The offseason is finally upon us. Unless you're an ******* and get to root for a good team you have probably been waiting for this time for quite some time. At least I have. The Knicks fan in me has been fiending to take a deep dive into the league and this is the prime time to do so because they cannot let me down. So, I decided to do a full-on off-season preview. First, we'll start with our teams...

I originally planned on doing a breakdown for each team, but, truth be told, as I got deeper into it I realized many teams are in similar situations. There are so few teams with meaningful cap space, and even fewer actually available free agents. Most teams will be looking to run it back, and counting on internal improvement or upgrading in a small area of need. Here are a few questions I think the league has headed into the offseason.

1) How do the elites reload headed into next season? My first observation was that many of the top teams have little room for maneuvering and will likely focus on bringing the band back for another run. The Lakers, for example, are basically at the mercy of their role players with player options. Assuming Davis signs another deal, even if all of Rondo/Bradley/McGee/KCP decline their PO's, the Lakers will have little to no cap space to replace them. Which means, aside from Kuzma/Caruso making a mini-leap, the Lakers don't really have a path to improving.

The good news is that the other elites are in a similar position. There is not much of a path for the elites to make meaningful roster improvements during the offseason. The Celtics are handcuffed by Hayward's player option which he'll almost assuredly accept. The Clippers, Bucks, Nets & Nuggets are all largely capped out. Now, of course, these teams have paths to improvement within their roster, but that discussion is for another day.

The biggest wild card of the elites is the Warriors, who hold the #2 pick. There are a few options for Golden State to consider and it will be very telling to see which path they take.

2) What do the few bad teams with cap space do? If the FA class were better, some teams would have a rare chance to make a splash. Unfortunately, this is one of the most pathetic FA classes in recent memory. So what are they to do? Do they overpay for unrestricted free agents knowing they are likely to get the guys they throw $ at? Or do they stand pat and hang on to their cap space and battle with more teams for more enticing FA classes? As a Knicks fan I am dreading this aspect of the offseason.

3) Will said bad teams with space bail out teams with big name bad contracts? A few guys under contract stick out; Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, Victor Oladipo. Expect rumors (particularly involving one historically dumb team) to fly regarding these guys.

4) How much will the supressed salary cap affect the types of contracts given out? Will teams be more passive? Will players sign shorter deals and bet on themselves? It certainly seems that way.

This doesn't project to be the most exciting offseason in NBA history by any means, but it still is something we all can partake in. And I've learned to never underestimate the greatest league in sports.

Links:

-Title Odds
-Contracts Info
-NBA Free Agents
-2020 NBA Draft Mock
-Dean on this year's draft

First

Very thorough and excellent OP!

Nothing on Giannis? Has he decided to stay w/Mil long term already?

In Assani Fisher we trust

Top Boiling Oats Runner for 10 years running.

Phenomenal OP.

Ha that's funny, one of my original blurbs was about how big an offseason it is for Milwaukee because they have to prove they can build a contender around Giannis. Not sure why I deleted it

If I ran the Warriors I'd take Wiseman as I believe he can be a positive player on both sides of the ball as a rookie.

He fits exactly what they are looking for in a big. Edit: and I believe he has UNICORN tendencies that can be further developed.

I'd run it back with Wiggins and see how he fits in with the system for 30~ games and if need be move him along with the Minny 2021 pick for a better veteran Wing.

Warriors should probably trade #2 to a younger team, right?

The Warriors can look to bridge the gap to their future with Wiseman and have a Spurs like dynasty run if they want to.

The thing is about the #2 pick is that it's not going to get you anything really good.

Wiggins and #2 for Beal (maybe but nah) or Booker (like no chance).

Failing that, what's out there for them as a difference maker? I don't think anyone else is worthy of the pick.

Dipo, CJ, LeVert, nothing stands out. KAT isn't available.

What would be interesting is if Denver would try to sell high on MPJ.

What about Harden and trash?

I feel like there's really hatred in GS for Harden/Houston. They view him as entirely antithetical to everything they've built.

Could Harden fit in with a GSW / Steph-centric system though?

He’s an amazing talent there’s no question to that. But would he be willing to learn how to be a right handed fighter like Rocky in Rocky II, which if memory served me correctly, shocked the world!

With that level of hatred there always comes a certain level of respect.

I'm pretty sure Denver is going to hold onto MPJ and hope he hits his ceiling.

Dude got TALENT for DAYS.

Great OP Geoff. Let us NBA Offseason

I bet Malone would like to move MPJ. He’s just not a “Denver Guy” iykwim.

I think a #2 + Wiggins for Gobert trade makes a lot of sense, assuming GSW thinks the AW contract is an albatross. Utah gets younger with a bit higher ceiling as Mitchell hopefully continues to improve + they get out of the Gobert extension situation. Utah probably misses the playoffs next year by a little, meaning their 15-30/1-7 protected pick they owe Memphis might fall in the 11-14 range, which is ideal.

Gobert on the Warriors could be quite spicy and his age lines up much better with GSW's core, and his future contract situation means less to a team that prints money.

Actually I really don't want this to happen come to think of it.

Why wouldn’t the warriors just draft Wiseman? Who is younger, cheaper and has more upside than Gobert.

Unless they just want to get rid of Standrew. Which after watching him for 5 + years in Minnesota is totally understandable.

Yeah that's what I've been saying. Draft Wiseman!

Warriors will do that if they really are Light Years Ahead™

The future goat big man playing in Milwaukee already happened once. The future is inevitable.

LeBron could rang in 2021.

Giannis signs with Lakers.

Then LeBron plays another 5 seasons from age 37, 38, 39, 40, 41 with AD and Giannis, winning 5 more titles. FOR A SEVEN PEAT. lol Jordan

That would be 10 titles.

AD / Giannis / LeBron / Alex Caruso / BRONNY

They'd go 82-0 / 16-0.