2026 NBA Final

Knicks over Spurs in 5

Been a while but just wanted to remind myself how f'n amazing Jalen Brunson was all through the playoffs this season. OG Anunoby, too, was letter perfect, did everything asked of him and made the tip in basket in Game Four that will cement his legend status in Manhattan for the rest of his days. Karl-Anthony Towns was really great in the first two games, then reverted back to dipshit Towns for the rest of the series but was still good enough/not damaging enough to make a worthy contribution. Mikael Bridges and Josh Hart were both up and down throughout the playoffs but were great teammates and made the plays needed of them. Landry Shamet and Mitchell Robinson were useful off the bench (Deuce McBride, not so much) and both (have already gotten) new contracts for next year.

As for the Spurs, I thought Coach Mitch Johnson did not have a good series, PG De'Aaron Fox struggled through injuries and just never found his game, 6th Man of the Year Keldon Johnson did not much in the series either, Julian Champagnie was up and down, thought he was better throughout the Western run but spotty at best in the Final. Wembenyama was good but not quite spectacular, Stephon Castle was pretty great except for his bouts of foul trouble, Dylan Harper shined out (though I think the perception that he was ready to take over the team was greatly exaggerated!), Devin Vassell was good but wasn't able to stop Brunson.

Basically all 5 games were the same: the Spurs would jump out to an early lead, Knicks would get it close by halftime; Spurs would jump back early in the 3rd and then the Knicks would dominate the 4th quarter. Only in Game Three (what Knicks fans will simply remember as "The Trump Game") were the Spurs able to score enough in the 4th to hold off the late Knicks charge. In the other four games, they weren't and Brunson owned them.

Where do they go from here? The Spurs are fine, they don't need to change anything. Another year of maturation (*) and a rematch with OKC are what they need to do next year. Everyone wants to trade Fox, and while that contract is daunting (and will have to be traded eventually), I think Fox is still in his prime and had a high ankle sprain in the playoffs, I think he's fine and can lead them deep into the playoffs again. Keldon Johnson was disappointing in the Finals but he's kinda perfect for this team, so I don't see a better replacement out there. This team is fine, no bold moves are necessary.

The Knicks had a uniquely soft run through the playoffs.  I'm not saying they suck, I'm not saying they didn't deserve their championship--I'm just saying they got to run through the Sixers and the Cavs instead of grinding through the Celtics and Pistons. I think they would've beaten the Celtics and the Pistons but they would've had to work a lot harder. Making it to the Final in complete health is the main reason they won, I would say, and it's almost unimaginable that that could happen again next year. Will the Knicks repeat in the East? Not impossible, they are a hell of a squad, they will surely be in the mix, but I doubt it because the run, the health, they had this year was just too perfect to recreate. 

But one last capper on the season: Jalen Brunson is the mother'f'n man and don't forget it.

(*) All year long the Spurs kept Wemby on a minutes limit and, well, they made the Finals. Personally, I'd keep his minutes low for another year, ramping up his minutes starting in March. Why not? No need to burn him out. The challenge in the west is the Thunder and staying healthy and....not much else. The plan worked better than expected this year, I'd give it another year before really throwing Wemby into the deep end.

2019-20 NFL Super Bowl

Conference championships
Titans 24-35 Chiefs
I thought the key to this game would be the Chiefs getting out to a quick lead to neutralize the Titan rushing attack.  Uh, not so much.  Titans got up 10-0 right off the bat and it seemed like the Chiefs were on their heels.  But then Mahomes made plays, Chiefs scored points and soon enough the Titans were an afterthought in their own game. A note on Derrick Henry: back in the Laker threepeat days, I remember every time the Lakers came down the court and didn't give the ball to Shaq, I wondered, 'Why aren't you giving the ball to Shaq?' That's what Derrick Henry was in this playoffs: every time the Titans did something other than give the ball to Henry, I wondered, 'Why didn't you give the ball to Henry?' Seriously, this is one of those games where the coach must've pulled Henry aside and said, 'Okay, kid, you're getting the ball 40 times this week. Be ready!' But for some reason the Titans mixed up their game plan and it just didn't work, they spun their wheels and once the Chiefs got going, this was all over. Mahomes is the man.

Packers 20-37 Niners
I thought this match would be closer, thought the Packers would dial up something different then their regular season thrashing by the Niners. Uh, not so much. Niners came to play, dominated the game early. I thought Aaron Rodgers was primed to have a big game but frankly I thought Rodgers kinda killed the Packers: a bad fumble when driving in the 1st half and then a bad interception right before halftime for the Niners to pile on their lead and it was over. The Packers accumulated some points in the 2nd half but it never really mattered. The Niners controlled this game completely on both sides of the ball. 


Super Bowl
Niners @ Chiefs (-1.5) (o/u 54)
I think the Niners are the better team top to bottom but I am more convinced that the Chiefs (re: Patrick Mahomes) will make the plays necessary to win the game. In order for the Niners to hang they will need either a defensive TD and/or Jimmy Garropolo to make plays. Both of those things are quite possible but we haven't seen Jimmy G make plays so far and while I think he's capable, I just haven't seen it yet so I'm more convinced in Mahomes. Likewise, that Niner D is good--that pass rush is GREAT--but Mahomes has beaten good defenses before and I just have more faith in Mahomes than in anything the Niners are bringing. I think the Niners get out to a quick 10-0 lead, I think the Chiefs are up at halftime 17-16. Then I like the Chiefs to wear the Niners out in the 2nd half. Yeah, I know the Niners really are the better, more complete team, but the Chiefs have a playmaker that can squash all that pronto. I like Chiefs to win 38-23 (Chiefs and the over).

Pointless NBA Trade Idea

Okay, right off the bat: last summer's whirlwind of trades and signings may have felt like the way of things to come, but I'd say quite the opposite. The players that moved were generally so high profile, so expensive that it more or less calcified the labor market probably through next summer. I'd be pretty surprised if we see many moves at this year's trade deadline because the buyers and sellers just aren't in sync at the moment. The teams that want to dump salary don't want to take salary back and the teams that want to thicken their rotations don't have the cap space or trade assets to make moves. In short, no one's got much room to move this season.

But it seems to me there is a potential method that could emerge: teams with lots of cap space could take on long-term salary instead of waiting for the summer to dig into the free agent class, which doesn't look so strong this year. So with that in mind:

Hawks get
Andrew Wiggins (4yr/$121m), Gorgui Dieng (2yr/$33.5m), Wolves 2020 and 2021 2nd rd picks; Wolves get Chandler Parsons (1yr/$25.1m), Allen Crabbe (1yr/$18.5m)

This is a long-term vs. short-term deal. This gets the Wolves off two big contracts and allows them to start rebuilding around a core of Towns, Culver, Okogie and Covington (who I would hold on to even though he'll likely be one of the hottest rumors out there). Obviously getting off Wiggins would be divisive but it'd save them a ton of money and giving up on a playoff run (eh, is there really any value in being 8th in the West?) would push them up toward a top five pick (is Daniel Oturu (Minnesota) a good fit?). So how do they re-build this summer? Well, the free agency market looks pretty skimpy, but Mike Conley has an ETO in Utah (where he hasn't been a good fit), which feels like a great vet to pair with Town for a year or two and if they could lure Evan Fournier to decline his option in Orlando, then right away they'd have something seemingly more reliable than what they've had with Wiggins and Teague (whom I'd trade for anything resembling a 2020 1st rd pick). Make no mistake: for Minnesota this is purely a salary dump but it would dump an awful lot of salary!

