Report: The Dallas Mavericks, Brooklyn Nets And Memphis Grizzlies Are Projected To Make The Playoffs. What Will Be The Outcome For The Rest Of The Organizations That Still Have A Fighting Chance?
The NBA is back! A few days ago, the commissioner of the NBA, Adam Silver, announced that basketball is expected to return at the end of July.
Before COVID-19 bursted into an uncontrollable pandemic, analysts and fans had a concrete idea of what teams would be contending and tanking. However, with a few months of no basketball, some organizations have benefited from this long pause, while others may lose the momentum that they previously had. Furthermore, the NBA was already up for grabs as there was no set in stone winner to determine who will win the 2019-20 NBA championship. However, with the season returning, what will be the outcome for the teams that are still seeking to clinch a playoff spot?
Let’s take a look at what every team’s ceiling and projection looks like for when the NBA returns.
NOTE: This list is in numeric order from the worst record to the best record that hasn’t clinched a playoff spot. THIS IS NOT A TIER LIST!
Washington Wizards
Record: 24-40
Ceiling: Playoffs/ First round exit
Projection: Lottery team
The Washington Wizards are one of the few teams in the NBA that have a chance to be significantly better when the season returns. With the rumours circling the internet left and right, reports suggest that All-Star point guard John Wall will look to return to help the Wizards make the playoffs. From Bradley Beal playing like an MVP calibre player this season, the Wizards have a decent chance at making the playoffs, but that’s it. The All-Star back-court could return; however, the rest of the roster is very weak as the next best players are Rui Hachimura, who is a rookie and Thomas Bryant, who was dealing with injuries throughout the entire season. Washington could very well make it to the playoffs and knock out the Orlando Magic or the Brooklyn Nets, however, John Wall hasn’t played basketball for a while and would need some time to get comfortable in playing professional basketball again.
Phoenix Suns
Record: 26-39
Ceiling: Lottery team
Projection: Lottery team
Devin Booker has played phenomenal basketball this season as he continues to produce elite numbers while also being named an All-Star. With Phoenix barely being eligible to make a return, the Suns have to win every single game if they want to make the playoffs. However, the Suns this season early on showed some promise but was short-lived as they went back into reality and realized that they are still a few years away from potentially being a top organization in the NBA. But for this season, the Suns will look to continue their streak of missing the playoffs by merely an inch and will enter the draft with a lottery pick.
San Antonio Spurs
Record: 27-36
Ceiling: Playoffs/ First Round Exit
Projection: Lottery Team
In the last 20-25 years, the San Antonio Spurs have been the most consistent team in NBA history. From making the playoffs every single season to winning five championships, the Spurs have been one of the most annoying teams to face while also being the most respected. However, this season, the Spurs have struggled and are currently breaking their playoff streak as they struggled to win games despite having the best coach in the NBA being Greg Popovich. But, similarly to the Washington Wizards, the Spurs have a chance to continue their playoff streak as they have two former All-Stars in LaMarcus Aldridge and Demar DeRozen. With these two vets on the team, the Spurs have an advantage over other teams as they have a mixture of young talent and experience. The Spurs ceiling is the Playoffs because they have a terrific coach and experienced players, however, if they play basketball the same way they did before COVID-19, they will be at the bottom of the league.
Sacramento Kings
Record: 28-36
Ceiling: Lottery Team
Projection: Lottery Team
Although the Kings may have a better record than the previous teams mentioned, Sacramento is a young team that is still learning while also understanding what direction they want to be in. In the 2018-19 season, the Kings played phenomenally and became a fan favourite team to watch for many NBA fans. Yet rather than having a better season, the Kings managed to regress and, as a result, are in a situation where they will most likely miss the playoffs for another year. The only positive aspect that this organization has is, their team, for the most part, is completely healthy. If they can gel together, then the Kings have a legitimate chance to make the playoffs, but that is very unlikely. From the inconsistent coaching to the horrible front office, the Kings have to fix many of their internal problems before they can even think about making the playoffs.
New Orleans Pelicans
Record: 28-36
Ceiling: Playoffs/ First Round Exit
Projection: Lottery Team
With the emergence of Zion Williamson and the downfall of Anthony Davis, the Pelicans have managed to quickly rebuild a roster that can be incredible if healthy. With three months of no basketball, a team like the Pelicans could benefit massively and could also be threats to other playoff contending teams. However, what makes the Pelicans worthy enough to make the playoffs is the emergence of Brandon Ingram and the upside of Lonzo Ball, Zion Williamson and the rest of the young core that the Pelicans possess. The advantage that the Pelicans gained from having a few months off from playing basketball is, they are one of the few teams that needed a bit of a break and recoup to become a playoff contender. With Zion returning to the NBA with fresh legs, it would be tough to see the Pelicans not make the playoffs considering that Zion was an unstoppable tank when he did play before COVID-19. The only weakness that this team has that could very well ruin their chances is that they have no experience other than Derrick Favors and JJ Reddick, who are both role players. The Pelicans have a ceiling to reach the playoffs if Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram can both take their games to the next step, however, they lack experience and need to play more games together to be viewed as a playoff team.
