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

[Buckalis]

The "cornovirus" incident, has obviously caused a lot of concern on this season's ending, A.Silver has of course announced a month's postpone for all NBA activities, but it looks like the (forced) "break" will be longer than this and it may end up with the remaining of the games and the postseason being held on empty arenas...

Such an undesirable prospect, would cause huge amounts of capital lost, which may affect the financial investments the teams were planning to make this summer, but it will surely negatively affect the ability of the rookies which will be drafted this off season, in order to be able and prepare properly in order to become "NBA ready" and contribute to their teams.

Never the less, if the final stage of the season, will indeed end up played on empty arenas, the younger teams should have a significant advantage over the teams that are based on veterans, but it also becomes very possible that superstars like Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving of the Nets, will be back fully healthy and could be able to contribute with their team too.

[Buckalis]

Despite the disturbance and the uncertainty which the coronavirus has brought in the league, there are a few teams that may benefit from the the league's interruption and gain a hole season from their future plans:

The Nets first of all, should have ready for this season's playoffs Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, which should turn them to a threat for at least the team they'll meet in the 1st round if not for every other team later (if they can advance from the 1st round).


Out of the playoffs teams, the youngest teams should also benefit from the break, because their youth will have the time to progress another step further in their game, therefore the Grizzlies (or the Pelicans if they can climb up to the 8th seed in the west) are expected to be significantly better after the season re-starts. The Blazers are expected to have Yusuf Nurkic (and all their roster) fully ready and perhaps they can challenge the Grizzlies and the Pelicans for 8th in the west, but also, the Wizards in the East, are expected to have John Wall back for the season ending and therefore have a strong finish.

Lets just hope and wish that the season will only be delayed and that it well end normally (albeit with only a big delay).

[Buckalis]

The reports from China on the COVID-19 virus spread are rather promising... The coronavirus cases have been reduced significantly and the spread of the virus seems to have been restricted too. This is very important, given that China is where the virus 1st appeared...

The CBA's restart has been postponed once more after the Chinese league was interrupted back in January, but it looks like it won't be long before the Sports events in China will start again.

If the CBA will restart soon, then it won't be long after the NBA will follow.

[Buckalis]

Despite the pandemic and the huge problems it has created in sports business future planning, the upcoming NBA draft looks to be of major importance for the future, because although it looks to lack the "heavy names" which would otherwise dominate the news headlines, it looks to have many "hidden diamonds" even in the 2nd round of picking, as well as the gap between the projected to be drafted players looks to be narrower than ever before, but also, the positions that the players which will participate in the draft are evenly spread and therefore the teams will have multiple choices to fill their roster additions needs.

That said, the teams which won't pick this season seem to be handicapped with respect to the teams that do, but also, there is no particular need for teams looking to upgrade their picking ranking and "climb" further up the picking ladder...

The Boston Celtics have three picks in the 1st round and that should give them the opportunity to improve their roster significantly for the future.

The Golden State Warriors have two picks, but also the picks are both lottery ones, which should give them plenty of choices to supplement their star roster and control their budget further and therefore should be ranked higher in the future potential rankings.

The Portland Trail Blazers have a top-15 pick, but have also "locked" their two stars on Lillard and McCollum on long term contracts and additionally their financials improve a lot by next season and they will additionally have Nurkic back, therefore they should be ranked higher too.

An extremely interesting case, is between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Oklahoma City Thunder on whether the Thunder will end up with a 2nd 1st pick, or whether the pick will end up with the Sixers because the pick is top-20 protected from the Thunder and if they "control" their ranking position and do keep the pick, the Sixers lose it altogether for the following seasons because it then becomes 2x2nd round picks...
I believe the wisest thing would be for the Thunder to keep the pick even if it would cost them to "drop" 6th (they are only half a game ahead of the Rockets and they keep the pick if they "let" the Rockets ahead of them in the Western rankings) and they will do so, therefore I will upgrade the Thunder in the rankings and drop the Sixers further.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have also two 1st round picks in the upcoming draft and they have added DeAngelo Russell in their roster, therefore they should be ranked higher too.

