New Year's Resolutions for All 30 NBA Teams That Would Seriously Backfire

With New Yea's coming up, there's always New Year's resolutions to make. Front office managers might be inclined to make one or two themselves. Not all resolutions are good though. Some teams might be better off not taking the track fans might want them to. 

Here is a resolution every team is in danger of making and why it could backfire. 

Atlanta Hawks

Resolution that Could Backfire: Stand pat

The Atlanta Hawks are in danger of making a resolution to stand pat. They've had this core group together for years now, and they've gone nowhere with it. They want to believe that at some point, Marvin Williams is going to break out. 

He's not. He's also got an untradeable contract. He's not going anywhere. 

No, the Hawks need to make a move, and the best trade-bait they have is Josh Smith, whom they should trade for a true NBA center. That would let Al Horford play power forward, and Williams could move to small forward. 

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. The Hawks would be insane to think that this year is going to be different. 

Boston Celtics

Resolution that Could Backfire: Protect Kevin Garnett

The Boston Celtics have a habit of ignoring the antics of Garnett and his less-than-sportsmanlike tendencies. This comes from slapping players in the testicles to slapping away the arms of refs.

He gets away with these things because he's a superstar, but the more he gets away with things, the worse it gets. The Celitcs need to bring the hammer down and bring in some discipline. The NBA might have ignored this, but they don't need to.

Eventually, this could come back to haunt them if they don't.

Charlotte Bobcats

Resolution that Could Backfire: Hand over the Team to Kemba Walker

The Charlotte Bobcats have a terrific young rookie in Kemba Walker, potentially even the rookie of the year. However, there's also a dearth of "talent" surrounding him. The Bobcats need to develop him not so much "slowly" as "steadily." 

Putting too much on Walker to begin with could be too much for him. Allow him to develop and grow without pressure. 

Chicago Bulls

Resolution that Could Backfire: Trade for Dwight Howard

I've gone back and forth on this myself more than once, but the reality is, the Bulls need to resist the temptation to trade for Howard, even if he changes his tune and says he would be willing to stay in the Windy City. 

The fact is that a bird in the hand is better than two in a bush, especially if you already have a Rose. Alright, that doesn't make any sense metaphorically. The reality is, though, that the Bulls have a championship-caliber team. They don't need to trade to get one. 

Cleveland Cavaliers

Resolution that Could Backfire: Make another trade

Trading in the NBA world can be a bit like gambling—you need to quit when you're ahead. 

A year ago, the Cavaliers were sitting on a bunch of huge, untradeable contracts that they couldn't get out of. Now, they're sitting on a young team loaded with talent. Cleveland needs to let the team they've assembled come together and gel.

Dallas Mavericks

Resolution that Could Backfire: Make a move to save the season

The Dallas Mavericks were absolutely obliterated by the Miami Heat. Then they got decimated by the less-heralded Denver Nuggets. 

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is a worth a deal or two every year.

There's going to be a tendency to want to "fix" the Mavericks. 

The fact is that this is just a couple of games. The team had new working parts in it, and those were good working parts. They need to give it some time and see if it develops. If worse comes to worse, they are positioned to land both Deron Williams and Dwight Howard. 

Denver Nuggets

Resolution that Could Backfire: Build around Arron Afflalo and Nene

Sometimes a fairly weak free agent class has the way of raising the profile of lesser players. It's not that Nene and Afflalo aren't good, solid role players, but it's hard to see either one as an All-Star or a player you can build a team around. 

There's a difference between a solid role player and a star player. The Nuggets got plenty of the former when they dealt they latter, but they are still in need of an All-Star caliber player if they are going to get deep into the postseason. 

Detroit Pistons

Resolution that Could Backfire: Start Tayshaun Prince

The Prince has had his day, and now, it's time Austin Daye to have his. Daye, frankly, is just a better player right now. I didn't get the Pistons re-signing Prince in the first place, but they don't have to perpetuate the msitake by starting him now. 

Golden State Warriors

Resolution that Could Backfire: Trade Monta Ellis

The Warriors really do have the potential to have the best backcourt in the NBA. Between Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis, they have the most athletic duo already. 

The Warriors signed Mark Jackson to bring a defensive mentality to the team, and now, they need to let that seed grow. When Ellis and Curry have been defensively aggressive, they've been outstanding. 

