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The future potential power rankings in the NBA for the following decade...

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  • The future potential power rankings in the NBA for the following decade...

    1. The Boston Celtics: (Future potential: As bright as the sun)

    More than having secured building around an All-Star level young core, the Celtics have their financials well under control and are a desirable destination for players... They have very little to add in order to secure contending for the title for the next decade and have the advantage over the Bucks to not be dependent on one player only, like the Bucks are on Giannis.

    2. Miami Heat: (Future potential: As bright as the sun)

    Similar to the Celtics, the Heat are a desirable destination for FAs and players wanted to be traded and are run by one of the most experienced and capable F.O. as well as with superb coaching in the league...

    3.The Milwaukee Bucks: (Future potential: As bright as the sun)

    After a very difficult off-season, where they had to establish a long term and sustainable contending team, the Bucks have ended up better and more experienced than before, but with great financials and full of highly desirable in the market assets in what is generally admitted to be the "deepest roster in the league"...

    The Bucks have all they need to upgrade further and contend for the title in each and every year over the decade that follows...

    Only handicap for today's best team in the league, is that Miami and Celtics are less dependent on their best player like the Bucks are on Giannis, but instead, are having a core of multiple players who can make up for an injury or other shortcoming in their main roster...

    4. Memphis Grizzlies: (Future potential: As bright as the sun)

    Practically a "copy" of the Bucks model, the Grizzlies don't have a player on Giannis' level, but like the Heat or the Celtics, have a young core on Mitchell and Jackson Jr. which can make the difference in the upcoming years, as well as securing the team's longer term progressing...

    A legitimate force in the West coming up, the Grizzlies are all set to make an immediate impact after having landed what used to be the Bucks coaching assistance for them to be their head coaching team...

    5. Detroit Pistons: (Future potential: Great)

    Like the Bucks have back in 2013 draft night, the Pistons have added a real "steal" during the 2019 draft on Sekou Doumbouya and are building around him, but without ever blowing the team up, in what seems to be an "internal rebuilt"...

    Doumbouya seems to be the only alternative capable to challenge Giannis' domination in world's basketball as of today... A future top-5 player and then on the hands of coach Casey who has proven himself on having players to develop fast in order to be "Star level" with the examples of Siakam, Anunoby and Van Vleet in Toronto proving him... The Pistons have a great future ahead of them despite the "Griffin fiasco" that has proceeded a couple of seasons before...

    6. Dallas Mavericks: (Future potential: Great)

    By having achieved "the deal of the century" during the 1918 draft, which has allowed them to add one of the best talents that the game has ever seen, the Mavs have great financials and are carefully building around Luka... They look to be the longest lasting force in the West for the future.

    7. Utah Jazz: (Future potential: Great)

    The Jazz have great financials and the Stars a contending team needs still not having reached their peak... They are carefully (and perhaps more slowly than they should) adding valuable depth to their roster at reasonable cost and look to have established great future potential... They are expected to be better for each and every season that follows...

    8. OKC Thunder: (Future potential: Great)

    The Thunder have get out of the financial trouble they had and still have a core to keep them in the playoffs, but by having collected an army of picks and having added the highly future promising S.G. Alexander, they look in a position to soon be back into contending...

    9. Charlotte Hornets: (Future potential: Great)

    The Hornets were expected to be one of the worst teams in the league during the 2019 off-season, but have proved themselves to be far from that...

    They have an exceptional talent in their roster on Devonte' Graham and by having added Rosier and drafted high potential P.J Washington and Monk as well as having Bridges taking the next step up, they've ended up being better than they ever were when Kemba was in their roster... Soon to be contending for the title as long as they add a center that fits well with the rest of their youth talent...

    10. New Orleans Pelicans: (Future potential: Great)


    Having ripped the Lakers off during the AD deal, the Pels are playing some of the most exciting to watch basketball in the league... Ingram and Ball have been taking the next step up and Zion is expected to soon join them into forming a "dreadful team"... They clearly are spending this season in order to favor their "next day", but they have all the means to be contenders in the West for all the upcoming decade...

    11. The Los Angeles Clippers: (Future potential: Possible to be good, but questionable...)

    Perhaps not as long future promising as the Mavs or the Jazz are in the West, the Clips have added in their roster two prime All Stars at the right age and have great financials to keep them and secure contending for the title in the long term, however they seem blocked by their own Stars to take the next step and have given their assets and picks away...

    12. Minnesota Timberwolves: (Future potential: Possible to be good, but questionable...)

    KAT is a legitimate piece to built around and Wiggins too... The Wolves seem to have left the Thibs/Butler issues behind them in disturbing the locker room and the F.O. of the team up and by having built a young and talented core around KAT and Wiggins, are looking to be back ASAP.

    13. Golden State Warriors: (Future potential: Uncertain but possible to be good)

    GSW has now spend a season wasted in order to take under control the financial and roster depth issues that have plagued the team a season before... They've managed to retain their (contending) core but KD and have even added a valuable asset on Russell on their roster... Future will much depend on the decisions they will make here after...

    14. The Toronto Raptors: (Future potential: Uncertain but possible to be good)

    The Raptors almost have the entire roster expiring this season... Their future is a mystery even if they resign most of their about to be free agent players among which, the most valuable ones are aging.

    Never the less, the Raptors have now an NBA title in their pocket and the F.O. has proven the willingness to be supporting the team's future... The future is uncertain, but the executives dedication is not....

