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The Eastern Conference semifinal series resembling a series of twists after the opening games, the Bucks, the Raptors, the 76ers and the Celtics are much more at stake than a single place in the final. the conference.
The four teams, as well as the No. 5 seed to the East, the Indiana Pacers, have several key players on their way to free competition in July, and these decisions could significantly alter the balance of power of the conference.
Let's start with the seeded Bucks, who will have three starters (Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez and Malcolm Brogdon) on the free market (Brogdon is restricted), as well as former Bulls striker, Niko Mirotic, and potentially guardian of reserve, George Hill, who has an unsecured $ 18 million contract for next season. Middleton will have several teams vying for his services after an All-Star season, while Lopez should also have plenty of contenders with his new 3-point shot. And do not be surprised if a team makes an aggressive contract offer to Brogdon to force the Bucks to make a tough decision on increasing their luxury tax bill to keep the former Rookie of the Year.
Toronto has been very careful to monitor Kawhi Leonard's workload this season, hoping to convince the future free agent that the best choice for his future is north of the Canada-US border. Most NBA analysts have the Clippers at the top of Leonard's wish list, but that could change if the Raptors could get to the finals of the NBA. Leonard did not say much about his upcoming freelance contract, so he's the ultimate wild card when the alarm rings at midnight on June 30th. Danny Green and Jeremy Lin are also unrestricted free agents, while Marc Gasol has a $ 25.6 million player option that he should exercise for next season.
Philadelphia will have Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harris and J.J. Redick heading to the country of free agencies with reserves T.J. McConnell and Boban Marjanovic. No one knows what Butler will do, assuming 76ers general manager Elton Brand prioritizes young Harris' signing this summer, though Butler is the best player overall.
The former star player of the Bulls could be a target for both New York and the two Los Angeles teams, while Redick, a sniper, could be ruled out of Philadelphia if Butler and Harris returned. Remember that the Bulls signed a free offer sheet with Redick several years ago. It could therefore be on the wish list of John Paxson and Gar Forman, depending on what they do in the project.
Celtic stars Kyrie Irving and Al Horford hold player options for next season. Irving will certainly use his services. According to rumors, the Knicks and Nets would be on his list of possible destinations. Horford has to pay $ 30 million for next season, but could pull out to negotiate a long-term deal with the Celtics. Would Horford consider leaving Boston if Irving succeeded? And keep an eye on restricted free agent Terry Rozier, another player on which the Bulls are very fervent. Boston has two other free players coming to veterans Marcus Morris and Aron Baynes.
Indiana could have a radically different look next season with debutants Bojan Bogdanovic, Thaddeus Young, Darren Collison and Wesley Matthews, all unrestricted free agents, as well as the best reserves, Tyreke Evans and Cory Joseph. The Pacers have a ton of free space, but Indianapolis has never attracted many independent players and no one is certain that star goalie Victor Oladipo is ready to play next season after suffering a serious leg injury. January.
While the best teams in the East face significant losses this summer, which teams are about to jump in the rankings? We've all heard rumors that Irving and Kevin Durant could join forces with the Knicks. And what if this proven frankness also benefits 14% of the chances of the # 1 pick in the repechage and also brings Zion Williamson to Manhattan? Suddenly, they go from the worst team in the NBA to a possible top 5.
Brooklyn also hopes to use his huge cap space to attract an elite freestyle player after a surprising run in the playoffs of last season. They will also try to recruit the Durant-Irving combo. But the Nets will have to devote some of their spending power to renew the contract with All-Star guardian Angelo Russell, a restricted free agent.
Orlando will continue the development of his young Aaron Gordon squad, Jonathan Isaac and Mo Bamba, but could lose the center of stars Nikola Vucevic freelance. The Magic will be on the market for an upgrade to the leader after spending the season with the opposing player of D. Bull Augustin, Jerian Grant and Michael Carter-Williams.