Mostly, they haven't decided to be aggressive. It's a matter of mentality  not ability. Coaching can solve that. Let Jackson coach them before giving up and trading Ellis. 

Houston Rockets

Resolution that Could Backfire: Trade Kevin Martin

Now that they finally got their starting center in Samuel Dalembert, they should be set. The Rockets are a valid threat to be a top-five team in the Western Conference, and Kevin Martin is a big part of the reason why. 

Because he didn't play on a playoff team last year, a large part of his contributions went unnoticed, but Marin was one of the league's more efficient guards, averaging 23.8 points on just 15.8 field goal attempts. While he doesn't have a great field goal percentage, he's able to get to the line and makes them when he does. 

He was tied with Kevin Durant for most free throws made last year. 

The Rockets have an All-Star caliber guard, and they don't need to be in any hurry to get rid of him. 

Indiana Pacers

Resolution that Could Backfire: Stop Making Moves

Larry Bird has been fantastic and has really helped the Pacers to be a much-improved team. Many are now projecting them to be a top-five team in the Eastern Conference. What's all the more impressive with this is that they still have $14 million to spend. 

With Deron Williams and Dwight Howard both headed for free agency this year, there will be plenty of teams ready to dump contracts, and the Pacers can easily take advantage of that and make a trade where they absorb salary and land another quality player. 

Los Angeles Clippers

Resolution that Could Backfire: Credit Vinny Del Negro with any success the team has.

The Clippers may be inclined to think that they've tapped into some kind of coaching genius if the Clippers land a top-five seed. Bear in mind that any success they have will be in spite of him, not because of him. 

The other side of the Bulls jumping from 41 to 62 wins last year is it shows what an inept job Del Negro was doing with them before. Last year, he led the Clippers to underperform. 

Head coach Vinny Del Negro is an oxymoron. He has no business in the position. Having him as the head coach on your team costs about five wins, minimum. Even Chris Paul can only do so much about that. 

Los Angles Lakers

Resolution that Could Backfire: Get Dwight Howard

Kobe Bryant and the Lakers want to get him that sixth ring. There is a large contingency of Laker fans that want to see the Lakers hit the "home run" when all they need is a "double." 

If they can get Howard for just Andrew Bynum, or at least without giving up Pau Gasol, they should go for it, of course. However, if they can't, they don't really to make a move to solidify the middle. They have arguably the best frontcourt in the game. 

Where they need help is in the backcourt, and all the way across the building is a veteran point guard who would be a nice fit in Maurice Williams. Getting a point guard of his caliber might be better for the Lakers in the short term than getting Howard anyway, and it might be the Lakers' best chance of getting Kobe that sixth ring. 

Memphis Grizzlies

Resolution that Could Backfire: Trade Rudy Gay

There are some that have argued that the return of Rudy Gay could be bad for the team. Seriously, the answer to that question is a big no. 

Rudy Gay is the team's best perimeter scorer, and you need a proven perimeter scorer to win a championship. Name the last NBA Champion to win without one. The only team I can think of in recent history is the '99 Spurs, and while yes, the Grizzlies have their own version of Tim Duncan and David Robinson, the Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph don't belong in that conversation.

They need a wing scorer, and Gay is one. Just because they've changed philosophy doesn't mean they have to abandon Gay. 

Miami Heat

Resolution that Could Backfire: Be happy with their center situation.

The Miami Heat have Joel Anthony as their starting center. Last year, that was enough to get them to the finals, but that's a bit of an illusion if they think it's going to be enough again. 

First, both Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah were playing injured last year, and Omer Asik missed all but the first game. Second, the Knicks have acquired Tyson Chandler, who was partly responsible for ousting them last year. 

The Heat don't have enough in the middle to win it all, regardless of how much the media tells us they do. They need an upgrade at center. 

Milwaukee Bucks

Resolution that Could Backfire: Ignore the Stephen Jackson issues

A disgruntled player and a team that is struggling don't make for a happy couple; just ask the Detroit Pistons. Jackson said he came to Milwaukee hoping for his contact to be re-worked. Jackson says he's not feeling urgency about it for now, but that's not going to be a long-lived situation. 

The Bucks need to get this under control before they lose control of the locker room. 

