LeBron James 80s Style NBA Contraction and Dispersal Mock Draft

LeBron James recently spoke out in favor of contraction within the NBA.  He said the quality of the game back in the 80s was better due to more stars on each team.  While I am personally against contraction, I am going to break down the pros and cons of contraction.  You have to love the what-if scenarios that sports present us.  I will also go through a dispersal mock draft and the rules involved in such.
 
Pros: Fewer teams means deeper teams.  In my dispersal draft I will be eliminating 8 teams.  Adding the best players from those 8 teams to the remaining 22 teams will create some incredibly deep and talented teams.  That will save fans from ever having to watch truly talentless teams from playing one another. 

Fewer teams also increases the odds that your team will make the playoffs (assuming they weren't contracted).  With 22 teams and 16 playoff spots almost every team has a shot and gives their fans something to strive for.  As a result, it also decreases the odds of teams tanking for the lottery since most teams should be in contention for the playoffs for the majority of the season. 

An even more distant side effect is this; with only 22 1st Round picks available for the NBA Draft, more fringe underclassmen will remain in school.  This not only prepares those young men for life after basketball better, but it also keeps them in school longer to develop their game more.  Keeping talented players in college longer is a big plus for college basketball fans as well.
 
Cons: As a diehard Cleveland Browns fan I am morally opposed to contraction/moving of teams from longtime loyal fanbases.  Taking basketball away from these fans would be cruel to the diehards, give a black eye to each of the respective cities, and hurt the local economies as well. 

From a player standpoint there are now fewer jobs out there.  Not only that, but all of those coaches, front office jobs, and every other person whose job was tied to that team is now out of work.  We don't need to add to the unemployment problem the country is facing. 

Economically, it doesn't make sense for the 22 remaining teams.  Future television contracts would be smaller since there are fewer markets to consider.  All of the lost ticket sales for the NBA from having 8 less teams will put a big dent in finances as well.
 
Now on to the dispersal draft.  First we need to eliminate any teams that came into the NBA from the mid-80s on since that is the time period LeBron targeted.  Say good bye to the Charlotte Bobcats, Memphis Grizzlies, Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat (ironic much?), and New Orleans Hornets. 

That leaves us with 23 teams.  We need to get rid of that odd number and have an equal amount in both conferences. 

With the need for one more Western Conference team to be contracted I have chosen the Los Angeles Clippers.  They have historically been one of the worst franchises in all of sports, may have the worst owner currently alive in any pro sport, play second fiddle to the Lakers, and would probably be the least missed team from the remaining Western Conference teams. 

Since this is the 80s, we are also moving the Thunder back to Seattle and renaming them the SuperSonics.  My kindred spirits in Seattle can thank me later.  Also, the Wizards are going back to being known as the Bullets. 

The draft will be in reverse order of current record.  To be eligible for selection the player has to have at least one year left on his contract after this season.  Remaining salary is taken into consideration for selection and some salary cap rules would need to be tweaked as well.  On to the draft.
 
1. Sacramento King: LeBron James - Really a no brainer for the first overall pick.  Virtually any team would have taken him if given the option.  It would be really interesting if the Cavaliers had the first pick.  Would they take him?  I said right after The Decision that as much as it hurt I would be open to him coming back in the future if he showed actual remorse for what he did wrong and apologized. 
 
2. Washington Bullets: Blake Griffin - A great running mate for John Wall plus they have a hole at PF.  Added bonus that he is still on the rookie wage scale as well.
 
3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Dwight Howard - The Cavs have a hole at center the size of the one in the fans' hearts after LeBron left.  This move lets Varajao go back to the bench where he can excel as one of the best sixth men in the league.
 
4. New Jersey Nets: Dwayne Wade - They have a hole at SG and he is easily the best player available as well.  A star to market for their big move to Brooklyn.
 
5. Detroit Pistons: Chris Paul - They have a hole at PG and he will only have one year left on his deal.  Ideal pick even though they might consider taking a big man.
 
6. Golden State Warriors: Rudy Gay - Fits in really well with GS running game alongside Ellis, Curry, Lee, and Biedrens.  Young player coming into his own after his Team USA experience this summer.
 
7. Philadelphia 76ers: Emeka Okafor - They need a big man with a defensive presence in the worst way possible.
 
8. Milwaukee Bucks: Chris Bosh - Would fit in great next to Bogut down low.
 
9. Phoenix Suns: Gerald Wallace - They will have a huge hole at the wing position after this season and Wallace fits in with Phoenix's running style.
 
10. Indiana Pacers: Kevin Love - Perfect fit.  Huge upgrade over McRoberts at PF.
 
11. Houston Rockets: Chris Kaman - Yao Ming is a free agent after this year and is probably done being ineffective due to his injury problems.  Kaman helps fill that huge hole at center.
 
12. Portland Trail Blazers: Jameer Nelson - Good fit at PG next to Brandon Roy.
 
13. New York Knicks: Eric Gordon - Great fit for Dantoni's running system at SG.
 
14. Denver Nuggets: Trevor Ariza - Nice young SF to try and fill the void left by Carmelo.  If Carmelo shocks the world and comes back this pick is different.
 
15. Atlanta Hawks: Jose Calderon - Mike Bibby is getting old fast.  They need a distributor on that team in the worst way possible and Calderon does a good job running a team.
 
16. Chicago Bulls: OJ Mayo - Perfect fit and makes the Bulls an extremely dangerous team.
 
17. Seattle SuperSonics: Darko Milicic - Finally starting to show signs of life and they need help down low. 
 
18. Utah Jazz: Mike Miller - Fits their hole at the wing.
 
19. Los Angeles Lakers: David West - The Lakers would be scary deep with West coming off the bench.
 
20. Dallas Mavericks: Stephen Jackson - Fills the void at SG.
 
21. Boston Celtics: JJ Redick - Perfect shooter off the bench for a contending team.
 
22. San Antonio Spurs: Andrea Bargnani - Even in made up drafts the Spurs find a way to get a steal late in the draft.  Big man who can shoot from long range fits their system to a tee.