TOO EARLY: Predict the tanking order for 2025

[Decipher]

I think people are overrating the Spurs a little bit. I love Wemby as much as the next guy and i think the Chris Paul signing was brilliant but the Spurs are very young/shallow to make a real run at the playoffs.

CP3 is injury prone and the chances of him being available for a significant amount of games is extremely remote

[tmorgan]

If the Spurs make the playoffs, even through the play-in, Wemby’s finishing top 5 in MVP voting as a sophomore.

[TimDunkin]

It's really hard to project the Spurs' record next season. They closed the season playing close to .500 with wins against really good teams and while resting Wemby, Vassell, Keldon, and Sochan intermittently. They also ended up trotting out a 2 PG lineup that was way more effective than the 0 PG lineup they started the year with.

Based on internal growth and lineups, I could see the Spurs having a Rockets leap and getting a lot closer to .500 - making the play-in possible but not probable. In my opinion, the Clippers and Warriors are candidates to fall out of the playoffs/play-in and it wouldn't be earth-shattering if Lakers/Suns got hit with injuries or issues that set them back. Either way, the Grizzlies (barring injuries) are a lock to jump back into the playoffs and the Rockets are deeper and more likely than the Spurs to jump up.

My tanking teams:1) Nets; 2) Washington; 3) Blazers; 4) Chicago; 5) Raptors; 6) Charlotte; 7) Utah (if Lauri is traded)

[meat tray]

I think Utah is going to be a lot worse than people are projecting, regardless if they keep Lauri. 9 of their rostered players are on their summer league team. They only have 4 legitimate NBA vets in Lauri, Collins, Sexton, and Clarkson, and I suspect Clarkson will be dumped before the offseason is over. That's a bottom 5 team.

[oldncreaky]

It's really hard to project the Spurs' record next season. They closed the season playing close to .500 with wins against really good teams and while resting Wemby, Vassell, Keldon, and Sochan intermittently. They also ended up trotting out a 2 PG lineup that was way more effective than the 0 PG lineup they started the year with.

Based on internal growth and lineups, I could see the Spurs having a Rockets leap and getting a lot closer to .500 - making the play-in possible but not probable. In my opinion, the Clippers and Warriors are candidates to fall out of the playoffs/play-in and it wouldn't be earth-shattering if Lakers/Suns got hit with injuries or issues that set them back. Either way, the Grizzlies (barring injuries) are a lock to jump back into the playoffs and the Rockets are deeper and more likely than the Spurs to jump up.

My tanking teams:1) Nets; 2) Washington; 3) Blazers; 4) Chicago; 5) Raptors; 6) Charlotte; 7) Utah (if Lauri is traded)

From a Pistons fan . . . I think you forgot one

[TimDunkin]

It's really hard to project the Spurs' record next season. They closed the season playing close to .500 with wins against really good teams and while resting Wemby, Vassell, Keldon, and Sochan intermittently. They also ended up trotting out a 2 PG lineup that was way more effective than the 0 PG lineup they started the year with.

Based on internal growth and lineups, I could see the Spurs having a Rockets leap and getting a lot closer to .500 - making the play-in possible but not probable. In my opinion, the Clippers and Warriors are candidates to fall out of the playoffs/play-in and it wouldn't be earth-shattering if Lakers/Suns got hit with injuries or issues that set them back. Either way, the Grizzlies (barring injuries) are a lock to jump back into the playoffs and the Rockets are deeper and more likely than the Spurs to jump up.

My tanking teams:1) Nets; 2) Washington; 3) Blazers; 4) Chicago; 5) Raptors; 6) Charlotte; 7) Utah (if Lauri is traded)

From a Pistons fan . . . I think you forgot one

I was hoping the Pistons would at least put effort into winning. They may end up in the bottom of the East but purposefully?

[oldncreaky]

It's really hard to project the Spurs' record next season. They closed the season playing close to .500 with wins against really good teams and while resting Wemby, Vassell, Keldon, and Sochan intermittently. They also ended up trotting out a 2 PG lineup that was way more effective than the 0 PG lineup they started the year with.

Based on internal growth and lineups, I could see the Spurs having a Rockets leap and getting a lot closer to .500 - making the play-in possible but not probable. In my opinion, the Clippers and Warriors are candidates to fall out of the playoffs/play-in and it wouldn't be earth-shattering if Lakers/Suns got hit with injuries or issues that set them back. Either way, the Grizzlies (barring injuries) are a lock to jump back into the playoffs and the Rockets are deeper and more likely than the Spurs to jump up.

