Post by Phoenix Suns on Sept 11, 2019 13:13:57 GMT -6
Off-Seasons Greetings, Guru Basketball! I'm the Phoenix Suns, Editor-in-Chief of the Guru Gazette. I'm here with the Nuggets, Sixers, Wizards, and Blazers, who are ready to talk shop about both the real NBA and fantasy.
Thanks for being here,
Sixers: Are you using gender neutral pronouns to impress Raptors?
I'll be the one asking the questions!
Sixers: You've come a long way from your fraternity days.
They're called collegiate Greek system residences now.
Sixers: ...
Anyway, welcome!
Wizards: Thanks for having me!
Blazers: Good to be here.
Sixers: Looking forward to it!
Nuggets: I'm plotting your destruction as we speak. Your time is nigh, soon the sun will set on your dynasty and from the ashes I will rise, like a great ball of winged fire!
You mean, like a Phoenix?
Nuggets: Erm, well, yes, but... more... Nuggety.
Fire melts gold.
Nuggets: I didn't really think the metaphor through.
It's a simile.
Nuggets: I hate you.
Okay! Let's get this party started, and since it's the offseason, let's kick things off with the Guru Offseason Free Agency. Which GM do you guys think had the best FA?
Blazers: I’m gonna be honest when I say I probably had the best free agency. Going into free agency, my goal was to sign one of LaVine and Aldridge as well as pick up Anfernee at a cheap price. Unfortunately ended up overpaying for both, but combined with my already contending team, I’m projecting a Finals run for each of the next three years. Suns had a solid roundup for this year’s FA though. Grabbing multiple starters for cheap (Len, Looney, Jackson, Shamet) while everyone else was occupied with the first few rounds of free agents is really quite shrewd. Not to mention picking up some decent gambles like Bruce Brown and Dillon Brooks on the back end. Think Twolves’ pickups are underrated too. Gasol’s still got some gas (hehe) left in the tank, and Bogdan + Richardson look to be key pieces in the coming seasons for their respective teams.
Wizards: I love the free agency that Suns had. I believe that he grabbed Len and Reggie Jackson for below market value (although I don't like offering Jackson a 4 year deal), and stocked up for the future with Shamet, a low-risk Bruce Brown, and Kevon Looney, the latter of whom I see as being a stud down the line. I think he addressed all of his needs and is fully geared up for another big run at a title. Likewise, Knicks also made good moves with Dedmon, Plumlee, and T-Ross, all of whom have consistent roles on their respective teams for the foreseeable future.
The Bruce Brown hype train is off the rails! How about you, Nuggets?
Nuggets: Denver had the best free agency, period. To put the matter plainly, there was an abundance of cap space available this offseason, and a number pf players that could push a contending team over the top, yet none of the contending teams allocated their money in such a way that fully capitalized on the opportunity. They could have done more, but saved the cash. I've been relatively cautious in my projections for most of my free agent signings, but if I may be so bold, Gallo, Delon, Rubio, WILL score more than 30fppg/game. Dinwiddie and Dwight Powell WILL score more than 25 fppg. Each was had at a discount.
Not sure I buy Dinwiddie, Powell or Delon were had at a discount. Dinwiddie seems like the most fair value contract of all-time (Robert Covington sends his regards), Powell and Delon haven't proven they can put up numbers (although I project them at 24 and 29 FPPG, respectively.) I also worry about their long-term situations, and that the Mavs will be looking to acquire better players at their positions long-term. I feel like you paid full price on those three guys.
I do regret not bidding more on Gallinari and, to a lesser extent, Rubio. I think those were excellent signings. Gallo might end up being an amazing signing. I project him out to 35 FPPG, but I've seen as high as 40 in some places. The injury history and the fact he's 31 years old scared me off, but I miscalculated and I think the entire league is going to come to realize how badly we collectively fucked up letting you grab him for $6 million. There is some age, injury, and trade risk, but he went way too cheap.
Nuggets: Agreed. With the exception of Gallo, they're all under 30 years old in the prime of their careers. Barring multiple injuries, the Nuggets just purchased a top 5 playoff seed for what amounts to a bunch of ~5 million contracts that should produce positive value for multiple (perhaps not 4) years. For contending teams, the failure to open the pocketbook was a missed opportunity. Portland, Milwaukee, and New Orleans overspent, IMO. Their free agent contracts were so expensive that they ate up the upside in their players. Phoenix had 2 great signings in Len and Looney, but he spent the rest of his roster spots (so valuable in their own right) in players who I'm personally not as high on long term. He’s building for 3 years when he had the potential to provide himself great odds of a repeat this year.
