2026-27 NBA Season Predictions

I was hoping to get this post off before the regular season started, but that didn’t happen.  That said, I have yet to watch any regular season games or highlights but have been following headlines on Yahoo and NBC.  And even then, they only focus on a handful of teams, i.e. the most popular.  So the following predictions have not been really influenced by anything that has happened in the regular season thus far and in fact, if anything, have been buttressed by them.  Outside of those handful of teams, I don't know who's won or loss yet.  And the records you see below are from the preseason, not the regular season.

ATLANTA HAWKS (4-1)

There isn’t much to see here.  They may overachieve again, you know, make it to the First Round type shit.  But in the improved EC, it isn’t as likely.

Dudes got bullied out the building last postseason and, instead of bulking up, may have gotten even smaller.  It’s obvious, at least to me, that they aren’t really trying to win or if anything aren’t under any type of win-now pressure.  And it’s all good, if dudes can preserve their health until whenever the roster becomes more formidable.

JALEN JOHNSON

Can once again be an allstar, considering that there really aren’t any other on the roster

BOSTON CELTICS (4-0)

Yes, I was feeling salty about the whole Jaylen Brown thing for awhile.  And based on conventional logic, you wouldn’t expect a team to willingly part ways with its best player and then try to compete for a championship the following season.  So I was like yeah, fuk the Celtics.

But when I really started looking at their roster, I noticed that they had depth across the board and therefore shouldn’t be hastily written off, even tho, you know, I’m not on their dicks like some other pundits.  But Derrick White, who’s arguably their best all-around player, isn’t a spring chicken, nor is the undisputed alpha, Jayson Tatum, nor is Brown’s replacement, Paul George, nor is their biggest free agent acquisition, Mitchell Robinson.  So I mean, yeah.  With that in mind, it’s more understandable why they gave Pritchard that contract.  There’s going to be a lot asked of him.

BROOKLYN NETS (3-1)

The Nets have looked pretty competitive in the preseason, definitely not like pushovers.  The roster lacks starpower but is rich in young dudes who, in theory, should be able to run older teams down.  In fact, they're the youngest team in the NBA.  So let's hope they can at least use that to their advantage.

JULIUS RANDLE

Please try to stay in the post, where you're more needed, like damn already

CHARLOTTE HORNETS (1-3)

I have high hopes for the Hornets.  They have a deep, talented roster, which honestly I can’t remember them possessing since like the 1990s or, you know, last season.

You always hear people talking about ‘the Sixers need to sacrifice, with all their talent’.  That’s truer for Charlotte’s roster, even if they aren't as talented, especially when it comes to the point.  No use letting LaMelo "the Travel Agent" Ball go if you’re just going to replace him with another chuck.

CHICAGO BULLS (3-2)

Damn, I almost forgot about the Bulls, like deadass.  I'm anticipating they'll be a good watch at least.  It's bug like to this day, when this team is mentioned, the first thing to come to mind is Jordan.

And that rookie dude, Caleb Wilson, the one time I did watch him play looked kinda smallish on court.  So I don't know if the onus they're putting on him is really realistic at this point.

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (1-2)

With teams like the Cavs, who I’ve criticized a lot in recent years, I don’t want to be redundant and sound like I’m bullying.  I’ve already been saying that one of the things they appear to lack is favor from on high, and I recently came across a conspiracy theory, concerning last season’s ECF, which supported that idea.  And you know, if that is the case, I don’t think the Beard is the type of player you bring over to solve it.

Oh well. At least we can say that, roster-wise, Cleveland has done an expeditious job rebounding post-Lebron.  They haven’t remained in obscurity into virtual perpetuity, like the post-Jordan Bulls.  So I’m sure we’re looking at another noteworthy regular season, concluding with another postseason flunking, tho I think this year’s iteration may have a worst record than last.  Peyton Watson may be the type of starting 3 they’ve longed for.  But now, what about the bench?

DALLAS MAVERICKS (1-3)

I think Kyrie is more humble than a lot of people give him credit for, like other proven superstars of his caliber would never agree to play on a roster like this.  I now doubt even Flagg’s status as the next great white hope can save this team, considering the Lakers new makeup.

It's sort of a strange situation like okay, Irving is not on the new timeline.  But concurrently, this team lacks talent compared to competitors and clearly needs him.  I think Adam Silver and them more or less killed tanking, so it isn't as logical to intentionally be garbage anymore.

DENVER NUGGETS (3-2)

I feel sorry for Braun, in that he's entering this season with arguably the worst contract in the league, and that'll be pointed out at every opportunity, of which I'm presuming they'll be many, especially if he remains a starter. DeRozan should definitely, undoubtedly get the call over him, but Denver's braintrust isn't always that wise.  They're the committed types, though at least not as bad as the Warriors.

DETROIT PISTONS (3-1)

A couple of weeks ago when I listed the plethora of contenders in the East, the Pistons sorta slipped my mind.  That Duren situation was a big mess, but it seems that they've since moved on.  I don't know the intricacies of everything, but considering how sharp he looked in the preseason, I'm thinking that maybe dude shoulda just signed for a couple of years, three at most, instead of a whopping five at that price.

Anyway, Detroit does have a couple of advantages over its competitors. Off the top of my head, I'd say they have a higher degree of continuity than any other team in East, besides maybe the Magic.  And unlike any other squad in the entire league, they have an identity which arguably dates back 30+ years.

