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The future potential of 2020's projected playoff teams from worst to best:

buckalis

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1. Brooklyn Nets: (Future potential: Bad (the worst among all playoff teams))

The Nets have the worst financials in the league after having signed KD and Kyrie this season, they are already into the lux tax for this and the following season and additionally, have their best shooter on Harris expiring this summer and key core players on Allen and Dinwiddie (who is expected to reject his P.O.) expiring a season later as well as many empty roster spots to fill...

Their potential to upgrade the roster further is practically non existing, but most probably they will have to trade two out of Dinnwidie, LeVert, Harris or Prince and certainly dump the salary out of at least one of them this season, in order to avoid the (coming) repeaters tax being over 100M on top of the lux tax they'll certainly have to pay...

Unless they can contend for the title by next season on a highly competitive environment, they'll find themselves in a similar situation to what OKC's position was last season... Having a team that costs some 300M to retain and go nowhere...

2. Philadelphia 76ers: (Future potential: Bad (almost as bad as the Nets))

The Sixers lost their surpshooter on Reddick, but lost their best player (for who they've payed heavily for) on Butler too... Like with the Nets, their ability to improve the roster through additions is practically zero and by signing (aging) Horford to an enormous contract, as well as extending Simmons and Harris to insane super max contracts, they have blocked their financial future even before Embiid's contract expires. Clearly lucking depth in their bench, they don't have the means to upgrade it.

Unless they can contend for the title this season on a highly competitive environment, the future looks much tougher in the seasons that will follow since they are expected not to be able to upgrade, while the competition will most certainly will...

3. The Houston Rockets (Future potential: Poor)

Very similar to the Lakers that follow, but albeit with less chances to contend, the Rockets have established a team that will be in the front court for the next two seasons, but can't be significantly upgraded or has established a long term future.

4. The Los Angeles Lakers:
(Future potential: Mediocre)

The Lakers have expelled all their near future picks and assets but Kuzma during the past two seasons, in order to sign Lebron and add AD through a (forced) trade, but what above all blocked their future, is that they had to sign Green and KCP on contracts that have "trade blocking" provision and therefore, only have (low salary) Kuzma as an asset to use on a trade.

Clearly a contending team this season, they have Lebron on his (inevitable due to age) descent signed for another two seasons, but they have poor roster depth too... With no provision to make back for Lebron or add roster depth during the following seasons, this season looks to be their best (and only) shot.

5. The Toronto Raptors: (Future potential: Uncertain)

The Raptors almost have the entire roster expiring this season... Their future is a mystery even if they resign most of their free agents, among which the most valuable ones are aging.

6. The Orlando Magic: (Future potential: Uncertain)

There is talent on the Magic, but not enough to lift up from the lower playoff seeds, or contend anywhere in the near future... Fournier (their best scorer) is expiring this season and they don't have "hot" picks... Financials are not stellar either... The Magic seem able to retain what they've got, but unable to take the next step in the future.

7. The Portland Trail Blazers (instead of the Spurs that hold the playoff seed currently): (Future potential: Uncertain)

After having established a playoff seed team, the Blazers seem to be unable to follow the competition in taking the next step. Last year, on last year's (poorer) competition seems that it was their roof...

8. The Denver Nuggets: (Future potential: Uncertain but possible to be good)

Not enough talent to content and neither it looks like there is some light at the end of the tunnel that will help them to take the next step in the future...

9. The Indiana Pacers: (Future potential: Uncertain but possible to be good)

Victor Olandipo is expected back within the following month after a very serious injury, that makes his performance ability questionable... But even if Victor can be at the level he was, the Pacers will need more to add in order to take the next step and seriously contend for the title and that, doesn't look easy to achieve.

10. The OKC Thunder:
(Future potential: Great)

The Thunder have get out of the financial trouble they had and still have a core to keep them in the playoffs, but by having collected an army of picks and having added the highly future promising S.G. Alexander, they look in a position to soon be back into contending.

11. The Utah Jazz: (Future potential: Great)

The Jazz have great financials and the Stars a contending team needs still not having reached their peak... They are carefully adding valuable depth to their roster at reasonable cost and look to have established great future potential... They are expected to be better for each and every season that follows.

12.The Milwaukee Bucks: (Future potential: As bright as the sun)

After a very difficult off-season, where they had to establish a long term and sustainable contending team, the Bucks have ended up better and more experienced than before, but with great financials and full of highly desirable in the market assets in what is admitted to be the "deepest roster in the league"... The Bucks have all they need to upgrade further and contend for the next decade...

The Bucks' only current concern is to extend Giannis' contract and they can only go up.

13. The Boston Celtics: (Future potential: As bright as the sun)

More than having secured building around an All-Star level young core, the Celtics have their financials well under control and are a desirable destination for players... They have very little to add in order to secure contending for the title for the next decade.


14. The Los Angeles Clippers: (Future potential: As bright as the sun)

Perhaps not as long future promising as the Mavs or the Jazz are in the West, the Clips have added in their roster two prime All Stars at the right age and have great financials to keep them and secure contending for the title in the long term.

