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

Michael WhittenbergApr 20, 2008

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Once again, it's that time of the year when 16 of the 30 NBA teams are geared up for the postseason.

Unfortunately for the teams that didn't make the playoffs, they will forced to watch the playoffs from their homes.

Also, the teams that failed to reach the postseason will most likely make some sort of offseason change(s) to try and improve their team for next season.

The unfortunate ball clubs—Charlotte, Chicago, Golden State, Indiana, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Portland, Sacramento and Seattle all have to figure out what they need to do to reach the next level.

For some teams, the ingredient to success could only be one player or coach away.

While the others will have another disappointing season waiting for them next year.

TOP NEWS

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Charlotte Bobcats (32-50)

Restricted Free Agents: Jermareo Davidson, Ryan Hollins, Emeka Okafor

Unrestricted Free Agents: Derek Anderson, Earl Boykins, Othella Harrington

2009 Playoffs Chances: Encouraging

What's Next?

First off, owners Michael Jordan and Bob Johnson need to figure out if Sam Vincent will be the head coach for next season.

Shooting guard Jason Richardson seems to be satisfied with the job Vincent has done.

"Sam did the best job that he could with the personnel he had, the coaching staff he had."

"He did what he was supposed to do. We didn’t achieve the goals we were capable of, but he did his job."

Whether Vincent remains the head coach or not, the Bobcats also need to improve their defense that gave up 100 PPG this season.

They also need to re-sign their star Forward-Center Emeka Okafor, because right now he is their franchise player.

Some good news is that they will end up with another high draft pick, and Adam Morrison along with Sean May will be returning from season-ending injuries next season.

The Bobcats played hard and competitive every night, but it didn't show in the wins column.

Charlotte is an up-and-coming team in the Eastern Conference, and a personnel change could be just what they need to make it the next level.

Chicago Bulls (33-49)

Restricted Free Agents: Luol Deng, Ben Gordon, Demetris Nichol

Unrestricted Free Agents: Shannon Brown, Chris Duhon

2009 Playoff Chances: Good

What's Next?

The Bulls already made their first move Thursday when they fired interim head coach Jim Boylan.

Although Scott Skiles started off the season as head coach, the Bulls just didn't buy into the coaching staff this season.

Since Boylan has been tossed, the next move is now getting a new head coach and re-signing both Luol Deng and Ben Gordon.

Chicago was clearly one of the disappointments in the Eastern Conference this season.

After sweeping the then defending champions Miami Heat in the first round, Chicago looked like a favorite to reach the conference finals this year.

Larry Brown and Rick Carlisle have been two guys that have come up in the conversation for their next coach, and either guy would be a good fit.

The trade that brought Larry Hughes and Drew Gooden to Chicago could be a plus for the Bulls next season if they are able to turn things around.

Point guard Kirk Hinrich also needs to have a turnaround season next year, because he took a huge step back this season.

Indiana Pacers (36-46)

Restricted Free Agents: Stephen Graham, David Harrison, Andre Owens

Unrestricted Free Agents: Flip Murray, Jermaine O'Neal, Kareem Rush

2009 Playoff Chances: Marginal

What's Next?

Now that former team CEO Donnie Walsh has left to be with the Knicks, Pacers owner Herb Simons will take on an added role in the franchise.

First they need to re-sign Jermaine O'Neal, and he must stay healthy next season for Indiana to have any hopes of reaching the postseason.

They also need to figure out if Jamaal Tinsley is going to be their point guard for next season.

Most likely he will—but Tinsley has been injury prone the past few seasons.

Indiana will most likely end with a lottery pick in the upcoming draft, and former Texas point guard DJ Augustin could be a good fit for this team if he is available.

Some good news is that they have Danny Granger as somewhat of a building block.

Granger had a excellent season, averaging 19.6 PPG.

Mike Dunleavy also had a solid season, averaging 19.1 PPG.

The Pacers have the talent to make the playoffs, especially in the weaker Eastern Conference.

Coaching wise, Jim O'Brien did a pretty exceptional job in his first year as Pacers head coach.

Miami Heat (15-67)

Restricted Free Agents: Blake Ahearn, Chris Quinn, Kasib Powell, Dorell Wright

Unrestricted Free Agents: Earl Barron, Ricky Davis, Shawn Marion, Alonzo Mourning, Jason Williams

2009 Playoff Chances: Pretty Good

What's Next?

Hard to believe that a team that won a championship two years ago is now lottery bound.

The Heat were so bad that they matched the record of their expansion season in 1988.

Good news is that they should have a healthy Dwyane Wade, and they are certain to end up with a top three pick in the upcoming draft.

They also need to re-sign Shawn Marion—who has said he wants to stay with Miami next season.

Coaching wise, we don't know if Pat Riley will return next season—but if Miami were to draft Michael Beasley or Derrick Rose then it would probably be hard for him not to return.

Milwaukee Bucks (26-56)

Unrestricted Free Agents: Awvee Storey

Restricted Free Agents: Royal Ivey, Michael Ruffin, Jake Voskuhl

2009 Playoffs Chances: Not Good

What's Next?

