The CSL

Such a pessimistic tone for what is shaping up to be an interesting core

J-Will at maximum endurance will make this a dangerous team. I dont think its contender but it could be a fun season and perhaps even a playoff run in the putrid West

It is hard to stay optimistic when you go thru the rebuilding phase. It is all about adding young talent and they tend to bring a lot of headaches during their first years.

But I really like the trio of Topic, J-Will and Sochan!
I would expect another loosing season, even with the western conference a bit top heavy. Focus on the next draft, adding one more piece to this group could be the next step.

I wanted to try something a little bit different from the whole optimistic schtick. Guess it didn't hit like I wanted it to.

In regards to my team, I'm cautiously optimistic with what we're building here. The team is finally starting to round out, and we are mostly lacking a C who can be a difference maker. It might take another season, but the team is looking much better and healthier, salary and talent wise, than it did about 4 seasons ago

I really like Topic and Williams.. two studs imo.

Sochan is one of those guys that has amazing ratings but will never be a big time scorer, which may be ok because of his inefficiencies.

It would have been awesome if you guys could have gotten a guy like Sharpe this past draft as you badly need a #1 scorer.

This team has some nice young pieces for sure. I think J-Dub is a fantastic glue guy, and Topic is a legit PG of the future. Need to figure out if guys like Sochan are legit pieces that can win games, and be part of the future or is he just a stat stuffer with fancy looking ratings.

Overall this team is slowly shaping up nicely. Definitely need to find an alpha on offense, as I think you have some strong secondary pieces already. Use that cap space aggressively next offseason and go after the big fish!

Rebuilding takes a lot of time and patience and requires smart decisions over and over and over again. Even smart decisions can backfire with bad luck (e.g. the dreaded "slow developers").

But the young building blocks in Clipper land are taking shape. Jalen Williams is a 2-way stud and continues to improve. I have mixed feelings on Sochan but you can win with guys like him so long as you limit his shots and surround him with other guys that can score. He's so good at everything except trying to shoot the ball. I'm a fan of Topic, and I also liked the Williams Jr. pick this year. Both guys that will help the team's shooting, especially from outside. There's still work to be done, but there's plenty of reason for optimism.

Rebuilds can always be tough but you do have all your first rounders and that UTA 1st, so you have the draft ammunition to add to your core. The issue is a lot of your young guys need PT, so I would prioritize identifying your core and really work on developing him. Topic/Sochan gives you plenty of playmaking but they need the ball in their hands a lot so perhaps trying to add low USG% defenders around them might help? Still, the raw young talent on this team is tremendous.

Definitely like how the Clippers are shaping up.

Love me some Williams as Ramcus knows but he's the perfect glue guy or second/third option. Sochan and Topic round it out but it would be handy getting a scorer in to take most of the shots.

On the up though, good work.

I personally not a fan of a poor defensive PG so Topic is not what I would have run at PG if I were in-charge but he's talented elsewhere so he's a keeper, maybe just maybe not as a starter. He could blossom as a 6th man if you have a better option as a defensive PG in his place. You could use better frontcourt as well, don't think Brantley and Duren gives you any advantage against any other frontcourt in the league.

I like the core. You've managed to reduce Sochan's shots so much he became a passable offensive player and his defensive and rebounding contributions, along with elite playmaking as a big, it's such an unique player really.
J-Dub is a stud. He's not a creator but you got two elite ones in Sochan and Topic so he gets to put the ball inside the basket. That's all you need.

Reading the article I remembered you got Vince Williams Jr in this draft and this is another great playmaker at the two and top tier shooter, but his defensive fit with Topic is terrible. Beyond terrible. By the year you are looking to jump into a playoff team, one of them has to go and I believe you are really invested into the Topic / J-Dub / Sochan trio and Williams will end up leaving for more defense. Which is necessary for good team building here.

And then you still lack that big that gets everything together. Trading Banchero was not a good move for me but you'll rebound from that surely. Just suck enough to get a good C in the draft and the core is complete to continue to grow into a good team. With the right trades and solid development, you'll be a playoff roster in no time. Just don't rush!

Needs a high STL SF and you can shift Sochan down to PF while installing a high pressure defense. Not sure why Kabengele isn’t starting. He’s your best center and it’s not even close.