! Some sell-high opportunities might have gone by this year in a trade market that seemed to be thirsty for any kind of junk. Terrance Ferguson is a hold? Really? And Ariza is going to be playing 30 minutes per game next year? What are the odds? NBA draft this summer seems to be full of point guards but hey, did anyone say to Golden State that the rookie contract for the first few picks is between $5-8 million?
No money left so I guess it’s time to start the #FreeNance movement!
ACTIVITY LEVEL: F
TRADE EXPECTATIONS: MOSTLY REASONABLE YET ONLY AN OBSERVER
STRATEGIC PLANNING: B-
Boston Celtics:
Kudos to Boston for taking the time to quickly eliminate some bad contracts and enter the upcoming offseason with $50+ million, Tatum, the unofficial fantasy MVP of the year, Jonathan Isaac and a high pick. The question is, can he lure some of the big time free agents or is he gonna regret the firesale? And how about the albatross contract of Clint Capela? Is his move to Atlanta, playing next to John Collins, a good or bad thing for his value? Lots of questions but at least the 20 year plan is in place with Sekou Doumbouya!
ACTIVITY LEVEL: A-
TRADE EXPECTATIONS: REASONABLE AND OPEN TO LISTENING
STRATEGIC PLANNING: B+
Sacramento Kings:
The slowest rebuild in the history of rebuilds taking place in Sacramento with some random gems popping up every year (hello Devonte Graham and Terrence Davis!). We are pretty sure at this point that the Kings will wait for everyone to run out of money, then spend a dime. RFA season this summer will be interesting with BB8 and Levert looking to get paid. Another high lottery pick in the horizon and if all pieces come together this squad could be doing something special as soon as next year!
ACTIVITY LEVEL: C+
TRADE EXPECTATIONS: A SHARK WAITING TO EAT YOU ALIVE!!
STRATEGIC PLANNING: A-
Chicago Cosa Nostra:
It’s always good to be able to adjust your plan according to the circumstances and Chicago was quick to move on from an expensive PG contract that didn’t guarantee anything than lesser financial flexibility in the future. Getting Dray was also a bargain deal (with his UFA rights in place) and Steven Adams seems to be having a down year only because of injuries. Chicago is now playing for ping pong balls with a young core in place and $60m to spend, this looks like one of the best turnarounds in the league and we might be looking at another contender next year! That is as long as you stop with the Kris Dunn joke, alright?
ACTIVITY LEVEL: A
TRADE EXPECTATIONS: WITHIN REASONABLE BORDERS, SOMEHOW HESITANT TO MOVE PICKS
STRATEGIC PLANNING: A
Atlanta Hawks:
The fantasy gods were good with Atlanta after a disastrous season by a manger who went all in during the offseason and set up their team for the next 4-5 years with big time contracts to some well-proven veterans. Reality proved to be different but a quick turnaround seems to be in the horizon as Zion is the real deal (if he can stay healthy of course). In the middle of a transitional period though, Atlanta hard-capped themselves with the PG contract and with only some $10m in the upcoming offseason, another firesale might be coming or the amnesty clause will be exercised. Remember kids, first round picks bring the hype but also am expensive bill!! I am somehow jealous of not owning CP3 this year as he offered the all-time-high sell high opportunity and it’s really up on the air whether he is able to repeat a season like this next year.
ACTIVITY LEVEL: B+
TRADE EXPECTATIONS: NEGOTIATES LIKE A JEW BUT HAS SHOWN THE ABILITY TO TAKE RISKS
STRATEGIC PLANNING: C+
Phoenix Suns:
I get the impression that Phoenix is desperate to compete but somehow all the pieces haven’t fallen together just yet. Oladipo is back but it’s too late to make a push for the playoffs, Booker is having an All-Star Season and WCS might start for the Mavs but not this year as he is learning the system. AG seems to have regressed, All-Star Bam Adebayo has steamrolled Kelly Olynyk in Miami and with not much financial flexibility, the Suns might have to look at more trades in order to become relevant again. Oh and how about the Luka Samanic G League stats huh?