OTOH, the Utah Jazz, the Indiana Pacers, the Los Angeles Clippers, the Houston Rockets and the Washington Wizards have no picks this season and therefore they should drop in the future potential rankings.

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

1. Boston Celtics: (Future potential:Bright)

2. 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. OKC Thunder: (Future potential: Great)

7. Minnesota Timberwolves: (Future potential: Great)

8. Charlotte Hornets: (Future potential: Great)

9. Dallas Mavericks: (Future potential: Great)

10. Toronto Raptors: (Future potential: Good)

11. Golden State Warriors: (Future potential: Good)

12. Utah Jazz: (Future potential Good)

13. Atlanta Hawks: (Future potential: Good)

14. Los Angeles Clippers: (Future potential: Promising)

15. Brooklyn Nets: (Future potential: Promising)

16. Indiana Pacers: (Future potential: Promising)

17. Detroit Pistons: (Future potential: Promising)

18. Washington Wizards: (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. Portland Trail Blazers: (Future potential Uncertain)

25. Los Angeles Lakers: (Future potential: Uncertain)

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

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

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

29. Houston Rockets: (Future potential: Bad)

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

[mathematicianrcg]

Finally someone credits memphis. I believe they made a great job in the last 2 drafts

[Buckalis]

Finally someone credits memphis. I believe they made a great job in the last 2 drafts

It's not just Ja Morant and Jarret Jackson jr. which make the Grizzlies stand out.

I believe they are copying the Bucks "model" of building a team to last... (which is great). They even hired the Bucks ex-assistant coach to be their leading coach this season and they've paid a lot of attention on their G-league affiliate in order to develop more young talent.

Interesting that both the affiliates of the Bucks and the Grizzlies in the G-league are leading their respective conferences by having the best record. Definitely they are a model of how a team (and not a circus like some others that are trying to buy a title) should be, a team that will significantly improve for each and every season for all the following decade.

[Buckalis]

There is an important rule that the league has announced for the 22 teams which will participate in Orlando... It will apply for this season only obviously due to the pandemic and because some (few) players may refuse to play.

Therefore the teams can declare and take to Orlando not 15, but 17 players this time. The additional two players can be either out of the 2-way contracts or out of free agency.

For the purpose of signing a free agent, or converting a 2-way contract to regular, there will be an open window of one week at the end of June.

Still, although there will be 17 players for each team which will be allowed to go to Orlando, there will be only 15 players which will participate when the games begin which then means that if a team will go to Orlando with 17 players, then two must be rejected by the end of July...

This development may lead on additions to the roster which may affect some of the teams future, particularly if the additions are of young but proven players... The Bucks for instance, are expected to advance 25y.o. play making guard Frank Mason III from a 2-way spot he now occupies to a regular contract and could also be after signing back 21y.o. Dragan Bender out of free agency.

If such a development will happen with any team, I will revise the future potential power rankings accordingly.

[Buckalis]

After the impressive performance of the (healthy after a long time) Blazers and of the Suns who won all the games they have played in the Orlando I have to advance them both higher in the rankings.

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

1. Boston Celtics: (Future potential:Bright)

2. 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. OKC Thunder: (Future potential: Great)

7. Minnesota Timberwolves: (Future potential: Great)

8. Charlotte Hornets: (Future potential: Great)

9. Dallas Mavericks: (Future potential: Great)

10. Toronto Raptors: (Future potential: Good)

11. Golden State Warriors: (Future potential: Good)

12. Utah Jazz: (Future potential Good)

13. Atlanta Hawks: (Future potential: Good)

14. Los Angeles Clippers: (Future potential: Promising)

15. Brooklyn Nets: (Future potential: Promising)

16. Indiana Pacers: (Future potential: Promising)

17. Phoenix Suns: (Future potential: Promising):

18. Portland Trail Blazers: (Future potential Promising)

19. Detroit Pistons: (Future potential: Promising)

20. Washington Wizards: (Future potential: Promising)

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

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

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

24. Cleveland Cavaliers: (Future potential: Uncertain)

25. Sacramento Kings: (Future potential: Uncertain)

26. Los Angeles Lakers: (Future potential: Uncertain)

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

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

29. Houston Rockets: (Future potential: Bad)

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

[Buckalis]

As the 21 season progresses, some new evaluation become essential after the draft night and the summer trade period which followed it...

