Toronto Raptors
Post by Brian Scalabrine on Jan 1, 2019 0:17:32 GMT -5
As a holiday gift for y'all, here's some hot take resolutions for each D720 team!
1. Atlanta Hawks - Acquire another star
The Hawks are sitting at 8th in the East, which seems low for a team with great two-way players in Middleton, Oladipo, Gasol, and Tatum. Sure, I'd feel confident that they'll make the playoffs regardless, but if they want to make a run to the finals, they might consider trying to package Some combination of DSJ, Lin, Rozier, Gibson, and Bam for another big time player who can move the needle.
2. Boston Celtics - Have a firesale
I've seen that Russ is on the block, but I don't actually think that Boston should trade him. In my opinion, they should shop EVERYONE else, and just try to launch a quick re-tool around Russ. The pieces don't fit, and while Russ would return the most, trading him sets them back the furthest. If they could manage to trade guys like Portis, Milsap, Saric, Gasol, Oubre, ect. for guys that will fit better next to Russ, they might be able to turn in around. 5-14 is a rough start, but maybe they can put a new core in place around Russ.
3. Brooklyn Nets - Start making trades
It's very charming that they've never made a trade, but ultimately it looks like it's putting a ceiling on their team. They're stuck with a disappointing Wiggins contract, and are going to become seriously strapped for cash once D'Lo hits free agency. Maybe if they were willing to package the two together they could find a real co-star for their franchise player, Embiid.
4. Charlotte Hornets - Find (perhaps draft) a PG of the future
Charlotte has one of the brightest futures in the league. Lavine is a prolific scorer, Knox and Monk have tons of potential, and they currently own the 5-7th best picks. Of course they hope to win the lottery, but even if they get Zion, they'll need a true PG on their squad. Shouldn't be a huge issue--they'll also have cap space to use this off-season. But, this team won't be ready for takeoff until they find their PG.
5. Chicago Bulls - Find the right tonic for Markelle Fultz
Booker is a stud, and Chicago is performing like a playoff team to date. However, this young team is going to need more than one young stud to become a real problem. They could look to unload some bloated contracts, but imo their best outcome is a re-vitalized Fultz performing as advertised. If that happens, they should be able to figure out the rest in time.
6. Cleveland Cavaliers - Find a GM with a plan for Vucevic
Vucevic is one of the most exciting players in the league this season, and if the Cavs want to raise their ceiling, they'll need to utilize him as an asset. As it stands, it doesn't look like Cleveland will be able to re-sign either him OR Willie Cauley-Stein, both good big men. The Rudy Gay contract is keeping them strapped for cap space, if they can unload it, they can keep at least one of those guys. However, trading both of them for picks could also be an option since their core of Giannis, Jrue, and Beal are all relatively young and signed for long term. They definitely have options, but they need to make a strong choice, and soon.
7. Dallas Mavericks - Save Josh Jackson
He's had a disappointing season, only earning 21 minutes a game on the worst team in the league. However, if he can establish himself as a lockdown defender in the mold of Tony Allen, he can have a long and valuable career. Luckily for the Mavs and Jackson, Doncic looks to be a do-it-all guy that can fit with almost anyone on the court, so if Jackson can blossom into a valuable defender, the young Mavs will be in good shape with a functionally fitting pair of young wings, and it's likely they'll be able to add a scorer through the draft between this year and next.
8. Denver Nuggets - Trade Gorgui Dieng and Malcolm Brogdon
We love Brogdon, but with him entering RFA and Durant having a player option this season, there's very little chance he's still in Denver next season. In my opinion, leveraging Brogdon's youth and efficiency to unload Dieng, and hopefully acquire a low cost rotation player in return, is their best move. Dieng is old hat, and Collins is a better player right now with a bright future as well. If they can package Brogdon and Dieng, they can stay under the hard cap while trying to re-sign KD, AND potentially have room for a good MLE signing this coming off-season.
