Every NBA Team's Most Pressing Priority This Offseason
What does your favorite NBA team need?
An upgrade up front? Improvement at the point? A new coach to guide the players, perhaps?
Chances are that the front office already has a good idea of what it wants or needs to do in order to advance the championship plan. Most (if not all) organizations begin sketching out their summer plans months in advance.
This year is no exception. If anything, a star-studded 2015 free-agent class and the implications of a looming salary-cap explosion in 2016 could make the coming offseason particularly pivotal for everyone involved. As a result, general managers should already be ruminating on all the possibilities with three weeks of regular-season basketball still to be played.
It's time to get up to speed with what those GMs might be thinking right about now. With that in mind, here's a rundown of each club's top priority for the summer, with teams listed in alphabetical order.
Atlanta Hawks: Sort out Forward Spots
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Continuity has been paramount to the Atlanta Hawks' success this season. Their starting five—with Al Horford rejoining Paul Millsap, DeMarre Carroll, Kyle Korver and Jeff Teague—has blossomed in Year 2 under head coach Mike Budenholzer, outscoring opponents by nearly eight points per 100 possessions and gleaning 73.5 percent of its baskets from assists, per NBA.com.
But the forces of free agency could tear that group apart, particularly up front. Millsap and Carroll will both be seeking new deals this summer. Carroll, 28, can expect a significant raise after posting career highs across the board as a full-time starter in Atlanta on a bargain-basement deal (two years, $5 million).
Millsap's situation could be even trickier, at least from a purely financial perspective. The two-year, $19 million pact he signed back in 2013 seemed a steal then and looks like an even bigger one now. He's expanded his repertoire to include both three-pointers (36.4 percent shooting on 2.9 long-range attempts per game) and All-Star Game appearances (two).
Neither Millsap nor Carroll is likely to come cheaply this time around, not after settling for such modest paydays two offseasons ago. The Hawks will have more than enough cap space to re-sign their starting forwards; they have about $39 million in guaranteed salary on the books for 2015-16, per Basketball Insiders.
However, if the Hawks haven't found new owners by then, and if those new owners haven't picked out a replacement for Danny Ferry in the front office, it might be difficult for Atlanta to keep its key free agents, much less dip into the market for quality replacements.
Boston Celtics: Chart a Course for the Future
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On paper, the Boston Celtics could have as many as five first-round picks in the 2015 NBA draft. In reality, though, Boston is likely to receive only one of the four to which it has claim beyond its own (i.e., the Los Angeles Clippers' spot, in exchange for Doc Rivers' services).
The Celtics' picks from Minnesota and Philadelphia are top-12 and top-14 protected, respectively. The one the Mavericks sent over in the Rajon Rondo trade won't leave Texas this year unless Dallas somehow stumbles out of the playoff picture.
Still, between two first-rounders, two second-rounders (one from Washington, another from Philly) and a host of young players and movable contracts, "Trade" Danny Ainge won't be short on ammunition with which to steer his squad's rebuild in one direction or another. The Celtics figure to try their hand at free agency, especially if Kevin Love winds up on the open market, but they've seldom had luck luring big names to Beantown that way.
Instead, look for Ainge to live up to his nickname by wheeling and dealing, particular on draft day, as he continues his search for a star who can restore Celtics pride.
Brooklyn Nets: What About the Bigs?
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There's about a snowball's chance in the Caribbean of the Brooklyn Nets being able to offload Joe Johnson or Deron Williams between now and next season, due to their onerous salaries and declining skills.
The bigger concern for the Nets comes up front, where Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young could both be gone. Lopez has a $16.7 million player option for 2015-16, while Young can terminate his contract before his $10.2 million for next season kicks in.
It's entirely possible (if not highly likely) that both will be back in Brooklyn. Lopez's foot problems could hamper his value in a free-agent class crowded with quality bigs. Like so many of their peers, both players stand to cash in come 2016, when every player on the market is bound to benefit from the coming deluge of national TV money.
Frankly, the Nets could find themselves in a bad way should those two take off. Even if those bigs leave, Brooklyn won't have much in the way of cap space with which to pursue capable replacements, what with nearly $59 million in salary obligations already locked in for the fall.
And it's not as though the Nets, whose first-round pick is all but gone to Atlanta by way of a pick swap, will have much of an opportunity to add to their team through the draft.
Charlotte Hornets: Big Al, Bigger Decision
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The Charlotte Hornets are probably hoping that Al Jefferson, like so many other NBA big-timers with upcoming options, decides to put off a return to free agency for at least one more year. He will have a $13.5 million option for 2015-16 at his disposal once this season is through.
