Next three weeks are going to be crucial in how the league shapes up for the next few years, a lot of moves can happen and some will definitely have huge effect on who is the second best team in the next 2-3 seasons (LeBron move). Trying to have a look at that:
Draft:
I think it has pretty much been concluded that Ayton is going no. 1 to Phoenix. He will be good for them offensively, not sure about the defensive part of his game as he has been garbage in NCAA but has the physical tools to get better.
Second pick should be obvious for the Kings (Doncic) but it apparently isn’t and they are looking at Bagley which would be such a Kings move. Bagley will probably rack up big stats from the go but he’s not a good fit long term and Doncic will end up better. I kind of have started to like the Kings (their fans are great fun) so I want them to do well and I will be rooting for the Doncic pick.
Atlanta should choose Jaren Jackson who is IMO the most complete young big in the draft. The top of the draft is big heavy but I think JJJ will be the best long term. I think then it goes Bagley to Grizzlies, Bamba to Dallas, Trae Young to Orlando, Porter to Bulls (he has withheld his medical record from everyone bar them apparently) and I have no idea what Cavs do and it kind of dictates who goes next. I think they should take Carter but will probably go with Sexton. I just hope Mikal Bridges is still on the board when 76ers turn comes as I want him there badly. As for my other teams, Blazers are picking 24th so will probably take whoever they can but it seems like they are looking for a back up guard considering how many of them they worked out in the last three weeks. I am hoping for Huerter, Hutchison or Bates-Diop though, a wing talent to develop. My new adopted team Utah are picking 21st but don’t discount the possibility of them moving up again like last year. Shame they can’t trade up high enough to get JJJ who would be so absolutely amazing with Mitchell that I can’t catch my breath. I think they might go with Troy Brown if it’s possible, or one of the scorers (DiVincenzo, Allen).
Free agency:
LeBron’s move is basically the most important one here. I think the only realistic destinations are Cleveland, Lakers, Philly and maybe Houston (I have no idea how they are supposed to find cap space to do this but Morey is great at facilitating such moves). I am obviously hoping for Philadelphia and I think they have a great chance here but recently it seems like the Lakers have pulled ahead - not worried over this as he never went to bookies favourites in free agency anyway. Then there’s Paul George status but I think he pretty clearly goes to Lakers. After that there are some RFAs, interesting what happens with Capela because he certainly will get good offers but Houston will match all of them if they don’t get LeBron. If they, however, do get LeBron, they will be forced to let Capela go. I think he might end up with someone like Kings. Gordon is also expiring but here Orlando just have to match everything, but it’s Orlando so they probably will manage to screw up even a simple thing like this. Jabari is interesting because I doubt that Milwaukee are so invested in him to match a huge offer so he might actually end up leaving, again I think Sacramento are a probably destination as they are in a mode where they want to accumulate talent now and start playing well immediately as they don’t own a pick next year. This is unlike Dallas, Atlanta or Chicago who probably wouldn’t mind being bad for a little longer in order to get more youth.