9. Detroit Pistons - Build a time machine
This definitely feels like a "one last run" season for a core of players starting to regress in Batum, Jackson, Dwight, Barnes, and Korver. A time machine would be optimal, but it seriousness, I think they should look to make some minor trades using the players at the bottom of their roster to re-tool for another playoff appearance.... They definitely should have taken my offer for Tim Hardaway Jr last season, but hey, it's water under the bridge.
10. Golden State Warriors - Find a way to re-sign Paul George
This team is stacked with talent, and if I'm Penny, I feel great about our chance at a title. Unfortunately, a big part of their success has been Paul George, and after signing KAT to a max extension, it's going to be very difficult for them to find the space to sign George under the hard cap this off-season. They've got four non-starter tier player making above 10 mil, and they teamless Melo is not far behind. Further, I think that teams are even more apprehensive to help them unload those deals since GSW is a powerhouse that contenders would like to beat, and teams with cap space are salivating at the prospect of PG needing to find a new team this off-season.
11. Houston Rockets - Ditch Beverly and Matthews
LMA and Kyrie are a solid pair of stars, and if Houston can manage to ditch these two contracts and decline Hezonja's QO, they look to have max cap space along with LMA, Kyrie, Sexton, and Sabonis. That's a great set up for a free agent pitch from a team that is already performing well in the west.
12. Indiana Pacers - Move up in the lottery
It's a bit of a middling squad for Miami, and with Dragic looking to miss extended time this season, this is a team that would really benefit from a ready to play rookie in the draft. They have solid players in Dragic, Adams, and Green, but lack another difference maker. Obviously there's a lot of tanking squads out there, but in this reporter's opinion, Indiana is the team that would benefit the most from a high draft pick. Perhaps with a Duke boy and a good free agency they can get back to being a strong team in the east.
13. Los Angeles Clippers - Sell Gallinari before he gets hurt
Gallo is having a great season this year, so it's hard to imagine he doesn't hold trade value on a three year contract worth ~38 million. With a low per year salary, there should be a deal out there where the struggling LAC can pick up a good youngster or a decent pick from a team looking to make a playoff run this season.
14. Los Angeles Lakers - Get Kawhi more help
Even with a studly Kawhi on the roster, this team is on the outside looking in of the western conference playoff race. Tobias, LeVert, and Capela are all good pieces, but with LeVert still out, it just hasn't been enough yet. Derrick Rose is performing well, but without his bird rights, he looks to be a rental. I'd see if they can somehow trade Lou Williams, who is definitely a good player but a questionable fit for his salary, for a long term solution at the point.
15. Memphis Grizzles - ???
For me, this is the hardest time to make a suggestion for. An injured John Wall entering free agency, a questionable fit of two good, yet high salary players in Griffin and Gordon, and the 8th spot in the West. Additionally, they own all their future firsts. Personally, I'd blow it up. Someone would give something decent for Wall even in his situation, the right rebuilding team would love Gordon (Maybe Charlotte or Milwaukee?) and Griffin is a true difference maker, even if his contract will probably extend into his down years. I don't know that they need a hard reset, but I think they could stand to shake things up, somehow.
16. Miami Heat - Tank better
I can't tell you why they're winning so many games, but right now they're at 10-9. Sure, they've got some interesting cap space to play with, but if they don't get another good lottery pick this season, their margin for error to become a truly great team is pretty slim. Moving John Henson or Dennis Schroeder would be a great help for this effort.
17. Milwaukee Bucks - Find a better big man
Of course their greatest path to success is internal development, with promising guys like Mitchell, Trae, Harris, and others on the roster, but they are severely lacking in the big department. Without their pick this year, maybe they can acquire an expiring big from a team that doesn't want him (is that Robin Lopez's music I hear???)
18. Minnesota Timberwolves - End the revolving door
I admire KG's tenacity and eagerness to always acquire more talent, but sometimes I think this front office gets just a littttlllleee ahead of itself. At some point, they have to decide who their core is. They always have good players, but who they are changes month-to-month. I get it, I used to do this a lot as well, but eventually KG ought to do some soul searching and decide where the future really is, and who is a part of it. The attempted trade for Dame (which looks like it won't happen) made me hopeful that that day had come, but alas, every player in Minnesota is still afraid to but a home in Minneapolis.
