Now (FA) & Later (Draft): Best Bounceback Offseason

[ecuhus1981]

I noticed as I was going over some of my NBA spreadsheets, that there very well could be an interesting and rare confluence this summer.

The 6 teams with significant 2022-2023 capspace (each over $30mil, by my estimation) could all pick in the top half of the 2022 NBA Draft lottery. I know that you can do many things with capspace, and not every team that has it will want to make a splashy free agent signing. I also know that this isn't the deepest FA class. However, there are enough unrestricted free agents who suggest that they will play the field, as well as promising RFA's whose current teams have not been eager to offer market value extensions.

With a key offseason signing, AND a potentially high lottery draft selection, we could see a very robust middle class, and maybe even a rags-to-riches turnaround next season. Among these teams, I've arbitrarily assigned a draft pick and a FA acquisition. Which one do YOU think would constitute the biggest overall franchise improvement?

Orlando - Draft Chet Holmgren #1, sign Zach Lavine to 4yr max

Detroit - Draft Jabari Smith #2, sign DeAndre Ayton to 4yr max

Oklahoma City - Draft Paolo Banchero #4, sign Bradley Beal to 4yr max

Indiana - Draft AJ Griffin #5, sign Anfernee Simons to 4yr, $120mil

Portland - Draft Keegan Murray #6, sign James Harden to 4yr max

San Antonio - Draft Jalen Duren #7, sign Kyrie Irving to 4yr max

[ecuhus1981]

I'll add a 7th candidate as well, who doesn't fit the criteria but could make some noise this offseason.

Memphis. Already really really good, they have a projected $23mil in capspace, along with one late lotto pick (thanks, Lakers!), and 2 other last 1sts. Since they are already so deep with young talent, they may attempt to package those 3 1sts to move higher in the lottery for, say, Shaedon Sharpe. And while the don't have as much capspace as the former 6, $23mil could be enough to convince Dallas not to match for RFA Jalen Brunson. Adding those two to an already dominant Western Conference squad could make them even scarier.

Ok, the floor is yours, please share your thoughts!

[Nuntius]

I wanted to vote for Detroit but I got confused by the poll placement (in the OP, you mention Detroit second but in the poll Detroit is seventh) so I voted for Portland by accident. That said, the Portland deal would also lead to a major turnaround. I don't consider that package likely at all, though.

As for my team, Indiana, it doesn't make a lot of sense for us to go for Anfernee. I get that you're going for a hypothetical scenario here but the fit isn't there for us.