One Burning Question Every NBA Team Must Answer by End of 2016 Preseason
Nothing is certain at this stage of the NBA calendar.
We think Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson and the Golden State Warriors will run roughshod over the league. Right?
We assume LeBron James will lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to the top of the Eastern Conference. Yes?
We expect Russell Westbrook to put up crazy statistics for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Agreed?
But those are questions, not answers (yet). All teams have questions. Some are more significant than others, but everyone is looking for answers during the preseason.
Atlanta Hawks: Who Is Dennis Schroder?
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The Atlanta Hawks staked their future to Dennis Schroder's development after trading Jeff Teague to the Indiana Pacers. And while he's looked fantastic in short spurts during the early portion of his NBA career, there's no guarantee he can become more than a per-minute stud.
Preseason has been his first opportunity to run the Atlanta offense—one that plays differently with Dwight Howard replacing Al Horford—and his progress will determine how large a role he can fill. During his first two appearances, Schroder displayed a nice command of the offense, seeking out his teammates while limiting his turnovers. But he's still struggling with his shot, and that's the area that must improve most before the results count.
If he struggles, head coach Mike Budenholzer could limit his importance by shifting to a system that shares the ball even more frequently. If he's a limited starter who defenses can exploit, he'll dramatically limit Atlanta's upside.
If he's a burgeoning star who meshes nicely with Howard and Paul Millsap, the Hawks could become sneaky second-place contenders in the Eastern Conference.
Boston Celtics: Who Makes Up the Backcourt Rotation?
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Isaiah Thomas is entrenched as the starting point, and thanks to his dynamic scoring ability, he should compete for an All-Star berth in the Eastern Conference. Avery Bradley will likely join him in the opening lineup, boosting the Boston Celtics' hopes with his growing ability to space the court and excellent stopping power.
But that's where the certainty ends.
Marcus Smart, Demetrius Jackson and Terry Rozier are all capable of running the show as floor generals. Gerald Green, James Young and R.J. Hunter are better suited at the 2, and they'll also be competing for minutes with the aforementioned trio when head coach Brad Stevens calls upon dual-point guard lineups.
Boston isn't just interested in piecing together its depth chart during preseason action. Not all of these eight guards can even make the active roster, and this is a contender that needs the mix to be just right. Right away.
Brooklyn Nets: What Happens Without Brook Lopez?
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The Brooklyn Nets haven't been particularly competitive, even when their best player is on the floor: Through the team's first four preseason contests, the opposition is outscoring it by 1.1 points per 100 possessions when Brook Lopez is playing, per nbawowy.com.
But when he's not, disaster ensues: Brooklyn is on the wrong end of a minus-10.8 net rating.
That isn't tenable; even if he stays perfectly healthy, he's not suiting up for 48 minutes per game.
Lopez is a likely candidate to be traded before the midseason deadline, with Brooklyn looking to parlay its present talent into future pieces who can help aid the painfully long rebuilding process. With precious few draft picks and limited upside already on the roster, biting the bullet and dealing him may be too tempting to pass up after the team falls from playoff contention early in the year.
Life without Lopez, at some point, will become an excruciatingly painful reality.
Charlotte Hornets: How to Incorporate Michael Kidd-Gilchrist?
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As Zach Lowe wrote for ESPN.com before providing some warning signs and predicting the Charlotte Hornets would fall down the offensive-rating leaderboard:
"Charlotte finished a surprising ninth in points per possession last season, and the three key guys it lost -- Al Jefferson, Courtney Lee and Jeremy Lin -- would all appear replaceable. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is back, and the Hornets have always played better with MKG flying around; their projected starting group, switchy and fast, destroyed teams last season in a limited sample.
"
It's indisputable that the Hornets have played better with Michael Kidd-Gilchrist in the lineup. But that doesn't mean incorporating him is easy.