But still, all things considered, for some reason I can't fully explain, it's easier not to believe in these dudes than to believe in them to win it all.  Playing musical chairs every offseason without noticeably upgrading isn't moving the needle, unless the core develops better than competitors.

JOHN COLLINS

One of the better acquisitions of the entire offseason

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (4-2)

The way I feel about the Warriors, by this point, is that they overbelieve in Curry.  That said, I also felt that way a few years back, i.e. 2022, and they proceeded to win a championship.  And like, if you must have faith in anybody in the NBA, it’d have to be Steph.

But, you know, dude isn’t Lebron.  And even if you’re going to keep him around, okay, at least put him on a roster that’s like respectable without him.

That said, I can totally envision this team making noise if healthy, which is a big if, and I can also understand why they’d pay to keep Draymond around, all things considered.  What I can’t understand tho and why they gave dudes so much money, clearly cognizant of the fact that the rest of the roster needed better fleshing out.

Maybe Lebron snubbing them is like symbolic of how all stars currently feel about GSW, so why not just blow the money?  The Dubs had their dynasty, but they aren't super-popular like the Lakers.

KRISTAPS PORZINGIS

They're now trying to trade him, lol/smh

HOUSTON ROCKETS (2-1)

The Rockets may be lacking size compared to some competitors, but they have everything else, arguably in abundance.  The big question is if a leader can emerge, not a diva or a chuckin’ PG, but someone more level-headed who can run the show and make the pieces fit - potentially Amen Thompson, all things considered.  And see, this is the kind of confusion you have when you already have a promising roster but insist on infusing it with legendary talent that it may not necessarily need.  You know, this ain’t like when dude went to the Dubs.

KEVIN DURANT

Needs to get off his high horse, but that isn’t likely

INDIANA PACERS (1-3)

I’m definitely glad Haliburton is back but like, I don’t know.  But that said, no one, including me, really believed in this team a couple of seasons ago.  Yet they were on the verge of winning the championship and maybe even blowing OKC out, at home, in Game 7, until Tyrese got hurt.

But now, at least to me, he has sort of that PG13 vibe about him.  Like everytime I’m watching, I’m afraid he’s going to slip over a banana peel or some shit, and there it goes.

LA CLIPPERS (2-1)

One thing you have to give to the Clippers is that at least they have pride (tho, according to a couple Lob City stars, aren't particularly loyal).  And despite having arguably the least-impressive roster in the West, I don’t think they’re going to be anyone’s pushover unless, you know, somewhere along the line they get demoralized.

DARIUS GARLAND

In position to be an allstar yet again

LA LAKERS (2-3)

I’ve been Laker bashing so much these past few years that now I’m gonna chill out.  But just to note, my beef hasn’t been with the players, even GM Lebron per se but really the braintrust, you know, who have more authority and make the actual roster decisions.

That said, as I pointed out a short time ago, well, I won’t really get into it here.  But let’s say that with their new racial and political makeup, LAL is in a position to benefit from even more rigging, if you will, than they have traditional. 

Kessler 12-for-12 in his debut?  Lol.  Okay, he went 10-for-10 in a game last year.  But still, that performance yesterday is kinda shocking, or let's more aptly say convenient.

So I'm expecting them to win more games than their talent and depth imply, and you know, that wouldn't be the first time that's happened to LAL in recent memory.  But maybe, Luka really is that guy(?).

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (3-1)

Well, at least there’s some buzz again.  And they have a promising, up-and-coming roster which, you know, isn’t as newsworthy as it used to be, now that tanking has been outlawed. 

These days, unless you can pull an OKC and overachieve sooner rather than later, a promising lineup is more likely to fall apart after three years than remain intact.  That was even true before, when you look at their team from 2022 for instance.  So here's to hoping that dudes can at least make some noise.

MIAMI HEAT (3-2)

The Heat are one of my sentimental favorites, and yes, I do feel they have enough talent to make the Finals, even with their balance issues.  The onus, in a strange sorta way, is actually on Andrew Wiggins, the man smackdab in the middle of the starting lineup, and that’s actually fitting or karmic, considering he’s the only number one pick on the roster.  So to me, considering his past and all, he's already the scapegoat if things go wrong.

NICK RICHARDS

Another x-factor, if he wants to be

MILWAUKEE BUCKS (2-3)

The Bucks have always been one of the more obscure teams, to the point that now, that championship from a few years back feels increasingly like an anomaly,  I feel kinda sorry for dudes, as I incepted the Dame trade tho am pretty sure I also intimated in the process that they shouldn't get rid of Holiday.  Anyway, that move more or less began the chain of slapping them back down into obscurity.  I was kinda excited about this team before the preseason began but as it currently stands have little to no interest in watching them, you know, unless they're upsetting dudes.

KEL'EL WARE

Let him be the cornerstone instead of trading him

KEVIN PORTER JR.

Surprised he got cut, but they also did the same thing to Cam Thomas (which was less surprising)

NEW ORLEANS PELICANS (3-1)

By this point, the elephant in the room is Zion.  And it’s funny how things work out sometimes because at first, it was like he couldn’t stay healthy.  But now, it’s like his health is okay, yet dudes still aren’t winning and don’t seem particularly likely to pull off a miracle.

If he suffers another major injury, it may be time for NOP to cut their losses and let Williamson try his luck elsewhere.  Or, you know, they can keep him around into perpetuity and at least maintain the starpower.

