[festar35Participant]

So as we move into the New Year I find myself asking a few questions as the season goes along, just wondering what your guys take is on them.

1. If Kris Middleton were healthy how good would the Bucks be?

2. Will Brooklyn move Lopez and Bogdanovic for picks/young talent, what could they get in return?

3. Will Denver, Boston and Philly finally make a trade?

4. Who will get the 8th seed in the West?

5. What does 5-8 seed look like in the East, does a team or 2 separate themselves with a win streak?

[r377Participant]

1 Bucks are still pretty good without him, they might only have 1 or 2 extra wins with him playing….Maybe 5-7 extra wins at end of season if they had him for 82 games

2 Bogdan stays, Broken lopez gets traded – I just don’t think they will get that much for him. He won’t go to a young team, he will go to an extablished playoff team. The only thing is most of the teams already have got centres. In fact the last few years the centre position has become strong and only a few team DO NOT have a decent starting centre. Would like to see him in New Orleans

3 Denver are looking to move Barton and Phillie Noel

4 if holiday and ant davis can stay healthy will be a tussle for NO and Portland to make 8th spot

5 I think the top 4 cleve, Toronto, boston, charlotte. Next 4 is really up in the air. I think Knicks miss out. I would of thought Pistons would of been .500+ but they have been struggling. I think maybe bucks and pacers make it, maybe a tossup for last 2 spots between Atlanta, Washington, Detroit and Chicago. If Beal and Gortat can both play 74+ games each Washington should have a good chance to make it…. I think Detroit should be better and contend for a playoff spot

[markfitz14Participant]

Helps both teams. would be a very good trade. 2017 1st rounder for Lopez. Have to add in some players t make it work.  

[negguaryParticipant]

Lopez on Houston for the playoffs when the game slows down!!  They also have some assets they can throw in 

[negguaryParticipant]

for Noel??  

[Hype Machine]

 I have questions that no-one else seems to be asking.

Why is Philly still with-holding Ben Simmons from playing?

This is a 6-8 week injury. Its been 13 weeks and isnt even practicing yet.

Doctors say its not the type of injury that gets better just from increased rest.

So all Philly is doing is tanking (as usual) and faking injuries (as usual).

Its not precautionary if theres no risk.

[EndlessknightParticipant]

 Remember what happened when OKC rushed Durant back from the same injury? 

[holefillers1Participant]

 Setting your in-depth explanation and expert medical advise aside(no offense Hype), I believe the Sixers staff is doing what’s right for Ben Simmons

[festar35Participant]

Might have a go at answering my own questions then:

#1: With Middleton there I feel that the Bucks would be sitting with Charlotte and Boston in the East with a record around 18-14 or 19-13. The thing they seem to lack the most is outside scoring and the simple acquisition of Snell has helped them immensely, but you put Middleton in that 2-guard spot you see far greater rewards as he knows the system and is a better version and fit than Snell in all areas.

#2: I think agree above where someone mentions a likely playoff team going after him, but I look at those teams who in their mind belief should be playoff teams and the one that sticks out to me is Chicago. Now Lopez has shown he can spread the floor this year and is shooting a good clip from there, you put him with Butler and Wade that is a really nice scoring trio. I could see Gibson, Mirotic and protected pick going out. Maybe not immediate dividends for Brooklyn put Mirotic is very talented and still young.

#3: Honestly I think we see Noel on the move, but that will probably be it in Philly. Boston I think unless Paul George, Jimmy Butler or Gordon Hayward become available they stand pat or make a smaller trade to improve rebounding.

Now as for the Denver I think Faried does get moved, the teams I look to go after him are Boston, Indiana and Washington they are all potential playoff team who have a big rebounding weakness that he can improve immediately. I think Boston would have the desired package to get him as well. I think Wilson Chandler has greatly helped his trade value and can be a valuable piece as a wing defender/3-point shooter and solid rebounder at the 2,3 or 4 spot. The teams I like to go after him are Indiana (Wing defender to take harder match-ups off of PG), Pelicans as a 3rd scorer with Holiday and Davis as well as be the player they expected Solo to be, or Memphis as Parsons hasn’t been good and he would fit nice in Memphis.

#4: As the teams are now I would put money on the Pelicans to get there. Sac-Town will likely damage themselves, Portland lacks the rebounding and Denver doesn’t seem to have that killer guy to get them over the hump. Now this could change with moves. However I see the Pelicans being the most aggressive to keep Davis happy and give him that playoff experience.

#5: This is tough, again I will go with the teams as they are. I think Milwaukee stretch out a bit and join the likes of Boston and Charlotte. Indiana confuses me greatly but I think they string enough games to get into the 6th seed, but I feel they will still struggle with identity. As for the last 2 spots I think we see Atlanta and Washington take those spots, now this could change if Millsap goes, in that case I have New York in instead of Atlanta.

[r377Participant]

As a pistons fan I would do Will Barton for Henry Ellenson or our first round pick (top 10 or 12 protected)

[festar35Participant]

I really don’t see Denver needing another stretch big man. They have Jokic, Nurkic, Hernangomez, Arthur, Gallinari and Chandler who plays spot minutes at the 4.

[HitsterParticipant]

 1. I think that Middleton would give Bucks maybe 3 to 5 extra wins across an 82 game season although the way the Greek Freak is playing now they probably don’t miss him that much.

2. Brook Lopez will be gone by the time FA market has swung into action. I don’t see him going before deadline day as once cap space is cleared more teams come into play and Brooklyn get more suitors for him.

