Projected Standings-
Western Conference Standings
1. Los Angeles Lakers- The Lakers had arguably the best offseason of any team with additions of two Sixth Man of the Year Winners, Montrezl Harrell and Dennis Schroeder, 3 and D sniper, Wesley Matthews, and veteran big man Marc Gasol .A signing that also was important was resigning Kentavious Caldwell Pope to a 3 year deal, who was one of the leading contributors in the Lakers winning the championship in the NBA Bubble. The Lakers are coming of winning their 17th championship with the duo of Lebron James and Anthony Davis still among the most formidable among the league. The Lakers are among the favorites to win a championship this year as Lebron and AD aim for back to back titles.
2. Los Angeles Clippers- The Clippers finished their 2019-20 season in a massively disappointing season blowing a 3-1 lead to the Nuggets in the playoffs, after many people picked them to win their first title in franchise history. Despite their collapse, the Clippers still have two of the best perimeter defenders in the league when they are actively engaged in the game and focused on the game, in Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. They added a promising young player in Luke Kennard in a trade with Detroit, Serge Ibaka, a reliable, stretch big who brings valuable championship experience and can help better defend All-NBA centers such as Anthony Davis and Nikola Jokic in the playoffs. They also brought in Nicholas Batum who was waved from the Hornets. Despite losing Doc Rivers to the 76ers, the Clippers promoted Tyron Lue, who brings championship experience and will help better guide this team to maximize their full potential. The Clippers need to address their hole at point guard and get an established floor general (Terry Rozier, Derrick Rose), that could get buckets and handle playmaking duties at a consistent level. The Clippers have all the talent to win a championship, but this team needs to develop the right mentality, ignore the media, and focus on establishing team chemistry. The Clippers are entering a make or break year with Kawhi and PG becoming free agents this upcoming offseason.
3. Denver Nuggets- The Nuggets have consistently performed at a high level and exceeded expectations every year under Mike Malone. The Nuggets have one of the league’s brightest young cores, with arguably the best big man in the game in Nikola Jokic, an emerging young guard in Jamal Murray, and a 6-10 forward boosting with high potential in Michael Porter Jr. Although the Nuggets lost key defensive pieces in Jerami Grant and Torrey Craig, they signed Jamychal Green from the Clippers who has the ability to shoot from long range and defend multiple positions. They drafted RJ Hampton from the New Zealand Island Breakers, a guard with high scoring upside and who can make plays for his teammates as well. They also drafted Zeke Nnaji from Arizona, who should be a solid contributor in their rotation. The Nuggets have a pretty underrated bench full of valuable contributors like Will Barton and Monte Morris. After a really successful 2019-20 season, Denver will once again be one of the best and consistent teams in the West with a promising future.
4. Phoenix Suns- After missing the playoffs for the last 10 years, the Suns will make a return to the playoffs. James Jones put together a really good offseason in Phoenix, with the addition of future Hall of Fame point guard, Chris Paul. The Suns have very promising pieces in Devin Booker, who has since he has arrived in Phoenix, turned into one of the NBA’s best shooting guards, Deandre Ayton, former number 2 overall pick from Arizona in the 2018 draft, has shown glimpses that he has the potential of turning into one of the best centers in the league, and Mikhail Bridges, who has the chance to develop into a great 3 and D type of player. The draft selection of Jalen Smith was questionable with both Devin Vassell and Tyrese Haliburton on the board, but that should not be the reason why the Suns did not have a successful offseason.
5. Utah Jazz- The Jazz are entering a very interesting season with the upcoming free agency of Rudy Gobert. The Jazz have a superstar in the making in Donavan Mitchell, who is honestly, one of the main reasons why this team has made the playoffs. Bogdan Bogdanovic provided consistent scoring and efficient shooting as the team’s starting power forward. Veterans Joe Ingles and Mike Conely provide toughness and defense that has contributed to why this team has consistently made the playoffs over the past few years. Jordan Clarkson provides scoring off the bench and is a reliable scoring option when Donavan Mitchell rests. Rudy Gobert remains the NBA’s defensive player with multiple Defensive Player Of The Year awards to show for it, along with his ability to alter and block shots. With one of the NBA’s defense and one of the NBA’s best and most underrated head coaches in Quin Snyder, the Jazz are primed for another playoff appearance.
6. Portland Trail Blazers- The Blazers had arguably the most underrated offseason of any team. Portland traded for one of the best 3 and D players in the league in Robert Covington, who should improve this team defensively. They also brought in young and intriguing players like Derrick Jones, a long, versatile defender, and Harry Giles, a young promising center, who is an underrated passer and is primed for a breakout season. The Blazers also added Enes Kanter who should provide another big body off the bench who can rebound and score around the rim. As usual, the Blazers have one of the leagues best backcourts in the league with one of the league’s best point guards in Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum who has developed into a very solid all around player. The Blazers are undoubtedly a better team this season than they were last season and will make the playoffs once again.