Then again, it may behoove Big Al to lock in a modicum of long-term security while he can. He turned 30 this past January, but his injury-riddled body reads much older than that. And as great as Jefferson was in Year 1 in Charlotte, his production has slipped in Year 2.
| Mins | PPG | FGA | FG% | FTA | RPG | APG | |
| Year 1 | 35 | 21.8 | 18.8 | .509 | 3.8 | 10.8 | 2.1 |
| Year 2 | 31.3 | 17.2 | 16 | .482 | 2.6 | 8.7 | 1.7 |
Both scenarios carry considerable risk for Jefferson, along with key implications for the Hornets. If he stays, Charlotte will still have an offensive fulcrum to build around but may not have the financial flexibility to attract another player who is capable of taking the team to the next level. If Big Al leaves, though, the Hornets will almost certainly have to overpay to bring in anyone of note—and not likely anyone of Jefferson's caliber.
Chicago Bulls: Time's Up for Thibs?
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There have long been rumblings of discord between the Chicago Bulls front office and head coach Tom Thibodeau. According to ESPN's Marc Stein, many around the NBA think the Bulls are already eyeing Iowa State's Fred Hoiberg to be Thibs' replacement if team and coach do, indeed, separate this summer.
Thibodeau, for his part, hasn't said much publicly to suggest that he wants out. "I’m happy right where I am," he said when asked if he'd be interested in a dual coach/management role somewhere, according to the Chicago Sun-Times' Joe Cowley.
But Chicago's front office hasn't exactly made things easy for Thibs. From letting go of beloved assistant Ron Adams and trading away Luol Deng to mishandling Derrick Rose's initial knee injury and imposing minutes restrictions on Joakim Noah, the higher-ups seem to have left Thibodeau with more than a few bills to foot that weren't of his own choosing.
Hence, it would come as no surprise if the Bulls bid farewell to the coach with the 14th-best winning percentage in NBA history this summer, especially if Thibs can't guide his injury-riddled squad into the Eastern Conference Finals.
If the Bulls do make a change, though, they better be sure of his successor and whether that person is fit for the pressure cooker in Chicago.
Cleveland Cavaliers: What's (Kevin) Love Got to Do with It?
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Kevin Love has made it clear that he plans to be with the Cleveland Cavaliers next season, presumably by opting into the final year of his current deal.
"I plan on being a Cavalier either way," Love said during a recent appearance on The Dan Patrick Show, referring to the impact Cleveland's title chances may (or may not) have on his decision this summer, via Northeast Ohio Media Group's Joe Vardon.
On the other hand, Love still seems reticent about buying into the family atmosphere that LeBron James has tried to cultivate in Cleveland.
"You know, we're not best friends, we're not hanging out every day, but we see each other every day, whether we're at the practice facility, whether we're on the road or going to a game," Love revealed in a separate interview with ESPN's Mike & Mike (via Vardon). "I think our relationship is also evolving. I could say the same with each and every coach, Coach Blatt, and each and every player on the team. But, that's part of the NBA."
You know what else is part of the NBA? Minds changing, particularly with regard to free agency. Love's certainly could this summer, with some of the league's marquee franchises—the Lakers and Celtics included—itching to splash most of their free cash in his general direction.
Chances are, though, that Love will spend at least one more season in Cleveland, with or without a title this spring, before cashing in with everyone else when the cap skyrockets in 2016.
Dallas Mavericks: Starting over with the Starters
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Dallas Mavericks general manager Donnie Nelson has done well to assemble a star-studded starting five since team owner Mark Cuban decided it was best to disband the 2011 championship team, in light of the more restrictive environment sparked by the new collective bargaining agreement at the time. Since the summer of 2013, the Mavs have used trades (Tyson Chandler, Rajon Rondo) and free agency (Monta Ellis, Chandler Parsons) to surround Dirk Nowitzki with high-quality talent to give the giant German another shot at competing for a title.
Much of that hard work could turn out to be for naught, depending on how things play out this summer. Chandler and Rondo will be free agents once 2014-15 is through, and Ellis could be if he declines his $8.72 million player option for next season.
What those three end up doing is anyone's guess at this point. Chandler seems comfortable in his return to Big D and is considered the team's emotional leader.
Rondo got off to a rocky start but appears to be on better terms with Rick Carlisle and company nowadays. Whether that's enough to make the Mavs feel better about ponying up to retain Rondo's services after the season is another story.
Right now, Ellis looks like the Mavs' biggest question mark. Dallas' go-to guy has been slumping since the start of February, hitting just 38.5 percent of his shots over that span—up until his 38-point explosion against the San Antonio Spurs Tuesday night.
More troubling, though, is the tension bubbling beneath the surface between Ellis and the Mavs, as ESPN Dallas' Tim McMahon wrote:
"Regardless of whether anyone will admit it on the record, Ellis is a big part of that problem. Folks in the Mavs organization have been fretting for weeks about the impact Ellis’ moodiness has on the team’s soul.