The thing about the Hawks is that their cap for next year is so small that they kinda have to spend money. So even if you think Wiggins is a bust and 4 years at that price is a boondoggle, that don't matter to the Hawks, they just need to lay some money out there. And personally I think Wiggins is actually a pretty good fit for them: he's been through the media ringer already and though his production leaves a lot to be desired, he's gonna play a ton of minutes in the next four years and the Hawks needs minutes.  Going forward he slides right into the Vince Carter slot. As for Dieng, he's another player that I find criminally underrated (I think Coach Thibodeau pretty much knee-capped his career) and that deal is not as bad as it looks--and, again, the Hawks got money to burn so who cares? Bring back Alex Len and that becomes the Hawks platoon at PF/C to back Collins and Fernando. As for the two 2nd rd picks, the Hawks need everything they can get and the Wolves get so much cap relief that it's worth it.

Obviously the Wolves don't do this is they truly love Wiggins (and I suspect they do) and even still it leaves them a lot of holes to plug in the off-season. But at least it gives them some money to make moves and clears out room for vets that like the look of Towns. As for the Hawks, they need everything and Wiggins, expensive as he is, will at least check SF off their list for the foreseeable future and adds reliable athleticism to an exciting but young team and I think Dieng (more of a baseline shooter type) meshes well with Collins and platoons nicely with Fernando. And it gets the Hawks up off the salary floor (oh yeah, they'd still have a shit ton of money to spend).

The idea here is for the Hawks to use their expiring contracts to get long-term depth and for the Wolves to get off their long-term commitments to get a new crew around Towns. I dunno, seems like it could work.

2019-20 New Orleans Pelicans

2018-19: 33-49
Draft picks: 1,4,37,57

Word is the Pelicans have agreed to trade Anthony Davis to the Lakers for Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, the #4 pick and two future 1st round picks (2021 and 2023, I presume). I had already started this but this seems like a good place to re-start--for example, the Pels picked up a sizable trade exception in this deal that could be used before the 2020 draft.

Signed for next season ($82-ish m): Jrue Holiday, Solomon Hill, Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, E'Twaun Moore, Josh Hart, Jahlil Okafor, Christian Wood, Frank Jackson, Kenrich Williams, Dairis Bertans
(I'm not exactly sure about that Cap total, it's sorta close to $82m, I reckon)
Could a Holiday trade be next up for the Pels? There are options: Knicks are always looking for a savior, how badly do the Pels want RJ Barrett (at #3) to go with Zion? Or it seems like the Pels and Celtics have been talking lately, seems like the Celtics could use a PG and they got money to spend...At any rate, the Pelicans for the next year are in youth movement mode--not exactly tanking but not expecting to a playoff run. In which case, Holiday's career would be bettered by going elsewhere and the Pelicans are better off riding Ingram, Lonzo, Hart, Frank Jackson and Zion and #4 for next season.
Is now finally the time to stretch and release Solomon Hill? Is he valuable to someone as a throw-in?
Julius Randle seems expendable to me--though I think he's a really underappreciated player!--feels like Zion is gonna get all his minutes next year. Though he's still on a favorable deal, I can see him getting moved this summer.
Ball and Hart will get their chances to play--especially if Holiday is moved.
Ingram is eligible to be re-signed right now, right? Do the Bird rights extend to the Pels after the trade? If so, they should probably go ahead and give him long term money now and just accept that Zion and Ingram (and Okafor?) is their future core.
It is probably time to move on from Moore. This is the last year of his deal, so he's a deal-stuffer or an expiring contract for someone right up to the trade deadline. Decent veteran off the bench, could be valuable for someone's playoff-push next season (Spurs or Pistons, maybe).
I always liked Wood but the way he's bounced around suggests that he is at best a practice player or a Summer League filler.
I liked Jackson and Williams last year, low cost high energy bench guys that could be real fan favorites.
There's another Bertans?


This summer's free agents: Julius Randle, (opted out), Stanley Johnson, Elfird Payton, Darius Miller, Ian Clark, Cheick Diallo, Trevon Bluiett
The Pelicans are not looking to win next year but building for the future suggests they could need a range of low-minute/low-cost guys off the bench. Randle saw himself getting replaced by #1 Zion and bolted, which may have happened anyway: his scoring numbers probably earned him a raise. Johnson and Payton are probably looking for more money or playing time to be on the Pelicans radar. Miller and Clark are nice long-term continuity guys who could be useful for limited minutes or perhaps they are easily replaceable (I can see Miller following Davis to the Lakers, actually). I'd keep Diallo, I thought he was promising enough to earn a 2 or 3 year low cost deal. I liked Bluiett in NCAA, didn't see him with the Pelicans this year.


Draft: Well #1 is gonna be Zion Williamson (Duke), you know it, I know it, the American people know it. And obviously he is the cornerstone of this team for the next 5 years. Now, personally I like Zion but I'm not as high as on him as most; he's a good player, an intriguing player, a watchable player, could be a real cornerstone kinda guy, has a lot of upside and is quite clearly the #1 pick in this draft. That said, I think people are overrating his abilities because of his freakish size. We've never seen anyone of his build move so well out there and, thus, we assume he's going to dominate the shit out of every situation. I don't see it. I think he's good and though his size makes him look unstoppable, basketball isn't necessarily about size and I think Zion will struggle his rookie year as all the vets line up to show him the smackdown (I'm already excited about seeing Chris Paul go up Zion, that'll be a show!). Another kooky irony: I think his game is gonna be like Julius Randle (except that Julius is left-handed), which isn't bad except that the Pels already have a Julius Randle-type (named Julius Randle)--or had one, I should say. So, while I like Zion and he is the obvious pick here, I don't think he re-invents basketball and I can see him struggling in his rookie year. (And greatest prospect of all time? Ohhh, not even close, probably on the edge of my top ten)

#4 pick: Well if RJ Barrett (Duke) is there, expect them to keep the Duke train rolling. Indeed, unless they lose their shit over Darius Garland (Vanderbilt), I wouldn't be super shocked if they drafted if they took Cam Reddish (Duke) at #4. I don't think the guys between 4 and 9 (roughly, Darius Garland (Vanderbilt), Cam Reddish (Duke), Coby White (North Carolina), Rui Hachimura (Gonzaga), DeAndre Hunter (Virginia), Jarret Culver (Texas Tech)) are wildly ahead of the others, so taking Reddish at #4 doesn't seem crazy to me, he was one of the top prospects just a year ago.

The only 2nd round-graded guy that I really liked in NCAA was Carsen Edwards (Purdue) who I think will probably be gone by #37, but if he's there, I suggest the Pelicans jump all over him. As it is #37 and #57 could bring guys like Jalen McDaniels (San Diego State) or Johntay Porter (Missouri).


