If I Could Send One Player to Any Team (Southeast Division)

ATLANTA HAWKS (40-42) - BOL BOL

The Hawks have actually had one of the better braintrusts over the past few years, thoughyou wouldn't know it by their performance.  That team they sent to the ECF some seasons ago was poised to become the Thunder of the East but was derailed by internal conflict or whatever.  And even as far as trading Doncic for Trae, yes, Luka is a better all-around player, but Young may be preferable given certain types of roster construction.

On that latter note, for awhile I've been saying that Atlanta needs to build a team of lengthy, athletic, speedy players around Trae, and it appears that they've finally been incepted.  I've also been saying for some time that Porzingis is one of the best players in teh league, an all-time great even, if not for those damn injuries.  He recently announced that health-wise, he's feeling a lot better than he did last season.  But given his injury history, you can't take Kristaps' presence for granted.

So, I have to once again go with Bol Bol, a player who seemingly fits into the mold the ATL is constructing of versatile ballers who are quick enough to keep up with Young.  Part of me doesn't quite understand why Bol hasn't gotten more love in his career, considering that he's sort of a phenom.

I can also envision Kuminga on this roster.  But now, Jonathan is experiencing the downside of being a young, exceptional yet disgruntled player, i.e. being worth tens of millions, but the teams you may want to go to not being in a position to afford you.

CHARLOTTE HORNETS (19-63) - MO BAMBA

30 teams is a lot, i.e. it being almost impossible to follow them all, and the Hornets are one of the organizations that tends to get lost in the sauce.  And speaking of injured greats, on paper they have arguably the best young G core in the NBA.  But the star of show, LaMelo Ball, is a walking injury report, though at least now they've acquired ample backup at the point.

None of the true bigs on Charlotte's roster appear to be overly-impressive, so I'm about to go with another seemingly-forgotten one, Mo Bamba.  Again, I can't follow the entire NBA and even then wouldn't be privy to what goes on behind the scenes.  But his is a career trajectory that baffles me, i.e. why he hasn't afforded more minutes, though I would presume it has something to do with offensive limitations.  But being surrounded by guys like Ball, Sexton, Miller and Bridges, it isn't likely that any C the Hornets employ is going to be called upon to do a lot of shooting anyway.  So Bamba would be strictly a defensive addition, a player of the likes this team obviously needs.

MIAMI HEAT (37-45) - RUSSELL WESTBROOK

The Heat are going to be one of the top teams in the East next season - remember you heard it here first.  They have arguably the most-balanced roster in the conference, besides a winning, overachieving culture.  I wouldn't be totally surprised if they take the EC altogether, though that probably isn't likely given the regularity of injuries these days, coupled with their roster not being terribly deep.

I'm going with Russell Westbrook for a couple of reasons.  First of all, he can play any G position.  Second, he's one of the few PGs who can match, nay, surpass the defensive intensity of Davion Mitchell.  And these days, being able to defend the perimeter is even more important (against most teams) than locking down the post.

The ScapeGOAT is the most-polarizing NBA star of the early 21st century.  No one can deny his talent, and he remains more athletic, in his mid-to-late 30s, then 90% of the guys in the league.  I thought the structure of Denver would benefit him, and it did in a way, but in crunchtime they went with Christian Braun over Westbrook, one of the dumbest and most-insulting playoffs decisions I've ever seen.  Well, Miami also has that kind of structure that can capitalize on Russell's gifts without letting him go Hulk and destroy everything in his path.

ORLANDO MAGIC (41-41) - JONATHAN KUMINGA

The Magic remind me of the Mavericks from a couple of years back.  Their braintrust is so obsessed with perimeter players that they neglect their post needs.  I get it that players like Banchero and Wagner are, in actuality, pretty damn tall.  But they play like Gs, and Orlando's post presence of the Paolo era, from what I've observed, is virtually nonexistent.

