By Tim Bontemps | ESPN, 2025-06-23 22:47:00
由生成式人工智能翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。
俄克拉荷马城雷霆队 (Oklahoma City Thunder) 周日晚间赢得了队史首个总冠军，他们在NBA总决赛抢七大战中击败了印第安纳步行者队 (Indiana Pacers)，成为联盟均势时代连续第七支夺冠的新面孔，创下历史纪录。
未来才能揭示这个里程碑式的数字明年是否会扩大到八支，或者雷霆队是否即将成为联盟的下一个王朝力量。可以确定的是，雷霆队的胜利正式为2024-25赛季NBA画上句号。因此，追逐卫冕冠军的号角正式吹响。
为了预示一个重磅休赛期的到来，我们全面审视了所有30支球队在争夺总冠军征程中的现状，以及它们今夏面临的最大问题。
为此，我们将30支球队划分为10个等级。从真正的总冠军竞争者开始，直至那些正经历四年前雷霆队所面临的困境：全面重建的阵痛期。
(注：各等级内球队按字母顺序排列，每队预计薪资空间数据由ESPN的鲍比·马克斯 (Bobby Marks) 提供。)
真正的NBA总冠军竞争者
俄克拉荷马城雷霆队 (Oklahoma City Thunder) (68胜14负)
合同在身球员总数： 15人
预计薪资空间： 无
可交易选秀权总数： 10个首轮签，17个次轮签
俄克拉荷马城坐拥无数财富。雷霆队不仅刚刚凭借一支没有球员年龄超过31岁、仅有两名球员超过27岁的阵容赢得了队史首冠，他们还有15名球员合同在身，加上今年选秀大会上将获得两个首轮签，这意味着他们今年夏天必须腾出一些阵容空间。与此同时，俄克拉荷马城在未缴纳奢侈税的情况下夺得拉里·奥布莱恩杯 (Larry O’Brien Trophy)，并且下赛季也不会缴纳奢侈税。这将使雷霆队能够在未来积累储蓄，因为随着杰伦·威廉姆斯 (Jalen Williams) 和切特·霍姆格伦 (Chet Holmgren) 有资格获得新秀续约，以及沙伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大 (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) 可以同意一份未来的巨额顶薪续约，球队的薪资总额将在今夏开始变得昂贵。
东部球队的福音
克利夫兰骑士队 (Cleveland Cavaliers) (64胜18负)
合同在身球员总数： 10人
预计薪资空间： 无
可交易选秀权总数： 1个首轮签，4个次轮签
骑士队经历了一个出色的常规赛，胜场数位列队史第二，但在东部半决赛中输给步行者队后，表现平平。虽然骑士队在该系列赛中暴露出了一些问题，但由于球队必须对泰·杰罗姆 (Ty Jerome) 做出决定——他将从本赛季的250万美元薪水中获得大幅涨薪（萨姆·梅里尔 (Sam Merrill) 210万美元的情况也一样），因此解决这些问题的途径并不多。但除非骑士队进行交易，否则他们将基本沿用现有阵容。
纽约尼克斯队 (New York Knicks) (51胜31负)
合同在身球员总数： 10人
预计薪资空间： 无
可交易选秀权总数： 1个首轮签，7个次轮签
尼克斯队在25年来首次闯入东部决赛后，选择解雇主教练汤姆·锡伯杜 (Tom Thibodeau)，这是他们今夏的首个重大举动。在更衣室中找到新的声音，意味着要弄清楚尼克斯队将如何补强阵容。通过一些巧妙的薪资运作，纽约队应该能够使用560万美元的纳税人中产特例，并保持在第二土豪线以下。尼克斯队能否凭借此签下一名能够改变战局的球员？他们能否在核心七人之外增加更多深度，为底薪球员提供纽约的聚光灯、一支有竞争力的球队和出场时间？或者他们会尝试做出更大的举动，交易核心七人中的球员以追求更大牌的球星？此外，迈卡尔·布里奇斯 (Mikal Bridges) 的续约也是需要考虑的问题。解雇锡伯杜表明纽约队不满足于仅仅表现出色；尼克斯队已经明确表示，下赛季只有进入2026年总决赛才能被视为成功。
西部其他球队中的佼佼者
丹佛掘金队 (Denver Nuggets) (50胜32负)
合同在身球员总数： 11人
预计薪资空间： 无
可交易选秀权总数： 1个首轮签，1个次轮签
如果不是雷霆队后卫卢根茨·多尔特 (Luguentz Dort) 在西部半决赛第五场比赛中打出疯狂的第四节，也许丹佛队正在庆祝三年内的第二个总冠军。然而，掘金队却因连续第二年在季后赛第二轮以抢七失利告终而士气低落。首要任务将是确定谁来领导管理层，因为球队已经正式留任大卫·阿德尔曼 (David Adelman) 为主教练。无论丹佛队聘请谁担任总经理，都将立即面临阵容决策。首先，丹佛队必须看看能否与克里斯蒂安·布劳恩 (Christian Braun) 签下一份合同续约，他是联盟中最好的年轻后卫之一。除此之外，掘金队将希望在资产有限的情况下升级阵容，以期在西部追赶雷霆队。
休斯顿火箭队 (Houston Rockets) (52胜30负)
合同在身球员总数： 11人
预计薪资空间： 无
可交易选秀权总数： 4个首轮签，2个次轮签
本赛季火箭队表现出色，在西部排名第二，并在首轮季后赛中与勇士队苦战七场后惜败，这使得休斯顿队需要提升进攻变得清晰起来。签下凯文·杜兰特 (Kevin Durant) 怎么样？这正是火箭队在周日抢七大战前几小时所做的，他们用杰伦·格林 (Jalen Green)、狄龙·布鲁克斯 (Dillon Brooks) 和今年选秀的第10顺位选秀权，换来了这位未来的名人堂成员。这将使火箭队在今夏或明年如果再有其他球星可供交易时，仍能保持竞争力。尽管弗雷德·范弗利特 (Fred VanVleet) 下赛季有4400万美元的球队选项，但预计他将留在休斯顿，无论是执行该合同还是签下一份新合同。
明尼苏达森林狼队 (Minnesota Timberwolves) (49胜33负)
合同在身球员总数： 8人
预计薪资空间： 无
可交易选秀权总数： 无首轮签，4个次轮签
连续两年进入分区决赛，这在明尼阿波利斯和圣保罗值得庆祝。但随着马克·洛尔 (Marc Lore) 和亚历克斯·罗德里格斯 (Alex Rodriguez) 今夏完全接管球队所有权，未来有几个重大决定摆在面前。蒂姆·康诺利 (Tim Connelly) 可以选择跳出合同，他会继续掌管球队吗？即将成为完全自由球员的朱利叶斯·兰德尔 (Julius Randle) 和纳兹·里德 (Naz Reid) 会发生什么——他们两人下赛季都有球员选项——以及尼基尔·亚历山大-沃克 (Nickeil Alexander-Walker) 呢？康诺利在赛季末媒体发布会上表达了乐观态度，认为这三名球员都将回归，而且森林狼队在西部不能有任何退步。
因伤病困扰的精英竞争者
波士顿凯尔特人队 (Boston Celtics) (61胜21负)
合同在身球员总数： 11人
预计薪资空间： 无
可交易选秀权总数： 2个首轮签，5个次轮签