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

More than having secured building around an All-Star level young core, the Celtics have had three first round picks during the draft night and additionally, they were able to move Hayward's contract and therefore dramatically improve their financial situation. No doubt they can perform better and improve further than their current (stellar) status, for each and every season which will follow this.

2. Miami Heat: (Future potential: Bright)

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 have one of the best coaching teams in the entire league... For the seasons which will follow, the team has secured the future services of Bam Adebayo and Tyller Hero, as well as added a stellar "big" on Precious Achiuawa during the draft night,,,, Yet, their financials remain stellar and they have a great selection of veterans to keep them right up to a contending level until their youth gradually takes over... They'll be targeting the top for many seasons to come...

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

After failing to live up to the expectations during the previous season, the Bucks have ended up better and more experienced than ever before, yet by keeping their financials well under control and considerably improving the team's age average considerably. The addition of Jrue Holiday seems perfect next to Giannis and the two times All Star Khris Middleton, but additionally, Donte Divincenzo's development seems to be rapid and could end up of him developing to an extremely high level soon... Bobby Portis' game has been adapted perfectly into the Bucks system and his age as well as the presence of Giannis and Brook Lopez can surely help him taking the next level forward.

All in all, with Holiday, Divincenzo, Middleton, Giannis and Portis, the Bucks have a rare combination of youth, skills, talent and experience for their long term starting roster, which depending on the development of the younger ones and the ability of the management to keep the team together can be a threat for any opponent in the league in both the present as well as for the long term future and provides security for the replacement of aging Brook Lopez and D.J Augustin... The roster depth is not as strong as it was in the recent past, but OTOH the financials leave enough room for this to be corrected too during the season especially in combination with the dead cap clearing soon and how fast the promising rookie Nwora will develop.

4. Memphis Grizzlies: (Future potential: Bright)

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. but a reliable "big" on Valanciounas too, all of 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 assistant during the previous season, to be their head coaching team...

5. Dallas Mavericks: (Future potential: Bright)

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 on Luka Doncic, the Mavs have great financials and are carefully building around Luka by adding more talent for every next season... Given Doncic age, they look to be the longest lasting force in the West for the short and long term future.

6. 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 clearly expected to be better for each and every season that follows...

7. 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 added 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 can add a center that fits well with the rest of their youth talent after (just) missing the opportunity to draft Wiseman during the latest draft.

8. 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 have all the means to be contenders in the West for all the upcoming decade...

B]9. OKC Thunder:[/B] (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 after having added the highly future promising S.G. Alexander, they look in a position to soon be back into contending...

10. Minnesota Timberwolves: (Future potential: Good)

KAT is a legitimate piece to built around and 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, are looking to be back soon.


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

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. The Washington Wizards: (Future potential: Good)

The Wizards have replaced Wall with Westbrook and have their financials under control, they also have managed to resign Beal and have drafted the highly promising R,Hatchimura a season earlier, have managed to extend Bertans and secure his presence with the team. but also seem to have drafted very well on Advija this season... They clearly now seem capable to fight for a playoff seed and are expected to improve even more as their talented youth will progress and add experince.

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

Victor Olandipo has gone, but the Pacers were already a 5th seed team in the East without relying on his services... The addition of Lever surely makes them better and they seem to have drafted well on Bitadge. The financial are very good and the team's age average is one of the best in the league thus securing further improvement on the near future.

14. The Denver Nuggets: (Future potential: Good)

The Nuggets managed to make it on the Western finals during last postseason and have locked Murray next to Jokic for their future. Financials look great and secure an even better future.

