by jubba910 on Sat Oct 01, 2022 5:25 pm
Season Review – Lottery Teams
30. Chicago Bulls (17-65)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Malcolm Brodgon (81), Marquese Chriss (77) (2YRT), Jaylen Brown (76) (2YRT), Justise Winslow (74) (T), Terry Rozier (74) (T), Garrett Temple (74), Nemanja Bjelica (74), Beno Udrih (73), Jarnell Stokes (73), Frank Jackson (72) (T), Meyers Leonard (71), Livio Jean-Charles (70)
A brutal but expected result in the Windy City. With a majority of their youthful pieces still locked into team options, it's a continued focus on the future for the Bulls. The one piece to make fans nervous is Malcolm Brogdon, with the guard out of contract, the promise of postseason basketball may draw their emerging star to a contender. With the Celtics' first rounder likely in their pockets pending a lottery miracle, a mid first round steal is currently the highest hope for Chicago.
29. Los Angeles Lakers (24-58)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Sean Kilpatrick (76), Emmanuel Mudiay (75) (T), Ivica Zubac (75), Sam Dekker (75) (T), Rodney McGruder (75) (T), Luol Deng (74), Quincy Pondexter (74), Greivis Vasquez (74), Josh Hart (71) (T)
With their worst record since 1957-58 season, there's an abundance of improvement needed to reinstate the Lake Show in Los Angeles. A refresh is badly needed for the league's second-most successful franchise, starting with this year's offseason. With Kawhi Leonard being an LA native, can the Lakers put together enough of a deal to bring the Klaw home? Or will the Lakers wallow in the doldrums of the West for a while longer?
28. Brooklyn Nets (25-57)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Marcus Smart (80), Rodney Stuckey (75), Spencer Hawes (74), Devin Harris (74), Malik Beasley (73) (2YRT), Pascal Siakam (73) (2YRT), Jordan Bell (72) (2YRT), Harry Giles (71)
A streak of unlikely postseason appearances has come to an end, with the Nets needing to pick up the pieces to head back towards the playoffs. Dishing out Mike Conley after one season of playing time, the Nets now look to the future around Dennis Smith Jr. and Khris Middleton. Hopefully joining them will be their biggest piece to maintain; Marcus Smart. Now out of his rookie contract, the hard-nosed defender will receive plenty of attention from contenders. Can the Nets retain Smart and find enough help to make this team one to fear next season?
27. Denver Nuggets (29-53)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Andrew Wiggins (86), D'Angelo Russell (81) (T), Frank Kaminsky (78) (T), Shabazz Muhammad (76), Caris LeVert (76) (2YRT), Montrezl Harrell (75), Pierre Jackson (75), Jerian Grant (74) (T), Andrew Nicholson (71)
A surprising crash and burn for the West leaders of last season, well and truly underperforming what was expected of them. The trade of DeAndre Jordan for Andrew Wiggins was a play for the future, but no one could've expected such a drastic difference on the court. With a total win difference of 32 between last season and this season, things need to turn around quickly for the Mile High City. Locking in Wiggins long-term may not be as simple as once thought, with this disappointing result possibly creating warning signs to see him field offers elsewhere.
26. Charlotte Hornets (31-51)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Alec Burks (75), Malcolm Delaney (74), Kris Dunn (73) (2YRT), Jeff Green (73), Rashad Vaughn (72) (T), Dillon Brooks (70) (T)
A constantly shifting franchise, the Hornets now appear to be fully committing to a rebuild, after multiple failed attempts to become a contender. Landing some valuable picks for Hassan Whiteside, Charlotte now sits in a position to comfortably lull at the bottom of the East, with a long-term plan to bring sustained success behind the likes of Jayson Tatum and Kris Dunn - especially with the former losing half the season due to injury.
25. Memphis Grizzlies (32-50)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: JaMychal Green (76), Juan Hernangomez (75) (2YRT), Gerald Henderson (74), Andrew Bogut (74), Dragan Bender (73) (2YRT), Jordan McRae (72)
The injury of Kawhi Leonard made it a miserable season in Memphis, with the superstar on the sidelines and unable to be shipped to another franchise, the Grizzlies wallowed at the bottom of the Southwest. We enter an exciting time for the Blues City however, with Leonard likely to garner a significant package to boost the team's future, and build around their multiple first round selections over the past few seasons.
24. Dallas Mavericks (32-50)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Salah Mejri (75), Deyonta Davis (74), Darrell Arthur (74), Stanley Johnson (74) (T), Trey Burke (71), Semi Ojeleye (71) (T)
A failed attempt to jump up the West standings, the Mavericks find themselves again finishing well out of the playoff race. With Dwyane Wade, Rudy Gay and Rajon Rondo all signed on for at least another year respectively, it's likely to see Dallas stay in a similar position next season before fully hitting the reset button that they've refused to hit since the mid-2000's.