Minnesota Timberwolves

Resolution that Could Backfire: Delay signing Kevin Love

While there's been talk about Kevin Love getting a new contract, he hasn't gotten it yet. Look, there's absolutely nothing to ponder here. He average 20 points and 15 rebounds a game last year, becoming just the third player 22 or younger to do that. 

Then, he got better during the offseason. What is there to think about? Just give him a max contract. There's no need to be delaying here. Ink the man!

New Jersey Nets

Resolution that Could Backfire: Don't trade Deron Williams

The New Jersey Nets, particularly their owner, Mikhail Prokhorov, are intent on building a winner in Brooklyn when they move into their new digs. Deron Williams is a part of that plan. Dwight Howard is the other part of that plan. 

Here's the rub. Orlando might not be intent on accommodating. The worst case scenario is that Williams gets to the end of the season as a Net and walks. Then, the Nets traded away all those draft picks talent and don't have a future. 

New Orleans Hornets

Resolution that Could Backfire: Start Trevor Ariza

Dell Demps—and by Demps, I mean David Stern—did such a masterful job in working the trade of Chris Paul that it's hard to believe well situated the team is. Now granted, they aren't a playoff team this year, but they could be a lot worse off. 

They could be a playoff team right now and a lottery team in two years instead of a lottery team right now and a playoff team in two years.

In Eric Gordon and Al-Farouq Aminu, they have two players that will still be on that payoff team. They have nothing to lose and everything to gain by giving Aminu the starter's minutes. Even if they lose more because of him, fans would rather see the team lose with young talent improving than with veteran talent with less to offer. 

Aside form that, they improve their draft position if they lose. 

New York Knicks

Resolution that Could Backfire: Ride out the point guard situation. 

Sometimes people need to step away from the panic button. Sometimes people need to step towards it. The Knicks have Mike Bibby and Baron Davis both with back problems unable to play. Now, they have Iman Shumpert out two to four weeks with an MCL sprain. 

There might be a tendency to "not overreact." Don't confuse not overreacting to not taking action when necessary. The Knicks need a point guard who is healthy. Simply waiting for everyone to get healthy could put them too far back by the time Davis comes in. 

Oklahoma City Thunder

Resolution that Could Backfire: Ignore the Russell Westbrook Problem 

Perhaps "ignore the Russell Westbrook" problem isn't how they would phrase it, but it's essentially the same thing. Any variation of standing behind and/or protecting him from criticism is tantamount to the same thing. 

Westbrook started the season the same way he ended the playoffs, throwing up shots with reckless abandon. 

Management needs to sit him down, and be clear. You're Robin. Kevin is Batman. You're Pippen; Durant is Jordan. They need to make him write this 100 times on the chalk board. He must learn this if the Thunder are going to win a championship. 

Be Scottie Pippen, Russell, not Stephon Marburry. 

Orlando Magic

Resolution that Could Backfire: Hold on trading Dwight Howard

After the first two games of the regular season and in the preseason  Dwight Howard has been inconsistent in his effort as much as he's been inconsistent in where he wants to play. These things are probably not unrelated. 

Otis Smith seems to believe that he will stay, but he's not. He is really not. No Otis, he's not. Not. Not. Not. 

It's like you have to do the Bugs Bunny bit with him to trick him into saying "No he's not." 

Oh wait, Bugs is WB. 

Anyway, the more he delays on Howard, the more he potentially pushes down his trade value. Or worse, he doesn't trade him at all and Orlando gets LeBroned. 

Phoenix Suns

Resolution that Could Backfire: Trade Steve Nash

I recognize why a lot of people speculate about Steve Nash getting traded, but he's not going to be, and in all honestly, he shouldn't be. He's a Sun. 

No, he hasn't spent his whole career being a Sun like Kobe Bryant has worn a Lakers jersey his whole life, but he acts like he has. He really loves the city and the team, and it's pretty apparent to me that he sees a future beyond his playing career there. 

Yes, Phoenix might be able to get a decent player for Nash, but they'd potentially be losing a great coach. He's one of the best basketball minds playing right now, and in all probability, he's the future head coach of the team. 

Philadelphia 76ers

Resolution that Could Backfire: Believe in their core.

