Season Review – Lottery Teams 30. Dallas Mavericks (26-56)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Dirk Nowitzki (83), Tim Hardaway Jr. (73) (T), Jameer Nelson (72), Miles Plumlee (72), Ish Smith (71)
A horrific season for the Mavericks, stuck with the massive contracts of both Rudy Gay and Rajon Rondo. Dirk will likely return on another reduced deal, but Tim Hardaway Jr. will not come cheap to maintain. A top prospect is desperately needed for the Mavs, after being burnt on Otto Porter Jr. only a few years ago.
29. New York Knicks (27-55)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Andre Drummond (84), Giannis Antetokounmpo (79) (T), Perry Jones (71), Pablo Prigioni (71), Lance Thomas (70)
With Andre Drummond on board to join Giannis Antetokoumnpo, the Knicks are a prospect PG away from shooting back up the East rankings, could they land Ben Simmons? A huge step up from Mike Scott in the absence of Jordan Hill cannot go unnoticed, and is likely to hold the starting role next season even with his return.
28. Atlanta Hawks (28-54)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Nicolas Batum (76), Elfrid Payton (76) (2YRT), Nene (73), Austin Rivers (72), Mike Muscala (72) (T), Chase Budinger (71) (P), Shane Larkin (71) (T)
After dishing out Al Horford to the Cavaliers on opening day, there's little surprise in seeing the Hawks in this position. An All-Star selection for Nicolas Batum is a bright spot for the Atlanta franchise, with further development of Myles Turner and a strong prospect in the draft needed to give the Hawks a fighting chance of success again.
27. Charlotte Hornets (29-53)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Hassan Whiteside (81), Tyreke Evans (80) (P), Jarrett Jack (77) (T), Jeremy Lin (76), Cody Zeller (75), Shabazz Napier (72) (2YRT), Clint Capela (71) (2YRT), Andrew Bynum (70)
A mess of a season for Charlotte, making moves at both the start of the season and at the deadline. Hassan Whiteside is who they will build around, however there's questions marks as to whether Tyreke Evans will stick around. The absence of Danilo Gallinari for a decent chunk of the season didn't help the Hornets production either.
26. Los Angeles Lakers (32-50)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Kobe Bryant (83), Mike Dunleavy (73), Andre Roberson (72) (T), Jamaal Franklin (71)
Not a surprise for the Lakers as they continue to prepare for the post-Kobe era, with Nikola Vucevic and promising rookie Emmanuel Mudiay being given the keys to run the franchise. A broken ankle hampered Vucevic's development this season, but hopes are still high on the USC product.
25. Sacramento Kings (34-48)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Brandon Jennings (79) (P), Paul Pierce (77), Cory Joseph (75), Gorgui Dieng (75), Trevor Booker (74), Courtney Lee (74)
After sending Brandon Knight to the Pistons at the deadline, and Jennings entering a player option, Cory Joseph will be key to retain, as the Kings look to balance their veterans of Paul Pierce, Kevin Martin and Zach Randolph with their prospects. Could they be in the market for a superstar in exchange for a multitude of pieces and picks?
24. Houston Rockets (34-48)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Omer Asik (75) (P), Jeremy Lamb (74), Robert Covington (74)
A Most Improved Player award for Eric Bledsoe was the highlight for the Rockets, as they continue to build back up after their success six seasons ago. Houston can't afford Jeremy Lamb and Robert Covington to walk if they want any chance of making the postseason in the near future, so expect the checkbook to be opened up to retain their services.
23. Chicago Bulls (34-48)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Joakim Noah (78), Marreese Speights (77) (P), Meyers Leonard (73), T.J. Warren (71) (2YRT), Jason Richardson (71), Udonis Haslem (71), P.J. Hairston (70) (2YRT), Sergey Karasev (70) (T)
The championship window seems to have passed for the Bulls, and with that the exit of Joakim Noah seems imminent. With an injury to Luol Deng leaving the Bulls hamstrung on sending his sizeable contract somewhere else, T.J. Warren has been tapped as their SF of the future, while other out-of-contract veterans are doubtful to return as Chicago turns a new leaf.
22. Philadelphia 76ers (35-47)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: J.J. Barea (75)
Abandoning their contendership aspirations at the deadline with the dealings of both Anderson Varejao and Trevor Ariza, the Sixers geared up with valuable picks, looking to pull more youthful talent around their established stars in Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton.
21. Indiana Pacers (36-46)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: DeMarre Carroll (79), Louis Williams (78), D.J. Augustin (73), Tony Snell (73) (T), Evan Fournier (73), Drew Gooden III (70)
A slight pivot for the Pacers at the deadline, sending longtime Pacer Danny Granger in exchange for DeMarre Carroll, who's fitted in seamlessly. Retaining both Carroll and Williams will be the main priority for the Pacers, especially with the latter missing a majority of the season with injury. The jury is still out on whether this Indiana team can truly contend.
20. Detroit Pistons (38-44)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Al Jefferson (81) (P), Brandon Knight (80), Wesley Matthews (79) (P), Harrison Barnes (75), Aaron Gordon (74) (2YRT), Trey Burke (73) (T)
Simply not good enough from the Pistons with their acquisitions from last season. With Wesley Matthews and Al Jefferson both with player options and Brandon Knight requiring a new deal, the frustration of another missed postseason will likely weigh heavy on their minds as to whether they around in Detroit.
19. Phoenix Suns (42-40)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Tony Allen (79), Jabari Parker (77) (2YRT), Tyler Zeller (77), P.J. Tucker (75) (T), Alex Len (75) (T), Anthony Tolliver (70)
A solid season from the Suns, and especially from John Wall with his First Team All-NBA honours. The Suns will need to keep Tony Allen for a fighting chance at the playoffs next year, but could also be in the market for a superstar with all their prospects, namely Justise Winslow who will likely be stuck behind Jabari Parker in Phoenix and could benefit from more minutes somewhere else.
18. Golden State Warriors (43-39)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Stephen Curry (93) (P), Cole Aldrich (73) (T), Nick Young (73), Ramon Sessions (72), Kyle Singler (71), Channing Frye (71)
Stephen Curry's absence for the last portion of the season proved fatal for the Warriors, who went from contender to pretender on the way to missing the playoffs. Nick Young will be key to keep, though there's no guarantee that the rest of the supporting cast will stay after an abysmal effort to finish out the season.
17. Memphis Grizzlies (43-39)
Notable upcoming Free Agents: Marc Gasol (86), O.J. Mayo (76), Terrence Ross (74), Mitch McGary (72) (2YRT), Raymond Felton (70)
Disappointment is possibly the only way to describe this season from the Grizzlies. Arguably one of the strongest teams on-paper heading into the season, they now face the possible exit of Marc Gasol, O.J. Mayo and Terrence Ross, and a re-tool to stay relevant. With Kawhi Leonard locked up for the long term, Memphis will need to think hard about how they can keep their superstar happy after this black mark of a season.