NEW YORK KNICKS (1-4)

All things considered, I understand why NYK decided to run it back.  If it ain’t broke(?), then don’t fix it.

But with Robinson gone, amongst other factors, they may have lost or minimized their wembyproofing.  And those other factors include, oh shit, dudes haven’t gotten any younger.

I’m an Anunoby fan, even before that tip-in, and wouldn’t mind seeing him make allstar.  But he isn’t necessarily aging gracefully in NBA terms.

And to me, that’s the elephant in the room with NYK - their age.  It can be advantageous sometimes against younger teams, if you play bully ball right.  But if, for instance, the powers-that-be did favor them in Game 4, as many people believe (and which I prolly would’ve done also if I were in charge, for like the biggest celebrity crowd in NBA history), they shouldn’t expect to receive that kind of grace two years in a row.

I'd say now that their ace in the hole - i.e. the one who has yet to exhibit his full potential on this roster and the player that really pushes them over the edge, all talent considered - is Mikal Bridges.  So here's to hoping that they'll develop a strategy to give him more room to show out, i.e. force him to be a number one option, if you will.

BRUCE BROWN

Too bad, but you can’t airball a gamewinner during the preseason lol

JAMES WISEMAN

All things considered, greater opportunity now than with the Dubs

OKC THUNDER (1-4)

Last season, to my remembrance, I picked the Thunder to win it all, you know, since Haliburton was hurt.  And, well, at least they made it to the Game 7 of the WCF.

But I have to be honest with my conscience and pick them again.  But that said, even the greatest teams have their kryptonite.  The Jordan Bulls really would've had a big problem for instance if somehow they met the Lakers in the 1998 Finals.

OKC’s kryptonite last season, with out without Wemby if I remember correctly, was the Spurs.  But as I said about a month or so ago, I do believe Holmgren will come back more focused after being exposed like that.  Also yes, I do believe that Mara, the rookie, can prove a sound extra layer of wembyproofing, at least in the interior.

I can also envision a couple of teams out East, most specifically the Wizards and Heat, potentially besting the Thunder in the postseason.  But for now, I'm going with OKC as champions.

ORLANDO MAGIC (3-1)

The Magic have kinda grown on me, and I think Vucevic can prove to he one of the most impactful, slept-upon acquisitions of the offseason.  Their talent and depth doesn’t jump off the page, but this core has more or less been together what, even longer than the Pistons?  And they also have the advantage, if you will, of not being under as much pressure as other Eastern Conference teams.

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (1-3)

It's hard to really feel confident about the Sixers.  If this were still the smallball era, it'd be easier to say they'd take the East, but it isn't.  So basically when they're up against bigger teams, of which there are quite a few these days, the strategy is apparently going to be outgunning them.  That may work in some instances, but not all.

For instance, Andre "KFC" Drummond was reportedly having a field day against them before "running out of steam".  On the low, he's still one of the better Cs in the league.  That type of size, no man can take from him. But he's on the older side, and others Philly face will have more energy.

Also, even when he isn't GMing, having Lebron presents its own set of unique problems.  We're once again faced with this situation where he's arguably the best passer on the team, while concurrently being the healthiest bigman.  But you can't play the point and the post at the same time(?).

Oh well.  I've always questioned why the Sixers have been so adamant in paying Embiid so much money, considering his persistent injuries.  But the funny thing is, based on the above argument, even with this stacked starting lineup, the onus is very much on him.

VJ EDGECOMBE

Should feast with the attention on everyone else

JOEL EMBIID

Should be looking at this as his last season (as a starter)

PHOENIX SUNS (1-4)

The Suns are sorta the NBA epitome of 'the more things change, the more they stay the same'.  This org has adopted the run-and-gun style for more or less 20 years going, even though it's never won them shit.  Oh, wait - they did make the Finals once this century, when they fielded a roster bookended by a traditional PG (CP3) and a traditional big (Ayton).  So yeah, I can kinda understand why the ownership is still salty post-KD.  But if anything, they should be blaming themselves for blowing up that roster to accomodate him.

DEVIN BOOKER

Should start thinking about demanding a trade

JALEN GREEN

Scary, in both a good and bad way, at the point

MARK WILLIAMS

More or less the onus or at least the team's greatest rarity, in terms of size + talent

PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS (3-1)

This is my sleeper pick of the West, not to make the Finals but to at least finish fourth place, maybe even higher with some luck.  The roster makeup may not be perfect, but I would argue it’s the best or deepest Dame ever experienced in Portland.  And you know, that’s how aged superstars are supposed to go out when they’re loyal to a franchise, with as little onus stress as possible - not stuck on some bottom dweller, like LAL did to Kobe.  Also, having Holiday and Lillard together are what the Bucks were supposed to do instead of getting rid of the former to acquire the latter.

ROBERT WILLIAMS III

Needs to have a renaissance season

SACRAMENTO KINGS (0-5)

Damn, like how are they the only team to lose every preseason game this year?  Fukin Kings.

I was looking forward to watching Ben Simmons reestablish himself and… oh well.  Now, finally, I would agree it’s time for dude to retire from the NBA.

Also, I kinda feel sorry for Acuff Jr. because first of all, I would venture to say that no consensus lottery pick would actually want to go to the Kings. And secondly, dude already has so much Scootish pressure on him, and that isn’t fair with a PG and especially one drafted by such an ass-backwards organization.  This is the kinda team NBAers are supposed to be stuck on when no one else will take them.