Next year's lineup (I'm assuming Holiday, Hill and Randle will all be gone): PG Lonzo, SG Ingram, SF Reddish, PF Zion, C Okafor with Jackson, Hart, Williams, Moore, Diallo off the bench; they'll have a trade exception from the Davis trade and plenty of chips to move, so this bench should probably be wildly different by October. Fun lineup, looks like they'll be a running team, don't see them winning much but I'll be watching the shit out of 'em on League Pass.

2019-20 Memphis Grizzlies

2018-19: 33.49
Draft picks: 2

Signed for next season ($119.8m): Mike Conley, Chandler Parsons, Jonas Valenciunas, Avery Bradley, Kyle Anderson, CJ Miles, Jaren Jackson, Brunco Caboclo, Ivan Rabb, Dillon Brooks, Jevon Carter
Not all teams think this way, but I'm thinking...TANK! No chance they'll be any good, so might as well take aim at rock bottom. Conley is the best player and greatest star, I'd offer him to the Knicks for Frank Nkiltina and #3 pick. (Boy, the Knicks off-season plans sure tanked lately, huh? #3 ain't gonna do nothing for an empty Knicks squad, go ahead and redeem it for 2 years of a lovable badass and build out your free agent recruiting around Conley as your PG; then re-sign Deandre Jordan, aim for a guy like Patrick Beverley, then let Durant know you still want him...then just pray and remember that even if you get Durant, you're still gonna suck next year) The Grizzlies get rid of their biggest paycheck, get one last look at a maybe re-signable PG, and then start the re-build around Ja Morant and RJ Barrett to go with Jaren Jackson. Keeping Conley looks swell but he won't be able to win now--especially if the Grizz add Ja Morant to that roster instead of a scorer that can help Conley--so now is the time to move on. I think this is a good contract for trying to swipe a high draft pick.
If the Grizzlies could figure out how to make Chandler Parsons disappear, they would invest in that technology. Worst signing of the last decade? (Hmmm...no, it's still John Wall) Can they swap him for a similar expiring contract and then cut him (like, say straight up for Solomon Hill)?
Valenciunas has opted out of his contract--but I think the idea is that the Grizzlies will give him a raise. I didn't see enough of him to know if he fit with Jackson; if so, go ahead and give him 3 yrs/$60m I guess, but you gotta figure he's a bridge to the future, not the future. (And if he wasn't a fit with Jackson, then let him move on)
I suspect they cut Avery Bradley. I can see Bradley hooking on with a team that dreams of the playoffs (Heat or Hornets), He'd just be killing time in Memphis.
I never quite understood why the Grizzlies gave Kyle Anderson the deal they did but they've got him for three more years. He's their 6th man, might as well play him like that (whether he can do it or not).
CJ Miles is probably looking to play well early on and be trade bait by February. I bet the Grizzlies go into the season expecting him to play regular rotation minutes, perhaps even start at SF. If he's good, they trade him (to Golden State for a late 1st rounder or maybe someone like Utah or Denver), if not then they ride out his final year and let him walk.
Jaren Jackson is the cornerstone of the future (along with soon-to-be-picked Ja Morant), give him however many minutes he wants.
I can see them letting Caboclo go but he is still cheap and available for many minutes (and the Grizzlies aren't looking to win games, so...).
I thought Ivan Rabb was gonna be a better pro, I think it's strange how far he...never really got. But he is still young, cheap and he's already in house, so I reckon they'll give him some 2nd string run next season.
Dillon Brooks is still an intriguing young player. He missed all of last year (all of it?) but was promisingly competent in his rookie season. Still young, still intriguing, if he fits with Morant, then he's a keeper.


This summer's free agents: Justin Holiday, Delon Wright, Joakim Noah, Tyler Dorsey
I don't see any of those dudes coming back with Memphis next season. Maybe Holiday but I think he can hook on with a better squad.


Draft: Oh, they're taking Ja Morant (Murray State) at #2. Zion is clearly #1, Morant is clearly #2, I don't see any movement on those two picks before draft day. Morant is an exciting ball handler, play maker and I think he'll grow into a reliable scorer, too (reminds me of Jrue Holiday: pretty good at everything, not bad at anything, maybe even a better athlete than Holiday). And to do it properly he'll need playing time, so it's time for Conley to go.


Next year's lineup:
PG Morant, SG Brooks, SF Parsons, PF Jackson, C Valenciunas with Anderson, Miles, and Caboclo off the bench. That's pretty thin--and that's without Conley or Bradley, both of whom I think will be gone. I don't see any lineup available to them that wins games next season, which is why I'd go ahead and start thinking tank right away. Take what you can get for Conley, Bradley and Parsons (which might not be much), start building around Morant and Jackson and hope the new coach (Taylor Jenkins) is a genius that is loved by his new young stars and think only about trades that involved bringing back 1st round picks.

2019-20 Minnesota T-Wolves

2018-19: 36-46
Draft picks: 11,43

Signed for next season ($109.1m): Andrew Wiggins, Karl-Anthony Towns, Jeff Teague, Gorgui Dieng, Robert Covington, Dario Saric, Josh Okogie, Keita Bates-Diop
Truth is: the Wolves would love for someone to come along and sweet talk them out of Wiggins and Dieng, but I don't think that is happening in either case. And, fwiw, I still think Wiggins can be a really useful player, not a star, yeah he's still overpriced, but a perfectly reasonable 3-and-d guy that can play 2500 minutes per season in his sleep. Yeah, he's not as great as that paycheck and all those draft day expectations suggest, but the dude can play 45 minutes a night without complaint and that's not nothing, teams need guys that eat up innings and Wiggins is plenty good enough for that role (though probably more for some other team than the Wolves).
Towns is the big dog, the stud, the star, the all that.
Teague has one year left on this deal, I think he's still good at getting to the basket, knocking down 3's and keeping turnovers to a minimum; not my fave PG in the league but still a really good player that can go deep in the playoffs. (Is he 2020's Damian Lillard? Nah, prolly not)
I like Dieng and I think there are plenty of teams that he could play for. I can see a lot of those mid-range salary guys getting swapped this summer.
I'm a big fan of Covington and Saric and Okogie and I think the three of them are good for the rotation going forward.
Bates-Diop supposedly was a dude the Wolves loved going into draft day; but I don't remember seeing much of him, I think he was hurt a lot of the season and just ineffective otherwise. Seems built for a big improvement in his second season, we'll see.


This summer's free agents: Taj Gibson, Jerryd Bayless, Anthony Tolliver, Tyus Jones, Luol Deng, Derrick Rose, Cameron Reynolds
I can see them bringing back Taj Gibson and Tyus Jones. Gibson can probably get a better gig for himself, he did good work last year but he's a Thibodeau guy, I can see that being frowned upon. And Jones is a hometown favorite and though I don't think he's better than a 3rd string PG, I think he's maybe the best 3rd string PG in the league, so not a bad thing to have.
I just don't see them making room for Bayless, Tolliver and Deng. Maybe Rose but I suspect he can still get a good deal out there (Lakers?).