15. The Dallas Mavericks: (Future potential: As bright as the sun)

By having achieved "the deal of the century" during the 1918 draft, which has allowed them to add one of the best talents that the game has ever seen, the Mavs have great financials and are carefully building around Luka... They look to be the longest lasting force in the West for the future.
 
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buckalis

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As it is, I completely forgot to have the Miami Heat in the O/P future potential rankings, therefore here it is at N13 (which of course pushes the Celtics, the Clips and the Mavs a place higher at 14, 15 and 16 respectively):

13. The Miami Heat: (Future potential: As bright as the sun)

The Heat have added a clutch All-Star on Butler for taking the team's leadership on the floor and lead their superbly talented youth... They have the most experienced F.O. in the league and superb coaching secured and they have excellent draft scouting and superb players development program...

They may take a breath by temporarily stepping slightly back when there will be time to replace Butler's role in four seasons from now, but other than that, their progress will be steady and well counted for the next decade. Their financials are excellent to continue adding and have the assets to use if an opportunity to add another leader next to Butler comes up.
 

logic

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With 5 teams as bright as the sun I think future games may be hard to watch. I mean, have you ever tried to look at the sun?
 

buckalis

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and then the rest of the league (this time from the best to the worst future potential):

1. The Memphis Grizzlies: Remind much of the Bucks back in 2013-14... they've drafted excellent on Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant and have hired what was the Bucks assistant coach to be their head coach, obviously looking to copy the Bucks model of building a winning team up... Excellent financials allows them to continuously add next to Ja and Jarrett and even add depth.

2. The Charlotte Hornets: Much like the Grizzlies, they have drafted superb talent during the two later seasons and are building around them... can only go up and will.

3. The Minessota Timberwolves: 2nd year of taking a breather for the Wolves, but they were able to add more promising talent next to KAT and Wiggins, by next season, they'll have their finances boosting up after they get rid of Teagues contract and they are all set for a return.

4. The Golden State Warriors: Plagued with injuries for the entire 2019, they seem to have learned the lesson and now look to add depth, but under "difficult" finances. it will take a couple of seasons more in order to find back their pace and be back into contending.

5. The New Orleans Pelicans: The Pels will be back into being competitive sooner than Hornets, but in the longer term, the Hornets have a higher potential.

6-11. All the Pistons, Bulls, Kings, Cavs, Wizards, and Hawks have good competing teams, or are in the correct truck to do it, but either luck a leader, or need a supplement to the leader they have. Their future can't be predicted as of now.

12&13. The Suns and the Knicks seem not to have set a clear path targeting on something specific as of yet... future is cloudy.

14. The San Antonio Spurs: Need a rebuild and start from scratch.
 

buckalis

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With 5 teams as bright as the sun I think future games may be hard to watch. I mean, have you ever tried to look at the sun?

Good one... :agree: but it's only a saying which suggests "a bright future"...
 

logic

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We all know that you are high on Giannis and the Bucks, but I think this post season will be critical in determining their future. They have built an excellent team this season, so if they fail to make the finals it will be seen as a huge disappointment. I could see Giannis not resigning if this happens as this is very likely the best surrounding cast that Milwaukee can provide.
 

logic

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and then the rest of the league (this time from the best to the worst future potential):

1. The Memphis Grizzlies: Remind much of the Bucks back in 2013-14... they've drafted excellent on Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant and have hired what was the Bucks assistant coach to be their head coach, obviously looking to copy the Bucks model of building a winning team up... Excellent financials allows them to continuously add next to Ja and Jarrett and even add depth.

2. The Charlotte Hornets: Much like the Grizzlies, they have drafted superb talent during the two later seasons and are building around them... can only go up and will.

3. The Minessota Timberwolves: 2nd year of taking a breather for the Wolves, but they were able to add more promising talent next to KAT and Wiggins, by next season, they'll have their finances boosting up after they get rid of Teagues contract and they are all set for a return.

4. The Golden State Warriors: Plagued with injuries for the entire 2019, they seem to have learned the lesson and now look to add depth, but under "difficult" finances. it will take a couple of seasons more in order to find back their pace and be back into contending.

5. The New Orleans Pelicans: The Pels will be back into being competitive sooner than Hornets, but in the longer term, the Hornets have a higher potential.

6-11. All the Pistons, Bulls, Kings, Cavs, Wizards, and Hawks have good competing teams, or are in the correct truck to do it, but either luck a leader, or need a supplement to the leader they have. Their future can't be predicted as of now.

12&13. The Suns and the Knicks seem not to have set a clear path targeting on something specific as of yet... future is cloudy.

14. The San Antonio Spurs: Need a rebuild and start from scratch.
I don't agree with the assessment of Pistons or Wizards. I don't think either has a competitive team or much to work with. They are both in the he'll of either just making or just missing the playoffs leading to bad picks and have overpaid the current players making them difficult to move.