15. Atlanta Hawks: (Future potential: Good)

The Hawks have added reliable veterans on Gallinari and Bogdan Bogdanovic next to their young talent with Trae Young being the prime piece and with Stellar financials are now expected to be back in the front count, but to rapidly strengthen up even more for the future.

16. The Portland Trail Blazers: (Future potential: Good)

Stellar financials and a generic young core full of talent secured for the future, ensure that there is a lot of room to improve further in the future for an already competitive team.

17. Phoenix Suns: (Future potential: Good)

The Suns had a stellar postseason and since then they've added CP3 and even more reliable veterans. Financials are great and therefore Phoenix has a great future ahead of it, despite the entire league strengthening up.

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

GSW has now spend a season wasted in order to take under control the financial and roster depth issues which have plagued the team during the previous season. However, the financials are back to be horrible and their stars are aging as well injuries on key players seem not to go away... It all depends on how good Wiseman will prove to be and if they can retain the roster intact given the huge financial pressure they are under.

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

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.

20. The Los Angeles Lakers: (Future potential: Promising)

The Lakers have expelled all their near future picks and assets but Kuzma during the past three seasons in order to sign Lebron and add AD through a (forced) trade.

Clearly a contending team for another season after winning the title a season earlier and adding Shroeder in order to fill their additional play-making needs and always useful Montezzi Harrell, they have Lebron on his (inevitable due to age) descent signed for this and the next season, but they've managed to improve considerably their age average, With no provision to make back for Lebron after this and the next season, they are clearly looking to enhance the team around AD via trades and through free agency for their future.

21.The Chicago Bulls: (Future potential: Promising)

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...

22. Detroit Pistons: (Future potential: Questionable)

The Pistons lost Christian Wood after loosing Drummond last season and given that Griffin was never the player to rely upon due to the multiple injuries he has suffered in his career, they now totally rely on the picks of this and the previous season to shine up. They've added some reliable veterans and have managed to retain Rose for another season, but unless the rookies step up, the stellar financials cannot ensure a stable future.

23. The Toronto Raptors: (Future potential: Questionable).

The Raptors have signed Van Vleet, Siakam and Anunoby on huge contracts in order to secure their presence with the team in the long term and will (obviously) built around them. Lowery is aging and expiring this season, and Ibaka with Gaspl departed to end their careers on other destinations. Whether the trio of youth can carry the team to its past glory at the future, remains to be seen, but the competition is growing stronger all the time and Siakam isn't Giannis, neither Anunoby is Middleton, nor Van Vleet is anywhere near to ever become Jrue Holliday....

24. San Antonio Spurs: (Future potential: Questionable)

Much like the Raptors before them, the Spurs have their key players expiring and aging and therefore the future of the team will highly depend on the ability of the talented but yet unproven to be able and compete against the best in the league youth.

25. Cleveland Cavaliers: (Future potential: Questionable)

It's being long before they've looked at a rookie as being the successor of Lebron, but it is what is happening in Cleveland with Okoro,,, It remains to be proven how good Okoro can be and how much the rest of the youth can step up so that the Cavs can hope at a meaningful future.

26. New York Knicks: (Future potential: Questionable)

With the Knicks the situation isn't much different than it is with the Cavs, there are high expectations on every new rookie enters the Madison court, so it is the case with Toppin. In any case, after so many high picks not working for the Knicks, they seem to be stabilizing the ship with coach Thibs on the wheel and based on RJ Barret and J. Randle to built around. There's still a long way to go,

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

It's now a new season after a most disappointing previous one for the Sixers. Financials still look terrible after they got rid of Hayward's insane contract mainly because the F.O had the "bright" idea to extend T.Harris on another insane (max) contract... As a consequence the team is (about) the same but minus Hayward and all the blame was loaded on the now departed coach... As of any meaningful roster addition, yeah... they've added Danny Green at his ...34th year of age! They really need good luck to be able and compete against the Nets now and the Celtics or the Bucks for the present and for the short and long term future.