What about you, Philly?
Sixers: Me, obviously. Next question.
Besides you...
Sixers: Portland.
Succinct as always. They don't call you the Minute Man for nothing.
My two biggest targets were Anfernee Simons and Kevon Looney, glad I nabbed at least one.
Nuggets: I have more to add.
We're moving onto the next topi--
Nuggets: --I don't care, I'm going anyway. As to who had the best offseason period, it was Toronto.
The primary bit of luck that occurred for Toronto was winning the lottery and obtaining Zion. His value to any team in this league is simply an order of magnitude higher than any other prospect in the draft, and he didn’t suffer any “rebuilding” in order to obtain the pick either.
Concerning trades and free agency, the deal I lambasted initially, Lowry, Bryant, and a [2nd round] pick for Jamal Murray, appears great now with no new center in Washington ahead of Bryant. In the immediate term, Toronto should receive a significant premium on that Murray contract. Frankly, Suns will have to trade Murray. He is not worth a resign on Suns’ roster. He probably is for nearly any other team, but Suns has too many great players expiring within this window. He’s a trade chip. Conceivably, both Lowry AND Bryant could match Murrays production this year.
Who knows what RJ Barrett will become, I'm not the highest on him, but an expiring Kristaps (who should be good but realistically may never be the Unicorn he was), is a great exchange for the future (and saves a resign in the first year of the window). Wall’s injury sucks, but this man just got 2 of the 3 top rookies in the draft.
I hated that trade, personally. I think Porzingis is an absolute stud whose floor is 35 FPPG and will be a fantasy monster, but I can see where you're coming from. Definitely some risk. Anyone other than the Raps peak your interest?
Nuggets: Yeah, I considered a lot of other teams here too, but none were as lucky as Toronto. Phoenix left too much cap space for next year and only came away with 2 impact guys (with risk) in free agency. He also traded away his only 1st round pick just to move off of a player in Javale Mcgee that should replicate last year’s incredible numbers. [Note: this trade occurred before Boogie's injury.]
Portland may shock people with how good his team will be, but much of that is through natural improvement and the work he put in over the past several years, rather than this offseason. If anything, he may have hamstrung his potential by dedicating so much long term money and assets to an aging LA and Blake Griffin.
OKC did really well to salvage the KD injury, but primarily obtained only short term gains. I'd make the case for myself, but losing Cousins plus Siakam plus Brogdon for nothing (but cap relief) fucked what was otherwise a stellar offseason turnaround for the Nuggets. Honorable mention to Philly for accumulating so many picks, but he received only a few blue chip talent pieces back in trade and a lot of middle ground prospects. His primary return were draft picks, which are great, but I'm concerned he will run into the same problem Dallas and Portland did this past year (and Chicago will soon), too many picks and not enough roster spots.
Wizards: My eyes are bleeding...
Sixers: Were we supposed to write that much?
Denver making War & Peace look like a light read.
Who were your favorite 3 FA signings?
Blazers: Oh, are the rest of us allowed to talk again?
Nabbing my favorite player in LaMarcus tops the list. TJ Warren because Suns somehow brainwashed the whole league into believing the guy’s worth $36 million over the next 4 years. And lastly...DEMARCUS COUSINS. The guy blew his Achilles, broke his hip or something in the playoffs, and now tore his ACL. It was a good idea to ditch his old contract, but to bid on him again after all that? Bravo.
Sixers: LMA to Portland because it's a big, long, expensive contract for an older player, it could pan out because he's not very athletic to begin with, only time will tell. Anfernee Simons to Portland because it's a huge contract for an unproven player. It could turn out great but portland has one of the best guard duo's in the league in their prime. TJ Warren because of all the hype and the question marks around his game. Was he putting up empty stats on a shit team? Will he be able to sustain his 3pt shooting? What about when Dipo comes back?
