Team By Team Offseason and Draft Analysis
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by user KDuffy15
Read my opinions on your favorite teams offseason and draft prospects. Feel free to leave your opinions/comment as to what you think will happen as this offseason unfolds.
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division
Season Overview: Somehow, there were bright spots in Boston’s 28-54 joke of a season. Al Jefferson emerged as one of the better power forwards in the league, averaging 16 points and 11 rebounds per game. Gerald Green took a huge step forward as well. He played his best basketball late in the season, averaging 20.3 points per game during a seven-game stretch in April. Rajon Rondo and Delonte West proved to be an effective point guard combination. Both have a future with the team. Paul Pierce only played in 47 games, but averaged 25 points per outing.
Recent Drafts: '2006-' Rajon Rondo, Leon Powe Grade- B Rondo averaged only 6.4 points and 3.8 assists per game, but came on very strong at the end of the season and showed that he is a tremendous athlete, defender, and playmaker. If he can become more consistent with his jumpshot, Rondo will be a starter for the next ten years.
2005- Gerald Green, Ryan Gomes Grade- A- Considering where these two players were picked (18th and 50th respectively), 2005 was one of the best drafts in recent history for Boston. Green has stardom written all over him at just 21 years old. Waterbury’s (CT) own Gomes averaged 12.1 points and 5.6 rebounds in 30 minutes of action per contest. He hard-nosed and productive, and is one of very few second round draft picks that become starters.
This Offseason: Boston’s only free agent is Michael Olowokandi, the former 1.7 draft pick…oh no wait, that was his scoring average from last season. The Celts need help at center, but Kendrick Perkins is a better option than Olowokandi at this point. He’ll be let go, and the team will desperately try to move Wally Szczerbiak and his hefty contract.
Draft Outlook: After suffering for nearly two decades, Boston fans finally can expect their beloved Celtics to reach the promise-land again after they draft perhaps the best big man prospect in years, a man amongst boys who has drawn comparisons to former Celtic Bill Russell. Meet the savior of Boston basketball- Yi Jianlian. Wait...what? After missing out on Greg Oden, Boston sits at #5 and is widely expected to draft a big man that can make Boston fans forget about their misfortune in the lottery- kind of. Jianlian, Brandan Wright, and Joakim Noah have all been mentioned as possible options. They also hold the #32 pick, which they will probably use an athletic wing. The team will target four-year players Reyshawn Terry and Alando Tucker, but don’t be surprised if they go big again and keep BC C Sean Williams at home.
Season Overview: The Knickerbockers have a solid foundation at the two most important positions in basketball- point guard and center. Stephon Marbury (16.4 points, 5.4 assists) and Eddy Curry (19.5 points, 7 rebounds) may take their share of criticism, but they are the team’s best players. Jamal Crawford (17.6 points) is a dynamic scorer at the shooting guard position, best exemplified by his 52-point performance on January 26th vs. Milwaukee. Quentin Richardson was in and out of the rotation early, but finished the season averaging a solid 13 points and 7.2 rebounds per contest. Steve Francis proved he just doesn’t fit in with the team, and neither does Channing Frye, Jared Jeffries, Malik Rose, or Jerome James. James doesn’t fit in with any team, but that’s a whole different story.
Recent Drafts: 2006- Mardy Collins, Renaldo Balkman Grade- C Collins played well in limited action in a crowded backcourt, but should see a lot more consistent PT if the Knicks cut ties with Steve Francis. Balkman, drafted 20th overall, was a huge reach, but is the kind of garbage player that the Knicks need.
2005- Channing Frye, David Lee Grade- C+ Frye has worn out his welcome in New York. His numbers (9.5 points, 5.5 rebounds) are not good, but much of that can be attributed to the fact that everyone on the Knicks like to gun up as many shots as they can. Lee, the last pick of the first round, has been a pleasant surprise, averaging 10.7 points and 10.4 rebounds in 29 minutes per game last season. He figures into the Knicks long-term plans.
This Offseason: Kelvin Cato and Malik Rose will finally come off the books this summer. They are the Knicks only free agents, but New York may try to make a trade. Rumors are swirling that the team wants Pacers forward/center Jermaine O’Neal. If Isiah Thomas wants O’Neal bad enough, he will be able to get him for Marbury and Frye or Francis and Curry.
Draft Outlook: The Knicks hold one pick in the draft, the 23rd overall selection. Ohio State SG Daequan Cook’s name is being mentioned as an extremely possible choice for New York. Isiah Thomas says he has known Cook since he was a kid and was very impressed with his performance in the pre-draft camp and in the individual workout. He could be a nice fit, especially if the team ends up trading Francis or Crawford to get Jermaine O’Neal.
Season Recap: 2006-2007 saw the Sixers trade their franchise player of the last decade, Allen Iverson. AI’s departure signaled the beginning of a rebuilding project in Philly. The Sixers may not be that far away from turning it back around again thanks largely in part to the development of all-everything SF Andre Iguodala (18.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 2.0 steals). Andre Miller (13.6 points, 7.3 assists) is a proven commodity at PG, and Kyle Korver came on strong last season, averaging 14.4 points per game while shooting 43% from behind the arc. The team is lacking on the interior, but with three first round draft picks, they should be able to bolster the talent in the frontcourt.
Recent Drafts: 2006- Rodney Carney, Bobby Jones, Edin Bavcic Grade- B+ Carney was a great value at #16, and though he averaged only 6.6 points and 1.9 rebounds per game, drew a lot of attention for his defense and hustle. Carney is one of the most athletic players in the league and has some good offensive skills. It may take him a few more years to realize his potential, but once he does, he and Iguodala will be a scary combination on the wing.
2005- Louis Williams Grade- B- The super-quick guard left for the NBA straight out of high school, and Philly nabbed him with the 45th pick. Williams was nowhere near ready to play, nor is he today, but its not everyday that you can get a player with Williams’ potential that late in the draft. He will have to improve a lot over the summer to earn more playing time, but there is little depth in the backcourt and Williams will certainly have an opportunity.
This Offseason: Williams and Shavlik Randolph are both restricted free agents. The Sixers will definitely make an effort to re-sign Williams if they can, but Randolph is expendable. Joe Smith and Alan Henderson are both unrestricted free agents, and with the team in the position to draft two or three young big man, both probably will be wearing another uniform come next season.
Draft Outlook: Philly picks 12th, 21st, 30th, and 38th. They have two options, either use all of the picks and collect a lot of youth and depth, or trade up into the Top 5 or 6 and get a stud player and then maybe one or two more players later in the draft. The Sixers will probably hold onto all their picks because if they can’t get to Oden and Durant, which trust me they can’t, it wouldn’t make sense to trade up because there is a lot of uncertainty in the top ten after Oden, Durant, and Al Horford. The team will likely decide between Florida State’s Al Thornton and Washington’s Spencer Hawes with their first pick (12th). Their second selection (21st) will come down to another big man- possibly Duke’s Josh McRoberts or Brazil’s Tiago Splitter. With the last pick in the first round, Philly will hope a talented guard, such as Oregon’s Aaron Brooks or Nevada’s Ramon Sessions will be on the board. They could go anywhere with their last selection (38th), but likely will continue to attempt to upgrade the frontcourt by drafting BC C Sean Williams, Pittsburgh C Aaron Gray, or Purdue PF Carl Landry.
Season Recap: The Nets were one win away from the Eastern Conference Finals and one big man away from being the best team in the inferior half of the NBA. Jason Kidd showed he still has a lot left in the tank, as he averaged 14.6 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 10.9 assists in 12 playoff games. Vince Carter (25.2 points, 6 rebounds, 4.8 assists in the regular season) is not the athlete he used to be, but is still one of the best scorers in the league. Richard Jefferson played in only 55 games, but averaged 16.3 points in the regular season and 19.7 points in the playoffs. He is one of the league’s best small forwards. Mikki Moore stepped up and contributed 9.8 points and 5.1 rebounds, but is not the long-term answer at center.
Recent Drafts: 2006- Marcus Williams, Josh Boone, Hassan Adams Grade- A- Williams looked spectacular at some points in the season, but hit the wall towards the end of his rookie year. Overall, Williams’ averaged 6.8 points and 3.3 assists per game, but showed the poise and feel that few young point guards exhibit. He will be a fine replacement for Kidd once he retires or gets traded. Boone missed the first 21 games of the year and finished averaging 4.2 points and 2.9 rebounds. He recorded back-to-back 20 point games in late March, something that he didn’t even do at UConn. As Boone’s offense continues to develop, he could shape up to be a decent post player for New Jersey. Adams is the real wildcard of the group. He is one of the most athletic players in the game and thrives in the fastbreak game that Kidd and Williams can orchestrate. He may be able to work his way into the rotation on athleticism alone, especially if Carter is dealt.
2005- Antoine Wright, Mili Illec Grade- B Wright filled in commendably while Jefferson was sidelined. He finished the season averaging just 4.5 points and 2.8 rebounds, but while Jefferson was out, Wright was averaging 8.5 points and 4.5 rebounds as the starting small forward. He showed considerable improvement in his second year and depending on what happens with Carter, will probably be a big part of the Nets’ future.