NBA历史上很少有休赛期能像凯尔特人队这样引人关注。由于杰森·塔图姆 (Jayson Tatum) 左跟腱撕裂，这支在过去近十年时间里统治着东部的球队，在新老板比尔·奇斯霍尔姆 (Bill Chisholm) 今夏即将接管之际，面临着巨大的疑问。甚至在塔图姆受伤之前，人们就对波士顿队能否成为NBA历史上首支薪资总额达到5亿美元的阵容表示怀疑。现在看来，这根本不可能发生。波士顿队今夏如何应对，可能是联盟中任何一支球队做出的最重要的决定，因为它可能引发的连锁反应。此外，还有球队中坚阿尔·霍福德 (Al Horford) 的未来。在塔图姆受伤之后，霍福德会选择去其他地方打球吗？如果他真的这样做，他作为空间型内线球员的技能包将适合任何一支有竞争力的球队，而且他已经证明即使在39岁的高龄，他仍然是一名高效球员。
印第安纳步行者队 (Indiana Pacers) (50胜32负)
合同在身球员总数： 10人
预计薪资空间： 无
可交易选秀权总数： 4个首轮签，8个次轮签
在他们令人震惊的NBA总决赛之旅后，以及距离队史首冠仅差几球的情况下，焦点转移到了泰瑞斯·哈利伯顿 (Tyrese Haliburton) 右跟腱伤势的恢复情况，他在抢七大战早期受伤。印第安纳队在这些季后赛中证明了其韧性，但如果哈利伯顿下赛季都无法出场，步行者队很难复制今年的表现。与此同时，他们还必须决定如何处理迈尔斯·特纳 (Myles Turner)，他是市场上最好的自由球员中锋，也是步行者五外进攻体系的关键组成部分。步行者队预计将与特纳续约；问题是步行者队是否会为此缴纳奢侈税。
密尔沃基雄鹿队 (Milwaukee Bucks) (48胜34负)
合同在身球员总数： 7人
预计薪资空间： 无
可交易选秀权总数： 1个首轮签，2个次轮签
和凯尔特人队一样，雄鹿队也有一个可能在整个联盟引发连锁反应的决定：扬尼斯·阿德托昆博 (Giannis Antetokounmpo) 在密尔沃基的未来会是怎样？在为雄鹿队效力12个赛季后，达米安·利拉德 (Damian Lillard) 左跟腱撕裂，人们对雄鹿队下赛季的竞争力产生了真正的疑问。外界预计雄鹿队希望在近年支付了数亿美元的奢侈税后摆脱奢侈税，这意味着球队中坚、完全自由球员布鲁克·洛佩兹 (Brook Lopez) 可能会因薪资问题无法回归。
逐渐老去的球星力量
金州勇士队 (Golden State Warriors) (48胜34负)
合同在身球员总数： 9人
预计薪资空间： 无
可交易选秀权总数： 4个首轮签，1个次轮签
在交易截止日得到吉米·巴特勒三世 (Jimmy Butler III) 后，金州勇士队成功赢得了一轮季后赛，但随后斯蒂芬·库里 (Stephen Curry) 受伤，森林狼队在第二轮季后赛中五场淘汰了勇士队。现在，焦点转移到了湾区又一个可能充满事件的夏天，首先是与受限制自由球员前锋乔纳森·库明加 (Jonathan Kuminga) 的棘手谈判。金州勇士队很可能会选择与他签下一份新合同，或者先签后换以补强阵容。每条路径都有不同程度的复杂性。无论如何，勇士队都需要找到方法来补强阵容，以在竞争激烈的西部保持竞争力。
洛杉矶快船队 (LA Clippers) (50胜32负)
合同在身球员总数： 10人
预计薪资空间： 无
可交易选秀权总数： 2个首轮签，4个次轮签
快船队本赛季表现超出预期，在西部排名第五，并在首轮系列赛中与掘金队激战七场。洛杉矶队的当务之急是什么？解决詹姆斯·哈登 (James Harden) 的未来问题，他拥有一份3630万美元的球员选项，并决定是否与诺曼·鲍威尔 (Norman Powell) 续约，后者刚刚度过了他职业生涯的最佳赛季（鲍威尔在2025-26赛季拥有一份2040万美元的到期合同）。快船队还可以获得大部分全额中产特例，或者他们可以利用薪资灵活性通过交易进行运作。
洛杉矶湖人队 (Los Angeles Lakers) (50胜32负)
合同在身球员总数： 10人
预计薪资空间： 无
可交易选秀权总数： 1个首轮签，1个次轮签
湖人队的夏天从不乏味，今年也不例外。湖人队不仅刚刚以创纪录的100亿美元出售，而且球队还在等待勒布朗·詹姆斯 (LeBron James) 的另一个自由球员决定。现年40岁的他可以选择执行其下赛季5260万美元的球员选项并续约，或者执行选项但不续约，或者选择跳出合同并签下一份新合同。（前锋多里安·芬尼-史密斯 (Dorian Finney-Smith) 在他自己的1530万美元选项上同样面临这三种选择。）与此同时，卢卡·东契奇 (Luka Doncic) 可以选择签下续约合同，或者让湖人队陷入僵局直到明年夏天。奥斯汀·里夫斯 (Austin Reaves) 可以以其1390万美元的合同为基础同意续约。最后：在2月份拒绝完成马克·威廉姆斯 (Mark Williams) 的交易后，湖人队能否为东契奇找到一名吃饼型中锋？
前途光明的年轻球队
底特律活塞队 (Detroit Pistons) (44胜38负)
合同在身球员总数： 10人
预计薪资空间： 无（最有可能）
可交易选秀权总数： 4个首轮签，13个次轮签
活塞队自2008年以来首次赢得季后赛比赛，他们可以采取两条截然不同的道路。假设他们与完全自由球员小蒂姆·哈达威 (Tim Hardaway Jr.)、马利克·比斯利 (Malik Beasley) 和丹尼斯·施罗德 (Dennis Schroder) 续约，他们将作为一支超奢侈税球队运作，并尝试在今夏通过全额中产特例或交易补强阵容。另一个选择是：放走这些球员，腾出薪资空间并追逐自由球员——这可能是一名空间型内线，为入选最佳阵容的后卫凯德·坎宁安 (Cade Cunningham) 创造更多操作空间。无论哪种方式，在总经理特拉詹·兰登 (Trajan Langdon) 在他第一个赛季掌管球队时，围绕坎宁安建立了稳固的体系——帮助他将球员水平提升到另一个层次——预计这将是底特律队今夏的指导原则。
奥兰多魔术队 (Orlando Magic) (41胜41负)
合同在身球员总数： 14人
预计薪资空间： 无
可交易选秀权总数： 1个首轮签，11个次轮签
在篮球运营总裁杰夫·威尔特曼 (Jeff Weltman) 领导下的多年沉寂之后，奥兰多队在过去一周令人震惊的交易中，将四个首轮签和一个选秀权互换送往孟菲斯，以全力以赴换来后卫德斯蒙德·贝恩 (Desmond Bane)。贝恩是一名出色的射手，同时能够为自己和他人创造机会，并且在防守端不失位，他对于本赛季三分球命中率联盟垫底、急需进攻火力的魔术队阵容来说是一个理想的选择。贝恩在不牺牲球队防守特点的情况下提升了魔术队，他将直接与杰伦·萨格斯 (Jalen Suggs)、保罗·班凯罗 (Paolo Banchero)（今夏有资格获得顶薪续约）和弗朗茨·瓦格纳 (Franz Wagner) 一起，作为奥兰多队未来的核心阵容。然而，这样的交易只有在你相信它能让你真正成为NBA总决赛的竞争者时才会进行。考虑到奥兰多队自2010年以来就没有赢得过季后赛系列赛，这是一个难以逾越的高门槛。