ZACH LAVINE

May reestablishes himself as an allstar(?)

SAN ANTONIO SPURS (2-3)

A couple of days ago, the league's GMs or coaches or whatever voted Tobias Harris the biggest acquisition of the offseason.  I don't feel that way.  Did dude even play in the preseason?

My beef isn't with Harris but the fact that the team didn't really need another stretch 4 but rather someone more imposing in the middle.  I was thinking someone more lebronish.  Or even Kawhi, who's smaller than Tobias, would have been preferable in that regard.

Meanwhile their main competition, the Thunder, has gotten bigger.  The Spurs did just draft a few bigs, and I'm presuming that at least one of them is going to get real playing time this season.

That said, if the powers-that-be did gyp them in Game 4 versus the Knicks, then all things considered I think it's safe to say their time will come sooner or later.  And they're like my second-sentimental favorite though more likely, again all things considered, to win than the Wizards.

TORONTO RAPTORS (2-3)

If healthy, honestly I don't see any reason why the Raptors can't take the East, tho the bench is gonna have to step up.  Out of all of the smallish teams out there, they're best suited to take on bigger squads defensively.  That's the Kawhi factor, and they better make things click fast, because dude is aging, and he ain't exactly what you would call an ironman.

UTAH JAZZ (3-1)

Damn, almost forgot about the Jazz.  I did watch them play once during the preseason, and I mean, well...

They have formidable veteran bigs and good diversity.  But the young dudes in the backcourt are going to have to really show out for this to work.  And considering they are the Jazz, one of the most obscure teams in the league outside of a brief run in the 1990s, it's kinda hard to believe in or even remember them.

WASHINGTON WIZARDS (2-2)

Go, Wizards!  Remember how these dudes were getting their asses bust last year?  No one is going to be dropping 80pts on them again anytime soon!

They are my sentimental favorites for 2026-27, even more than the Spurs though, all things considered, I wouldn’t bank of them immediately winning it all, whether they have the talent or not.

But here’s a couple of interesting things to think about.  They’re arguably more wembyproof than even OKC.  And AD, if he remains healthy  - which I know is a big if, but still - wouldn't he be like the best C in the East by default?

2026 NBA Offseason Grade (Pacific Division)

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS: C

Some people say that the Warriors had the worst offseason of any fan favorite, but I don't wholly feel that way.  They're not lying when they say that if Butler is healthy, he would make a huge difference.  If he returns in form, that should instantly thrust the Warriors up to the same consideration of at least the Rockets.  This is the most 'what if they were healthy' team in the league.  Remember that Porzingis is an all-time injury great.

Their rookie, Yaxel Lendenborg, won the most notable summer league.  Those kinds of accomplishments don't really tend to make a difference in the long run, but better some good news than none.

The above grade does not take into consideration that the Dubs (if they're still called that) quote/unquote 'missed out on Lebron James'.  The "C" represents the fact that they're already a good team (on paper), who have decided to stand pat.  But they need miracles of sports science type shit.

LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS: B

All things considered, the Clippers should dedicate at least one entire season to testing Kawhi as the undisputed alpha.  In a way, it's like he never truly had that position in his entire career.  The sad thing though, if they are forced down that route, is that the braintrust didn't use this offseason to specifically build a team around him.

One thing you have to respect about this franchise is that they never tank.  Even when it looked like Leonard was leaving, they were dedicated to competing in the present.  The roster may be mediocre and nonprogressive, but they aren't approaching the season like pushovers.

LOS ANGELES LAKERS: B+

In terms of roster additions, the Lakers' offseason hasn't been inspiring at all.  I'd rather pair Jaxson Hayes with Luka than Walker Kessler.  But they did the best they could, I guess.

But if they had known, for an entire year and a half, that the plan was for Lebron, their best all-around player, to leave town, why weren't they better prepared?  'Oh, but we did prepare. We've been working on the Walker Kessler deal for the last 18 months'.  That sounds like an executive who wants to be replaced by AI.

But this is what I want you to also to keep in mind.  During the Trump era, the Lakers have now become the whitest team in the NBA, besides establishing a familial relationship with the White House.  You do the math.

They still need to work on star power though, which makes keeping Bronny around, despite whatever, more logical.  And if they get to flunking again, the 'Re-Trade Luka Movement' is going to start soon.

PHOENIX SUNS: C

Miles Bridges is a fine addition who should make this team more entertaining, but he doesn't solve their problem of too much iso.  Replacing Chris Paul with KD fuked Phoenix up in more ways than one because now, they don't even know how to play team basketball anymore.  But even if they did, with this roster it wouldn't make a whole world of difference.

Ideally, an organization would be one that players want to play for, even if you don't bribe (i.e. overpay) them.  That's what the Suns lack.  They have the best graphic designs in the league and something like a winning history but can never establish themselves like the big dogs, the types of franchises that old, valuable vets believe they can win a championship with.

SACRAMENTO KINGS: C-

The Kings are easily the most obscure franchise in the NBA.  They're so bad that even lineups that look almost perfect on paper end up falling to the bottom of the standings.

It's so bad that now the keys of the car are being handed to a #5 draft pick even though, you know, guys like Sabonis - arguably the best pure PF in the league - are still around.  And I'm like, don't put too much pressure on the kid.  In order to turn this sh*tshow around, he'd have to be an all-time great.  Lebron could come to this team, and they'd still suck.

