Who is the worst positioned team for the rest of the decade?

[SwagtoBurn]

I'm semi biased having a team in contention, but Imma go with the Kings

[LewisnotMiller]

I think the Lakers are in a deep hole, but I can't see it lasting more than 3 years.
Sac is always bad...but also never quite bad enough. That's almost worse than being awful, but I'm leaning the Wiz.

Beal just doesn't look like himself. Combine that with a Supermax...eeesh...

Maybe they'll learn from wall though

[dhsilv2]

Playing in New York City and at Madison Square Garden "doesn't help"?????

No...the media has been trying to argue it does for 20 years and it hasn't mattered to players. NYC is a cool place to spend a weekend at and the guarden is kinda cool like going to some outdated museum, but beyond that I don't think anyone really wants that to be their home court or where they live. And if they do, it seems guys would rather go play for the nets. We all can have our own biases as I honestly think NYC is the worst city I've ever been to, but my opinion or yours doesn't matter. It's NBA players and even if we go back to the 90's they just haven't been a destination for star players.

You're right, players haven't come to MSG to play, but theres one BIG hole in your little argument..."Going back to the 90's", there have been THREE times where they have had any significant cap space to bring a star. 2010, 2016, and 2020. As a franchise, up until the past 2ish years, the Knicks have continually been in the tax or way over the cap, filled with bad long-term deals attached to aging veterans.

High profile players consistently mention that MSG is their favorite place to play, or NY is what they circle on the calendar when the schedule comes out.


=

“I always kind of dreamed about playing in New York and what that would have been like. It’s true. As a fan, the Garden was the historical arena...So, I always wanted to be a part of that history and play in it. So, New York was a team … it would have been pretty good to play in that city.” - Kobe Bryant

There are countless others too.

It's fine to not like the city, but thats a minority opinion, and to not recognize that is pure idiocy.

Again, players enjoy going to NY, like it's a fun vacation spot for them. Players are CONSTANTLY able to force there way to teams, without it going through free agency. They haven't forced their way to NYC!

[TravisScott55]

Always the KIngs

[Scalabrine]

No...the media has been trying to argue it does for 20 years and it hasn't mattered to players. NYC is a cool place to spend a weekend at and the guarden is kinda cool like going to some outdated museum, but beyond that I don't think anyone really wants that to be their home court or where they live. And if they do, it seems guys would rather go play for the nets. We all can have our own biases as I honestly think NYC is the worst city I've ever been to, but my opinion or yours doesn't matter. It's NBA players and even if we go back to the 90's they just haven't been a destination for star players.

You're right, players haven't come to MSG to play, but theres one BIG hole in your little argument..."Going back to the 90's", there have been THREE times where they have had any significant cap space to bring a star. 2010, 2016, and 2020. As a franchise, up until the past 2ish years, the Knicks have continually been in the tax or way over the cap, filled with bad long-term deals attached to aging veterans.

High profile players consistently mention that MSG is their favorite place to play, or NY is what they circle on the calendar when the schedule comes out.


=

“I always kind of dreamed about playing in New York and what that would have been like. It’s true. As a fan, the Garden was the historical arena...So, I always wanted to be a part of that history and play in it. So, New York was a team … it would have been pretty good to play in that city.” - Kobe Bryant

There are countless others too.

It's fine to not like the city, but thats a minority opinion, and to not recognize that is pure idiocy.

Again, players enjoy going to NY, like it's a fun vacation spot for them. Players are CONSTANTLY able to force there way to teams, without it going through free agency. They haven't forced their way to NYC!

I agree that it hasn't happened, but you cant force your way to a team that has no picks to trade, good contracts to move, or any blue chip prospects. You have to recognize that that's been the case for the Knicks for past 20 years consistently aside from 2-3 seasons. I'd blame that way more on management and ownership, which definitely plays a role in this conversation, than the actual location and stadium of the franchise, which to me is an absolutely ridiculous argument in most cases.

[VFX]

Surprised to not see the Magic higher.

No go-to player.
Players always injured and bad management of injuries.
Drafting history is questionable.
Limited valuable assets outside of draft picks.

Kings actually have a 2x all-star in Sabonis.
A lot of these teams have trade value in their current all-star level players.
0 current all-stars in Orlando.

[FAH1223]

Washington

Sent from my CPH2135 using RealGM mobile app

How? Besides the 2023 1st rounder protected that's owned by OKC via HOU from the Westbrook trade, Bullets have their picks.

Beal's max contract will be a drag. Porzingis isn't locked up beyond 2023-24.