I'm tempted to once again bigup Mo Bamba, but he actually had the best season of his career with the Magic a few years back, and they still let him go, so obviously he isn't the one.  Al Horford is another tempting prospect but may be too slow to keep up with Franz and the boys.  There's also Bol, who likewise had his best season with the Magic, but they decided not to retain his services.  Again, little to no respect for actual bigs.  And as for Jonathan Isaac, he's like the black Kristaps Porzingis(?).

So I'm gonna shift more to the fantasy side and go with Jonathan Kuminga.  He wouldn't be a perfect fit, as he's also been trained, despite being dumb tall, to play more like a G.  But he's more athletic than any of Orlando's current players and though not particularly a post player knows how to crash the board.  In hindsight, the Magic prolly should have made a play on DeAndre Ayton during the brief window he was available.

WASHINGTON WIZARDS (18-64) - JOSH GIDDEY

The Wizards suck so bad that despite representing the nation's capital, they're more or less irrelevant.  But at least now, it appears they have sort of a plan or structure.  There's other young teams out there that could really benefit from the presence of a player like Khris Middleton or C.J. McCollum.  So what Washington really needs right now is one of their young prospects to emerge as a star, and then everything should start falling into place.

I'm going with Josh Giddey because besides being an (restricted) free agent, he more or less averages a triple-double.  And whereas I have absolutely no idea who the starting PG on Washington is supposed to be (McCollum?), I would venture to say that this is a team that could use a pass-first general who can also score and rebound.  C.J. may end up running the point, but all things considered he'd probably better serve at the 2.

If this season also proves to be an utter disappointment, I think the Wizards should just give up on the youth movement.  The powers-that-be don't favor them in the draft, and their braintrust isn't particularly known for finding diamonds in the rough.  They'd probably be better off having McCollum + Middleton (+ Giddey?) serve as their foundation rather than any of these younger dudes.  But again, some of the youth have to shine so that at the very least they can be used as trade chips, probably being better served in terms of development with other organizations anyway.

If I Could Send One Player to Any Team (Pacific Division)

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (48-34) - BOL BOL

As it currently stands, the Dubs don't have a C to speak of, and if they traded Kuminga for, say, Keegan Murray, that wouldn't solve their problem with size.  But at the same time, they've already won a few championship without a widely-recognizable C, tho that was back in the Splash Bros.' days.

I'm going to once again go with Bol Bol here.  He's arguably the best big big still on the market, if you average his stats by the minutes he's been granted.  I get the Al Horford argument and can totally see how he would fit in Golden State.  But first of all, you have to question the logic of going even older.  Second, it seems that the Warriors are going to eventually get Horford anyway, whether Kuminga sticks around or not.

Imagine a starting front of Green + Kuminga + Butler?  They could arguably be the best from a defensive standpoint.  And on one hand it's like 'damn, they can't shoot threes'.  But isn't Steph on the team also?

LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS (50-32) - AL HORFORD

They're saying the the 2025-26 Clippers are the oldest team in NBA history.  So, why stop now?  They have the deepest roster since the turn-of-the-century Blazers.  Wearing the opponent down with an endless supply of good players is a viable strategy, esp. in today's NBA.

LOS ANGELES LAKERS (50-32) - AL HORFORD

Now we're seeing more of the aftereffects of Lebron coming to the Lakers.  The best brainstrust in the NBA has become such that they're in the present and future at the same time.  And funny thing once again is that these problems would be solved if LBJ just stuck to the 4 and played harder defense (more consistently) - the latter which he probably can't due to age.

Outside of the point, the Lakers aren't deep at any position.  I'm once again thinking about Horford, if they actually want to win now and has had a winning history, even when not winning championships.  Also, he can play like three different positions.

Another option is Gary Payton II, a player who knows how to make an impact without having the ball in is hands.

PHOENIX SUNS (36-48) - AL HORFORD

Phoenix has an exceptional braintrust that's difficult to figure out.  They're like a poker player being dealt a winning hand but then saying 'hey, let's gamble anyway, since we have the chips'.  The Suns' long-term relationship with Booker is inspiring but, you know what I'm saying?  Dudes really need to think outside the box.

