Yes, I predicted the draft, trades and free agent signings. I will try to explain my rationale and reasoning. I have listed the full transactions for each team.
Predicted order of finish.
This is just for fun! Nothing to take seriously, just a break from all of the draft talk that has been circulating this past week. Let me know what you think in comments and who you would like for your team to go after!
First up, the Western Conference.
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Northwest
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
2. Utah Jazz
3. Portland Trail Blazers
4. Minnesota Timberwolves
5. Denver Nuggets
Southwest
1. San Antonio Spurs
2. Dallas Mavericks
3. New Orleans Pelicans
4. Houston Rockets
5. Memphis Grizzlies
Pacific
1. Golden State Warriors
2. Los Angeles Clippers
3. Phoenix Suns
4. Los Angeles Lakers
5. Sacramento Kings
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West
1. Golden State Warriors
2. Oklahoma City Thunder
3. San Antonio Spurs
4. Dallas Mavericks
5. Los Angeles Clippers
6. Utah Jazz
7. Portland Trail Blazers
8. Phoenix Suns
9. New Orleans Pelicans
10. Minnesota Timberwolves
11. Denver Nuggets
12. Los Angeles Lakers
13. Houston Rockets
14. Memphis Grizzlies
15. Sacramento Kings
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1. Golden State Warriors
Signings
Signed former Jazz F Trevor Booker
Signed former Bulls FC Joakim Noah
Signed former Clippers G Jamal Crawford
Signed former Grizzlies GF Matt Barnes
Resigned G Leandro Barbosa
Resigned FC Marreese Speights
Resigned G Ian Clark
Team Options
Exercised team option on G Shaun Livingston
Draft
Traded 30th pick (Round 1) to Bucks for 36th and 38th picks (Round 2)
Drafted China C Zhou Qi with 36th pick (Round 2)
Drafted Lousiville C Chinanu Onuaku with 38th pick (Round 2)
Starting Lineup
C - Andrew Bogut
PF - Draymond Green
SF - Andre Iguodala
SG - Klay Thompson
PG - Stephen Curry
Bench
G Jamal Crawford
FC Joakim Noah
FC Marreese Speights
G Shaun Livingston
F Trevor Booker
GF Matt Barnes
G Leandro Barbosa
G Ian Clark
F Kevon Looney
C Chinanu Onuaku
The Warriors tried hard to land Kevin Durant and were one of the front runners before Durant decided to resign with the Thunder for two years. In the process, Golden State let Harrison Barnes walk to the division rival Lakers for big money. With the extra cash, they were able to add Jamal Crawford, Joakim Noah, Trevor Booker and Matt Barnes to the bench.
Golden State returns the same starting lineup as 2015-2016. This team wills till be led by the three headed All Star monster of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. Andrew Bogut and Andre Iguodala are aging role players, and with a deeper bench, the team as a whole will not have to play quite so many minutes. Golden State has assembled a very deep bench, and could employ a Gregg Popovich like strategy of keeping the starters fresh for the playoffs. The Warriors will still be on the very very short list of legit NBA contenders.
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2. Oklahoma City Thunder
SigningsResigned F Kevin Durant to 2 year max contract
Signed former Pelicans G Eric Gordon
Signed former Magic FC Jason Smith
Signed former Spurs G Kevin Martin
Team Options
Exercised team option on GF Anthony Morrow
Starting Lineup
C - Steven Adams
PF - Serge Ibaka
SF - Kevin Durant
SG - Eric Gordon
PG - Russell Westbrook
Bench
C Enes Kanter
GF Andre Roberson
G Cameron Payne
GF Anthony Morrow
FC Nick Collison
G Kevin Martin
FC Mitch McGary
F Kyle Singler
FC Jason Smith
F Josh Huestis
Kevin Durant will flirt with the Warriors, Knicks, Lakers, Wizards, Rockets, Heat and about every other team in the NBA, but in the end, I think he signs a contract similar to what LeBron James signed in Cleveland. It makes too much sense, especially with Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka upcoming free agents. The Thunder could easily make the NBA finals. And if the team falters, Durant could choose to join Golden State during the summer of 2017, when Andre Iguodala and Andrew Bogut's contracts come off of the books.