They just need to learn how to draft. Nothing else matters. Hachimura isn't it. Avdija shouldn't have been taken over Haliburton. Kispert is OK but not going to be a high end starter. Daniel Gafford is good. Isaiah Todd doesn't know how to play basketball.

[kuclas]

A lot can change. But small market (or even larger market teams (Houston /Philadelphia/washington who normally don’t get big free agents but have big contracts though wall is expiring)

Right now the same teams in small markets like Portland Sacramento with max contract players are not in good shape. Even with Portland shredding salary. Just pray they draft well

Portland
Indiana
Sacromento.

And believe this. I don’t think okc is in good shape either eve with all their draft picks. They need to be picking in the 1-3 slot for 3 straight seasons.

[dhsilv2]

You're right, players haven't come to MSG to play, but theres one BIG hole in your little argument..."Going back to the 90's", there have been THREE times where they have had any significant cap space to bring a star. 2010, 2016, and 2020. As a franchise, up until the past 2ish years, the Knicks have continually been in the tax or way over the cap, filled with bad long-term deals attached to aging veterans.

High profile players consistently mention that MSG is their favorite place to play, or NY is what they circle on the calendar when the schedule comes out.


=




There are countless others too.

It's fine to not like the city, but thats a minority opinion, and to not recognize that is pure idiocy.

Again, players enjoy going to NY, like it's a fun vacation spot for them. Players are CONSTANTLY able to force there way to teams, without it going through free agency. They haven't forced their way to NYC!

I agree that it hasn't happened, but you cant force your way to a team that has no picks to trade, good contracts to move, or any blue chip prospects. You have to recognize that that's been the case for the Knicks for past 20 years consistently aside from 2-3 seasons. I'd blame that way more on management and ownership, which definitely plays a role in this conversation, than the actual location and stadium of the franchise, which to me is an absolutely ridiculous argument in most cases.

High taxes, even being crazy rich, these guys aren't getting huge mansions like they would elsewhere, and NYC isn't warm. For all the benefits of the night life and social aspect, it's not a place to raise a family for those guys who are nearing 30 and looking to make a move. The knicks might do REALLY well if we removed the draft and let the 20 something's pick where they want to go to start out. But as these guys get older, that's going to be a less appealing city to live in, which shouldn't come as a shocker either.

[KokoKaizer]

Surprised to not see the Magic higher.

No go-to player.
Players always injured and bad management of injuries.
Drafting history is questionable.
Limited valuable assets outside of draft picks.

Kings actually have a 2x all-star in Sabonis.
A lot of these teams have trade value in their current all-star level players.
0 current all-stars in Orlando.

We suck and no one cares.

Simple as that

[JoeyLightYears]

The answer to this question is always the Knicks

[Lalouie]

jazz won't be too smashing

they're a losing mitchell away from being utterly destitute. conley has had it and clarkson won't be a good starter, and then everyone will see gobert as an add-on piece instead of the star they think he is.

i mean i look at 6-15 and after i finish laughing i figure conley is done and mitchell is built for the bright lights of a major market city.

and their ceiling was yesterday

[HabsAndDubs]

Surprised to not see the Magic higher.

No go-to player.
Players always injured and bad management of injuries.
Drafting history is questionable.
Limited valuable assets outside of draft picks.

Kings actually have a 2x all-star in Sabonis.
A lot of these teams have trade value in their current all-star level players.
0 current all-stars in Orlando.

Came here to say this, and by the same argument, Indiana. Sure they have some nice pieces, but no one who can become That Guy. The only way for them to right the ship is if an AD for all the Lakers young guy trade is available for someone who wants to go play in Florida and become the face of a blank slate franchise.

I think the Pacers are worse off though. Hali is a terrific player, but he’s not a guy who will compliment a contender, not lift a bad team’s floor. But guys like him are going to prevent them from bottoming out, and they’ll stay a 10-13 seed for years to come.

[VFX]

Surprised to not see the Magic higher.

No go-to player.
Players always injured and bad management of injuries.
Drafting history is questionable.
Limited valuable assets outside of draft picks.

Kings actually have a 2x all-star in Sabonis.
A lot of these teams have trade value in their current all-star level players.
0 current all-stars in Orlando.

Came here to say this, and by the same argument, Indiana. Sure they have some nice pieces, but no one who can become That Guy. The only way for them to right the ship is if an AD for all the Lakers young guy trade is available for someone who wants to go play in Florida and become the face of a blank slate franchise.

I think the Pacers are worse off though. Hali is a terrific player, but he’s not a guy who will compliment a contender, not lift a bad team’s floor. But guys like him are going to prevent them from bottoming out, and they’ll stay a 10-13 seed for years to come.