ACTIVITY LEVEL: C-
TRADE EXPECTATIONS: KNOWS HIS SHIT AND USUALLY ABLE TO EXECUTE DEALS
STRATEGIC PLANNING: C-
Philadelphia Kobes:
Ilker is an A+ manager but this league has been pretty much a black hole for him, inheriting a tremendous roster but ending up with a bucket full of nothing after a couple years. Reality has finally checked in and a firesale/quick rebuild has started ensuing that no money is needed to resign any free agents. So what’s the long-term planning here? No one can tell, even Philadelphia themselves, but one thing is for sure, more trades and trade offers are coming, the Empire will strike back!
ACTIVITY LEVEL: A-
TRADE EXPECTATIONS: THE TRADE DOCTOR WILL COME KNOCK YOUR DOOR EVEN WHEN YOU ARE SLEEPING
STRATEGIC PLANNING: D
San Antonio Spurs:
Back-to-back disappointing seasons by San Antonio since this was another ready-to-compete squad targeting the playoffs at a minimum. The Zion sweepstakes didn’t pan out, the Blake Griffin experiment turned out to be a disaster, Dario Saric is a victim of small-ball in Phoenix and RJ Barrett is just alright so San Antonio looks to be stuck in no man’s land. Some financial maneuvering has manufactured financial flexibility and if Drummond gets opted-out and Griffin is sent home packing with the amnesty, San Antonio could very well be a player in the open market.
ACTIVITY LEVEL: A+
TRADE EXPECTATIONS: ONE OF THE BEST MANAGERS TO DEAL WITH, REASONABLE, PROMPT AND RESPONSIVE
STRATEGIC PLANNING: C-
Los Angeles Clippers:
The issue here is pretty clear, roster imbalance, but the manager has been looking at the “It’s fine meme” all season long! No it’s not fine, the lack of bigs has hurt your team, Justise Winslow is not the lord-savior, Dwight Powell was a sell-high candidate until he got injured, playoffs are most likely a pipe dream and the money is super tight this summer so things are not looking that good for one of the teams that came into the season looking like a contender. Hey, at least I have to congratulate you for the most disgusting assemble of centers in the entire fantasy Community with Taj Gibson, Damian Jones, Boban, #FreeWilly and the UniKornett!
ACTIVITY LEVEL: B-
TRADE EXPECTATIONS: HESITANT TO PULL THE TRIGGER
STRATEGIC PLANNING: C
Houston Rockets:
Sure, expectations were high coming into the season after securing KAT, one of the most durable players in fantasy basketball, but the league has by now realized that Houston is not playing for himself, he is simply behind all the champs. 2 years ago it was him who passed the torch to Portland with James Harden and this year it’s him again who gifts Christian Wood to Indiana, making him a hands-down prime time contender. Shake Milton, Luguentz Dort, Dylan Windler and Darius Bazley are making sure to keep the 2050 project alive but I gotta congratulate Houston for owning his mistakes and being quick to adjust his strategic planning. But seriously, can someone pls explain to him that bidding crazy amounts to in-season FAs doesn’t mean that he is earning his UFA rights?
ACTIVITY LEVEL: A+
TRADE EXPECTATIONS: OPEN TO DEAL AND GENEROUS AT TIMES
STRATEGIC PLANNING: A-
Minnesota Wolves:
Minnesota looks like the Orlando Magic of the last few years, stuck in the middle with nowhere to go, good to compete for the playoffs but not a top tier team. Gary Harris might have one of the worst contracts in our league and all bets are in for who gets amnestied this summer. After another quick fire-sale with Dejounte Murray it’s pretty clear to me that Minnesota believes that his budget is the league is real, not fake, money!, Dear Minnesota, please embrace the tank, I promise it’s fun and it might lead to better results than the ones you have now, just look at the Memphis Grizzlies this year and hey at least you got one of the pieces in Brandon Clarke who seems untouchable!