This Offseason: Vince Carter is a free-agent and will probably command the maximum contract, or very close to it. New Jersey will likely base their decision on a few factors. If they draft a wing like Georgia Tech’s Thaddeus Young, he becomes expendable. Rather then let him walk, the Nets would most likely try to do a sign and trade so they can get a big man such as Portland’s Zach Randolph or Indiana’s Jermaine O’Neal in exchange for Air Canada. If they do indeed let Carter walk to Orlando (rumored to be his desired destination), they will have enough money to pursue another free agent, but there aren’t many players in Carter’s class whose contracts are up this year. Their best bet would be a sign-and-trade. The Nets also will be fielding offers for Kidd, who is getting old and has a promising Marcus Williams behind him. Expect the Mavericks and Lakers to make a strong push for Kidd, but neither has big men that the Nets are very enticed by. When it's all said and done, Kidd should be a Net again next year. The team also will attempt to re-sign Mikki Moore, but if his late season play gives him too much leverage in negotiations, they could let him go, depending on what they do in draft.
Draft Outlook: New Jersey holds the 17th pick in the first round and will likely target frontcourt help. If Colorado State F/C Jason Smith is available, the team will grab him. If not, they may draft a swingman such as Vanderbilt’s Derrick Byers or Ohio State’s Daequan Cook. Both players are athletic and will bring three-point range into a lineup that sometimes struggles mightily to hit jumpshots. If a shooting guard is the pick, that would most likely signal the end of Vince Carter’s run as a Net. In the unlikely situation that Thaddeus Young and Jason Smith are both on the board at 17, the Nets would be in a precarious situation, but would most likely take Young and try to trade Carter for a proven big man.
Season Recap: Toronto went from being one of the worst teams in the East to the #3 seed in one year. Bryan Colangelo is doing a masterful job molding this team. They have a dominant force inside in Chris Bosh (22.6 points, 10.7 rebounds), an electric point guard combo in TJ Ford and Jose Calderon (27 points, 12.9 assists combined) and an array of from the perimeter in Andrea Bargnani, Anthony Parker, Morris Peterson, Juan Dixon, and Jorge Garbajosa.
Recent Drafts: 2006- Andrea Bargnani, PJ Tucker Grade: A- The Raptors took a lot of flack for picking Bargnani 1st overall last year, but after he turned in a more than respectable 11.6 points per game as a rookie, no one is questioning the pick anymore. A 7-footer who shot 37% from three, Bargnani has all the tools to be the Dirk Nowitzki of the next decade.
2005- Charlie Villanueva, Joey Graham, Uros Slokar Grade-B+ Villanueva had an impressive rookie year, including a random 48-point eruption vs. Milwaukee on March 26th 2006, but was dealt the following offseason for TJ Ford, the oft-injured guard who couldn’t shoot. A year later, it turns out the trade worked out nicely. Ford is the catalyst of the exciting Toronto offense and Villanueva ended up missing most of the season due to injury. Graham has been a role player in his first two seasons, averaging 6.5 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. He may never be a great offensive player, but will always have a spot in the rotation because of his defense and athleticism.
This Offseason: It will be an extremely low-key offseason for the Raptors. After re-vamping their entire team in the past two years, they pretty much have everything in place for the future. Toronto’s only free agent of note is Morris Peterson, a three-point specialist who has been with the team since they drafted him 21st overall in 2000. If he can be re-signed at the right price, the Raptors will try to retain him. If not, the team has plenty of wings who can shoot, so his departure wouldn’t exactly cause the city of Toronto to riot (or start going to Blue Jays games in protest). The Raptors have a lot of cap space still and will probably try to make a pitch to a free agent center so they can remove Rasho Nesterovic from the starting lineup and Stephen A. Smith can finally sleep at night. Possible replacements include Mikki Moore, Chris Mihm, Anderson Varejao, and Kurt Thomas.
Draft Outlook: Toronto does not have any picks in this year’s draft, and unless there is a center on the board in the late first or early to mid second round that they covet (such as BC’s Sean Williams, Pitt’s Aaron Gray, or Wake Forest’s Kyle Visser), they probably won’t make a trade. If they do, they will likely give up a future first or second round pick, because that seems to happen an awful lot on draft day.
Central
Season Recap: Milwaukee finished in the cellar of the Central Division with a record of 28-54. Michael Redd missed 29 games, but turned in 26.7 points per game when he was on the court. Charlie Villanueva, who was acquired for TJ Ford in the offseason, appeared in just 39 games and averaged a disappointing 11.8 points and 5.8 rebounds. Mo Williams was one of the few players that stayed healthy, as he turned in big numbers in the last year of his contract, averaging 17.3 points, 6.1 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game. Ruben Patterson, Earl Boykins, and Charlie Bell all played well, averaging a combined 42.5 points per game while making frequent starts.
Recent Drafts: 2006- David Noel, Damir Markota Grade: B- Noel appeared in 68 games but averaged just 2.7 points and 1.8 rebounds. He was not a bad pick in the middle second round, but will probably be nothing more than a defender off the bench for his entire career.
2005- Andrew Bogut, Ersan Ilyasova Grade- B The Bucks picked the wrong year to be awful. After winning the Draft lottery, their grand prize was Bogut, who thus far has proved to be nothing more than an average center (12.3 points, 8.8 rebounds). The team didn’t have many other options, however, and since it had TJ Ford, the best players in the class (Chris Paul and Deron Williams) were not considered. Ilyasova, a 6’9’’ 235 lb PF from Turkey, was a decent second-rounder, averaging 6.1 points and 2.9 rebounds in limited action.
This Offseason: The Bucks have some big decisions to make in the coming months. Mo Williams is a free-agent, and will get some big contract offers from other teams. If Milwaukee feels Williams isn’t worth big money, then it will probably draft Mike Conley, who would become the Bucks third starting point guard in as many years. Ruben Patterson, who proved to be an invaluable role player, also is a free agent. Charlie Bell and Ilyasova are restricted free agents, and Milwaukee will probably choose to re-up both of their contracts. Earl Boykins can opt out of his contract, which would make the Buck’s PG situation an even bigger mess.
Draft Outlook: Though rumors are circulating that the Bucks won’t re-sign Williams, they should. Having a good, young point guard is a privilege that few other teams have, and Milwaukee would be foolish to let theirs walk. If they take my advice, they’ll have a lot more options with the #6 pick in the draft. Their most glaring need as of right now is at SF, where Patterson starts, but is better suited for a role off the bench. Players such as Florida’s Corey Brewer, Kansas’ Julian Wright, and Florida State’s Al Thornton will be mentioned as possibilities. Don’t rule out Yi Jianlian or Joakim Noah, however, because with Charlie Villanueva’s recent injury history, the Bucks could use some frontcourt help.
Season Recap: Indiana finished a disheartening 35-47 and missed the playoffs, something Pacer fans haven’t been accustomed to of late. After trading Stephen Jackson and Al Harrington for Troy Murphy, Mike Dunleavy and Ike Diogu, the Pacers are officially a team made up of Jermaine O’Neal and a bunch of average players. Though they didn’t have time to gel, this team doesn’t seem to have the necessary chemistry to succeed. O’Neal was pretty much the only constant, averaging 19.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game.
Recent Drafts: 2006- Shawne Williams Grade: C- Williams, the 17th overall pick, clearly was not ready for the NBA after spending just one year at Memphis, and it showed as he averaged 3.9 points and 1.8 rebounds per game as a rookie. The pick was a bit of a head-scratcher on draft day as well. Indiana needs another point guard take over for Jamaal Tinsley, and Uconn’s Marcus Williams was unexpectedly on the board at #17. The talented New Jersey Nets’ PG would have been an upgrade over Tinsley, but now the Pacers are stuck with the fifth-year pro who shot just 38% from the field and 31% from three-point range and committed 2.8 turnovers per game last year.
2005- Danny Granger, Erazem Lorbek Grade: A- Granger was an absolute steal at #17. He continued to show improvement as a second-year pro, and became a reliable starter as he averaged 13.9 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. He and O’Neal were the only real bright spots for Indiana last season. Granger should figure into the team’s long-term plans.
This Offseason: The Pacers have no important free agents (sorry Orien Greene, Maceo “Fat” Baston, Rawlee Marshall, and Keith McLeod). They do, however, have a big decision to make on the future of Jermaine O’Neal. There will be several teams interested in O’Neal, including the Lakers, Bulls, and Hawks. None of these teams has a young center that would entice Indiana to deal their stud in the middle. If Atlanta was willing to give up their #3 pick for him, then that certainly would be a possibility. The rumor of Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom for O’Neal won’t materialize unless the Lakers throw in some draft picks.
Draft Outlook: The Pacers have no picks this year, but if they can arrange a deal with the Lakers for O’Neal, they might be able to grab the 19th pick along with Bynum and Odom. Indiana would try to grab Texas A+M PG Acie Law with that pick. If he’s not available the team would target Georgia Tech PG Javaris Crittenton, Eastern Washington G Rodney Stuckey, or USC PG Gabe Pruitt. If a deal like that actually happens, it will likely be a three-team trade because Indiana does not need Odom on a young and deep cast of wing players.
Season Recap: The Baby Bulls continued to mature as they finished 49-33 and reached the second round of the playoffs. Ben Gordon led the way, averaging 21.4 points per game. Luol Deng quietly turned in an All-Star caliber year (though he didn’t get selected to the team), averaging 18.8 points and 7.1 rebounds per game). The point guard tandem of Kirk Hinrich and Chris Duhon averaged a combined 23.8 points and 10.3 assists per contest. Ben Wallace’s numbers dipped a little in his first year with Chicago, but averaged 10.7 rebounds and 2 blocks per game as he brought energy and enthusiasm to the Bulls’ frontcourt.
