TIER 4: CAPTURE THE FLAGG
No. 30: Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets just traded their best player, Mikal Bridges, to the New York Knicks for seven future draft picks. Was that move a prerequisite for a team trying to enter the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes? I believe so.
Are the Nets entering a multi-year rebuild? I believe so. Do the Nets have a strategic plan to maximize a multi-year rebuild? I don’t think so.
No. 29: Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons had 36 different starting lineups last season. They only won two more games than the Detroit Lions. Turning this franchise around, will be as easy as it is to make a u-turn in a bullet train. Pray for J.B. Bickerstaff.
No. 28: Portland Trail Blazers
Drafting Donovan Clingan was a step in the right direction for the Portland Trail Blazers. I’m still not sold on Scoot Henderson’s potential as a future All-NBA caliber guard. I expect another season with fewer than 25 wins and a high-end lottery pick.
No. 27: Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls had stellar luck in the NBA Draft, landing Matas Buzelis with the 11th pick. While they lost Alex Caruso, they gained a young swiss-army knife in Josh Giddey — who will develop into a connective playmaker for this team — capable of playing anywhere on the wing.
Unfortunately, the Bulls’ lost their ace, DeMar DeRozan, to the Sacramento Kings in a sign-and-trade deal — receiving little towards their immediate bottom line.
No. 26: Atlanta Hawks
The basketball community has spent the last two months cyber-bullying the 2024 NBA Draft class. Zaccharie Risacher has essentially become the spokesman for this group of players. Did the Hawks’ draft a generationally talented player?
Here’s a better question: would the Hornets trade Brandon Miller for Risacher? The answer to both questions is probably not.
No. 25: Toronto Raptors
I really like Ja’Kobe Walter. He has tremendous upside offensively as a three-point shooter and as an on-ball defender. It’ll be interesting to see how he fits in the Raptors rotation, alongside Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley, and R.J. Barrett. The Raptors still need size and a steadier play-caller, before they’re ready to return to relevancy.
No. 24: Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards have had a pretty strong start to the offseason. They drafted Alex Sarr with the number two overall pick and acquired both Malcolm Brogdon and Jonas Valanciunas, two savvy veterans who have been key contributors to playoff teams in the past.
Can Kyle Kuzma and Jordan Poole help guide this team in a positive direction in 2025? It depends on who's sitting courtside.
No. 23: Utah Jazz
I’m not a Pro Bono lawyer. The Collective Bargaining Agreement is, admittedly, a little confusing. I do know that Lauri Markkanen is eligible for an extension on August 6. So, the issue is twofold: (1) after Markkanen signs an extension, he will not be trade-eligible for six months and (2) the Utah Jazz are not sold on paying top-dollar for Markkanen.
So, will “Dealer” Danny Ainge rid himself of Lauri Markkanen’s contract before it implodes in his face, or will the Jazz pay Markkanen and worry about trading him at a later date? What can the Jazz receive in return for Markkanen?
These are all questions that impact the Jazz’s ranking on this list. Until Markkanen is actually traded, I think 23rd is more or less accurate.