My tanking teams:1) Nets; 2) Washington; 3) Blazers; 4) Chicago; 5) Raptors; 6) Charlotte; 7) Utah (if Lauri is traded)

From a Pistons fan . . . I think you forgot one

I was hoping the Pistons would at least put effort into winning. They may end up in the bottom of the East but purposefully?

First game of the season every team is aiming to win. We started last season winning 2 of our first 3 games . . .

I don't think Toronto or Charlotte pivot to a tank before the TDL at the earliest. With 7 weaker teams in the EC, at least 2 of them will be in the mix for the play-in, and my money is on 2 of ATL CHO and TOR to be in that mix. All those teams have flaws, but they do have some talent, an identifiable core, and should be competitive baring injuries. Pistons, OTOH have more issues than I can count on one hand, and advancing to 30 wins seems like a stretch.

[TimDunkin]

From a Pistons fan . . . I think you forgot one

I was hoping the Pistons would at least put effort into winning. They may end up in the bottom of the East but purposefully?

First game of the season every team is aiming to win. We started last season winning 2 of our first 3 games . . .

I don't think Toronto or Charlotte pivot to a tank before the TDL at the earliest. With 7 weaker teams in the EC, at least 2 of them will be in the mix for the play-in, and my money is on 2 of ATL CHO and TOR to be in that mix. All those teams have flaws, but they do have some talent, an identifiable core, and should be competitive baring injuries. Pistons, OTOH have more issues than I can count on one hand, and advancing to 30 wins seems like a stretch.

Then my condolences. That’s a long tank.

[oldncreaky]

I was hoping the Pistons would at least put effort into winning. They may end up in the bottom of the East but purposefully?

First game of the season every team is aiming to win. We started last season winning 2 of our first 3 games . . .

I don't think Toronto or Charlotte pivot to a tank before the TDL at the earliest. With 7 weaker teams in the EC, at least 2 of them will be in the mix for the play-in, and my money is on 2 of ATL CHO and TOR to be in that mix. All those teams have flaws, but they do have some talent, an identifiable core, and should be competitive baring injuries. Pistons, OTOH have more issues than I can count on one hand, and advancing to 30 wins seems like a stretch.

Then my condolences. That’s a long tank.

15 years and counting . . .

[MessiahUjiri]

I think people are overrating the Spurs a little bit. I love Wemby as much as the next guy and i think the Chris Paul signing was brilliant but the Spurs are very young/shallow to make a real run at the playoffs.

Look at their depth chart. A lot depends on CP3s health, Wemby’s next leap, and the SG question mark. But overall, this could easily sneak into the playin.



PG
Chris Paul
Tre Jones
Juan Nunez
Blake Wesley

SG
Devin Vassell
Stephon Castle
Malaki Branham

SF
Harrison Barnes SF/PF
Keldon Johnson
Julian Champagnie

PF
Jeremy Sochan
Harrison Ingram

C
Victor Webenyama
Zach Collins
Charles Bassey

[Jadoogar]

I think people are overrating the Spurs a little bit. I love Wemby as much as the next guy and i think the Chris Paul signing was brilliant but the Spurs are very young/shallow to make a real run at the playoffs.

Look at their depth chart. A lot depends on CP3s health, Wemby’s next leap, and the SG question mark. But overall, this could easily sneak into the playin.



PG
Chris Paul
Tre Jones
Juan Nunez
Blake Wesley

SG
Devin Vassell
Stephon Castle
Malaki Branham

SF
Harrison Barnes SF/PF
Keldon Johnson
Julian Champagnie

PF
Jeremy Sochan
Harrison Ingram

C
Victor Webenyama
Zach Collins
Charles Bassey

this honestly doesn't look that impressive (outside of Wemby). Castle is a rookie. Chris Paul is a 100 years old. Vassell is solid but not an allstar. Compare this roster to the other teams that will be fighting for the 4-9 seeds. Lakers/Warriors/Suns/Clippers are more established, Pelicans/Grizzlies have proven stars and more depth, even the rockets/kings have more depth for regular season success. Some of these teams will have injuries but Spurs would have to beat out a bunch of these teams for a playoff spot.

[MessiahUjiri]

I think people are overrating the Spurs a little bit. I love Wemby as much as the next guy and i think the Chris Paul signing was brilliant but the Spurs are very young/shallow to make a real run at the playoffs.

Look at their depth chart. A lot depends on CP3s health, Wemby’s next leap, and the SG question mark. But overall, this could easily sneak into the playin.