3. Philly will make a move before deadline day I think. Boston won’t trade any Brooklyn pick but might make a small move. Denver could look to cash in on Gallinari.

4. 8th seed out West I’d say NOP if they keep supporting cast around The Brow sound.

5. Washington are on a good run so I could see them consolidating a top 6 play off birth. Atlanta might move Millsap so could fall back. Pacers have experience and talent to be a top 6 Estern team. Bucks could go on a run if Greek Freak and Jabari continue to be on fire. Knicks have the ability to go on a run if the stars all hit form but bench depth is still a concern.

 

 

 

 

[DolanCareParticipant]

1. If Kris Middleton were healthy how good would the Bucks be?

They would be a significantly better team. Right now they are relying on a string of worse players who give them spacing over superior talent who can’t shoot. Middleton would change this. It could be a difference of 7-9 games if Middleton played all 82. In the East, that’s the difference between a 3 and a 6 seed.

2. Will Brooklyn move Lopez and Bogdanovic for picks/young talent, what could they get in return?

It’s a failure if they don’t move Brook before his contract expires. They won’t get a lottery pick. But they absolutely could get a low-end first round pick or a couple high 2nd rounders.

3. Will Denver, Boston and Philly finally make a trade?

I don’t think Philly should be in a rush to make a trade. You’re not getting any great for Noel, it’s fine to let him walk. Okafor is a fine bench player. Their future is Simmons, Embiid and whoever they draft next with their stockpile of picks.

Boston and Denver on the other hand need to do something. They have a bunch of talented young players who could find a home on a dozen of other teams. Denver needs to pull the trigger the most. They are convinced they can get a nice haul for Kenneth Faried, which is never happening. They need to be prepared to package their vets with coveted players like Barton, Harris and maybe even Nurkic (who doesn’t play when they win) for a big name. This is the time.

4. Who will get the 8th seed in the West?

You have to go with the Blazers. They are a disappointment but they’re still better than the Kings and Nuggets. I say they eek out 38 wins and take the eighth seed.

5. What does 5-8 seed look like in the East, does a team or 2 separate themselves with a win streak?

Bucks, Hawks, Bulls and Knicks. Bucks solidify themselves as the 5th seed once Middleton returns late in the season

[OhCanada-Participant]

1.Malcom Brogdon and Tony Snell are playing great in a complimentary role and the team is starting to make some progress. It’s hard to say if Middletons presence would have stunted Giannis and Jabaris maturation or helped them. Although they should get a huge boost when he returns and compete for a home seed in the East.

2.The problem is he has that injury prone label and C’s are not in high demand in today’s NBA due to a faster game. Guys like Monroe, Valanciunas and Okafor have 20 and 10 potential that will never be realized because teams will not be sacraficing defensive versatility for low post offence. Lopez falls into this catgory. Maybe they can get some 1st round picks prospects from a team looking for a playoff push?

Chicago is a team that has shown a willingness to mix things up. They are on the playoff bubble and his brother plays there too. Valentine, Portis and a draft pick then match salaries could make Brooklyn accept but would the Bulls be giving too much?

Washington made a push last year trading for Morris and Wall is entering Free Agency soon so they will have to reinforce confidence in him somehow but I don’t think the C position is the problem in Washington Gortat is underrated.

The West has a lot of teams that are on the playoff bubble but none of them have a need for Lopez. There doesn’t seem to be much interest.

3. Danny Ainge has the league on tilt. He only makes trades he wins outright. Nobody wants to trade with him right now lol.

I don’t see the Nuggets making a deal unless they get hit with injuries. They have perfect roster balance right now and Malone has them playing playoff basketball.

Bryan Colangelo only makes trades when the organization forces his hand or when there’s no risk involved. Like trading Jerami Grant for Ersan Ilyasova…that’s a no risk trade that doesn’t win you games but adds a guy that is a good vet and gets rid of a kid that won’t develop or get minutes. Trading Okafor or Noel for Ilyasova would bring huge backlash but Noels value is at an all-time low and Okafor could probally only bring in a 1st round pick at this point. He has said he wants to add vets and I do see BC adding another veteran though and thijnj he may target Dragic a guy he is familiar with as he targeted him while being a GM with Toronto and has ties to the Suns organization where Dragic was originally developed. Also look for him to target a trade for the Suns vets for reasons stated above.

4.It’s a long season and anything can happen so its hard to say but my favourites would be Denver, Portland and Minnesota. Between those three anyone of then could make i.
Portland has their.core intact that made a run last year and I do not want to doubt Dame Lilliard for a second. He will go stupid and drop 35-ppg to keep everyone in check when he gets back from injury. Biggest all-star snub ever.?

Denver is playing great basketball as of late and is getting better every day. They are two players deep in each position and are playing hard and inspired so eveb if the injury bug hits they will still keep it coming.

Thibs, Towns, Wiggins, and Lavine. They could make a push for .500 and Boone would be the least bit surprised.

[r377Participant]

Why do some ppl think the New York Knicks will make the playoff this year ?

Its not 2k10 where Rose and Noah are quality players and you can turn the settings to “no injuries”.

Melonoma is a melanoma, Rose is a shoot first PG. These two won’t mesh properly

[r377Participant]

Denver – I think they should keep Will Barton. If he adds 10-20lbs do you think he can play SF full time ?

Nurkic is in the doghouse and has come out and said he is not happy with his low minutes. Surely a few teams would be keen on Nurkic. NO, Houston, Milwaukee, Lakers

[Author]

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