One Question Every NBA Non-Playoff Team Must Answer in Offseason
Spring is a busy time for everyone in the NBA, one way or another.
For more than half the league, it's about preparing for the playoffs, with the Larry O'Brien Trophy on the other end of the rainbow. For the rest, it's about nailing down travel plansโand not necessarily for vacation.
There's the annual trip to Chicago for the predraft combine, where so many of the top basketball prospects spend the weekend getting poked, prodded and picked apart. If you're a general manager with a flight overseas, it's probably to see which young studs are getting run in the Euroleague playoffs in April and May, or which ones are getting run through the ringer at Adidas Eurocamp in Treviso, Italy in June.
That's just the beginning of an offseason that's less off and more season. Big questions linger for all 30 teams, regardless of outcome, but for those that either have already been eliminated from postseason contention or are likely to be, the following quandaries are the most pressing. ย
Brooklyn Nets: Is It Time to Blow It All Up?
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BREAK UP THE BROOKLYN NETS!
Their 141-118 trouncing of the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesdayโbolstered by 81 first-half points, tying the Cleveland Cavaliers for the highest-scoring half of the 2016-17 seasonโgave the Nets their first three-game winning streak in two years. All told, they've claimed six of their last nine outings and have doubled their win total since March 1.
"It helps our morale," head coach Kenny Atkinson said of the Nets' recent uptick, per the Associated Pressย (h/t ESPN.com). "I think the fans can appreciate that they see progress."
But how long will those visions of victory last? As well as Brooklyn has played of late, it's still on track to finish with the NBA's worst record and have nothing to show for its woes. The Boston Celtics can swap picks with the Nets in this year's draft and own Brooklyn's first-rounder outright in 2018.
As encouraging as it may be to see the team turning a corner, general manager Sean Marks needn't get too attached to this roster. It's still in Brooklyn's best interest to at least gauge interest around the league in veterans like Brook Lopez, Jeremy Lin and Trevor Booker, if not flip them for picks and prospects should the opportunity arise.
There's no guarantee that it will. The market for Lopez at this year's trade deadline seemed as tepid as it's ever been despite his development into a bona fide three-point threat. Lin could have trouble drawing attention after his injury-plagued campaign.
Still, if the Nets can turn their more established players into actual rebuilding assets, they would do well to pounce on the chance to do so, even at the cost of turning this season's encouraging finish into a distant memory.ย
Charlotte Hornets: Who Will Help Kemba Walker and Nicolas Batum?
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Kemba Walker and Nicolas Batum aren't exactly superstarsโespecially in light of Batum's subpar performance in Year 1 of a five-yearย mega-dealย he signed this past summer. But for the Charlotte Hornets, the team's All-Star point guard and well-paid two-way wing constitute a solid foundation from which to launch into the playoffs.
That is, when (or if) Charlotte can strengthen the supporting cast at head coach Steve Clifford's disposal. As ESPN'sย Zach Loweย noted:
"The Hornets are at their best with both Walker and Batum on the floor. It stands to reason that Clifford should maximize the number of minutes they play together. But that depends on a bunch of follow-up questions: How good, or bad, are a team's five-man bench mobs? How good, really, are those Walker-Batum minutes? How does Charlotte manage when just one of them is on the floor?
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According toย NBAwowy.com, the Hornets have been good with those two together (plus-2.9 points per 100 possessions) and, surprisingly, even better when Walker's played without Batum (plus-9.5 points per 100 possessions). Butย operating with Batum and not Walker has been a losing proposition (minus-5.2 points per 100 possessions), as hasย trying to surviveย when they rest together (minus-7.1 points per 100 possessions).
Perย NBA.com, Charlotte has fielded just one five-man lineup without Walker or Batum that's posted a positive net rating in at least 50 total minutes this season. But that one group is no longer relevant since Roy Hibbert, the center in thatย fivesome,ย is no longer in the Queen City.
The Hornets will be hard-pressed to extend their roster in free agency. They already have upwards of $102 million in salary on the books for 2017-18.