Meanwhile Horford, at the age of 39(!), is arguably the best unrestricted free agent on the market.  He wouldn't make the Suns into contenders, but it's like if they remain healthy, who knows?

It's difficult for me to envision Kuminga on Phoenix's roster, and he wouldn't likely make them into contenders either, though the Suns may once again prove exciting.  That Bradley Beal contract, oh my goodness.

SACRAMENTO KINGS (40-42) - BEN SIMMONS

It's been years since I watched the Kings play, so this following suggestion is made based upon a presumption.  Anytime you pass the ball to DeRozan, Lavine or Sabonis in a halfcourt set, you have to more or less take for granted he's going to shoot.  And why not?  All three are consistent 20ppg scorers, and this is besides other viable scoring option on Sacramento's roster.  So what you rather need is a complementary player who isn't going to shoot the ball but excels at other areas.

It amazes me how NBA teams with a lot of firepower can't see that.  There needs to be a team that reminds the world that a championship can be won with two-pointers(?).

The Thunder just more or less did.  So if the Kings are going to be stuck with this core, might as well let them go buckwild - complete shoot-at-will though inside the arc type shit.  What the team would then need though is exceptional rebounding and perimeter defense, both of which I think Ben provides.

I can also envision the ScapeGOAT on this squad.  But at the end of the day the Kings are likely going to have to reboot, with like Sabonis being the only man untouchable.

CONCLUSION

It's funny how, after the youngest team ever just won a championship, the hottest free agent heading into this August is almost 40 years old.  I guess NBA players are like action stars.  We like what we're familiar with, even if the younger guys are more athletic.  Al Horford is like the Bruce Willis of the NBA.

If I Could Send One Player to Any Team (Central Division)

There's been a lot more team changing this offseason than many of us anticipated.  Most deals have already been made, but there are still quite a few quality free (and restricted) agents out there, those which, if braintrusts choose wisely, may push this or that team to the next level.  That said, not every suggestion I'm going to make here is free agent but in one case the type of player a particular organization appears to need most, even if the actual possibility of landing him is nonexistent.

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (64-18) - JONATHAN KUMINGA

It's arguable that no team disappointed this past postseason moreso than the Cavs.  By the looks of things, they're going to more or less run it back again next season, and on one hand it's like why not?  But on the other hand, I'm not going to dumb out and put my faith in them yet again.

The problem with teams like Cleveland is that it's hard to identify any flaws on their roster to begin with.  People were quick to denounce the idea of having a twin towers, but that strategy worked for the Thunder.  One of the reasons it worked though is because Holmgren is more versatile than Mobley.  You also see that during the Finals, OKC didn't even start Hartenstein.

So the lesson appears to be that, during the regular season if you will, a twin towers may work.  But during the postseason, you need to accommodate or adjust.  And that's why I'm suggesting Jonathan Kuminga.  When the argument is that Allen is too slow to defend on the perimeter or doesn't have enough of an offensive repertoire, then start Kuminga instead.

The fact that no other team has offered Jonathan a contract isn't due to him being undesirable but rather, according to reports, this offseason being one in which virtually all squads are cash-strapped.  So yeah, I don't realistically expect Cleveland to go after him, unless maybe they were willing to give up Jarrett altogether in the process.

And that, once again, is the problem with being really good during the regular season but sucking in the playoffs.  You presume that some type of major change is needed yet at the same time are reluctant to initiate any.  That begs the question of which is better, to be really good but then fail when everything is on the line, or to suck altogether?  At the end of the day, are the Cavs even any better than, say, the Trailblazers?