That, of course, isn’t a first for Ellis. He had trouble getting along with teammates during his tenure with the Golden State Warriors, who never won anything of note with Ellis as the go-to guy and made an addition-by-subtraction deal by shipping him off. The same was true with the Milwaukee Bucks.
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Ellis, at his age (29) and with his skill set, may have a tough time finding more money elsewhere. So, too, might the Mavs struggle to lure another shot-maker to Texas if Monta leaves.
But the fit is what it is, and if that doesn't change, both parties may be better off parting ways, rather than giving this time bomb more time (and money) to tick away.
Denver Nuggets: Hunting for a Head Coach
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The Melvin Hunt era is off to a solid, if unspectacular, start for the Denver Nuggets. The team went 7-5 in Hunt's first 12 games, after losing 19 of the last 21 it played before Brian Shaw got the ax.
"As an organization, we have all been impressed with the job Melvin has done thus far," general manager Tim Connelly told The Denver Post's Benjamin Hochman. "When the season concludes, he will be one of the candidates as we begin an exhaustive search to find a head coach."
That process could include a host of notable names, from Denver native Chauncey Billups to one-time Nuggets head man Mike D'Antoni.
Whoever else Connelly and team president Josh Kroenke add to their short list will have to compete with a quality, well-respected incumbent in Hunt, who has 11 more games to prove that he's the best man for the job long-term before the shadows of other candidates come creeping in over the Rocky Mountains.
Detroit Pistons: Yes or No, Greg Monroe?
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Once Greg Monroe rejected a multiyear deal from the Detroit Pistons in favor of a one-year qualifying offer, the thinking was that the Georgetown product would leave the Motor City at season's end.
Monroe's departure, though, may not be a foregone conclusion after all. His agent, David Falk, recently insisted that his client will consider the Pistons, who can offer the productive power forward a longer and more lucrative deal than anyone else, when the time comes.
Falk explained to MLive's David Mayo:
"It's a question of what the intangibles are. Where do you want to live? Who do you want to play with? Is there a coach you want to play for? Do you want to be a star of a rebuilding team, or do you want to be a complement player on a championship team? So it's all intangible. So when the season's over, and he has time to unwind, we'll sit down and discuss what his priorities are, and try to make a short list of teams.
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Detroit will have its own options to consider, as well. The Pistons could make a play for Draymond Green, a Michigan State product and Saginaw native, with a chunk of their ample cap space.
"When you're talking about a tough guy who can also shoot the ball, there's your ideal," head coach and team president Stan Van Gundy said in praise of Green, via the San Jose Mercury News' Jimmy Durkin.
But Green doesn't figure to go anywhere; he'll be a restricted free agent for whom the Golden State Warriors seem likely to match any and all offer sheets.
The Pistons, then, will have to play their hand carefully when parsing out their situation at power forward. They could pursue both player and just as easily wind up with neither—all while balancing their books with Reggie Jackson's future in mind, no less.
Golden State Warriors: Everybody Loves Draymond
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As mentioned in the prior slide, the Golden State Warriors seem likely to keep Draymond Green, a restricted free agent, at whatever cost. Mychal Thompson, the Lakers' broadcaster and father of Klay Thompson, has heard as much from people inside the organization, according to Bay Area News Group's Diamond Leung.
Green, for his part, isn't talking about it...yet. "No. We’re trying to win a championship," Green said, when asked if he'd thought about free agency, as documented by the New York Post's Marc Berman. "I’d be doing myself a disservice trying to worry about next year. It’s a fun time. One of the true fun times of my life.”
The Warriors, on the other hand, probably won't have much fun footing the bill. Golden State will have to dip deep into the league's luxury tax if it's to retain Green without cutting costs elsewhere on the roster.
The team's higher-ups aren't pleased with that prospect, but they seem resigned to the inevitability of it. "Committed or not committed, I don’t think we have any other choice," owner Joe Lacob told the San Jose Mercury News' Tim Kawakami. "Numbers would dictate—anyone can look at them—that we’re very likely in the luxury tax and very likely very substantially, next year.
"And you know what? We’re OK with that. I tell Bob all the time; he keeps asking me, ‘Are you sure?’ We’re prepared to do whatever it takes to win a championship; I’ve said that before."
As such, if Lacob is true to his word, Green will be rolling in plenty of, well, green, while the Warriors dip into the red, if only until David Lee's contract expires and the cap skyrockets in 2016.
Houston Rockets: More Help for Harden (and Howard)
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Last summer, the Houston Rockets swung for the fences in free agency but whiffed on Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh—not to mention Chandler Parsons, who took his talents to Dallas.
This time, Houston will return to market with only marginal wiggle room under the cap, if that. Patrick Beverley and K.J. McDaniels, both restricted free agents, could combine to gobble up that semblance of flexibility. And if the Rockets wish to retain Corey Brewer and Josh Smith, who were acquired during the season, they'll likely have to dip into the luxury tax.