Also think the Suns future is not so bad with their young talent, if they can stay healthy.
 

buckalis

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We all know that you are high on Giannis and the Bucks, but I think this post season will be critical in determining their future. They have built an excellent team this season, so if they fail to make the finals it will be seen as a huge disappointment. I could see Giannis not resigning if this happens as this is very likely the best surrounding cast that Milwaukee can provide.
Giannis has many times said that he wants to be a Buck for his entire career, win titles with the Bucks, win MVP with the Bucks and even end up serving the Bucks from an executive's position after his career ends...

His only demand is from the F.O's side, to secure that they will do all possible to continuously upgrade the team's power, so that he can continuously contend for the title.

Giannis never said "it's either the finals this season or I go"... that's a media invention "on a free translation" of Giannis' demand to have a roster around him that he can contend with.

The F.O. has reacted well on all Giannis requiremets and also has the same goals as Giannis has and therefore Giannis will be with the team for ever...

Keep in mind, that Giannis signing and staying with the Bucks for the next ten years in two consecutive contract renewals until he is 35, will mean Giannis earning 600M dollars, which next to what he has already earned in salaries and some more after he is 35, will translate to the astronomical figure of having earned 800M in salaries... and if one adds the endorsements next to the salaries, Giannis can (and will) end up the richest basketball player ever having earned about 1.350M dollars in his career as an athlete....
 

buckalis

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I don't agree with the assessment of Pistons or Wizards. I don't think either has a competitive team or much to work with. They are both in the he'll of either just making or just missing the playoffs leading to bad picks and have overpaid the current players making them difficult to move.

Also think the Suns future is not so bad with their young talent, if they can stay healthy.
Well... The Wizards more so... They have convinced Beal to resign, they expect Wall back, they've corrected their finances and have drafted very well on Hatchimura, as well as planning to renew Bertans... They look good for the future.

The Pistons were unfortunate to trade for Griffin two seasons ago, which hasn't worked well for them at all and has blocked their finances. But have added lots of talented depth recently, have excellent coaching and have promising youth on rookie Doumbouya and Wood... As long as they can retain Drummond, I believe they'll step up soon...
 

trojanfan12

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Giannis has many times said that he wants to be a Buck for his entire career, win titles with the Bucks, win MVP with the Bucks and even end up serving the Bucks from an executive's position after his career ends...

Every great player has said this at some point in his career.

If that player is fortunate enough that the FO is able to put a championship caliber team around him, he typically stays for a long time. If he's not that fortunate...he leaves looking for another team that will.

The Bucks and Giannis will be no different.

If the Bucks don't at least make the finals this year, Giannis may still decide to stay through one more contract since it's only been since last year that they were contenders. But if they don't win a title pretty quickly, he not only is likely to leave at the end of that deal, he may ask for a trade to get out earlier.

Maybe Giannis is like a Reggie Miller who stayed with the same team his entire career even though they only made 1 finals. But I wouldn't bank on it. There aren't a lot of guys willing to do that.
 

logic

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You haven't been looking at the Pistons sites. Lots of talk of moving Drummond before the deadline because he is unlikely to opt in to his player option since he will have many suitors.
Well... The Wizards more so... They have convinced Beal to resign, they expect Wall back, they've corrected their finances and have drafted very well on Hatchimura, as well as planning to renew Bertans... They look good for the future.

The Pistons were unfortunate to trade for Griffin two seasons ago, which hasn't worked well for them at all and has blocked their finances. But have added lots of talented depth recently, have excellent coaching and have promising youth on rookie Doumbouya and Wood... As long as they can retain Drummond, I believe they'll step up soon...
 

buckalis

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You haven't been looking at the Pistons sites. Lots of talk of moving Drummond before the deadline because he is unlikely to opt in to his player option since he will have many suitors.
I believe they'll keep him and extend him... but even if they decide to trade him, the return should be enough for the Pistons to end up better and step up... He is valuable on any trade and even more so if there are many in the line that are interested to buy his contract, which will then have the Pistons trading for the best of return...
 

Eco

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This is embarrassing.
 

logic

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I believe they'll keep him and extend him... but even if they decide to trade him, the return should be enough for the Pistons to end up better and step up... He is valuable on any trade and even more so if there are many in the line that are interested to buy his contract, which will then have the Pistons trading for the best of return...
It's a player option, not the team's. Realistically, if you were Drummond would you opt in to the train wreck that is the Pistons? I just hope that he is honest with them before the deadline so they can get some return.
 

logic

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This is embarrassing.
To whom?

If you think this is embarrassing you must not have been around here long.
 

buckalis

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The Jazz have already started "showing their (beast's) teeth" after adding Clarkson to their roster depth... they'll be even better during the post season, if they make another move (which they can).

But the Grizzlies... oh the Grizzlies! Jarren with 24, Ja with 22 and 9 assists and the Grizzlies have crushed the Clips throwing 140 on their head in LA!
 

Eco

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To whom?

If you think this is embarrassing you must not have been around here long.

Maybe my issue is that I don't visit the NBA much, but this list is horrid.
 

logic

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You
Maybe my issue is that I don't visit the NBA much, but this list is horrid.
You ain't seen nothin' yet!
 

tlance

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Maybe my issue is that I don't visit the NBA much, but this list is horrid.

You are right.

absolutely terrible list.

Yet very easily Bucky boy’s best thread ever.
 
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