As we approach the trade deadline . . .
#30 Phoenix Suns (11-44, -9.5, LW: 30)
#29 New York Knicks (10-42, -9, LW: 27)
#28 Cleveland Cavaliers (11-42, -10.8, LW: 29)
#27 Chicago Bulls (12-41, -9.3, LW: 28)
#26 Atlanta Hawks (18-35, -7.2, LW: 26)
#25 Memphis Grizzlies (21-33, -3, LW: 25)
#24 Washington Wizards (22-31, -3, LW: 22)
#23 Orlando Magic (22-31, -3.1, LW: 24)
#22 Detroit Pistons (23-29, -2.2, LW: 23)
#21 Miami Heat (24-27, -0.6, LW: 16)
#20 New Orleans Pelicans (23-31, +1.2, LW: 18)
The Pelicans should just hold on to Davis until the bitter end. Play him every night, play him 40+ minutes every night. Part of what old guys hate is that the players have too much control. The reality is that they don’t. It’s that owners and GM’s just aren’t smart enough. At least not yet.
#19 Los Angeles Lakers (27-26, 0, LW: 20)
Lonzo Ball apparently has a dad that would rather he play in Phoenix than in New Orleans. Usually I’m not one to give in to demands, but this one, absolutely!!! If I get 15 cents on the dollar for Ball I’m all for it, because a cancerous tumor is removed from my organization. What has been forgotten about the Lakers, while Showtime was flashy, they also had the likes of Kurt Rambis, Michael Cooper, and Mychal Thompson, guys who were willing to do the dirty work, create, and just plain win. They didn’t worry about where they would end up because their value meant they weren’t leaving. I’m not saying Lonzo is that way, but his old man is and it’s clear that the cord isn’t cut. If I’m Magic, I’m remembering the likes of Cooper and Rambis and cutting that cord with a battle axe.
#18 Brooklyn Nets (28-27, -0.3, LW: 12)
#17 Minnesota Timberwolves (25-27, +0.1, LW: 17)
#16 Sacramento Kings (28-25, -1.2, LW: 21)
#15 Dallas Mavericks (24-28, +0.6, LW: 19)
Many people would be upset about losing the two #1’s, but remember the Knicks are the ones making those picks and developing them. Even if Porzingis doesn’t completely come back I’m willing to bet the Mavericks win this trade.
#14 Los Angeles Clippers (29-25, +0.4, LW: 14)
#13 Charlotte Hornets (26-26, +0.3, LW: 15)
#12 Utah Jazz (30-24, +2.7, LW: 8)
#11 Houston Rockets (31-22, +1.7, LW: 13)
#10 Indiana Pacers (34-19, +4.2, LW: 9)
#9 San Antonio Spurs (32-23, +2.3, LW: 11)
#8 Portland Trail Blazers (32-20, +3.1, LW: 10)
#7 Philadelphia 76ers (34-19, +3.5, LW: 7)
#6 Oklahoma City Thunder (33-19, +5, LW: 5)
#5 Toronto Raptors (38-16, +5.3, LW: 4)
#4 Denver Nuggets (37-16, +5.2, LW: 3)
#3 Golden State Warriors (37-15, +7.1, LW: 1)
#2 Boston Celtics (34-19, +6.9, LW: 6)
#1 Milwaukee Bucks (39-13, +10, LW: 2)