INDIANA PACERS (50-32) - JOSH GIDDEY

This one was easy, since it appears that Haliburton will not be suiting up at all next season.  Meanwhile, Giddey is a player with a very similar style, in terms of his build and versatility.  It may even be argued that all-around stat-wise, Josh is better than Tyrese.  But if Indiana did go out and get Giddey, then you'd have to ask what role would be play once Haliburton returns, since Josh is more or less a non-factor when he isn't allowed to run point.

I'm not as pessimistic about the Pacers as a lot of people, including apparently their own braintrust, are concerning next season.  Another viable option would be going after Russell Westbrook who, in a manner of speaking, is like Haliburton and Turner rolled into one player.  I don't think Indiana's braintrust just standing pat is the best solution, especially when it comes to trying to do the best for their fanbase.

MILWAUKEE BUCKS (48-34) - RUSSELL WESTBROOK

Honestly, I'm shocked that Westbrook remains a free agent as of this writing.  But as I have noted numerous times throughout this blog, "the ScapeGOAT" has regularly suffered from misplaced(?) hate throughout the years.

Russell is the victim of what I would call the curse of greatness.  When you're naturally better than most of your colleagues, people expect you to succeed by default.  It's those types of expectations which has turned players like LBJ and KD to superteam feens.

I could easily perceive how Westbrook would at least prove more valuable to the Bucks than Dame did.  It isn't like they have much to lose in giving him a shot.  And since no one has high expectations for Milwaukee this coming season, if they do fail it's not like everyone can then turn around and blame it on Russell(?).  He may not be the best three-point shooter out there, but given his multitude of other talents, does he really have to be?

DETROIT PISTONS (44-38) - KEVIN DURANT

I know that KD isn't actually available, but there's two reasons I suggested him anyway.  First is that, as I've been saying for the longest, I would love to see more of these old superstars go to young teams.  I'm not talking about the way CP3 went to the Spurs last season but more like old superstars joining younger teams and instantly making them contenders in the process.

In the grand scheme of things, there wasn't any super-major difference between the rosters of the Rockets and Pistons entering this offseason.  They both lost in the First Round, after all.  But Houston is more reputable and also apparently better resourced, so Durant could chose them without giving a less-popular team like Detroit a second or even first thought.

That said, unlike the Pacers and Bucks, it makes more sense for the Pistons not to rush out and make any major additions.  But losing both Beasley and Schroder is far from ideal.  Meanwhile, it seems they haven't made any notable additions at all this offseason except maybe Caris LeVert.

CHICAGO BULLS (39-43) - BOL BOL

Recently, there's been reports of the Bulls being interested in Kuminga or something like that, but I don't really see it.  Jonathan is good and likely to get better, but I doubt if he'll ever be even a consistent number-two option.  For the past couple of years, I've rather been advocating him going to a team like the Grizzlies.  Their roster is more on his timeline, and the onus wouldn't be on him to play like superstar night in and night out.  The Warriors, contrastingly, are a high-pressure team, where if you aren't consistently on point, it will show.

Chicago's roster sucks, so much so that if finish anywhere near .500, that would be considered an overachievement.  They have the type of squad that could literally use any good player, outside of maybe a point, since Giddey already seems to have that role locked down.

The general consensus is the best (restricted) free agent currently available is, once again, Kuminga.  But I can't advocate him going from the Dubs to a team that doesn't look like it'll make playoffs anytime soon, even in the lackluster East.  Nor could I condemn Westbrook to such a fate.

So I'm going to go with Bol Bol because first of all, Chicago obviously needs depth in the frontcourt (as they have for years now).  Secondly, it's sorta surprising, at least to me, that Bol doesn't have a contract.  For whatever reason, after a promising season a couple of years ago, his minutes have been drastically reduced.  Maybe he's not as good as I think he is.  Or maybe, he's never gotten a fair shot due to his appearance and shit like that.  His looks aren't exactly what we would call marketable from a Western civilization perspective.  But I would like to see Bol for once get major minutes, like a starter, to really prove what he could do.  And he'll likely only get that type of opportunity on a completely-garbage team(?) like the Bulls.