If Charlotte's going to step out of the shadows, it may have to count on internal improvementโfrom youngsters like Frank Kaminsky and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist in addition to a bounce-back campaign from Batumโunless general manager Rich Cho is able to trade his way into another cornerstone.ย
Dallas Mavericks: Can the Mavs Go Young While Dirk Gets Old?
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Between Wesley Matthews and Harrison Barnes on the wings, Seth Curry at guard and Nerlens Noel in the middle, the Dallas Mavericks have assembled a core that, while perhaps lacking a true star, can form the foundation of a future without Dirk Nowitzki.
"I think we found some young guys that are real, real interesting," Nowitzki said, per ESPN's Tim McMahon.
The Mavs may not have to brace themselves for that eventuality just yetโNowitzki told ESPN's Marc Stein that he plans to finish out his contract next seasonโbut it's coming. All the more reason for Dallas to see if it can crack two birds with one stone this summer by finding an impact player at a position of need, namely a point guard.
But can the Mavs find someone at that spot who can help them contend during what remains of Dirk's twilight? Or should they target one with their lottery pick in this year's draft, which looks to be long on floor generals, regardless of the future Hall of Famer's presence?
"People talk about, would you rather have a draft pick or go to the playoffs?" Barnes told ESPN. "My perspective is different than his. He's trying to make the playoffs, because he's on the way out. For a guy that's been around this long, you want that for him as well. He works extremely hard. Obviously, he's had all the milestones. You want to make sure that you send a legend out on the right foot."
Whether the Mavs can have their cake and eat it too will depend as much on who's available at their spot on draft day as it does on whether they're able to clear enough cap space to sign a productive veteran in free agency, let alone attract one to Dallas. Unless the Mavs can somehow find a bargain at the point, they may have to settle for another youngster, especially if they're inclined to re-sign Noel as a restricted free agent this summer.
Detroit Pistons: Who's Down with KCP?
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The fitness of Andre Drummond and Reggie Jackson to be the Detroit Pistons' cornerstones would be the focus of this offseason if:
Stan Van Gundy didn't believe Jackson could bounce back from an injury-plagued season (he does).
Jackson's absences and struggles when present weren't at all connected to Drummond's stagnation (they are).
Drummond and Jackson weren't under contract through at least 2019-20 (they are).
Any concerns about that duo might be best addressed in 2018 after Van Gundyโs had another extended look at what they can do together and for the Pistons. In the meantime, he's got bigger fish to fryโlike, say, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
On the court, the 24-year-old has played well enough as a three-point shooter (career-best 35.9 percent from deep) and perimeter defender to merit a major payday in restricted free agency this summer. Off the court, Caldwell-Pope's recent arrest for drunk driving would seem a fly in that ointment.
That is, if Van Gundy didn't have such faith in him already.
"Look, I've been around KCP for three years. He's a guy we really believe in, not only as a player but as a high-character guy,โ he said, per MLive.comโs Aaron McMann. "We're aware of the situation and we'll let things run its course."
But do the Pistons believe in him enough to essentially lock themselves into their current core by retaining him? If they do, theyโll be capped out for the foreseeable future with a group that has but one first-round sweep to show for itself thus far.
Had Stanley Johnson developed into a stud this season, Caldwell-Pope's return might not be quite so assured. But the lack of better options on the wing in the Motor City, combined with the team's dearth of cap space to sign one, could all but guarantee a humongous raise for KCP.
Los Angeles Lakers: What Do Magic and Pelinka Have in Mind for the Future?
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Magic Johnson spent plenty of time on the phone in the lead-up to this year's trade deadline. The Los Angeles Lakers had installed him as president of basketball operations just two days prior.
Among those Johnson phoned was Larry Bird, his old friend and rival, who now serves as the top decision-maker for the Pacers. According to Larry Legend, the call wasn't about Paul George, Indy's resident All-Star and a Southern California native.
"I canโt remember if it was even brought up or not," Bird told the Los Angeles Times'ย Tania Ganguli. "I don't think it was. It's all fake news anyway. You know that. Somebody's gonna start it and [it] just was a snowball effect. [The phone call] was not about Paul George."