    15. The Washington Wizards: (Future potential: Uncertain but possible to be good)

    The Wizards are expecting Wall back and have their financials under control, they also have managed to resign Beal and have drafted highly promising Hatchimura... Unless things turn over again, they seem to be back on a stable truck...

    16. The Indiana Pacers: (Future potential: Uncertain but possible to be good)

    Victor Olandipo is expected back within the end of this month after a very serious injury, which makes his performance ability questionable... But even if Victor can be at the level he was before the injury, the Pacers will need more to add in order to take the next step and seriously contend for the title and that, doesn't look easy to achieve...

    17. The Chicago Bulls: (Future potential: Uncertain)

    There is talent and enough quality roster depth with the Bulls, but unless they find a real leader, they can do no better than some surprising wins when in their better day on the floor...

    18. The Orlando Magic: (Future potential: Uncertain)

    There is talent on the Magic, but not enough to lift up from the lower playoff seeds, or contend anywhere in the near future... Fournier (their best scorer) is expiring this season and they don't have "hot" picks... Financials are not stellar either... The Magic seem able to retain what they've got, but unable to take the next step in the future.

    19. The Denver Nuggets: (Future potential: Uncertain)

    Not enough talent to content and neither it looks like there is some light at the end of the tunnel that will help them to take the next step in the future... Another team in front count that seems not to be able to take the next step and contend...

    20. Atlanta Hawks: (Future potential: Uncertain)

    Is this rebuilt ever gonna end? The fans and Trae Young seem to have their patience diminishing...

    21. Cleveland Cavaliers: (Future potential: Uncertain)

    Where all this rebuilt is going is still questionable... Like the Hawks before them, they seem to be "all over the place"...

    22. Sacramento Kings: (Future potential: Uncertain)

    Nobody expected the Kings to be able and contend this season, but neither anybody expected them to be one of the worst teams in the league... The Kings have Bogdanovic and Holmes expiring this season and Fox following a season later... They therefore can't upgrade the roster, but are also stacked in a situation where stellar players (like Bogdan) are coming from bench, while the main roster has "holes" in the same time...

    Nobody else to blame but their selves, they have to go back and start from scratch just after they've finished their rebuilt...

    23. Brooklyn Nets: (Future potential: Mediocre)

    The Nets have among the worst financials in the league after having signed KD and Kyrie this season, they are into the lux tax for the next season and the following ones if they are to retain their roster and additionally, have their best shooter on Harris expiring this summer and key core players on Allen and Dinwiddie (who is expected to reject his P.O.) expiring a season later as well as many empty roster spots to fill...

    Their potential to upgrade the roster further is practically non existing, but most probably they will have to trade two out of Dinnwidie, LeVert, Harris or Prince and certainly dump the salary out of at least one of them, in order to avoid the (coming) repeaters tax being over 100M on top of the lux tax they'll certainly have to pay... Optimism for the future can only be low in an increasingly stepping up competition...

    24. The Los Angeles Lakers: (Future potential: Mediocre)

    The Lakers have expelled all their near future picks and assets but Kuzma during the past two seasons in order to sign Lebron and add AD through a (forced) trade, but what has blocked their future above all, is that they had to sign KCP and Rondo on contracts that have "trade blocking" provision and therefore, only have (low salary) Kuzma as an asset to use on a trade...

    Clearly a contending team this season, they have Lebron on his (inevitable due to age) descent signed for another two seasons, but they have poor roster depth too... With no provision to make back for Lebron or add roster depth during the following seasons, this season looks to be their best (and only) shot.

    25. The Houston Rockets: (Future potential: Poor)

    Very similar to the Lakers before but albeit with less chances to contend, the Rockets have established a team that will be in the front court for the next two seasons, but can't be significantly upgraded or has established a long term future.

    26. Philadelphia 76ers: (Future potential: Cloudy)

    The Sixers lost their sharpshooter on (aging) Reddick, but lost their best player (for who they've payed heavily for) on Butler too... Like with the Nets, their ability to improve the roster through additions is practically zero and by signing (aging) Horford to an enormous contract, as well as extending Simmons and Harris to insane super max contracts, they have blocked their financial future even before Embiid's contract expires. Clearly lucking depth in their bench, they don't have the means to upgrade it either...

    Unless they can contend for the title this season on a highly competitive environment, the future looks much tougher in the seasons that will follow since they are expected not to be able to upgrade, while the competition will most certainly will...

    27. Phoenix Suns: (Future potential: Cloudy): Still looking to establish a truck for their future, the Suns have nothing but Ayton to hope upon and this ain't the best other teams have...

    28. New York Knicks: (Future potential: Cloudy): Like the Suns before them, the Knicks look to not have a clear future target yet, but even worst than the Suns, they still are looking on roster solutions to be based upon...

    29. The Portland Trail Blazers: (Future potential:Bad)

    After having established a playoff seed team, the Blazers seem to be unable to follow the competition in taking the next step. Last year, on last year's (poorer) competition seems that it was their roof... Future looks bad unless a radical change happens and it doesn't look like there's is a solution in the end of the tunnel given their financial condition...

    30. San Antonio Spurs: (Future potential:Bad)

    Still capable of being in the playoffs, the Spurs look like they live under their past weight... They need a rebuilt and starting over from scratch, if they want to be back into contending... The existing situation have them trapped were they are and unable to take the next step...
    Last edited by Buckalis; 01-19-2020, 09:59 PM.