ACTIVITY LEVEL: A
TRADE EXPECTATIONS: ON THE JEW SIDE BUT ALSO GENEROUS AT TIMES
STRATEGIC PLANNING: B-
Utah DarkJazz:
The vomiting committee of point guards in IT, Rondo, Jevon Carter and Ky Bowman is one for the ages and why the hell did you waive Reggie Jackson about a week before he came back from his injury? (Portland says thank you)
Long story short, Utah is struggling for years from a common virus called “Kleftokotiasis”, defined as the urge to pick up any new sexy guy in fantasy regardless of his expected value. It’s not a lethal virus per se as there are some highs (Dillon Brooks, Kevin Porter) and some lows (Admiral Schofield, Ky Bowman) but the issue is that is epidemic and after a few years it creates a roster full of rookies, not a recipe for success right?
Also, can you please change your name to Utah “NOTGONNATRADEWITHYA”?
ACTIVITY LEVEL: C
TRADE EXPECTATIONS: A GHOST
STRATEGIC PLANNING: C+
CROWN ODDS: 500/1
Brooklyn Nets:
Brooklyn has shown the ability to assemble a respectable roster capable of making the playoffs but we are still trying to figure out the purpose of all the wheeling and dealing. Some bargain contracts (Rozier), some bad contracts (J-Rich), some upside kangaroo contracts (Mo Bamba) and Boogie Cousins, who is not in the NBA anymore as far as I know..Still waiting for the upside of Bagley, Poeltl and Allen to materialize into fantasy gold, while some crafty deals at the end of the deadline made sure the organization has plenty of money to spend. AND WHY DO YOU KEEP GIVING THIS GUY PLAYERS LIKE DEJOUNTE MURRAY for pennies on the dollar??
ACTIVITY LEVEL: A
TRADE EXPECTATIONS: THE TERM WIN-WIN DOESN’S APPLY HERE AS BROOKLYN DOES A DEAL ONLY IF HE GETS WHAT EXACTLY WANTS
STRATEGIC PLANNING: B-
CROWN ODDS: 300/1
New Orleans Pelicans:
New Orleans is quietly having a very nice season after heavy expectations coming into the year and it still remains a team poised to compete short term and in the long term. Daniel “Theis Theis” Baby is one of the surprises of the season, Marquese Chriss is rejuvenated and the late additions of Joe Harris and J.J. Redick add more firepower to a loaded squad. With a pile of assets someone would think that Pelicans would have gone all in this season but there is really no reason to do so and the “load management” of Bradley Beal and AD will likely determine how deep this team advances.
ACTIVITY LEVEL: A-
TRADE EXPECTATIONS: PELICANS IS WHAT YOU GET WHEN YOU CLONE A SHARK AND A JEW
STRATEGIC PLANNING: A
CROWN ODDS: 3/1
Los Angeles Lakers:
So what are the Lakers actually doing over here, up in the ranks, with Steph and John Wall our for most of the season? Some luck (Eric Paschall), a couple resurrected dead bodies in Lonzo and Hassan, Ibaka playing for a new contract and the rookie of the year ladies and gentlemen, Ja Morant. The funny thing is that Los Angeles held to its assets instead of selling high, with the hope that a return of Curry will help him contend..Is that so? Not really, and he looks locked and loaded for a first round sweep. There is a core on this roster but with a considerable age discrepancy and with no money to spend it looks almost certain that MVP Stephen Curry will continue to be the WHORE of our league!
