by jubba910 on Sun Oct 17, 2021 9:59 am
Season Review – Lottery Teams
30. Brooklyn Nets (24-58)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Patrick Mills (77), Chris Kaman (76), Jason Terry (74), Kris Humphries (73), Chauncey Billups (72)
Nets fans can find solace in Marcus Smart's All-Rookie First Team honours, but not in much else. With almost half of their roster out of contract, it's almost certainly going to be a fire sale in Brooklyn as they look to rebuild. Pau Gasol, Smart, Waiters and T.J. Warren will be joined by some fresh blood in the Draft, but don't be surprised if the Nets also send one or more of their existing pieces for more picks, as the hole looks too big to dig out of any time soon.
29. Denver Nuggets (31-51)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Kenyon Martin (70)
Two end of season awards for the Nuggets shows some signs of positivity, but this has been a sharp decline after scraping into the playoffs last season. With both their centers taking home awards, either could be on the block as the Nuggets look to re-tool and get back into West contention, with Jordan's freshly inked contract seeming to pin him as the one to stay.
28. Houston Rockets (31-51)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Jamal Crawford (80), Luis Scola (77), Ray McCallum (74), Ryan Kelly (71)
Losing Andre Iguodala last offseason was sure to dampen expectations for H-Town this season, however the future looks bright with Eric Bledsoe at the helm. Josh Smith's production is worrying however, as Luis Scola looks to be out the door, more pressure falls onto the three-time former Defensive Player of the Year. Re-signing Ray McCallum will be a priority, and has shoes to fill after having to replace All-Rookie team's Elfrid Payton.
27. Detroit Pistons (31-51)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Rodney Stuckey (75)
An underwhelming season for the Pistons, who looked likely to make a bigger jump with the addition of All-NBA Center Al Jefferson. The freeing up of Rodney Stuckey's $16m final year will be handy as Detroit heads back to the lottery, and could be in the mix to trading their pick to bring in another vital piece to bring Detroit back to the postseason.
26. Dallas Mavericks (32-50)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Rudy Gay (82), Jameer Nelson (76), MarShon Brooks (71), Jamaal Franklin (71)
The Mavericks could be on the way to rock bottom after giving up the King's Ransom for Rudy Gay, who did little to provide the boost to a Mavs team badly in need for a co-star to Dirk Nowitzki. The only positive being they bring into free agency a ton of cap space, but a full rebuild seems more likely to be the route for Mark Cuban, and a sad ending to their aging stars career.
25. New Orleans Pelicans (33-49)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Klay Thompson (82), John Salmons (73)
The Pelicans have again underperformed, and may pay a hefty price in the possible loss of Klay Thompson for it. Their key youth trio of Drummond, Harris & Thompson plus the addition of Michael Carter Williams are yet to rise to their true potential, and a ruthless Western Conference has taken full advantage of it. Could David Lee be on the move for some future foundational pieces?
24. Toronto Raptors (33-49)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Chris Bosh (86), Corey Brewer (75)
With the Raptors still seeming so far from true contention, is it time to move Chris Bosh in a sign-and-trade? DeMar DeRozan seems certain to take over the captaincy of Canada's lone franchise, and will need further youth around him to ensure future success. If Bosh is to stay, it would be at a much smaller clip than his current $32m salary.
23. Los Angeles Lakers (33-49)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Kobe Bryant (89), Rajon Rondo (87), Nikola Vucevic (80), Vince Carter (77), Luke Ridnour (72)
A season comparable to a car crash for the Lakers, who unloaded one of their horror contracts in Pau Gasol and look certain to amnesty the other in Andrew Bynum. Rajon Rondo looks set to move on, leaving the Lakers with a fresh canvas to see out Kobe's final years in the league and a promising center in Nikola Vucevic. With the cap space, can the Lakers pry away some budding stars to give the Black Mamba a fitting fighting send off?
22. Washington Wizards (34-48)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Enes Kanter (75)
Kyle Lowry looks to be well worth the gamble last offseason, leading a reinvigorated team in DC. Andrew Wiggins looks promising, and with another solid season under his belt, Nerlens Noel also continues to develop. With the departure of Nick Young mid-season, Marcus Thornton stepped up to the plate, delivering scoring in bunches. The focus will be on retaining the center from the Al Jefferson trade in Enes Kanter and finding another key piece to put along their young core.
21. Phoenix Suns (35-47)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Gerald Green (78), Michael Beasley (72), Jimmer Fredette (72), Dorrell Wright (72)
With John Wall's All-NBA honours and a Rookie of the Year trophy for Jabari Parker, things are finally starting to click in PHX. A number of key role players need to be retained, notably Gerald Green & Dorrell Wright, in order to continue their forward momentum. Injuries crippled what looked to be a possible postseason run for the Suns, with both Wall & Parker sidelined, but there could be something special brewing in the years to come.
20. Philadelphia 76ers (35-47)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Greivis Vasquez (76), Al-Farouq Aminu (74), Bismack Biyombo (73), Willie Green (71), Will Barton (70)
Two years removed from a Finals campaign, it looks to be trouble in paradise in Philly. With most key players locked up for the foreseeable future, the Sixers will have to be active in trades if they want to see true change. The gamble on Derrick Favors appears to have fallen flat, and with so many solid role players around star Jrue Holiday, a true second star is required to get this team to where it was only a few years ago.
19. Atlanta Hawks (37-45)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Jordan Farmar (72), Kyle O'Quinn (70)
Al Horford has been the shining light of the Hawks this season, putting up career numbers and leading the charge. With the decline of Joe Johnson imminent, the trading of Josh Smith for Elfrid Payton can only serve to improve the Hawks as they build around Kenneth Faried. If someone is willing to take on Johnson's sizeable contract, a move up the draft board could be on the cards for Atlanta to speed up their re-tooling.
18. Sacramento Kings (37-45)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Brandon Knight (79), Glen Davis (74)
After multiple postseasons, the Kings are back in the lottery, which is a worrying sign. After being unable to move Brandon Knight at the deadline, his expiring contract will likely see him move on without compensation, as well as the possible loss of valuable role player Glen Davis. The pressure is on Brandon Jennings, Greg Monroe & Tyreke Evans to bring this team back into contending form, otherwise the city of Sacramento could be in for another long period of disappointment.
17. Indiana Pacers (38-44)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Chris Copeland (71), David West (80)
Losing a playoff spot to such a youthful team in the Celtics certainly stings for this seasoned Pacers outfit. Ty Lawson clearly needs more top-level help, but with the trade of Nikola Vucevic, the messaging seems crossed in Indiana's front office. Bodganovic looks promising, but likely will not be enough to elevate the Pacers to where they need to be. With David West's contract up, the Pacers could be in the market for another star big to pair alongside Roy Hibbert.
"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)