The 23-year-old small forward is still working with a broken jumper that makes it tough for him to help space the floor for Kemba Walker's drives, Nicolas Batum's pick-and-roll action and the interior efforts of the many bigs. Until that changes, it's easy for opponents to game-plan against him, counting on the decreased output to help mitigate the impact of his excellent defense.
Kidd-Gilchrist only played in seven games during 2015-16, limiting his ability to gain chemistry with Batum and the changing games of Walker, Marvin Williams and Cody Zeller. An adjustment period will be necessary before he can consistently help a Hornets squad with big aspirations.
Chicago Bulls: Who's Going to Space the Floor?
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A three-headed monster of Rajon Rondo, Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler is set to take the floor for the Chicago Bulls, and excitement reigns supreme.
But the enthusiasm is reasonably tempered by concerns about the trio's ability to space out the floor, given that none have proved themselves as adept three-point shooters in previous seasons.
Fortunately, the early preseason results have begun to nullify those concerns.
Wade has knocked down five of his first seven attempts over the course of three appearances. Butler has connected on his only try. And while Rondo hasn't found any success, his teammates have picked up the slack, with Tony Snell (3-of-8) and Doug McDermott (4-of-12) doing their darnedest to exhibit gravitational pulls.
These are small samples, and it's too soon to tell whether the results are sustainable. But good signs are better than none at all.
Cleveland Cavaliers: How Much Time Does J.R. Smith Need?
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Set to defend their come-from-behind title and retaining nearly all major pieces, the Cleveland Cavaliers should coast through the exhibition season—and the actual games, for that matter, since earning the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference is a relative cakewalk. They can test out novel schemes and incorporate their new role players, but LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson already know what they're doing.
The bigger question revolves around one (previously) missing piece.
J.R. Smith has finally come to terms on a new contract, signing for four years and $57 million, per ESPN.com's Marc Stein. It took a lengthy negotiation process, including him declining a three-year deal (with an option for a fourth season) worth a guaranteed $42 million, per ESPN.com's Dave McMenamin. Even James commented on the matter.
"Negotiations are always two-sides, but J.R. did his part," the four-time MVP told McMenamin. "J.R. did his part. He showed up every day. Worked his ass off every day. Became a two-way player, a model citizen in Cleveland and he's a fan favorite, obviously we all know that."
Now, we get to find out if he's still been working his butt off. After signing this late in the year, how much of an adjustment period will he require before he's ready to play at 100 percent?
Dallas Mavericks: What's Up with Harrison Barnes?
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The Dallas Mavericks didn't extend a max contract to Harrison Barnes with the intentions of turning him into a glorified role player. He's supposed to become a complementary piece alongside Dirk Nowitzki and eventually blossom into a franchise stud who can help keep the team afloat when (if?) the German 7-footer retires.
Barnes hasn't looked the part so far.
Through his first four appearances in a Mavericks uniform, the small forward has shot 8-of-35 from the field (22.9 percent) and 3-of-13 from downtown (23.1 percent). A sample this minuscule wouldn't invoke nearly as much fear were it not for Barnes' putrid showing during the NBA Finals—the last time the basketball-watching world witnessed him shrinking on the biggest stage.
This needs to change—and quickly.
Should Barnes continue to struggle, it won't be the end of the world. He'll have plenty of time to recover and justify his exorbitant contract. But he'll need to do so with the weight of expectations dragging him down and the watchful eyes of the Dallas fanbase already looking at him skeptically.
Denver Nuggets: What Does the Rotation Look Like?
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The Denver Nuggets are brimming over with talent at every position, and that's true even if the franchise pulls the trigger on a trade that ships out either Kenneth Faried or Danilo Gallinari. Still seeking a superstar, this organization could do just about anything before the season begins.
But let's assume the roster remains stagnant. With few rumors brewing this time of year and the Nuggets justifiably feeling like they could work their way into the Western Conference playoff picture, it's probably a safe bet. Head coach Mike Malone still has to figure out his rotations, and there are questions across the board.