I saw a mock draft that has them taking Nasir Little (North Carolina) just head of PJ Washington (Kentucky) and Rui Hachimura (Gonzaga); now personally I prefer Washington and Hachimura to Little but the Wolves could probably use more wing scoring as opposed to another down-low bruiser (unless they're looking to replace Taj Gibson or if they trade Gorgui Dieng). So, I dunno, any one of those three seems about right at #11. At #43, Johntay Porter (Missouri) could be a steal. Or I can see them going continental with Adam Mokoka (France).


Next year's lineup:
PG Teague, SG Covington, SF Wiggins, PF Towns, C Gibson with Okogie, Jones, Saric, Dieng, #11, off the bench.
I feel like this lineup has to play the most efficient game in the world to win--they'll do that every once in a while but somehow I don't really see this team exploding in this current form. I like all these guys but I'm not sure they fit together, this feels like a whole roster of trade bait.

2019-20 Boston Celtics

2018-19: 49-32 (2nd rd playoffs)
Draft picks: 14,20,22,51

Next year ($123.2.m): Gordon Hayward, Al Horford (player option), Marcus Smart, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Aron Baynes, Guerschon Yabusele, Robert Williams, Semi Ojeleye
The Celtics turned from a team with big stars, big expectations, and a mighty war chest into a team with a lot of "nice" players seemingly over night. GM Danny Ainge is the most cutthroat wheeler dealer in the business and yet his mighty haul has turned into lukewarm chocolate milk.
I think Hayward is in line for Comeback Player of the Year, I think without Kyrie, he'll flourish.
I can see Horford opting out (he did so yesterday, as a matter of fact) but actually I think he's got a good thing in Boston, he should take the money and ride it out (although is Kyrie is definitely gone, perhaps he can get a raise from the Celtics). I think he and Hayward can be great together.
Smart is the one of the hardest guys in the game, not always perfect but always gives effort, makes plays and the fans love him. I think he's on a great deal, I wouldn't be eager to trade him.
Tatum and Brown are still fine rising young players, not sure what either of them are just yet. Tatum was great in the playoffs in 2018, I thought Brown was great in the 2019 playoffs, I'd keep them both.
Baynes opted into his deal, I think he's way cheaper than Plumlee and just as good.
Williams could still turn out to be a star (probably more Hassan Whiteside than Mitchell Robinson) and is the only real rim protection the Celtics have, I expect him to steadily get more minutes.
I even like Ojeleye, not indispensable but he gives good effort, he's not a waste of time out there (and kinda the pre-Zion, right?).


Free agents: Marcus Morris, Terry Rozier, Daniel Theis, Brad Wanamaker
I don't see Morris coming back. No Celtics fans will tell you this but I thought he was basically the only Celtic that played well at all after Game One against the Bucks. But with Brown, Tatum, Horford and Hayward, you gotta feel like the Celtics will get by without Morris just fine.
The Celtics kinda desperately need a play making PG right now, is Rozier that guy? I don't think so. I think rather than re-signing him, they'll go out to the PG free agent market and see what's out there--are they a player for Kemba?; the free agent PG's out there this summer: Rubio, Lin, Austin Rivers, Collison, Rondo, Bayless, Temple, Joseph, D'angelo Russell, Ish Smith, Mudiay, Ron Baker, Elfrid Peyton...hmmm, Rozier doesn't look so bad, huh? They probably need to deal for Mike Conley or Jrue Holiday.
I actually kinda liked both Thies and Wanamaker but they probably both have better options in Europe.


Pointless trade idea: Celtics get #6 (aiming for Darius Garland (Vanderbilt)); Suns get #14,#20,#22,#51.
The Celtics needs a big time PG right now, is Garland that guy? I dunno, but if so then he's more than worth those other picks. Indeed, the Celtics already have a roster loaded with medium-priced talent, they need quality not quantity right now.
The Suns, on the other hand, don't have any particularly place to go this year, so why not throw a bunch more youngsters in the pool and see who swims? They're still a year away from being a year away, I don't see the Suns as a playoff team in 2019-20, so keep the youth movement rolling.


Lineup
PG Rozier, SG Smart, SF Hayward, PF Tatum/Brown, C Horford with Baynes, Yabusele, Williams and some draft pick off the bench.

Not a bad team but that doesn't seem better than 4th in the East. The Celtics suddenly look back with regret at the Kawhi trade that might've happened last summer but I don't think they'll look back at this summer with Anthony Davis in the same way (he wanted to be a Laker, not a Celtic). Not a bad team, one that actually looks like they'll grind through a lot of W's next year but one that will probably get snuffed out in the post-season.

2019-20 Indiana Pacers

2018-19: 48-34 (1st rd playoffs)
Draft picks: 18,50

Signed for next season ($60.1m): Victor Oladipo, Myles Turner, Doug McDermott, Domantas Sabonis, TJ Leaf, Aaron Holiday, Edmond Sumner, Alize Johnson
They really missed Oladipo in the playoffs--I was impressed how well they played without him throughout the season. A healthy Oladipo is the first step for this team.
Turner is a still-getting-better big man who scores a little and plays solid D.
McDermott can knock down corner 3's.
Sabonis is a smart player, good fit for the Pacers, still improving, too.
I dunno know enough about Leaf, Holiday, Sumner or Johnson, not sure how they factor into the Pacers' plans.


This summer's free agents: Thaddeus Young, Tyreke Evans, Bojan Bogdanovic, Darren Collison, Cory Joseph, Kyle O'Quinn, Wesley Matthews
The Pacers are in my League Pass blackout zone, so I don't have much of a feel for this squad at all or how hard they'll charge at re-signing any of these dudes but my gut feeling is: I think they have to bring back Bogdanovic and Collison, I think they'd like to bring back Joseph and Matthews, I don't think they'll bring back Young, I have no idea about O'Quinn and Evans has been banned by the league (so no discussion necessary).


#18 is tough to figure, in that zone where the players are a mix of overrated and underrated. Guess they'd want Romeo Langford (Indiana), right? Tough to pass up scoring like Nickiel Alexander-Walker (Virginia Tech), but I'm guessing they'll go for size like Bruno Fernando (Maryland) or they'd jump all over Bol Bol (Oregon), I reckon. At #50, maybe they nab Louis King (Oregon) for a little Pac-12 flavor.


Next year's lineup:
PG Oladipo, SG Bogdanovic, SF Matthews, PF Sabonis, C Turner with Collison, Leaf, McDermott, Holiday, Sumner and #18 off the bench.
Not a deep team but a smart, savvy squad where Oladipo sets the standard for everyone else. If they stay healthy, they should be 4th or 5th in the East (hard to imagine Orlando or Detroit getting ahead of them, but also hard to imagine the Pacers catching up to the Sixers or even the Celtics).

2019-20 San Antonio Spurs

2018-19: 48-35 (1st rd playoffs)
Draft picks: 19,29,49

Signed for next season ($97.7m): DeMar DeRozan, LaMarcus Aldridge, Patty Mills, Davis Bertans, Marco Belinello, Jakob Poetl, Bryn Forbes, Lonnie Walker, Dejounte Murray, Derrick White
DeRozan and Aldridge is a good bedrock and I like what Mills, Bertans, Belinelli and Poetl give them off the bench. But it feels like it is finally time for Murray (injured last summer) to blow up and become whatever it is he's going to become for this team to move forward. They've got a hard working supporting cast (Forbes, Walker, White) and with their hard-nosed play paired with DeRozan and Aldridge, the Spurs could be really good (or they can be real mediocre, we'll see).