As far as the rest of the team, I do not see many changes. With Durant, Westbrook, Ibaka and Enes Kanter making so much money, the Thunder will roll out a similar roster to 2015-2016. They signed Eric Gordon to a one year, "prove it" deal. All Gordon has to do in this offense is sit at the three point line and knock down jump shots. Even as a role player, he will be an upgrade over Dion Waiters.
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3. San Antonio Spurs
Signings
Signed former Bulls C Pau Gasol
Signed former Raptors F James Johnson
Resigned C Tim Duncan
Resigned G Manu Ginobili
Resigned C Boban Marjanovic
Signed former draft pick F Davis Bertans
Resigned F Boris Diaw
Resigned G Andre Miller
Resigned FC Matt Bonner
Team Options
F David West declined player option
C Tim Duncan declined player option
G Manu Ginobili declined player option
Exercised team option on G Jonathon Simmons
Released F Boris Diaw
Draft
Traded F Kyle Anderson and 29th pick (Round 1) to Hawks for 21st pick (Round 1) and 44th pick (Round 2)
Drafted Croatia C Ante Zizic with 21st pick (Round 1)
Dafted Serbia F Rade Zagorac with 44th pick (Round 2)
Starting Lineup
C - Pau Gasol
PF - LaMarcus Aldridge
SF - Kawhi Leonard
SG - Danny Green
PG - Tony Parker
Bench
FC Tim Duncan
G Manu Ginobili
G Patty Mills
C Boban Marjanovic
F Boris Diaw
G Jonathon Simmons
F James Johnson
G Andre Miller
FC Matt Bonner
F Davis Bertans
This could be the year that Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Gregg Popovich retire, but I will believe it when I see it. I do not think the legendary trio will want to go out on a 67 win, second round exit. With Duncan and Ginobili opting out, both resign for less money and allow the Spurs to go after Pau Gasol, who revitalized his career with the Chicago Bulls. Gasol, LaMarcus Aldridge and Kawhi Leonard could be the best front court in basketball, and represent the next era of Spurs basketball.
The rest of the roster remains mostly intact. Danny Green and Tony Parker are both on the down swing, but are a capable back court. The Spurs remain deep, especially in the front court, with Duncan settling into a backup role and Boban Marjanovic ready to assume more minutes. This Spurs roster is still good enough to contend, and Duncan could ride into the sunset with his sixth NBA Championship in 2017.
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4. Dallas Mavericks
Signings
Signed former Rockets C Dwight Howard to max contract
Signed former Trail Blazers G Gerald Henderson
Signed former Pacers C Roy Hibbert
Signed former Rockets G Jason Terry
Resigned F Dirk Nowitzki
Resigned G Deron Williams
Resigned FC David Lee
Team Options
F Dirk Nowtizki declined player option.
F Chandler Parsons declined player option.
G Deron Williams declined player option.
Draft
Drafted Kansas GF Wayne Selden with 46th pick (Round 2)
Starting Lineup
C - Dwight Howard
PF - Dirk Nowitzki
SF - Justin Anderson
SG - Wesley Matthews
PG - Deron Williams
Bench
GF Gerald Henderson
G Devin Harris
G JJ Barea
FC David Lee
C Roy Hibbert
G Jason Terry
F Jeremy Evans
C Salah Mejri
GF Wayne Selden
Unlike past years, the West is very top heavy. There are only three real contenders, with the rest of the conference battling for the 5 through 8 seeds. The Mavericks once again face a free agent frenzy to build a winner during Dirk Nowitzki's twilight years. Nowitzki entertains the thought of joining the Warriors, but ultimately resigns with Dallas, though he does not give Mark Cuban quite the discount he did last time. With Chandler Parsons moving on, Dallas has the money to sign Dwight Howard to a max contract. The contract will be heavily scrutinized, but Dallas finally lands that big name free agent. Howard is not the player he once was, but his presence will stabilize the Dallas defense.
The Mavericks entertain LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal and others, but are unable to land any other big names. Instead, they choose to resign Deron Williams and bring aboard a few veterans hoping to rebuild their value in Gerald Henderson, David Lee and Roy Hibbert. Last, but not least, Jason Terry decides to wind down his career with the organization where he had his greatest success. With Rick Carlisle still coaching, this could be a 50 win roster, but still is not a contender.