圣安东尼奥马刺队 (San Antonio Spurs) (34胜48负)
合同在身球员总数： 10人
预计薪资空间： 无
可交易选秀权总数： 3个首轮签，15个次轮签
在2月份交易得到德阿隆·福克斯 (De’Aaron Fox) 并获得了本周NBA选秀的榜眼签后，圣安东尼奥队将成为今夏任何球星转会讨论的核心，他们有望与冉冉升起的新星维克托·文班亚马 (Victor Wembanyama) 联手，马刺队相信文班亚马在被诊断出深静脉血栓症导致本赛季提前结束后，将健康地开始新赛季。圣安东尼奥的另一个问题是：克里斯·保罗 (Chris Paul) 在马刺队度过非常成功的第一个赛季后会怎么做？
哪支才是真面目？
达拉斯独行侠队 (Dallas Mavericks) (39胜43负)
合同在身球员总数： 13人
预计薪资空间： 无
可交易选秀权总数： 3个首轮签，2个次轮签
达拉斯的旅程真是跌宕起伏。独行侠队2月份交易卢卡·东契奇 (Luka Doncic) 令联盟震惊，上个月又在选秀乐透中从第11位跃升至第1位，获得了选择另一位天才球员库珀·弗拉格 (Cooper Flagg) 的权利，再次震惊联盟。随着弗拉格将在未来十年成为球队的基石，独行侠队必须弄清楚如何处理凯里·欧文 (Kyrie Irving)，他将因左膝前交叉韧带撕裂至少缺席下赛季大部分比赛，并且账面上有一份4290万美元的球员选项。尽管欧文预计将回归，但达拉斯队急需更多的控球能力，尤其是在他缺阵期间。
孟菲斯灰熊队 (Memphis Grizzlies) (48胜34负)
合同在身球员总数： 11人
预计薪资空间： 浮动
可交易选秀权总数： 7个首轮签，6个次轮签
在经历了令人失望的赛季最后几个月，最终以解雇主教练泰勒·詹金斯 (Taylor Jenkins) 并被雷霆队在季后赛横扫出局而告终后，孟菲斯的首要任务是弄清楚小贾伦·杰克逊 (Jaren Jackson Jr.) 能否获得一份新的续约合同。杰克逊的2340万美元合同即将到期，远低于他目前的价值，这意味着孟菲斯队需要与这位前年度最佳防守球员重新谈判并续约。这就是为什么灰熊队在本赛季期间交易了马库斯·斯马特 (Marcus Smart)。孟菲斯队一直希望锁定杰克逊的合同。假设灰熊队做到了这一点，他们还必须弄清楚受限制自由球员桑蒂·阿尔达马 (Santi Aldama) 和后卫卢克·肯纳德 (Luke Kennard) 的未来。
费城76人队 (Philadelphia 76ers) (24胜58负)
合同在身球员总数： 9人
预计薪资空间： 无
可交易选秀权总数： 3个首轮签，7个次轮签
任何关于费城队的预测都取决于乔尔·恩比德 (Joel Embiid) 的健康状况，这仍然是一个悬而未决的问题。费城队将希望下赛季恩比德能接近完全健康的状态，以及一个更好的保罗·乔治 (Paul George) 和身体健康的贾里德·麦凯恩 (Jared McCain)，这位新秀表现突出，但在12月因左膝半月板受伤而提前赛季报销。76人队通过在乐透抽签中跃升至第三位，从而保留了他们的前六顺位受保护选秀权，为休赛期开了一个好头。
陷入僵局
亚特兰大老鹰队 (Atlanta Hawks) (40胜42负)
合同在身球员总数： 11人
预计薪资空间： 无
可交易选秀权总数： 3个首轮签，6个次轮签
在4月份解雇总经理兰德里·菲尔兹 (Landry Fields) 并提拔昂西·萨利赫 (Onsi Saleh) 负责篮球运营后，老板托尼·雷斯勒 (Tony Ressler) 和老鹰队的首要问题是，他们是否会在萨利赫之上再聘请一位篮球运营总裁。（雷斯勒明确表示——在去年从金州勇士队挖走萨利赫一年后——萨利赫将在未来成为球队组织的重要组成部分。）一旦这个问题解决，一个关键的休赛期正在等待着老鹰队，首先是对球队核心特雷·杨 (Trae Young) 的决定。在合同还剩一年、之后是2026-27赛季的球员选项的情况下，亚特兰大队会长期锁定他，还是可能考虑将其交易？除此之外，后卫戴森·丹尼尔斯 (Dyson Daniels) 的续约讨论也很有趣，他在去年夏天德章泰·穆雷 (Dejounte Murray) 的交易中来到球队后，赢得了最快进步球员奖。老鹰队还需要对完全自由球员卡里斯·勒韦尔特 (Caris LeVert) 和小拉里·南斯 (Larry Nance Jr.) 做出决定。
芝加哥公牛队 (Chicago Bulls) (39胜43负)
合同在身球员总数： 12人
预计薪资空间： 无
可交易选秀权总数： 5个首轮签，5个次轮签
没有哪支球队比公牛队更陷入僵局，他们进入夏天时大部分阵容都有合同在身，但有一些重大决定需要做出——首先是受限制自由球员约什·吉迪 (Josh Giddey)，他们去年夏天从亚历克斯·卡鲁索 (Alex Caruso) 的交易中得到他。吉迪将期望得到一份大合同。公牛队愿意给他吗？科比·怀特 (Coby White) 的表现超出了他的合同价值，以他1290万美元的合同为基础进行续约似乎不太可能实现。这会让他成为交易候选人吗？公牛队在2026-27赛季账面上几乎没有薪资，但吉迪的续约会迅速改变这一点。
迈阿密热火队 (Miami Heat) (37胜45负)
合同在身球员总数： 12人
预计薪资空间： 无
可交易选秀权总数： 2个首轮签，1个次轮签
随着巴特勒 (Jimmy Butler III) 的肥皂剧正式告一段落，热火队需要做些什么才能在附加赛区徘徊后，重拾东部顶级球队的地位？新秀凯莱尔·韦尔 (Kel’el Ware) 经历了一个令人印象深刻的赛季，他、泰勒·希罗 (Tyler Herro) 和巴姆·阿德巴约 (Bam Adebayo) 为热火队提供了未来的年轻建队基石。但迈阿密队如何提升并不清楚。需要对邓肯·罗宾逊 (Duncan Robinson) 做出决定，他的1980万美元到期合同中有980万美元在7月初之前得到保障。热火队还可以为2026年夏天保留大量薪资空间，届时可能会有更活跃的自由球员市场。
新奥尔良鹈鹕队 (New Orleans Pelicans) (21胜61负)
合同在身球员总数： 13人
预计薪资空间： 无
可交易选秀权总数： 5个首轮签，4个次轮签
新任篮球运营主管乔·杜马斯 (Joe Dumars) 今夏有一些工作要做。鹈鹕队下赛季很可能将缺少德章泰·穆雷 (Dejounte Murray) 的整个赛季，因为他右跟腱撕裂，这意味着这支球队预计将再次深入乐透区。随着锡安·威廉姆森 (Zion Williamson) 代表球队参加今年的乐透抽签，这预示着他在新奥尔良的未来会是怎样？他的合同还有三年。新奥尔良队是继续围绕威廉姆森、穆雷、特雷·墨菲三世 (Trey Murphy III) 和赫伯特·琼斯 (Herbert Jones) 组成的年轻核心建队，还是开始转向另一个方向？
菲尼克斯太阳队 (Phoenix Suns) (36胜46负)
合同在身球员总数： 11人
预计薪资空间： 无
可交易选秀权总数： 2个首轮签，7个次轮签