This summer's free agents: Rudy Gay, Dante Cunningham, Quincy Pondexter, Chimezie Metu, Donatas Motiejunas
I don't think Rudy Gay comes back. He feels like a Laker or Warrior to me.
Cunningham and Pondexter are reliable vets, if the price is low enough they'll be somewhere in the NBA next season, maybe even San Antonio.
Metu never developed, feels like his NBA time has passed.
I always liked Motiejunas, would've been a perfect Spur in his prime, but feels like his time has passed, too.


At #19 I think they'd jump on Goga Bitadze (Republic of Georgia) if he's still there, and he might be. At #29 I can see them taking Chuma Okeke (Auburn). And at #49, unless they've got their eye on some underappreciated collegian, I figure they'll take a European like Adam Mokoka (France) or Josh Obiesie (Germany).


Next year's lineup:
PG Murray, SG DeRozen, SF White, PF Poetl, C Aldridge with Mills, Forbes, Belinelli, Bertans, Walker and #19 off the bench.

They'll need more bench depth but this is a 'system' team with DeRozan and Aldridge to anchor it, so they should be pretty good, even in the crowded West.

2019-20 Oklahoma City Thunder

2018-19: 49-33 (1st rd playoffs)
Draft picks: 21

Signed for next season ($146.8m): Russell Westbrook, Paul George, Steven Adams, Dennis Schroder, Andre Roberson, Jerami Grant, Patrick Patterson, Terrance Ferguson, Abdel Nader, Hamidou Diallo
This squad is pretty well ready to go--expensive as hell, but complete. The move to make is trade Steven Adams and his ginormous paycheck, but getting back something that matches their needs is not going to be easy, so I figure they'll just run this team back next season.


This summer's free agents: Raymond Felton, Nerlens Noel (player option), Markieff Morris, Jawun Evans
They don't really need Felton or Morris, so I don't see any reason to bring them back.
Nerlens has a player option and a smaller paycheck than he can probably get elsewhere (Lakers, Knicks immediately come to mind), so I bet he's gone.
The Thunder will need to fill out their roster but they'll be looking for extremely low cost filler at the back end of that bench, which might include Evans but I suspect he can make more money elsewhere (Clippers, Lakers, Hornets, Grizzlies).


In this draft I think they should be looking for defense considering that Roberson, Patterson and Noel will likely be gone within the year. I don't know these recruits well enough but does that suggest Eric Paschall (Villanova) or Nicolas Claxton (Georgia) or Ty Jerome (Virginia)? I dunno but those seem like three guys in that range.


Next year's lineup:
PG Westbrook, SG Roberson, SF George, PF Noel, C Adams with Shroder, Ferguson, Diallo, Nader, Grant, and Patterson off the bench.

All depends on how badly this team wants to get cheaper for next year. The rest of the roster-fillers will be low-cost players, but if they move Adams that will bring significant changes to the roster (not saying they won't/can't trade Adams but I didn't see any deals out there right now that look particularly appealing).

2019-20 Utah Jazz

2018-19: 50-32 (1st rd playoffs)
Draft picks: 23, 53

Signed for next season ($92.2m): Rudy Gobert, Derrick Favors, Joe Ingles, Dante Exum, Jae Crowder, Kyle Korver, Donovan Mitchell, Grayson Allen, Raul Neto, Tony Bradley, Georges Niang, Royce O'Neale
Not sure how they replace Ricky Rubio but otherwise this squad is pretty well complete. Mitchell is the center of the action, good size for defense, good shooting, the rest of the regulars are well-coached and don't turn the ball over too much.


This summer's free agents: Ricky Rubio, Thabo Sefolosha, Ekpe Udoh
I suspect they bring back Rubio. Not that he's irreplaceable but when you look at the free agent PG's out there, I don't see anyone that matches their price point or their style any better than Rubio. He's not perfect but he's a good player, he fits their style and its good to reward the players that want to stay (especially for Utah). So while I wouldn't be shocked if they let Rubio go, nor would I be shocked if they brought him back.
Sefolosha never quite worked in Utah, the injury bug kept him from really reaching his potential in this rotation.
Udoh...not sure how that guy ever ended up back in the NBA, anyway. I could say there's no reason for the Jazz to bring him back, but there was never a reason to bring him in to begin with, so...I dunno.


A mock draft I saw had the Jazz getting Romeo Langford (Indiana) at #23 and if so, I think that'd be a great pick for the Jazz. I like Langford, his stock has fallen somewhat but I think he's gonna be a reliable scorer at the next level and, though they could use more size off the bench, the Jazz always need more scoring. 2nd rd picks for Utah should basically always be used on foreign players, right? So I guess they'd jump on Adam Mokoka (France), Josh Obeisie (Germany) or Marcos Louzada (Brazil), all of whom seem like they could be good wing scorers.


Next year's lineup:
PG Mitchell, SG Ingles, SF Crowder, PF Favors, C Gobert with Exum, Neto, Korver, Allen, Bradley and Niang off the bench.

They could use more depth--thus bringing back Rubio--but they could use more size, too (any interest in bringing back Trey Lyles? Or how about taking flyers on Frank Kaminsky or Dragan Bender or Marquisse Chris?). The Jazz have moves to make around the edges but I think the core is in place and ready to go.

2019-20 Philadelphia 76ers

2018-19: 51-31 (2nd rd playoffs)
Draft picks: 24, 33, 34, 44, 54

Signed for next season ($67.5m): Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, Jonathon Simmons, Zhaire Smith, Jonah Bolden
Embiid, check. Ben Simmons, check.
Remember when Jonathon Simmons was an exciting young mid-range scorer with the Spurs? Where did that guy go? Why isn't he of any use at all any more? And how do the Sixers get rid of him?
Didn't see much of Zhaire Smith last season. And what I saw of Bolden was okay, but he seems like a real knucklehead (those guys can be useful but you gotta keep an eye on them).


This summer's free agents: Tobias Harris, Jimmy Butler, JJ Reddick, Boban Marjanovic, James Ennis, Mike Scott, Amir Johnson, Furkan Korkmaz, TJ McConnell, Greg Monroe
Watching the Sixers during the regular season I thought to myself, 'Hmmm, I kinda liked Ben Simmons and Tobias Harris together...'. But come playoff team, it was clear that the Sixers were a Butler-Embiid team not a Simmons-Harris team. To that end, I expect them to break the bank to keep Butler and let Harris go (and perhaps take offers for Simmons).
JJ Reddick has been a fixture of the Process years and I can see them bringing him back, but I never found him to be so integral to those teams, so I can see him finding more money elsewhere.
I don't see Boban coming back. Interesting player but not an obviously superior player.
I kinda liked Ennis in the playoffs last year, definitely earned himself a contract somewhere--maybe not Philly, though.
I kinda like Mike Scott, not sure how much Philly liked him.
Johnson has been a serviceable backup big man through the Process years, if his price tag goes down, I can definitely see him back with Philly.
I liked what I saw of Korkmaz but there just wasn't enough room for in that lineup. I reckon he goes to Europe for a year or two before trying to return to the NBA.
The Sixers would be foolish to let McConnell get away. Look: you need a 2nd string PG, you need a guy that keeps the offense going when your stars are on the bench and McConnell does that as well as anyone in the league! Yes, he's only gonna play 10-15 minutes per game but someone has to play those minutes and McConnell is the best available. (I thought the Sixers should've locked him up long term last summer--and I still think they should lock him up because he's perfect for them!)
I don't see how Monroe returns next year.