Recent Drafts: '2006-' Tyrus Thomas, Thabo Sefolosha Grade: A- Thomas had the most impressive season that anyone averaging 5.2 points and 3.7 rebounds per game possibly could. He is truly a human-highlight reel, and his athleticism changes the game on both ends. As he develops his body and offense, Thomas will be an absolute beast alongside Wallace in the frontline. Sefolosha, 13th overall pick, was acquired from the Sixers in exchange for Rodney Carney, a deal that was skeptical at the time. Sefolosha proved to be a fine acquisition for the Bulls, however. Though he averaged just 3.6 points and 2.2 rebounds per game as a rookie, he was arguably the team’s best perimeter defender.
2005- No picks.
This Offseason: PJ Brown is an unrestricted free agent, and if he doesn’t retire, he’ll likely be released as the power forward reigns are handed over to Tyrus Thomas. Chicago’s biggest decision is what to do with Andres Nocioni (14.1 points, 5.7 rebounds), a restricted free agent. If Chicago does indeed make a trade for Kevin Garnett or Jermaine O’Neal that would include Luol Deng (although it’s looking like they won’t), then they would absolutely re-sign Nocioni. Otherwise, he might be too expensive to keep as a back-up.
Draft Outlook: Chicago holds the 9th pick in the draft thanks to the Eddy Curry trade two years ago. The Bulls will be in a position to make a serious upgrade to a team that is a post presence away from being the class of the Eastern Conference. As Draft Day approaches, it appears that Mike Conley will be available when the Bulls pick. If he is, Chicago would be wise to grab him and then trade him to Portland for Zach Randolph. Portland would be thrilled to re-unite Oden and Conley, and the Bulls really need a scorer in the post like Randolph. If Conley is gone, Chicago will look at the big men available. Washington C Spencer Hawes would be an ideal pick. He would get some minutes backing up Ben Wallace in his first few years, but ultimately would take over the starting job. He gives Chicago the scoring threat in the post that they lack right now.
Season Recap: In only his fourth year, LeBron James brought his Cavaliers all the way to the NBA Finals- where they were completely embarrassed by San Antonio. James (27.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 6 assists per game) was fantastic, but his supporting cast is far from what it needs to be if the Cavs hope to take the next step. Larry Hughes (14.9 points, 3.7 assists) is a good player but doesn’t fit in very well in Cleveland. Zydrunas Illguaskus (11.9 points, 7.7 rebounds) was once one of the best centers in the East, but he doesn’t have many years left in him. Drew Gooden is coming on a little later in his career, as he averaged a respectable 11.1 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.
Recent Drafts: 2006- Shannon Brown, Daniel Gibson, Ejike Ugboaja Grade: A- Brown, the 26th overall pick, is still a bit unpolished, and it showed as he averaged 3.2 points while appearing in just 23 games. He has tremendous athleticism and ability, however, and was a good value pick at the bottom of the first round. Gibson was the steal of the draft. He was one of the few Cavaliers that could make open three-pointers when his man left to double LeBron. Gibson proved to be a clutch scorer down the stretch, averaging 13.5 points per game while shooting 50% from three in the Conference Finals vs. Detroit. He also averaged 10.8 points per game in the four-game series vs. San Antonio. Gibson could find himself as a starter in 2007-2008.
2005- Martynas Andriuškevičius Grade: Who cares? This 7’2’’monster was traded to the Bulls for Eddie Basden after one year with the Cavs. Neither player has done much of anything in their career.
This Offseason: Sasha Pavlovic and Anderson Varejao are restricted free agents. Pavlovic emerged as a starter this season and Varejao was a valuable back-up, so it would make sense to re-sign both of them. Scot Pollard is an unrestricted free agent and isn’t anywhere near the player he used to be in Sacramento and Indiana. He will almost certainly be released.
Draft Outlook: It’s going to be a very boring draft for Cavs fans…as Cleveland has no picks. The Cavs need to upgrade LeBron’s supporting cast, but unless they make a big trade (dealing Larry Hughes for a better fit), it will likely be the same Cavs team next year.
Season Recap: Detroit finished with the best record in the East at 53-29, but bowed out in the Eastern Conference Finals when they lost four consecutive games to division rival Cleveland. Chauncey Billups (17 points, 7.2 assists) was third-team All-NBA. Richard Hamilton was the team’s leading scorer at 19.8 points per clip. Tayshaun Prince had another solid season, averaging 14.3 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. Detroit’s frontcourt of Rasheed Wallace, Chris Webber, and Antonio McDyess was effective, but is getting very old very quickly. 'Recent Drafts:' 2006- Will Blalock Grade: C Blalock was the last pick in the draft, so not much was expected of him. He has a similar build and game to Chauncey Billups, and has some upside.
2005- Jason Maxiell, Amir Johnson, Alex Acker Grade- B+ Detroit made the most of their low picks. Maxiell is a beast of a man at 6’7’’ 260 lbs and will see a lot more playing time next season. Johnson has a ton of upside. He spent most of last season in the NBDL, where he averaged 18.9 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game. In his eight games with the Pistons, he averaged 5.9 points and 4.6 rebounds in 15.5 minutes per game.
This Offseason: Chauncey Billups has the option to terminate his contract early and test the free agent market. Assuming he will take that option, Detroit will have to determine if he’s worth the huge contract that he will command on the market, especially considering Billups will be 31 years old very early in September. If Detroit still thinks they have a chance to reach the Finals in the coming years, they will re-sign Billups. If they think that their window has closed, the Pistons might trade Billups or let him go, depending on what they do with their two first-round picks. Chris Webber and Dale Davis are also free agents. Webber might be re-signed to a one year contract, but Davis will probably retire. Flip Murray, Ronald Dupree, and Antonio McDyess all can opt out of their contracts, but it is doubtful that they will.
Draft Outlook: For a team that had the best record in the East, the Pistons have a lot of holes to fill. Their frontcourt makes Greg Oden look young, and with Billups’ future in question, PG is a major issue. After trading Carlos Delfino for two future second round picks, they also lack depth at both SG and SF. Apparently the team has made a promise to take Eastern Washington G Rodney Stuckey if he is available when they pick at #15. While he would be a valuable pick, it would be hard to ignore Colorado State F/C Jason Smith if he is on the board at that point. Detroit also picks 27th, and assuming they take Stuckey 15th, will probably go for a big man with their second selection. France’s Ali Traore, Purdue’s Carl Landry, and Duke’s Josh McRoberts would all make sense there. If the Pistons opt to take Smith with their first pick, they’ll look for backcourt help at 27. Nevada’s Ramon Sessions and Oregon’s Aaron Brooks will likely be the best point guards available. North Carolina’s Reyshawn Terry, Rice’s Morris Almond, and UCLA’s Aaron Afflalo all fit into Detroit’s scheme.
Southeast
Season Recap: No team picking third in the draft can say they had a successful season, but the Hawks certainly have some things to be happy about coming off of a 30-52 campaign. SG Joe Johnson missed 25 games, but has developed into a bonafide star. He averaged 25 points and a team-high 4.4 assists per game. SF Josh Smith is quickly becoming of the league’s best all-around players, averaging 16.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.3. assists, 2.9 blocks, and 1.4 steals per contest. PF Marvin Williams took a huge step forward after a disappointing rookie year and averaged 13.1 points and 5.9 rebounds a game. This core of young players should turnaround the fortune of Atlanta basketball in the coming years.
Recent Drafts: '2006-' Shelden Williams, Solomon Jones Grade- C Williams struggled in his rookie year while he shared time with the surprisingly productive Zaza Pauchilla. The Landlord will be an impact defender and rebounder off the bench until he develops some go-to post moves.
2005- Salim Stoudamire, Cenk Akyol Grade- D+ Stoudamire was drafted as a lights-out shooter and terrific perimeter defender with four years of college experience, but he is yet to show any of those traits in his first two seasons with the Hawks. At this point, it appears Stoudamire will be a career back-up. Atlanta may regret passing on Monta Ellis to draft this former Arizona standout.
This Offseason: The Hawks have no free agents of note (Royal Ivey, Stanislav Medevenko, Esteban Basiste). However, there was talk of trading Joe Johnson and one or both of their lottery picks to the Lakers for Kobe Bryant, but now that Bryant wants to be a Laker again, that scenario appears unlikely. Expect most of their offseason activity to be made on draft night.
What to Expect in the Draft: The bottom line is the Hawks need to come out of this draft with a PG because the current four-headed monster of Stoudamire, Anthony Johnson, Tyronn Lue, and Speedy Claxton hasn’t done the job. With the #3 and #11 picks, Atlanta should have no trouble finding their floor general of the future. The question is, which pick do they use on a PG? Taking Mike Conley at #3 would be a reach, but there is a good chance that he won’t be available when their next pick comes around. Due to the small gap in talent between Conley and the next two PGs (Javaris Crittenton and Acie Law), it is becoming apparent that Atlanta’s best option would be to draft a big man at #3 and wait until #11 to pick their PG. The best player available with the third pick is Florida PF Al Horford. Horford is ready to step in and start today. Teaming him with Josh Smith and Marvin Williams in the starting lineup would allow Atlanta to bring Pauchilla and Shelden Williams off the bench in what could be one of the league’s best front lines. The team will consider taking Chinese F Yi Jianlian or UNC F Brandan Wright, but ultimately if this pick isn’t Horford, it’s a big mistake. Atlanta will hope Conley falls to #11, but if he doesn’t, the choice will come down to Law or Crittenton. Law is the more NBA-ready of the two, but Crittenton has more upside than any guard in this draft. In my mind, Atlanta is still a very young team and can afford to wait the two years or so that Crittenton will take to realize his full potential. Aside from Crittenton, the Hawks have other young players (Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, Shelden Williams, and possibly Al Horford) that would still be developing. When all of these players reach their full capabilities, Atlanta could be one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference.