  • #2
    The recent 32pts blow up that the Lakers suffered playing against the Celtics, should really "help" the Lakers fans to wake up in reality... The Lakers are practically playing in NBA games relying on their two superstars (aging Lebron and AD) without any serious coaching, or tactics, or roster depth in order to compete against teams (like the Celtics or the Bucks a few weeks before) which are building the roster in order to contend for the NBA title in the long term and for many years to follow...

    Practically, the Lakers are a circus which has blown up all the young and talented core they invested upon in recent years (Randle, Clarkson, Nance, Ball, Hurt, Ingram, Zubac) and signed back veteran journeyman who couldn't care less for their T-shirt's badge... It's practically the reason why no decent coach would consider taking over this circus during last summer and risk to spoil his career if he would ever accept to take the wheel on this circus...

    The fans that are expecting the Lakers to make it out of the West this season and even challenge super teams like the Bucks are in the NBA finals, are by far better if they wake from their dreams into reality... Super teams like the Bucks are, would pray to have circuses like the Lakers playing against them in the finals since it would then be the easiest possible match-up to deal against...

    The Lakers fans better realize the situation as of today and think what could possibly the solution be in the following years, when the inevitable decline of performance due to aging of Lebron will cause the circus to decline further in an increasingly stepping up competition and the dead end the Lakers have chosen as being their path will be even more apparent...

    Comment


    • #3
      I'm moving the Nets up by 6 places due to the highly promising performance of the 20y.o. rookie Nicolas Claxton who has shown in recent games that he may progress to be a player that can help the Nets retaining their ability to contend in the near future especially since he plays in a position (PF/sbC) where there is an obvious "hole" in the Nets roster... Additionally, if Claxton will prove as promising as he seems capable of, the Nets can have a deep financial breather by dumping Prince's contract without having any significant impact in the roster's performance.

      Future power rankings (revised):

      1. The Boston Celtics: (Future potential: As bright as the sun)

      2. Miami Heat: (Future potential: As bright as the sun)

      3.The Milwaukee Bucks: (Future potential: As bright as the sun)

      4. Memphis Grizzlies: (Future potential: As bright as the sun)

      5. Detroit Pistons: (Future potential: Great)

      6. Dallas Mavericks: (Future potential: Great)

      7. Utah Jazz: (Future potential: Great)

      8. OKC Thunder: (Future potential: Great)

      9. Charlotte Hornets: (Future potential: Great)

      10. New Orleans Pelicans: (Future potential: Great)

      11. The Los Angeles Clippers: (Future potential: Possible to be good, but questionable...)

      12. Minnesota Timberwolves: (Future potential: Possible to be good, but questionable...)

      13. Golden State Warriors: (Future potential: Uncertain but possible to be good)

      14. The Toronto Raptors: (Future potential: Uncertain but possible to be good)

      15. The Washington Wizards: (Future potential: Uncertain but possible to be good)

      16. The Indiana Pacers: (Future potential: Uncertain but possible to be good)

      17. Brooklyn Nets: (Future potential: Uncertain but possible to be good)

      18. The Chicago Bulls: (Future potential: Uncertain)

      19. The Orlando Magic: (Future potential: Uncertain)

      20. The Denver Nuggets: (Future potential: Uncertain)

      21. Atlanta Hawks: (Future potential: Uncertain)

      22. Cleveland Cavaliers: (Future potential: Uncertain)

      23. Sacramento Kings: (Future potential: Uncertain)

      24. The Los Angeles Lakers: (Future potential: Mediocre)

      25. The Houston Rockets: (Future potential: Poor)

      26. Philadelphia 76ers: (Future potential: Cloudy)

      27. Phoenix Suns: (Future potential: Cloudy):

      28. New York Knicks: (Future potential: Cloudy)

      29. The Portland Trail Blazers: (Future potential:Bad)

      30. San Antonio Spurs: (Future potential:Bad)

      Comment


      • #4
        I will be revising this listing, whenever there is new happenings that suggest a major change in a team's future... Such a change could possibly happen until the this season's trade deadline, like if for example DeAngelo Russell or other young player that can affect a team's future will be moved, or if one of the rookies or players in their sophomore season shows a progress that has the potential to be impactful on a team's future...

        A change on a team's financial status, can also affect the future potential of an organization and therefore should also cause revising the ranking...

        Comment


        • #5
          I'll wait for Zion to have a few more games before I move the Pelicans higher in the ranking.

          Comment


          • #6
            Clearly Zion raises the Pelicans future potential and dictates to move the Pelicans higher in the ranking.

            Future power rankings (revised):

            1. The Boston Celtics: (Future potential: As bright as the sun)

            2. Miami Heat: (Future potential: As bright as the sun)

            3.The Milwaukee Bucks: (Future potential: As bright as the sun)