Still got that Hinkie taste for 2nd rd picks, so the Sixers have a ton of picks overall (24, 33, 34, 44, 54). I reckon they'll be looking to trade those 2nd rd picks for future 2nd rd picks (also straight from the Hinkie playbook--why did they run him out of town again?). I have no idea how they'll draft but it looks like they've got a shot at guys like Carsen Edwards (Purdue), Naz Reid (LSU), Daniel Gafford (Arkansas), Jordan Bone (Tennessee) and a handful of foreign prospects. Again, I expect them to trade those picks forward rather than come up with anyone that will join next year's roster.

Next year's lineup:
PG Simmons, SF Butler, C Embiid....after that I'm not sure.

I can see them bringing back Reddick, McConnell, Johnson, Ennis and Scott but I wouldn't be surprised to see a whole new collection in there, too. So I dunno what they got going on for next season past those core three.

2019-20 Portland Trail Blazers

2018-19: 53-29 (Conference finals runner-up)
Draft picks: 25

Signed for next season ($126m): Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum, Evan Turner, Jusuf Nurkic, Maurice Harkless, Meyers Leonard, Zach Collins, Skal Labisserie, Anfernee Simons, Gary Trent
This squad made the Western Conference final and while I don't think it was a fluke, I do think it will be really hard to repeat because the West will have 5-6 tough outs in next year's playoffs. The Blazers are already over the cap and while they pretty much have their team ready to go, they will have to replace or re-sign some of the supporting cast.


This summer's free agents: Al-Farouq Aminu, Rodney Hood, Seth Curry, Jake Layman, Enes Kanter
All of these guys contributed...a little....none of them are irreplaceable but the aggregate will need an overhaul.
I like Aminu--fun fact that everyone seems to forget about Aminu: he was the last guy to shut down James Harden (Rockets over Mavs in 2015, Aminu made Harden work), which ought to make him valuable to the Rockets if no one else. I can see Aminu with the Lakers, Nuggets or Jazz, maybe even Mavs or Pelicans. He'll work somewhere and probably get paid at least as well as Portland, so I don't figure he'll be back.
Hood was a rental and though he played pretty well, I don't see him coming back either (perhaps to the Pelicans, the new home of Duke recruits).
Curry is a fascinating player to have on your roster, I got a feeling the Mavs bring him back.
Layman had moments and the Blazers have a much better opinion of him than I could, so if they want him back I reckon he'll be back.
Kanter, too, was a rental and wants probably a lot more than the Blazers would give (kinda thought Kanter would be perfect for the Nuggets if they move on from Millsap).


#25 is not the sexiest pick in the draft but it could bring back a nice prospect like Brandon Clarke (Gonzaga), if he can defend like Aminu and shoot like Hood, he'd be a perfect fit.


Next year's lineup:
PG Lillard, SG McCollum, SF Turner, PF Nurkic, C Collins with Simons, Trent, Leonard, Harkless, Labissierie off the bench.

Lillard has been phenomenal the last two years, if he keeps the prime going, the Blazers will be good and have a shot in the West. I'd put the Blazers 4th-5th in the West for now.

2019-20 Brooklyn Nets

2018-19: 42-40 (1st rd playoffs)
Draft picks: 27,31

Signed for next season ($38.3m-ish): Spencer Dinwiddie, Joe Harris, Caris LaVert, Taurean Waller-Prince, Jarrett Allen, Dzanan Musa, Shabazz Napier, Rodions Kurucs, Treveon Graham
The buzz is that they have their eyes on Kyrie Irving (or is it the other way around?) and if he arrives that'll be a huge change in the atmosphere in Brooklyn. The team is already heavy on ball-handling playmaking scorers (Dinwiddie, Harris, LaVert, Napier, even Kurucs and, of course, D'Angelo Russell), so he would displace a lot of their current roster in an effort to shape a supporting cast around him. This could work and if so the Nets will be a playoff team in the East again and a more dangerous one that they were this season. Or...this could tilt their whole roster, warp the whole team, throw off the vibe, nullify the coach, run up debt and generally just stink up Brooklyn like a big ol' fart....so, you know...either way.
But they did move the overly expensive and oft-injured Allen Crabbe in favor of a glue guy on a rookie deal--love that move! I love youth and Waller-Prince I think will give them a hard worker in the middle of their bench.


This summer's free agents: DeMarre Carroll, Jared Dudley, D'Angelo Russell, Ed Davis, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
Carroll and Dudley are lovable vets but I'd let them both move on. Carroll is just further past his prime and Dudley is a locker room guy (which may or may not clash with Kyrie's demeanor). Either way I think they can get more production and/or future expectation out of these roster spots.
Personally, I would bring back Russell and encourage Kyrie to go to NYK instead, but even with Kyrie I'd bring back Russell because I think he's too important an asset to let him go even if he's no longer an ideal fit in your rotation. Been a while since sign-and-trade rumors have been so strong but that scenario makes a lot of sense for Russell.
Seemed like I was vet-bashing earlier but I'd bring back Ed Davis, I think that guy is still a really underappreciated down-low presence, defender and rebounder. (That said, I can see Enes Kanter here with Kyrie)
I never quite understood the relationship between the Nets and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson: at times he was the next great wonder, then he'd disappear, then they'd love him again, but now they're probably not gonna re-sign him...what gives? He's had moments of being a reliable defensive presence in the rotation but I'm not sure he's reliable enough offensively to stick on an NBA roster.


Drafting at #27 could yield them someone like Eric Paschell (Villanova) or KZ Okpala (Stanford). And at #31 I kinda love Carsen Edwards (Purdue) but I'm not sure they need another scorer off the bench and since they've had luck with foreign picks, maybe Luka Samanic (Croatia) would be more interesting here.


Next year's lineup:
PG Kyrie (right?), SG Russell, SF Harris, PF ?, C Allen with LaVert, Dinwiddie, Napier, Musa and Graham off the bench.

They've got a ways to go, gotta figure out Kyrie and D'Angelo, then build around whoever they end up with. Long way to go but Kyrie definitely gives them a shot at being really good.

2019-20 Milwaukee Bucks

2018-19: 60-22 (Conference Finals runner-up)
Draft pick: 30

Signed for next season ($107.4m): Giannis Antetokounpo, George Hill, Eric Bledsoe, Tony Snell, Ersan Ilyasova, DJ Wilson, Donte DiVincenzo, Pat Connaughton, Sterling Brown
Without Middleton and/or Brogdon, this will be an entirely different team. They've still got Giannis, Coach Bud and a decent collection of supporting guys but bringing back Brogdon is absolutely essential and replacing Middleton will be the challenge of the summer. Lopez, too, would be nice to have but he may have shot himself into a bigger contract than Milwaukee can afford.
Otherwise, this is a pretty good bunch of foils for Giannis.