The next one might be. With Rob Pelinka serving as his general manager, Johnson will be busy searching for another star to restore the team's former sheen.
Could that cornerstone already be on the roster? Rookie Brandon Ingram has flashed some studly potential, averaging 14.9 points on 52.5 percent shooting during a recent streak of 12 straight double-digit scoring games. So has D'Angelo Russell, who poured in an average of 20.9 points and 5.6 assists in eight games after head coach Luke Walton paired him with Jordan Clarkson in L.A.'s starting backcourt.
If the next face of the Lakers isn't already wearing purple and gold, could they find him in this year's draft? Perhaps, but only if L.A.'s own 2017 first-rounder lands in the top three of the draft lottery. Otherwise, it will convey to Philadelphia.
With or without another youngster on the roster, will anyone in the Lakers' locker room be ready to lead a winner? Or would Johnson and Pelinka be better served targeting a more mature centerpiece via trade (i.e. George) or free agency?
The Lakers won't know exactly what hand they'll have until the lottery in May. But the franchise's future could be determined well before then, wherever and whenever Johnson, Pelinka and their deputies lay out a blueprint for the future in L.A.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Will Things Get Tricky with Ricky?
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It wasn't so long ago that Ricky Rubioโs days with the Minnesota Timberwolves seemed numbered. For months, his name was embroiled in trade rumors, with talk of the Wolves swapping him to the New York Knicks for Derrick Rose continuing until the deadline came and went, per ESPN's Marc Stein.
Since then, the 26-year-old Spaniard has played the best ball of his NBA career, averaging a double-double (16.1 points, 10.7 assists) while shooting a respectable 36.8 percent from three. For a time, Rubio's uptick had Minnesota in the mix for the West's No. 8 seed until a six-game skid sealed their fate.
"I wish we could fight for the playoffs now; that's what I came here for,โ Rubio said after scoring a career-high 33 points in a win over the Los Angeles Lakers, per the Twin Cities Pioneer Press'ย Jace Frederick. "I hope we can build from here and finally take off next season."
Rubio has done his part to solidify his spot and prove his value to head coach Tom Thibodeau. But his stellar play of late could constitute his swan song with the Wolves.
For one, they have another promising point guard prospect, in rookie Kris Dunn, waiting in the wings. Dunn, the No. 5 pick in 2016, has been uneven (at best) this season, but with big raises due for Andrew Wiggins, Karl-Anthony Towns and Zach LaVine in the not-so-distant future, Minny may have to find ways to shave money off of its salary bill.
Moving Rubio (and the two years and $29.2 million left on his deal) could be the team's best option toward that end. With the way he's played, his value as a trade chip has never beenโand might never beโhigher than it is now.
That won't make the decision any easier for Thibs and the Wolves' front office. Bringing Rubio back is Minnesota's best bet to finally put a winning product on the floor again. But prioritizing potential success as soon as possible could jeopardize the team's ability to truly contend down the line when Wiggins and Towns mature into superstars.
New Orleans Pelicans: Who Else but Boogie-Brow?
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The New Orleans Pelicans are all-in on winning with Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins next season, as well they should be. After all, it's not every day that a team is able to pair arguably the NBA's two most gifted big men, let alone for the shockingly reasonable price the Pelicans paid to pry Cousins from the Sacramento Kings.
And though Tuesday's 134-131 loss to the Denver Nuggets officially knocked New Orleans out of the playoffs, the team had made plenty of progress with Boogie and the Brow, winning eight out of 11 during a recent stretch.
Now, it's on the Pelicans front office to surround its twin towers with a team capable of climbing back into the playoffs out West in 2018.
That's much easier said than done considering the paucity of assets in the Crescent City. The Pelicans won't have a first-round pick in this year's draft to either add a young player or facilitate a trade for a helpful veteran. Nor is there much attractive talent on the roster, aside from Davis and Cousins, to draw another team into making a deal.
New Orleans' best bet may be to bring back Jrue Holiday. The former All-Star, for one, seems amenable to re-signing with the Pelicans.
"New Orleans is kind of like a second home to me," he told the New Orleans Advocate's Scott Kushner.
