A lot goes on in the world of sports within the month of March, in particular the world of basketball. The March Madness tourney is near complete, and March is the last full month of scheduled games. By this time it has become clear which teams have to think about their off-season plans. Those front office's surely have been thinking about the off-season months prior. Let's take a look at some of these teams and try to make light of some of the positives:
EASTERN CONFERENCE
The Bucks currently own the league's worst record. Unlike some of the other struggling teams, the Bucks fate was established well early in the season. As hard as it may appear, there are some positives with the roster. To start, the Bucks have some young players with good length from the 1 to 5 positions, in Nate Wolters, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, John Henson, Larry Sanders, all capable of becoming good defenders and under the age of 25.
Brandon Knight has improved each month this season, showing restored confidence and making good use of his playing time averaging some career highs (17ppg, 5ast, 4reb, 1stl). Similar offensive strides has been seen with Khris Middleton, having led the team in scoring some nights this season (12ppg, 4reb, 1stl). Two players that most people weren't aware of, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nate Wolters, are showing to be good selections for the Bucks this year. Giannis' potential is unknown, but very intriguing. If developed properly, Giannis could be in the conversation with Kevin Durant and Anthony Davis, as the most versatile players flirting with the 7 foot mark who are able to run the floor well and have uncanny offensive ability. Coming off the bench for most of the season, Wolters has shown capable of playing in this league. Wolters has good height for a PG, at 6'4", in addition to being a great ball handler, passer, and good defender. Question marks do remain with Henson and Sanders, given their history of injury problem during the course of a season. Each have shown signs of being good shot blocker, averaging around 2 blks per game each. Both are offensively limited at this point of their careers and lack in size as post players. With time they should improve.
As a young core, the Bucks have the foundation of forming a good defensive team because of their length. They surely can use additional offensive components on the roster. OJ Mayo and Ersan Ilyasova are not the answers. If the Bucks continue to find gems, like they have in recent drafts, they can make a climb in the lowly Eastern Conference within time.
Brandon Knight has improved each month this season, showing restored confidence and making good use of his playing time averaging some career highs (17ppg, 5ast, 4reb, 1stl). Similar offensive strides has been seen with Khris Middleton, having led the team in scoring some nights this season (12ppg, 4reb, 1stl). Two players that most people weren't aware of, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nate Wolters, are showing to be good selections for the Bucks this year. Giannis' potential is unknown, but very intriguing. If developed properly, Giannis could be in the conversation with Kevin Durant and Anthony Davis, as the most versatile players flirting with the 7 foot mark who are able to run the floor well and have uncanny offensive ability. Coming off the bench for most of the season, Wolters has shown capable of playing in this league. Wolters has good height for a PG, at 6'4", in addition to being a great ball handler, passer, and good defender. Question marks do remain with Henson and Sanders, given their history of injury problem during the course of a season. Each have shown signs of being good shot blocker, averaging around 2 blks per game each. Both are offensively limited at this point of their careers and lack in size as post players. With time they should improve.
As a young core, the Bucks have the foundation of forming a good defensive team because of their length. They surely can use additional offensive components on the roster. OJ Mayo and Ersan Ilyasova are not the answers. If the Bucks continue to find gems, like they have in recent drafts, they can make a climb in the lowly Eastern Conference within time.
Not much was expected from Philadelphia this season. The teams plan to rebuild was always out in the open. The primary reason for the teams lack of success is lack of roster depth. It would have been interesting to see how the team could retain all of their core players in Michael Carter-Williams, Evan Turner, Spencer Hawes, Thaddeus Young, Tony Wroten and Nerlens Noel. The front office had another idea in mind. Turner and Hawes have since been traded, and perhaps with good reason as their speed and athleticism probably wouldn't fit well with what the 76ers are presumably trying to form. The Sixers are on the cusp of developing a team with length that can defend. Having Michael Carter-Williams, Thaddeus Young and Nerlens Noel certainly improves those chances.
