“Beatings will continue until morale improves”

― Popular saying

(Note: if you're unfamiliar with the methodology behind these rankings feel free to go here for a full explanation. A few tweaks and enhancements have been made from last year, most notably to our playoff probabilities in line with the math from this post.)

As of 12/17/2014, 378 of the season's 1230 scheduled regular season games, or 30.7% of the total have been played. Mathematically, we are at the point of the season were teams can actually make the most solid conclusions (I proved it!) and actually act on them.

Teams have played enough games for us to reach Conclusions. Is the team on track for its goals? Has the season gone off the rails? What does the team need and can they actually get it? It's awfully convenient that all players are now eligible for trades (as of 12/15 rejoice trade machine wonks!) thru the trade deadline (2/19/2015 this year). The goal then for these rankings is to provide actionable intelligence for teams to use and any recommendations for trades/improvements I might have.

I pinkie swear that I'm not going to be advocating beatings.

Mostly.

Let's get to the rankings, simulation and odds before I get to crank up the trade machine:

 

With the expected revival of the Thunder, the West playoff picture looks very much fixed. Here's a fun possible round one Western Conference playoff scenario:

#1 Warriors versus #8 Mavericks (Dirk gets his revenge?)

#2 Blazers versus #7 Rockets (Rematch #2!)

#3 Memphis versus #6 Clippers (Rematch #3!)

#4 Spurs versus #5 Thunder (Rematch #4!)

Admit it; this would be all the awesome. I don't know that I'd favor any Eastern team in a playoff series against any Western team. I'd have generic West team as a 2 to 1 favorite to win the title over generic East team.

The east, once you get past the solid top five of Atlanta(!), Toronto, Washington, Chicago and Cleveland, is a lot more fungible. I could see any of the other teams in the east making the playoffs or calling it a season and going in the tank. 

Let's get to the teams and the players next. 

Here are the game-based player rankings (as seem in the previews and based on math similar to this). In brief:

• The Y-Axis represents a player's offensive contribution (scoring and handling). Plus offensive players are up.
• The Y-Axis represents a player's defensive and rebounding contribution. Plus defensive players are to the right.
• The size of the bubble is sized by minutes played
• Ratings are calculated based on overall Player value converted to a percentile. A player with a rating of 10 for example is expected to be better than 10 percent of the player population in the NBA
• The Players will be labeled with their last names and their overall rating.
• If you select a player on the graph, you'll get a lot more information.
• You can also select by teams, experience and position.
• Have fun!

I'm going to work these out for the team rankings and use them as a reference for discussion. Here they are thru 12/14/14:

 

 

(A quick note, I recorded a multi hour podcast covering each team with @DannyLeroux for RealGM radio. Part 1 of that is here)

Let's get to the teams. :

 

#1 Golden State Warriors Neutral Site Win:73.3% (Up 1,#8 in offense, #1 in defense):

Mark Jackson who? Steve Kerr has everything clicking in Golden State. Basically, every player but Igoudala and Ezeli is playing like plus players. History tells us that we should 100% give Andre the benefit of the doubt too. Even with the end of their streak and dropping the belt at Memphis last night, the Warriors have come out and played this year and are the clear best team in the NBA. Steph Curry is arguably the league's MVP right now. Everything is perfect and they should stand pat right? Not quite. The Warriors need to most likely move one or both of the David Lee or Igoudala contracts to make it much easier to keep this team together long term. The emergence of Barnes, Green and Speights has made this a much easier job. They also lack anyone on the roster who's actually played in a conference Finals and this, historically, bodes poorly for their championship odds. I love the idea of a David Lee for Kevin Garnett swap. They're also an intriguing possibility for a Lance Stephenson trade (as suggested by old friend and Warriors blogger extraordinaire @DannyLeroux). Here are both. I expect this team, barring injury (they're the Warriors) of course, to make the Conference Finals. A move for the right vet could see them as my title favorites.