            4. Memphis Grizzlies: (Future potential: As bright as the sun)

            5. New Orleans Pelicans: (Future potential: As bright as the sun)

            6. Detroit Pistons: (Future potential: Great)

            7. Dallas Mavericks: (Future potential: Great)

            8. Utah Jazz: (Future potential: Great)

            9. OKC Thunder: (Future potential: Great)

            10. Charlotte Hornets: (Future potential: Great)

            11. The Los Angeles Clippers: (Future potential: Possible to be good, but questionable...)

            12. Minnesota Timberwolves: (Future potential: Possible to be good, but questionable...)

            13. Golden State Warriors: (Future potential: Uncertain but possible to be good)

            14. The Toronto Raptors: (Future potential: Uncertain but possible to be good)

            15. The Washington Wizards: (Future potential: Uncertain but possible to be good)

            16. The Indiana Pacers: (Future potential: Uncertain but possible to be good)

            17. Brooklyn Nets: (Future potential: Uncertain but possible to be good)

            18. The Chicago Bulls: (Future potential: Uncertain)

            19. The Orlando Magic: (Future potential: Uncertain)

            20. The Denver Nuggets: (Future potential: Uncertain)

            21. Atlanta Hawks: (Future potential: Uncertain)

            22. Cleveland Cavaliers: (Future potential: Uncertain)

            23. Sacramento Kings: (Future potential: Uncertain)

            24. The Los Angeles Lakers: (Future potential: Mediocre)

            25. The Houston Rockets: (Future potential: Poor)

            26. Philadelphia 76ers: (Future potential: Cloudy)

            27. Phoenix Suns: (Future potential: Cloudy):

            28. New York Knicks: (Future potential: Cloudy)

            29. The Portland Trail Blazers: (Future potential:Bad)

            30. San Antonio Spurs: (Future potential:Bad)[/QUOTE]

            Comment


            • #7
              Charlotte Hornets also earned their advancement to the "future power standings" after 3 players out of their extremely talented youth made it to be called in the "future stars" game on Devonte' Graham, P.J. Washington and Miles Bridges...

              Therefore the NBA future power rankings should look something like this:

              1. The Boston Celtics: (Future potential: As bright as the sun)

              2. Miami Heat: (Future potential: As bright as the sun)

              3.The Milwaukee Bucks: (Future potential: As bright as the sun)

              4. Memphis Grizzlies: (Future potential: As bright as the sun)

              5. New Orleans Pelicans: (Future potential: As bright as the sun)

              6. Charlotte Hornets: (Future potential: As bright as the sun)

              7. Detroit Pistons: (Future potential: Great)

              8. Dallas Mavericks: (Future potential: Great)

              9. Utah Jazz: (Future potential: Great)

              10. OKC Thunder: (Future potential: Great)

              11. The Los Angeles Clippers: (Future potential: Possible to be good, but questionable...)

              12. Minnesota Timberwolves: (Future potential: Possible to be good, but questionable...)

              13. Golden State Warriors: (Future potential: Uncertain but possible to be good)

              14. The Toronto Raptors: (Future potential: Uncertain but possible to be good)

              15. The Washington Wizards: (Future potential: Uncertain but possible to be good)

              16. The Indiana Pacers: (Future potential: Uncertain but possible to be good)

              17. Brooklyn Nets: (Future potential: Uncertain but possible to be good)

              18. The Chicago Bulls: (Future potential: Uncertain)

              19. The Orlando Magic: (Future potential: Uncertain)

              20. The Denver Nuggets: (Future potential: Uncertain)

              21. Atlanta Hawks: (Future potential: Uncertain)

              22. Cleveland Cavaliers: (Future potential: Uncertain)

              23. Sacramento Kings: (Future potential: Uncertain)

              24. The Los Angeles Lakers: (Future potential: Mediocre)

              25. The Houston Rockets: (Future potential: Poor)

              26. Philadelphia 76ers: (Future potential: Cloudy)

              27. Phoenix Suns: (Future potential: Cloudy):

              28. New York Knicks: (Future potential: Cloudy)

              29. The Portland Trail Blazers: (Future potential:Bad)

              30. San Antonio Spurs: (Future potential:Bad)

              Comment


              • #8
                A revision after the trade deadline:

                The Miami Heat Clearly added aging veterans in order to push for immediate success, but this affects their future potential negatively and therefore must be moved lower.

                The Detroit Pistons: Moved young in age All Star center Andre Drummond and this decision of theirs should delay them for their rebuild and therefore should also loose ground.

                The Minnesota Timberwolves: added young All-Star Deangelo Russell next to K.A.Towns and this should increase their future potential significantly.

                The Golden State Warriors: Got off all the financial trouble they were in which is a good thing, but lost D.A. Russell in order to achieve it and although added Wiggins in their roster and added picks, the loss of Russell should be judged slightly to the negative side. Their future will much depend on how well they will draft during the draft night.

                The Atlanta Hawks: Are surely among the winners of the trade deadline.

                The Houston Rockets: Seem confused into settling themselves on a clear path and therefore future gets even more cloudy for them.

                The Philadelphia 76ers: Added talented and effective players on decent age and therefore future gets more optimistic.


                Therefore the NBA future power rankings should now look like this:

                1. The Boston Celtics: (Future potential:Bright)

                2.The Milwaukee Bucks: (Future potential:Bright)