This summer's free agents: Khris Middleton (player option), Nikola Mirotic, Brook Lopez, Malcolm Brogdon, Pau Gasol, Tim Frazier
I suspect Middleton is gone. Here's the deal: all year long I thought the Bucks were Giannis first, everyone else tied for second; but it dawned on me in the playoffs that it is actually Middleton first, Giannis second and then everyone else third. So they've got to get a guy that pushes Giannis's buttons just right and then rebuild the attack. I don't think it's Middleton, I think he's got a bigger payday waiting him elsewhere.
Mirotic, on the other hand, probably won't be back. He was nice in theory and over the course of a full season might give them what they got from Lopez last season. But I suspect he'll be somewhere else (Grizzlies, Lakers, Clippers).
I figured Lopez would be too expensive for them but I think they'll bring him back (and probably regret it).
They've got to bring back Brogdon. Whatever he asks for, just give it to him and get back to work.
Gasol was a locker room presence for the playoffs, not a player for the long term. I guess Pau can still play some but I'm not really sure where he goes (Warriors or Raptors, I'd guess).
I kinda like Frazier as a 3rd string PG, not top of the priorities but a nice pickup if there's still money left at the end of the shopping spree.


At #30 I'd grab Carsen Edwards (Purdue) and hope he's as smart as he looks. Let him work out his rook year just watching the interplay between Giannis and Brogdon. That'll be all the coaching he'll need.


Next year's lineup:
PG Brogdon, SG Bledsoe, SF Giannis, PF Snell, C Lopez with Brown, Frazier, Hill, Connaughton, DiVincezo, Ilyasova and Wilson off the bench. (Could use some size, like Greg Monroe?)

If Giannis is healthy this could be the best team in the East. But they'll need to get the supporting cast in line as quick as possible. Even still, they'll be running up against the Sixers and Raptors all year long.

2019-20 Dallas Mavericks

2018-19: 33-49
Draft pick: 39

Signed for next season ($44.7m): Tim Hardaway, Courtney Lee, Luka Doncic, Justin Jackson, Ryan Broekhoff, Jalen Brunson
Hardaway is still a pretty good wing scorer, that contract is a little rich but its not devastating when considering his production, which should be pretty good next season.
I always liked Lee, in this setting he's the old timer carrying on the mantle from Dirk, Devin and Barea. A soothing veteran presence.
Luka = A star, a bright shining star.
I can see Jackson being a reliable 10-15 minutes off the bench guy.
(I don't know Broekhoff)
I liked Brunson last year, I expect him to get more comfortable and contribute even more.


This summer's free agents: Dwight Powell (opted out), Kristaps Porzingis, Dirk Nowtizki, JJ Barea, Devin Harris, Trey Burke, Dorian Finney-Smith, Maxi Kleber, Kostas Antetokounpo
I think Powell will be getting a raise and be back in Mavs uni soon.
Porzingis, well, I mean, that's where it's at. KP and Luka, we want it and I'm ready for it now!
Nowtizki, Barea, Harris are off to the farm upstate where they can run and play basketball in our collective memories forever.
I don't see Burke coming back, I can see him catching on but probably not here.
I can see Finney-Smith, Kleber and Antetokounpo coming back as low-cost roster filler.


At #39 I'd keep the Euro vibe going with a guy like Adam Mokokoa (France) unless they love a guy like Kris Wilkes (UCLA).


Next year's lineup:
PG Luka, SG Hardaway, SF Porzingis, PF Finney-Smith, C Powell with Brunson, Lee, Jackson, Antentokounpo, Kleber off the bench.

They've got more moves to make and the room to do it. (I figured they'd take a run at Nikola Vucevic and how about Nikola Mirotic, too?)

2019-20 Sacramento Kings

2018-19: 39-43
Draft picks: 40, 47, 60

Signed for next season ($71.7m): Harrison Barnes, Marvin Bagley, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Nemanja Bjelica, De'Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield, Yogi Ferrell, Harry Giles, Caleb Swanigan, Frank Mason
Love Barnes. This team doesn't really need a big move this summer because they made their move at last year's trade deadline: Harrison Barnes is the perfect addition to this team, a calm vet that will play the right way and elevate his youthful teammates. By all accounts, he's a great guy, very hard working and totally lovable, perfect acquisition for them. He's got a player option but unless he thinks the Kings will give him more money, I'm guessing he'll opt in.
Love Bagley. Great rookie, should blow up this year.
Love Bogdanovic. With just one year left on his deal, I'm curious as to whether they try to move him since I don't think they will re-sign him this summer (which I think they could). Personally, I like him and I'd play him (....but if they could swap him for Julius Randle, they'd have to think about that...).
Love Bjelica. Wolves fucked up by letting him go, loved his energy with the Kings last year.
Love Fox. Next year's bust out super star?
Love Hield. Thought he was a natural born shooter in NCAA and his transition would be relatively easy. I think he's been better than that, I don't get the Buddy haters at all.
Love Ferrell. This kid came from nowhere and is hanging proud. Great for the Kings bench.
Love Giles. Everyone gave up on him, Kings believed in him and he has rewarded them so far. Another candidate for Most Improved next season.
Love Swanigan. Don't see him getting any playing time but I think he's a savvy guy and I can see him being a great option off the bench.
I'm only okay on Frank Mason. Thought the hype he garnered was a bit premature. But he's a nice 3rd string PG.


This summer's free agents: Alec Burks, Kosta Koufos, Willie Cauley-Stein, Corey Brewer, BJ Johnson
Burks was a throw-in, not likely to catch on in Sac-town.
Koufos wouldn't be bad as a low cost roster filler, if he's willing to stick around cheaply, I'd bring him back for 10-15 minutes per game.
Cauley-Stein is the oddity for the Kings this summer: the Kings have a wave of young players they love and wanna pay. Cauley-Stein is probably like 5th on the list of guys to keep; unfortunately, he comes up first, which makes me believe they're probably going to replace him with a shorter term rental rather than pay WCS to stick around. But, I kinda think since this team already has Barnes in place and a young nucleus with good depth already (and since Klay Thompson is out for the year), I'd go ahead and skip the free agency process and just bring back WCS on the cheapest, shortest deal they can get him to sign. Then I'd roll with the team they already got, I thought they were good and getting gooder all year long last season and with a full year of Barnes, they're ready to go now.
I don't mind them picking up a vet or two to fill out their roster but I'm not sure Corey Brewer is still that guy.


They have a trio of late 2nd rd picks. I wouldn't be surprised to see them draft a trio of foreigners or try to trade the picks for 2nd rounders in next year's draft.


Next year's lineup:
PG Fox, SG Hield, SF Barnes, PF Giles, C Bagley with Ferrell, Mason, Swanigan, Bjelica, Koufos off the bench.