ACTIVITY LEVEL: B+
TRADE EXPECTATIONS: ALWAYS OPEN TO DISCUSSING
STRATEGIC PLANNING: B-
CROWN ODDS: 250/1
Milwaukee Bucks:
Milwaukee has been pretty much on cruise control this year after inheriting a ready to compete squad and making some minor adjustments in the off-season. Myles Turner is not one of them but Richaun Holmes is my fantasy MVP of the year (even though he has proven to be fragile) while PJ Washington and Derick Jones Jr. have been nice pick ups. The diminished role of Kyle Kuzma and the danger of multiple rest days for LeBron and Giannis during the fantasy playoffs put the entire operation on thin ice, especially since there were no moves made to get rid of the dead rats and replace them with guys that at least are playing! Tough summer ahead also with Pascal Siakam getting ready to get PAID so again, it’s now or never Milwaukee!
ACTIVITY LEVEL: B-
TRADE EXPECTATIONS: KNOWS WHAT HE WANTS BUT REMAINS CONSERVATIVE IN GENERAL
STRATEGIC PLANNING: B
CROWN ODDS: 20/1
Portland JailBlazers:
The reigning champion of our league is ready to defend his trophy and find out whether the fantasy gods are still with him and ready to gift him with the superpowers of Alex Caruso. Yeah, Caruso is gone but reinforcements are in place after heavy late-season activity and the acquisition of All-Star Domas Sabonis. This is another strong squad that will simply wait for all the pieces to come together at the right time while free agency looks to be interesting with literally zero money left in the bank. Can I get a loan pls?
ACTIVITY LEVEL: A
TRADE EXPECTATIONS: HE IS GONNA MAKE YOU AN OFFER YOU CANT REFUSE
STRATEGIC PLANNING: B+
CROWN ODDS: 50/1
Indiana Pacers:
What looked like a pretty miserable squad coming into the season and overpaying Nic Batum, WCS, DJ and Dwight has turned out to be one of, if not the main, contender in our league, in what looks to be a do or die situation! CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram and Christian Wood are MVP additions that are tough to get during the season so the only question is whether Derrick Rose- a prime sell-high candidate-will be healthy enough to contribute at the end of the season. Long-term planning seems to be questionable but hey, who needs that when you can sign Trey Burke and come back at it again??!
ACTIVITY LEVEL: A+
TRADE EXPECTATIONS: AN ALL-STAR IN TRADING, TAKING THE REINS FROM ILKER THIS YEAR
STRATEGIC PLANNING: C+
CROWN ODDS: 11/4
Miami Heat:
The Luka sensation has turned into Luka madness and Miami is going ALL IN this year after an offseason where he had to overpay Kemba and sign some scraps. The Dewayne Dedmon and Enes Kanter contracts are hard to swallow and Otto Porter might be the wild card but it seems likely that the fate of this squad will be depending on the health of Luka and Favors. Ben Simmons has been a great pickup that guarantees the longevity of the organization and it seems that it’s always sunny In Philadelphi...oops Miami?
ACTIVITY LEVEL: A
TRADE EXPECTATIONS: ACTIVE AND DETERMINED TO MAKE A DEAL AT ANY COST
STRATEGIC PLANNING: A
CROWN ODDS: 20/1
Denver Nuggets:
Denver has been a pleasant surprise, capitalizing on last year’s rififi that landed him Bam Adebayo and Zach Lavine. Clearly a roster with not any flaws and a lot of gambles that have panned out while Loukas didn’t even hesitate to trade away his favorite guy, Jonathan Isaac, for the chance to get a shot at the trophy! As for the big picture, the Hernangomez brothers have been replaced by the future twin towers, Bol Bol and Thon Maker and they GOT NEXT!
