This past Friday night, I was watching NBA basketball. I thought about how 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 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:
NOTE: Part 1 was posted on Friday. This is Part 2.
Miami Heat
PG - Mario Chalmers
SG - Dwayne Wade
SF - Lebron James
PF - Chris Bosh
C - Chris Kaman
After Miami loses this year to Indiana in the playoffs (wink), they'll go into re-signing mode. The best case scenario for them is to keep the team together (primarily the Big 3). I think they should also consider signing a veteran big man to contend with Hibbert. I still don't trust Oden (or Bynum if they reached out to him), but Chris Kaman would be a vet worth signing. Plus, if their bench is the same they could go small when Kaman rests.
Milwaukee Bucks
PG - Rajon Rondo
SG - Giannis Antetokounmpo
SF - Jabari Parker
PF - John Henson/Larry Sanders/Ersan Ilyasova
C - Greg Monroe
This was fun to think about. I'm not sold on Brandon Knight as a point guard, so they should try and trade Knight and OJ Mayo (and/or one of their big men) to Boston for Rondo. Jeff Teague is another option in terms of a player to trade for, plus they wouldn't have to give up as much for Teague. Giannis has been one of the better rookies in the league so he stays put. With the first overall pick in the draft, they choose Jabari Parker, who will be a big time scorer immediately and a future star. In free agency, they'll have plenty to spend with Butler, Ridnour, and Udoh coming off the books, so they should go after Greg Monroe, who is a very good, young big man. Then, they can start one of their own young assets at the other "big" position (Henson, Sanders, or Ilyasova), and even be able to part with one in a possible trade (as I mentioned above in the Rondo deal).
Minnesota Timberwolves
PG - Ricky Rubio
SG - Kevin Martin
SF - Dario Saric/Rodney Hood/James Young
PF - Kevin Love
C - Nikola Pekovic
With all their top players locked in already for next year, their only decision would be to try and upgrade their SF position (currently Brewer is top on depth chart). Best case scenario in the draft would be to draft a good SF, but they only keep this pick if they draft in the top 13. Any of the guys listed above could work, Saric though may be the best fit with this team.
New Orleans Pelicans
PG - Jrue Holiday
SG - Eric Gordon
SF - Tyreke Evans
PF - Ryan Evans
C - Anthony Davis
The offseason wildcard here will be the lottery and trade options. If they win the lottery and get a Top 3 pick, they will keep their pick instead of giving it to 76ers. This likely won't happen though. But drafting Joel Embiid would give Davis a legit big man next to him. Parker/Wiggins would give them even more incentive to trade Gordon, who they are trying to unload already. I'm not predicting a trade to happen either though, as most teams are scared off by Gordon's contract due to his injury history. The lineup above, when healthy (unlike this season), would lead them to the playoffs.
New York Knicks
PG - Raymond Felton
SG - Iman Shumpert
SF - Carmelo Anthony
PF - Chris Bosh/Carlos Boozer
C - Tyson Chandler
The Knicks won't have a first round draft pick, so they will have to improve through free agency or via trade. A lot of their team are free agents however. If they can re-sign Carmelo, that keeps a good core of Felton, Iman, Carmelo, and Chandler together. I think they should find a traditional power forward though. Bargnani and Amar'e have huge contracts that could be coming off the books. If so, they could get whomever they wanted. Chris Bosh could end up being the odd man left out in Miami, so pursuing him would be smart. Boozer may be released from Chicago, so he's another option. They could also trade these players to rebuilding teams if all else fails (expiring contracts possibly). But overall, the key is use free agency on smart contracts, creating a better cohesiveness on the court, and eliminating negative attitudes like JR Smith.
Oklahoma City Thunder
PG - Russell Westbrook
SG - Jeremy Lamb
SF - Kevin Durant
PF - Serge Ibaka
C - Omer Asik
Thankfully, the core of this team remains intact. Lamb and Jackson have picked up the bench scoring that was lost when Martin/Harden left. The only concern now is Kendrick Perkins, who is terrible. What if they traded him (expiring contract next season) and one of their first round picks (they have two this summer) for Asik. Houston is looking to trade him and maybe they won't be able to this season. This deal could happen then during the summer, even on draft night. Potentially, they'd have to part with a young player such as Perry Jones or Steven Adams, but Asik would give them a lineup that nobody could score on (with Ibaka still there). Or they could look for a similar deal but add add another weapon at shooting guard or small forward and play Durant at the 4, Ibaka at the 5. Really doesn't matter cause they will still win regardless with Durant playing at a career level.