19. New Orleans Pelicans - Ride out Point-Winslow
It's early, but Justise Winslow has had a good start filling in for Goran Dragic in Miami. I think NOP is extremely smart to hold him for a while and see what kind of player he blossoms into. They're still in need of a back court going forward, but if Winslow continues to push his ceiling, a core of AD/Allen/Winslow plus some serviceable guards acquired through free agency, the draft, or trades could keep them as a perennial playoff team for a while.
20. New York Knicks - Find Jokic's PF
The defending champs are in a decent spot to make another run for the ring. While I don't think their chances are as good as last year, they're a definite contender, and now that Walker is going supernova, NYK can rest assured that they have two stars who can lead them to the playoffs for years to come. However, Jordan is regressing, and without bird rights. They managed to win it all last season, but it looks like they'll need a change to their starting lineup next season, as DJ is very likely out of the big apple. They don't necessarily need another star, if they can just somehow secure a good defensive PF, that should be enough to hold on to what they have going for them.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder - A better training staff
OKC has all the pieces, and they look like a playoff team this season. Sure, they hope Ben Simmons gets a jump shot, and they could use more development from Jaylen Brown, but in my mind, what they really need is for Conley, Murray, Horford, and MPJ to all be healthy next season. If that happens, they're quite possibly the deepest team in the league, and have elite players on both ends of the floor. It's a mish-mash of players, but with that kind of depth they can find a way to make it work. This team healthy is like an IRL Celtics of D720.
22. Orlando Magic - Longevity and development
With Orlando's overperformance this season, it looks like Jimmy Butler will be inclined to stay there. That's great, but he'll be in the market for a huge contract, and if he starts to fall off next season and Serge Ibaka follows suit, Orlando could be in a bad spot sooner than we realize. Luckily they have a great youngster on the squad, so hopefully the Ball brothers development will continue to off-set any regression from Orlando's older players.
23. Philadelphia 76ers - A good big man
If this team had another good big man besides Zeller, who just broke his hand, they'd have it all. Harden seemed like a flight risk this time last season, but with their recent success he looks like a likely re-sign in the city of brotherly love. They have two top-15 players in Dame and Harden, and the room to re-sign Harden when he declines his player option. Unfortunately, they're in sore need for a good big man, and his contract can't be too large or else they'll be pressed for room under the hard cap. If they're especially aggressive, they could look to deal the 19 SAS and 20 UTA first round picks for a promising young big, or they could see if Fox could get them the big that they sorely need. It's a little problematic that their 3 best players (Fox, Harden, and Lillard) probably shouldn't see the floor at the same time. An interesting team for sure.
24. Phoenix Suns - D720 MVP Gordon Hayward
Phoenix is doing great, but with Hayward taking up so much cap space, they'll need him to continue to work back to form to make another run at the finals through the gruesome west. I'm definitely a believer, and they have great depth as they always have, but to truly be a contender again, they'll need Hayward at full strength.
25. Portland Trailblazers - Porzingod
In a certain sense, there's a lot that Portland needs to go right. Obviously they're stacked with talent no matter what, but with an aging Chris Paul, down year Draymond, post-achilles Cousins entering UFA without bird rights... In my mind, what they need the most if for Porzingis to come back strong. They don't have any long-term contracts holding them back, so what they really need is for their young star to stay a star, and their future will be bright no matter how everything else shakes out for them. Dunn is having a nice season and looks to be a long-term piece, as well as DeRozan, so even if Cousins/Paul/Green all die in a plane crash tomorrow, they'll still be a very strong team with a healthy Porzingis. They would also really benefit from the BOS 2020 pick being valuable, which looks like a real possibility right now, but not a certainty.