Wizards: I love the Kevon Looney signing by Suns. Being cap-strapped for the next few years means the Warriors have limited resources to bring in much competition (unless WCS keeps re-signing for the minimum), so Looney is due for consistent playing time down the line. An incredibly shrewd move by Suns. I believe the majority of 4-year contracts given out this offseason will end up biting their respective owners in the ass down the line when they become old and unplayable, so Philly being able to lock up Jabari Parker on only a 1+1 is a nice decision. Likewise, Millsap on a 2+1 was a nice move for OKC.
Nuggets: Kevon Looney ($3.5m x 4). Fuck all of you, seriously, for not bidding more on Looney. Perhaps Im naïve for drinking the kool-aid, but this 23 year old with dual forward/center eligibility just received a nice contract from a hard capped Warriors to be their center of the foreseeable future. He’s a perfect fit for their play and really showed out in the playoffs. Two sites both project him around 30 fppg, and he just went in free agency for as much money as aging frontcourt players in worse situations like Paul Millsap.
Alex Len ($2.5m x 4) It would only benefit my man Fernando for this experiment to fail, but Len filled it up at the end of last year in this role for Atlanta. He went for less money than aging guys in worse situations like Dedmon in Sacramento.
Josh Richardson ($6.5m x 4) I wouldn’t have Josh so high if I didn’t see what a worse player in TJ Warren went for the next week. GM’s appear to focus on his hierarchy among the Philly starters while disregarding that he’s about the only player on the roster that can do what he does. Also, rosters change by the month. I’m very high on him long term.
Everyone's looney for Looney! I love it. Personally, my favorite contracts were Gallinari (DEN), Looney (PHX), Simons (POR), Lopez (BOS), Rubio (DEN), Richardson (MIN), Dedmon (NYK), Bogdanovic (MIN), Shamet (PHX), and Lavine (MIL).
I agree with Nuggets that the Richardson contract only really emerged as a great signing after the prices on TJ Warren, Delon Wright, etc. were brought to light.
Wiz, let's start with you next. Who was the worst FA signing?
Wizards: This one is a toss-up between Pels' atrocious TJ Warren deal and Nuggets' equally absurd DeMarcus Cousins signing. At his peak, Warren is worth no more than $8M annually, but New Orleans gave him a full million more than that on a completely guaranteed 4-year deal. Now in a more competitive rotation in Indiana, I don't see Warren's production increasing anytime soon, and I see that contract as being one of the most untradable in the league down the line. Likewise, Boogie going for anything more than a flier was shocking. Coming off a debilitating quad injury and an uninspiring finals performance, Nuggets decided that he was still somehow worth a FULLY GUARANTEED 4 YEAR CONTRACT. Cousins only proved the doubters right by promptly getting injured again and had domestic violence charges filed against him. He might not even be in the league by the time that contract is up.
Blazers: Well...DEMARCUS COUSINS. Two major injuries back to back? There’s the slimmest of chances that Cousins even comes close to becoming even half the player he was.
Damn, you guys going scorched earth on the Nuggets -- I love it!
Nuggets: Fuck you guys, I still believe in Boogie.
Philly?
Sixers: Zach Lavine could tear his ACL again and be the next Brandon Roy, I hope he pans out because I almost bid on him and he's an exciting player to watch. Simons could also be a bad signing if he never gets minutes. Aldridge could be bad if he retires within the next few years. Also, who the fuck is Bruce Brown?
Nuggets: Tim Hardaway Jr. ($2m x 4), and it isn’t that close for me. He had a fine year last year, but then Dallas brought in Delon and Seth Curry ahead of him in the guard rotation, with Kristaps coming back and Luka taking on more of an offensive role. Are they going to play him more than 20 minutes? Will he even be an every night rotation player? I'm not convinced, but even if he is, where is the upside in his deal? The Lakers killed the depth on his team in the AD trade and needs lottery ticket level signings to come back from the deep. I love John Wall for that reason. Perhaps it doesn’t work out, but there are not many assets in the cupboard to obtain guys with top 50 upside. THJ is an aging chuckster who doesn’t deserve a roster spot on most teams, much less the Lakers this season.
Let's engage in a hypothetical.
I didn't ask you, Brett.
What if I told you my projections show the Denver Nuggets making the playoffs and the New York Knicks missing them, post-FA? Believe it or nah?
Blazers: Yeah, I can believe it. Nuggets has incredible depth combined with a crazy amount of under the radar players. I actually see everyone on that team capable of putting up 30+ FPTS a night (outside of Cousins, Bitadze, and Space Lord). Knicks meanwhile has a less than stellar supporting cast propped up by WB, Curry, and Simmons.
