If he had accepted that offer from the LA Lakers, his playing time might have been reduced even more. They would only put him in the game when his team is either leading by a lot or getting blown out. To be honest, I don't see Cedi Osman as NBA caliber anymore. It's also good that he didn't sign so that others can be given opportunities, like those who showcased their talent in the Olympics and have now signed with teams. Let's just hope that he plays well in the EuroLeague.
I will remember Cedi Osman as the one who spit his mouthpiece while taking that free throw back when he's with the Cavaliers. After that, he said to the mouthpiece "Yo, why you flying out of my mouth."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8s4YmC70WYwAnyway, I agree with what you said that he isn't a NBA caliber anymore and he might be a role player, but he doesn't have any performance that I consider as impactful back when he's in Cleveland and in San Antonio. It's good that he has given another opportunity outside the NBA. Who knows? He might be more efficient there and with his NBA experience, that would be helpful to the team where he's playing with.
Yeah, but at the end of the day, it is still the GM that will make the final decision, and if Malone is not seeing eye to eye, then for sure he might have to lose his job in the future. Possible that other teams will hire him if ever he got fired, we have seen coaches just going around and bouncing on several teams as well.
I'm not familiar with their GM though, but as you have describe, he could be compare to Rob Pelinka who after getting a ring with Lebron and AD and coach Voegel, has made a lot of bad and wrong decisions that still up to this day, haunts the Lakers and they haven't reach the finals again. Hopefully, Jokic and Murray could still salvage the team this upcoming season so that it will be a very competitive West conference again and we don't know who will be the number 1 team until the last few games of the regular season.
I don't think that Coach Malone bothers if he's getting fired or not. After all, their GM did all these bad decisions enough for his will to get another title with Denver dissipate. Their GM isn't that popular TBH, and I will not know him as well if only I didn't watch any NBA-related videos on YouTube.
I agree with what you said that Jokic, Murray alongside Gordon and Porter Jr. are good players no doubt, but outside of them. Who are the good role players that can help them? They are good, but they can't afford to play 40+ minutes per game. They need the help of their role players and as of their current roster, there aren't good role player with the team. Not even Westbrook is what I consider as good with his current state of his career. You said already that the West is very competitive, and the Nuggets won the title 2 years ago because of their depth.
As for who will be the number 1 during the regular season with the West, I will not be surprised if it will be the Thunder again because they just acquired Caruso which is a good defender, and Hartenstein which is a good back-up center alongside young and talented players. The Nuggets? With their current roster, I predict they will be at the bottom 4 unless they will get good role players mid-season.