But a quick look back to and old file helped.
We had a very slow start into the season, going 1-8. I was on a trip only to able to check the html and was like “all right, they will et all fired”. Some strat changes helped us to climb out of this hole though. We got a nice run to catch up with the team occupying the playoff spots and played a very solid season, the best since we started our rebuild.
Unfortunately Mr. Glass Goloman went down with a season ending injury and we had to decide, if we just want to scratch this season of or try to trade for some front court help. In the end we dealt young Austin Reaves for veteran center Metu. Still like that move, Metu played strong playoffs for us and after resigning him to a reasonable contract, we hope he can help the team for the next 2-3 seasons.
We made it into the playoffs without having to play the play-ins this year, small progress there. In round 1 we met the Doncic led Knicks and after some fight we had to surrender to the better team at that point. Overall, I was happy with the outcome of the season which showed another small step forward.
Entering the offseason, our top priority was to resign Isaac Okoro and Chimezie Metu. Both could be done quickly and without much drama. We also resigned Vaiciunas and Walker to some short-term deals and added Marcus Howard, another solid play maker who knows how to hit an outside shot.
A little bit more interesting were our trade and draft activity. We were and still are looking for the future starting PG and C of the current roster. Okoro did a good job playing the point for us last season, but I feel there is potential for an upgrade.
We were able to hammer out a deal with Washington to send Jose Alvarado to the Hawks in exchange for the improving prospect Ashton Hagans and established center Moses Brown, along with pick 33, which we acquired before in a trade with New Orleans. Our hope is, that Alvarado can still steadily lead the offense, like Okoro did last year, but also put some more pressure on opposing guards and help our not so shiny defense.
With pick 23 we added also defensive specialist Lindy Waters III during the draft. Another try to improve our team defense going forward.
More trade talks, mostly centered around young and developing big men, stalled for now and we have the roster at hand, which will very likely play together til day 30, where we will re-evaluate again what we got so far.
Goal for this season is again, to improve a little more. Hopefully be in play for home court this time.
Roster regarding, we will be able to free up cap next summer, to offer someone the maximum contract in free agency. Could be fun to be able to throw some money around.
Obviously there is also always the chance we decide for a trade and use this cap, our 35 first and our young player to acquire a player we feel can be part of the core of Reggie Perry, Naji Marshall and Keegan Murray. We will certainly keep our eyes open for that possibility.
A lot of ideas and possible ways forward, but now its time to start the season and see where we really stand. The opener will be at home against the team with the best West record last season, the Dallas Mavericks. Zion and co will be a tough test and right after that we will have to play a bunch of games on the road. Can’t wait to get it started and hope we can hang with the East top teams.
2020, 2023, 2027, 2035