28. Sacramento Kings: (Future potential: Poor)

The (Serbian) management departed and with it their best player on Bogdan Bogdanovic as well as they have Nemanja Bjelica packing out soon... What is left is talented but not on a level to built around a contending team. No light at the end of the tunnel either.

29. Brooklyn Nets: (Future potential: Poor)

The Nets have (by far) the worst financials in the league after having signed KD and Kyrie a season earlier and recently added Harden which turned them on the undeniable favorite to win it all this season. Yet, the financials are absolutely horrible and the chemistry unproven. They already lost two of their most promising for the future youngsters on Jarret Allen, Tawreen Prince and Charis Levert and will loose more of their talented youth in the near future. Clearly (like the Lakers before them) an attempt to buy a championship, rather than working and developing a team which would last at the top for many seasons to come, it remains to prove their present.


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

The car has crushed many times and it leads on multiple restorations one after the other. A proven policy to fail once more whith no light at the end of the tunnel.

[Shawshank]

30. Spurs ?

comon men you obviuosly dont follow them.They doing rebuilding now and still and are fighting for playoofs playing their 2016-2020 first round drafters alot minutes.

After 2020/2021 season all 4 spurs veterans (Derozan,Aldridge,Mills,Gay) contracts ends and roster will be 26 old and younger on current contracts .

2016 Spurs drafted D.Murray and resign him to 4 new 4 year deal this seasons 16,2pts
2017 drafted D. White and resign him to new 4 year contract. Is injured right now.
2018 drafted L.Walker thats averages this season 14,1pts
2019 drafted K.Johnson thats is balling and his very exiting player to watch averaging this season 13,5pts
2020 drafted defensive wing D.Vasell and playing him 16min already in first year

Resign young center J.Poeltl to new contract that spurs got from Leonard trade.

Spurs very quietly rebuilded from drafts and playing those first rounders big minutes already this season and winning more than 50% of games.How exactly their future is dead last?

I see very nice young group they drafted D.Murray,D.White,L.Walker,K.Johnson,D.Vasell and resigning center J.Poetle and lots of free salary cap space for signing decent players starting from 2021 summer.

In deadline there is chances they will trade Derozan or Aldridge and get extra pick or younger player.

I see way worse situations in some nba teams with way worse long term bad contracts. Spurs on bright future no doubt is in top 15 right now in my view.

[Buckalis]

30. Spurs ?

comon men you obviuosly dont follow them.They doing rebuilding now and still and are fighting for playoofs playing their 2016-2020 first round drafters alot minutes.

After 2020/2021 season all 4 spurs veterans (Derozan,Aldridge,Mills,Gay) contracts ends and roster will be 26 old and younger on current contracts .

2016 Spurs drafted D.Murray and resign him to 4 new 4 year deal this seasons 16,2pts
2017 drafted D. White and resign him to new 4 year contract. Is injured right now.
2018 drafted L.Walker thats averages this season 14,1pts
2019 drafted K.Johnson thats is balling and his very exiting player to watch averaging this season 13,5pts
2020 drafted defensive wing D.Vasell and playing him 16min already in first year

Resign young center J.Poeltl to new contract that spurs got from Leonard trade.

Spurs very quietly rebuilded from drafts and playing those first rounders big minutes already this season and winning more than 50% of games.How exactly their future is dead last?

I see very nice young group they drafted D.Murray,D.White,L.Walker,K.Johnson,D.Vasell and resigning center J.Poetle and lots of free salary cap space for signing decent players starting from 2021 summer.

In deadline there is chances they will trade Derozan or Aldridge and get extra pick or younger player.

I see way worse situations in some nba teams with way worse long term bad contracts. Spurs on bright future no doubt is in top 15 right now in my view.

I've posted this by "copy pasting" an older one and didn't have the time to edit all changes, please be patient it will soon be as intended.