Sixers: I wouldn't be shocked at all if Denver made the playoffs. If the Knicks missed the playoffs it would mean Curry, Simmons or Westbrook got hurt. It's not like those guys have a history of injuries though.
Nuggets: I'm buying Nuggets as not only a playoff team, but a top 3-4 team this season if his players can maintain some semblance of a healthy season. The free agent signings all help, but it was the trades for Jrue, Favors, Bam, and Capela, that really set the team up for contention. Favors, in particular, was had for a song. He’s far undervalued in all leagues. My top ten players are 30+ fppg scorers. While on the topic of Guru blue-bloods missing the playoffs, OKC and New Orleans are in trouble this year by my rankings (Knicks is still in FWIW).
Pels is safe in my projections. My eight teams right now, in order: Dallas, Portland, Phoenix, New Orleans, Toronto, Denver, Minnesota, Oklahoma City. New York is ninth.
Someone is going home disappointed. You buying this Mr. Washington?
Wizards: I would say you're dead wrong, but it wouldn't necessarily surprise me. Knicks has a few absolute studs (Curry, Simmons, Russ), but I don't like his massive commitment to Nic Batum and the Markieff Morris and Malik Beasley-types littered throughout his roster. However, he still has solid role players like CJ and Dray, plus made some win-now moves of signing Dedmon and T-Ross, setting him up well for another championship run. I like Denver's all-around team, however, and believe that he should also sneak into the playoffs. Dinwiddie, Danilo, and Jrue were excellent acquisitions at reasonable prices, with Rubio and Delon also set for bigger roles on their respective teams.
My thesis is Russ's FPPG is going to take a real hit playing with Harden. If his value holds steady, I'd probably have the Knicks making it.
Let's shift to the Guru 2019 Rookie Draft.
Besides Zion and Morant, which picks are you highest on? Any pick you hate?
Zion Williamson (TOR)
Ja Morant (DAL)
RJ Barrett (TOR)
Jarrett Culver (MIL)
Darius Garland (CHI)
Coby White (BOS)
De'Andre Hunter (CHI)
Cam Reddish (CHI)
Brandon Clarke (CHI)
Rui Hachimura (PHI)
Sekou Dembouya (NOP)
Jaxson Hayes (CHI)
Nickeil Alexander-Walker (MIL)
PJ Washington (CHI)
Goga Bitadze (DEN)
Grant Williams (DEN)
Nuggets: I don’t hate many of the picks in the draft. I was never as sold on Brandon Clarke in a points league, but everything I’ve read has been gushing about him and he certainly stood out over the summer. I think Chicago did well to get him where he did. I would have taken the Atlanta wings lower, but don’t think they were bad picks. Long term, I'm lowest on PJ Washington among the first rounders, but again, I don’t hate the pick. It’s worth noting that Rui is both not a rookie of the year candidate, but will be overvalued early because he will be logging significant minutes in such an absolute shit show in Washington with a shit coach and no expectation to play defense. Conversely, Sekou, NAW, and Goga are three guys who I think are excellent prospects who may have difficulty finding minutes early to really show out so may be undervalued.
Wizards: I strongly disagree with the Nuggets on PJ.
I love PJ Washington for Chicago. The Hornets are an absolute dumpster fire, and Washington should be given every opportunity to gain a starting role from the jump. If he succeeds, there is immense long-term value for the late first round pick. The same is true for Brandon Clarke, however I believe he has a lower ceiling than Washington, but he absolutely showed out in the summer league. I'm not a fan of NAW in particular. His path to playing time is blocked by Lonzo and Jrue for the foreseeable future, and I would not have taken him over Washington, who has higher immediate and future potential.
Blazers: Speaking of the Wizards...
Highest: Rui Hachimura. I was a Rui fan from the beginning and not because I’m a weeb. The dude’s got the measurements and athleticism to seriously dominate. He flashed some major potential in college with gaudy performances like 20/7/5 against Duke in a W this past season. He’s only been balling against serious competition for like the past four years and recently detonated on other countries in World Cup games. Think the sky’s the limit for him.
Lowest: RJ Barrett. The dude’s gonna be Andrew Wiggins 2.0. I’d look to sell him after this year when he puts up a bunch of empty stats.
