Post by BRB on Aug 5, 2012 14:11:39 GMT -5
As always. the most stressful part of the season/off season is coming up with teams tanking their brains off to land that top pick. The prize of the draft is obviously Sir Charles. Let's look at what would happen if any of the lotto teams would land him. This would be done by the current lotto projections:
1. Detroit Pistons:
The team is fairly empty with the only guys under contract for next season are 2 role players at best (Ollie Mack and Phil Hubbard). While Hubbard plays the same position, it's safe to say Barkley would be the starter from day 1. With the likely return of BRB and plenty of cap space, the Pistons can easily change the look of their roster for next season. If they decide to stay as is, Barkley and BRB give them a core then can score but don't fill what many consider the important positions (C and PG), allowing them to tank again next season.
2. Utah Jazz
The Jazz will be entering their CY next season so the addition of Barkley would be huge. While Barkley would easily be the team's starting PF, best trade chip and best player he really wouldn't fix what looks to be the biggest issue for Utah. The Jazz don't not have the same luxury as the Pistons, as again, they are entering their CY. While the Jazz to have a nice moveable piece in the Rockets 1st next season, It wouldn't shock me at all to see Barkley on the move for a star.
3. Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers and Jazz are in fairly similar positions. The biggest difference between the 2 is that the 76ers may have more in terms of moveable assets. They also will have plenty of cap space to play with (31.4 pre draft picks). The 76ers might be able to build a team around Barkley and whoever they decide should stay.
4. San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs are in year 2 of their tanking. While last year's draft didn't seem to turn out any potential stars for the Spurs, the addition of Barkley would give the Spurs a name and player to build around. A front court of Lister and Barkley would be decent enough for the future (though obviously lacking right now). The biggest issue for the Spurs going forward is the remain players (mostly Jojo and Campy). Would a core of those two and Barkley allow the Spurs to tank again or would they be stuck in no mans land? Either way, as long as the Spurs land Barkley, they should be happy.
5. New Orleans Hornets
Might be the most interesting case on here. Commish David Ster...I mean Spencer is running the team and they do not have their next 2 draft picks thanks to Kobe. Does Spencer/next NO GM keep Barkley and build around him or does he get sent to Orlando for the Hornets next 2 picks? Personally, I'd keep him, give the team to someone else and let them figure it out while having a bit more time on the CY. Kobe did royally rape that franchise. All that aside, we can't forget what JUST happened in the NBA. Play is likely to have fun (or a bitch fest) with this whole situation.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves
First off, suck a dick. The Wolves definitely have a nice potential core already in place. With 5 more draft picks coming from this draft, landing Barkley with one of them would give the Wolves a core (Schayes, Barkley, Aguirre) that can possibly content for years to come. Wolves would also have another season of tanking to do if they so desire. The future would look very nice in Minny.
7. New York Knicks*
N/A. Don't own pick.
8. Dallas Mavericks
Greg's 2nd attempt at turning the Mavs into a champion would obviously be enhanced by the addition of Barkley. While the Mavs do have 3 rookies on roster, none of them really look like the stud potential type so Barkley would immediately be the team's best player. The Mavs have holes throughout so while Barkley would drop big numbers, the Mavs would still likely be a pretty bad teams for the next couple of seasons.
9. Miami Heat**
N/A. Don't own pick
10. Houston Rockets***
N/A. Don't own pick
11. Indiana Pacers****
N/A. Don't own pick
12. Cleveland Cavaliers*****
N/A. Don't own pick
13. Chicago Bulls
The Bulls still have a shot at the playoffs but if they end up on the outside looking in, they can take solace in the fact that they are now in the Barkley running. The Bulls already have a solid core in place and Barkley would give the Bulls a potentially scary core to build around or a massive trade asset.
*Phoenix Suns via New York Knicks
The first of the "someone else has this pick" group comes in at number 7. A Barkley addition to the Suns would give the Suns a starting front court of Laimbeer, Barkley and Bird. That alone is a scary, young front court that can easily be built around. The Suns can also just keep Carr and move Barkley for back court help. Either way, a Barkley addition to the Suns would be hell for the rest of the league.
**Minnesota Timberwolves via Miami Heat
I repeat the whole suck a dick thing. Anyways, if this pick jumps, the Wolves could end up having 2 top 7 picks. In a draft that's top heavy, that's a huge thing to build around and add to a solid young core.
***Los Angeles Clippers via Houston Rockets
The Clippers are an interesting team in that there really is no sense of direction. As was pointed out, only 3 trades in 7 seasons is a rather sad state of affair. Still, a Barkley addition would likely pump some life into LAC and hype himself. The Clippers could very likely pull of a very nice rebuild after. They have some solid trade able players and starting your rebuild with a player like Barkley is rare. If they stay put, Barkley gives them a nice 6 man and future starter at the 4 position if Neal or Lucas walks.
****Detroit Pistons via Indiana Pacers
A jump here for the Pistons would potentially give them 2 top 5 picks. Can't complain about that for the first tanking season. Obviously Barkley is the prize but with the 2nd top 5 pick, the Pistons can likely fill out one of those important positions I spoke about earlier.
*****Milwaukee Bucks via Cleveland Cavs
One of the two teams nobody wants to see Barkley land with (Suns being the other). The Bucks would have a high scoring, high rebounding back up for the next 4 seasons or a trade able assets for a better 2 guard if Blackman doesn't get better. Either way, Barkley to Mil would spell trouble for the rest of the league as long as Cheeks resigns.
