It's Friday night and I'm watching NBA basketball. There are plenty of contenders this year, especially in the West, but there are some intriguing young teams too with plenty of assets. It got me thinking about next year, and what my dream scenario would be as a fan of each team heading into next season. So... below is a Mock Draft/Free Agent Period/Trade Deadline Moves... Basically, I'll sift through each team below, and dream up what I'd love to see happen between now and next season as a fan of each team. I'll try to keep it somewhat realistic and on budget, but remember, it's quite fun to dream. I'll go in alphabetically order, and focus basically on the starters:
Atlanta Hawks
PG - Jeff Teague
SG - Gary Harris
SF - Danny Granger (or Luol Deng)
PF - Paul Millsap
C - Al Horford
Teague, Millsap, and Horford are already under contract for next season. Then, they also need to root against Brooklyn for the rest of this season. They have the right to swap picks with Brooklyn in the draft, so they could end up with a Top Ten pick if the Nets miss the playoffs. If that happens, Gary Harris would be a great pick for them as a mid lottery selection. Due to striking out in free agency last summer, they have money to add a nice free agent. I listed Granger and Deng as possibilities here to round out their starting five. This would be a playoff team in the East easy, and a much improved team from the one that currently sits in third place in the East.
Boston Celtics
PG - Rajon Rondo
SG - Avery Bradley
SF - Jeff Green
PF - Jared Sullinger
C - Joel Embiid
Rondo, Green, and Sullinger are locked in already (unless they are traded) so that part was easy. Bradley is a restricted free agent that I am sure they'll resign. He is a young player I think they'll continue to try and develop. They are also going to likely end up with a Top 6 pick, and could easily win the lottery. Embiid would be great for them as Sullinger and Olynyk are both better suited at power forward, and Embiid could be a major star for years to come at the 5. This isn't a fancy starting five, but it is fairly young and has upside. They would also have a deep bench (Olynyk, another first rounder in the 2014 draft, Bayless, Pressey, and vets such as Gerald Wallace and Brandon Bass).
Brooklyn Nets
PG - Deron Williams
SG - Joe Johnson
SF - Andrei Kirilenko
PF - Kevin Garnett
C - Brook Lopez
The Nets don't own a first rounder this summer, nor do they have cap space to bring in any new big time players. Of course, management in Brooklyn doesn't mind ignoring that... Kirilenko is a free agent but has a player option. If he stays, he'll keep the core of this team together (although Pierce very likely won't be re-signed). If they can stay healthy, they'd be a playoff team no doubt.
Charlotte Hornets
PG - Kemba Walker
SG - Gerald Henderson
SF - Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
PF - Julius Randle
C - Al Jefferson
Charlotte could be much improved next season. Theoretically, they could end up with three first round picks in this summer's draft, including their own pick which may easily be in the Top Ten. In fact, things are looking grimmer this season for them, which could land them a pick even higher. That means they could draft Randle to play alongside Jefferson inside. The other four starters are the same as this year, so that's realistic. The other major improvement for them would be their bench: two other first rounders (possibly another lottery pick), a better developed Zeller and Biyombo, and Jeff Taylor. If they end up with a second lottery pick (from Detroit), they could have two rookie starters. Now, the other thing to note is they will have a lot of money to spend this summer with Ben Gordon coming off the books. They could easily add to this team with a marquee free agent. Kyle Lowry would be a nice fit and would allow Kemba to move to a bench/sixth man role. Shooting is another area of need.
Chicago Bulls
PG - Derrick Rose
SG - Jimmy Butler
SF - Rodney Hood
PF - Chris Bosh
C - Joakim Noah
This team would be dangerous. Rose, Butler, Noah are locked in. If Chicago starts losing as you'd expect looking at their current roster, they could easily land a Top Ten pick. Hood would give them shooting and scoring they need on the wing, particularly with Deng gone. The key is what they do with Boozer. If they amnesty him to remove him from the books, they'll have money to play with. Miami likely can't bring back everyone, so Bosh may end up being the odd man out. He'd be perfect with Chicago, and would make this team a serious threat once again.
Cleveland Cavaliers
PG - Kyrie Irving
SG - Dion Waiters
SF - Lebron James
PF - Tristan Thompson
C - Joel Embiid
This is another team that would covet Embiid. He would be the center that Bynum wasn't. Irving, Waiters, and Thompson have been their young core for the last couple seasons. The big name here though is Lebron. It's no secret that Cleveland wants him back, and James has hinted he'd consider coming home again. For the record, I doubt he returns, but this is a dream blog right? This team would be a serious contenders to win it all.