The Sixers possess a number of draft picks. This give them flexibility to draft or trade away picks for players. The Sixers are in need a SG and PF. Young currently is positioned at the PF position, but his height and talent may be better suited for the SF position. He is not a stretch 4, if that is what is expected from of him. MCW is currently on his way on becoming the Rookie of the Year with averages of 17ppg, 6reb and 5ast. Noel has yet to debut in the NBA to even be assessed, and it may not yet be determined what position he'll play, PF or C. Tony Wroten has come on to find a place in Philly a scorer coming off the bench, something surely the 76ers can use as they continue to look ahead to the future.
The Sixers possess a number of draft picks. This give them flexibility to draft or trade away picks for players. The Sixers are in need a SG and PF. Young currently is positioned at the PF position, but his height and talent may be better suited for the SF position. He is not a stretch 4, if that is what is expected from of him. MCW is currently on his way on becoming the Rookie of the Year with averages of 17ppg, 6reb and 5ast. Noel has yet to debut in the NBA to even be assessed, and it may not yet be determined what position he'll play, PF or C. Tony Wroten has come on to find a place in Philly a scorer coming off the bench, something surely the 76ers can use as they continue to look ahead to the future.
The Orlando Magic as of today appears to have been the winners of that huge trade surrounding Dwight Howard. Out of that deal they acquired Arron Afflalo and Nikola Vucevic. Both Afflalo and Vucevic have continued where they left off last year, being the teams most consistent players. Last season the Magic acquired Tobias Harris in a trade from Milwaukee, who had made quite the buzz in the 2nd half of the last season. Since returning from his high ankle sprain, he is slowly returning back to form. Other bright spots on the roster this year have been Maurice Harkless, Victor Oladipo, and Kyle O'Quinn. The team is still young and has to think about the future at their PG position. As reliable as Jameer Nelson has been for Orlando, it is time that the Magic look for a new floor general in the off-season. The team looks to have set position players at the SG, SF, PF and C positions, and can afford to be flexible with the roster positioning. Orlando simply lacks experience and a possess a lackluster bench. The team does boast some talent but currently more so on the defensive end. This was not meant to be a turnaround year for the Magic, but you can see that the foundation beginning to turn the corner.
I believe that the Celtics have reason to be excited about the near future. GM Danny Ainge has been deliberate in each of his dealings, indicating that his focus is on rebuilding. Much like the Sixers, the Celtics have an arsenal of draft picks for the next few years. That aside, for a franchise in rebuilding mode the positive energy remains, lead by a well respected young coach in Brad Stevens.
It remains that Rajon Rondo is not going to being dealt anywhere in the near future. Why should he? His departure would prove detrimental during this phase, and a floor leader is not easy to find. Jeff Green is having his first real season as a starter since his days with OKC, where he probably had his best season, statistically. Green appears to make highlight plays more often than consistent play. He may have felt he needed to carry the load due to Rondo's absence, but Celtics fans hope that he reaches the potential that prompted Ainge to receive him in the Kendrick Perkins trade. The Celtics look to have two promising shooting big men in Jared Sullinger and Kelly Olynyk, a rarity to have. The team is still without a true shooting guard, as is the case with most teams. The contracts of Kris Humphries (12 million - 1 year remaining) and Gerald Wallace (10 million - 3 years remaining) that the Celtics acquired from the Nets may cause a momentary set back, but will surely be of little concern. Ainge going forward will continue to exercise the flexibility that the organization has to better this team.
