Season Review – Lottery Teams 30. Charlotte Bobcats (29-53)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Raymond Felton (79), D.J. Augustin (72), Raja Bell (71), Mike Miller (70)
A severe hangover for the NBA’s youngest franchise. All seems lost after the magic of last season. Time to clean house and build around a top draft pick. Gerald Wallace and Tyson Chandler are both valuable trade pieces that could provide further picks for the rebuild.
29. Boston Celtics (29-52)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Ray Allen (79),
The heavyweight era of these Celtics is truly over once and for all. With Ray Allen not being re-signed at the deadline, he’s likely to chase another ring at a contender. It wouldn’t be out of the question to see the same happen with Kevin Garnett during the offseason, with an injury stalling any trade negotiations at the deadline. The Celtics still have a franchise PG and exciting prospects in Andrew Nicholson, Jordan Crawford and new Great White Hope Chandler Parsons.
28. Detroit Pistons (32-50)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Ben Gordon (76) (P), Luke Ridnour (71)
Another lacklustre year for the Pistons, still suffering from horrible contracts and underperforming prospects. Enes Kanter seems to have regressed, and the bold prediction of Ben Gordon for Sixth Man of the Year was not even close. The Motor City needs a star, hopefully with a high pick and the developing Harrison Barnes it can spur some optimism in Detroit.
27. Dallas Mavericks (33-49)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Jason Terry (77), Rodrigue Beaubois (77), Josh Howard (70)
These Mavs are not getting any younger. After a WCF appearance only two years ago, the Mavericks seem to be collapsing as they easily swing to the highest average age in the league. It’s unspeakable to think that Dirk is going anywhere, but who can they grab for him to mentor to lead a new generation of Mavericks?
26. Washington Wizards (34-48)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Baron Davis (74)
An injury to Baron Davis almost served as a blessing in disguise, as Evan Turner shone for the Wizards at PG. Competing for Playoff contention until only a few weeks left in the season, the Capital could be on the way to a postseason berth in the near future.
25. Cleveland Cavaliers (34-48)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: None
The Cavaliers look primed to shoot up the ranks next season, with some veteran pieces now around their young core, Nicolas Batum looks sure to break out, while J.R. Smith pours it on from anywhere on the floor.
24. Toronto Raptors (35-47)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Mo Williams (78)
The Bosh & Butler Raptors have been underwhelming to say the least, not helped with a major injury to their primed future star Demar DeRozan. On top of their aging stars, Tristan Thompson hasn’t hit anywhere near his #2 pick expectations now through his second season, putting more pressure on the Toronto front office to make sure their next pick provides some future hope in The North.
23. Golden State Warriors (35-47)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Stephen Jackson (78), Corey Maggette (74)
A Championship to missing the playoffs. Many could claim that last season’s Championship success was a fluke, and there’s a lot of evidence that backs that up. Stephen Curry looks set to break out, and with Eric Gordon also providing dangerous backcourt scoring, the interior of the Warriors needs a re-structure, as well as a possible replacement of swingman captain Stephen Jackson to bring these Warriors back to the top of the mountain.
22. Milwaukee Bucks (35-47)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Michael Redd (73)
Was this a year too early to bet on the Bucks? Paul George may have collected All-Defense First Team honours, but Milwaukee seemed out of gear for the second half of the season. There’s no doubt a promising future in George and PG Kemba Walker, but another season with this sort of finishing position will no doubt be a massive disappointment.
21. Denver Nuggets (36-46)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Jarrett Jack (82)
The rebuild continues for the Nuggets, who actually improved after losing two of their longtime veterans for younger counterparts in Mario Chalmers & DeAndre Jordan. The Mile High City looks set to struggle again next year in a tough Northwest Division, however further progression from their young stars should hopefully see the Nuggets continue their rise back up the West ranks.
20. Phoenix Suns (36-46)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Jason Richardson (73), Terrence Williams (72), Brandon Rush (71), Jerryd Bayless (71)
Not a disappointing result for the Suns after going 7-0 to start the season before losing franchise PG John Wall for the entire year. The Suns will need to do some re-signing of key young pieces this offseason, but will hopefully bounce back in full force with Wall back in the lineup for the 2013-14 season.
19. Portland Trail Blazers (38-44)
Notable upcoming Free Agents:
A mix-up of personnel for the Trail Blazers at the deadline wasn’t enough to get them into the tight West mix for the postseason. A major highlight for the Blazers has been the outstanding rookie season from Rookie of the Year Damian Lillard, filling the void left by the retiring Steve Nash, and giving Portland a bright future. With LaMarcus Aldridge also established as a genuine star, we shouldn’t be talking about the Blazers outside Playoff contention for the next several years.
18. Los Angeles Clippers (41-41)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Monta Ellis (83) (P), Gilbert Arenas (76) (P), Lance Stephenson (75),
After consecutive top 3 finishes in the Conference, The Clippers spent it all this season to get back to the upper echelon, but limped to a 41-41 record. After no doubt exercising their amnesty clause on Gilbert Arenas’ 20+ million-dollar player option in the first day of the offseason, the Clippers will have a lot to think about, as they try to appease stars Carmelo Anthony & Blake Griffin and fight back against their clear status as underachievers.
17. New Orleans Hornets (41-41)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Darren Collison (76)
Definitely a sour way to end a true breakout year for the Hornets as they finally seem to breaking beyond the hole that CP3 left them with. With young talent in Tobias Harris, Andre Drummond and scoring machine Klay Thompson, plus an All-NBA PF in David Lee, the Hornets should be back at the top of the Conference in no time.