CONCLUSION

There doesn't appear to be much noteworthy going on here.  The Pacific boasts an admirable level of celebrity.  But I mean, if the closest you appear to having a contender is the Lakers, that's not really anything to brag about.

2026 NBA Offseason Grades: Northwest Division

DENVER NUGGETS: B

The Nuggets have acquired the services of DeMar DeRozan, which is a quality pickup.  I would even argue that he's an upgrade over Watson, even though they're different types of players.  DeMar is more resilient and proven.

But it looks like, based on preliminary suggestions, that they may actually bench him on behalf of Christian Braun.  If that's true, that means both Westbrook and DeRozan, i.e. one lock and one probable future HoFer, would have been benched in favor of Braun.  Please, someone make sense of that to me.

I think Lonnie Walker IV was also a solid acquisition.  But unless you're a fan of nostalgia, I really don't see any need to get excited about Denver from the jump though, with DeMar, it is possible they'll overachieve.

The bench, regardless if he or Christian leads the second unit, is nothing to write home about.  But I guess, all things considered, the braintrust did the best they could.  Losing Watson kinda sucks, but not really, after it was revealed, reading in between the lines, that he wasn't overly committed to the organization.

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES: A

It remains to be seen if the Wolves have gotten better.  Kuminga for Reid and Ball for Conley + Randle are like equal tradeoffs on paper.  But I agree with other pundits that it was better for Minny to do something (drastic) rather than standing pat.  Looking at the signs last postseason, you don't want to risk a situation where Edwards may decide to force his way out.  And things have definitely improved in that, besides Philly (and San Antonion, I guess), so long as they're healthy, the T-Wolves are the only other team that's must-watch, win or lose.  Building that kind of roster, without Lebron or Wemby, is something to be applauded.

OKC THUNDER: A-

The NBA is more injury prone than ever, and likewise having insurance (i.e. a deep roster) is also more ideal than ever.  But I like the fact that the Thunder have trimmed down, because even though all those moving pieces were intimidating, they weren't as good as a lot of people thought.

That championship they won, it's arguable they wouldn't have (despite homecourt advantage) if Haliburton didn't get hurt.  And last season, deep roster and all, they lost in the WCF anyway.  Yes, I know Williams was hurt (and they rushed him back) and one of those redundant yet effective wing dudes was also injured.  But not being able to survive a couple of injuries defeats the purpose of being that deep to begin with.  And also, as fans, we could use more Alex Caruso and Jared McCain.

But I guess the one downside is people now believing that Holmgren is overrated, yet OKC failed to acquire any additional, notable bigs to back him up.  I don't necessarily feel that way.  I believe Chet is so tall that Wemby is the first time he ever faced anyone whose actually taller.  He lost his biggest advantage, so it's a learning curve.  Dude may have that Ryan Reynolds' head, but he's still a child.

PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS: A-

I like the fact that Portland acquired Morant and also that they've retained the services of Scoot, for what it's worth.  This is a deep and formidable, albeit undersized, G core, especially if Lillard returns anywhere near his previous, perennial-allstar form.  It's also balanced, like you have two elders and then two younger bucks.  They could be a surprise team.  But at the same time, it doesn't necessarily appear as if they're vying for a championship.  Or let's say that, if they are expecting to win it all, then the onus has once again been placed on Damian, despite his age and injury history.

UTAH JAZZ: C

Last season, the Jazz were being advertised as a team who, despite sucking since the departure of Spider + Gobert, would finally have their shit together this coming season, or in the very least a frontline to look forward to in Markannen + Jackson Jr. + Kessler, buttressed by a young, promising G core.  And just like that, with the departure of Walker, the vision has evaporated.

Meanwhile, I'm looking at the roster like okay, a lot of these younger dudes I don't really know.  But it's like, who cares?  Has progress been achieved, as envisioned in February?  I'm surprised a braintrust led by Danny Ainge is mired in mediocrity like this.  Maybe he shoulda stayed in Boston.

CONCLUSION

A couple of teams in this division, i.e. Minnesota and Portland, have made powermoves as compared to last season's rosters.  And since the conference has gotten weaker in general, a sleeper or two will inevitably emerge out West.  But none in this division have clearly upgraded besides, fingers crossed, the Blazers.  And the only indisputable contender, as it currently stands, is of course OKC.

Free Agency Talk: Lebron to the Sixers

This may be the first time I wrote an article about a single free agency decision and also the first time I've written like five articles in a row about the same player.  But hey, it is Lebron, and presumably this is the last time an offseason will be highlighted by his always dramatic decision making.  Even when he chose the Lakers back in the day, the way I remember it he made that choice fairly quickly, but still, him going to LAL in the first place was more or less a shocker.

LBJ heading to Philly isn't as monumental as it may sound in the moment, unless they win a championship.  But it is very much exciting news nonetheless.

Since acquiring Jaylen Brown, the Sixers were already considered must-watch and contenders for this upcoming season.  They weren't in a sad state like, say, the Cavs when Lebron returned to Cleveland, or the Lakers when he decided to sign there.  So basically, his presence just makes them more must watch and more contenders.  You know, championship or bust.

But there's a whole lot of side stories associated with this latest decision.  This time around, unlike when he returned to Cleveland or went to LA, Lebron's presence is not demanding that the recipient team sacrifice young talent.  But there are still a lot of people affected on the periphery.