7. Golden State Warriors- The Warriors will make the playoffs a year after finishing with the worst record in the NBA. Obviously losing Klay Thompson to a torn Achilles injury drastically hurts their title chances because Klay is a great three point sniper, can score efficiently, and is one of the best defensive 3 and D players in the NBA. Golden State gained a lot of depth this year, something they were lacking this year, with the additions of Kelly Oubre Jr, number 2 overall pick, James Wiseman, potential second round gem, Nico Mannion, and serviceable point guard Brad Wanamaker from the Celtics. The Warriors also have a good bench with several young players who showed good signs such as Damion Lee, Jordan Poole, Marquise Chriss, former high draft pick who revived his career with the Warriors, Eric Paschall, an under the radar rookie last year who showed a lot of offensive versatility in his rookie year, and Alen Smalagic.
8. Dallas Mavericks- The Mavs have one of the brightest future outlooks in the NBA with budding superstar Luka Doncic accomplishing feats that have not been seen since the likes of Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson. Luka is a generational talent and the Mavs have got a player that can keep their franchise competitive and potential championship contenders in the near future if they have not entered that conversation already. The Mavs had a great draft, picking up Josh Green, a 3 and D player that would help this team a lot and Tyrell Terry a shoot-first type of player from Stanford. The Mavs traded for Josh Richardson from the 76ers in exchange for Seth Curry and Richardson is a perfect fit for Mavericks who provides great defense. Kristaps Porzingis along with Luka Doncic form one of the NBA’s best one-two punches in the NBA if Porzingis can stay healthy.
9. Houston Rockets- With all the uncertainty and chaos surrounding the Rockets organization with potential James Harden trade rumors, Darryl Morey effectively stepping down to go to the 76ers, and Mike D’ Antoni resigning as head coach, the Rockets are a team full of questions. Houston traded Russell Westbrook for John Wall, which is a risky move for a player who has not played a real basketball game in the past 2 years. The Rockets made a great signing in Christian Wood who had a legit semi- breakout last season in Detroit after the All Star Break and should be a great fit for what the Houston Rockets would want to run with new coach Stephen Silas taking over and leading this team towards a vision opposite from the small ball lineups Houston ran with Mike D’ Antoni. They also brought in Demarcus Cousins on a small one year deal, which he should be able to take advantage of and hopefully return to the All- Star big man level type of player he exhibited in Sacramento and New Orleans. The Rockets are a team that if everyone is healthy and on the same page, this team could be a top 4-5 seed in the West and make a run to either the conference semifinals and if luck plays in their favor, the conference finals, but if they are riddled with injuries and there is little cohesions among Cousins, Wall, and Harden, then this team could become a mess and will miss the playoffs.
10. Memphis Grizzlies- The Grizzlies are another team with a bright future along the NBA with franchise cornerstones, Rookie of the Year Ja Morant, who is a unique talent at point guard and gets everyone involved when he is running the offense and Jaren Jackson Jr from Michigan State, who has high defensive upside and can shoot the ball pretty well for a center. The Grizzlies also have a young coach in Taylor Jenkins who along with this team should grow into a great head coach and a pretty underrated front office that has put this team in a great position towards the future in regards to competing for a championship or using their talent or draft picks or even looking towards free agency, to acquire an All-Star, All-NBA, type of talent that could help take this team from fringe playoff contender to championship type of contender. Memphis surprised a lot of people last season nearly making the playoffs in Ja and JJJ first and sophomore seasons together. They also have intriguing young players like Dillion Brooks, a potential 3 and D sniper, Deanthony Melton, who is a great defender and solid three point shooter, and Desmond Bane, who is a 3 point sniper and will grow along this young core nicely.
11. Minnesota Timberwolves- The Minnesota Timberwolves won the 2020 NBA Draft lottery securing the Number 1 pick and with that pick they selected Anthony Edwards, a six-five shooting guard from Georgia with tremendous athletic ability and high upside as long as he can buy in to what the Timberwolves are trying to build. Franchise center Karl Anthony Towns, D’Angelo Russell, and Edwards form one of the league’s promising young cores with all three being still very young players and the potential to become even better down the road. The Wolves need a defensive wing that can help Josh Okogie on the defensive side of the ball and if they could prioritize putting defensive- minded players and shooters around those three, then Minnesota will most likely be back in the playoff picture. The Wolves also have other young players with potential and room to get better in Josh Okogie, Jarrett Culver, and Malik Beasley, who is a great shooter and can knock down shots at a high level. The main thing the Wolves need to establish is a winning culture, which they have been lacking since the Kevin Garnett days and for them to keep franchise center Karl Anthony Towns happy, they need to do more than bringing in his friend D’Angelo Russell, they need to bring in an experienced coach, no offense to Ryan Saunders, that will hold the players accountable and bring in competent front office pieces that know how to lead teams.