Holiday, though, has hardly looked at home next to Cousins and Davis. Since the All-Star break, he's scored less (14.4 points to 16.3 points pre-All-Star), shot worse (42.6 percent vs. 46.9 percent pre-All-Star) and logged fewer assists (7.0 to 7.5 pre-All-Star) despite playing more (34.8 minutes vs. 32.3 pre-All-Star).
New Orleans may hesitate to pony up for Holiday, but without anything approaching enough financial flexibility for a max-level free agent, the Pelicans may have no better option than exceeding the salary cap to keep the two-way floor general they've come to know since 2013.
New York Knicks: What's Next for Carmelo Anthony?
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You don't need a degree in reading tea leaves to decode Carmelo Anthony's recent remarks about his future...but having one wouldnโt hurt.
"I see the writing on the wall," he said on Monday, per the New York Daily News'ย Stefan Bondy. ย "You donโt know what the writing is on the wall, though, but I see it."
Anyone who's been paying attention to the usual circus around the New York Knicks this season can probably see it, too. Phil Jackson appeared to spend much of the 2016-17 season before the trade deadline poisoning the well around Anthony, from criticizing his style of play in public to pitching deals involving the All-Star swingman in private.
That might all be enough to convince Anthony it's in his best interest to waive his no-trade clause if the Knicks find a suitable swap for him this summer. The Los Angeles Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers, the two teams most often mooted as potential destinations in January and February, could find themselves back in the mix this offseason, along with any other squad with the requisite assets and interest in acquiring a soon-to-be 33-year-old who's never averaged fewer than 21 points per game.
For the Knicks, moving 'Melo would allow them to commit whole-cloth to building a triangle around Kristaps Porzingis. For Anthony, a trade to a contender could afford him an opportunity to chase that elusive championship elsewhere.
Anthony and Jackson will have their chance to hash things out face to face at campaign's end during the team's exit interviews. How those talks go could determine the fate of basketball at Madison Square Garden for years to come.
As Anthony said, per the Daily News, "The chips will be on the table in that meeting."
Orlando Magic: Who Will Lead the Franchise Forward?
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The Orlando Magic's decision to sign Patricio Garino out of the D-League late in the season seemed innocent enough.
That is, until his agent tweeted out a photo of Garino's big moment that also captured a list of Orlandoโs offseason targets written on a whiteboard in the same room.
Magic general manager Rob Hennigan told the Orlando Sentinel's Josh Robbins that the leaks were "not indicative of plans" and were the front office "simply listing options, including some of which other teams have inquired about."
Whether that information is salient won't matter one iota if Hennigan isn't around to put it into action. According to ESPN's Marc Stein, Hennigan will be on the hot seat after this season, his fifth in as many tries without a playoff appearance for the Magic.
Per Stein, former Orlando sharpshooter Pat Garrity, now an executive with the Detroit Pistons, and Golden State Warriors assistant general manager Travis Schlenk could be prime candidates to take over. Rumors of Doc Rivers returning to central Florida have swirled, though the Los Angeles Clippers' head coach and president of basketball operations was quick to cast them aside when asked.
Whoever's at the controls in the Magic Kingdom will have a tough task turning Orlando's roster into a contender, with Aaron Gordon likely playing a pivotal part one way or another.
Philadelphia 76ers: Can the Young Stars Stay Healthy?
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The Philadelphia 76ers will once again be major players on draft dray this year. They'll have their own lottery pick and could have the Lakers' selection at their disposal if it lands outside the top three.
Regardless of how the ping pong balls drop next month, the Sixers won't be short on potential stars heading into next season. Joel Embiid looked ready to run away with Rookie of the Year honors before his knee started giving him serious guff in late January. Ben Simmons might've been the favorite for that award had his foot held up at all.
Despite those absences, the Sixers might wind up with this year's ROY on their roster anyway, thanks to Dario Saric's strong showing since Embiid went down. But Philly won't truly shift from process to progress to honest-to-goodness competition until (or unless) it can keep Embiid and Simmons healthy long enough for them to lead the franchise out of its extended doldrums.