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5. Los Angeles Clippers
Signings
Signed former Knicks G Arron Afflalo
Signed former Pacers G Ty Lawson
Resigned F Jeff Green
Resigned GF Wes Johnson
Resigned C Cole Aldrich
Resigned F Luc Mbah a Moute
F Paul Pierce retired
Team Options
C Cole Aldrich declined player option.
F Wes Johnson declined player option.
Draft
Drafted Saint Josephs F DeAndre Bembry with 25th pick (Round 1)
Drafted Kansas G Tyler Ulis with 33rd pick (Round 2)
Starting Lineup
C - DeAndre Jordan
PF - Blake Griffin
SF - Jeff Green
SG - JJ Redick
PG - Chris Paul
Bench
G Arron Afflalo
G Ty Lawson
GF Wes Johnson
C Cole Aldrich
F Luc Mbah a Moute
F DeAndre Bembry
G CJ Wilcox
F Branden Dawson
G Tyler Ulis
What to make of the Clippers? Even with the rising salary cap, Los Angeles will have trouble attracting free agents due to three players making the max. Instead, the Clippers will have to get creative as they look to fill a black hole at small forward and a terrible bench.
Unfortunately, Los Angeles was not able to accomplish either task, and instead chose to resign most of their own free agents. The Clippers will hope Jeff Green can find rediscover his game, and draft pick DeAndre Bembry can contribute solid minutes. Jamal Crawford and Austin Rivers both signed bigger contracts elsewhere, so the Clippers replaced them with Arron Afflalo and Ty Lawson, who are both coming off of very bad seasons. This team still boasts three of the better players in the game, but the championship window seems to have closed.
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6. Utah Jazz
Trades
Jazz get F Amir Johnson, F Jae Crowder, F Kelly Olynyk, G George Hill, 2017 first round pick (Boston, from Brooklyn)
Celtics get F Gordon Hayward, G Rodney Stuckey
Pacers get G Alec Burks, G Trey Burke, F Trey Lyles
Traded C Jeff Withey to Wizards for future 2nd round pick
Signings
Signed former Lakers FC Brandon Bass
Signed former Hornets G Jeremy Lin
Signed former Wizards GF Alan Anderson
Team options
Declined team option on G Shelvin Mack
Declined team option on F Amir Johnson
Draft
Traded 52nd pick (Round 2) to Kings for future 2nd round pick
Drafted Marquette F Henry Ellenson with 12th pick (Round 1)
Drafted Purdue C AJ Hammons with 42nd pick (Round 2)
Drafted Michigan G Caris LeVert with 60th pick (Round 2)
Starting Lineup
C - Rudy Gobert
PF - Derrick Favors
SF - Jae Crowder
SG - Rodney Hood
PG - George Hill
Bench
G Jeremy Lin
FC Brandon Bass
FC Kelly Olynyk
G Dante Exum
GF Alan Anderson
G Raul Neto
FC Henry Ellenson
F Joe Inglis
C Tibor Pleiss
C AJ Hammons
For the past two years Utah has been a fringe playoff team, and to take that next step, the front office decided to make a big three team trade. Utah traded four players from the rotation; Gordon Hayward, Trey Burke, Alec Burks and Trey Lyles. In return, they get a hard nosed forward in Jae Crowder who is sure to become a fan favorite, and stability at the point guard position in George Hill. Hill is not an All Star, but solidifies Utah's weakest position on the floor. On top of that, Utah lands a 2017 lottery pick from the Celtics.
The Jazz also signed several players to shore up a bench that was a sore spot in 2015-2016. Jeremy Lin bounced back with a solid season for the Charlotte Hornets and will provide solid minutes behind Hill. Brandon Bass remains a solid backup forward. With the return of Dante Exum and the addition of Henry Ellenson, the Jazz should have more than enough scoring to make up for the loss of Hayward. This could be the year Utah finally makes it back to the playoffs.