#2 Atlanta Hawks Neutral Site Win:72.9% (Up 14,#6 in offense, #12 in defense):

We loved the Hawks in the preseason and we've loved a lot of the moves they've made in the last few years. This has exceeded expectations though. They just crushed the Cavs utterly and they did it without Jeff Teague, who's arguably their second best player. Kyle Korver setting a record for three point accuracy (54.6%) helps explains this. I  would say this can't hold but the record Korver is threatening to break is his own (54% from three for Utah in 2010). Kyle Korver is actually at the point where he's doing the defense warping thing guys like Durant and Dirk do. If you are not aware of where he is at all times on offense, he'll kill you. The other big factor in this run for the Hawks has been the return to form of Al Horford in the last month (he's now above average in the game metric and about average in Wins per 48). The Hawks are actually good folks. They run smart,tight ship and make teams with bad defenses look terrible (Ohio!). Think of them as Spurs East.   I think the plan for them was to build this year and they're wonderfully set up for it. The East being so wide open throws a bit of a monkey wrench here. This team could realistically make the Finals with the right trade (which feels crazy to type). Their best hope is someone like Indiana deciding to blow it all up. Here's a trade for Hibbert that would make this Hawks team downright scary. I like this team as a dark horse for the conference finals regardless.

#3 Los Angeles Clippers Neutral Site Win:69.2% (Up 6,#2 in offense, #24 in defense):

I keep thinking that Chris Paul is going to eventually make a conference Finals. This Clippers team does seem to have all the necessary components: the superstar (CP3), the dominant center (DeAndre), the exceptional robin (Blake) and the experienced and competent coach (Doc). The problem might be one of luck, depth and timing. The West has been historically loaded for the majority of Chris Paul's career and it does not look to be tapering off at all. If this Clippers team was in the east it would be a prohibitive favorite to make the Finals but, alas, it's not. The roster really has some significant issues. After their big three, the rest of the roster has been mediocre. I thought Hawes (-.001 WP48 is atrocious) would help address their frontcourt depth issue but that has not been the case. When Glen Davis is your best backup big you are not getting past the death march that is the West playoff field. This is another team that should be talking to the Nets about KG (something like this works) or to the Hornets about a Lance for Redick and filler trade (see here). Without that sort of move, I have a hard time seeing them getting out of Round one most of the time.

#4 Memphis Grizzlies Neutral Site Win:68.1% (No Change,#7 in offense, #5 in defense):

The Grizzlies coming off a win versus the Warriors and a classic all time win at San Antonio in triple OT on back to back nights, sitting at 21-4 for the season and 56-18 in the regular season since the Courtney Lee trade have got to be feeling good about themselves. A single bounce of the ball in the OKC first round series last year likely sees them at least in the conference Finals. Their roster is rock solid. Their starting line of Conley, Allen, Lee, Randolph and Gasol is across the board outstanding and flexible. Throw in Beno and their top 6 are all above average. I have every expectation that this team should, at a minimum, make the conference Finals. I actually don't have a lot of recommendations for them. I do think they miss Mike Miller's shooting particularly if they have to go thru San Antonio (especially if Kawhi plays). A trade for Kevin Martin would fix this (straight up for Prince). I wouldn't be against a move for KG either. 

#5 Toronto Raptors Neutral Site Win:65.9% (Down 4,#3 in offense, #13 in defense):

We've talked about the Raptors at length in our previous ranking. Killer roster that lacks playoff experience. I do feel a Masai trade coming on. For example:  "Hey Rich? It's Masai. Listen, I hear the Lance thing hasn't really worked out for you guys. I can help you fix it. I love him dearly but I'd be willing to give you DeMar for Lance if you sweeten the deal for me. How about if we make it Lance, Kidd-Gilchrist and Vonleh for DeMar and Landry's expiring? You like it? Tell you what, give me a couple of second rounders so I can sell it to my owners and we can get it done today. Sweet. Lovely talking to you Rich, say hi to MJ and Oak for me."  Still feels like a second round loss is in the cards.

#6 Dallas Mavericks Neutral Site Win:64.1% (Up 1,#1 in offense, #22 in defense):

Cuban did an awesome job in the off-season. Tyson and Aminu have been out and out steal for this team. The problem for them remains the defense. They only have three plus defenders on this squad: Chandler, Aminu and Wright and Chandler and Wright cancel themselves out somewhat. I honestly think this Mavs team given their makeup and experience has a puncher's chance at the title. They need one more plus wing defender. They're my favorite Lance destination. Something like this with a pick. Monta, Lance, Parsons, Dirk and Tyson would be so much fun. The Rondo rumor would also take them to another level. That trade would have to look like this (all the Dallas pgs for Rondo and Pressey). I'm not 100% convinced putting Rondo, Monta and JJ on the same team wouldn't be combustible as hell though.

