(c) PBA Media Bureau
We are now on the final installment of our Trade Target article series. After the draft, trading is the best window for each team to improve either their upcoming title run or their future championship window.
For Magnolia, TNT, Phoenix and Northport, they are all trying to have much better results in the 2019 season.
So, what type of player should they aim to enhance their chances?
Magnolia - A giant center
Even though Magnolia managed to get one of the three crowns in the 2018 season, it still pretty obvious that they are a step below their sister squads.
The reason?
They do not have a player who can go toe-to-toe with June Mar Fajardo, Christian Standhardinger, Greg Slaughter or Japeth Aguilar for 48 minutes. I am not discounting what they did in the 2018 Governors Cup but it will be a huge mistake to be comfortable now and retain the core of the team.
TNT - A shooting bigman
Actually, TNT also needs a giant center but their emphasis on the modern scheme put the focus more on a bigman that can hit long bombs. This is the reason why I do not get their craving for a point guard.
They still have Jayson Castro, Jericho Cruz and RR Garcia to handle that spot.
Just imagine if they add a stretch-center to partner with Troy Rosario. With Castro's lethal first step and the uncanny off-ball movement of RR Pogoy, TNT's offense will be much deadlier.
Who can be their target? Kelly Nabong's new-found shooting touch could be a good fit. How about Beau Belga? He will add toughness to the team and mentoring to their young bigs.
Phoenix - A giant center
Here is another team who has the making of a modern squad. The versatility of the trio of Matthew Wright, Jason Perkins and Calvin Abueva is in a different level from any other team.
Unfortunately, their big hole inside will continue to drag their title hopes for this upcoming season. Winning four games against the two most loaded franchises in the league without a bigman who can at least battle them for 30 minutes is hard to fathom.
San Miguel Beermen is holding two veterans that can actually be a good band-aid for Phoenix. I am talking about Billy Mamaril and Yance De Ocampo.
Northport - A defensive wingman
Northport built their team the right way. They have accumulated a lot of quality bigs, making their frontline rotation one of the top 6 in the league.
What they may need now is a defensive specialist in the wing. Someone who can lockdown the scoring wing or guards of the opposing team. One interesting possibility is Sol Mercado. This is because of the vast skillset of Mercado.
He can be the back-up of Stanley Pringle and he can also be a good off-the-ball outside threat.
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