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7. Portland Trail Blazers
Trades
Traded F Ed Davis, F Noah Vonleh and future 1st round pick to Nuggets for F Kenneth Faried, F Darrell Arthur, F Axel Toupane
Traded future 2nd round pick to 76ers for G Nik Stauskas, F Richaun Holmes
Signings
Signed former Pacers C Ian Mahinmi
Resigned F Moe Harkless
Resigned G Allen Crabbe
Resigned FC Meyers Leonard
Resigned G Brian Roberts
Released F Axel Toupane
Team Options
Exercised team option on F Cliff Alexander
Starting Lineup
C - Ian Mahinmi
PF - Kenneth Faried
SF - Al-Farouq Aminu
SG - CJ McCollum
PG - Damian Lillard
Bench
GF Allen Crabbe
C Mason Plumlee
F Moe Harkless
FC Meyers Leonard
F Darrell Arthur
G Brian Roberts
GF Nik Stauskas
GF Pat Connaughton
F Cliff Alexander
F Richaun Holmes
Portland is coming off a very surprising season. With cap space and a young superstar in Damian Lillard, the front office hoped it would be a popular free agent destination. Dwight Howard and Al Horford visited Oregon, but chose to go elsewhere. As a result, the big free agent prize was Ian Mahinmi, who should be a passable starting center, but hardly the big fish Portland was hoping for.
The Blazers chose to resign free agents Allen Crabbe, Moe Harkless and Meyers Leonard, as well as trade for former Nuggets forwards Kenneth Faried and Darrell Arthur. Faried gives the Blazers a better version of Ed Davis. With Mahinmi, Faried, Leonard, Arthur, Harkless and Al-Farouq Aminu, the front court is among the deepest in all of basketball. The majority of scoring will still fall to the trio of Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum and Crabbe. It will be tough for Portland to improve much with this roster.
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8. Phoenix Suns
Signings
Signed former Pacers F Solomon Hill
Signed former Horents GF Courtney Lee
Signed former Raptors FC Luis Scola
Signed former Wizards G Garrett Temple
Signed former draft pick GF Bogdan Bogdanovic
Trades
Suns get: F Kevin Love
Cavaliers get: C Al Horford (Sign and trade), G Brandon Knight
Hawks get: C Alex Len, F Marquese Chriss, F PJ Tucker, F Channing Frye
Team Options
Declined team option on G John Jenkins
Draft
Traded 28th pick (Round 1) to Rockets for 37th and 43rd picks (Round 2)
Traded 43rd pick (Round 2) to Wizards for future 2nd round pick
Drafted Washington F Marquese Chriss with 4th pick (Round 1)
Drafted Michigan State FC Deyonta Davis with 13th pick (Round 1)
Drafted France F Petr Cornelie with 34th pick (Round 2)
Drafted Oregon State G Gary Payton II with 37th pick (Round 2)
Starting Lineup
C - Tyson Chandler
PF - Kevin Love
SF - TJ Warren
SG - Devin Booker
PG - Eric Bledsoe
Bench
GF Courtney Lee
G Archie Goodwin
F Solomon Hill
FC Luis Scola
FC Deyonta Davis
G Garrett Temple
GF Bogdan Bogdanovic
F Allan Williams
G Gary Payton II
With LeBron James and Kevin Durant expected to resign short team deals with their current clubs, the off season focus could be on Kevin Love. It is no secret that Love was invisible during Cleveland's championship run, and is the most expendable piece of the Cavaliers roster. If Cleveland wants to reload for another title chase, it may want to trade Love for improved depth. Despite his disappearing act, Love will be in high demand, and the Suns have shown that they are not afraid to make that big deal. Phoenix gives up quite a bit in Alex Len, Brandon Knight and fourth overall pick Marquese Chriss, but could now be a playoff team.
Phoenix definitely has the offensive firepower to make a playoff run. Trading Knight opened up minutes for Devin Booker, who has some Klay Thompson like ability. He is a big time shooter who could form a 40 point per game backcourt with fellow scorer Eric Bledsoe. The key will be for Tyson Chandler and rookie Deyonta Davis to provide some defense, as this team could give up as many points as they score.
