Amherst Speedsters Pull off Complex Three-Team Trade: Cunningham, Reaves, Carter Jr., and CP3, Gafford Join the Mix, AD, Olynyk, Wright to Gotham, Jokic, Poetl, and Brogdon Head to Brooklyn!
- Acquisitions: Brooklyn has added Nikola Jokic, Jakob Poeltl, and Bogdan Bogdanovic to their roster.
- Trade Talks: Speedsters and Brooklyn have been engaged in trade discussions centered around Cade and Jokic for several weeks. Despite Brooklyn’s reluctance to sacrifice depth and salary flexibility while riding the wave of their recent championship win, some offers are simply too enticing to decline. This deal undoubtedly falls into that category.
- Player Rankings: Jokic has consistently ranked as the 2nd, 1st, 1st, and 10th player over the past four years in terms of per-game performance. This level of consistency almost seems unfair. He is currently on a value contract and is expected to remain so for at least another two years. As for Cade, he’ll receive a championship ring on opening day with the Speedsters, even though he wasn’t on the court. The question now is how much his absence will be felt. From a future perspective, his absence is significant, but for today, it’s purely a case of FOMO.
- Key Players: WCJr. is a standout player and plays a crucial role with Orlando, though he does carry some injury risk. It’s worth noting that he was a key contributor to Brooklyn’s success last season. Meanwhile, Reaves’ stock is soaring at the moment, and next season will reveal whether it’s a result of the “LBJ effect.”
- Center Overload: Brooklyn now finds itself with a surplus of centers: Brook Lopez, Jakob Poeltl, Nikola Jokic, and Nicolas Claxton. At least one of them will undoubtedly need to be traded to bolster the SF/PF positions, as the current roster only includes two players for each of these positions. One of those PFs is Jonathan Kuminga, who is still considered a raw prospect. The upside is that Brooklyn still has the financial flexibility to offer $70 – $110 million in free agency money to recruit the missing pieces.
- Questions for the Season: The upcoming season raises several intriguing questions for Brooklyn. Will Jokic deliver another top-tier fantasy performance? Will Brooklyn successfully find a new home for one of its centers? Are Jaden Ivey and/or Scoot ready to make meaningful contributions this season? Will Vassell take a significant leap in his performance? Lastly, can Brooklyn manage to retain Damian Lillard, even with the financial constraints of the luxury tax?
- Notable Additions: Gotham has made significant additions to its roster, bringing in Anthony Davis, Kelly Olynyk, and Delon Wright.
- Lakers Influence: First LeBron James, now Anthony Davis – the fascination with the Lakers seems boundless. Dr. DaneAndre is poised to become the Jack Nicholson of the league, perhaps the real “Joker” in the deck.
- Anthony Davis’ Dominance: Anthony Davis is the epitome of a cheat code, boasting per-game averages of 4, 9, 29, 2, 2, 1, and 2 over the last seven seasons!
- Bold Moves: Great Danes, under the ownership of Mat Ishbia, is making bold moves that resonate with the ambition of an owner like Joe Lacob, known for transforming the Golden State Warriors into a dynasty by investing heavily in new talent and retaining their core players. The urgency in Great Danes’ offseason maneuvers is palpable, reflecting the commitment to building a championship-caliber team. The new NBA resting policy is also seen as a positive development, reducing the risk of all-stars sitting out games. However, the Great Danes have a unique situation with a roster featuring seven former all-stars over the past three years.
- Change in Strategy: It’s almost like “Freaky Friday” in the NBA – have the Speedsters and Great Danes switched bodies? Great Danes, once considered discount shoppers, have revamped their strategy. This transformation may be attributed to the perceived disrespect and the “2nd-place Danes” chants. Imagine finishing as the runner-up three consecutive years and having the #1 overall fantasy player in Joel Embiid last year – what would you do?
- Financial Considerations: Great Danes’ tax bills are projected to reach record-breaking levels. The question looms: will this heavy financial investment be worth it?
- Playoff Potential: Can Joel Embiid, Anthony Davis, Paul George, LeBron James, Lauri Markkanen, Darius Garland, and Tyler Herro coalesce during the crucial three weeks of the playoffs? If they remain healthy, is this team truly beatable?
- Notable Additions: Amherst has made significant roster additions, including Cade Cunningham, Austin Reaves, Wendell Carter Jr., Daniel Gafford, and Chris Paul.
- Cade Cunningham’s Potential: Cade Cunningham is widely respected and viewed as a star by executives and players across the league. Despite some health struggles during his sophomore year, relying solely on ranking statistics doesn’t provide a complete picture of his capabilities. Cunningham’s potential could soar if he can improve his field goal percentage to a respectable 45% while maintaining strong defensive numbers. Additionally, being a long-distance sniper and a floor general on the court further enhances his value.
- Retooling vs. Rebuilding: The debate among fans and analysts rages on, with some advocating for a rebuild and others, including the author, leaning towards a retooling approach. Speedsters, while considered a long shot for an immediate championship, remains a playoff contender. The recent offseason has proven that players can be reconfigured in the blink of an eye, making it essential to keep all options open.
- Roster Overhaul: Speedsters have undergone a significant transformation, with only two players, Stephen Curry and Malcolm Brogdon, remaining from last year’s roster. As a spoiler, Curry is expected to be on the move. The new Speedsters approach reflects a more frugal mindset, discontent with the second iteration of a superstar team that fell short of championship expectations while incurring significant luxury tax costs. This shift highlights the belief that simply buying a championship is no longer seen as a guaranteed strategy.
- Ultimate Value Team: Speedsters now embody the ultimate value team, with nearly every player signed for the 2023-24 season being considered underpaid, with the exception of some point guards left unnamed.
- Financial Flexibility: Speedsters, despite their depth, currently lack a superstar to lead the team. However, due to their frugality, they are estimated to have around $180 million in available cap space to attract new talent. The question arises: will Curry stay and renegotiate his contract under these conditions?
- Rebuilding Dilemma: The Speedsters face a pivotal decision: should they embark on a full rebuild, potentially moving players like Jaren Jackson Jr. (JJJ) and Devin Booker? Alternatively, should they retain these players for their veteran locker room presence? The path they choose will significantly shape the team’s future direction.
“In the dynamic landscape of NBA team management, Brooklyn, Amherst, and Gotham have each embarked on distinct journeys, reflecting unique philosophies and strategies. Brooklyn faces the challenge of balancing a surplus of talented centers, while Amherst grapples with decisions regarding Cade Cunningham’s potential and the balance between retooling and rebuilding. Gotham, under Mat Ishbia’s ownership, is making bold moves akin to the transformational era of the Golden State Warriors under Joe Lacob. These three teams showcase the diverse approaches to building championship-caliber rosters, and the upcoming season promises excitement as we witness the outcomes of their strategic choices.”
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