ACTIVITY LEVEL: A+
TRADE EXPECTATIONS: FOLLOWS THE PATTERN “I’M GONNA LOWBALL YOU UNTIL YOU CAVE”
STRATEGIC PLANNING: A-
CROWN ODDS: 9/4
Golden State Warriors:
Please don’t wake me up, I’m punting the season! Warriors is a sleeping giant or a charming queen? Next season will say for sure as the core of KD, Klay, Kristaps, Nance and Collins is solid, yet the roster has some holes bigger than Collin Sexton’s game! Some sell-high opportunities might have gone by this year in a trade market that seemed to be thirsty for any kind of junk. Terrance Ferguson is a hold? Really? And Ariza is going to be playing 30 minutes per game next year? What are the odds? NBA draft this summer seems to be full of point guards but hey, did anyone say to Golden State that the rookie contract for the first few picks is between $5-8 million?
No money left so I guess it’s time to start the #FreeNance movement!
ACTIVITY LEVEL: F
TRADE EXPECTATIONS: MOSTLY REASONABLE YET ONLY AN OBSERVER
STRATEGIC PLANNING: B-
Boston Celtics:
Kudos to Boston for taking the time to quickly eliminate some bad contracts and enter the upcoming offseason with $50+ million, Tatum, the unofficial fantasy MVP of the year, Jonathan Isaac and a high pick. The question is, can he lure some of the big time free agents or is he gonna regret the firesale? And how about the albatross contract of Clint Capela? Is his move to Atlanta, playing next to John Collins, a good or bad thing for his value? Lots of questions but at least the 20 year plan is in place with Sekou Doumbouya!
ACTIVITY LEVEL: A-
TRADE EXPECTATIONS: REASONABLE AND OPEN TO LISTENING
STRATEGIC PLANNING: B+
Sacramento Kings:
The slowest rebuild in the history of rebuilds taking place in Sacramento with some random gems popping up every year (hello Devonte Graham and Terrence Davis!). We are pretty sure at this point that the Kings will wait for everyone to run out of money, then spend a dime. RFA season this summer will be interesting with BB8 and Levert looking to get paid. Another high lottery pick in the horizon and if all pieces come together this squad could be doing something special as soon as next year!
ACTIVITY LEVEL: C+
TRADE EXPECTATIONS: A SHARK WAITING TO EAT YOU ALIVE!!
STRATEGIC PLANNING: A-
Chicago Cosa Nostra:
It’s always good to be able to adjust your plan according to the circumstances and Chicago was quick to move on from an expensive PG contract that didn’t guarantee anything than lesser financial flexibility in the future. Getting Dray was also a bargain deal (with his UFA rights in place) and Steven Adams seems to be having a down year only because of injuries. Chicago is now playing for ping pong balls with a young core in place and $60m to spend, this looks like one of the best turnarounds in the league and we might be looking at another contender next year! That is as long as you stop with the Kris Dunn joke, alright?
ACTIVITY LEVEL: A
TRADE EXPECTATIONS: WITHIN REASONABLE BORDERS, SOMEHOW HESITANT TO MOVE PICKS
STRATEGIC PLANNING: A
Atlanta Hawks:
The fantasy gods were good with Atlanta after a disastrous season by a manger who went all in during the offseason and set up their team for the next 4-5 years with big time contracts to some well-proven veterans. Reality proved to be different but a quick turnaround seems to be in the horizon as Zion is the real deal (if he can stay healthy of course). In the middle of a transitional period though, Atlanta hard-capped themselves with the PG contract and with only some $10m in the upcoming offseason, another firesale might be coming or the amnesty clause will be exercised. Remember kids, first round picks bring the hype but also am expensive bill!! I am somehow jealous of not owning CP3 this year as he offered the all-time-high sell high opportunity and it’s really up on the air whether he is able to repeat a season like this next year.
ACTIVITY LEVEL: B+
TRADE EXPECTATIONS: NEGOTIATES LIKE A JEW BUT HAS SHOWN THE ABILITY TO TAKE RISKS
STRATEGIC PLANNING: C+
Phoenix Suns:
I get the impression that Phoenix is desperate to compete but somehow all the pieces haven’t fallen together just yet. Oladipo is back but it’s too late to make a push for the playoffs, Booker is having an All-Star Season and WCS might start for the Mavs but not this year as he is learning the system. AG seems to have regressed, All-Star Bam Adebayo has steamrolled Kelly Olynyk in Miami and with not much financial flexibility, the Suns might have to look at more trades in order to become relevant again. Oh and how about the Luka Samanic G League stats huh?