Portland Trailblazers
Record: 29-37
Ceiling: Playoffs/ First Or Second Round Exit
Projection: Lottery Team
Entering this season, many NBA fans felt that with Hassan Whitside, the Blazers would be even better than the previous season. However, from the departure of players like Seth Curry, Al Farouq Aminu, and Maurice Harkless to losing Rodney Hood via injury, the Blazers have a solid core with a weak bench. On paper, the Blazers should have already clinched a playoff spot but instead are currently fighting for a seventh or eighth spot, which is problematic. Damian Lillard is the best player fighting for a playoff spot, and in theory, the best player usually produces the best outcome. The Blazer’s ceiling is to make the playoffs, but the rest of the roster has struggled to convince anyone that they can make the playoffs. Even though NBA fans want to see Damian Lillard make the playoffs, it will not happen if the rest of the roster refuses to show up when it matters the most.
Orlando Magic
Record: 30-35
Ceiling: Playoffs/ First round exit
Projection: Playoffs
Orlando is the first team to appear on this list, where they are technically in the playoffs. The Magic are currently the eighth seed while also being six games ahead from the ninth seed and a game away from becoming the seventh seed. Overall, the Magic are in a good position and have won enough games to potentially reach the playoffs where they would lose in the first round similarly to their previous season. Even though they do have some bright pupils such as Markelle Fultz, who has had a breakout season and Jonathan Isaac, who was playing terrific before getting injured, the Magic has a decent foundation but not enough to get past the first round. Their projection and ceiling are similar due to their record; however, they will arguably be the worst team to make it to the post-season.
Brooklyn Nets
Record: 30-34
Ceiling: Playoffs/ First round exit
Projection: Playoffs
With the reports of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, both stating that they will not be looking to return this season indicates that the Nets are just an average playoff team. Even though Spencer Dinwiddie is having a career year, the Nets for the entirety of the season have been an entertaining team to watch; however, they are also a team that has struggled to win games without an all-star calibre player. If Durant and Kyrie suggested a possible return, the projection and ceiling that this team has would have been much higher given the skill and talent both superstars possess. However, the Nets projection and ceiling are to make the playoffs but not go far. Although the Nets will give teams a hard time and will be an annoying opponent, the chances of going far in the playoffs without Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving are very slim.
Memphis Grizzlies
Record: 32-33
Ceiling: Playoffs/ First round exit
Projection: Playoffs
Ja Morant has taken the nation by storm as he managed to convert a mediocre Grizzlies team into a legit force that no NBA organization saw coming. Morant this season has displayed one of the greatest rookie seasons in NBA history as a point guard! However, what makes this team so incredible is how well they play together. From the future All-Star duo of Jaren Jackson Jr and Ja Morant to the rise of Jonas Valanciunas and Dillan Brooks, close to every player on this roster has dramatically shown improvement. Furthermore, the Grizzlies have either traded for or signed solid prospects with high upsides such as Justice Winslow and Josh Jackson that could very well help the Grizzlies make the playoffs. Their season was incredible and is projected to make the playoffs as they are currently the eighth seed in the Western Conference. However, the Grizzlies are a young team that has no experience and will most likely be eliminated in the first round.
Dallas Mavericks
Record: 40-27
Ceiling: Playoffs/ Second round exit
Projection: Playoffs
Lastly, the Dallas Mavericks have been one of the most surprising and entertaining teams to follow in the 2019-20 NBA season! From the unexpected superstar emergence of Luka Doncic to Kristaps Porzingis reminding NBA fans why he was a top-five pick in the 2015 draft, the Mavericks have been nothing but a joy to watch. What makes this organization different from the rest of this list is, they have won 40 games and are currently ten games ahead of the Brooklyn Nets. The Mavericks are the best team not to clinch a playoff spot, and with the outstanding skillset of Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis, Dallas will reach the playoffs with ease. However, their ceiling is a second-round exit because the Mavericks are a relatively inexperienced team in the playoffs. Even though they have been stupendous this season, the Mavericks are a season or two away from being a legit dynasty that will have NBA fans across the globe scared senseless. But for now, the Mavericks are projected to reach the playoffs with a ceiling of making it to the second round.