                3. Memphis Grizzlies: (Future potential: Bright)

                4. New Orleans Pelicans: (Future potential: Bright)

                5. Miami Heat: (Future potential: Bright)

                6. Charlotte Hornets: (Future potential: Bright)

                7. Dallas Mavericks: (Future potential: Great)

                8. Utah Jazz: (Future potential: Great)

                9. OKC Thunder: (Future potential: Great)

                10. Minnesota Timberwolves: (Future potential: Good)

                11. Detroit Pistons: (Future potential: Good)

                12. The Los Angeles Clippers: (Future potential: Good)

                13. The Toronto Raptors: (Future potential: Uncertain but possible to be good)

                14. The Washington Wizards: (Future potential: Uncertain but possible to be good)

                15. Golden State Warriors: (Future potential: Uncertain but possible to be good)

                16. The Indiana Pacers: (Future potential: Uncertain but possible to be good)

                17. Brooklyn Nets: (Future potential: Uncertain but possible to be good)

                18. The Chicago Bulls: (Future potential: Uncertain but possible to be good)

                19. Atlanta Hawks: (Future potential: Uncertain but possible to be good)

                20. The Orlando Magic: (Future potential: Uncertain)

                21. The Denver Nuggets: (Future potential: Uncertain)

                22. Cleveland Cavaliers: (Future potential: Uncertain)

                23. Sacramento Kings: (Future potential: Uncertain)

                24. Philadelphia 76ers: (Future potential: Poor)

                25. The Los Angeles Lakers: (Future potential: Poor)

                26. Phoenix Suns: (Future potential: Cloudy):

                27. New York Knicks: (Future potential: Cloudy)

                28. The Houston Rockets: (Future potential: Cloudy)

                29. The Portland Trail Blazers: (Future potential:Bad)

                30. San Antonio Spurs: (Future potential:Bad)

                Comment


                • #9
                  A further examination of the Trade deadline, reveals that there is perhaps misjudgment on placing the Atlanta Hawks with the "uncertain but possible to be good" in the future power rankings among teams, because the Hawks, other than showing determination to improve the team further by adding more young talent before the deadline, unlike the other teams that have been valued with the same "uncertainty" factor exactly because they luck a team leader, have already an established a leader on Trae Young who only in his sophomore season, is showing potential only comparable with the top players that exist in the league. Therefore a further advancement of the Atlanta Hawks is required.

                  Additionally, because of the determination the Clippers have into chasing the ability to contend with respect to the rest of the league, I think the Los Angeles Clippers should be above the Pistons in the future power rankings.

                  I also think that by naming the evaluation as "promising" instead of "Uncertain but possible to be good" for some of the teams, makes more sense.

                  Therefore the NBA future power rankings should now look like this:

                  1. The Boston Celtics: (Future potential:Bright)

                  2.The Milwaukee Bucks: (Future potential:Bright)

                  3. Memphis Grizzlies: (Future potential: Bright)

                  4. New Orleans Pelicans: (Future potential: Bright)

                  5. Miami Heat: (Future potential: Bright)

                  6. Charlotte Hornets: (Future potential: Bright)

                  7. Dallas Mavericks: (Future potential: Great)

                  8. Utah Jazz: (Future potential: Great)

                  9. OKC Thunder: (Future potential: Great)

                  10. Minnesota Timberwolves: (Future potential: Good)

                  11. Atlanta Hawks: (Future potential: Good)

                  12. The Los Angeles Clippers: (Future potential: Good)

                  13. Detroit Pistons: (Future potential: Promising)

                  14. The Toronto Raptors: (Future potential: Promising)

                  15. The Washington Wizards: (Future potential: Promising)

                  16. Golden State Warriors: (Future potential: Promising)

                  17. The Indiana Pacers: (Future potential: Promising)

                  18. Brooklyn Nets: (Future potential: Promising)

                  19. The Chicago Bulls: (Future potential: Uncertain)

                  20. The Orlando Magic: (Future potential: Uncertain)

                  21. The Denver Nuggets: (Future potential: Uncertain)

                  22. Cleveland Cavaliers: (Future potential: Uncertain)

                  23. Sacramento Kings: (Future potential: Uncertain)

                  24. Philadelphia 76ers: (Future potential: Poor)

                  25. The Los Angeles Lakers: (Future potential: Poor)

                  26. Phoenix Suns: (Future potential: Cloudy):

                  27. New York Knicks: (Future potential: Cloudy)

                  28. The Houston Rockets: (Future potential: Cloudy)

                  29. The Portland Trail Blazers: (Future potential:Bad)

                  30. San Antonio Spurs: (Future potential:Bad)

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    After the recent developments and trades, here is a revision of the reasoning that supports my suggestions for the future power rankings over the following decade in the league:

                    1. Boston Celtics: (Future potential:Bright) The Celtics have one of the most talented and future promising rosters in the entire league on Walker, Brown and Tatum, as well as an exceptional quality player on Smart to back them up. Hayward has never been back to his pre-injury status and this results on his contract being acting against the team's future potential, but surely the talent is still there and his contribution and leadership to the team is still valuable.

                    Wisely, the Celtics have stayed put during the trade deadline, obviously looking to add the final touches during the draft night and the following summer, where they'll be primarily looking to add a center that makes justice to the rest of the starting roster, but to improve the team's roster depth too.

                    2. Milwaukee Bucks: (Future potential:Bright) The Bucks came as a surprise during the previous season, but only to the ones that could see it coming.

                    Having the best basketball player in the world on Giannis Antetikounmpo being only 25y.o. in their roster and the perfect top-20 piece to back him up on 27 y.o. Middleton, the Bucks retired Brogdon's contract during the past off-season, in order to built further on their depth and on future talent.

                    By having invested on Donte Divincenzo to be the 3rd All-Star in the near future and Brogdon's replacement on the roster, the Bucks also have two clutch PGs on Bledsoe and Hill as well as another two clutch Centers on the Lopez twins and even more depth on veterans Korver, Matthews, Ilyasova and (recently added) Marvin Williams, as well as youth on Connaughton, Brown and Wilson to both contend for the title now, as well as continue to develop the future title contenders.

                    Very wisely, the Bucks decided to stay put during the trade deadline, in order to use the picks and cap space they have saved for the upcoming summer and add the pieces missing next to Giannis, Middleton and Divincenzo for their future, in parallel of having a contenting core which they advance for every next season.