26. Sacramento Kings - Huerter, Zhaire, or Robinson to separate themselves from the pack
JJJ has already done it. His future is as bright as anyone's in the league, so Sacramento should rest assured they have one great foundational piece. However, they have these other rooks on the roster who all have legitimate starter potential, and they'd greatly benefit from one of them reaching the "starter on any team" level. Right now my money is on Huerter, who is playing very well for the Hawks. If one of those guys can make that leap, and Sacramento can continue to draft well and utilize their cap space smartly, they'll be in a great spot going forward.
27. San Antonio Spurs - A starting level point guard
Healthy Isaiah Thomas should help, but with his return unclear, the Spurs starting point guard is... Ish Smith? With Siakam and WCJ as starting bigs, and the likes of Courtney Lee, Trevor Ariza, and Taurean Waller-Prince on the roster, the Spurs are really just in need of a decent initiator who can start the offense to become a playoff team. Next year they could tank, but this season could be turned around with a decent PG acquisition.
28. Toronto Raptors - All-star level Lauri
I have complete faith in this one. With Toronto's heaps of cap space and multiple youngsters oozing with potential, as well as great draft odds, the Raptors with all-star level Lauri can be a legitimate free agent destination. However, the North will need that "come play with me" level guy, and all eyes are on Lauri in that department. He's been great this season and he'll only get better, there's no question of his future. But to attract more talent to Toronto, Lauri's play will have to pique the interest of hot free agents around the league.
29. Utah Jazz - A true wing besides Ingram
This is a team that's obviously fighting for draft position, which is fine, but to build their core right they're going to need another wing sized player. They've got: Clarkson, Payton, Selden, O'Neale, Mudiay all on the roster, which are really pretty much all guards. They have Bullock, who is more of a wing, but not a longterm piece. They could hope that Mudiay becomes a legitimate starting level PG and roll with him, Ingram, Bagley, long term, but in a league where the wing is such an important role, they're going to need another.
30. Washington Wizards - Otto Porter to a good home
I still believe in Porter, but overall, he's their piece that I believe will hold value the least between him, Rubio, Isaac, Gobert, Ingles, and the rest. A heady move might be to swing him for a draft pick or someone who can take over Rubio's production in the future. Overall though, they really just need to run it back next year and hold onto their major pieces, this is one of the best built teams in the league, and it shows through their performance.
1. Atlanta Hawks - Acquire another star
The Hawks are sitting at 8th in the East, which seems low for a team with great two-way players in Middleton, Oladipo, Gasol, and Tatum. Sure, I'd feel confident that they'll make the playoffs regardless, but if they want to make a run to the finals, they might consider trying to package Some combination of DSJ, Lin, Rozier, Gibson, and Bam for another big time player who can move the needle.
2. Boston Celtics - Have a firesale
I've seen that Russ is on the block, but I don't actually think that Boston should trade him. In my opinion, they should shop EVERYONE else, and just try to launch a quick re-tool around Russ. The pieces don't fit, and while Russ would return the most, trading him sets them back the furthest. If they could manage to trade guys like Portis, Milsap, Saric, Gasol, Oubre, ect. for guys that will fit better next to Russ, they might be able to turn in around. 5-14 is a rough start, but maybe they can put a new core in place around Russ.
3. Brooklyn Nets - Start making trades
It's very charming that they've never made a trade, but ultimately it looks like it's putting a ceiling on their team. They're stuck with a disappointing Wiggins contract, and are going to become seriously strapped for cash once D'Lo hits free agency. Maybe if they were willing to package the two together they could find a real co-star for their franchise player, Embiid.
4. Charlotte Hornets - Find (perhaps draft) a PG of the future
Charlotte has one of the brightest futures in the league. Lavine is a prolific scorer, Knox and Monk have tons of potential, and they currently own the 5-7th best picks. Of course they hope to win the lottery, but even if they get Zion, they'll need a true PG on their squad. Shouldn't be a huge issue--they'll also have cap space to use this off-season. But, this team won't be ready for takeoff until they find their PG.
5. Chicago Bulls - Find the right tonic for Markelle Fultz
Booker is a stud, and Chicago is performing like a playoff team to date. However, this young team is going to need more than one young stud to become a real problem. They could look to unload some bloated contracts, but imo their best outcome is a re-vitalized Fultz performing as advertised. If that happens, they should be able to figure out the rest in time.
