2024 Offseason Primer

[Laimbeer40]

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES

The Story: Outside of an outlier 2021 season, this team has trended downward each season and now they have finally hit rock bottom.

The Picks: 1.1, 2.1, 2.27

Projected Roster

PG Tyus Jones $4.8m (His Assist to TO ratio is top notch. Solid starter)
SG Rookie 1.1 (Should cost in the $7m range. Might be better to trade the pick)
SF Free Agent
PF Taylor Hendricks $4.3m (Hoping for a leap in year 2. Rebounded well in his starts)
C Karl-Anthony Towns $18m-ish (Solid extension price for their franchise player)
BE PG Scoot Henderson $7.6m (Really rough rookie season but rookie PG's often struggle)
BE PG Dyson Daniels $4.1m (Better defender than scorer can be a STL specialist)
BE SG Andre Jackson $0.8m (Got playing time on a strong MIL team but might not be the best fantasy guy)
BE PF/C Isaiah Jackson $3.4m (Hope he goes to a situation where he gets more minutes. Can be a blocks machine)
BE PF Aleksander Vezenkov $4.0m (May not ever get enough minutes in SAC. Gambling on Euro FA's hasn't gone well lately)
BE Rookie 2.1 (Like this value at $0.8m)
BE Free Agent

Kira Lewis probably goes unsigned in RFA, Romeo Langford should have been bought out, Reggie Bullock  likelynot extended

Cap: After signing rookies and KAT, you are looking at about $24m if you want to splurge in FA

Outlook: A team with 25 wins made the playoffs in the West. There is more than enough here to easily make the playoffs in the West. Really cannot miss on Pick 1.1 though.

[Laimbeer40]

LOS ANGELES LAKERS

The Story: Once proud franchise quickly found themselves at the bottom and unfortunately may be looking for a new owner. This feels like a League Office special in 2024-25.

The Picks: 1.2, 1.25, 2.2

Projected Roster

PG Malcolm Brogdon $10m (A fine player but a little costly at $10m. Should be prime trade candidate for this team)
SG Jalen Suggs $8.2m (His shooting has improved each year and it's easy to tell he works hard. Solid player)
SF Jimmy Butler $15m-ish (Fair extension price for Jimmy. You wonder if the owner blows it up and deals him though)
PF Rookie 1.2 (Should cost around $7m)
C  Free Agent
BE SG/SF Josh Richardson $2.5m (Solid bench player especially if he stays with the Heat)
BE SG Onuralp Bitim $2.5m (Hoping the league office stole them a gem with this min signing)
BE Rookie 1.25 (1.8m)
BE Rookie 2.2 (0.8m)
BE Free Agent

Jaylen Nowell not extended, Cedi Osman not extended, Marcus Morris not extended, Mason Plumlee not extended

Cap: After extending Jimmy and signing rookies you are looking at $31m which would make a nice splash in FA

Outlook: Even in a weak West it's unlikely this would be a playoff team. And then you have to figure a new owner would want to rebuild. If it's a League Office Special, then it will be a rebuild for sure.

[Laimbeer40]

DENVER NUGGETS

The Story: A franchise that has won more than it lost is coming off a controversial League Office Rebuild but is in prime position to attract a new owner next season.

The Picks: 1.3, 1.30, 2.3

Projected Roster

PG Darius Garland $18m (Top 35 dynasty guy has PG set for years)
SG Jalen Green $9.1m (Scoring threat who seems so close to taking the leap. Maybe better in fantasy than IRL)
SF Cam Whitmore $3.2m (Dude is a bucket)
PF Simone Fontecchio $2.5m (Underrated bargain if he stays with DET)
C Wendell Carter Jr $3.4m (Durability and playing time are the risks but we have seen his potential)
BE SF Kyle Anderson $8m (Basically got him for free. More expensive than necessary but is a good bench guy)
BE PG Cam Payne $2.5m (Last couple of weeks have shown he can put up decent stats with minutes)
BE PF/C Trayce Jackson-Davis $0.8m (Very productive bench player for Warriors. Gave a facial to Wemby recently)
BE PF Noah Clowney $1.7m (Played in G-League most of the season but hopes to be in the mix next yr)
BE Pick 1.3 (Potential starter for $6m-ish)
BE Pick 1.30 (Bench contributor for $1.6m)
BE Pick 2.3 ($0.8m, could sit in GL)

Cap: After signing rookies they will have about $17m to play with.

Outlook: This team can absolutely make the playoffs in the West once adding the rookies and free agents. Obviously those will have to be the right rookies and FA's but the framework is there and the arrow is pointing up on almost all of these guys.