12. New Orleans Pelicans- The Pelicans have one of the brightest young cores and futures in the NBA with Most Improved Player of the Year winner, Brandon Ingram, 2019 Number 1 overall pick Zion Williamson, and Lonzo Ball, who shows a lot of promise as a defender, outstanding passer, and a steadily improving jump shot as long as he continues working on it. New Orleans traded away veteran Jrue Holiday to the Bucks For Eric Bledsoe and a number of draft picks and two pick swaps that could become valuable in the future if Giannis decides to leaves the Bucks after this upcoming season. The team traded for Steven Adams in a questionable move but none of the less, a small upgrade from Derrick Favors because the Pelicans should have targeted a stretch big you can space the floor so Zion could operate and grow his game, but also shoot the ball as well (ex: Myles Turner or Serge Ibaka) and Adams if anything will clog the paint and he is more of a center who can finish around the rim and protect the rim. In the draft, the Pelicans selected Kira Lewis Jr. from Alabama who joins the Pelicans crowded log jam at the guard position and taking either Aaron Nesmith or another great shooter who can catch and shoot or do off the dribble shooting would have been the most viable and logical option for the Pelicans to take. The Pelicans hired Stan Van Gundy to be their new head coach and Van Gundy is an experienced head coach most known for his time with the Magic, where he took a team led by Dwight Howard all the way to the NBA Finals and made multiple playoff appearances during his tenure as head coach. The Pelicans are a team with loads of young talent on this roster, it is just a matter if they can put it all together and build a potential dynasty.
13. San Antonio Spurs- The Spurs have been one of the most successful and well-ran franchises not just in the NBA, but in all of sports for the past 2 decades. Last season, the Spurs missed the playoffs, effectively ending their playoff streak at 22 consecutive years. The Spurs have aging stars that may not be as effective or great as they used to be, but can still contribute and help a contender ,in Demar Derozan and Lamarcus Aldridge. The Spurs have some young talent that needs to get some development and experience under their belt that would help determine whether this team has to rebuild, the best option or try to be competitive and compete for the playoffs. Dejounte Murray, Keldon Johnson, Lonnie Walker, and Devin Vassell are young players that the Spurs should prioritize instead of bringing in veterans that would stunt their growth or take minutes away from the young players. The option the Spurs should take is to trade Demar Derozan and Lamarcus Aldridge to contenders and enter a full blown rebuild where they try to take a talented wing player or one of the top players in the 2021 draft and build alongside their young, talented, but unproven young players in Murray, Walker, Vassell, and their 2021 draft pick.
14. Sacramento Kings- The Kings have not been to the playoffs since 2006 and with Luke Walton still the head coach of this team and Buddy Hield reportedly unhappy about his role in Sacramento, this team went from looking like a team that showed glimpses of becoming one of the brightest young teams in the NBA to a team with no direction and a step backward. The x-factor for the Kings this year is if Marvin Bagley Jr. can stay healthy and put up consistent production so that the Kings can decide whether or not to extend him to a long term extension so you can form can have a franchise cornerstone at center for the foreseeable future. Bagley has the talent to be one of the best centers in the league offensively and defensively, he just needs to stay healthy and on the court. In the 2020 draft, they drafted Tyrese Haliburton from Iowa State with the 13th pick, that should come in right away, contribute, and fit along nicely with De ‘Aaron Fox because he can shoot off the ball, catch and shoot, and do a little playmaking as well. The Kings have a couple of veterans on this team with Harrison Barnes, who is on a considerably overpaid contract, and Nemanja Bjelica who is a great three point shooter. The Kings need to give their young players this year a lot of playing time and if it means trading Buddy Hield if he is still unsatisfied, then that would be the best option that would benefit this team in the long term. Sacramento should aim for a high pick in the 2021 draft class that a lot of analysts and scouts are hyping up to be one of the best and deepest draft classes in recent memory. From there, the Kings should draft one of the talented, athletic wing players which this draft is very loaded with guys like Jonathan Kuminga, Jalen Johnson, and Ziare Williams. Overall, the Kings still have things going for people to be optimistic and hopeful for their future outlook.
15. Oklahoma City Thunder- The Thunder are truly in a great position to be a great team for a long time and have put themselves in a great position to be a great team for years to come and have a very bright future. In the offseason, the Thunder traded Chris Paul to the Suns and have added players such as Al Horford, George Hill, and Tyler Lydon that should serve as veterans for a team full of young pieces trying to find their way in the NBA. Sam Presti pulled off a smart move by acquiring loads of draft picks putting OKC in a great position to select probably the two best players in the 2021 draft in Cade Cunningham, who many people are saying is an All-NBA and generational talent and Jalen Green, a six-six shooting guard with high upside and great potential, who has the ability to score on all three levels, hit difficult shots, and is extremely uber-athletic. With this unlimited amount of picks, the Thunder have a chance to select highly touted players that they see can fit their teams in future drafts as well and trade for a disgruntled superstar who can put their team back to championship contention. The young intriguing bright piece the Thunder got back when they traded Paul George to the Clippers was Shai Gilgeous Alexander. Shai had a great season last year with the mentorship and tutelage of Chris Paul having a positive impact on him on and off the court and he also showed promising signs of being a future All Star point guard. Gilgeous Alexander is not great at any one thing, but has the ability to be above average at about everything from finishing at the rim, shooting from the three point line and mid range, anticipating passes and stealing from opposing players, and a solid defender. The other player who broke out during this season was Lu Dort, who really stepped up his game in the playoffs, defending James Harden really well during the Thunder-Rockets series and showing the ability to shoot the ball as well.
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