PG
Chris Paul
Tre Jones
Juan Nunez
Blake Wesley

SG
Devin Vassell
Stephon Castle
Malaki Branham

SF
Harrison Barnes SF/PF
Keldon Johnson
Julian Champagnie

PF
Jeremy Sochan
Harrison Ingram

C
Victor Webenyama
Zach Collins
Charles Bassey

this honestly doesn't look that impressive (outside of Wemby). Castle is a rookie. Chris Paul is a 100 years old. Vassell is solid but not an allstar. Compare this roster to the other teams that will be fighting for the 4-9 seeds. Lakers/Warriors/Suns/Clippers are more established, Pelicans/Grizzlies have proven stars and more depth, even the rockets/kings have more depth for regular season success. Some of these teams will have injuries but Spurs would have to beat out a bunch of these teams for a playoff spot.

Yeah I don’t think they’ll be anything more than a playin team, and not in the top 8.

But it’s important to mention: Those other teams don’t have many assets to improve. If the Spurs feel like they should go for the playoffs, they have many assets at their disposal. So there’s more upside potential here compared to teams like Clippers/Warriors/Lakers

[jbk1234]

I think people are overrating the Spurs a little bit. I love Wemby as much as the next guy and i think the Chris Paul signing was brilliant but the Spurs are very young/shallow to make a real run at the playoffs.

Look at their depth chart. A lot depends on CP3s health, Wemby’s next leap, and the SG question mark. But overall, this could easily sneak into the playin.



PG
Chris Paul
Tre Jones
Juan Nunez
Blake Wesley

SG
Devin Vassell
Stephon Castle
Malaki Branham

SF
Harrison Barnes SF/PF
Keldon Johnson
Julian Champagnie

PF
Jeremy Sochan
Harrison Ingram

C
Victor Webenyama
Zach Collins
Charles Bassey

Even if you add 5 wins for the failed Sochan experiment last season, and another 5 for Barnes and CP3 acquisitions (and that seems generous), 32 wins will not get you to the play-in in West, or the East for that matter. The Spurs are still a long ways away.

[R-DAWG]

And with DET, WAS, BKN and CHI all in the EC, and all looking lottery bound, I think one of the ATL/CHA/TOR trio will be over .500, firmly in the play-in -- and possibly fooled into exiting a rebuild too soon

yup, whichever is most healthy will be in the play-in

I can see Toronto and/or Charlotte turning into a tank team midway through the season

[oldncreaky]

And with DET, WAS, BKN and CHI all in the EC, and all looking lottery bound, I think one of the ATL/CHA/TOR trio will be over .500, firmly in the play-in -- and possibly fooled into exiting a rebuild too soon

yup, whichever is most healthy will be in the play-in

I can see Toronto and/or Charlotte turning into a tank team midway through the season

Agree. Any team sitting outside the play-in at the TDL should (will?) tank. Atlanta could too.

None of those 3 teams are good enough to withstand a couple of key injuries. Charlotte has fallen apart any time LaMelo got injured the last few years. Toronto without Poeltl or Scottie is tiny and roadkill. Atlanta looks younger with less proven depth and are coming off 36 wins. As Godaddy says, the most healthy of the three teams is pretty much handed a play-in spot by default, and if any teams above them gets hammered by injuries, maybe even 7th or 8th.

It's just a reflection of the fact that with 10 of 15 EC teams in the play-in or better, it is difficult to have 7 tanking teams in one conference -- somebody has to win some games.

[R-DAWG]

yup, whichever is most healthy will be in the play-in

I can see Toronto and/or Charlotte turning into a tank team midway through the season

Agree. Any team sitting outside the play-in at the TDL should (will?) tank. Atlanta could too.

None of those 3 teams are good enough to withstand a couple of key injuries. Charlotte has fallen apart any time LaMelo got injured the last few years. Toronto without Poeltl or Scottie is tiny and roadkill. Atlanta looks younger with less proven depth and are coming off 36 wins. As Godaddy says, the most healthy of the three teams is pretty much handed a play-in spot by default, and if any teams above them gets hammered by injuries, maybe even 7th or 8th.

It's just a reflection of the fact that with 10 of 15 EC teams in the play-in or better, it is difficult to have 7 tanking teams in one conference -- somebody has to win some games.

The top of the East pretty much looks like:
Boston

New York (although I could see NY grabbing the one seed given Boston’s need to load manage Al without KP for half the year)

Philly/Milwaukee (both have higher ceilings as a playoff team than regular season team given roster age/health)

Cleveland

Miami, Indiana, Orlando

Likely competing for the last 2 play in spots are Toronto, Atlanta with an outside that a team takes a leap - the most likely candidates being Detroit or Charlotte