                    3. Memphis Grizzlies: (Future potential: Bright) One could perhaps call them the "Bucks of the West" because of their very similar approach of building a team to last, the Grizzlies, have traded and added more talented youth on Winslow next to their already existing extremely talented and young roster and with great financials, they even added a valuable "salary filler" on Dieng's contract, who with his contract value can help them add even more "extreme talent" next to to the already great they have.

                    Already a playoff team in the West, their future potential has nowhere to go but up, given the young stars they have and the depth of the roster as well as the coaching they brought in (again coming from the Bucks).

                    4. New Orleans Pelicans: (Future potential: Bright) Already a playoff caliper team in the West, the (forced) trading of A.D. seems to have had positive results for the Pelicans because it brought them back extremely talented and young return and then God added Zion, great financials and picks next to the talented veterans they already had in stock...

                    If there is a team in the West that can rival the Grizzlies for the future, it's the Pelicans!

                    5. Miami Heat: (Future potential: Bright) Run by what is arguably the best F.O. in the league and by having exceptional communication between their F.O. and technical support, the Heat have also an ownership that is willing to risk and spend.

                    They added a top-10 player on Butler during the summer and don't hesitate to trade talented youth for having immediate success. Still with enough young talent in their core despite dealing some future promising players, they are expected to continue "pushing" and follow the same policy in the long term future, despite the culture being the opposite to the one of the Bucks or the Celtics.

                    6. Charlotte Hornets: (Future potential: Bright) The Hornets are the team with the most (three) future stars in the upcoming USA vs. World "young stars" game and additionally have very talented depth to surround their starts and great financials to improve further.

                    Stepping up for each and every season that follows is guaranteed and will easily be a playoff caliper team by next season looking to take the next step and contend thereafter.

                    7. Dallas Mavericks: (Future potential: Great) Two young All-Stars in their roster, among which one is MVP contender and widely considered to be a TOP-5 caliper player. The Mavs are looking to take advantage of their (temporarily) good financials and at the next stage challenge the best in the league.

                    Long term success, will highly depend on how well they'll do the following season.

                    8. Utah Jazz: (Future potential: Great) Already a contender, the Jazz have little to add in their very well balanced roster to take another step forward for the future and good financials allow them to continue stepping up.

                    9. OKC Thunder: (Future potential: Great) After having corrected their financials and collected an "army of picks" as well as added extremely promising future talent on S.G. Alexander, the Thunder did the obvious and stayed put for the rest of this season.

                    Already a playoff team in the West, they are expected to resign and keep the core of veterans they already have and use the picks to take the next step during the next summer and there after.

                    10. Minnesota Timberwolves: (Future potential: Good) The Wolves have added the best they could on Russell next to K.A.T. and are looking to move ahead.

                    Still a lot needed to be done, but are now back on track and have the ambitious leadership and management that is willing to spend and push in order to accelerate results.

                    11. Atlanta Hawks: (Future potential: Good) The Hawks have added Capella next to Trae Young and have now collected a talented and young roster with enough depth during the later two seasons, but there is still work to be done and decisions to be taken in order to achieve results. Chemistry seems to suffer a bit and causes confusion to the technical stuff on what causes it.

                    Never the less, they surely can't go down and there is enough talent in the core and a secured leadership on Young to ensure a better future as long as they settle on a certain direction.

                    12. The Los Angeles Clippers: (Future potential: Good) Very similar to the Heat before, the Clippers are following the same policy to ensure contending, but it has caused them to sell talented pieces on which a team that looks to secure its future would rather keep and invest upon.

                    Clearly among the favorites to be in the finals this season, have secured the key roster for the following seasons and even pushed harder before the trade deadline, they are expected to follow the same policy for all the following decade.

                    13. Detroit Pistons: (Future potential: Promising) Investing on Griffin never worked for the Pistons and his insane contract caused reaction to come late. Now under the leadership of one of the best coaches in the world in order to have young talent developed, they drafted extremely well and have a talented and promising core on Kennard, Doumbouya and Wood surrounded by secured for next season proven veterans.

                    Although they couldn't keep (still young) Drummond from losing his patience and asking out, they are looking to be back in shape soon by adding more talent this summer taking advantage of their excellent financials and ignore Griffin from their future plans under the correct thinking "if he works, he works, if he doesn't, "what the hey", we proceed with radical changes anyway".

                    14. The Toronto Raptors: (Future potential: Promising) Having won the title last season, the Rockets lost their top-Star on Kwahi, but surprisingly they were able and overcome his departure and stay into contending.

                    They have many expiring and aging key players for next season, but they seem to have great relationships with their veterans and winning the title helps additionally to have them all back and then on new team-friendly contracts.

                    They will look to continue from there, although aging causes future concerns.

                    15. The Washington Wizards: (Future potential: Promising) The Wizards have spend the entire of the previous season to correct their financials and have drafted very well, as well as have added promising young pieces on their roster. They have resigned and kept Beal and are expecting Wall back soon. There is therefore some light at the end of the tunnel.

                    16. Golden State Warriors: (Future potential: Promising) GSW has spend the entire of this season to correct their financials and it's expecting most of their established Star core back for the next season as well as have worked on their biggest flaw during the past, which was the luck of depth.

                    Their way back into contending, will much depend on how well they will draft this season with the lottery picks they've collected.

                    17. The Indiana Pacers: (Future potential: Promising) Not much for one to guess with the Pacers, their future success will highly depend on if Olandipo can be back to be "Olandipo". The future policy is expected to be the same as before for the future: "Add bit by bit, take small steps ahead"...

                    The Pacers have always be an opposing force the other teams are watching, but were never counted to be able and really contend, but then, who knows?