Fortunately, the Rockets have a formidable foundation to build on, with James Harden and Dwight Howard at the fore. But Howard's health and productivity have tailed off considerably in recent seasons. At 29, he can expect a downhill slide from here, steep or otherwise. And with a player option looming in 2016-17, Howard's days in Space City could be numbered.
It's imperative, then, that the Rockets do what they can to maximize the time they have with their superstar duo. Running it back may well be enough, even more so in light of all the changes general manager Daryl Morey has made since the start of 2014-15.
That is, if Howard can stay healthy.
Indiana Pacers: Like Old Times?
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The Indiana Pacers may have an opportunity to get the proverbial band back together this summer.
Paul George and George Hill will be healthy. Lance Stephenson figures to be available via trade. Roy Hibbert and David West are under contract for one more year.
If they want to be, that is. Hibbert and West both have player options for 2015-16, and they may choose different paths. Hibbert, 28, still has some prime years left and, as a result, may want to put off free agency until 2016, when he can snatch up some of that sweet national TV money. West, on the other hand, will turn 35 in August and could prefer locking up a multiyear deal now to taking his chances next summer.
And, well, there's no guarantee that the Pacers will be charitable enough to extend a life raft Stephenson's way. As well as Indy fared with this starting five, it couldn't quite fight its way out of the Eastern Conference.
Which, as it happens, may give Larry Bird reason not to fret long-term if Hibbert and West decide to take their talents elsewhere.
Los Angeles Clippers: Pay DeAndre
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Whether or not you believe that DeAndre Jordan should be the Defensive Player of the Year, there's no denying his value to the Los Angeles Clippers.
He's their defensive anchor, paint-patroller, glass-cleaner, best screen-setter and most spectacular lob catcher-and-finisher—no offense to Blake Griffin. And, as Jordan demonstrated during Griffin's recent absence, he's just as important to L.A.'s fortunes as any other member of the team's Big Three.
Unlike Griffin and Chris Paul, Jordan will be a free agent this summer. Like those two, Jordan figures to draw a salary in the $20 million range during the 2015-16 season. The only question is whose bank account he'll be drawing those beaucoup bucks from.
Chances are, they'll come straight from Steve Ballmer's deep pockets. The Clippers know full well what Jordan brings to their team. Moreover, they know that he brings it every night; he's the NBA's current iron man with more than 300 consecutive games played under his belt.
Should Jordan take his talents elsewhere, the Clippers would be left with only marginal cap space with which to chase a replacement and Spencer Hawes as the best in-house option to assume Jordan's spot.
And, no, that's not a good thing, in case anyone was wondering.
Los Angeles Lakers: Balance a Productive Present with a Post-Kobe Future
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In all likelihood, the 2015-16 season will be Kobe Bryant's NBA swan song. As much as the Los Angeles Lakers would probably prefer to send Bryant out on a high note, they're well-aware that, at this point, playing the long game has to take precedence over finding quick fixes.
Heck, even the Black Mamba knows that.
"You always want to set the franchise up for the long term," Bryant told the Los Angeles Daily News' Mark Medina. "Mitch [Kupchak] and I are on the same page. What he said in the interview is not something that we haven’t talked about before. It’s nothing different. You don’t want to compromise the future of the franchise for one season. You try to balance that."
That'll be a tough balance to strike, what with Lakers fans clamoring for their team to pursue any number of high-profile free agents, chief among them Rajon Rondo and (perhaps) Kevin Love. Such veteran additions would help to get L.A. back into the playoff picture while Bryant is still active, but the true future of the franchise will still rely on the contributions of Julius Randle and whichever rookie the Lakers claim with their lottery pick—assuming it doesn't fall outside of the top five and fly to Philly as a result.
Memphis Grizzlies: Make Marc Gasol a Very Rich Man
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All signs point to Marc Gasol spurning offers from around the NBA to re-up with the Memphis Grizzlies. The All-Star Spaniard will be a free agent this summer, but his close ties to the River City, combined with his ability to contend for titles and make the most money right where he is, give the Grizzlies a clear upper hand this summer.
"I don’t know what factors are going to play in my decision, but the factors there is today is that you can’t change the past," Gasol told Sheridan Hoops' Shlomo Sprung. "You can’t change where I’ve been for the majority of my life as an adult. I got to Memphis when I was 16. My family’s been tied to the franchise since the franchise has been in Memphis. You can’t change that."
Nor can the Grizzlies change the fact that Gasol will get to weigh his options, regardless of how strong a suitor Memphis is. To that end, he hasn't so much as considered his career possibilities elsewhere in any great detail just yet, though that figures to change come July.
"We’ll see how it goes going forward, we’ll see what factors play into my decision," Gasol added. "I haven’t put them down, written them down, I haven’t thought about them because there’s no time. It’s just not a process you can go through during the season."
Which means that the Grizzlies will have to sweat it out until their championship chase is done, and the free-agent rat race can begin in earnest.
