NBA Stock Watch: Eastern Conference Teams
By Michael Schneid
2017 marked the third straight season that ended with the Cavs playing the Warriors in the NBA Finals. And it might be a long time before someone can prevent that. This article takes a look at the other 14 eastern conference teams to assess who is trending up, down or other and who has a present or future chance to knock off King James and the Cavs.
Going Up
Boston Celtics
Boston has the #1 pick in next week's draft, which could be used to take Washington PG Markelle Fultz or as trade bait to acquire Jimmy Butler or Paul George. Either one would be a major upgrade to the Celtics current roster. They also have the Nets 2018 draft pick to dangle in trade offers and enough cap space to lure a top free agent such as Gordon Hayward or Blake Griffin. Boston finished first in the east this year, despite losing in 5 games to the Cavs. Adding two core players could help them push the Cavs even further in 2018.
Philadelphia 76ers
IF Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons can stay healthy, IF Dario Saric performs like he did in the latter half of last year and IF the Sixers 2017 #3 pick performs at a high level, this team can start thinking playoffs but we're a long ways away from thinking anything more. But wasn't that always the plan? By the time this team is ready to contend, Cleveland may be on the way down. I like the future of this Philly team. You need to trust the process.
Indiana Pacers/Chicago Bulls
These two get lumped together for one simple reason - they are carried by a single superstar who could potentially get traded at any time. And neither team has cap space or very many assets to build around their respective stars - Paul George and Jimmy Butler. They are is pointing down in both cases
Charlotte Hornets/Detroit Pistons
A pair of 2016 playoff teams who narrowly missed in 2017. More cap-strapped teams that need to rely on creative trades (draft picks?) and significant growth from within to make any noise. In the case of the Pistons, reshuffling their roster by trading Andre Drummond or Reggie Jackson may be the fastest way to getting back to the playoffs and getting out of neutral. For the Hornets, they need to stay healthy and improve their bench. But they need a second scoring option behind Kemba Walker and that won't come easy.
Not Good
Brooklyn Nets and Orlando Magic
Both teams are far off from even thinking playoffs. The Nets lost out on having the #1 pick this year and don't have a first round pick in 2018 either. The Magic's leading scorer is Evan Fournier. A nice player, but yeah...tells you all you need to know. Both teams need help. Nets lack picks, Magic lack cap space. Combine them, and maybe you can build something? Until than, both teams are near the bottom, in purgatory.
2017 marked the third straight season that ended with the Cavs playing the Warriors in the NBA Finals. And it might be a long time before someone can prevent that. This article takes a look at the other 14 eastern conference teams to assess who is trending up, down or other and who has a present or future chance to knock off King James and the Cavs.
Going Up
Boston Celtics
Boston has the #1 pick in next week's draft, which could be used to take Washington PG Markelle Fultz or as trade bait to acquire Jimmy Butler or Paul George. Either one would be a major upgrade to the Celtics current roster. They also have the Nets 2018 draft pick to dangle in trade offers and enough cap space to lure a top free agent such as Gordon Hayward or Blake Griffin. Boston finished first in the east this year, despite losing in 5 games to the Cavs. Adding two core players could help them push the Cavs even further in 2018.
Milwaukee Bucks
The
Bucks have an opportunity to jump into the top 4 of the east. But it's
contingent on a lot of ifs - If Jabari Parker returns healthy and
dominant, a healthy Kris Middleton for a full season, Malcolm Brogdon
and Thon Maker take a step forward in their developments, Giannis
continues to play like a top 5-10 player in the world, impact from 2017
draft picks. This team is unlikely to knock off the Cavs unless the
young players mentioned all take MAJOR steps forward, but they could be a
sleeper contender for the eastern conference finals in 2018.
Miami Heat
The idea of adding Gordon Hayward
with the cap space opened up by Chris Bosh's retirement is a nice
thought, but a big three of Hayward, Goran Dragic, and Hassan Whiteside
doesn't have the same feel as the famed Lebron-Wade-Bosh trio. I expect
Miami to make enough moves to get back to the playoffs, but unless they
make creative moves with this year's pick, Justice Winslow, and future
cap space, they're stuck competing for mediocre playoff spots and
nothing more. Philadelphia 76ers
IF Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons can stay healthy, IF Dario Saric performs like he did in the latter half of last year and IF the Sixers 2017 #3 pick performs at a high level, this team can start thinking playoffs but we're a long ways away from thinking anything more. But wasn't that always the plan? By the time this team is ready to contend, Cleveland may be on the way down. I like the future of this Philly team. You need to trust the process.
Going Down:
Atlantia Hawks, Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards
Lumping
these teams together because the truth is - there is probably nothing
they can do to beat the Cavs. All three have free agents that need
retaining
- Toronto - Kyle Lowry, PJ Tucker, Serge Ibaka
- Washington - Otto Porter
- Atlanta - Paul Milsap, Tim Hardaway Jr
Indiana Pacers/Chicago Bulls
These two get lumped together for one simple reason - they are carried by a single superstar who could potentially get traded at any time. And neither team has cap space or very many assets to build around their respective stars - Paul George and Jimmy Butler. They are is pointing down in both cases
Stuck in Neutral
A pair of 2016 playoff teams who narrowly missed in 2017. More cap-strapped teams that need to rely on creative trades (draft picks?) and significant growth from within to make any noise. In the case of the Pistons, reshuffling their roster by trading Andre Drummond or Reggie Jackson may be the fastest way to getting back to the playoffs and getting out of neutral. For the Hornets, they need to stay healthy and improve their bench. But they need a second scoring option behind Kemba Walker and that won't come easy.
New York Knicks
The Derrick Rose experiment failed. The
Carmelo Anthony experiment has basically been a bust and the Knicks
would be better served moving on. They do have a first round pick, for
once! The #8 pick plus Porzingis makes for a good start, but the Knicks
have a long ways to go until relevany. We'll say they're stuck in
neutral for now, because with Melo, Porzingis and Courtney Lee (amongst
others) they have enough talent not to suck. But they're not good enough
to make a playoff run. Who their PG is and who they potentially get in
return of a Melo trade will determine if the arrow points up or down. Not Good
Brooklyn Nets and Orlando Magic
Both teams are far off from even thinking playoffs. The Nets lost out on having the #1 pick this year and don't have a first round pick in 2018 either. The Magic's leading scorer is Evan Fournier. A nice player, but yeah...tells you all you need to know. Both teams need help. Nets lack picks, Magic lack cap space. Combine them, and maybe you can build something? Until than, both teams are near the bottom, in purgatory.
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