Here's the problem with a team as well coached as Philadelphia. Doug Collins has squeezed every squeezable drop of talent out of that team. While they are young for the most part and there's still some room for improvement, they have no scoring star on the team that could carry them down the stretch. 

The reality is, this team might have to get worse to get better. Andrei Iguodala would be better served being a "Luol Deng" type of player, content to be a second option who simply does all the glue things and plays outstanding defense, but he wants to be the scorer and he's not one. 

He's also the best player the 76ers have to offer as trade fodder to get a star. To get to the next level, Philadelphia has to make a major trade, and they need to start looking sooner, rather than later. 

Portland Trail Blazers

Resolution that Could Backfire: Use an eight-man rotation

During their first regular season game, the Trail Blazers only had eight players that topped 10 minutes of playing time. When they tried going to an all-bench lineup, Portland was outscored by 11 points. 

Nolan Smith has more potential than getting used for six minutes, and Marcus Camby was out with a knee injury, so some of that should be alleviated. However, the Trial Blazers need to be careful not to overplay their starters.

With this condensed schedule, you can get very tired very fast. Nate McMillan needs to be careful not to lean too heavily on his starters. 

Sacramento Kings

Resolution that Could Backfire: Move

Sacramento needs to stay in Sacramento. The notion of moving to Los Angeles just got even sillier. With the Clippers suddenly becoming an exciting team, Sacramento would be a distant third in SoCal. 

Meanwhile, in DeMarcus Cousins, Tyreke Evans and Marcus Thornton, they have a core to build around. Chuck Hayes is a great glue guy and role player. Jimmer Fridette is an exciting young scorer. 

The Sacramento community has shown that when you put a good team on the court, they are as good as any group of fans coming out to support their team. Leave the Kings in Sacramento!

San Antonio Spurs

Resolution that Could Backfire: Repeat last year's strategy

Last year, the San Antonio Spurs won the top seed in the Western Conference by changing their basketball philosophy, running an up-tempo style of game that featured Manu Ginobli and Tony Parker's playmaking skills.

The problem is that neither of those players is exactly young, and Tim Duncan is even less young. Parker is "only" 29, but Ginobli is 34 and Duncan is 35. That's too old to be running the court like that in the condensed 66-game schedule.

The uptempo style caught them at the end of last year, as they simply didn't have the legs anymore by season's end, and then got ousted in the first round by the Memphis Grizzlies. 

The Spurs need to return to their defensive style of play if they want to win this year. 

Toronto Raptors

Resolution that Could Backfire: Have immediate expectations for Dwayne Casey

The Raptors made a nice pick in naming Casey as their new head coach. His previous stint, with the Minnesota Timberwolves, he didn't get enough of a chance to prove himself. There are two reasons that the Raptors need to allow him some time before they see expectations come to fruition. 

First, they have a very young team with a lot of young talent. Casey will develop that talent, but it's not going to happen overnight. Second, his strategy is more to adjust in game and morph his strategy to fit what the other team is doing. That's why his defense worked so well against the Heat last year in the finals. 

The problem is that in Dallas, he was coaching highly experienced veterans. In Toronto, he's coaching, again, a very young team. That means it's going to take that much longer and be that much harder for them to learn his system. 

Patience is a virtue, and one that would serve the Raptors well. 

Utah Jazz

Resolution that Could Backfire: Make a trade now.

The Utah Jazz have a trade exception burning a hole in their pocket. They might be tempted to rush out and use it, and they have said they'll be aggressive in doing so. However, they need to be sure to not just make a trade for the sake of making a trade. 

Utah has made a series of moves over the last year that have progressively seen the team get worse and worse. It's hard to believe, but a year ago today, they were one of the better teams in the West.

They need to be measured in any move they make. They are a wing from being back in contention, but it needs to be the right player. 

Washington Wizards

Resolution that Could Backfire: Give John Wall free reign

The new NBA tells teams to give their franchise player a voice in what goes on and to defer to them in all sorts of matters. The Wizards need to be careful they don't fall into this trap. John Wall is a player with serious star potential, but he's also a fairly immature young man. 

To start, he's barely 21, which is young regardless, but even at 21, Wall is an immature 21. Add to that the likes of Nick Young and JaVale McGee around him, who are also young and immature players, and you have a real problem. 

The Wizards need to be careful the inmates don't start running the asylum here.