Dallas Mavericks
PG - Jose Calderon
SG - Monta Ellis
SF - Shawn Marion
PF - Dirk Nowitzki
C - Greg Monroe
Calderon and Ellis were signed last year, but Marion and Dirk would need new contracts. Greg Monroe is the newbie here, but he seems to be falling out of favor in Detroit. He's a restricted free agent this summer, but Dallas will have money to pry him away. Depending on how much Cuban wants to spend, he could upgrade the SF spot also, especially with the vast number of free agents available at that spot this summer. Like I said with Atlanta, Deng/Granger would be somewhat affordable (compared to Lebron, Carmelo, etc.). Paul Pierce may be looking around for a contender too depending on what transpires in Brooklyn.
Denver Nuggets
PG - Ty Lawson
SG - Rudy Gay
SF - Danilo Gallinari
PF - Noah Vonleh
C - McGee/Hickson
This team is lacking a "go-to" player. They are filled with role players, but haven's had a star since they traded Carmelo. They should do what Golden State did last year... dump contracts to create room for a free agent, unless they could trade for one. Rudy Gay is the big time scorer that could succeed in Denver. If they can acquire him, it would provide a big boost. Gallinari should be back from injury, along with McGee. Hickson and Lawson and whoever remains from the contract dumping will round out a playoff ready team.
Detroit Pistons
PG - Brandon Jennings
SG - Evan Turner
SF - Lance Stephenson
PF - Josh Smith
C - Andre Drummond
As I stated earlier when discussing Dallas, Monroe seems to be unwanted in Detroit. Stuckey and Villanueva are also free agents this summer, and both of them hold decent sized contracts. Since Detroit is likely losing their draft pick this summer to Charlotte, free agency is how they can improve, especially with all this money now. Turner and Stephenson would be two great wings for them to pair with the other stars on the team that are already locked in. Both are restricted free agents so it may be hard to pull off, but again, this is all about dreaming.
Golden State Warriors
No changes needed. This team created their dream scenario last summer by clearing room for Iguodala. And all their starters are signed through at least next year also. As the young guys develop, they will continue to get better over time. The only thought could be to improve inside, especially Bogut. But honestly, they don't have resources or draft picks to do it.
Houston Rockets
PG - Jeremy Lin
SG - James Hardin
SF - Chandler Parsons
PF - Terrance Jones
C - Dwight Howard
The only work here is re-signing Parsons, who will be a restricted free agent this summer. But like GS, they did their work in 2013 by getting Howard. Asik needs to be traded, but they should simply look to beef up the bench and add some better defensive players. They'll get better with chemistry.
Indiana Pacers
PG - George Hill
SG - Lance Stephenson
SF - Paul George
PF - David West
C - Roy Hibbert
Just like Houston, only work is re-signing a restricted free agent: Lance Stephenson. They'll have money to do it too since Granger's contract is up. Keeping some scoring on the bench will be important to do next summer also.
Los Angeles Clippers
No changes needed. This is just like GS... all starters locked in next year also. Doc in his second year will make this lineup deadly.
Los Angeles Lakers
PG - Marcus Smart
SG - Kobe Bryant
SF - Carmelo Anthony
PF - Pau Gasol
C - Spencer Hawes
As I've said all season, anything can happen this summer with the Lakers, as nearly everybody is a free agent. Kobe is locked in however so we'll put him down at SG. They have talked about adding another star to pair with Kobe, and to "replace him" longterm as the face of the franchise. That would be Carmelo. Gasol will likely return at a reduced rate. Hawes will be an unrestricted free agent coming off a great season with Philly. Smart would be a great leader for this team, and could be drafted if they continue to struggle and land a decently high pick. Lakers fans would have to be happy with this team.
Memphis Grizzlies
PG - Mike Conley
SG - Courtney Lee
SF - Luol Deng (or another)
PF - Doug McDermott
C - Marc Gasol
Gasol and Conley are locks for the lineup next year. The question for them is if they try and get younger. Randolph is a free agent (along with Mike Miller), but even guys like Prince need to be replaced despite being under contract. McDermott would compliment Gasol inside well and would be able to spread the floor as a "Stretch-4". Deng could be signed by using Randolph's old money (or another marquee guy I've mentioned before). And I think they'll be stuck with Lee, although he is averaging 15 points per game with Memphis this year. Overall, this could be a good lineup, and great depending on how Doug does as a rookie.
Part 2 another time...
By: The Sports Guys
No comments:
Post a Comment