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9. New Orleans Pelicans
Trades
Traded future 2nd round pick to Nuggets for F Wilson Chandler
Signings
Signed former Heat GF Gerald Green
Signed former Lakers F Ryan Kelly
signed former Bucks G OJ Mayo
Resigned F Luke Babbitt
Resigned C Kendrick Perkins
Team Options
GF Alonzo Gee exercised player option
Declined team option on F Luke Babbitt
Draft
Traded C Omer Asik, F Dante Cunningham, GF Quincy Pondexter and 6th pick (Round 1) to Bucks for C Greg Monroe and G Michael Carter-Williams
Traded 39th and 40th picks (Round 2) to Raptors for 27th pick (Round 1)
Drafted Washington G Dejounte Murray with 27th pick (Round 1)
Starting Lineup
C - Greg Monroe
PF - Anthony Davis
SF - Wilson Chandler
SG - Tyreke Evans
PG - Jrue Holiday
Bench
G OJ Mayo
C Alexis Ajinca
G Michael Carter-Williams
GF Gerald Green
F Ryan Kelly
GF Alonzo Gee
G Dejounte Murray
F Luke Babbitt
C Kendrick Perkins
It is hard to believe Dell Demps still has a job as the Pelicans General Manager, but embattled owner Tom Benson has more serious issues in his life to worry about. Demps has spent years trading first round picks for veterans, and with the panic surrounding building an immediate winner around Anthony Davis, he could easily do it again this year. In fact, that is exactly what he did, with a big trade landing New Orleans native Greg Monroe from the Bucks. Monroe was a terrible fit next to Jabari Parker, but should work better next to Davis. Giving up the sixth overall pick was a big price to pay, but the sting was lessened a bit by the fact that the Bucks agreed to take the contract of Omer Asik.
New Orleans was unable to spend that extra money, striking out on free agent signings left and right.The Pelicans had to bite the bullet and trade for the overpaid Wilson Chandler, who will be sorely needed to shore up a troubling small forward position. On paper, the Pelicans starting five should all be able to score and shoot. The bench on the other hand? Not good. This is not a championship club, but if Davis and the rest of the team can have some success in the health department for once, this team could squeak into the playoffs.
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10. Minnesota Timberwolves
Signings
Signed former Thunder G Randy Foye
signed former Suns G Ronnie Price
Team Options
Declined team option on F Damjan Rudez
Draft
Drafted California GF Jaylen Brown with 5th pick (Round 1)
Starting Lineup
C - Karl-Anthony Towns
PF - Gorgui Dieng
SF - Andrew Wiggins
SG - Zach Lavine
PG - Ricky Rubio
Bench
GF Shabazz Muhaad
F Nemanja Bjelica
F Kevin Garnett
GF Jaylen Brown
C Nikola Pekovic
G Randy Foye
G Tyus Jones
G Ronnie Price
F Adreian Payne
The biggest acquisition for Minnesota happened before the season ended, when Tom Thibedeau was brought aboard to be the overseer of the entire on the court product. He is instantly linked to former Bulls Joakim Noah, Pau Gasol, Jimmy Butler and Derrick Rose.
The Wolves tried to hammer out a deal with the Bulls for Butler, but were unwilling to part with Andrew Wiggins. Gorgui Dieng and Zach LaVine were simply not enough, and Chicago chose to deal Butler to the Orlando Magic. Joakim Noah considered joining the team, but instead signed with the Warriors in order to chase that championship ring. The Timberwolves will have to prove to free agents that this team is a winner before it will attract real talent. The only addition is a couple of bench guards and fifth overall pick Jaylen Brown, who will provide depth at the wing positions. This team should be better by default with top notch coaching and the continued development of Karl-Anthony Towns and Wiggins.
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11. Los Angeles Lakers
Signings
Signed former Warriors F Harrison Barnes
Signed former Warriors C Festus Ezeli
Signed former Cavaliers C Timofey Mozgov
Signed former Celtics F Jonas Jerebko
Signed former 76ers G Kendall Marshall
Resigned G Jordan Clarkson
Draft
Drafted Duke GF Brandon Ingram with 2nd pick (Round 1)
Drafted UNLV C Stephen Zimmerman with 32nd pick (Round 2)
Starting Lineup
C - Festus Ezeli
PF - Julius Randle
SF - Harrison Barnes
SG - Brandon Ingram
PG - D'Angelo Russell
Bench
G Jordan Clarkson
G Lou Williams
GF Nick Young
C Timofey Mozgov
F Larry Nance Jr.
F Jonas Jerebko
GF Anthony Brown
G Kendall Marshall
C Stephen Zimmerman
Following the retirement of Kobe Bryant, the Lakers have the most cap space in all of basketball. For the first time in years, the land of purple and gold will be an attractive destination for free agents. Kevin Durant and LeBron James will listen, but will likely not want to be a part of a rebuild. However, Los Angeles should have it's choice of the second tier of free agents, such as DeMar DeRozan, Al Horford or Harrison Barnes.