LEBRON JAMES (WINNER OR LOSER?)

Concerning his decision, three ideas emerged from LBJ's camp over this summer.  His goals were (#1) to win another championship, (#2) to be close to his family in Los Angeles and (#3) to make the right "business" decision.  And well, at least he's achieved one of them.

In terms of that whole "business choice" shit, I mean, James just signed a 2-year, $8mil deal, if you can imagine that.  The highest scoring player in NBA history, a reigning allstar and, based on this past offseason, still the King of the game is now being paid, relatively speaking, like a peasant.  That doesn't sound like a wise business decision.

But that said, the implication going into next season was that he was slated to make significantly more from endorsements, etc. than salary.  And that likely would've been the case regardless of which team on his shortlist he chose.

What excites me the most about Lebron's decision is that finally, he's wise enough to follow the path of Abdul-Jabbar.  When Kareem was nearing the end of his career, the team he was playing for were contenders with or without him.  A couple of seasons after he retired, the Lakers still proceeded to make the Finals (with Divac).

For all-time greats that want to compete to the very end, that's the way to go - let the younger, fresher guys carry most of the burden.  Lebron signing this paltry contract makes more sense if his intention isn't to regularly overexert himself.

JOEL EMBIID (WINNER OR LOSER?)

I've been saying for like five years now that the Sixers need to part ways with Joel.  His presence is both a gift and a curse.  He proved to the x-factor against the Celtics but then was more or less a nonfactor against the Knicks.  He isn't a bad player at all, you know, when he's actually available.  At the heart of the problem, even moreso than his injuries, is the fact that, all things considered, by this point he should be making like $20mil annually instead of the max.

Anyhow, given this new roster, he's definitely, once again, the x-factor.  But now that they're actually favorites, if he does somehow fail yet again, his inefficiencies will take front and center stage.  So finally, the rest of world may see what I was talking about when I said Philly should devise other viable, contender-level options at C.

BEN SIMMONS (WINNER OR LOSER?)

Ha, I bet didn't see this one coming!  But under the presumption that Philly will be playing a lot of smallball this coming season, it would make total sense to bring Simmons back.

First of all, as far as I know, neither Maxey nor Edgecombe are exceptional defenders, besides both being undersized.  So Ben would help mitigate that issue, as all he does is defend.  And given this current Philly roster, replete with alphas, I don't think anyone will be pressuring him to shoot when he doesn't want to.

Secondly, let's not forget that Simmons can actually play the 5.  And third, a while back, before shrinking into irrelevancy, he expressed a desire to return to the team that drafted him.

If he still has it in him, i.e. the ability to play elite defense, to reiterate, it would make total sense for Philly to bring him back (especially considering that now they wouldn't have to pay him shit).  After Embiid, he's been through the most ups and downs with this team over the past decade.

Meanwhile, in terms of Simmons emerging a loser from it all, you have to imagine that he now wants to return to Philadelphia, with Lebron in town, more than he ever has since leaving.  It's not going to be easy for him seeing the team he deserted at the top of the headlines every day.

WALKER KESSLER (WINNER OR LOSER?)

I know that Kessler isn't directly affected by Lebron's decision to go to Philly per se.  He was however affected by LBJ leaving the Lakers to begin with.

So now, here's something interesting to think about.  Walker is a B-lister, and even that standing was for the most part achieved via his name being in the headlines so much over the past couple of months, not due to his actual gameplay per se.  He has instantly been thrust from playing for one of the most obscure teams in the league to now playing for the organization that has literally employed the greatest Cs in NBA history, all to championship effect.

If he's able to rise to the challenge, this is definitely a lucky break for Kessler and his brand.  But if not, well, let's just say his name is going to be in the headlines daily nonetheless, as the player who more or less replaced Lebron in LAL, and the C playing in the shadow of AD, Gasol, Shaq, etc.

LUKA DONCIC (LOSER)

Let me say this for hopefully the final time - the Mavs did not fail in eventually surrounding Doncic with complementary talent.  Besides sharing the backcourt with Kyrie (and before him Brunson), he also had the likes of Gafford, Washington and Lively on the wings, i.e. athletic, multitalented, long dudes who could complete lobs with the best of them.  Kessler is tall, but is he even athletic like that?  And that's why it makes total sense that LAL is chasing Kuminga, because he's very similar to those aforementioned players who Luka prospered with.

So what I'm predicting is that Doncic may finally be exposed.  He's been one of my favorite players, but let me be honest - I'm a bit bitter with the way the Lakers favored him over Lebron.  Not that they favored him but rather the way they did it, because he is not the answer.

After Jordan, LBJ is the greatest player in modern NBA history.  And to truly achieve that status, sorry white European players, but you have to be exceptional on both offense and defense.

But yeah, we know the NBA has changed.  So you have Luka being paid the max, while players who have to mitigate his deficiencies, like Smart and Thybulle, are being paid as little as possible.

MIAMI HEAT (WINNER)

The Heat now have the advantage of entering next season as underdogs.  Meanwhile, whether or not the Sixers' roster is superior is a matter of debate.

Well, let me say that Philly is definitely deeper, but Miami looks better defensively.  Both Bam and Giannis are in the DPOY conversation annually.  Wiggins, to my understanding, is also an above average defender, as is also Mitchell, I think.  So we're looking at a really formidable defensive squad here.  By contrast, out of Philly's projected starters, only Brown, at this point, is exceptional on defense.

