Top Storylines to Watch
Jul 23, 2018 18:40:16 GMT -5
Grizzlies GM (Royce), Memphis Grizzlies (Luke), and 5 more like this
Post by The Athletic on Jul 23, 2018 18:40:16 GMT -5
Good evening Basketball Dynasty 26 owners. Free agency is winding down. It's been a crazy month or so with the draft, free agent madness, and all the trades. Training camp is only about 2 months away. For now we are going to have to hold ourselves off with trading, here are our 5 story lines to monitor before we head into camp.
1. The Grizzlies continue to shop Paul George
Paul George is one of the best wings in the league and it doesn't seem too likely that he is still in Memphis when the season tips off in October. The Grizzlies have been continued to shop him around the league and have yet to find the exact package they want. They were in pretty serious talks with the Thunder before those broke down. They have been in talks with the Heat, and many other teams. Some might say if he were going to move he'd be . gone right now but the Grizzlies continue to be patient. Chris Paul is also being shopped but right now I think Paul George is the more attractive option and the most likely to be dealt. We don't think anything is too imminent as of now but we would be surprised if he still is on the roster come opening day. We expect the Grizzlies to fully remain competitive in any deal they do, but many have reported that they are looking to take a chance on a younger piece to both clear up some cap space, and hopefully get a young gun before they blow up. Teams we see as good fits are the Warriors, Kings, Nuggets, Mavs, and Nets.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder competing?
It seems as if the Thunder are finally looking to compete. Two huge recent moves made it all in for the Thunder as they dealt their promising young rookie in JJJ for Kyrie Irving, and also dealt their first next year to clear cap. Now the thunder have basically no choice but to try and win. As the roster is set up now I'm still not quite sure this is a playoff team. Kyrie is obviously the teams leader and there are some bright spots in KO and Sabonis, but the roster still needs work. This is why it will be fun to monitor the Thunder. Can the Thunder add anyone during the tail end of free agency? Can the Thunder work a couple more trades heading into the season? Any trade in which they get better probably has to include Kyrie, KO, or Sabonis so it will be interesting to see each's availability moving forward. Eric Gordon and Clarkson are both probably looking at more run this year too, so things are looking up, let's hope the Thunder can make a couple moves as the season approaches.
3. Pelicans Rise to the Top as Early Title Favorite
The Pelicans have had themselves a hell of an off-season thus far adding both Draymond Green and John Wall before the season as even started, all while keeping Russell Westbrook and Devin Booker. Outside of those 4 the Pelicans have depth all over the roster. It is safe to say that the Pelicans are far and away the easy early season favorite to win it all. Much like the Warriors last year, the Pelicans are the best team on paper but also have multiple free agents, so for them this is a huge year to win it for them. Now i wouldn't say the league has no chance, but it's going to be tough. It could very likely be a everyone vs. Pelicans mentality as the season gets close. It would be the first title for the Pelicans and much deserved for owner Alexdrops who has put a lot of time in.
4. Brooklyn Nets take a step forward- add Kevin Durant
The Nets had a middle of the pack season last year, but I warned people a little while back this team is going to be good eventually. It seems as if they took that jump this year. This is going to be one of the most fun teams in the league to watch this year. The team is led by funals MVP Kevin Durant, while the Warriors should coast during the regular season this year, Durant should still be a top performer and will lead this Nets team. As sidekicks Aaron Gordon should be in for a big year with a new coach and another year of getting better. Luka Doncic is about exciting a prospect as there is and it will be really awesome to see how much he can contribute to start the year. Jabari just got cashed out and it will be interesting to see what he can do with another year to recover. I'm sure the Bulls have big plans for the 23 year old. All in all this team is probably still a year away from being a title contender, but this team is going to be fun to watch develop and should be a true finals contender within a couple years.
1. The Grizzlies continue to shop Paul George
Paul George is one of the best wings in the league and it doesn't seem too likely that he is still in Memphis when the season tips off in October. The Grizzlies have been continued to shop him around the league and have yet to find the exact package they want. They were in pretty serious talks with the Thunder before those broke down. They have been in talks with the Heat, and many other teams. Some might say if he were going to move he'd be . gone right now but the Grizzlies continue to be patient. Chris Paul is also being shopped but right now I think Paul George is the more attractive option and the most likely to be dealt. We don't think anything is too imminent as of now but we would be surprised if he still is on the roster come opening day. We expect the Grizzlies to fully remain competitive in any deal they do, but many have reported that they are looking to take a chance on a younger piece to both clear up some cap space, and hopefully get a young gun before they blow up. Teams we see as good fits are the Warriors, Kings, Nuggets, Mavs, and Nets.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder competing?
It seems as if the Thunder are finally looking to compete. Two huge recent moves made it all in for the Thunder as they dealt their promising young rookie in JJJ for Kyrie Irving, and also dealt their first next year to clear cap. Now the thunder have basically no choice but to try and win. As the roster is set up now I'm still not quite sure this is a playoff team. Kyrie is obviously the teams leader and there are some bright spots in KO and Sabonis, but the roster still needs work. This is why it will be fun to monitor the Thunder. Can the Thunder add anyone during the tail end of free agency? Can the Thunder work a couple more trades heading into the season? Any trade in which they get better probably has to include Kyrie, KO, or Sabonis so it will be interesting to see each's availability moving forward. Eric Gordon and Clarkson are both probably looking at more run this year too, so things are looking up, let's hope the Thunder can make a couple moves as the season approaches.
3. Pelicans Rise to the Top as Early Title Favorite
The Pelicans have had themselves a hell of an off-season thus far adding both Draymond Green and John Wall before the season as even started, all while keeping Russell Westbrook and Devin Booker. Outside of those 4 the Pelicans have depth all over the roster. It is safe to say that the Pelicans are far and away the easy early season favorite to win it all. Much like the Warriors last year, the Pelicans are the best team on paper but also have multiple free agents, so for them this is a huge year to win it for them. Now i wouldn't say the league has no chance, but it's going to be tough. It could very likely be a everyone vs. Pelicans mentality as the season gets close. It would be the first title for the Pelicans and much deserved for owner Alexdrops who has put a lot of time in.
4. Brooklyn Nets take a step forward- add Kevin Durant
The Nets had a middle of the pack season last year, but I warned people a little while back this team is going to be good eventually. It seems as if they took that jump this year. This is going to be one of the most fun teams in the league to watch this year. The team is led by funals MVP Kevin Durant, while the Warriors should coast during the regular season this year, Durant should still be a top performer and will lead this Nets team. As sidekicks Aaron Gordon should be in for a big year with a new coach and another year of getting better. Luka Doncic is about exciting a prospect as there is and it will be really awesome to see how much he can contribute to start the year. Jabari just got cashed out and it will be interesting to see what he can do with another year to recover. I'm sure the Bulls have big plans for the 23 year old. All in all this team is probably still a year away from being a title contender, but this team is going to be fun to watch develop and should be a true finals contender within a couple years.
