Random NBA Thoughts

By Michael Schneid

Free agency and the new NBA year is fast approaching. Here are some random thoughts from around the league.

-Blazers have a really fun young team. They acquired Thomas Robinson, last year's 5th pick, without giving up anything. They drafted Lehigh guard CJ McCollum 10th overall this year to pair in the backcourt with 2012-13 Rookie of the Year Damian Lillard. Portland also drafted Meyers Leonard in the lottery last year and took Allen Crabbe and Jeff Withey in the second round this year. They also have all star Lamarcus Aldridge and vets Nicolas Batum and Wesley Matthews.

-James Harden, Dwight Howard, Chandler Parsons, Jeremy Lin is a very good start for the Rockets. Harden and Howard could help propel Houston into the top 3-4 of the western standings.

-The Pelicans would love to add Andre Iguodala, who fits a major need at SF. Iggy would reunite with former Philly teammate Jrue Holiday.

-Just stating the obvious but the Lakers have very little depth and youth and are in big trouble if Dwight Howard does not re-sign, which he will not.

-Rockets had 3 picks in the top 20 last year. One is in OKC (Jeremy Lamb), one spent all year in D-League (Terrance Jones), and one spent all year with doctors (Royce White).

-For all the Cavs young talent - Kyrie Irving, Dion Waiters, Tristan Thompson, Anthony Bennett, Sergey Karasev, Tyler Zeller - I still don't see playoffs in the Cavs immediate future. The development of Bennett will go a long way to determining the Cavs future. But they still lack some talent, despite the wealth of first round picks they have had recently.

-I love the Thunder bench. A lot of youth and potential. Reggie Jackson, Jeremy Lamb, Perry Jones, Andre Roberson, Steven Adams, Grant Jerrett, DeAndre Liggins. If that is their summer league team they should win the tournament.

-I love the Knicks acquisition of Andrea Bargnani. People will be quick to point out his low rebounding numbers, especially for a 7 footer. But he is not a traditional 7 footer. Bargnani will help spread the floor and provides the Knicks with another scoring option, especially if they lose JR Smith to another team.

-Expect the Knicks to focus on Pablo Prigioni and Chris Copeland and than work on signing a point guard, like Aaron Brooks. They will seek other young and old players on the veteran's minimum salary.

-Kevin Martin, OJ Mayo, JR Smith could all be options for the Suns at shooting guard. Phoenix might want to make a trade for Eric Gordon but may not have the assets to acquire him.

-Marcin Gortat is an asset for Phoenix though, especially after drafting Alex Len. Portland and Cleveland could use Gortat.