12-11-2019, 06:57 AM
I split NBA teams in categories based on current success after first quarter of the season and give my opinion on TDL status:
1. Clear title contenders: LAC, LAL, Milwaukee. Trade deadline status - stay put or minor changes
2. Wanted to be clear contenders but not really showed that so far: Hou, Denver, Utah, Philadelphia. TDL status: looking for upgrades, but probably major moves will not happen. Some corrections for mid tier guys are possible
3. Wanted to be a contender but failed miserably: Portland. They still have every option to get to play offs. It is their all in season so I expect them to make some serious deals before TDL. Gallo makes a ton of sense on the offense. Love is meh. They would probably need a couple of 3-d wings as a priority. So why not going after RoCo, Marcus Morris or Otto Porter type of players? They have all the assets to do it.
4. Goal was to make playoffs and they are on the track: Indiana, Brooklyn. Could make some moves. Brooklyn has plenty of young guys they can convert to more experienced guys. Indiana could look to consolidate their center situation and move Turner. But will probably wait for Oladipo to return and assess than. They can afford to wait till summer.
5. Playoffs were a goal but are playing above expectations: Toronto, Dallas, Miami, Boston. TDL status: anything could happen, but on a small scale. I guess the will be careful and make a move only if something really good appears. Plenty theoretical options for all of them
6. Purgatory - playoffs possible but really no way up with the current team: Orlando, Detroit, OKC, Minnesota, Sacramento, San Antonio. TDL status: something should happen, anything is possible. Some can decide to blow it up (or wait till summer), some can aggresively hunt reinforcements.
7. Were hoping for play-offs but dissapointed: Chicago, New Orleans. Might be sellers at TDL if the trend continues. Both have some interesting vets that could fetch picks or young players.
8. Young team playing above expectations: Phoenix. Everyone expected a tank mode, but are currently playing above expectations. They could go several directions, as they have assets to bring some reinforcements. But I guess it would be smarter to further develop youngsters and go for a real star when opportunity appears.
9. Tank Squadron: Charlotte, Washington, Atlanta, Cleveland, Memphis, GSW. Will look for some assets for their vets.
10. New York Knicks. Will do something stupid.
1. Clear title contenders: LAC, LAL, Milwaukee. Trade deadline status - stay put or minor changes
2. Wanted to be clear contenders but not really showed that so far: Hou, Denver, Utah, Philadelphia. TDL status: looking for upgrades, but probably major moves will not happen. Some corrections for mid tier guys are possible
3. Wanted to be a contender but failed miserably: Portland. They still have every option to get to play offs. It is their all in season so I expect them to make some serious deals before TDL. Gallo makes a ton of sense on the offense. Love is meh. They would probably need a couple of 3-d wings as a priority. So why not going after RoCo, Marcus Morris or Otto Porter type of players? They have all the assets to do it.
4. Goal was to make playoffs and they are on the track: Indiana, Brooklyn. Could make some moves. Brooklyn has plenty of young guys they can convert to more experienced guys. Indiana could look to consolidate their center situation and move Turner. But will probably wait for Oladipo to return and assess than. They can afford to wait till summer.
5. Playoffs were a goal but are playing above expectations: Toronto, Dallas, Miami, Boston. TDL status: anything could happen, but on a small scale. I guess the will be careful and make a move only if something really good appears. Plenty theoretical options for all of them
6. Purgatory - playoffs possible but really no way up with the current team: Orlando, Detroit, OKC, Minnesota, Sacramento, San Antonio. TDL status: something should happen, anything is possible. Some can decide to blow it up (or wait till summer), some can aggresively hunt reinforcements.
7. Were hoping for play-offs but dissapointed: Chicago, New Orleans. Might be sellers at TDL if the trend continues. Both have some interesting vets that could fetch picks or young players.
8. Young team playing above expectations: Phoenix. Everyone expected a tank mode, but are currently playing above expectations. They could go several directions, as they have assets to bring some reinforcements. But I guess it would be smarter to further develop youngsters and go for a real star when opportunity appears.
9. Tank Squadron: Charlotte, Washington, Atlanta, Cleveland, Memphis, GSW. Will look for some assets for their vets.
10. New York Knicks. Will do something stupid.