Sixers: I have two words for you. Are you ready?
RUI HACHIMURA. He's going to get all the minutes he can handle and who else can score on the Wizards besides Beal?
Wow, interesting to see so much love for Rui. He's generally considered one of the most divisive prospects in this class (but apparently not here!)
Thought there'd be more love for the Bucks' NAW pick, which I really like.
Sixers: Glad to see so many other GMs on the Rui hype train!
Anyone not on your team that you're high on?
Sixers: Culver.
What do you make of Bulls strategy to draft the entire 2019 class? He drafted Jaxson Hayes, Brandon Clarke, Cam Reddis, Darius Garland, Deandre Hunter, PJ Washington, Chuma Okeke, and Dylan Windler.
Blazers: Normally I like that kind of move, but this group of prospects does not inspire a lot of hope. Hayes has potential, Clarke’s kind of already a known but decent quantity, Reddish looked HORRIBLE at Duke but I like his chances on the Hawks, Garland’s in a funky situation with another undersized guard in Cleveland, Hunter seems to be more of a good NBA player rather than good fantasy player, and the rest aren’t even really worth holding long term in our league.
Sixers: Bulls is clearly using my old Tinder strategy, eventually you have to hit on a winner. Swipe Swipe, Swipe, Swipe.
Nuggets: It’s okay, but I don’t love it. He got some shit for using his assets in what was described as a class filled with role players and short on stars, but I don’t per se hate loading up on these role players. They have potential to be much more. I'm more concerned by what he gave up. Consider:
a) His first move to get #5 cost him a lot. A top 40-50 expiring player in Rozier and another top 60-70 player in Buddy Hield. The takeaway is that he traded short term production for long term control. This was the worst of Chicago’s trades imo.
b) Then he moved Tatum for No. 3. In a vacuum, that’s not awful considering there were 3 consensus top picks in the draft. If you're not a Tatum believer then that makes sense to move him for Barrett. However, I absolutely wouldn’t have done either of the prior 2 trades. Tatum is still only 21. He’s a future all star. Im not so sold on Barrett. Now, what he did afterwards saves it for me.
c) #7, #8, #12, and #14 for #3 with Dallas was only possible because Dallas had more picks than roster spots. At some point, he had to consolidate the assets. If I had 7, 8, 12, and 14, Id have gone different directions, but the value is there, and I could be more convinced that Tatum for 4 lottery tickets makes sense.
d) #9 for a 2022 1st, a 2nd and Nance is fine value too, and he got Brandon Clarke, who many experts believe is the 4th best fantasy asset in this draft. If not for getting Clarke, Id be lower on Chicago’s work.
Wizards: I actually like Bulls' strategy. Not all of his picks will be successes, but the sheer volume of players likely entails that some will. Hayes, Clarke, Garland, Hunter, Washington, and Windler all have immediate paths to playing time, while Reddish and Okeke allow him to gamble on future potential. If one of the picks doesn't work out, he could easily cut his losses after two years or trade them, as they will still be relatively valuable due to their age and draft status. It will make for one hell of a re-sign period down the line if he hangs on to all of them, however.
If I gave you 1 contract for free, which of these five would you take:
Kemba Walker (42 FPPG): 16m 16m 16m 16m 16m
Caris Levert (27 FPPG): 6m 6m 6m 6m 6m
Kristaps Porzingis (37 FPPG): 4.8m
Russell Westbrook (55 FPPG): 21m 21m 21m
Domantas Sabonis (31 FPPG): 2.9m 3.9m
Sixers: Porzingis or Sabonis. I like their potential. KP will be a franchise guru player in 2-3 years max.
Wizards: I would personally probably take the Sabonis contract. Kemba being locked up for 5 years will likely turn into an albatross by the end, LeVert is a consistent role player with limited upside, Porzingis still has knee concerns, and Westbrook's high volume and aggressive style of play won't last forever. Sabonis has the potential to be a consistent starter on a team with no entrenched secondary scoring option after Oladipo (although Pels and TJ Warren would beg to differ). He's a double-double threat and is still only 22 years old locked into a solid contract for the next two years. He would be a piece that I would rebuild around.