                    18. Brooklyn Nets: (Future potential: Promising) The Nets are an "open book" for one to read. They are going into the lux tax for the next three seasons and will be unable to improve the roster, but will instead be forced to spend more in order to keep it.

                    For the Nets, it's either that K.D. works for them immediately after he returns, or they have to rexamine the plan if he doesn't work... The odds look to be against.

                    19. The Chicago Bulls: (Future potential: Uncertain): Still looking for a leader, unless they can find one, future is uncertain.

                    20. The Orlando Magic: (Future potential: Uncertain) Still looking for a leader to place next to Vucevic and unless they can find one, with the budget shrinking all the time, future is uncertain.

                    21. The Denver Nuggets: (Future potential: Uncertain) Jockic is smart, has good basketball IQ, but he is "heavy", is "slow" and is neither A.D or Giannis... The Nuggets don't look able to improve significantly by adding another Star next to Jockic given their financials and therefore future remains uncertain.

                    22. Cleveland Cavaliers: (Future potential: Uncertain) Drummond is there temporarily until the season ends. The rebuilt of the Cavs has been slow and none out of the young roster that has been added looks capable to take the leadership and curry the team into the future.

                    23. Sacramento Kings: (Future potential: Uncertain) Very good and deep roster, but no leader and financials get worst all the time being only enough to retain but not to improve the roster.

                    24. Philadelphia 76ers: (Future potential: Poor) The "Butler deal" last season, has caused to pay expensive with no return after a 2nd round elimination and the financials for the following seasons are threatening. The Sixers were unable to keep Butler and also lost the shooting capability of Reddick. If eliminated early in the postseason as expected in an Eastern conference where many teams took a step ahead to contend, the Sixers can't retain the core roster intact.

                    25. The Los Angeles Lakers: (Future potential: Poor) This season is their "only season" Coach, GM and captain of the team is aging Lebron, after that there is nothing for the future that remains other than Antony Davis, if he stays in the long term... The young and talented core that the Lakers have built in recent years, is now in New Orleans next to Zion.

                    26. Phoenix Suns: (Future potential: Cloudy): Still rebuilding, they were wrong to pick Ayton over Doncic and a blown opportunity like that isn't easy to come up again in the future. No leader to curry the team in the future either.

                    27. New York Knicks: (Future potential: Cloudy) The car is on a road full of turns and the driver is tired to keep going.

                    28. The Houston Rockets: (Future potential: Cloudy) The masters on alchemist experiments that never work, now have released their young and talented "big" and only play "short".

                    29. The Portland Trail Blazers: (Future potential:Bad) The car was crashed and the financials aren't good enough to repair it, or replace it.

                    30. San Antonio Spurs: (Future potential:Bad) Rebuilt has is essential and late to start for a team that was dangerous but able to go nowhere more than the bottom of the playoffs.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      It looks like Olandipo's return after an entire year's absence due to a career threatening injury, is very beneficial for the Pacers... To many athletes, such a serious injury can cause a considerable decline to the athlete's performance, but Victor looks fully healthy and rapidly progressing his game to be near his previous standards soon.

                      The Pacers had a negative 0-5 record after Olandipo returned back to action, but it was all close game defeats and also seemed that there was some time needed to integrate his role with the new, highly altered roster that the Pacers have from last season.

                      I will therefore wait for some more games in order to securely evaluate the current level that the Pacers are after Victor's return and because the core roster of stars is secured on long term contracts for the Pacers, will advance them higher on the future potential power rankings.

                      The Pacers have no picks for this season, but their financials are well under control and they should be able to move another step ahead for the next season by being active in both the free agency as well as the trade market during the summer, which should then impact positively both their short term, as well as their long term future potential.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Admittedly, I wasn't paying much attention to the Raptors youth potential until watching the game against the Bucks the day before yesterday, where I was pleased by their talent and given the team's current status, I can't but advance them higher.

                        Therefore the NBA future power rankings (for the next decade) should now look like this:

                        1. The Boston Celtics: (Future potential:Bright)

                        2.The Milwaukee Bucks: (Future potential:Bright)

                        3. Memphis Grizzlies: (Future potential: Bright)

                        4. New Orleans Pelicans: (Future potential: Bright)

                        5. Miami Heat: (Future potential: Bright)

                        6. Charlotte Hornets: (Future potential: Bright)

                        7. Dallas Mavericks: (Future potential: Great)

                        8. Utah Jazz: (Future potential: Great)

                        9. OKC Thunder: (Future potential: Great)

                        10. The Toronto Raptors: (Future potential: Good)

                        11. Minnesota Timberwolves: (Future potential: Good)

                        12. Atlanta Hawks: (Future potential: Good)

                        13. The Los Angeles Clippers: (Future potential: Good)

                        14. Detroit Pistons: (Future potential: Promising)

                        15. The Washington Wizards: (Future potential: Promising)

                        16. Golden State Warriors: (Future potential: Promising)

                        17. The Indiana Pacers: (Future potential: Promising)

                        18. Brooklyn Nets: (Future potential: Promising)

                        19. The Chicago Bulls: (Future potential: Uncertain)

                        20. The Orlando Magic: (Future potential: Uncertain)

                        21. The Denver Nuggets: (Future potential: Uncertain)

                        22. Cleveland Cavaliers: (Future potential: Uncertain)

                        23. Sacramento Kings: (Future potential: Uncertain)

                        24. Philadelphia 76ers: (Future potential: Poor)

                        25. The Los Angeles Lakers: (Future potential: Poor)

                        26. Phoenix Suns: (Future potential: Cloudy):

                        27. New York Knicks: (Future potential: Cloudy)

                        28. The Houston Rockets: (Future potential: Cloudy)

                        29. The Portland Trail Blazers: (Future potential:Bad)

                        30. San Antonio Spurs: (Future potential:Bad)

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Olandipo is back, looks healthy and although he isn't to up to his previous standards yet, he's playing well and looks to continuously improve.