#7 Portland Trail Blazers Neutral Site Win:62.8% (Down 4,#10 in offense, #4 in defense):

Portland is good and likely to win their division and get a top four seed in the west. Their starters are above average. Lillard is playing actual defense this year. Aldridge is having a career year. Are they a contender though? They're basically a worse version of the Warriors. They're a team that could definitely use a veteran presence. I see a first round exit in their future unless they swing something like a KG trade. 

#8 San Antonio Spurs Neutral Site Win:61.9% (Down 2,#9 in offense, #6 in defense):

The Spurs continue to be the Spurs and give zero fucks about trying to win every game. If it's a back to back scheduled loss, Pop is resting his guys. I don't believe San Antonio has hit 4th gear yet and they're 8th ranked. Before anyone panics about losing to Grizzlies in triple OT last night please remember the following: Kawhi was out. They've actually been pretty great and they've just added a top five center in Splitter back into the mix and a top ten PG (Patty Mills) is about four weeks away. I still expect them to go on a run and get a home first round series. I'd almost write their name in pen for the Conference Finals except for the fact that they might see OKC in round one. As for trades? Someone asked me to see if there was any way to get them Boogie. This one works. 

#9 Houston Rockets Neutral Site Win:60.6% (Down 1,#24 in offense, #2 in defense):

The Rockets have been rocked by injury all year with their starting center, Dwight, and Power Forward, Terrence Jones, missing significant time. Yet they're still 18-5 and rocking the 2nd best defense in the NBA. This team is good now and will only improve as the season goes on. I've never had any doubt about the talent and ability on this squad. On paper, they're loaded and can win a title. Focusing has been the issue here. It does look very much like James Harden is locked in this season. It wouldn't surprise me at all if it's this team that leads the pack the rest of the way in the West once they're healthy. Particularly, if there is any truth to the Goran Dragic speculation or the Rondo talk. The fact of the matter is that they have an $8.4 million trade exception from Jeremy Lin. I can actually put this in the trade machine but here are some likely fits: Dragic, Rondo, KG, David Lee and Lance. Yikes. 

#10 Washington Wizards Neutral Site Win:58.5% (Up 4,#18 in offense, #7 in defense):

At this point, everyone knows the Wizards are good. They should have made the conference finals last year. Everyone but Gooden, Seraphin and the oft injured Nene has been a plus player. They added playoff vets in the offseason (Paul Pierce) and already had a significant veteran presence in their locker room. They also had a nice playoff run with their young players last year. The secret here is that they've been banged up as well. Expect this team to see an uptick. Sneakily, they should be the dark horse favorite to make the conference Finals in the East. As for trades? Here's a crazy idea: swap Nene and parts for the suddenly rejuvenated A'mare. I think he's available and would be a great fit in Washington were he wouldn't need to be the primary rim defender and he would be the primary post scorer. My favorite hypothetical of the year (from Danny Leroux) might be KG waiting to get bought out by the Nets, making a conciliatory call to Ray and having him and Ray take the minimum to put the Big three back together in Washington for one last run. A Wizards/Cavs series featuring KG/Pierce/Ray versus Lebron might actually require the National Guard. The idea of an Andre Miller, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, KG and Drew Gooden old man at the Y lineup is pretty gosh darn awesome.

#11 Chicago Bulls Neutral Site Win:58.5% (Up 1,#12 in offense, #8 in defense):

Jimmy "Minutes" Butler has been amazing for this Bulls team. It's his performance combined with a mini Pau Gasol renaissance has kept the Bulls afloat despite the by now expected plethora of injuries. The roster has actually lined up for the most part to expectations with Dunleavy, Mirotic, Gibson and Noah rounding out the plus players. The problem has been the expected lack of consistency at the point guard position. I love Derrick Rose as a player but we are three plus years removed from him showing up night in and night out as a great player. His -.002 Wins per 48 and the fact that he's only played about half of the possible minutes reinforces the fact that this team desperately needs another point guard. I continue to think that at 100% this roster can win the title. This roster will never, ever be at a 100% so a plan B is needed. Here's a possible trade (Prigioni for Snell and picks). I figure Phil owes someone in Chicago a favor.