Blazers: Sabonis because I don’t have the room to take on anyone else. Ignoring my cap situation, I’ll take a second LeVert. Dude’s about to average more than 30 FPPG on a long term and cheap deal. I think Kemba’s production decreases significantly with more weapons on the Celtics, Porzingis is injury plagued, Westbrook is going to sliding downhill eventually. I wouldn’t mind Sabonis though. Also a 30 FPPG player on an even cheaper contract although his value isn’t as clear cut
Nuggets? Sabonis or Sabonis?
Nuggets: Unlike my fellow GMs, I'm not on the Sabonis train.
What's your poison?
Nuggets: Kemba, although I'd be pleased with Russ too. Short term production for 2 years is valuable, but Domantas is not nearly the resign target that Kristaps is, so Kristaps would get the nudge over him. If everything works out for Kristaps this year, his resign will cost you as much as Kemba, with all of Kristaps injury risk baked into it. I already went through that once with Boogie. I wouldn’t want to do that again. Let me keep my re-sign and get all the same production as Kristaps in Kemba. His game will age better than Russ, so he gets the nudge there. Levert would be last I think. He’s an exciting player, but he's not so high upside that I'm convinced he can become a star next to KD.
Gimme Levert every day of the week. His contract is super cheap, he's locked in long-term, and he's going to be an absolute stud. If you watched the Nets a lot last year, you'd know what's up. He's a baller.
Who is your fantasy breakout candidate (not on your team) for the upcoming
season?
Wizards: Damn I can't include my own team? There goes my opportunity to pat myself on the back for making a move on Terry Rozier.
You just did...
Wizards:
Call me a homer, but I think this is the year that Thomas Bryant moves into the category of elite fantasy centers. He's firmly entrenched as a starter on a tanking team with almost no scoring options after Bradley Beal. His only competition involves Moritz Wagner and Ian Mahinmi, meaning his rebounding numbers will likely double from last season, where he averaged 4.7 RPG (although he wasn't a full time starter for most of the season).
Another breakout candidate in Washington to look for is Troy Brown, who spent most of last year learning at Hogwarts but is ready to be a full time Wizard this year. He also has virtually no competition (who even is Jemmerio Jones?) and his first round pedigree should give him every opportunity to earn big minutes.
LOL @ the hogwarts reference. Man, a Troy Brown shoutout, Philly must be pleased.
Sixers: I'm so hard right now you could use it as a diving board. TROY BROWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Blazers: Bruno Fernando. I think he’ll take Len’s starting spot by the end of the season. He’s THICC, got good hands, has tremendous potential on defense, and all around looks like the quintessential center in the modern NBA.
I see somebody's been reading The Art of the Neg.
Nuggets: Miles Bridges will have a big year in Charlotte. He may have the largest year over year increase in fantasy points in the league. I like some guys on Atlanta in Trae and Collins to really jump to the next level this year, but you could argue both broke out already next year. They may be top 20 guys for the next 10 years though.
In Canada, he's known as Kilometers Bridges.
Nuggets: ...
Sixers: Sigh.
I'll see myself out.
Sixers: In terms of breakout candidates, I'd have to say Shae Gorgeous-Alexander. He's going to thrive.
Ahhh, a Denver Nuggets player. Shocking! Good to see my file photo for you is not out of date:
Also pictured (clockwise):
1) Suns kidnapping his fantasy players to make sure they understand the importance of not sitting back-to-backs during the Guru playoffs
2) Nuggets and Sixers plotting the Suns' demise
3) Wizards rehabbing John Wall
4) Blazers coming to terms with being a Blazers fan
Blazers: It's funny because I'm dead inside.
Wizards: That's an accurate portrayal of John Wall's movement off-ball.
Nuggets: Philly is not a parrot.
Sixers: Yeah, I am NOT a parrot!
Oh, wait...
Let's switch gears.
In the real NBA, who are your four NBA Conference Finals teams?
Nuggets: Clippers-Nuggets and Philly-Milwaukee. Milwaukee or Clippers are your 2020 champs (Id put money on the Clippers, but the Bucks’ road is just so much easier looking).
Blazers: Portland Trail Blazers, LA Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, Brooklyn Nets.
Sixers: Bucks and Sixers in the East. Rockets and Nuggets in the West.
Starks in the North, Lannisters in the South.
Sixers: Lannisters racking up a lot of picks and only sending out their regards, don't sleep on them.
