The West Going Forward Is In A Weird Transition Phase.

[tremonthustler1]

There's a lot of upheaval but more than anything, it feels like some of the good teams have hit their respective ceilings.


Outside of Golden State,

Clippers and Nuggets will be fine. They're dependent upon their guys being healthy but they can't really add to that.

Mavericks have a superstar but they have no real path towards adding a second one.

Suns and Jazz feel like they've gone as far as they can go.

Trail Blazers are Wizards West and it feels like it's only gonna end the way we all think it will end.

Rockets and Thunder have the means to get better but they're so green that in the short term, they're NBA versions of the Ignite.

Kings and the Lakers have organizational problems that are preventing them from being where they want to be.

Spurs just feel like they're spinning their wheels until the next great big man falls into their lap


So it comes down to the Grizzlies and Pelicans.

Both have big time young talents and picks to improve their situations. Both teams are ascending as long as Ja and Zion can avoid further injuries. I already mentioned the Clippers and Nuggets, but these two teams can add to what they already have and make a bigger impact sooner than later. If they can't, the Dubs are gonna have another 3 year period where nobody's fukking with them.

 

[Jazzy B.]

The Clippers and Warriors are in the same timeline window with regards to their core players.

Clippers have a better and deeper team.

 

[jdubnyce]

Pels got next

 

[NkrumahWasRight Is Wrong]

I think the Nuggets are a top 3 seed next year and will be true contenders if they can manage to stay healthy. It's reasonable to expect Murray and Porter to both show some sort of improvement from their past selves despite possibly showing rust initially.

 

[ALonelyDad]

Clippers can be right there but we have been hoping for them to be healthy for a while now/

 

[Regular_P]

The Pels are next up if Zion stays healthy. They already have every piece in place besides a stretch 4 or 5. It's gonna be interesting to see what they do with the 8th pick. Whether they keep it or package it for a big trade target.

Mark Williams isn't a stretch five, but a starting lineup with Ingram, Jones, Zion and Williams would be physically imposing for the next decade.

 

[Big Boss]

Clippers are a championship team if Kawhi and PG stay healthy

 

[tremonthustler1]

The Pels are next up if Zion stays healthy. They already have every piece in place besides a stretch 4 or 5. It's gonna be interesting to see what they do with the 8th pick. Whether they keep it or package it for a big trade target.

Mark Williams isn't a stretch five, but a starting lineup with Ingram, Jones, Zion and Williams would be physically imposing for the next decade.

I haven't given a ton of thought to Mark in New Orleans just because New Orleans can afford to swing for the fences, but he's not a bad guy to have behind JV.

 

[Jazzy B.]

For the last time.

Zion DOESN'T want to be in NO or play for them

 

[Saysumthinfunnymike]

I wouldn't bet on the Pels. Zion is such a huge question.. Without Zion the ceiling is 4/5 seed.

 

[NkrumahWasRight Is Wrong]

I wouldn't bet on the Pels. Zion is such a huge question.. Without Zion the ceiling is 4/5 seed.

Well done

 

[tremonthustler1]

For the last time.

Zion DOESN'T want to be in NO or play for them

Let's assume that's true. It can limit what they can be, but in the short term, he's gonna be there and he's gonna have to play well to convince anyone that he'll live up to what he was supposed to be.

If he still wants to go somewhere else and be a loser then that's on him. All they can do is add onto what they already have and they'll have the picks to try.

 

[Saysumthinfunnymike]

East isn't much better..

Heat have a nice deep group of role players along with Jimmy but they remind me of the Raptors 2019. Everything has to go right for them.

Sixers are done if they max out Harden.

Nets are relying on Ben Simmons of all people to be the 3rd man.

it's Mil conference to lose most years...

 

[bl2k8]

Warriors and Clippers are the only teams I don’t have too many questions about. Everybody else is suspect in the West.

 

[SCJoe]

The Pels are next up if Zion stays healthy. They already have every piece in place besides a stretch 4 or 5. It's gonna be interesting to see what they do with the 8th pick. Whether they keep it or package it for a big trade target.

Mark Williams isn't a stretch five, but a starting lineup with Ingram, Jones, Zion and Williams would be physically imposing for the next decade.

We can offer Kelly Olynyk for the pick