1. Detroit Pistons:
The team is fairly empty with the only guys under contract for next season are 2 role players at best (Ollie Mack and Phil Hubbard). While Hubbard plays the same position, it's safe to say Barkley would be the starter from day 1. With the likely return of BRB and plenty of cap space, the Pistons can easily change the look of their roster for next season. If they decide to stay as is, Barkley and BRB give them a core then can score but don't fill what many consider the important positions (C and PG), allowing them to tank again next season.
2. Utah Jazz
The Jazz will be entering their CY next season so the addition of Barkley would be huge. While Barkley would easily be the team's starting PF, best trade chip and best player he really wouldn't fix what looks to be the biggest issue for Utah. The Jazz don't not have the same luxury as the Pistons, as again, they are entering their CY. While the Jazz to have a nice moveable piece in the Rockets 1st next season, It wouldn't shock me at all to see Barkley on the move for a star.
3. Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers and Jazz are in fairly similar positions. The biggest difference between the 2 is that the 76ers may have more in terms of moveable assets. They also will have plenty of cap space to play with (31.4 pre draft picks). The 76ers might be able to build a team around Barkley and whoever they decide should stay.
4. San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs are in year 2 of their tanking. While last year's draft didn't seem to turn out any potential stars for the Spurs, the addition of Barkley would give the Spurs a name and player to build around. A front court of Lister and Barkley would be decent enough for the future (though obviously lacking right now). The biggest issue for the Spurs going forward is the remain players (mostly Jojo and Campy). Would a core of those two and Barkley allow the Spurs to tank again or would they be stuck in no mans land? Either way, as long as the Spurs land Barkley, they should be happy.
5. New Orleans Hornets
Might be the most interesting case on here. Commish David Ster...I mean Spencer is running the team and they do not have their next 2 draft picks thanks to Kobe. Does Spencer/next NO GM keep Barkley and build around him or does he get sent to Orlando for the Hornets next 2 picks? Personally, I'd keep him, give the team to someone else and let them figure it out while having a bit more time on the CY. Kobe did royally rape that franchise. All that aside, we can't forget what JUST happened in the NBA. Play is likely to have fun (or a bitch fest) with this whole situation.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves
First off, suck a dick. The Wolves definitely have a nice potential core already in place. With 5 more draft picks coming from this draft, landing Barkley with one of them would give the Wolves a core (Schayes, Barkley, Aguirre) that can possibly content for years to come. Wolves would also have another season of tanking to do if they so desire. The future would look very nice in Minny.
7. New York Knicks*
N/A. Don't own pick.
8. Dallas Mavericks
Greg's 2nd attempt at turning the Mavs into a champion would obviously be enhanced by the addition of Barkley. While the Mavs do have 3 rookies on roster, none of them really look like the stud potential type so Barkley would immediately be the team's best player. The Mavs have holes throughout so while Barkley would drop big numbers, the Mavs would still likely be a pretty bad teams for the next couple of seasons.
9. Miami Heat**
N/A. Don't own pick
10. Houston Rockets***
N/A. Don't own pick
11. Indiana Pacers****
N/A. Don't own pick
12. Cleveland Cavaliers*****
N/A. Don't own pick
13. Chicago Bulls
The Bulls still have a shot at the playoffs but if they end up on the outside looking in, they can take solace in the fact that they are now in the Barkley running. The Bulls already have a solid core in place and Barkley would give the Bulls a potentially scary core to build around or a massive trade asset.
*Phoenix Suns via New York Knicks
The first of the "someone else has this pick" group comes in at number 7. A Barkley addition to the Suns would give the Suns a starting front court of Laimbeer, Barkley and Bird. That alone is a scary, young front court that can easily be built around. The Suns can also just keep Carr and move Barkley for back court help. Either way, a Barkley addition to the Suns would be hell for the rest of the league.
**Minnesota Timberwolves via Miami Heat
I repeat the whole suck a dick thing. Anyways, if this pick jumps, the Wolves could end up having 2 top 7 picks. In a draft that's top heavy, that's a huge thing to build around and add to a solid young core.
***Los Angeles Clippers via Houston Rockets
The Clippers are an interesting team in that there really is no sense of direction. As was pointed out, only 3 trades in 7 seasons is a rather sad state of affair. Still, a Barkley addition would likely pump some life into LAC and hype himself. The Clippers could very likely pull of a very nice rebuild after. They have some solid trade able players and starting your rebuild with a player like Barkley is rare. If they stay put, Barkley gives them a nice 6 man and future starter at the 4 position if Neal or Lucas walks.
****Detroit Pistons via Indiana Pacers
A jump here for the Pistons would potentially give them 2 top 5 picks. Can't complain about that for the first tanking season. Obviously Barkley is the prize but with the 2nd top 5 pick, the Pistons can likely fill out one of those important positions I spoke about earlier.
*****Milwaukee Bucks via Cleveland Cavs
One of the two teams nobody wants to see Barkley land with (Suns being the other). The Bucks would have a high scoring, high rebounding back up for the next 4 seasons or a trade able assets for a better 2 guard if Blackman doesn't get better. Either way, Barkley to Mil would spell trouble for the rest of the league as long as Cheeks resigns.