Yeah I can see Indiana and Orlando in the same situation.

All the other options have some kind of way to move assets and get better.

[Jadoogar]

the ever green answer is the Kings. No real superstar potential on their roster. They went so hard for the play in tournament and couldn't even manage that

Wizards are stuck in no man's land and if they sign Beal to a max, oof.

Underrated pick - Blazers. They are kinda similar to the Wizards. Star player (even older than Beal) who's not quite in that upper echelon, bad supporting cast, some young players with potential but hard to see a future superstar.

Lakers have given up a ton of picks but they are also the Lakers. Just a matter of time before another star free agent.

[Jadoogar]

You're right, players haven't come to MSG to play, but theres one BIG hole in your little argument..."Going back to the 90's", there have been THREE times where they have had any significant cap space to bring a star. 2010, 2016, and 2020. As a franchise, up until the past 2ish years, the Knicks have continually been in the tax or way over the cap, filled with bad long-term deals attached to aging veterans.

High profile players consistently mention that MSG is their favorite place to play, or NY is what they circle on the calendar when the schedule comes out.


=




There are countless others too.

It's fine to not like the city, but thats a minority opinion, and to not recognize that is pure idiocy.

Again, players enjoy going to NY, like it's a fun vacation spot for them. Players are CONSTANTLY able to force there way to teams, without it going through free agency. They haven't forced their way to NYC!

I agree that it hasn't happened, but you cant force your way to a team that has no picks to trade, good contracts to move, or any blue chip prospects. You have to recognize that that's been the case for the Knicks for past 20 years consistently aside from 2-3 seasons. I'd blame that way more on management and ownership, which definitely plays a role in this conversation, than the actual location and stadium of the franchise, which to me is an absolutely ridiculous argument in most cases.

Kyrie and KD basically had the choice between the Knicks and the Nets and chose the Nets because they were better managed and had better supporting players already in place.

[ropjhk]

If location were not a consideration I'd say the Lakers are in the worst position. But by virtue of being the Lakers and being in LA I boosted their rank and so in my mind the Kings are in the worst position.

[MarcusBrody]

I'm going with:

Tier 1: No direction, no young stars to hang their hat on
Lakers
Wizards
Kings (Kings graduate to tier 1A if they hire Mark Jackson, and stand alone at the mountaintop of suck)
Portland

Tier 2: Have direction, but a lot of uncertainty
Detroit
Houston
OKC

Tier 3: Unclear direction, pivotal offseason
Utah
Knicks
Hornets
Pacers

Tier 4: Underachievers, very possible to rebound
Nets
Hawks
Nuggets
Clippers

The rest are in the top 15

Tier 4 is interesting.

I don't really see the Hawks or Nuggets here. The Hawks have lots of young talent. They need to make some moves, but unless they totally screw those moves up, I don't think that they're going to be outside of the playoffs much for the rest of the decade, so I can't put them on the worst list. The Nuggets are the same. This year was basically worst case scenario for them with 2/3 of their best players getting hurt and contributing nothing at all and a number of other injuries. And yet they won 48 games and made the playoffs. Jokic will still be in his prime for most of the rest of the decade, so barring something happening to him, I think they'll be fine (though not contenders unless Murray/Porter return and play well). Bones and Zeke look like they'll be contributors going forward as well, so their development will help things stay stable.

The Clippers/Nets are in a different position as their stars are older and so I can see them trying harder to win now in the next two years, which gives more of a chance of an immediate bounceback, but also more of a chance of the second half of the decade mired in really bad teams.

[dc]

Surprised to not see the Magic higher.

No go-to player.
Players always injured and bad management of injuries.
Drafting history is questionable.
Limited valuable assets outside of draft picks.

Kings actually have a 2x all-star in Sabonis.
A lot of these teams have trade value in their current all-star level players.
0 current all-stars in Orlando.

The Magic are in warm weather Florida and have no state taxes. They once beat out the big market teams in the big FA sweepstakes.

It was once a destination city for NBA players and one day could be again. Shaq always speaks well of his Orlando experience. I think when Lebron went to the Heat in 2010, Miami took the mantle away from Orlando as the place to be in Florida (among NBA players) and it's kind of stayed that way since. And yeah, when I was at a Heat-Magic game in Orlando about 2 years ago, the arena was >50% rooting for the Heat with extremely loud "Let's go Heat" chants.

But Magic have natural advantages and it wouldn't take much for them to get back to their status from about 20 years ago.

[Desiderium]

Knicks should be way higher in the polls