Miami Heat: Don't Get Burned by the Dragon
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Apparently, Dwyane Wade isn't convinced that a starting five featuring him, Chris Bosh, Luol Deng, Hassan Whiteside and Goran Dragic will be enough to put the Miami Heat back on top.
"That five is pretty good, if everyone’s healthy, but you need a little bit more than that," Wade told The Palm Beach Post's Jason Lieser. "I feel that it gives us a better opportunity than we had coming into this season, then you continue to add certain pieces if you can. If we come back next season healthy and everybody’s going, we still need to add a few pieces. We could be pretty good."
Surely, Wade doesn't think the Heat would be better off letting Dragic walk. Dragic seems all but certain to turn down his $7.5 million player option for 2015-16 and pursue a new contract that approaches $20 million per year.
The Slovenian sensation has played well enough through his first month-plus in Miami (16.7 points, 5.5 assists, 1.6 steals, 52.7 percent shooting) to merit big money. Another campaign on South Beach, complete with a full offseason and training camp, should help to unleash the Dragon on the rest of the league to an even greater degree.
As it stands, Dragic appears to finding his way with the Heat just fine.
"I think he fits with what we want to build and what we want to do in the future," Wade went on. "Personality-wise, I think he fits. I believe so, but that’s not my call. But I know the front office did a great job doing their homework before they made the move, and they wouldn’t have made it if they didn’t think he was a long-term fit for us. I think we all like him."
They can only hope he'll feel the same way about them come July.
Milwaukee Bucks: Bring Back Khris Middleton
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The Milwaukee Bucks are at a point right now where they don't need to make a big splash in free agency in order to reach the next level. Their core players are so young and talented that the Bucks should improve simply by virtue of guys like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Michael Carter-Williams, John Henson and Khris Middleton growing and maturing.
Of those key constituents, only Middleton will be up for a new contract in July. The 23-year-old South Carolina native has gone from trade afterthought to bona fide two-way cog in Milwaukee. Since the All-Star break, Middleton has averaged 18.1 points and 3.4 assists while knocking down an astounding 45.6 percent of his threes.
He's had some clutch moments this season too, including a buzzer-beating three-pointer to complete Milwaukee's double-digit comeback against Miami on Tuesday.
Despite his eye-popping development and the payday that's likely to precipitate, Middleton insists he's not thinking beyond this season. "I just want to wait until the season’s over—focus on basketball and making the playoffs," Middleton told Grantland's Zach Lowe. "Everything else will figure itself out."
The Bucks can do more than hope things sort themselves out in their favor; Milwaukee will have matching rights with Middleton, a restricted free agent.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Bring Back the Big Ticket
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The Minnesota Timberwolves didn't bring Kevin Garnett back to town at the trade deadline to serve merely as some second-half novelty rental. According to the Pioneer Press' Charley Winters, the T-Wolves intend to re-sign Garnett to a two-year deal this summer.
That may seem a silly idea, given Garnett's age (38) and declining physical state (he's played in just five of Minnesota's games since the All-Star break due to a knee injury). But the T-Wolves wouldn't have sent Thaddeus Young to Brooklyn if they didn't have bigger plans for Garnett beyond what meager contributions his body would allow.
Future ownership aside, Garnett is expected to serve as a mentor of sorts to Minnesota's many youngsters.
"There’s no question that for young players or anybody, even veterans, coming in to see his preparation, his passion, his energy," head coach Flip Saunders said in praise of Garnett, via Bleacher Report. "You think, here’s a guy with 20 years in the league, he’s 37. How he could bring that same energy every night and that same focus is pretty phenomenal."
Two months isn't quite enough time to impart those and other lessons to Garnett's new teammates. But two years? That should afford KG plenty of time to teach the T-Wolves how to win again.
New Orleans Pelicans: Keep Anthony Davis Happy
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There's no denying that the New Orleans Pelicans will have to reshuffle their roster this summer in some capacity to ensure that Anthony Davis won't have to scratch and claw just to get into the playoffs.
Beyond Omer Asik's impending free agency, the Pelicans may want to consider whether putting three ball-dominant guard/wing types around Davis (e.g., Jrue Holiday, Tyreke Evans and Eric Gordon) actually makes sense for this squad. As ESPN Insider Tom Haberstroh explained, Davis has been particularly potent in the clutch—a time when having an abundance of good guards might otherwise be of vital importance: "Simply put, Davis has been at his best when it matters most and no one comes close. His box score numbers were already crazy good, but the timing of those stats make his case even more convincing."
None of those concerns registers so much as a blip on New Orleans' offseason radar ahead of Davis' own contract situation. He figures to be eligible for an extension with all the bells and whistles, including a fifth year and a salary that equates to 30 percent of his team's cap.
But according to NBA.com's David Aldridge, Davis' camp isn't yet sure how it will approach its prized client's contract negotiations.