Season Recap: Charlotte had another rough season in 2006-2007, finishing 33-49. Gerald Wallace came on very strong and emerged as the team’s best player, averaging 18.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2 steals per game. Emeka Okafor is one of the leagues best young big men, as he contributed 14.4 points 11.3 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per contest. Ray Felton came a long way in his second season as he averaged 14 points and 7 assists a game. Matt Carroll emerged as one of the league’s best three-point shooters, connecting on 41.6% of his long-range attempts.
Recent Drafts: 2006- Adam Morrison Grade: D Morrison averaged a respectable 11.8 points per game, but shot poorly from the field and was a terrible defender. He was replaced in the starting lineup by Carroll and it seems as though he will be a career back-up, not something you look for with the 3rd overall pick when Brandon Roy, Randy Foye, Rudy Gay, and Tyrus Thomas were all on the board.
2005- Ray Felton, Sean May Grade: B Felton is developing into a very good PG, while May has put together some dominant games when healthy. If they can stay on the court, Felton will be a starter for a long time and May will serve as one of the NBA’s best reserve forwards.
This Offseason: The team has a ton of free agents, headed by Gerald Wallace, who will almost certainly be re-signed. Matt Carroll and Walter Hermann are likely to be re-signed also, but aside from them, Charlotte probably will cut ties with Derek Anderson, Jeff McInnis, and Jake Voshkul. If the team can retain young talents Ryan Hollins and Alan Anderson at a reasonable price, it would be advisable to do so. Charlotte has some cap space to work with, and the thing that is holding them back from making the playoffs is their lack of a true go-to player. They could make a run at Vince Carter or Rashard Lewis in the free-agent market.
Draft Outlook: So far, Michael Jordan is batting .000 making draft picks, but he’ll be in the position to change that this year as the Bobcats draft 8th overall. Jordan will take a long hard look at Florida’s Corey Brewer, a lanky swingman who has drawn comparisons to Jordan’s old buddy Scottie Pippen. The Bobcats desperately need a perimeter defender, so Brewer would make plenty of sense. They also need some height and scoring inside to compliment Emeka Okafor, and finesse center Spencer Hawes of Washington would be an intriguing choice. Kansas F Julian Wright is another versatile forward who will be considered. The Bobcats also hold the 22nd overall pick, which will be used to take a big man if they do indeed take Brewer with their first selection. Another option would be to package the two picks together to move into the Top 5 and draft Kwame Brown…I mean, Al Horford or Brandan Wright.
Season Recap: Orlando finished 8th in the East despite a horrible finish, but has a solid young core in Dwight Howard (17.6 points, 12.3 rebounds) and Jameer Nelson (13 points, 4.3 assists). Howard and Nelson should continue to improve under the leadership of fiery new Coach Billy Donovan. If the Magic can add a scorer on the wing to replace Grant Hill and his glass ankles, they may have a chance to finish in the upper half of the Eastern Conference in the coming years.
Recent Drafts: 2006- JJ Redick, James Augustine Grade- C Redick struggled mightily in his rookie season, averaging 6 points per game in just 15 minutes of action. Lucky for Redick, Billy Donovan is a master at utilizing spot-up shooters in his offense. Expect Redick to be moved into the starting lineup and play the role that Lee Humphrey played at Florida for Coach Donovan.
2005- Fran Vazquez, Travis Diener Grade- D Vazquez, the 11th overall pick, is under contract in Spain until 2009. Donovan has already contacted the young Spanish star and Vazquez said he was so impressed with Coach Donovan that he would attempt to personally pay his club team to release him so he can join the Magic as soon as possible.
This Offseason: The Magic has a sleuth of free agents to make decisions on. It will probably try to re-sign Keyon Dooling and Darko Milicic if neither player demands too much money. Grant Hill, Pat Garrity, and Bo Outlaw are all likely to be released. Orlando has a lot of cap space and will try to lure hometown hero Vince Carter away from the swamps of New Jersey. Carter is the go-to wing scorer that could propel the Magic to the next level. He has expressed interest in playing for Donovan, as has Sonics SF Rashard Lewis. The Magic could come away the big winners in the free agent market.
Draft Outlook: Orlando does not have a first round pick, but does hold two second round selections (44th and 54th overall). Donovan said he is thrilled with the opportunity to draft Taurean Green and Chris Richard. Though Green might not be on the board, expect Donovan to trade up to nab him. Green may not start at PG, but he will supplant Nelson and at times play alongside him in the backcourt. The difference in the team next year clearly will be Billy Donovan. Thankfully for Orlando fans, Donovan was their man, not someone like say…Stan Van Gundy. That would suck, wouldn’t it?
Season Recap: The Wiz looked like the class of the East for a while, and then the injury bug hit. All-NBA PG Gilbert Arenas (28.4 ppg) and SF Caron Butler (19.1 ppg, 7.4 rebounds) both went down with season-ending injuries. Washington finished as the 7th seed in the conference and was severely undermanned in the first round against Cleveland. The Cavs easily took the series as some Washington reserves such as Andray Blatche and Roger Mason Jr. were forced to play major roles.
Recent Drafts: '2006-' Oleksiy Pecherov, Vladimir Veremeenko Grade- INC Neither player has joined the Wizards or spelled their name correctly since being drafted.
2005- Andray Blatche Grade- B Blatche was a great value at 49th overall, and though he was raw coming out of high school, he has the potential to be the post presence that Washington has always lacked.
This Offseason: Essentially all of Washington’s role players are free agents this offseason. Blatche, Mason Jr., Jarvis Hayes, DeShawn Stevenson, Calvin Booth, Mike Hall, and Donnell Taylor all need to re-new their contracts this summer. The team most likely will re-sign Blatche, Mason Jr., and possibly Hayes if he is cheap enough. Stevenson will likely command the most money and will be expendable if the team is able to draft a shooting guard like Thaddeus Young or Nick Young to replace him.
Draft Outlook: Washington holds the 17th and 47th picks in the draft and will target either a SG or a big man who can score, such as Colorado State’s Jason Smith. As tough as Brendan Haywood, Etan Thomas, and Blatche have been inside, none of them is a legitamate offensive threat. Drafting a sweet-shooting big man like Smith would take a lot of pressure off of the perimeter scorers and give Washington a whole different dimension offensively.
Season Recap: A year removed from hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy, Miami looked old and lethargic as they were swept out of the first round by the young, energetic Chicago Bulls. The Heat Shaq played in only 40 games and averaged just 17.3 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. Antoine Walker averaged a career-low 8.5 points per game, James Posey was a huge disappointment (7 ppg), and Gary Payton’s play started spiraling downwards after he got too drunk at Alonzo Mourning’s 50th birthday bash. Miami has it’s centerpiece in Wade, but will need to make some serious changes in order to make another title run.
Recent Drafts: 2006- No Picks
2005- Wayne Simien Grade- C Simien has been buried on the depth chart, but with Mourning about to be relocated to a nursing home and Antoine Walker and Michael Doleac about to be relocated to the NBDL, Simien might get a chance to flex his muscle inside.
This Offseason: The only free agent worth re-signing is three-point marksman Jason Kapono. Doleac and Posey will most likely be released, and in the depressing situation that Mourning, Payton, and Eddie Jones decide to play another season, Miami will probably let them go to open up playing time and cap space for younger players. The Heat don’t necessarily need to sign a big-name free agent, they just need some talented young guys with energy to surround Wade and O’Neal.
Draft Outlook: Miami holds the 20th and 38th picks in the draft. They could use help at any position and will likely take NBA ready players with both picks because they don’t have much time to wait for rookies to develop. Expect them to go for a young guard and a young big man, both of whom will probably be college seniors. Possible first-round picks include Acie Law, Gabe Pruitt, and Jason Smith. In the second round, Purdue’s Carl Landry, Wisconsin’s Alando Tucker, or Boston College’s Sean Williams would be wise choices.
Western Conference
Southwest
Season Recap: The Grizz finished with the worst record in the league at 22-60 and were rewarded with the 4th pick in the draft, essentially missing out on Greg Oden and Kevin Durant after their horrendous season. There are some positives that came out of the 06- campaign, however. Rudy Gay was named to 1st team All-Rookie after averaging 10.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. Gay showed the ability to be an All-Star within the next few years. Pau Gasol did his job as well, averaging 20.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game. Mike Miller had a quiet but very effective year, turning in 18.5 points per contest while shooting 41% from three. Memphis really ran into trouble with its point guard play. Chucky Atkins and Damon Stoudamire are both past their prime and neither showed the ability to run the team effectively.
Recent Drafts: 2006- Kyle Lowry, Alexander Johnson Grade-B Lowry cannot be judged yet, as he missed all but 10 games due to a broken wrist. In the first ten games of his career, Lowry showed promise, averaging 5.6 points, 3.2 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 1.4 steals. He may be better served as an energy player off the bench, so Memphis’ PG situation is still in flux. Johnson was a second-rounder who gave Memphis some solid starts en route to averaging 4.4 points and 3.1 rebounds in limited minutes. Both players will have a part in Memphis’ future, most likely as back-ups.
2005- Hakim Warrick, Lawrence Roberts Grade- B Warrick’s play vastly improved during his second season, averaging 12.7 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. He has developed into a reliable PF, although the team would like to see him utilize his long frame and athleticism to block more shots (0.4 BPG last year) Roberts, the 55th overall pick, was traded for on draft day and proved to be a valuable acquisition. He started 18 games and averaged 5.2 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.