Emmanuel Mudiay is the starting point guard, but will Jamal Murray or Jameer Nelson serve as the primary backup? With Gary Harris (upon his return), Murray, Will Barton and Malik Beasley at his disposal, how will the shooting guard rotation stack up? Will Malone opt to go with a traditional set of forwards (Gallinari and Faried), a smaller lineup (Gallinari and Wilson Chandler) or an oversized frontcourt (Gallinari, Jusuf Nurkic and Nikola Jokic)?
The options seem limitless in the Mile High City.
Detroit Pistons: Can Ish Smith Run the Show?
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With Reggie Jackson set to miss between six and eight weeks, per MLive.com's Aaron McMann, the Detroit Pistons must turn to the newly signed Ish Smith as their starting point guard. And it's especially important he plays well as the fill-in, because the situation behind him is even more dire—Ray McCallum and Lorenzo Brown, barring late-offseason additions, are next in line.
Fortunately, his playing style is similar to Jackson's. Well, kind of.
According to NBA.com's SportVU data, both point guards were among the six leaders in drives per game last year, with Jackson (10.6, No. 6) actually trailing Smith (11.1, No. 4). But the former played quite differently than the latter, often looking to score while Smith used his facilitating chops as his primary option.
Can Smith turn on the aggression and draw defenders in toward him? Such a style is necessary in the Pistons' four-out, one-in schemes, or else the opposition can avoid helping and stay closer to its primary assignments.
Golden State Warriors: How Does Kevin Durant Fit In?
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Though the Golden State Warriors are surely focusing on incorporating their other new pieces (Zaza Pachulia, David West, Patrick McCaw, etc.), nothing is more important than getting Kevin Durant comfortable. Head coach Steve Kerr must do everything to make sure Durant knows his role, and every star on the roster is working in harmony to maximize their collective talents.
So far, so good.
Just take a gander at Durant's game log from the preseason's opening salvo:
| Raptors | 18:34 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2-9 (22.2) | 1-4 (25.0) |
| Clippers | 24:22 | 21 | 7 | 7 | 6-10 (60.0) | 3-4 (75.0) |
| Kings | 26:25 | 25 | 5 | 1 | 8-11 (72.7) | 4-6 (66.7) |
| Average | 23:07 | 18.3 | 5.3 | 3.7 | 16-30 (53.3) | 8-14 (57.1) |
Durant got off to a rough start, but through three games, he's now averaging 28.6 points, 8.3 rebounds and 5.8 assists per 36 minutes while shooting 53.3 percent from the field, 57.1 percent from downtown and a perfect 100 percent at the charity stripe.
As Kerr figures out more adjustments, the 2014 NBA MVP could reach terrifying heights.
Houston Rockets: How 3-Dependent Is Too 3-Dependent?
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As Bleacher Report's Dan Favale recently explained, the Houston Rockets might push the limits of the three-point trends:
"There is no way an NBA team will chuck 40 three-pointers per game this season, right? Right?
It's beyond unlikely; the Warriors are armed to the teeth with marksmen, but their best snipers won't be playing many fourth quarters. Besides, no team has ever averaged even 33 deep-ball looks per game. The idea that one will jack up 40 a night is plain silly. And yet, the Rockets loom as potentially historical three-point aficionados.
They are averaging more than 39 attempts from behind the rainbow and have two of the preseason's three most frequent outside gunners, Ryan Anderson and James Harden, on the roster.
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Favale goes on to reveal that last season's Rockets averaged more triples in the preseason than games that actually mattered, but is this really too far outside the realm of possibilities?
Head coach Mike D'Antoni notoriously likes pushing the pace and asking his players to loft up attempts early in the shot clock. Ryan Anderson, James Harden, Eric Gordon and Trevor Ariza all love firing away. Hell, the biggest chuckers aren't even playing as many minutes as they will in the regular season.