Orlando Magic
PG - Dante Exum
SG - Victor Oladipo
SF - Jabari Parker
PF - Tobias Harris
C - Nikola Vucevic
That lineup is young and exciting right? Here is how it happens: The easy part is keeping Oladipo, Harris, and Vucevic, all of whom have contracts set next year. Vucevic is averaging a double-double this season, Harris is putting up 14 and 8 at the power forward spot now, and Oladipo is a rookie of the year candidate and plays his best at the off guard position. Jabari Parker is a good sized SF that can score and shoot from the perimeter, which is what they need with Oladipo more skilled in other areas. Parker would be their draft choice in the Top 3, which is where they are likely headed. Dante Exum would be gotten via summer or draft night trade. The Magic would give up Jameer Nelson (2014-15 expiring contract), Arron Afflalo, and another piece (draft pick since they own another, another young player like Harkless, or another expiring contract like Glen Davis) all for another Top 5 pick (Boston, Utah, Sacramento, etc). I'm a dreamer right?
Philadelphia 76ers
PG - Michael Carter-Williams
SG - Evan Turner
SF - Jabari Parker/Andrew Wiggins
PF - Julius Randle/Noah Vonleh
C - Nerlens Noel
We all know they are building around MCW, Noel, and the 2014 draft. With their own pick, they will target Parker or Wiggins in the Top 3. They also own the Pelicans first round pick assuming it falls outside the Top 5. It could end up 6-10 very easy. Randle and or Vonleh would be available in that range which gives them another young stud to pair with Noel inside. Evan Turner will be a restricted free agent this summer so bringing him back could be an option for them very easy.
Phoenix Suns
Guards - Eric Bledsoe, Goran Dragic, Gerald Green, Zack LaVine, Gary Harris
Forwards - Aaron Gordon, Rodney Hood, Dario Saric, Kyle Anderson, Jerami Grant, Glenn Robinson III, Doug McDermott
Center - Miles Plumlee/Alex Len
The Suns have a ton of options. First off, do they bring back Eric Bledsoe who is a restricted free agent? Secondly, who do they draft with potentially four first round picks? Third, what should they do with over 20 million coming off the books just with Frye and Okafor? All the names listed above are young players they could draft or already have. I think they'll build around a young team, but it's tough to know who. They also could invest in some young free agents if needed.
Portland Trailblazers
No changes from this year. They have their starters locked in and there isn't a need to change it with so much success this season. They can get better through player development, which is key since they don't have much money to spend and they don't own a first round pick this season (unless it's Top 12, which is highly unlikely).
Sacramento Kings
PG - Isaiah Thomas
SG - Ben McLemore
SG - Rudy Gay
PF - Julius Randle
C - DeMarcus Cousins
The way Thomas has played, he deserves to be signed again so he can continue starting at PG. McLemore was drafted last year to be their shooting guard for years to come. Gay will need to be re-signed, but would give them another stud with Cousins inside. Randle could be selected in the draft with their pick (likely around 5th). And Cousins is their future.
San Antonio Spurs
PG - Tony Parker
SG - Danny Green
SF - Kawhi Leanard
PF - Tim Duncan
C - Chris Kaman
Duncan need to be re-signed, but the rest of the core is intact next year. I say they go for it one last time. Kaman could get a veteran deal and he would allow Duncan to play PF again. They could still have Bonner/Diaw on the bench to give different looks. Everything else remains the same.
Toronto Raptors
PG - Kyle Lowry
SG - Terrance Ross
SF - DeMar DeRozan
PF - Amir Johnson
C - Jonas Valanciunas
Yes, this is the current lineup. But they have played very good since the Gay trade. This is a young lineup that is bound the get better (similar to Pacers a few years ago). I'd let them grow and be sure to keep a strong bench together. Re-signing Lowry is top priority this summer. Upgrades could be made to add another wing and power forward.
Utah Jazz
PG - Trey Burke
SG - Andrew Wiggins/Jabari Parker
SF - Gordon Hayward
PF - Derrick Favors
C - Enes Kanter
This is very simple. They want another wing with their high draft pick, and they'd be happy with Wiggins or Parker. They must re-sign Hayward this summer, and then spend the rest of their money on a strong bench behind this young and very promising starting five.
Washington Wizards
PG - John Wall
SG - Bradley Beal
SF - Rodney Hood/Dario Saric
PF - Nene Hilario
C - Marcin Gortat
Gortat needs re-signed this summer unless they decide to go another route. They key will be upgrading the SF spot long-term since Otto Porter isn't doing anything. If they miss the playoffs and land a Top 12 pick this summer, they keep it. Then they could take the best SF available like Hood or Saric. Like other teams, the key will be improvement of their young players such as Wall and Beal.
By: The Sports Guys
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