[CoachZ]

Wow, tried to go through these "Evaluations" and putting Denver at 20-21, behind the likes of Bulls etc. is just insane. Team that played in WC finals last season, team that has improved every year, team that has all core players, Jokic, Murray and Porter Jr. 25 and under as a team without talent. Jokic, who actually performs in the playoffs compared to Giannis" being called slow etc. Even though he is a consensus Top 10 player in the league, many ranking him in Top 5.

Yeah, won't be trying to decypher this nonsense any more.

[Buckalis]

Wow, tried to go through these "Evaluations" and putting Denver at 20-21, behind the likes of Bulls etc. is just insane. Team that played in WC finals last season, team that has improved every year, team that has all core players, Jokic, Murray and Porter Jr. 25 and under as a team without talent. Jokic, who actually performs in the playoffs compared to Giannis" being called slow etc. Even though he is a consensus Top 10 player in the league, many ranking him in Top 5.

Yeah, won't be trying to decypher this nonsense any more.

It's all an opinion of mine, which may differ from another and that's a purpose of a forum, to discuss the differences between opinions backed up with reasoning.

In this case, where my opinion differs with yours, is on the quality of the young talents Denver has with respect to other teams... You brought up the Bucks by comparison, do you honestly think that the trio of the Denver stars you've mentioned is comperable with the Bucks "quattro" of Giannis, Middleton, J.Holiday and Divincenzo? If you do, I'm not...

But I'll go further and bring the Grizzlies up by comparison... Do you think that Denver has more future with respect to their trio of youth of Jackson, Morant and Valanciounas? Also... did you check the financial condition and the future development of it between the two teams?

[CoachZ]

It's all an opinion of mine, which may differ from another and that's a purpose of a forum, to discuss the differences between opinions backed up with reasoning.

In this case, where my opinion differs with yours, is on the quality of the young talents Denver has with respect to other teams... You brought up the Bucks by comparison, do you honestly think that the trio of the Denver stars you've mentioned is comperable with the Bucks "quattro" of Giannis, Middleton, J.Holiday and Divincenzo? If you do, I'm not...

But I'll go further and bring the Grizzlies up by comparison... Do you think that Denver has more future with respect to their trio of youth of Jackson, Morant and Valanciounas? Also... did you check the financial condition and the future development of it between the two teams?

Easily. Middleton is already playing at his prime level and nowhere to go. He is a guy that becomes an average starter in the playoffs, proven year after year. Giannis goes from MVP-caliber to basic all-star in playoffs as well. Both Jokic and Murray elevate their game in the playoffs. Jrue Holiday is a veteran that has nowhere to go in terms of improvement. He is a solid defensive guard. DiVinzenzo? Are you kidding me? Dude is a 10ppt BORDERLINE starter. On the other hand, Porter Jr. is an injury prone supertalent that would've been a No. 1 pick absent from his injury history. He kicked off the 20/21 season with a bang. Your upside is purely based on expecting Giannis to take a giant leap in the playoffs (nothing has changed, he still can't shoot so he won't) and guys like Middleton to be something they cannot. At the same time you are dicking on a team with 3 legit core players all 25 and under with room to grow, and they have already shown more in terms of championship aspirations compared to the Bucks.

The whole point was, not even about the Bucks, but the fact that you ranked Denver 20th and lower ALL LAST YEAR! You have given them a bump to 14 this year based on Murray signing an extension, which we knew he will do. You are making a list of future power potential and ranking teams full of veterans with no room to grow ahead of teams loaded with Talent. Miami No. 2? They have Adebayo an all-star caliber players and guys like Herro and Robinson who are complimentary pieces with no room for growth to superstar level. Citing cap space is also ridiculous, because you have no idea who will they sign. CHA and Devonte Graham and Rosier and Ball vs Jokic/Murray/Porter LOL. Jazz with Mitchell and complimentary pieces, most of them in prime or past their prime. Gobert is not a supermax player. Wizards with Westbrook and Beal? Beal is a goner from WAS, maybe even mid season. Avdija is completely unproven and Bertans is a complimentary piece, not a core player.