#12 Oklahoma City Thunder Neutral Site Win:57% (Up 6,#26 in offense, #3 in defense):

Psst, don't look now but as the Thunder quickly rise, so is Russell Westbrook's MVP campaign. This is a completely different team with KD and MVP dark horse candidate Russell Westbrook playing. They're making the playoffs. The only question is how high they rise. Given that this might be one of the two last shots the Thunder get with 2016 Free Agent Kevin Durant making an all-in play might be recommended. Another @DannyLeroux based suggestion was this particular mad trade (Lance and Biyombo for Perk, Lamb and picks). Reggie, Russ, Lance, KD and Serge might be the swaggiest, born readiest lineup ever assembled.

#13 Phoenix Suns Neutral Site Win:51.9% (Down 2,#11 in offense, #20 in defense):

The Suns are not playing poorly this year. They're actually above average. Thomas, Dragic, Markieff, Bledsoe and Tucker are all plus players. They don't have that dominant big and in the West that gets you an early vacation. They can't make the conference Finals or even the Finals. I feel the best thing for this roster is time and the addition of those 4 possible lottery picks over the next two drafts. I don't really think they should make a trade unless they're getting multiple assets back. For example, if I'm giving Houston Dragic, my price would be something like Clint Capela and a #1. Basically, someone needs to give them a godfather offer.

#14 Cleveland Cavaliers Neutral Site Win:51.7% (Down 9,#4 in offense, #21 in defense):

By default and the presence of the King, I have to feel the Eastern conference is the Cavs to lose. Their top six players, Kyrie, Lebron, Love, Tristan, Shawn and Anderson have all been excellent even if Lebron is just now rounding into shape and Love has likely been underutilized. I still think this team hasn't quite figured how to use all its weapons (i.e. Love in the pick and roll). The basic construction issues remain. Waiters (-.042 WP48 is crap) is useless and a severe detriment to everything they're trying to do. They're only real center is Anderson Varejao and he's likely going to get hurt. As the absolute squashing the Hawks just put on them shows, they can't defend the perimeter for squat. If they make zero moves, I think they can still possibly ride Lebron's will and reputation to a finals appearance. As much as the Hawks and their Spurs-like system is pure kryptonite to this Cavs roster,  if you think the Hawks get a single 50/50 call in a playoff series versus the Cavs you're nuts. They're not beating any West team they find in a possible Finals barring a catastrophic injury. The ideal scenario for them is to move Waiters and Haywood's contract for a solid backup big and another ball handler. A Lance trade makes sense for Cleveland but the hidden prize would be Biyombo who's been a solid big the last two years. Lance's wing defense would be a real asset as well. We also know that he can blow in Lebron's ear to keep him interested. 

#15 Denver Nuggets Neutral Site Win:50.6% (No Change,#19 in offense, #18 in defense):

This Nuggets team is a team of above average players where the sum of its parts is less than those individual parts. Wins Produced likes all these guys but it doesn't quite work. There is a lot of redundancy (Faried, Hickson, Gee come quickly to mind). Brian Shaw gives all the appearance of not liking the roster that he has. That said, I feel this team will improve as some of their key pieces get healthier (Affalo and Gallinari) but I don't think it's nearly enough. The pieces on this team are very,very attractive to contenders; probably more so than to the Nuggets front office. I have every expectation that the Nuggets are sellers in this market and they want picks. As for a trade to improve this team? Melo for Javale/Wilson Chandler and New York's number 1 in 2016. Who says no?

#16 New Orleans Pelicans Neutral Site Win:50.3% (Down 3,#5 in offense, #25 in defense):

At 21 years old, Anthony Davis, with a robust .410 WP48, is flirting not just with the best under 22 NBA season of all time but with having the best season in our database. The tragedy of this is that the rest of the Pelicans roster is not quite so good. Davis is joined by the defensive domination of Omer Asik and point guard performance of Jrue Holiday as the only plus performers on the entire roster. The rest of this roster, as was covered recently and brilliantly by Patrick, is below replacement level. There's been some noise about time fixing what ails the Pelicans but it's not that simple. Time will not fix their propensity for rostering terrible guards and wing players and getting rid of great cheap pieces (Aminu and Robin Lopez come to mind). As much as I love the Davis/Asik combo, I don't trust this front office to capitalize on their potential. This is a team that needs backcourt help. They should be burning the phone lines with Charlotte, Denver and Boston. Tyreke for Chandler and Affalo works. Tyreke for Lance and Gary Neal works as well.