太阳队新时代的第一个举动，由首席执行官布莱恩·格雷戈里 (Brian Gregory) 和主教练乔丹·奥特 (Jordan Ott) 领导，是在NBA总决赛抢七大战前几小时将凯文·杜兰特 (Kevin Durant) 送往火箭队。尽管休斯顿队换回了杰伦·格林 (Jalen Green)、狄龙·布鲁克斯 (Dillon Brooks) 和周三NBA选秀的第10顺位选秀权，但这笔交易直到7月6日才能正式生效。届时，预计太阳队将与今天大不相同。德文·布克 (Devin Booker) 将在下个月获得一份巨额的两年期续约合同，但消息人士称，太阳队预计将积极尝试围绕他重塑阵容，并努力让菲尼克斯重回季后赛行列。这并非易事：杰伦·格林 (Jalen Green)、德文·布克 (Devin Booker) 和布拉德利·比尔 (Bradley Beal) — 后者仍拥有他的交易否决权 — 的技术特点都存在重叠，而且太阳队（仍然极其昂贵）改善阵容的机制有限。
萨克拉门托国王队 (Sacramento Kings) (40胜42负)
合同在身球员总数： 10人
预计薪资空间： 无
可交易选秀权总数： 6个首轮签，3个次轮签
新任首席执行官斯科特·佩里 (Scott Perry) 接管了一支失衡的国王队阵容。扎克·拉文 (Zach LaVine)、德玛尔·德罗赞 (DeMar DeRozan) 和马利克·蒙克 (Malik Monk) 的技术特点都存在重叠，而德阿隆·福克斯 (De’Aaron Fox) 的交易让球队没有一个明显的控球后卫选择。佩里需要对基恩·埃利斯 (Keon Ellis) 做出一个有趣的决定，他拥有一份230万美元的球队选项，并作为一名3D后卫发展成一个不错的成长故事，这对于一个缺乏多种防守选择的阵容来说是必需品。但福克斯的交易似乎是两步走计划的第一步；尽管佩里没有做出第一步，但将由他来完成第二步。
多伦多猛龙队 (Toronto Raptors) (30胜52负)
合同在身球员总数： 13人
预计薪资空间： 无
可交易选秀权总数： 4个首轮签，6个次轮签
篮球运营总裁马赛·尤吉里 (Masai Ujiri) 曾宣称多伦多队不会永远重建，猛龙队也一直坚持这一愿景，在18个月内迅速完成了阵容重组。现在，他们在2月份通过交易得到布兰登·英格拉姆 (Brandon Ingram) 并与其续约后，即将触及奢侈税线，并且今夏将不得不做出一些有趣的决定。由于左脚踝扭伤导致他缺席了本赛季剩余比赛，我们从未看到这支猛龙队在交易后的整体表现。
有天赋的重建球队
夏洛特黄蜂队 (Charlotte Hornets) (19胜63负)
合同在身球员总数： 12人
预计薪资空间： 无
可交易选秀权总数： 7个首轮签，11个次轮签
黄蜂队本打算在乐透抽签中跃升，获得库珀·弗拉格 (Cooper Flagg) 或迪伦·哈珀 (Dylan Harper) 中的一个，却跌到了第七位。在马克·威廉姆斯 (Mark Williams) 于2月份被交易到洛杉矶——然后又没有了——之后，这些续约谈判将变得非常有趣。只要球队在东部排名垫底，至少会有人质疑夏洛特队的长期方向，以及这对球星后卫拉梅洛·鲍尔 (LaMelo Ball) 意味着什么。老将迈尔斯·布里奇斯 (Miles Bridges)（今年2500万美元，明年2280万美元）和优素福·努尔基奇 (Jusuf Nurkic)（即将到期的1930万美元合同）也可能被交易。他们还必须对受限制自由球员特雷·曼恩 (Tre Mann) 做出决定，他在本赛季因背伤缺席了大部分比赛。
波特兰开拓者队 (Portland Trail Blazers) (36胜46负)
合同在身球员总数： 13人
预计薪资空间： 无
可交易选秀权总数： 3个首轮签，5个次轮签
波特兰队正在发生很多事情。球队现在正在出售，在赛季末表现强势后，总经理乔·克罗宁 (Joe Cronin) 和主教练昌西·比卢普斯 (Chauncey Billups) 都获得了续约。但波特兰队接下来何去何从？安芬尼·西蒙斯 (Anfernee Simons) 的合同即将到期；他会获得续约，还是可能被交易？德安德烈·艾顿 (Deandre Ayton) 又如何呢？他自己的3500万美元合同即将到期，并且仍然阻碍了去年的7号秀多诺万·克林根 (Donovan Clingan) 作为球队首发中锋获得充分发挥的机会？
止步第一步
布鲁克林篮网队 (Brooklyn Nets) (26胜56负)
合同在身球员总数： 10人
预计薪资空间： 4000万-6000万美元
可交易选秀权总数： 9个首轮签，15个次轮签
篮网队和其他几支球队一样，曾希望在乐透抽签中获得好运。然而，他们却倒退了两位，跌至第八位。他们进入夏天时拥有联盟最多的薪资空间，但能签下的有价值球员却很少。他们还拥有大量的选秀权，但这支球队再摆烂一个赛季，并使用其选秀权（去年在迈卡尔·布里奇斯 (Mikal Bridges) 交易中从火箭队重新获得的权利）似乎更有意义。尽管如此，篮网队可以选择在今夏使用他们的薪资空间来加速重建，也可以利用它让其他球队省钱并获得更多资产，或者两者兼而有之。此外，还有交易他们合同在身的两位老将尼克·克拉克斯顿 (Nic Claxton) 和卡梅隆·约翰逊 (Cameron Johnson) 的可能性。
犹他爵士队 (Utah Jazz) (17胜65负)
合同在身球员总数： 14人
预计薪资空间： 无
可交易选秀权总数： 7个首轮签，7个次轮签
在与主教练威尔·哈迪 (Will Hardy) 签订了一份长期续约合同，并从波士顿凯尔特人队挖来奥斯汀·安吉 (Austin Ainge) 担任球队的篮球运营总裁后，犹他队的领导层在未来几年已经确定。现在来到了艰难的部分：开始组建这支阵容，使其能够在残酷的西部联盟中竞争。该计划的第一步是什么？决定如何处理劳里·马尔卡宁 (Lauri Markkanen)。在去年为弗拉格 (Cooper Flagg) 摆烂失败后，马尔卡宁是否可以被交易以增加更多资产，并围绕其年轻球员——包括今年选秀的第五顺位选秀权——组建球队？老将约翰·科林斯 (John Collins)、科林·塞克斯顿 (Collin Sexton) 和乔丹·克拉克森 (Jordan Clarkson) 也拥有总计6000万美元的到期合同，可以以多种方式利用。
华盛顿奇才队 (Washington Wizards) (18胜64负)
合同在身球员总数： 13人
预计薪资空间： 无
可交易选秀权总数： 6个首轮签，14个次轮签
奇才队又是一支在乐透抽签中失利的球队，但他们至少可以说年轻球员如比拉尔·库利巴利 (Bilal Coulibaly)、亚历克斯·萨尔 (Alex Sarr)、巴布·卡灵顿 (Bub Carrington) 和凯肖恩·乔治 (Kyshawn George) 在华盛顿队这个联盟烂队赛季中获得了宝贵的经验。但预计下赛季华盛顿队的战术手册不会有太大变化，年轻球员将继续获得大量出场时间，老将马库斯·斯马特 (Marcus Smart) 及其即将到期的2100万美元合同可用于换回更多资产，而奇才队很可能仍将是联盟三支最差球队之一。
