The OFFICIAL 2022 NBA Offseason thread
 

So now that the Warriors are champs, who's going to figure out how to dethrone them?

Phoenix - CPIII isn't getting any younger, Ayton may end up leaving/getting traded, and Booker can't carry the scoring load all by himself.

Memphis - will only be as good as Ja Morant's defense....can't afford to lose Tyus Jones...

Dallas....trade for Cristian Wood will improve them....but their future depends on whether or not they are able to keep Jalen Brunson, and whether to Luka gets himself in good enough physical condition to avoid wearing down in the playoffs

Denver....they will be better with Jamal Murray & Michael Porter Jr. healthy, but will it be enough?

LA Clippers....If PG13 & Kawhi can both stay healthy the entire season, they could turn out to be the Warriors strongest challengers

Utah....they're done

LA Lakers.....unless they figure out a way to acquire some quality depth, they're done

Pelicans....how much better will a healthy Zion make them? They could be this year's Memphis if they can steal Brunson from Dallas or Tyus Jones from the Grizzlies.

Celtics....need a deeper bench and a true point guard to run the offense

Bucks....is Giannis' supporting cast strong enough? Warriors have had no difficulty shutting down teams that are over-dependent on a single superstar.

76ers...not gonna win anything with Harden as their 2nd best player

Nets....the ultimate wild card.....it all depends on what's going on inside Ben Simmons' head.

Miami doesn't get a mention?

Imagine if they could get 1 more scorer, particularly at shooting guard.

[QUOTE=tjforce;18249092]Miami doesn't get a mention?

Imagine if they could get 1 more scorer, particularly at shooting guard.[/QUOTE]

My bad.....Miami should definitely be mentioned....

I expect Minnesota to be a tough out next year.

League's wide open. There are 10-12 legit teams that can make the Finals and won't be a big shock to anyone.

Cavs make the finals if healthy

Write that down

Warriors win it in a cakewalk.

I’m just looking forward to a Grizz/Warriors rematch.

How are the Nets 2nd betst odds to win the 2022-23 championship at 5-1? I don't see that team Much better then last year at best maybe a 5 seed? Still see them as a 1st round exit team.

[QUOTE=packman80;18249580]How are the Nets 2nd betst odds to win the 2022-23 championship at 5-1? I don't see that team Much better then last year at best maybe a 5 seed? Still see them as a 1st round exit team.[/QUOTE]

Just remember, Vegas odds are designed to draw in bets.....they're not an accurate reflection of reality.

The Clippers fascinate me. They can be really good, or Kawhi just pulls the inverse Kyrie (maybe, Astros Clemens?) and just plays home games next season.

[QUOTE=yiguiri2002;18249307]League's wide open. There are 10-12 legit teams that can make the Finals and won't be a big shock to anyone.[/QUOTE]

I think there are 10-12 teams that can win 50+ regular season games....but the playoffs are a different beast.

In the East, I think it's the Bucks or Celtics making it back to the Finals....in the West, I'm not sure anybody will be good enough to beat a healthy Warriors team in a playoff series. Maybe Denver, the Clippers, or Memphis.

Because as good as the Warriors were this year, [B]they're likely going to be even better next year. [/B]

- Steph/Klay/Dray only played a combined 140 regular season games this year. That number will likely go up to around 180-210 next year.

- Kuminga & Moody will continue to improve and will get more playing time

- Wiseman will hopefully be at least somewhat healthy and able to contribute

[QUOTE=Zedlaw;18249710]The Clippers fascinate me. [/QUOTE]

Agreed. The won 42 games this year with no Kawhi, and PG13 missing 25+ games.....they should win 55-60 next year.

[QUOTE=asujbl;18249314]Cavs make the finals if healthy

Write that down[/QUOTE]

My pen is out of ink with the amount of nonsense you've said to write down.

Someone could surprise out of the East... very hard to predict until we start seeing where some of the major moving pieces fall.

Heat, Bucks, Celtics, 76ers will likely all be good again. Seems like the Knicks want to make big moves, but who knows. Hawks likely make some sort of move but also not seeing any obvious targets right now.

West should be a bloodbath again.

Nuggets, Warriors, Wolves, Clippers should all be better than last year. Grizz' young core should be better. OKC may start to compete next year too. Zion could be healthy and the Pels are already decent. Lakers will do something, no idea what they can actually pull off though with how few assets they have. And Mavs already making moves to put more talent around Luka means they plan on competing too.