I loved watching this team last year, I expect them all to be better next year, I expect them to be a playoff team--though I'm not sure Coach Walton is any better for that than Coach Joerger was. The scuttlebutt is that they are hard-charging after Nikola Vucevic, which would be a fine addition. But if not, I'm cool with bringing back Cauley-Stein and Koufos and trying to add someone like Julius Randle to keep the youth movement going or take on a short-term vet like Danny Green or maybe Brandon Knight if he gets waived. They've got moves to make but honestly they don't need to do anything, feels like just about every player on the roster will improve next year.

2019-20 LA Clippers

2018-19: 48-34 (1st rd playoffs)
Draft picks: 48, 56

Signed for next season ($49.3m): Danilo Gallinari, Lou Williams, Montrezl Harrell, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jerome Robinson, Landry Shamet, Sindarius Thornwell, Tyrone Wallace
Good core to build around. One more year of Gallinari, two more years of Lou and then it's the youth movement + free agents from next summer on.


This summer's free agents: Wilson Chandler, Garrett Temple, JaMychel Green, Patrick Beverley, Rodney McGruder, Ivica Zubac
I wouldn't bring back Chandler but you know what? If the Clippers strike out in their attempts to get Kawhi or Kyrie or whoever they get their eye on, they could do worse than just bringing back Temple, Green, Beverley, McGruder and Zubac. That's actually an interesting mix of youth and vets, of bigs and ball handlers, of offense and defense. They played well together last year but they need another kick to get him going (although they looked better against the Warriors than the Blazers or Rockets did), but if it doesn't happen, they've got a nice pile of reasonably-priced talent at their fingertips.


#48 and #56 are probably best used for European talent to stash overseas.


Next year's lineup:
PG Gilgeous-Alexander, SG Shamet, SF Gallinari, PF Harrell, C Zubac with Williams, Temple, Green, Beverley, Wallace, McGruder, Robinson, Thornwell, and Zubac.

Not bad, doubt that's better than the Lakers, which would be really nice but I think they're on the edge of the playoffs in the West. Obviously they want Kawhi but they could stand to bring back JJ Reddick and took a run at Brook Lopez (or see if Al Horford is interested in opting out of Boston).

2019-20 Toronto Raptors

2018-19: 58-24 (NBA champs, fool!)
Draft picks: 59

Signed for next season ($131.4m): Kyle Lowry, Marc Gasol (player option), Serge Ibaka, Norman Powell, Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, Chris Boucher, Malcolm Miller
Wow, the only guys signed past next year are Norman Powell and OG Anunoby, neither of whom were terribly meaningful on the championship run. They've gone from a team locked down by their onerous salary cap to a team so unfettered they might blow away. At any rate, doesn't feel like any of these guys will be here long.
Lowry, Gasol, and Ibaka will likely be going into their final seasons with the Raptors, which will leave a giant pile of money to spend next summer.
Powell is a nice rotation guy, as is Van Vleet.
They've got to re-sign Siakam (can they do that this summer? I'm not sure). And I suspect they'll re-sign Anunoby, too. I've heard they really like Boucher, but I'm not sure how committed to his future they are.


This summer's free agents: Kawhi Leonard (player option), Danny Green, Patrick McCaw, Jeremy Lin, Jodie Meeks
Well, getting Kawhi to stay is the first order of business; reacting to Kawhi leaving is likely the second order. He's a great player, just had a great run with the Raptors, you know they'll pay him whatever he wants to stay, so how much does he like money?
Green is a nice shooter, probably in line for a pretty good paycheck, but I don't think he'll be at the top of the Raptors to-do list this summer (with or without Kawhi).
I kinda like McCaw but there's something strange about that guy, not sure where he ends up.
Lin probably has a year or two left in him off the bench. He can still be useful to a playoff team that just needs reliable pros (Spurs or Heat, perhaps).
Jodie Meeks is one of my all time favorite Kentucky Wildcats and I was shocked to see him play as much as he did in the playoffs! But its hard to imagine he'll be playing anywhere next year.


Hmmm....the #59 pick....is the next Kawhi Leonard gonna be there? Could that be Jaylen Hoard (Wake Forest)? Actually I can see Jordan Bone (Tennessee) being a Raptors bench guy.


Next year's lineup:
PG Lowry, SG Powell, SF Kawhi (right?), PF Siakam, C Gasol with Van Vleet, Boucher, Anunoby, and Ibaka off the bench.

Man, that Raptors 2nd string rotation which has played so well for them over the last coupla years is pretty much gone now, huh? Coach Nurse inherited a well-run machine with some fancy new parts; seems like now its up to maximize what the machine can do for a year before a long period of rebuilding it. Not to say that he just picked up where Dwayne Casey left off but Nurse did have a good team ready to go on day 1. When a coach has so much success so quickly, it's hard to tell what kind of coach he actually is. The team has shed a lot of depth in the last year and depending on Kawhi's summer, may lose a lot lot more before opening day. I still feel like the Raptors will be really good in the East with or without Kawhi but with so many expiring contracts, the cycle will be ending and everyone will know it. So whatever happens next year for the Raptors will probably be pretty weird.

2019-20 Denver Nuggets

2018-19: 54-28 (2nd rd playoffs)
Draft picks: none

Signed for next season ($121.1m): Nikola Jokic, Gary Harris, Mason Plumlee, Will Barton, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter, Juan Hernangomez, Malik Beasley, Torrey Craig, Jarred Vanderbilt, Monte Morris
This is a good team with a lot of talent and lot of depth and still has a lot of youth, too. And we still haven't seen Michael Porter, could be a badass (though it seems less likely with every...year...that he misses).


This summer's free agents: Paul Millsap (team option), Trey Lyles, Isaiah Thomas, Tyler Lydon
I put Millsap down here because I just don't see how they can give $30m to an older guy that is still good but not that good. Millsap was underappreciated virtually every year of his career and it's kinda sad to him go out like this but $30m is a lot of money. (I think Enes Kanter would be a fit with a team that likes to attack the basket; could they sign him for 3yrs/$60m?)
I always liked Lyles at Kentucky (yeah, I thought he'd be better than Towns...I missed on that one), I still think he's a big guy with good hands and good instincts, if he can knock down 3's he'd be a hot commodity. He's still young enough to get another look on a team, maybe even the Nuggets, though I doubt it.
Isaiah Thomas was an interesting gamble last summer that turned out to be...well, not much. He wasn't expensive, he didn't play much, he didn't garner much attention. He was strangely invisible in Denver last year. If he still has anything left in the tank, he'll be headed elsewhere (Lakers for another 1yr/$2m deal, right?)
Lydon made no impression on me at all. I have no idea where he'll be next year.


Next year's lineup:
PG Murray, SG Harris, SF Morris, PF Plumlee, C Jokic with Barton, Beasley, Craig, Vanderbilt, Hernangomez and Morris (and Porter?).

I think last year's success was not a fluke--and I think they'll beat the Blazers if they see them in the playoffs again next year. Jokic is so unique and Murray is a for-real filler-upper and the rest of the cast fills in around those two poles and that's a goof thing. Yeah, I'd add Kanter to this lineup: good rebounder, good garbage man-type scorer, I think he can clean up a lot of spills for this team (and, yeah, he sucks at defense but this team will be looking to outscore everyone they play, this is an offensive squad not a defensive one).