This Offseason: Chucky Atkins is the team’s only meaningful unrestricted free agent. He might be re-signed only if Memphis does not draft or sign another point guard. Rookie free agent Tarence Kinsey came on very strong at the end of the season, averaging 18.1 points over the last five games and 7.7 for the entire season. He will almost certainly be re-signed. Former first-round pick Dahntay Jones is a restricted free agent as well. His defense and athleticism makes him a key role player off the bench, and he will most likely be offered another contract by the Grizz. There have been rumors that the team will trade Pau Gasol, but I don’t see why they would. Gasol is their only reliable big man and they wouldn’t be able to get someone with his talent and youth in return. The only player Memphis should consider trading Gasol for is Jermaine O’Neal. In that case, they’d have to give up Gasol and one other player (Warrick, Stromile Swift) to complete the deal.
Draft Outlook: A lot of mock drafts have Memphis picking UNC F Brandan Wright with the 4th overall pick. Adding his length to a frontcourt that already features long, athletic players in Gay, Warrick, and Swift would be very intriguing, but it also could be like those Red Stripe commercials- too much of a good thing. If Memphis wants to take a big man, it should take Florida’s Al Horford. His muscle and post game will complement Memphis’ lanky frontline. If Horford is gone, which is a strong possibility, the team should look no further than Ohio State PG Mike Conley Jr. Memphis’ most glaring need is at the lead guard spot, and Conley has a chance to be a special player. We’ve seen time and time again that point guard play is necessary to winning. Take for example this year’s NBA Finals MVP, Tony Parker. Conley is a proven winner at every level (granted he had Greg Oden) and has the quickness and burst to get in the lane like Parker does. If, for whatever reason, this pick comes down to Horford or Conley, I think Conley would be the better fit.
Season Recap: Despite an injury-plagued season, New Orleans narrowly missed the playoffs with a 39-43 record. Chris Paul was the one constant, as he shook off all worries of a sophomore slump, after he contributed 17.3 points, 8.9 assists, 4.4. rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1 lame Sportscenter commercial with Stuart Scott. David West (18.3 points, 8.2 rebounds) played very well but missed 30 games. Tyson Chandler emerged as one of the league’s elite defenders and rebounders. He averaged an NBA-high 12.4 rebounds per game and also chipped in with 9.5 points and 1.7 blocks per outing. As Chandler, just 25 years old, continues to develop his offense, he could emerge as a dominant center in the East. Peja Stojakovic played in just 13 games before missing the rest of the season after having back surgery. He is getting old but proved he can still shoot the ball, as he averaged 17.8 points per game while shooting 41% from downtown in his brief stint last season.
Recent Drafts: 2006- Hilton Armstrong, Cedric Simmons, Marcus Vinicius Vieira de Souza Grade- C+ Armstrong and Simmons both disappointed in their rookie campaigns. With David West missing the first 30 games of the regular season, neither player took the opportunity and established themselves. With that being said, keep in mind that both are still very young and have all the physical gifts to be impact players on the interior. If they both develop as planned, New Orleans will have a very deep and talented front line.
2005- Chris Paul, Brandon Bass Grade- A- The Hornets secured one of the best young guards in the game with the 4th overall pick in ’05. Bass, an early second rounder, hasn’t shown much, and will have trouble finding minutes in a crowded frontcourt if he remains with the team. 'This Offseason:' New Orleans has some decisions to make on several free agents. Swingmen Desmond Mason and Devin Brown, who combined to average 25.3 points and 8.9 rebounds, are both unrestricted free agents. One of the two will be retained, most likely Brown. Mason would command more money and the Hornets will in the position to draft a shooting guard or small forward to take his place. Marc Jackson is the odd man out in a deep frontcourt and will probably be released. PG Jannero Pargo is a reliable back-up and should be re-signed as insurance for Paul.
Draft Outlook: New Orleans holds the 13th and 43rd picks in the draft. They are fortunate that this is a deep draft, and will be able to grab an impact player at #13. It is possible that a player such as Joakim Noah, Jeff Green, Yi Jianlian or Al Thornton will be available. If not, Georgia Tech SG Thaddeus Young will probably be the best player on the board, and with Peja’s injury status uncertain, Young would be a terrific fit alongside Chris Paul in the backcourt. If New Orleans gets a player of Young's caliber (or even better someone like Green or Thornton), they will be a playoff team in the West for the forseeable future. The Horents will likely spend their second pick on another swingman or a back-up point guard. Florida’s Taurean Green, Oregon’s Aaron Brooks, and Arizona’s Mustafa Shakur will be options. Don’t be surprised if they go for a foreign player and hold him overseas, because New Orleans already has a team full of second and third year pros. There wouldn’t be much playing time for a second-round rookie, which is why Croatian SG Marko Tomas or Lithuanian Renaldas Seibutis will be possible picks.
Season Recap: Tracy McGrady still hasn’t made it out of the first round of the playoffs. After a disappointing Game 7 loss on their own court against Utah in the first round, it became apparent that the Rockets won’t be able to win with a two-man show. McGrady (24.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.5 assists) and Yao Ming (25 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2 blocks) are two of the league’s best at their positions, but Houston has one of the worst supporting casts in the NBA. Luther Head was one bright spot off the bench, averaging 10.9 points per game while shooting 46% from three. PG Rafer Alston started all 82 games and averaged 13.3 points and 5.4 assists. Alston is serviceable, but not good enough to lead a team deep into the playoffs. Shane Battier, who was brought in for the draft rights to Rudy Gay, averaged a stellar 10.1 points per game, but made his biggest impact on the defensive end. Houston severely lacked a power forward to complement Yao, as Juwan Howard and Chuck Hayes struggled to average 9.7 and 5.6 points per game, respectively. Neither is starting material in the NBA.
Recent Drafts: 2006- Traded rights to Rudy Gay to Memphis for Shane Battier, Drafted Lior Eliyahu Grade: D- The Rockets knew what they were getting in Battier, a simple role player who plays defense and can hit the open jumpshot. In Gay, they could have been getting the Scottie Pippen to McGrady’s Michael Jordan. While Gay flashed unbelievable potential as a rookie and Battier was average at best for a team that severely lacked a third scorer, I bet Houston regrets making this deal.
2005- Luther Head Grade: A- At the time, Head was thought to be a reach at #24, but he turned out to be one of the best shooters in the league. He will be a valuable asset alongside McGrady and Yao for years to come.
This Offseason: Dikembe Mutumbo is a free agent and despite being older than Tracy McGrady’s father, gave Houston some quality minutes. He probably will retire. Jake Tsakalidis is also expected to be waived, and Bonzi Wells has the option to opt out of his contract, a choice that he may exercise. Chuck Hayes is a restricted free agent and Houston liked the way he played enough to keep him around on a short-term contract.
Draft Outlook: The Rockets have one pick, the 26th overall selection. They desperately need a power forward or a wing that can score to take the load off of McGrady. They’ll give North Carolina’s Reyshawn Terry, Rice’s Morris Almond, Syracuse’s Demetris Nichols, and Italy’s Marco Belinelli a long hard look. Duke PF Josh McRoberts could potentially fall all the way to Houston, in which case they would probably draft him.
'San Antonio Spurs ' Season Recap: The Spurs had a down year, finishing 9 games back of Dallas in the Southwest Division. Then…Tim Duncan started trying, Robert Horry gave Steve Nash the people’s elbow, and the Spurs cruised to the NBA title. Tony Parker was named the Finals MVP after averaging 24.5 points per contest in the four-game dismantling of Clevland. Manu Ginobili continued to be one of the leagues best sixth men (16.5 ppg) and Michael Finley (9.0 ppg) proved to be a solid offseason acquisition.
Recent Drafts: 2006- No picks. It was a lame year.
2005- Ian Mahinmi Grade: INC It was an even lamer year.
This Offseason: The team could save $4 million in cap space by waiving Robert Horry and Bruce Bowen due to the limited salary cap protection (aka the Allan Houston rule). Horry probably will retire, but Bowen is a key player and the Spurs would be foolish to waive him. Expect San Antonio to use their first round pick this year on a small forward to groom behind Bowen for a year or so. They do have their share of free agency issues as well this summer. Michael Finley and Fabricio Oberto can opt out of their contracts. Finley probably won’t, but after playing very well in the playoffs, Oberto could find himself a with a fat contract offer from a team in desperate need of a center. Unrestricted free agents Melvin Ely and Jacque Vaughn will probably be released.
Draft Outlook: The Spurs have the 28th and 58th picks in the draft and should for the first time in a decade actually draft an American player. They cannot afford to wait for a player to develop overseas because many of their role players will retire within the next two years. UNC’s Reyshawn Terry is a great defender and has all the tools to be a 15 ppg contributor very early in his career. If he is available, San Antonio will jump at the chance to draft him. If not, Rice’s Morris Almond and Wisconsin’s Alando Tucker seem like the type of player they would select.
Season Recap: Dallas finished with an NBA-best regular season record of 67-15, but, much to the dismay of Mark Cuban, had a record of 2-7 against the Golden State Warriors. Four of those losses came in the most embarrassing first round exit in NBA playoff history. Dirk Nowitzki was the MVP of the regular season, averaging 24.6 points and 8.9 rebounds per game, but he struggled mightily against the Warriors in the postseason. While Dallas fans may want to panic, they should not. The Mavs still have one of the leagues best teams, and if they can avoid playing Golden State next year (or somehow find a way to beat them), there is no reason why this Dallas team can’t get back to the NBA Finals. Josh Howard (18.9 points, 6.8 rebounds) was named an All-Star for the first time. Devin Harris and Jason Terry were a good 1-2 punch in the backcourt, and Jerry Stackhouse (12 PPG) gave Dallas offense off the bench. This team still has a good 2 or 3 years to capture a title.