And let's not also forget that Bradley Beal is out there.  Remember a few years back, the Heat were actually after him.

At that time, I argued he was overrated, achieving stardom due to being an above-average player on a below-average team, and that foretelling aged well.  But still, he isn't exactly what you would call a bum if healthy.  And if the Heat do land him, he'll be in the least-pressure situation of his career.  Dude can solely focus on shooting, which is like his biggest attribute.

Let's not also forget that the likes of Rui Hachimura and DeMar DeRozan are out there.  I don't know how much money Miami has left to spend, but they could definitely use both of those dudes.  Hachimura has been one of the biggest beneficiaries, talent wise, of the now-forced-to-shoot-threes' era of the NBA.  And they're saying that Giannis and Bam can't score from midrange, but DeRozan is one of the very best scorers in the league, perhaps top two even, inside the three-point line.

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (LOSERS)

I've been doing a lot of Beard bashing of late, but it isn't intentional.  He has also been one of my favorite players.  But Harden, all things considered, is like more show than accomplishment.

Going back to this idea that now offense is exponentially more valued than defense, he's definitely been a beneficiary of that phenomenon.  And that's part of the reason why it still doesn't make sense, at least to me, why the Cavs thought he would be the one to get them over the hump.

Meanwhile, losing Dean Wade and perhaps another dude or two I can't recall right now, while acquiring no one of note in return (unless whoever they drafted exceeds expectation), the roster has actually regressed this offseason.  Not sound braintrusting at all.  Out of all the teams on Lebron's shortlist with a realistic chance of winning a championship, they probably needed him most.

STEPH CURRY (LOSER)

It's hard to call the Warriors as a whole losers, because you can't really miss what you never had to begin with.  And their offseason, though nothing to write home about, hasn't been as bad as that of the Cavs.  Also, they still have like $15mil to spend and will likely end up with Hachimura or DeRozan, the latter of which I think would be really beneficial alongside Steph and especially with the absence of Butler.

I hate saying anything bad about Curry, because one way or the other I always come to regret it.  But simply put, he isn't the headliner he used to be.

For the most part, Golden State's braintrust has failed in surrounding him with the type of players that pique current fans' interest.  So unless the Warriors are like a top four team - which is possible I guess - no one is even going to really care to watch them.

As I said before, they needed Lebron more than anyone on his shortlist in terms of generating sales.  But instead, we're going to be treated to yet another season of neverending Draymond, hoping Steph stays healthy and waiting for Jimmy to get back on the court.

Hate to beat a dead horse, but if this were to be the case, i.e. the Dubs insisting on a core of 35+ year old players, then they should've just kept Klay around (or perhaps bring him back).  At least then, we can be treated to some true Splash Bros. magic every now and then, and I have to imagine that Thompson being back will also be exciting to fans (if they can win).

CONCLUSION

The Sixers, I mean it's hard to tell, because Kawhi may still be going to the Raptors.  It's hard to tell, whether with or without Lebron, if this team is the favorite in the East.  Their wing core cannot match defensively with that of the Knicks.  In other words, despite experiencing one of those extremely rare offseasons where a team lands two A-listers, there's still work to be done here.  And in hindsight, maybe they should've made more of an effort to acquire someone like Mitchell Robinson to backup Embiid.  

From Heroes to Zeroes: LAL + GM Lebron

I'm glad that I came across at least one article, via Yahoo!Sports, questioning what all the excitement is about concerning the Lakers' recent moves.  The fans have the freedom to express what the mainstream media cannot, that this incoming iteration of LAL is arguably "worse than last season's squad", which is saying a lot.

And in my eyes, that's not even the biggest problem, i.e. the quality of the roster per se, because some offseasons are more successful than others.  Nor is the fact that outlets like NBC have actually given the Lakers an offseason "A" for acquiring the likes of Walter Kessler, Quentin Grimes and whoever TF Sandro Mamukelashvili(?) is.  Anyone who reads this blog knows that I'm not into dissing players, so that previous sentence is not meant to be a dig against anyone.  But this is the Lakers, for crying out loud.  In days past, they made headlines for acquiring the likes of Kobe, Shaq, Gasol and Lebron - all-time greats.  And now, re-signing Austin Reaves and poaching a C-lister from the Jazz are supposed to be big deals?

As for Kessler, I've only heard positive, or let me more specifically say promising things about him these past couple of years.  It also seems that he spent most of last season injured.  Why they would want to pair a player with a concerning injury history with Doncic, who knows.  But let me say that Walker's name has never been in the headlines more than it has these past couple of weeks.  And it's never particularly inspiring when an NBAer is more popular as a free agent than he is as an actual player.  Those kind of scenarios usually end with someone being overpaid.

Also, wasn't he restricted?  So if he's so great - worthy even to be the center on the Lakers, the franchise that employed the greatest Cs of all time - why isn't anyone asking why the Jazz didn't match the offer?

THREE WHITES DON'T MAKE A RIGHT

Also, let me ask the burning question in my mind - you're actually trying to tell me that LAL is going to start three or four Whiteboys?  I don't know who Mamukelashvili is but, based on his last name, I'm presuming he's White(?).  Really, Los Angeles?  Talk about breaking away from tradition.

