Marc Stein, ESPN.com: I narrow it down to four. Orlando and New Jersey because they've got legit franchise players (for now) in Dwight Howard and Deron Williams. Next in line are the seemingly unfathomable twosome of the Grizzlies and Clippers … until you remember that Memphis was one game away from the West finals and that the Clips only need a piece or two more around Blake Griffin to be a real factor. At this point, if I had to pick one, I'd go with the Magic, since they'll be in go-for-it mode next season (if we have one) to try to convince Dwight to stay. But Memphis is actually closest when you look at the roster and everyone under contract.
Tim MacMahon, ESPN Dallas: Let's go with the Clippers because of Blake Griffin, an athletic freak with an outstanding work ethic who has multiple-MVP potential and some good young pieces around him. However, it's hard to believe that Donald Sterling won't find a way to screw up a promising situation.
Jeff Caplan, ESPN Dallas: My goodness, this is a tough call. None of these teams seem particularly close. Obviously the Grizzlies showed great potential, but we'll have to see about their staying power. How about this: the Clippers. Yep, the Clips. They've got a superstar-in-the-making in Blake Griffin, and if ownership/management play this right (I know, that's a huge leap of faith), they should be able to attract players around him. With Kobe getting older and the Lakers in transition, the time is right for that other L.A. to take center stage.
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