ACTIVITY LEVEL: C-
TRADE EXPECTATIONS: KNOWS HIS SHIT AND USUALLY ABLE TO EXECUTE DEALS
STRATEGIC PLANNING: C-
Philadelphia Kobes:
Ilker is an A+ manager but this league has been pretty much a black hole for him, inheriting a tremendous roster but ending up with a bucket full of nothing after a couple years. Reality has finally checked in and a firesale/quick rebuild has started ensuing that no money is needed to resign any free agents. So what’s the long-term planning here? No one can tell, even Philadelphia themselves, but one thing is for sure, more trades and trade offers are coming, the Empire will strike back!
ACTIVITY LEVEL: A-
TRADE EXPECTATIONS: THE TRADE DOCTOR WILL COME KNOCK YOUR DOOR EVEN WHEN YOU ARE SLEEPING
STRATEGIC PLANNING: D
San Antonio Spurs:
Back-to-back disappointing seasons by San Antonio since this was another ready-to-compete squad targeting the playoffs at a minimum. The Zion sweepstakes didn’t pan out, the Blake Griffin experiment turned out to be a disaster, Dario Saric is a victim of small-ball in Phoenix and RJ Barrett is just alright so San Antonio looks to be stuck in no man’s land. Some financial maneuvering has manufactured financial flexibility and if Drummond gets opted-out and Griffin is sent home packing with the amnesty, San Antonio could very well be a player in the open market.
ACTIVITY LEVEL: A+
TRADE EXPECTATIONS: ONE OF THE BEST MANAGERS TO DEAL WITH, REASONABLE, PROMPT AND RESPONSIVE
STRATEGIC PLANNING: C-
Los Angeles Clippers:
The issue here is pretty clear, roster imbalance, but the manager has been looking at the “It’s fine meme” all season long! No it’s not fine, the lack of bigs has hurt your team, Justise Winslow is not the lord-savior, Dwight Powell was a sell-high candidate until he got injured, playoffs are most likely a pipe dream and the money is super tight this summer so things are not looking that good for one of the teams that came into the season looking like a contender. Hey, at least I have to congratulate you for the most disgusting assemble of centers in the entire fantasy Community with Taj Gibson, Damian Jones, Boban, #FreeWilly and the UniKornett!
ACTIVITY LEVEL: B-
TRADE EXPECTATIONS: HESITANT TO PULL THE TRIGGER
STRATEGIC PLANNING: C
Houston Rockets:
Sure, expectations were high coming into the season after securing KAT, one of the most durable players in fantasy basketball, but the league has by now realized that Houston is not playing for himself, he is simply behind all the champs. 2 years ago it was him who passed the torch to Portland with James Harden and this year it’s him again who gifts Christian Wood to Indiana, making him a hands-down prime time contender. Shake Milton, Luguentz Dort, Dylan Windler and Darius Bazley are making sure to keep the 2050 project alive but I gotta congratulate Houston for owning his mistakes and being quick to adjust his strategic planning. But seriously, can someone pls explain to him that bidding crazy amounts to in-season FAs doesn’t mean that he is earning his UFA rights?
ACTIVITY LEVEL: A+
TRADE EXPECTATIONS: OPEN TO DEAL AND GENEROUS AT TIMES
STRATEGIC PLANNING: A-
Minnesota Wolves:
Minnesota looks like the Orlando Magic of the last few years, stuck in the middle with nowhere to go, good to compete for the playoffs but not a top tier team. Gary Harris might have one of the worst contracts in our league and all bets are in for who gets amnestied this summer. After another quick fire-sale with Dejounte Murray it’s pretty clear to me that Minnesota believes that his budget is the league is real, not fake, money!, Dear Minnesota, please embrace the tank, I promise it’s fun and it might lead to better results than the ones you have now, just look at the Memphis Grizzlies this year and hey at least you got one of the pieces in Brandon Clarke who seems untouchable!