#17 Milwaukee Bucks Neutral Site Win:48.7% (Up 4,#20 in offense, #10 in defense):

I'm so sad about the Jabari Parker injury. This Bucks team really has something. They're a good team now that, given their age, should only get better as the season goes on. I'm on record as saying that Jabari and Giannis are my favorite of any two players taken in the last two drafts. As much as the Jabari injury hurts, they should stay at about the same level competitively if John Henson, with comparable career numbers to Parker, returns soon. Giannis (.190 WP48 at 20 years old) has been a human highlight reel this year. I think this team can make the playoffs and possibly score a first round scalp. I know I keep throwing Lance in trades but a Lance for OJ swap works. I certainly wouldn't bet against Jason Kidd getting thru to Lance and getting the best out of him.

#18 Sacramento Kings Neutral Site Win:48.2% (Down 8,#16 in offense, #15 in defense):

I was so happy about the Kings playing like the over for them was a dead solid lock. Cue the Mike Malone firing and my first take was to lose all confidence in what this team is doing. Here's the numbers for this team. Malone had turned Rudy Gay into an efficient basketball player. However, I've written extensively about how ownership and coach alignment is critical to long term success. However good a coach Malone might be, if his philosophy doesn't line up with the owner's then both parties are better served by parting ways sooner rather than later. Malone will get another job. For my Kings trade, I'm going to give them exactly what they want, a Rondo, Stauskas, Gay, Josh Smith, Boogie lineup.

#19 Boston Celtics Neutral Site Win:47.4% (Up 1,#17 in offense, #17 in defense):

The Celtics have been downright frisky this year. Credit Brad Stevens. We may be about to lose Rajon Rondo and that makes me sad. The truth remains that the rebuild for this team proceeds at a nice pace. The main problem is the lack of a competent big man. To that end, my idea is to throw the farm at Utah to get Rudy "The Frenchise" Gobert from them. I love this trade, with Sacramento helping as the price for Rondo and picks from Boston heading to Utah,

#20 Indiana Pacers Neutral Site Win:44.7% (Up 2,#27 in offense, #9 in defense):

Boy are the Pacers ever intriguing. They've been alright with their cobbled together lineup. What happens If you add a returning to health David West to the equation and then you maybe get an early return for Paul George? Wouldn't a move of Scola, CJ Miles and a pick for Lance make all sorts of sense then? If you put the band back together in Indiana, they might be the favorites to win the East.

#21 Orlando Magic Neutral Site Win:40.7% (Up 7,#21 in offense, #19 in defense):

Orlando has been a bit better recently. So they're mediocre not terrible. I continue not to be a fan of their team building efforts. This team didn't look ready to compete now before the season and that hasn't changed. Aaron Gordon needs to play more and so does O'Quinn. Channing Frye only blocks that. Crazy thought, Frye and O'Quinn for the Morris twins, who says no?

#22 Brooklyn Nets Neutral Site Win:39.2% (Down 3,#25 in offense, #14 in defense):

Take the oldest and most expensive team in the NBA that finished 44-38, get rid of their half wizard coach, give away all their first round picks for the next five years, get rid of their MVP (Pierce) and make them all a year older and what do you get? The mess of a team that plays in Brooklyn. It's like someone wanted to create a basketball GM scenario with the hardest possible difficulty. The Nets need to take a page from the Sixers handbook and basically move everything on their roster that isn't nailed down for young cheap assets and picks, picks and more picks. They're already going to be terrible but young and terrible is on the right side of the improvement curve. The thing is that the pieces on this team (Joe Johnson, Deron Williams, Garnett and Lopez) are actually moveable with the new television deal coming in. They need to capitalize on this quickly. Or they could just ignore me and lay the foundation for a new Celtics dynasty. I know what I'm rooting for. 

#23 New York Knicks Neutral Site Win:36.8% (No Change,#23 in offense, #23 in defense):

The Knicks own their own draft pick this year. They traded away their best player (Tyson Chandler) in the off-season for a player whose skill set is remarkably similar to another player on their roster (Calderon and Prigioni- separated at birth?!?). Melo is making noise like he'd waive his no-trade clause. Folks, this is an out an out tank job. Everybody on this team is available for trade. What's interesting is that there are some really nice pieces to be had here. A'mare and his expiring deal are looking all frisky. Carmelo's contract isn't as toxic with the new television deal (better than Kobe's for example). The Knicks have something like $45 million in expiring deals and another $30 million (Melo and Calderon) that are moveable to completely remake this roster. The window is tight though. Here's a reset button trade for the Knicks that includes Linsanity 2.0!