The Bucks didn't hesitate to make their first move when they fired Larry Krystkowiak as their head coach on Thursday.

Just like Chicago, Milwaukee is also eyeing Rick Carlisle as their next head coach.

Milwaukee's defense gave up 103 PPG, so that's one issue they must improve on next season.

Their young rookie Yi Jianlian had a solid season, but his production began to slack near the end of the season.

Good news is Milwaukee will end up with another top 10 pick, and hopefully that can be a positive for the Bucks next season.

New Jersey Nets (34-48)

Restricted Free Agents: Nenad Kristic

Unrestricted Free Agents: Darrell, Armstrong, Stromile Swift, DeSagana Diop, Bostjan Nachbar

2009 Playoff Chances: Good

What's Next?

As you know New Jersey shipped Jason Kidd to Dallas, and Devin Harris is now their point guard of the future.

One thing New Jersey has been missing since the departure of Kenyon Martin is a real low-post presence and rebounder, so that's one area they definitely need to improve on before next season.

They also need to re-sign Nenad Kristic, despite him not having a good season this year.

Head coach Lawrence Frank seems to be coming back for another season—but if New Jersey has another lackluster season he could be in the hot seat this time next year.

New Jersey's playoff chances are good in the Eastern Conference, but they must play better than did this season.

New York Knicks (23-59)

Restricted Free Agents: Randolph Morris

Unrestricted Free Agents: Fred Jones, Stephon Marbury

2009 Playoffs Chances: Yeah Right

What's Next?

New York has so many problems it's hard to know where to start from.

The Knicks already made the move we all saw coming, when they fired Isiah Thomas as their head coach Friday.

But new GM Donnie Walsh has said Thomas will still have a job within the organization.

There was no type of leadership in the locker room for the Knicks, and unless that changes the Knicks will be in for another long season.

They also need to re-sign Stephon Marbury—who was all but happy this season in New York.

It's also a possibility that Zach Randolph will be traded from the team during the offseason.

Coaching wise, who knows who will be the Knicks next head coach.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Golden State Warriors (48-34)

Restricted Free Agents: Kelenna Azubuike, Monta Ellis, Andris Biedrens, C.J. Watson

Unrestricted Free Agents: Matt Barnes, Austin Croshere, Baron Davis, Patrick O'Bryant, Mickael Pietrus

2009 Playoffs Chances: Excellent

What's Next?

As you can see above, the Warriors have a few key guys that they need to re-sign before next season.

Considering that Baron Davis was the team's leading scorer, he probably would be first on the list.

Good news is that no one could pick up Davis's contract without any kind of movement, and not to mention trouble.

They also need to re-sign Monta Ellis, who was their second leading scorer and a restricted free agent.

If you would have told me that Golden State would win 48 games and not make the playoffs, I would have laughed.

Also, Don Nelson has been silent on whether he will return as head coach next season.

We'll just have to wait until he returns from his vacation in Maui before we know for sure if he's coming back.

Nelson and Davis didn't quite see eye-to-eye in Golden State's most important game of the season.

But these guys will more than likely be back in Golden State next season, because GM Chris Mullin has already said he expects Nelson, Davis, Ellis and Andris Biedrens to return.

For next season, the Warriors could use a good shot blocker down low.

The Warriors won 48 games, and are still lottery bound. Is that crazy or what?

Los Angeles Clippers (23-59)

Restricted Free Agents: Paul Davis, Nick Fazekas, Shaun Livingston, Marcus Williams

Unrestricted Free Agents: Elton Brand, Dan Dickau, Corey Maggette, Smush Parker, Quinton Ross

2009 Playoff Chances: Not Good

What's Next?

The Clippers were just in the playoffs two years ago, and now that seems like ancient history.

Their season was pretty much shot when Elton Brand went down with in August with a ruptured left Achilles' tendon.

First role of business for the Clippers are giving new deals to both Elton Brand and Corey Maggette.

They already have rookie Al Thornton, who can potentially be a solid building block for that franchise.

Coaching wise, Mike Dunleavy has done a pretty decent job and will more than likely return to the team.

Some good news is that the Clippers will probably end up with a top five pick, and some experts have projected L.A. picking Arizona's Jarryd Bayless.

Memphis Grizzlies (22-60)

Restricted Free Agents: Andre Brown, Juan Carlos Navarro

Unrestricted Free Agents: Kwame Brown, Casey Jacobson

2009 Playoffs Chances: Weak

What's Next?

Memphis made one of the most dumbest trades in NBA history, when they traded Pau Gasol and only got Kwame Brown and Javaris Crittenton in return.

They were easily one of this season's laughing stocks in the NBA, and they have a lot of work to do.

Good news is that they still have Rudy Gay, who had a stellar season.

They also have two talented young point guards in Mike Conley and Kyle Lowry.

Their rookie Juan Carlos Navarro had a good rookie season, and they will need to re-sign him during the offseason.

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