I do believe it is insulting to put Pelicans and Grizzlies ahead as well. Both are loaded with young talent that needs to make the playoffs and actually do something there to be put ahead. Morant is a great talent, Jackson Jr. can't stay healthy he is yet to play this year and has missed 50 games in 2 years in the league, Valanciunas is in prime years but his development peaked few years back and the game has evolved past him. Zion Williamson has to demonstrate that he can stay healthy as well. He is overweight, missed a bunch of games last year and he is not showing a massive improvement in year 2. Ingram is the one making the jump actually, yet he remains inefficient scorer for that superstar level. These teams need a few seasons of constant development to get where Denver is in terms of core players.

We can disagree on things that are touch and go, players that are nearly equal and stuff like that. But not on just blatant butchery of skills and prospects. I just find the bias against Denver insane on the list.

[Buckalis]

Easily. Middleton is already playing at his prime level and nowhere to go. He is a guy that becomes an average starter in the playoffs, proven year after year. Giannis goes from MVP-caliber to basic all-star in playoffs as well. Both Jokic and Murray elevate their game in the playoffs. Jrue Holiday is a veteran that has nowhere to go in terms of improvement. He is a solid defensive guard. DiVinzenzo? Are you kidding me? Dude is a 10ppt BORDERLINE starter. On the other hand, Porter Jr. is an injury prone supertalent that would've been a No. 1 pick absent from his injury history. He kicked off the 20/21 season with a bang. Your upside is purely based on expecting Giannis to take a giant leap in the playoffs (nothing has changed, he still can't shoot so he won't) and guys like Middleton to be something they cannot. At the same time you are dicking on a team with 3 legit core players all 25 and under with room to grow, and they have already shown more in terms of championship aspirations compared to the Bucks.

The whole point was, not even about the Bucks, but the fact that you ranked Denver 20th and lower ALL LAST YEAR! You have given them a bump to 14 this year based on Murray signing an extension, which we knew he will do. You are making a list of future power potential and ranking teams full of veterans with no room to grow ahead of teams loaded with Talent. Miami No. 2? They have Adebayo an all-star caliber players and guys like Herro and Robinson who are complimentary pieces with no room for growth to superstar level. Citing cap space is also ridiculous, because you have no idea who will they sign. CHA and Devonte Graham and Rosier and Ball vs Jokic/Murray/Porter LOL. Jazz with Mitchell and complimentary pieces, most of them in prime or past their prime. Gobert is not a supermax player. Wizards with Westbrook and Beal? Beal is a goner from WAS, maybe even mid season. Avdija is completely unproven and Bertans is a complimentary piece, not a core player.

I do believe it is insulting to put Pelicans and Grizzlies ahead as well. Both are loaded with young talent that needs to make the playoffs and actually do something there to be put ahead. Morant is a great talent, Jackson Jr. can't stay healthy he is yet to play this year and has missed 50 games in 2 years in the league, Valanciunas is in prime years but his development peaked few years back and the game has evolved past him. Zion Williamson has to demonstrate that he can stay healthy as well. He is overweight, missed a bunch of games last year and he is not showing a massive improvement in year 2. Ingram is the one making the jump actually, yet he remains inefficient scorer for that superstar level. These teams need a few seasons of constant development to get where Denver is in terms of core players.

We can disagree on things that are touch and go, players that are nearly equal and stuff like that. But not on just blatant butchery of skills and prospects. I just find the bias against Denver insane on the list.

I assure you there is no bias of mine against Denver... It's just a difference on opinion between me and you on how we both value players. From that POV I fully and totally respect your opinion, but this doesn't mean I have to agree... imo, there is surely talent in Denver, but nowhere near enough for them to become contenders... IMO Jockic (Denver's no1 player) does have extreme basketball skills which may equal the league's top-20, but is too static and slow to ever become a superstar or carry Denver to the top, in all honesty, I would take (primarily) Vucevic, or (secondly) Valanciounas to have in my team next to Giannis.