Forty three-point attempts per game could happen.
Indiana Pacers: Is Myles Turner Ready?
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Through two preseason appearances, Myles Turner is justifying the hype.
The big man is averaging 13.9 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 3.7 blocks per 36 minutes while shooting 50 percent from the field. And though he's struggled to expand his zones of confidence beyond mid-range, he looks comfortable on both ends.
By letting Ian Mahinmi walk to the Washington Wizards and signing Al Jefferson as a change-of-pace center who could help lead the second unit's offensive efforts, the Indiana Pacers committed to this 20-year-old big man.
He looked like a future star during his rookie campaign, but he still has to justify the decision.
The preseason is his first opportunity to do so alongside the other expected starters, and proving he fits in nicely will go a long way. Should head coach Nate McMillan realize he can trust Turner from the get-go, it'll make his development even easier.
Los Angeles Clippers: Who Starts at Small Forward?
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"We kind of know what we want..." Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers said about the uncertainty at the 3 in his starting lineup, per Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Daily News. "We're just looking at combinations. We feel like we pretty much know where we want to go, but you're always looking for a combination where you say, 'Wow, that’s pretty good,' or, 'Oh, that's awful.'"
The options are plentiful.
Luc Mbah a Moute, Paul Pierce, Wesley Johnson and Jamal Crawford all started games at small forward in 2015-16, and each is still on the roster. Austin Rivers could work his way into the opening lineup if the Clippers opt to go smaller and bump J.J. Redick down to the 3. Alan Anderson could shoot his way into that opening unit.
Right now, the uncertainty isn't a problem. As Rivers explained to Woike, "Preseason's pretty much the only time of year you can take those gambles."
But continuity eventually matters, and the Clippers won't want the carousel to keep spinning past their Oct. 27 opener against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Los Angeles Lakers: Is This D'Angelo Russell's Team?
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The Los Angeles Lakers have reason to feel optimistic for the first time in a while.
They no longer have to cater to Kobe Bryant's swan song (that experience was by no means a negative, even if it may have occasionally hindered the development of younger players), and their roster is overflowing with upside.
It's not inconceivable that Jordan Clarkson, D'Angelo Russell, Brandon Ingram, Julius Randle, Larry Nance Jr. and Ivica Zubac could all become starting-caliber players. But the Lakers must find a leader among the many youngsters, and Russell is the best candidate.
Looking past the social media issues that destroyed his relationship with Nick Young, Russell improved during the second half of his rookie season. He was much more comfortable running the show and serving as a multifaceted contributor, averaging 15.1 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists while shooting 40.1 percent from the field and 38.9 percent from downtown after the All-Star break.
The Lakers must use the preseason to see what happens when they make it inarguable he's leading this young roster. Ingram may draw more hype as the fresh face in town, but Russell has a serious chance to be the team's best player for a long time.
Memphis Grizzlies: Can They Stay Healthy?
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"If Memphis' stars stay healthy, this prediction [that Memphis misses the playoffs] will be wrong," Zach Lowe wrote for ESPN.com. "Marc Gasol is in great shape, and people around the team say the players already love coach David Fizdale. The pieces fit, and moving Zach Randolph to the bench nudges Memphis into the pace-and-space, switch-everything era."
Unfortunately for the Grizzlies, there are legitimate reasons to worry about the team's health, and the preseason must be spent negating those concerns. Take a deep breath, because we're about to dive into the long list:
- Mike Conley is 29 years old and saw his last season cut short by left Achilles tendinitis.
- Tony Allen will celebrate his 35th birthday in January and has missed 18 or more games in each of the last three campaigns.
- Vince Carter is 85 39.
- Chandler Parsons will be 28 years old when the season begins, but he's still recovering from a right knee injury and has had recurring issues with his knees during recent years.
- Zach Randolph is 35.