Instead of signing DeRozan to a max contract, the Lakers take the long term approach, continuing to build around draft picks. Brandon Ingram is drafted to go along with Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson and D'Angelo Russell. With Luke Walton aboard, the Lakers commit $25 million a year to former Warriors Festus Ezeli and Barnes to round out the starting lineup. It is not an extremely insane amount, as the rising salary cap will still give the Lakers plenty of cash to go after the Southern California native Russell Westbrook and another max free agent in the summer of 2017.
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12. Houston Rockets
Trades
Traded G Patrick Beverley, F Sam Dekker and F Montrezl Harrell to Hawks for G Jeff Teague
Signings
Signed former Celtics FC Amir Johnson
Signed former Pelicans F Ryan Anderson
Signed former Heat G Beno Udrih
Signed former Trail Blazers C Chris Kaman
Signed former draft pick GF Alessandro Gentile
Team Options
C Dwight Howard declined player option
Exercised team option on F Michael Beasley
Draft
Traded 37th and 43rd picks (Round 2) to Suns for 28th pick (Round 1)
Drafted Maryland C Diamond Stone with 28th pick (Round 1)
Starting Lineup
C - Clint Capela
PF - Amir Johnson
SF - Trevor Ariza
SG - James Harden
PG - Jeff Teague
Bench
F Ryan Anderson
GF KJ McDaniels
GF Corey Brewer
F Michael Beasley
G Beno Udrih
G Andrew Goudelock
C Chris Kaman
C Diamond Stone
GF Alessandro Gentile
It was all good just a couple of seasons ago. The Rockets were knocking on elite territory, then Kevin McHale gets fired, Dwight Howard becomes a cancer once again, James Harden decides to become a fantasy MVP instead of actual MVP, and the Rockets barely make the playoffs. Howard moves on and GM Daryl Morey once again fails to land a big time free agent, despite chasing the Kevin Durants, LeBron James' and Al Horford's of the world.
Houston instead has to pick through the free agent bargain bin, signing Amir Johnson and Ryan Anderson to short term deals. On top of that, they trade for Jeff Teague, who the Rockets will hope will do for the franchise what Ty Lawson was unable to. The backcourt of Teague and Harden will scoop up all of the minutes and handle most of the scoring. The Rockets look forward to the summer of 2017, when the cap jumps again and only Harden will be under contract. This is a lost year in Houston.
I won't even mention the fact that Mike D'Antoni is once again the head coach of an NBA team.
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13. Memphis Grizzlies
Signings
Signed former Magic G Brandon Jennings
Signed former Raptors FC Jason Thompson
Resigned G Mario Chalmers
Resigned G Lance Stephenson
Signed former draft pick G Andrew Harrison
Team Options
Declined team option on G Lance Stephenson
Exercised team option on F JaMychal Green
Draft
Drafted Syracuse GF Malachi Richardson with 17th pick (Round 1)
Drafted Iowa F Jarrod Uthoff with 57th pick (Round 2)
Starting Lineup
C - Marc Gasol
PF - Zach Randolph
SF - Tony Allen
SG - Lance Stephenson
PG - Brandon Jennings
Bench
FC Brandan Wright
F JaMychal Green
GF Vince Carter
G Mario Chalmers
GF Malachi Richardson
G Jordan Adams
FC Jason Thompson
G Andrew Harrison
G Xavier Munford
F Jarrod Uthoff
It has been a steady decline for the Memphis franchise since it's 2011 Western Conference Finals appearance, and the bottom finally fell out in 2016. Injuries and a lack of depth doomed the Grizzlies. Memphis was able to resign long time center Marc Gasol last off season but was not able to do the same with Mike Conley, who bolted for the big lights and even bigger dollars of New York City.
The Grizzlies simply do not have enough good players on the roster to keep up, and things could be tough without the best point guard in franchise history. The front court of Gasol and Zach Randolph remains, but Randolph is in his mid 30's and Gasol cannot do it all alone. The Grizzlies scrambled to find a point guard, but could only come up with Brandon Jennings, who has been a shell of his former ball hogging self since a serious injury. Lance Stephenson had a solid half season in Memphis, who was forced to resign him, but it is tough to count on him to produce for a whole year. The Grizzlies could be bad in 2016-2017. Very bad. But a couple years of lottery picks could be what this team needs, as the best run in franchise history has seemed to come to an end.