点击查看原文：NBA offseason 2025 - How close is every franchise to a title?
NBA offseason 2025 - How close is every franchise to a title?
The Oklahoma City Thunder won their first championship Sunday night, beating the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the NBA Finals to become the seventh straight new titleholder in a record-setting era of parity in the league.
Only time will tell if that milestone number stretches to eight next year or if OKC is about to become the league’s next dynastic force. What is certain is that the Thunder’s victory officially puts a bow on the 2024-25 NBA season. As a result, the chase to catch the champs is officially on.
To set up what portends to be a massive offseason in the NBA, we took a holistic look at where all 30 teams stand in their pursuit of a crown and the biggest questions each faces this summer.
To do so, we divided the 30 franchises into 10 tiers. We started with the true title contenders and ended with the teams facing what the Thunder themselves faced just four years ago: the throes of a full rebuild.
(Note: Teams are organized alphabetically within each tier, and the projected salary cap space for each comes via ESPN’s Bobby Marks.)
True NBA title contender
Oklahoma City Thunder (68-14)
Total players under contract: 15
Projected salary cap space: None
Total tradable picks: 10 first-round picks, 17 second-round picks
Oklahoma City has an embarrassment of riches. Not only did the Thunder just win their first title with a roster featuring no players older than 31 and only two older than 27. They also have 15 players under contract, with two more first-round picks coming in this year’s draft, meaning they will have to create some roster room this summer. Meanwhile, Oklahoma City secured the Larry O’Brien Trophy without paying the luxury tax, and it won’t be paying the tax next season, either. This will allow the Thunder to sock away savings for the future as the roster begins to get expensive this summer, when Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren are eligible for rookie extensions and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander can agree to a massive future supermax extension.
It pays to be in the East
Cleveland Cavaliers (64-18)
Total players under contract: 10
Projected salary cap space: None
Total tradable picks: 1 first-round pick, 4 second-round picks
The Cavaliers had a terrific regular season with the second-highest win total in franchise history, before falling flat in their Eastern Conference semifinal loss to the Pacers. But while the Cavaliers had some issues exposed in that series, there aren’t a lot of avenues for them to be addressed, given Cleveland has a decision to make on Ty Jerome, who is going to get a significant raise from the $2.5 million he made this season. (The same goes for Sam Merrill and his $2.1 million.) But unless the Cavaliers make trades, they’ll be largely running it back.