I'm actually an Austin Reaves fan.  He's the only young player, i.e. draftee I can think of, off the top of my head, who excelled under Lebron - so much so that I'm wondering if he'll continue to do so without him around.  But one of the concerns, with both him and Luka in the backcourt, has been defense.  Remember, this is now a guard-oriented league.  And L.A.'s braintrust totally failed to address that concern, even losing Marcus Smart in the process.

Let me further say, even though it may sound like I've been Luka bashing these last couple of posts, that I'm not.  Even from the time he was a rookie, I've been saying that Doncic is the most naturally talented player in the NBA.  He isn't the tallest or strongest or fastest, but it's almost as if he was born with a basketball in his hands.  Luka Doncis is the Lionel Messi(?) of the NBA.  But what became obvious a couple of seasons ago, when the Mavs made the Finals, was that he doesn't have the endurance of a traditional NBA superstar.

I'll admit that towards the end of last season, surprisingly to me, the Lakers did begin looking like contenders.  That is until Doncic, once again, found himself on the injury list at the most inopportune time.  Shouldn't they have at least tried to address that reality during this offseason?  When Luka inevitably goes down, you're trying to tell me that Reaves + Kessler + Grimes is going bring home the gold?  LMAO.

DAMN THAT LEBRON

I mentioned Lebron in the title, so you may be wondering what does all of this have to do with him?  Well he's the one who, imo, either directly or indirectly, has been most responsible for leading the Lakers down a path whereas, in the next couple of years, they may not be the premiere franchise in the NBA anymore, i.e. the one that children most fantasize playing for.  By 2030, that may rather be the Spurs.

LBJ does deserve credit for helping facilitate that championship in 2020 and most notably in that regard, recruiting AD.  Amidist all of that, LAL, if I remember correctly, lost Josh Hart, Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, D'Angelo Russell and Julius Randle.  That was pretty much their future.  But, in true GM Lebron fashion, even if those guys had stuck around there's no guarantee they would have won a championship, so they had to go.  Or put otherwise, King James is definitely more concerned about today than he is tomorrow because, if he was actually concerned for the future of the franchise, he would have tried to develop those young players instead of discarding them.

He did the same thing, if you'll remember, in Cleveland, sacrificing a rookie Andrew Wiggins for Kevin Love.  Again, a championship, so what can you say?  But after the fireworks were finished, how many years did it take for the Cavs to become competitive again?  Lebron seems to know what it takes to win an instant championship, but after that, good luck.

Let's not also forget Miami.  If dude actually had patience, it would have been best if he stayed there throughout the years.  In 2014, the Big Three Heat had a down season (by their standards), in that they made the Finals and lost.  Although there were other factors, I think that, more than anything, is what pushed Lebron away, i.e. believing that he would better off alongside a young Kyrie Irving (who, if I remember correctly, won All-Star MVP that season) and also understanding he would have more personnel influence back home in Cleveland.  Either way, the Heat have made the Finals a couple of times since he left but have never looked as formidable.

Previously with Cleveland, when Lebron led them to the Finals in 2007, imo that's the greatest achievement of his career (besides his longevity).  But he had to leave and come back before they eventually won.  And when he left, oh my goodness were the Cavs garbage.  They had to get three number one picks in four years(!) before he was able to rationalize coming back.

Lebron has been in L.A. for eight seasons but only won one championship.  Idk if that actually classifies as a success story by Lakers' standards.  Magic won as a rookie.  Shaq + Kobe did it in four years.  And Kareem, I think it took him awhile to win in L.A., but by the time it was all said and done, he won five.

And the problem wasn't that King James came to L.A.  The problem is that, with his will exerted, they weren't able sustain a formidable roster.  Secondly, with Lebron aging and other franchises realizing what time it was in terms of him making and breaking franchises, less and less were compelled to pay the max to acquire him.

THE WANING DAYS OF KOBE

Now, let's compare what's happening with Lebron to the elder Kobe days with the Lakers.  By the time Bryant retired, LAL was very much garbage.  He was surrounded by young, unproven players, none of them even having B-list status the way I remember it, but he didn't demand out or that the franchise trade them to surround him with other superstars.  He understood he was old and embraced it with class, looking towards the next generation instead of trying to win as many championships as possible.

Even if Lebron wins another ring, will it really make a difference?  He'll then have five, which still isn't as many as Jordan (or Robert Horry).

Also, is King James really going to play on a veteran's minimum?  When I read that, I almost started crying.  Or let me say the first thing that came to my mind is that, why doesn't he just retire instead of settling for something like that?  Lebron is too great (and rich presumably) to be paid like someone who's lucky to have a contract.  He ran the Lakers masterfully during the Second Round, but they had no chance against OKC, even if Luka were healthy.

Anyway, the point being made is that Kobe actually left Los Angeles better off than Lebron did, because at least after Bryant's retirement, they were still the Lakers that we know and love.  You know, they still had hope type shit.  They were still the most desirable destination in the NBA - so much so that a prime Lebron signed with them, even though they weren't contenders at the time.

You can't say that shit now, folk.  Post-Lebron, we've gone from the days of Shaq + Kobe to Doncic + Kessler, with the media implying that the latter pair is just as promising.  That's why sometimes I have a hard time respecting the mainstream, because it feels more like they're telling you what you want to hear (or what they're being paid to say) rather than the truth.

CONCLUSION

But maybe embracing this mediocrity will eventually lead to LAL chasing Wemby, if and when he ever becomes available.  And just in case I'm not able to get off another post before LBJ makes his decision, I'm still advocating him going to the Pistons more than any other team.