It remains that Rajon Rondo is not going to being dealt anywhere in the near future. Why should he? His departure would prove detrimental during this phase, and a floor leader is not easy to find. Jeff Green is having his first real season as a starter since his days with OKC, where he probably had his best season, statistically. Green appears to make highlight plays more often than consistent play. He may have felt he needed to carry the load due to Rondo's absence, but Celtics fans hope that he reaches the potential that prompted Ainge to receive him in the Kendrick Perkins trade. The Celtics look to have two promising shooting big men in Jared Sullinger and Kelly Olynyk, a rarity to have. The team is still without a true shooting guard, as is the case with most teams. The contracts of Kris Humphries (12 million - 1 year remaining) and Gerald Wallace (10 million - 3 years remaining) that the Celtics acquired from the Nets may cause a momentary set back, but will surely be of little concern. Ainge going forward will continue to exercise the flexibility that the organization has to better this team.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
The Utah Jazz certainly have been planning for their future over the last 2 seasons now. Going into this season without retaining the services from either Al Jefferson or Paul Millsap, not much was expected from this team. Although having one of the worst records in the league this year, they are fortunate to have a good young core that could blossom into something special with time. PG Trey Burke missed the early part of the season due to injury, but has shown signs that he is capable of being a gritty team leader. PG/SG Alec Burks has been given more playing time this year and has not wasted that opportunity, providing scoring off the bench.
Until the departure of Jefferson and Millsap, the Jazz arguably had the deepest frontcourt roster in the league. This brings me to Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter. These two don't quite possess the offensive talents of Jefferson or Millsap, but they are two big(ger) bodies. Both are still young and raw in talant. Favors is more the imposing force of the two, including being a solid rebounder and defender. It will be interesting how, or if, the two will co-exist in the future for long, as they both aren't scoring threats.
The X-factor here is Gordon Hayward. Hayward is the team's best player and one of the most well rounded players in the league. If he is not scoring, he is finding the open man for the assist, grabbing rebounds, getting in the passing lanes for steals, or comes in from the weak side for a block. With Burks progression as a SG, and Hayward and the Jazz not having come to terms on a contract extension during the off season, it will be interesting if they will come to an agreement or try to acquire something for Hayward.
Until the departure of Jefferson and Millsap, the Jazz arguably had the deepest frontcourt roster in the league. This brings me to Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter. These two don't quite possess the offensive talents of Jefferson or Millsap, but they are two big(ger) bodies. Both are still young and raw in talant. Favors is more the imposing force of the two, including being a solid rebounder and defender. It will be interesting how, or if, the two will co-exist in the future for long, as they both aren't scoring threats.
The X-factor here is Gordon Hayward. Hayward is the team's best player and one of the most well rounded players in the league. If he is not scoring, he is finding the open man for the assist, grabbing rebounds, getting in the passing lanes for steals, or comes in from the weak side for a block. With Burks progression as a SG, and Hayward and the Jazz not having come to terms on a contract extension during the off season, it will be interesting if they will come to an agreement or try to acquire something for Hayward.
Who would have thought that we'd find the Los Angeles Lakers among the league's worst teams. Especially in the "Kobe" era. There were a number of factors that led to this, but it's still odd to see. The Lakers are in a pretty interesting situation. They currently have 4 players with guaranteed contracts into the 2014-2015 season in Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Robert Sacre and Kendall Marshall. With that said, the Lakers future is unknown which also makes things exciting for them as well.
Right now everyone on the team is auditioning for the league in hopes of a future contract. Players, not named Ramon Sessions and Dwight Howard have made their way to the Lakers to have their best season(s). Rather than choosing to stay, most of these players decide to sign elsewhere and haven't had the same success. The Lakers have been bad, and fair share of the blame can be put on Coach Mike D'Antoni's system. On the positive side, this system allows guys to play free on the offensive end. A number of guys have taken advantage to showcase why they should be considered in returning next season (Jodie Meeks, Wesley Johnson, Ryan Kelly, Nick Young and Kent Bazemore).
The starting SG, and possibly the PG position, are known for next season. Meeks has shown the league that he is a proven scorer, with flashes of explosiveness to the basket. For the most part Meeks should be considered to re-sign next year, but the question is will Meeks want to stay in a reserve role or accept an offer elsewhere. Sure the Lakers have both Nash and Marshall next year, but will they could end up being the 1st and 2nd options or the 2nd and 3rd? Basically Kobe is the only absolute starter going into the next season. Lakers will have some flexibility and suitors wanting to join and remain on the team. Kobe has publicly called out the front office to insist that they make some moves to help restore the winning ways that has been synonymous with the Lakers culture. Now the question is what will they do.