Recent Drafts: 2006- Maurice Ager Grade- B+ Taken 28th overall, Ager has tremendous potential. He can shoot the ball and has terrific athleticism. He may take over Stackhouse’s role after Stack retires in the next couple of years.
2005- No picks.
This Offseason: Stackhouse, Austin Croshere, and Devean George are all unrestricted free agents. Dallas will attempt to re-sign Stackhouse and George if they plan to keep their team together, but Mark Cuban is pissed and he could do something drastic this offseason. Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, and Jason Kidd have all come up as names that Dallas might be interested in. You can add Jermaine O’Neal and Zach Randolph to that list. The most realistic player would probably be Garnett. A possible trade would be Josh Howard and Devin Harris and Dallas’ 34th overall pick for Garnett. Kidd would fit on the Mavs’ roster, but Dallas does not have any big men to trade for him, and that is the position that the Nets will most likely want in return.
Draft Outlook: Dallas has three picks, all in the second round (34th, 50th, and 58th). What they do in the draft depends on what trades (if any), they intend to make during the offseason. No matter what deals go down, Dallas needs an inside presence, and will likely spend their first pick on a post player. BC’s Sean Williams, Pitt’s Aaron Gray, and Spain’s Marc Gasol all seem like possibilities. With their second pick, they will probably go big again and nab either Herbert Hill of Providence or sweet-shooting PF Jamareo Davidson of Alabama. And with the 58th pick, the NBA’s version of Mr. Irrelevant, it would seem only fitting for Dallas to take a foreign player that no one has ever heard of.
Northwest Division
'Portland Trailblazers ' Season Recap: The 06-07 campaign was another disappointing one for a Portland franchise that hasn’t had much to cheer about since the days of Rasheed Wallace, Scottie Pippen, and Damon Stoudamire. The Blazers finished with a dismal 32-50 record but did have some bright spots. The team was coming off a horrid 21-61 record in the previous season, and through the 2006 Draft, brought in some talented young players. Brandon Roy won Rookie of the Year, averaging 16.8 points, 4.4 assists, and 4 rebounds per contest. LaMarcus Aldridge, the 2nd overall pick last year, didn’t get much time in a crowded frontcourt early, but came on in March, averaging 14.7 points, 8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game during the month before a rapid heartbeat kept him out for all of April. Though Aldridge was apparently nervous for the end of the season, Zach Randolph clearly was not. Randolph lackadaisically averaged a career-high 23.6 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. There is no denying Randolph has talent, but he has run into problems with the law and Coach Nate McMillan during his stay in Portland.
Recent Drafts: 2006 - LaMarcus Aldridge, Brandon Roy, Sergio Rodriguez, Joel Freeland Grade- A- As mentioned before, Roy and Aldridge each had successful rookie campaigns. Rodriquez is an exciting player who showed flashes of brilliance backing up PG Jarrett Jack. Freeland was a very nice pick in the late first round. He will stay in England (and off Portland’s payroll) for a few more years, but once he comes over he should be a solid contributor off the bench.
2005- Martell Webster, Jarrett Jack Grade- B Webster has shown a lot of potential in his first two years but still lacks consistency. He came into the NBA out of high school regarded as a long range shooter with an NBA-ready body. At 6’7’’ 230, he certainly has displayed the strength and athleticism to be a standout SF, but he shot just 36% from 3 last season. Even though Webster averaged only 7 points per game, he is only 20 years old and figures into the team’s future at SF. Jack emerged as a solid starting PG, averaging 12 points and 5.3 assists per game. He will remain as Portland’s floor general unless he is traded for a proven veteran such as Jason Kidd or Jason Terry.
This Offseason: The team will probably re-sign only one of it’s free agent small forwards (Travis Outlaw and Ime Udoka). More likely than not, Outlaw will not be wearing a Portland jersey next year because he will command a lot of money in the free agent market. Management also realized that a player named “Outlaw” doesn’t exactly help the Jail blazer’s reputation. C Jamaal Magloire is also a free agent, and there is no way Portland will even consider re-signing him. The team will strongly consider trading Randolph to make room for a certain center expected to be added to the roster on June 28. In return, they might go after a PG or SF who would serve as a major upgrade over Jack or Webster. (Kidd, Terry, Rashard Lewis, and Vince Carter/Richard Jefferson all figure to be on the block).
Draft Outlook: There shouldn’t be much debate over this pick. If any name other than Greg Oden is called, GM Kevin Pritchard should be fired on the spot. In Oden, Portland is getting the best center to come out since Tim Duncan. Though Durant is a special wing player, big men are a lot harder to get and as we’ve seen over the last decade, are instrumental to building a championship team. The team also has four second-round picks (#37, 42, 51, 52). Look for them to take at least one foreign player to keep overseas, a big man such as Alabama’s Jamareo Davidson, and a PG such as Florida’s Taurean Green or Arizona’s Mustafa Shakur. Don’t be surprised if Portland trades some of those picks to move up for another first-round pick or if they package them with Randolph to acquire a veteran. There have been rumors that Portland is interested in trading for a top ten pick so they can draft Greg Oden’s wingman, Mike Conley Jr. Though it may be just a rumor right now, Portland certainly has the players and draft picks to make it happen. A team like Chicago at #8 would be a possible trade partner. Whatever happens, it should be a busy draft day for the Blazers.
Season Recap: Two years removed from a 52-30 record and a birth in the Western Conference Semifinals, the Sonics have plummeted over the last few seasons due to injuries and poor drafts. Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis were terrific when they were healthy (26.4 and 22.4 ppg respectively), but the duo missed a combined total of 49 games. Part of their 31-51 record can be attributed to that, but much of it is because the Sonics lack good role players around Allen and Lewis. Chris Wilcox continued his emergence as a force inside, averaging 13.5 points and 7.7 rebounds while not missing a game. Aside from Wilcox, Seattle has virtually no supporting cast. They lack any starting caliber players at the two most key positions in basketball- point guard and center.
Recent Drafts: 2006: Momahed Saer Sene, Denham Brown, Yotam Halperin Grade: D- Sene was a huge reach at #10 and only averaged 1.9 points and 1.1 rebounds in 28 games last season. He is skinny and lacks any type of offensive game and is too much of a project to be considered the center of a team that could have enough weapons to be a contender after this year’s draft. Brown played in the NBDL and Halperin remained in Israel.
2005: Mickael Gelebale Grade: D Gelebale averaged 4.6 points in 70 games. Though he was the 48th pick of the draft, players like Boston’s Ryan Gomes and Washington’s Andray Blatche were still on the board. The Sonics also traded their other second rounder, Lawrence Roberts, to Memphis. Roberts has shown to be a solid big man off the bench in his first two seasons with the Grizzlies.
This Offseason: The big question will be what they do with Rashard Lewis. Lewis is an unrestricted free agent and it will take a lot of money to keep him in Seattle (or wherever the Sonics move to). The team will likely draft Kevin Durant 2nd overall, so it would make sense to deal Lewis for a big man or a point guard because Durant and Lewis both play the same position. Shipping Lewis to Portland in exchange for Zach Randolph is a very logical and possible trade. If Randolph were to be added to the roster, Wilcox would likely slide to center. Though that would give them a decent frontcourt, the ideal scenario for Seattle would be to deal Lewis for a PG and have one of their three young centers (Robert Swift, Johan Petro, and Sene) develop into starting material. In order to clear some cap space, benchwarming PF Danny Fortson will not be re-signed.
Draft Outlook: Seattle recently hired the 30-year-old virgin, Sam Presti, to run the team. Regardless of his age and experience (in terms of running a basketball team and sexually), Presti is not dumb enough to pass on Durant. This is about as easy a pick as we’ve seen since, well…since 5 minutes earlier when Portland picked Greg Oden. In selecting Durant, Rashard Lewis becomes a candidate for a sign-and-trade that will most likely take place after draft day. The team also has two early second round picks (#31 and 35). They should be able to grab two talented players here. Expect one of the picks to be a PG, most likely either Florida’s Taurean Green or Oregon’s Aaron Brooks. The other pick will most likely be a SG to provide some depth behind Ray Allen. UCLA’s Arron Afflalo, Syracuse’s Demetris Nichols, and Rice’s Morris Almond are all possibilities.
Season Recap: The window has closed on Kevin Garnett’s time to win a championship in Minnesota. He turned in another All-Star season, averaging 22.4 points and 12.8 rebounds per game, but had virtually no supporting cast as the T’Wolves stumbled to a 32-50 record. Rookie Randy Foye was up and down, averaging a respectable 10.1 points per contest. Ricky Davis put up decent numbers (17.1), but has always been a selfish player who lacked a winning mentality (in case you forgot, that was Davis who threw the ball against his own basket in hopes of getting a rebound that would give him a triple-double). Mark Blount was a nice surprise at center, contributing 12.3 points and 6.2 rebounds per game.
Recent Drafts: 2006- Randy Foye, Craig Smith Grade- B+ Foye should be a big-time player within the next few years. If Garnett could sustain his play for five more years, they would be a very strong 1-2 punch. Smith was a pleasant surprise as the 36th overall pick. He provides some muscle inside and will be a good role player for the next decade or so.
2005- Rashad McCants, Bracey Wright Grade- D McCants has been a major disappointment for the 14th overall pick, averaging just 5 points per game while shooting 35% from the field last season. It appears he will never be the player he was thought to be coming out of college.
