Post by mgcoug2 on Oct 17, 2010 23:56:25 GMT -5
Supersonics Off Season Report
Another disappointing season saw the Supersonics picking 6th and the had decided that their biggest need was talent. The team was shocked, absolutely shocked that their number two rated player Duke's Jay Williams PG 21 6'0'' 197 C+ B- B- B- C- A was available at pick number 6. The team had trade talks with many teams but nothing offered was going to provide the value Williams did for the Sonics. But wait you ask what about incumbent PG the talent and young Baron Davis? Well the team is moving Baron to the SG spot where they think his scoring and strength will be better utilized and this means Hedo Turkoglu will be returning to his natural SF position. Heading into free agency the team has over $!5.5 million in cap room and lots of needs still to fill. Before looking at what the team may go after in Free Agency lets review what is already on the roster
Rookie Jay Williams hopes to lift the Sonics fortunes
Samuel Dalembert194 C 21 6'11'' 250 C+ D+ C- A- B- B
Dalembert flashed promise during his rookie year but is definitely a big time work in progress. His rookie campaign saw him average 3.3ppg 8.2epg 1.1steals and 1.6blocks as the teams starting center. He really needs to improve his strength and develop any sort of offensive game but the team feels he still has a chance to be a defensive anchor down low.
Sammy D claims he's been pumping the iron, the team sure hopes so
Dalibor Bagaric PF 22 7'1'' 250 C+ D+ D- B- C+ C
The euro import has been a disappointment in Seattle but the team is hoping he can finally breakout in training camp this year and become a decent backup post player. That is probably a pipe dream but crazier things have happened.
Hidayet Turkoglu SF 23 6'10'' 220 B- B+ B- B C B
The teams best player Hedo comes off a sophomore campaign that saw him average 21ppg 6.3rpg 4.1aps and 1.4steals as the teams SG. The team is hoping a return to his natural SF spot will only increase his production. He is the cornerstone of the teams rebuilding effort and his teammates love playing with him due to his unselfish style.
Teammates love playing with Hedo due to his willingness to share the rock
Bobby Simmons SF 22 6'7'' 210 C+ B+ C- C+ C B Simmons flashes potential as the teams starting SF last year and looks like this year he will most likely be the team's 6th man. Last year he produced 13ppg 5.4rpg and 1.4steals in just under 28mpg. He needs to work on his athleticism and conditioning but he has the look of a very productive NBA player.
Baron Davis SG 24 6'2'' 190 B- B- C+ B- C B It is rare to take a young PG who puts up 17.8ppg 5.2rpg and 6.6apg and move him to SG but the team thinks this is a much more natural position for the aggressive, scoring minded and turnover prone guard. The team has visions of creating nightmare match ups with Davis and Jay Williams in the back court. This is a contract year so the team is expecting a big year from Baron and the rumor is the team is really willing to trade him if the right deal presented itself.
How will Baron handle a position change before a contract year?
Raja Bell SG 25 6'5'' 205 C B C- A- C- B
Bell is another solid young wing for the Sonics and last year he averaged 4.3ppg 3.1rpg and 1.1 steals in 20mpg off the bench. His biggest asset is his glue like defense and the team is interested to see if he increases his offensive ability at all this off season.
Jay Williams PG 21 6'0'' 197 C+ B- B- B- C- A
The team is ecstatic to add Jay Williams to the team although it is rumored there is a no motorcycle clause in his contract due to his love of bikes. The team thinks this kid has the potential to be a superstar and is going to start for the team from day 1. Look for the team to identify an area to really work extra on his game in training camp this year.
Needs
Well the team has several good young pieces but really needs help down low and depth across the board. Right now there is not a starting PF on the roster so look for the team to try to bring one in via trade or free agency this off season. This is a weak year for big men in free agency so the team may be forced to simply look at adding talent and figuring it out after the fact. Depth at PG and in the post are also huge concerns for the team as it only has 7 players on the roster heading into free agency.
Free Agency Targets/Trade
With over $15 million in cap room look for the team to target the premium free agents early on and hope to get lucky. Vince Carter and Paul Pierce are sure to get max offers from the team even tho they are not at positions of need. After that look for the team to value shop for a PF and depth across the board. Armed with cap room and e4 firsts in the next two drafts the team has the ability to be patient in its approach although the Sonics management is tired of losing. It is also possible the team will use cap room and picks to make a big splash via trade. The team also desperately needs an interior post scorer down low and may be able to address this via free agency.
Conclusion
There are reasons for hope on the roster especially in Tukroglu and Jayson Williams. However, the team needs more talent to be successful and also needs depth across the board. The young core has steadily improved since a change in management but a bold move or a big strike in free agency is needed to take this team from young and talented to potential playoff team.