#24 Utah Jazz Neutral Site Win:36.8% (No Change,#13 in offense, #29 in defense):

Getting Rudy Gobert, drafted by Denver with the number 27 in the 2013 draft, for Erick Green, the 46th, and cash might turn out to be the best move of the last two drafts. Gobert already looks like an elite rim protector. Now he's going out and doing full court eurostep crossovers. The Jazz need to everything in their power to keep him and develop him. I have no clue why they're not starting him. I would trade any player on the Celtics (with picks) for him. You know what would really help? A veteran guard to help develop their wet behind the ears backcourt. Given that they shouldn't keep Kanter, I suggest a Kanter for Andre Miller swap.

#25 Los Angeles Lakers Neutral Site Win:35.8% (Up 1,#14 in offense, #30 in defense):

Our numbers in the preseason said that the Lakers were not so terrible and the reality right now reflects that. Yes, Kobe and his -.041 WP48 and 17.5 Rating is a full on atrocity but the Lakers have had Davis and Hill playing all right ball. This team is entertaining but they're not going to make the playoffs this year or likely for a good long while. I don't know what to tell you Laker fans. Their best bet is to fully clear out the bad money (basically Kobe) but the Buss kids do not seem inclined to do that. As a Celtics fan, I'm very happy with how the Lakers situation is playing out and I apologize.

#26 Miami Heat Neutral Site Win:34.5% (Down 9,#15 in offense, #27 in defense):

The good news for Miami here is that James Ennis has been a very nice surprise for Miami as a rookie. The bad news is that every bad thing we thought could go wrong kind of has. Dwayne Wade cannot stay on the court full time and is a shadow of his former self (.136 WP48 his worse season since 2007-8). Chris Bosh at .052 WP48 (the Rating likes him more at 71 percentile) is having the worst year of his career and could very well be on the downside. Josh McRoberts is out for the year.  Here's the simplest takeaway: this roster is done as a contender. Miami needs a major retool and the Wade and Bosh contracts do not look like good long term assets. I would 100% be considering either a drastic move or a rebuild. If Riley doesn't feel like blowing it up, the best I can come up with is a play for Melo where Miami gives up a bunch of cap fodder and picks. I recommend the dynamite.

#27 Detroit Pistons Neutral Site Win:34.1% (Down 2,#29 in offense, #16 in defense):

Look at Josh Smith. Ughh. This team is an utter mess. Keep Drummond but move everything else for whatever is offered. Kill it with fire.

#28 Charlotte Hornets Neutral Site Win:31.3% (Down 1,#22 in offense, #26 in defense):

If you take a team that was already bad offensively take away their best offensive player (McRoberts), injure their next best offensive player (Kidd-Gilchrist) and add a defense first headcase of a shooting guard that exacerbates your point guards bad habits you get the Hornets of 2014-5. They've only had two plus players this year (Biyombo and Kidd-Gilchrist). The answer is simple though: move Lance for offense first players. Lance and Biyombo for David Lee, Draymond Green and Brandon Rush works. Kevin Martin could be an option as well. The trick is to make sure that you make sure to add people to this team that can actually hit jumpers. 

#29 Philadelphia 76ers Neutral Site Win:30.4% (Up 1,#30 in offense, #11 in defense):

The Sixers are emphatically not the worst team in basketball. They actually look to be progressing. K.J. McDaniels, Covington and Shved have all been above average. I remain bullish on Noels and Embiid. I also love the Furkan Aldemir signing. I think this is coming along nicely. No specific trades here but Philly will be involved in multiple crazy trades as the facilitator. Things like this are only possible because of Mr. Sam Hinkie. God bless you and keep you sir. 

#30 Minnesota Timberwolves Neutral Site Win:24.3% (Down 1,#28 in offense, #28 in defense):

Flip Saunders' Timberwolves team is the rightful heir to the worst team in basketball crown right now. This roster suffers from schizophrenia. Flip needs to move all his older, expensive players (Pekovic, Thaddeus, Martin, Brewer and Budinger) and embrace the youth movement. These aren't bad players but they run counter to what he needs to be doing. Here a free idea Flip, Celtics (Pek,Thad,Kmart) and Sixers (Budinger and Brewer) for Dieng (Cs) and picks and money for the Sixers. I'm all for it. 

After all those make believe trades, I'm actually looking forward to some real trades.

-Arturo