- Marc Gasol is 31 and coming off a season ended by a fractured right foot.
It's not that the Grizzlies are unlucky. They've just put together a roster filled with aging pieces and injury concerns.
Miami Heat: What Does the Hassan Whiteside Show Look Like?
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Dwyane Wade has departed for the Chicago Bulls. Chris Bosh hasn't been medically cleared, and his career with the Miami Heat has basically come to an end.
This is now Hassan Whiteside's team.
Though the big man asserted himself as a dominant force and a legitimate franchise player ever since coming to South Beach, he's never been the alpha dog. This is a new opportunity, and it's not like he's always avoided above-the-shoulder issues—the kind that could plague him if he grows overconfident and tries to do too much, too soon.
Miami needs to be honest with itself: If it can compete for a playoff berth with Whiteside leading the charge and a bunch of youngsters attempting to prove themselves in a bigger role, it should pursue that. But if it's clear Whiteside needs more help, it can't be afraid to pull the plug and play for a better draft pick.
The sooner the Heat make that decision, the better.
Milwaukee Bucks: Does Point Giannis Still Work?
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The Milwaukee Bucks made the unorthodox decision to let Giannis Antetokounmpo play point guard late in last year's proceedings and...it kind of worked.
After the All-Star break, the 6'11" Greek Freak averaged a staggering 18.8 points, 8.6 rebounds and 7.2 assists while shooting 50.9 percent from the field and constantly threatening for triple-doubles.
Even more importantly, the struggling Bucks finally started winning more games—11 in 28 attempts, to be exact.
Now, Antetokounmpo has to prove this wasn't a novelty act. He must demonstrate to head coach Jason Kidd that his production as a de facto floor general is both sustainable and beneficial since the organization has done nothing but display the utmost confidence in his abilities.
If Milwaukee is to overcome the loss of Khris Middleton, who needed surgery to repair a torn left hamstring that could keep him out for all of 2016-17, this experiment has to work. And if the Bucks are confident it will, they can double-down by shipping off Michael Carter-Williams for more floor-spacing help on the wings.
Minnesota Timberwolves: What's the Tom Thibodeau Effect?
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Ever since Tom Thibodeau began pacing sidelines and losing his voice while barking out instructions to ice pick-and-rolls, his defenses have operated effectively:
| 2010-11 Chicago Bulls | 100.3 | No. 1 |
| 2011-12 Chicago Bulls | 98.3 | No. 2 |
| 2012-13 Chicago Bulls | 103.2 | No. 6 |
| 2013-14 Chicago Bulls | 100.5 | No. 2 |
| 2014-15 Chicago Bulls | 104.3 | No. 11 |
Now, he faces a challenge unlike anything he's seen before.
Whereas the Bulls he inherited in 2010 were coming off a No. 11 finish in defensive rating, his new charge—the youthful Minnesota Timberwolves—allowed 110.1 points per 100 possessions and placed ahead of only the bottom-feeding Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers.
Andrew Wiggins has plenty of physical talent but has been so overmatched at the professional level that he's emerged as one of the league's least effective defenders. According to NBA Math's defensive points saved, not a single player provided less value in 2015-16.
Worse still, Shabazz Muhammad had the league's second-worst score by that metric, and Zach LaVine finished just one spot away from the bottom 10. With the exception of Gorgui Dieng, Karl-Anthony Towns and Ricky Rubio, every incumbent piece was a below-average stopper.
Thibodeau has his work cut out for him.
New Orleans Pelicans: How Can the Team Function Without Anthony Davis?
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"New Orleans Pelicans star Anthony Davis is expected to be out 10-15 days after suffering a Grade 2 right ankle sprain in Wednesday's preseason game against the Houston Rockets in Beijing, a source told The Undefeated..." ESPN.com's Marc J. Spears and Justin Verrier reported. "His injury could jeopardize his availability for the Pelicans' season-opener on Oct. 26."