[QUOTE=asujbl;18249314]Cavs make the finals if healthy

Write that down[/QUOTE]
they wont make the finals in the next 10 years.

engrave that.

If that bum Zion plays Pels are going to make some noise. Tattoo it!

[QUOTE=armoursave;18250323]If that bum Zion plays Pels are going to make some noise. Tattoo it![/QUOTE]

A healthy Zion will make the Pels much better, but they need a true point guard.

Not sure what their cap situation is, but would love to see them steal Brunson from Dallas or Tyus Jones from Memphis. If they get either of those guys, it would shift the balance of power in the West significantly.

[QUOTE=mfw13;18250409]A healthy Zion will make the Pels much better, but they need a true point guard.

Not sure what their cap situation is, but would love to see them steal Brunson from Dallas or Tyus Jones from Memphis. If they get either of those guys, it would shift the balance of power in the West significantly.[/QUOTE]

Tyus would be perfect! Then bring Coach K in as an assistant and you’re done!

I do think Pels could use a true PG, but then who sits on the bench...?

Best move for them in that case may just be to play Zion at the 5.

Tyus - CJ - BI - Herb - Zion.

Herb's defense is too valuable to sit. Maybe sit him vs some big teams or teams with dominant 5's.

June 10th - Kenny Atkinson accepted the Hornets Head Coaching job - 4 year deal.

June 18th - Kenny Atkinson tells the Hornets - I'm good, I'll stay the top assistant with the Warriors.

[QUOTE=asujbl;18249314]Cavs make the finals if healthy

Write that down[/QUOTE]

I'm not ready to go that far.. but this will be an intriguing offseason. It could go several ways:

-Cash in all their trade chips (only things off the table are Garland, Mobley, and Allen), and wind up with a long term piece at SG/Wing.
-Resign Sexton, sign PG depth, and draft at 14
-Sexton sign and trade without much value back, sign depth G, draft at 14.


2 of those scenarios help this team take a step forward this season. They were good when they were healthy, which was not very much down the stretch.

IMO, though, this team goes as far long term and Mobley takes them. We know what we have in Garland, we know what we have in Allen. If Mobley can become a Kevin Garnett like offensive player (22-24 ppg, 5 assists) while playing the defense he's capable of, then he'll be an MVP candidate one day and the Cavs will just be piece parts away from being serious contenders.

[QUOTE=daeve;18250432]I do think Pels could use a true PG, but then who sits on the bench...?

Best move for them in that case may just be to play Zion at the 5.

Tyus - CJ - BI - Herb - Zion.

Herb's defense is too valuable to sit. Maybe sit him vs some big teams or teams with dominant 5's.[/QUOTE]

I actually think they don’t need a “true” PG, and in general most teams already run the offense through 2 main “playmakers” rather than a traditional point guard. Zion and BI are above average playmakers for their position, which would make up for any deficiencies that CJ has, while at the same time he also possesses the veteran presence to calm things down when needed. I really like the idea of them running a jumbo lineup with Zion and JV bullying people on the offensive glass, and if they run the inverted pick and roll with Zion and CJ, there’s almost nothing defenses can do. I hope Herb is spending his entire summer just shooting 500 corner 3s a day

[QUOTE=Spacemanspif;18251260]I actually think they don’t need a “true” PG, and in general most teams already run the offense through 2 main “playmakers” rather than a traditional point guard. Zion and BI are above average playmakers for their position, which would make up for any deficiencies that CJ has, while at the same time he also possesses the veteran presence to calm things down when needed. I really like the idea of them running a jumbo lineup with Zion and JV bullying people on the offensive glass, and if they run the inverted pick and roll with Zion and CJ, there’s almost nothing defenses can do. I hope Herb is spending his entire summer just shooting 500 corner 3s a day[/QUOTE]

Yeah they could try to run it through Zion/CJ or even Zion/BI. Kind of like what Boston did with Tatum/Brown/Smart. They probably still want an upgrade at PG though, maybe signing a 6th man type, if Tyus J is not getting offers he likes to start, he could still consider that role.

[QUOTE=asujbl;18249314]Cavs make the finals if healthy

Write that down[/QUOTE]

This hasn't gone well for you in the past.........