6. Cleveland Cavaliers - Find a GM with a plan for Vucevic
Vucevic is one of the most exciting players in the league this season, and if the Cavs want to raise their ceiling, they'll need to utilize him as an asset. As it stands, it doesn't look like Cleveland will be able to re-sign either him OR Willie Cauley-Stein, both good big men. The Rudy Gay contract is keeping them strapped for cap space, if they can unload it, they can keep at least one of those guys. However, trading both of them for picks could also be an option since their core of Giannis, Jrue, and Beal are all relatively young and signed for long term. They definitely have options, but they need to make a strong choice, and soon.
7. Dallas Mavericks - Save Josh Jackson
He's had a disappointing season, only earning 21 minutes a game on the worst team in the league. However, if he can establish himself as a lockdown defender in the mold of Tony Allen, he can have a long and valuable career. Luckily for the Mavs and Jackson, Doncic looks to be a do-it-all guy that can fit with almost anyone on the court, so if Jackson can blossom into a valuable defender, the young Mavs will be in good shape with a functionally fitting pair of young wings, and it's likely they'll be able to add a scorer through the draft between this year and next.
8. Denver Nuggets - Trade Gorgui Dieng and Malcolm Brogdon
We love Brogdon, but with him entering RFA and Durant having a player option this season, there's very little chance he's still in Denver next season. In my opinion, leveraging Brogdon's youth and efficiency to unload Dieng, and hopefully acquire a low cost rotation player in return, is their best move. Dieng is old hat, and Collins is a better player right now with a bright future as well. If they can package Brogdon and Dieng, they can stay under the hard cap while trying to re-sign KD, AND potentially have room for a good MLE signing this coming off-season.
9. Detroit Pistons - Build a time machine
This definitely feels like a "one last run" season for a core of players starting to regress in Batum, Jackson, Dwight, Barnes, and Korver. A time machine would be optimal, but it seriousness, I think they should look to make some minor trades using the players at the bottom of their roster to re-tool for another playoff appearance.... They definitely should have taken my offer for Tim Hardaway Jr last season, but hey, it's water under the bridge.
10. Golden State Warriors - Find a way to re-sign Paul George
This team is stacked with talent, and if I'm Penny, I feel great about our chance at a title. Unfortunately, a big part of their success has been Paul George, and after signing KAT to a max extension, it's going to be very difficult for them to find the space to sign George under the hard cap this off-season. They've got four non-starter tier player making above 10 mil, and they teamless Melo is not far behind. Further, I think that teams are even more apprehensive to help them unload those deals since GSW is a powerhouse that contenders would like to beat, and teams with cap space are salivating at the prospect of PG needing to find a new team this off-season.
11. Houston Rockets - Ditch Beverly and Matthews
LMA and Kyrie are a solid pair of stars, and if Houston can manage to ditch these two contracts and decline Hezonja's QO, they look to have max cap space along with LMA, Kyrie, Sexton, and Sabonis. That's a great set up for a free agent pitch from a team that is already performing well in the west.
12. Indiana Pacers - Move up in the lottery
It's a bit of a middling squad for Miami, and with Dragic looking to miss extended time this season, this is a team that would really benefit from a ready to play rookie in the draft. They have solid players in Dragic, Adams, and Green, but lack another difference maker. Obviously there's a lot of tanking squads out there, but in this reporter's opinion, Indiana is the team that would benefit the most from a high draft pick. Perhaps with a Duke boy and a good free agency they can get back to being a strong team in the east.
13. Los Angeles Clippers - Sell Gallinari before he gets hurt
Gallo is having a great season this year, so it's hard to imagine he doesn't hold trade value on a three year contract worth ~38 million. With a low per year salary, there should be a deal out there where the struggling LAC can pick up a good youngster or a decent pick from a team looking to make a playoff run this season.
