The 2016-17 WTF are you Ranking Teams this Early For? Rankings

[ElectricMayhem]

I think it might be interesting to look at our changing views of the Eastern Conference at various points in the offseason (now, post-draft, post-FA, preseason). Obviously we don't know what blockbuster trades or signing are going to happen yet so if you have a serious aversion to uneducated guessing, you are excused from this activity.

1) Cleveland Cavaliers: As long as they keep LeBron, they should be in the top spot. They'll likely keep their big 3. They should have enough cap space to sign a mid-tier bench player (a ring-hunting vet?) and if they want to spend they can match any offer on Delly after that. Beyond that, there will probably be little change with this team.

2) Boston Celtics: They've got the pieces to make a huge move or two this summer. Even if they play it conservative, they'll still be adding a nice lottery pick to one of the most improved teams in the NBA. They are the most likely team to grab someone like Butler, Cousins, or Anthony. They've also got the cap space to go big in free agency.

3) Detroit Pistons: I kind of surprised myself putting them this high. BUT look at our record down the stretch with Tobias Harris in the lineup. We should have the same lineup next year with hopefully a couple free agents and a draft pick to patch up our bench. We've got one of the youngest starting lineups in the league so we should only get better. It's also possible (but doubtful) that we cash in assets for a star in the offseason.

4) Washington Wizards: The Wizards dug themselves a huge hole in the beginning of the year and still clawed their way back to .500. Now they've made a huge upgrade at coach from Wittman to Brooks. I'm not saying Brooks is a worldbeater. He's not. He's average. But that is still a huge upgrade. Add their cap space to that and even without a Durant homecoming, they are in position for a comeback year.

5) Toronto Raptors: There are a lot of questions surrounding Toronto after their most successful year yet. Will DeRozan be back? Could they actually be better if he left and they shifted their focus to other players? Will Lowry's elbow be healed and head be on straight? Will Val make another jump? Will they discover the joys of ball movement?

6) Atlanta Hawks: This is another team with huge questions. The main one is circling around Horford. If he leaves, are they still competitive? If they get swept by the Cavs (especially in the fashion they are having their ***es handed to them thus far), do they realize they aren't competitive and blow it up? If I were Atlanta, I'd let Horford go and trade away Korver and Teague, building around whatever is left.

7) Charlotte Hornets: They had a huge year and were great down the stretch. Still, they are a team full of free agents and won't be able to bring the same team back. I think they will still bring the playoffs back. Clifford has shown that his only known kryptonite is Lance Stephenson.

8) Indiana Pacers: Highly dependent on their next coach. It's somewhat difficult putting them in the playoffs when a dropoff in coaching can be expected. Still, any team with Paul George will be in the mix.

9) Miami Heat: I expected a large dropoff without Bosh, but it hasn't happened. Still, Wade will be yet another year older next year, Bosh's playing future is in peril, and they may not be able to resign Whiteside. They've got some nice young pieces. If Wade is around and healthy I'm sure he'll try to pull this team to the playoffs, but it could be one of those periodic Miami tank years.

10) Orlando Magic: They've got pressure to make good on the cap space opened up from the Tobias Harris trade. Remember when we had that pressure? It resulted in Ben Gordon and Charlie V. Still, I expect Orlando to go all in on some kind of talent and end up an improved team. Just not quite enough to make the playoffs yet.

11) Milwaukee Bucks: They've got a lot of talent, it's just that none of it fits together. The problem is, I don't have faith that they can sort their issues out this upcoming offseason. If they can, they could be back in the playoff hunt. Who's going to shoot for them, though?

12) Chicago Bulls: Their team could look a LOT different next year. Gasol's reportedly leaving. Noah didn't seem too happy with Hoiberg. Neither was Jimmy Butler. Any or all of those guys could get shipped out. Or they could try to win with the same core hoping for less injuries next year. I don't feel like these guys enjoyed playing ball together, though, which is a big red flag. Ole!

13) New York Knicks: I want to think Phil Jackson will make the right call. Give this team Blatt or Vogel. Give up on your triangle-crush. Let the fact that you've got a great young player and an all-star playing for a higher-tier coach in a big market draw free agents in. So why do I think it's going to be Rambis again? Why do I think the Knicks are going to continue to blow their inherent advantages?

14) Philadelphia 76ers: Philly's making their move! The tank is off and they are moving up in the world. One slot, at least. They've still got hard times ahead, but another high draft pick and the maturation of their current guys will aid their slow ascension.

15) Brooklyn Nets: They have shaven off the contracts of Williams and Johnson, but they will still have a difficult time drawing free agents until the damage inflicted by Billy King is undone. Next year will not be their year.

[joedumars1]

Nice breakdown. Only one problem

1. Detroit Pistons: well because they're the Detroit Pistons lol


I actually think 3 is fair tho

[Moses ShamMoses]

3 and 4 seems too high for Detroit and Washington. I think Detroit is more like 5 and Washington 7 or 8. Also, I don't see Miami out of the playoffs next year (bye bye Charlotte or Atlanta if they rebuild) I think they will be 6.

[BadMofoPimp]

I think Boston is in the best position to move up and contend if they play their cards right. They have a top 5 NBA coach with an exciting PG with a bunch of young talent around him. Then, they have enough money to sign (2) Max Free Agents to go with their top 3 draft pick. Future may be bright there. Will be interesting.

[Laimbeer]

Charlotte, Indiana, and Miami should probably be higher.

[Spider156]

I believe next season we'll be in the Top 4 for sure. Just from internal improvement let alone a draft pick and a solid FA. I say trade the draft pick unless a veteran senior drops to us. Would love Markieff on this team, I believe in him. With that said, watch out for Boston to be in the Top 2 and to be a dominant franchise for the next 5 years. Might get Durant and Howard? Al Horford? I think Durant could go there or even the Mavs. But Boston's coach is really great! I think Toronto will be losing Derozan to go to LA along with Paul George. Yup. But there's also a chance of Durant going there too. All three could be there! That's the power of LA and I hope it happens too. Washington will make the Playoffs but they'll be as good as they were with Pierce last season. Talent is still talent and they're getting older. Bulls might drop. Bucks might get better but only if they trade Monroe. Charlotte could be Top 4 too. They're pretty good. Knicks? LOL they'll do the same thing they do every year. Pay a bunch of empty stats players and not make the Playoffs yet again.

[Manocad]

I'm going 4-5 next year.