New York Knicks (51-31)
Total players under contract: 10
Projected salary cap space: None
Total tradable picks: 1 first-round pick, 7 second-round picks
The Knicks made their first major move of the summer when they chose to dismiss coach Tom Thibodeau after reaching the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 25 years. Finding a new voice in the locker room comes with figuring out what the Knicks will do to try to augment the roster. With some creative accounting, New York should be able to use the $5.6 million taxpayer’s midlevel exception and stay below the second apron. Can the Knicks land a difference-maker with it? And can they add more depth beyond their top seven, with the bright lights of New York, a contending team and playing time to offer players on minimum deals? Or will they try to do something bigger and move players from that top seven to swing for a bigger fish? There’s also a potential Mikal Bridges extension to consider. Moving on from Thibodeau shows New York isn’t satisfied with just being good; the Knicks have made it clear that only a 2026 Finals berth will be deemed a success next season.
Best of the rest in the West
Denver Nuggets (50-32)
Total players under contract: 11
Projected salary cap space: None
Total tradable picks: 1 first-round pick, 1 second-round pick
If not for a wild fourth quarter from Thunder guard Luguentz Dort in Game 5 of the conference semifinals, perhaps Denver would be celebrating a second title in three years. Instead, the Nuggets are reeling from a second straight seven-game exit in the second round. The first order of business will be determining who will lead the front office after the team officially retained David Adelman as coach. Whomever Denver hires as general manager will face roster decisions right away. First, Denver has to see if it can get Christian Braun, one of the better young guards in the league, signed to a contract extension. Beyond that, the Nuggets will hope to upgrade their roster, with limited assets, to try to chase down OKC atop the West.
Houston Rockets (52-30)
Total players under contract: 11
Projected salary cap space: None
Total tradable picks: 4 first-round picks, 2 second-round picks
After a tremendous season that saw the Rockets finish second in the conference and lose in seven hard-fought games to the Warriors during the first round, it became clear Houston needed to upgrade its offense. How about landing Kevin Durant? That was exactly what the Rockets did hours before Sunday’s Game 7, adding the future Hall of Famer in exchange for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and the No. 10 pick in this year’s draft. That will allow the Rockets to remain an option if another star becomes available later this offseason or next year. And while Fred VanVleet has a $44 million team option for next season, expect him to remain in Houston either on that deal or a new one.
Minnesota Timberwolves (49-33)
Total players under contract: 8
Projected salary cap space: None
Total tradable picks: no first-round picks, 4 second-round picks
Coming off back-to-back conference finals appearances is justifiable cause for celebration in the Twin Cities. But as Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez fully take over as owners this summer, there are several big decisions ahead. Will Tim Connelly, who can opt out of his contract, remain in charge of the franchise moving forward? What will happen with pending unrestricted free agents Julius Randle and Naz Reid – both of whom have player options for next season – and Nickeil Alexander-Walker? Connelly expressed optimism during his end-of-season media session that all three would be back, and Minnesota can’t afford to take any steps backward in the West.
Elite contenders with injury woes
Boston Celtics (61-21)
Total players under contract: 11
Projected salary cap space: None
Total tradable picks: 2 first-round picks, 5 second-round picks
Few offseasons in NBA history have been more fascinating than what’s awaiting the Celtics. Because of Jayson Tatum’s left Achilles tear, a team that has ruled the East for the better part of a decade has massive questions as new owner Bill Chisholm gets set to take over this summer. There were doubts even before Tatum’s injury that Boston would have the first $500 million roster in NBA history. It’s impossible to see that happening now. How Boston approaches this summer could be the most important decision any team in the league makes, in terms of the ripple effects it could cause. Then there’s the future of franchise stalwart Al Horford. In the wake of Tatum’s injury, could Horford choose to play elsewhere? If he does, his stretch-big skill set would fit with any contending team, and he has shown he’s still a highly effective player even at 39 years old.
Indiana Pacers (50-32)
Total players under contract: 10
Projected salary cap space: None
Total tradable picks: 4 first-round picks, 8 second-round picks
After their stunning run to the NBA Finals, and to within a few shots of the franchise’s first championship, the focus shifts to Tyrese Haliburton’s recovery from the right Achilles injury he suffered early in Game 7. Indiana has proved its resiliency in these playoffs, but if Haliburton is out for all of next season, it’s hard to see the Pacers replicating this year’s run. In the meantime, they also have to decide what to do about Myles Turner, the best available free agent center and a vital part of Indiana’s five-out offense. The Pacers are expected to re-sign Turner; the question is whether the Pacers will go into the luxury tax to do so.
Milwaukee Bucks (48-34)
Total players under contract: 7
Projected salary cap space: None
Total tradable picks: 1 first-round pick, 2 second-round picks
Like the Celtics, the Bucks have a decision that could cause ripple effects throughout the league: What does Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future in Milwaukee look like? After 12 seasons with the franchise, there are real questions about how competitive the Bucks can be next season following Damian Lillard’s left Achilles tear. The expectation is that the Bucks would like to get out of the luxury tax after paying hundreds of millions in recent years, meaning franchise stalwart and unrestricted free agent Brook Lopez could be priced out of a return.
Aging star power
Golden State Warriors (48-34)
Total players under contract: 9
Projected salary cap space: None
Total tradable picks: 4 first-round picks, 1 second-round pick
After landing Jimmy Butler III at the trade deadline, Golden State managed to win a playoff round before Stephen Curry got hurt and the Timberwolves dispatched the Warriors in five games in Round 2. Now, the focus shifts to what likely will be yet another eventful summer in the Bay Area, beginning with the tricky negotiations with restricted free agent forward Jonathan Kuminga. Golden State likely will either bring him back on a new deal or sign and trade him to add reinforcements. Each path has a differing level of complexity. Regardless, the Warriors will need to find ways to augment the roster to keep up in the very difficult West.
LA Clippers (50-32)
Total players under contract: 10
Projected salary cap space: None
Total tradable picks: 2 first-round picks, 4 second-round picks
The Clippers outperformed this season, finishing fifth in the West and pushing the Nuggets to seven games in a thrilling first-round series. LA’s top priorities? Sorting out the future of James Harden, who has a $36.3 million player option, and deciding whether to extend Norman Powell, who is coming off the best season of his career. (Powell has a $20.4 million expiring contract in 2025-26.) The Clippers also could have most of the full midlevel exception available or they could use that salary flexibility to make moves via trade.