Though he has yet to begin his fifth campaign, Pro Sports Transactions reveals Davis has already dealt with just about everything imaginable.
At some point, the New Orleans Pelicans must develop a contingency plan for the time he misses, and preseason is the perfect time to evaluate those options. Rest assured the Pelicans will have to face this worst-case scenario at some point during the regular season.
Will they rely more on Buddy Hield during his rookie season? Can Jrue Holiday still take over games? Are Solomon Hill and E'Twaun Moore capable of becoming go-to scorers after inking big offseason contracts?
Time without Davis is as inevitable as the big man's dominance when he's healthy, and the Pelicans must be prepared.
New York Knicks: What Can Kristaps Porzingis Do?
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"I’m ready to show more in year two," Kristaps Porzingis wrote for The Players' Tribune. "I am only 80 overall in NBA 2K, so I need to improve."
But how is he going to do so? It already feels like Porzingis' potential is limitless, and it can manifest itself in so many different facets of the game.
"Porzingis' preseason progression is less about penciling him in for the Hall of Fame and more about refreshing appreciation for a unicorn who's rapidly coming into his own," Bleacher Report's Dan Favale explained.
This is about revealing whether his sophomore campaign is going to feature improved outside shooting, more ball-handling that helps him serve as a primary offensive hub, stronger positioning for rebounds or more defensive excellence.
We don't get to see many unicorns. The Knicks, in particular, haven't witnessed any in recent years.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Can the Offense Survive Without Russell Westbrook?
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This dynamic point guard is the lone remaining superstar in the Sooner State, and he enters the year as a likely MVP candidate who should at least come close to threatening Oscar Robertson as the season-long triple-double master.
But Russell Westbrook's not going to play 48 minutes per game, and the Oklahoma City Thunder can't afford to give away the leads he helps earn while he's catching his breath on the pine.
Even though Westbrook has uncharacteristically struggled to finish shots around the rim and has had turnover issues, nbawowy.com still shows OKC outscored the opposition by 1.2 points per 100 possessions when he plays. When he sits, the net rating plummets to a hideous minus-18.4.
We have to issue the standard small-sample-size warnings here, but it's disconcerting that his teammates can only muster up a 90.8 offensive rating. For reference, the Philadelphia 76ers lagged well behind everyone else last year and still posted a 98.8 offensive rating.
Per NBA Math, no team since the NBA-ABA merger has been as inept at scoring as the Thunder have been without Westbrook through four preseason games. That has to change if OKC is going to avoid a lottery finish.
Orlando Magic: Is Aaron Gordon at Small Forward Feasible?
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The Orlando Magic are overloaded with big bodies, to the point they have to get creative.
Nikola Vucevic is still on the roster, and he's joined by myriad offseason additions—Serge Ibaka, Jeff Green, Bismack Biyombo and rookie Stephen Zimmerman all deserve playing time. And they're most comfortable suiting up at the 4 or 5.
Of course, Aaron Gordon is also present.
He is one of the true centerpieces on the Magic roster, but there's not enough opportunity at power forward to play his natural position. Instead, the team is looking to make him more comfortable on the wings as an oversized small forward, hoping his shooting and playmaking come around as he uses his quickness and innate athleticism to ease the transition.
If the experiment works, it could help solve the frontcourt logjam.
But if it doesn't, that's one more intriguing player who needs to get on the court, and his minutes would come at the expense of some offseason arrivals.
Philadelphia 76ers: How Good Is Joel Embiid?
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Pretty good? Really good? Really, really good?
Joel Embiid has done nothing but impress since finally setting foot on an NBA court during live action. Through his first five preseason appearances, he's averaging a mind-numbing 25.9 points, 15.4 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per 36 minutes. He's admittedly struggled with his shot, but that hasn't taken too much away from the veritable assault of high-flying moments, displays of deft touch around the hoop and defensive ability.