This Offseason: The T’Wolves only free agent is Bracey Wright, and quite frankly, it doesn’t matter if they re-sign him. The team will try to trade Garnett if they can get the right deal. Chicago is a major possibility, but the Wolves will probably want a combination of Tyrus Thomas, Ben Gordon, and Luol Deng. The Bulls probably won’t part with two out of those three players, let alone all three. The Mavericks also are a possibility…simply because Mark Cuban is desperate and will do anything to get his team over the hump. My money is on Garnett being in a Minnesota jersey again next year.
Draft Outlook: Minnesota holds the 7th overall pick and could go any direction with the selection. If Mike Conley Jr. is on the board, he would a likely choice. Pairing Conley with Foye in the backcourt would enable them to finally get rid of Ricky Davis and Mike James (if they find any takers for both of those hefty contracts). Other options include Florida SG Corey Brewer, Kansas F Julian Wright, and the pride of China, Yi Jianlian. In the unlikely situation that Brandan Wright is on the board, he would be tough to pass up.
Season Overview: Denver rolled into the post-season, winning 10 of their last 11 regular season games before being bounced in the first round of the playoffs by San Antonio. Iverson and Carmelo Anthony gelled very well as the season went on, averaging a combined 55 points per game. As talented as that duo is, Denver was not a two-man show. Marcus Camby averaged 11.2 points, 11.7 rebounds, 3.3 blocks per game, and 1.2 steals per game en route to being named Defensive Player of the Year. Nene proved to be a more than adequate power forward and J.R. Smith was one of the leagues best long range bombers. Steve Blake, acquired mid-season from Milwaukee in exchange for Earl Boykins, did a good job distributing the ball and hitting open shots. Despite losing in the first round, Denver has a lot to be excited about for the future.
Recent Drafts: 2006- No Picks 2005- Julius Hodge, Ricky Sanchez, Alex Hervelle Grade: D- Hodge is no longer with the team and had little impact during his short stint in Denver. Sanchez is playing in the NBDL and Hervelle is yet to be brought over from Belgium.
This Offseason: Free Agents Steve Blake and Eduardo Najera are likely to be re-signed, while Jamal Sampson and DeMarr Johnson will probably be cut. The team will closely monitor Kenyon Martin’s knee and determine whether they need to sign a big man to bolster the depth behind Camby and Nene. If Martin returns near 100% next year and the duo of Iverson and Anthony continue to gel, the Nuggets could contend for a championship within the next few years.
Draft Outlook: For the second consecutive year, Denver does not have a draft pick. They are a likely candidate to be involved in basketball’s most common trade- when a team with no interest in drafting 27th overall trades their selection for a future first round pick. If this happens, expect Denver to either draft a big man such as French PF Ali Traore.
Season Recap: The Jazz returned to their glory days of the late 90s as they reached the Western Conference Finals before being bounced by San Antonio. Carlos Boozer established himself as one of the premier power forwards in the league, averaging 20.9 points and 11.7 rebounds during the regular season and 23.5 and 12.2 rebounds in the playoffs. Deron Williams had a stellar regular season and took a huge step forward during the playoffs, turning in 19.2 points and 8.6 assists per game. Williams has quickly become one of the league’s best point guards. Mehmet Okur, Andrei Kirilenko, Matt Harpring and Gordan Giricek provided Utah with a racist, yet effective supporting cast.
Recent Drafts: '2006-' Ronnie Brewer, Paul Millsap, Dee Brown Grade: B+ Brewer, the 14th overall pick, didn’t get much playing time, but as soon as his skills catch up with his athleticism, he should be in the starting lineup. Millsap, drafted 46th overall, averaged 6.8 points and 5.2 rebounds while being named to the All-Rookie 2nd team. He filled in admirably for Boozer and Okur while they were injured.
2005- Deron Williams, CJ Miles Grade- A- Williams was not a popular pick when he was drafted 3rd overall ahead of Chris Paul, but after two years, Utah fans have come to love the former Illinois star. He and Boozer have drawn comparisons to Stockton and Malone.
This Offseason: The Jazz should have a relatively quit offseason. It’s only free agents are Rafael Araujo, Brown, and CJ Miles. The team will probably re-sign both Miles and Brown and release the Brazilian bust.
Draft Outlook: Utah holds the 25th and 55th picks in this year’s draft. They are likely to draft a shooting guard with their first pick because Gordan Giricek is struggling and Derek Fisher is old and out of position. Possibilities include Ohio State’s Daequan Cook, Syracuse’s Demetris Nichols, and foreigners Marco Belinelli and Rudy Fernandez. The Jazz will probably take the best player available with their second pick regardless of position.
Pacific Division
Season Recap: The Kings window to win a title closed about two years ago. Their window to have a winning record closed this season. Sacramento stumbled to a 32-49 with a veteran roster, indicating it may be time to clean house and start from scratch. The player that will be the focal point of the rebuilding project is third-year SG Kevin Martin. The skinny sharpshooter averaged 20.2 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. Ron Artest’s numbers were solid (18.8 ppg, 6.5 rebs), but he missed 12 games and his off the court behavior was less than spectacular. Mike Bibby averaged a solid 17.1 points, but only 4.7 assists per game. After those three, the rest of the King’s contributors were old players on the decline. Former All-Pro Shareef Abdur-Rahim averaged only 9.9 points per game, while Corliss Williamson and Brad Miller averaged 9.1 and 9.0 respectively.
Recent Drafts: 2006- Quincy Douby Grade- D Douby is an undersized guard who scored a lot at the college level but probably will not ever make an impact as a Pro. He averaged just 2.8 points per game in his rookie year, and to make matters worse, he was drafted ahead of the Nets’ Marcus Williams, who would have made Mike Bibby and his huge contract expendable. As it stands right now, the team doesn’t have another PG so it will be reluctant to move Bibby, who is starting the downside of his career.
2005- Francisco Garcia Grade- C Garcia showed a lot of improvement in his second year, averaging 6 points per game. He might develop into a full-time starter next season if he can make the same kind of progression that Kevin Martin did in his third year.
This Offseason: Mike Bibby has an early termination option on his contract, but probably won’t exercise it because he is due to make $12.5 million next season. If Sacramento can either draft a point guard or find one in free agency, they’ll try to deal Bibby. Corliss Williamson and Vitaly Potapenko are unrestricted free agents and are sure to be released. Young bench players Justin Williams and Ronnie Price will likely be retained. Williams has great length and athleticism as a center and Price arguably had the dunk of the year over Carlos Boozer. Both players might figure into the teams future and are worth at least a short-term investment.
Draft Outlook: Sacramento has just one pick, the 10th overall selection, and will make the most of it by drafting a forward or center to take minutes away from the struggling and aging frontcourt of Miller, Abdur-Rahim, Williamson, and Kenny Thomas. Florida State Al Thornton is the name that is being thrown around the most, and if Florida’s Joakim Noah falls, he will also be considered. Even though they need help at PF and C, if Georgetown SF Jeff Green is available, he will be tough to pass up. In that scenario, the team would likely try to deal Artest for some frontcourt help. Green is ready to start from Day 1 and would greatly accelerate the rebuilding process.
Season Recap: After making the Western Conference Semifinals last season, the Clips underachieved, finishing 40-42 and missing the playoffs altogether. Elton Brand was one of the best power forwards in the game once again, averaging 20.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game. Corey Maggette’s scoring average dipped a bit (16.9 points) after being in Mike Dunleavy’s doghouse to start the season, but played his best basketball late in the season when LA was making a playoff push, highlighted by a career-high 39 points (10-15 FGs, 17-24 FTs) against the Lakers on April 12th. Veterans Cuttino Mobley, Sam Cassell, and Tim Thomas all did their jobs, and Shaun Livingston was showing considerable improvement (9.3 points, 5.1 assists, 3.4 rebounds) until he suffered one of the most gruesome knee injuries in sports history. Livingston’s career is in serious question, as is the Clippers PG situation.
Recent Drafts: 2006 - Paul Davis, Guillermo Diaz Grade- B Both were second-round picks, so not much is going to be expected of either one. Davis averaged a paltry 1.6 points and 1.4 rebounds per game in 5.8 minutes of action, but he has good offensive skills and will be given a chance to compete for playing time if he impresses during the summer. Diaz was playing overseas, but the Clippers expect him to join the team next year. The former high school basketball player and University of Miami star shooting guard possesses a 45-inch vertical leap and two of the quickest feet in basketball. Diaz is a real sleeper to watch, as he has the potential to be a Jamal Crawford-type scorer.
2005- Yaroslav Korolev Grade- D- Korolev is still young, but at this point, his 1.4 points per game don’t quite measure up to the numbers of some players drafted behind him such as Danny Granger, Gerald Green, and Hakim Warrick.
This Offseason: Korolev, Jason Hart, and Quinton Ross are all unrestricted free agents. There is a strong possibility that all three will be re-signed. Hart and Ross played key roles towards the end of the season after Livingston went down. Hart, in particular, will be important for next year because Livingston’s status is uncertain and Sam Cassell isn’t getting any younger. The team might think it’s too early to give up on the 20-year old Korolev, and they’re probably right. In terms of trading, Maggette’s name has been on the block for about the last four years, and if they haven’t dealt him by now, they won’t. Maggette is too good of a scorer to part with, unless the Clips get someone like Jermaine O’Neal in return.
Draft Outlook: LA picks 14th and 45th, and will almost certainly take a point guard with their first pick. Texas A+M’s Acie Law and Georgia Tech’s Javaris Crittenton are the teams most viable options. If, for whatever reason, both are gone, the Clippers will take a look at Eastern Washington combo guard Rodney Stuckey. With their second pick, LAC would be wise to take a big man to give Elton Brand some rest and Chris Kaman some competition. UMass shot-blocking extraordinaire Stephane Lasme will be an option, as will super-athletic Fresno State SF Dominic McGuire. McGuire is the type of athlete that will block a lot of shots and fit in perfectly in LA’s up-tempo game.