Thus, the more the Pelicans can do to bolster their roster around Davis, the more likely it is that he'll sign on the dotted line without hesitation.
New York Knicks: To Pick or Not to Pick? That Is the Selection
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There is no asset more valuable in the NBA (or any sport, for that matter) than the No. 1 pick in the draft. The New York Knicks, by virtue of owning the league's worst record, may well wind up with said most valuable asset in 2015.
For them, the question of what to do with it goes beyond merely deciding on a collegian to spend it on, wrote Bleacher Report's Howard Beck:
"...under the circumstances, the Knicks would be wise to at least gauge the value of their pick—likely to be in the top three—and ascertain what they might get in return.
In part, because they need to maximize [Carmelo] Anthony's remaining years. In part, because the draft is a crapshoot, and the top prospects are all college freshmen who will not become NBA stars for at least two to three years, if they become stars at all.
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That logic is sound, but as Grantland's Jason Concepcion opined, it ignores—and plays right into—a pattern of behavior that has put the franchise in its longtime predicament:
"The Knicks should be thinking bigger than the confines of their five-year deal with a 30-year-old scorer who held off on knee surgery so he could play in the All-Star Game. Trading their pick to build around Melo wouldn’t be quite the same order of magnitude as forgoing the Ewing pick to focus on Bernard King would’ve been, but the logic is exactly the same.
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However the Knicks proceed with their pick, wherever it lands and which prospect is available to them will likely dictate how Phil Jackson and friends go about restocking the roster that will see a healthy Carmelo Anthony return in the fall.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Run It Back
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There won't be a whole lot the Oklahoma City Thunder can do this summer to improve their team without giving up something of significance in return. Their first-round pick belongs to Philly, and they're already due to exceed the salary cap considerably.
Then again, the Thunder don't need much in the way of a shake-up. They've upgraded their supporting cast considerably this season by bringing aboard D.J. Augustin, Dion Waiters, Enes Kanter and Steve Novak via trade. Keeping Kanter, a restricted free agent, will be costly, but letting him go could be even more so.
Not because Kanter is so great, but rather because the Thunder can't bring in a proper replacement. OKC will need all healthy hands on deck in 2015-16 to convince Kevin Durant that the Sooner State is the best place for him over the long haul.
And, indeed, the Thunder have shown, more in deed than in word, that they're concerned about Durant's future with them, as Grantland's Zach Lowe wrote:
"...don’t let the false bravado fool you. They know Durant leaving is in play. They know the cap landscape. They were the loudest non-Philly voice against lottery reform, whipping up a frenzy of small-market panic. They traded future first-round picks for Dion Waiters and Enes Kanter in separate deals, and though those players are young and the picks protected, those are the sort of win-now moves the Thunder hadn’t engaged in until this season. They are the mark of a team that knows time is precious—that failure today carries a scary downside that is no longer so far in the distance.
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This team, when healthy, should have more than enough to win the West, compete for a championship and prove to Durant that he won't find a better situation outside of OKC. Unfortunately for the Thunder, good health has been fleeting for their core in recent years, though it's on management to demonstrate that they've done all they can to keep KD's team in contention, injury bug be damned.
Orlando Magic: Should He Stay or Should He Borrego?
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Talent-wise, the Orlando Magic of today aren't the Showtime Lakers or anything, but they do have enough quality constituents to return to the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.
The question is, who will guide them back to the postseason from the sideline? Will it be James Borrego, the interim coach under whom Orlando lost 13 of its first 20 games? Will it be a well-known coach with a proven pedigree, like, say, Mike D'Antoni or Mike Malone?
Whoever the choice is and whatever his preferred style of play may be will likely factor into GM Rob Hennigan's plans for June's draft and the free-agent frenzy of July thereafter.
Philadelphia 76ers: Cash in Some Chips
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The Philadelphia 76ers could have as many as four first-rounders and six second-rounders in the 2015 NBA draft. Chances are, they won't wind up with that many, but they could, if OKC makes the playoffs with one of the league's top 12 records and the lottery balls bounce against the Lakers.
Either way, the Sixers aren't likely to spend all of those selections for themselves. Philly has five players with guaranteed contracts for next season (Nerlens Noel, Joel Embiid, Tony Wroten, Jerami Grant and Furkan Aldemir), with a slew of others signed to ridiculously reasonable non-guaranteed deals.
Beyond mere logistics, it'll be about dang time the Sixers shifted gears toward some semblance of improvement—if not for the sake of their fans, then for the guys who've had to endure Sam Hinkie's grand experiment firsthand.
By no means does this mean the Sixers should go into the offseason looking to fashion a legitimate playoff threat on the fly. But this franchise runs the risk of turning into a total quagmire stuck with a toxic culture if it doesn't start showing signs of life soon.