The rookie center posted a double-double in just 13 minutes against the Washington Wizards. He's played tremendous isolation defense against John Wall. He's looked the part of a future superstar.
"I think that he is going to be the focal point both offensively and defensively..." head coach Brett Brown told CSNPhilly.com's Jessica Camerato. "You see him and he just has 'it.' Years ago, you saw it with [Tim] Duncan. I see it with him in regards to a real target offensively and a real sort of centerpiece defensively."
The first step involves identifying just how true that statement can be. The second revolves around figuring out a rotation that lets him, Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor all shine (if they aren't traded first).
Phoenix Suns: Will Devin Booker Force the Suns' Hand?
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Through four preseason games, Devin Booker is leaving little doubt he belongs. He's averaged 30.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.5 steals per 36 minutes while shooting 50 percent from the field, consistently proving he's comfortable operating in a number of different sets.
As he continues to realize more and more of his lofty potential, he's getting closer to forcing the Suns into trading away an incumbent guard.
"The growing sense in league circles is that the Suns are determined to move either [Eric] Bledsoe or Brandon Knight before the start of next season," ESPN.com's Marc Stein tweeted near the beginning of the 2016 offseason (via It's On Us).
Both remain on the roster, but there's no telling how long that will remain true. The organization has been down a similar path with Isaiah Thomas, Eric Bledsoe and Goran Dragic, and it wound up trading away two of those key pieces after the situation grew untenable.
Now, the development of Booker (and, to a lesser extent, the presence of Tyler Ulis) is threatening to revisit that previously traveled road. It's a good problem to have, so long as everyone can work together. But without much size among the guard troika, that's not likely.
Portland Trail Blazers: Who Starts at Small Forward?
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Here's the $70 million question.
The Portland Trail Blazers signed Evan Turner to a four-year contract worth that much this offseason, but they might be paying him all that to come off the bench as a sixth man. His talents make more sense in that role, as working alongside either Damian Lillard or C.J. McCollum—rather than both of them simultaneously—would allow him to handle the ball more often and serve as a secondary playmaker.
But that's a lot of cash for a non-starter, which means Allen Crabbe or Maurice Harkless won't just be placed in the opening lineup. They'll have to earn that role.
Harkless started in the preseason opener against the Utah Jazz, logging 10 points, two rebounds and three steals in 23 minutes. Then Crabbe got his turn against the Phoenix Suns and recorded an inefficient nine points and one rebound through 24 minutes. It was Turner's turn in Game 3, and though his nine points, two rebounds, five assists and three steals stand out positively, he shot just 3-of-10 from the field.
The cycle restarted with an ineffective outing from Harkless in an Oct. 13 contest against the Los Angeles Clippers, which means we still don't have any clear indications of the Blazers' regular-season intentions.
Sacramento Kings: How Will the Frontcourt Stack Up?
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“I do my job. I can't control [the draft]. I control what I can control..." DeMarcus Cousins said after an offseason Team USA practice, per Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee. "I really don't understand it, but I do my job."
He was referring to the Sacramento Kings' inexplicable decision to add 7'2" center Georgios Papagiannis and 6'11" power forward/center Skal Labissiere to a frontcourt that already included himself and Willie Cauley-Stein, fresh off a promising rookie campaign.
Now, the frontcourt is overloaded when there were other needs to address.
There's simply not enough room for all four to play, and the Kings may have spent picks on players who need time for development before they're ready to even serve as backups.
Preseason is the time for Papagiannis and Labissiere to prove their readiness, and the extent to which they do so will directly impact the depth chart. Can they beat out Anthony Tolliver and Kosta Koufos for significant roles during their inaugural campaigns? Doing so would probably open up trades for the vets and bring back help for greater areas of need.
San Antonio Spurs: What Can the Youngsters Do?