Another disappointing season saw the Supersonics picking 6th and the had decided that their biggest need was talent. The team was shocked, absolutely shocked that their number two rated player Duke's Jay Williams PG 21 6'0'' 197 C+ B- B- B- C- A was available at pick number 6. The team had trade talks with many teams but nothing offered was going to provide the value Williams did for the Sonics. But wait you ask what about incumbent PG the talent and young Baron Davis? Well the team is moving Baron to the SG spot where they think his scoring and strength will be better utilized and this means Hedo Turkoglu will be returning to his natural SF position. Heading into free agency the team has over $!5.5 million in cap room and lots of needs still to fill. Before looking at what the team may go after in Free Agency lets review what is already on the roster
Rookie Jay Williams hopes to lift the Sonics fortunes
Samuel Dalembert194 C 21 6'11'' 250 C+ D+ C- A- B- B
Dalembert flashed promise during his rookie year but is definitely a big time work in progress. His rookie campaign saw him average 3.3ppg 8.2epg 1.1steals and 1.6blocks as the teams starting center. He really needs to improve his strength and develop any sort of offensive game but the team feels he still has a chance to be a defensive anchor down low.
Sammy D claims he's been pumping the iron, the team sure hopes so
Dalibor Bagaric PF 22 7'1'' 250 C+ D+ D- B- C+ C
The euro import has been a disappointment in Seattle but the team is hoping he can finally breakout in training camp this year and become a decent backup post player. That is probably a pipe dream but crazier things have happened.
Hidayet Turkoglu SF 23 6'10'' 220 B- B+ B- B C B
The teams best player Hedo comes off a sophomore campaign that saw him average 21ppg 6.3rpg 4.1aps and 1.4steals as the teams SG. The team is hoping a return to his natural SF spot will only increase his production. He is the cornerstone of the teams rebuilding effort and his teammates love playing with him due to his unselfish style.
Teammates love playing with Hedo due to his willingness to share the rock
Bobby Simmons SF 22 6'7'' 210 C+ B+ C- C+ C B Simmons flashes potential as the teams starting SF last year and looks like this year he will most likely be the team's 6th man. Last year he produced 13ppg 5.4rpg and 1.4steals in just under 28mpg. He needs to work on his athleticism and conditioning but he has the look of a very productive NBA player.
Baron Davis SG 24 6'2'' 190 B- B- C+ B- C B It is rare to take a young PG who puts up 17.8ppg 5.2rpg and 6.6apg and move him to SG but the team thinks this is a much more natural position for the aggressive, scoring minded and turnover prone guard. The team has visions of creating nightmare match ups with Davis and Jay Williams in the back court. This is a contract year so the team is expecting a big year from Baron and the rumor is the team is really willing to trade him if the right deal presented itself.
How will Baron handle a position change before a contract year?
Raja Bell SG 25 6'5'' 205 C B C- A- C- B
Bell is another solid young wing for the Sonics and last year he averaged 4.3ppg 3.1rpg and 1.1 steals in 20mpg off the bench. His biggest asset is his glue like defense and the team is interested to see if he increases his offensive ability at all this off season.
Jay Williams PG 21 6'0'' 197 C+ B- B- B- C- A
The team is ecstatic to add Jay Williams to the team although it is rumored there is a no motorcycle clause in his contract due to his love of bikes. The team thinks this kid has the potential to be a superstar and is going to start for the team from day 1. Look for the team to identify an area to really work extra on his game in training camp this year.
Needs
Well the team has several good young pieces but really needs help down low and depth across the board. Right now there is not a starting PF on the roster so look for the team to try to bring one in via trade or free agency this off season. This is a weak year for big men in free agency so the team may be forced to simply look at adding talent and figuring it out after the fact. Depth at PG and in the post are also huge concerns for the team as it only has 7 players on the roster heading into free agency.
Free Agency Targets/Trade
With over $15 million in cap room look for the team to target the premium free agents early on and hope to get lucky. Vince Carter and Paul Pierce are sure to get max offers from the team even tho they are not at positions of need. After that look for the team to value shop for a PF and depth across the board. Armed with cap room and e4 firsts in the next two drafts the team has the ability to be patient in its approach although the Sonics management is tired of losing. It is also possible the team will use cap room and picks to make a big splash via trade. The team also desperately needs an interior post scorer down low and may be able to address this via free agency.
Conclusion
There are reasons for hope on the roster especially in Tukroglu and Jayson Williams. However, the team needs more talent to be successful and also needs depth across the board. The young core has steadily improved since a change in management but a bold move or a big strike in free agency is needed to take this team from young and talented to potential playoff team.