Right now everyone on the team is auditioning for the league in hopes of a future contract. Players, not named Ramon Sessions and Dwight Howard have made their way to the Lakers to have their best season(s). Rather than choosing to stay, most of these players decide to sign elsewhere and haven't had the same success. The Lakers have been bad, and fair share of the blame can be put on Coach Mike D'Antoni's system. On the positive side, this system allows guys to play free on the offensive end. A number of guys have taken advantage to showcase why they should be considered in returning next season (Jodie Meeks, Wesley Johnson, Ryan Kelly, Nick Young and Kent Bazemore).
The starting SG, and possibly the PG position, are known for next season. Meeks has shown the league that he is a proven scorer, with flashes of explosiveness to the basket. For the most part Meeks should be considered to re-sign next year, but the question is will Meeks want to stay in a reserve role or accept an offer elsewhere. Sure the Lakers have both Nash and Marshall next year, but will they could end up being the 1st and 2nd options or the 2nd and 3rd? Basically Kobe is the only absolute starter going into the next season. Lakers will have some flexibility and suitors wanting to join and remain on the team. Kobe has publicly called out the front office to insist that they make some moves to help restore the winning ways that has been synonymous with the Lakers culture. Now the question is what will they do.
The Kings have been in this position before. It has begun to feel that the good days of Sacramento basketball was so long ago. Poor coach selections and management has led to the stagnant progression of this team. There is new life in Sacramento now, with new management, new ownership, and an enthusiastic fan base giving this franchise as much hope as any to turn things around.
The Kings managed to establish a decent core in DeMarcus Cousins, Isiah Thomas, and Rudy Gay. Cousins is having his best season to date, and perhaps is debatable that he should have been an all-star this year. Point blank, this team can only go as far as Cousins take them. Thomas has shown to be the best last draft selection (60th overall in 2011) in professional sports so far. All Thomas ever wanted was a chance to prove he belongs, as he's said before. He has taken full advantage of that opportunity having earned the starting PG spot. Part of the teams growth ties in with Rudy Gay. Most are aware of his monster contract that the Kings decided to take on in hopes that they can work out an agreement with Gay, as he can opt out of the final year of his contract. Despite the media focus, Gay is easily a top 5 SF in the league, and has further proven this since joining the Kings. Unfortunately each players personal statistical attributes have not translated to wins since the trade.
Presuming that the Kings will come to terms with both Thomas and Gay into next season, the Kings will continue to add more to their roster. There is uncertainty with some players on the current roster as to their true potential (Derrick Williams, Carl Landry) and untapped potential (Ben McLemore,Ray McCallum). With what management has done in the short term, it will be interesting what they will continue to do.
The Kings managed to establish a decent core in DeMarcus Cousins, Isiah Thomas, and Rudy Gay. Cousins is having his best season to date, and perhaps is debatable that he should have been an all-star this year. Point blank, this team can only go as far as Cousins take them. Thomas has shown to be the best last draft selection (60th overall in 2011) in professional sports so far. All Thomas ever wanted was a chance to prove he belongs, as he's said before. He has taken full advantage of that opportunity having earned the starting PG spot. Part of the teams growth ties in with Rudy Gay. Most are aware of his monster contract that the Kings decided to take on in hopes that they can work out an agreement with Gay, as he can opt out of the final year of his contract. Despite the media focus, Gay is easily a top 5 SF in the league, and has further proven this since joining the Kings. Unfortunately each players personal statistical attributes have not translated to wins since the trade.
Presuming that the Kings will come to terms with both Thomas and Gay into next season, the Kings will continue to add more to their roster. There is uncertainty with some players on the current roster as to their true potential (Derrick Williams, Carl Landry) and untapped potential (Ben McLemore,Ray McCallum). With what management has done in the short term, it will be interesting what they will continue to do.