Wizards: In the real NBA, I have Houston and the Clippers out of the West, while Philly and Milwaukee come out of the East. LAC and MIL face off in an epic finals, with the Clippers' army of elite defenders shutting down Giannis like a virus-infested computer. Clips in 6.
Damn, the Golden State Warriors disrespect is crazy. Gimme GSW-Clippers in the West, and Bucks-Sixers in the East. Interesting to see nobody take the other LA team.
Speaking of the Lakers, did the IRL Lakers overpay for Anthony Davis?
Blazers: Nope! The only close to valuable piece they gave up was Lonzo. The picks are going to be late and you already know my stance on Ingram/Hart.
Wizards: No, they weren't going to be able to get AD for anything less than what they traded to get him. In addition, LA was able to hang on to their most valuable young asset in Kuzma and have the cap space to go after a max player (Kawhi! Kyrie! Klay...Danny Green?). As of right now, it looks like a good return, especially considering what the Clippers gave up for PG13, however, if AD decides to test free agency next offseason, things could get REALLY dicey.
Nuggets: Yeah. How the fuck are they going to build a championship caliber team around him and an aging Lebron? They’ll be no better than they were in New Orleans. They have few draft assets, no young talent, and Kuzma isn’t looking to be quite the stud I imagined him to be right out the gate. This Lakers team is going to be trash soon. Fuck Rob Pelinka AND AD! AD was a free agent next year. They could have maintained all of the draft capital, developed Lonzo and Ingram and Hart for one more year and came back next year absolutely stacked against the Clippers. Also, did you see what the Pelicans got for the No. 4 pick? LOLOLOL … Lakers are Fucking idiots.
YES, a Nuggets hot take!
I love it! Philly?
Sixers: No. You can't get a player like that via trade that often, had to give whatever it took.
Gotta concur with the majority here. You do whatever it takes to get an MVP caliber player in his prime.
Nuggets: Fools!
How do you rate Morey's move trading for Russell Westbrook?
Wizards: All in for the title baby! With the Warriors finally collapsing, Morey recognized it was now or never to win a title, and made the move to pair Westbrook with Harden. The decision pairs two of the most high-volume players in the league together, and it will be interesting to see how Mike D'Antoni adjusts his scheme accordingly. I've got to admire the man, he continues to go all-in in search of that elusive title, but I believe this current core has no more than a 2 year window, and heads will roll if they don't win at least one title.
Nuggets: I like it. I'm also a huge Russ stan, though. They weren’t going to win with CP3. The window to compete is now. Maximize Russ’ prime years now to push for a chip. The difference between this trade and the Lakers for AD is that they moved an albatross contract for another one without sacrificing all of their complementary pieces to their stars.
Good point.
Sixers: Great trade for both teams. Thunder get picks and can hopefully move cp3 later on, Rockets get Russ.
Blazers: Kiiiiinda love it. It’s questionable whether Rockets Harden can coexist with Westbrook as they each function best with the ball in their hands, but it’s going to be an exciting team to watch for sure.
If you were a real NBA GM, would you take Andrew Wiggins for regards? His contract:
2020: 27m
2021: 29m
2022: 31m
2023: 33m
Wizards: Not unless I was a team like the Phoenix Suns who are in eternal Tank Mode. Wiggins is nowhere near a player worth upwards of $30 million per year, and his massive cap hit would prevent me from signing good players to surround the talent I have in place. As a Wizards fan, I understand and empathize with teams that are in cap hell, which is what any win-now team would enter by taking on this atrocious contract.
Blazers: GM of a team entering the tank era? Sure. Why not take a roll of the dice on a reformed Wiggins. Anyone else? Helllll no.
Sixers: No. He's a fine player if he was drafted at any other pick besides #1, but I wouldn't want him on my team (at that price).
Nuggets: Pshhhh. No.
I wouldn't take Andrew Wiggins for all the maple syrup in the world.
If you could go back in time a few weeks and re-bid on a player in Guru Offseason FA, who would you pick up? (assuming bidding $0.5m more would guarantee you the player)
Blazers: Assuming I’d want to in the first place (already above the roster cap with Aldridge + Simons), probably Shamet. Think he could have some big games this season as the #1 floor spacer for PG and Kawhi.
Nuggets: Looney. I would bid on Looney and drop Powell for the roster spot to add another 2 mil onto Looney’s contract and still be happy with it. There shouldn’t be any other answers (except for Suns, who has 5 or 6 guys he should have bid more for).