Detroit dropped to eighth place last season, but it is stuck in a mediocre list with inflated salaries for Blake Griffin, Andre Drummond and Reggie Jackson, while Washington is starting again after trading Otto Porter Jr. at the Bulls and probably forced to play next season without star guard John Wall, who is recovering from the operation of the Achilles tendon.
Charlotte could lose the guard of the star player Kemba Walker in free investment, which would make this franchise in reconstruction mode. Meanwhile, the arrow points to Atlanta, where the Hawks could add two top-10 picks to their younger core, Trae Young, John Collins, Kevin Huerter and Taurean Prince.
Where does all this leave the bulls?
It all depends on what happens in the May 14 draw. If the Bulls are able to reach Williamson or dynamic leader Ja Morant, their chances of winning a double-digit victory are much better. Getting one of the top two players in the repechage will also reduce their shopping list with available space of about $ 20 million. Maybe a player like Redick or Ricky Rubio would pay Serious attention to the Bulls with a potential star like Williamson on board.
If the Bulls choose the Morant, they could eventually use their cap space for the depth of the field and another 3-point shooter to strengthen their bench unit.
As always, staying healthy will be key for the Bulls to compete for a playoff spot next season. The October wounds to Lauri Markkanen, Denzel Valentine, Bobby Portis and Kris Dunn have almost put an end to their chances of improving the finish in 2018-19, and we will not really know which one of the youngest teams in the NBA will be able to be healthy and productive.
Nevertheless, with the potential exodus of star power from the best teams in the East, the conference standings could well be upset next season.
AROUND THE ASSOCIATION
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At the Western Conference, the Clippers are poised to dramatically improve their lineup after they surprised most NBA analysts by winning last place, even after exchanging their best player, Tobias Harris, in Philadelphia.
The Clippers have the potential to offer a maximum of two contracts to the independent agent class, and they obviously have a lot to sell with a young, high-performing team, a popular coach at Doc Rivers, a passionate owner at Steve Ballmer and one the best executives. in the history of the league at Jerry West.
As I mentioned earlier, the Clippers are considered favorites to sign Kawhi Leonard when he leaves Toronto, and they could also run against Jimmy Butler, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson and Kemba Walker. Rivers did a great job of feeding young guards Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Landry Shamet and Jerome Robinson, while making the most of veterans Lou Williams, Danilo Gallinari, Showzl Harrell and Patrick Beverley. The Clippers will not be able to keep everyone if they bow in autonomy, but their future is more promising than the Lakers.
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The Phoenix Suns were the first team to fill their vacant head coach position. He reportedly hired Philadelphia 76ers assistant coach Monty Williams for a five-year contract.
Williams has been twice entertained with the Lakers but has instead opted for a chance to lead the rising stars Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton, last year's No. 1 pick. This could open the door for the Lakers to engage LeBron James' head coach in Cleveland, Ty Lue.
The Lakers have also interviewed Jason Kidd and Chicago-based Juwan Howard, but for the moment, it seems like Lue's job to lose. With the Lakers, the Cavaliers and Grizzlies both have senior coaching positions.
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The next NBA lottery is probably the most anticipated since 2003, when James was preparing to enter the league right after high school. Williamson has all the qualities that teams are looking for in a franchise player, and any team that will have the chance to get it will suddenly see a huge increase in ticket sales, marketing money and most likely, a win. next season.
The other reason why this year's lottery is so important is the abandonment of the top two players, Williamson and Murray St. point guard Ja Morant. The teams that will rank 3rd, 4th and 5th this year will end up with players far from the caliber of the 2018 selections of these places, Luka Doncic, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Trae Young. In fact, an NBA scout told Sean Highkin, of Bleacher Report, that players chosen after Williamson and Morant would have struggled to part with the first 14 lottery picks of last year.
The absence of elite players in this year's draft could lead to some unexpected picks in the top 10, with teams potentially considering some very promising choices like Bol Bolol of Oregon, the only one in the world. USC winger Kevin Porter Jr. Cam Reddish, Jarrett Culver, Andre Hunter, Romeo Langford and Rui Hachimura are better known colleagues.
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