23. Detroit Pistons (36-46)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Aaron Gordon (79), Seth Curry (78), Al Jefferson (75), Denzel Valentine (75) (2YRT), Domantas Sabonis (74) (2YRT), Mario Hezonja (74) (T)
Now in a 9-year playoff drought, the Pistons continue to try to piece together a contending team. Full of youthful talent, the Motor City can rest on the great first season display by Rookie of the Year Lonzo Ball, who appears to be on a brighter path than #1 pick Markelle Fultz. Maintaining Aaron Gordon and Seth Curry will be a top priority, while Al Jefferson looks likely to stick around and continue his mentorship of up-and-coming big man Domantas Sabonis.
22. Toronto Raptors (36-46)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Jae Crowder (81), T.J. McConnell (76), Jahlil Okafor (75) (T), Noah Vonleh (74), Joffrey Lauvergne (74), Miles Plumlee (71)
Following in the footsteps of the Denver Nuggets, the East leaders of last season also find themselves on the outside of the postseason. Major regression from their big man trio of Jahlil Okafor and Tristan Thompson looks to be the biggest issue for the Raptors, while DeMar DeRozan continues to shine brightest for Canada's lone team. With such a fairytale season last year, do The North stay the course, or pull the trigger on a rebuild?
21. Boston Celtics (36-46)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Joel Embiid (87), Isaiah Thomas (87), Ricky Rubio (80), T.J. Warren (79), Jonathon Simmons (76), Justin Anderson (75) (T), Chandler Parsons (75), Ian Clark (75), Jose Calderon (73)
Missing the playoffs is a worst case scenario for Beantown, with their two stars both out of contract. Joel Embiid and Isaiah Thomas will likely be fielding offers before deciding to stay, leaving the Celtics exposed to the mammoth contract they paid to Paul Millsap last offseason. Tipped to be amongst the elite before the season, this underachievement and the 7th seed finish of last season is well below what their fans expected from this lineup. Time will tell whether they can right the course with their current crop, or be on a highway to the bottom of the conference.
20. Atlanta Hawks (36-46)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Myles Turner (84) (T), Gary Harris (82), Kenneth Faried (79), Jordan Clarkson (78) (P), Tony Parker (78), Danny Green (77), Jerami Grant (74), David West (73), Darius Miller (73) (T), Joe Harris (72), Shane Larkin (72)
Another positive finish for the Hawks, who have further invested in youth as they gear themselves up for a postseason push next year after only just missing out this season. Jordan Clarkson's player option looms large, with his possible defection to the open market leaving the Hawks empty-handed from the trade of two-time All Star Nicolas Batum to the Spurs. Gary Harris looks likely to also test free agency, creating a situation as to which SG the Atlanta franchise looks to retain. With a core of Myles Turner and Jamal Murray plus either Clarkson or Harris staying, the Hawks look in great stead to build on this season and make the playoffs in 2019.
19. Portland Trail Blazers (39-43)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: LaMarcus Aldridge (84), Wayne Ellington (75), Kris Humphries (74), Dante Cunningham (73), Sergio Rodriguez (73), Archie Goodwin (72)
A terrible year for the Blazers, seeing the likes of the Kings and Rockets surpass them and make the playoffs despite having a much a stronger lineup on-paper. LaMarcus Aldridge does look set to stay in Rip City, but without a hot start, Draymond Green could be on the way out of Portland at next season's end.
18. Los Angeles Clippers (40-42)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Ty Lawson (76), Kelly Oubre Jr. (75) (T), Thomas Robinson (74), Richard Jefferson (74) (T), Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (73) (2YRT), Diamond Stone (70)
Similar to the Hawks, the Clippers can take a lot of positives out of this finish. Boasting a fresh-faced lineup with De'Aaron Fox, CJ McCollum and Jarrett Allen alongside mainstay Blake Griffin, LA's second franchise was knocking on the door of a postseason berth. With all important pieces locked in, another season with some further bolstering of role players could see them crack the top 8 in the West.
17. San Antonio Spurs (41-41)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Elfrid Payton (78), Trevor Booker (77), Larry Nance Jr. (77) (T), Boris Diaw (75), Daniel Theis (73) (T), Kay Felder (71) (2YRT)
After finishing as the 6th seed last season, the San Antonio find themselves again on the outside of the postseason. With an aging roster around Chris Paul, it's likely something has to change to re-juvenate the franchise that not long ago was the most consistent in the league. Finding CP3 a bonafide second star will be the top priority for the Spurs, likely forfeiting more of their future to save the present.
"I just tried to play the right way." - Kwame Brown
Philadelphia 76ers (NBA)
Baltimore Ravens (NFL)
Ottawa Senators (NHL)
Baylor Bears (NCAAB)
TCU Horned Frogs (NCAAF)