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| The Nets have assembled an all-star cast (Mary Altaffer / Associated Press) |
Ten franchises whose expectations of success have dramatically shifted over the course of this offseason. Whether due to free agency, trade or injury, these clubs are facing a different kind of regular season in 2013-14.
CHAMPIONSHIP WORTHY
Brooklyn Nets
Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov has shown he isn’t afraid of the luxury tax; as things stand Brooklyn’s payroll alone stands at $101.3 million – due in part to the offseason acquisitions of Garnett, Pierce & Terry.
The Nets can now legitimately put five All-Stars on the court – Williams, Johnson, Pierce, Garnett & Lopez – while having the likes of Terry & AK47 in reserve on the bench, creating matchup problems galore for the opposition.
Nursing their ageing cast into the Playoffs in prime health will be their regular-season goal.
In pursuing a 'win now' approach Prokhorov has dealt away the Nets’ 2014, 2016 & 2018 draft picks. What’s more, the championship window in Brooklyn isn’t going to be long, given the age of its core, further inflating expectations of immediate success.
Houston Rockets
The Rockets pulled off the biggest move this offseason, securing the services of arguably the best big man in the league, Dwight Howard. The D12-Harden pairing is projected to be one of the most dynamic duos in the league.
Houston are stacked with exciting young players, capable of running the floor and finishing at the rim and from behind the three-point line in transition. If McHale can get Omar Asik on board and on the court next to Dwight, the Rockets should be a force in the West.
Jeremy Lin will be under pressure from day one and once again under the scrutiny of the world’s media.
Indiana Pacers
The post-season emergence of both Paul George and Roy Hibbert as legitimate championship-calibre players led many to believe that with more depth the Pacers could have upset the Heat in the Conference Finals this year.
Now add Granger, Stevenson, Scola, Copeland and CJ Watson off the bench. They are serious contenders.
Los Angeles Clippers
In Chris Paul and Doc Rivers, the Clippers have secured the services of arguably the best point guard and best head coach in the league.
LAC have spent the offseason stockpiling quality perimeter players – Redick, Dudley and Bullock – perhaps as a mask for their questionable frontcourt depth.
In many ways the success of the Clippers remains stacked on the shoulders of friends and frontcourt companions Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. Ultimately, the two must be capable of playing extended minutes, working deep in the post efficiently and hitting free throws.
PLAYOFF BERTH
Washington Wizards
John Wall was in beast mode towards the end of last year; he showed that when healthy he can perform like a max-contract guy. The Wizards finished the regular season playing an extended stretch of .500 basketball.
Washington have a strong core - Wall, Beal, Porter, Nene and Okafor - as far as lower playoff-seeded teams in the Eastern Conference are concerned. On paper, they have enough to land the 7th or 8th seed.
However, behind the starting unit await few playoff-calibre players. The Wizards are seriously lacking in depth. An injury to any of Washington's key performers and their dreams of a playoff berth are in serious jeopardy.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Cavaliers GM Chris Grant is known for his high-risk high-reward approach to team development – see his 2011 (4th), 2012 (4th) & 2013 (1st) draft selections. This offseason has been no different, signing Andrew Bynum to a two-year deal and drafting Anthony Bennett with the first pick in the draft.
In addition, Cleveland drafted Russian stud Sergy Karasev and second-round pick Carrick Felix, while bolstering their roster with the signings of free agents Jarrett Jack & Earl Clarke.
The Cavaliers now have legitimate depth. If Kyrie Irving, Andrew Bynum and Anderson Varejao can remain on the court for the majority of the year, Wine & Gold fans will be expecting a first playoff berth since the King walked out.
Detroit Pistons
The Pistons invested heavily in Josh Smith this offseason, signing the forward to a four-year $54 million contract.
Detroit now have one of the biggest, most athletic backcourts in the league. Adding Smith addresses the Pistons' need for improved defence and allows them to experiment with various rotation combinations: Smith-Monroe-Drummond/Smith-Drummond/Smith-Monroe.
Ultimately, Detroit will only go as far as their frontcourt takes them. Questions still remain about the viability of a Knight-KCP combo.
LOTTERY-BOUND
Los Angeles Lakers
It’s already been a year of firsts for the Lakers: the most damning being Dwight Howard’s decision to leave the ball club, in the prime of his career.
With an ageing roster and Kobe’s health a real concern, the Lakers are set for a rough year. Fans have already begun to set their sights on the 2014 draft and the prospect of luring LeBron James or Carmelo Anthony to Los Angeles in next year’s free agency.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics lost three cornerstones of their franchise this offseason - Doc Rivers, Paul Pierce & Kevin Garnett – with only a rookie coach and an ageing Gerald Wallace, still owed $30.3 million over three years, to show for it. The rebuild is well and truly on.
All-Star Rajon Rondo, although recovering from a torn ACL, still holds real value, along with the likes of Jeff Green & Avery Bradley, both in terms of on-the-court effectiveness and value in future trades.
It’s going to be a tough year in Boston.
Dallas Mavericks
Yes, it’s true, Dallas found themselves in the lottery this year, but that was all part of the plan. Twelve months ago the Mavericks struck out in their pursuit of a franchise-changing free agent, instead opting to sign a host of one-year rentals – allowing them to maintain their cap flexibility heading into this year’s free-agent class. Unfortunately, Dallas once again failed to hit the jackpot in the Dwight Howard sweepstakes.
Dallas’ new frontcourt of Jose Calderon and Monta Ellis, a duo on the books for at least three years and $53 million, isn't likely to be enough to help propel the Mavericks back into playoff contention. Defence is a word you won’t be mentioning much when analysing Dallas next year, unless it’s predicated by ‘distinct lack of’.
It’s set to be another year of frustration for superstar Dirk Nowitzki.
Which team's transition are YOU most looking forward to seeing? Let me know in the comments section below.
Which team's transition are YOU most looking forward to seeing? Let me know in the comments section below.
