Ott’s a GM: NBA Western Conference Northwest Division

Western Conference – Northwest Division:

Oklahoma Thunder

My Thoughts:

Well what can be said, they have a deep bench, a young and aggressive starting team and a head coach that has made his team buy into his system and embrace it. It there is one area of concern it would be at the Center position. Kendrick Perkins would make a good back-up but he is not a starter in my eyes. I have the fire power to trade for anybody in the NBA, but that’s not necessary. Trading Perkins, maybe Cook and maybe Sefelosha for the right scenario wouldn’t be hard. Westbrook, Harden, Durant, and Ibaka are going nowhere.
How I make it work:
– My 1st trade option would be to send Perkins, Sefolosha, Cook, Collison and a 2012 and 2013 unprotected pick to the Orlando Magic for Dwight Howard and J.J. Redick. But the chances of that deal happening are slim so let’s move on.
– I trade Perkins and Sefolosha to the Cavs for their 2012 1st round top 5 protected pick.
– I target Meyers Leonard, Tyler Zeller and Fab Melo in the draft.
-In Free Agency I look for added depth with my bigs, by adding Kevin Garnett or Marcus Camby to come off the bench.

Future outlook:

If the rest of the West doesn’t keep up the Thunder will overtake and stay at the top of the hill for years to come. I can’t think of a better built team than the Thunder right now. Starters and bench are both stacked. They all move fast and have 3 of the best scorers in the League with Durant, Westbrook and Harden.

Denver Nuggets:

My thoughts:

George Karl, you’ve been a great coach but it’s time for you to go. I let him resign and hire Brian Shaw. Let him come in a work with Nene, Gallinari, and the hard working Afflalo. Having a few options for trades and free agency I would make some moves right away and other would have to play out. This is a team that just needs to break away from the past and start a new chapter, and this is how.
How I make it work:
– I trade Kosta Koufos to the Celtics for a 2012 top 12 protected pick in the 2012 draft.
– I trade Mosgov and Andre Miller to the Bucks for Andrew Bogut and a 2012 1st round unprotected pick.
– In the draft I target Fab Melo with the pick from the Bucks and if necessary my draft pick as well.

Future outlook:

With a new coach in Shaw, a more 2 guys over 7 feet, Nene, Galinari and the youthful Lawson this team should thrive, Afflalo has the work ethic to be very good and I think having Shaw will help him grow tremendously over the next 3 seasons.

Minnesota Timberwolves:

My Thoughts:

Love, Williams, Beasley, Rubio and Pekovic have really helped the Twolves grow as a team. Rick Adleman is the right man for the job and not that many moves need to be made to make this team a contender. With the resent season ending injury to Rubio the team will fall further than they are now. So do you just scratch the season or try to make a major run? With no 1st round pick and only a few holes I would scratch the season and load up for next year.

How I make it work:

– As much as I like Beasley, the star of the team and a future MVP in Kevin Love doesn’t particularly like how the offense runs when Beasley is in the Lineup. So I would trade Beasley to the Rockets for Chase Budinger and the Knicks top 5 protected pick in the 2012 draft. I drop 8 million in salary and add a high draft pick in the process.
– In the draft I target Jeremy Lamb or Austin Rivers to play Shooting Guard.

Future Outlook:

Adding either of Rivers or Lamb with a healthy Rubio, a high flying Williams, K. Love and the Pekovic will make this team not only fast, but strong and smart as well. Rubio can focus on passing full time while working on his outside shot. Love will be the go-to guy but he will not be the only offense or defense. Pekovic is learning fast, he is a real beast and could easily be an all-star at some point.

Utah Jazz:

My Thoughts:

Not much talent on this team, Milsap is the best player on the team second would be an aging Al Jefferson other than that I’m not very impressed with Favors or Kanter so moving those two would be top priority. The Jazz own the rights to the Warriors top 7 protected pick in the draft so that will help in the future. This season is a wash and need to reload and rethink the system. Utah is known for great Point Guards and Devon Harris is not the answer. I have a game plan that would be hard to turn down.

How I make it work:

– I trade Ernes Kanter, Derrick Favors, Alec Burk, Utah’s 2012 and 2013 unprotected, and the Warriors top 7 protected in 2012 to the Boston Celtics for Rajon Rondo and Greg Stiemsma.

– In free agency I target Steve Novak, Chris Kaman and Matt Barnes.

Future Outlook:

Giving up a lot for Rondo, but with Rondo and Milsap the addition of a few free agents and the current roster will prove to be much harder to beat than expected. This is a team that will take a few years to build and free agency is the key, possibly trading Harris, Bell and Howard for a draft pick is also a possibility.

Portland Trailblazers:

My Thoughts:

Aldridge needs help, he needs a lot of help and it may take a few years to get the team up to contender status. Jamal Crawford and Gerald Wallace are not happy, both aging but still have very good trade value in the market. A young slashing point guard, a young big athletic Center and host of bench players are needed.
How I make it work:
– I trade Camby and Felton and a 2013 top 5 protected draft pick for Trevor Ariza and Chris Kaman
– I trade Gerald Wallace to the Cavs for Ramon Sessions.

Future Outlook:

Putting the right guys around Aldridge is key, Sessions and Ariza are athletic and want to prove they can start, they are both hungry will compliment Aldridge well. Kaman adds size and a Veteran voice on the floor.