Los Angeles Lakers (50-32)
Total players under contract: 10
Projected salary cap space: None
Total tradable picks: 1 first-round pick, 1 second-round pick
Summer is never boring for the Lakers, and this year is no different. Not only did the Lakers just sell for a record $10 billion, but the franchise is waiting on another free agency decision from LeBron James. Now 40, he can opt into his $52.6 million player option for next season with an extension, opt in without an extension or opt out and sign a new contract. (Forward Dorian Finney-Smith faces the same three choices with his own $15.3 million option.) Luka Doncic, meanwhile, could choose to sign an extension or leave the Lakers in limbo until next summer. Austin Reaves can agree to an extension off his $13.9 million contract. And finally: After declining to complete the Mark Williams trade in February, can the Lakers get a rim-running center for Doncic?
Rising young teams with upside
Detroit Pistons (44-38)
Total players under contract: 10
Projected salary cap space: None (most likely)
Total tradable picks: 4 first-round picks, 13 second-round picks
The Pistons, who won a playoff game for the first time since 2008, have two very different paths they can take. Assuming they re-sign unrestricted free agents Tim Hardaway Jr., Malik Beasley and Dennis Schroder, they’ll operate as an over-the-tax team and try to add to their roster with the full midlevel exception or via trade this summer. The other choice? Let those players go, clear cap space and go after a free agent – potentially a floor-spacing big to create more room for All-NBA guard Cade Cunningham to operate. Either way, after general manager Trajan Langdon spent his first season in charge building a solid ecosystem around Cunningham – helping to launch him to another level as a player – expect that to be the guiding principle of Detroit’s summer.
Orlando Magic (41-41)
Total players under contract: 14
Projected salary cap space: None
Total tradable picks: 1 first-round pick, 11 second-round picks
After years of inactivity under president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman, Orlando pushed in all of its chips by sending four first-round picks plus a swap to Memphis in last week’s stunning trade for guard Desmond Bane. Bane, a terrific shooter who also can create for himself and others and isn’t a defensive liability, is a dream fit for a Magic roster desperately in need of offense after ranking last in 3-point shooting this season. Bane boosts Orlando without the team sacrificing its defensive identity, and he’ll slot right in alongside Jalen Suggs, Paolo Banchero (up for a max extension this summer) and Franz Wagner as Orlando’s core moving forward. Trades such as this, however, are made only if you believe it makes you a true contender to reach the NBA Finals. Given Orlando hasn’t won a playoff series since 2010, that’s a lofty bar to clear.
San Antonio Spurs (34-48)
Total players under contract: 10
Projected salary cap space: None
Total tradable picks: 3 first-round picks, 15 second-round picks
Having traded for De’Aaron Fox in February and then landing the second pick in this week’s NBA draft, San Antonio will be front and center in any discussion of stars changing teams this summer to potentially pair with rising superstar Victor Wembanyama, whom the Spurs believe will be healthy to start the season after having this campaign cut short due to a deep vein thrombosis diagnosis. The other question in San Antonio: What will Chris Paul do after a very successful first season with the Spurs?
Will the real team please stand up?
Dallas Mavericks (39-43)
Total players under contract: 13
Projected salary cap space: None
Total tradable picks: 3 first-round picks, 2 second-round picks
What a wild ride in Dallas. The Mavericks shocked the league by trading Luka Doncic in February, only to shock it again by jumping from 11th to first in the draft lottery last month to secure the right to draft another phenom in Cooper Flagg. With Flagg set to anchor the franchise for the next decade, the Mavs have to figure out what to do with Kyrie Irving, who will miss at least the majority of next season with a torn left ACL and has a $42.9 million player option on the books. Though Irving is expected to be back, Dallas desperately needs some more ballhandling, especially while he’s out.
Memphis Grizzlies (48-34)
Total players under contract: 11
Projected salary cap space: Fluid
Total tradable picks: 7 first-round picks, 6 second-round picks
After a disappointing final few months of the season, culminating in firing coach Taylor Jenkins and getting swept out of the playoffs by the Thunder, the first order of business in Memphis is figuring out whether Jaren Jackson Jr. can secure a new extension. Jackson is on an expiring $23.4 million deal, one far below his current value, meaning Memphis will need to renegotiate and extend the former Defensive Player of the Year to get a deal done. That’s why the Grizzlies moved on from Marcus Smart during the season. And Memphis has hoped to get Jackson locked up. Assuming the Grizzlies do, they also have to figure out the future of restricted free agent Santi Aldama and guard Luke Kennard.
Philadelphia 76ers (24-58)
Total players under contract: 9
Projected salary cap space: None
Total tradable picks: 3 first-round picks, 7 second-round picks
Any predictions for Philadelphia hinge on Joel Embiid’s health, which remains very much an open question. Philly will be hoping it can get something close to full strength from Embiid next season, as well as a better version of Paul George and an able-bodied Jared McCain, after the rookie standout was shut down with a left meniscus injury in December. The 76ers enjoyed a good start to their offseason by jumping to third in the lottery and thus keeping their top-six protected pick.
Stuck in purgatory
Atlanta Hawks (40-42)
Total players under contract: 11
Projected salary cap space: None
Total tradable picks: 3 first-round picks, 6 second-round picks
After firing GM Landry Fields in April and promoting Onsi Saleh to run basketball operations, the first question for owner Tony Ressler and the Hawks is whether they’re going to hire a president of basketball operations over Saleh. (Ressler has made it clear – a year after hiring Saleh away from Golden State – that Saleh will be a huge part of the organization going forward.) Once that’s settled, a pivotal offseason awaits the Hawks, beginning with a decision on franchise player Trae Young. With one year left on his deal before a player option for the 2026-27 season, will Atlanta lock him up long term or potentially look to move on? Beyond that, there’s a fascinating extension discussion ahead for guard Dyson Daniels, who won the Most Improved Player Award after coming over in the Dejounte Murray trade last summer. The Hawks also have decisions on unrestricted free agents Caris LeVert and Larry Nance Jr.
Chicago Bulls (39-43)
Total players under contract: 12
Projected salary cap space: None
Total tradable picks: 5 first-round picks, 5 second-round picks
There is no team more stuck than the Bulls, who enter the summer with their roster largely under contract but with some significant decisions to make – beginning with restricted free agent Josh Giddey, whom they acquired for Alex Caruso last summer. Giddey is going to expect a big payday. Are the Bulls willing to give him one? Coby White has outplayed his contract to the point where an extension off his $12.9 million seems unlikely to get done. Does that make him a trade candidate? The Bulls have almost no money on the books for the 2026-27 season, but a Giddey extension would quickly change that.
