Early Vacation: What's Next for the NBA's Non-Playoff Teams?

Michael Whittenberg by Senior Writer Written on April 20, 2008
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Coaching wise, Memphis need to figure out if first year head coach Marc Iavaroni will return to the team next season. 

Names like Larry Brown and Rick Carlisle have also been mentioned as possible replacements.

 

Minnesota Timberwolves (22-60)

Restricted Free Agents: Ryan Gomes, Craig Smith, Chris Richard, Kirk Snyder, Sebastian Telfair

Unrestricted Free Agents: Michael Doleac

2009 Playoff Chances: Not Happening 

What's Next?

We already saw what year one of the post Kevin Garnett era looked like this season, and year two might not be any different.

Good news is Minnesota got a very solid low-post player in the Kevin Garnett trade. 

Al Jefferson had a great season despite playing on one of the league's worst teams, averaging 21 points and 11 rebounds.

Minnesota also have the chance to have Randy Foye for a full season. 

Foye averaged 13.1 PPG in 39 games this season, and he and Jefferson are solid building blocks for the T-Wolves.

They also need to either trade or buyout Antonie Walker, because he was clearly unhappy sitting out Minnesota's last 30 games.

The T-Wolves will end up with a top five pick in the NBA Draft, and a quality point guard could be a start. 

Coaching wise, Randy Wittman will more than likely be back on the bench next season.

 

Portland Trailblazers (41-41)

Restricted Free Agents: Von Wafer

Unrestricted Free Agents: James Jones, Raef LaFrentz

2009 Playoff Chances: Good

What's Next?

All in all, Portland's season wasn't a complete failure.

They were one of the league's biggest surprises in the first half of the season, when they went on a 13-game winning streak from December 3rd to December 30th.

Portland played great this season despite losing their prize draft pick Greg Oden for the season.

Brandon Roy had an All-Star season, and a case can be made for LaMarcus Aldridge as this season's Most Improved Player.

Greg Oden will be considered a rookie next season, and if he can come in and have a solid rookie campaign, Portland's playoff chances are good despite an already loaded Western Conference.

The Blazers have all the pieces to make a run to the playoffs, including their head coach Nate McMillan. 

 

Sacramento Kings (38-44)

Restricted Free Agents: None

Unrestricted Free Agents: Ron Artest, Kenny Thomas, Beno Udrih, Anthony Johnson, Lorenzen Wright

2009 Playoff Chances: Weak

What's Next?

The first thing Sacramento needs to do is re-sign Ron Artest if they want to have any chance of even being a respectable team next season.

Sacramento failed to reach the postseason for the second straight year, and their chances don't look good for next season. 

They also should try to insert Shelden Williams into the lineup more next season, because their frontcourt players aren't getting any younger.

Coaching wise, Reggie Theus didn't an excellent job despite his team not making the playoffs. 

 

Seattle Supersonics (20-62)

Restricted Free Agents: Mickael Gelabele, Robert Swift

Unrestricted Free Agents: Ronald Dupree, Francisco Elson

2009 Playoffs Chances: Weak

What's Next?

We may have saw the Sonics play their last season in Seattle, because they are probably headed to Oklahoma City.

Seattle have two first-round draft picks and some salary cap space to make an offseason move.

Good news is that the Sonics have two great solid building blocks in Kevin Durant and Jeff Green.

The Sonics could use a shooter from the outside, especially after losing Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis during the 2007 offseason.

Head coach P.J. Carlesimo is a good coach, and he will probably be back next year for his second season as Sonics head coach.

 

Michael Whittenberg is a senior writer and NBA Community Leader for BleacherReport.com.

Information from the Associated Press, ESPN.com, and Yahoo Sports was used in this article.

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written on April 20, 2008 Opinion

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