Aside from the Philadelphia 76'ers (whom have a bright future), I can't say there is any other team that is a standout "awful 20 win max team". League parity, as Adam Silver and the Collective Bargaining Agreement signed to end the strike a few years back has now been fully implemented, and it appears to be working flawlessly. No longer do the big markets own free agency like they once did, no longer do owners have teams in small markets with tiny caps (actually they have to have 85% of the cap on players otherwise they will be in trouble after one season).
This has all resulted in a couple different things as well as great drama. Sure, players are now seemingly "overpaid" a bit more now, but if you understand the business (and the gigantic TV deal the NBA signed) and the way the NBA's cap structure works, though I still laugh when I see certain contracts, like Kidd-Gilchrist just getting a near $60 million extension for 4 years while he's so far been a good NBA defender and awful player on offense (aside from boards). Yes I love his potential and athleticism (defense and hustle), but getting $60 million guaranteed before you're even a true "legit solid starting NBA caliber player" with no jump-shot or range is a great example of how the new NBA works and looks. I will say this is the year for him to shine, as well as to learn as much as he can from Nicolas Batum who will be in Charlotte for this one season.
Lamarcus Aldridge signing with the Spurs is definitely the biggest news of this off-season. When we finally think the Spurs are heading to the lottery, after a blowing defeat in the first round against the Clippers, the Spurs make all these sneaky, smart moves, Tim Duncan opts-out of 10+million and signs for $5 million, they get rid of Tiago Splitter's near $10 million contract and all of the sudden have the Cap Space and money to sign the best talent of the Free Agency, a PF/C that is a perfect fit to play next to Timmy Duncan as well as learn from him, but they also managed to re-sign Danny Green at a solid rate, something most didn't expect. Throw in the fact David West signed for a minimum contract (multiple time All-Star PF) and the Spurs are now back in contention (as well as the Manu coming back and Kawhi stepping it up).
The Spurs are back, and they never went away. The Clippers are back, after DeAndre Jordan did his "good faith" agree to sign with Dallas and then pull out and go back to the Clippers who have constructed a roster full of talent... and issues with players and their attitudes and such (Lance Stephenson, Jamal Crawford, DeAndre... Josh Smith....). Tons of talent, but they still have no backup center, something they really lack, while they have tons of guard and forward depth. Paul Pierce is a nice fit, and if he can help this young team (especially Lance Stephenson) become the players they can be this will be a dangerous team. Otherwise I can see them blowing up the roster to a degree if things don't work out. They must be planning on having Smith play backup PF/C along with Griffin playing backup C. Either way, they can always trade Jamal Crawford (or Stephenson, or Austin Rivers, etc for a backup C). Doc Rivers needs to work some magic this year.
The Champion Warriors are as good as last year, only losing Speights (who was a great reserve PF/C), and getting rid of David Lee's gigantic contract in a trade with Boston to free up cap room, something that benefits both teams as Lee is still a nice starting veteran Power Forward. This allows the Warriors to keep Draymond Green $16 million a year that he just signed, as well as have the money to offer Harrison Barnes a nice contract next summer, keeping the core intact. They will be dangerous, who knows what kind of improvement can come from many of the Warrior players.
The Cavs, who looked like team LEBRON in the Finals, have done an amazing job this summer. They are easily the top team in the East, again, but this time they have legitimate depth. Getting Kevin Love to stay was huge, and getting Mo Williams for so cheap is a great addition as well. They have yet to come to terms with Tristan Thompson, while they have re-signed Shumpert and JR Smith, two guards who played some of their best ball once they become Cavaliers last season's trade deadline, as well as Mozgov the key 7+footer they also traded for last season. Add a healthy Anderson Varejao, a veteran backup F in Richard Jefferson who can give Lebron some rest, something they truly lacked last year (or simply another legit Small Forward, to play next to Lebron who slides to the PF spot or whom can even play the PF spot in small-ball lineups as well. James Jones, we all love ya, but you got a little old.
The Cavs are the team to beat in the East for sure. With the Bulls, Heat, and Wizards all right there as well. The West, on the other hand, has been going through a lot of changes, almost as many changes as the Portland Trailblazer roster and franchise this off-season.
Portland lost Aldridge to the Spurs, but all-together they lost 4 of their 5 starters and their 6th man Aaron Afflalo followed starting center Robin Lopez to the Knicks. Starting guard Wesley Mathews, fresh off injury, signed a nice deal with the Mavericks. Then the Blazers decided to blow it up and rebuild young, trading SF Nicolas Batum to the Hornets for young guns in 2nd year 19/20 year old Noah Vonleh and solid all-around SG Gerald Henderson. They signed Ed Davis, among others, but they are a team that needs some time.
Now to the important stuff.....
The lottery was kind to the Lakers, who shook things up taking D'Angelo Russel with the 2nd overall pick, a potentially amazing 6'5'' PG that has the pass first mentality and a ton of potential. He and Clarkson give the Lakers a great young core at the PG and SG spots, almost interchangeable as they both have SG size and PG skills. Julius Randle is healthy, the other young stud lefty Power Forward that completes the true core of the Lakers youth and future. Kobe planning to play SF is a great idea, and trading for Roy Hibbert gives the Lakers the legit defensive anchor they have lacked since Dwight left (plus Hibbert is coming off a bad season and in a contract year, I expect him to be quite effective). The signing of last years 6th Man of the Year in Lou Williams went very under the radar, as he gives them the perfect backup PG/SG and instant offense (now we can trade Nick "Swaggy P" Young). Brandon Bass completes the list of solid veterans signed, giving Randle a solid veteran to learn from and share time with. The Lakers roster finally looks competitive, and while a 6-8 seed in the West seems improbable, I wouldn't say it's impossible.
Just wait till next season after the 2016 off-season and Free Agency!
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