Problem is BS hasn't exactly committed enough PT to the young guys on this team for a long term approach. DA is always shopping guys and kicking tires that makes it look like he wants to win now. Wyc is on the record saying he rather trade for an all star than wait 3 years to develop one because he likes the roster. All signs point to trying to get better now. When you have the cap to get two all stars but only manage one along with this win now approach that has been exibuted it's a fail for the organization. I'm all for a long term balanced approach but given the NBA's wild FA sooner or later even the decent guys you have leave for pay days. How much will IT, AB, Smart and Crowder be next contracts? If you lose them and fail to develop a star you are back to an 8 seed or worst. So things are not fine at all in terms of championship contention or a long term plan. Having all these picks this draft and all this cap this off season along with all these great contracts was the plan and it failed we have no franchise player!
I agree. You make many good points here!
Another thing to consider: It took us this long to acquire a big-name Free Agent like Horford, who's contract will take him through the last precious years of his prime.
Even if we don't have Durant on our team, it makes sense to take advantage of Horford's contributions, to at least make a deep playoff run. The goal in 2017 doesn't have to be a championship, but we can at least show potential FAs that ours is the team that is most likely to get there, and best positioned to overcome a (relatively) aging LeBron with an easier path to the finals.
Whatever success we have in the postseason, has to become part of our future pitch to convince guys to sign with us or convince them to stay (assuming they agree to be traded)
It took us two years to land a top level FA. Before that we didn't have cap space and last time I checked top tier free agents don't sign for the mid level.
In terms of taking advantage of Horfords peak years I don't think we need to do much. The goal is still cap flexibility and building the players on the roster. We need more depth on the front line but let's stick to short term deals, maybe not even big ones. It doesn't matter if we are under the salary floor heading into the season, it'll just make trades easier.
2016 was quite early to get a Durant type. This summer we will be better positioned, especially now with Horford, and our players,notably Smart and Olynyk, should take big steps forward.
It is tempting to cash in the chips and go for it now but it isn't the wisest decision. We are the up and coming team in the East and Cleveland is not far from moving down. Give it a year and this team should have improved enough to be competitive with them in the ECF
Topic: We missed out on Durant but that's fine, keep to the long term plan (Read 2812 times)