Thirteen players, including eight starters, declared for free agency prior to the Season 42 draft. Only two teams, Philadelphia and the two-time defending champion Oklahoma City Lariats were unscathed by defections.
The Sacramento River Dogs, who had finally climbed into a position of respectability after a 5-5 season, had their hopes dashed once more by being the hardest hit team in terms of losses. Three starters, guard Steve Carter, forward Kyle Sherwood and All-MBA forward Bill Cull all left.
Los Angeles, Chicago, Seattle, Dallas and San Jose all lost one starter, with Chicago (three lost total) and San Jose (two lost) joining Sacramento in losing more than one player overall.
Milwaukee and Charleston were relatively unhurt, each losing one non-starter.
THE DRAFT
Time will tell, but the Los Angeles Big One probably had the best draft, nailing down what looks like the top rookie in center Chutcher Mouthchair in the regular draft and two more starters, guards Steve Carter and Avenish "the Drooler" McDoogle in the cut draft.
After the smoke cleared (and the cut draft completed) Seattle and Charleston came away with the least amount of new talent.
IMPROVEMENTS/DEPROVEMENTS
Sacramento was decimated in free agency, but recovered somewhat when newly drafted forward Tea Time Typhoo showed good improvement on his outside shooting, center Tree Fiddy improved his short shot and his passing and forward Flip Testerton became markedly better defensively.
And woe to the rest of the league, Hall of Fame Charleston guard Naf Naf made three big improvements going into his sixth season, improving his passing, defense against the dribble and against the shot.
TRADES
Three major trades dispersed the talent a bit more evenly, filling the holes on some teams while putting the future of others in jeopardy through the trading of future draft picks.
-- Chicago, in desperate need of a center, got last season's leading shot blocker, Yo Noid, from Los Angeles, giving up its second pick in the Season 43 draft.
-- Sacramento gave up its first two draft picks next season to Milwaukee, getting in exchange second-year forward Doo-Ragg Dripp and rookie guard Potus Obama.
-- Two-time defending champ Oklahoma City is giving it a go for a third consecutive title, giving away excellent starting forward Pap Smearz and the just-acquired center Naceg Gecan to Seattle in order to get veteran point guard Ginger Vampire to run the offense. Second-year center Carga Larga was a toss-in by Seattle.
THE SEASON 42 SCHEDULE
COMING: We will list the rookies and rank them. Team-by-team predictions.
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