ACTIVITY LEVEL: A
TRADE EXPECTATIONS: ON THE JEW SIDE BUT ALSO GENEROUS AT TIMES
STRATEGIC PLANNING: B-
Utah DarkJazz:
The vomiting committee of point guards in IT, Rondo, Jevon Carter and Ky Bowman is one for the ages and why the hell did you waive Reggie Jackson about a week before he came back from his injury? (Portland says thank you)
Long story short, Utah is struggling for years from a common virus called “Kleftokotiasis”, defined as the urge to pick up any new sexy guy in fantasy regardless of his expected value. It’s not a lethal virus per se as there are some highs (Dillon Brooks, Kevin Porter) and some lows (Admiral Schofield, Ky Bowman) but the issue is that is epidemic and after a few years it creates a roster full of rookies, not a recipe for success right?
Also, can you please change your name to Utah “NOTGONNATRADEWITHYA”?
ACTIVITY LEVEL: C
TRADE EXPECTATIONS: A GHOST
STRATEGIC PLANNING: C+
CROWN ODDS: 500/1
Brooklyn Nets:
Brooklyn has shown the ability to assemble a respectable roster capable of making the playoffs but we are still trying to figure out the purpose of all the wheeling and dealing. Some bargain contracts (Rozier), some bad contracts (J-Rich), some upside kangaroo contracts (Mo Bamba) and Boogie Cousins, who is not in the NBA anymore as far as I know..Still waiting for the upside of Bagley, Poeltl and Allen to materialize into fantasy gold, while some crafty deals at the end of the deadline made sure the organization has plenty of money to spend. AND WHY DO YOU KEEP GIVING THIS GUY PLAYERS LIKE DEJOUNTE MURRAY for pennies on the dollar??
ACTIVITY LEVEL: A
TRADE EXPECTATIONS: THE TERM WIN-WIN DOESN’S APPLY HERE AS BROOKLYN DOES A DEAL ONLY IF HE GETS WHAT EXACTLY WANTS
STRATEGIC PLANNING: B-
CROWN ODDS: 300/1
New Orleans Pelicans:
New Orleans is quietly having a very nice season after heavy expectations coming into the year and it still remains a team poised to compete short term and in the long term. Daniel “Theis Theis” Baby is one of the surprises of the season, Marquese Chriss is rejuvenated and the late additions of Joe Harris and J.J. Redick add more firepower to a loaded squad. With a pile of assets someone would think that Pelicans would have gone all in this season but there is really no reason to do so and the “load management” of Bradley Beal and AD will likely determine how deep this team advances.
ACTIVITY LEVEL: A-
TRADE EXPECTATIONS: PELICANS IS WHAT YOU GET WHEN YOU CLONE A SHARK AND A JEW
STRATEGIC PLANNING: A
CROWN ODDS: 3/1
Los Angeles Lakers:
So what are the Lakers actually doing over here, up in the ranks, with Steph and John Wall our for most of the season? Some luck (Eric Paschall), a couple resurrected dead bodies in Lonzo and Hassan, Ibaka playing for a new contract and the rookie of the year ladies and gentlemen, Ja Morant. The funny thing is that Los Angeles held to its assets instead of selling high, with the hope that a return of Curry will help him contend..Is that so? Not really, and he looks locked and loaded for a first round sweep. There is a core on this roster but with a considerable age discrepancy and with no money to spend it looks almost certain that MVP Stephen Curry will continue to be the WHORE of our league!