Shamet and Looney, oh god yes, I'm almost there, just a little more...
Wizards: I would've easily given up the extra 0.5M to bring Kevon Looney or Landry Shamet to my team. Those players both have high upside as starting pieces on playoff teams, and their youth and job security would be well worth my investment of $4M or $2.5M [$3m to outbid], respectively. Dammit I actually had the cap space to do it on Shamet too. Live and learn.
There it is.
Sixers: Lavine or Simons. The two most "what if" signings in my opinion.
Yeah, I think Simons and Gallo would be on my list. I'd pay $6.5m for both right now, particularly Gallo. Honorable mention to Rubio and Lavine. I think Nuggets did really well in FA. And seeing the price TJ Warren went for would make me bid $7m on Josh Richardson, too.
Let's talk about the Mavs/Raptors deal this summer.
Which side of the Kristaps Porzingis for RJ Barrett trade would you want?
Nuggets: Probably RJ. Both bring a great deal of upside, but one has serious injury risk and requires an immediate resign before you can be guaranteed he’s past the bug.
Blazers: RJ Barrett because Porzingis is a broken husk of a basketball player now.
Wizards: I hope he returns to his full pre-injury form, but I just don't trust a 7 foot 3 man with knee problems. In addition, RJ Barrett has the potential to be a cornerstone of the eternally pitiful Knicks franchise, and will be a high volume player. Considering I would have also given up considerable draft capital (FOUR FIRSTS?!?!?) to take RJ in the first place, I would be more compelled to hang on to my investment and believe in his sky high potential.
Sixers: Porzingis.
You're the only GM on this panel taking the Zinger. Why?
Sixers: He's a legit 7 footer with guard skills and Carlisle is a great coach.
Okay, final question for the Roundtable. Who do you think is going to win this season in Guru?
Blazers: The Portland Trail Blazers. No one else comes close.
Jokes on you, I already came after those Shamet comments.
Blazers: Did I say Shamet? I meant Shamu. He's black, his jumper is wet, and his vertical is insane.
:<
Nuggets: I think Shamu's dead.
Wizards: He's a dead fish.
Like Philly's GF in the sack.
Nuggets: It's a mammal.
Wizards: Whatever!
In terms of who will win the league, the talent is there for Suns to repeat as champion. Giannis and Kawhi is a duo nobody else can match, and a supporting cast of Booker, Looney, DLo, Murray, and Len put him in a solid position. However, my endorsement goes to the New Orleans Pelicans. Jokic, Embiid, and Beal are three of the most valuable players in dynasty; combine that with other elite talent like Mitchell, Kuzma, and (an albeit overpaid) TJ Warren, and this team is a force to be reckoned with. As a Washington Capitals and Nationals fan, I know all about having all the talent in the world and still choking, but come on. Barring injury, this team is built to win now and in the foreseeable future. One of these years it's bound to happen, and I believe that the time is now.
That's one vote for Pels, one vote for Blazers. Who you got, Nuggets?
Nuggets: Barring injury to the principal players, Portland is my title pick. His vets are in very similar positions and there is no reason to suspect immediate downturn in their production, Vic, Blake, and Aldridge should nearly replicate last year’s great numbers, but his young guys are insanely talented. Trae, Lauri, Bagley, Lonzo, Mitch Rob, Collins, and Huerter should all see significant jumps in production this year. They can all be realistic STARS in the league in the very near future. Trae and Lauri are already there. LeVert is back from injury, and his bench is loaded with lottery tickets who could join the prior group in the next year or two. Portland may be a problem for the league for the next several years.
Philly?
Sixers: Hard to say, there's so much turnover during the season. If I HAD TO pick, I'd say Nola because he always seems to find a way to be in the mix at the end of the season.
Two votes for Pels, and two for Blazers. Interesting!
Well, that does it for the third edition of the Guru Gazette. Thanks to the Blazers, Sixers, Wizards, and Nuggets for participating in the roundtable.
And a warm welcome to the Raptors, Wizards, and Bulls! Nice to have you aboard. Good luck to you all this upcoming season.
I look forward to arguing with all of you in the near future.
-Phoenix Suns
P.S.: Did you know Bucks is a doctor? (source: Bucks)