Grizzled Vet

I think Mike's next move/contract will either be to stay in Utah, go "home" to Indiana, or chase the ring. This Memphis team is so different from what he left and really was part of. The only way he returns here is if and only if his wife says that Memphis is where she wants to raise the kids. I also think he wants to play. I don't fault any free agent for choosing more money or playing time over chasing a ring. Jerami Grant reportedly chose Detroit over staying in Denver because he wants to play more and have a bigger role in the offense. I get it. I remember Vince Carter picking Atlanta over the easy ring in Golden State because he wanted to actually play. I think Indiana is the next option for Mike if not staying in Utah.

Agreed. They could be a top 4 team or out of the playoffs. Neither result would surprise me. Not sure I could say that for any other team....well maybe the Warriors.

I generally feel the same way, but here's the catch 22. If the team stinks, we get a higher draft pick, but it makes it harder to attract free agents wanting to be part of winning team. If the team is very good it helps with free agency, but not so good with the draft. I suppose the ideal will be another lucky lottery ball.

I think the Knicks and Cavs are the worst teams, but if the condensed schedule has mostly conference and division, OKC will play 14 decent to great teams, whereas the Knicks and Cavs will pick up more wins against themselves, Washington, Bulls, etc.

I feel like the Knicks & Cavs are clear tank favorites, along with OKC in West, and all other teams should feel like they have a chance for the playoffs. OKC might end up with the #1 pick if it is a heavy division & conference record this year.

This should be the year for Bruno

Agree, I actually listed that Tier in the order I think they will finish. If it wasn't for seeing Ja compete in the bubble and believing how good he is, I would have listed them down with Minnesota.

It's also why there was no need to pick up an older vet with the expectation that that vet might help the team win 2-3 more games this year. Perhaps there was value in a vet who was a valuable mentor and also contributor.

Yes, I'm not sure why I wrote Suns, but I meant to write Hawks, and I'll go back and correct.

That's the point though with Donovan and Tatum: Those guys were easy decisions to max contract. JJJ is going to be an oft injured tougher decision. I hope he is an easy decision like Tatum and Mitchell. If Bogdan Bogdanovic was a Memphis Grizzlies player that we resigned for $18 MM/year, so many people would be complaining about it. Here is the Grizz comparable with Dillon Brooks who is a tougher defender. A: 29 MinPG 5.5/12.6 (44%) & 2.7/7.2 (37%) - 2 point & 3 point shooting and percents//1.4 for 1.9 on FT//4.2 RP36//1 SPG//18.8 PP36 B: 28.9 MinPG. 6/14.6 (41%) & 2/5.6 (36%) - 2 point & 3 point shooting and percents///2.2 for 2.8 on FT//4.1 RP36//.9 SPG//20.1 PP36 Bogdan is a nice average NBA starter. I'd like to have him on the Grizzlies. I just think people are way over reacting to his value, and I really think some NBA commentators are confusing him with Bojan Bogdanovic, who I would be even happier to have on this team.

Not sure, but I am not going to get excited about some player that a young Hawks team thinks is least likely to be a meaningful contributor now or in future.

I guess I would put it (assumes no major injuries): Tier 1: Lakers, Clippers, Portland, Denver (will all be in top 6 of playoffs) Tier 2: Utah, Dallas, Houston, Golden State (Very likely playoff or play-in tourney teams, could sneak into top 4) Tier 3: Phoenix, New Orleans, Sacramento, Grizzlies, Spurs - I think all 5 of these will be fighting for spots 8-10, along with some unknown top team dealing with injuries. Tier 4: OKC, T'Wolves All those teams I have in Tier 3 I just have to see them do it: For the Suns, Pelicans & Kings, they haven't done it yet, and maybe this is the year, but I want to see it, especially since they've had a short off season. For the Spurs, I want to see (again) that they won't be there. I expect a fast start from them. I am very OK with a near bottom finish, but I think they will also start fast this year having most the team back from what was competing in the bubble.

This is the problem with letting a player like JJJ get to free agency. It only takes 1 team to offer a crazy amount and then you have to decide whether to overpay or let them walk.

With JJJ or any of these very good players, you're damned if you do, and damned if you don't. Yes, you may overpay, but if you lose him you will need to overpay to get a replacement, like Atlanta, Detroit, and Charlotte just did in getting in their free agents.

Probably the one they've seen that has the least potential, whether due to talent, BBIQ, or work ethic.