ACTIVITY LEVEL: B+
TRADE EXPECTATIONS: ALWAYS OPEN TO DISCUSSING
STRATEGIC PLANNING: B-
CROWN ODDS: 250/1
Milwaukee Bucks:
Milwaukee has been pretty much on cruise control this year after inheriting a ready to compete squad and making some minor adjustments in the off-season. Myles Turner is not one of them but Richaun Holmes is my fantasy MVP of the year (even though he has proven to be fragile) while PJ Washington and Derick Jones Jr. have been nice pick ups. The diminished role of Kyle Kuzma and the danger of multiple rest days for LeBron and Giannis during the fantasy playoffs put the entire operation on thin ice, especially since there were no moves made to get rid of the dead rats and replace them with guys that at least are playing! Tough summer ahead also with Pascal Siakam getting ready to get PAID so again, it’s now or never Milwaukee!
ACTIVITY LEVEL: B-
TRADE EXPECTATIONS: KNOWS WHAT HE WANTS BUT REMAINS CONSERVATIVE IN GENERAL
STRATEGIC PLANNING: B
CROWN ODDS: 20/1
Portland JailBlazers:
The reigning champion of our league is ready to defend his trophy and find out whether the fantasy gods are still with him and ready to gift him with the superpowers of Alex Caruso. Yeah, Caruso is gone but reinforcements are in place after heavy late-season activity and the acquisition of All-Star Domas Sabonis. This is another strong squad that will simply wait for all the pieces to come together at the right time while free agency looks to be interesting with literally zero money left in the bank. Can I get a loan pls?
ACTIVITY LEVEL: A
TRADE EXPECTATIONS: HE IS GONNA MAKE YOU AN OFFER YOU CANT REFUSE
STRATEGIC PLANNING: B+
CROWN ODDS: 50/1
Indiana Pacers:
What looked like a pretty miserable squad coming into the season and overpaying Nic Batum, WCS, DJ and Dwight has turned out to be one of, if not the main, contender in our league, in what looks to be a do or die situation! CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram and Christian Wood are MVP additions that are tough to get during the season so the only question is whether Derrick Rose- a prime sell-high candidate-will be healthy enough to contribute at the end of the season. Long-term planning seems to be questionable but hey, who needs that when you can sign Trey Burke and come back at it again??!
ACTIVITY LEVEL: A+
TRADE EXPECTATIONS: AN ALL-STAR IN TRADING, TAKING THE REINS FROM ILKER THIS YEAR
STRATEGIC PLANNING: C+
CROWN ODDS: 11/4
Miami Heat:
The Luka sensation has turned into Luka madness and Miami is going ALL IN this year after an offseason where he had to overpay Kemba and sign some scraps. The Dewayne Dedmon and Enes Kanter contracts are hard to swallow and Otto Porter might be the wild card but it seems likely that the fate of this squad will be depending on the health of Luka and Favors. Ben Simmons has been a great pickup that guarantees the longevity of the organization and it seems that it’s always sunny In Philadelphi...oops Miami?
ACTIVITY LEVEL: A
TRADE EXPECTATIONS: ACTIVE AND DETERMINED TO MAKE A DEAL AT ANY COST
STRATEGIC PLANNING: A
CROWN ODDS: 20/1
Denver Nuggets:
Denver has been a pleasant surprise, capitalizing on last year’s rififi that landed him Bam Adebayo and Zach Lavine. Clearly a roster with not any flaws and a lot of gambles that have panned out while Loukas didn’t even hesitate to trade away his favorite guy, Jonathan Isaac, for the chance to get a shot at the trophy! As for the big picture, the Hernangomez brothers have been replaced by the future twin towers, Bol Bol and Thon Maker and they GOT NEXT!
ACTIVITY LEVEL: A+
TRADE EXPECTATIONS: FOLLOWS THE PATTERN “I’M GONNA LOWBALL YOU UNTIL YOU CAVE”
STRATEGIC PLANNING: A-
CROWN ODDS: 9/4