                          The Pacers have a talented and young roster locked in affordable contracts for many seasons to come and their financials allow for further improvements, therefore should be now be ranked higher.

                          The (revised) NBA future power rankings (for the next decade) should now look like this:

                          1. The Boston Celtics: (Future potential:Bright)

                          2.The Milwaukee Bucks: (Future potential:Bright)

                          3. Memphis Grizzlies: (Future potential: Bright)

                          4. New Orleans Pelicans: (Future potential: Bright)

                          5. Miami Heat: (Future potential: Bright)

                          6. Charlotte Hornets: (Future potential: Bright)

                          7. Dallas Mavericks: (Future potential: Great)

                          8. Utah Jazz: (Future potential: Great)

                          9. OKC Thunder: (Future potential: Great)

                          10. The Toronto Raptors: (Future potential: Good)

                          11. Minnesota Timberwolves: (Future potential: Good)

                          12. Atlanta Hawks: (Future potential: Good)

                          13. The Los Angeles Clippers: (Future potential: Good)

                          14. The Indiana Pacers: (Future potential: Good)

                          15. Detroit Pistons: (Future potential: Promising)

                          16. The Washington Wizards: (Future potential: Promising)

                          17. Golden State Warriors: (Future potential: Promising)

                          18. Brooklyn Nets: (Future potential: Promising)

                          19. The Chicago Bulls: (Future potential: Uncertain)

                          20. The Orlando Magic: (Future potential: Uncertain)

                          21. The Denver Nuggets: (Future potential: Uncertain)

                          22. Cleveland Cavaliers: (Future potential: Uncertain)

                          23. Sacramento Kings: (Future potential: Uncertain)

                          24. Philadelphia 76ers: (Future potential: Poor)

                          25. The Los Angeles Lakers: (Future potential: Poor)

                          26. Phoenix Suns: (Future potential: Cloudy):

                          27. New York Knicks: (Future potential: Cloudy)

                          28. The Houston Rockets: (Future potential: Cloudy)

                          29. The Portland Trail Blazers: (Future potential:Bad)

                          30. San Antonio Spurs: (Future potential:Bad)

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Other than the expected return of Jusuf Nurkic, which may cause an upgrade on the Blazers ranking depending on his after injury condition, there are seem to be no other alterations expected before the draft night and the following summer trade period.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              An extremely interesting development that may affect the entire league's future has happened yesterday (March the 9th '20) with the Milwaukee Bucks...

                              Coach Budenholger, kept ALL the "core roster" of 7 players rested and only used the "deep roster" of 8 players + 1 out of the 2-way contracts to play against a contending for the title team at Denver (total of 9 players). The total value of the 5 players contracts that were used in the starting roster was only 11.5M !!!.

                              The move, clearly was not one of "load managment", but it rather seems that the Bucks were "experimenting" in order to:

                              1. Evaluate their deep roster players against one of the best teams in the NBA.

                              2. Decide which players are useful and which can be replaced in order to further upgrade the team for the next season.

                              3. Decide which out of the "deep roster" players can be "upgraded" to the "hard core" roster of 8 players that were not used at all and therefore significantly upgrade the roster for the following season ('20/'21), by moving one (or more) of the much more expensive contracts that are on the "hard core" of players.

                              The results of the "experiment" were extremely encouraging, the Bucks lost of course the game 114-95 as expected, but the "deep roster" players were able to win two of the quarters (the 2nd and the 3d) and have shown that the coaching team can rely on them to "keep the game going" when coming from bench.

                              The starting 5 were: Sterling Brown (PG), Wesley Matthews (SG), Pat Connaughton (SF), Thanasis Antetokounmpo (PF) and Robin Lopez (C), while Frank Mason, Kyle Korver, Ersan Ilyasova and D.J. Wilson came from bench, which suggests that Kyle Korver (aging - may retire next season), Ersan Ilyasova (aging - 7M non-guaranteed contract for next season) and D.J Wilson (final year on rookie contract worth 4.5M for next season) won't probably be in the Bucks roster for the next season, which will give to the Bucks additional value of 11.5M to add to the 10M in cash they have before the lux tax threshold for next season (total of 21M of contracts value can be added to the team). The use of Frank Mason as back-up PG, suggests that the Bucks are considering to sign him in a regular contract for the next season in order to extend their guards depth.

                              If the Bucks will move one of the contracts of Eric Bledsoe (17M for the next season) and/or Brook Lopez (13M for the next season) they can add another 30M of contracts value to the roster, thus ending up with a total of 51M of contracts that can be added.

                              If the Bucks will pick two players during the draft night and do sign Frank Mason in the main roster, it will mean that they will still end up with 46M for the (only) two roster spots which will remain empty for next season, which then means that a (or two) major and impactful contract value addition(s) can be made, which would of course cause for the Bucks to be much better that they already are...

                              Of course such a major and very possible to happen as it looks development, would have to cause the competition to react accordingly as to stay competitive and then could lead in a "new era of future super-teams" appearing in the NBA.
                              Last edited by Buckalis; 04-01-2020, 03:11 AM.

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