As The Ringer's Kevin OโConnor noted, the Ghost of Sam Hinkie has done a fine job of assembling a cast of young role players with real two-way potential across positions:
"Robert Covington is developing into an effective 3-and-D wing, but in smaller lineups, he can slide up a position. Timothe Luwaw-Cabarrot needs to get his shot fixed, but he's shown major flashes this past month as a versatile wing. Richaun Holmes is part of an unusual class of big men who can shoot 3s, protect the rim and rebound effectively.
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As great as all that sounds, it won't mean much for Philly's forlorn fans if the team has to move forward with those gems and no real stars. Plug a healthy Embiid and a fit Simmons into the mix, along with another blue-chip prospect (or two) from the class of 2017, and the Sixers could be in business as an up-and-coming contender in the East far sooner than their current predicament might suggest.
Phoenix Suns: Who's Joining Devin Booker in the Backcourt?
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On the heels of the Phoenix Suns' franchise-worst seventh straight spring without playoff basketball, only one thing seems certain: Devin Booker is the now and the future. His 70-point explosion in Boston merely punctuated his prominence in Phoenix.
But who will ride with Booker in the backcourt as the Suns continue their long slog back to relevance?
Eric Bledsoe would seem an obvious choice. He was in the midst of his strongest (and healthiest) campaign to date, with career highs in points (21.1) and assists (6.3) before Phoenix shut him down to accelerate its tanking efforts.
Bledsoe, though, is in his prime now (27) and may be well past it by the time the Suns are ready to win again. With two years at a relatively reasonable $29.5 million combined remaining on his contract, he could make for phenomenal trade fodder this offseason.
If that's the case, where does Phoenix turn for Booker's sidekick? Assuming Brandon Knight is also on the outs, the best option on the roster is Tyler Ulis. Since ascending into a starting role, the diminutive rookie out of Kentucky has averaged 14.8 points, 9.1 assists and 1.4 steals while playing an astounding 40.7 minutes a night.
It doesnโt hurt that Ulis and Booker have been buddies since middle school, but that might not stop more competition from flooding in. If the Suns wind up with one of the top two picks in this year's draft, would they pass on a blue-chip prospect like Washington's Markelle Fultz or UCLA's Lonzo Ball because of their glut at guard? Or would such an outcome accelerate whatever reshuffling of floor generals that GM Ryan McDonough might have in mind?
Sacramento Kings: Is Another Front-Office Coup Coming?
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Good news for Vlade Divac: He's already lasted longer as general manager of the Sacramento Kings than his predecessor, Pete D'Alessandro, who got the boot just before his two-year anniversary.
The bad news: Divac's tenure might soon be coming to an end. According to The Verticalโs Adrian Wojnarowskiโand despite denials from the franchise itselfโthe Kings have reached out to former Philadelphia 76ers GM Sam Hinkie about taking over the team's front office and essentially sidelining Divac.
Such a switch would leave Sacramento in an all-too-familiar spot, with a coach (Dave Joerger) who wasnโt hired by his superiors. Moreover, it would move Divac aside for the man, in Hinkie, who swindled him for a 2017 pick swap and an unprotected 2019 first-rounder in a salary dump two summers ago.
Should Hinkie slide across Northern California from his current haunt in the Bay Area, he would find himself in a position not all that different from the one he inherited with the Sixers in May 2013. The Kings are back to Square One, armed with ample cap space, a pair of lottery picks in a deep draft and a handful of intriguing prospects as they face their 11th straight spring without playoff basketball.
It all adds up to a golden opportunity for whomever holds court at Golden 1 Center. The onus, as always, falls on Ranadive to determine who he wants to entrust with the transformation of his franchise's blank slate into a competitive basketball operation.
All stats and salary information viaย NBA.comย andย Basketball Referenceย unless otherwise noted and are current through Tuesday, April 4.
Josh Martin covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Follow him onย Twitter,ย Instagramย andย Facebook, and listen to hisย Hollywood Hoopsย podcast with B/Rย Lakersย lead writer Eric Pincus.
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