This
past January, about halfway through the 2014 NBA season, I did a 2-part blog on
semi-realistic dream scenarios for NBA teams heading into the 2015 season. This
took the draft and free agency into account, along with trades. With the next
month making up the majority of the offseason, I’m taking another crack at it.
So...
below is a Mock Draft/Free Agent Period/Trade Scenarios... Basically, I'll sift
through each team below, and dream up what I'd love to see happen this
offseason 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 yesterday. This is Part 2.
Miami Heat
PG
– Kyle Lowry
SG
- Dwayne Wade
SF
- Lebron James
PF
- Chris Bosh
C
- Chris Anderson
I
honestly believe the Big 3 will opt out, but only to re-sign at a lower rate.
They’ve discussed bringing on a fourth star, namely Carmelo Anthony, but that
doesn’t make as much sense as Lowry would at point guard. Lowry is solid on
both sides of the ball and would be a massive upgrade over Chalmers. Anderson
is the best fit for me to start with them because of his ability to protect the
rim.
Milwaukee Bucks
PG
– Brandon Knight
SG
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
SF
- Jabari Parker
PF
- John Henson
C
– Marcin Gortat
Gortat
helped Washington go from a rebuilding team to a playoff team. If the Bucks
sign him, it would help solidify them inside. Jabari Parker gives them a
scoring threat that they currently lack, and they could land him with the #2
pick in the draft. If Knight, Giannis, and Henson all continue to improve (and
stay healthy), this team could push for the playoffs in a weak Eastern
Conference. Improving the bench with further dollars would be important though.
Minnesota Timberwolves
PG
- Ricky Rubio
SG
– Klay Thompson
SF
– Harrison Barnes
PF
– David Lee
C
- Nikola Pekovic
Rumors
circulated yesterday that Klay Thompson is now on the table for Golden State.
That makes their offer so intriguing. If I’m Minnesota, I’d take Thompson,
Barnes, and Lee for Love. Lee gives me the double-doubles that Love was, and
Barnes/Thompson are massive upgrades on the wing with potential to still grow
into stars. Rubio and Pekovic round out the starting 5. As for the 13th
pick in the draft, they should take Dario Saric, as he could be a long-term
replacement for Love when Lee’s contract expires a year from now.
New Orleans Pelicans
PG
- Jrue Holiday
SG
- Eric Gordon
SF
- Tyreke Evans
PF
- Ryan Anderson
C
- Anthony Davis
New
Orleans can improve simply by developing and staying healthy. My opinion is
putting the best five guys out there, which is the lineup presented above. If
this lineup can play the entire season, they will make the playoffs.
New York Knicks
PG
– Isaiah Thomas
SG
– Tim Hardaway Jr.
SF
-
PF
– Greg Monroe
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
– Reggie Jackson
SF
- Kevin Durant
PF
- Serge Ibaka
C
- Omer Asik
OKC
has two draft picks this summer, and they now have Kendrick Perkins expiring
contract to try and dump. Houston has long wanted to part with Asik, so why not
offer them some combo of Perkins, draft picks, and one of the many young assets
on the bench (Lamb, Adams, Jones, etc.). Houston may do this to dump Asik and
pick up assets they’d flip to acquire a third star (Love, Anthony, etc.), or
clear up cap space for the summer of 2015. Asik would give the Thunder two
incredible defensive players inside, and would make them the potential
favorites in the league next season.
Orlando Magic
PG
- Dante Exum
SG
- Victor Oladipo
SF
– Gordon Hayward
PF
– Noah Vonleh
C
- Nikola Vucevic
Utah
would be a key player here. As I mentioned earlier this week, the Magic should
offer Utah #12 and Aaron Afflalo for #5. This could allow them to draft Dante
Exum and Noah Vonleh back to back at 4 and 5. Hopefully Joel Embiid’s injury
status wouldn’t foil this plan… Hayward is a restricted free agent this summer,
but with money to spend, Orlando could bring him in. This lineup gives them
All-Star potential at every position, but they may all be a couples years away.
Philadelphia 76ers
PG
- Michael Carter-Williams
SG
– Nik Stauskas
SF
- Andrew Wiggins
PF
– Greg Monroe
C
- Nerlens Noel
This
is the team they should build around. Noel and MCW are already the
cornerstones. Wiggins at #3 gives them athleticism, defense, and massive
upside. Stauskas at #10 would give them much needed shooting to stretch the
floor. With money to spend, Monroe would be a great compliment to Noel inside,
and would complete an exciting starting 5, just like Orlando’s above.
Phoenix Suns
PG
– Goran Dragic
SG
– Kevin Martin
SF
– Rudy Gay
PF
– Kevin Love
C
– Miles Plumlee
The
Suns have assets to get into the Kevin Love sweepstakes. They own three first
round picks next week, and they could use Eric Bledsoe is an exciting
sign-and-trade. This doesn’t include players they could offer like the Morris
brothers, Alex Len, Gerald Green, etc. The other good news for the Suns is that
they are opening up a ton of cap space with Frye and Okafor coming off the
books. This would allow them to add Rudy Gay, if he opts out of Sacramento.
Portland Trailblazers
No
changes needed up front. The key for Portland will be improving the bench. If
they can do that, they can make even more noise in the West.
Sacramento Kings
PG
– Isaiah Thomas
SG
- Ben McLemore
SG
- Rudy Gay
PF
– Julius Randle
C
- DeMarcus Cousins
Sacramento
wants to make big moves, but I think patience is more important. Re-sign
Thomas, allow Gay to take his player option, and draft Randle at #8. This
allows them to keep developing the young players, gives them a great core of
talent to build around, and will open things up for the summer of 2015.
San Antonio Spurs
PG
- Tony Parker
SG
- Danny Green
SF
- Kawhi Leanard
PF
- Tim Duncan
C
– Tiago Splitter
The
best-case scenario is for Duncan to opt into his deal, and for them to defend
their title. Then Duncan and Ginobili can retire a year from now. Back to back
champs?
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 played surprisingly well this season. 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
– Aaron Afflalo
SF
- Gordon Hayward
PF
- Derrick Favors
C
- Enes Kanter
If
they pull off the Orlando trade to acquire Afflalo and #12 for #5, they can complete
their starting lineup, assuming they re-sign Hayward. They can build up their
bench with that 12th pick, along with a couple key moves in free
agency. This young team would be exciting in the years to come.
Washington Wizards
PG
- John Wall
SG
- Bradley Beal
SF
– Trevor Ariza
PF
- Nene Hilario
C
- Marcin Gortat
Washington
got much better this season simply through development. That could easily
happen again if they remain together. Re-signing Ariza and Gortat would be
important. If they take smaller deals, they could upgrade the bench. That’s
what I’d hope for.
By:
The Sports Guys
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