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14. Denver Nuggets
Trades
Traded F Kenneth Faried, F Darrell Arthur and F Axel Toupane to Trail Blazers for F Ed Davis, F Noah Vonleh and future 1st round pick
Traded F Wilson Chandler to Pelicans for future 2nd round pick
Signings
Signed former Wizards FC Nene
Team Options
F Darrell Arthur exercised player option
Exercised team option on F Joffrey Lauvergne
Declined team option on G Jakarr Sampson
Draft
Traded 19th pick (Round 1) to Knicks for future first round pick
Traded 53rd pick (Round 2) and future 2nd round pick to Kings for G Ben McLemore
Drafted Croatia F Dragan Bender with 7th pick (Round 1)
Drafted Spain F Juan Hernangomez with 15th pick (Round 1)
Drafted Greece C Georgios Pappagiannis with 56th pick (Round 2)
Starting Lineup
C - Nikola Jokic
PF - Ed Davis
SF - Danilo Gallinari
SG - Gary Harris
PG - Emmanuel Mudiay
Bench
GF Will Barton
C Jusuf Nurkic
G Jameer Nelson
F Nene
F Dragan Bender
G Ben McLemore
FC Joffrey Lauvergne
F Juan Hernangomez
F Noah Vonleh
Head coach Mike Malone was a great hire for the Nuggets last year. He did a very good job of teaching one of the NBA's youngest rosters. The front office realized that Denver is in the midst of a long rebuilding project, and traded away long time stalwarts Kenneth Faried and Wilson Chandler as part of the roster tear down.
The Nuggets are all in on the foreign market, building this team around non Americans Emmanuel Mudiay, Nikola Jokic, Danilo Gallinari, Dragan Bender, Jusuf Nurkic and Juan Hernangomez. Throw in key role players Ed Davis, Gary Harris, Wil Barton, Jameer Nelson and long time Nugget Nene, and this is an interesting roster that could surprise, but more than likely will struggle to keep up with the Western Conference powerhouses. Which could be alright with the Nuggets higherups, who will have a chance to land that next franchise superstar in the 2017 draft.
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15. Sacramento Kings
Signings
Signed former Pacers F Jordan Hill
Signed former Pelicans G Norris Cole
Signed former draft pick C Arturas Gudaitis
Resigned F Quincy Acy
Released C Duje Dukan
Draft
Drafted Oklahoma G Buddy Hield with 8th pick (Round 1)
Drafted Indiana G Yogi Ferrell with 52nd pick (Round 2)
Drafted Maryland F Robert Carter with 53rd pick (Round 2)
Drafted Weber State F Joel Bolomboy with 59th pick (Round 2)
Traded future 2nd round pick to Jazz for 52nd pick (Round 2)
Traded G Ben McLemore to Nuggets for 53rd pick (Round 2) and future 2nd round pick
Starting Lineup
C - Willie Cauley-Stein
PF - DeMarcus Cousins
SF - Rudy Gay
SG - Buddy Hield
PG - Darren Collison
Bench
F Omri Casspi
G Marco Belinelli
FC Jordan Hill
FC Kosta Koufos
G Norris Cole
F Quincy Acy
GF Caron Butler
C Arturas Gudaitis
FC Robert Carter
G Yogi Ferrell
Oh look, the Kings are terrible again. DeMarcus Cousins probably should have been traded a year ago, but there is so much turnover in the front office and the coaching staff, that each new regime wants to see if they can make it work with their franchise player. Sacramento will once again go with a new coaching staff, and try to build it's scheme around Cousins.
The Kings need better shooting, defense and point guard play. With the eighth pick they were able to hopefully solve one of those issues. Buddy Hield is a "plug and play" (NFL Draft term) shooter who could have a JJ Redick like impact. Sacramento whiffed on Nik Stauskas and Ben McLemore, and hope that Hield can stabilize the shooting guard position. Free agents are obviously not going to flock to this dysfunctional franchise, so other than Hield, the roster remains mostly the same. Which means the Kings will be lottery bound again.
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