Phoenix Suns: Bring Back Brandon Knight
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In his latest column for Grantland, Zach Lowe pointed out the steep cost the Phoenix Suns paid to bring in Brandon Knight at the trade deadline:
"The Suns took in three future first-rounders, but the one they sent out for Knight is among the most valuable trade assets in the league: a protected first-round pick from the Lakers, via the Nash trade, that is mostly likely to fall in the lottery next season. Most rival executives say they would rather have that single pick plus [Isaiah] Thomas over the package of players and picks that Phoenix snagged at the deadline.
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Apparently, Ryan McDonough isn't "most rival executives." Rather than stand pat with the assets he nabbed from the Heat for Goran Dragic and proceed with Thomas as his team's second point guard, McDonough dealt that juicy Lakers pick to Philadelphia in a three-team deal that brought Knight to Phoenix.
Now that the Suns have sunk so much into Knight, they'd better make sure the acquisition was worth their while. He will be a free agent come July, but his restricted status should allow Phoenix to retain him with ease.
The operative word is "should." Last summer, the Suns ran into a similar predicament with Eric Bledsoe, who they snagged from the Clippers in the summer of 2013.
From the start, Phoenix made clear its intentions of matching any and all offers for Bledsoe. The young point guard rejected the Suns' early offers, which left the two sides stuck in an uncomfortable standoff for most of the summer. Bledsoe seemed like he was about to sign a one-year qualifying offer, but Phoenix ultimately caved and gave him a five-year deal worth $70 million.
Only time will tell if the Suns learned from that fiasco. The impending salary-cap bonanza, though, might be enough to loosen Phoenix's purse strings, assuming the team thinks Knight is worth the added investment.
Portland Trail Blazers: Aldridge in the Family
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The Portland Trail Blazers have a number of key items to address on their summer agenda. Damian Lillard will be eligible for a lucrative extension. Robin Lopez will be out of contract, and the Blazers will have to figure out what to do about Wesley Matthews, whose time as a top-tier shooting guard could be over after suffering a tear in his Achilles tendon.
But all of those concerns pale in comparison to Portland's upcoming campaign to convince LaMarcus Aldridge to spend the rest of his prime in Rip City.
"It’s probably being paranoid, I think just about everyone expects him to stay (with the Blazers), but they’re very, very scared to lose him," a league executive told the Sporting News' Sean Deveney in February, prior to the trade deadline. "They’ve been reluctant to do anything with the roster as it stands because they want to stay in position to bring him back. For smaller markets, you’re always afraid of losing the stars you drafted and groomed."
In all likelihood, Aldridge will re-up with the Blazers in July. They can offer him a longer, more lucrative contract than he'll find anywhere else. The fact that the team has grown into a long-term contender out West, with Lillard now a two-time All-Star, has to help Portland's case as well.
Still, the Blazers won't rest easy until they've secured Aldridge's signature, after watching their rivals around the league win and dine their franchise cornerstone.
Sacramento Kings: Build Around Boogie
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The Sacramento Kings have been trying (and failing) to fashion a formidable team around DeMarcus Cousins for several years now. To some extent, that process will be much the same this summer as it has been in the past.
For one, there's the need to strengthen the bond between Cousins and his coach. George Karl, to his credit, seems to have taken that task to heart since taking over for Tyrone Corbin after the All-Star break.
"I've had some really good, serious talks about him," Karl told NBA.com's David Aldridge. "I think it's hard, because of the skepticism of his agent and all that. It's a process right now. I'm not saying the trust is with capital letters yet. But I think it's on the page. That's all I can ask for."
As far as the rest of the roster is concerned, there's plenty Karl could ask for to accommodate both Boogie's talents and his own preferred style of play. A power forward with some shooting range would make sense, as much for easing the spatial restrictions of Cousins' post-ups as for knocking down quick looks in transition. By the looks of things, Karl doesn't think Jason Thompson, who's come off the bench in six of his last eight games, is the right guy for the job.
If Karl continues to utilize Rudy Gay as the nominal power forward, Sacramento could target another wing to bolster a young, thin group manning the 2s and 3s in California's capital.
However Karl and GM Pete D'Alessandro decide to spend the Kings' cap space—potentially eight figures' worth if the team doesn't retain Derrick Williams—you can bet they'll do so with Cousins' welfare in mind.
San Antonio Spurs: Brace for the Future
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The sun may soon be setting on the San Antonio Spurs as we've come to know them. Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili will both be free agents at season's end and could very well opt for retirement instead of renewal. Danny Green will be in search of a new deal of his own.
If those three depart, the Spurs will have to scramble for fill-ins, with big-name free agents like Marc Gasol and LaMarcus Aldridge atop their list. If the core of this club sticks together, general manager R.C. Buford can breathe a temporary sigh of relief before hammering out a lucrative contract for Kawhi Leonard, who turned down an extension last fall and, as a result, will be a restricted free agent this summer.