Season Recap: Golden State became America’s team as soon as they took Game 1 in Dallas, their fourth consecutive win against the NBA’s #1 seed Mavericks. Fans fell in love with the Warriors reckless, three-point happy small-ball playing style. Baron Davis was in another world in the 4-2 opening series victory against the Mavs, averaging 25 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.7 assists in the series. Stephen Jackson was the big key to the Game 6 clinching rout of Dallas, a game in which he scored 33 points and made 7 of 8 three-pointers. While Golden State was an exciting team the whole season, it was the midseason additions of Jackson and Al Harrington that put them over the top. Explosive second-year guard Monta Ellis averaged 16.5 points per game en route to winning NBA Most Improved Player. Jason Richardson averaged 14.9 points per game during the regular season, but really stepped it up in the playoffs (19.1 points) and showed he was one of the NBA’s best three-point bombers. Matt Barnes, an ex-teammate of Davis’ at UCLA, fit in beautifully in Don Nelson’s system and 11.1 points per game while shooting 42% from beyond the arc. His versatility and long arms on defense was a key in the upset of Dallas, which was the first time an 8 seed beat a 1 seed in a 7-game series. Overall, it was a very exciting season for Golden State. Next year, all eyes will be on the Bay Area to see if they can duplicate their success.
Recent Drafts: 2006- Patrick O’Bryant, Kosta Perovic Grade- INC O’Bryant is the center prospect that Golden State desperately needs to develop in order to take the next step into the NBA’s elite teams. He is big and has skill, but is still a bit raw and unpolished after leaving Bradley as a sophomore. He spent a lot of time in the NBDL, and the team hopes he’ll be able to step in as a starter before it’s window of opportunity closes.
2005- Ike Diago, Monta Ellis, Chris Taft Grade- A Diago was part of the deal that brought over Harrington and Jackson. Ellis was a true steal with the 40th overall pick. He is one of the most athletic young guards in the league and is a perfect compliment to Baron Davis. Ellis is great at penetrating and hitting the midrange jumpshot, and if he can add a three-point shot to his resume, Golden State could stretch the floor even more.
This Offseason: Barnes might get a lot of money in the free agent market, but he won’t fit in on other teams nearly as well as he does on Golden State. Barnes probably wants to remain with the Warriors, and the Warriors definitely want him as part of their future. A long-term deal is a strong possibility. The team will also re-sign restricted free agent Mikael Pietrus if it can. Pietrus, a phenomenal athlete and defender, was one of the most underrated players on the team last season. He is vital to their success. Keleena Azibukee and Josh Powell are young, but show some promise and will likely be retained. While it may go against conventional wisdom, I think Golden State would be best off if they parted ways with Stephen Jackson, who proved to be a clutch shooter, but also proved to be one of the most selfish, turnover prone players in the league. If the Warriors can trade him for any impact big man, they should do so. With Pietrus, Barnes, Richardson, and Ellis, Golden State already has enough depth at Jackson’s position. Even if they don’t get equal value, I feel trading Jackson would be addition by subtraction.
Draft Outlook: Golden State’s frontcourt is in dire need. Andris Biendrins is much more suited to come off the bench and Al Harrington is a small forward in a power forward’s body. If Colorado State F/C Jason Smith is available with the 18th pick, the Warriors will draft him in a heartbeat. He would give them some stability up front and maybe then Don Nelson won’t have to get drunk before every game. However, Smith probably will be off the board at 18, leaving GS with project big men such as Josh McRoberts and Tiago Splitter. In that case, the Warriors might want to go with Option B, which is drafting Syracuse G/F Demetris Nichols. Nichols has a long frame and is a lights-out three-point shooter. I wouldn’t put it past Nelson to draft more of what they already have, especially considering how drunk Nelson will be on draft night. If this is indeed the pick, it opens the door for Stephen Jackson to be traded for a big man (say, Zach Randolph).
Season Recap: The Lakers lost to the 2nd seeded Phoenix Suns in the first round of the playoffs for the second consecutive year. It is becoming clear that Kobe Bryant (31.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.4 assists) will never have the supporting cast to win another championship as a Laker. Lamar Odom battled through an emotional and injury-riddled season, averaging 15.9 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. Outside of Odom and obviously Bryant, LA is playing back-ups as starters. Neither Smush Parker (11 points, 2.8 assists) or Jordan Farmar (4.4 points, 1.9 assists) is an NBA-level starting point guard. LA’s center situation is almost as bad. Kwame Brown, who was brought in from Washington in exchange for All-Star Caron Butler, averaged only 8.4 points and 6 rebounds per game. Andrew Bynum showed improvement, but still has a long way to go as he averaged just 7.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per contest.
Recent Drafts: 2006- Jordan Farmer, Dannilo Pinnock Grade- C The organization raves about Farmar, but he has yet to translate his superior athleticism into good point guard play. Granted, he only played one year, but LA needs a PG who can come in and make plays right away- before Kobe’s window closes.
2005- Andrew Bynum, Von Wafer Grade- C Again, Bynum is young and shows some promise, but the Lakers can’t be building a team that will take 5 years to be good unless they get rid of Bryant and totally rebuild. As long as they have Kobe, they have a chance to win. Their best bet would be to surround Kobe with veterans rather than youngsters like Farmar and Bynum.
This Offseason: The offseason started with a bang when Kobe announced that he couldn’t ever see himself playing for the Lakers again in an interview with Stephen A. Smith and then retracted the statement about three hours later. Chances are, Bryant will be a Laker next year. The Lakers will not be going into next season with the same roster, however. Expect them to pursue a big-name point guard or a big-name center/power forward to give Kobe some help. Possible acquistions include Kevin Garnett, Jermaine O’Neal, Zach Randolph, Jason Kidd, and Mike Bibby. In order to complete a deal for one of these guys, LA will have to part with a lot. I wouldn’t include Odom in any deal because then next year’s Laker team will have the same problem it did this year- they’ll only have two scorers. If LA does indeed trade for say, Jermaine O’Neal, a possible deal would include Andrew Bynum and a future-first round pick (which is likely to be low if the Lakers have Bryant, JO, and Odom). From a free agent standpoint, the contracts of Aaron McKie, Smush Parker, Luke Walton, Chris Mihm, and Shammond Williams are all up. Walton will be re-signed if he’s not too expensive. Parker probably will also unless LA trades for a PG. The other three will likely be released.
Draft Outlook: The Lakers pick 19th, 40th, and 48th. They need to take guys who are ready to play right now, so with the 19th pick, expect them to be looking at Acie Law, Derrick Byers, and Nick Young. Law would be a good fit and would solve their PG troubles, enabling LA to strictly focus on acquiring a big man via trade. With their next two picks, the Lakers will draft the best player available. Fresno State SF Domonic McGuire would be an interesting second round pick, as would Florida’s Taurean Green (assuming LA doesn’t take Law in the first round).
Season Recap: The Suns were essentially one sprint from the bench to the scene of the crime away from winning the NBA Finals. Had Amare Stoudemire not been suspended for Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals, there’s a very good chance Phoenix would have been the NBA Champions of the 06-07 season. Steve Nash didn’t win MVP, but he statistically turned in the best year of his career, averaging 18.6 points and 11.6 assists per game. Nash and Stoudemire (20.4 points, 9.6 rebounds) were both named 1st team All-NBA. Leandro Barbosa took a huge step forward as he won the NBA’s 6th Man Award while averaging 18.1 points per game off the bench. Shawn Marion was once again the team’s most complete player, as he averaged 17.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game.
Recent Drafts: 2006- No picks. Grade- INC PHX traded rights to Rajon Rondo (21st overall) and Brian Grant to the Celtics for a future first round pick.
PHX traded rights to Sergio Rodriguez (27th overall) to the Blazers for cash.
The Suns get the 24th overall pick in this years draft for the pick that would have been Rondo last year. Essentially, it’s a wash.
2005- Marcin Gortat, Dijon Thompson Traded Quentin Richardson and rights to Nate Robinson (21st overall) to the Knicks for Kurt Thomas.
This Offseason: Phoenix has come up in Kobe Bryant trade talks, but those are simply rumors. The Suns are one of the league’s best teams and were arguably a suspension away from winning the title this year. Don’t expect any drastic changes to the roster. Jumaine Jones, Sean Marks, and Jalen Rose are all unrestricted free agents. Jones and Marks will probably be let go, while Rose has been working as a sideline reporter for ESPN in games that he was suited up to play in, so he will likely pursue his dream of being the next Greg Anthony. Kurt Thomas can opt out of the final year of his contract, but he has a very healthy paycheck on Phoenix and has the chance to win a title, so it's doubtful he'll want to go elsewhere.
Draft Outlook: The Suns have traded all of their first round picks in the past three years (Rondo, Rodriguez, Robinson, and Luol Deng in 2004). They hold two first-rounders, the 24th and 29th picks, and would be wise to use them unless they get a deal they can’t turn down. One player being mentioned as a strong possibility is Italian SG Marco Belinelli. Syracuse SG Demetris Nichols would also be a good fit. Expect Phoenix to take one of those two and then go for speedy Oregon PG Aaron Brooks, who would cause nightmares coming off the bench alongside Barbosa. If Brooks is gone, they could go big and draft a shot-blocker such as BC’s Sean Williams.
