NBA Eastern Conference # 11-16
Raptors
Good: The Raptors have the start to a good lineup with R.J. Barrett, Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley, Gradey Dick and Jakob Poeltl. They acquired Brandon Ingram who should be able to help in talent and production. Rookies were able to get valuable time due to injuries. No big free agency losses upcoming.
Bad: The starters haven’t proven they can stay healthy to build chemistry. Quickley hasn’t proven that he can stay healthy or that he is a legit starting PG, so an upgrade could still be needed there. Even with Ingram they may be a good player or 2 from playoff caliber, health pending.
Nets
Good: The Cam Duo in Cam Johnson and Cam Thomas proved that they could put the ball in the hoop as volume scorers. Due to injuries, a lot of younger players were able to get big minutes and development time. Finding rookie F/C Drew Timme (Gonzaga) late in the season after a good stint in the G-League may be a good piece to keep around. A lot of players are coming off the books leading to an easy rebuild.
Bad: They need to re-sign Cam Thomas with limited top level free agents and not being a free agent destination. The Nets will likely miss out on a top 5 pick as a team in need of talent with no top-level players. The D’Angelo Russell experiment is looking like a failure already. The team doesn’t really have much direction outside of Cam Johnson and Nic Claxton on the roster.
76ers
Good: Tyrese Maxey was showing another year of improvement leading the team before the injuries. Rookie Jared McClain was putting up solid numbers in a short period of time before injury. Kelly Oubre proved to be a good piece on the roster before injuries took him out also. The late finds of Quentin Grimes and Lonnie Walker proved to be solid, especially Grimes filling the stat sheet. Younger players were able to develop with increased playing time and the possibility of adding a top 5 pick via the draft.
Bad: Early injuries to stars Joel Embiid and Paul George who continued to suffer injuries derailed the season. Maxey and others ended up injured as well ruining any chance at building chemistry. The Paul George contract is looking like a bad deal already. The team should try to bring back Grimes.
Hornets
Good: The Hornets have a good healthy lineup in LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges, Grant Williams, and Mark Williams with a strong possibility to add Cooper Flagg or a top 3 pick. Due to injuries, the rookies/younger players were able to get valuable minutes. The Mark Williams trade was rescinded allowing them to keep their possible future Center and the above lineup intact. Trading for Jusuf Nurkic gives them good insurance for Mark Williams.
Bad: Mark Williams is headed into a contract year so now the Hornets are stuck with the decision to pay him with the injury concerns mostly around his back. The Hornets have not been able to build chemistry or see their full lineup due to injuries. The team could use a top veteran to progress. While Flagg fits perfectly, does adding another scorer help this team if they miss out on the #1 pick?
Wizards
Good: #2 Overall pick Alex Sarr improved throughout the season and should be the Center or PF of the future. Jordan Poole showed signs of maturity and improvement. 1st rounders G Bub Carrington and F Kyshawn George showed good development playing big minutes due to injury with Carrington looking like the possible starting PG. Khris Middleton and Marcus Smart are good veterans for a young team and could be trade pieces. Malcolm Brogdon’s contract comes off the books with no major free agents. Realistic shot at #1 pick for Cooper Flagg.
Bad: Very young team with no stars or top-level players (depending on how you view Poole). Wizards need some top-level veterans to move the progression, but this is not a free agent destination. Injuries stopped any chemistry even between the young guys as players were in and out the rotation. Does a top-level rookie move the needle for this young team?