Either way, Leonard is the future of the franchise, so keeping him happy has to be high on the Spurs' to-do list. As Grantland's Kirk Goldsberry wrote:
"With Leonard on the floor this year, the Spurs are 35-16 (that would be the fourth-best winning percentage in the league), but they are only 9-9 without him. In March 2015, just three and a half years after his NBA debut, Leonard might be the most important player on a team that features three surefire Hall of Famers.
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That may be true, but even the Leonard-led Spurs would be hard-pressed to contend beyond this season if Duncan and Ginobili depart without proper replacements.
Toronto Raptors: Fix the Frontcourt
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The Toronto Raptors have clearly become a guard-oriented squad. With the All-Star backcourt of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan leading the way, the Raptors don't need anything fancy from their frontcourt to be a factor in the Eastern Conference.
That being said, if Toronto is going to make the leap from "nice playoff team" to "bona fide title contender," it'll need more substantial contributions from the other three spots.
Jonas Valanciunas has been slow to develop into the reliable center the Raptors had hoped he'd be, though that may have something to do with the opportunities carved out for him by head coach Dwane Casey. Amir Johnson is probably better suited to being a scrappy energy guy off the bench rather than a full-blown starter on an elite team. Either way, he could be gone via free agency this summer.
And don't overlook the wing, where Terrence Ross has shuttled between the starting five and the pine due to inconsistent play in his third season.
Toronto could play it safe (i.e., bring back Johnson) and hope that Valanciunas and Ross improve by virtue of their hard work, understanding of the NBA game and sheer youth. But the Raptors have just $49 million in salary commitments for 2015-16, which leaves general manager Masai Ujiri with more than enough cap space to push this project into overdrive with a flashy acquisition (or two) if he so chooses.
Utah Jazz: Get to the Point
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The Warriors and Cavaliers aside, the Utah Jazz have been the NBA's best team since the All-Star Game. Their post-break defense, with Rudy Gobert manning the middle next to Derrick Favors, has been the league's best, per NBA.com. And their offense should improve next season, when Alec Burks returns from shoulder surgery to man the wing next to Gordon Hayward in Salt Lake City.
All told, the Jazz are set to make a major leap next season, but only if their point guard situation enjoys a similar renaissance. Dante Exum, Utah's top pick in 2014, could be the team's floor general of the future, but his age (19) and inefficiency (35.3 percent shooting, 31.6 from three, 19.6 percent turnover rate) at such a demand position portend a steep learning curve.
Trey Burke, who entered the league in 2013, hasn't been much better, be it as a starter or as Exum's backup. As Salt City Hoops' Ben Dowsett detailed, Burke is on track for a historically bad shooting season:
"At this point, there’s basically no question opponents are basing much of their scouting report around funneling Trey into jump-shooting areas and hoping he’ll fire away. Burke’s mixture of volume and inefficiency is approaching somewhat historic levels, and for the wrong reasons. Should his current pace hold, he’d become just the 16th player in league history to play over 2,000 minutes, attempt at least 13 shots per game, and shoot 37 percent or worse from the field.
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Fortunately for the Jazz, they'll have a whole host of options for addressing their deficiencies at the point. If they want to go young and cheap, they can spend their own lottery pick to pluck one from this year's solid incoming class, with Utah's Delon Wright as an intriguing geographical fit. If the Jazz want to skew older and wiser, they can use some of their cap space to lure in a known quantity. Their store of assets is also deep enough at this point to swing a trade for a point guard.
One thing is clear, though: The Jazz will run a serious risk of suffering through a four-year playoff drought for the first time since the pre-John Stockton days if they don't do something to address their most glaring hole—aside from hoping for improvement from Exum and Burke, that is.
Washington Wizards: Evaluate Their Coaching Situation
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Randy Wittman has caught more than his fair share of flak for the job he's done as the Washington Wizards' head coach. He took over a terrible situation from Flip Saunders during the 2011-12 season and has since helped to nurse this troubled franchise back to health.
And the Wizards' failure to improve more than marginally from last season to now isn't entirely on Wittman, though his tactics may not have helped. He didn't shop for the proverbial groceries—that duty was left to general manager Ernie Grunfeld—but his apparent aversion to three-point shooting and playing Marcin Gortat in the fourth quarter haven't made matters any better.
Wittman did well as a steward in D.C., but as Grantland's Andrew Sharp put it back in late February, he may no longer be the right fit for this squad: "He was exactly what the Wizards needed three years ago, but he’s made less and less sense ever since. While other teams have spent big on coaches like Steve Kerr and Stan Van Gundy, Wittman is proof that you get what you pay for."
Which, in the Wizards' case, could be the remainder of Wittman's contract extension, signed last June, if Washington fails to advance in the playoffs and the coach gets canned as a result.
All contract information courtesy of Basketball Insiders.
Josh Martin covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter.