14. Los Angeles Lakers - Get Kawhi more help
Even with a studly Kawhi on the roster, this team is on the outside looking in of the western conference playoff race. Tobias, LeVert, and Capela are all good pieces, but with LeVert still out, it just hasn't been enough yet. Derrick Rose is performing well, but without his bird rights, he looks to be a rental. I'd see if they can somehow trade Lou Williams, who is definitely a good player but a questionable fit for his salary, for a long term solution at the point.
15. Memphis Grizzles - ???
For me, this is the hardest time to make a suggestion for. An injured John Wall entering free agency, a questionable fit of two good, yet high salary players in Griffin and Gordon, and the 8th spot in the West. Additionally, they own all their future firsts. Personally, I'd blow it up. Someone would give something decent for Wall even in his situation, the right rebuilding team would love Gordon (Maybe Charlotte or Milwaukee?) and Griffin is a true difference maker, even if his contract will probably extend into his down years. I don't know that they need a hard reset, but I think they could stand to shake things up, somehow.
16. Miami Heat - Tank better
I can't tell you why they're winning so many games, but right now they're at 10-9. Sure, they've got some interesting cap space to play with, but if they don't get another good lottery pick this season, their margin for error to become a truly great team is pretty slim. Moving John Henson or Dennis Schroeder would be a great help for this effort.
17. Milwaukee Bucks - Find a better big man
Of course their greatest path to success is internal development, with promising guys like Mitchell, Trae, Harris, and others on the roster, but they are severely lacking in the big department. Without their pick this year, maybe they can acquire an expiring big from a team that doesn't want him (is that Robin Lopez's music I hear???)
18. Minnesota Timberwolves - End the revolving door
I admire KG's tenacity and eagerness to always acquire more talent, but sometimes I think this front office gets just a littttlllleee ahead of itself. At some point, they have to decide who their core is. They always have good players, but who they are changes month-to-month. I get it, I used to do this a lot as well, but eventually KG ought to do some soul searching and decide where the future really is, and who is a part of it. The attempted trade for Dame (which looks like it won't happen) made me hopeful that that day had come, but alas, every player in Minnesota is still afraid to but a home in Minneapolis.
19. New Orleans Pelicans - Ride out Point-Winslow
It's early, but Justise Winslow has had a good start filling in for Goran Dragic in Miami. I think NOP is extremely smart to hold him for a while and see what kind of player he blossoms into. They're still in need of a back court going forward, but if Winslow continues to push his ceiling, a core of AD/Allen/Winslow plus some serviceable guards acquired through free agency, the draft, or trades could keep them as a perennial playoff team for a while.
20. New York Knicks - Find Jokic's PF
The defending champs are in a decent spot to make another run for the ring. While I don't think their chances are as good as last year, they're a definite contender, and now that Walker is going supernova, NYK can rest assured that they have two stars who can lead them to the playoffs for years to come. However, Jordan is regressing, and without bird rights. They managed to win it all last season, but it looks like they'll need a change to their starting lineup next season, as DJ is very likely out of the big apple. They don't necessarily need another star, if they can just somehow secure a good defensive PF, that should be enough to hold on to what they have going for them.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder - A better training staff
OKC has all the pieces, and they look like a playoff team this season. Sure, they hope Ben Simmons gets a jump shot, and they could use more development from Jaylen Brown, but in my mind, what they really need is for Conley, Murray, Horford, and MPJ to all be healthy next season. If that happens, they're quite possibly the deepest team in the league, and have elite players on both ends of the floor. It's a mish-mash of players, but with that kind of depth they can find a way to make it work. This team healthy is like an IRL Celtics of D720.
22. Orlando Magic - Longevity and development
With Orlando's overperformance this season, it looks like Jimmy Butler will be inclined to stay there. That's great, but he'll be in the market for a huge contract, and if he starts to fall off next season and Serge Ibaka follows suit, Orlando could be in a bad spot sooner than we realize. Luckily they have a great youngster on the squad, so hopefully the Ball brothers development will continue to off-set any regression from Orlando's older players.