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The San Antonio Spurs' identity has revolved around its Big Three for over a decade, but that's all changing. Tim Duncan is now watching games from the comfort of his own couch (and maybe coaching in some unspecified role), while Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker have become secondary figures under head coach Gregg Popovich.
This is Kawhi Leonard's team now, with Pau Gasol and LaMarcus Aldridge serving as the complementary stars.
But the other intriguing change involves youngsters embarking upon their NBA journeys with untapped potential.
The Spurs could reasonably rely on Dejounte Murray for major minutes at the point, keeping Parker fresh for the inevitable playoff run. Jonathon Simmons is interesting enough that he could displace Danny Green from the starting five. Livio Jean-Charles and Kyle Anderson should both figure into the forward rotation in a significant way.
To do so, they have to earn trust. And that process is already beginning.
Toronto Raptors: Does Terrence Ross Get Another Chance?
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When the Toronto Raptors selected Terrence Ross with the 2012 NBA draft's No. 8 pick, he was brimming over with two-way potential.
But four years later, he's done little to justify the selection:
| 2012-13 | 6.4 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 40.7 | 10.4 | Minus-2.9 |
| 2013-14 | 10.9 | 3.1 | 1.0 | 42.3 | 12.0 | Minus-0.1 |
| 2014-15 | 9.8 | 2.8 | 1.0 | 41.0 | 11.2 | Minus-1.6 |
| 2015-16 | 9.9 | 2.5 | 0.8 | 43.1 | 12.9 | Minus-0.2 |
Ross has consistently aided the Raptors from beyond the arc, but that's about all be brings.
He's a sieve on defense, struggles to create his own looks and can't do much when he's not given an open lane to the basket for a thunderous, athleticism-displaying jam. Now, he has Norman Powell pushing him from behind and a healthy DeMarre Carroll to deal with.
This might be his last chance to prove he belongs in the rotation.
Utah Jazz: Are Expectations Too High?
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I had the Utah Jazz finishing No. 4 in the Western Conference with a 51-31 record. Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley went with 50 wins.
Leaning heavily on real plus/minus, ESPN.com's Kevin Pelton projected them one spot higher but with "only" 47.6 wins. His colleague Zach Lowe predicted they'd win 50 games "even with Gordon Hayward missing perhaps the first 20 games of the regular season with an injured finger."
Expectations are pretty high in Salt Lake City, and for good reason.
This is a deep team with plenty of top-end talent. Even without Gordon Hayward healthy for the opening games, they can lean on Rudy Gobert, Derrick Favors, Rodney Hood, George Hill, Joe Johnson and others for high-quality production on both ends.
But the Jazz have proved nothing in previous seasons. They haven't advanced to the playoffs since Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap led them in 2012, and they could only muster up 40 wins during their injury-riddled 2015-16 campaign.
Before they can win over the world, they have to prove to themselves they're worth the excitement.
Washington Wizards: What's Otto Porter's Role?
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"Otto [Porter] has great versatility. He makes a lot of winning basketball plays and he has a look of good experiences over the last [three] years. I think his evolution as a player, he's going to have to learn how to play some fours and using his length and his quickness guarding bigger fours," Washington Wizards head coach Scott Brooks told reporters, per CSNMidAtlantic.com's J. Michael.
There's no doubt Porter will play a big role in Washington's plans. But the exact role is still up for debate.
Coming off a 2015-16 campaign filled with two-way improvement, the Georgetown product could reasonably slot in as the starting small forward. It's his natural spot, and the competition—Kelly Oubre Jr., Jarell Eddie and Danuel House—isn't exactly stiff.
But Porter will play some at the 4, and there's even a chance he could move Markieff Morris to the bench to create an undersized starting frontcourt with Marcin Gortat. His versatility offers plenty of possibilities, and the Wizards will continue to evaluate them as soon as his bruised ribs heal up.
Unless otherwise indicated, all stats are from Basketball-Reference.com, NBA.com or NBA Math.
Adam Fromal covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @fromal09.