Miami Heat (37-45)
Total players under contract: 12
Projected salary cap space: None
Total tradable picks: 2 first-round picks, 1 second-round pick
With the Butler saga officially behind them, what will it take for the Heat to regain their status as a top-tier team in the East after floating around in the play-in? Rookie Kel’el Ware had an impressive season, and he, Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo give the Heat young building blocks moving forward. But how Miami improves isn’t clear. There’s a decision to be made on Duncan Robinson, who has $9.8 million of his $19.8 million expiring contract guaranteed until early July. And the Heat also could preserve what could be a ton of cap space for the summer of 2026, when a more active free agent crop could be available.
New Orleans Pelicans (21-61)
Total players under contract: 13
Projected salary cap space: None
Total tradable picks: 5 first-round picks, 4 second-round picks
New lead executive Joe Dumars has some work to do this summer. The Pelicans likely will be without Dejounte Murray for all of next season after he tore his right Achilles tendon, meaning the expectation will be for this team to again be deep in the lottery. With Zion Williamson representing the team at this year’s lottery, what does that portend for his future in New Orleans? He has three more years on his contract. Does New Orleans keep trying to build around this young core of Williamson, Murray, Trey Murphy III and Herbert Jones or begin moving in another direction?
Phoenix Suns (36-46)
Total players under contract: 11
Projected salary cap space: None
Total tradable picks: 2 first-round picks, 7 second-round picks
The first move of the Suns’ new era, directed by lead executive Brian Gregory and coach Jordan Ott, was to send Kevin Durant to the Rockets in the hours leading up to Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Though Houston got back Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and the 10th pick in Wednesday’s NBA draft, the deal won’t be official until July 6. By then, expect the Suns to look a lot different from today. Devin Booker is going to get a massive two-year extension next month, but the Suns are expected to be aggressive in trying to retool the roster around him, sources said, and try to get Phoenix back into the playoff mix. That won’t be easy: The skill sets of Green, Booker and Bradley Beal – who still has his no-trade clause – all overlap, and there are limited mechanisms for the Suns (who remain wildly expensive) to improve.
Sacramento Kings (40-42)
T****otal players under contract: 10
Projected salary cap space: None
Total tradable picks: 6 first-round picks, 3 second-round picks
New lead executive Scott Perry takes over an unbalanced Kings roster. Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Malik Monk all have overlapping skill sets, and the De’Aaron Fox trade left the team without an obvious point guard option on the roster. Perry has an intriguing decision to make on Keon Ellis, who has a $2.3 million team option and has turned into a nice developmental story as a 3-and-D guard, a necessity for a roster devoid of many defensive options. But the Fox move seemed like the first of a two-step process; and though Perry didn’t make that first move, it will be up to him to make the second.
Toronto Raptors (30-52)
Total players under contract: 13
Projected salary cap space: None
Total tradable picks: 4 first-round picks, 6 second-round picks
President of basketball operations Masai Ujiri declared Toronto wouldn’t be rebuilding forever, and the Raptors have stuck to that vision, quickly overhauling the roster in 18 months. Now, they are bumping up against the luxury tax and are going to have to make some interesting decisions this summer after trading for Brandon Ingram and signing him to an extension in February. Because of a left ankle sprain that kept him out the remainder of the campaign, we never saw what this Raptors group looked like together after the trade.
Rebuilding teams with talent
Charlotte Hornets (19-63)
Total players under contract: 12
Projected salary cap space: None
Total tradable picks: 7 first-round picks, 11 second-round picks
The Hornets had designs on jumping up in the lottery and getting either Cooper Flagg or Dylan Harper in the draft but instead fell to seventh. And after Mark Williams was traded to Los Angeles – then wasn’t – back in February, those will be very interesting extension negotiations. As long as the franchise remains near the bottom of the East standings, there will at least be a question as to Charlotte’s long-term direction, and what that means for star guard LaMelo Ball. And veterans Miles Bridges ($25 million this year, $22.8 million next year) and Jusuf Nurkic (expiring $19.3 million) could also be potentially traded. They also have to make a decision on restricted free agent Tre Mann after he missed most of the season with a back injury.
Portland Trail Blazers (36-46)
Total players under contract: 13
Projected salary cap space: None
Total tradable picks: 3 first-round picks, 5 second-round picks
There’s a lot happening in Portland. The team is now up for sale, and after a strong close to the season, both general manager Joe Cronin and coach Chauncey Billups were given extensions. But where does Portland go from here? Anfernee Simons is on an expiring contract; does he get an extension, or does he potentially get dealt? What about Deandre Ayton, who is on a $35 million expiring contract of his own and remains an impediment to giving last year’s seventh overall pick, Donovan Clingan, a full runway as the team’s starting center?
Sitting at Step 1
Brooklyn Nets (26-56)
Total players under contract: 10
Projected salary cap space: $40-60 million
Total tradable picks: 9 first-round picks, 15 second-round picks
The Nets, like several other teams, hoped for good lottery luck. Instead, they moved back two spots to eighth. They enter the summer with the most cap space in the league but with little of value to spend it on. They also have a ton of picks, but it makes more sense for this team to struggle one more season and use its draft pick (the rights to which it reacquired from Houston in the Mikal Bridges trade last year). Still, the Nets could choose to use their cap space to speed up the rebuild this summer, they could use it to allow teams to save money and get even more assets, or some combination of the two. There’s also the possibility of moving their two veterans under contract, Nic Claxton and Cameron Johnson.
Utah Jazz (17-65)
Total players under contract: 14
Projected salary cap space: None
Total tradable picks: 7 first-round picks, 7 second-round picks
After locking up coach Will Hardy to a long-term contract extension and hiring Austin Ainge away from the Boston Celtics to be the team’s president of basketball operations, Utah’s leadership is set for years to come. Now comes the hard part: beginning to build out this roster out to the point where it can contend in the ruthless Western Conference. Step 1 in that plan? Deciding what to do with Lauri Markkanen. After last year’s tank for Flagg failed, could Markkanen be traded to add more assets and align the team around its young players – including the fifth pick in this year’s draft – going forward? Veterans John Collins, Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson also have a combined $60 million in expiring deals that could be used in a variety of ways.
Washington Wizards (18-64)
Total players under contract: 13
Projected salary cap space: None
Total tradable picks: 6 first-round picks, 14 second-round picks
Yet another team that struck out in the lottery, the Wizards can at least point to young players such as Bilal Coulibaly, Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington and Kyshawn George getting valuable experience as part of Washington’s season among the dregs of the league. But don’t expect a wildly different playbook in D.C. next season, as the young guys will continue to play a lot, veterans such as Marcus Smart and his expiring $21 million could be used to bring back more assets in deals and the Wizards will again likely remain in the hunt for one of the league’s three worst records.
By Tim Bontemps | ESPN, via ESPN