23. Philadelphia 76ers - A good big man
If this team had another good big man besides Zeller, who just broke his hand, they'd have it all. Harden seemed like a flight risk this time last season, but with their recent success he looks like a likely re-sign in the city of brotherly love. They have two top-15 players in Dame and Harden, and the room to re-sign Harden when he declines his player option. Unfortunately, they're in sore need for a good big man, and his contract can't be too large or else they'll be pressed for room under the hard cap. If they're especially aggressive, they could look to deal the 19 SAS and 20 UTA first round picks for a promising young big, or they could see if Fox could get them the big that they sorely need. It's a little problematic that their 3 best players (Fox, Harden, and Lillard) probably shouldn't see the floor at the same time. An interesting team for sure.
24. Phoenix Suns - D720 MVP Gordon Hayward
Phoenix is doing great, but with Hayward taking up so much cap space, they'll need him to continue to work back to form to make another run at the finals through the gruesome west. I'm definitely a believer, and they have great depth as they always have, but to truly be a contender again, they'll need Hayward at full strength.
25. Portland Trailblazers - Porzingod
In a certain sense, there's a lot that Portland needs to go right. Obviously they're stacked with talent no matter what, but with an aging Chris Paul, down year Draymond, post-achilles Cousins entering UFA without bird rights... In my mind, what they need the most if for Porzingis to come back strong. They don't have any long-term contracts holding them back, so what they really need is for their young star to stay a star, and their future will be bright no matter how everything else shakes out for them. Dunn is having a nice season and looks to be a long-term piece, as well as DeRozan, so even if Cousins/Paul/Green all die in a plane crash tomorrow, they'll still be a very strong team with a healthy Porzingis. They would also really benefit from the BOS 2020 pick being valuable, which looks like a real possibility right now, but not a certainty.
26. Sacramento Kings - Huerter, Zhaire, or Robinson to separate themselves from the pack
JJJ has already done it. His future is as bright as anyone's in the league, so Sacramento should rest assured they have one great foundational piece. However, they have these other rooks on the roster who all have legitimate starter potential, and they'd greatly benefit from one of them reaching the "starter on any team" level. Right now my money is on Huerter, who is playing very well for the Hawks. If one of those guys can make that leap, and Sacramento can continue to draft well and utilize their cap space smartly, they'll be in a great spot going forward.
27. San Antonio Spurs - A starting level point guard
Healthy Isaiah Thomas should help, but with his return unclear, the Spurs starting point guard is... Ish Smith? With Siakam and WCJ as starting bigs, and the likes of Courtney Lee, Trevor Ariza, and Taurean Waller-Prince on the roster, the Spurs are really just in need of a decent initiator who can start the offense to become a playoff team. Next year they could tank, but this season could be turned around with a decent PG acquisition.
28. Toronto Raptors - All-star level Lauri
I have complete faith in this one. With Toronto's heaps of cap space and multiple youngsters oozing with potential, as well as great draft odds, the Raptors with all-star level Lauri can be a legitimate free agent destination. However, the North will need that "come play with me" level guy, and all eyes are on Lauri in that department. He's been great this season and he'll only get better, there's no question of his future. But to attract more talent to Toronto, Lauri's play will have to pique the interest of hot free agents around the league.
29. Utah Jazz - A true wing besides Ingram
This is a team that's obviously fighting for draft position, which is fine, but to build their core right they're going to need another wing sized player. They've got: Clarkson, Payton, Selden, O'Neale, Mudiay all on the roster, which are really pretty much all guards. They have Bullock, who is more of a wing, but not a longterm piece. They could hope that Mudiay becomes a legitimate starting level PG and roll with him, Ingram, Bagley, long term, but in a league where the wing is such an important role, they're going to need another.
30. Washington Wizards - Otto Porter to a good home
I still believe in Porter, but overall, he's their piece that I believe will hold value the least between him, Rubio, Isaac, Gobert, Ingles, and the rest. A heady move might be to swing him for a draft pick or someone who can take over Rubio's production in the future. Overall though, they really just need to run it back next year and hold onto their major pieces, this is one of the best built teams in the league, and it shows through their performance.
Phoenix Suns
Portland Trail Blazers